I stopped seeing results, and that means one of two things. Not exercising enough, not remaining consistent with eating. It is certainly both. I have no problem staying motivated to work out 4-5x a week, I’m in love with Taekwondo. I did injure myself, and only went twice a week in the past 2 weeks to not exert the IT band. I took it easy, relaxed, I don’t even think I broke a sweat. I like to go at least 3x a week, for 2-3hours each, then do some home workouts. Weights/yoga etc. I live for the endorphin rush. I’ve noticed I am one Sad Suzy if I don’t. This winter is BRUTAL! I am over it for SURE.
I also know, I’ve been very inconsistent with my diet. Portions are fine, but WHAT I’m eating isn’t great for optimal performance. Uh, hello Pop Tarts? Non-grain pasta? Sugars? Extra cups of coffee? Clearly, I know why I stopped seeing results. So, I dub this my Tweek Week. Make small changes to see if I can rev up my momentum again.
- Whole Grains
- More Water
- Egg quiches instead of oatmeal
- Try a new veggie recipe, roasted Brussel Sprouts?
- Cut back the sugars
- Hydrate properly during hard workouts. Sometimes water isn’t enough
- Vitamins
- Take 10 minutes to meditate (outside of yoga)
- Hit those weights more!
- Stop watching Weight-Loss Reality TV….
I know #10 sounds crazy, I usually watch them for motivation. But I realize, this could be a huge trigger for my disappointment! No joke, I watch 3-4 weight loss success shows per week, so of course I get disappointed when I don’t measure up! So, I’ve decide to cut out my triggers, and stick to my cook-books for new ideas for recipes. I think on the other end of the spectrum, is watching all the cooking shows! I do love them! Maybe I’ll just watch the ones that focus on healthy recipes? J I do love me some Top Chef and Cupcake Wars.
A lot of people may read this blog, or those who know me, think that being healthy and losing weight is a full time job. You know what? It is. And I’m lucky it’s not a Life-Time job, that I started paying attention when I did, and I didn’t end up with organ complications or in the hospital. It’s not as easy as math and biology. There are lots of factors, and 90%, are mental. Those are the obstacles that stand before me. So all the late night pizzas, all the cigarettes and college drinking, all the mac and cheese, burgers and large portions that got me here. And I ignored my body signals, ignored my body for so long, and now I am literally retraining myself, physically and mentally.
One thing I have noticed from the weight-loss reality shows, is the inconsistency of support. Other family members and friends complaining that losing weight just takes up too much time. Who are YOU telling?
It certainly comes off as selfish, and balancing healthy friendships and relationships are not easy task when you’re trying to teach your brain “Apple not Snickers. Work-out not Couch”. Sounds easy, but taking note of your triggers, fighting off cravings, even addictions, making time/schedules for working out, finding a way to PAY for everything. You are fighting with yourself all day every day. It takes sacrifice, not just from the person putting down the Pop-Tarts, but to the loved ones around you. Sacrifice of attention, but it’s not being replaced by another person, or a drug or something bad. It’s being replaced with the promise of a healthier YOU. Encouraging diet-cheating, skipping a work out, or even creating a complex by commenting on what they’re eating, what they’re not eating, how long they work out, complain about their changes , etc. When you have your own mental battle day in and day out, then negative responses from the people who are supposed to be supporting you, it just makes it THAT much longer and harder.
So, in honor of Tweek Week, if you know someone who is trying to be healthier, trying to lose weight, or heck, training for the marathon, just offer some words of encouragement. Let them know it’s ok to think about yourself, but we’re still here for you and we’d like to see you at your best. Offer to help them cook a healthy meal or email them a great recipe you found. Tag along for a work-out with them. I know sometimes it can be hard to sacrifice something that doesn’t immediately benefit you, if you value the friend/relationship, it will. Now I know some people can become obsessive, but it’s imporant to stay in the loop.
Because trust me, if you think it’s hard watching from the outside, you probably have NO idea what it’s like on the inside.
I stopped seeing results, and that means one of two things. Not exercising enough, not remaining consistent with eating. It is certainly both. I have no problem staying motivated to work out 4-5x a week, I’m in love with Taekwondo. I did injure myself, and only went twice a week in the past 2 weeks to not exert the IT band. I took it easy, relaxed, I don’t even think I broke a sweat. I like to go at least 3x a week, for 2-3hours each, then do some home workouts. Weights/yoga etc. I live for the endorphin rush. I’ve noticed I am one Sad Suzy if I don’t. This winter is BRUTAL! I am over it for SURE.
I also know, I’ve been very inconsistent with my diet. Portions are fine, but WHAT I’m eating isn’t great for optimal performance. Uh, hello Pop Tarts? Non-grain pasta? Sugars? Extra cups of coffee? Clearly, I know why I stopped seeing results. So, I dub this my Tweek Week. Make small changes to see if I can rev up my momentum again.
I know #10 sounds crazy, I usually watch them for motivation. But I realize, this could be a huge trigger for my disappointment! No joke, I watch 3-4 weight loss success shows per week, so of course I get disappointed when I don’t measure up! So, I’ve decide to cut out my triggers, and stick to my cook-books for new ideas for recipes. I think on the other end of the spectrum, is watching all the cooking shows! I do love them! Maybe I’ll just watch the ones that focus on healthy recipes? J I do love me some Top Chef and Cupcake Wars.
A lot of people may read this blog, or those who know me, think that being healthy and losing weight is a full time job. You know what? It is. And I’m lucky it’s not a Life-Time job, that I started paying attention when I did, and I didn’t end up with organ complications or in the hospital. It’s not as easy as math and biology. There are lots of factors, and 90%, are mental. Those are the obstacles that stand before me. So all the late night pizzas, all the cigarettes and college drinking, all the mac and cheese, burgers and large portions that got me here. And I ignored my body signals, ignored my body for so long, and now I am literally retraining myself, physically and mentally.
One thing I have noticed from the weight-loss reality shows, is the inconsistency of support. Other family members and friends complaining that losing weight just takes up too much time. Who are YOU telling?
It certainly comes off as selfish, and balancing healthy friendships and relationships are not easy task when you’re trying to teach your brain “Apple not Snickers. Work-out not Couch”. Sounds easy, but taking note of your triggers, fighting off cravings, even addictions, making time/schedules for working out, finding a way to PAY for everything. You are fighting with yourself all day every day. It takes sacrifice, not just from the person putting down the Pop-Tarts, but to the loved ones around you. Sacrifice of attention, but it’s not being replaced by another person, or a drug or something bad. It’s being replaced with the promise of a healthier YOU. Encouraging diet-cheating, skipping a work out, or even creating a complex by commenting on what they’re eating, what they’re not eating, how long they work out, complain about their changes , etc. When you have your own mental battle day in and day out, then negative responses from the people who are supposed to be supporting you, it just makes it THAT much longer and harder.
So, in honor of Tweek Week, if you know someone who is trying to be healthier, trying to lose weight, or heck, training for the marathon, just offer some words of encouragement. Let them know it’s ok to think about yourself, but we’re still here for you and we’d like to see you at your best. Offer to help them cook a healthy meal or email them a great recipe you found. Tag along for a work-out with them. I know sometimes it can be hard to sacrifice something that doesn’t immediately benefit you, if you value the friend/relationship, it will. Now I know some people can become obsessive, but it’s imporant to stay in the loop.
Because trust me, if you think it’s hard watching from the outside, you probably have NO idea what it’s like on the inside.