Move More, Eat a Little Less

I stepped on the scale this morning for the first time in several, several weeks.
Yikes!
I wasn't surprised. When I don't work out as much and insist on needing ice cream or cheetos or popcorn before going to bed, I'm going to gain weight. It's that simple. I need to drop a good 10 pounds, and 15 would be ideal.

My (free!) Y membership has been useless, and I feel sluggish. Pants that use to be loose are now fitting well, and pants that fit well are becoming a little more snug.

Not good.
Oh sure, I'd like to think that since I was teaching a strength class that maybe I was gaining some muscle, and maybe that's true, but I also know my clothes don't lie.
So I'm going to do something I should've done awhile back: set some goals!

I'm not going to count calories or fat grams or carbs or measure my food. I'm not going to get caught up on sizes or ounces or eating a slab of chicken the size of my palm. That's never worked for me. With me, there is no magical equation. I simply need to move more and eat a little less.

I've never been one to focus hugely on weight. I want my clothes to feel good, I want energy, I want toned muscles and I want to feel strong. I've always focused on how I've "felt."

I have the basics down. I eat well, and I substitute when I need to (mustard for mayonnaise, yogurt for sour cream). I rarely drink soda and drink lots of water. I've cut back on coffee and started drinking green and black tea. If I know I'm going out for pizza at dinner, I eat a salad for lunch. I eat from the four food groups, and probably eat more fruits and veggies than ever before. My cholesterol and blood pressure are great. I just need to move more and eat a little less, especially less of the stuff I don't need.

When I was in my heyday I was at the Y at least 4 times a week, and I didn't worry about what I ate. When I work out, I eat better. When I work out, I feel better.

These are my goals. Not for a week. Not for a month. Not for 6 months, but for life. If I follow this, I will feel like my old, energetic self again.

1. Record what you eat (either on the blog, notebook or email)
2. Drink lots of water
3. Get to the Y or teach a class at least 4 times a week (at least 30 minutes)
4. Get in some daily activity (yardwork, housework, walk dog, etc)
5. Have fun, love yourself, be kind, flirt with boys, and continue to live your life to the fullest.

:)