of Moving and Counting

It could be ironic that I’m following the post about my favorite cookie dough with some thoughts on healthy living, or perhaps it’s more of a “cause and effect” situation! Regardless, I hope you don’t mind that I share some things that have been on my mind lately.

A year after delivering my sixth baby, I was holding on to an extra 50 pounds. I didn’t feel good, and had finally come to the point that I was ready to make some changes. I bought the Zumba DVD’s, started shredding with Jillian Michaels, and upped my speed walking routine. I started counting calories with the Lose it app, and lost most of my extra weight in about 5 months.

The last few months I have had a few pounds gradually creep back up on me – and I have come to realize that it is going to require an ongoing diligence to keep my weight in a healthy range. So today, the cookie dough has been polished off by the kids, the Halloween candy has been put in the no-temptation zone, and I am recommitting to making healthier choices.

The no-temptation zone: canned and in the spidery regions of our basement; some people can tomatoes – I prefer to can chocolate

I have had some interesting pins fly across my Pinterest feed lately, and have tried a few ideas. This morning I did the world’s fastest workout. I’m going to have to work on perfecting those squat thrusts, but that was an awesome 4-minute workout! I even felt energized enough afterwards to work on picking up our overwhelmingly cluttered craft/office space.

This is actually the AFTER photo. I still have a ways to go in here!

I tried this TV workout the day before. It feels great to do something, and to open the door for doing a little something more the next day.

click on photo to learn more about apple cider vinegar

The strangest thing I’ve tried this week, is the apple cider vinegar health drink. Let me tell you, it is nasty. I hold my breath and get it down as fast as possible, then chase it with a couple more glasses of water. If nothing else, it is helping me to get more fluids than ever before! There is also a psychological benefit of the drink for me; three times a day I am reminded of the choice I’ve made to eat and move better. I am less inclined to casually pop a sugary treat since I’m making this bitter-tasting effort towards better health.

I am back to counting calories with Lose it. It is a little annoying to have to track every bite, but it’s the only way I can shake off calorie denial, and really act responsibly with what I am eating. I love, love, love my sweets – but know it is a balancing act. Counting calories helps me see with greater clarity what a treat is really worth to me, and how I can fit that treat in to a healthier lifestyle. Once I stop counting, I stop caring, and things get out of control.

What are some things that help you to make healthy lifestyle choices?

 

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4 Responses to of Moving and Counting

  1. Kris says:

    HA HA HA I’m so glad I’m not the only one who cans chocolate! Though I just leave ours in the little baggies they come in. Fun size. Then I bury them in an effort to try and forget they are there, but I usually remember and then eat the whole bag at once. Dang it.

    I love Pinterest. When I am feeling lazy, I try to go look at the Pinterest: Fitness boards. It usually helps me not eat the whole bag of Snickers. Usually. I have my own fitness board (@krisis86) but for some reason it’s not as inspiring to me. Weird.

  2. Jocelyn says:

    I’ve been trying to move more too. I’ve decided…I’m worth it.

    I also try to think of the law of the harvest as much as I can during the day to help me not partake of foods that will not reap the benefits for my body that I want.

    Sometimes I actually remember, but every day I try again! 🙂 I often hold on to the fact that I worked out that day as hope for the next…even when I fail to eat right!

  3. Erika says:

    Good for you! I finally kicked most of my baby weight by tracking my calories (I use myfitnesspal) and exercising more. Since I started in April I’ve lost 35 pounds and have become so much stronger! I joined a fitness challenge with a bunch of ladies online and we all chip in some money at the beginning and them compete (and support each other) for weekly and end-of-challenge prizes. We can receive daily points for reading scriptures, exercise, tracking calories, drinking mucho water, eating your fruits and veggies and other activities. It’s been great to be accountable (I hate to enter a “0” in our spreadsheet for a task I didn’t complete) to other like minded women!

  4. I drink apple cider vinegar tea every day too. I decided that since I was supposed to eat local honey every day for allergies I would combine the 2. Try it, it really tastes good. 1 Tbsp vinegar and 1 Tbsp honey.

    Good luck with your fitness efforts!

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