Are you “guilty” of or have you ever been “guilty” of any of the following….
- Avoiding getting your picture taken or hiding behind someone in a picture because you don’t like how you look.
- Avoiding the gym because you’re embarrassed about how you look.
- Not running/exercising outside because you’re embarrassed about how you look.
- Avoiding get-togethers with friends because you’ve “let yourself go”….
- Hanging onto an old pair of jeans that are too small because “someday” you will fit into them again.
- Not getting on the scale because, well….reality bites.
- Eating a whole (insert favorite indulgent food here) because you’re stressed, tired, depressed….etc.
- Giving up on trying to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, etc. because it’s too hard and the results aren’t happening fast enough.
Guess what, I have been guilty of ALL of those!!!
And, it’s not fun.
If you are guilty of any of those (or other similar things), I’m here to say….STOP IT!
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If you are not happy with how you look, your weight, your lifestyle, health, etc….you can change it!!! It is freakin’ hard and it is a lifetime commitment….but it is so worth it!
Btw, I’m giving myself this pep talk too. 😉
As you well know, I am not a pro….at all. I have to motivate and recommit myself every…single…day!
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I gotta tell you a (not so) funny story….
Soon after I had my last baby (in April, 2010), I was anxious to get back into shape. My baby was about 6 weeks old and I decided I wanted to start running again.
I was SOOOO out of shape that I could barely run a mile (and it was a very slow mile)!
Well, one day I was out running the block around my neighborhood. I was wearing my baggy capri sweats and a big oversized t-shirt because it was the only “exercisy” clothes that fit me
I did not feel cute….at all.
I ran past this amazingly cute runner lady who was wearing a very cute matchy running outfit and looked very fit.
As she ran past me, she gave me a thumbs up and said, “You’re doin’ great!”
Mmmmm Kay…..
I know she was trying to be nice….
But I thought, “Dang, do I really look that pathetic!???”
Dang.
I appreciated her encouragement though. 🙂
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I gotta tell ya….I gained a ton of weight with my last pregnancy.
It was not pretty.
I think my face was bigger than my belly.
In my defense, I have to say that I felt pretty grody (yes, I still use that word) at least half of my pregnancy. My motivation to eat healthy and exercise regularly was pretty much zilch. Also, people tell you things like, “Don’t let yourself get too hungry or you’ll feel worse”, or “Eat something and it will make you feel better”, etc.
Well, I heeded that advice.
A lot.
And, I got huge…..to the tune of ~55 pounds or so! Yikes!
I am not a cute pregnant lady.
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So, after I gave birth I was very anxious to get back into shape. I worked very hard, ate very well, and exercised regularly.
In case you’re curious, I thought I would post a picture. My brother, sister and I ran a 5K about 3 1/2 months after I gave birth.
I was very poofy.
Here ya go…
Me, 3 1/2 months postpartum with my very skinny brother and sister…oh and I’m wearing Kev’s running shirt because it fit!
When my baby was about 4 months old, I still had about 15-20 pounds to lose so my sister and I challenged each other to not have “treats” for a month.
I did it and lost 8-9 pounds.
Then, I started a 6 week “healthy challenge” with a bunch of friends and random people.
I lost another 7-8 pounds and started to look like my normalish self.
Well, that “healthy challenge” ended last November and I haven’t lost any more weight since then!
Auuughhh!
I lost all my baby weight, but I still want to lose 15-20 pounds! It is very frustrating.
I think I’ve gained and lost the same 5 pounds about 5-6 times since then! I think I’ve been gaining muscle and I know “they” say that muscle weighs more than fat…
Blah, blah, blah
I just want to see some results!!
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However, something that I’ve learned first hand is….it is all about what you eat!! It seems like I can exercise until the cows come home, but if I’m not watching what I eat, I won’t notice anything. It isn’t until I clean up my diet (for an extended period of time) that I notice any change.
I’ve heard that weight loss is 20% exercise and 80% diet….I believe it!
I also believe that weight loss is 100% freaking hard!!!
It is so worth it though.
I know that after I had my baby and I was 20, 30, 40, 50 pounds heavier than I am right now…I did not feel good about how I looked. It was on my mind every day when I woke up and every night when I went to bed.
That is no way to live.
So, if you want to lose weight, get healthier, get more energy, whatever….
YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!
Stop making excuses and get to work!!
Time is tickin’.
I’m not giving up….I’m going to keep on pluggin’ away until I lose these last 15 or so pounds. I am also going to commit to live a healthy-ish lifestyle…forever.
There…that is my pep talk for the day.
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I have so many recipes I want to put up here…I just need time to do it….
So, here are a few little snacks I enjoyed yesterday…
Pre-run….A banana with natural peanut butter
Post-run….Fruity Spinach Protein Shake (w/o Spinach because I was out!)
I love my little “Chill Pipe” straw that I got at Maverick for a buck!
Peanut Butter Banana (with a drizzle of Agave) Sandwich on Oroweat Whole Wheat Sandwich Thin w/ a side of cherry tomatoes….yummy! Do you love my Spiderman plate??
Afternoon snack: Grapes with Cashew Clusters…Sorry I could not for the life of me get this picture to focus!
I buy these cashew clusters at Costco and I love them!
That’s all the pictures I took yesterday. Last night was crazy, so dinner was baby shower food (from a baby shower I was at)….veggies & dip, fruit & dip, crackers & cheese. Yum. I know all the dips and cheese aren’t healthy, but I tried not to overdo it. I did have a small handful or two of Skittles too. Yum!
Well, ’till next time!! Keep on keepin’ on….
You are so inspiring to me. I have shared your recipes with others. A few of my running buddies and their spouses are playing a Game on! challenge right now with healthy living and your recipes are perfect for the game. I am going to try and make the pumpkin muffins soon. Keep on keepin’ on for me. I love you girlfriend!
Yay Kelly! I’m so glad I’m inspiring YOU because you are SO INSPIRING to ME!!!! I’m so glad you can use some of my recipes for your challenge. I have no doubt you will WIN! You are such a disciplined person. I love you and miss you tons and tons….and tons!