New Year... Dare, I say "Resolutions?!"

Most of us struggle with weight and our own body images... and New Year's resolutions typically involve eating better or eating healthier or some combination of both.  I'm not one to make resolutions, but I think this is my year that I have to do so. I've been slacking way too much!

After years of fitness, I admit I am battling a fluctuation of about ten extra pounds, and snuggling in versus hitting the treadmill at 5 a.m. has been a lot more appealing to me.  HOWEVER, I am just not happy with how I feel... which is thick. And not in the good way!

I was injured in September 2020 and am still suffering pain in my left side and just under my heart, so I know that I need to be gentle with myself.  This acceptance made me want to re-boot my blog here and invite you to do the same.  Or, if you don't share these goals, offer my advice and guidance to anyone you know facing this right now.

You don't need to "go hard" or thrust 200% to each workout.  Yes - there are times and places for boot camp style workouts, but if you are your own coach, I suggest being a team and supporting yourself. We all beat ourselves up far too much each day - don't let fitness be your tough love time.

I used to run about 1.5 miles three times a week in addition to my other workouts.  Today, I barely did one full mile.  It takes time and patience to get back... neither of which I am known for having! This is very important to me, though, so it's going to have to work.  

My 2022 bloom planner has an entire intro section for goals.  I have a lot of goals - too many, in fact.  But they are all important to me, so I need to figure out how to meet them.  Even if I don't accomplish them all within a year from now, progress is key.  And that is my point to my getting-back-to-Marni fitness stats.

Feel free to join me - and please offer comments and your experiences, if you can.  #strongertogether!

Physical Changes

Weight and body image have always been and continue to be struggles for me.  I am currently, however, in the best shape of my life... but I work damn hard at it.  I am finally learning how to accept compliments.

As a teen, I developed quickly and had no pride of my physical appearance.  Becoming a grown woman, I battled with changes in my metabolism.  When I was (finally) pregnant with my daughter, I was nauseous the entire first trimester and consumed each brand of cracker on the market to settle my stomach... leading me to gain 40 pounds, and had a 4 pound baby.

I have no desire to tell anyone what "works."  I am not perfect and am not at all an expert in health nor fitness.  I DO believe that everyone's body is different and what is effective for one individual will not necessarily be the best option for another.  And I DO advocate that you have to find what works for you.

For me, that became running (for the second time).  In my 20s, I ran a little, but with Midwest weather and when I working full-time, it fell by the wayside.  When Hope was three years old, however, I became more committed to it. Running two to three times per week, I splurged on a treadmill so that rain and freezing temperatures could no longer lead to excuses.

I've also studied Pilates and Yoga so that as muscles are developed, I can also maintain flexibility.  Another belief shared by most: you need to do more than one style.  It keeps your workouts from becoming mundane and it helps develop multiple muscle areas rather than just toning like just your legs all the time. Now that I am leading a dance fitness class, I am able to select the routines that target all areas of the body.

When I went back to work full-time, I began getting up at 4:50 a.m. to exercise.  It was hard.  It's still hard to do.  But it's my priority, so I make it happen.  My largest blessing, though is that working by the Capitol, I get the advantages of all sorts of additional workout sessions!  Since I am still "new in town," I am still working on finding a public place to hold my own fitness classes.  Yet, I at least get to provide dance fitness to state employees... which I LOVE. 

When it comes to nutrition, anyone who knows me knows that I eat.  Moving to Austin, I cut down a lot - when you cook for one, it's seldom elaborate!  Again, I want to say that what one person finds successful for his/her body type will not necessarily work for another.  A few things that I truly hope my readers will respect if they do not agree: I will not become a vegetarian because I love seafood, I appreciate chicken, and I will not give up the option to eat bacon.  I only eat red meat about once every couple of months.  I avoid "fast food" as much as possible.  All in moderation. (Refer to my "There will always be cookies" blog!)

I am sharing this is because this is the third time in my life that I have actually felt pretty "good" about where I am physically.  While I get nervous about it because I don't want to get comfortable, I remember that it's never, ever too late to instill your own improvements in how you value your health.  There will be failures and days you don't do as well.  Just like falling, however, it's okay as long as you pick yourself back up.  Start small, build, and most of all - be patient.  With age, hormone changes and health issues, weight fluctuates. I am growing in my self value, and I refuse to let it slip ever again. 

Say No to a Sweet - Just Once

"There will always be more cookies."  Not my most profound statement, but discussing health and eating habits a couple months ago with friends, this sentence just came out of my mouth... yet, it is SO true.

Whether you are battling weight, trying to maintain or facing health concerns, take a look at how you view food - especially snacks and treats.

I indulge.  I do.  Tempted by a warm chocolate chip cookie or a moist, dark chocolate brownie, damn, I can definitely enjoy myself.  But it doesn't happen every time.  Known as "the chocolate girl" when I was young, I have been able to change my relationship with desserts... and if I can do it, anyone can.  Call it willpower or self-discipline, but I think that it's just logic and reason.

For every occasion with a cake, there will be more celebrations with cake.  Say "no" just once.  See how it goes.  Remind yourself that there will be more cookies. More are made every day by companies and people.  Seriously - when was the last time you were in a grocery store or market and the aisles of baked goods were empty?  Even zombie apocalypse shows have baked goods still in them.  They are everywhere!

Now, if you find that you just cannot refrain - even once.  That this pastry in front of you is stronger than any care you have for yourself, take one bite and really focus on how it makes you feel.  If nothing else compares to the joy of the taste and the calories (and fat) are actually worth it, then own it.  Be happy.

Yet, if you find that you aren't even enjoying the flavor as much as the expectation, don't finish it.  Toss it.  We have been raised in a society that lectures us to not waste food, but if the satisfaction isn't legitimate, then we ARE wasting the food... and at our own personal value, as well.

I would rather feel a little guilty for throwing away part of a cookie than physically feel bad and finishing it.  There will be more cookies, and the appreciation will be so much more enjoyable when you don't partake every time.  Don't have the attitude of "I've said no three times, so I know deserve this."  Instead, take the power.  Look at the item and ask "Does this treat deserve ME?"

Please try, and let me know how it goes.