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Hey everyone. I’ve been in and out of the forum in the past, but now I think I’m needing some motivation more than ever. I am currently spending a semester abroad studying in Madrid, Spain. I have fallen in love with this city and the culture, but unfortunately for my waistline, eating and drinking make up a very central part of this culture. And that food frequently includes lots of cheese, bread, ham, and other fried meat (and vegetables are rather hard to come by). Not to mention, churros dipped in hot chocolate is a very common dessert.
So I am finding myself struggling quite a bit to balance my full enjoyment of living here with eating healthfully and exercising. Recently I have begun exercising again (there is a great central central park to run, and I have joined a gym), but this is the most trouble I have ever had in really being consistent in sticking to a healthy diet.
I am hoping that joining this forum will provide some incentive for me to focus more on taking care of myself, and I would love to get feedback/motivation from others as I try to re-adapt to a healthy lifestyle. Thanks!
Welcome to the challenge, Rachel! The accountability you’ll find here is super helpful, and the support is phenomenal. What are your goals for the next 100 days, and do you have a plan?
Hey, thanks. I think step 1 of the plan is to eliminate churros from my diet, haha. I’m planning to be more consistent about working out now that I am more settled here. I’m also planning to find more creative ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into my diet, since they seem to eat far less of those here than I’m used to.
More specifically with the workouts: running when it’s nice out, otherwise elliptical, weights, and abs classes at my gym (having someone yell at me in Spanish is quite motivating!) Also, there is a 10k in my hometown which I’m going to miss this year. I thought it would be a good goal to train for it as if I were running it, then at least I could pretend to experience it vicariously.
I also am living with a Spanish woman, who cooks for me and always gives me large helpings. I need to start feeling comfortable not finishing off the entire plate (like I did tonight!).
When I feel fit and healthy everything else just seems to fall into place, so I know that once I get into a consistent routine my entire experience here will be complete.
Welcome Rachel........
Sounds like you will reach your goals....
I have a question…
Can you answer the why?
Why do you want to lose the weight...you mentioned that life is just better when you do, and that is a good one. Like Scott says “How do I want to feel?”
When we ask that question before our actions, we often choose differently (like you did by not eating the large portion-good job)
We all have our motivations for doing things....and it sounds like you are on your way!
Welcome Rachel........
Sounds like you will reach your goals....
I have a question…
Can you answer the why?
Why do you want to lose the weight...you mentioned that life is just better when you do, and that is a good one. Like Scott says “How do I want to feel?”
When we ask that question before our actions, we often choose differently (like you did by not eating the large portion-good job)
We all have our motivations for doing things....and it sounds like you are on your way!
It really is about feeling good (and looking good isn’t a bad motivation either!). In the end I know I’ll feel better if I go for a run or go to the gym rather than go to a cafe and stuff myself when I’m not really hungry.
When I feel fit, it gives me a source of confidence that I can apply to other parts of my life.
Now all I have to do is work out how to tackle this fattening Spanish food! They consider ham and cheese a healthy meal, while I consider it too much fat. I’m working on finding other options, or just reducing portions.
And now for day #2 of the exercise challenge--the sun is shining and I’m off to run around the park!
I just got back from my run and I FEEL great. I was about to reach for a cookie sitting next to my bed, but I asked myself how I want to feel, and decided the cookie would not make me feel good. Soooo I crushed the bag of cookies, threw them in the trash, and went for half a banana instead. Man do I feel good!!
Way to go!!
After 2 days of running my legs feel great but sore, now after reading your post I want to run again…
Do you use nikeplus? I have used it since July on and off, but really gotten into it, since December.
Check it out on http://www.nikeplus.com
Keep going, we’ll get to our goals… one step and a time.
You’re already moving in the right direction. Good job.
I found it very funny when you wrote that having someone yell at you in Spanish is very motivating ... I should try that on my students one day.... if only I knew another language!
Day 3: Finally my gym is open again after being closed for Semana Santa last week (Spanish holy week). It felt so good to get back to lifting weights (not that I don’t still love running outdoors). I’m excited to have that great sore muscle feeling tomorrow, and hopefully will get to a pilates class tomorrow after my classes!
Accountability time: I had a good weight workout today, and did a lot of walking....but also ate ice cream. Gotta work on cutting that out of the daily regimen…
You’re doing really well, Rachel! Ice cream isn’t evil. As long as you have some, and not a ton, and enjoy every bite, then it is perfectly OK. It’s all about the portions.
In the past I’ve had a tendency to slip into autopilot on the elliptical, but I’ve lately been putting it on higher settings and upping the resistance. I am definitely sweating each time I descend from the machine.
Day #5: short elliptical warm-up, then weights. I’m already starting to increase my weights a little after a 2-3 week break. I tend to space out a little though, rather than keeping the intensity up. I might need to make a new Ipod mix!
After that I took an abs/glutes class, which helped me get my ab workout in. I’m on my way back to my six pack hopefully!
I just had pizza for dinner, kicking myself a little bit but at least the metabolism is flying from the workouts and hopefully I can continue to tweak the diet (so far I’ve been really good about keeping all the extra snacks out that I tend to eat when I’m bored).
I woke up today and my achilles tendon was hurting me. Feels like I overstretched it or something. If anyone has any tips on what to do for that it would be appreciated, it hurts a little much to run/elliptical.
However, I didn’t let that deter me from exercising--I found a class that was low impact but lots of squats, leg lifts, etc. I will definitely be hurting tomorrow (and I will enjoy it). Anyway I guess that’s Day #6.
