In the past, one of my biggest deterrents toward finding myself in a healthy lifestyle was a lack of TIME. I think some days if I could have about an extra 8-10 hours added on that I would maybe get a little closer to accomplishing everything I need to do. When it comes to finding the time to work out, to run, to meet my fitness goals, and to find time to plan meals, grocery shop, cook something healthy, sometimes I simply can't make those ends of the clock meet. This is what I have found gets me (and probably a lot of people) into trouble when it comes to watching their weight, and/or maintaining a healthy weight. Having a healthy lifestyle requires planning...especially when it's not something that comes naturally to you. I've found that if I don't think ahead about my meals for the week, or even my meals for the day or the next day, that I am much more likely to have to make a snap decision about what to eat. Typically, if I am super hungry and don't have anything planned to eat for that meal, then I am going to be more likely to pick something that's fast, convenient, and not always as healthy or balanced as I would like it to be.
Adding the Herbalife shakes to my daily meal plan has made a huge difference in this regard because I know I can have a shake for breakfast and one for dinner. That way I only need to plan for healthy snacks and a good lunch. I usually try to shop ahead and have my work kitchen and refrigerator stocked with more nutritious options to make it easier on myself. My shakes not only keep me full until the next meal, but they also help me to meet my nutritional requirements and help me to get some of the vitamins and nutrients I might not get through my food otherwise. Plus, I don't really need to think too much about them...either I can whip one up at home with the ingredients I have on hand, or I can stop by the Lifestyle Nutrition store to pick one up on my way to work or on my way home. The biggest decision I have to make is what flavor I want for the day (I usually try to match my shake and straw to whatever I'm wearing for the day...:) Don't ask!)
Finding the time to work out, and to run, especially now that my distance needs to be increasing more and more gets even harder. It's summertime now and it's devastatingly hot outside, and nearly impossible to run in. If just one part of my day gets a little off schedule, my ability to get my workout in gets exponentially more difficult.
Here's just a little taste of how my week went this week...Monday: No work out...I've been exhausted from the weekends, so Mondays have been off the table for a while, although I have been trying to get an evening walk in as much as possible. Tuesday was my cardio/run day: I usually like to go to the gym as soon as I have dropped the kids off. I had meetings Tuesday morning, so I had to wait until a little later to go. I didn't end up being free until around 12:30, so I opted to run on the treadmill, which I hate (more about our family's most recent treadmill incident later). I did manage to run the full 3.2 miles, but it was probably the most boring experience I've ever had...I have no idea how people can run for hours on those things. Wednesday: Woke up late so I had to cut my cardio very short...I only managed about 15 minutes before I started my training session. Thursday: I woke up early to write a paper for class. I wanted to run by 6:30, but still wasn't done writing. By the time I finished up, I already had to send the kids with my husband and needed to get to work. Thursday night Jack had a baseball game and Mike was at class while I skipped the night to stay with the kids. We ended up watching my nieces play ball as well, and didn't get home until after 8:00. My mother in law was over by the time we got home, and there was no chance for a run after that, so Thursday was a total bust. Friday: Woke up with the worst headache and severe nausea. I tried to get ready to go to the gym but knew it wasn't going to be a good idea. Ended up texting my trainer and going back to bed. What to do? I had missed two days of work outs, which is SO frustrating! In the past, I would take that as a step toward backing down and heading down the path toward failure...I would beat myself up about it and end up sabotaging all of the hard work I have accomplished. So today, Saturday, I set out to go to the gym at 7am, to run for 3 miles, and to work out for an hour. My trainer prepared a whole work out for me, which was good. My run wasn't great and I only managed 2 miles, and I felt like I was filled with lead through all of my workout, but I did it. I burned over 800 calories in the process, and tomorrow my husband and I are setting out to run as far around the lake as we can.
I have learned now to never give up, to get back on the horse, and to make the time to make things happen. It's never easy, and it's always going to be a process for me, but I am so thankful to have a family and friends who encourage me to keep going. Some days I question whether I am ever going to reach my goals, whether I will be ready to run 10 miles in four months...but I know that by giving up I will NEVER get there, so I just have to keep on swimming...
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