Let me be very clear when I say, working out regularly and eating healthy daily is NOT easy for me either. Shoot, sometimes it’s not even fun! That is, until you look at the bigger picture! I love food just like the next person.
Some days I’m super lazy and I literally have to talk myself into working out and out loud at that! I have food cravings where I may even get attitudal and childish because I can’t have it. I slack up and have cheat days that I regret as soon as I demolish it.
I get discouraged and overwhelmed. Sometimes I’m just plan ole tired from the daily mental of having to maintain a clean eating lifestyle. I’ve given in, and I gave up. I have cried out of frustration and doubt. I’ve feared not being able to loose the extra company of me that I didn’t want to keep.
I have come a very long way. I look back over the hills and the mountains, because there were plenty of times where I just knew I’d never see the other side again. (For the record I am my own goals!)It was a lot. And it’s still a lot. But one thing that keeps me going on the the worst day when it comes to my workout life, is that I know I can do this because I’ve done it, the hardest part that is. I was 230 now I am 160, striving for 140. I’ll get there! Blood, sweat, and tears FOR REAL!
But you know what trips me out, is when people speak so negative about working out or eating healthy. Some folks just think I’m so over rated and extra. “It’s not that serious” To who? I never try and rub my lifestyle on other folks. What’s for you is for you! And what’s for me is for me. But of course if you know me or know of me (there is a difference, I’m Just Saying….) you know that the gym and lots of water with lemon or cucumbers is my thing. I love all fruits and every vegetable I can think of. I no longer eat pork or beef. And fried foods come to me in my dreams now. I’ve always preferred salt over sugar, but because a cupcake is something that is not on the food calendar these days I tend to drool over the sight of cookies, cakes, and candy. Things they never really peaked my interest before. But they say, the more you can’t have it, the more you want it. Oh yeah, the drive thru, well they no longer exist to me. Snack times consist of lots of peanut butter and green apples. Pretzels and cheese. Or just a good ole smoothie. I’m honestly so over oatmeal for breakfast. God knows if I see another bagel. Eating fruit throughout the day is like checking my phone for a text message. (And for those who know, hahaha.) You can only imagine how much fruit I park take in in a single day. Most of the time it ends up in a bottle or class of water.
Naomi keeps me in line! Her taste buds are a constant reminder that I’m doing something right. One of Naomis favorite snacks is sliced cucumber with cheese. I know it sounds a little yucky to some of you. But it’s yummy in our tummys. Meal prepping is like changing diapers. (The norm.) I always feel like I’m pregnant when I’m constantly in and out of the bathroom from drinking so much water. Speaking of…I’ll be right back…..
How easy would it be for me to pull up at McDonalds drive though instead of packing sliced red apples and protein bars when we’re out and about. I mean, what’s a couple of dollars right? WRONG. Let me tell ya, I promise you I can make a meal out of a ten dollar bill. So not only did you just spend money for food, but in all honestly you’re just eating junk that taste really good.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN GREASE AFTER ITS BEEN SITTING IN THE FRYING PAN. Like bacon grease for example. That’s exactly what grease looks like in the inside of your body! CLOGGED ARTERIES. When you’re young sometimes you over look some of these things because it doesn’t necessarily matter at the moment. (I guesss.) I do think some people feel as if they’re invisible because they’re young. But that too is untrue. Your age does not matter. Not to mention things will catch up with you if you chose to feed your body no so kind food ALL THE TIME. Now for you loud mouth folk who seem to always have something to say or some excuse to come up with, I am not saying you should never eat another brownie filled with nuts again. Also! I’m not saying that if you’re skinny you’re healthy! What I’m saying is I rather not feed myself junk on a regular basis. That’s just me. And as far as my daughter and my future love bugs, they too will know what broccoli and string beans are, on the regular. When I was growing up my brother and I couldn’t have candy, (except for birthdays and special holidays.) To just go in the store on a regular Tuesday with Madre and grab a Snickers did not fly. Sodas, oh they weren’t an option at all. And you better believe if we had cheeseburgers for dinner we had broccoli too. And yes, I raise my baby just the same. I do not deprive her but I do protect her from rotten teeth, skin issues, and other health issues that can cause waaaay bigger problems. Now I know some one has something to say, but don’t we all? *Haha*
Me personally, I will let Naomi make those decisions when she is older and understands the pros and cons of sitting around eating junk all day. Oh, did I mention she loves water! Three ice cubes please! I think she likes the rattle of the ice against the cup. I do appreciate the fact she loves water as much as she does for a 1 year old.
When I was at my heaviest, which happened to be after I had Naomi, I was very unhappy. I felt miserable, I was tired easily. I just wore sweat pants and T-Shirts. I felt blah. I didn’t like it at all. My boobs where extra extra large (mostly from milk) my back hurt. Anything I had prior to pregnancy just did not fit. I couldn’t fit one bra, and my underwear, oh gosh, lets not go there please! All of my underwear turned into thongs. Now I’m not trying to be a video vixen in Chris Browns music video. BUT, I would be a liar if I told you i refuse to be a certain weight. And a flat tummy is nice. I’m still working on a two pack. Pray for me ya’ll. *That is no shade or disrespect to whom ever. I’m speaking on ME.*
The factor of me losing weight wasn’t based on just how I looked in itself. But to say it didn’t matter would be a lie too.
I remember crying in the dressing room because nothing fit. I had the hardest time trying to find a dress for Naomis christening celebration at church. I was still pretty heavy. I had lost a decent amount of weight in my six weeks from breast feeding and lack of eating from being overwhelmed and just plan tired, but that was only the beginning for me. When we got back from Virginia (home) the first thing I did the next morning was head to the gym with Naomi. Naomi has been rocking out with me in the gym since she was four months. She is my number one fan. She’s good for equipment too, when it comes to some workouts. She thinks it’s the funniest thing ever, so that too keeps me pushing to do one more, just for her smile. She smiles, I loose more calories. What do you know. Team work makes the dream work, never doubt that!
Cooking dinner for my husband sometimes gets rough. Let’s just simply say, he’s not on a diet. Although there’s veggies piled on the plate, that loaded bake potato I made him doesn’t look too shabby either. And why must he buy butter pecan ice cream of all things. Most of the time he doesn’t get things that make me have urges to cheat. My baby has quite the sweet toothe. I tell him I’m all the sweetness he needs, so he’s slowed down a little in that department. My healthly habits afford him more green things on his plate. So I let him slide sometimes.
However, in working out and dieting, I’ve developed a very medium to high (I’m not all the way there yet.) characteristic of self- discipline. I could do better, yes. But I’ve come a very very long way. Just to make these choices myself, without being told too shows major characteristic changes in me. That makes me so proud. Especially with being a stay at home mother, since ya know, we don’t do anything anyways. But being at home all day, especially in the winter, we tend to be a lot busier in the warmer months. But yeah being at home with all varieties of food calling my name from the kitchen can get intense too.
I’m so over the snow days! There are times that we’re legit “snowed in”. I can’t make it to the gym. I’m not taking my baby out in that! But guess what, I still have to work out! So guess what now? I have to workout at home. Sooo hard for me. I really struggle with that. I love the atmosphere of the gym. I’m up at 7:00- 7:30 a.m. Most days I’m done with everything I NEED to do before 12 o’clock noon. Including working out. Naomi will sleep until, 9:30- 10:00, so I try and have my workout done by then. So for those who speak on stay at home moms and how we just, ya know, chill all day. I bet I could run circles around you. Is it a fact or opinion that stay at home moms do nothing? Anyways…..
So there ya go, that’s a little truth about my journey. It isn’t easy, at all. But I realize that it’s not suppose to be. I mean anything worth having isn’t. Hard work pays off in all you do, and that includes body changes and eating habits. I’ve shed more tears over the last year struggling with who I want to be physically. I’m so proud of me. Never once did I hate myself. So please don’t misconstrue my words. My true being lies in my heart and soul. I know some people will look at this and feel I’m caught up in looks, and what you’re suppose to look like these days. That’s so it true. This blog isn’t meant for me to explain myself to those who hear me but don’t want to listen. I want the person who lies to themselves and pretends that they’re fine but are truly not to hear me and listen. YOU CAN DO THIS. Do not listen to the nay sayers! Focus on your voice. Your reasoning. Because the people side mouthing you I’m sure want to jump on the band wagon with you but are too scared. That’s why they program their words and thoughts into a heap of lies, excuses, and jokes for us “rabbit eaters.”
I truly honestly believe that everyone is beautifully. I promise you I do. Saying the word “ugly” is like saying the F word in my house hold. So don’t think this is about “fitting in” this is just me telling you how I take care of myself and my family. And that it is a fact that indulging excessively and lack there of can cause problems if not now, in the future.
Let me tell you the best thing you can do! GET RID OF THE SODA!!! Drink you some water. And if you got it that bad, get you some flavored water. Water can do some powerful things. Hence the clear skin! Try baked chicken instead of fried chicken sometimes. Gone head and throw you some broccoli on that plate. Let those peas get caught up in the mash potato drama on your plate. I love you and I want the best for you. Think about it like this, will you put sugar in your tank? (Car) Heck naw you won’t, you better not! Just think of your body like that. I’m feeding my body 93 baby! Unleaded!! Premium!!
Take care of yourself. Be gentle with your body. You can only get one amazing You.
I’m Just Saying….