Not too much to report so i'll just leave you to look at my newest before and after pictures.
Still a work in progress but i'm happy with my progress. :)
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Figuring out the best me
One size fits all.
What a crock!
Whenever I see those tags I immediately put it back. Those most certainly do NOT fit all. I'm beginning to discover that dieting and exercise is not a one size fits all package too. There are so many options out there, most of which proclaim that they work for everyone while putting small disclaimers saying results not typical, that it's obvious that they don't work for everyone.
I have been really watching my reactions to specific things that I have been doing. What foods make me happy AND feel good. What exercise is easy to get through AND gives me results. These are things that are completely specific to ME. My personality, my taste buds, my attention span, etc. These are not things that I am saying you should do or are the end all be all in dieting and fitness.
For a few weeks now I have been eating a vegetarian diet. Why? Well, I don't like the whole animal killing thing but that isn't the reason at all. The last few times that I ate chicken I felt like I had the flu if I could even choke it down. Hamburgers give me horrid stomach pain. I don't like the taste of pork except bacon and that would do bad things to my intestines as well. That got me to thinking why am I eating this stuff? I can absolutely get protein that my body needs from non-animal sources. I don't HAVE to follow a specific diet plan. I can mold one that fits my bodies needs.
I set out for Barnes and Noble and let Lilly play while I devoured several vegetarian books. There are SO many out there! Cookbooks with amazing meals! (Goat cheese and onion tart anyone?) Breakdowns of where to get protein, iron, fiber, vitamins, minerals, etc. What it means to be vegetarian. Did you know there are several types of vegetarians? I didn't! It was amazing to me just how ignorant I was about being a vegetarian. I had been so brainwashed to believe that I could only get the nutrients I needed from meat or dairy. Btw, I totally eat dairy still. I'm trying to switch to organic so it will be less toxic for our family.
My whole point is that you need to get out there and research! Find what works for you. What speaks to you. There is so much information out there to help you. The food pyramid is helpful but it's not the end all be all of nutrition. Make your own food pyramid. You have the basic knowledge of what you should be eating. Research and expand on it! Create something that fits you and will be easy to follow. Be the best you that you can be!
What a crock!
Whenever I see those tags I immediately put it back. Those most certainly do NOT fit all. I'm beginning to discover that dieting and exercise is not a one size fits all package too. There are so many options out there, most of which proclaim that they work for everyone while putting small disclaimers saying results not typical, that it's obvious that they don't work for everyone.
I have been really watching my reactions to specific things that I have been doing. What foods make me happy AND feel good. What exercise is easy to get through AND gives me results. These are things that are completely specific to ME. My personality, my taste buds, my attention span, etc. These are not things that I am saying you should do or are the end all be all in dieting and fitness.
For a few weeks now I have been eating a vegetarian diet. Why? Well, I don't like the whole animal killing thing but that isn't the reason at all. The last few times that I ate chicken I felt like I had the flu if I could even choke it down. Hamburgers give me horrid stomach pain. I don't like the taste of pork except bacon and that would do bad things to my intestines as well. That got me to thinking why am I eating this stuff? I can absolutely get protein that my body needs from non-animal sources. I don't HAVE to follow a specific diet plan. I can mold one that fits my bodies needs.
I set out for Barnes and Noble and let Lilly play while I devoured several vegetarian books. There are SO many out there! Cookbooks with amazing meals! (Goat cheese and onion tart anyone?) Breakdowns of where to get protein, iron, fiber, vitamins, minerals, etc. What it means to be vegetarian. Did you know there are several types of vegetarians? I didn't! It was amazing to me just how ignorant I was about being a vegetarian. I had been so brainwashed to believe that I could only get the nutrients I needed from meat or dairy. Btw, I totally eat dairy still. I'm trying to switch to organic so it will be less toxic for our family.
My whole point is that you need to get out there and research! Find what works for you. What speaks to you. There is so much information out there to help you. The food pyramid is helpful but it's not the end all be all of nutrition. Make your own food pyramid. You have the basic knowledge of what you should be eating. Research and expand on it! Create something that fits you and will be easy to follow. Be the best you that you can be!
Monday, March 19, 2012
4 mile Shamrock run/walk
I decided at the start of the year that I would try something new each month until I found something that I was just crazy about. This month I decided to run a race. I did the 4 mile Shamrock Run/walk because I figured that 4 miles would be a long enough distance for my goal but a short enough distance to not have to train for it.
This March has been CRAZY nice! It honestly feels like we skipped March and April and went straight to May and June. Today? 82 degrees. Awesome! Anyhoo, since it's been so nice outside I have been trying to soak up every last morsel of sun and warmth. Steve and I went for a beautiful hike in Brown County. We pretty much killed it and went around 7 miles. However, I was wearing tennis shoes and we were doing a lot of hills, jumping over muddy puddles, and climbing over fallen trees and limbs. I should have worn hiking boots. I ended up hurting my foot. I have peroneal tendinitis. It's an inflammation in the peroneal tendons that run along the outside of your foot and up halfway along your calf. So yeah....it hurts. But isn't this a gorgeous site?
Anyhoo back to my post about the run. Lilly and I went shopping and found some great stuff for me to wear during the race. The one regret I have is buying a running skirt instead of using my capris. HOLY CHAFING BATMAN! That was yet another obstacle to my race. Totally my fault yet again. The weather was gorgeous and it was a sea of green people. I love the atmosphere of races. There is excitement, nerves, laughing, and a like-mindedness for health and fitness. It pumps me up! Plus it's always fun to see guys in tiny shorts doing stretches with crazy intensity. It's a shamrock race guys! Lighten up! So funny!
So hear I am at the start of the race. Fresh and ready to start! Thankfully Steve wasn't there to take pictures in the middle when I was cursing my foot and fat thighs!
And we're off! I know it looks leisurely but I was booking it! Those tiny-short guys were flying past me!
I'm finished! I was so proud of myself for pushing through the pain and finishing the race. It was so fun and I will definitely do another one. The atmosphere is just too fun not to.
I hope you guys try a race sometime. You can walk them and they don't have to be crazy huge distances. You'll be so proud of yourself!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
I'm alive!
I didn't realize it had been soooo long since I last put up a blog post.
My bad.
I'm doing great. I'm eating well, working out, and enjoying this awesome weather. Right now I am laser focused on getting into the 170s. Who would of thought I would be in the 170s soon? That is so darn exciting. I know that I used to be in the 170s at some point but I honestly can't remember it. I'm awaiting them with much excitement because I am ready to look at that mirror and see a huge difference from where I started.
My mental state is so much better as well. I'm learning to focus on my abilities and how amazing my body is. It can do so much! I'm also learning that my hard work pays off. Whether it's right away or it takes a month it will pay off. I am also learning that being healthy is the most important aspect of my journey. Being unhealthy is what scared me in to action in the first place. I want to feel good not just look good. I'm working on being healthy inside and out and it's really working. I know that 90% of my weight issues were mental. The other 10% is because it just tastes so darn good. :)
I had two back to back hard weeks. I didn't do anything terrible but life got in my way. I am so proud that I got through them and got back on track. I didn't let a small detour take me completely off course. That is so important. It is so easy to throw in the towel. To give in to life's difficulties. To say "I can't" instead of "I can". I know this isn't a race now. That feels so good. I still have goals but I know now that the more important goal is to make a real change. My body will catch up and I will be at my desired weight eventually.
This weekend I am running a 4 mile St. Patrick's Day race. And yes, I am running it! I will not walk. I will push myself to do something that I have always wanted to do. RUN a race in it's entirety! Today I am going to go shopping for my race attire. We are supposed to dress up and have fun with it so i'm going to embrace that! I promise to post pictures.
I hope you guys are still going strong with your 2012 goals. Try to remember that there is no time limit, no rules, no expectations for perfection. You only have to try your best, pick yourself up if you fall, and most importantly BELIEVE in yourself. You are amazing and you can do whatever you set your mind to!
I am in the works of overhauling my diet. I'll write more on it later. Right now i'm trying to figure it all out. Stay strong and stay healthy!
My bad.
I'm doing great. I'm eating well, working out, and enjoying this awesome weather. Right now I am laser focused on getting into the 170s. Who would of thought I would be in the 170s soon? That is so darn exciting. I know that I used to be in the 170s at some point but I honestly can't remember it. I'm awaiting them with much excitement because I am ready to look at that mirror and see a huge difference from where I started.
My mental state is so much better as well. I'm learning to focus on my abilities and how amazing my body is. It can do so much! I'm also learning that my hard work pays off. Whether it's right away or it takes a month it will pay off. I am also learning that being healthy is the most important aspect of my journey. Being unhealthy is what scared me in to action in the first place. I want to feel good not just look good. I'm working on being healthy inside and out and it's really working. I know that 90% of my weight issues were mental. The other 10% is because it just tastes so darn good. :)
I had two back to back hard weeks. I didn't do anything terrible but life got in my way. I am so proud that I got through them and got back on track. I didn't let a small detour take me completely off course. That is so important. It is so easy to throw in the towel. To give in to life's difficulties. To say "I can't" instead of "I can". I know this isn't a race now. That feels so good. I still have goals but I know now that the more important goal is to make a real change. My body will catch up and I will be at my desired weight eventually.
This weekend I am running a 4 mile St. Patrick's Day race. And yes, I am running it! I will not walk. I will push myself to do something that I have always wanted to do. RUN a race in it's entirety! Today I am going to go shopping for my race attire. We are supposed to dress up and have fun with it so i'm going to embrace that! I promise to post pictures.
I hope you guys are still going strong with your 2012 goals. Try to remember that there is no time limit, no rules, no expectations for perfection. You only have to try your best, pick yourself up if you fall, and most importantly BELIEVE in yourself. You are amazing and you can do whatever you set your mind to!
I am in the works of overhauling my diet. I'll write more on it later. Right now i'm trying to figure it all out. Stay strong and stay healthy!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
I can see it
I have lost almost 40lbs now since I started trying to lose weight a couple of years ago. In that picture I was around 220lbs. I say around because I'm not sure. When I weighed in to start losing weight that is how much I weighed but my pants, an 18, were wicked tight. When I look at myself in the mirror I don't see an ugly person. However I don't see that I have lost any weight yet. I don't know when that will kick in. Hopefully soon. For now I rely on these before and after pictures to help with that. I need to see my progress. It helps motivate me and let me know that i'm on the right track. If you are on the same journey as me and struggling to see your new body in the mirror take a few pictures. The closer they look to your old one (same clothes, hair, pose, etc) the easier it is to see the difference. I'm so thankful that I didn't shy away from pictures at my heaviest weight. One, they are memories that are so precious to me. Two, they give me a starting point and a comparison. Three, I get to see that no matter what size I was I still LIVED, ACCOMPLISHED, and DREAMED. That is so important. It isn't the skinny Becky who accomplished/is accomplishing things. It is that 220lb scared woman that is accomplishing them. SHE decided to change things, decided to walk a half-marathon, to put herself out there, to do a Warrior Dash, to inspire others. I can't forget that because I know that no matter what I am capable of so much.
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