A friend asked me how I was today, and my immediate response was "ok". But I immediately added. "No. Better than ok. I am exercising well and I feel GOOD!"
What a great feeling, to be feeding your body what it needs with food and exercise. Joints stop hurting, muscle aches go away faster, more energy, sleeping better. It's like a steam roller of good..... just getting better and better!
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Starting fresh after an off week
Last week was a struggle. I struggled in workouts. I didn't eat well. I didn't drink my water! I have no idea why.... But I'm glad to know that having an off week doesn't mean it's over and done with. It simple means I need to give myself a new chance - starting fresh. It's so important to remember that I am making lifestyle choices - to feed my body what it needs, exercise my body to make it strong.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Week two progress
After 2 weeks of trying to put my health first, I am down 6 lbs. More importantly, I'm enjoying exercise again, and I've started making choices. If I have a meal I feel is not healthy, I balance it out with the rest of the day, with a little more cardio, and GOOD food the rest of the day.
I am trying to help another friend in her weightloss journey as well, and she was completely discouraged this morning to only see 1 lb off from last week. Her 2 week total is FIVE POUNDS! Which is fantastic! But she's already getting discouraged. I'm trying to help her understand that we are looking for long term lifestyle changes. Slow, steady weight loss, better choices. I also explained that every week will vary - and if in the long run, we are going in the right direction, that is what matters.
Shows like the Biggest Loser, and some of the talk shows like Dr. Oz have completely distorted our idea of what weight loss is, or should be.
It can't be 10 lbs a week like the biggest loser if you're not isolated on a ranch under complete control. We still have to feed our families. We have other commitments that don't allow us to work out for 4 hours or more a day.
And it shouldn't be a drastic 2 week diet that sheds 20 lbs.
We need to feed our bodies with the right fuel. With real food, veggies, fruits, whole grains... We need to drink water. We need to fit exercise into our daily regime. We need to choose activities with our family that are physically active. And we need balance. Good balance, that allows us to make those choices, enjoy life, and get healthier, one day at a time.
I will continue to try to help my friend understand her misconception. And retrain her thought process to understand that she is making steps to improve her health for LIFE. I wish that society would stress this as well. We need to live life as God intended us to... not a life of excess, or quick fixes.
I am trying to help another friend in her weightloss journey as well, and she was completely discouraged this morning to only see 1 lb off from last week. Her 2 week total is FIVE POUNDS! Which is fantastic! But she's already getting discouraged. I'm trying to help her understand that we are looking for long term lifestyle changes. Slow, steady weight loss, better choices. I also explained that every week will vary - and if in the long run, we are going in the right direction, that is what matters.
Shows like the Biggest Loser, and some of the talk shows like Dr. Oz have completely distorted our idea of what weight loss is, or should be.
It can't be 10 lbs a week like the biggest loser if you're not isolated on a ranch under complete control. We still have to feed our families. We have other commitments that don't allow us to work out for 4 hours or more a day.
And it shouldn't be a drastic 2 week diet that sheds 20 lbs.
We need to feed our bodies with the right fuel. With real food, veggies, fruits, whole grains... We need to drink water. We need to fit exercise into our daily regime. We need to choose activities with our family that are physically active. And we need balance. Good balance, that allows us to make those choices, enjoy life, and get healthier, one day at a time.
I will continue to try to help my friend understand her misconception. And retrain her thought process to understand that she is making steps to improve her health for LIFE. I wish that society would stress this as well. We need to live life as God intended us to... not a life of excess, or quick fixes.
Friday, January 17, 2014
Workouts continue
Really starting to get "into" my workouts again, and I'm so excited. I'm sleeping better, feeling better, more energy...
Still not drinking a ton of coffee - just a couple of cups a day. This is a big change for me, and one I am proud of. I've replaced it with water for most of the day - another bonus.
Workouts are doing really well. Four in this week already - and each one better than the last. Upped the resistance on my elliptical this week and over 4 workouts have been able to get back under 30 minutes for 2 miles - so I will continue the path of increasing resistance once a week, and then working to get under the 30 for 2 miles. But at some point I will want to increase to more than 2 miles, to begin building stamina. For now, I'm just trying to really get back into it.
Food has been OK. Not snacking much, and that is a big difference. I've been eating pretty "normal" foods - not doing anything drastic. If I have a big meal, or a meal out, I balance it with the other food for the day being mostly fruits and veggies.
And all of this seems to be working. As I said, I'm feeling great. Very proud of putting myself first!
Still not drinking a ton of coffee - just a couple of cups a day. This is a big change for me, and one I am proud of. I've replaced it with water for most of the day - another bonus.
Workouts are doing really well. Four in this week already - and each one better than the last. Upped the resistance on my elliptical this week and over 4 workouts have been able to get back under 30 minutes for 2 miles - so I will continue the path of increasing resistance once a week, and then working to get under the 30 for 2 miles. But at some point I will want to increase to more than 2 miles, to begin building stamina. For now, I'm just trying to really get back into it.
Food has been OK. Not snacking much, and that is a big difference. I've been eating pretty "normal" foods - not doing anything drastic. If I have a big meal, or a meal out, I balance it with the other food for the day being mostly fruits and veggies.
And all of this seems to be working. As I said, I'm feeling great. Very proud of putting myself first!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Starting my day off right!
Started my day off with a hearty, healthy breakfast of oatmeal with dried cranberries and almonds. I love hot oatmeal, and have great memories of my mom making me oatmeal with raisins as a child. On a cold snowy day - there is nothing better.
We had about 8 inches of snow yesterday - so I began the day clearing the snow from the end of the driveway - good cardio on a cold morning. Only have half done, so I will be heading out again to finish. God's option for exercise today!
But the sun is shining, I have a good start to the day, and am hoping to continue!
We had about 8 inches of snow yesterday - so I began the day clearing the snow from the end of the driveway - good cardio on a cold morning. Only have half done, so I will be heading out again to finish. God's option for exercise today!
But the sun is shining, I have a good start to the day, and am hoping to continue!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
The end of a good week!
It's been a good week of taking care of myself. The goal I put in front of myself was 2 hours of cardio, and I did that! I did 4 sessions - 30 minutes each. Today was the final one, and it was the first one I felt GOOD during. I was able to push myself a little more, not stop at all, and I enjoyed it. That makes me happy. It's been too long away from my elliptical! Looking forward to my progress this week, and then the following week Zumba will start again - although only one day a week, so I will supplement with my own exercise. But it will be sooo good to get my zumba on again!
Eating was ok this week - many good days, with little or no snacking, and even on the days when I "cheated" - it was minimal. I love that. It's from the cleanse. I don't crave those sweet and salty things nearly as much, and I think the more I stay away, the less I will crave them. Did a lot of good cooking this week - good salads, two veggies with meals, and changed up the veggies quite a bit. Overall, I'm happy with the week!
Looking forward to next week - continuing to feel better about myself, and taking care of ME!
Eating was ok this week - many good days, with little or no snacking, and even on the days when I "cheated" - it was minimal. I love that. It's from the cleanse. I don't crave those sweet and salty things nearly as much, and I think the more I stay away, the less I will crave them. Did a lot of good cooking this week - good salads, two veggies with meals, and changed up the veggies quite a bit. Overall, I'm happy with the week!
Looking forward to next week - continuing to feel better about myself, and taking care of ME!
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
progress!
I am really starting to feel amazing... The reduction of caffeine is obvious now - as I am sleeping better, and have more energy. My dry skin is MUCH better as I'm back to drinking plenty of water. And I'm not snacking in between meals at all. Filling up with mostly vegetables at meals is doing great things... Starting to add in some great whole grains, which always makes me happy.
Fit my 30 minutes of cardio in today also - even though I had tons to do. Need to remember to put myself first - my health IS important. I AM important.
Fit my 30 minutes of cardio in today also - even though I had tons to do. Need to remember to put myself first - my health IS important. I AM important.
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