Day Something or other

" Consistency is key",  that is the mantra of  my drill sergeant of a fitness instructor.  She spouts it out at the beginning of every workout.  Even though I once hated hearing those 3 little words, it is becoming part of my everyday thinking.  Unless someone has seen my fairy godmother prancing around somewhere nearby with her magical wand, I am unfortunately in control of this weight loss.  And without "Consistency" the weight will not melt off as I so wish.

-CONSISTENCY in diet, "Put that cupcake down, say no to the gelato".  You have to commit to a healthy way of eating.  I am not saying deprive yourself of the sweeter things in life BUT you do need to limit them, and consistently think about what you are putting into your body.  You don't fill your gas tank with hot fudge to make your car go, what makes you think this will help you go?

-CONSISTENCY in exercise, you can hulu those all important show's you are missing.  Or while watching your favorite show's pick up the weights or do some lunges during commercials.  Get off the couch/bed and move.  Don't just sit behind your desk at work during lunch, get up and walk.  After all you get out of this what you put into it.  If you are curled up on your couch every night, where is that really going to get you?

-CONSISTENCY in thinking, you have to be your own cheerleader in the beginning.  People will be there to pat you on the back when you start making significant change in your body, but few are there during the hard part of getting started and sticking with it.   Champion yourself, compliment yourself, believe in yourself.  We can be our own worst critics, let go of that cynical side and embrace the cheers of triumph.

I'm going to remind myself of these 3 c's everyday.  I do believe I can do this!   Believing in, "Consistency, Consistency, Consistency", will sprint me towards the finish line instead of spinning my tires.

What is going to propel you??

A Day To Keep It Moving

 

I was going through the media player this morning, finding songs to keep me moving on the elliptical.  I thought I would share my driving songs.  Music can push me to keep going and work harder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFYQQPAOz7Y

I hear the beginning of this song and I know I am about to start moving my legs faster and stronger. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsO6ZnUZI0g

Come on "that which don't kill me can only make me stronger", you have to keep going right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVyVIsvQoaE

If I am starting to drag this is totally the song that will get me moving again!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3T_xeoGES8

Its not only hip hop songs that get me moving, Joan Jett definitely inspires me to keep it rockin' in the gym.

Just a few that keep me going  and pump me up.  What songs get you moving and keep you moving?

Day 10

Well hello there August 23rd, better known as "Day 10".  Things are feeling good on this fine day.  I may have worked twenty four hours this weekend, but I was surely kept busy.  I feel muscles I did not even know I had.  While I did not do my abdominal workout this weekend I think it was totally compensated with all the physical labor I was able to put in.  Today despite the fact that every muscle in my body is sore, I knew I could not go another day skipping my abdominal workout.  Well I made it through and am feeling good after that.

While talking with a coworker today she informed me that she does not eat breakfast, she really never has.  I began wondering how many people skip this important meal and what the real skinny was on its benefits.

~Eating breakfast can help you make healthier food choices.  Those who eat breakfast tend to maintain a lower fat and more nutritious diet.  I can attest to the fact that when I eat breakfast I am less likely to eyeball that vending machine midmorning.

~Breakfast boosts your physical activity.  I don't know about you but I would prefer to be healthy and active then a couch potato.

~You are more likely to maintain a healthy weight if you do eat some grub in the morning.  Your body wants to fuel up, skipping breakfast can help you keep fat stored, not burned.

I am a skipping breakfast convert.  I used to use all the excuses too, I didn't have time, I wasn't a breakfast person, missing those calories in the morning wouldn't hurt.  I have to tell you that after a week of eating breakfast (a healthy breakfast not one laden in fat and grease, lol) I really did feel better.  Instead of having a midmorning crash, I had pep in my step.  Try it for a week, see how you feel, I am certain you will see a difference.  You wouldn't drive your car around on empty so why start your body off on empty?

Day 6

 

“The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication.” ~ Cecil B. De Mille

When working to attain the weight loss goals I am aiming for, DEDICATION is the key word.  You get what you put into it.  I have to remind myself of this sometimes.  It is so easy to stray, there are times when just relaxing or eating that cupcake would be a much more rewarding option.  In the long run though, its a short lived gratification.  The guilt will set in that I wasn't more active or the pounds will keep piling on.

While its not always the most glamorous or most fun option, healthy eating and exercise is a necessity in my life.  I was not born with a super fast metabolism or never ending legs with rock hard abs, these things take work for me (well lets be honest the never ending legs will never happen).

I guess really all I am saying is that MOST of us need to work to maintain a healthy body weight and healthy eating.  The options put out in the world for us make the contrary so easy.  Stand behind your will power and dedication to a healthier, more fit you!!!

"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary."  ~Attributed to both Vidal Sassoon and Donald Kendall. 

Yes, I did do my abdominal workout today, and while I am still feeling the burn while doing it, it has become something I enjoy.  It means that my muscles are still there and have not disappeared into the abyss.  So if you are struggling to stay on track, know that you are not the only one out there struggling, it is an everyday battle for me.  I think of how good I will feel next summer running down the beach Baywatch style, lol.

Day 4 and 5

Day 4 went something like this...."I am just sooo exhausted, no one would mind if I took today off right??? I ate healthy at lunch (i had a spinach salad and took half home), I walked around during lunch and got off the bus like 6 blocks early..." (yes that is my subconscious talking me into the unthinkable) So hate to say it guys BUT I did not exercise last night. I know, I know all I had to do was 15 minutes. I feel guilty even writing that I didn't, so I suppose this blog is working, it is holding me accountable. Back on track today though, no slacking off on day 5. I had another healthy lunch, seasonal salad from McFadden's (again taking home half; will probably have the other half for dinner) walked to lunch, got off the bus on the way home those 6 blocks earlier, and am just about to do my abdominal workout. All in all I guess I can't be too mad at myself, it was one day and I was good about other things that day. Even though I would like to be at my goal as of yesterday, I still have to cut myself some slack, other wise I will continue this revolving door cycle, and I don't want that. Bye-bye belly fat you are not getting the best of this girl!

Day 3

I love strong, kick-butt females!  I believe there is a kick a** chic buried within me.  While starting to work hard on getting my outer to match the inner, I thought I would share my sources of inspiration.

 

http://www.exclaim.ca/images/up-11pink.jpg

There is no other woman I find more powerful and strong then Pink.  She has a sick figure and a killer personality.  Now if my abs could look like that, I would just die!   Her performance at the Grammy's showed off both that amazing body and her beautiful unique voice! Just absolutely breathtaking!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3stsDXki__U

http://www.decadenthealth.com/assets/images/jackie-warner.jpg

JACKIE WARNER!!! Need I say any more.  She is the fitness icon.  Look at those arms, I want those arms!!! I will say that Jackie's abs scare me, there is not an ounce of fat on this woman.

 

http://gameinformer.com/forums/f/31/p/4718/184045.aspx

Every boys go-to pin-up girl.  I really can't blame them.  Kim Kardashian has curves in all the right places, yet she's toned as well.

These ladies keep me going, when I don't feel like working out, I look at one of them and suddenly remember what I am trying to achieve.  Who are your inspirations?

Day 2

Hello August 15th- you are not being kind to my stomach today.  In a normal situation I would just lay here and whine all day that I have a belly ache but going to keep my promise to myself and do my abdominal workout!!  I also have this little thing called laundry to do.  Somewhere in there if this stomach ache could disappear would be great!! In case it does not though I decided to see what little things one could do to burn calories:

1. Well if you are a bookworm like me you will like to know that sitting and reading burns 88 calories a minute.  Pulling out a book right now for the rest of the day!

2.  While working on this blog (or actually at work) I can burn about 102 calories an hour sitting on the computer.

3.  Drinking ICE cold water, your body burns calories warming up the water.

4.  Laughing burns 10-40 calories in 15 minutes.  (New goal surround myself with comedians, I want to be rolling on the floor with laughter all day long)

Not that I want to go promoting laziness but good to know that even the little things burn calories.  Well the tummy ache is still here BUT I did successfully complete my abdominal workout again.  That's two days in a row, so happy.  On tomorrow's agenda, drink plenty of (ice cold) water, 40 minutes of cardio, and of course my ab workout again.

Looking forward to a week of activity and productivity...I see bright things on the horizon!