During a meeting last week, I was told the strangest thing;
“You look so much happier.”
Category: Fitnesslicious
Fitnesslicious
Time to Kick My Own Ass
May 31 came & went.
By the time the clock struck midnight, I was something I haven’t been in months: optimistic.
I’m not sure what brought about this change. Maybe it was a pep talk from my fellow MAMA’s helping me stay on the path of strength. Maybe it was lattes with Drew. Maybe it was a kind blog comment. Maybe it was a heart to heart with my best friend.
The Elusive Art of Being Happy
It’s the number one most commonly heard phrase: I just want to be happy.
If it’s the goal everyone wants, then why does it seem that nobody is happy? It seems like we’re all searching for the elusive thing that makes us “happy”.
Sometimes It’s Not About The Number
Its been a long, hard six weeks but I have finally finished phase three of my program.
Strength is probably the hardest phase IMO. It’s tiring, long, and painful. There’s also weight gain as fat turns to muscle so its discouraging. There’s no loss persay and you go home hurt and tired. Not so fun.
I’m struggling to remind myself that it’s not about numbers on the scale, it’s about inches & how your clothes fit. I’ve managed to go down to a size 14 for most of my clothes so I can claim a small victory.
The problem is that when people think of weight, they think of a number on a scale, not inches. It’s frustrating because the number doesn’t decrease but I know I must be losing, right?
So how does one learn to let go of the scale and focus on fixing your body? I really don’t know. I am really the last person to answer this question, as I have the worst body image ever. My BFF asked me if I owned a mirror and I replied that when I asked it who was the fairest, it tells me that I suck. It’s another one of those situations where you know it’s irrational but yet, you still look to the scale and that number for validation.
How does one let go of that number & simply track the progress? I would love an answer as I simply don’t know.
The dreaded Plateau
It’s the most hated word in fitness: plateau.
Discouragement
It’s one of the hardest things to overcome. That feeling of failure, like you’re not getting anywhere.
I felt that way during my exercise regime this week. I just keep working hard & getting nowhere & it’s frustrating. So, instead of figuring out WHY, I drowned my sorrows in a bag of Doritos.
Now that we’ve moved past that, its time to focus. Obviously I am smaller, my size 14 pants can attest. So, now it’s time to step up my efforts.
First order of business: buy a scale. The scale is going to make me accountable. Are the Doritos worth it, knowing the scale in the morning has the power to make me feel awful? Likely not. The next step is to add Wii Fit back into my workout regime. Every other day just won’t cut it anymore. I need to get serious if I want to succeed.
Fortunately, I have a strong support system. I can’t imagine having people who just spew the same “love yourself for you” or “think of your kids”. Uh, I’m doing all of this to learn to love myself AND to set a good example for my kids. I’m going to teach them a healthy lifestyle and how to accomplish their goals through hard work.
So, I’ve learned that discouragement is a good thing. It allows you to rethink your strategy…and Doritos are not good strategy.
No Kenneth Tong, I won’t aim for size 0
As week two of my weight loss challenge begins, I was pleased with myself and horrified with the world around me.
My first week of burn produced a six pound loss, thanks in part to the flu haha. Either way, it’s a positive step. I’ve taken to drinking more water & I’ve cut out almost all caffeine. Not to mention that the burn program is hard, so the feeling of accomplishment is worth the shin splints & the sweat.
Enter Kenneth Tong, the “self help” guru who has earned the ire of Gordon Ramsay & Simon Cowell for his size zero campaign. Tong claims that the tiny size is the standard for beauty & self control. Except that not everyone can be a size zero. Some body types are just not built to be a size zero and pushing these women may just kill them.
The problem with these idiots is that even though we know they’re idiots, the seed has been planted in the minds of women everywhere. They’ll mock him publically but then loathe in private because they aren’t the elusive size zero.
We can preach that women need to discover real beauty, regardless of weight but let’s be frank; no one’s listening. Everyone still wants to be thin. So, let’s promote realistic goals; no shakes, no fads, just a combination of smarter food choices, excercise and accountability. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be in the best shape for your body type, as long as you do it safely & aim for a realistic goal.
Weight Loss Challenge!
With the new year comes new changes. For some, it’s a new chance to fix an old problem.
For the last nine years, I have struggled with my weight. I have cried in stores, binged, purged, starved, crash dieted & cried again only to find I’m still struggling. Only in the last year with the help of my lose it! app and my personal trainer Melissa Jones (I strongly recommend any lady in Windsor go see her @ Goodlife on Ouellette ave) that I’ve started to learn how to try & lose weight in a healthy way.
The Misadventures of MHC 