A whole year of #LetsGetPhysical

One year ago was the first day of my “#LetsGetPhysical” health journey.

When I first started, as much as I wanted ‘this time’ to be different I wasn’t completely sold that it would be.
Imagine my surprise when a month went by and I had established a routine. Then 2 months. Then over Christmas I was still sticking to my routine!
I’ve learned a LOT in this last year. I’m glad I took it a little bit at a time. When I first started, I didn’t completely revamp my diet, I didn’t start exercising too much. I did everything in moderation.

I’ve certainly made mistakes this year. However, every time I did, I have brushed myself off and hopped back on my #LetsGetPhysical plan.
It’s also important to remember that you need to find what works for YOU. I knew that I needed to find ways to hold myself accountable.

I decided that I was going to work out for (at least) 30mins, (at least) 4 days a week. I started out

walking. Then I jogged. Then I ran. Then I ran too much (whoops). Then I bought a stationary bike, was given a real bike, started going to deep water fit...etc
I created a hand-drawn calendar that every time I completed a workout, I would draw a star on that day. I would post a picture of me, post-workout online for all to see.
This motivated me. I felt like this kept me accountable.
Half way through the year, I discovered the MyFitnessPal app. I don’t “count calories”, because not all calories are created equal. The app was more to learn what was in foods, and to keep myself accountable for what I put in my body.
It made me think BEFORE I ate. “Do I really want to log that?” Most of the time I didn’t and I didn’t really feel like I was missing out. I, more so, felt proud that I allowed myself that victory - however small. My diet now compared to day one is SO DIFFERENT. Making little changes along the way made me feel like I wasn't really making any changes at all.

I’m glad I’ve been taking pictures throughout the year. If I had to tell you one thing: It's to keep a log of your accomplishment somehow. Pictures tell the story the best for me. I would never have believed the difference a year can make. I am down 60lbs, but more than that I have created a new lifestyle for myself.
EVEN MORE THAN THAT? My family is on board too. Most of them are on MyFitnessPal, where we are able to encourage each other. My brother-in-law has met his weight goal and is now embarking on new fitness goals. My sister began her healthy lifestyle right before she found out she was pregnant. Which now sets her and her baby up for a healthy future. My dad started watching what he eats and moving his body more. Making healthier decisions every day. I take no credit for them starting their own health goals, but it is so helpful to be surrounded/supported by those you love.
We get together on Saturdays for family dinner. It may be our "Cheat" day, but we all still log on those days. I’m sure it is a funny sight to see us all logging in our meals. “Can you pass the pickles please? I need to scan the barcode.”

I haven't posted any of those half naked "Before/During" pictures yet. I just didn't know if it was something I wanted on the internet. Here's the thing/Cliche moment: If I can do this, so can you. SERIOUSLY. Take it one day at a time. Keep yourself accountable. Find something that works for you, and try. Just try.

I want to motivate you because you reading this motivates me. So here I am:
Before picture: September 1st 2012, "During": August 25th, 2013

I'm excited to see what the next year has in store for me! :)

Hitting A Brick Wall

It’s been a little quiet over here on my blog.
Do you remember when I ran the #GhettoHalfMara with my run buddies? Do you remember how I said that it felt like I was killing my knees? So as it turns out, I was.

 It wasn’t just the half marathon, I was generally overdoing it.
After about a month of thinking "Oh, it'll just go away!", and it not just going away, I decided to cut down on the running (nope, hadn’t decided to see someone just yet.) I started doing knee strengthening exercises and running shorter distances with less frequency. I told myself that I could have 2 weeks, and if it still hurt – I’d go see someone. Well, I went to see someone.

I found out that I had, indeed, “overused” my knees. I was prescribed some exercises, some SuperFeet insoles and ideally, I need to stop running (for now).

It has been three weeks since I last went for a RUN.
5 reasons why I dislike this fact?:

1. Not being able to go for a run with my run friends just plain SUCKS.
When you're a pretty busy person, running with friends can be an extension the entirety of your social life. Not being able to run with your run friends, usually means you don't see your run friends.

2. Running burned A LOT of calories.

This gave me more wiggle room. Not burning those calories, means no poutine keeping a closer eye on what I'm eating.

3. Being in pain is exhausting.
Pain makes motivating yourself to move your body A MILLION times harder.

4. Not being able to do what you enjoy makes exercising a chore.
Imagine having to watch repeats of a terrible movie instead of watching a new awesome one. That's what exercise can be when you don't enjoy what you're doing. Which, in turn, makes motivating yourself to move your body AN EXTRA MILLION times harder.

5. Numbers are my motivation.
Being motivated by doing "better than the last time" can get you into trouble. (Exhibit KNEE). However, not being able to do as much activity as I was used to also gives me the feeling of “Why even bother?” When you can't get the same intensity or improve from where you were, it's hard to motivate yourself try.

My knees are definitely better than they were 3 weeks ago, (thanks Dr.Stefanie Yao) but I’ve never been very patient with injury recovery. I’m doing everything I can to not F*#$ this up.

I've hesitated updating my blog because I wasn't feeling accomplished - It's hard to share your struggles. But what I've realized, is that overcoming these struggles will be a greater accomplishment than running a bajillion kilometers.

“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.” – Randy Pausch

Help Yourself Succeed

When we're looking at 30-day challenges, they are often geared toward health.

Photo Credit

Here is where I take issue with 30 day challenges. People take these challenges that are unrealistic or aren't meant for the longterm. Then, after the 30 days are over, they just go back to what they were doing before. (That is, if they even made it through all 30 days.) Any progress they made disappears. One reason being: that there is no transition period to most of these "diets".

One Day, I'm Going To...

Now I know that when you say that you're going to do something 'One Day', you truly mean it.

One Day, I'm going to start losing weight.
One Day, I'm going to get control of my financial situation.
One Day, I'm going to reconnect with my family.
One Day, I'm going to own my own gift wrapping company.
One Day, I'm going to clean out the garage.

We all have something that we want to do 'One Day'. Most of the things we want are VERY realistic. Will they take hard work? Heck yes. Will they take some sacrifice? You betcha. Will some of it make you uncomfortable? No doubt.

What I'm here to tell you is that it is ALL possible. I'm not trying to being cliche here, I'm being REALISTIC. Excuses are excuses. If you want to keep telling yourself these excuses, then you're only hurting yourself. 

I used to simultaneously love and hate those people who had "before and after" pictures. They found a drive inside of them to get their act together. While it made me think it was possible for me to do it, I was so quick to make excuses for myself. The biggest excuse I gave myself was "I can't afford to eat healthy." Well, let me tell you something: My boyfriend and I have spent the last 5 months working on lessening our expenses. Tightening our budget. We stopped going out for dinner. We stopped going out for drinks with friends. We stopped going to the movies. We stopped buying clothes. We stopped, We stopped, We stopped. 

Was it hard work? Heck Yes.
Were there sacrifices? You betcha.
Were there some uncomfortable times? No doubt.

Was it worth it? More than I could ever describe.
We've since learned how to budget better and be able to do all the things that we had ended up sacrificing. We don't do it as often, but it has made each dinner out, each drinks with friends and each article of clothing that much more special. By cutting back, we really gained more appreciation for everything.

So whether it is losing weight, getting better at budgeting, reconnecting with your family, starting your dream business or cleaning out the garage: YOU. CAN. DO IT.
It may not be pretty, it may not be comfortable but it is TOTALLY POSSIBLE.

The day the XL was next.

I've made it no secret that I'm trying to eat right and exercise regularly.

One of the benefits of this is weight loss. I know this seems like an obvious statement. HOWEVER - the day that weight loss becomes a benefit and not the thing that is your motivation: You're Winning.

Uploaded by: asifthebes on www.sxc.hu

One thing about weight loss, is it all revolves around a single number. A number that can fluctuate enormously throughout the course of a day. A number that can manipulate you into eating too little the day before "Weigh-In Day" because you just want that number to be less than the last time.

Here's the thing though: If you live a HEALTHY lifestyle, your body can't help but to lose the weight. You'll be able to celebrate after every meal, after every workout because everything you do is done with the intention to succeed.

Now I'm not going to tell you how much I weigh and how much I was when this all started - YET. That's another bog post.

What I can celebrate with you is this: I have a new article of clothing. It is a Womans XL tight fitting sweater. Have you ever had a piece of clothing that is "the one size down"? The one thing you can't wait to fit into?
This sweater is that one thing...

Bring it on world, XL is next!

Holy Moly. Did I just do that?

So... I took up running.
Yeah, for those of you who've known me for a while, I know what you're thinking.

First Walk/Jog Home from Work

August 28th, 2012 I started an initiative to get healthy. I call it "#LetsGetPhysical".