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Jan 20 Downsizing… she’s back!!!
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Posted at 1:00 PM by Amy -
9 Comments
After two months stateside, I returned to South Africa in the beginning of January with renewed vigor for a lot of things- but getting into better shape was not on the top of the list. Or, should I say- it wasn’t even towards the top of the list until my friend and domestic worker, Emily, greeted me by patting my stomach and saying “America was good to you- life must be good there”. SHAME. I know I indulged. I know I’ve been ignoring certain articles of clothing. But the truth still hurts. Dang, I’ve got some work to do.
Since “going public” is my best form of accountability… here you go- an invitation to walk this road with me. The first post of every new month for the next six months will be about downsizing… and probably a few in between. My plan: I’ve upgraded my get-in-shape “tools” to iPhone apps (which I’m loving)… Lose It and Couch to 5k. My goal… nothing crazy… but to lose 1.5lbs per week until I’m where I need to be (and those numbers are only on a need-to-know basis!!!).
To help me kick-off… do you have a success story to share? Helpful tip? Word of encouragement? I’m all ears…
9 Comments on “Downsizing… she’s back!!!”
Oh man, this brings me back to the time in Korea when a man looked at my stomach and asked, “Baby?” I replied, “No, too much pizza!”
You asked for encouragement, so I hope this helps. Sorry in advance for the length!
A biggie that I’ve learned is to kick the processed foods and refined carbs and sugars to the curb. Diet’s 80% of the game, some say. Kick the bad stuff out of the house so you’re not even tempted. No sodas, either (not even sugar-free). To keep your metabolism going, combine protein with good carbs and eat every 3 – 4 hours, things such as hard boiled eggs wtih string cheese; an apple with almond butter; good protein shakes, etc. Protein really helps you to not feel hungry all the time.
I love Ezekiel bread, Fage (Greek) yogurt, agave syrup, cacao nibs, protein powders, *raw* almonds and walnuts. Drink lots and lots of water. That one’s really important.
As for workouts, I do 2 – 3 full-body strength workouts a week, and add in cardio on 1 – 2 other days. Say it with me: “Weights are good!” It’s amazing how much you can accomplish just using your own body weight for resistance. Right now I’m enjoying Jillian Michaels’ Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD. I also enjoy the DVDs by someone named Tracie Long (www.tracielongfitness.com). When it comes to exercise, what matters most is picking something that you’ll *do*.
There’s a new book out by someone well-respected named Rachel Cosgrove called “The Female Body Breakthrough” that you might want to check out. I’m not 100% digging the tone or writing style in some of it, *but* it’s still a very comprehensive book for someone getting started.
I like the saying, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” It really helps to be prepared, food-wise, so you don’t get stuck whatever when you’re out. I always carry an emergency baggie of raw almonds, walnuts, raisins and cacao nibs with me. And a bottle of water. We always bake up lots of skinless chicken every few weeks and bring it down from the freezer to have on hand. You can make wraps, salads, chicken curry, etc. with chicken. Same with lots of hard boiled eggs.
I like to go to different fitness websites to get inspired, such as http://www.videofitness.com.
Just take each day as it comes, and be kind to yourself! I know you can do it!!
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Hey friend. I have a bit of advice as I was recently (I indulged a bit too much during the holidays too) back to my wedding weight. Change one thing at a time. For instance, focus on one meal a day that you would like to re-do. Personally, I think breakfast is the easiest to change. We started to measure out our cereal. Made a huge difference. Stay committed to that one change and then move onto another. Also, I completely agree with Lisa above. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and nuts. For me, becoming a vegetarian made that so much simpler. I have no choice but to incorporate more healthy foods into my diet. If I don’t, I won’t get enough protein, iron, etc… As I write this I’m not necessarily saying you should become a veg- it doesn’t appeal to most people considering that meat tastes so freakin’ good (I do miss it but not as much as I thought I would). However, it is what worked for Erik and I. Unfortunately, kicking the meat habit has been way easier than kicking the soda habit.
Best of luck!
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Two things: Just to clarify, the comment I made about what the Korean man said to me was about how Emily made that comment to you. I wasn’t saying *you* look like you’re having a baby! Hope that was clear.
And the other is that I saw this and thought you’d find it interesting (and motivating):
http://health.yahoo.com/experts/healthieryou/14638/jillian-michaels-debunks-your-top-8-excuses-for-not-being-fit/
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I’m with you honey…. You are very much like me, love the meat and potato’s but I too gained 8 lbs over the holidays. That Buckeye Blitz ice cream everynight was so not good. So far I have lost 5 lbs by just getting back into good eating habits. Lots of fruit and vegetables, high protein so you don’t get too hungry. Nothing to eat after dinner. Nuts….almonds or walnuts just a few if you are starving. White cheese is best and low fat if you can get it. You know what to do….. you have been there and done it. I know one thing, it has to be a change for life, or it comes right back on. Go ahead and have that occasional bing, but the next day get back to it. No sense working so hard to get it off to just go back to the old habits and gain it all back. I added more excercise too (house cleaning)..lol
Sorry you have to struggle so hard, but unfortunately it runs in the family. I have had to watch it all my life. I’ll be pulling for you. I love you , MOM
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You’ve so got this! The motivation comes from a place deep inside. We, your cheering section, can help, God can help, but it’s up to you to make the choices that lead to a healthier you. I detest exercise. But for a year now, I have been getting up before the sun to run and weight train. I hate to run, but I LOVE how it makes me feel. I ran a 5k this past fall and hope to do the same every fall. What I love the most is no longer being a slave to the guilt of what I “should” be doing…I am actually doing it. I’m living it. It’s a habit now. I crave it. It’s part of my identity. Self-loathing won’t accomplish this. It’s loving your life, yourself, and your future enough to have the self-discipline to make it happen.
When it comes to food, I read a great article that pointed out most of us assume our issue is loving food too much, when really it’s loving food too little. When we eat foods we enjoy, we have such guilty feelings attached to the activity, that we begin to loathe ourselves even before we’ve finished eating. Since we still feel emotionally dissatisfied after, say, one piece of chocolate, we reach for another, and another, hating ourselves more and more with each bite. Instead, commit to loving that bite. Savor it. Place guilt aside and let the first piece satisfy without self-loathing. You’ll need less and enjoy it more.
I’m cheering for you, as I know you can do this! Thanks for sharing with us on your journey.
Love, Sara
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i am SO dang proud of you.
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…THANK YOU for all of the encouragement… I love not going it alone…
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Aimer…..by the way….you are beautiful inside and out, and I love you for who you are.
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http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
this is a couch to 5k plan too, i imagine it’s similar to yours, if not same one.i tried to get my mom to do this once, but no luck (she doesn’t need to lose weight, she just wanted to run a 5k)
this is the running website where i got the training plans that i loosely followed for my two marathons so its solid.
good luck!
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