How I changed my ‘lifestyle in 2008: Part 3-Exercise

Okay first off, these last few posts may make it seem like I’m completely obsessed with eating and exercise. Essentially, this is probably true, I kind of had to become cautious about every single thing I put in my mouth because that is how I became overweight in the first place. I would often find myself scarfing down chips, popcorn, whatever without even tasting it, eating out of boredom or because it was there. Also, I can become a bit of a bottomless pit and stuff myself with food until my stomach feels like it’s going to burst–something I have to be wary of today and tomorrow!

So yes, I spend a lot of my day thinking about what I’ve ate and what I’m going to eat but that is something I HAD to do in order to get to where I am today and I don’t regret it or want to change it in anyway. I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Food is meant to fuel our bodies, that’s something I have to constantly remind myself.

I’ve always been very active and I’ve been going to the gym since I was 13 years old, so the exercise part wasn’t too difficult for me. One of the problems I used to face was I would go to the gym for a few weeks or a month and then get out of the habit for a few weeks or a month. But last January I decided I was going to start working out, and weight training on a regular basis, I made it a habit and a priority. I started by joining a circuit training class that was being put on through the Grande Prairie college, three times a week I did circuit training; alternating one minute of cardio and one minute of weights.

Once those three months were over and Eric and I moved back to Fort St. John I joined the gym there and got really serious about weight training. I would get up every morning at 5:30-6 and go to the gym for an hour or an hour and a half before work. I would weight train five days a week and do cardio six.

Since being back in Kamloops I’ve been doing a lot of swimming and recently taken up running, I’ve also been doing some weights. I want to get into more of a routine when we get back to Kamloops in a couple of weeks since my workout has been a little all over the place the last four months.

Anyways, yes I work out a lot. The longest I’ve went without working out in the past year is four days in a row, and I usually work out for at least an hour or hour and a half. Any amount of time is better than nothing, if I didn’t get a workout in that day I’ll sometimes do pushups and crunches before going to bed, my theory is ANYTHING is better than NOTHING!! I went to an intense step class at the gym this morning and hopefully I’ll squeeze a walk or jog in tomorrow, even if it’s only for 15 minutes. I’m letting my eating go for the next couple days but not my exercising!

Experts say that people who lose weight do it by changing their nutrition but people who keep the weight off maintain it through regular exercise. I guess that’s why BOTH nutrition or exercise are SO important when it comes to your health!

I hope everyone has a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! I’ll be back on boxing day with Part 4 How are you guys handling all the sweets and treats that come with Christmas? Are you restricting yourselves or just eating whatever?