Healthy Changes

I've mentioned in previous posts how I've been working to establish a healthy lifestyle and lose some weight. I've mentioned my struggle with my weight. I've mentioned how my childhood affected my view on weight and health. I am in no way an expert, and I will not pretend to be. I do, however, have experience when it comes to changing ones lifestyle to establish something healthier.

Just over a year ago, maybe a bit more, I was at my peak weight. I was unhealthy, and more self-conscious then ever. I will be open with you, I was over 170 pounds....which just didn't hang well on my 5'6" frame. I was in the midst of a life-changing move, stressed as can be, and just not taking care of myself. I wont say I had a moment, I didn't really, where I decided I needed to change, it just happened and I decided. It was VERY slow going at first, just started to be more conscious about what I was eating and how much of it I was eating. It wasn't until after Christmas that I really decided to make a change, it may have had something to do with my Uncle calling me a pig and onking at me when I went up for seconds. (I am sure he meant nothing by it and didn't realize how it was inappropriate.)

Finally in February I decided to get a gym membership. I decided to do a full year, because if I was going to commit to change I was really going to do! It was slow going. I started on the treadmill running for 2 minutes and walking for 8, doing intervals of this for a full hour. Slowly, slowly, slowly, I started upping the running time, pushing myself to run harder. I started adding weights to my gym-time routine. I finally started to see some change. I remember climbing onto the scale and seeing the numbers slowly tick down. I was thrilled.

I am not one to toot my own whistle but, I have since lost about 40 pounds. I am only a few pounds away from my goal but, at this point it isn't as much about my weight but about how I feel. Yes, I'd like to take a few pounds away, I'd like to tone up, but I know I can do it so I am not worried. Like I said earlier, I am no expert, but for those wondering how I did it here is a little run down. Like anything, I can't guarantee this will work for you. We all have a different way of doing things, and you will have to find what will work for you but, these are things that worked for me.

(left: Aug 2010, right: May 2011. I have since lost some more weight but, at least this will give you an idea.)

1.) Buying a gym pass. I no longer had a reason not to work out. I committed to pay for a full year at the gym and I wasn't going to throw my money away. I was going to use the equipment and get my moneys worth.

2.) Only go on the scale once a month. I wasn't going to get caught up on numbers. Yes, I had a goal, a number in mind but, I wasn't going to reach it in a day or week. As long as I was working hard I knew the weight was coming off, I didn't need to stress about a number.

3.) Write down everything. Well okay not everything. This is a newer part of my healthy changes but, it is one I wish I started to do earlier and has definitely helped. Writing down everything I eat and it's caloric value, it has helped me be aware of what I am eating and it has help me decide to eat healthier. I'd rather write down that I had an apple than a chocolate bar. I also write down how many calories I've burned at the gym, if I am sick I write down what medication I am taking, and I write down whether or not I've taken my vitamins. (You need your vitamin D when you live in a place that is gray most of the time.) I write it all down and it is a constant reminder to be healthy.

There you go, that is pretty much it. I still have a ways to go till I feel like my lifestyle is where I want it to be but, I am getting closer. Any positive change is just that, positive.

I'd love to hear some of your stories and how you are doing it. If you have any tips for me, idea's, healthy recipes, I am always eager to hear what other people are doing to get healthy.

Hope you have a lovely day,

Umbrella Days.

I am one of the people out there who loves it when clouds blanket the sky and with little effort open up painting the pavement in water drops and puddles. I love umbrella weather.

I love the easy comfort that comes when it rains. The slow pace of curling up on the couch, sipping tea, all while the gentle pitter-patter drum against my windows and roof. Completely enjoying the warmth of being inside. Blanketing myself in warm wool sweaters and socks.
This weekend was filled with umbrella weather. I enjoyed watching some Downton Abbey with my lovely mother and sister-in-law and not for one moment did I feel guilty about not being outside. Such is the life of umbrella weather.
Hope this weekend was as lovely for you as it was for me.
Cheers,

November 2nd 2011

Dear Husband,

I haven't written you a letter in quite sometime, I apologize. We've been rather busy the last while. You with school work, papers, presentations, readings; Me with work, looking for work, preparing to be done work. Life has been busy.

Yet, we are able to find moments. Oh how I love moments. Time where we sit snuggled up to one another eating mini candy bars and watching Doctor Who. I love those moments.

You are the sweetest. This morning when I woke up you were sleeping so soundly. Your bedhead might just be the cutest thing out there. I couldn't help but stare, and so I did. I slowly woke up, got up, and stretched out, all while you still slept soundly.


I always wish you ate a better breakfast, so I proceeded to making you one. I walked to our neighborhoods Serious Coffee and got you a Peanut Buster Bar, came home made you some hot chocolate. I slowly woke you up and gave you your breakfast....which you still haven't eaten. Actually, it has been an hour and you are still curled up in bed my love.


I just want you to know I that I love you and I am so glad that you are mine and I am yours.

The Fall Slow Down.

I wont lie, I have never been a great fan of fall. I' never really enjoyed it. Fall meant that summer was over and school was to begin. I was one of those kids who actually didn't really look forward to school starting up. This year, although it has been tough to get back to a routine, I am enjoying fall.

I am enjoying the crisp clean air. I am enjoying the days darkening and mornings slowly arising as if it is a surprise every time. I like curling up with my knitting and feeling as though it fits.

 My music is slowing down as I prepare for the inevitable lethargic winter to arrive and cover me like a blanket, knit with memories of home. My words feel the need to be more like a written letter, slow, thoughtful, romantic. I am slowing down.

I want to nuzzle in and love on my hubby. I want to be close to people who love me and be loved on. I want to enjoy the slowing down that is fall. I want to capture these precious moments and bottle them up so I can sip on them throughout.

I think fall is supposed to be a great slow down. I think it is time where you move from the party that was summer. I think it the time where you take a tally on things and measure and nod and allow yourself to do nothing because you feel less like you are missing out on something. I mean after a big party you need time to recuperate, and that is Fall. Fall is quiet. Fall is slow. Fall is absolutely thee most perfect thing to happen after summer, and I am totally enjoying it. I am enjoying the great slow down.


I'm going to get some tea to sip on while I breath in this amazing season.
Enjoy.

In regards.

I remember the day I decided to start a blog I really had no reason to start other than the fact that I admired those who had blogs and I though, well it isn't that hard to get into doing the same. I remember writing that I would be completely authentic in what I write and I believe that I have been. I am inspired by honesty and those who are authentic. That said, I do believe it is important to have a sense of anonymity as well and I have not allowed myself to give people, including myself, away in a way that would cause them grief. 

I am an open book type person. People can tell within seconds how I am doing; People can read me in a way that sometimes causes me to be uncomfortable, yet I don't know how to change this about myself. My mother has always said that I am completely authentic and am completely unable to put up an act. I just can't do it. So I write what I mean. I don't sugar coat it, I don't put drama into it, I write it in reality to me.

I still want to have a bit of anonymity, so there are things I will not disclose. Most of the time I still write how I feel, I just don't always say why. I just thought I needed to have this all out there in writing.

Cheers,