The past few weeks haven’t been great. I know what is required to lose weight, I know what steps I need to take, but I still can’t quite seem to remember to take them. I’m more than a little frustrated right now, because I start each week with great intentions. But by mid-week, usually even before the weekend, I just… stop thinking about it.
One of my biggest issues this past weekend was eating healthfully while enjoying time with friends. I had planned healthy snacks for our Super Bowl party, but then forgot to put out the shrimp and stuffed myself with crackers and cheese dip (OMG was it good dip, though: Meijer brand asiago and artichoke, from the produce section).
So, first question, dear readers: How do you keep healthy food choices at the front of your mind?
My other biggest issue has been figuring out when to work out. I know the usual suggestions: (1) wake up a little earlier in the morning; (2) take a workout lunch break; and (3) work out after work. None of those is incredibly appealing to me right now. You see (1) I have a hard enough time dragging myself out of bed in time to shower and make myself look presentable; (2) there’s no freaking way I’m heading outside to work out in sub-zero windchill weather, nor do I want to practice calisthenics in my open-to-the-whole-world cubicle; and (3) and by the time I get home at night I have just enough time to do a couple of chores, eat dinner, and relax for a short time before I need to get ready for bed.
Luckily I’m going back to part-time at work now, so I’ll have a lot more time. I’m going to make working out part of my daily plan, and doing it right when I get out of work. I’m not sure what I’m going to do next fall though, when I go full-time again. Maybe by then it will be such a habit that I’ll be more willing to fit it in to a busier schedule? At the moment I have more confidence in my laziness than I do in coming to enjoy working out, although I know that there was a time when I did.
At any rate, second question: How do you fit fitness into a busy lifestyle?
Thank you in advance for your ever honest and always insightful responses! I’ll be back next week with some thoughts on self love, and hopefully a loss to report!
Question #1: I buy healthy lunches and snacks, and “plant” them at school where I know I’ll be…staff lounge fridge, various classrooms, etc. I also stock each room with a 12-pack of diet ice tea and lots of bottled water. That way I’m far less likely to wander to the candy/soda machines! The key for me is to have it right there waiting for me! I make a grocery run to Sprouts or Trader Joe’s on the weekend and then head to school to stock up my stashes.
Question #2 — Let me know when you figure that one out!!
You are an inspiration to me, Aby!
I know what you mean, girl—I know what I need to do, but implementing it is another story. As for food: I’ve found, hands down (that rhymes), that what works best for me is planning. Without planning, I eat whatever I can get my hands on, munching blindly. I try to think of where and how I’m going to get in some veggies and fruits, and plan around that.
As for working out, I’ve had to take some very unwanted time off because of a crack in my foot. But I, too, can’t seem to get up early, and the best time for me to work in exercise classes and other non-running exercise is on my lunch break or right after work. I bring my clothes to work and don’t allow myself to go home first. I do that with running sometimes, too.
Good luck to you, my friend!