Healthier Habits in 28 Days

Disclaimer:
This is not a blog about trying to be skinny. This is a blog about trying to be healthy by making better choices. I’d like to be very clear on that. This is also not a blog about how I feel about myself, as a person. Truth is, I don’t hate my body. I walk around with mad confidence because I know my body size doesn’t define me. Also, I have an awesome personality and a pretty cute face. hahaha

I have struggled with weight issues my entire life and have always had an incredibly round body. LOL It wasn’t until the summer before 6^th grade, in the sweltering heat of the Philippines, when my baby fat just melted off.

The weight stayed off until a couple years after high school. I fell into a really sedentary lifestyle and packed on so much weight.  My 20’s was such a weird time, too. I was far more active, going to the gym was easy, but I was also ridiculously unhealthy – a lot of processed foods, a lot of alcohol, and yet it was much easier to drop five or ten pounds. Now, I like to think I’m a lot more cognizant of the food consume, but, I’m still not very active and trying to lose ten pounds requires so much freaking work.  It’s difficult for me to WANT to go to the gym. How do I compensate for it? By making better eating choices, like dropping starch and sugar.  At some point though, this becomes a struggle; coworkers bring cupcakes into the office and I think, “one won’t hurt.” Also, I’m Filipino and I want to have rice with my sinigang!  Is that a brownie? Put that in my mouth! When I limit my sugar intake, I become a monster.  In my moment(s) of weakness, I will buy 12 Mrs. Fields mini cookies and chubby bunny the shit out of them!

But, I understand my activity level doesn’t burn all the junk I’d like to eat.  AND, my body type and reaction to food is different compared to my sisters, who can eat carbs on carbs on carbs and STILL be small. I can eat a cupcake today and be 20 pounds heavier tomorrow. Life is so unfair!

Just kidding! It’s not unfair. I’m just extremely lazy and I don’t work hard when it comes to physical exercise. I’m not ashamed to admit that. I have witnessed many of my friends whose results are just, well, Amazing! How did they do that?  Uhh, duh, Nor! They put in work and practice discipline. Yep, I get it and I’m not hating! Get it, girls!!

Last week, I actually had to google “How to motivate yourself to go to the gym.” Sad, right? But I really need something or someone to help me be more accountable. If I don’t go to the gym, I mean, no big deal! Nothing happens! But this attitude makes me complacent. Therefore, below, I’ve compiled some of the tips I found from my internet search and for the next 28 days, I’m going to follow them as best as I can and I’ll hit you with update later!

• Publish a blog about it
  • I mean, there’s nothing worse than making a public commitment and not following through. So, in 28 days, I can either tell you that I established better eating and work out habits or that I utterly and completely failed!
• Dress for a workout even if you’re not feeling up to it
  • I’ve done this before….. I went to Costco in yoga pants?  
• Make a commitment with a friend
  • Friend, Check!
• Make a plan
  • Check! I’ll be doing a 28 day challenge starting today as a jump start to establish positive habits.
• Go to the gym early
  • This is a going to be a toughie but I’m making the commitment, 3 times a week.
• Visualize success
  • Got it.  Also, visualizing pizza and beer in my mouth.
• Get rid of obstacles
  • Yesterday, my friend and I spent a good time of our afternoon meal planning. No more excuses for not being prepared and justifying convenient foods.
• Reward yourself (or give yourself a consequence)
  • This is a hard one. How do you reward yourself for reaching your goals?  Instead of a reward, a friend is keeping me accountable by keeping my gym routine in check. If I miss a day, well, SLAP BET!

I promised myself before I turned 35, I’d lose 30 pounds.  Well, I’m 35 now and I have 40 pounds to go! LOL Building healthier habits starts today! Stay tuned!

Love, Nori