Today my husband and I were at Hastings. We rented a movie and then decided to kill some time and go and look for a book that my pastor has been referencing at church. Lately, I have been really interested in health and fitness books, so I made sure to swing by that section as well. I couldn't believe it. I was, and still am blown away by how many "diet" books are polluting our bookshelves. Who buys these things? I know...I know....alot of people do. Well...I'm here to tell ya....there is no "magic pill"!
I've been down that road....alot! I've done the Atkins diet and read books about the South Beach diet and had friends who did the cabbage soup diet. These diets give you quick results, but they quickly fade and then you blow up like the Goodyear Blimp. Any diet, no matter who endorses it, no matter what celebrity swears by it, must involve physical activity and good, nutritious food choices. If not...it's CRAP! Take the Atkins diet craze that hit a few years ago. I tried it...so there is no judgment here. That diet had people, myself included, believing that eating cheeseburger patties, bacon, sausage, eggs, and cheese were good for you. It convinced you to give up fruit! What person in their right mind thinks that this diet could truly be effective in the long run?
Diets like these, and the people who support them, are hoping to prey on people who are exhausted with being overweight....people who are busy and think they don't have time to work out or plan a healthy eating schedule. Diet gurus are hoping that you're just ignorant enough to buy into their lies. Eating better and being physically active must become priorities. I know that people are busy and our lives are hectic. Finding time to go to the gym or cook healthy meals is a struggle, I know. However, for the things that are important in our lives, we make time. It's a matter of what is important to you.
Another reason these fad diets seem to be so popular is that it's audience is ignorant to what is best for them. I don't say that in a condescending way, I'm still learning these things myself. If you don't know what your body needs to stay healthy and what your body needs to be doing to stay active, then it's very easy to be swayed by diet books promising you quick results with minimal effort. We all know better, but we buy into it anyway. More often than not, if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
Getting healthy can also be a little scary. You are so afraid that you're going to have to give up everything you once loved and live at the gym and life as you know it will cease to exist. Nothing could be further from the truth. When my husband and I were at Hastings today, looking at the health/fitness books, he said to me "I don't want you becoming a health nut!" I'm not sure, but I assume he says that because he's afraid I'll turn our house into a farmer's market and never cook another good-tasting meal for the rest of our lives. People are afraid of what they don't know. That's why it's so important to read up....find out what is good for you. Talk to your doctor. Read literature that comes from a credible source, not just any old book lying around. Do your research. Knowledge is power.
Last, but not least, stay active. Even the best eating habits won't get you nearly as far if you don't get moving. There are so many pluses to exercise, I don't have time to list them all. And once you start, you'll become addicted and you'll need that exercise to feel good. I know that it's hard to work out at the end of a long day at work, but we all need to do it. Just like laundry, or showering, it must be done. It's like that old saying "Anything worth having is worth fighting for!" It won't be easy, but the good stuff never is.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
How you see yourself
I had an epiphany in art class today (it's amazing how God works....I had many a thought about skipping art class today, but I decided to go ahead and go). We have fellow students doing mini art lessons (to prepare us for teaching) and today we had an art project that had us break a peice of paper down into 8 parts and write down 8 words that describe us. It could be something important to us, something to describe us, or a word that had special meaning to us. The first few words weren't very hard for me......God, family, school, JOY.....but I struggled with the next few words. I started to write the word fitness, but something stopped me. What concerned me about that was.....why??? Why was writing down that fitness what important to me and was a big part of my life....difficult for me? Why did I hesitate?
It's because of how I see myself. That's the problem. I've read about it in health magazines and fitness literature, but hadn't experienced it until today. A big part of losing weight and becoming fit is how we see ourselves. I read once that when you lose weight, even 100 lbs, you still look in the mirror and see that "fat" person. Even though you fit into smaller jeans and you KNOW that you look different, you still see that fat person. Embracing that new body and that new person is a struggle, especially if you have been unhealthy most of your life. Now, I'm not morbidly obese.....but I still struggle with how I see myself. It's not a low self-esteem issue.....I know what I'm worth and what I deserve, but it's a matter of adjustment. My fear was, when I wrote down fitness on my peice of paper, that people would look at it and say "Fitness?? Really?? It doesn't look like fitness is important to her!" Again, I'm not a whale....people don't look at me and think "My Lord....she's HUGE!" But still, I hesitated. If I can't see myself in a new light, how can I ever expect anyone else to?
I know this is a strange fear to have. And if you've never struggled with your weight, then you probably don't understand it. It's like the kids in high school who want to try out for the basketball team, or the volleyball team, or the cheerleading squad. They want to, but they don't....because no one sees them as a "basketball player" or a "volleyball player" or a "cheerleader".....so they never see themselves that way either. They never try out for the team and they never get to accomplish that goal. It's the same concept with weight and getting healthy. I am going to walk in the "Race for the Cure" in September and I hesistated even doing that. My initial thought was "Chubby girls don't do things like that!"....and then I thought "Well....this chubby girl does.....and I am gonna do it every year that I possibly can!"
It's all a matter of perspective. Who cares how anyone else sees me if I can't see myself for all that I'm worth and all that I am capable of? I ended up putting fitness down on my peice of paper and displayed it proudly. Fitness is a part of who I am. Not everyone who is now a fitness guru started out that way. Alot of them were overweight and unhealthy and decided to change their lives. This is just my beginning.....I'll be a fitness guru before you know it!
It's because of how I see myself. That's the problem. I've read about it in health magazines and fitness literature, but hadn't experienced it until today. A big part of losing weight and becoming fit is how we see ourselves. I read once that when you lose weight, even 100 lbs, you still look in the mirror and see that "fat" person. Even though you fit into smaller jeans and you KNOW that you look different, you still see that fat person. Embracing that new body and that new person is a struggle, especially if you have been unhealthy most of your life. Now, I'm not morbidly obese.....but I still struggle with how I see myself. It's not a low self-esteem issue.....I know what I'm worth and what I deserve, but it's a matter of adjustment. My fear was, when I wrote down fitness on my peice of paper, that people would look at it and say "Fitness?? Really?? It doesn't look like fitness is important to her!" Again, I'm not a whale....people don't look at me and think "My Lord....she's HUGE!" But still, I hesitated. If I can't see myself in a new light, how can I ever expect anyone else to?
I know this is a strange fear to have. And if you've never struggled with your weight, then you probably don't understand it. It's like the kids in high school who want to try out for the basketball team, or the volleyball team, or the cheerleading squad. They want to, but they don't....because no one sees them as a "basketball player" or a "volleyball player" or a "cheerleader".....so they never see themselves that way either. They never try out for the team and they never get to accomplish that goal. It's the same concept with weight and getting healthy. I am going to walk in the "Race for the Cure" in September and I hesistated even doing that. My initial thought was "Chubby girls don't do things like that!"....and then I thought "Well....this chubby girl does.....and I am gonna do it every year that I possibly can!"
It's all a matter of perspective. Who cares how anyone else sees me if I can't see myself for all that I'm worth and all that I am capable of? I ended up putting fitness down on my peice of paper and displayed it proudly. Fitness is a part of who I am. Not everyone who is now a fitness guru started out that way. Alot of them were overweight and unhealthy and decided to change their lives. This is just my beginning.....I'll be a fitness guru before you know it!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
I feel FANTASTIC
As I was driving to the gym this late Saturday morning, I thought to myself....."I feel fantastic!". Then, when I left the gym.....I felt even better. Why have I not been exercising my whole life?? Why do more people not do this?? Why do more people not eat better?? The payoff is so worth it! As I sit here, eating my Lean Cuisine chicken fettucine alfredo.......I know that no food (not even.....dare I say, chocolate) is better than how I've been feeling lately.
It is amazing how God designed the human body. They are miracle machines. If we take care of them and fuel them with the right foods, there is nothing they can't do. They are fully capable of sustaining years and years of vibrant life, fighting off infectious diseases, birthing children, making children (hehe), etc. It amazes me....most of us take better care of our cars than we do our bodies. We wouldn't put greasy, nasty Crisco in our gas tanks, but we're more than willing to clog our own arteries with it. Eeewwwwww!!
I have, first hand, experienced what a healthier body can do....and I'm just getting started. I used to get migraines.....constantly. And while they haven't gone away completely.....they are few and far between. I used to get so winded from climbing the stairs to my biology class that I had to take a moment before I walked into class to catch my breath, for fear of another student tring to give me CPR! Now....I fly up those things.....and walk straight into class. I used to have pain in my left knee constantly. I still do sometimes, but the elliptical has helped strengthen my knee and ease that pain. My mood is better, my body is leaner, my heart is stronger and my mind is clearer.
Now....for the final BIG plus to eating better and exercising. I apologize in advance to my mother, Aunt Debbie (not really....she'll get a kick out of this), Grandma and sibs (if you guys are reading this)....but it must be said. The “behind closed doors” part of being married is awesome when you feel better!! I'm a married woman.....there is no shame, nor is it a secret that married couples have sex (or should be). And when you're not so tired......and sick.....and feeling bleh......and hating your body.......you find time for activities you didn't normally feel up for before. Both my husband and I have been hitting the gym and eating better and it has SOOOOO paid off!!! So.....ladies and gentlemen.......if for no other reason.....hit the gym for that!
I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me. I am just getting started.....and the best is yet to come. It's so refreshing to get up everyday knowing that it's only going to get better from here. I find myself thinking about trips to celebrate my retirement......future goals as a grandmother.......and things I want to do for my 80th birthday. I plan on being around for a while.....and not just alive....but really LIVING!!
It is amazing how God designed the human body. They are miracle machines. If we take care of them and fuel them with the right foods, there is nothing they can't do. They are fully capable of sustaining years and years of vibrant life, fighting off infectious diseases, birthing children, making children (hehe), etc. It amazes me....most of us take better care of our cars than we do our bodies. We wouldn't put greasy, nasty Crisco in our gas tanks, but we're more than willing to clog our own arteries with it. Eeewwwwww!!
I have, first hand, experienced what a healthier body can do....and I'm just getting started. I used to get migraines.....constantly. And while they haven't gone away completely.....they are few and far between. I used to get so winded from climbing the stairs to my biology class that I had to take a moment before I walked into class to catch my breath, for fear of another student tring to give me CPR! Now....I fly up those things.....and walk straight into class. I used to have pain in my left knee constantly. I still do sometimes, but the elliptical has helped strengthen my knee and ease that pain. My mood is better, my body is leaner, my heart is stronger and my mind is clearer.
Now....for the final BIG plus to eating better and exercising. I apologize in advance to my mother, Aunt Debbie (not really....she'll get a kick out of this), Grandma and sibs (if you guys are reading this)....but it must be said. The “behind closed doors” part of being married is awesome when you feel better!! I'm a married woman.....there is no shame, nor is it a secret that married couples have sex (or should be). And when you're not so tired......and sick.....and feeling bleh......and hating your body.......you find time for activities you didn't normally feel up for before. Both my husband and I have been hitting the gym and eating better and it has SOOOOO paid off!!! So.....ladies and gentlemen.......if for no other reason.....hit the gym for that!
I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me. I am just getting started.....and the best is yet to come. It's so refreshing to get up everyday knowing that it's only going to get better from here. I find myself thinking about trips to celebrate my retirement......future goals as a grandmother.......and things I want to do for my 80th birthday. I plan on being around for a while.....and not just alive....but really LIVING!!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Skinny Jeans
We all have them. I'm not talking about the new, trendy jeans that everyone seems to be wearing these days. I'm talking about every woman's "skinny jeans".....the jeans that you never throw away, even after you've outgrown them, in the hopes that one day, you'll fit back into them. I found my skinny jeans today.
I had just gotten out of my morning class, around 9:15 or so and I had to head to WalMart to pick up a few things for a project in my afternoon class. It hit me....all of a sudden.....I was hungry. How I went from fine to starving is beyond me. I guess I had been focused on class and that project that I didn't pay attention. But after I got done shopping, I had nothing on my mind but how hungry I was. I had eaten breakfast this morning, oatmeal, and I had drank an entire bottle of water. This was at 7:15 this morning. I know myself well enough to know that I should have brought a granola bar or something to snack on. I know that when I get hungry and have no backup, I make poor food choices.
So, what does anyone do when it's 9:45 in the morning and you're hungry, but not at home? That's right.....McDonald's breakfast......it's only the BEST breakfast in the world!!! Why is that the first thing to pop into my head? Why was my first thought not "go back into WalMart and buy an apple"??? I'll tell you why.....years of bad habits. Years of going to McDonald's instead of eating an apple. I must have looked like a schitzophrenic (unsure of how that's spelled). I was talking to myself, not outloud, but I know my lips were moving. I was arguing with myself....one side telling me that McDonald's was just a few minutes away and the hunger would be gone before I even got home. The other side of me was telling me how hard I worked on the elliptical yesterday....and did I want to negate all the work (and then some) with a sausage biscuit.
The answer......NO!!!! I ran to my car and pulled out of that parking lot and headed home before my mind had the opportunity to change. I was so proud of myself. Life is full of those little moments. Moments where we can decide to help our bodies or hurt them. It may seem like a small moment to some, but it was a very proud moment for me. I got home, ate a plum and waited a while to eat my lunch. For lunch, I had a Smart One's and another bottle of water. I got my SHAPE magazine and ripped out a few pictures, pictures of strong, healthy women exercising, that would inspire me to do the same. I taped a picture to my fridge and on my mirror in my bathroom to help remind me why I'm doing this. Then, I got my skinny jeans and hung them on my wall in the bedroom. This way, every morning when I wake up, I'll have a visual reminder of my goals.....and now that one day.......I'll be back in my "skinny jeans"!
I had just gotten out of my morning class, around 9:15 or so and I had to head to WalMart to pick up a few things for a project in my afternoon class. It hit me....all of a sudden.....I was hungry. How I went from fine to starving is beyond me. I guess I had been focused on class and that project that I didn't pay attention. But after I got done shopping, I had nothing on my mind but how hungry I was. I had eaten breakfast this morning, oatmeal, and I had drank an entire bottle of water. This was at 7:15 this morning. I know myself well enough to know that I should have brought a granola bar or something to snack on. I know that when I get hungry and have no backup, I make poor food choices.
So, what does anyone do when it's 9:45 in the morning and you're hungry, but not at home? That's right.....McDonald's breakfast......it's only the BEST breakfast in the world!!! Why is that the first thing to pop into my head? Why was my first thought not "go back into WalMart and buy an apple"??? I'll tell you why.....years of bad habits. Years of going to McDonald's instead of eating an apple. I must have looked like a schitzophrenic (unsure of how that's spelled). I was talking to myself, not outloud, but I know my lips were moving. I was arguing with myself....one side telling me that McDonald's was just a few minutes away and the hunger would be gone before I even got home. The other side of me was telling me how hard I worked on the elliptical yesterday....and did I want to negate all the work (and then some) with a sausage biscuit.
The answer......NO!!!! I ran to my car and pulled out of that parking lot and headed home before my mind had the opportunity to change. I was so proud of myself. Life is full of those little moments. Moments where we can decide to help our bodies or hurt them. It may seem like a small moment to some, but it was a very proud moment for me. I got home, ate a plum and waited a while to eat my lunch. For lunch, I had a Smart One's and another bottle of water. I got my SHAPE magazine and ripped out a few pictures, pictures of strong, healthy women exercising, that would inspire me to do the same. I taped a picture to my fridge and on my mirror in my bathroom to help remind me why I'm doing this. Then, I got my skinny jeans and hung them on my wall in the bedroom. This way, every morning when I wake up, I'll have a visual reminder of my goals.....and now that one day.......I'll be back in my "skinny jeans"!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)