Before
After
1. First I started just scheduling the exercise in like an appointment. If something comes up like a cancellation I reschedule...for the same day. Remember, it doesn't have to be a marathon. Something is better than nothing. Six days a week. No excuses.
2. Eating a clean diet. No more I can have a handful of candy or half a bag while I'm on the computer. I know very bad :( I eat protein, veggies and fruit. I eat mostly good carbs, filling whole grain in the mornings. I have cut my nightly popcorn snacking. I started slowly and now I have the lighter popcorn once a week. I find that if I keep myself full on the good stuff I don't overdo it. I absolutely don't let myself get hungry.
3. Here's something you don't here from most diets...I stopped thinking about what I couldn't have. If I want a few squares of chocolate. I have them. If I want to eat pizza with my family I do, just fewer pieces. It has worked to just change my mindset a little bit. I have at least one cheat meal a week. I also might have a cheat dessert. :)
I have been working on this since January so it has taken some time. I didn't see results right away. That was discouraging. I started really eating clean and that made a huge difference in my results. I started doing higher intensity again. I know since I have worked out for quite a bit of my life I need to work harder to burn that fat! I started doing strength diligently in February/March and I think that has made a huge difference too. Don't focus on only cardio. I love taking Kettle bell, I take it once or twice a week after I teach my class. It's only a half hour class. It doesn't take much ladies to shape those muscles. More muscles mean you're going to burn that fat! I also do Bodypump. It's a Les Mills class, great for building lean muscles. I still take my Zumba and I take Turbo Kick on Saturday. When I'm not at the gym I work out at home by walking the dog and doing Pilates.
My motivation is simple. I will be forty this year. I started feeling very bad, much older than I am with little energy. I moved from North Dakota to IL in 2007 and I was in the best shape of my life. I remembered that feeling. My circumstances changed but I was able to keep working out and teaching classes till 2009. My knee began to hurt so I didn't do as much Turbo. We moved home to IN and I gave up teaching Fitness classes. Although I was taking classes I let my eating really slip. I fell into some old habits and thought I could each eat what I wanted if I did some exercise. Big mistake! In reality 80% is what you eat and the other 20% is exercise. I want to live a long, quality life. I don't want to be on medications, have disease, high blood pressure etc. I have been to the doctor for my knee. I am currently taking physical therapy to help with my pain. I can still exercise. I just have to modify some things. I want to be a good role model for my kids so they will be healthy adults. I am hoping to inspire my husband to join me too. :) Come on 40, bring it on!!!
I'd love to hear your stories about your diet, and fitness, struggles or successes.
Blessings,
Carey
