(BTW, thanks for reading mom and grandmama...y'all DO still read my blog, right?)
Way back in March of 2005, I wrote a sad, sad post. I was lamenting my age, my slowing metabolism, as well as my sagging butt. You can read the whole thing HERE .
But I'll post the most pertinent part, so that you can avoid my rambling..(ha!)Here's what I had to say back in March of '05:
O.K. here is your warning: COMPLETELY SELF ABSORBED,VAIN, FAT BLOG TO FOLLOW: (Race, if you're reading....STOP.seriously)
I have NEVER had to worry about my weight. Even after kids. It has just never been a problem. Well......It’s happened. They always tell you that it will hit you in your mid thirties. I am forced, as of late, to admit several things:
* My “fat jeans” are no longer my “fat jeans”.
* My old, dust covered scale confirmed what I already knew: I have gained weight.
* Those low-rise jeans are actually more comfortable than you think. They allow excess belly fat to flow over the top of the waist band. Quite convenient.
* My butt has taken to sliding down the back of my thighs so far, that it is no longer recognizable.
* I can no longer continue my current habit of downing several vanilla latte’s or mocha’s a week without it showing.
* I MUST WORK-OUT. This is no longer an option (shudder).
* I am not firm, I am flabby.
* I must get out my……. STEP. I must get out my …(dare I say it) my FIRM tapes (double shudder).
Now, look, I am still a ways off from "fat", but I ask you.....dare I look the other way?? Dare I ignore the tell tale signs of age and a slowing metabolism?
“Ohhh……help. Help. Oh woe is me. Oh damn that slippery, slippery eel called “Motivation”. Will you ever be within my grasp?” Spring……summer….. shorts……. SWIM SUITS!!! Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
O.K. I feel better. I really needed to let that out. AND I have been working out. Which is good. The bad thing is that I can't tell if it is muscle or swelling that I am seeing right now. Can we say, "Out- of- Shape" ? Seriously, it's killin' me. But I'm doing it. Yep, I'm doin' it. I'm hatin' it, but I'm doin it. That's good, right? How do you stay motivated??
I spent a good 3-4 months or more (this post being in about the middle of those months) doing those Firm tapes and absolutely killing myself without much improvement in the...fanny area. Sure, I was in a little better shape, and certainly more healthy than before because of all the cardio, but I wasn't seeing any REAL changes.
Then in April of 2006, Race had just come home....and he had been doing some serious working out and running while he was gone. I was looking for a way to spend more time with him. So, like any well-meaning, devious wife would do, I made him my personal trainer. He put together a weight lifting program for me that involved light weights and lots of reps. He showed me how to perform the lifts properly so that my weakling body wouldn't get injured. He also got me MOVING. We biked, ran, hiked....whatever. We just DECIDED to get active.
And you know what? It was life-changing. And it was fun.
After that, I threw away my Firm tapes. THIS was fun.....and it was working. I was seeing results in my body. And my whole family was becoming much more healthy and fit, all the while learning new activities and just having a good time together.
It is a natural progression after you become more active, and start seeing great changes in your body, that you no longer want to mindlessly shovel the same crap into it that you were before. You actually CARE about the fuel that you are giving your body to run on.
SO this was the next step: Nutrition. I began keeping a food journal. This was the most eye-opening thing that I could have done. I wrote down everything that went into my mouth, and then made a column for calories, fats,carbs, and protein. At the end of the day, I added it all up, and could see what was going into my body, and what I was asking it to perform on. After a week, I started making changes in the way that we ate. Real changes.
It's been a year!I just can't tell you how much better my whole family feels. From taking away mood swings, to giving us more energy, as well as improving the overall appearance of everyones skin, hair........everything! (And don't forget I have 2 TEENS!)
Honestly, when I think back on it I am so thankful. This is a learning experience for us. But it has improved the quality of our lives so much, and I owe it to Race!!
I have more to say on this whole subject, but I'd love to hear your thoughts about nutrition and excercise....love it? ....hate it?.....just don't get it? Let me hear it people! And if you'd like you can yell at me for daring to post about diet and excercise without warning you.
6 comments:
Was this aimed at me? You know I still plan to continue blaming the Elbow for all of this... for as long as I can get away with it.
OK, seriously. I'm one of those who acknowledges the benefits of a wholesome diet and an active lifestyle. They're good. I don't actually *do* any of them. But then, that would be why, in that one photo of me - at my "skinniest" and you in your "fat jeans", you still look like Barbie in comparison. I could do something about it, but then, where would be the slippery eel of motivation for others to grasp, no? ;-)
Dy
I agree with your post, totally. I am one of those weird-o's that actually enjoys exercise. Which is why it is so frustrating that I cannot do it often these days. We joined the Y with great intentions. And it has been great for the boys and The Dude, but E just won't let me get away. I am currently cleaning our our "scary room" and am considering trading in my Y membership for a good weight bench and a set of free weights.
As for the food, we do OK in that area. I cook healthy and we rarely eat out. Now, if we could just convince Walker to ingest some of that food, we would really be on a roll :)
Your post is inspiring! All of your hard work is really paying off! Keep it up!
I know that the kiddo's won't be little forever and someday I will have all the time in the world to work out. I am sure I will be re-reading this post then.
Good for you! And for the family, too!! It feels so good to know that you're healthy and fit.
You've definitely been an inspiration to me. It is amazing how what you eat so directly effects evey part of your well-being. I'm a HUGE fan of the organic stuff, now. It's also amazing how DELICIOUS healthy eating can be.It doesn't have to be ultra low fat---just use the RIGHT fats in moderation.
You guys are doing such a good thing for yourselves and the kids. The healthy eating and active lifestyle will be something the young'uns carry with them and benefit from for the rest of their lives! AWESOME!!
We have been on such a roller coaster, eat healthy, exercise, lose weight and then I fall off the wagon. I haven't gained back any of the 12 pounds I've lost but I haven't lost anymore either. Now you've made me feel guilty, now I will have to drag my guilty butt home and throw away all the stuff we aren't supposed to eat and get back on the wagon. Thanks (said sarcastically)
We learned the same nutrition lessons thanks to the boys allergies. We *thought* we were eating well before, but we really discovered just how much processed junk we ate when we suddenly couldn't buy it anymore. :}
I'm not as good about the exercise, and I need to be. It's one of those things that's hard to maintain with a baby in the house. I can't say that I really enjoy the process, but I feel worlds better when I'm exercising regularly.
I know it's an excuse but it's a valid one - with little ones it's almost impossible. Yes I could go bike riding but we'd always be at a slow pace and it would be stressful for me with 4 of them on their own bikes and me with the baby and not being able to ride next to each other (too many). And hiking=whining. We already do short hikes so maybe that will build durability for later. DH and I both want and need to join a gym but we've both said we need a trainer because we're not good self motivators. I've got a little over 4 months until the wedding. Enough time to make a significant change. OK, I've made my own blog entry rambling. lol
I'm really excited for you and your family. Just please tell me it won't take until my youngest is 8/9 to get there. LOL
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