Image Map

June 9, 2016

Today We're Getting Real Honest about Fitness & Weight {Real Talk}

How many times have y'all seen a headline like the one above? How many times have you written one yourself? I took a cursory look through my blog [using the Weight tagline] and I personally have around 20 or so posts dealing with my body image and fitness level. Some are recounting HIGHS [Whole30, the Spartan and BODYPUMP] while other posts detail how unhappy I feel in my skin and how much I wish I could change my body.

Honest truth and reason for this post… I'm the heaviest I've EVER been in my life and right now I am trying to figure out how to shed the extra 9 pounds I picked up while gallivanting through Europe and moving to a new state. My discipline was nothing while in Europe [more on that later] and I also struggled with eating healthy while at my parent's home and even here in Tennessee. I'm not happy for multiple reasons; my clothes don't' fit right, I'm out of shape, it's bathing suit season at the lake and I just feel blah.

I know what I need to do to get back to where I was before I left. I, like many people, just wish it was a bit easier. Le Husband and I ate our way through Europe and I can honestly say I only regret four meals/snacks over the entire trip. I drank two Cokes I really didn't need [nor did I enjoy], the pomme frites in Paris/Versailles were a lil over the top and a nutella breakfast muffin was a complete disappointment while in the Milan trains station. Other than those few blahs, everything else we ate was delicious and PART of our journey. We ate and drank what we wanted because we knew food was such an important part of the cultural experience. A bazillion delicious croissants while in France, lots of pasta and pizza in Italy and of course, all the gelato EVERYWHERE. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset about the delicious food I indulged in, I wouldn't change anything about our trip. We worked out when we could [thank you TRX and cruise gym] and we walked close to 200 miles seeing all the sights. It is what is and I'm okay with they why, just not the what.

Originally I anticipating a quick jump back into healthy eating when we finally made it home. However, our first two nights home were spent eating out with dear friends and the food at each place was amazingly delicious, just not healthy in the least. Le Husband left to visit his family a few days after we arrived home so I figured 'hey, I can just do meals for one, no big deal'.  But then all the texts and calls came pouring in and suddenly I was eating out four days a week for dinner, plus buying meals for lunch because I hadn't been to the store to buy my normal healthy meals. And then of COURSE there was all the celebratory cake and drinks at work.

Home life was not any easier, mostly because I let myself get lazy and just ate what my parent's ate. Not that they eat poorly or unhealthy, they just eat differently than I do now and I know what works for my body and I failed to prep or plan. The same situation has happened down here in Tennessee. Le Husband and I are trying to mold into my aunt and uncle's routine but it's not quite ours so things food wise are still off. We've had delicious cookout meals, fish tacos, and fajitas but all of the meals have been accompanied by a glass of wine, margaritas or extra food stuff we normally never have in the house. I mean how do you say no to homemade peach cobbler after you helped slice the peaches?

But today marks the spark of change. Today I'm documenting my next fitness journey. I've taken measurements, stood on the scale [barf] and began planning my attack. It is not going to be easy, it is not going to be fun and it is not something I'm honestly looking forward to doing. I will start saying no to things I know won't help me reach my goal and start revamping my workout routine. Now that I'm teaching BODYPUMP twice a week [give or take] I need to invest in my strength training so I can lead by example. My first class back from the trip was a huge wake up call and now that I have the tools at my disposal it's time to start taking action.

My new routine will consist of running, strength training, swimming [in a pool or the lake] and of course a lil bit of water skiing, too. If I get my act together I'll document my work outs to share [if that's of any interest to anyone] or just to have for myself. I'm also currently studying for my AFAA license so I think tracking food and workouts will be helpful if I ever want to take the next step in training.

Props to you if you've made it through the whole post, I know it was quite wordy and honestly it a was mostly for me to put out in this public forum for accountability. Hopefully by the fourth of July I'll have some results to share and I'll be feeling better about myself.

[source]

[source]

[source]

[source]
Smile, it's almost Friday. Have a wonderful day, friends! < 3

23 comments:

  1. I know what you mean. I broke my collarbone recently so I had to ease up on my workouts but I'm eating like a crazy lady still!, eek. So scared to weigh myself!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ALL of this post makes so much sense to me! I am right there with you friend. I've been giving it a slow go on the fitness lately, and I really need to fix it. I'm getting tired of feeling out of sorts with my body. I'm looking forward to your updates! Hopefully I can use your willpower to get mine back in order too ;) xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. You go girl! Sometimes an official restart is exactly what you need. Don't beat yourself up over the past. All the best!
    Xo, Evelina @ Fortunate House

    ReplyDelete
  4. i totally understand where you are coming from girl. there is nothing wrong with not liking where you're at, and good for you for committing to the changes you need to make. i agree about eating in europe - it is part of the journey for sure, and i don't regret anything i ate (a year ago, jeepers) and i didn't come back that much heavier at all.... except ever since,i have been struggling with my eating. large portions, junk, etc etc. it's so hard to reset, and it's funny that for me, it was the aftermath rather than the trip. i am the heaviest i've been in like almost 10 years which is so upsetting, but i'm the one who did it, right? i have less than 10 days till my cruise, and way more than 10lbs to lose. not much i can do though, so i'll just try to ignore it and not cringe so much when i look in the mirror ;) anyway, good luck with everything :)
    one question though, what is afaa?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Girl I am right there with you! I have about 10lbs I need and want to shed but I am in a rut and having a hard time pulling myself out of it! You got this girlfriend!

    ReplyDelete
  6. girl i get it. I GET IT. I've gained some weight back recently (about the same amy of pounds as you) and i'm OVER it. and I know what to do to make it better! I need to have that light switch moment where I just stop. just stop shoving the bad in. anyway, you got this girl! you're motivating me!

    xoxo cheshire kat

    ReplyDelete
  7. You will get back to where you want to be, but give yourself time and grace. You did not gain it in one day nor will you lose it. You also may need to rethink how you workout and eat. Now is the time for change! Always here to support you and motivate you however you need.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Get it girl! I'm also heavier than I'd like to be. I've had a hard time actually working out with a kid ha (not a real excuse, I could make time) But I have changed my eating habits which I think is actually helping.

    liz @ j for joiner

    ReplyDelete
  9. You got this lady! You are inspiring and amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  10. the first step is coming to terms with what your current situation is. we have all been there but the important thing is that you realize it, you have a plan and now you're set to kick all kinds of ass.

    sometimes life and good food derail us but we just get back on it and kick butt! there was a brief time a couple of months ago where i ate a bit of chocolate everyday because chocolate. i saw the effects and was surprised at how fast it happened (damn age and perimenopause!), i threw myself a small pity party and then kicked ass so now things are good again. you will kill it and you'll realize that your body will bounce back fast!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have no doubt you'll get to where you want to be.
    The main thing is acknowledgment & taking action - you're already past the hard part :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. You got this! I'm going to spend this summer trying to get back down to where I was when I was consistently working out & eating healthy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I feel you girl. I've gotten so off track with my workouts and eating and I really need to get back on pace. It's all about how you feel! I know you'll be back up to where you want to be in no time!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've totally been there, and now that I'm carrying an extra passenger I feel it even more. There's no better time than the present to get back at it. You've got this gurlie! I'm sure you'll rock it <3
    Green Fashionista

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good for you on putting it out there. I felt like I needed a change too. I was working out, but not putting my heart into it. I have started running and doing new exercises. I am sore and finally feeling a bit better about myself. I am glad you enjoyed your trip and the amazing food. I know it was definitely worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  16. So easy to gain, so HARD to take off! I am almost 6 months into my exercise regime and it 'aint easy. There really are no short cuts. It's just hard work and consistency over time...and I have made so much progress but it takes time. Boo! Good luck getting on track. The hardest part is the beginning and having a lot going on in life certainly does not make it any easier. I think it's great you fully enjoyed your European vaca though. It was once in a lifetime kind of thing.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've been there many times and get right back to where I was (give or take a few pounds) every time. I know you are younger than me so I will warn you it gets a little harder with age, but when you put your mind to it, you can accomplish it. I am trying to kick the 6 lbs I have gained this year but I am starting to accept them as my "I'm almost 40 and not meant to weight that anymore" pounds. But I am going to work hard to try anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  18. OH man, so easy to get lazy and gain the weight, so HARD to lose it and get back into shape. It takes you 6 months to gain and about 1 week to lose everything those 6 months you worked so hard for. Anyway...I'm in the same boat, had ankle surgery and was out of working out for 8 weeks! Longest 8 weeks! But nice because I got more time with the kids...anyway, so hard to lose those 6 pounds I gained! Feeling ugh about my body too. I'd be interested in seeing what exactly you eat and what your meal planning consists of!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I basically wrote an identical post today (except, we didn't go to Europe, boo why not?!), and I'm here for ya girl! It's so hard once you let yourself go for a few days, to get back into the swing of things! BUT if it were easy, everyone would do it. I am here to encourage you, and trust me, I need it as well!

    Like right now - I'm home alone for the night while Caleb is playing softball and ALL I WANT TO DO is order a pizza and some breadsticks, then wash it down with mountain dew. Blah!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I hear you on this!! I'm actually on a detox diet since we got back home because I've been feeling so gross!! Once you settle down, you'll get the weight off in no time. I promise! Hugs though because I TOTALLY understand!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are so inspiring! You can totally do this :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. First of all, I'm so glad you were able to travel and experience so many amazing foods and cultures without overly stressing about what you were eating- I can imagine how difficult it is to come back and be thrown into a totally different routine (or lack of) and trying to get back on track with eating. Especially because eating out is such a social thing! Isn't it awful how it's so easy to gain weight and then it seems impossible to lose it most of the time. It sounds like you have your next steps and goals in place to get where you want to be, and it's so encouraging! I've been tracking and working on my own fitness/weight goals since the end of april and more often than not I feel pretty poorly about how slow everything is going. Thanks for sharing this and passing along a little bit of inspiration-- you can totally do it :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Good luck! I am made a little progress myself, but I still am not quite happy. It's definitely important to know what is right for you and to be able to stick with it. Can't wait to hear about your progress. You got this!

    ReplyDelete

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your comments! Make my p!nk day and leave me some love!