I love the idea of having a weight loss, exercise, or dieting mantra. I have been in search of one that will work for me and remind me of what I am working towards in my times of weakness. In my search, I have turned up a few that I really love and I'd like to share . They are not ranked in any order except for the first one listed. I am adopting it to keep my world a little more in focus.
-- Don't give up what you want most for what you want in the moment.
-- Admire what you have accomplished and bask in it. The rest will come in time.
-- Every step counts.
-- Don't quite before trying.
-- If it was easy, everyone would do it.
-- What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
-- I am building the life I love.
-- Don't try- just do.
-- No matter how slow you go, you're still lapping the person laying on the couch.
-- Nothing changes is you change nothing.
All of them are good advice and I think I'll print them out and stick them to my fridge. Or randomly on post-its all over my house. And on the rearview mirror in my car. And on my pantry. You get the idea.
Do you have a mantra? What works for you??
I do have one completely unrelated mantra that I have pasted to my desk to remind me of what life is about and that the only one responsible for me, is.... ME. Words to live by: "Make your own sunshine."
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
The Dreaded Slump
I'm in a slump. I know it. Just the idea of going to the gym just makes me want to hide- preferably under the covers with a good book and a bag of Oreo's. And recently, I have let myself be indulgent if I'm being honest. Well, sort of indulgent. Shortly, I have house guests arriving and one of them has allergies, one of the worst of which is my cat. Therefore, I have been cleaning like a madwoman (burning calories doing it, of course) and tearing out carpeting to help eliminate some of the fur. So many things like washing cabinets and walls that often go undone in my household for long periods of time, are now done. Certainly, I am no neat freak as anyone who knows me can attest to. But people will be living with me, not just visiting! I thought some extra effort was in order. Regardless, the house is far from perfect and it will remain that way.
All of this cleaning has conveniently allowed me to take time off from the gym. The cleaning has to be done sometimes and right now, I am calling it 'prioritizing.' True, I'm not melting into my couch with a tub of ice cream, but the calorie burn of housework is not nearly what it needs to be for me to make progress. Thus continues my slump.
It seems that many of my friends that are on the journey to weight loss have hit a similar rough patch. We all seem to be taking a step back, reevaluating what we are doing and starting again. That's the point, right? We have always been taught that when we get knocked down, it is time to get back up, dust ourselves off and start moving forward again. That's my plan. I haven't quite worked out the nitty gritty details. Some plan, huh?
However, I figure the fact that I am now recognizing the slump for what it is, is that all-important first step. Step two? Get my ass movin'! I'm going to shoot for working out a minimum of four times a week for now and see how that affects things. Step three will be tweaking the diet. I hate this part most. Food and I? We're BFF's. Food and my waistline? Not on such good terms. Luckily, I have learned to eat salad for lunch and keep the calorie count around 400, so I haven't gained much weight back, but I'd like to nip these sneaky couple of pounds in the bud before they call for reinforcements.
The Dreaded Slump seems to grab everyone at one time or another. I'm not any different. Now it's high time for me to get back up, brush the crumbs off my shirt, and start making my way to the gym again. And I think that's a damn good start!
All of this cleaning has conveniently allowed me to take time off from the gym. The cleaning has to be done sometimes and right now, I am calling it 'prioritizing.' True, I'm not melting into my couch with a tub of ice cream, but the calorie burn of housework is not nearly what it needs to be for me to make progress. Thus continues my slump.
It seems that many of my friends that are on the journey to weight loss have hit a similar rough patch. We all seem to be taking a step back, reevaluating what we are doing and starting again. That's the point, right? We have always been taught that when we get knocked down, it is time to get back up, dust ourselves off and start moving forward again. That's my plan. I haven't quite worked out the nitty gritty details. Some plan, huh?
However, I figure the fact that I am now recognizing the slump for what it is, is that all-important first step. Step two? Get my ass movin'! I'm going to shoot for working out a minimum of four times a week for now and see how that affects things. Step three will be tweaking the diet. I hate this part most. Food and I? We're BFF's. Food and my waistline? Not on such good terms. Luckily, I have learned to eat salad for lunch and keep the calorie count around 400, so I haven't gained much weight back, but I'd like to nip these sneaky couple of pounds in the bud before they call for reinforcements.
The Dreaded Slump seems to grab everyone at one time or another. I'm not any different. Now it's high time for me to get back up, brush the crumbs off my shirt, and start making my way to the gym again. And I think that's a damn good start!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Surviving Vacation
I just got back from vacation. Normally, that is no reason to celebrate! But this time, I do have one thing to be proud of. I only gained 2 lbs!
Sounds silly, right? To me, it isn't. I used to come home 10 lbs heavier than when I left. Then again, in those days, it only took me a couple of weeks to lose it again.
This vacation was full of fishing, eating, drinking and relaxing~ so how did I not put on more lbs? I think I have an idea. I always scoff at those crazy articles in fitness and health magazines talking about finding a gym wherever you happen to be vacationing. And I still say "Yeah right!" This vacation, I just made a concerted effort to walk, climb stairs and not eat EVERYTHING on my plate. I'm actually starting to get the hang of this 'stop eating when you are full' thing. Sounds crazy, I know.
We took a hike around a gorgeous county park, there are 44 stairs going down to the lake that my family's cabin is on, and I have a very active dog. Those things primarily are the only reason I think I survived this vacation with so little weight gain. I'm sorry people, but there is no way I am not going to eat basically what I want on vacation. I also get to indulge in a few extra beers. That's the way I like to unwind. Healthy? Probably not. But everyone deserves a break sometimes. So I decided not to sweat it, but to make a few healthier, more active choices. And it worked like a charm. Chalk one up for the good guys!
Now, I do have to go through the trouble of losing those extra 2 lbs all over again, but trust me- a week's vacation was more than worth it!
Sounds silly, right? To me, it isn't. I used to come home 10 lbs heavier than when I left. Then again, in those days, it only took me a couple of weeks to lose it again.
This vacation was full of fishing, eating, drinking and relaxing~ so how did I not put on more lbs? I think I have an idea. I always scoff at those crazy articles in fitness and health magazines talking about finding a gym wherever you happen to be vacationing. And I still say "Yeah right!" This vacation, I just made a concerted effort to walk, climb stairs and not eat EVERYTHING on my plate. I'm actually starting to get the hang of this 'stop eating when you are full' thing. Sounds crazy, I know.
We took a hike around a gorgeous county park, there are 44 stairs going down to the lake that my family's cabin is on, and I have a very active dog. Those things primarily are the only reason I think I survived this vacation with so little weight gain. I'm sorry people, but there is no way I am not going to eat basically what I want on vacation. I also get to indulge in a few extra beers. That's the way I like to unwind. Healthy? Probably not. But everyone deserves a break sometimes. So I decided not to sweat it, but to make a few healthier, more active choices. And it worked like a charm. Chalk one up for the good guys!
Now, I do have to go through the trouble of losing those extra 2 lbs all over again, but trust me- a week's vacation was more than worth it!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
It's All In My Head
Sadly, my scale is still not moving as quickly as I had hoped. So, I have decided to judge my progress by instead looking at my self-confidence instead. I know, I know... all women's magazines say to think about how you FEEL, not how you look. It sounds cheesy and I used to roll my eyes until they almost fell out of my head at this advice. Until I experienced it. Weird, right?
For as long as I can remember, I have been growling at the jeans drawer in my dresser. Still, I cannot bring myself to throw away some of my precious smaller sizes so that I can have a 'measure' of my success. Not surprisingly, every time I fail to comfortably zip a pair of these 'goal' jeans, I pout and curse my slow progress. I am now realizing that even though I'm not where I want to be yet, I am making real progress, if only in my head.
Just recently, I have been anxiously seeking women's sweatshirts and t-shirts. I know that sounds like a 'what else would you be looking for?' kind of thing, but for me it's not. I have forever worn men's sweatshirts. Now, I want to find sweatshirts built for me. A woman. My shape isn't perfect. I am curvy. I'm still rockin' the pooch. But I have earned this shape. I go to the gym more often than not. And that is something to celebrate! I have succeeded in making a lifestyle change that I can live with. And I will be exponentially healthier down the road because of it. Chalk one up for the good guys!
She wears short-shorts? Dream on, Nair. These legs were not meant for polite company! Personally, I have always been of the mind that I would rather wear jeans than shorts. More coverage means less worry about spilling out of the shorts in a sausage-casing exploding sort of way. But now? I'm too old for that nonsense! I don't need to melt when it is 95 degrees out just because my vanity forbids a pair of shorts. Besides... these legs have seen countless miles in the gym. They are far from perfect, but they are strong. True, they will never grace the pages of a magazine, but they have served me well and they deserve to be appreciated.
I never believed that "judge your progress by how you feel" craziness, but it's true. I feel better about myself. I can appreciate my body not just for how it looks, but for what it can do for me. If you are not there yet, have faith. You'll get there. Take it from a skeptic: The magic is transforming not just your body, but your mind in the process.
For as long as I can remember, I have been growling at the jeans drawer in my dresser. Still, I cannot bring myself to throw away some of my precious smaller sizes so that I can have a 'measure' of my success. Not surprisingly, every time I fail to comfortably zip a pair of these 'goal' jeans, I pout and curse my slow progress. I am now realizing that even though I'm not where I want to be yet, I am making real progress, if only in my head.
Just recently, I have been anxiously seeking women's sweatshirts and t-shirts. I know that sounds like a 'what else would you be looking for?' kind of thing, but for me it's not. I have forever worn men's sweatshirts. Now, I want to find sweatshirts built for me. A woman. My shape isn't perfect. I am curvy. I'm still rockin' the pooch. But I have earned this shape. I go to the gym more often than not. And that is something to celebrate! I have succeeded in making a lifestyle change that I can live with. And I will be exponentially healthier down the road because of it. Chalk one up for the good guys!
She wears short-shorts? Dream on, Nair. These legs were not meant for polite company! Personally, I have always been of the mind that I would rather wear jeans than shorts. More coverage means less worry about spilling out of the shorts in a sausage-casing exploding sort of way. But now? I'm too old for that nonsense! I don't need to melt when it is 95 degrees out just because my vanity forbids a pair of shorts. Besides... these legs have seen countless miles in the gym. They are far from perfect, but they are strong. True, they will never grace the pages of a magazine, but they have served me well and they deserve to be appreciated.
I never believed that "judge your progress by how you feel" craziness, but it's true. I feel better about myself. I can appreciate my body not just for how it looks, but for what it can do for me. If you are not there yet, have faith. You'll get there. Take it from a skeptic: The magic is transforming not just your body, but your mind in the process.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
HOLLA!!!!
On second thought, don't. If there is one place that I think is inappropriate for cat-calling, it is the gym. (I am choosing not to include workplaces, etc for the sake of this discussion.)
Just the other day, I was crankin' away on the elliptical when over the sound of my iPod I could hear whistling and hooting as a girl walked into the gym. Granted, she was beautiful. And as a matter of fact, she was scantily clad. BUT! The gym has become a safe place for me and a number of my friends. Don't forget, I have even written about the crazy things I wear to the gym before. I get to go to the gym without makeup or a care. I don't go there to feel like I am walking into a dance club. You don't get to judge me here. Besides, I do a bang-up job of judging myself already.
Granted, I can be sensitive to these situations because, truthfully, I am insecure about the way I look. That may well be part of the problem. However, I still don't think guys should be shouting across the gym to get the attention of a pretty girl. At least be kind enough not to interrupt our workouts too.
Just the other day, I was crankin' away on the elliptical when over the sound of my iPod I could hear whistling and hooting as a girl walked into the gym. Granted, she was beautiful. And as a matter of fact, she was scantily clad. BUT! The gym has become a safe place for me and a number of my friends. Don't forget, I have even written about the crazy things I wear to the gym before. I get to go to the gym without makeup or a care. I don't go there to feel like I am walking into a dance club. You don't get to judge me here. Besides, I do a bang-up job of judging myself already.
Granted, I can be sensitive to these situations because, truthfully, I am insecure about the way I look. That may well be part of the problem. However, I still don't think guys should be shouting across the gym to get the attention of a pretty girl. At least be kind enough not to interrupt our workouts too.
After this incident, I couldn't help but think of the Planet Fitness commercial where a conceited guy struts up to a girl who is just trying to get her workout in. Even though she looks bored, he persists to ask the gym loudly, "Hey, did somebody lose a washboard? Because I found one over here. I'm just joking, it's my abs." And he lifts his shirt up by strings at the sides that operate his shirt like a set of cheap blinds. I laughed at this commercial! I LOVE it! But part of the humor lies in the truth behind it. The Stiffler look-alike in this commercial exists everywhere. He's annoying and never gets the picture when you gently blow him off and go back to your workout. Such is life.
Thankfully, the gym has gone back to being my safe place. But sometimes when I hear someone, man OR woman, hooting at someone in the gym, I can't help but cringe. Don't get me wrong, meeting people at the gym is just fine! I am merely suggesting that you actually go up and introduce yourself. Don't scream across the room or machine-stalk them for an hour. Sorry dude, but that's just creepy. And it has happened to me.
So, I say... The gym is my place to sweat. This is my place to get dirty and not care that my hair is all jacked up and my face is beet red, even though I am surrounded on all sides by mirrors and plate glass windows. This is where no one cares that I haven't showered yet today. They care that I showed up, if they notice me at all. And that's just the way I like it.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Zumba is No Joke
I have now tried the somewhat new exercise craze, Zumba, twice. Keep in mind that I am not the most coordinated person in the world, but I love to dance. To the beat of my own drummer, of course!
After reading one of my blog posts, a friend, S, suggested I join her for a night of Zumba. Truthfully, I was nervous and unsure because I tend to trip over my own feet just walking down the sidewalk! But after being assured that no one cares, I decided my work out routine gets a little drab, so I'd give it a shot. After all, what did I have to lose?
I loved it!! SO much fun and a killer workout at the same time! Our instructor actually turns the lights off in the gym as well. I'm not sure if that's so it feels more like a dance club, or so that those of us who can't manage many of the steps don't feel so silly, but I love it!! The steps range from very complicated to beginner. Another friend I dragged along just last night, T, said after the first song that it was already a better workout than another Zumba class she tried. :)
We shook our groove things at a very fast pace to keep our heart rates up and laughed at ourselves when we couldn't quite get the hang of a series of moves. It was a great time and a fabulous departure from my normal gym routine. In fact, last Tuesday, after Zumba-ing till I dropped on Monday night, I found my elliptical and weight machine routine to be... well... boring! I still plugged right along, but was secretly wishing that I could Zumba again.
In fact, I think I might make Monday night Zumba a part of my regular routine. It doesn't hurt that our instructor has a terrific figure and manages to make the moves look downright sexy! I find myself wanting to work harder to do the moves just like her.
If you haven't tried Zumba, I highly recommend it! It's a blast! And who thought a mere year ago that my girlfriend 'dates' would involve more exercise than beer and food!? It's just one more happy, groovy, shimmying step towards a healthier lifestyle!
After reading one of my blog posts, a friend, S, suggested I join her for a night of Zumba. Truthfully, I was nervous and unsure because I tend to trip over my own feet just walking down the sidewalk! But after being assured that no one cares, I decided my work out routine gets a little drab, so I'd give it a shot. After all, what did I have to lose?
I loved it!! SO much fun and a killer workout at the same time! Our instructor actually turns the lights off in the gym as well. I'm not sure if that's so it feels more like a dance club, or so that those of us who can't manage many of the steps don't feel so silly, but I love it!! The steps range from very complicated to beginner. Another friend I dragged along just last night, T, said after the first song that it was already a better workout than another Zumba class she tried. :)
We shook our groove things at a very fast pace to keep our heart rates up and laughed at ourselves when we couldn't quite get the hang of a series of moves. It was a great time and a fabulous departure from my normal gym routine. In fact, last Tuesday, after Zumba-ing till I dropped on Monday night, I found my elliptical and weight machine routine to be... well... boring! I still plugged right along, but was secretly wishing that I could Zumba again.
In fact, I think I might make Monday night Zumba a part of my regular routine. It doesn't hurt that our instructor has a terrific figure and manages to make the moves look downright sexy! I find myself wanting to work harder to do the moves just like her.
If you haven't tried Zumba, I highly recommend it! It's a blast! And who thought a mere year ago that my girlfriend 'dates' would involve more exercise than beer and food!? It's just one more happy, groovy, shimmying step towards a healthier lifestyle!
Monday, May 7, 2012
If at First You Don't Succeed...
TRY, TRY AGAIN! We have all heard this saying. What is most frustrating about it, is that it is so true. Especially when it comes to losing weight. For our health's sake, for our confidence sake, for our peace of mind.
And I find myself trying again more often than not. This journey of mine has not been an easy one. So many pitfalls, so little time. I had put 5 pounds back on. I was discouraged. With the encouraging voices of my precious girlfriends ringing in my ears... I picked myself up off of the couch and got back on that blasted elliptical.
I am in the process of trying to 'shock' my body into losing weight. I am trying to switch up the workouts, but still get my calorie burn in. Not easy when your gym doesn't offer classes. That's ok. I am thinking outside of the box and got a piece of advice from a friend that I'd like to share. She said her trainer told her to simply "do one thing a week that makes you uncomfortable." If you are not a runner- run. If you hate the stationary bike- do it anyway. And the rule of thumb he gave her was to give it 15 minutes.
Personally, I despise the gazelle-like ellipticals. They hurt. They make me feel like a gawky teenager again. They make me think my coordination ranks right up there with most toddlers. But I did it anyway. And hated every second of it. I cursed the gym, the world, my well-intentioned friend. Until I got on the scale 2 weeks later. I have lost those pesky 5 pounds I had put back on.
So it is now my mission to do some kind of exercise that I hate or that I would normally avoid because they make me uncomfortable. I can do anything for 15 minutes a week. And last week, i did a full program on the 'gazelle.' 28 horrible minutes. But I was proud of myself for doing it. And it's working... so I'm pressing on, sista. Are you up to the challenge??
And I find myself trying again more often than not. This journey of mine has not been an easy one. So many pitfalls, so little time. I had put 5 pounds back on. I was discouraged. With the encouraging voices of my precious girlfriends ringing in my ears... I picked myself up off of the couch and got back on that blasted elliptical.
I am in the process of trying to 'shock' my body into losing weight. I am trying to switch up the workouts, but still get my calorie burn in. Not easy when your gym doesn't offer classes. That's ok. I am thinking outside of the box and got a piece of advice from a friend that I'd like to share. She said her trainer told her to simply "do one thing a week that makes you uncomfortable." If you are not a runner- run. If you hate the stationary bike- do it anyway. And the rule of thumb he gave her was to give it 15 minutes.
Personally, I despise the gazelle-like ellipticals. They hurt. They make me feel like a gawky teenager again. They make me think my coordination ranks right up there with most toddlers. But I did it anyway. And hated every second of it. I cursed the gym, the world, my well-intentioned friend. Until I got on the scale 2 weeks later. I have lost those pesky 5 pounds I had put back on.
So it is now my mission to do some kind of exercise that I hate or that I would normally avoid because they make me uncomfortable. I can do anything for 15 minutes a week. And last week, i did a full program on the 'gazelle.' 28 horrible minutes. But I was proud of myself for doing it. And it's working... so I'm pressing on, sista. Are you up to the challenge??
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