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Jun
9
Every now and then I like to write about where I’m at with diet and exercise, so if that isn’t your thing, you should probably skip this post and watch Hanna Hart’s awesome “My Drunk Kitchen” YouTube videos instead.
So! Diet and exercise. Last fall when I first started working from home, I pretty much instantly piled on a bunch of weight like it was part of my new daily routine. Write article, start laundry, gain fifteen pounds. It wasn’t that I was spending the entire day shoveling the contents of the fridge into my Snackimals-hole, exactly, it was more that I fell back into a habit of eating some really crap food late at night. Adjusting to being home all day, using food as a reward for that tiny slice of evening that was kid-free, blah blah blah excuse-cakes.
(Mmmmm … cake.)
My strength and endurance improved when I started doing CrossFit, but I think my eating actually got harder to control. I had a lot of days when I was so incredibly epically ridiculously sore from a CrossFit workout that I found it nearly impossible to avoid snacking on carby foods. I really doubt that’s a common problem among serious CrossFitters, but for me I’ve learned what triggers my MUST EAT ALLLLL THE SUGARS cravings, and one of those things is feeling fatigue and pain. Like, when you can barely walk up a flight of stairs without sobbing, sometimes you just want a donut with self-pity frosting, you know?
Anyway, I’ve been much happier since I switched to doing my own workouts. Not only am I relieved to no longer be forcing myself to do something I wasn’t enjoying, but it’s been easier to make healthier food choices. I tend to spend my weekdays eating mostly lean proteins and vegetables, with weekends set aside for scheduled overindulging. I could definitely be leaner if I didn’t inhale everything in sight like a starving teenager a couple days a week, but … well, life’s short, right? I have many ice cream related needs.
As for exercise, I’m just cycling through a bunch of different things. I might do a workout DVD, or go for a run, or shove the lawnmower around our hilly-ass front lawn, or blow the cobwebs off my sadly neglected bike. I keep thinking I might want to take another class of some kind soon (which led me to trying Bikram yoga the other day, which I would describe as Horribly, Masochistically Vomitous with a side of Never Fucking Again Oh My Christ), but overall I feel like I’ve reclaimed that good feeling of enjoying physical activity, instead of dreading it.
Back when I felt like I was really sliding off the rails with my fitness, I took some highly unflattering photos. Just to document what I hoped was a Before state of being, I guess. I took some follow-up photos a couple weeks ago, and I’m pleased to see the improvement.
I suppose I’m sharing this because I find it useful to talk about backsliding. It happens to everyone, and it’s shocking how fast you can go from feeling like you’ve got everything under control to … well, not having anything under control. I wish like hell it wasn’t so hard to stay on track, but that’s how it is for me: I have to pick myself back up on a regular basis. The only damn thing that works for me is continually figuring out what works, because it’s always changing.
Some people find their exercise or diet passion and are able to stick to it for years, and some people keep falling into ruts and need to periodically kick themselves back out with something new. It can get discouraging, being in that second category. Like you’re in a pointless uphill battle, like you’re incapable of real longterm change. But I also think that at the end of the day the two categories aren’t that different. Neither one is easy. Both simply require that you don’t give up.
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80 Responses to “The state of things, fitness-wise”
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My wife is now up to 1.5 hours a day working out and seems to eat nothing but hemp rope (for the fiber) and has trouble keeping the weight down. After you reach a certain age your body just gets a ‘Prius’ like efficiency when it comes to food. Where my son can eat two ‘double doubles’ and still has a 1% BFI.
BTW, looking much better.
After completing two half marathons (one in November, one in February) I have completely fallen out of my fitness routine and am stuck so far in a rut right now I feel like I may never get out. Thanks for writing this. At least it helps me remember I’m not the only one this happens to.
Way braver than I could ever be…posting a before pic that is. I have the same problem- I have a 15yr old and a 5 month old now and there are days I just need the comfort foods. Trying to watch what I eat using the weight watchers online tracker and doing some sort of physical activity at least 3 times a week. I have a long way to go, but seeing post like this gives me some motivation! Thanks!
First of all, thank you for keeping it real around here. Secondly, your abs are to die for. I mean, you’re about to give Jillian a run for her money. Talk about inspiring!
Oh, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who really, really wants carbs and sweets when I’m sore from workout out. What’s UP with that? And, also, you rock for being brave enough to post the before pics — you couldn’t pay me enough to do that! Oh, and wowza, you look pretty rockin’ in those after photos!
Just…thank you for those “before” pics. They make me realize that even I could rock something vaguely similar to your “after” pics. How long did it take to go from before to after?
I was just out for an outdoor run in the sun with no music or specified place to be and it was pretty sweet. I wondered how you were doing and I’m happy to hear things are going good in this department right now.
There is nothing brave about posting your “before” pics because you look better than most people’s “after” pictures!! You looked great before, but good for you for doign what makes you feel best.
Thank you SO much for this post…dude it is SO true. Some of my hardest & lowest points in life recently have been running a half marathon & losing 20lbs…only to find myself 15lbs heavier and so out of running shape a few months later. It happens to the best of us and the rest of us.
Right now I am on a fitness high and *training for my first sprint Tri this weekend (my goal=, not getting eaten by a shark, not crying & screaming for help, not falling on my face during the 2.5mi run just because, and the biggest goal~finishing!) By training I mean I signed up 3 weeks ago because I run, bike & swim so why not all together? Now I am questioning that logic.
Thanks again for posting, this is awesome and it has taken me so long to realize that the only one who holds me accountable to being fit & feeling good is ME, and that is the hardest critic to please. You ROCK!
*Linking to this post on my fitness journal, hope that is kosher :-)
De-lurking to tell you that I really like your hair in the after photo!
THANK YOU for this post! I’m in a rut and trying to build the momentum to pick myself up out of it. Gosh, that last paragraph just resonated with me so hard. <3
You look great, btw.
It’s always a good feeling to get back on the wagon, your new(er) hair looks awesome, and as a lady who has about the same size boobs as you and is so tired of frumpy sports bras, PLEASE tell me what you are wearing so I can get one!
Dang girl! how do you get your abs so tight? You have a serious 4 pack going on there.
Brave Woman You Are:) I am trying Zoomba, and I think I am in love.
You look great! I have lost 32 lbs, but I still don’t look as good as you did in your before photo – my big problem is that I have droopy belly from my babies, and losing weight just seems to make the belly droop lower. Any suggestions?
Also, I started Bikram yoga this week because I bought a Groupon for it, and I love it love it love it!! :)
Whoa, you are badass. One, for posting your before pictures (although most people would kill to look like your “befores”), but for putting it out there. 2. For picking yourself back up. 3. Dude, your “after,” or shall we call it, the “ongoing”(?) … you are amazing. I totally feel inspired to lose the 7 lbs my doctor pointed out I gained this year. And the almost-10 from the year before. Oy.
You look fantastic! And thank you for sharing about slipping back into old, awful habits. I’ve gone up and down between both of my pregnancies and I’m trying to turn it around again. So hard to find the motivation. Thank goodness my 3 yr old loves the gym playroom. If I mention the gym he cries until we leave. Now if only I could convince my 14 month old I’m not leaving her forever.
Thank you guys, for the supportive comments. It’s always weird posting pics, so thanks for making me feel okay about it.
SJB: brand is’Champion Shape T-back 1050′ and it is by FAR the best sports bra I’ve ever owned. Cannot recommend it enough.
April: my belly is my biggest trouble spot, I’m convinced all the muscles permanently stretched out along with the skin during pregnancy. It’s the first place I gain weight now, I swear I eat a piece of bread and my waist grows three inches. Anyway, I’ve become a reluctant fan of the arms and abs portion of Tracy Anderson’s Mat Routine DVD — they’re slowly giving me results I haven’t seen before.
Not only is your bod looking good, may I just say that your hair is awesome too these days? Love!
And I know I’ve said it before – maybe even here – but the best part of teaching at the gym is that it MAKES ME GO TO THE GYM. I cannot give any excuses to not go when I’ve got a class waiting for me. And I always love it once I get started, no matter how crappy I felt prior to class. I highly recommend teaching, once you have found that exercise passion and want to share it with people.
Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
I am not an exercise nut but this is both impressive and inspiring. Thanks for being brave enough to put your “bad” (though they really aren’t) pictures out there.
It’s really inspiring to see the progress you’ve made; that backsliding happens but the important thing is to get back on the exercise wagon and keep working. I think it’s brave to post the before pics but it’s so helpful to see a “normal” body in all its forms, both when you think it less than its best, and after you have worked to improve it. Great work; good for you for working hard to make a difference in your physical health/shape, and thanks for sharing your triumphs and struggles, with this and with everything else.
You are awesome – I so needed to read this and see your before and after pics today – over the last year I’ve lost about 80 pounds, which, hurrah, yes, but now I am stuck and I still have about 30-40 more pounds to lose (how is that even possible?? How can one person be that overweight?) I’ve been stuck there since about April, working hard and not seeing the weight come off – sure, I’m stronger, etc. etc., but dammit, I want my stomach to get smaller!! So you are motivating me to think about changing it up, trying something really new, and seeing where it takes me – and thank you for that. (Plus, you look freaking awesome, BTW. You really do have great abs!) ;)
I’ve been on WW for a few months now, seeing pretty steady results (about 1b. a week) but cannot get motivated to do any kind of exercise. My question is how do you motivate yourself to get off the couch and go….
I’ve been putting off posting my before and after shots. Mostly the before because, well, you know.
I might just do it already. Thanks, you.
Also? You = Hot, friend.
It’s so encouraging to hear about someone else who struggles–succeeds–backslides–wallows a bit–then gets back up and tries again. Makes me feel like this pudgy state I’m in (I swear, I never used to have a gut, but it n
Ahh! Sorry posting on phone–anyway, thanks for the update! Inspiring.
Ok, I hereby call bullsh*t on the belly complaining….REALLY? That is your TROUBLE area? Are…are you sure? Because from here it looks super! (not that I mean you don’t TOTALLY deserve to have fabulous abs after working it so hard…just that, well, the whole Albino Shar-pei thing doesn’t seem to respond much to aggressive work outs for me. Boo hiss.)
Thank you so much for sharing the before pictures. People backslide- it happens. And I see a HUGE difference in the After pics. Congrats.
You look FANtastic! Way to go! This is a well-timed post for me. I am reading Such a Pretty Fat by Jen Lancaster. Both your post and the book seem to be speaking the same message to me!
I do love my workouts (on my own), but the actual act of GOING to the work-out doesn’t um, work out as well as I would like…meaning, I don’t make myself go as much as I should, but once I’m there I love it. And I have been over-indulging too much, too. I wish I could stop!
Thing 1: Your hair is unfuckingbelievable. Soo jealous.
Thing 2: It made me feel really good to read this. I read a lot of fitness blogs, and it seems like people only give the “why” when things are going well. Everybody has bad periods, and you talking about behind the scenes stuff gives so much more realistic a picture. I think that it definitely IS brave to post pics of yourself (even if you look hawt in both), because it shows that you struggle too, and you’re giving us the reasons why.
Thing 3: You’re a rockstar.
You had me at ‘cake’.
You get it together pretty fast, you look great.
I have the same issues, especially for a very specific week out of the month where all I want to do is wallow and eat choclolate. But everytime I backslide and get back to the gym, the pain and soreness should be enough to prevent the back sliding, but no.
I ride the same roller-coaster, and it gets exhausting. Thanks for posting; it helps to see that I’m not just “crazy”. Will we ever come out of this, and just find the balance??
I’m exactly the same…I’ve lost 70 pounds and you’re so right about how things go from in control to completely out of control so quickly…I’m also constantly figuring out new ways to keep myself interested with food and exercise. But I think once you accept that its a constantly changing thing, that acceptance itself helps. I always like to think of it as a company…a CEO isn’t going to make plans for one year that would be the same for the next year, it’s about going with all the external factors that are affecting the company blah blah shitty metaphor but you know, I like to think of myself like that too, constantly adjusting to the change and working ways around it.
Also, you look awesome! :)
Thanks for this. Backsliding is such a bitch, and it’s always so comforting and heartening to be reminded that things can be turned around again.
Seriously, you blow me away with your powerful writing. I love your writing and your insights, but cannot believe how you continue to surprise me with how amazingly awesome you are! Thank you.
I love how you let crossfit go since it wasn’t a good fit for you–you didn’t have any energy leftover to eat healthy and weren’t enjoying it so much. I would’ve continued to bash myself for my lack of self-discipline. Revolutionary to blame the routine instead. After all-it is ultimately about our overall health, mind, body and spirit and if something is making us feel bad about ourselves then let it go.
I also loved the before and after photos. It’s one thing to take the photos, but to post them–you are courageous. Not that you looked horrible in the before pics, but we all want to look our best and to have the courage to show yourself not at your best, to provide encouragement to others is awesome. You are looking amazing now so clearly your routine now is working for you!
Never give up. Loved that too.
You look great!! I actually just reached my first weight loss goal this morning, 17lbs down! I know that you had a lot to do with me knowing that it was possible for me to do this. I kept feeling horrible that I couldn’t get to the gym. I had a small child, I work full time, I just couldn’t handle taking more time away. Well….about 3 years and 2 kids later, we are finally doing it. After we put our kids to bed, my husband and I have been doing The 30 Day Shred every night. We have also been watching calories. I remember (many moons ago) when you just started w/ jumping around in your living room to a dvd. (I actually bought the same one you used, but I hate her. She’s evil). At any rate, I love the pics you posted. 2 kids and 2 c-sections later, I was really starting to worry that my stomach would always be flabby. It’s nice to know there is hope!!
AMEN! You look great! I love how balanced and rational you are about food and fitness. I especially love this quote “I could definitely be leaner if I didn’t inhale everything in sight like a starving teenager a couple days a week, but … well, life’s short, right? I have many ice cream related needs” You are right, life is too short to deny myself all of my indulgences….it’s all about balance. Thank you again for being a level headed, smart inspiration in the crazy world of fitness!
I tend to follow the same eating thought process – eat well during the week, have one (maybe two) nights on the weekend where I allow myself to indulge. Because giving everything up makes life not worth living, and you eventually end up just reverting back to cramming your face all the time. And who wants that? I say indulging once in a while is better.
But it’s the workouts. Sometimes I have such a problem sticking with getting my lazy butt to the gym. I know all about the back-sliding. Just as I start to get some momentum and am gaining ground on toning, I end up getting a little lazy and next thing you know, the clothes are tight again and the belly you are losing is making a fierce comeback.
Thank you for writing this! You are a complete inspiration, and you look fantastic!! I think I am going to make you my new motivation.
You inspire me BECAUSE you backslide from time to time. I can’t really relate to the type A fitness bloggers who live to exercise. You remind me that even if I lapse into my old bad habits (god, I love sugar!) I can make the choice to to get my butt back in gear in time to look pretty foxy at the neighborhood pool.
Linda – I’ve commented before (on previous posts) to say how inspirational you’ve been to me. Seriously. I still remember when you first tried TurboJam and the Abs DVD (with the funny guy). I bought those and they were my very first attempts to workout. I will forever be in debt to you.
I love to change it up too…since those early DVDs, I’ve tried bootcamp, Zumba, Kettlebells, TRX, even those Tracy Anderson DVDs :o) I think I’m just a fan of changing it up…so I can totally relate to this post.
I lost almost 50 pounds (I was 3 pounds from 50)…then I gained back about 15. It is so disheartening to see reverse progress. Its not that I ever really completely stopped, just stopped trying as hard.
It helps so much to know it happens to everyone so thanks for posting. By the way — do you read http://www.thegreatfitnessexperiment.com? I’m a fairly new reader, but OMG – she tries a new exercise every month and then reviews the results (like hula hopping one month, crossfit one month, running one month, yoga one month). Super cool experiment. I’m doing her Nov 2010 experiment right now. :o)
oh – and you look HOT. If those construction workers could see you now…. heeehee
You look awesome!! Very inspiring!!
THANK YOU for posting this. I’ve been backsliding very badly for …um, kind of a while now, I’ve lost track of how long, and this post is both comforting and inspiring. You look great, but more important, you seem really happy. Glad you left XF and decided to do something else, it’s clearly working! :)
I SO needed to see this. I completed P90x and was so proud of myself. And then…nothing. I quit working out. And now I’m so angry. I worked my ass off to finish that program and now I’m losing weight but I think it’s just because the muscle I built up doing P90 is going away. I swore I wasn’t going to let myself lose my momentum and yet here I am.
I don’t know why it has to be so hard either. I think about my weight CONSTANTLY and I’m just so sick of it.
Anyway, you look amazing and thanks for sharing!
You look fantastic, first of all. Secondly, I love the bit about having ice cream needs. Hilarious!
This really resonates with me as I’m trying really hard to get into the swing of fitness. It’s tough. Especially the not-eating-everything-in-sight part.
I just read this article on “Depletable” self control, and this blog entry totally reminded me of it. http://www.tnr.com/article/environment-energy/89377/poverty-escape-psychology-self-control
Maybe you couldn’t control yourself from bingeing on carbs after cross-fit NOT because your body was trying to heal itself, but because psychically you couldn’t deprive yourself of another thing? I think that’s why finding exercise that you actually enjoy is so important, it isn’t creating a misery void that you then need to fill with food.
Also, I am a newly pregnant first time mom- and I have been reading your archival baby blogs for laughs (and information). Thanks for those!
Looking good, looking good! After losing 22 lbs during a fitness contest my work was hosting, I gained it all back in the three months of never ending winter over here. Now I am back in the saddle again, running, yoga, eating lean, and I feel so much better and look way better too. Why is this so hard to remember???? Thanks for the post, and sharing.
Dude, you look great! I think you’re right; the most important part of any fitness routine is getting back off the wagon after you inevitably fall off.
What’s JB up to for his fittness these days? Still boxing?
Thanks so much for sharing this. I was in a backslide, and only just dragged myself out of it (like, yesterday was day 2 (in a row!) of exercising post-backslide). It makes me feel better that you backslide too; you always look so incredible. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve lost 20 pounds since December and that took tracking, conscious choice and a strict exercise routine to do so. When I first started my weight-loss initiative, I restricted myself to 1,200 calories a day and could absolutely not freakin’ believe how hard that is to do (an apple has 95 calories! A freakin’ apple! “Good” calories, but still.) It made me wonder how anyone got or stayed thin.
Anyway, I wanted to say that you are EXTREMELY brave for posting those photos and my tummy has and is and probably always will be my trouble spot too and I never in a million years would think my tummy could ever look like your “after” picture but hey, maybe I’m wrong.
So, more details please. Exactly WHAT is your routine, how long do you do it for, do you do cardio and weights one day, then abs and butt the next or what. And also, how much time passed between the “before” and “after”?
Also, it helps to know that you are “normal” and that you have to work on it too, just like most people. I take exercise advice much better from “normal” people than people who just happen to be blessed with wonderful genes and can naturally stay fit and thin with minimal effort (like [many of] the celebrities are always claiming in magazines).
Thanks for this post. I am really struggling right now and I needed to hear that “we all backslide”. You are awesome!
I have just recently started going to the gym. My son is on a swim team and practices at the YMCA 3 days a week. Parents aren’t allowed to watch their kids swim (some parents like to “coach” their kids and even bring stopwatches) so I use this time to work out now. I was never a gym person but I actually enjoy it, especially since I would be there for an hour anyways why not use the time to work out?
FYI, your befores would be my dream afters and your afters would be impossible to me. You look great!
Wow you look amazing, in both the before and after shots!
First of all, you look A-MAZING!
Second, this totally describes me. I kind of fell off the wagon during the 6 weeks of mayhem called birthday season. So instead of being a bit pissy that I may have gain 5 pounds, I am trying to pick up where I left off, and be thankful it wasn’t 10 pounds.
Thanks for an awesome post! I needed to hear this today.
Just so ya know, your fitness travails have been the inspiration for some exercise related madness of my own.
Last year I decided that if that Seattlite blogger I follow could balance work, 2 kids, and triathlon/marathon training so could I. Last year I competed in my first triathlon and the madness that is 3 sport training, while balancing two jobs, one as an SLP in the public school and one as McMenamins bartender and parenting a teenager. (ugh) I enjoyed the masochism of the endeavor so much I am signed up again for several races this summer. I finished my first race last week and took first in my age group (35-old). Contemplating a 1/2 marathon and the Hood to Coast, too.
So what I’m saying is thank you for being ballsy and inspiring me to be ballsy too.
I know you’ll find a new challenge that will have your blogees kicking their own ass soon enough.
I have learned in the last few months, hopefully permanently ingrained in my soul, that I am motivated to work and and eat well when my focus is not on losing weight/looking good. Hear me out :-)
Ironically, I discovered this through CrossFit, which I know you tried and ended up not enjoying. My husband is a CrossFit trainer and just opened his own box, and we are having the time of our lives. I wish you could’ve tried our gym! Everyone is having so much fun, from all fitness levels!
I am discovering a whole new realm of health and fitness that I never new mentally and physically possible. I used to work out to get things done to make me look better. It was so frustrating. Now I’m focused on getting stronger, faster, fitter. I’ve had more changes in my body in the last couple months than ever before, and having way more fun doing it. It’s nice to be focusing on something else other than my body shape. My focus is health, and it’s been the best motivator ever.
I really hope I can stick with this focus. i always appreciate your posts and hearing your thoughts, b/c they are so much like my battle. I truly hope now my battle has been won and I can keep this peace of mind and motivation for the rest of my life.
Then again, it could just be the honeymoon stage with CrossFit…
P.S. Your before/after photos look awesome! Good work coming back.
yep. constantly having to get back on the damn wagon. every winter, the pounds just climb back on, and every summer, i have to work them off. a couple times, i’ve gotten a vicious intestinal virus, which certainly hurries that weight loss along, but in a decidedly unhealthy way.
hee. yeah, bikram yoga is not my thing either. try vinyasa or ashtanga. you will sweat and fell deliciously tired and sore afterwards, every single class. but it’s not killer like bikram.
There you go, you said it. That last sentence is the kicker. If you indulge, forgive yourself, and pick up the next meal or day. But the thing is to do it. Don’t forget. Don’t give up.
I’m four months postpartum and have lost 57 lbs. I just calculated that, but I’m not trying to obsess with numbers, analytics of weightloss. I had two boys back to back. My belly is slowly shrinking. I’m going to Vegas next month and will probably ask my husband to take side belly shots. HA.
The last week or so I’ve been too exhausted to work out. Thanks for sharing. I feel motivated!
Thank you for this post. I’m the SAME WAY. I’ve recently gone on a yoga bender (hopefully it will stick in the long-run), and I’m starting to see positive change in my body, but I only did this after totally letting myself go the past few months (and avoiding the scale so as to stay in my cocoon of denial). I’m on an upswing now, and hoping to ride this wave for a long time.
I would love to hear more about your Bikram yoga experience. I tried another kind of hot yoga (hot plus vinyasana) last week and absolutely hated it. I felt like I was going to die or have a heat stroke. I was surrounded by people who clearly enjoyed this torture and was completely humiliated by my need to sit-out many of the movements because putting my head upside down made me feel like I was getting a migraine and raising my hands over my head made me feel like I was going to pass out. I will never, ever do that again. Your description made me laugh. Was your experience as bad as mine?
Perfectly timed, and just what I needed to hear to get in gear. I fell off the wagon at the end of last year and have had trouble getting motivated to get back on, but as many others have said not only here but in past posts you’ve written about fitness, you’re an inspiration.
Once again, thank you for a brilliant post which led to
Karen’s link to the article on “Depletable Self-Control” which is enlightening. You were on to something when you recognized the cross-fit/carb binge relationship and science is backing you up. It’s a total eye opener to me because I can totally relate and see myself often excerting tremendous self-control only to the completely lose it, whether it be with finances, exercise and health or with my children. Now I can try to be more forgiving of myself while at the same time more mindful of my limits to avoid the binging/out-of-control behavior.
whoops, I mean “exerting”–for some reason I always like “c” next to an “x”.
As always, your honesty is much appreciated! Do you have a plan for how you’ll maintain the results you’re achieving now? I’m interested to hear about what you’ll do differently this time around for maintenance, if anything. :)
You are amazing and inspirational. I’ve written you several times with weight loss questions and I can say that you are singlehandedly (is that a word) responsible for 35 pounds of my weightloss. YOU, all YOU!!! (and turbo jam!).
And where might one find the Tracy Anderson Mat Work Out, Is Amazon the only place to purchase it?
Linda, you probably know of this site, but I find tons of great reviews here, and I’m able to watch clips of videos – http://www.collagevideo.com/moreinstructors.aspx
Damn woman, you’re brave! I need to take some before shots! I seem to have gained 5 lbs in a matter of days. So I was already headed back to the gym, and then I weighed myself this morning. Trying to get some momentum back for cardio intervals. Had started those a few months back and had started seeing results that I liked. And then life got in the way and here I am feeling like crap about myself. Seeing your results is giving me some push to get my ass back on the damn eliptical! Thanks!
PS- You’re such a badass!
Girl you are looking fabulous!
By the time I started reading your blog you were already quite the fitness guru but it’s super inspiring to know that anyone can backslide a little, get bummed about the results, but kind of get it together and whip yourself back into shape again. Thanks for the inspiration!
I keep kicking at the darkness till I see daylight … (line courtesy of Bruce Cockburn).
Sometimes it’s dark for a long time ….
sigh
One of the core things I remember from my Health & Fitness days was that it take months/years to get and stay fit and 10 days to “lose” your fitness. TEN DAYS. That may be different now but that is what the books said back than. Two weeks everything will be back to the way it was before you got fit. That is why things like WW and NutriSystem do so well. They trust that people will get all slim and fit and than STOP. Also, 10 days and the # of fat cells remain the same in your body no matter how “fit” you become plus if you constantly yo-yo with your weight and fat intake your fat cell expand and decrease but lose elasticity over time so you have a harder time losing weight over time. If you are more constant with your weight and fitness, you won’t have as much trouble as you get older. It is a viscious cycle that not many people seem to be unaware and wonder WHY they gain weight as they age even if they do more and more fitness.
Kerri: that sounds EXACTLY like my experience. I guess it wasn’t actually Bikram, it was Power Vinyasa, but whatever, it was too damn hot.
Heather: I’m sure that’s not the only place, she has her own website so maybe you can order direct?
Christina: I agree with the part about consistency being a good thing, buuuuuut no on the 10 days thing. That’s just depressing, and definitely not true.
You look GREAT! Thank you for being so honest about backslides and lulls in your routine. It makes me feel like less of a …… backslidey asshat. Or something.
I just started doing Pilates with a private instructor, and I LOVE IT. She practices with reformer equipment. So here’s the reason I love it. I need a gimmick, or a gadget to stay interested. I absolutely loath going to a gym, even if I’m meeting a friend. With Pilates, I’m so focused on my form and performing the positions correctly, that I don’t even notice the time passing. Treadmill = me counting down the seconds until I’m done. Pilates = “Wha? We’re done? It’s been an HOUR??!” I’ve had 5 private sessions, and I shit you not, I can SEE that my muscle tone has improved. The only downside is the expense. I’m now looking into buying a reformer and DVD’s for my home, and then I’ll do an occasional session with my instructor.
Once again, you’re an inspiration. Thank you so much for this – it really does help to know that other people swing back and forth, and to reinforce the message that you need to keep on keeping on. x
Thank you for posting this. I personally like the fact that you check in with us on this and hold yourself accountable. I am in a rut right now (a knee injury sidelined me from a half marathon last weekend.), and just picked up the phone to get back on track with my personal trainer.
“I have many ice cream related needs.” This is my new life motto.
You rock, thank you. Glad I’m not alone in battling the backslide (of my growing backside. BWAAAAH!)
THANK YOU. It is amazing how exactly what you need can often plop down (pun intended) right in front of your face. Please understand that the ‘plop’ would more be referring to me and not you, since you look like Jackie from the Bravo exercise reality TV show.
In any event, I bought cross trainer shoes the other day, thinking I might try to pick up jogging where I left off, oh, about 4.5 years ago. (amazingly, coinciding PERFECTLY with my first pregnancy! Fancy that.) We are visiting The Grandparents in Cape Cod next week and I figured I would start there.
Then I read a friends blog and she was discussing ‘recharging batteries in a healthy way.’ Re: NOT using the daily coffee and nightly alcohol I have been attempting lately.
THEN, I linked over to your site and what do you have? Photos of a belly.
And then!?!
Photos of a six pack.
Wow.
Inspiring. And clearly a sign that I was correct in thinking it is time to make a healthier change. (Either that or my husband cleverly forced my internet ‘link path’…but he’s really not that tech-savvy…or mean.)
Anyway, the moral of my novel is Thank You for putting yourself out there. You never know when it is going to be the EXACT thing someone needs at that moment.
And now I am off to take photos of my unflattering current state so that I can compare them to the (hopefully) more fit photos of me three weeks from now.
Congratulations for reaching your goal. How many months did you work for it?