So I was just running a little test on how much of an influence food makes on weight loss results! (actually I was just really hungry and out of whack and couldn't stop eating for 3 weeks straight)!!! I have been exercising 6-7 days a week for 30-120 minutes a day (most days were 30-50 minutes) at a medium to high intensity (still following my RevAbs plan plus Turbo Kick and PUMP). I have been eating good food (very little processed food, minimal added fats or sugars) just LOTS of it! I have been constantly hungry and I was finding myself searching through the freezer, fridge and pantry for snacks. I found nuts (unsalted), cookies (whole wheat), low fat vanilla and plain yogurt, cereal, P90X protein bars, fruit! My saving grace has been that I don't have a plethora of unhealthy foods in my home. I have been drinking my Shakeology plus having salads and lots of veggies too.
What has eating large volumes of even healthy food for 3 weeks done to me?
I have gained back the 4 pounds I lost in the first week of RevAbs plus an extra 3 pounds (and I think it is all on my belly)!
I have felt tired and lethargic (yet when I force myself to exercise I have plenty of energy to get it done), I just don't FEEL my usual energetic self.
I have been moody and grumpy (although that could have something to do with my daughter being very temperamental lately).
It has set me back from where I want to be!
People see me as a fit person who eats well, exercises and has no challenges to be that way! The truth is, I have many challenges! I love cupcakes, I love chocolate, I love pizza, but do you know what I love more? I LOVE my clothes fitting nicely without being tight around my belly, I LOVE wearing a dress without control top pantyhose underneath, I LOVE being proud of showing my arms in a sleeveless dress or shirt...and most of all I LOVE feeling strong, healthy and powerful! I love how I feel after a good workout because I have found workouts that I truly enjoy!
So yes! I make sacrifices to be and feel healthy, and writing this has actually inspired me to refocus back on my nutrition because dang, my pants were snug this morning and I HATE that!
Please read my posts, join me on Facebook and on my Get Fit With Nicola page on FB! I will be following some nutrition plans on the Beachbody site which you can find by joining as a club member, or you can just join for FREE and contact me through the site and I would love to help you too! I will also be posting some of my favorite meals I uncover in the nutrition guides from some of the Beachbody programs I have at home! March is well under way and summer is right around the corner! I am ready to bring it, will you join me?
I know why I'm not seeing instant results...it would be my love affair with food! I have a nice balance right now of hard exercise and healthy eating...but ice cream, red wine and chocolate are never too far away!!! In one sense it is OK. My weight is stable, my clothes fit and I feel good...BUT I would still like to tone out my mid section and lose a little of my lower booty so my new pants aren't quite as snug. It is time to cut out back on my treats until I reach some goals I think...then I can add them back in moderation!
Now why aren't YOU seeing results?
How is your food intake? Is there a time of day when your resistence is low? Are you eating three solid meals a day or cutting back so much that you are STARVING by the end of the day and end up eating enough for 4 people? Experts are recommending we eat 5-6 times a day to keep our metabolism active at all times. 3 meals and 2-3 snacks. The hard part about that is cutting back on each meal a bit so our calorie intake stays the same when we add in the snacks. and DON'T FORGET BREAKFAST!!!
Are you drinking enough water? Water gets everything moving in our body, it helps us feel fuller, and it is so much better for you than soda, diet soda, juice, coffee...carry a bottle with you all day long!
Are you really exercising? Unless you have an injury, are just starting on your exercise journey or are cooling down, there is no reason to be walking on the treadmill and watching TV! If you want to lose you need to MOVE! Running, pushing hard on the elliptical, riding a bike with high resistance...there are lots of ways to do it. In order to make it fun though you really need to mix it up. Have you tried any classes at the gym? TurboKick would be my favorite cardio-works the core, great music, fun moves...but spinning is another great one for cardio. A PUMP class for weight lifting. A cross training class with weights and cardio is awesome...keep the heart rate up to get even more fat burning going on and you don't usually lift as long for each set so you can go HEAVY!!! When you work though you need to work HARD! Work up a sweat, go so hard you are panting...if you start getting light headed slow down, but kick it up again when you can. Your muscles are supposed to burn when you are lifting, just work through it and you will be rewarded with stronger muscles.--You will quickly learn the difference between a muscle burn and PAIN! Pain is bad...stop what you are doing and make sure your form is correct and ask for help!
Ask yourself these questions when you feel the need to rest---Am I about to pass out? Have I seen anyone else pass out who is doing the same exercise as me? Can I keep going a little bit longer? The answers are probably No, No and Yes!!!!!
The harder you work out in the time you have the more results you will see....I promise you! As long as you don't have two bowls of ice cream for dessert to celebrate of course ;)
