Healthy Living
| November 16, 2012 | Posted by Carrie under balance, Best Body Bootcamp, body image, Fitness Friday |
It’s been more than 3 years since I started on this new path of healthy living. 3 years ago, I lost 40 pounds, started exercising, eating better, eventually running and blogging and becoming part of the amazing community of healthy living bloggers.
But, it’s still not easy. Things I’ve learned along the way:
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You can be skinny and unhealthy
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I’m not defined by the number on the scale
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It’s okay to no longer weigh my lowest weight
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It’s not okay to let the bad habits creep in
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Exercise is vitally important to maintaining my focus on my health and keeping my body strong
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While I don’t have a healthy relationship with the scale, I do need to keep myself accountable and need to record measurements regularly
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My jeans don’t lie – when I’m feeling like the Pillsbury Doughboy in my jeans, I need to reexamine my eating habits and make some changes
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Keeping fit takes work – when the pounds creep back on, it takes work to get them off again. It’s about healthy living, not starting and stopping a diet.
Over the past year, I’ve struggled with what is a healthy weight. I know that the number doesn’t matter, but the way my clothes fit and the way I feel does matter. I cannot lie to myself when buying the next size up jeans. I need to remind myself of the things I wrote above – all the things I’ve learned.
When my clothes get tight, it’s not worth the self pity of throwing in the towel. That’s the time to pick up the towel and wipe off the sweat when I’m at the gym.
It’s not easy to keep the weight off and keep focused on taking care of myself. It’s too easy to say “oh, I eat healthy, I’ll just have this dinner out as an indulgent meal.” For me, there are times when that meal turns into the next one and the next one.
Over the last 4 weeks of doing Best Body Bootcamp, I’ve really been pushing myself. This past week I’ve started to see some real progress in the mirror. Muscle definition in my arms and legs.
I little while ago I had put on a pair of jeans that no longer fit well. These were my comfy jeans and they were no longer fitting (and I think I’d been lying to myself that things weren’t getting out of hand). To the point that they weren’t comfortable around the waist. Major muffin top action going on.
This past Wednesday, I put them on and they fit amazing!
How did I get these results? Working hard. After also seeing that my nails aren’t looking so healthy these days, I was reminded once again of my tendency to be overly restrictive. This week has been better. I’m so happy to see results. I know this is like the quote in the first image, it’s been 4 weeks and I can see a difference. Give me 4 more and I can’t wait to see what happens!
I did take my measurements today. I’m not discouraged to see that the numbers stayed the same for all but my waist where I lost 1/4 inch. I’m encouraged to know that if I keep on enjoying life and putting my energy into healthy living that I will see results.
What am I looking for at the end of this process? Well, I think that’s the thing – there is no end. I eat healthy, exercise and don’t lose sight of either of those things. I enjoy indulgent food on occassion and don’t let those occasions outnumber the healthy ones. I don’t start a diet to go off of it – I keep working on my diet of healthy living.
Linking up today with Fitness Friday! Go visit the always inspiring Jill and find some wonderful fitness blogs to read.
You’re so right, Carrie! It’s steps forward and backward, and it’s all okay. You’ve made such incredible progress, and you look so great! (and strong!) Wonderful words of wisdom, moderation and truth. I know you have inspired many others, and will continue to do so.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..My favorite posts and a holiday challenge
Thank you Laura. Your words are so nice. I’m loving my feeling of strong these days and just need to be patient with the rest. It’s the steps backwards that are hard to deal with. Even the little ones.
I think the biggest mindset change is approaching your health as a life-long goal and process… with lots of mini-goals along the way! There is no end! And that is the most exciting part
Mary @ Have the World recently posted..Squat…and then squat some more!
Yes, there is no end. This is how we do things. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Awesome! My jeans have been a bit tight lately and I need to get back on track for sure:) Great post!
hikermom recently posted..Three Things Thursday
Who needs a scale when we know exactly how our jeans should fit?
Terrific post! It’s hard for some people to realize that appearance doesn’t necessarily tell someone’s health story. It is hard work to stay “thin” and there is that healthy mental aspect of it too. Love that you don’t think of this as a beginning and an end.
Carli recently posted..My Cat Can Open Doors #FitnessFriday No. 4
Thank you Carli. I appreciate the support.
Wahooo! A wonderful work in progress. Good for you and I applaud your efforts. Some good looking shoulders and arms there! Keep up the great work.
Elle recently posted..Sleep Glorious Sleep – How to Get Enough
Thanks Elle! I’m loving the progress.
Great post and good reminders to all of us as we go through peaks and valleys. IT is so true that you need give things 12+ weeks,
Jen recently posted..Winter Running Tips
All aspects of life have peaks and valleys. Good reminder.
Woohoo, so glad you are seeing the results you’ve worked so hard for!
Suzanne recently posted..Races & Challenges & Exchanges Oh My!
Thank you! It has been hard work.
Healthy living is a roundabout journey sometimes, isn’t it? Lots of forward and back but that’s how life it too. The ebbs and the flows and it’s long-term, not a quick fix. You look great and have made such great progress.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Friday Round-up: Gifts and Gratitude
Long term but not a quick fix. There’s no quick fix to anything.
You look great! Love the muscle tone. I am not sure who invented scales but whoever it was should be shot.
jan recently posted..Around School
Ha ha! Yes, they should be shot.
Carrie what is it with the tendency to be overly restrictive? I realized this week that I do just that and in the end whatever “it” is it’s is not sustainable long term. I can’t believe it has taken me so long to put 2 and 2 together and actually get 4! I’ve just come up with a blog topic for next week
The proof is in the jeans!
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Fitness Friday || No Excuses
I’m trying so hard to not be overly restrictive, yet the controlling part of my personality takes over. Can’t wait to read your blog. Love that “The proof is in the jeans.”
Good for you! How we feel makes a difference, too. I’ve been less disciplined for a month, and I feel tired and less energized.
Today, I’m feeling much better with 2 runs tucked under my belt and my cold gone. I’m hitting the trails later after taking my oldest to the DMV.
Barb @ A Life in Balance recently posted..{ project 365 } week of 11.11.12
Eeek, taking your oldest to the DMV, that’s a huge milestone!!! I’m glad you’re feeling better.
Congrats to living a healthy lifestyle! The proof is in the way you feel with your fun loving personality and the way your jeans fit! It’s the best feeling to wear clothes and feel confident! I’ve gained about 10 lbs over the last year but the last week I took my workouts to the next level and cut out a few things, I have to stay on track the next 6 weeks!
Lisa recently posted..My Favorite Things in November
Thank you Lisa, your words mean a lot to me. Good luck with the next 6 weeks, you can keep the focus and do what you’ve set out to do!
Great post. I think this hits home with a lot of people. I feel the same way. Last year during marathon training I got the smallest that I’ve been, well since like 7th grade. I lost 13 lbs and toned up and felt great. I’ve since then gained 8 of these pounds back. I have to keep talking myself “off a ledge”. By this I mean changing my diet to drop the weight, running more than I should, etc. I just started training again and I know that if I stick to it, and eat healthy and intuitively, I will get to where I want to be. Patience.
Laura @ RunningJunkie123 recently posted..Marathon Training: Week One
I totally know what you mean about the ‘ledge’. It’s so tempting to fall prey to a quick fix scheme. But, there is no quick fix for being healthy. You’re right, just stick to your plan, you’ll get there.
How I wish people wake up to this reality that healthy living is personal responsibility. Welldone. This is really awesome.
Life is full of personal responsibility. If people would just come to that realization a little more quickly, the world would be an entirely different place. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
um, are we the same person? I think so.
I can relate to everything you said. Great post! Thanks for sharing!
Amazing!!!!
I like you will be celebrating my 3 years journey to health and fitness very soon!
Through the ups and downs….we are still in it! No one said it would be easy…they said it would be worth it…and you know what…it is
Congrats to you!
Kierston recently posted..Little Things Monday #4: Finding Happiness in the Little Things!
Totally worth it!! After a long day yesterday, I got in my workout at almost 8PM and actually felt energized and so happy I got it done. I need to remember that on the days I don’t want to do it.