I’ve already talked about My Exploding Pants. I am in the process of trying to get my physical and mental health together. Every January for the last couple of year I’ve done a different eating challenge. Last year was the Vegan Eating challenge. This year I’ve decided to eat clean and gluten-free. Sadly, I am pretty sure that I have a gluten allergy. I was suffering from severe gastric distress that made me miserable! I remembered that the last time I went gluten-free (another food challenge) all of these issues went away-AND my joints felt great! So, this year I’ve decided to really work hard to avoid gluten and all processed foods. I eat fairly clean already so I think it should be a fairly simple challenge to embrace. I also am in the midst of trying to lose weight. The goal is to lose 7 pounds a month from December to the first week of March. (I didn’t lose 7 pounds in December-just 3). It’s a slow and steady wins the race approach. I’ve already lost a few pounds and I’m feeling really positive about the whole process.
- I’m using the My Fitness Pal App. I LOVE this app! It has been so helpful.
- I exercise at least 6 days a week. Unfortunately, even though I was pretty active I wasn’t active in the way that gets extra weight to shift. I had to step it up and feel the burn.
- I’ve cut my snacking.
- 1500 calories a day. I don’t exclude anything-except for the gluten.
- Cut down on meat. I want to increase the number of vegan/vegetarian meals that I eat during a week.
- Drink more water/green tea. I wasn’t hydrated enough so I am always drinking unsweetened tea at work now.
I exercise at my local Recreation Center. It is 5 blocks from my house and is very well-equiped for what I’m trying to do.
- Stair Steppers
- Treadmills
- Swimming pool
- Weight room
- Rowing Machines
- Stationary bikes
Basically, everything that I need. I also do the following.
- Pole dancing class-Pole dancers have serious core muscles. This is one of the hardest classes I’ve taken
- Hot (bikram) yoga
- Stretching
I’m starting to see a difference. Finally. But, I will have to dig deep and not quit which is really hard. I’ve quit before when I hit the dreaded Plateau. I don’t want to do that again.
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Sounds like a great plan Michelle. That’s great you have a rec center so close as well! Good luck!
Thanks Tonya! It’s a pretty good gym and pretty cheap-$28 dollars a month. So far I’ve been pretty good about getting my workouts in…except today. It’s freaking cold. I’ve stayed inside all day.
Great plan! I wish we could find a gym or rec center for $28! Even my gym at work is like $45!
Thanks Michelle! My gym is one of the City Recreation centers and it is quite nice. I also use the gym at work…it’s…spectacular! I’m trying to keep things simple this year so that I can achieve my fitness and personal goals.
NIce work, I must go back to pole dancing – I did it with a friend before she got married for a month or so. It was great – and I’d walk or attempt to jog the 5 kms there (3.1 miles). Otherwise, my challenge for this month was to always take the stairs to my third floor apartment, in addition to keeping up Dec’s challenge to walk most days. I’m also trying to lose between 8 – 13kg (17.6-28.6 lbs)! Keep up the good work!
Pole dancing is one of the hardest classes I’ve ever taken. I have a lot of respect for pole dances because I took that class. I’m really over the extra weight so I’m looking forward to losing it. It has taken me years to get into the right frame of mind to be able to focus on being consistent with my food and workout. This time around I am using the MyFitnessPal App to track my food. I’ve discovered that I am a HARDCORE snacker. Wow! So, I’ve been changing my snacks. I still eat sweets, but a heck of lot less compared to before. Good luck and keep me posted!