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Okay I get a little embarrassed about the first picture of myself, but I need to give a visual that explains a small portion of what I have been experiencing with my lifestyle change. I am not a hard core exercise enthusiast or shop at whole foods everyday of your life kind of person (If I could afford, maybe I would). This has been a gradual change, that has taken time and will continue to take time. Now days I find my mouth watering for bell peppers and tomatoes (I use to hate tomatoes!). I find myself craving cookies less. I find myself having more energy, I find a steady and maintained15 lbs off of the scale. Wahoo!
This is what I have found:80/20 Rule - We have created a rule in our house to eat healthy at least 80% of the week and eat semi healthy, with a few treats here and there 20% of the week. The 20% is not an excuse to splurge and make ourselves sick, but it allows us to still enjoy a treat every once and awhile. This way we don't feel extremely restricted. Although treats are great every once and awhile, I have found that by eating the more nutrient dense foods such as fruit and vegetables along with a high protein breakfast, the craving for sweets lessen.
Green smoothies are magical-This is one of the easiest ways for me to get my fruits and vegetables. When I start the day with green smoothies, I feel energized and tend to eat healthier the rest of the day.
The more you exercise the more you will love it- Okay you may not think this is true, because working out can be hard at times, but the after effects are amazing. The more you do it the more you will find that you like it and you need it. I try not to focus on the difficulty of the workout, but on how it makes me feel afterwards. For me, running has always sucked, but I have changed my mind, LITERALLY. Your mind plays a huge part in getting yourself to keep going. Make up your mind that you are not going to say one bad thing about running again. Tell yourself you are a runner, and you will be. Find music that you enjoy, get someone to do it with you.
Weights are your best friend- I have been doing a lot of research on weight training. I remember the first time I went to the gym and I how I felt so uncomfortable standing in front of the mirrors doing free weights. Me and S have a joke that we throw out while we are at the gym "nothing less than 50". Of course I can't do 50 lbs, but I do try to pick heavier weights and work my way up each time. Many women think that they are going to bulk up too much so they stick with the 15 pounders. Go for a little heavier and work your way up, women do not have the testosterone to get huge, all more weight is going to do is tone! Women that bulk up are doing some pretty intense supplementation to get that way. Don't be scared to go heavier, just make sure to watch your form. What I love, is that while you burn more calories during cardio, the weight training is what burn more calories hours afterwards. I seriously love the thought of going home and sitting on the couch and thinking "I am burning some serious calories right now"
Plan your meals- It is difficult to eat healthy when planning is not involved. If there is no plan you either eat too much junk food in the name of hunger, or you end up scrimping and not eating enough calories because you are scared that you don't have a healthy meal in place. Here is a list of great meal plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Stay positive and be confident- Stop being so hard on yourself. Stop focusing on weight. Start focusing on how you feel. Pay attention to your body and give it what it really needs. Us women think we have to look a certain way and when we aren't seeing quick results we often struggle to keep going. Just keep going, you can do it!!
Thank you to my incredible husband, who has been my main motivator, who has always told me to keep going, and that I can do anything.
This is what I have found:80/20 Rule - We have created a rule in our house to eat healthy at least 80% of the week and eat semi healthy, with a few treats here and there 20% of the week. The 20% is not an excuse to splurge and make ourselves sick, but it allows us to still enjoy a treat every once and awhile. This way we don't feel extremely restricted. Although treats are great every once and awhile, I have found that by eating the more nutrient dense foods such as fruit and vegetables along with a high protein breakfast, the craving for sweets lessen.
Green smoothies are magical-This is one of the easiest ways for me to get my fruits and vegetables. When I start the day with green smoothies, I feel energized and tend to eat healthier the rest of the day.
The more you exercise the more you will love it- Okay you may not think this is true, because working out can be hard at times, but the after effects are amazing. The more you do it the more you will find that you like it and you need it. I try not to focus on the difficulty of the workout, but on how it makes me feel afterwards. For me, running has always sucked, but I have changed my mind, LITERALLY. Your mind plays a huge part in getting yourself to keep going. Make up your mind that you are not going to say one bad thing about running again. Tell yourself you are a runner, and you will be. Find music that you enjoy, get someone to do it with you.
Weights are your best friend- I have been doing a lot of research on weight training. I remember the first time I went to the gym and I how I felt so uncomfortable standing in front of the mirrors doing free weights. Me and S have a joke that we throw out while we are at the gym "nothing less than 50". Of course I can't do 50 lbs, but I do try to pick heavier weights and work my way up each time. Many women think that they are going to bulk up too much so they stick with the 15 pounders. Go for a little heavier and work your way up, women do not have the testosterone to get huge, all more weight is going to do is tone! Women that bulk up are doing some pretty intense supplementation to get that way. Don't be scared to go heavier, just make sure to watch your form. What I love, is that while you burn more calories during cardio, the weight training is what burn more calories hours afterwards. I seriously love the thought of going home and sitting on the couch and thinking "I am burning some serious calories right now"
Plan your meals- It is difficult to eat healthy when planning is not involved. If there is no plan you either eat too much junk food in the name of hunger, or you end up scrimping and not eating enough calories because you are scared that you don't have a healthy meal in place. Here is a list of great meal plans for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Stay positive and be confident- Stop being so hard on yourself. Stop focusing on weight. Start focusing on how you feel. Pay attention to your body and give it what it really needs. Us women think we have to look a certain way and when we aren't seeing quick results we often struggle to keep going. Just keep going, you can do it!!
Thank you to my incredible husband, who has been my main motivator, who has always told me to keep going, and that I can do anything.
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