Saturday, August 8, 2009

Fitness and eating right!

I need your advice on something!

Starting tomorrow I'm going to be doing the 30 day Shred by Jillian Michaels for 30 consecutive days and trying to start eating healthier.

I'm noticing a real change in my body and I'm not liking it at all. I'm by no means beating myself up about it but I know I need to make a change. I'm noticing that my clothes are not fitting the way they use to. I don't know if any of you others are like myself, but I stress eat and at my depressed moments I eat. Not good!

I'm staying off sodas as well. That is my major weakness, and by major, I mean MAJOR. I so desperately want to take on a new love for water and I know it's something I don't drink enough of.

I know others of you have probably been where I am and another thing that's hard for me is I go to school 3 nights a week and so for convenience sake it's easier to pick up fast food on the way. I am so wanting to change this habit.

I'm making it a goal to start planning weekly menus, so that way I can plan my lunches and plan my dinners on the nights I go to school.

My question to you is, what helps in planning a menu, especially for a girl like me who is on the run and wants to eat better and I don't want to eat when I get home and it's late.

So any advice for someone who is trying to take on this challenge and take care of my body (temple) the Lord has given me? And I get so frustrated because I get on this kick of exercising but just stop!

Any advice would be great!

7 comments:

Jacquie said...

Good for you for starting to get a hold on things before things really set in. When I was in my low 20s, before having babies, I worked out with weights and ate really well. After babies, my body really changed. By the time I hit 30, EVERYTHING changed about my body, my sleep patterns, my complexion, etc... being a woman is tough sometimes! Ha!

When I hit 40, I realized I had SLOWLY gained 30 pounds or so WHILE I was exercising and eating "decent". It was then that I got serious about my health and fitness. I began to eat the "Body for Life" way (www.bodyforlife.com). It's eating smaller meals throughout the day... so it does take some planning, but it you plan ahead it is VERY do-able. Regardless of whether or not you eat mini-meals, I would strongly recommend eating foods that are sort of "1 ingredient" foods... you know, fruit, veggies, protein, etc. The less processed it is, the better. An easy way to eat healthy is to divide your luncheon sized (not huge supper) plate into 4 sections. 1/4 should be a good healthy protein, 1/4 should be a starchy whole-grain carb, and the other 1/2 can be any variety of fruits/veggies. Lay off the creamy/cheesy toppings. Try to stay away from sugar and greasy foods.

I take one day a week to designate as a "free day". I eat whatever I want on free days. You socialize a lot, so you will have to find discipline while spending an evening out.

Feel free to email me any time if you have any questions!

Spicy Magnolia said...

Oh, girl, I wish I had advice. I did better when I was pregnant watching what I ate than what I do now!! And I've succeeded at doing "The Shred" for 1 day. And that was 2 months ago. ha ha ha

I think you'll find planning out a weekly menu will help a lot. I think you'll do a great job; we'll be here to cheer you on!

Staci said...

Oh girl...I am in the same boat as far as meals. It's so hard to cook for one and do it healthy! I try to cook something that I can eat leftovers for a couple meals afterwards.

Stephanie said...

I pack for school! Something that won't go bad. Or, I swing into Chick fil A or McDonald's and get grilled chicken sandwiches or a salad.

The only thing about McD's is that you have to ask them to hold the mayo.

School does make it really tough, but pack baby carrots, celery, granola bars, etc, and you will be fine.

I could NEVER give up diet soda. I would die. I have a Diet Coke every afternoon...

Tim said...

I have just lost 38 pounds by changing what I eat because of a book I read. Now here is the REAL secret! Its NOT a diet and I dont even excersize. However you have to be in the right place mentally to make the changes. When you are there drinking water is something that you will just LOVE doing. Ordering something at a fast food place will make you sick just thinking about it. And taking things with you were you go to eat that are healthy will be something you do without even thinking about it.

Get this book. Breaking Free author Jill Samter. She is a good friend of mine and there is a link to the books blog site in my left sidebar.

This is my suggestion. If it can change me so greatly I know it can help you too!

Love and Prayers,

Tim

The Nashville Nosher said...

Good luck!! I need to do the same thing! Hope you have more willpower than me ;)

In This Wonderful Life said...

good luck on the shred!! I would google websites for healthy menu planning :)