Monday, January 11, 2016

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

I got on the scale this morning.  Not sure what I expected but the numbers staring back at me were not it.  

You see, the last two weeks have been HARD.  Yes, HARD.  I've done a complete 180 when it comes to my eating habits.  All of this prompted by a test result and the desire to live to see my grandkids one day.  

Aside from adding exercise to my day, I have been eating tons of vegetables.  If you know me, you know I have a love/hate relationship with veggies. All that ended when I found out I wasn't in as good a shape as I had thought and decided I needed to do my part and clean up my diet.  

I started by cutting the carbs as much as possible from my diet.  At least the "bad" carbs (is there such a thing??).  I added whole grains instead, and lots and lots of veggies and fruits.  Then I added exercise.  The elliptical has been a part of my day for the last two weeks and four days ago I added yoga to my daily exercise as well.

Yet the number on the scale doesn't reflect any of these changes.  It would be so easy to give up right now and got get that burger and fries I've been craving.  But I am not a quitter; so on I got with this lifestyle change.

So in order to bust my own pity party, I decided to focus on the good things I've discovered these past two weeks while eating healthy and exercising.  So here they are, in random order.

1) Oatmeal
As a child, oatmeal was a staple in my house and I loved it.  No one makes better oatmeal than my mom.  I became an adult and because of lack of time (sounds like a good excuse) stopped eating oatmeal.  I didn't really like the instant kind and just never got around to making the other kind.  Lo and behold, I have rediscovered oatmeal!
I found this way to make overnight oatmeal in a mason jar.  So off to the store I went to get some steel cut oats, almond milk, and chia seeds.  Add fruit and honey, and voila, I have found a new way to eat oatmeal.  I admit I was a bit skeptical but this is so delicious!

2) Zucchini, Sweet Potato, Black Beans... 
I had eaten all of these before but I have found many different ways to cook them without getting bored eating the same stuff over and over.  

3) Yoga 
I will admit, yoga has always been scary to me.  For years, I have fought against even trying.  I have told myself I'm not flexible enough to try any of that stuff.  Until now.  I decided if I'm going to change my lifestyle, I might as well try something new.  So for the last 4 days, I have done yoga.  Don't get all excited, I have not done any pretzel shape poses or head stands.  This is yoga for complete beginners like me.  I found I actually enjoy it.  It isn't easy but I noticed today the routine was a lot easier than the first day.  I guess it's all about consistency, I can see keeping this in my exercise routine.

4) Hummus 
I had eaten hummus before, but if I had to choose between queso dip and hummus, guess which one won?  I bought some last weekend, and oh emm gee, is there anything better with veggies?  Even the kids love it. Win-win in my book.  

5) Almond Milk 
As a kid, I loved drinking milk.  Whole milk, none of that skim milk yuckiness.  My love of all things dairy continued until pregnancy happened and I became lactose intolerant.  So when it came time to try this overnight oatmeal, I knew I needed some type of milk to go with it.  My sweet daughter suggested almond milk, since she knows I love almonds.  I'm so glad she did, I'm sold!

Last but not least, I have learned that I can survive without fast food, junk food, and fried food.  Even though those were not a part of my daily diet, I have learned to prepare quick meals at home, rather than run through the drive thru on my way home from whatever activity the kids had that night.  

Truth be told, I do feel better.  I can feel a difference in the way my body feels now that I have gotten rid of most of the processed stuff.  It hasn't been easy, but I'm sure it will be worth it in the long run.  It's a marathon, not a sprint.  

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Hello to you, 2016!!

Brand New Year.  It's that time again for people to make New Year Resolutions about exercising more, and eating healthier, and start running, and who knows what else.  I admit it.  I've been one of those people with the list of things I am committing myself to do in the new year; only to fall short a few months later.

This year started a little different for me though.  Aside from carrying around a few extra pounds (I have a chip addiction!),  I found out, after having some bloodwork done, that some numbers are a little higher than they should be.  A lot higher since my gallbladder surgery. Talk about a wake-up call!

So, instead of new year resolutions, I have I-want-to-live-to-100 resolutions.  I have begun exercising regularly and so far, I've exercise every day.  I've also modified my eating habits to include more veggies, and healthier versions of the foods I love.  

I have never been one to diet.  As a matter in fact, the thought of dieting made me hungry and always made me binge eat.  Seriously.  This time I am not dieting.  I'm making a conscious decision to adopt healthier eating habits that will stay with me for as long as I'm alive.  There isn't a number of pounds I'm looking to lose, or a particular size of clothing I'm wanting to wear.  My only goal right now is to be a healthier version of me.  Just that simple.

For starters, I am putting my elliptical machine to use.  After collecting dust for the majority of last year, it has finally been used consistently the last week.  I think it's happy. Ha!

I have started tracking my meals so I can easily see what I've eaten and what I may be missing from my diet.  I've added foods that I loved as a kid and stopped eating because it was more convenient to pick something "quick" than to fix a meal at home.  


I know that healthy eating is going to eventually result in weight loss but that isn't my goal.  I have already noticed that I feel better overall, just after one week of exercise and better food. 

I plan to blog about life as usual, except now I may be sharing recipes too.  Like black bean burgers.  Who knew meatless burgers could be so awesome??  

So welcome to my journey in 2016! Pull up a chair and relax.  Oh and no making fun of my yoga poses, ok?