Until recently I still pictured myself 20 pounds lighter. I mean, when I looked in the mirror I could tell there was a difference, but when I started trying on my old swim suits a month or so ago I realized that um, I've got a problem.
I have been trying lately to change my habits and I have been able to take some small steps towards being healthier and I've noticed a change but I really have to commit to make the strides I'd like to. In the past 2 months I've lost a few pounds. So, things could be worse than they are at the moment but they could still be better.
I did recently run a half marathon, unfortunately there was a hiccup. I got a stress fracture in my foot from pushing myself too hard during the race.
I've got the boot off, and the Dr. says I can start running in about a week and half, but starting out with short distances.
My exercise has been a lot better than in the past (despite the break in running). However, my diet is not stable. I have days where I am able to eat healthy but then the weekend happens or I stay up late and get hungry or a friend wants to go get ice cream and I can't say no. This is where I really need to step it up and commit. I haven't had a hard time keeping up my exercise routine, in fact I look forward to it and how good I feel throughout the day after I've gotten in my workout, it's the food that's killing me.
I've decided to use my blog to help keep myself accountable. I used to post my weekly breakfast plans and that was fun and kept me thinking about it and planning them out. Instead of just posting my breakfast plans, I am going to post my weekly meal plan. As well as at least one weekly goal, small doable goals for the week to give me a little more push. Plus, I have some before pictures all raring to go for when I take my after pictures.
Not only am I going to post my Meal plans, a few coworkers and I are having a small contest to see who can lose 5 pounds or more by June 22 (coworkers birthday). This is just extra motivation.
I'm excited to get myself on track. I know how good I feel when I eat right, and I just need to remember that every time I get a craving for a treat.
Okay, so for this week I will have to wait till Monday or possibly Tuesday to post my meal plans, I'm going out of town tomorrow and won't be back till Monday night so I haven't gone to the grocery store or been able to plan out the meals for the week. But, this weeks goal is to keep myself on track during the trip. We'll be eating out for several meals and driving for several hours means that I'll be tempted to eat the licorice and gummy bears my Dad always pack. I'll post after the trip and report on my success as well as posting the meal plans for the week.
Do you have any great tips for being healthy, or a favorite healthy snack to share? I'd love any advice or tips or success stories to keep me going.
Eat complete proteins, any animal product is a complete protein. Nuts and beans have protein, but you don't reap the benefits unless it's a complete protein. I started eating more protein (I even get protein powder now for when I'm lazy, gold's is a good brand.) and I lost like 6 pounds just eating more protein bc it balanced out my meals and made me less hungry. Also, eating every 3 or 4 hours is wise. Aim for 250 calories a meal bc you will overshoot by 10-50 calories so then you're still eating enough if you eat 5 times a day. Building muscles makes me look so much better, even if I stop loosing weight (which at some point, I should or I'd be unhealthy.)Let's be healthy together this summer! Those are all my tips. They have always worked, I've just been too lazy to always do them lol.
ReplyDeletealso, this is the only fitness blog I like, but I really like it. http://www.peacelovefitness.com/
ReplyDeleteI second the protein thing. Quinoa is a great source of protein and I use protein powder too (GNC's Total Lean brand... chocolate flavor). It's delicious in a shake with some almond milk, greek yogurt, and peanut butter. Also, this is going to sound silly... but I have a calendar that I use to track my health goals, with stickers. It's cheap, and effective. (like this month, each day I can get 3 stickers... 1 for working out, 1 for not eating out, and 1 for not drinking diet coke). Super cheesy, but surprisingly motivating and easy to see when I've been slacking (the coke is killing me this month).
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the complete proteins part. Protein is important, but it doesn't have to be animal protein. Yes, you need all the essential amino acids, but no, you don't need to eat them in the same item, or even in the same meal. Wikipedia agress:
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_combining
I really liked reading "Thrive Foods" by Brendan Brazier. He is a world-class iron man and writes about eating for energy through nutrition, NOT stimulation (i.e. caffeine, sugar, etc.), and about the best foods for recovery post-workout. It's been a very motivating book for me, and his cashew-based maple-syrup-sweetened ice cream is SO easy to make and fairly healthy.
This blog was really good http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/ and she gives examples of what 1200, 1500 and 1800 calories/day looks like.
For me, the biggest thing is eating well early in the day. If I start the day off with sugar and empty carbs, I crave sugar and empty carbs all day. But if I have oatmeal or fruit or a smoothie for breakfast, then a big salad for lunch (you've seen my amazing salads, don't front), then I feel okay eating something more indulgent for dinner, or having a little treat for dessert.
I also try to have healthy snacks--dried fruits and nuts, hummus and veggies, popcorn with nutritional yeast, etc. I know it's harder for you, because you live with your folks, but I generally don't bring things into the house that will tempt me.
Also diet soda is the beverage of self-loathing. Just remember that.
I could go on and on! Email me if you have questions.