Sunday, March 13, 2011

Hello everyone!

Wow....I really need to get more consistent and frequent with these blog updates! Well, blame it on the crazy busy life I've got...like my friend S would say ...'full and a half' - shout out to you buddy..you got that one right! I'm still figuring out computer time with all the million other things I keep trying to fit in and complete in any given day. Let's just say it's a work in progress. So, to add to it all we lose an hour starting today..woohoo..why not right? Now all I've got to do is wake up at 3:45AM instead!

Anyways..now that my rant on why I didn't get around to posting an update all this while's out of the way, let's get to what I've really been upto here these past  few months (really? is that how long it's been? More or less..)

First a list of raves before the rants: I am still hitting the gym atleast 2-3 times a week. I have lost some pounds and I am starting to look the part (slowly but surely :) can't beat that warm feeling of success when you fit into a pre-preggo pair of jeans..yeah!) Diet's still in line with what my goals were beginning this year. I even plan out meals for the week ahead! I still get around to all the little things that go with keeping a full house running glitch free (like tending to those kids that keep hanging on to your lap when you're trying to make blog updates :D). Of course there are days when I've reached my limit but hey it's all part of that mixed bag we keep juggling day in and day out right? Works similar to those phone batteries...Yank out(stop what you're doing / trying to), count to 10 (or roll on the floor weepy and all - your choice) and fix it back in (start back on whatever it was that was testing your darn tolerance)..works pretty much every time.

The rants: I need more time! - Yea like that's every gonna happen.

So if you're motivated to join me on this 'get fit' goal ('crazy' as it seems and sounds and is - something about sitting bolt upright when that alarm goes off in the wee hours of the morning and rushing out the door for fear of waking someone (or is it for fear of succumbing to the deep desire to just slide right back inside that cozy comforter?) is definitely Crazy with a capital C!), keep it going..don't give up just yet. We've still got a few more months :) I'd say making yourself accountable to someone in someway on your goal would be a key motivator. I'm all ears if need be.

I do want to talk about other things too..not just goals that deal with torturing yourself till you get there :) I'll use a new post to do that. Let's just leave this one for those irksome goals..ha. It's getting warmer outside
(translates to: more stuff to add to your full and overflowing plate of  'to do's - gardening anyone?) and no more of those 'ooh it's too cold to workout' excuses guys. Get out there and get fit.

See you all in my next post - I promise it won't talk about the gym.



Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Progress Update

I'm sure everyone's wondering what's happening with my fitness resolution...right? Well it's progressing just fine! Yay! I've been hitting the gym atleast 3 times a week and have been trying to eat right too..majority of the time. Gave in to weighing myself twice but didn't really see a change in numbers. But hey..they say you build muscle where you burn fat. I'll chalk the lack of change to that for now and keep pressing forward. So what kinds of things do I do when I say I workout? Some strength training, intense cardio (body attack and spinning) and some yoga at home when I can't get to the gym (like this morning ...)

The best part about this whole active lifestyle is that I seem to have more energy during the day than I've ever known. I'm walking faster instead of my usual 'dragging of my feet' gait.

And yes I finally got around to taking a 'before' picture (4 weeks into the fitness regime) ...I don't look any different (yet) but I definitely feel stronger, lighter and more fit.

Food-wise it's been more of a challenge controlling portions but that being said, I think I'm getting there. Yes. Who says you've gotta eat bricks, stones and leaves to lose? Just eat right (leaner cuts of meat, more veggies and the right portions). I do indulge in treats during the weekends but we're still trying to limit that to say one or two..like this weekend B,N and I had this craving for something sweet. Ended up making payasam (Milk, Semolina, Lots of jaggery, cashews, raisins and ghee)..just one word to describe this dish: SWEET :)

Oh and we also made some butter chicken masala and home-made garlic naan to go with it..Both dishes came out great! Surprising how easy Naan is to make! Maybe I'll try a variation sometime but hey you can only indulge in a bit of regular white flour once in a while..so we'll save that for a treat in the months to come.

Well..been meaning to give you guys an update the past few weeks now..finally got to it. I know we're approaching the one month since the first fitness post (Feb 17th to be exact) and I'll try to post a weight status too. But I'm not quitting yet and I want everyone to be encouraged by it...don't give up too early in the game..be consistent and push forward.

See you all in a few days! Bye.




Monday, January 17, 2011

Choosing to lose..

It's been 7 months..they say it takes 9 months to put on and should be about the same to take it off..you know what I'm talking about! So my goal: 30lbs..20 and I'd be happy. 30 and I'd have made it. The timeline...5 months. I think it's totally doable. It's the motivation that's tricky. But people who know me well know it's only a matter of me setting my mind on it. And I have. So I thought a bit of accountability wouldn't hurt at all..would be a great bonus. That's what I'm doing right now. Making myself accountable by declaring to you what I'm trying to achieve.

Granted this was way easier when I was single. Now with the super busy life we've got, its a challenge..and I like a good challenge..don't we all need one once in a while? Fitting a gym session everyday without giving up on anything else was the first hurdle..well that's why they've got something called early morning sessions..5:30AM is the time for me. B & kids are sound asleep and I've still got the rest of the day ahead of me! WIN-WIN..well except when S decides to start looking for mommy..

Anyways..ignoring that for a second :) choosing the right kinds of foods comes next.. no red all white and wheat is the way we're going now.

Lastly it's all about being consistent. Short stints and crash diets are motivation killers..you're deeper in the doldrums than before you started. So, 5 days a week for the next 5 months and ~5 lbs/month. Sounds nice and rosy! I'll be posting monthly updates on my progress - just to keep track and to stay motivated. I might even post pics of the healthy foods we're chowing down - Like tonight: we had a loaded veggie wheat pizza and a sweet and spicy shrimp on wheat pizza (both had homemade toppings). Absolutely delicious and oh so healthy!

Here's what's left of the two pizzas now:


That's all I've got for now..be back with more updates later. Bye now.