Once in a while, it is healthy to add something new to your workouts. This week I began adding a simple yoga routine to my workouts. I was somewhat skeptical of it's benefits to say the least.
Can stretching and breathing make any real impact on your weight loss? Really?
Well, I can only testify to a weeks worth of workouts but here is what I found. I am experiencing far less pain in my upper back. I have slightly increased flexibility in my arms and legs. I feel taller. I know the last one is strange, but it's true.
To be honest, I have not really done any homework on the benefits of yoga. I just decided to try it because my sister had a couple of videos. I gave it a shot because stretching and breathing really have no down side. What did I have to lose?
I am really short and the fact that I am standing taller because I did yoga makes it a HUGE win in my book. I have struggled for a long time with large knots in my upper back from years of stress (Retail related). They have been so bad that I couldn't even stand for someone to lay their hand on my back. They are slowly getting better, and I am feeling a lot less tension in my upper back.
So Yoga? Yes, I think so! Anything that improves your quality of life is awesome! It may not make the scale move, but it definitely increased my ability to workout by relaxing some of the stress in my system. It is also an extra opportunity to take some time and worship God. I love to talk to God, and there is no better time to do it than while holding a yoga pose in a prayer position.
So, give it a shot! You will sweat, you will breath deep, and you will relax. There isn't any downside, and you may find it has more benefit than you ever expected. Have fun!
Friday, October 24, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
Trying Something New!
One thing about trying to lose weight that can cause us to lose momentum is spending too much time on the scale. Every person who makes the effort for a healthier lifestyle will eventually encounter the frustration of an bathroom scale. All the sudden it stops moving! You are working hard, you are eating right and the scale refuses to move.
They call it hitting a plateau. Your body has gotten use to the changes you have made and is not reacting the same way anymore. Plateau? I call it the great motivation buster! I have been dealing with this problem for awhile, and it is really quite aggravating. You feel you are doing everything you can and that scale just sits there and taunts you.
Well, if you have encountered this problem, there are a couple of changes you need to make. The first one is get rid of the scale. Getting on the scale every time you turn around only increases your frustration and makes you feel like giving up. Put the scale away in a closet and pick a date once a month to pull it out. I don't know about you but by keeping the scale in front of me I make myself crazy. Sometimes I swear it is audibly taunting me and calling me names. If the scale is messing with your brain, then put it away.
After you put the scale away, get out a measuring tape and take your measurements. Sometimes the scale isn't moving because your body is building muscle. Muscle is heavier than fat. When you take your measurements once a month along with weighing yourself, you get a more clear picture of the difference your body is under going. You are also far more likely to see the results that keep you motivated.
The next change that I made personally was to start adding 2 to 4 ounces of grapefruit juice to every meal. Grapefruit juice (100%) can help regulate sugar, it helps with cholesterol, it helps with digestive health, and it has fiber and nutrients. It may not make me skinny, but it will improve my overall health.
Trying something new, or making a change to your workouts can kick start your weight loss back into gear. I just started a new workout routine, lowered my carb intake and added the grapefruit juice. We will soon see what these changes will do for me on the scale!
They call it hitting a plateau. Your body has gotten use to the changes you have made and is not reacting the same way anymore. Plateau? I call it the great motivation buster! I have been dealing with this problem for awhile, and it is really quite aggravating. You feel you are doing everything you can and that scale just sits there and taunts you.
Well, if you have encountered this problem, there are a couple of changes you need to make. The first one is get rid of the scale. Getting on the scale every time you turn around only increases your frustration and makes you feel like giving up. Put the scale away in a closet and pick a date once a month to pull it out. I don't know about you but by keeping the scale in front of me I make myself crazy. Sometimes I swear it is audibly taunting me and calling me names. If the scale is messing with your brain, then put it away.
After you put the scale away, get out a measuring tape and take your measurements. Sometimes the scale isn't moving because your body is building muscle. Muscle is heavier than fat. When you take your measurements once a month along with weighing yourself, you get a more clear picture of the difference your body is under going. You are also far more likely to see the results that keep you motivated.
The next change that I made personally was to start adding 2 to 4 ounces of grapefruit juice to every meal. Grapefruit juice (100%) can help regulate sugar, it helps with cholesterol, it helps with digestive health, and it has fiber and nutrients. It may not make me skinny, but it will improve my overall health.
Trying something new, or making a change to your workouts can kick start your weight loss back into gear. I just started a new workout routine, lowered my carb intake and added the grapefruit juice. We will soon see what these changes will do for me on the scale!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
It Started....
My entire life I have always been on the fluffy side. However, a couple of years ago over stressed, over worked, over weight, and unhappy I decided some things had to change. I didn't like to look in the mirror. It was almost impossible to buy clothes. I couldn't even walk to the mail box without getting winded. I decided something had to change.
When you reach a point where you realize that you are either going to lose your life or lose the weight, you begin to make changes. I didn't want to feel like that anymore. In High School, I was in show choir dancing and singing everyday. I was a little overweight, but I felt pretty great. After college, I started working all the time and taking care of myself took a back seat. I would skip breakfast and go most of the day without food. Then by 5 or 6pm I would be starving and anything would do. Here is the thing you aren't thinking about when you do that. By starving your body all day you put your body into a panic so that when you do eat, your body stores every single calorie because it doesn't know when you will feed it again. Do you know what stored calories are? FAT! My frame was heavy with stored calories, and I became exhausted trying to carry them around with me.
Almost over night, I made the change. I gave up soda pop. (Which to be honest I don't really miss.) I cut my portions. I decreased the amount of sugar and bread I consumed. I started measuring portions out. And very quickly 40 pounds felt like it just dropped off. Wow! I could do this! I couldn't believe it was that easy. Well, the beginning is always easy but the next 40 pounds took a lot of work.
I am still quite a ways from my goal, but I can't tell you how much fun taking care of your body can be. One direct result of my weight loss, was JOY! I couldn't believe how much happier I have been. I all the sudden realized that eating the wrong food really can effect your mood. I just feel happier, better when I am putting the right fuel into my body. And so will you.
I am going to share some of my failures and successes. I am going to tell you which workouts worked for me and which ones didn't. I will share recipes I have used along the way. I will share some of the websites that have helped me. I don't know about you, but I am on my way to hitting my goal weight and with a little determination, a little prayer, and God's help. I am going to conquer the battle of the bulge! I hope you will take this journey with me and together we will find Joy as an overcomer.
When you reach a point where you realize that you are either going to lose your life or lose the weight, you begin to make changes. I didn't want to feel like that anymore. In High School, I was in show choir dancing and singing everyday. I was a little overweight, but I felt pretty great. After college, I started working all the time and taking care of myself took a back seat. I would skip breakfast and go most of the day without food. Then by 5 or 6pm I would be starving and anything would do. Here is the thing you aren't thinking about when you do that. By starving your body all day you put your body into a panic so that when you do eat, your body stores every single calorie because it doesn't know when you will feed it again. Do you know what stored calories are? FAT! My frame was heavy with stored calories, and I became exhausted trying to carry them around with me.
Almost over night, I made the change. I gave up soda pop. (Which to be honest I don't really miss.) I cut my portions. I decreased the amount of sugar and bread I consumed. I started measuring portions out. And very quickly 40 pounds felt like it just dropped off. Wow! I could do this! I couldn't believe it was that easy. Well, the beginning is always easy but the next 40 pounds took a lot of work.
I am still quite a ways from my goal, but I can't tell you how much fun taking care of your body can be. One direct result of my weight loss, was JOY! I couldn't believe how much happier I have been. I all the sudden realized that eating the wrong food really can effect your mood. I just feel happier, better when I am putting the right fuel into my body. And so will you.
I am going to share some of my failures and successes. I am going to tell you which workouts worked for me and which ones didn't. I will share recipes I have used along the way. I will share some of the websites that have helped me. I don't know about you, but I am on my way to hitting my goal weight and with a little determination, a little prayer, and God's help. I am going to conquer the battle of the bulge! I hope you will take this journey with me and together we will find Joy as an overcomer.
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