All of this real food stuff started because I wasn't loosing weight the old fashioned way: reducing calories and exercising. That's why I signed on to this way of thinking - it's not how many calories (necessarily), but rather the quality of the calories (food in its original form vs. food processed beyond all recognition). I'm still probably eating too much to lose weight consistently each week, but as with all things in life - it's a work in progress.
I'm not just being thoughtful about what I eat, but I'm also exercising 5-6 times a week. I always take Friday off (since I'm usually asleep by 8:30), but I try to put my health first and get the 30 minutes in before all other wants every other night of the week. I'm not going to lie; I don't enjoy exercising, but I know it's the best thing for good blood sugar control, bone health, core strength and posture, heart health, and weight loss. For those reasons alone I'm determined to continue to exercise even if I don't lose all the weight I want to lose.
My advice is to find something you love (besides cookies), and find a way to turn it into exercise. I love to read, so I get to read my book while doing a weight-loss training program on the treadmill. I also know the importance of strength exercises so I alternate walking on the treadmill with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred each night. I have some of her other videos, but this one is 30 minutes so it's perfect (I told you I don't like to exercise).
A few ideas to get started:
- Buy a treadmill. We bought one at Sears for under $400. You can also look on Craig's List, just bring a big scary guy with you so you don't get sucked into some creep's sick fantasy.
- Do you like talking to your friend? Go for a walk together. It's a double bonus because you get healthy, and your kids can't bug the crap out of you while you're on the phone. I do realize it needs to stop raining, but at least plan for a walk on the one nice day we have each week.
- Join a cheap gym. There are several gyms around town with monthly payments around $10 and no contracts. The hardest part is leaving the house. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT put your pajamas on until you are home from your exercise.
- Ride bikes with your kids at one of the trails around town. I know, I know the weather needs to turn around.
- Target, Meijer, and Wal-Mart all have an exercise DVD section with lots of $10 DVDs, light weights, and yoga mats. Stay away from the Easter candy. Who wants a creepy giant bunny coming in their house at night anyway?
- Try something new. Maybe you'd like Zumba, yoga, Pilates, or Purre Barre. They mostly cost money, but ask for a birthday or Mother's Day gift card.
- Just go ahead and buy one of the infomercial DVDs sets. You know you could have 20-pack abs and have so much fun sweating through your shirt that you will only be able to wear a sports bra and bike shorts whenever you exercise. I know you want to, so just do it, and be sure to let me know how it goes.
Just think - starting an exercise routine means you can buy a new outfit or two. So it's totally worth it. Find something you love and get physical...physical.
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