Fitness Fabulousophy: 03/15/2013 "Its My Time!"

Those were the days!

Wow... Plus-size rules! If I had been living in that era, I would have been considered a hottie, and could have had any man I wanted! I guess society and the media in every generation has its expectations regarding their image of the perfect woman.

I have struggled with obesity for most of my adult life. Healthy eating, portion control, and exercise, are truly the only way to achieve permanent weight loss... we all know that. Yet, I like most "fluffy" people, have tried every legal form of prescription medication, every fad diet, every prepackaged weight loss meal, liquid meal replacements, over the counter appetite suppressants, and natural supplements to burn fat or increase metabolism. I was looking for easy weight loss without having to make changes or incorporate exercise into my daily routine.

There is something about turning fifty years old that turns the light on upstairs. You are not going to live forever, and if you don't make changes to your lifestyle, the last leg of your journey may not last as long as you would like it to. So this year is all about me and what I want. I am about to turn fifty-two in May, and what I want is to live at least as long as my grandmother, who live to be ninety-one years old. However, if I am going to achieve this, I want to be well, and feel as good as possible, so I am making changes.

After a thirty-eight year love/hate relationship with cigarettes, I finally put them down. I had my doctor give me a prescription for Chantix, and am doing great... never looked back. The next thing I did was alter my soft drink habit. I was buying a 12 pack of diet coke every other day. I drank them constantly, and you would never see me without one in my hand. I still have a diet coke occasionally, usually when I go out to eat, or am out shopping, but I do not buy diet coke for my refrigerator anymore. I am drinking tons of water every day, fruit juice occasionally, and tea. Not only do I feel better since I gave up cigarettes and altered my soft drink habit, I did the math and am saving $250 a month!

I take the money I am saving, and am using it to buy healthier foods. We all know "healthy" is way more expensive, so with my new found savings I can now afford it.  I am also going to use part of the savings for membership at my community recreational facility. They have everything  from a full-size gym, three pools, and awalking trail, to a variety of scheduled exercise classes. They are open every day and the best part is the cost. The membership is only $20 a month. Most cities or towns have community recreation centers, so it might be worth your while to see if it includes a physical fitness program.

One think about giving up habits, most habits you can give up completely and never go back to. You can quit cigarettes altogether and never smoke another one. With diet, you can't give up eating or you will die... so it’s a little harder, and if some of you are like me, food is a crutch. It is what makes me feel better when I am sad, angry, anxious etc. I am an emotional eater, so just not any food will do. The comfort foods are what I always turn to. I know that I am undisciplined in my eating habits, and with everything in me, I absolutely hate structured exercise classes or workout, so I know that I have a long road ahead of me.

 Now that I have given up cigarettes, altered my soft drink habits, and am trying to make better food choices, it is time to bring in the exercise. I haven't joined the recreational facility yet, but I am going to. To help increase my activity level, I am going to get out of the house when I am not working. I do not spend enough time outside. Spring is arriving and I am going to start taking my weekends to enjoy the different arts and crafts, and music festivals, and any other outdoor events that I might enjoy.

I do not kid myself. I know that changing my lifestyle habits is a big endeavor, and will not be easy, but I am ready to commit. I do not expect to make these changes without  temporary setbacks from time to time. I am human after all. The difference this time is I will not give up. I will get right back on the wagon and continue my journey! I hope you will check back to see my progress, and my intention with this blog is to offer support and generate enthusiasm for others who are making the same kind of journey. I will keep you updated, and I hope that you will be back!Take care and God Bless!

~Gina ~


Livestrong.com: The Limitless Potential of You

Coppell Aquatic and Recreation Center
Contemporary Women's Care
Weight Watchers Official Site