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Update on the Bridal Shape Up

By on January 27, 2011

As part of my New Year’s resolutions, I vowed to lose 10 pounds and get back down to my pre-CPA weight.  The main drive behind this goal?  My upcoming wedding, of course.  I’m pretty proud of the way I look right now, but I just want to get back my “happy” weight and also look good in a white dress (which, as we all know, isn’t quite as slimming as the color black).

I’m happy to report that I’ve finally shaken about 5 pounds off my frame.  FINALLY!  I was hovering around 142.5 for SO long, and now I’m back to about 137.5-138.0.  My goal for the end of January was 138.2, so I’ve already surpassed that goal.

So, how am I doing it?

The old-fashioned way, of course: hard workouts including heavy lifting, sprinting, and cardio intervals and clean eating.  (Sorry, I don’t have the magic ticket.  There just isn’t one.  Exercise + clean eats never fails.)  Here are some more details about my current routine:

  • 6 days of workouts.  I’ve been working out 6 days per week.  It may seem like a lot, but I don’t have kids, so I really have no excuse.  Like I said in my infamous Staying Motivated to Work Out post, what the heck else am I going to do?
  • 4 days of cardio.  Usually involves running, the rotating stair stepper (that thing is freaking tough!), or a class like kickboxing or spinning.  My runs usually last between 20-30 minutes depending on how I’m feeling or how much time I have.  They aren’t easy though (when is running ever easy?) – I sprint at 7.0 mph every 90 seconds.
  • 4 days of heavy lifting.  I’ve been doing arms, back, chest, and abs.  Heavy.  I am so loving lifting again.  Sure, you don’t see immediate results from lifting, but when the muscle weight gain and the metabolism surge finally level out, the weight just seems to MELT off.  I love it and I love weight lifting!
  • Sprints.  Supposedly really effective for fat burn.  At least that’s what my BFF figure competitor best friend always tells me.  These are super easy and quick, too.  I generally do these after I lift.  On the treadmill, I’ll sprint at 9.0+ mph for 30 seconds and then rest for 1 minute.  Right now, I’m only doing 5 sprints, twice a week, but plan to increase this the closer I get to the wedding.
  • Eating more frequently.  This is seriously a problem for me.  I often forget to eat throughout the day.  Bad, bad, BAD for your metabolism!  Since I switched to eating every 2-3 hours, I have really noticed a difference.  Not only do I feel better and have more energy, it really kicks my metabolism into high gear.
  • Protein, protein, protein.  Blech.  Protein is sooo lame.  I don’t really LOVE protein, but I’ve been eating more of it.  Every time I kick up the protein, I loose weight pretty quickly.  My main protein sources are coming from plain greek yogurt, protein powder, chicken, deli meat, protein bars, eggs, ground turkey, and sometimes ground beef.
  • Protein + complex carbs combo.  Research shows that if you eat these two things together, they work more efficiently in your body to burn fat and keep your energy and metabolism up.  I think it works.  I’m eating about 5 or 5 1/2 meals per day and they’re always a combination of these two things.  (Complex carbs = not bad carbs.  Basically nothing white.  Complex carbs are things like fruit, whole grains. sweet potatoes, etc..)
  • Veggies.  Ughhh, veggies.  I don’t HATE veggies, I just don’t LOVE them.  I love a good side of sautéed asparagus or broccoli, but that’s about it.  Surprisingly, I’m not very fond of salads, either.  But, we’re working on our relationship.

It may seem complicated, but it’s really not.  For example, here’s what I’ve been eating this week:

  • Breakfast:  oats with protein powder, peanut butter, cocoa, and a splash of skim milk (delicious!  I call it No-Bake Cookie Oatmeal and, yes, I’m obsessed.) OR a smoothie with spinach, fruit, plain greek yogurt, and oats
  • Snack:  protein bar (when I’m trying to lose weight, I usually eat Pure Protein bars)
  • Lunch: turkey meatballs in no added sugar marinara sauce (YUM!) with an orange and raw veggies (made some Sunday night and have been eating leftovers)
  • Snack: plain greek yogurt with no-calorie sweetener and a touch of granola & some berries
  • Dinner: ham, egg, and cheese sandwich OR chicken, sweet potato, and veggies OR some other protein/carb combo
  • Snack: if I’m hungry, I might have a glass of skim milk … but generally I’m not really hungry

My ultimate goal for the end of March (when I’ll get my dress altered) was going to be 133.0, but I may even be able to surpass that.  I NEVER plan to weigh less than 130.0 (since I’m 5’7” and have a good deal of muscle on my bod).

I want to note that I usually don’t focus as much on the number, but more on staying active and eating healthy.  I know I’ve been focused on the number for awhile, but that’s because 1) my wedding (and my honeymoon in Mexico!) is looming, and 2) it’s not where it should be.  But, I’m now less than 5 pounds away from my happy weight, so things are looking up!

What’s your favorite lean protein recipe?  (I need ideas …. ha.)

Categories: Body, Goals, Health, Wedding19 Comments

Staying Motivated to Work Out

By on January 11, 2011

Gyms are packed right now. Those with a weight loss dream are high off the new start of the New Year and are hitting their workout routines hard.  It’s great to see so many motivated people repping it out at the gym, but it’s hard not to feel a little cynical towards them since many of them will fall off the wagon in a couple weeks.

It’s really freakin’ hard to maintain a workout routine.  I’m not gonna lie, it’s NOT easy.  But what’s the alternative?  Letting the pounds pack on as each year passes and just waiting for diseases and illnesses and obesity to take over our body?  Well … that doesn’t sound too fun.

I battled with maintaining an exercise routine when I was younger, yo-yo exercised through college, and finally hit my stride after college (I’m going about 6 years strong now). 

As hard as it is to maintain an exercise routine, I always feel SO great after it’s over.  This is the main thing that keeps me coming back for more.  After an excruciating workout, when I’m exhausted and my legs feel like rubber, my head is always clear, I feel grateful, I feel accomplished, I feeling cleansed, and, most of all, I feel happy.

Since I know many people will struggle to maintain their routine towards the end of this month, here are some things that usually get me off that couch and into the gym:

  • The aftertaste.  Everything I listed above is usually enough to get me to the gym.  When I’m really consistent with my workouts, I really begin to crave that feeling I get after I workout.  I usually feel my best right after a workout.
  • Sweat out the day.  If you’re beat, pissed off, or stressed out after a long day of work, it’s easy to want to crash out on the couch.  I’ve gone with this option many times, but I always feel much better if I workout instead.  And at the end of those nights where I park it on the couch, I usually ending up wishing I would have worked out anyway.
  • Avoid the guilt.  If I do end up going with Option B: Parking it on the Couch, I always feel so guilty at the end of the night.  Knowing that feeling of guilt that will come if I still on my butt sometimes helps give me that push out the door.
  • What else are you going to do?  Seriously.  If you don’t have any other plans and if you don’t workout, what are you going to do?  Sit around?  Watch reality TV?  Eat chips?  Yeah, it’s time to go workout.
  • It’s good for you!  Of course, the best reason to workout is just because it’s good for you.  It wards off colds and other illnesses, keeps you trim, keeps your heart/brain healthy, and helps you sleep.  If you’re a human being (and I’m guessing you are if you’re reading this), then those things might appeal to you.
  • You want to write a blog post.  No joke.  My BEST ideas for blog posts usually come when I’m running.  Those endorphins seriously help with creativity.  Trouble is … I often forget my brilliant post ideas by the time I make it to the locker room – I should really bring a notebook with me.
  • Fun activity/socializing/people-watching.  If you have nothing else to do, it’s sort of fun just to go to the gym.  Sometimes I just tell myself to go to the gym and ride the bike for awhile and am usually entertained by the people and conversations around me.  And it’s always fun when I see friends at the gym, too.  Or,  you could always take a class and make friends there!

Like I said before, working out is HARD, but it’s better than the alternative of a sedentary, unhealthy, and unhappy life.  I’d LOVE to see more resolutioners make it past the end of January and make working out a lifelong commitment.

How do YOU stay motivated to workout?

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Don’t forget to check out my latest post on Lending Tree —–>  It’s Not Too Late: Financial Checklist for the New Year

Categories: Body, Exercise, Goals, Health30 Comments

When Personal Finance & Health Become Serious

By on January 7, 2011

When financial experts tell people to build an emergency fund, pay off your debt, and save for retirement, they’re not just joking around.  Same goes for those fitness freaks who warn us to eat our greens and sweat it out.  They’re serious.  And even though this is just a blog and the posts that I write aren’t always all that serious, it’s not just a bunch of fluff.  Personal finance and health are two very serious issues.

Bumps in the road
If we’re lucky, we’ll never have to use our emergency fund.  We’ll have plenty saved for retirement.  We’ll never need to use our health insurance.

But, more than likely, at some point, we will need these things.

I’m lucky.  My financial healthy and physical health is great.  I usually never have any bumps in the road that throw me off track, and I know I’m very, very fortunate. 

But this week I did have a bump in the road.  Someone very near and dear to me in my family got sick.  This person (not G) has fallen ill with a rare, but serious, disease.  They are expected to make a full recovery, but it will take months, maybe even a year.

When finance and health get serious
The situation has got me to thinking quite a lot about the seriousness of health and personal finance.  We often take these two things for granted.  I know I do.  But our health and our wealth is only temporary.  It could be gone tomorrow.  Are you prepared? 

I started the week assuming it would be just like any other – work, workouts, cooking dinner, packing lunches…  By Monday night, that was all a distant memory.  Now my nights are spent at the hospital so my family member isn’t alone and knows that loved ones care.  I would happily give up all my time to be there if meant making them happy and comfortable.

Normally, I am so lucky to be surrounded by healthy family members.  This week, I’m getting a glimpse of what’s it’s like to have a chronically sick or disabled family member.    It’s quite a sacrifice, but you gladly do it because your love for your family is usually greater than the love for yourself.  And although some are wondering about the hospital bill, we all agree that we want the best possible treatment, and we’ll deal with the bill when the time comes.

Isn’t it strange that one of my New Year’s resolutions is to put others needs before my own?  Looks like I’m already doing that in the first week of the New Year – and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

P.S. I would appreciate any prayers, thoughts, vibes – whatever – for our family!  Thank you!

Categories: Body, Family, Health, Love13 Comments

Thanksgiving Week: My Thanks & No Thanks

By on November 24, 2010

I’m throwing my hat into the ring of Thanksgiving posts this week.  This one’s got a twist though….OOOooohhhh.  Brace yourselves:

  1. I’m sharing what I’m thankful for and NOT thankful for.  Let’s face it – we all have things we’re not thankful for, too.  ;)
  2. The things that I’m thankful and not thankful for are limited to personal finance and health topics.

Thanks:

Personal Finance

  • Mortgage interest rates are at an all-time low!  And I mean LOW!  When we do buy, we’d love to snag one in the 3% range….or, dare I say, maybe even in the 2% range?
  • I have a stable, well-paying full-time job.
  • I’m DEBT-FREE!!!!!!!!
  • I have parents and in-laws to-be that are generous enough to help G and I with our wedding.
  • I’m smart enough to not be a name brand groupie.
  • G and I are well on our way to having a very sizable down payment for our future first-home and our new home expense fund.
  • My credit cards are ALWAYS paid in full every month, so I haven’t paid a lick of interest in YEARS.
  • I save enough money to donate to charity and to give gifts to my awesome family and friends (because that’s what it’s really all about, right?)
  • I don’t stress about money anymore.  I just plan about money and/or think about money.  It’s more fun that way.

Health:

  • I have somewhat of a fast metabolism.  Partly by genetics, partly by weight lifting.  I could easily gain a lot of weight when I slack on clean eating and exercise, but I’ve wavered in the same 10 pound region for years now.  I guess I’m here for good!
  • I enjoy exercise enough to stick with it.
  • I actually like most healthy foods.  But… I also like unhealthy foods and drinks.  It’s all about balance. ;)
  • Weight lifting is my BFF.
  • Sweat is also my BFF.  Love that sweat.
  • I’m starting to find my inner-Zen through Yoga.  I’ve been practicing Yoga a lot more these days and I love it!
  • I have no major health issues and neither does anyone in my family.  Although, I might have some mental health issues after all this wedding planning. ;)
  • My husband-elect is way more obsessed with healthy living than me.  I am so thankful I never have to worry about his health down the road.

No Thanks:

Personal Finance:

  • Weddings are so damn expensive.  Vendors are so scandalous.
  • It always seems that someone in my family or group of friends has money problems.  I wish no one I loved ever had money problems.
  • There are those that don’t know how to handle money.  Those people need to STOP ACTING RICH.
  • Wine at restaurants is really expensive.  Just once, I would like to order a glass of wine with dinner without paying more than I usually pay on ONE bottle at the liquor store.
  • Finally, I wish I had the ability to give more.  I try to give consistently.  I enjoy buying others gifts.  But I wish I could give more.  I know that’s not really something to NOT be thankful for, but you know what I mean.

Health:

  • Only one: I wish staying in shape didn’t get harder the older you get.  I used to be able to drop 5 or 10 pounds without much effort at all!  Now, I’m having the HARDEST time losing 10 pounds before the wedding.  Literally, I’ve been working my butt off and lost A POUND  ONE. POUND.  This is not okay!  NO THANKS!!!!

Categories: Body, Dollars, Health, Life, Notes2 Comments

The More You Sweat, The More You’ll Want To Sweat

By on September 13, 2010

Have you ever heard that saying, “The more you lay around, the more you’ll want to lay around”?

I’d be surprised if you had since the only person I’ve ever known to say it is my best friend who heard it from her dad, so I’m pretty sure it was just one of those all-knowing dad-phrases that he coined when the kids were younger.  Smart guy.

Every time  I’m laying around like a lazy bum when I should be doing something, that phrase plays over and over and over and over in my mind.  The more you lay around, the more you’ll want to lay around.  The more you lay around, the more you’ll want to lay around.  Sometimes it wins and sometimes my laziness wins, but in the end, it is always right.

There’s a reason that phrase has stayed with me over the years: It’s one of the truest, yet simplest, observations of life.  How hard is it to get up off the couch after you’ve become perfectly snuggled into the cushions under a soft, warm blanket with your favorite reality TV show dancing on the screen in front of you?  It’s pretty tough … and the longer you lay there, the harder and harder it becomes to get up and get going.

As I was finishing up my run the other day, I realized the phrase not only applies to being lazy in life, it also applies to being lazy in fitness.

Making exercise feel easy and natural

Lately, my runs have been coming as easy and naturally to me as it is to love Lloyd (I’m engaged, people – sorry).  In non-lovey-dovey speak: my runs have been off the chain lately.  Or, even more simply:  lately, me run good.

There is nothing worse than a bad run.  That moment in a bad run when you lift your leg off the ground for that first stride and it feels like a limp sand bag is one of the worst feelings I ever experience when working out.  You know that this run is going to drag on and on and you’re going to be in extreme pain and agony for every millisecond of the next 30 minutes.

But a good run – there is nothing better than a good run (when it comes to living well, that is).  These are the runs where it feels effortless, your mind wanders to happy thoughts, you completely forget you’re running, the sweat feels good, the physical movement feels good, your breath feels good – you feel like you could run forever!  No, there is definitely nothing better than a good run.

Good runs come to those who commit

A good run takes time to achieve.  I remember when I went on my first run way back in 2002.  I couldn’t run a half mile before I felt like I was going to die.  My muscles were on fire, my lungs were burning, my breath was wheezy and harsh, I felt like my body and legs weighed a ton and I could barely move one foot in front of the other.

The easy solution is to give up.  To just quit.  It’s only natural to worry that this is how exercise will feel forever.  That it will be constant, excruciating pain.  Who wants to commit to a daily activity that you dread and that only makes you miserable?  How can anyone possibly stick to a workout regime if it’s this painful?

But it does get better.  A lot better.

Once you commit to running and start running regularly, you will reap great rewards.  Eventually, you’ll start having excellent runs.  At work, you’ll look forward to your upcoming run that night.  And during your run, all the stress, frustration, and annoyance from your work-life will dissolve from your body.  The sweat will cleanse you.  Your legs will feel strong and at the end of it all, you’ll feel happy, content, accomplished, and calm.

Stick With It

It isn’t just running.  All exercise becomes easier over time.  Not easier in the sense that the movements are easy to do, but in the sense that you’re stronger and healthier and your body can handle more.

This is why those quick-fix workout plans never work.  In high school, I would jump on an intense, 4-week workout program to drop weight, but I never finished.  I always got burnt out and discouraged.  Workouts should be hard and intense 90% of the time, but going from zilch to 100 miles per hour isn’t the best means to the end and usually always ends in disaster.

I am like everyone else in the world who jumped on and off the workout bandwagon for years.  I didn’t want to make a commitment to my health, I just wanted to make a commitment to the boot cut jeans I planned to wear that night.

It takes time to become committed.  It took me years to get hooked on exercise.  And sometimes I still waver.  But I do know one thing – the more you stick with it and the longer you regularly work out, the more you’ll want to work out.  You’ll crave those feel-good sweat droplets licking your brow line.  You’ll want more of that confidence and happiness that comes with health and exercise-produced endorphins.  But, it doesn’t happen over night; it takes years.  It takes change.

Becoming committed to working out and leading a healthy, balanced lifestyle was one of the best things I ever did for myself.  Sometimes life happens and my commitment falters a bit, but it’s always there to welcome me back with open arms when I’m ready.  It doesn’t beat me up for stumbling, it just encourages me to keep on running.

Do you struggle to commit to a workout plan?  Why do you workout?  Do you hate working out or love it?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Categories: Body, Exercise, Health9 Comments