Go For A Walk!

Gabe and I have been on a few walks this last week, tracking at 1.2 miles. I have to say, its starts the day right!!

We get up, get coffee, head out for a walk. We eat a snack or breakfast right after our walk then do some other form of exercise. Tuesday we went to the gym, yesterday (saturday) we did a few good hours of yard work that made a perfect day!

I noticed that, since we didn't have our morning walk THIS morning, I feel down and frumpy. But, Mother's day is important and we parted ways to spend some time with our mother's.

For breakfast, I had loaded eggs and one piece of oatnut toast, as of now, 2 cups of coffee.

I want to do a little workout of my own:

• 20 jumping jacks
• 5 burpees
• 50 simulated stairs (using a chair)
• 10 minute abs (various ab exercises

That's the plan, if I want results I WILL do these!

A bit of inspiration is much needed. I recently found out the name I was going use for my future website after I'm a registered nutritionist/personal trainer has been taken :(
The amount of butt-hurt I feel over that…its too much, I…I can't. I wanted to cry and throw a baby fit!

It would've been perfect for what I was going to do…now I can't and I'm sad and I'll be damned if I buy it from this person…SHE DOESN'T EVEN USE IT FOR A PROFESSIONAL REASON!!! URGH

Anyway! Eat clean, Exercise and love yourself!

Let's Start With The Beginning

I've always struggled with my weight. Now, I've never been dangerously obese, but I have yoyo'ed between 30+ pounds since I hit puberty.

When my family started moving from Michigan to New Mexico in 2011, I looked like this:

I'm the attention-grabbing goofball 

I weighed 119 lbs. which was the lowest weight I could remember since I was 11.

But, after about a year went by, I had a horrible realization…My clothes didn't fit. I'd been wearing pj's and scrubs, so, of course I didn't notice right away that I had ballooned for, what seemed like, overnight.

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I was mortified when I saw the scale at 152 lbs. when just the other day I weighed 119!!

I needed to do something and fast!

 I found 'fitspo' on Tumblr….while "thinspo" was becoming a nationwide problem. Fitspo, if you don't know, is blogging pictures of fit, healthy women, fruits and veggies, healthy recipes, workout plans etc.

I started thinking about my own body and self criticism. I hated the way I looked. Despite Fitspo being a huge support system for me, I started counting calories….

The app I used at the time only allowed 1,100 calories a day in order to lose weight. Not knowing the facts at the time, I stuck to it for a few weeks. I was tired, hungry and irritable. I only lost 2 pounds in a month due to binging and bad food choices.

I was about to give up.

But, then I read something about "80/20. 80% diet 20% exercise." and "If you want it, work for it. Get off your ass and do some cardio."

I did some research and watched The Biggest Loser, the combination of the two, I started doing cardio.

Before I knew it, I was seeing results! I ate clean and exercised my tush off…literally.

I had set my goal weight to 130, ultimate goal weight of 120.

Less than 5 months, I couldn't believe my eyes! I had changed so much, so fast!

I got down to 130 and stayed there for a while…

Then, I made quite a few changes in my life. I started working and due to the stress of my entire situation, I lost even MORE weight.

I got down to 122 lbs. working out, barely eating, and extreme stress.

Since, I have gained it back and I'm currently at 132 lbs.

I am no longer looking to LOSE weight, but to get and stay healthy and strong.

So, I am going to start all over again with knowledge and determination.

Follow along for more progress and fitness stuffs :)

NO DIETING!

OH, NO!! I'M ON A DIET! I CAN'T EAT THOSE COOKIES!!

OK, First of all, NO FAD DIETS!
Just because you are trying to lose weight or get in shape does not mean you have to restrict!
Your body needs healthy food to work properly, think of yourself as a very high powered yet, intricate machine! Lots of healthy food will make it work better and get stronger. But, a cookie is good for your soul and your Serotonin levels!

Fad diets discourage you from having anything of the sort. Fad diets can also be dangerous, so stay away and just eat healthy.

Working out releases endorphins, a cookie increases your serotonin levels. 2 things that can make ya feel good!

Like I said, Moderation is key.
No fad diets, just eat healthy.
Don't restrict yourself, respect yourself.

LIKE DARYL SAYS:

Moderation (Healthy Eating)

Moderation is a key essential when you are trying to get healthy and/or stay healthy.

Changing your diet and how you eat may get overwhelming, you might go to the store for your greens and long over the cookie isle. Its normal to crave things like candy, cookies, chips etc. but the key to success IS moderation. You can buy that pack of cookies, but you DO NOT have to eat them all in one sitting! You can have a cookie or two, but don't let that make you feel guilty and ruin your day. 

Another helpful tip: Try healthier options.

• Dark chocolate (high in antioxidants) instead of milk chocolate
• Dried and lightly salted plantains for chip cravings
•  Granola bar instead of a candy bar
• Oatmeal cookies instead of regular cookies
• Wheat bread instead of white bread

There are many different options when trying to eat healthy.

If you like making your own goodies, check out some of these healthy recipes:

 Photos are taken from tumblr to promote said bloggers.

Health and Fitness DIY Intro.

Haven't you heard of the new trend, "Fit is in"?
Well, here on this blog you will find help, encouragement, links, progress stories and pictures, and much more!
I'll begin by explaining to you the foundation of fitness:

• Healthy, or clean eating! (The most important part)
• Daily exercise
• Fat loss
• Muscle gain
• Confidence
• All over health

Healthy/Clean eating

The most important start to getting healthy and staying healthy is a good diet.

No, not getting on a diet! 

Fad diets are scams, and they don't work!

Taking a magic pill will not bring you a genie, what you have to do is work for the life that you want!

I'm not saying its easy, but the hard work is worth it!

Daily exercise

I'm not saying you have to break yourself in half every day (unless thats what you want to do). I'm saying, DO NOT sit on your butt every day and say "I'll do it tomorrow." Get up, go for a walk, do some jumping jacks and work into it.

Fat loss

When you want to get healthy, the first thing you have to identify is; Do you have excess fat? Fat, the stuff on your belly that you can grab? If so, thats what you want to get rid of. If you are skinny and you want to get healthy, look to gain muscle. 

Muscle Gain

Ladies, gaining muscle WILL NOT make you look like a dude! Woman do not produce the hormone to bulk up! Just to tone up. Guys, if you don't want to bulk up, don't lift 200 pound weights, (exaggerated a little there).

But, EVERYONE! When you want to get healthy, look to gain muscle! Gaining muscle will benefit you in so many ways! Muscle burns more calories than fat does. 

Confidence

We don't all have confidence. Some of us were born with it, taught it, gained it. But those of us left in the dust on our butts need some insight. What is it like to have confidence? To walk into a room and NOT think "I wonder if everyone is looking at me, judging me."

Well, I understand. I did not do very well in school due to my lack of confidence. Through time, I've learned to not care what other people think. This skin, this body is my home and I will do with it as I please! I will make it healthy, I will treat it right, I know how hard I've worked for it. You just have to keep your chin up, shoulders back and walk it out.

All Over Health

Have you ever set eyes on an angry, fit person? If you have, I'm surprised. Exercise releases endorphins, the happy chemical. Healthy eating habits also ward away depression that greasy, high fat and sugary foods cause. Yes, having a bad diet can lead you into depression! Eating sugary foods might make you feel good for the moment, not only do you crash from a sugar high, but you body gets used to that sugar intake amount. Therefore, when you change your diet, you get cravings. This is normal, a few bumps in the road are unavoidable, some times.

Keep checking back for more information on getting healthy and staying heathy.

Always remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.