Getting Fine In '09 (What I'm doing)

In this shallow world in which we live, it seems that nothing I accomplish in my lifetime, personally or professionally, will ever get as much recognition as the first time I lost weight. That is sad and rather pathetic. People place too much emphasis on appearance and not enough on who a person really is, but that's another story altogether. Thing is, I have never been discouraged about the weight I gained due to the medication I was taking because of a sudden illness (prednisone is Satan's bitch). When I got bigger I simply put away the clothes that were too small (because I knew I wanted to fit into them once again) and bought more clothes that actually fit. Hell, I used it as an excuse to shop . . . not like I could do anything about the horrific weight gain at that point anyway. Well now . . . I'm off that hideous medication (steroids can kiss my shrinking ass) and I can begin to focus on losing weight again. Don't be confused my self-esteem is no way tied to my weight. I'm a bad broad regardless of what number the scale says . . . and I don't waste my time on those people who choose to judge others based on appearance alone. I just would like to lead a healthier lifestyle and gain the added benefits that may come along with doing so. As I have relayed in other blogs, I have changed many of my habits, and I am exercising once again and eating the right foods. I feel that I have braved both weight loss and gain and I know that I can do what needs to be done to be personally satisfied with myself (fuck what everybody else thinks). Here are some things that I have learned to do that have helped me. Who knows, maybe they will help someone else.

• When I first started dieting, counting calories and tracking what I ate was extremely important. I had no idea of my caloric consumption at the beginning . . . so tracking was a good way for me to see where I was in terms of consumption. I feel that this can be a good starting point if you really don't know or realize how much you're eating. After you find out how many calories you're taking in . . . you just try to subtract 500 (or more) so that you can begin losing weight. I subtracted way more than 500 because I was eating a hell of a lot. Now that I'm trying to lose weight for the second time I don't find it necessary to count calories and track things because I already know what I'm consuming and can keep up with it in my head. But I think it's great for beginners to track. I highly recommend http://www.sparkpeople.com/ for this type of tracking. It's very user friendly. And not only can you count how many calories you are consuming . . .you can count caloric expenditure via exercise tracking.

• I try to eat one meatless meal a day. Usually this meal is dinner. This was hardest thing to do because I LOVE meat (especially beef). The way I get through it is by using mushrooms as a sort of meat substitute. It's amazing how a portobello mushroom cap can taste like meat if prepared in the right way. If for some reason I want some kind of meat for dinner I turn towards fish usually in the form of salmon, shrimp, or tilapia (baked or grilled of course).

• I snack in between every meal. Snacking is so important! Think of it like this . . . if you start a fire and put a bunch of wood on it all at once . . . the flames will get really high but it will burn out pretty quickly after it has consumed all the wood . . . however if you feed the fire all through the day . . . you don't give it a chance to burn out. That's how it is with your appetite. You have to keep it satisfied . . . but in a healthy way. Some people take pride in the fact that they've only eaten one meal in a day . . . however that is not a good thing. You have to EAT and eat RIGHT to lose weight. In general, my snacks between meals stay under 200 calories. I will reach for fruit (fresh or dried), low fat cheese, yogurt, nuts, and low-fat chocolate pudding between meals.

• I eat brown rice instead of white. The benefits of brown rice are great. It can help control high blood pressure, reduce the risk of colon cancer, ease the effects of asthma, and it can ease constipation.

• I stay away from breads. In a typical week I don't eat much (if any) bread. If I do eat bread it is whole wheat. I usually stay away from bread and most breaded foods (see next statement for clarification).
  

• The ONLY fried food I eat is fried fish. This is my cheat food that I reward myself with at the end of the week. How much depends on what will kill the craving (usually it isn't that much).

• I drink lots of water. I take a huge cup of H2O wherever I go. I'm not going to go into the benefits of drinking water because you should know them. If not . . . it's called google . . . learn how to use it!

• I take fish oil supplements. Some research says these supplements aid in weight loss others say the weight loss benefits are inconclusive . . . I take them any way. They have so many other benefits that it's a win regardless. The nutrients in omega 3 fish oil pills have been shown to be supportive in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, respiratory and neurological disorders including bipolar disorder and depression. So if they don't help me with my weight . . . maybe they can control the voices in my head from those other personalities that are dying to get out!

• I exercise 5 days a week . . .or at least I try. I have 3 days of cardio and 2 days of strength training (which I alternate) usually @ 45 minutes a day. However some days it's impossible for me to exercise because I have other things I need to do . . . like house work. What do I do on these days? One of two things . . . either I'll do a 10 or 20 minute quick fix/bootcamp workout DVD (because really, who can't work in 10 or 20 minutes for the benefit of their health) OR I'll turn on some energetic music, pump up the volume, and DANCE while I'm doing whatever chore I have to do. Yes I can be found many times in my underwear and a big tee shirt dancing around my house while I mop the floor, wash clothes, dust . . .etc. I follow the mindset that ANY form of activity is better than no activity at all. ****NOTE**** Quick Fix Total Body Mix, and Denise Austin's Bootcamp are the DVDs I most use when I'm pushed for time. Other videos I use include: several of Jari Loves strength training . . . .several of Leslie Sansone's walk @ home tapes . . . The Firm . . . . Gilad . . . Jillian Michaels Frontside and Backside . . . and Shape Total Fitness
  

• As seen by the above statement I work out a lot to dvds. I have found that you can get them cheap at places like Ross and TJ Maxx. Because of my working out at home I purchased a couple of things to help me along. I have a set of 3lb, 5lb, 8lb, and 10lb weights, I have 3 resistance bands with various forms of resistence, I have a yoga mat, I have a step, and my most expensive addition is an elliptical trainer. If you don't want to spend money for these things then there are alternatives . . . you can use Google to find them if you like

• In the spring my favorite form of exercise is walking. I love to walk in the park after it warms up. I especially like walking the hilly areas . . . nothing works the butt and leg muscles more than scaling a hill. Also, at the park in which I walk there are light posts all over. I do intervals in which I run between four light posts and walk between two . . . this really gets the heart pumping!

• I try not to eat late at night. Usually I'll cut myself off after 7 but there have been times I have had to eat @ 8 or 9 (I didn't beat myself up about it though). Some people say this doesn't matter and that it isn't about what time you eat but about how many calories you are eating. Maybe it doesn't . . . however it is a habit that I have formed and it works for me. I have found I sleep better when I don't have a big meal on my stomach before getting into bed.
  

• I remind myself this is not a diet as much as it is a lifestyle change. Reminding myself that I am doing this so I can be healthy and vibrant throughout what I hope is a long life . . . and not just so I can fit into some skinny jeans . . . is a great motivator. I want to have kids of my own and be around and in good health when my grandkids come and then great grandkids . . . .and great great grandkids . . . you catch my drift!