Fitness is also the reason IcyHot was invented.
Fashion means nothing if you don’t feel comfortable with your body & self-image first, macaroons. I’m no personal trainer, but I am a girl who has spent her whole adult life struggling with weight & body image. I’m also a girl who took control of those insecurities & lost almost 60 (!!!) lbs (180 to almost 120!). I’d like to share some tips & ideas with you, macaroons, from one real person who’s been there.
Do the bump!
Exercise (Yes, You Have To):
There’s really no good excuse not to work out at least 3 times a week, macaroons. Join a program or get a gym membership. You’re investing in your health, your body & your self-image. It’s worth it. Find a method of exercise that works for you. By works I mean pick something you will stick with. It’s much harder to skip your workout if you’re having half a good time.
With friends: If you work out with a friend it’s harder to cancel because you’ll be letting down someone else, not just yourself. Make a date to go for a jog every day after work instead of Happy Hour. Make a game of your gym time. I like to glance over at my sister’s progress on the elliptical & then try to beat her!
Solo: Invest in a pair of those new Sketchers or Reeboks. Wear them when you’re shopping or running errands. Music is a key motivator, macaroons. You know all those songs that get you going at the club or in the car? Put them in a playlist on your iPod & try to match the beat with your movements at the gym.
Group: Some people (like me) need a personal trainer to kick their butts into gear. Boot Camps are becoming hugely popular. See if a gym near you offers something similar. It’s a great way to make friends & get the benefits of a personal trainer without the high price. I go three days a week & it comes out to roughly $10 a session (not including all the new clothes I have to buy because my body is tighter & smaller!).
Deeelicious!
Diet (aka You Really Don’t Have to Starve!):
Think about your diet, not a diet. Everyone’s body has different needs, so going on a diet designed for some insane celebrity probably won’t work for you. Diet is a lifestyle change, not something you go on for a month or so. Tune into what your body really needs. Snack on things like granola, yogurt & nuts. Eat vegetables & proteins. Skip salads for the most part. They won’t make you feel full unless there’s some kind of protein in them like grilled chicken. My favorite calorie saving salad trick is to get any dressing I like on the side & then instead of drizzling it on, I lightly dip my fork into the dressing before stabbing some greens. This will save you a lot of excess fat & calories.
If your workout is rigorous & consistent enough, you will find that most of your unhealthy cravings simply disappear. I have a sweet tooth so large, my jaw drags on the ground like a neanderthal. However, since starting Boot Camp I really haven’t even thought about sweets. My body subconsciously tells me what it needs. I find myself reaching for fruit (forgot what that tasted like!) when I need a snack & craving proteins & veggies for dinner instead of greasy, carby things.
You don’t have to regret every culinary transgression either, macaroons. You can have the occasional dessert if you want it. My favorite trick for salty & sweet cravings is to keep some saltines & jolly ranchers nearby. By the time you finish a jolly rancher or two, the craving has passed. Eat a couple of saltine crackers & you’ll stop thinking about those chips in the office vending machine.
No sucking in! That's cheating.
Results (Get Off the Scale!):
Sure, we all want to weigh less, but don’t make that your priority. Strive to be stronger. If you want tangible results, get off the scale. If you lose fat & gain muscle, the scale might not move (or it might *gulp* go up temporarily). That can be discouraging enough to put your butt back on the couch instead of in the gym. Measure your success with a tape measure around your waist & hips or by the way your clothes fit. Don’t ever buy a size too small & expect to work yourself into it. Buy the right size & get it tailored when it gets too big for you.
The other day I panicked because one of my sweaters was tight in the arms. Then I realized it’s because they’re more toned than ever! This week, all of my once tight dress pants are now too big! I have not been on a scale in over a month & it’s HOLIDAY season!
Do some construction on yourself TODAY!
Obstacles (and I Don’t Mean Hurdles & Cones)
YOU are your only obstacle. This is your health, your life & your body. At the end of the day, they’re all you really have. Why are you waiting to make a New Year’s Resolution? Why are you waiting until Monday or Friday or Leap Year? Get up & MOVE!
you are lovely :) great writing, great motivation. i love reading your blog… keep up the good work. xo
These tips are absolutely bursting with excellence. Thank-you!
This is a great great article!
How do I apply for that tape-measuring job?