Well my routine has been going pretty well, I’m running 5 times a week and so far its been working out fairly well. It’s really hard to get motivated some days but I suck it up and go, hopefully I can keep that resolve as time goes on. The running itself is coming right along, my pace is quickening and I feel more confident going long distances. I’ve been purposely avoiding timing myself so not to add any extra pressure, but I think I’m at the point where I can start pushing myself harder.
Aside from running the 5K in September, my goal is to have visible definition throughout my abs and chest. I’d like to take my shirt off at the beach and really be proud of my body. Doing the exercise and muscle workouts are one thing, but it’s the dieting that’s really killing me. I understand there isn’t a point in putting in all this effort if you’re going to ruin it by eating like crap, but man, it’s a rough changing your eating habits.
I’m not on a system or anything–I just want to eat healthier so I’m eating lots of vegetables, fruit and chicken. I’m avoiding anything frozen, fried, or anything containing excess sugar or salt—god it’s so boring. I really need to come up with interesting ways to serve veggies because eating them steamed everyday is so damn bland. Plus now that I’m more aware of what I’m eating; it really brings a whole new level of guilt into my life haha.
I have a major sweet tooth, so giving up sugary cookies and baked goods was a particularly hard blow for me. As a sort of substitute I’ve been eating yogurt but most of that is loaded with sugar too–over time I’d like to cut down on that too, but I want to avoid too much too soon. Evidently white bread is bad for you, so I’m trying to cut that out too but it isn’t going as well. I haven’t acquired a palette for whole grain bread yet, but I’ll keep at it.
I’m hoping the rewards will be worth the sacrifices and the eating routine will get less monotonous as time goes on.
Hi, Forward~ I can totally relate! I struggle w/ food daily. It is my enemy yet at times it is the one thing that makes me feel good. Just to tell you a bit about me, I am a vegetarian. I have been since '99 and I am trying to ultimately go vegan, but I don't know whether I'll ever make it to that point.
I LOVE sweets! They are my weakness! Especially ice-cream and somehow, when I am feeling down I find I want to eat and I know it is completely an emotional craving/fix that I am seeking. I have suffered depression most of my life. My first awareness of my depression came when I was probably just in elementary school, but they didn't know what it was back then and I didn't look into the issue seriously until I was in college. According to my parents I came to them and told them I needed to get some kind of help and relief from my depression. Gee, that seems like decades ago…I guess it was.
Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and to let you know that you are not alone in your struggles and frustrations. I too beat myself up daily because I am not happy with the way I look. Many times people get irritated at me because I am not "fat" per se, but I am just not happy with the way I look. Of course there are always a millon excuses for why I do not exercise more. I envy you being able to run. I have always wanted to learn how to run, but I guess it is fear that holds me back. When I was in school they use to have the state health fitness tests where you'd have to run/walk so many miles on the track…man, I always felt like I was going to keel over and die from trying it made my lungs hurt so bad.
Well, enough of my rambling. Just keep hangin' in there…it sounds to me like you are on the right path! Just ask yourself, "Am I doing this for me? Am I meeting a goal or inner desire that means something to me?" If you are doing it for anyone else other than yourself, I suggest you re-evaluate your reasoning. Good luck to you & take care. Never give up.
Koan-T