The fact that I'm posting this is proof of my desperate state
Tho it's a topic often on the brain, it has been one generally avoided on my blog. But I am just plum out of motivation, and so I'm humbling myself in the desperate hope that some one (or many) of you people out there will have some motivational tips. The topic is: dun, dun, dun
Weight.
So fun, I know. I actually thought how this rambling post would be much more amusing for anyone who reads it if I posted pictures that illustrate my issues, but I'm not humbling myself to that extent. :)
Anyway, since having Pierce I just haven't gotten back to my prepregnancy weight. The closest I got was 5 pounds away, but most of the time I'm more like 8-10 away. It's not like I don't know what I need to do. And it's not like I don't have reason to want to try (the smaller selection of clothes I can wear comfortably, and the much smaller selection of clothes that I look good in.) Yet, even with these compelling realities, I just CANNOT muster the motivation to just DO IT!!!
I really don't even know what I'm asking for, but if you have any motivational thoughts, I would be thrilled to puruse them.
Weight.
So fun, I know. I actually thought how this rambling post would be much more amusing for anyone who reads it if I posted pictures that illustrate my issues, but I'm not humbling myself to that extent. :)
Anyway, since having Pierce I just haven't gotten back to my prepregnancy weight. The closest I got was 5 pounds away, but most of the time I'm more like 8-10 away. It's not like I don't know what I need to do. And it's not like I don't have reason to want to try (the smaller selection of clothes I can wear comfortably, and the much smaller selection of clothes that I look good in.) Yet, even with these compelling realities, I just CANNOT muster the motivation to just DO IT!!!
I really don't even know what I'm asking for, but if you have any motivational thoughts, I would be thrilled to puruse them.
Comments
I run best when I'm really mad. Never waste the energy of a really bad mood brewing I say. ;) My darling knows the look that casts a rather frightening shadow over my face. =) Hopefully, as soon as possible, I can be found pounding a deeper trail in the woods somewhere or speeding down a hill on my bike feeling the wind in my face...for the good of all involved. In order for me to feel motivated, I have to see it as freedom or a release of some kind. Otherwise it's just work and it's never going to be worth it in my mind. Your brain eventually becomes very addicted to the endorphin rush-there is nothing I enjoy more than getting some fresh air with some fun music playing. Beats shopping any day for therapy and that's why I can keep doing it over and over without feeling like a slave to a routine.
Take some time for yourself and figure out where the best trails are to run instead of running on a hard road. The experience of trees, a river...some birds compared to a street and some car exhaust fumes is vastly different...unless you are in the country anyway. Everyone suggests running because all you need is shoes no matter where you are.
If you are able to get in a nice workout every now and then, the whole diet thing can take a back seat. You'll need the calories.
Try to eat lots of healthy protein if you are exercising. It's a big deal for muscle repair and while muscle mass will weigh more on a scale, muscle is like a slow burning furnace that burns calories around the clock after a workout. =)
That got real long...=)
Andria
Now for diet....the biggest and best thing that works for me(and karel anliker told me this one time too), is to NOT EAT unless you have a growling stomach. And when it growls eat something small, but filling. For instance, if you like mixed nuts, eat a handful of those in the middle of teh day when you have a hunger pain. Its got fat in it, but its good fats. Do you like eggs?? After I had liam I ate one egg for breakfast, and then one egg for lunch, and then a meal (one serving) at dinner. In between I would eat a couple handfuls of nuts, or sometimess I would eat a bowl of fruit and yogurt. Yes, it was a boring array of food, but it worked for me. I kept to that until I had lost all the baby weight plus some. (of course I was running too...3 times a week). This is my plan to stick to once again after this baby is born.
Ok, real quick...another thing that always helps me is if we can have a vacation planned and then I give myself a time frame. LIke i have to be such and such weight by the time we leave on vacation and alot of times my hubby sets his goal then too and together we accomplish it!!
You can do it....its tough, but it does feel good when you finally get to where you want to be!!!
For me to jump start healthy eating I have to be willing to sacrifice the 'fun' times such as parties or girl's nights or just splurging along with Devin.
If you figure out the moderation thing with food, let me know...I tend to be an all or nothing kind of girl. Best of luck! But, for what it's worth, you are one beautiful girl and I've heard plenty of people say that recently. Take courage by remembering you notice your weight more than other people. :)
wow! a chorus of runners! jen-that sounds like a very do-able approach. :)
i've actually run a little here and there, and it does give a high to do being it, but i have a repeat injury that makes me nervous. whenever i feel the feelings i've had at the time of the injury when i'm running, i stop. that said, i've been thinking again that it sounds fun and rewarding. :) even working towards the races, like you suggested, sandra. :)
ann-taking time for myself in general would probably be a good 1st place to start. i honestly feel 1/2 guilty to leave for even short periods by myself. the idea of being motivated when i see something as freedom/release is a good thought. i'll ponder that one. and i'm not much on shopping either... (except when i can leisurely window shop)...
sandra-it was good just reading your approach, like the specifics on food. it's really just helpful sometimes to know that others are restricing themselves, and i'm not alone in a discipline that can feel hard. and i love the idea of a date to shoot for, especially doing it with someone. sadly jaret is usually not up for such things. :) :(
em, i am EXACTLY like you said. the more pressure i put, and the more i obsess, the worse it seems to get. i think i make failure predictions about myself, panic and do worse. :( and the thought about being willing to sacrifice the fun times is really true. i was thinking after i typed this post that mentally you just have to be ready to do what you know you need to do. as for the rest of your post, you are just a sweetie. :) i
And, after reading your comment on injury-swimming is hard to do because a pool or lake is needed...=) but it's amazing during pregnancy if you can get things set up for making it happen.
For running in "pose" form to greatly reduce injury and stress check out this link. It's not a really fancy movie...but it gets the point across.
Andria
hey...my link got lost...;)
Lets try that again-don't want you to miss out on this great clip of slow motion footage. ;)
thanks for all the thoughts. i look forward to seeing the video on the pose form. that sounds appealing. :)
just in case there is some confusion, i'm actually not expecting, just still needing to work off the baby pounds from pierce.
:)
i totally understand those moments. i just told a story about me and rachel last night, but at the end jaret said, "that happened to me and brett", and i realized i'd heard him tell the story so many times that i pictured it being me and rach... :) :(
chris-note: i haven't reported either. :)
And the little story you commented about you and Rachel (or...Jaret and Brett...) sounds very familiar and made me feel much better-I think you are a very empathetic person which is a special gift. I'm sure your close friends have benefited many times. =)
Andria
and thanks for the sweet compliment. :)
The only thing I've found that works for me is writing out a eating/exercising plan every month (ie, walk 3 times a week, no seconds at meals, etc). I then write on the bottom of the sheet a friend's name (not my husband! It puts him in a REALLY bad position...lol) and have to pay her $20 if I break any rules that month. I also allow myself like 2 "cheats" and can use them anytime that month. Money is SO motivating! I RARELY if ever cheat!
I don't know how all you girls run! I had to chase down Emitt on a bike the other night because he didn't hear me calling his name. I don't think I've run since high school gym class - it was horrible...lol! (didn't help I was wearing flip flops)
Take heart and good luck, Sharlin. Our culture puts waaaay too much emphasis on diets and looking thin (talking to myself here!)
Again, appreciate your honesty! Keep us updated!
-Sarah :)