I've decided to make my healthy a priority and start incorporating some small changes. I'm already seeing a difference.
I heard it was coming—that at a certain age you magically develop belly fat and lose mobility. I'm at that stage where I stopped buying new clothes, started spending as little time in front of the mirror and am finding it difficult to bend over without pain. My circumference is expanding. My back is locking. I need to take care of myself.
I haven't weighed myself in a long time. There is no need. My super tight jeans told me I was putting on a lot of weight around my middle, which by the way, is the most unhealthy place to store fat.
First step was to sign up for Yoga/Pilates classes. Three months ago I found a little studio that has easy parking and classes that fit my needs. I schedule my class into my calendar and haven't missed one in three months, aside from my week at the Olympics. The deep relief I experience during and after every session is a gift I give myself. I'm starting to rediscover my belly muscles and my arms are showing some slight definition.
Next I booked an appointment with Marina at Zen Beginnings. Marina is a nutritionist and her passion for healthy living rubbed off on me as we spent a couple of hours going over my less-than-spectacular eating habits. First thing to go: my morning bagel and cream cheese. Sigh. For the last three weeks I've been making morning smoothies with fruit, kale, protein powder, coconut milk and flaxseed in my new Little Bullet one cup blender. You know, it's not half bad. To shake things up, I'll make some yummy eggs.
Then I discovered a kooky little workout class at Zen Beginnings—which can only be described as "faux-ga," basically using some moves from yoga but it's waaay more aerobic. We do boot camp moves and yoga stretching to loud tunes from the 80s and 90s. I only push myself as far as I can safely go. I walk out of there drenched.
I read this post about eating when you're hungry which is harder than it sounds, so I'm trying really hard to be aware of my hunger cues.
And then there's bread. I'm trying hard to avoid it, saying no to sandwiches and bagels whenever possible. I'm not 100% there but I'm eating significantly less bread than I did three weeks ago.
When I was on a romantic vacation in Portland with my husband last week, we made a point of doing a ton of walking together - with an emphasis on uphill climbs to get our hearts pumping. Talk about sexy :)
And finally, I'm starting to run again (slowly). I've committed to running the Run for the Cure 5k which happens on my birthday September 30th. So, my birthday party is to invite YOU to join my "team" and run or walk the race with me! Wanna join the party?!! Let me know in the comments below and I'll give you all the details.
Soon I will try my jeans on again. I imagine they will be a little less tight.
I'm not on a diet. I love to eat. And my body simply feels better when I work out. I'm making small changes and paying attention to my health. I feel better about myself. And that's a big difference.
What about you? What do you do that I can add to my list of small changes?
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