Is Your Weight Loss Healthy

Is it, I know all weight loss should be considered a great move, BUT all weight loss is not healthy. This sounds confusing but don’t read into it and don’t think I’m trying to confuse you. NOWAY.

I have a few friends 👬 on weight loss journey and feel they are doing good and they are. Their concerns is not their workouts but their nutrition because they are not sure if their current nutrition will be forever.  First changing your mindset in nutrition is a plus x 20. This takes discipline and a lot of it.  However if your change is a FAD hmmm, probably needs to be evaluated.

A change in nutrition should be a lifestyle change one you are getting  adequate nutrition to sustain your body’s requirements and will be able to follow for the rest of your life.  Temporary change does not assist in a healthy you, its like placing a board on a hole in the road. You want to be lose fat, build muscle be it lean or bulky, also know everyone lose and build at a different rate. I should know because there are months my change is slower than a snail or a turtle.

As mentioned in previous blogs find the change that works for and with you, because an unhealthy weight loss can be as damaging to the body as overeating.

To a journey of healthy weight loss- STRONG and HEALTHY is the new Skinny.

The App or The Containers

I know you are wondering what the heck? An app or containers, what does it all mean.  On my fitness journey I am really focused on my intake, with any fitness journey  change is NOT made by exercise alone. NUTRITION has a major role and with my years of eating disorder I must always be knowledgeable of my intake. This does not mean I don’t eat carbs I do, pastry of all types included.  Do I sometimes in celebrating go over, yes just not daily or weekly.  Before you think I also have those weird cravings and I again satisfy my cravings but not overly.

Having an eating disorder too thin, too thick, too skinny, too fat.  I just want to be a healthier me without undereating or overeating.  I do use an APP and I am guilty for not using it daily but I’m good for 5-7 days a week.  The APP keeps me focused monitor my calories and breaks down my macros and micros all good also calculates my fat content.  The APP as much as I like it it does not break down exactly how much proteins, vegetables, healthy fat, carbs I should take in. Am  I  saying APPs for nutrition are bad, NOPE they do work, you just need to know which is important.

Now to the containers, I am a team beachbody @teambeachbody.com fan, loaded with over 700 workouts with different trainers, and each have a nutrition plan with 95% of the food you already eat via use of containers or a method 2BMindset.  Both are so awesome.  The containers break down how much of it should each day to promote healthy intake as well as see results of your workouts.  I’m getting better but I still need improvement.

When consuming the right amounts of food there is a lot of food, and when I’m really 100 on my nutrition I notice a greater results to my workouts.

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Which do I choose, both sometimes I am so amazed as to how much food I consume with the containers and still be under versus just eating and inputting for macros and micros. They both work, its up to the individual to decide which works with their life style and workout.  It’s also up to the individual to decide which APP is best for them.

My journey consists of the containers and  Lose It APP.

To a week of Happy, Healthy, Good eats and Great Workouts.

AGAIN

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NOW what is this suppose to mean well a lot as I am hearing recently from friends, colleagues and a few followers on social media.

I have to start my workouts AGAIN.  I need to connect with my trainer AGAIN.  I need to join in with you AGAIN.  I’m frustrated because I did not see results in the fitness workout, but I’ll start AGAIN.  I need to resume working out at the gym AGAIN SOON.

To begin with I know there are curve balls in life and we must adjust. Trust me hear lately I am being pitched a lot of them balls.  But just tweak a bit and keep the focus.  I have to stay on myself for this one.  FOCUS YOU GOT TO STAY FOCUS TO REACH YOUR GOALS, oh that was me speaking aloud to myself.

But in reference to workouts you do have to stay focused.  If you have a goal or just enjoy the euphoria feeling received after working out then – STOP starting over.

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Motivational Reading

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I am one that this is very important to me.  I read and have read a lot of motivational books.  Honestly there are several I have not completed.

Let me explain as to why I didn’t complete the readings and  these are not excuses, just my why.  Before I list my why and I am not sharing my incompleted reads, the books may have and continue to motivate others just not me.

My whys:

1. The writer and I just was not on the same page- I wasn’t able to relate and drifted often in my read.  If I drift I know me I can not learn or apply anything in the book.

2. The writer took several chapters reiterating the same thing in each chapter- I was lost and bored.  I do believe in reiterating but also connecting and I kept getting the same message.  Again receiving the same message is good but it needs to connect.  The leg is connect to what? Yep need to connect for movement in my reading.

3. If you have too much to share in Chapter 1 and 2, I always give that benefit of doubt, I’m overwhelmed. If I’m overwhelmed too much I may be able to relate but feel I’m an under achiever instead of applying all the information.

4. Just plain, simple and honest – I don’t know what the HECK you are talking about and can not relate in Chapter 1, 2 or 3.

Motivational reading is beneficial only if you are able to relate and apply learnings for a greater you and for me this is important  as much as my time.  So YES I have tossed several back on the book shelf but so many I ready, apply cherish and applaud the authors.

If not started I urge anyone to begin motivational reading regardless of the phase of your life or your life journey. To Motivational Reading- have a good one.

Listen – The Body is Speaking

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Can you hear it, are you listening? Well can you and do you?

So many times I am guilty of not listening to my body especially when it comes to nutrition.  I shared this with a friend as she shared she was not seeing results from a diet she was 100% in tuned to and noted weight gain and fatigue.  We discussed the non scale victories and she denied so many and now she was getting depressed.  I then asked how long 6 months.  Was this necessary yes.  There are so many times in change especially nutrition and workouts we look for “sudden change” , “immediate results”.

There are many that notice a change within a week and it is exhibited for others- GOOD FOR THEM.  I’m not one to see rapid results and so many others are standing, sitting next to me on this one.  I do (my opinion) believe in 4-6 weeks there should be at least one, always looking for more(that’s me too).  If your body is sending signals indicating no, you note depression, getting ill and your PCP cannot find anything abnormal nor any of the other specialist and YOU believe it’s the change in nutrition just stop.

I know I’m no expert but what happens if you STOP evaluate for a few weeks to determine if the symptoms disappear. This is exactly what happened to my friend. She stopped the specific diet and in 2 weeks begin feeling energized, a weight change (decreased) and there were a few other rewards .

Every diet is not for everyone, every ones results are different. We as I have had to do tweak my nutrition many times. We just need to find out what works for us and our body as well as listen to the body. The body does speak to us, we just need to listen.

STOP Pretending

Now what is this? Stop pretending, well yes I once pretended so many times and let me share this is not with an imaginary friend, it was all about me.

I’d gain weight and I would go from mirror to see which mirror exhibited the best looking body I wanted, mind you still over weight but all mirrors are not the same and all are not truthful.  When shopping I’d purchase sizes too small and return them stating something was wrong.  Yep pretending.  I pretended all the way to my undies until I purchase a pair that almost choked my circulation in my legs, again pretending.

I had to STOP PRETENDING.  When you stop pretending you’re the size you was or want to be and look at yourself and LOVE YOUSELF for you, you will stop pretending.  Not only will you cease with the imaginary view of you, gues what ? Well you will begin to implement changes in your life to get to the person, body or even mindset you want to be

You will as I did make realistic goals see the real and great you.  You do know that you’re GREAT AWESOME right? If not well now you do so EMBRACE it.  Took me awhile but I do so now and again so should you.

In my fitness journey sometimes I don’t see what I really want to or where I want to be but I erase the pretense,  make changes tweak here and there and continue on the journey. I’ve learned Pretending is really wasteful time and will decrease progression.

To days of keeping it real…………

Isn’t It Time

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Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.com

This is exactly what I once had to ask myself.  Isn’t it time I take control of my excuses of fitness.  I had excuses greater than a thousand as to why I couldn’t workout and when I did workout I had excuses as to why I couldn’t perform a specific workout.

Okay I’m a FAN, LOVER of @beachbodyondemand. There are so many at home workouts and trainers.  I was unable to get to the gym at one time like I wanted to, life changes so we (I), have to adapt.  I joined the beachbody team because it was appeasing to my current life.  What did I do? Yep I made choices on trainers to use and later which of their workouts I would do to make it better for me I decided which routine in the workouts I’d do.  What the heck?

I wanted a refund because this $hit was not working for me. Truthfully it wasn’t not at all, did I deserve a refund well YES. Yes I really did but did I submit for one NO. Why since this was not working for me nor the gym and I wanted to stay on my fitness journey but I was lost in the travel. The gym was not going to work due to changes HOWEVER, @teambeachbody would. Why did I change well it was TIME.  Time for me to admit several things.

1. I was not following the calendar set for each workout, I was making my own choices. Now this is so allowed by adding on but not by way of doing it my way. These are trainers and they have more experience with credentials.

2. When I did a workout I decided which ones I’d give 💯 to and just sit on the others or do very little because it looked difficult. I didn’t want to workout with the modifier.

3. I was  not, as I now am continuously doing twerking my nutrition.

So no it’s was me I had to accept it was all me. It was time to accept I needed to refund my self a change of positive dedication to ME.  Sometimes we must look to see if we are doing all of what we seek. If not then apply.  Those difficult reps only required me to modify and then get in it and erase my own excuses.

To sum it up this has been a awhile back but I still sometimes am challenged and must remind myself  STOP 🛑 the CLOCK, time for a mind reset. Yep it’s time.

To weeks of  resetting your time clock of thinking for a GREATER YOU

COMPARISON Can Affect YOUR Goal

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This exactly when we compare too much.  Okay I’m not saying not to compare at all, because it is human, but we must know the limits and exactly when to STOP.

Working out is challenging enough but when we as I have to call myself out so many times look at others and their results from workout and see a greater response and wonder…. “why am I not seeing these results” or “why is it taking me longer and I’m seeing slower results”  and so many more thoughts of comparison.

First we are all different in DNA, genetics.  There are so many reasons but comparing  in a negative way will cause FAILURE how?, because there is that possibility you just may give up. PLEASE don’t. Stay focused being the best of you in your workouts, your nutrition KEEP IT POSITIVE.

Now that Ive said that how do I know, well this was all me. Comparing looking at others results wondering when I would notice change, forgetting about the non scale victories and the small changes ( that are adding up).

Be a WINNER , compare things that don’t affect your goals such as nail polish, tools, dress colors, drills but stay focus.  WINNING the SELF GOALS …. we got this

How Strong and Focused Am I

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First of all I want to say I am strong, but I was unaware until recently.

This all begin near a month ago.  I had my well woman’s exam and which also included a BMD (bone mass density) due to previous medication I took years ago.  Every test came back normal, well almost EXCEPT the mammogram. ABNORMAL in each breast.  I must say when you get that type of news  you’re not sure what to do.  For me I went numb and weak at all extremities.  I took a breath and knew I had to reschedule for further testing (scans and ultrasounds). 2.5 weeks later. It doesn’t seem long but my mind was going weary.

I didn’t tell anyone, WHY? Well I didn’t want the negative conversations, or the stories I just didn’t want to hear them.  I didn’t want pity talks.  I didn’t tell my family for several reasons.  Also the family reunion was approaching and 4th of July.  I didn’t want to be the downer for anyone’s holiday spirit nor the gossip or tea at the family reunion.  Now don’t get me wrong not all friends, associates or family members are negative

Did I cry, YES and I know there are so many approaches to treatment in abnormal mammogram.  I continued with my daily routine, work family life and continued to workout every day, giving each my 100 and sometimes more. I enjoyed the 4th of July and really enjoyed my family reunion.

Days later it was time.  I woke up worked out, showered and drove myself to my appointment.  I had a short wait and then it was time scans, 3D scans and ultra sound. In between I read a book “Girl Code”. NOW to make me nervous I had to repeat each test again and no one was saying anything and I was unable to read their expression.  On the third repeat I couldn’t take it I had to leave the waiting  area and cried but shockingly it was short.  I went back in and on the last ultrasound I just waited in the room for the doctor.  I wasn’t sure if I wanted her to hurry in and just telll me what was our next step or take as long as necessary.  But she came in.

I went cold, numb and weak.  Well it turns out I have cyst in each breast and benign. The purpose of the repeats was to be sure there was nothing hiding. I dressed and on my way out I cried. As I was walking to the car my daughter called and I told her where I was and why as well as the outcome.  She was angry but happy.  Once in the car out of nowhere I cried hard and I felt a weight lifted from me.

So the next day I continued with my workout and each day I have included a new goal.  I still shed a tear but know I am blessed because so many do not get the news I did.  It’s GREAT, LIFE IS GREAT.  I will continue my workouts staying focus.  Silly how I stayed focused through this, but I NOW know I am STRONG.  Also my fitness journey ha a companion- My Life journey which is changing all for the best.  It is surprising how so much greener the grass looks and the sky is bluer, rain feels great and again LIFE IS GREAT. Although I’m still reserving my thoughts on humidity .

Enjoy life and much as you do your fitness journey.  I once thought it was the same but its not.

Challenging Workouts

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My workouts some days are challenging especially when my RA is painful and a swollen joint or two. I’ve had followers and friends state they are not sure how or why I workouts with swollen joint, so I want to clarify.  I’ve hade RA since childhood and there wasn’t a lot of excuses and believe it or not I am better as an adult than a child with RA.  I will never compare my flares with others as everyone’s pain is different as well as how each of us is able to deal with the pain.

I really try not to allow my pain unless it is severe dictate my day, so that is why I use a towel. That is my workout towel on my exercise mat.  I use it for extra cushion for my left thumb. There are days I am unable to put pressure on my left hand .  If I try I am fallling over , slipping because my balance is off.  BUT with the extra cushion it really decreases the pressure and impact of my weight on the left hand and I can do my workout without laughing at myself. Yes I do that too and so would you if you saw a rep without the towel.  Now I also use the towel at times for the right knee but not often.

I just want to share if you really want to workout there is a way to adjust and sometimes you have to be created for yourself. Of course I do not recommend anyone to push themselves beyond their level of comfort or safety- KNOW YOUR LIMITS.  I know mine. And for now the towel works.

To a week of pushing through and not allowing RA always dictate our next moves in working out.   If you have a deficit of any kind I am saluting you too- Adjust and Push through.  WE GOT THIS.