Here's a revelation I had today. I was looking in the mirror, and I realized I was okay. And really, it's more of a mental thing.
In the last few weeks, my sister has put me through a few tough work outs and I generally work out 3-5 times a week, even if it's just walking my dogs for 15 minutes. Through this working out, I feel so much better about myself. My clothes fit a bit better, but it's probably not a substantial change from a few weeks ago when I started working out.
Rather, it's my mentality that's changed. Because I'm taking care of myself. Because I'm learning to respect myself and know that what I'm doing now will help. When I look at myself in the mirror, and even when I'm just in public, I feel better about myself because I know I'm in the process of getting healthy. I'm making a real effort to improve my health, and I feel like it's paying off. This only aides in my consistency of working out, which is what I need.
I think working out, particularly on the harder workouts, has also opened my eyes to additional ways I can better myself. One day I only drank pop. I probably had a glass of water, but otherwise it was Diet Coke. That night during my workout, I wanted to smack myself. It just didn't feel as cleansing knowing I didn't have water in me, that I had junk food. While it's probably not the case, I felt like it prevented me from having an optimum workout. I just had this vision of sweating out Diet Coke instead of water, and it didn't sit well with me.
Hopefully this will lead to more changes, but for now I'm trying to take it one day at a time. When 8 p.m. rolls around, I remind myself of how great I'll feel if I get out for a walk, even if it's just 10 or 15 minutes. It's the small things that can start to add up - and they can add up to a lot.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
One or the Other
One thing that's always intrigued me about weightloss is how much your thought process changes. A week or so ago, I was reading a weightloss book that I was really enjoying. It got me excited about the potential and I really felt like this was something I could do. My motivation was at an all time high. I was ready.
A week later, I'm eating like crap. And I'm back to drinking diet soda. But I'm working out more.
My problem with my health seems to be that I'm more focus on one and not the other. I can work out 5 days a week....but then it seems like my heathly eating plummets. Then I'll focus on eating right, but for some reason my effort to workout drops.
I'm not sure if I just feel like it takes too much brain power, or if my mind tricks me into thinking that I can be more lienient with what I'm eating or drinking because I'm working out. But really, you have to do both to lose weight.
It's equally frustrating because I'm working out much more consistently....but I don't feel like it. And I definitely don't look like it. It almost feels like my jeans are getting tighter, and that's never a good sign. Maybe someone like me needs a mapped out schedule - these are the days and times I'm working out, and these are my meal plans for the week.
That, however, goes back to motivation. I'll have it when I plan my week, but on Wednesday night am I going to want to follow through with it? Who knows. I just know this can't be exercising or eating right for long. It's got to be both, or I'm in trouble.
A week later, I'm eating like crap. And I'm back to drinking diet soda. But I'm working out more.
My problem with my health seems to be that I'm more focus on one and not the other. I can work out 5 days a week....but then it seems like my heathly eating plummets. Then I'll focus on eating right, but for some reason my effort to workout drops.
I'm not sure if I just feel like it takes too much brain power, or if my mind tricks me into thinking that I can be more lienient with what I'm eating or drinking because I'm working out. But really, you have to do both to lose weight.
It's equally frustrating because I'm working out much more consistently....but I don't feel like it. And I definitely don't look like it. It almost feels like my jeans are getting tighter, and that's never a good sign. Maybe someone like me needs a mapped out schedule - these are the days and times I'm working out, and these are my meal plans for the week.
That, however, goes back to motivation. I'll have it when I plan my week, but on Wednesday night am I going to want to follow through with it? Who knows. I just know this can't be exercising or eating right for long. It's got to be both, or I'm in trouble.
Friday, June 13, 2008
It Seems Backwards....
Here's something I'm discovering about myself this summer.
In almost every diet book you read, and even common sense tells you this, you are advised to find a workout or diet buddy. You need some sort of support system, something to keep you in check and make sure you get to the gym.
Do you know what's weird with me? I almost work better solo, and it seems weird.
I told you in my last entry how I just told myself I was going to give up pop and not eat seconds. It wasn't something I told family or friends or anyone. I kept it to myself, and I found success.
This week, however, I started talking to more people who I felt could be my support system. Instead of finding it helpful, I just found myself feeling more guilty and beating myself up more. Now that they know that I'm not supposed to have pop and remind me of this, I feel like there's more resentment, and there really doesn't need to be.
I wonder why that is. About a year and a half ago, I had a workout buddy and it worked out wonderfully! She was so positive and made our walks fun. It was a great experience and I understood why you should find someone to partner with for the weight-loss journey.
But lately, I don't seem to want that. It almost feels more restrictive for me because I know other people are going to be making sure I workout and do what I say I'm going to do, and that's not how I want to make a lifestyle change. But common sense tells me I need this.
Does anyone else find that they have this mindset? Does anyone have success stories about dieting/working out with buddies? I'm just curious to see how other people use the buddy system to help them find success.
In almost every diet book you read, and even common sense tells you this, you are advised to find a workout or diet buddy. You need some sort of support system, something to keep you in check and make sure you get to the gym.
Do you know what's weird with me? I almost work better solo, and it seems weird.
I told you in my last entry how I just told myself I was going to give up pop and not eat seconds. It wasn't something I told family or friends or anyone. I kept it to myself, and I found success.
This week, however, I started talking to more people who I felt could be my support system. Instead of finding it helpful, I just found myself feeling more guilty and beating myself up more. Now that they know that I'm not supposed to have pop and remind me of this, I feel like there's more resentment, and there really doesn't need to be.
I wonder why that is. About a year and a half ago, I had a workout buddy and it worked out wonderfully! She was so positive and made our walks fun. It was a great experience and I understood why you should find someone to partner with for the weight-loss journey.
But lately, I don't seem to want that. It almost feels more restrictive for me because I know other people are going to be making sure I workout and do what I say I'm going to do, and that's not how I want to make a lifestyle change. But common sense tells me I need this.
Does anyone else find that they have this mindset? Does anyone have success stories about dieting/working out with buddies? I'm just curious to see how other people use the buddy system to help them find success.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
One Step at a Time
As with all things in life, my eating right and striving for a healthier lifestyle has had it's ups and downs the last few weeks.
Two weeks ago I casually started small. I wasn't making it too strict since I was just starting out, but two weeks ago I decided to cut pop out of my diet (my reliance on Diet Coke got to be ridiculous), tried to not eat seconds and tried not to eat after 9 p.m., since nighttime snacking appears to be my weakness.
Surprisingly, I stuck with all three, with the exception of two meals where I had seconds.
It really shocked me. Normally I try to be very strict and regimented with my diet. But I actually found that by just saying to myself, "You know, it'd be great if you could get pop out of your diet, but if you had a can, we'll try again tomorrow." But the more days I'd go without pop, the more encouraged I'd become. And now it's been two weeks since I've touched pop!
This week I didn't do as well with eating, but I got to the gym three times. For a gal who hadn't been there in a number of weeks (think back to February or March....), it was a big accomplishment for me.
Granted, my approach may not work for all. However, it may work for some. Each week I try to implement one or two dietary changes. And instead of beating myself up over it if I fail, I start up again. That may have been my failing aspect with previous diets. I don't have to hate myself for a slip up, and I don't have to make a million and one changes to kick off a diet. I want this to be a LIFESTYLE change, and to do that, I have to casually work these habits into my life. I can't expect to wake up and all the sudden be a healthy eater or an avid athlete. These things take time.
Goals for this week:
Hitting the gym at least 3 times (started last week)
Continuing with no pop (started 2 weeks ago)
Drinking 4-6 glasses of water a day
Eating a fruit or veggie with every dinner
Two weeks ago I casually started small. I wasn't making it too strict since I was just starting out, but two weeks ago I decided to cut pop out of my diet (my reliance on Diet Coke got to be ridiculous), tried to not eat seconds and tried not to eat after 9 p.m., since nighttime snacking appears to be my weakness.
Surprisingly, I stuck with all three, with the exception of two meals where I had seconds.
It really shocked me. Normally I try to be very strict and regimented with my diet. But I actually found that by just saying to myself, "You know, it'd be great if you could get pop out of your diet, but if you had a can, we'll try again tomorrow." But the more days I'd go without pop, the more encouraged I'd become. And now it's been two weeks since I've touched pop!
This week I didn't do as well with eating, but I got to the gym three times. For a gal who hadn't been there in a number of weeks (think back to February or March....), it was a big accomplishment for me.
Granted, my approach may not work for all. However, it may work for some. Each week I try to implement one or two dietary changes. And instead of beating myself up over it if I fail, I start up again. That may have been my failing aspect with previous diets. I don't have to hate myself for a slip up, and I don't have to make a million and one changes to kick off a diet. I want this to be a LIFESTYLE change, and to do that, I have to casually work these habits into my life. I can't expect to wake up and all the sudden be a healthy eater or an avid athlete. These things take time.
Goals for this week:
Hitting the gym at least 3 times (started last week)
Continuing with no pop (started 2 weeks ago)
Drinking 4-6 glasses of water a day
Eating a fruit or veggie with every dinner
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Ready, Set, Go!
Last night I was reading a book, trying to get myself motivated to really take some weight off this summer. For years and years, I've started every summer saying that this will be my summer to lose weight. Last summer I was on the right track - particularly by taking on the Great American Eat Right Challenge - but I think the knee injury really got me down.
Anywho, as I was reading the book, weightloss just really seemed simple to me. The best way to lose a pound a week? Cut 300 calories out of your current daily eating and burn 200 more calories. So if I just walked 20 minutes and cut out that nighttime snacking, I'd be on track to lose a pound a week!
I think what's intimidating about losing weight is that there's so much information out there. Do you eliminate carbs? Do you try a liquid diet? Count calories? Eat three meals a day, or six small ones? How do you even know what to put in your body?
This summer, I'm going to try to get back to the basics. I'm going to try working out for 30 minutes most days of the week, whether it be a brisk walk with my dogs or a heavy weight-lifting session at the gym. I'm also going to listen to my body when it comes to eating. I'm surprised at how much healthier when I feel after I eat an apple as opposed to a cookie. I need to start paying attention to whether my body actually needs seconds, or if I just want seconds. There's a difference.
To start, though, I'm going to implement these things slowly, going back to the Eat Right Challenge. I'm not going to overhaul my entire lifestyle at once. I'm going to take it one day at a time, rewarding myself for what I can do, and not beating myself up for what I can't do. It's a process, and I'm ready to take it on.
Anywho, as I was reading the book, weightloss just really seemed simple to me. The best way to lose a pound a week? Cut 300 calories out of your current daily eating and burn 200 more calories. So if I just walked 20 minutes and cut out that nighttime snacking, I'd be on track to lose a pound a week!
I think what's intimidating about losing weight is that there's so much information out there. Do you eliminate carbs? Do you try a liquid diet? Count calories? Eat three meals a day, or six small ones? How do you even know what to put in your body?
This summer, I'm going to try to get back to the basics. I'm going to try working out for 30 minutes most days of the week, whether it be a brisk walk with my dogs or a heavy weight-lifting session at the gym. I'm also going to listen to my body when it comes to eating. I'm surprised at how much healthier when I feel after I eat an apple as opposed to a cookie. I need to start paying attention to whether my body actually needs seconds, or if I just want seconds. There's a difference.
To start, though, I'm going to implement these things slowly, going back to the Eat Right Challenge. I'm not going to overhaul my entire lifestyle at once. I'm going to take it one day at a time, rewarding myself for what I can do, and not beating myself up for what I can't do. It's a process, and I'm ready to take it on.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Here we go again
Just this past weekend I injured my other knee. For more frequent readers, you may remember a few posts last summer about how I tore my right MCL. Now I've injured my left knee, although I'm not quite sure what the diagnoses is. I'm hoping it's just a sprain or bruise, particularly since I'm hoping to walk in the graduation ceremony next Saturday sans crutches....
Once my knee is all healed up, I'm making a personal goal of bettering my body. Did you know that just by shedding one pound you can take off around four pounds of pressure off your knee? For someone with knee injuries like me, that's huge!
I just keep thinking back to what I could have done to prevent the knee injury. For one, I should have really focused on strength building. I know because of the way my knees are, I need to focus on building inner thigh muscle. Despite doing that through physical therapy for four months and knowing the importance, I haven't done much with it. I need to get back to strength training to make sure my knees don't have to provide all the support.
I also need to be more strategic in my workouts. Perhaps strategic isn't the right word, but I do need to get into a routine of have shoes with good support, warming up, and cooling down. This are things I typically ignore. My workout shoes? I've had them for over a year now and they look like I've had them for seven. It's bad. I know they're not giving my knee support. And I know wearing flip-flops while walking all over campus isn't helping them either.
Isn't it amazing how you know what you should do to better your health, but it's not until after the fact that you actually want to do it?
Consider this a lesson learned.
Once my knee is all healed up, I'm making a personal goal of bettering my body. Did you know that just by shedding one pound you can take off around four pounds of pressure off your knee? For someone with knee injuries like me, that's huge!
I just keep thinking back to what I could have done to prevent the knee injury. For one, I should have really focused on strength building. I know because of the way my knees are, I need to focus on building inner thigh muscle. Despite doing that through physical therapy for four months and knowing the importance, I haven't done much with it. I need to get back to strength training to make sure my knees don't have to provide all the support.
I also need to be more strategic in my workouts. Perhaps strategic isn't the right word, but I do need to get into a routine of have shoes with good support, warming up, and cooling down. This are things I typically ignore. My workout shoes? I've had them for over a year now and they look like I've had them for seven. It's bad. I know they're not giving my knee support. And I know wearing flip-flops while walking all over campus isn't helping them either.
Isn't it amazing how you know what you should do to better your health, but it's not until after the fact that you actually want to do it?
Consider this a lesson learned.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Check In
Tonight, for the heck of it, I decided to take the Great American Health Check. I took that quiz in a recent post to see whether or not I was healthy, but this one actually shows the different areas to assess your cancer risk.
To be honest, it kind of scared me.
I know I've written this before, I people generally know what it takes to be healthy. We know we should get five servings of fruits and veggies. We know we should choose whole grain wheats and pastas. We know we should get 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week.
So why don't we?
I keep asking myself - why all the excuses? One of the questions on the Health Check was what you do in your free time. I marked play on the computer. In a given day, I wouldn't be surprised if I waste a few good hours. But because I'm at a computer trying to get myself to do homework, I act like it's okay that I'm doing that instead of working out. It's a terrible thing to be doing, and yet I do it constantly.
I used to always think dieting was about will power. Yes, that's part of it. But I think a major part is accepting that you have the power to embark on a healthy lifestyles. It's not about eating healthy 24/7 and never making a mistake. Slip-ups are okay. It's what you do about them. It seems to be about your general attitude and approach to health. If my sole goal is to drop 30 pounds to fit into a cute pair of jeans, which mine has been in the past, then of course it's not going to work.
At this point in my life, it needs to be about getting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It's not a diet anymore. It's not about a number on the scale or a certain size of jeans. It's about my health. Think about all the things your health can impact. There's such a huge link between lifestyle choices and cancer and heart disease and diabetes and so on. I don't know why I act like it's not a big deal. It's a huge deal. But like most things, I put it off.
Right now, it's time to stop putting it off. It's time to take responsibility for my life and start making healthier food choices - even if it's opting for fruit over bacon at breakfast. The small things can add up. It's about taking it one step at a time. I can do it. You can do it. We just have to remind ourselves that we're in it for the long haul and the benefits are incredible.
We can do this.
To be honest, it kind of scared me.
I know I've written this before, I people generally know what it takes to be healthy. We know we should get five servings of fruits and veggies. We know we should choose whole grain wheats and pastas. We know we should get 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week.
So why don't we?
I keep asking myself - why all the excuses? One of the questions on the Health Check was what you do in your free time. I marked play on the computer. In a given day, I wouldn't be surprised if I waste a few good hours. But because I'm at a computer trying to get myself to do homework, I act like it's okay that I'm doing that instead of working out. It's a terrible thing to be doing, and yet I do it constantly.
I used to always think dieting was about will power. Yes, that's part of it. But I think a major part is accepting that you have the power to embark on a healthy lifestyles. It's not about eating healthy 24/7 and never making a mistake. Slip-ups are okay. It's what you do about them. It seems to be about your general attitude and approach to health. If my sole goal is to drop 30 pounds to fit into a cute pair of jeans, which mine has been in the past, then of course it's not going to work.
At this point in my life, it needs to be about getting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It's not a diet anymore. It's not about a number on the scale or a certain size of jeans. It's about my health. Think about all the things your health can impact. There's such a huge link between lifestyle choices and cancer and heart disease and diabetes and so on. I don't know why I act like it's not a big deal. It's a huge deal. But like most things, I put it off.
Right now, it's time to stop putting it off. It's time to take responsibility for my life and start making healthier food choices - even if it's opting for fruit over bacon at breakfast. The small things can add up. It's about taking it one step at a time. I can do it. You can do it. We just have to remind ourselves that we're in it for the long haul and the benefits are incredible.
We can do this.
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