Exercise

Weight Loss so far: 7.8 lbs
Mood: Positive
Appetite: Full of chili (not the healthiest...! But delicious)



Long time, no blog. :)

So, okay, anyone who says exercise is a chore and obnoxious and unnatural, I pretty much agree with you. The last thing I want to do when I get home from class and work and grocery shopping and errands is put on my sweats and go to the gym. I would much, much rather put on my pajamas and watch TV and go to sleep. And that's what I was about to do when I got home yesterday, but I DIDN'T, which is huge for me. I sucked it up and did the right thing!

I've been elliptical-ing for, what, almost 4 weeks now, I can really really understand how people get addicted to exercise- its in my daily routine now and it just makes you feel so damn good! Plus, on days that I'm at work, I really don't move around much, and you eat to fuel your movement. When you're not moving and getting your heart rate up, that fuel is just being stored. I don't want to store my fuel any longer! :)

And can we talk about a mood improver? Man, its almost instant. Its so counter-intuitive to me. I'm used to giving in to things that feel and seem good in the moment and in the long run make me feel icky. But exercise is the exact opposite. Takes a little to push myself to do it, feels a little icky in the beginning, but makes me feel GREAT for the rest of the day. And really, wouldn't you prefer to feel great for the rest of the day verses momentarily. I know I would. And I bet you would too.

There are subtle victories that come with exercise (other than looking better and weighing less). I can walk faster, I don't get winded as quickly when taking stairs, I don't feel as stiff all the time.

Today hasn't been the "day of healthy choices" when it comes to eating-- I just finished a cup of chili one of the realtors brought back from an open house for me. I shouldn't have...but I forgot my granola bar and I was hungry. The more hungry I get, the worse choices I make, so I didn't want to keep pushing it- I ate little more than half of the cup and a 3 pt bag of potato chips and a 3 inch Lenny's sub. I will admit, not the best choices. At all. HOWEVER, I was hungry, I didn't OVER eat, and now I feel physically and emotionally satisfied without being uncomfortable or regretful, which is, I think, more important.

And I am planning on working out, after all. :) Its not what I plan on eating every day, but truly, I didn't go crazy with it. Its okay to indulge a little, everything in moderation. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.

Allow yourself to have a brownie now and then. Just don't sit down with the whole pan. And if you can't have just one, find a substitute that satisfies that craving. Because deprivation only intensifies the probability that you will give up.

And I will not give up.