Shape Up NYC

I realized it had been quite sometime since I last wrote so I started writing about something I have been keeping a secret but then I decided that I had something more important to write about. THE TRUTH. And the truth is I have gained 12 pounds since I moved to New York. The truth is… it is REALLY hard to stay healthy! I read other health blogs and it blows my mind that a delicious snack is an apple. I wish I could pretend a delicious snack is an apple but I can’t even pretend. In my opinion a delicious snack is a bagel with cream cheese or my beloved oreos. With that said I have to thank the other blogs for motivating me to be better but the truth is IT IS HARD.

Waking up in the morning at 6am is no easy task, believe me when I wake up at 6am it is not pretty. It looks like 10 alarms on my iPhone, some moaning and complaining and finally getting my butt out of bed.

Eating healthy balanced meals is not easy. It is almost another job entirely! If having one job wasn’t enough you have to buy foods only from the outside of the grocery store, stick to the greens (when all you really want are the carbs), and then spend an hour preparing it. Finally by the time you have finished (and this is hoping that you haven’t snacked while making the food) you can eat your meal. But what happens when you get home from work at 10pm and your exhausted and you didn’t have time to prepare a meal?

Working out everyday is hard! When you work 10-12 hours a day and when you finally get home you just want to crash on the couch and watch Gossip Girls (or whatever your guilty pleasure is).

So please know you are NOT ALONE. It is hard and I am far from perfect but I have realized very quickly that even though it is hard you can not let yourself completely go. You have to BALANCE, and this is what made my blog have a complete facelift. I started out talking about the ways to stay healthy but what I need the most help with and I know others do too is Balance.

I have come up with some Truths that help me balance.

Truth #1: It takes time.

You have gained weight, you aren’t happy. The first thing you must realize to get back to your healthy weight or get down to that dress size you always wanted to be it will TAKE TIME. I can not tell you how many times, I thought I could do a program for a couple of weeks and I could get back to where I was only to realize I didn’t and it made me feel worse. A quick fix will never work. Put the time in and take the time and I promise you will be in a better place. I just realized this.

Truth #2: Be accountable.

“I have no idea how those 10 pounds got there.” Yes I have said this. I thought I was eating pretty healthy, I never drink soda, I only eat multi grain bread, and I don’t eat candy so where did I go wrong? I started a food diary and now I can see pretty clearly how I got there. My problem is portions and too many snacks. If you have said to yourself “I have no idea how I got here” start to write down what you eat and you can quickly hold yourself accountable for what and how much you are eating. Some days will be worse but as long as you can write it down you will start to see trends of why some days are worse than others. And when you know what those trends are you can stop it the next time it happens. I have an iPhone and I use MyFitnessPal to keep track but a notebook will also work. The only plus with an online program is they can easily keep track of calories for you.

Truth #3: Start Small.

I always wanted to take on big goals. When I wouldn’t finish a big goal it would leave me defeated and I would sulk back to my couch. Stepping on the scale and seeing that I was 12 pounds heavier I knew it wouldn’t be a quick fix, it would take time, I would need to be patient, and I would need to start small so I wouldn’t be easily defeated. As I accomplish one thing I will move on to the next. I started with going to spinning two times a week, which i successfully did for a month. After reading (and here is my secret) Walk to the Mailbox, I was inspired to start running. For those of you who know me, I am not a fan of running and I HATE TREADMILLS. I feel like a hamster. So I was nervous but I started the couch to 5k program and I have successfully completed 3 weeks and yesterday I ran 20 minutes straight (I promise to write a post just on learning to love…running)! I do have to thank Ashley from A Healthy Happier Bear because every time I posted on Twitter that I completed a week she would tell me to keep up the good work and I was nervous if I didn’t post I would let her down (SO THANK YOU ASHLEY, you have no idea how much the support means).

Truth #4: It’s Hard Work.

It is NOT EASY. Having to put down the oreos and pick up a carrot stick is not easy, its hard. Getting up at 6am so I make sure I make it to the gym that day sucks. There is no singing and dancing only moaning. So I will not sugar coat it for you, it will be hard work, sadly there is no magical pill to get in shape (believe me I looked). It will take work and perseverance,  but you will get through it. I promise you, people who are in great shape and say “they never go to the gym”, are lying to you. So just know going into that you will have to work. If there is no work involved it probably won’t work (sorry to kill your dreams). But its worth it in the end.

So to close and cut myself off before this gets way to long (oh wait it already did), know you are not ALONE. Realize things happen in life you can’t control. It will take time, you must hold yourself accountable, know it will be hard work and start small and then go big. I will be keeping you all updated on my process, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the great. If you want someone to talk to on your own journey email me, tweet me, facebook me I promise I am around. And having support is so important! Until next time, when I write about my new love for running (NEVER thought I would say that).

Filed under: MISC Wellness Info | Tagged: A Healthy Happier Bear, Balance, MyFitnessPal, New York City, Truth, Walk to the Mailbox | 3 Comments »