As I get older, I can see and feel the difference in my body and my energy level is decreasing by the minute. I used to be so active - I worked out all the time, had high energy and was always on the go. Now if I go or do too much, I end up getting sick. This is where I am right now... suffering from bronchitis. I'm also committed to turning this around. I have worked out off an on, but seems to be more off than on these days. For a lot of "reasons", time, work, motivation, laziness, distractions, no one to work out with, tired, sick, you name it. What I'm trying to do is get to a place where there are no excuses because I am enjoying life so much and a healthy lifestyle is part of that life.
This summer I spent a lot of time at outdoor concerts and while I had a great time, one thing stood out - most of the women around me were a lot larger than me, and I am overweight (by about 30 pounds). That's not a judgment, just a fact. But, what it made me think about is how I feel and where I'm headed (and where we're headed as a community) if we don't make some changes. There are some alarming statistics out there and we all know that we need to do something different, but like me, there are a multitude of reasons that people have for not living a healthier lifestyle. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stroke - all those things run in my family. It's high time I do something different... so I'm going to share my journey and hopefully find my way to health and fitness in the process.
"No matter what shape your life may be in at this very moment, I want you to know that you are great. What you seek is already within but have to stop looking for the answer in others and start listening more to your own heart. Listen to the honesty in your soul even if you don't like the song because you can always change the station, you own the jukebox. Being honest with who you are despite the opinion of others is something you own not them. You control your own actions and re-actions, let the nay sayers and critics deal with their own honesty or lack thereof. Be Loved & Respected .. Be The Best You!!" Reaf Thompson, Beachbody coach
I have some very definite opinions about nutrition but so much to learn. I LOVE food! I don't cook much but I can cook. I am also NOT a big fruit and vegetable person. If it were up to me, I'd survive on pizza, burgers and fries, and tacos. I know that my body needs other things so I don't do that but I wanted to be honest about who I am. Because I want to focus more on my health, I joined a 30 day Shakeology slim down challenge with Reaf Thompson. Free to join except you need to buy the meal replacement, Shakeology, and drink one every day for 30 days. It's pretty expensive at $119 for a 30 day supply, but I was eating a bagel or something and buying a cup of coffee every morning so it's actually worked out to be cheaper. We have a FB group of about 10 people who are very supportive of each other and our individual journeys. I'm about to order the Power90 workouts and join another challenge (for the support). I own P90x and did it a bit last year but it really is too hard for me so I had to admit that so I can move on. The Power90 should push me but also allow me the appropriate transition to harder workouts. This is not about doing something for 30 or 90 days and being done. I want to find MY joy in being physical - whatever that may be. I'm hoping this activity will jump start me and help me get the energy to get there.
I've started talking to a lot of people about health and fitness and clearly this is a personal journey. I can't do what you do. I have to find what works for me. Hopefully, in that process I can help others and also work my way through the plethora of information and misinformation out there.
My personal philosophy - I don't believe in artificial sugar or diet foods. I don't drink diet soda because I feel like it has more chemicals in it... also, that if I want a soda, I should just drink the soda. I want to be more of a naturalist because I believe the food industry does not have my best interest at heart. My BF always says that if you want the answer, you should follow the money and following the money in the food industry leads me to believe that they do things to our food in order to be more profitable. I am not a fanatic and definitely aspire to the 80-20 rule. Do what's best 80% of the time and the other 20% eat what you want because often times you cause yourself more stress by denying yourself something that you want. Who wants to live like that?
I can go on and on... and I feel like I'm starting to ramble. I know this will not be easy for me but I am praying for some real change and that I can be a source of information and inspiration for others.
One last thing: Breakfast: Choc Shakeology with a banana; Lunch: two turkey tacos with cheddar cheese, cabbage, onions and sauce; planned Dinner: roasted lamb with some sort of vegetable
Tracy
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