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Elyse HW - 285 CW - 285 GW - 140 37 YO, 5'7 - Seminar-11/19, 1st surgeon visit-12/3
Follow my journey at http://140byforty.blogspot.com/.
“You want to exercise but you are just so (yawn) tired. Here's how to power up (zip, whoosh).”
If you think you're too tired to workout, it may be just the antidote you need. Ask anyone who works out regularly and seldom are they ready to take a nap afterward. Generally, you are encouraged NOT to workout right before bed for the simple fact that it revs you up. If you prefer to workout after work hours, this is a great way to recharge which may not only take you through a workout, but get you motivated to do something more than just hold down the couch after dinner.
“Sometimes a little recognition goes a long way. Here's how to pat your own back.”
Like a five-year old, you probably don't go around bragging about all your daily accomplishments, "Hey, I ate broccoli today...and all my green beans!" But, keeping a visual of achievements keeps us motivated. Kids get smiley faces and gold stars when they excel, and so should you. Keep a workout calendar visible and buy a bunch of fun stickers. Add smiley faced stickers when you workout. A gold star if you eat really well that day. You'll find it hard to break the pattern in a week or a month once you've got a row beaming brightly. It might make the difference between ordering the salad or the cheeseburger one day.
“Tired of over-eating and feeling terrible? Here's how to get fed up.”
As Americans, it's no secret that we love to overindulge - especially when it comes to eating. So, it's no wonder that so many of us are overweight. Yet, how many of us actually enjoy the feeling when we've sucked down way too much? Tired, bloated, and just plain sick. So why do we keep not only over-eating, but eating foods that make us feel bad? We think that all of the greasy, fried, processed foods taste better than healthy food. This is so not true. It's just what we've gotten used to. Start by eliminating as much "junk" food from your diet as you possibly can. Start trying healthy recipes: low fat, plenty of fish, chicken, veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Experiment with flavoring foods with herbs and spices instead of loading your foods with salt and fat. Soon, you'll be surprised at what you really want to eat, not only for the taste, but because of how good you feel once you stop assaulting your body with the wrong foods.
“Even though you've dropped a few pounds, you don't like how you look. Here's how to dress for success.”
We've seen the fashion faux-pas - either women wear too tight of clothing in an attempt to seem thinner (which just ends up accentuating the weight that's left to lose), or they wear clothes that are too big to try to hide the weight. There is a third alternative: wearing clothes that actually fit - not hug, not drape. If you are one of the later, with oversized clothes, and you like the style of them, find a tailor or seamstress and have them altered. It's really not that expensive. If you're in the first category, you may just need to go shopping. If possible, take someone with you who will be honest (and not your sister who dresses the same way as you). For the best fit clothes should not require you to "suck in" anything to get it fastened. They should not be tight, overly loose, but "fitted." If something fits fairly well in all but one area, again, get it altered. By taking the time to find clothes that fit your shape, you'll be amazed at how just wearing the right clothes will make you feel so much more confident, worthwhile, and motivated
“You want to work out everyday but just can't stay motivated. Here's what's not wrong with you.”
You are not just one person. No, you don't have split personalities, but you certainly have different desires at different times. Sometimes you're bummed out, sad, annoyed, or just plain tired. You may not want to work out on those days. Cut yourself some slack. You're just like everyone else. Just make a point to work out when those feelings end. If you are following your fitness plan (the one you decided works for you) more days than not, don't worry so much. That said, also remember that you are the one that wants to get healthy and fit, which means you have to do the work to make that happen. You may need to take control if you continue to slack off. Re-assess your goals, address obstacles, and remember you never regret working out and eating right...but you do when you skip those things. It's up to you...but you DO have what it takes to make it happen.
“You've been working out for weeks without many results. Here’s how to not throw in the proverbial towel.”
1. What will happen if you give up? Sure, it would be "easier" to not care about your weight and your health, eh? However, any weight loss and inches will probably reappear; your health will go downhill...these alone are reasons to not give up.
2. Even if you've stopped losing weight and inches, how do you feel? Are you more toned, healthier, have more energy? It's not just about weight loss.
3. Are you really giving it all you've got to see better results? The honest truth is probably not. You need to realize this is up to you. Quitting won't get you the results you want, but doing more is another story: eat better, watch portions, cut out that last junk food vice, add another 15-30 minutes of activity to your day.
There are no benefits in quitting, but if you hang in there the perks are great in terms of physical and emotional rewards. Don't give up. Just adjust your mind and your movements to see a change
“You want to eat better and exercise regularly, but everyone around you seems to have a different agenda. Here's how not to jump off that bridge too.”
Remember what your mother said when your friends wanted to so something foolish? "If they all wanted to jump off a bridge would you do that too?" It's all too easy to follow the crowd, even to our peril. And, studies have shown that if you have people around you who don't smoke, eat better, make good financial decisions, are happy - those traits tend to rub off on you. Unfortunately, the reverse is true too. If you're around people behaving in negative ways, the likelihood that you too will emulate those behaviors goes up. So, what are we to do, short of finding all new friends and shunning our relatives? First of all, try to find at least one ally. If you can find someone who wants to achieve the same results, that will make it much easier on both of you. Second, act as if you are already a positive, accomplished person. If you want to eat right, then do it and don't think this is just a temporary gig. This will send a message to those around you that you mean business, and your confidence and motivation may actually impact them in a positive way
“You want to watch how much you eat but you end up eating on auto-pilot before you can stop yourself. Here's how to crash the pig-out plane.”
#1 - Don't have unhealthy choices available - at least not out in plain sight.
#2 - Make healthy snacks ahead of time. Cut up veggies, make up correct-size portions of nuts, cottage cheese & fruit, or tuna & crackers at the ready.
#3 - If you do have unhealthy snacks around keep them as inaccessible as possible and never sit down with the bag of chips or tub of ice cream. Portion it out into a small container of no more than one serving.
#4 - Keep a journal out on the counter. Make yourself accountable for eating. If you eat something, you have to write it down. It's also a good idea to write down "why" you're eating. This may make you think twice about it if you realize you aren't really hungry but just grabbing the bowl of chips because everyone is watching the game.