Fitness is a journey, it doesn’t magically happen no matter how much we wish for it. It takes work and I’m starting my fitness journey again.
I’m starting all over with my fitness journey. I have a goal and it’s simple, well sort of. We are going to the beach in September, and I want to be able to be in a bathing suit and be comfortable with myself. I also want to lose 50 pounds. So I’m going to use my blog to help me hold myself accountable. Don’t worry, I’m not posting pictures of me in bathing suit or workout clothes anytime soon, if ever. Not sure I’d ever be comfortable with that. But, maybe some pictures in regular clothes as I journey down the road.
Here’s how I’ve done so far. I started back in March, with simple things like drinking water and not reaching for the sweet tea all day. I started saving sweet tea for meals. I’m also trying really hard to cut back on soda. I’ve enlisted the help of my daughter, Emily, to remind me when we’re out to drink water instead of grabbing a soda. So, when we’re standing in a checkout line and we’re thirsty, she grabs me a water. I still drink sweet tea, or soda at restaurants, for now. I’m a Southern girl after all, and I can’t just go cold turkey!
Next, I’ve started trying to make better food choices when I can, as much as I can. At home, this is pretty easy, but it’s not always easy when we’re out. Sometimes a salad at a restaurant can be worse than an actual meal. I’m learning what the healthy options are at the restaurants we frequent, or at least I’m trying to. I try to stay around 300-400 calories per meal and try to keep the fat grams for each meal under 14. Having the app My Fitness Pal helps so much! The main problem I have at home is hearing, “not chicken again!”.
I have started working out, r at least trying to. I found out that my knees, don’t appreciate workouts anymore. I started trying to work out three weeks ago, doing some light cardio and my knees hurt so badly and wouldn’t do what I wanted them to do, that I couldn’t do any of the workout. I couldn’t even do a lunge without feeling extreme pulling and popping and pain. I called my hubby crying, from pain and frustration. The next phone call was to our orthopedist to get a visit. After discussing some options, we decided to try hydrocortisone shots to both knees. OMG! I thought I was going to die later that afternoon. But, after a few days, everything started to settle down and I was able to begin walking.
I walked 2 miles with no swelling! The pain from the shots will be so worth it, if I am able to begin working out and head off surgery for a bit. We’ll see. My follow-up is in June, here’s hoping! In the meantime, my daughter and I found a great place to walk at the research park near our house. It has color coded paths so you know exactly how many miles you’re walking, or riding your bike. The area is so pretty and that helps with motivation. Also seeing other people running, jogging, biking and walking helps. I forgot how much I love walking.
The other thing I’m using for motivation is a free health coach through our insurance. They’ve sent me some cool things to use to workout with, like stretchy bands and a workbook and some other stuff. They also help me set goals and check in on me once a month. It helps me with accountability and getting myself in gear knowing that I have to set a goal and answer to someone other than myself.
I also went out and bought some new workout shorts and tanks, I didn’t realize it had been so long since I bought any that I honestly didn’t have anything to wear to workout in. Even most of my t-shirts had paint on them! What did I do? I took my Mother’s Day present from my hubby (he gave me cold, hard cash) and when shopping. But it turned out to be a reward! Just the little bit I’ve done has resulted in 5 pounds gone and never coming back! I’m so excited!
Now to keep this up! I’m actually starting to feel motivated and a little excited. How about you? Do you have any fitness goals that you are working on? Share your tips and what you’re doing with me!
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