Yesterday a friend and I were discussing what we should have for dinner. Being lazy college students, we opted to go out. We ended up going to Burger King.
Afterwards (on a walk, thankfully) we started chatting about how unhealthy we felt. Hypocritical, I know. She was commenting that her heart was probably hating her, wishing she would treat her body right. We just mentally and physical feel unhealthy.
I think, in part because we're in college although I'm sure others feel the same, we tend to think we can make exceptions with our health. We eat fast food and skip out on workouts thinking that our school work and education is going to get us farther. Our work experience and grades are more important than getting in a 30-minute workout.
But it's the healthy lifestyle that will get us to live longer. What's smarter?
Although we're young and may think we're invincible, there's research that shows otherwise. Because of my experiences at the American Cancer Society, I know that one-third of cancer deaths can be prevented just by making healthier lifestyle choices. I know of the connection between my lifestyle and cancer. Yet I still eat at Burger King habitually? It doesn't make sense.
I keep thinking about ways that we could really motivate people to lead healthier lives. I know places like Burger King are tempting, quick and easy. But does that mean we should fall for it? What would get you to take your health more importantly?
This summer I'm embarking on a lifestyle makeover. Together with my sister, we're going to make it a priority to start eating better and getting in the daily recommended exercises. But for the next six weeks, I'm going to be preparing myself for that. I'll start drinking more water and making better food choices. I want to change, and I want to make sure I can prevent future health problems with decisions I make today.
Besides, who likes taking the easy way anyway? It's time to be smart about something other than my classes.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It's All in your Head
A few months back, I took the ACS Nutrition and Activity Quiz. What's interesting, though, is how my answers seemed to change. Last summer, I ate more fruits and veggies, and I made a better attempt to get in those 30 mintues of exercise 5 times a week.
Around this time of year, though, those are in the "no" column. I'm realizing just how much seasons do affect what we eat and how much or how frequently we work out. If anything, I think it makes me feel more hopeful and optimistic going into the summer, knowing fresh fruits and veggies will be in season. Plus I'll be able to walk outside, which doesn't even compare to walking on the treadmill in a cramped gym.
That wasn't the only thing that crossed my mind, though. I was surprised to find that my eating habits aren't nearly as bad as I think they are. Granted, they could be much better. I won't deny that. But perhaps we see ourselves eating worse because we spend so much time thinking about it. Rarely do I eat fried foods, rarely do I eat high-calorie, baked goods, and when I'm down at school I don't eat a lot of red or processed meat.
As a dieter, I tend to think I'm doing a lot worse than I am, and I almost wonder if that makes dieting harder. Am I discouraged constantly by something that isn't that bad after all? Granted I could cut back on the snacking, but when I snack it's on whole bran crackers, sandwiches Like I said, it could be better. I could be eating fruits or veggies, but I'm not constantly eating pies and doughnuts. Yet in my mind, it's like I am.
Maybe I need to have a better appreciation for what I'm eating and take a more realistic approach. You hear about so many fad diets, but whenever I go to the ACS website for information on eating right, I'm reminded that things are only as difficult as you make them. It's about making good food choices when you can and getting in the recommended exercise throughout the week. It's not cutting everything out of your diet or limiting yourself.
Sometimes I really think this dieting thing is a mind game....
Does anyone have similar experiences or thoughts?
Around this time of year, though, those are in the "no" column. I'm realizing just how much seasons do affect what we eat and how much or how frequently we work out. If anything, I think it makes me feel more hopeful and optimistic going into the summer, knowing fresh fruits and veggies will be in season. Plus I'll be able to walk outside, which doesn't even compare to walking on the treadmill in a cramped gym.
That wasn't the only thing that crossed my mind, though. I was surprised to find that my eating habits aren't nearly as bad as I think they are. Granted, they could be much better. I won't deny that. But perhaps we see ourselves eating worse because we spend so much time thinking about it. Rarely do I eat fried foods, rarely do I eat high-calorie, baked goods, and when I'm down at school I don't eat a lot of red or processed meat.
As a dieter, I tend to think I'm doing a lot worse than I am, and I almost wonder if that makes dieting harder. Am I discouraged constantly by something that isn't that bad after all? Granted I could cut back on the snacking, but when I snack it's on whole bran crackers, sandwiches Like I said, it could be better. I could be eating fruits or veggies, but I'm not constantly eating pies and doughnuts. Yet in my mind, it's like I am.
Maybe I need to have a better appreciation for what I'm eating and take a more realistic approach. You hear about so many fad diets, but whenever I go to the ACS website for information on eating right, I'm reminded that things are only as difficult as you make them. It's about making good food choices when you can and getting in the recommended exercise throughout the week. It's not cutting everything out of your diet or limiting yourself.
Sometimes I really think this dieting thing is a mind game....
Does anyone have similar experiences or thoughts?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Spring
My apologies for not posting recently. It's been a busy couple of weeks, but spring is finally here and soon it will be summer.
But spring typically means one thing for dieters alike - bathing suit season is coming. Soon it will be time to start going without the baggy sweatshirts and coats and instead wearing short-sleeve shirts. Not so good for a gal like me who hasn't worked out too much.
The good thing about spring, though, is that it seems to put a bounce back in everyone's step. Not only are we happy to have more hours of daylight and warmer weather, but more people seem to be out and about, taking their exercise routines outdoors.
I've really noticed that in the past year or so, I'm much, much more motivated to "workout" when I just get to go outside for a walk. Particularly if I go with a friend, it never feels like working out. It's just a relaxing time. My body feels much better physically and emotionally than if I had spent a hour in a warm gym staring at the clock.
I also think spring is great for re-evaluating my eating habits. Typically in the colder weather, we crave heavier foods - potatoes, meat, cream-based soups, pasta. Not that those things are bad, but I opt for those instead of the fruits, veggies, chicken and fish I should be eating. I mean, just look at the recipes on the ACS website. Don't they just scream spring and summer?
All I know is that I'm going to use this extra bounce in my step to start the season off right. My resolutions may not have been successful the first few months, but you know what? It's a new time a year. Let's dust off those sneakers, stash away the comfort food and embrace the wonderful weather and even better lifestyle choices we can make.
But spring typically means one thing for dieters alike - bathing suit season is coming. Soon it will be time to start going without the baggy sweatshirts and coats and instead wearing short-sleeve shirts. Not so good for a gal like me who hasn't worked out too much.
The good thing about spring, though, is that it seems to put a bounce back in everyone's step. Not only are we happy to have more hours of daylight and warmer weather, but more people seem to be out and about, taking their exercise routines outdoors.
I've really noticed that in the past year or so, I'm much, much more motivated to "workout" when I just get to go outside for a walk. Particularly if I go with a friend, it never feels like working out. It's just a relaxing time. My body feels much better physically and emotionally than if I had spent a hour in a warm gym staring at the clock.
I also think spring is great for re-evaluating my eating habits. Typically in the colder weather, we crave heavier foods - potatoes, meat, cream-based soups, pasta. Not that those things are bad, but I opt for those instead of the fruits, veggies, chicken and fish I should be eating. I mean, just look at the recipes on the ACS website. Don't they just scream spring and summer?
All I know is that I'm going to use this extra bounce in my step to start the season off right. My resolutions may not have been successful the first few months, but you know what? It's a new time a year. Let's dust off those sneakers, stash away the comfort food and embrace the wonderful weather and even better lifestyle choices we can make.
Monday, March 3, 2008
A Message of Hope
I wanted to take a moment to share a wonderful resource for everyone. The American Cancer Society launched a new interactive website that allows people to hear and share their messages of hope. If you have a minute, be sure to visit http://www.sharinghope.tv/.
Watching Annie's story, it really brings you back to Earth. It makes you realize that cancer can happen to anyone - young and old, sister, father, uncle. It's scary to think that people are going through this each and everyday. But this website offers a message of hope for everyone.
I think it also reinforces why we strive to live healthy lives. I write this blogs in hopes of sharing my story and inspiring others to realize that we can get on the right track to leading a healthy lifestyle. When Annie got her diagnosis, she explained that she took it upon herself to live a better lifestyle. She went on an organic diet, started working out and really made her health a priority - and she noticed the difference.
She delivers such a powerful message and inspiration to us all. Sometimes I think we get so wrapped up with everything else going on in our lives and our to-do lists and our obligations that we forget the simple things. We forget about ourselves. We put off what's important until something major happens, like it did for Annie.
So today, think about what you can do to improve your health, and also what you can do to share hope. No one should have to go through this alone. The internet provides an opportunity to get the help, support and guidance you need. Take advantage of it. And let me know if there's anything I can be doing to inspire you.
Watching Annie's story, it really brings you back to Earth. It makes you realize that cancer can happen to anyone - young and old, sister, father, uncle. It's scary to think that people are going through this each and everyday. But this website offers a message of hope for everyone.
I think it also reinforces why we strive to live healthy lives. I write this blogs in hopes of sharing my story and inspiring others to realize that we can get on the right track to leading a healthy lifestyle. When Annie got her diagnosis, she explained that she took it upon herself to live a better lifestyle. She went on an organic diet, started working out and really made her health a priority - and she noticed the difference.
She delivers such a powerful message and inspiration to us all. Sometimes I think we get so wrapped up with everything else going on in our lives and our to-do lists and our obligations that we forget the simple things. We forget about ourselves. We put off what's important until something major happens, like it did for Annie.
So today, think about what you can do to improve your health, and also what you can do to share hope. No one should have to go through this alone. The internet provides an opportunity to get the help, support and guidance you need. Take advantage of it. And let me know if there's anything I can be doing to inspire you.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Squeeze It In
I was browsing the ACS website and came across something really interesting. Turns out, I don't have to always spend hours at the gym.
Last week my roommate and I were talking about why it is we don't workout as often as we should. What did it boil down to? Time. In our minds, workouts have to be 45-60 minutes. Plus you throw in the time getting there, getting back, showering, and that takes up 90-120 minutes. That's not something we all have time to do.
But that's now how it has to be. According to ACS, it may work better for some people to break it down into three of four 10-minute workouts. Working out doesn't have to be so daunting and time-consuming. It'd be great if I could get the recommended 30 minutes five days a week, but I could break it up. Chances are I'd be more inclined to get my butt out of bed in the morning 10 minutes early to pop in a workout DVD for ten minutes as opposed to getting up an hour earlier. It's all about the baby steps.
Perhaps that will be my goal for next week. I'll try 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes during my lunch break and then 10+ minutes during the evening. Maybe then the task won't seem so time-consuming and I'll have energy throughout the entire day. It's worth a shot, right?
Any tips you have on squeezing in your physical activity?
Last week my roommate and I were talking about why it is we don't workout as often as we should. What did it boil down to? Time. In our minds, workouts have to be 45-60 minutes. Plus you throw in the time getting there, getting back, showering, and that takes up 90-120 minutes. That's not something we all have time to do.
But that's now how it has to be. According to ACS, it may work better for some people to break it down into three of four 10-minute workouts. Working out doesn't have to be so daunting and time-consuming. It'd be great if I could get the recommended 30 minutes five days a week, but I could break it up. Chances are I'd be more inclined to get my butt out of bed in the morning 10 minutes early to pop in a workout DVD for ten minutes as opposed to getting up an hour earlier. It's all about the baby steps.
Perhaps that will be my goal for next week. I'll try 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes during my lunch break and then 10+ minutes during the evening. Maybe then the task won't seem so time-consuming and I'll have energy throughout the entire day. It's worth a shot, right?
Any tips you have on squeezing in your physical activity?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Deceiving
I've decided I no longer care about the number on the scale. This semester has been busy and stressful, leading me to eat more junk than I normally would and work out far less. Actually, I've only worked out twice this semester. I'm not feeling healthy at all, and it's reflected in my attitude toward myself and dieting.
But this weekend when I was home, I stepped on the scale. I've lost 5 pounds since Jan. 1.
I realized then and there that the number no longer matters to me. Yes, I'm five pounds less, but I do not feel healthy. I don't feel good about the "weight-loss" because it wasn't done in the right manner.
A friend and I were talking tonight about how working out doesn't even have to yeild results on the scale. What matters is how you feel about it. Looking back on times when I felt healthy and really felt like I was on the path to leading a healthy lifestyle, I felt wonderful. I didn't necessarily care if the scale budged. I just felt good knowing that I was working out consistently and taking my health seriously.
My hope is that this will serve as a wake-up call for me. I want to feel healthy again. I want to go back to having my calendar filled with stickers (I put a sticker on each day that I workout, which motivates me to keep working out consistently). Mostly, though, I want to feel pride in stepping on the scale, knowing that I lost weight the right way. It's not about a number for me anymore. It's about feeling and being healthy. That's what counts.
But this weekend when I was home, I stepped on the scale. I've lost 5 pounds since Jan. 1.
I realized then and there that the number no longer matters to me. Yes, I'm five pounds less, but I do not feel healthy. I don't feel good about the "weight-loss" because it wasn't done in the right manner.
A friend and I were talking tonight about how working out doesn't even have to yeild results on the scale. What matters is how you feel about it. Looking back on times when I felt healthy and really felt like I was on the path to leading a healthy lifestyle, I felt wonderful. I didn't necessarily care if the scale budged. I just felt good knowing that I was working out consistently and taking my health seriously.
My hope is that this will serve as a wake-up call for me. I want to feel healthy again. I want to go back to having my calendar filled with stickers (I put a sticker on each day that I workout, which motivates me to keep working out consistently). Mostly, though, I want to feel pride in stepping on the scale, knowing that I lost weight the right way. It's not about a number for me anymore. It's about feeling and being healthy. That's what counts.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Good Intentions
Yesterday two good friends of mine and I were going to detox for the weekend. We all feel like we put a lot of crap into our bodies between the food we eat and all the pop we drink. We wanted to flush out our bodies and then start a healthy lifestyle on Monday.
That was the goal.
We didn't make it.
Initially we didn't think the detoxing would be that hard. For lunch and dinner you have a cup of whole grains (they suggested 100% natural rice), 3 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables. We thought it would be okay. After lunch when I was in the library, however, I realized that I couldn't just go cold turkey on things like carbs, protein and caffeine. I couldn't focus, my stomach was growling and I was just in a terrible mood. Who knew you could feel like that after eating healthy?
Ultimately, the three of us decided that's it's not about restricting yourself. That's something I learned from the American Cancer Society last summer. It's about portion control. It's about listening to your body and knowing when you're hungry and full. So today, I started fresh. I had yogurt and orange juice for breakfast, and then a sandwich and salad for lunch. I don't need to detox to feel healthy. I can just make better food choices.
Here's to a new year...a month later. But, I suppose it's better than waiting another 11 months, right?
That was the goal.
We didn't make it.
Initially we didn't think the detoxing would be that hard. For lunch and dinner you have a cup of whole grains (they suggested 100% natural rice), 3 servings of fruit and 3 servings of vegetables. We thought it would be okay. After lunch when I was in the library, however, I realized that I couldn't just go cold turkey on things like carbs, protein and caffeine. I couldn't focus, my stomach was growling and I was just in a terrible mood. Who knew you could feel like that after eating healthy?
Ultimately, the three of us decided that's it's not about restricting yourself. That's something I learned from the American Cancer Society last summer. It's about portion control. It's about listening to your body and knowing when you're hungry and full. So today, I started fresh. I had yogurt and orange juice for breakfast, and then a sandwich and salad for lunch. I don't need to detox to feel healthy. I can just make better food choices.
Here's to a new year...a month later. But, I suppose it's better than waiting another 11 months, right?
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