With a Little Help...

Lots of working out this week. I did about 200 minutes of cardio and about 150 minutes of weight lifting/toning. Now to get the weight to come off.

I am a firm believer in the "calories in calories out" principle. However, I also believe the quality of those calories makes a difference too. And I do not believe in fad diets (hcg-if it works for you great). But I don't go for it at all.

You would think since I have been diligent about exercise and recording my calories- and keeping them at the right amount to lose weight, that the pounds would just melt away. Guess what?? It isn't happening. I am losing about 1/2 a lb. a week. But since FEB. my low weight of the month has been the same. No change- well maybe one pound less now. I did lose 2 inches off my back/bust in 2 weeks, while no change in my waist and hips. So I know I am doing something right-since I did lose 2 inches. This is when you need to get a little help. Blood work. Testing. See your doctor and make sure you don't have thyroid problems or something. I have had those in the past; so I get my checked regularly. And this is when you need to shake things up, get some extra help, or try something new.

So I added 2 new tools -this week I fully intend to implement into my week:

Enter NO MORE TROUBLE ZONES. I researched many DVD's and found this one. Click HERE to see the reviews. I have Winsor Pilates. Do it a few times a week. I have all the Taebo ones. Do those too. I have quite a  few workout videos but a new one was needed and this was very affordable at Target.

 And if you are looking for a really good workout video, and need a good website, check out collage video-the best to find any workout video. Lots of reviews, and lots of different choices. A great resource!

And I have several great cookbooks that I love (I'll share that later) for healthy eating, but this new one really got me excited about yummy healthy eating-plus I love Hungry Girl.

Now the only thing I need is a support group-a  in real life support group would be the best-of course. :) People who are trying to lose weight from babies- and you don't count if you weigh under 150....and think you are fat. That is just ridiculous. and I used to be one of those people...pathetic.
So if you are a person who isn't one of those people - let's support each other!

I'm making my first recipes tomorrow from the cookbook. I'll be trying out the DVD in its entirety Monday.
Stay Tuned.... the journey continues.....

the hardest part.

Do you ever feel like this when you exercise?

I sure do.

ugh. Sometimes I just don't get it. Maybe it is because I am in my late 30's and my metabolism is super slow. Maybe it is because I'm stressed out and not getting enough rest. Maybe it is because my body is different after having 3 kids really close together all in my thirties. Maybe my thyroid is suddenly acting up again. Maybe it is just a test and trial of my patience and I need to learn something.
You see, I have been working out like nobody's business. I did almost 100 minutes of high intensity cardio yesterday. I wear a pedometer to track my steps and in exercise alone, I did over 10,000 steps yesterday. I did a full body weight workout the day before. I track everything I am eating and have been doing this for a very long time. Do I do all this perfectly? No. I splurged over Easter- ate some white stuff-rolls, cake, ice cream. I slip up. I ate lots of chocolate yesterday- more than I should. And DIET has a bigger part in weight loss than most people think. But I do good about 80% of the time, really good.
 I am educated in the ins and outs of weight loss. I read. I study. I have even obtained a few certifications in the past in this area. I know what is necessary to lose weight.
And yet here I sit, my own weight not hardly even budging. I don't know what to do. I hate hate hate the way I look. I don't feel like myself at all. And it is all because of my weight, because of my looks. Sad. Pathetic. Probably.

I am not the cute energetic stylish person I was when I was single and that BUGS me. Because inside I feel like the same person.
And so I have decided to approach my weight loss efforts in a new way: I am focusing on getting healthy- more than I have been. And my over 90 minutes of cardio? Well I am going to still do what I can-but sometimes less is more and I know that. And some weights- more weights. And hopefully over time, it will all show up on the scale. And I'll look like I feel on the inside. At least I hope so.

Going through the motions

I have mixed feelings about "going through the motions"- you know doing something without 100% real intent. For example, going to the temple every week, and then telling everyone you do that, but then talking negatively about family members, church members, friends, neighbors, etc. That kind of stuff really really bugs me and I see people living that way all the time. I am guilty of doing this myself.

Same thing with scripture study. Some people always make sure you know they are serious scripture studiers...but it doesn't seem to sink in- like change how they are and how they treat people. We are all human and sometimes we all just don't get it.

So that is what I mean about "going through the motions". I firmly believe "any act can be good or bad depending on your motive."  Sometimes your motives are pure, and sometimes they are just to get through it- going through the motions- which isn't entirely bad, I have decided. :)

So how does this relate to exercise and weight loss? Well yesterday- I got  on the treadmill and did just that-"went through the motions." I was tired. I was beat. I did not want to be doing that thing called exercise. But I pushed on and finished. 3 miles. And I felt good, even though I started just going through the motions.

I still think it is always best to do things with real intent. But sometimes, going through the motions can help you and make you stronger. And for that, you become a better person. And pretty soon, those motions will always be done with real intent.