Body and Fitness: One Month In
May 16, 2011 | Filed under Body
In the past month, I’ve been averaging between half an hour and an hour and half’s worth of exercise most nights. This ranges from my elliptical, to power walking on the streets late at night, to doing daily training exercises that I downloaded onto my iPhone (primarily Arm Exercises and Butt Exercises). I’ve been doing a lot of air cycling (where you lie on your back on the ground and cycle your legs in the air) in front of the television as well. I try to mix it up a bit – if I go out for a power walk, it’s generally for no less than an hour, so I don’t bother doing anything else. Or, I’ll switch it up by doing the short exercises in the ad breaks of a TV show, but the elliptical during the show itself.
On the nights that I don’t get a chance to exercise (e.g. if I’m going out for dinner with friends after work and don’t get home until 10pm), I try to incorporate unintentional exercise in other ways. I’ll get off at a train station on the other side of the city, rather than the one five minutes from work, and walk the rest of the way (plus ten minutes walk!). I’ll make sure I go out for a walk during my lunch break instead of eating my lunch at my desk the way I normally do (plus twenty minutes walk). I’ll run up the stairs at the underground train station instead of standing on the escalator (plus one minute cardio). And so on, and so forth.
Have I actually lost kilos or inches? Unfortunately I don’t think so. I borrowed a set of scales from my parents house, and judging by the scales, I clearly fluctuate in weight so much (most dramatic so far – three kilos within one day!), that my weight really can’t be an accurate measure. I also clearly haven’t lost any inches – I’m using a pair of leopard print short shorts as a guide (don’t judge, I wear them as boardshorts on the beach!). They used to fit so loosely that I could pull them on and off without undoing buttons or zips. I’m currently bursting buttons. I want to get back to the point where these shorts are loose again.
I’m having more difficulty diet-wise. It’s not as though I can eat a healthier meal instead of McDonald’s and immediately lose five kilos, because I’ve always eaten relatively healthy. I just need to eat less. Unfortunately, eating less isn’t something I can do automatically, because my body has become accustomed to processing a certain amount of food each day. If I was to immediately halve that amount, I’ll find myself craving snacks in the middle of the night. I need to gradually cut meal portions down, and have started doing things like instead of eating my whole serve of leftover pasta for lunch in one go, I’ll eat half of it at 12pm, and the other half at 3pm when I get the afternoon munchies. Or once a week, instead of taking leftovers to work for lunch, I’ll take some yoghurt and fruit, and drink copious cups of tea to deal with any hunger pangs.
I have to say, it’s rather discouraging to step up my exercise routine by this much (I was quite literally a couch potato), and to try to make changes in my diet, and have nothing tangible to show for it. What can I do though, but continue the fight? I’m thinking of buying a weighted hula hoop so I can work more on my midriff, which I think is one of my main problem areas. Basically, I need to keep coming up with ways of diversifying my exercise routine so I don’t become too complacent and/or bored and unmotivated.
9 Responses to Body and Fitness: One Month In
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Actually.. I don’t know if it’s just the difference in light/quality, but if you compare the right hand pic with your original, your stomach looks flatter.
And you’re still not fat :p
Jem on May 16, 2011 #
Losing weight/inches is hard, and it may well be some time before you start to see any result. :( Don’t become discouraged though, you’re doing it for a good cause! :D
Emsz on May 16, 2011 #
Keep it up! Don’t get discouraged! Just take one day at a time and try your best. I’m sure it’s just plateauing at the beginning but soon you’ll see amazing results!
Becky on May 17, 2011 #
Keep at it! You will get used to eating less. And your body will build muscle mass that will burn more calories, should you slip up. The important thing is to realize that these little things you’re doing… you could theoretically do them your entire life. You could cease your “couch potato” self altogether. And it wouldn’t be too difficult to maintain. You can do it! Keep it up! Be that fit person you know you can be!
gem on May 17, 2011 #
You’re doing great, Amanda. Don’t give up! Your most recent photo shows a lot of improvement. I can really see the difference!!! And I’m jealous – I want your bod. :-( Instead I’ve got skinny-fat body. It sucks to be this short (4 ft 10 inches) and feel like I’ll never be sexy and have a shapely body ever.
Kristine on May 17, 2011 #
DON’T GIVE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It takes time – that’s why most people just quit.
You look less squishy, which is a definite sign of improvement. You look narrower through the waist, as well. It’s only been a month or so – it takes time.
I still think you should come down and train with us! If you don’t want to do BJJ (heh), the kickboxing class is a brilliant workout and there’s lots of girls there.
Rebekah on May 17, 2011 #
When did you weigh yourself? The best time to get the more accurate measurement is in the morning right when you wake up. My weight fluctuates throughout the day too so it’s normal!
Things you can do:
- Keep a fitness journal.
- Read fitness blogs.
- Gather some knowledge about health and fitness (how your body works, how it should respond to food + exercise, calories in vs. calories out). I like to say “KNOWLEDGE IS MOTIVATION.” I got addicted to health and fitness after learning so much about it.
- Some of the best fat burning exercises uses HIIT, tabata and intervals (Google!). You don’t even need equipment… just use your body weight!
- Lift weights. More muscle = faster metabolism. AND it won’t make you bulky (unless you’re eating a diet high in fat and carbs)!!
- Master the push up, squat and pull up.
Katy on May 20, 2011 #
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