4. Write a blog post inspired by the word: workout.
I decided to become a runner at some point last year and because I hate running I decided that if I do it for three months straight, it would be come a habit and I would turn into a runner.
I need to become a runner because I’m 10 pounds heavier than before I had kids and before I had kids I thought I was 10 pounds heavier than I needed to be.
My first mission to lose weight was completely devoid of a workout and instead was based on calorie intake. How little do I need to eat to lose weight without working out, but still staying alive?
Calorie counting did work for a bit, but it’s no way to live. I decided I’m too obsessive about food to calorie count 1200 calories each day for the rest of my life and I’ll be honest I wasn’t dropping the weight steadily. I’d drop 3 pounds have a cheat meal and then gain 4. Granted, my cheat meal might last all day and conclude with a few drinks with Marci. I was sabotaging myself every weekend.
After about a year of doing that is when I decided, to hell with it, I need to workout. Making diet changes alone was not cutting it. This whole things is obnoxious because I eat healthier now (so many veggies!! so little bread!!) than I ever did and yet cannot get back to the weight I was when I was eating crappy.
The difference is that when I was eating crappy I was moving. Before kids I was athletic and even after college volleyball ended I continued to exercise. Becoming a mother does a number on you, but with small kids I was always on my feet. I was lifting kids into car seats and buckling each child. I was running up and down the stairs to rock napping babies back to sleep. Now I spend so much more time on the computer. I have a whole job living in this screen. My kids don’t need to me to chase after them anymore. And I don’t get enough sleep…period. I don’t sleep. Maybe that’s the secret link I’ve been missing.
But when I started running, nothing changed. I thought I could just put in the work and continue eating well and BAM I’d be living my best self. I will say that I did feel strong. Muscles started coming back, but the weight teeter tottered just as it always had and then it got cold and I stopped. I got bored with it. It got cold.
So literally, nothing has changed for years despite my best efforts. Have they really been my BEST efforts? Am I lying to myself? How long has this 10 pounds lingered? Why do I care so much? If I stop trying to lose 10 pounds will I gain 10 more?
I’m still at square one. I need to work out, I miss feeling strong, but my willpower is like the opposite of willpower. I get motivated, I stick with it, I give myself plenty of time and then I quit and I cannot find even an ounce of effort left in me. Am I too old to lose weight? I remember hearing women talk about changing metabolism and what babies do to a body and I always scoffed at the idea. They were sooo old…I wouldn’t have to worry about that for 20 more years. Well jokes on me, it’s been 20 more years. I’M WORRIED ABOUT IT.
What do you do to stay active? Teach me!
The Prompts:
1. The last time my heart melted was because…
2. A list of 20 ideas to make this your best year yet.
3. Write about how you would spend the perfect Snow Day.
4. Write a blog post inspired by the word: workout.
5. Tell us about the last time you dressed up.
Angela Death says
I’m horrible about working out, but when I’m working, I log about 15,000 steps per workday, so I guess that counts for something. I am nowhere near my pre-pregnancy weight of 135 pounds. I try to eat healthy, but I love fried foods and bacon way too much.
Mama Kat says
I should get a fitbit to help track steps…do you think it motivates you to move more?
Angela Death says
If I don’t reach 10,000 steps in a work day, then I know I’m not being productive enough in my job, so I will do another round or two to make sure that I am seeing everything that needs to be seen. So, yes, it definitely helps to keep track of steps.
John Holton says
Simply put, I don’t.
Mimi says
Sigh…I want to workout…mostly. I mean, I want to deep, deep, deep buried VERY deeply down inside. I just don’t ever dig that far, even though I want to, sorta. I just want to be in shape. I walked into a gym 2 weeks ago, and still haven’t been back. I wish I had a buddy to go with, to encourage me, to hold me accountable, and to have fun with. I don’t have that. I hate committing to the time, but all I do is sit all day long. At least you’ve given it a go! I don’t really think we have to settle for our age telling us to just give up either. Blah!
erin says
so you should get gallstones.. that helped me for years and i didn’t even know it! now no gallbladder and guess what.. stomach hates so many fatty food so.. well.. i spend a good amount of time in bathroom after a meal! that does not mean i’m slim.. it just means i havnt gained anymore in a lota years but since you can control that, and it freakin hurts, i don’t recommend it.. but as a soon to be 50 year old! (god bless me for even typing that!!! ) i would suggest two things.. a) stop thinking about it! seriously when you call it a diet or watch the scales or any obsessing, then you will always screw it up! but my b) is…. get out their volleyball girl! join a co-ed team.’ There are lots in your area (i live up here too) and I know people on them and they have a blast! you also would. be a great asset to a team since your so experienced and then you are getting out of the house with adult people.. and not drinking wine etc. .. so i vote for healthy, fun, friends, (and if you go have wine after.. you will have already worked it off) and even Pat can play.. or ditch him.. or get him to bring the kids to watch! and for god sakes gir,! stop that running crap! blah!
p.s. have a friend in an underdog sports league.. they start up at the end of January so check it out quick!
Abby says
Well, maybe you just need to find some activity you really enjoy?
But you are so right, it gets tougher as we age. If I ate now the way I ate when I was a teenager (like a viking!), I’d be in all kinds of trouble.
Jennifer Worrell says
You are so telling my story. I would love to have time to run, but the weather stinks, so I’m using the elliptical. I’ve been counting my steps like it’s my job.