In March I posted about a life change that I was making... eating healthier, exercising and just maintaining and overall healthier lifestyle. My main goal of coarse was to lose weight and get back into some clothing I haven't worn in a few years. Since then, I've lost 16 pounds. Honestly, this has been extremely challenging and it seems to get harder every day.
I joined Jazz.er.cise in October with the hopes of going at least 2-3 days per week. I LOVE the workout there! I feel energized and truly feel like I'm getting my butt kicked. I started out going the 2 days per week and did great! Lately... um, really, the past two months (just after signing on a year), I've slacked. Big time. I can find every excuse not to go. Mornings are too early and besides, Aaron has to leave for work earlier now that he drives further. Afternoons in summer are full of mowing the lawn, fixing dinners, and enjoying being a family. During the day, well, I never do that simply because it's just not plausible. They do have childcare available, free of charge, on tues, wed & thurs but I just can't seem to get to that session. The good news is that I've been walking 4 mile walks with my mom during this time, usually 1-2 times each week. I used to love exercise. I was a huge tomboy growing up and played softball and basketball like it was no ones business. As I've gotten older, I find that what I really missed was the competition of it all.
When I went on my food overhaul, I was basing it all on a book titled "Fee.d Musc.le, Starv.e F.at". It worked pretty good for me. The hardest part is finding the time to actually cook. They don't want me to make just one meal. It's making an omelet every single morning. Then having basically chicken, salad or fish (which I don't eat) at each meal. I am horrible at making meals, let alone for just one person! My mornings are full of getting three people dressed and ready for their day, feeding my kiddos, the cats, cleaning, laundry, etc... whatever is on for the day, it's never an omelet. I started incorporating protein shakes into my day and that is something I've stuck with. I usually substitute breakfast. It recommends at least one meal per day. What I found was when it came time to re-incorporate carbs into my diet (at two weeks), it got harder. And harder. My cravings are back and full force. I snack just like I did before. I am working very hard at this and attempting to choose healthy snacks. I'm learning that just because it's a good option, eating a ton of it defeats the purpose. UGH!
So, I think I'm doing pretty good overall. I've just been stuck. But that is nothing new. I've been here before. At least this time I'm down 16 pounds. My goal is to lose twice that. Or more. So... I've got more work to do. Some ideas I've had are to go to be earlier and get up at 5:30am. Then I'll come downstairs and workout to the Zu.mba Wii game I've got (at least a couple days per week). Couple that with the occasional Jazze.rcise and walks and I've got myself a good gig. Maybe If I got up earlier, I'd have time after Zum.ba to make myself that omelet! So, that's the idea... we'll see what happens. Getting to bed earlier will be my toughest challenge. It's the time of the day when my girls are asleep and there is no timer ticking telling me they'll be up soon and that my time is limited. I know they'll be down for hours.
So, that's my lifestyle change update. Hopefully in a few months I can chart some more progress!!
