It is not often I get requests for what to post about so I am excited to talk about exercise and my beloved muse, Ms. Jillian Michaels. (Seriously, I love her!)
I think it was in March, 2012 that I decided to "get serious" about losing weight and getting healthy and it corresponded to spending $120 to buy Jillian Michal's Body Revolution program. A lot of it, believe it or not, had to do with the money. Since we were on a very tight budget I couldn't throw money around and knowing I spent so much I decided I was going to have to follow the program to a T (or as close to a T as possible).
The program is comprised of 3 phases and each phase is 5 DVDs. The phase is 4 weeks so you know which DVD to do every day of the month. Each workout is roughly 30 minutes (most a few minutes longer, the cardio one for the first phase is only 26 minutes) and the idea is you exercise 6 days a week. The diet was a little trickier, there was a special diet for the first week that contained no sugar and processed foods/bread/pasta and is high on veggies and protein and then after that it introduces more variety but is supposed to be 1200 calories a day.
I lost 25 lbs using this system but I have been sort of stuck since then but I still keep up many of the things I have learned.
For example, I still workout 6 days a week using one of her DVDs (and not just the Body Revolution ones, I have all of her other DVDs, some Bob Harper ones, and a few Shaun T ones (Insanity)). I have home weights in the 5/8/10/12 pound range and a yoga mat. I have tension bands. Most importantly, I make time.
You see, I make time by doing it the very first thing when I wake up. I set the alarm for 6am and get straight to it. It really is the only time in the day for me because of the kids and work and, most recently, my back which tends to hurt at night but not in the morning.
After a year plus it is now such a routine for me that I don't even think about it. In fact, if I miss the workout for whatever reason, I feel terrible both physically and mentally. There are some mornings when I have to work from home at 5am for a software release and if it goes long and I can't do my workout because the kids are awake and I have to morning prep to get them ready for school, I will actually email my team and tell them I will be 30-60 minutes late to the office because I need to work in the exercise after the kids are out of the house and in school. I don't feel bad because I have essentially already put in close to 2 hours of work that day and no one at the office cares.
Diet is tricky. I have remained essentially sugar free for over a year (I have had some slip ups) and honestly, I don't feel worse the wear for it. Just yesterday I sat in an ice cream parlor with my husband and kids licking cones around me whilst I sipped an iced coffee and I didn't even feel tempted.
I count calories and up the veggies but the weight doesn't budge much. I have tried sticking to 1200 calories, 1500 calories, 1800 calories with no real success other than not being able to stick to 1200 calories because seriously? How???
Recently I did some research on inflammation since I was diagnosed with Facet Joint Arthritis which will never go away and can worsen but can be managed through losing weight, flexibility, and core strengthening. Since arthritis and inflammation go hand in hand I have been experimenting with being dairy free. Also, L, I ordered the Wheat Belly book from the library and will read it when it gets in. (Thanks for the suggestion!)
I can't quit coffee though, it gives me such pleasure!
I forgot to mention I pack all my food for work in the morning. I am sure to bring myself lunch and snacks and I have a water bottle I refill from the cooler at work. I keep a jar of almond butter in the work fridge and also a thing of coconut milk creamer in case I want coffee at work. All of this is not just a money saver but a calorie saver too. This way I know exactly what I am eating. It is not always fun, mind you, when I remembered all I had was steamed kale and some chicken in the fridge one day, I got downright sad. But in the end, I remind myself that the goal is health and to be pain free and that can sometimes get me through the day.
M: Another thing to try: things that are similar calories, but more filling. Brown rice instead of white. Whole grained bread. Salads with grains, like faro or quinua (faro is SUPER yummy, btw). I snack on rice cakes, which are filling but have 35 calories. (Got this from a suggestion from our vet about how to help our dog keep his weight in check!) Small substitutions in your existing routine that will help you feel more full will make the 1200 calories a day thing go further.
Posted by: cynthia | July 22, 2013 at 11:15 AM
A post just for me! Thanks! :) I am always trying to untangle motivation and discipline so I love to hear how other people do it. I prefer to work out first thing in the morning too. It's too easy to let it slide later in the day.
I don't know how people live on 1200 calories either. The tips above are helpful but as far as I can tell, going carb-free is the only way to do it and so far I haven't been able to make that leap.
Posted by: Melissa | July 22, 2013 at 04:53 PM
I'm so frustrated. I don't know what to do... I hate exercise and can't seem to find the motivation. I signed up for Fitness Pal (which is really fantastic until you try to figure out the calories for home-made stuff).
I've got to do something about my extra weight.
I'm kvetching here, aren't I?
Posted by: Dina | July 23, 2013 at 11:07 PM