When I was 19 I did something about it. It was as simple as cutting out snacking (which I did so often I forgot what hungry felt like) and moving the butt a little more. I picked up hours at work and did palates for 20 minutes 3 times a week. The pounds dripped off me in a matter of months- it was fantastic! Now I'm careful to maintain that.
Well, not so careful. For the first time since then I have a very low activity job. I have a very low work job, too. Being a smoker (could I be any unhealthier??), too, makes me crave oral fixations in replacement of cigarettes at work. IE: I snack at work now. It's either that or I sneak out for a smoke every hour, eventually get caught, and lose my job. Or I could quit smoking, but that's another blog... Plus I'm not 21 anymore so the metabolism isn't what it was and it's harder to lose weight. Story of every woman's life I suppose.
Since I can't seem to give up the oral fixation (I've tried!) it's time I beef up my work-out. I've gained 20 lbs in the last year. Many would say "oh, it's only 20" but I refuse that mentality. It starts at 20. Then 40... kind of like smoking. It starts at a few smokes, then you're up to a pack a day! I'm not ready to fight my smoking demon, though, so I chose the weight demon! I won't let myself get to the point where I'm so overweight it's overwhelming to begin- like my family.
Before my husband left for deployment he bought me an elliptical. It's not high-end, but it does the trick. It also has a seat to be converted to a bike- a two in one is a good buy to me. My ADD nature isn't satisfied with elliptical alone, though. I'm bored and want to quit after 10 minutes. So my solution is to find other cardio exercises to mix in with the elliptical to keep me from being bored. I'm also exercising first thing in the morning. After work I can easily talk myself out of exercising by saying I've had a hard day of work & need to rest. First thing in the morning I'm not awake enough to convince myself of this and can push myself to work out.
A two day search has presented me with some great exercises to incorporate. As my body gets used to the exercises, I will have to beef this up to prevent myself from plateauing. For those who are new to exercise: the body becomes accustomed to the same exercise routine and it stops working out as hard if you don't challenge it. You want to be huffing and puffing at the end of each workout. As your muscles strengthen the same old workout won't do that. For those interested, I thought I'd share my research.
Before my husband left for deployment he bought me an elliptical. It's not high-end, but it does the trick. It also has a seat to be converted to a bike- a two in one is a good buy to me. My ADD nature isn't satisfied with elliptical alone, though. I'm bored and want to quit after 10 minutes. So my solution is to find other cardio exercises to mix in with the elliptical to keep me from being bored. I'm also exercising first thing in the morning. After work I can easily talk myself out of exercising by saying I've had a hard day of work & need to rest. First thing in the morning I'm not awake enough to convince myself of this and can push myself to work out.
A two day search has presented me with some great exercises to incorporate. As my body gets used to the exercises, I will have to beef this up to prevent myself from plateauing. For those who are new to exercise: the body becomes accustomed to the same exercise routine and it stops working out as hard if you don't challenge it. You want to be huffing and puffing at the end of each workout. As your muscles strengthen the same old workout won't do that. For those interested, I thought I'd share my research.
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred: List of Exercises
A Slower Paced Beginners Workout
Boot Camp Style Workout
A Slower Paced Beginners Workout
Boot Camp Style Workout
I performed the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred video once with a friend and it really kicked my butt. I thought a better way, so I'm not overly strained, would be to get a list of all of the exercises. Then perform them to my tolerance, and not in completion if necessary, to give me a great heart pounding work-out without near collapse. I do not recommend all intense ones in a row. I threw the slower paced one in there to give a break every 2-3 days- again, depending on tolerance. I know my body and worked at a physical therapy office for 4 years to learn proper mechanics. I do not recommend anyone begin anything they aren't sure how to perform or they'll end up pulling something.
Part 2 of this new focus is counting my food intake. I've done it minimally over the years. Most of the time I know what days I went over without counting. Counting would make me feel guilty for enjoying myself so I chose ignorance. I'm going to work to amend that, at least until the 20 lbs are gone. For 85% of the world that seems to have a smart phone, there's an App for that. As I'm in the 15% who does not have a smart phone (yet), there's a website for that- http://www.sparkpeople.com - it helps you track your exercises and food intake. It tells you what's healthy and not. Day 2 of using this website and I really enjoy it! I hope you do, too!
Part 2 of this new focus is counting my food intake. I've done it minimally over the years. Most of the time I know what days I went over without counting. Counting would make me feel guilty for enjoying myself so I chose ignorance. I'm going to work to amend that, at least until the 20 lbs are gone. For 85% of the world that seems to have a smart phone, there's an App for that. As I'm in the 15% who does not have a smart phone (yet), there's a website for that- http://www.sparkpeople.com - it helps you track your exercises and food intake. It tells you what's healthy and not. Day 2 of using this website and I really enjoy it! I hope you do, too!
Enjoy!
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