13 thirteens

Motivation is something you create yourself not something you wait to get. It is a reason for doing. This is mighty wisdom from my fitness people~

Body Imagine-There are some people in this world that are rather large yet have great self esteem and are happy with their bodies, or so they say. I think I have had a bad body imagine since I was a kid. I think, in my case and that of my friends it stems from childhood, before all the magazines we read to make it worse~

Ghrelin- a hormone in our gut that they now claim could be the reason why some of us can’t fight temptation when it is right in front of us. It apparently sends signals to our brains saying EAT IT NOW! I’ll buy that for now, until they have another theory. Anything is possible~

Crunches- They work and they work well, when all else fails and all the gadgets on TV get boring or don’t look so thrilling, remember all the “old school” gym exercises when gym class, they will never go out of style. Same goes for push ups~

DVD’s, Fitness bands and a good pair of walking shoes can be as good as any gym…and it’s free.~

Set a time- I have a hard time following this rule. No food after 6 or 7 pm. Close the kitchen down. People I know that follow this rule have greater success than I have had, sometimes it is just mindless eating at 10 pm and that is no good ~

Freebies- With the economy in a slump and wanting to save money there are a lot of perks. Like: Two week-one month free trail memberships to some good gyms, trainers who offer one free session, this is a great way to learn proper form so you can do it on your own. I had a free consult from a nutritionist and dietician that was recommended to be from the natural living department of what is now Whole Foods. It is nice to get a collective opinion on all the good options and ideas out there. Local rec center sometimes have freebies as well ~

Rewards- I use to reward myself for levels of pounds lost and then stopped, well I have started again and must say getting to that five pound loss was a pedicure waiting. Bringing back rewards, be it, a book or a spa treatment is like a mini trophy of success in motion ~

Living- Women in Japan live the longest; the claims are because they eat so much soy and drink green tea daily. Women in France have the least hart attacks of any country because they drink wine. Who knew? It was in a magazine I read. I don’t like soy, green tea or red wine; I think I’m in trouble ~

Routine-A routine is great to have when changing your lifestyle, but that also includes being good to ourselves on every level, not just diet and exercise. Setting aside time just to breath and read, or 5 minutes every morning and evening to lotion up your body are great ways of just appreciating yourself. I once saw a woman on Oprah who moisturized every morning and night without fail and she was in her 70’s and look late 40’s and swore it was from taking good care of her skin, it is our largest organ, so why not? ~

Vitamin D- It is stated that 77% of all Americans are Vitamin D deficient. When I was at a doctor’s appointment with my husband recently they suggested he start taking 800-1200 IU’s a day in addition to what ever sun he gets and what is in his multi. My friend the GP also recommends a supplement since being low in D can cause all kinds of heath problems. So this household is now on D. Back in the day they use to worry about toxicity but I read it would take 10,000 IU everyday for at least 6 months before you would be toxic. Think about D! ~

Why is it- Whenever a person is losing weight, changing their lifestyle there is always someone or two there to bring you down, find the negatives and just not be supportive? I recently had company that complained I was acting to “healthy”. I think people fear change in their friend’s and get jealous and that is why. That is my take anyway. I guess I would rather act too healthy than too lazy~

The Battle- I think even when I get to my ideal weight or the weight I am comfortable with I will still feel fluffy. I think when gaining a good amount of weight and being a dieter most of your life, even when there was no need (if I could go back for a day) it all lies in the whole self esteem issue. I think this will be a battle the rest of my life, the thing about not being 16 anymore is I can handle the battle and look at it as a challenge and lifestyle and not the DIE-T. I don’t care what others think of me, but I do care what I think of me…and one day I hope to change my perception of me, and think of my self as a conqueror of many things.