I'm Back!

I am officially back to it! March is the beginning to the next chapter of This is My Edible Life. It took me a month from moving in to get to this point but it is ok, better late than never. Saturday I went for a 3 mile run (woot woot, so happy, seeing that it had been months since running) and I started a BodyRock 30 Day Challenge. I like the idea of the 30 Day Challenges as it keeps me on a schedule and I feel more accountable. As much as I love(d) BodyRock I think I liked their old format more than their new one. Props to them for growing and expanding but I think I am going to try something either from their archives after this challenge or a different work out site. You can still find anything I did or do that is related to BodyRock underneath the tab above. Anything workout related will be under exercise (so if it's BodyRock it will be in both places). I will make another post dedicated to this 30 Day Challenge so if you want to follow along or start it with me you can.

Getting Motivated Again

So how have I motivated myself to get going again? I followed some of my own tips: Getting motivated again and again. On Saturday before my run I did these:

• Spent some time on Pinterest in the health and fitness section looking at quotes, work outs, and pictures of extremely fit women--jealousy is pretty powerful haha.
• Wrote on my mirror that "I will work out today" just a little reminder that I need to do something each day and to feel proud when I work out and then see it later. I get to say "yup, I did"
• Took some Day 1 pictures. I will post them once I'm done with this 30 Day Challenge so I can do before/after.
• I also though about why I had been motivated before and why I was feeling stuck and came to some of the realizations below...

Some Realizations

So it had definitely been awhile since blogging, cooking, and working out and came to a few realizations in the time being. I realized that my mood had really changed as a result of my lack of activity and (way) less than perfect eating habits. I just felt more... blah. It's weird because I rarely worked out before starting this blog, then started working out consistently, and then kinda lost steam which was when I noticed how good I had felt before. I had more energy, even being at a heavier weight I felt more confident on the days I worked out, my mood was better, and I had more energy.

Another thing I realized after yesterday's work out was how much I missed feeling strong. I had totally lost my stamina and strength I had gained from the first 30 Day Challenge and continued BodyRocking. I felt pathetic hardly being able to do the exercises but rather than letting it deter me I am motivated to get that strength back and maintain it. I like knowing I can carry something heavy, kick ass, or be active at the drop of a hat if needed. Time to get that all back!

Lastly, and it kind of goes with the first one, is that I am caring (a little) less about the weight on the scale. I know muscle weighs more than fat and everything shouldn't be measured by the numbers on the scale. However, I have always been someone who weighs myself everyday. I think since I have been taking pictures of my progress it's easier to see the changes and differences. Right now I'm about 139 without the added muscle and I'm seeing a big difference from the 139 (about) I was after the 30 Day Challenge. I really think taking measurement or pictures is a better way to track progress. If you aren't working out and just changing eating habits then the pounds is a pretty good indicator but if you have started a work out regimen especially something intense like cross-fit, bodyrock, etc. then there are much better ways to see improvement.

Getting Back on Track

Ok. It has taken me a couple days to write this post and come to accept that the week of traveling and visiting family bucked me off the wagon. It is no one's fault but my own, I accept that. I am happy to say I did manage a run while I was visiting home but afterward the food and laziness took over.  I gained 2 pounds (way better than the usual 8 or so of the holidays so that's a positive I guess). I have fallen but I will get back up! I am starting fresh tomorrow morning... I know I know, I should start today/right now... but tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start. No waiting around until Monday and if I put this out there to the world then I better follow through.

My new perspective on this is that there will be set backs along the way, they are not failures. Failure would be to let it derail good intentions so much so that I'd be are back at square one, no longer motivated, and feeling ashamed and regretting what I could have accomplished. In the past I would have continued to eat crap and stop working out for another few months. Not this time. Even though I gained 2 pounds that's still less than where I started. I still have a lot of the muscle and strength from BodyRocking. If I can get motivated again now I will just continue my journey to a healthier, fitter, leaner appearance and life with just a few minor hiccups here and there. I have been going through my list of re-motivating techniques here and will update the blog soon with some new recipes and other stuff.

Found this today (11/30, after my work out woot woot) and thought it was very fitting!

Getting Motivated... again and again

I think one of the most difficult things with eating healthy, working out, and making changes is staying motivated. It's pretty easy to get motivated the for that first trip to the gym, first day of eating healthy, going on that first run, or cutting out that first unhealthy food. And often it's easy enough to do for a few days. However, it's maintaining that schedule or habit for days, weeks, months that is the most difficult.

There are plenty of things that can happen to derail someone from their best intentions. I've had my own hang ups so far. I've had physically and emotionally difficult days where the last thing I wanted to do was work out or just didn't care about what I ate. I have been far from perfect on my journey but I am still seeing progress and don't want to give up. I've been able to maintain pretty good eating habits and have been working out but I feel like I'm losing steam. So I've been trying to think of a list of things to do in order to stay motivated or find that extra push.

The following list is in no particular order. These are things that I have done, will be doing soon, or things that I think would work for people even if I haven't done them personally.

The List

• Do it everyday. When it comes to working out it is good to give your body a break but I've found that when I give myself a day or two off  it makes that Monday work out difficult; not physically but mentally getting myself to actually do it. Even if you need a break from your normal work outs (muscle repair, sore joints, etc.) take some time, even if it's 10 min, to purposefully do something active. Take a walk, lift some weights, do yoga. Just do something and make it purposeful. It will make it easier to do your normal routine the following days because you are still in the mind set of taking time out of your day for exercise.

• If you leave notes for yourself, set goals, or write on your mirror change it up occasionally. If you see the same post-it note or motivational image every day after awhile it loses it's meaning and you may not even notice it. Every few weeks, or as soon as you realize you are ignoring it, change it! Find a new inspirational quote, image, goal and put it somewhere different.

• Find what it was that motivated you the first time. No matter what it was whether it was a picture, a blog, something traumatic or exciting happening, a quote, anything... revisit it. It may have been sometime since reading/seeing/living whatever it was that worked for you. Re-examine that inspiration and think about how motivated you were the first time. Consider if what you're currently doing is still getting you to where you want to be. If it's not consider what change you need to make.

• Anyone who has read this blog knows I love Pinterest. I find a lot of inspiration from the Health and Fitness section. There are great quotes, blogs, work outs, and recipes to give you that little nudge of inspiration. I have also realized that when I am feeling guilty about not eating right or exercising I will avoid looking at it. So now I know if I'm feeling that way that is the time I need it the most. I need that little kick on the pants to get back on track.

• I know this is a tried and true tip but it's because it often works. Find a buddy. I don't like to work out with other people that much but I do find it more motivating if I have a friend that is trying the same work outs/challenges/eating habits that I am. You can share tips, recipes, and keep each other motivated. It's my hopes some people will comment on my blog and let me know if they are trying anything that I am. We can be each other's buddies if you need one. If you or an old buddy starts to slip make a new pact or find someone who wants to start a new challenge with you

• Get a personal trainer. I do not have the means but if I did, I would have one. It's like the tip above, you just have a professional buddy at least for the work out part. I would love to have someone there to push me that much harder every time I work out. Also if you are a beginner it can be a good way to learn the basics. Even if you just have one session (sometimes places will give one free session with a gym membership) you can learn what kind of moves to do to target areas, how to use equipment, and it will help you feel a little more comfortable maneuvering the gym.

• Set new goals. You may start working out or eating healthy without ever setting goals. Maybe somewhere in the back of your mind there was an ultimate goal but whether you are just getting started or need another push take the time to sit down and write out your goals. Try making daily goals, weekly, monthly, and long term goals. It may include how many minutes you will exercise each day, how much weight you want to lose each week, a 30 Day challenge you want to complete, or just broad goals like living a healthy lifestyle, living a long active life. It can be anything. And if you fall short of a goal, its ok! Readdress it , set a new one, or set the same one and figure out what you will do differently.

• Keep track of your progress. Take pictures, take measurements, keep a journal of how you feel. One way or another track your progress. I never took before and after pictures in the past, always meant to but never got around to it. This time it's made such a difference. Sometimes you don't realize how far you've come when you see yourself in the mirror every day. Take those pictures or measurements and if you are feeling yourself lose that motivation look at what progress you've made and think of how good it feels to win even those small battles.

• If anyone else has tips or tricks please feel free to share!

Motivation, Small Life Changes, and the 30 Day Challenge

So I am Week 2 Day 4 of the 30 Day Body Rock Challenge and I love it! I haven't done my work out yet today as I'm a bum and got up not too long ago and I'm still enjoying my coffee. The BodyRockers are amazing. First of all they have such hot bods I just watch it and think ok I can look like that! Also with the burn segments only being 12 min long in combination of having the timer beep at you it goes by so quickly. So my shout out to them is because I want to share with you (is anyone doing this with me?) what other changes the 30 Day Challenge is helping me make....

Food:

I have been eating really well lately and I feel I've found a balance of eating right and tasting good. My boyfriend has agreed that he wants to eat healthier so I've decided that as long as he wants to help me pay for produce (which I usually buy) and other ingredients I will make something tasty but healthy almost nightly. I will be posting some of the things I've made the last few nights in a little. So with that support and us not having two separate meals all time that makes it a lot easier. I have been doing really well with portion control also and because of that I am finding that I am getting full faster so it's becoming easier not to over eat. I am not cutting out refined carbs but I am limiting them.

Flossing:

So I went to the dentist the day before I began the BodyRock and although the exam went well I definitely need to floss more (who doesn't?!) but I've decided to add this into my daily routine.

Skin Care:

So I've always had problem skin. I've delt with acne as a teen, scars, oily skin, basically I hate my skin but I've decided that I need to do what I can to make it the best it can possibly be. If I have crappy skin and then I'm not consistent about taking care of it it's just going to be worse than it already is. I figured it's time to pay the big bucks... well not really but more than the $4 I was paying for face wash. I bought Loreal's Revitalift face moisturizer and although I don't really have wrinkles yet I have noticed a difference with skin texure, tone, brightness, etc. I am also making myself ALWAYS wash my face before bed. No more of this I'm so sleeeeeppppyyy screw it attitude.

Positive Affirmations:

The last thing I have decided to change in my life is my self talk. I have spent a lot of time wishing and hoping for different features, a flatter tummy, nice skin, a difference appearance. I have also spent a lot of time telling myself that I'm ugly and fat. Well I'm done with that. I have started to really take to heart some of those motivational quotes that you see on Pinterest, you all know I'm such a fan haha. Here is one my my favorites.

And it's true. I am in control of my body and it is one of the few things in my life that I have complete control over. I may not be able to change certain features like the width of my hip bones, of my nose, etc. But I can have a sexy body and I am in control of that. One of the most important things is believing in yourself and knowing you can do it. So I've started doing positive affirmation (I hope someone remembers those from SNL hehe) but seriously it's so much healthier than negative self talk. I tell myself, outloud, every day that I have a beautiful, sexy, and athletic body and I can do the things necessary to keep it that way. Although I am a work in progress currently, if I can tell myself this daily it will help encourage me to follow through with exercising and eating right. It also is true no matter that size I am for at least the beautiful part (sexy and athletic have yet to come but I believe), because if I believe I am beautiful and can exude positivity then that makes me a beautiful person.

So here is what I have done to remind myself of these things... I have written them on my mirror so I see them everyday. I can't just ignore them and they help keep me responsible.