back on track

So I've worked pretty hard in January ... the outcome: a full month of focusing on eating right and exercise ... = losing the 7 pounds I gained at Christmas.
I think it's crazy to think that I could gain 7 pounds easily in less than 2 weeks at Christmas ... and it can take almost a month to lose it again ... wowzers!!

I think it makes me more aware that eating healthy and exercising is a lifestyle change, not a diet. It scares me to think if I ever stop exercising or don't eat right this could happen ALL over again. I guess that's why they say when you lose a lot of weight it's very difficult to maintain it. I read a stat that 95% of people that lose weight ... gain it back (if not more weight back!!). UGH! Talk about discouraging. I guess the goal is to be that 5% to maintains the weight loss?
Here's a few tips I read about to ensure the weight is not only lost but MAINTAINED!!!

Be physically active.
Watch your diet. A meal plan that allows for adequate calories, protein, and fat and is not overly restrictive has been shown to be the most beneficial
Have realistic weight goals.
Eat breakfast.
Learn to manage stressful situations.
Have a support system.

Here's hoping I'm writing a post in 2017 (5 years from now) and I am not one of the 95% statistic!!

Great quote ...

A saw this and I found it to be quite powerful...

I exercise because I can. When I get tired, I remember those that can’t exercise and what they would give to have this simple gift that I take for granted, and I work harder for them.

One of my biggest motivators of exercise is that I don't want to be the type of person 20 years down the road that CAN'T exercise. I want to be able to run with my future children and I want to always be the type of educator that can include physical activity in my classroom without running out of breath or feeling achey.

Age obviously affects our physical body .. but think about how good you feel when you DO exercise .. I know I feel energized, happy and unbelieveably proud. Exercise helps our heart, our brain and our overall health.

Everywhere people are looking for the miracle cure to aging through creams and vitamins. Part of me believe the miracle cure is within us - it's your very own body and what you do with it. So get out there and exercise ... we all want to age well - don't we?

7 POUNDS?!?!

7 pounds ... it is glaring at me ... sitting with me ... aggravating me ...
The amount that I gained over Christmas break.

For me it was a realization that .. shit ... I really need to maintain a healthy lifestyle (exercise and diet wise) or else every pound I've worked my ass off to lose will come right back. It is WAY easier to gain the weight back than lose it.

I'll be honest I was extremely discouraged. The worst was when my trainer told me .. you haven't been this weight since the end of August. For me that was a wake up call .. it took me 4 months to lose/maintain that weight  .. and all of a sudden over 2 bad weeks .. 7 pounds are back.

I can't even say I didn't exercise .. because I did .. but food .. yes food was a disaster .. not going to lie.

But .. it's a new year .. and I'm going to pick myself up and stay with it. Nothing is easy and everybody says there's set backs (and are there ever!).

I truly think this feeling of discouragement will stick with me .. and I'm hoping that next Christmas I will think twice about the way I eat ... no point in indulging like crazy and overeating - it just doesn't make me feel good .. .it's also not worth it.

This new year will bring new challenges .. new ups and downs .. and new food temptations...new excuses. NO MORE EXCUSES !! That's my basic word of wisdom!

And in closing .. I'm stealing from the bootcamp blog that inspires me regularly .. hope it inspires you too ..
"The past is the past and you can't change it, but by changing your thoughts, attitudes and ACTION in the present moment, the future is yours to create."

Please join me in making 2012 a year of healthy living and healthy choices.