I know I am very chatty today. Sorry for that. I have some down time, so I've been thinking a lot.
Right now my pet peeve is getting fit on a budget. As you can see from my previous post, I want to get fit for free. The reason is that I am on a very fixed budget. I don't have room for extra expenses every month. The fitness stuff I have bought has been bought over a period of time and only when I had the extra money.
With that said, I am really tired of hearing about how anyone can afford to eat healthy, yada, yada. The truth, the real truth, is that healthy foods cost more than bad foods. I have noticed that so-called diet on a budget advice is aimed more for those who are used to spending way more than I do at the grocery store every month. I am a budget shopper. I buy budget brands and shop at stores like Save A Lot.
The problem is that when you go searching for help to eat healthy on a budget, the budget they give you is more than what you spend now so it is not really a budget at all.
With that said, I think this is yet another example of why people fail at losing weight. Eating healthy is expensive. There I said it. It is 100% true, too.
Take for example, Mc Donalds. If you eat there for lunch and try to go the healthy route you will spend more, quite a bit more. Of course if you change things up and bring food from home you can probably spend less that way to eat healthy. However, that is not the point.
My point is that we are told to make healthy choices. We are told we do not have to alter everything about how we eat as long as we make good choices. The truth is that to eat healthy and not spend more you have to really go out of your way.
It is frustrating. There has to be a better way for people like me who just can not afford to eat healthy.
Eating has always been my downfall and I am now seeing why. I can not afford it.
It would be great if someone wrote a real eating healthy on a budget article. One that uses the cheap foods I eat.
For example, Hamburger Helper is a simple dinner that is cheap, but it is not the healthiest option. I like it and it works for my budget. So, how do I make it healthier? Can I make it fit in my diet? That is the type of advice I want.
I am going to think on this. I already have ideas, but it is something that needs more thought. There has to be a way that everyone - no matter what their budget - can eat healthy without paying the high price.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Can You Get Fit For Free?
I have been thinking about all the money I have spent on fitness crap. The DVD's and equipment I have are starting to grow into huge piles. I do use the stuff, but many people buy fitness stuff and it ends up just collecting dust.
Part of the reason why I buy so much is because I get bored easily. I like to go from one workout to another and keep changing things up. That means new equipment for each workout.
Anyway, I can not even imagine how much I have spent. I have about 25 different DVD's so there alone I have a nice chunk of change spent. I won't even go into the equipment I have.
I have mentioned ExerciseTV.tv before. It is a great place. Today it sparked an idea about getting fit for free without getting bored.
The thing about free fitness is that many of the suggestions for getting fit for free involve boring stuff, like walking. I am not into that and it is no surprise people fail when they try that route. I want a free workout that is fun.
ExerciseTV has a range of great free workouts. This morning I did a dance workout that was fun and free! So, in the course of trying out new things I am going to do a test to see if I can get fit for free.
I am going to start using ExerciseTV's free full workouts instead of anything I have bought. i want to prove to people that you do not have to spend a thing to get your body looking good. We shall see what happens. You have my current measurements so i will check back in at the beginning of March to let you know what happened. Of course I will be blogging about what I did and letting you know about the workouts I used.
Part of the reason why I buy so much is because I get bored easily. I like to go from one workout to another and keep changing things up. That means new equipment for each workout.
Anyway, I can not even imagine how much I have spent. I have about 25 different DVD's so there alone I have a nice chunk of change spent. I won't even go into the equipment I have.
I have mentioned ExerciseTV.tv before. It is a great place. Today it sparked an idea about getting fit for free without getting bored.
The thing about free fitness is that many of the suggestions for getting fit for free involve boring stuff, like walking. I am not into that and it is no surprise people fail when they try that route. I want a free workout that is fun.
ExerciseTV has a range of great free workouts. This morning I did a dance workout that was fun and free! So, in the course of trying out new things I am going to do a test to see if I can get fit for free.
I am going to start using ExerciseTV's free full workouts instead of anything I have bought. i want to prove to people that you do not have to spend a thing to get your body looking good. We shall see what happens. You have my current measurements so i will check back in at the beginning of March to let you know what happened. Of course I will be blogging about what I did and letting you know about the workouts I used.
Sleep and Weight Loss
As promised here is an installment in the series about things that hinder weight loss. This is focusing on sleep. The main reason is that I just got the new Glamour and they have a sleep diet in it and that peaked my interest.
Experts have been talking a lot lately about how sleep affects your weight. There has been more talk about how not getting enough sleep can lead to gaining weight, but it is now being found that getting the right amount of sleep every night can actually make you lose weight.
This sleep diet in Glamour says that you can change nothing else about your habits except how you sleep and lose weight – up to 10 pounds in 2 weeks!
The idea behind this is that sleep is very important to the body. It helps your body’s natural processes work correctly and gives them time to ramp up for the next day.
It is suggested that you get 7.5 hours of sleep every night. You should go to bed and get up around the same time every day, even weekends.
I would be curious if this works, but I am not big on getting up at 7 am on the weekends, so I am not going to try it. The whole idea, though, is interesting. I do wonder if as long as you get 7.5 hours of sleep if it really matters when you go to bed or get up. I think that is more of a way to help you ensure you get that amount of sleep. Hmmm…
I knew sleep was important, but didn’t have a clue it could be this important. Think about this the next time you slack on your sleep. You may just be adding to weight loss hassles.
Experts have been talking a lot lately about how sleep affects your weight. There has been more talk about how not getting enough sleep can lead to gaining weight, but it is now being found that getting the right amount of sleep every night can actually make you lose weight.
This sleep diet in Glamour says that you can change nothing else about your habits except how you sleep and lose weight – up to 10 pounds in 2 weeks!
The idea behind this is that sleep is very important to the body. It helps your body’s natural processes work correctly and gives them time to ramp up for the next day.
It is suggested that you get 7.5 hours of sleep every night. You should go to bed and get up around the same time every day, even weekends.
I would be curious if this works, but I am not big on getting up at 7 am on the weekends, so I am not going to try it. The whole idea, though, is interesting. I do wonder if as long as you get 7.5 hours of sleep if it really matters when you go to bed or get up. I think that is more of a way to help you ensure you get that amount of sleep. Hmmm…
I knew sleep was important, but didn’t have a clue it could be this important. Think about this the next time you slack on your sleep. You may just be adding to weight loss hassles.
This is It
My whole Shred experience ends today. I have not technically done 30 days due to not being able to team up with my workout buddy, sore muscles and ever other excuse under the sun. However, I think I have learned enough to make an opinion.
I did do all three levels. In the beginning I was pumped. I had heard all these amazing things and was so super excited. I got my butt kicked often by Jillian. This is a good workout, but not the workout for me.
Before doing the Shred I was into really intense workouts that lasted about an hour. Part of what brought me to the Shred was the fact it was a 20 minute workout. I figured no more long sessions would be awesome.
For me the 20 minutes - no matter how intense or whatever - do not work. I have suffered from a loss of motivation and extreme boredom. The Shred made me lose my momentum.
I am not saying this isn't a good workout. I think it would be great for beginners or for someone who is not an ADD as me. I am not good with the same old thing over and over.
Looking back on my experience with this I would say it did not live up to the promises. Maybe since I was not 100% dedicated at the end that is why. I did lose some inches. Here are my final measurements:
Arm-11 3/4
Waist-37
Hips- 45 1/2
Thigh- 24
Calf-14 3/4
Totals Lost:
Arm -1/2
Waist -1
Hip - 1 1/2
Thigh - 2 1/2
Calf - 3/4
I hope my math is correct :) That makes the result of my 30 Day Shred experience equal up a total of 6 1/4 inches lost total.
Not bad, I suppose. I am moving on now and officially saying good bye to the Shred. It's been lovely. Toodles.
I did do all three levels. In the beginning I was pumped. I had heard all these amazing things and was so super excited. I got my butt kicked often by Jillian. This is a good workout, but not the workout for me.
Before doing the Shred I was into really intense workouts that lasted about an hour. Part of what brought me to the Shred was the fact it was a 20 minute workout. I figured no more long sessions would be awesome.
For me the 20 minutes - no matter how intense or whatever - do not work. I have suffered from a loss of motivation and extreme boredom. The Shred made me lose my momentum.
I am not saying this isn't a good workout. I think it would be great for beginners or for someone who is not an ADD as me. I am not good with the same old thing over and over.
Looking back on my experience with this I would say it did not live up to the promises. Maybe since I was not 100% dedicated at the end that is why. I did lose some inches. Here are my final measurements:
Arm-11 3/4
Waist-37
Hips- 45 1/2
Thigh- 24
Calf-14 3/4
Totals Lost:
Arm -1/2
Waist -1
Hip - 1 1/2
Thigh - 2 1/2
Calf - 3/4
I hope my math is correct :) That makes the result of my 30 Day Shred experience equal up a total of 6 1/4 inches lost total.
Not bad, I suppose. I am moving on now and officially saying good bye to the Shred. It's been lovely. Toodles.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
This Week is Crap
Despite my new invigorated stance on working out this week has went in the crapper. My workout buddy and I can not seem to get our schedules together. We may not workout tomorrow and we didn't today.
I am planning on getting in a workout tonight. However, with my motivation in the toilet we shall see if that will come to pass. I really hate being this lazy. I am not sure what is wrong with me. Jessica says it is the weather. Maybe that is true.
Something better give so I can get back on schedule. I feel fluffy. Not really fat, but fluffy. That is the best word to describe it. I hate the fluffy feeling, so I have to get my butt in gear.
I am planning on getting in a workout tonight. However, with my motivation in the toilet we shall see if that will come to pass. I really hate being this lazy. I am not sure what is wrong with me. Jessica says it is the weather. Maybe that is true.
Something better give so I can get back on schedule. I feel fluffy. Not really fat, but fluffy. That is the best word to describe it. I hate the fluffy feeling, so I have to get my butt in gear.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
And the slump continues
Again, no workout today with my workout buddy. I decided against working out tonight because my daughter is sick and it was storming so I didn't know if I could get in a shower. Due to the sickness I won't be working out with my workout buddy tomorrow either.
I decided since no workout today and I get to workout alone tomorrow that tomorrow I am trying out my Biggest Loser DVDs. I am going to do Level 1 for both the cardio and strength training. Total that is about 40 minutes, I think. I have heard they are great.
Besides this 30 Day Shred thing is so boring. I think it is what has me down and not wanting to work out. I dread the shred - not because it is too hard. The last time we did it, looking back, it was not something I struggled too hard to get through. I was talking the whole time - chattering, not just a few breathless words. I think that is a sign that I have mastered the shred. Anyway, we will finish it off on Friday and be done. I can live with one more day, but tomorrow I am doing something different -lol.
I decided since no workout today and I get to workout alone tomorrow that tomorrow I am trying out my Biggest Loser DVDs. I am going to do Level 1 for both the cardio and strength training. Total that is about 40 minutes, I think. I have heard they are great.
Besides this 30 Day Shred thing is so boring. I think it is what has me down and not wanting to work out. I dread the shred - not because it is too hard. The last time we did it, looking back, it was not something I struggled too hard to get through. I was talking the whole time - chattering, not just a few breathless words. I think that is a sign that I have mastered the shred. Anyway, we will finish it off on Friday and be done. I can live with one more day, but tomorrow I am doing something different -lol.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Today's Shred
Did the shred today. It didn't suck. I think it may finally be getting easier. After last night's step workout, though, anything is a breeze.
Tomorrow's workout is in limbo because the kids have a delay and my workout buddy has to work tonight, so if she is not dog tired then we will workout in the morning. Otherwise I am on my own. I will have to get something in some time tomorrow. Probably the Shred tomorrow night.
Only 3 more days of this to go!!!
Tomorrow's workout is in limbo because the kids have a delay and my workout buddy has to work tonight, so if she is not dog tired then we will workout in the morning. Otherwise I am on my own. I will have to get something in some time tomorrow. Probably the Shred tomorrow night.
Only 3 more days of this to go!!!
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