March 26th, 2012 • Posted by Ramona Rice • Permalink
This DeStresser has been exercising… a lot (Well maybe not for our serious runners, we just had a client complete a 50k, wow!).
In February after consuming way more of the DeStress annual Valentine’s Day candy bar I just felt well for lack of a better word fat. I felt tired; none of my clothes fit the way they were supposed to. I had somehow lost my awesome.
Like many of you I’ve struggled with my weight for over a decade, never finding the motivation to do a sit up. Lately with work, school, and family I was finding the drive-thru way too often instead of my own kitchen for meals, sometimes every meal.
Just writing this is embarrassing because I own a spa, a spa that seeks to help all DeStressers out there find their best authentic selves! Here I was not living my own authentic life.
One day I woke up, got in my gym clothes and hit the Y. I barely stayed on the elliptical for 10 minutes; I thought I was going to die. I went back the next day and everyday stayed until I could do a mile in 13 minutes! It has only been six weeks, but already I’ve dropped a dress size, but more importantly I feel better about my body. I love this new feeling of being empowered about my body.
The only thing I didn’t expect was the sore muscles and not being able to stand up. When you move your body in a new way your body will fight to stop you. Massage during a transition like this is critical, because it keeps your body moving forward.
Every week I schedule at least 30 minutes just for good stretching – this is keeping my muscles loose and removing as much lactic acid as possible. This is not a luxury, but necessary for me to reach my goal of finally wining my battle against the bulge.
Here are some things that have kept me motivated to keeping my exercise routine:
1. I give myself credit for the smallest amount of work- even if I only stay on a machine for 10 minutes that is better than five weeks ago when I wouldn’t have even tried.
2. I check in at the gym using Facebook. That way I get a lot of likes from my friends, now I think they expect me to check in at the gym. If I don’t then they’ll know I’m slacking off.
3. The Lose It app! This is the greatest app ever, and it is free. It’s for both Droid and IPhone and it helps me track not only my exercise but also what I put in my body. It is amazing when you finally keep track of what you’re eating you’ll reach for a salad over a burger- most of the time.
4. Seek wise council. I am constantly asking the team at DeStress their best exercise tips. And the clients are great too. It also force me to tell people what I’m doing keeping my accountable to everyone who will see me.
5. I gave away all my big clothes. The second that a pant or shirt is too big I get rid of it. I don’t need them anymore.
Let me know what you think DeStressers!
