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Sunday, the designated day of rest. I’m going to use this day to reflect on the past week and how I feel. The highs of the week have been that I finally took my driving test, and almost passed it. Also, I got a job interview. Excellent.
On the health front however, I don’t think it has been so great. I really notice the difference in how I feel when I go back to my old eating and exercise habits. I feel icky, and somewhat dehydrated. I feel like I could drink five liters of water in one sitting. I’ve felt like that all week.
I can start drinking water today, and tomorrow, I’ll ask to go to the gym in the morning. I’ll have a breakfast of something other than two bacon egg and cheese burritos. I can take some of the frozen fruit in the refrigerator and mix it into my plain oatmeal. That way I can get the fruit without all the sugar that Quaker Oats adds to their oatmeal. Sometimes, I eat food on automatic pilot. I usually eat my worst stuff late at night. I have those sodas with the refined sugar, the ham and cheese sandwiches. And then, after staying up until 3 AM, I’ll fall asleep until noon the next day. I’m not getting enough sleep, and I’m not eating right. I have to decide to change my habits.
Tonight, I will eat dinner before 7:30, Turn off my television at 8 and read my book, learn some portuguese while I’m getting ready for bed. Then I’ll be in bed by ten. I won’t turn on the television no matter what. Then, I’ll repeat the same thing tomorrow.
I can’t wait to get my driver’s license. Then I can go to the gym earlier. I really enjoy starting my day with exercise. It gives me energy for the day, and I’m not intimidated by all the muscle bound football players who hog the free weights in the afternoon. It’s a real blessing that my college has a great gym too. With a license, I will have more self esteem, and a new sense of freedom. If anybody reads this, keep me in your thoughts and prayers on Tueday.
Goal for this week: Go to the gym consistently for five days and walk on the treadmill or track for at least 30 minutes.
Well, it looks like the gym is closed for Independence Day weekend. I should probably just walk around my neighborhood tonight, and take the thirty minute route.
Today, I woke up, and found my parents had bought some donuts. The donuts weren’t particularly good, but that’s not the point. The food is still there. My mother often says, “I don’t put the food in your mouth.” But the food would be harder to put in my mouth if it wasn’t in the house to begin with. I need to move out of here.
I hate being so negative, but it is hard making the right choices when nobody is around to encourage you in making them. I think a change of environment would really help.
Yesterday, I took my driving test, and wasn’t even able to get out of the parking center because some idiot came speeding out on my left. The instructor failed me for not making sure my lane was clear, but I know I did. It is frustrating when your failure isn’t your own fault.
Anyway, my brother and I went to the mall afterward just to walk around. I didn’t visit many stores, I just walked, and after a couple of hours walking around, I felt pretty darned good in spite of what happened. It’s amazing how a little exercise can change your mood.
So, I’ve made a serious dedication to working out during the weekdays. I feel great. I’m much more conscious of what I eat. I still have a problem eating late at night, but I’m not eating the really fat laden stuff I had before. I’m drinking my water, and I feel really good even though I’m a little sore.
Today, I get to go swimming! I went swimming on Tuesday, and I really had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. It’s low impact, and I don’t strain my joints like I do when I’m walking. I think it might be the perfect exercise for me. Too bad the pool isn’t open every day.
Anyway, the more I think about moving, the less I want to do it. So, sometimes you just have to make the conscious decision and then act upon it. Because not moving actually does feel worse than exercise.
I am impressed with your efforts to change your life. It takes a lot to move in a new direction, doesn’t it? I haven’t been much of a swimmer in the past, but it is a skill I want to improve. So I’ll be in the pool too. Any tips?
Take care and keep up the good work. Remember that the MTM crew is solidly behind you when you aren’t feeling the encouragement you need from friends and family.
I can’t say that I have any tips with swimming. I’ve never been a professional, and I’m pretty convinced that it’s my inherent bouyancy that comes with being overweight that makes me such a good swimmer in the first place. I do think that the big thing in swimming other than doing your strokes correctly is learning how to control your breathing. Also, don’t forget to warm up like you do with any other form of exercise. Cramps don’t feel good, especially when you’re on the deep end.
Wow, I have a great job now, I’m a step closer to improving my life drastically. The job is great and has good benefits including a wellness program for it’s employees. I’m already buying new workout shoes today with my first paycheck. I might also buy myself a new jogging outfit. They have a weight loss incentive program that I’m definetely taking advantage of. Not that I’m doing this for money, but if they’re offering it, why not take advantage?
The job does have it’s dangers. I sit at a desk all day and the cafeteria offers cheap fast food. That of course is way more appealing than the slightly pricier salad buffet that they offer. I have been bringing my own lunch, but sometimes I get lazy, and end up buying a cheap philly cheesesteak combo.
Basically, I need to make a habit of motivation and move around during my breaks or even before my shift starts.
I bought myself a pair of Brooks Beast. They’re great shoes, I’m not sure if I like them as much as my New Balance shoes, but I just got them, so we’ll see.
Congrats on the new job!.... Sounds like you are definitely starting to have a more positive outlook!… That’s neat that you have so many great perks at your work for your workout goals!..
Antonio,
congrats on the job with Dell, that is so awesome!!! Also cool that they provide incentive to get in good shape!!!! I do a lot of work on Dell computers myself and call Dell alot, wonder if I will be talking with you in the future at all!!!! Yes I am a Dell Certified tech who is onsite with a company that buys all Dell stuff!!! Keep up the great workouts and keep moving. Give us an update when you have the chance. Take care and have a great weekend!!!
I started exercising again on the fourth of August at the Wellness Center at my college. I didn’t take before pics until the 13th of August, and took some progress pics yesterday. I’ll post them as soon as I figure out how. Right now, though, I’ve been in kind of a slump. I didn’t exercise today or yesterday, and last week, I didn’t go to the gym at all. ;_;
Boredom is a powerful thing. I’ve been doing work on the treadmill, mostly because I wanted to focus on aerobics until I could do at least 30 minutes on the treadmill. Now that I can do 30 minutes on the treadmill, it’s hard pulling myself out of the ‘blahs’. This SHOULD change once I start weight lifting soon, but I need to get re-inspired real quick before I fall off the wagon again!
I shouldn’t feel this way. My blood pressure is down, I feel much healthier than I did at the beginning of the month, but I feel like my goal is so far away, and I almost feel like whatever I’m doing now isn’t enough.
I’m off my game right now too, but I know I like the changes I have seen in my body since I started working out. Weight training has made a big difference for me. I still have about 60 lbs to go to get to my 100 lbs lost ultimate goal, but I am breaking it down into smaller units as I go becasue that is too much to think of all at once. I celebrate after evey 5 lbs I lose. with big ones at evey 25. It takes a while to start seeing changes, but if you stick with it you will make progress.
Hi Antonio! Why shouldn’t you feel that way? Yes, you’re making improvements, and you definitely should be proud of them. But if you are feeling blah, accept the feeling and keep moving through it. As long as you come back out of it, blahs just help balance out and make the good days all the better.
I still get the blahs. I’ve lost 40 pounds, and they came off fairly easily (at least compared to this last 20) but some days just knowing the sheer amount of effort and work I’m going to have to put into this to finish my goal makes me very tired. It always passes, and I really do enjoy my workouts in the moment, but it can seem like a monumental task.
We’re here if want a boost or an ear to get through the blahs. Just remember all the good you’ve done, and know that you will get everything you want—eventually.
I do think that the big thing in swimming other than doing your strokes correctly is learning how to control your breathing. Also, don’t forget to warm up like you do with any other form of exercise. Cramps don’t feel good, especially when you’re on the deep end.
