I can’t believe it has already been six weeks and I am back for my first update! It has certainly been a busy month with some great accomplishments and experiences and a few low points as well. Hey I promised honesty and that’s what I plan on giving you each and every month!
I’ve come to realize that losing weight in general is difficult but when you’ve been overweight most of your life you don’t really know any different it makes that daunting task all that more difficult. Some habits are so deeply ingrained and come so naturally that you need to re-teach yourself how to do things almost like teaching a baby. I’ve found myself throwing an internal temper tantrum when trying to decide to have that salad over going for a sandwich.
I’ve been eating significantly cleaner for a while now I know the salad will make me feel so much better – nourished without the bloated and foggy feeling and yet I have to still make a conscious effort to choose the salad over the sandwich. Both taste good and it would seem pretty cut and dry which to choose but old habits are very hard to break mentally. Carbs have been my crack and my addition. I hate that feeling of needing a fix and look forward to having those days far behind me. This is something I work on a little bit each day and will continue to do so until new habits are formed. Changing one small habit a week is so much easier to stick to than if you try and do everything all at once. If you are committed and are in it for the long haul to lose the weight once and forever this really is the key.
I’m not sure about you but for me sometimes I have moments of frustration and become temporarily demotivated when I realize just how long it will take me to reach a healthy weight. I get angry at myself inside at times because I am pretty sure the weight I carry has not only caused minor weight related health issues but it is also affected many relationships I’ve had and that’s what bothers me most. I’ve always made the excuse – “well I am sure he doesn’t like me or won’t commit to me because I am fat”. Well yes, my body type isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I am sure it had more to do with how I felt about my body and how I came across to others. Plus, I can understand if you want to be with someone you want them to be healthy and around for a long, long time. Regardless of if the issue is in my head or not it is my reality. I’m tired of the excuses I’ve made and I am tired of being unhealthy. The pain of staying the same has finally outweighed the pain of change. I am ready and I am doing it. I am 37, single and finally beginning to fall in love with myself for the first time in my entire life. I know how special I am on the inside and now its time to free myself from the past and work hard to make the outside as beautiful as I am on the inside because I deserve to be the full package for myself first and for someone special in my life in the future.
Enough of the heavy stuff for this month!
Recap from last month –
Current weight: 308.5 (down 6lbs)
Waist: Narrow 44” (same) – Bellybutton 47.5” (down1.5”)
Hips: 58” (down1”)
Chest: 45.5”
Lean Muscle Mass up +2.2%
Fat Mass down -7.7%
Nutrition
During the observation and recording phase within the last six weeks I noticed two major things.
Even though I’ve completely cut out fast food burgers and fries I was still eating far too many simple carbs at home (bread, pasta)
I was not eating enough calories for my weight and activity level. (most days were around 1800 and I should be around 2600 at this point in time)
Where am I headed now? After a fun filled weekend away in Vegas for a #NKOTB concert two weeks ago I was lucky enough to contract some type of stomach flu just as I boarded the plane home. I am pretty sure I could have put The Exorcist to shame however it was actually a blessing in disguise. Since then I have been staying away from simple carbs and dairy almost altogether and I feel so much better.
Being really consistent with my nutrition has been very difficult for me so I’ve decided to commit to 30 days straight of clean eating as one of my 10 challenges for the 2014 IPL Fitness Challenge.
Fitness
I was able to stick to my new routine for the first 2 weeks then I attended the #Fitbloggin conference in beautiful Savanna, GA and was able to get a few hard core workouts in plus a ton of walking but no real strength training. 6am bootcamp with Digdeepplayhard and my first ever Pilates class with my friend the beautiful RubyGettinger.
What’s this month’s fitness plan? After an eye-opening group discussion at dinner in Savannah with Adina, Sam and Andrea I decided to take a step back, review my routine and think smarter about the workouts I was doing. I am really just trying to find out what works best for me and my body. This month will be about short bursts of intense exercise and strength training.
Mon – 4 min TABATA & 30 min Strength training
Tues – Sweat Camp 45 min
Wed – Competitive Beach Volleyball 1 hr
Thurs– Sweat Camp 45 min
Fri – 4 min TABATA & 30 min Strength training
Sat – Concentrate on working towards completing my 10 goals for the 2014 IPL Fitness Challenge
Sun – MUCH NEEDED REST!
So that’s it from me until next month but in the meantime – Are you going through the same struggles? If so lets chat! Have you overcome some of the struggles I’m facing? If so, lets chat!! Really looking forward to hearing your stories and experiences.
Before April 2013, Angelina was a typical couch potato. A family health crisis provided a wakeup call, and she is now easing her way into the health & fitness world. Angelina enjoys paddle boarding, running, Crossfit, Zumba, kayaking, and more. 
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