Fit Friday - It's Go Time
My 10k is two months from Monday (May 1st) and the number on my scale is the highest its been EVER, not counting pregnancies. My right arm is falling asleep at night due to carpal tunnel; my grey slacks now look ridiculous with all my shoes because my big butt is making them too short; my rings do still go on, but only with lots of pushing and shoving, and maybe a little soap. Something's got to give, and it's not going to be the seams on my pants. So!
In addition to the familial epiphany I last posted about, I've also decided it's time to buckle down and get this weight off. It's a slippery slope from tight pants and eating m&ms every night to not being able to bend over and tie my shoes. I read a blurb from one of the Jillian Michaels newsletters that arrives in my email daily that she works out 1-1/2 each day. Now I ask you, how is the 20 minutes (and actually, it's 25) of Shredding supposed to make us look like any of those three girls? You can't do it with the Shred alone. And I did know that, I just didn't want to face the music, so to speak. You can't get skinny by exercising alone, you have to cut back on what you eat - that's why there are pudgy runners, and why I didn't lose much of anything last summer. Click here for an article on cardio and weight loss.
Another Jillian tid-bit she shared was in response to someone who'd asked about yo-yo dieting and metabolism - they felt they'd ruined their metabolism over time with their weight going up and down. Here's that link; and this is where she talks about weight loss being, in the end, a numbers game.
With all that helpful information in mind, this is my three-step plan going forward to drop 10 lbs and get ready for the race!
Am I obsessing over this? I don't think so. There's a reason this country has an obesity epidemic going on; delicious, fattening decadent food is readily available anywhere and everywhere and we're programmed to want to eat it - at least us ladies are, because how else will you grow a baby in a famine? I really just want to maintain a healthy weight going forward, once I get back to the weight I was for most of my adult life. And I won't get there by noshing on m&ms, yummy as they are.
If you're still here, we had the DRT at our house on Saturday, a last 'hurrah' for me, food and drink wise :) We have some neighbors we try to get together with once a month to blow off steam and chat, and I think a good time was had by all. Here's some photographic evidence:
Kim and Michelle - best friends :)
The DRT gang
The little blue bottles are all empty now
Me, after the better part of a bottle of Merlot and 2 little blue bottles of yummy stuff.
I don't remember this picture being taken, but it's clearly late as everything's all cleaned up.
Finally - thank you to everyone for all your kind comments about my last post. Honestly, I am in a good spot mentally. Was I too hard on myself? I don't think so; Matt thought it was pretty honest and spot-on too. Life is just intense for us, and we don't have family close by to pitch in; I do, however, have wonderful friends and neighbors, and virtual friends as well - and this is proven to me on a daily basis. I hope you all have a great weekend :)
In addition to the familial epiphany I last posted about, I've also decided it's time to buckle down and get this weight off. It's a slippery slope from tight pants and eating m&ms every night to not being able to bend over and tie my shoes. I read a blurb from one of the Jillian Michaels newsletters that arrives in my email daily that she works out 1-1/2 each day. Now I ask you, how is the 20 minutes (and actually, it's 25) of Shredding supposed to make us look like any of those three girls? You can't do it with the Shred alone. And I did know that, I just didn't want to face the music, so to speak. You can't get skinny by exercising alone, you have to cut back on what you eat - that's why there are pudgy runners, and why I didn't lose much of anything last summer. Click here for an article on cardio and weight loss.
Another Jillian tid-bit she shared was in response to someone who'd asked about yo-yo dieting and metabolism - they felt they'd ruined their metabolism over time with their weight going up and down. Here's that link; and this is where she talks about weight loss being, in the end, a numbers game.
With all that helpful information in mind, this is my three-step plan going forward to drop 10 lbs and get ready for the race!
- Plan out daily calorie intake of 1550; this is actually a little less than my 'weight loss' intake, but allows me a little wiggle room for the odd pretzel rod during the day and maybe a Dove chocolate as a treat at night. Gotta give myself a little chocolate.
- Run 3 times a week; last summer I was able to do 5 miles easily, then I hurt my shin; then the holidays came. Sunday I ran 3 miles and had to walk a few times. Not happy about that, but I'll get there again.
- Shred 3 times a week and throw in a yoga too. On Shred days I'm also going to walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes for extra cardio.
Am I obsessing over this? I don't think so. There's a reason this country has an obesity epidemic going on; delicious, fattening decadent food is readily available anywhere and everywhere and we're programmed to want to eat it - at least us ladies are, because how else will you grow a baby in a famine? I really just want to maintain a healthy weight going forward, once I get back to the weight I was for most of my adult life. And I won't get there by noshing on m&ms, yummy as they are.
***********************************************************
If you're still here, we had the DRT at our house on Saturday, a last 'hurrah' for me, food and drink wise :) We have some neighbors we try to get together with once a month to blow off steam and chat, and I think a good time was had by all. Here's some photographic evidence:
Kim and Michelle - best friends :)
The DRT gang
The little blue bottles are all empty now
Me, after the better part of a bottle of Merlot and 2 little blue bottles of yummy stuff.I don't remember this picture being taken, but it's clearly late as everything's all cleaned up.
Finally - thank you to everyone for all your kind comments about my last post. Honestly, I am in a good spot mentally. Was I too hard on myself? I don't think so; Matt thought it was pretty honest and spot-on too. Life is just intense for us, and we don't have family close by to pitch in; I do, however, have wonderful friends and neighbors, and virtual friends as well - and this is proven to me on a daily basis. I hope you all have a great weekend :)
Jen, you look so much younger in that photo that in your profile pic! Love the dark hair too.
ReplyDeleteDon't be too hard on yourself in regards to ANYTHING.
Being a mother is hard work and finding the time to do anything for yourself is a challenge (trust me, had a PMS mid-mid-life crisis last month).
I enjoyed this article. I have been doing the Eat Clean diet and have lost 20 lbs. but not a pound this month. I started working out but think I need to do it more. I am going to look into the SHred.
ReplyDeleteFirst, you look great in that late night photo.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I am in the same boat and something has to give. I own the Shred and I did it for 9 days in Nov. Hmmmph. Jillian has no kids. Or a 9-5 job. Or a family of men who love dessert. Nor does she live in a state that gets cooolllddddd! in the winter. But despite everything I do from 6:30 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. I gotta get more fit and say goodbye to my little buddha belly.
I meant to comment to your previous post. I can relate..... Things get more time consuming when they get older.... :( So take it from me--make a habit of time for "YOU time" now.
Since Jan, I have been doing the Shred 5 days a week and at first it was hard and I would sweat like a pig but now I find it easier to do and feel like my body needs more. I have also been running 3 times a week- I live in TX where the weather is decent- I have been doing the Couch to 5K program and am doing so much better now that when I started. Lastly, I count my calories with the iFit app - I budget 1350 a day. All that said, I have been able to lose just barely under 20 pounds and my clothes are definitely fitting better.
ReplyDeleteAll my life I tried the fad diets and NOTHING has worked as well as simply counting the cals and exercising to burn the cals. Now it has been a slow loss, but one that I hope (and feel) like will stay off.
I was excited to see that you were going to do essentially the same things I have been doing- just a reaffirmation that it works!!
Ok- I'm rambling- have a happy Friday- go run!
~Becca
I have to say that you look pretty darn good in that last picture. I too am at my highest EVER! I am a good 30lbs over... maybe even 40lbs of what I'd like to be. It is so frustrating! I am at the stage right now that I am just mad at myself & not doing anything about it. I go on vacation to see my sister (super skinny sister) in Florida next week & I have decided that when I come home I AM DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT! I HOPE!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck... maybe you'll motivate me a little :)
Jen, you're preachin to the choir. This fat chick is like a bazillion lbs overweight. It's hard when it's such crappy weather too. You can't get outside and you feel like you're just not in the place you need to be to do what you need to do.
ReplyDeleteYou will do great, you are a fit person anyway, so it will take no time for you to be where you want. :)
You look very pretty, and very happy. But maybe it's just the booze.
ReplyDeleteHey I wanna come to one of your parties...too bad I'm so far away!
ReplyDeleteI love the darker hair on you...very soft...looks great!
Such a good post Jen! And a good plan that you have too! I was doing so well last summer too - I was running every day on my trail. Life was good. It is s hard for me to exercise in the Winter. All I want to do is lay around and eat chips!
ReplyDeleteI am still trying to Shred, but it is a struggle to be motivated.
Cute pictures! I am glad you have such good friends to hang out with! I hope things are going better in terms of feeling like things are under control. I struggle too with feeling overwhelmed. Life is hard sometimes.
Love you friend!
XOOX
Jen
You are so adorable!
ReplyDeleteI think you plan sounds perfect and I like that you are leaving some wiggle room for the snacking that we all do.
I wish I had friends like yours.
You could be describing my running pattern here. Everything is fine, then an injury, then the holidays, then the M&Ms.... I hear ya and am in the same boat.
ReplyDeleteI get new running shoes tomorrow.
Great post! I have the exercise down....I currently hit the gym 5 x a week but I am just maintaining! I just eat to much JUNK! lol.... I have been trying to cut ot my snacking and make better choices, but it is SO HARD! Glad you had a fun last hoorah!
ReplyDelete