Thursday, February 23, 2012

What Have I Been Up To?

It's time to get real folks. I don't have a lot of time to blog lately. I feel like I've been saying this for about the past 6-8 months. Anyway, it's true. And it makes me sad. More recently, it's been a little more my choice rather than lack of time. I thoroughly enjoy blogging, but something had to give. Here's the thing... I promised myself that this was my year. I am going to do it. I am getting back to my old, healthy, fit self. I finished breast feeding in November. I'm done having babies. No more excuses, the weight has got to come off.

It makes me a little sick to realize that I've gained 25 pounds since moving to VA. I could blame that on a lot of factors like: being older, having my 5th baby, being stressed through months of unemployment, and so on and so forth. But, I'm not going to do it. It was my choice, even as I continued to see the numbers go up on the scale. I stopped exercising, I got a little depressed. I had to go a size up in jeans. My clothes got tighter. And I had enough!

I went back to the gym, started eating healthier. I re-injured myself mid-January (an old dance injury, ripped hamstring muscle. Ouchie) and became really discouraged. I couldn't go the gym for about 4 weeks. But I still tried to eat healthy, walk when I could, and stay upbeat. I was able to go back to the gym last week, and it felt SO good! My heavier body is unfamiliar with the routines I try to push it through, and it's frustrating to struggle to do things I used to do easily.

Still, I'm not giving up. It takes a lot of time to get to the gym every day. It takes a lot of time to plan out what I'm going to eat every day and at what time of day so that I don't ever become too hungry and binge. I have sacrificed things I enjoy doing (like blogging :) in favor of excercise, and sleep. Also, unfortunately, things I don't enjoy so much like laundry and cleaning. On top of that, I'm really trying to moderate the time I spend on the computer. It's such a time-stealer. And while I enjoy the computer, blogging, and the Internet, etc., I need to have a balance in my life. I feel like I'm finding that balance.

I decided to start posting about my healthy journey on my blog. It will help me to be more accountable. So, help me out, okay? If I haven't mentioned my health goals in awhile, ask me about it! I love my readers, and I'm happy to share my life with you. It's so nice to have the support.

In case you're interested, I've been using My Fitness Pal for help recording my daily food intake, my excercise, my goals, etc. It's a great website, and they also have a free app. It takes awhile to get used to, but it's worth it.

Have a happy, healthy day, and thanks for reading!

(this whole meal was measured, down to the 2 teaspoons of brown sugar. Delightful :)

3 comments:

Matt and Joanna said...

Sarah, you really are great! I don't know why, but I always find your posts very motivating and encouraging. If you can do the things you do with 5 kids and being sick... so can I! I'm with you regarding cutting out computer/phone time. It's helped to end my games on the phone and move my facebook app so it's not on the front page ;) I'll have to check out the fitness app when I start having a choice as to what to eat and it's not determined by what won't make me puke!

Jana said...

I discovered My Fitness Pal when I just got my iPhone, and I already love it! I just started with it yesterday, and found it so easy to use, and really encouraged me to think about what I was eating. I only have 650 calories for the rest of the day! Eeek! I especially love the Recipes tool. It's as user-friendly as WeightWAtchers Online, but FREE.

I second your dedication to get to a healthier me. I'm working on my journey, too. I will do it with you! I've decided to bag all the goals to run races until I accomplish my REAL goal- getting healthy and feeling comfortable with my body. I'd love to lose 20 pounds by my 30th birthday at the end of June--4 months, I can do it! I will run to accomplish the goal, but will not make a race THE goal, because then I'm not focusing on the real goal.

Whew! Lots of similar thoughts have been on my mind. You are inspirational! I don't know how you manage your whole world, and keep it all together! I look up to you.

amberkei said...

Way to go, Girl!! You rock and I appreciate you so much in my life! I have been using my fitness pal and I agree that it's a great app. I sure hope you start seeing your goals, and mostly that you start feeling awesome about you!
Thank you for being real and telling it like it is. You are an amazing mom and wife and woman!! Hang in there, we are all rooting for you and trying, just like you, to figure out how to get our lives and bodies back. Thanks for sharing!!