Well guys, I’ve been killin’ it in the “exercise department” lately, but I’ve been struggling in the “eating department!” Gah! As far as overall health, wellness and weight loss goes, diet is KEY. It’s at least 80% of the equation. I’ve learned this time and time and time again.
Interesting tidbit….I ran my Half Marathon two weeks ago. I actually felt quite chubby and bloated that weekend. I cleaned up the diet the next week and by the next weekend I felt lean-ish and my weight was at it’s lowest since I had the baby (7-8 pounds left to lose!) Woo hoo.
BUT, I came home last Saturday night and my son had just made a fresh batch of BROWNIES!!! Wha? It’s seriously so hard to have teenagers in the home who like to bake! I love to encourage their cooking/baking skills and I’m happy they’re learning, but MAN it’s tough because my willpower goes out the window when a fresh baked batch of {insert homemade baked good here} is sitting right in front of me!
Sooo, I decided to have ONE small brownie….and that was the end of my “good eating streak!” Just like that. I’ve been struggling ever since. AND, surprise, I feel chubby again. It’s SO sad.
Sugar is SUCH an addictive substance!
I LOVE health and fitness so much. It is a serious passion of mine. I love to read about it, learn about it, LIVE it, talk about it, think about it, make goals, yada, yada, yada. It seriously energizes me.
But, sugar is my kryptonite.
I’ve learned that it’s much easier for me to just cut sugar from my diet altogether because once I indulge it’s so hard for me to stop!
I have a lot of friends who think I’m crazy when I go without sugar for long periods of time, but it’s actually EASIER for me to do it that way! When I eat well, my body loves me. I don’t feel bloated, my cravings subside, I feel lean, my blood sugar “feels” stable (yes, I can feel it!), I sleep better, I feel happier, I have more energy…..the list goes on. But, when I start indulging in sugar, my body immediately blows up, I gain 5 pounds, my body instantly forms a beautiful love handle (seriously), I start craving everything in sight, feel ornery, don’t sleep as well and become soooo tired!
It’s very obvious to me that sugar is pretty much poison to my body. It’s such a sad reality and I’m pretty much in denial about it. 🙁
Oh, and things like honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup, agave, etc. are a little bit better than table sugar, but still wreak havoc on the metabolism, increase cravings and are not good for the body. Recently, I read a great article about the negative effects of “healthy sugars” that I thought was eye-opening. Here’s a link, http://authoritynutrition.com/6-healthy-sugars-that-can-kill-you/
I also watched a You Tube video that seriously made me rethink my thoughts about sugar. The things talked about in this video didn’t surprise me and it wasn’t necessarily new information to me, but the way the information was delivered really stopped me in my tracks and was/is revolutionary to me!
This video is just one of many in a series called “The Skinny on Obesity” and there is so much valuable information there! Here’s a link to all of the videos in that series, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKkBs_pBRwA&index=9&list=PL39F782316B425249
It made me realize that I need to take my sugar consumption more seriously. I need to be more committed and make some permanent changes to my lifestyle. Too often, I eat sugar and don’t think about the negative effect it’s having on my body. I need to remember that sugar, no matter how small the amount, has a direct and dramatic effect on my body EVERY single time I eat it….even that small handful of chocolate chips.
I know I’ll never cut sugar out of my life completely, but I really want to change the way I view it. I want to drastically cut back on it and when I DO eat sugar, I want to make sure it is PLANNED and I’m eating it on PURPOSE. I want to control my sugar intake; not the other way around!
If any of you out there are struggling with weight loss, feel like you’re in a rut, or just want to feel healthier, sleep better and have more energy, CUT THE SUGAR! I really believe it’s the “root of all evil” as far as health goes. I also want to clarify that “sugar” does not just mean candy, cookies, soda and the obvious forms of sugar; it also includes white flour, processed foods and all the hidden sugars that are in so many foods.
Okay, I’ll end my rant.
******************
On a brighter note, I told you guys that I’ve been LOVING exercise lately! Last weekend, I took my three oldest kids (and baby!) out for a fun run/bike ride.
My oldest son (who is a giant softie) really wanted to bring the dog with us. Side note: Jimmer (the dog) loves to go on runs with me, BUT I stopped bringing him because he’s afraid of cars and high-traffic roads now. He had a near-death experience a couple of years ago and was run over by a car (he tumbled underneath, but thankfully was not hurt.) Since then, he’s been terrified of trafficy roads.
Soooo, he runs with me just fine on quiet residential roads, but if I go on busier roads, he seriously sits down on the sidewalk and WILL NOT move. It’s kinda cute, kinda sad and really annoying. Soooo, my son decided to pack up the dog in a backpack (you can see him in the picture above) and take him along for the ride.
However, that didn’t last too long and Jimmer ended up running with me (shocker!) He rode in the jogger with the baby on the busy roads…
This worked out great as long as baby was sleeping, BUT when the baby was awake, he enjoyed terrorizing the dog by pulling his fur. It was lovely.
We actually had a really great time and I loved spending time with my kids! I must say that none of my kids were particularly thrilled about coming with me. I pretty much just TOLD them they were coming with me….I didn’t ASK if they wanted to or not. Ha ha. But, they were all glad they came and can’t wait to go again.
We made it fun and stopped at the gas station and I let them each pick a treat. We also went over to the high school for a bit and ran around the track. It was fun!
I ended up running about six miles total. Yay.
Oh, and that purple tank I’m wearing in that picture was the tank I was SUPPOSED to wear on my Half Marathon. Actually, I technically wore it, but it was buried underneath all of my layers since it was pouring rain. I really like that tank; it’s lightweight, breathable, cute, longer length and flattering (fitted-ish, but not too tight.) It’s Nike, btw and I got it at Sports Authority.
I started our run wearing the new race shirt I got. I really don’t love most of my race shirts, but I think this one is pretty decent!
My kiddos only have ONE more week of school left and then they are out for the summer! Wahoo! I hope to go on a lot more adventures with them this summer.
I have a few more random pictures to share. I went to a couple great classes at the gym this week. I took a sweaty selfie after one of them. Here ya go…
I also went on a nice run with my baby a couple nights ago. I decided to run a 10K, 6.2 miles and it was fun. My sweet baby fell asleep…
I really don’t love pushing a jogger, but I’m grateful it allows me to take my baby with me! It’s nice to not have to worry about him and feel like I need to “hurry to get back.” I also read recently that you can burn almost 200 MORE calories an hour when pushing a jogging stroller! Yay. I’m sure that’s just an estimate, but I can definitely feel those extra calories burnin’. Ha ha.
I also took another picture after I got home from the gym the other night…
This picture is totally cheesy, pretty scary, not impressive and definitely not “Flex Friday” worthy. Ha ha! BTW, I think “Flex Friday” is really really stupid. Barf.
HOWEVER, I decided to take a picture to show y’all that I can see an itty bitty bit of progress going on. I noticed that my muscles were just barely starting to show up again! They are still deeply buried, but it was nice to see that they still existed. I also took this picture as a progress picture and am hoping to see A LOT more progress in the near future.
I also have to say that I still feel pretty chubby. I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again….I am NOT critical of myself. I’m my own biggest cheerleader and love to push myself and reach goals. However, I AM very honest with myself. I actually enjoy identifying areas in my life that need improvement (in this case, weight loss!) and then getting to work and making the changes necessary to improve!
So, with that being said, I still feel quite chubby. The gym is a great motivator to me though because I’m forced to “put myself out there” and go to a place surrounded by people and mirrors. Yes, it can be frightening, but I try to use it to motivate me! When I look in the mirror at the gym, I don’t love what I see right now, BUT I am seeing some progress and I’m trying to focus on that.
When I started going back to the gym regularly about six months ago, I felt HUGE! Seriously, the kind of huge where I was embarrassed to go to my classes at the gym; I just wanted dig a hole and climb right inside. However, I didn’t allow it to deter me! I just kept going week after week and spent that hour in class working my butt off and taking a long hard look at myself in the mirror.
I’m happy to say that I’m not “embarrassed” to go to my classes anymore, but I don’t feel great either. I’m a little bit discouraged, but am happy to see a little bit of progress. I am planning on cleaning up the diet BIG TIME and cutting the sugar and crap out. I know it will make a BIG difference!
I’m so sorry this post has been so wordy and rambly! Geesh. I hope I even made sense.
I will end with a darling picture of my favorite girl and favorite doggie….
Love them! I hope you are all enjoying your weekend! xoxo
Your oldest son and mine are alike when it comes to being softies. We totally would have ended up with the dog in the backpack.
I’m finding it hard to focus on healthy eating and running distance events. I get home from running and want a big cheeseburger every time. Then MORE cheeseburgers. Sugar isn’t necessarily my problem, but boy am I packing on the pounds without even thinking about it.
I love cheeseburgers too! Heck, I just love food; healthy and otherwise! I’m ready to shape up my life though and cut some of the crap out, lol. 😉
I could have written the exact same thing about sugar. I feel so great and leanish when I cut it out, and feel so chubby when I don’t. But I think its like anything… eating a journey with ups and downs.
I think you look fabulous and I am impressed with your energy in staying active and raising a family ! You go girl !
I’m so happy to hear that you can relate and I love what you said about “eating as a journey with ups and downs.” Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement Karen!
I feel like I could have written this. I am busting my butt exercising, but I keep succumbing to sugar binges and so I am actually gaining weight.
I know, it’s a constant struggle for me! I’m ready to make some permanent changes and I’m feeling pretty stubborn, so I hope I can stay strong!
Mel you look wonderful! And even more importantly you look so happy. Killing the workouts has that affect 🙂 Have a wonderful day. xoxo
Thanks so much for your support Jill! It means a lot to me. 😉
Once again, a post where I feel like you are in my brain!!!! I don’t eat a lot of sugar, as a Diabetic carbs are my ultimate enemy, and yet all I crave are carbs on top of more carbs. I am fine with the amounts I’m supposed to eat, but put a bagel in my path and watch out!!! It’s actuallly a million times easier if I stay away from foods like that all together.
That would be so hard to resist carbs as a diabetic! Kudos to you. 😉 Carbs and sugar and so tempting to me always. I agree that it’s easier for me to just stay away from them altogether. Once I start, I don’t want to stop….ever!
The thing about sugar it’s so sneaky and is everywhere. In bread in pasta sauce. My favourite Greek yogurt has like 15 g’s of sugar so I’ve decided to stop buying it and search for better options.
I think you look wonderful, but as you said, you know your body and have goals in mind. At least you know your weakness so I’m sure you’ll reach those goals.
I can’t believe all of the hidden sugars out there! It is in e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g! I started eating plain Greek yogurt and just add my own sweetness and flavors to it.
Stevia, Xylitol & Erythritol – those are the three that work for me and my stomach without causing problems! Oh and Monk Fruit Extract! 🙂 And they’re all known to be HEALTHY – and have health promoting properties!
I love those sweeteners, but I’ve never tried Monk Fruit Extract! I trust your opinion and am grateful there are healthy sweeteners out there. I love sweet things!!!
I have three daughters and work 30 hours a week but I still get up at 4:30am four to five days a week to go to the gym…then I ruin it by eating crap. So hard to cut the sugar. :/ BTW, your daughter is gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are a ROCK STAR for waking up at 4:30 4-5 days a week! Seriously, that is so amazing, especially since you’re mother!!! I’m so impressed. I’m sorry about the “eating crap” part though. That is so hard and sugar is the worst…wait I mean the best!!!! Ha ha.
This there,
I just wanted to point out that with working out, you will bulk up at first before leaning out. You’re doing a fantastic job. Also Muscle weighs more than fat ;0)
Keep up the great work, you’re doing so well =0)
Oh, thanks for those tips! I try to remind myself that muscle weighs more than fat, but I never thought about how I might bulk up first and then lean out. Makes sense!!!
Oh my gosh your little boy asleep in the stroller…so cute! I love it! It is double the workout pushing the jogger, but it’s sure fun to have the lil ones along.
Sugar is my nemesis too. I am trying to cut down but it’s tough because everything has sugar in it. Even beef jerky!
I really don’t love pushing a jogging stroller, but I’m grateful for it! It is fun to have the little ones along. I love SUGAR and was shocked to see it was in beef jerky too! What the????
Those last photos are stunning.
OK I swear you and I are food twins…I mean we’re not alone with our sugar addictions, but what I mean is that EVERY TIME I am on a sugar kick, or a workout rut, YOU blog about it and are going through the same. HA. Basically sugar is my one and only weakness. I literally stood with a cookie in my hand today and had to force myself to put it down. It was so hard, BUT I DID IT! I actually didn’t eat it because the CHOCOLATE in them causes me to get gassy and swollen.
Ha ha ha! I totally agree! Whenever I read your blog, I can totally relate to your food/workouts too! I love sugar so much and know it will call my name until the day I die….but I still love it anyway. I’m SO SORRY chocolate makes you gassy and swollen. That is so so sad. 🙁
Your daughter is so beautiful…great pictures. Also, I am a sugar addict. I have tried so many times to cut down, but it is extremely hard! Kudos to you for keeping up the fight-you look great!
Thanks so much Donna! I am a sugar addict too! The first time I went off sugar for a month I really didn’t think I could do it! BUT I DID! Now, it’s still hard to stay away from sugar, but I’m getting better at resisting it.