History in the Making

I Need Help Being Healthy…

Today’s post isn’t a list or recommendations or instructions, but rather it’s just what is going on with me fitness-wise. I’ve really struggled in the last 5-6 months to find the motivation to exercise; work is incredibly draining and life is hectic and I’m having a really hard time motivating myself to get off my butt and do something. I find that a lot of people are into that motivated state of mind right now, and I’m hoping that writing about it is going to force some accountability…
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I enjoy the Zumba and yoga classes that I take at lunch at the gym, and while they aren’t the most challenging fitness classes I’ve ever taken, they are perfect for a lunch time class. I get a boost of energy for the afternoon without crossing over into being more exhausted than I started. Realistically, I need to add in a day of running for four days at lunch, and potentially swap one of my Zumba classes for another day of running. Running really works me out, and while I need to do a lot more stretching and care afterwards, I feel like I’ve really used my muscles after. We now have an elliptical at home, so running at night is also an option!
I also need to get back into regularly doing yoga at night. I’m really feeling sore from work- I end up at my desk for hours and I haven’t moved an inch. My lower back and legs haven’t done anything and yoga is great for strengthening and stretching everything out. I seem to always have a reason why I can’t spare 40 minutes for yoga, so I need to jump back down to the 20-25 minute sequences. Sure, it’s less than I would like but it’s better than nothing. My goal for the next two weeks is to do yoga at least every other day. That’s a reasonable goal and there’s no reason why I can’t make it happen. I’m going to go so far as to plan specific sequences in my bullet journal- I’m okay if I end up changing them, but that way there is a plan in place!
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I also just need to focus on eating better. The trip to Fernie threw off our whole schedule; we usually do shopping on the weekend but that didn’t happen obviously. Starting this weekend, I’m measuring out fruit and veggie servings- that’s an easy area to tackle. I’ve been nursing a slight cold for a week now and I need to give my immune system the boost I need to beat it! (I’ve discovered the magic of banana and peanut butter together for a snack, and it’s probably the best snack I’ve had in years. It has protein AND I always feel full after!!) I think I will go so far as a full meal plan for breakfasts and lunches that I can make ahead.
Here’s where you come in: please feel free to come back and ask on this post how I’m doing, tweet at me, or message my page on Facebook on how I’m doing! And please send me your tips for motivating yourself; what makes you want to get up and move? I’m looking forward to hearing everyone’s suggestions, I know that quite a few of you are very active!
Until tomorrow,
The Historian!
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0 thoughts on “I Need Help Being Healthy…”

  • Love that you are asking for advice! Just keep things simple. I stick with a few healthy meals each week to keep it simple. I switch up the meals every few weeks. Check out the Big 5 workout by Body By Science. It’s a 10 minute strength workout. Great results only 10 mins or so a week. Motivation won’t come overnight, it comes as a SNOWBALL effect. The more you have accomplished the bigger the ball is rolling. Good luck and a huge CONGRATS on the blog award nomination!
    -FitnessandFueling.com

  • Firstly, props to you for having the confidence and passion to make such an outstanding post. The way you feel now is more common than people are able to admit. So thank you. As far as eating healthier goes, it all comes down to minor lifestyle changes. Dropping the old and starting the new habits. I know for myself, when I cannot get to the gym, I do a quick Pilates session before hopping in the shower before bed. It’s not much, but it feels better. Cutting out sugars makes a huuugggeee difference. For example, I am a huge coffee lover (it may be a problem..) and for the longest time I always took two creams and two sugars. Little did I know how much fat could build up from a simple series of coffees all of the time. SO try sweeteners or perhaps almond milk. I just recently discovered a new Hazelnut Almond Milk Creamer that isn’t NEARLY as many calories as a normal creamer would be, and it tastes even better in my opinion. Another personal trick of mine is to carry around snacks. Especially if you’re a busy woman, it is so easy to give in to fast food or the first food you see when you’re hungry and running around. I like to carry around almonds and the CloverLeaf Snack Tuna Cans. They are filling and hold me over very well. This way I don’t get too hangry. I have many many more suggestions. If you’re interested in hearing them you are more than welcome to message me or follow my page and other social media sources. Nevertheless, keep it up. You’re going to accomplish many great things.
    – Oksana @ OFitSpo

    • Thank you so much!! I’ve been trying to keep a banana and some peanut butter around- I’ve been finding that quite filling and delicious. I don’t use sweeteners in my tea (no coffee here), if anything it is only a few drops of milk 🙂 I also definitely need to start fitting some yoga in before bed- you are right, something is better than nothing!!

  • I have the same problem! I lost 20 pounds between January 2016 and the early fall but once I started law school in August hit a standstill because I have less time to work out and less motivation. I’m working on trying to get all my motivation and energy back but it’s hard!

  • Dang, girl. You look pretty fit to me. You do not want to see what I look like when I attempt that yoga position. In fact, I can’t even do it. I have, like, zero arm strength. I get it, though. It is SO HARD to get back into the swing of things when we get off track. Your post has motivated me to get back into my yoga practice.

    • My point of comparison is always when I was doing my professional ballet exams and was in the best shape of my life- definitely not realistic. My arm strength is *just* enough for yoga, and if I get out of practice? POOF, GONE!

  • My biggest tip for eating healthy and feeling improved is not to bother trying to eat the healthiest possible thing all the time, but instead to chose something slightly healthier than you would have otherwise chosen. Just a small bit healthier, add some more veggies, cut out the soda, go for a less added fat option etc. That way you actually do improve your diet but you don’t feel like you’re unable to eat anything you want and feeling bad about craving yummy but unhealthy food. I tend to ‘fall off the wagon’ healthy eating wise when I feel like I’m trying to deprive myself all the time.
    Good luck though!

    • I think that’s something I need to keep in mind! I think if I want to bake something, I will make mini cupcakes or smaller cookies- allow a little bit of treat but not too much. I also need to work on adding more fruits and veggies to my meals, I’m going to have to keep more on hand!!

  • The timing of this post couldn’t be more perfect! I totally know what you mean. My new job is so much more stressful and time consuming than I anticipated it being (and the commute it really awful), so I am finding it a struggle to prep healthy meals and stay on the running schedule that I need to be on in preparation for my upcoming marathons. I’m like you – even if I can just squeeze in an extra walk or some yoga or stretching, it feels better than nothing!

    • I need to do a couple weeks worth of meal planning this weekend! I also need to do more make ahead meals. I’m so exhausted that sometimes making lunch is too much- I need to make sure it’s not a problem!
      I had a FANTASTIC yoga class at lunch today and apparently she is back on Friday- this might be a turning point!!

  • How do you exercise at lunch without getting sweaty for the afternoon? Or do you shower before going back to work? I would love to workout at lunch but I don’t want to come back to work looking like I was just working out.

    • I actually don’t sweat very much! It typically takes high temperatures or continual sprinting to make me sweat. My face sweats a little but I just remove my make up and reapply! A lot of people do shower after the gym at lunch here, though 🙂

      • I’m very fortunate to be the same way! I work out most days during my lunch break (we’ve got a gym at the office), and I am lucky that I barely sweat. We are both lucky! 🙂

  • Here’s a small tip on eating healthy: eat you meals in smaller bowls. That way, you can eat more without really eating that much, and trick your mind into thinking that your full so you can eat more meals a day, just in smaller portions.

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