Before Photos
November 28th
Spicy tuna roll, diet coke, pool-side chaise and I’m in carb heaven.
I’ve recently started a new weight-lifting routine. I’m hesitant to even talk about it here because I seem to bore everyone in my personal life with nutrition/health/athletic blabbing. But, here’s the catch — I need the accountability. If I blog it, so be it.
I workout daily. I am one of those rare breeds that loves to exercise. Give me an hour of cardio first thing in the morning and I am a happy woman. I am not fast or particularly strong, but I am dedicated.
The trick now is to turn this dedication into motivation in the nutrition arena. While I don’t have a problem steering away from “bad foods” — I rarely eat junk and when I do, I make a point of selecting wisely (ice cream, chips and salsa) and truly enjoying it — I do have a problem of eating too much. My portion control is out of control. Why have the 1/2 cup suggested serving of organic, whole-wheat cereal when I can have 1/2 the sleeve? Seriously. I eat good-for-you foods, but eat way too much and the result is that I’ve goofed up my body’s hunger signals.
Processed beef and bikinis should never mix. But hey! We were on vacay!
Time for change! I recently picked up a copy of Body for Life. Have you heard of this? In a nutshell, it is a weight lifting/cardio/nutrition plan that promises to cut down your body fat and build lean muscle. It isn’t a diet — it is a way of changing your life. I’m only a couple days into this and I’m so far following it diligently. I like the small 5-6 meals per day and the extra protein is keeping me full. Plus, while the weight lifting has me achy, it is incredible to feel your body getting stronger. Or at least that is what I am trying to tell myself.
A couple of questions for you — please consider delurking:
- Do you work out regularly? Do you like it, or is it one more task?
- What are your nutrition and exercise habits?
- Is this topic so boring you can’t wait for a new knitting post? Ha!
The next time I’m on the beach? I won’t be hiding under a one-piece and a tank top. I also won’t be drinking soda and eating sushi. {Okay, maybe the sushi. It is vacation after all!}
~K
- Posted in
- Get Fit, Goals, Good to Great, Journal
- Follow the comments.
Exercise…hmmm…do I like it? not pure sports exercise: running, jogging, biking, but give me a Pilates class, a nice long walk and I’m all over it. I have stuggled with sticking with exercise because I hate going to the gym. I finally figured out that if it’s class based or helps me get from point A to point B, I’ll stick with it. or if I can do it in my own home. I, too struggle with the portion control and trying to squeeze a snack in between patients rarely happens! I regularly get Fitness magazine for motivation and this issue has a “HOw fit are you” test/article. It takes you through some basic fitness activities and then encourages you set goals to increase your fitness; your body fat analysis has inspired me to take the test! I like that you share your journey with us, speaking for me only, it’s very motivating, even though we enjoy completly different sports and activity!
I’m late to your post – as usual:)
I’d been exercising dilligently since January of last year. I gave in and joined CalorieKing.com to keep track of my food intake because I couldn’t lose the extra weight. I’d run 5 miles on the treadmill or until it stops automatically (after 100minutes)-six times a week. I’d also do weights and stretch using the Swiss ball. My weight didn’t seem to budge and my body felt so heavy with muscle. Nicely toned though. Obviously I was over-exerting myself for my 5’3″ frame. My appetite increased greatly as well. Luckily I don’t eat junk food but I still drank copius amounts of red wine.
Then I went home for 4 weeks this past summer. I hardly exercised. Occasionally I’d tag along with my little brother whenever he went to the gym. I’d do 20mins on the treadmill and some weights. But mostly, I rested, ate organic food that they eat at home. I drank quite a bit of South African wine but for the most part I led a leisurely life.
I came back to Memphis and I had lost 10 pounds. I’ve kept it off so far. I imagine it was loss of muscle. Now I just do a bit of yoga and pay strict attention to what I eat. So far I’m happy with it and I hope I don’t ever have exert myself so much again.
Sometimes I wish I lived in a city that has reliable and practical public transportation. Then I would’nt have the door to door driving that contributes to a sedentary lifestyle.
I do have a friend back home who swears by Body for Life though. Apparently you need to have the stick-toitiveness to get the results, and you have that.
Delurking!
- Do you work out regularly? Do you like it, or is it one more task?
I like working out – I just can’t get motivated to do it all the time – I know it will make me feel great – so I try to get to the gym or walk or do some fitness program on tv whenever I can – 3 or 4 x/week? or more.
- What are your nutrition and exercise habits?
Working on the nutrition angle. Just realizing that maybe I eat too many calories each day.
- Is this topic so boring you can’t wait for a new knitting post? Ha!
Nope! Going to check out Body for Life now, thanks for the tip!
Late to the table (due to family stuff), but wanted to weigh in (ha!).
1. If I don’t build exercise into my daily routine – take the stairs, park at the far side of the park-n-ride, walk at breaks, yoga through workplace-noontime-wellness program, it doesn’t get done. I love how I feel when I’m fit, but I get really bored with gyms. I prefer to be outside, and generally active.
2. I eat 3 meals a day, and two snacks. For meals, I try to eat my heaviest at lunch – this seems to be when I need protein and carbs and fat and fiber all at once. Dinner I try to eat lighter. I conform to the standards of portion control and focus on my food (ie, try not to eat and watch tv, eat and internet, etc). I allow treats. Liberally. BUT – I stick to the portions. So- ice cream every night, in 1/2 cup portions (and do you know how small 1/2 cup is????), or a cookie or two. Snacks are selected from yogurt, fruit, kashi bars, etc. – healthy stuff only!! No office treats! No coffee house pastry runs!! This works for me, and though I carry about 3-5 lbs of extra curves on me (yes, I know it’s from the treats), I (and TH) like me this way. I don’t go for Hollywood/Madison Ave. standards, and life is too short for no treats. Plus if I deny little treats I end up binging – not good.
3. I love all your posts. (I swear I’m not kissing up.) You inspire me to be fitter. Or at least think about being fitter.