Why I would rather clean toilets than exercise {week 3 of exercise and body pics}
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Do you like to exercise? I don’t. In fact, I avoid it (up until recently) at all costs. I would way rather clean the toilets in my house than exercise. I have been like that my entire life. I am not a gym person, I don’t like aerobics and honestly, don’t like to get out of breath. I know, pathetic right? I have been fortunate my entire life where I never had had to worry about my weight. I was always a string bean, had an incredibly high metabolism and could eat anything I wanted, with no exercise. Then I had a baby and and 5 years later, turned 40. My metabolism as I knew it my entire life, left the house and never came back. This was me (with very dark hair) 35 weeks pregnant in 2006. I could barely stand up straight. I decided to share with you because it honestly doesn’t matter if you are 10, 50 or 100 lbs over weight, you gotta start somewhere and for all of us, regardless of weight, the starting point is eating habits and exercise.
Since having my son almost 12 years ago, I have kind of lived in denial I think. I mean, I am not overweight by any stretch of the imagination but I am 10 lbs over where I would like to be. I have never been able to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and I have finally come to the conclusion that if I like to eat, I have no choice but to exercise. Something happens when you have kid and hit 40 years old. Everything you eat, sticks to you like glue and refuses to let go. Oh and all that fun womanly stuff starts to happen and your hormones and brain make your life a hot mess. My extra weight seems to be in my mid-section and butt. I am 20 lbs over when I got pregnant but would be happy to lose 10.
So I decided 3 weeks ago, to make a change. Above is me at the start of week 1 and 2 , not much of a change but I am going to focus on tightening up my mid section and hopefully by watching what I eat and exercise, it will suck back in. I decided that I would start drinking my shakes again (I have tried a bunch) and take a walk for 1 mile a day (baby steps) as many days a week as possible. One of my biggest issues is after dinner. I don’t know why but even after I eat dinner, I crave sweets. I am guilty of staying up watching General Hospital on Hulu each night and whatever other shows I want to catch up on, having a glass of wine and snacks. I have come to the conclusion that if I went to bed by 9, I wouldn’t stay up and eat. I am a night owl and I think I need to change that.
The picture above is from Monday this week. Not to much of a change visually but I feel so much better. I have so much more energy.
RELATED: Week 4 Fitness Journey body picture + 3 minute healthy lunch sandwich
I have cut out the wine (only a glass or two a week) but the sweets, cheese and crackers are still my enemy. Maybe I should have my mom hid them although she is as guilty as me when it comes to night snacking. It’s like I have no control over ravaging my sons snack bin. Does anyone else do this? I will say that since I started walking and running first thing in the morning and then having a protein shake, most of my daytime cravings are cut in half. Maybe I need to do another shake in the afternoon? The protein shakes seem to kill my sweet cravings which is such an awesome feeling. Do you know what I mean? I always feel so gross after I eat all that crappy sweet food and if I could just have a small bag of cookies I would be fine, but I end up eating like 5 snack bags and then am disgusted with myself. The word balance and moderation doesn’t exist for me after 5pm.
Many of you have asked where I got my energy from to do all the pool work and landscape work, well this is why. I really think it has to do with my morning walk/run. Now that I am on week 3, I have built up to a 3 mile walk/run a day (5 days a week) and I must say, the exercise and shakes are the trick for me, although I still eat crap after 5pm. I still hate exercising but I don’t dread it as much now because I feel good. I decided to expose myself to all of you in an effort to not only maybe help someone in a similar situation but keep me accountable. I do better when I confess and say it out loud. For some reason, it makes me stay on track. I will share with you my protein drinks and healthy lunches that I started 3 weeks in a couple days.
PS. I joined Megan’s 30 Day Fitness Challenge over on Instagram so be sure to follow the hashtag #HWHfitnesschallenge on Instagram.
About The Author
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
Good for you for getting back on track! I am in the same boat, although I have pretty much always exercised, except in my 20s when I was busy having babies (4!). But everything is MUCH harder after 40. Yes, you need more protein. I wouldn’t necessarily go for the shakes, maybe some chicken or hummus & veggies? Or greek yogurt with fruit? Or almond butter & apples? The more you exercise & especially incorporated strength training, the more protein you need. That should help you get through the evening. Also, make sure you are drinking TONS of water. And yes, go to bed earlier. You will feel better all the way around.
I couldn’t agree more! The shakes I am drinking after my walk/run have 25grams of protein and are so yummy as my breakfast. You are right abut those snacks (hummus/chicken/greek yogurt ect). I really like hummus and have been trying to incorporate more veggies. Ugh veggies are so boring 🙂
I totally see a big difference!!!! Great job and it really is so hard to get started especially the exercising!!!
Thank you!!!!
What shakes do you drink? Do you only drink them once a day? You have inspired me. Really noticing a difference.
Just emailed you!!!
You might want to try intermittent fasting; keep your food/eating window to 8-10 hours per day, so if you eat breakfast at 8 am, you stop eating at 4-6 pm. Only plain water or unsweetened herb tea allowed between dinner and breakfast. I also recommend reducing (ideally eliminating) sugar as much as possible. Dark chocolate in small amounts is permissible and even that can be found sweetened with stevia.
Good for you – you’ve made huge progress in such a short time!!
I recently returned to the Y after loafing off for far too long. So long, in fact, that I didn’t recognize my own running shoes. ???? I pulled them out of the small bag I used to take to the Y, and said to my husband, “Are these yours??” I think he thought I was nuts. We all start somewhere!!
Going to bed earlier would help me enormously, too. I think that’d be the easiest solution to late-night snacking.
Thanks for sharing your journey!
Are these yours? -haha. That is funny about your shoes 🙂 The nights are the worst aren’t they!? I am still struggling to find something at night but I am loving the protein shakes I started in the morning after my walk. It seems to do the trick for the am up to mid-afternoon. Good luck with your journey too!
I also have run into the after 40 (I’m 47) weight starting to come on no matter what I do. I walk 50 minutes in the mornings and try to increase my pace and distance every week. I walk at least 3 miles every day. I also like my night time snacks. I’ve tried some protein bars and shakes also. I eat more fruit too, which will soon be easier since all the summer fruits are starting to be in the grocery stores. Also, I’ve been trying to eat a little less, even though I don’t eat that much. Instead of 7 dark chocolate almonds, I’ll have 4. It’s been working, I haven’t gained any weight in a few weeks. I haven’t lost any either, but at least I’ve stopped gaining for now.
That’s great! Yes, cutting my portions too has helped. I seriously don’t know what happened after 40! I really love the protein shakes for breakfast and am working to find something that helps after 5pm. Keep up the good work!
Thanks for sharing. I’m 25 kilos heavier now than when i had my first son. He’s 22 now ! I never lost the baby weight 🙁
You’ve inspired me to try to get out walking and to go to bed earlier. Ive always been a night owl but want to change that to being an early bird.
Maybe try changing your “naughty” snacks to healthier choices?
Good luck with your journey. I’ll be following you.
Dianne
Thank you Diane! Night time is really hard for me too. One of the things that helped me get going was just walking to the end of my driveway and back (it’s about 1000 feet) . I know that sounds crazy but for some reason, if I go early in the morning, it’s easier. Once the day gets started, I NEVER would walk or run. Good luck and stay in touch!
You go girl! I think what you are doing is awesome and the best thing you can do for YOU. Your story is all too familiar to me. I’ve got the snacking bug so badly that I would rather not eat a meal…just snack all day. One thing that might help you with exercise is the fact that I can’t walk or run. I was a dance, exercise and walking nut. I would give anything to be able to walk. I lived in NYC-Queens and I think I walked all over the borough many times. So, Jessica walk as much as you possible can, I will be rooting for you.
Thank you Juanita! I am sorry you cannot walk. I am sure that is really hard and frustrating, especially since it seems you were so active in the past. I love all your comments and read all of them! Thank you again and hope you have a wonderful day <3
I hate exercising too and could never stick with any kind of exercise program, other than Yoga many years ago. You need to read the book Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis, cardiologist and author. And check out his website at http://www.facebook.com/OfficialWheatBelly
It will answer all your questions and definitely help you get rid of that belly fat. I know, I did it. You just have to have the willpower to cut out wheat and white sugar. I went cold turkey on those two things and lost 25 lbs without exercising and felt great and have kept the weight off for more than 3 years now. The hardest part is the first couple of weeks, but if you can get through that, then you don’t have those cravings for sweets and you’re on your way! He has a diet program and recipe book too that might help. Good luck!!
I definitely will check out! I still love junk food but I am finding that my cravings are getting in check with exercise and my protein shakes really help too.
Your story is exactly me! String bean all my life, I was body shamed for being too thin. Ate whatever, exercised never. But the lightening metabolism doesn’t last forever. I’m 47 and 150lbs. 30lbs more than I’ve ever weighed. Boobs are ginormous and sagging, and my belly looks like dough. My problem is I have no self motivation or know even how to begin this. I have asthma so I try NOT to get out of breath like you said! I’m loving the healthy tips in the comments. I’ve been looking to follow a journey along with someone, you may have encouraged me to start! Good luck to both of us ????
It seems we are not alone! -ha. I can’t believe the amount of people who have emailed saying similar things. I really am loving my protein shakes and it’s amazing how much better I feel. For me, I crave carbs and sugar and the exercise along with my nutritional program, seems to be really helping 🙂 Thanks for commenting and good luck too!
You look great and by the sounds of it feeling great too. keep it up! I’m curious what shakes and nutritional program you are using?