1ST WEIGH IN…January 9, 2013

Posted by rlsofia in Motivaton

Well, I finished my first week today, and surprise! I lost a pound. That’s right ONE pound. Ugh.

I feel a little discouraged but have to keep reminding myself that I usually just crash diet so the weight comes off quickly but comes back on quickly-ER. Anyway, I will persevere and see what happens next week!

On a happier note I found a recipe for no bake energy cookies. Thank you, Pinterest! They are great for an afternoon pick-me-up. Even my husband loves them which I’m not sure is a plus since now I have to share. Here’s a link to the recipe:

http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=1782385

 

Let me know what you think 🙂

 

JUST A CAUTION…January 7, 2013

Posted by rlsofia in Uncategorized

I mentioned in my bio that I’m recovering from Adrenal Fatigue. I was diagnosed a year ago, and since, have been making steady progress in my healing. That being said, everyone is different. What I do may not be right for you if you are also recovering. I would hate for anyone to suffer an adrenal crash because of pushing too hard. It’s important to talk to your doctor before embarking on any diet and exercise program.

We have to take care of our bodies! Here’s a link to an article written by someone else with Adrenal Fatigue. Maybe you’ll find some helpful tips there.

http://robbwolf.com/2012/04/09/real-deal-adrenal-fatigue/

Adrenal Fatigue is a very real health problem, but there are ways to make it easier to deal with. If you feel you may be suffering with Adrenal Fatigue, please talk to your health care specialist.

NIGHT OUT! January 5, 2013

Posted by rlsofia in Tips

SOOO last night was my first night OUT. My husband and I met some friends at Olive Garden for dinner and I was a little worried that I might blow my diet on a whole basket of bread sticks with Alfredo sauce. Yum!

But I was very good. I planned what I would eat before we went and started drinking water as soon as we got there. I decided ahead of time that I would splurge and have one glass of red wine. I also took part in the conversation going on around me instead of shoveling food into my mouth like I’m never going to eat again, and you know what? I actually enjoyed my meal, my friends, and got full faster! it’s a miracle.

Yes, what the experts say is true:

IF YOU EAT SLOWLY YOU WILL FILL UP FASTER.

And that means you will consume fewer calories, and that means you will lose weight just by slowing down and actually enjoying your food! As one of my closest friends would say, “Shut the front door!”

The key is to chew, chew, chew. And then chew some more. Aim to chew each bite a minimum of ten times, but try for twenty. Here are a few tips to help you slooow down:

1) Eat one bite at a time. Chew and swallow each bite before gulping down the next.

2) Put down your fork between bites. I promise, no one is going to take it from you.

3) Drink water. It will fill you up and give you something to do besides EAT!

So I’ve learned from this experience that I can still eat out. I just have to plan ahead, enjoy my surroundings, and savor my meal. Hmmm, where to next??

 

 

OUCH! January 3, 2013

Posted by rlsofia in Tips and tagged with , ,

I survived yesterday’s workout but am feeling the effects today. That’s good right? Here’s what I did:

During E’s True Hollywood Story on Selena Gomez (I’m pathetic I know) I did stomach crunches for the first commercial break, squats and lunges for the second, and push ups and bicep curls for the third. I also went to the track and jogged/power walked for 45 min.

Dinner was a very healthy and yummy chicken dish that I got from this nifty website:http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/dinner-in-20-easy-healthy-dinner-recipes/?page=2. I also went grocery shopping and stocked my kitchen with fruits and veggies, almonds, greek yogurt, and some protein bars. I’ve decided my favorite snack so far is cut up veggies (bell peppers, carrots, and celery) dipped in a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese. Delish and perfect for carb cravings!

I’ve been scouring the internet for healthy eating tips and stumbled upon something very interesting:

YOU CAN EAT CONSTANTLY AND STILL LOSE WEIGHT! WHAT??!!

Thats right, people! Now I’m not talking about throwing back an entire box of Twinkies during a Friends marathon. I’m talking about keeping your metabolism steady all day so you burn more fat. That means several small meals a day instead of three big ones. Yes, I’ve heard eating small meals is better than eating big ones, but scheduling those small meals is key. Breakfast followed by a mid morning snack ( a few almonds may be all it takes to keep your metabolism going), lunch followed by a mid afternoon snack, and dinner.

The key is not to starve yourself. We all know what happens if you do that. You’re body figures you’ve been stranded on an inflatable raft in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and decides to hold on to every single fat cell it can possibly find. Even if that fat cell resides in your pinky toe your body will find it, and send it with the rest of the renegade fat cells floating around, straight to your behind!

So eat for goodness sakes but be smart about it. Repeat after me: This is a lifestyle not a diet. This is a lifestyle not a diet. this is a lifestyle not a… Ya, you get the picture.

AND SO IT BEGINS…January 2, 2013

Posted by rlsofia in Motivaton and tagged with , , , , , , ,

Ok, let me just start by saying I am NOT a fitness expert. I’m barely a fitness beginner! I am also NOT a blogger.  I have never blogged before nor have I ever had the desire TO blog.  So you might be wondering why I’m blogging now. Well, the answer may surprise you.  This is not so much for YOU but for ME.

For the last several years, my husband and I have led a pretty healthy lifestyle. I cook light meals, we don’t snack on too much junk food, and we try to get regular exercise.  Sounds pretty good right?? Then why in the last year have I gone up a DRESS SIZE??? That’s not a rhetorical question, people. I need to know. Is it because I hit my thirties and my metabolism decided to go on vacation? Permanently? If so, how do I make my body feel like a fun filled week in Bora Bora so it will come back?

What have I done so differently this last year?

You may also be wondering why I call myself a skinny-fat girl. I don’t remember where I heard the term but when I read the definition I realized it was describing me.

SKINNY-FAT: Having a body that’s not overweight (and can even be underweight), but has NO muscle tone.

There are many women out there that fit this bill. I can’t believe the info and pics I find when I Google the term, and while I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, especially if they are comfortable in their own skin, I feel that I’ve lived my life like this for way too long. It’s time for me to do something, to take control of my fitness, hence this blog. I could just keep a diary, but I know that if others are reading this and rooting me on, maybe even going on a fitness journey themselves, then I’ll be more apt to keep going.

So I propose a challenge, not because it’s a new year but because it’s a new beginning. Let’s get fit, people!!

But how?? Well I’m going to start by identifying all the ways I think I’m being “good” but really being “not so good”.

1) Portion control. I cook healthy meals but when I’m eating triple the calories I should be, I might as well be eating french fries for dinner.

2) Weekend Binges. For some reason I feel like since I’ve been relatively good during the week I deserve to eat chocolate creme brûlée and filets  cooked in a pound of butter for every meal on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

3) Exercise. This is tricky. I love cardio, but hate strength training.

Solutions:

1) Buy a food scale. It may seem daunting to weigh everything you put in your mouth but I’m hoping knowing the exact amount of food that’s going down my throat will be a wake up call. I also signed up for a calorie counter.

2) Enjoy ONE cheat meal on the weekends. ONE.

3) Continue doing cardio but add in some strength training at home. I’m going to start slow by doing some crunches, pushups, lunges and squats during commercial breaks!

I know these changes seem small but to a chronic couch potato like myself it feels like I’m training for the Olympics.  And by the way, did I mention my ten year wedding anniversary is in 2 and 1/2 months and my husband is taking me to St.Thomas? Motivation much??

So get ready, get set, here I go! Whose comin with me?