Being Healthy And Whatnot

So it's been a while since my last blog. Thought I would entertain you this morning with my antics about being healthy.

My whole life I struggled with my weight. As a kid I was fine until the teen years hit. As a teen though I had already gotten into the habit of not eating healthy and not exercising. My mom and dad never made me eat what I didn't want, which of course I loved but honestly, looking back wish they had made me try things. They never really emphasized working out either. Mom was always into some new exercise machine or something (the proof is in their basement where they could probably open up a gym if they dusted everything off and cleaned it up a bit) but never really stressed that we should work out, she didn't even exercise regularly. Dad was always overweight until several years ago when he was diagnosed with Diabetes and decided it was time to do something.

When I met my husband I was almost 200 pounds, and although I didn't look it, I was definitely overweight and I was busting out of my size 16s, refusing to go to the "women" sizes. He was a healthy eater and he worked out regularly, well, he was one of those people who would work out regularly and then stop working out for a while then get back into it, and so on. So, we went 3-5 days a week to the gym together and we counted calories together and ate a lot of meals together (which was easier when we moved in with each other).

I did well, I lost 75 pounds. I loved exercising and I really had trained myself to only eat so many calories a day. I got to the point where I couldn't eat more or I would feel awful. I ate the crappy things for me still, but I just ate in moderation. I didn't load up on veggies because I didn't like them, I found 100 calorie snack packs of things if I was hungry or I would eat half a candy bar. I was pretty happy. I even learned to eat chicken more often and have less red meat (if you know me, you know I don't really like chicken that much and I love a good burger or taco without veggies).

But then, I got pregnant. I have, for some reason always had a high heart rate while exercising. No doctor has ever said anything about it or seemed concerned (maybe I just haven't been to the right one). But I had to stop the cardio while pregnant because the Dr. didn't want my heart rate to go over 140. I also got morning sickness when I was on the exercise bike and was very cautious about weights since I had already lost one baby six months earlier. So, I stopped working out. Oh, we still walked but the winter was cold, and the spring was HOT. Here in Michigan that summer, there were 110 degree days. Although I gave birth in June, the air conditioning was on in April and May.

After having my daughter I was almost back up to my old weight (although I carried it differently and was now a size 12 instead). I tried working out but it was too hard to get away at first because she was difficult and I breastfed. We tried going to the gym together but it was really hard to go with her and they "daycare" there had limited hours, wouldn't change diapers and you had to pay extra after paying for a membership already! So excuses were easy. I ate more because I was breastfeeding and needed more calories. Well, I breastfed for almost 2 years, so I got away with it of that long.

I just never got back in the habit. I always had an excuse. I didn't have time. I couldn't afford a membership at the gym. I wanted to start running but wanted to get the shoes. I wanted to start running but didn't have the weather. It was always something.

It was always something with the food too. I don't like that food. Our daughter won't eat that food. I make a portion and my husband always wanted more. I wouldn't buy sweets and then my husband would ask "what's for dessert?" It's only one sweet.

Finally, and I know everyone who knows me has heard this before; finally, this is it. I need to stop making excuses. I am almost 36, I am much larger than I want to be and diabetes runs in my family. I am cranky and have backaches all the time. I haven't been to the dentist in who knows how long or the Dr. either (for lack of insurance). I just haven't been taking care of my body like I should be. I am setting a bad example for my kid, and I don't like that.

So yesterday I took step one, I stopped with the sweet snacking at work. I allowed myself one tiny candy bar that is probiotic and only 70 calories but the only other snack available in my office was a banana (an organic one to boot!). I have stopped mostly having desserts at home, which is a good thing as well, but I pay for it at work when I snack all the time.

This morning, I had a granola, oat cluster cereal with almond milk instead of regular milk (and cereal I measure out with a cereal scoop and I never eat the whole serving, I think my body gets tired of chewing).

Who knows if I can keep this up. But my granola was good and I can at least say I feel better this morning. Maybe this evening if I have time after work I will hop on our elliptical (and tonight I actually might not have time because hubby and I are going away for the weekend and I need to pack everything and make sure the house is in order for my parents to come and stay).

The plan is to start getting up even earlier than hubby (I know crazy if I can actually do that) and workout or go for a run (trust me I need my Couch 2 5K app). Let's see if I can do that!