After weeks now of working on changing my diet and making healthier choices, while I have not yet lost weight (according to the scale) I am doing SOMETHING right, because I've lost an inch or two here and there and my pants are fitting better! Wahoo!
But I realized I can't do this alone, and I've gone off track with exercise at home. So, after some research and advice from friends, I got a gym membership at Planet Fitness. It's close to my house, has a great atmosphere and lots of equipment. I've never had a gym membership before (excluding the rec center in college) and I'm curious if it's true that the gym will be overrun with "New Years Resolution" dieters in January and will be barren again in February. I guess we shall see.
It's important that I don't let the crowd deter me, and I must remind myself that this is not a short term thing, I'm not quitting once I reach the weight I'd like to be. I am working toward a healthier me, and that has to be a lifetime commitment. So, even if I hit my "goal" and am in the best shape of my life, that should only be fuel to the fire, and should encourage me to continue working out.
I'm not very big on the whole "New Years Resolution" thing. It's too easy to promise yourself change and have nothing come of it. There is nothing wrong with people who want to use the New Year as a time to finally change something about themselves, but it's important to make it a life time commitment, a promise to yourself, otherwise you'll end up getting bored after a month in the gym and back on the couch in February.
Happy New Year to everyone, and for those trying to get back into shape, stay focused and don't ever give up!
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
The scale can discourage and trick you
I have to admit I'd been getting a little frustrated. I'd have a great workout, really push myself, and manage to stay under the 2,000 calorie limit that my phone app limits me to. Then I weigh myself the next day, and my weight has increased! ARGH!
I wasn't able to find much for answers online, other then you will weigh more right after a workout because your muscles, which are heavier than fat, are swollen and this can temporarily increase your weight. However, this shouldn't carry on to the next day, so the only remaining factor must be water weight.
Water weight tends to trick you like this, and it's hard to tell if you're losing weight when water weight can vary up to 5 lbs. Sneaky.
So, I think it's important should you find yourself in this situation to stick to your plan. Keep up with the exercise, log your food (there are lots of good apps for this, I used to use my Fitness Pal, I also like My Plate) and don't give up!
I started a fitness board on pinterest, and have some exercises on a Youtube channel that I go to when I want to do something different.
I found a great website through Pinterest to make your own fitness journal, and I've found this to be a great tool. I can log me weight, and once a week I log my measurements because the scale can be deceiving and I may be loosing inches instead of pounds.
This website has a free printable version: http://fitstronglean.com/fit-strong-lean-fitness-binder-free/
I ended up making my own to save on printing funds but it's a great website and worth a look.
I have also read a great motivational quote, Don't worry about your weight. If you start exercising and eating right, the weight will fall off with it.
A diet has to be a lifestyle change, not a quick fix to look good in a bikini. Otherwise that weight is going to come right back, and there is a very good reason why fad diets don't work.
I wasn't able to find much for answers online, other then you will weigh more right after a workout because your muscles, which are heavier than fat, are swollen and this can temporarily increase your weight. However, this shouldn't carry on to the next day, so the only remaining factor must be water weight.
Water weight tends to trick you like this, and it's hard to tell if you're losing weight when water weight can vary up to 5 lbs. Sneaky.
So, I think it's important should you find yourself in this situation to stick to your plan. Keep up with the exercise, log your food (there are lots of good apps for this, I used to use my Fitness Pal, I also like My Plate) and don't give up!
I started a fitness board on pinterest, and have some exercises on a Youtube channel that I go to when I want to do something different.
I found a great website through Pinterest to make your own fitness journal, and I've found this to be a great tool. I can log me weight, and once a week I log my measurements because the scale can be deceiving and I may be loosing inches instead of pounds.
This website has a free printable version: http://fitstronglean.com/fit-strong-lean-fitness-binder-free/
I ended up making my own to save on printing funds but it's a great website and worth a look.
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| I've been over on my calories this week, and I admit it's because of my weakness for pie. The pie should be gone soon, and with it, sweet temptation! |
A diet has to be a lifestyle change, not a quick fix to look good in a bikini. Otherwise that weight is going to come right back, and there is a very good reason why fad diets don't work.
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