I've been SO dedicated to exercise for the last 4 months, it's almost hard to believe. I have been going to my CrossFit gym religiously 4-6x per week and working my ass off. Not literally. Ironically so, my ass is a little bit bigger than when I started if that's possible. But it's actually muscular, not flabby. So much so that most of my jeans don't fit anymore. They are loose in the waist (score!) and tight in the butt and thigh (those darn muscles again!) I have made jean shopping a bit of a sport now. My mission? Find the perfect jean to fit a CrossFitter's body. That's right - I'm a CrossFitter. Anyway, I'm getting way off track. This post is about eating.
While I have been annoying most my Facebook friends with inspirational quotes with each CrossFit check-in, it helped to keep me accountable at first. Although now, I'm fairly certain that I would be going to the gym as much even if I didn't "check-in", I do get the occasional - "I love that quote" or "I was motivated to go the the gym when I read your post". I can't describe how incredible it feels to know that something like that gave someone else the motivation they needed to do something. It's crazy. So sorry folks, since MY Facebook is all about ME - I'm not letting up on my almost daily check-ins. I do, however need to figure out a way to keep me accountable for what I eat.
Food is such a struggle for me. Growing up with 20-30 hours a week of ballet most of my childhood and adolescence, allowed me to eat pretty much whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Because of that, I have developed a serious love of food. I'm sure there's some psychology behind what, when and why I eat. I should probably take the time to explore that a little bit - but it's doubtful that I will. So in the meantime I have to come up with a strategy that will assist me in keeping my cravings and binges in check. I have tried using apps on my phone that work to a certain extent, but like a true addict, I oftentimes just omit certain things I eat (hide), so that I'm just fooling myself. It's kind of ridiculous. I have tried pills and potions that just make my heart race and I know aren't good for me. I have tried too many "diets" to count. But lately, I've just been sticking to the 80/20 rule where I try to eat sensibly most of the time and allow myself the ability to indulge from time to time. The problem is that most weeks it turns out to be more like 50/50. Especially over the holidays when cookies and sweets (some of my all-time favorites) are all over the place.
My husband keeps reminding me of Body for Life that I did a hundred years ago with good success. 6 small meals - basically it's calorie control - which really is every diet. I'm just having a hard time. I think part of my problem is that I know I can afford to slip a little more than normal because I am working so hard at the gym. But I don't tend to just slip. I start by slipping and end up wallowing in dozens of cookies, or whole pints of ice cream. While I'd like to reverse that mentality into something like "wow - you're doing all this great work, how about complementing it with clean eating and just imagine the gains you would make?" Not sure why the combination of diet and exercise is so difficult for me.
So this is an open call for some suggestions. I'm not looking for diet plans, or shakes or supplements. I know exactly what I need to eat and what I need to stay away from to get me there. My goal is to lose 10-15 pounds of body fat. Yes - I have that much to lose. Yes - I know muscle weighs more than fat. Yes I could be 15 pounds lighter and still have the muscle I have now. No - I wouldn't be like 0% body fat (I would be much, much more). Did I mention I'm a Vegan? 100% of the time minus when I'm eating ice cream or cookies.
I'm looking for strategies to help me do what I need to do. I remember a few years ago there were cases of fudge bars in the office. I swiftly sent out a mass email proclaiming I would pay anyone $50 who caught me eating a fudge bar. Yes - there were times when I considered smuggling one into the bathroom and eating it, but i didn't. Come to think of it - I should have accused whoever put those fudge bars in the freezer of harassment. What's the statute of limitations on caloric harassment?
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Sounds exactly like me. I figure for me, it is one choice at a time. I was just in the office and there were cupcakes, jalepeno chips (in which I love!!), and chocolate. I ate a chip and a chocolate and then removed myself from the back room where all this is kept. I knew I would hate myself if I stayed there. I am going to keep trying to make the best choices I can on a daily basis. Sometimes I forget that I am trying to eat better and lose fat. haha But I still want to love myself and accept myself for who I am too.. so I get torn. Enjoyed reading your post. It is going to save me from going downstairs and eating a cookie. Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteTesting the comment function because I don't know how to do it and have been asked, "How Do You Do This?"
ReplyDeleteGood job, Colleen! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYour quotes and posts are inspiring and motivating….keep them coming! I sometimes think the same thing when I post certain workout quotes or check in at the gym. There are probably people thinking why do I care she’s at the gym almost daily and get over yourself. But really, I post them because I need to do it for myself, they motivate me to get to the gym and I hope that it motivates someone else to get off the couch and get to the gym or do some sort of exercise. Be yourself and don’t let anyone else change that.
ReplyDeleteAs for the eating, I have struggled with that since I delivered Ava and Owen. My body has never been the same, but I wouldn't change a thing if I could turn the clock back. There were days that I wanted to look like I did when I was 25 (pre-kids), but in the past year or so I have come to terms that that will never happen unless I spend all my time working out and watching every little piece of food I eat. Life is too short and my time with my kids and friends is much more important!. So, this year I am going to try my best to eat healthier and spend a little more time at the gym and try to reach my goals. I think you look fabulous and keep up the dedication to the gym. I guarantee a few more months and you will proud of the accomplishments you made!!!
The big booty is something that never goes away for me either. It doesn’t matter how much I work out or how much weight I lose. And just as for you, the more squats I do, the bigger it gets. But it’s a firmer booty. On positive note, all of my friends that do not have a booty, they all say they would trade places with us bootylicious chickies any day. So Shake what your momma gave ya!! ;)
I did Body for Life before I had kids and I have to say I was in the best shape of my life. But I was also 28. And with our busy schedules it is way too hard to eat 6 meals a day. I don’t think I would get the results I did back then either. This is my year to eat healthier and spend a little more time at the gym. As a suggestion to losing body fat, try running sprints twice a week for about 20-30 minutes. It works for fat loss.
Keep up the good work and the dedication to Crossfit and give it a few months and I’m positive you will see results. I think you saw my post about patience this morning. Some days I struggle with that because I want instant results, but that’s when I text a friend or talk to someone that can change my mindset and remind me, it takes time. You inspire me and I thank you for that!
xo
~Heidi
Hey there. Saw this and had to post. I made a few changes about 8 months ago that have worked better than anything in my whole life. And you know....I was a 15 year serious gymnast, so that's saying a lot. I have taught fitness classes, spinning, women's specific training and now am picking back up with personal training. While I did give Crossfit a try, (and I know you love it) I found that it was really much more suited to developing the male body. I feel like the female body requires a whole different approach. But exercise aside, if you can make ONE change in your eating it should be to strip out the foods that will make you hungry and crave junk (bye bye starches!). Its like detoxing a junkie in the first week or so (or at least it was for me), but it works. Would be glad to chat w you more about it, but I dare say I'm in better form than I was 20 years ago. Good luck!
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