Every once in awhile I talk about the things I do in regards to fitness and health and how I struggle with finding that balance between wanting to be skinny and wanting to be healthy. There have also been times where I justified having more “cheat snacks” than even my (near) daily exercise regime can handle and I end up gaining a few (or nine) pounds. I’ve gotten myself back on track since that last post and have kept up a balance of doing Boot Camp (twice a week), running (5K, two or three times a week) and doing one of Jillian Michaels’ home workout DVD’s once or twice a week. I’ve also stopped shoving copious amounts of chips and leftover Goldfish crackers into my piehole (I don’t really care for pie, for the record).
A few weeks ago my friend Tannis emailed me because she had participated in a fitness program, seen fabulous results and had taken the training so she could lead a local class. She was looking for some input from me as to times and such and what I thought would work for Moms here in town (Childless folks can attend as well, it’s just one of those classes where you can bring your kids to play while you work out). The times she chose don’t work for me, what with those pesky office hours I keep, but if you live in town (or close by) you can get the details of her classes in this post on her blog.
Attending live classes may be out of the question but Tannis told me that they have an online program as well. There’s a 90-day challenge that I could still participate in, while using their online nutrition plans and tools for tracking my daily food consumption and recorded videos that I could do at home. I told her to send me the information about that program and once I got through the nine (NINE) documents she sent, I wasn’t as overwhelmed as I was when I saw that there were nine (NINE) documents. They talk about eating well-balanced meals and spacing them throughout the day. They talk about calculating your base metabolic rate (BMR) so that you know how many calories you need to consume just doing your normal daily activities (and how to increase it if you’re active).
(Side note: I have friends who have done Weight Watchers and after calculating my BMR, if I were to ever go on Weight Watchers, my body would go into “starvation mode”. I require double of what they recommend. I know that WW has worked for many but it appears that it would not be a good program for me.)
Also included in the forms were questionnaires about my current fitness level and what I wanted from the program. It also included a fitness test and yet another for for me to (GULP) take my measurements. I’ve never taken my measurements. I’d have to commit to the community and giving updates and tracking every calorie that goes into my mouth.
Matthew was a little skeptical (he happens to like my body, as is) but as this is no “fad diet” or anything that will add time to our lives (I already work out almost daily), he shrugged his shoulders and said I could do it if it interested me. I threw it out on Twitter and had positive responses, though one friend emailed me and wondered if I was being a little “crazy”.
I don’t think so. I mean, check out Tannis’ before and after photos. She was fit before she started and kind of “tightened things up”. I told her that my current body looks like her “before” photo. Fit and healthy and not overweight in anyway.
What if I could make it better?
Let’s face it, folks. I’m thirty-five. THIRTY-FIVE. I’m mere years away from having a throat wattle and arms that flap in the breeze when I wave hello to a friend. Maybe, for once in my life, I could have…abs. With definition. I mean, could you imagine? (I would of course get a spray tan and rub some kind of glistening lotion on them before I took photos “for posterity’s sake”.) And if the six-pack is more of a dream than reality it really is OK. If I can learn more about eating healthy and balancing what goes into my mouth with what kind of physical exertion I’m putting out I’ll be all the better for it.
I really do want to be the best me, you know? Whether it’s to do with exercise or marriage or parenting or friendship or photography or writing or anything else. I want to do it, and do it well.
I’m still waffling a bit on whether I should do it (It will be good to track food for once in my life!/WHO HAS TIME TO TRACK FOOD?/I’d love to be more toned!/Maybe I’m being too hard on myself and should be happy with the results of the work I’m already doing). I can’t decide if I’m being “crazy” for thinking I should do this/my current routing is not “good enough” or if I’m using that as an excuse for being a chicken and not pushing myself a little harder than I normally do.
It’s probably the latter. Besides. It’s only 90 days, right?
You are awesome just the way you are. You are already good to your body. Ease up.
That said, if it will be a FUN 90 day challenge, do it!
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angella Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:24 pm
I think I just might!
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I can definitely agree with you on the “WHO HAS TIME TO TRACK FOOD?” Personally, I love food and I love to eat. Unfortunately, the best food is to always the most healthy ones.
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angella Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I hear ya. Thank God for Friday night diet “cheat” nights.
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You are already a powerhouse of working out and eating right in my opinion. If you are going to jump into this 90 day thing just be ALL IN because that’s the only way it will really work. If you’re not 100% inspired and ready you might end up beating yourself up for not sticking to it. Or maybe I am projecting because that’s what I would do!
.-= Sizzle´s last blog ..Who’s Yours =-.
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angella Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Me too! That’s why I want to make sure it’s right before I sign up.
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Yikes, when it’s all written up it does look terrifying, especially for someone as busy as you are! I agree with some of the other comments, do it if it’s fun but not ON TOP of everything else. You’d end up working out twice a day and tracking food all night… You are also already in great shape so I hope you don’t feel that pressure. For me personally it was fun and fantastic to switch things up with a format I’d never done before.
Although you want to take it seriously to get results, you can do the workouts and food tracking (just do a week or even a few days to get some feedback on nutrition) without making the official “90 Day Challenge” committment. Pop in at the members site when you feel like checking in, not as an obligation. Set your own goals and stick to those. Just my two cents.
Thanks for the shout out, I appreciate it!
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angella Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
You deserve it! You’ve inspired me.
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I am firm believer that there is always room for improvement in eating habits and getting a bit more toned is not a bad thing. Your friend make fantatastic improvement and I think she looked great before!
I am going to check it out, I need a kick start again after our Vegas trip, I am still trying to get back on track!
.-= Kami’s Khlopchyk´s last blog ..Good Bye- Old Friend =-.
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angella Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Ooooh! We could do it together! (No pressure. I think I’ll do it anyway.)
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I don’t know everything about this program, but if it’s something you really want to do, of course I say: Go for it!
You are already buff, but after this you will officially be Super Buff.
(I’m not sure if this means working out every day for 90 days (I’m assuming it does?), but I have a Twitter friend who has been doing that, and it’s super inspiring.)
.-= Kerri Anne´s last blog ..You Know- People Underestimate The Value Of A Good Ramble =-.
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angella Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:29 pm
I work out almost every day as it is…I only take a day off if something happens that’s out of my control.
I’d just be replacing Jillian with the online workouts which, I’ve read, also incorporate Pilates and Yoga. I don’t do either right now, so it might be good.
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I think you’re crazy.
Except not. I would think you’re crazy if you were adding it on to your current daily ‘to do’ list. But since you’re just replacing your (already impressive) weekly exercise regime, then I guess, as your friend-who-doesn’t-want-to-see-you-burnt-out, I’m okay with it.
Have fun changing it up! Hope you get the results you’re after!
(You don’t like pie? What is wrong with you?)
.-= Danica´s last blog ..Pieces of Thursday =-.
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angella Reply:
September 23rd, 2010 at 2:30 pm
I don’t HATE pie…I just never crave it. I like apple pie, but I’m more of a salt lover.
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I hope to one day have HALF the determination you do! Good luck in the 90 Days!!!
.-= Mrs. Wilson´s last blog ..7 Days- 4 commute =-.
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It’s a very personal decision. I shy away from any diet or fitness plan that requires me to track my food because I know that it’s far too easy for me to resort back to competitive eating (or rather lack of eating.) There was a time when it felt like some sort of effed up accomplishment to be hungry all the time. I couldn’t participate in a program like you describe because I don’t trust myself. If you know yourself well enough to know that you can track food safely, and the program won’t add stress to your already busy life, I say go for it. It’s only 90 days
.-= hillary´s last blog ..Falling Down A Canyon Like A Couple Drunken Criminals =-.
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Hey Angella, just thought that I would comment as I too am changing the way I eat. I was having soo many health issues and finally went to an Accupuncturist who referred me to the book “The pH Miracle” I have lost 15 pounds and feel better than I ever have in my life. I won’t go into my health details but I tell you there were many. They have completely dissapeared. I am wide awake form 7am to 11pm and am a much happier person! Way to go for you!!!!!!! Love your (really)old friend, Kristy
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Well, it’s only 90 days, true. But remember that the next 90 days will take you through Thanksgiving and Christmas… which is exactly 3 months from tomorrow… So, do you really want to be counting every holiday morsel you consume at home and office until 2011? My recommendation: do the 90 day challenge as a New Year’s resolution. It might also help combat your winter blahs by giving you a fun, new goal.
Way to go on staying in shape after 3 kids! Do you know what an endangered species you are? Buff 30-something moms are not exactly a dime a dozen, you know. Hope you’re proud of yourself because I’m sure proud of you!!
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I couldn’t do it, but that level of exercise just isn’t my thang. Obviously, you’ve seen me in person
I have change a LOT of my eating habits though and my surgery was a jump start to losing more weight. Once I’m 100% healed I’m looking forward to yoga and some meditation.
SO, my point is, if you like the activity and you think you’ll get something out of it, why not go for it? It’s nothing but positive from what I can tell. It’s not a fad, nor any sort of crash diet that could be bad for your health.
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