My Eating Habits

So I have been now playing games, justifying the weight I know I have gained. I used to weight myself daily and/or weekly depending on what I was doing. For a bit, I did decide for my mental sanity I should take a break from the cage of the "numbers on the scale" and yes, it was liberating...

However, lately I have not been weighing myself because "I feel good" and I kept telling myself I didn't want to get off track. Riiiight, even though the number is just a number...I kept using it as an excuse, because deep down I know I went a little overboard and things are a bit "snugger" than usual :)

I want to try the number best fitness routine rated in the U.S. called P90X. My boyfriend was telling me about it and truly believes it will help me achieve my goals because I am "the cardio queen" but I could definitely cut back on that and tone up some...I am much "softer" than I need to be in some areas so to speak.

I kept telling him I wanted to start it but not yet because I wanted to weigh myself at the start and finish. But I kept procrastinating because I didn't want to weigh myself yet...when the whole point is it doesn't really matter where you start because it is supposed to get any one  in the best shape of his/her life by using muscle confusion.

So today was the day I had a come to Jesus meeting with myself. Pictures, measurements, and pounds...definitely reaffirmed what I already knew...and that was that I have definitely let myself indulge more than I need...but also that I have a new motivation to attempt to improve my fitness level.

So today my motto is, "Just Do It". Don't wait for after the next birthday because you are going to go out to eat, or after the weekend because you do not have the groceries in the house, or wait for the spring because sweaters can offer great tummy camoflage...just do it today because quite frankly today may not always have a tomorrow.

I hope you all acheive your health and wellness goals. I am excited to start a new fitness regime that is going to have me feeling as if I never worked out before-but like they say beauty is pain and to be honest I rarely get sore from my current workout regime. Once your body adapts you have to change it up, keep it guessing to maximize your efforts! Good luck!

So the toughest part of my year is over. It seems with every holiday season the sugary temptations seem to multiply at the office and at home. But with the new year, almost everyone makes at least one resolution that is health/fitness/wellness related.

Last year, I continued to exercise consistently, as I have for 12 years now...however, I was less inconsistent with diet-which I believe lead to my first year of weight "gain" I have had since consistently losing for the previous 3 years. However, overall this "gain" is minimal-but I do know it is due to being too restrictive with foods which lead to occassional binges because I wanted "fast" results to "get back to where I was".  And thus an unhealthy yo-yoing diet was born...

My new years resolution is to be healthy. Which includes not labeling foods as "bad", eating what my body craves rather than trying to eliminate foods altogether (not realistic). For tips on creating realistic goals as new years resolutions read this month's newsletter!

When attempting to achieve a goal it is beneficial to have tools that aid in your success. Whether it be a food journal, an accountability partner, a reward system, etc. I am so excited about my new addition to my health and wellness tools I couldnt wait to tell you all about it.

For Christmas I received a fitness game for the Wii called EA fitness. I had read reviews which compared various workout "games" and EA fitness and Jillian Michael's fitness DVD were the top rated the last I checked. I have done an EA fitness program for two days in a row now-right now I am using it as a supplement to my own workouts. But I have to say I am a consistent and avid athlete and I have to give major props to the makers of this "game". I believe there are other varieties of workout "games" that may emphasize dance, cardio, yoga, pilates, strength, etc so pick one that matches a passion of yours.

I love my EA fitness because it adds variety to my workouts...my legs have adapted to running everyday but since doing these "new/different" workouts my legs, butt and arms have had a nice "havent been used in awhile" soreness the last couple days-which tells me that I am widening my range of workout results.

So if you want to try something new and get motivated to tackle any new year resolutions you may have, think about what tools may make your workout something you look forward to rather than dread. A smart man once said, "You are only as young as you feel" so get out and go play a game!

there are many people who can beat motivational challenges by creating a social aspect to working out.

currently, i am working out with my co-workers daughter during the week. she is getting prepared to go to the coast guard and she doesn't like working out alone and she says she pushes herself more when i go.

we have been working out for about a month and a half and just yesterday she weighed in and found she has lost 20 pounds! she usually goes once a day during the weekdays and then rests on the weekends.

this one hour workout five days a week has helped her immensely, but more so has been meeting up because she says she eats better in anticipation of our workout. in addition, she finds she is not dreading working out because she knows she does not have to go-it alone.

so if your biggest health challenge is feeling you are in it alone. find a friend or partner to join you in your challenge. if your downfall is the 3 o'clock slump find a co-worker that will take turns bringing in a healthy snack to revive you both. or find a friend to help you prep healthy foods and trade of recipes. or find a friend that will meet you at the gym. whatever your challenge see if you can recruit someone to fight the battle with you-there is alot to be said for those that reach their goals when they do not feel they are alone.

i got back from a vacation about a month ago. normally i dread the last day of vacation-knowing i am going to come back and see the number(s) on the scale and make a plan to get "back on track". this is coming from someone that is still dedicated to working out at least once a day while vacationing. but of course indulging in extraordinary foods-the numbers tend to creep up ;)

so this time, on the way back from vacation...i asked myself why i was locking my mind in this number sensitive safe when i knew (from past experience) with time i would be back to normal. therefore, i decided that i would not weight myself for a month after my return from vacation. its amazing the affect a number can have on you-but only if you let it.

its now been about a month and i cannot begin to explain how liberating its been to free myself of this numeric mind game. i have been eating a balanced diet and working out when i want and more importantly even resting when i want. i feel just as good-if not better than when i used to push myself for 2 weeks punishing my body and with a restrictive diet and strenuous workouts. now, i havent actually weighed myself-but judging by the fit of my clothes (smallest clothes) and judging by my energy levels i have to say...i believe i have dropped all the weight and then some even...

free your mind. even if you are a routine daily or even weekly weigher. that is fine...i will probably go back to weighing in a couple times a week. but once in awhile free yourself from this and just listen to the heightened senses of how your body feels and i think you will be pleasantly surprised. our bodies tell us when we are hungry, when we need more nutrients, when we need rest, etc etc.

i feel so liberated mentally without the pressure that can cause your goals to backfire. i feel so in tune with what my body needs (not wants) but actually listening to your body it tells you what i needs. and when i listen to my body i am learning that my body and my mind come to an agreement which benefits my whole being's wellness-mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, you name it and it all meshes together.

so free your mind-just try it. i know that i plan to continue on this way for another week or so just because i have enjoyed this experience so much and reaped the benefits as well.

this is what i want to say to all the big businesses that say they want to promote health and wellness. lately many companies are wanting to improve the health of their employees so that they can have lower insurance rates, or better yet implement their own medical insurance plan which benefits those that are rarely, if ever ill. of course, this isn't to save a buck (comment drenched in sarcasm)...but they will have you believe it is due to their sincere concern for your well-being.

there is some truth to getting some beauty sleep. not only will it reduce the puffy and/or dark circles under your eyes...but it can also increase your will-power to stay on track with your health goals.

i haven't blogged in awhile...i have been on a mission to correct some old emotional eating habits that came back to haunt me. the past couple months had been more stressful than the norm and i was comforting myself with food-which led to guilt-which only fed the vicious cycle of emotionally eating.

Mmmmm mmmm mmmm easter food and treats. There was so much temptation and I gave in...I ate (as if it was my job) ALL easter weekend. Monday morning approached and I felt like absolute crap, probably due to the massive sugar crash. Plus, I lacked the energy to workout...(could have something to do with the lack of nutrition chocolate covered bunnies provide).