So I promised today I would post some practical tips and helps for weight loss. If you haven't figured it out by now, I'm not the best at following traditional weight loss suggestions that I think
I'll start with FOOD:
Don't drink your calories
(*this is where I was going to link to Trey Songz video for Bottom's Up and then I took a minute to read the lyrics. Sorry y'all, no link for you.) I'm not a drinker, but I think the calories in my beloved iced coffee are comparable with a glass of wine. So I treat those calories as treat calories. (Homophone alert!)(Not a slur.)(Google it.) They are still within my budget, but they're just calories that are used to make me happy. Not used to provide adequate nutrition.
Fiber is your friend
Now let's look at whole grain toast with peanut butter. It's admittedly not as delicious as a KK, but it is more palatable than wheat grass, so, compromise. The fiber in the bread will work with the sugar in the pb to slow the sugar rush. This means no LIFE IS GREAT moment, but also no "must ... nap ... now..." moment, either. And it certainly skips over the 400 extra calorie binge moment. That's why I eat peanut butter
*Protein* - It's good stuff. It's good for a lot of physiological reasons, like building up muscle and something to do with amino acids, but honestly, I majored in music, so once it sounds too science-y I tune out. (Oh my goodness - "tune" out? Music major? *giggle*) It's the building muscle part I fully support, because more muscle = greater calorie burn.
Prep work is the best few hours you will ever spend. (Except for watching Twilight.) I try to plan as much as possible. I make my menu for the week, make a grocery list I stick to, and *ideally* do all the prep work when I come home from shopping. Since I'm doing this post on the fly, I didn't have time to photograph a beautiful example of some of my prep work. Instead you get what is actually in my house right now.
Left baggie: 100 calories of almonds. Right baggie: 120 calories of Chex Mix. Scissors and lock of hair: What Esther did during her quiet time today. Again. I rule at parenting. |
I also keep cut up veggies in the fridge, and spend extra money for store bought, cut up melon, because I freaking hate cutting up cantaloupe.
This Book was really helpful in shaping my overall weight loss philosophy. It was written by a mother and daughter who were each significantly more than 100 pounds overweight. They are both normal weight today.
Now on to WORKING OUT:
Change up your routine because it not only keeps you from getting bored, it helps your fitness improve. Your body gets bored as well, and it's all, "this is old hat, I can totally phone it in today," but throw it some unexpected burpees and it's all, "The heck? Where have I been? I better get my tush in gear."
Learn what it means to truly push yourself. I was always so worried about injury. I was worried about puking. I was so worried I never pushed myself. Then I took that running class and I thought I was going to die. Like, heart attack/gasping breath/vomit totally happening kind of dying. I totally didn't die. But I did discover a new level of normal for my athleticism. And now I'm not afraid of a workout that ends with me shaky-limbed, flopping around on a mat on the floor in a puddle of my own sweat, because it means that today I brought it.
Announce your goals publicly. I love me some Facebook for this. Your goal is there, in print, forever. Also, I love Dailymile.com. This keeps a good record of what you are doing, and other people can see it
Workout buddies will shame you if you don't show/do your best/have a good attitude (if they are good ones). Working out is so much easier with a pal. The accountability is priceless. Sarah is a treasure to me. For realz.
Motivational stickers. Because I'm a nerd. A visual reward nerd.
"Kelly, those are lovely star stickers on your calendar. Whatever are they for?" "Why, thank you, you are too kind. Every sticker represents a killer workout." |
And finally, THIS:
I kinda wish I went to this gym. I bet it's the most fun gym EVER. (Definitely better than Lifetime.) |
Ha ha ha, that last picture made me snort coffee!!
ReplyDeleteLove this post...LOVE your realistic attitude spiced with that biting humor. Are you on Pinterest? You should be if not, because I think more people need to find you!!
Keep up the awesome work, Kelly!!!
I'm trying to bribe the hubby to put a Pin It widget on the blog somewhere. But I just recently started pinning my own stuff. I might do a "follow me on Pinterest" thing, but I need to edit my name a bit ;-)
DeleteI love that last picture, too! It always makes me giggle :)