Health & Goals : I started writing this on October 3rd :-/

Health & Goals : I started writing this on October 3rd :-/

Background…

Soooooooo, one of the reasons that I did this challenge was to develop a healthy eating and fitness lifestyle.  In the past, the only way that I knew that I could lose weight was by low-carbing.  When I was in college I read the South Beach Diet book and the only thing that I took away from the book was the order in which the body burns the fuel/food/calories that you feed it.  I found it interesting that the reduction of carbohydrates in one’s diet decreased the body’s insulin production resulting in the body’s use of protein and fat as a main energy source.  When I started low-carbing, the results were immediate.  I felt like I had been given control of my ability to lose weight. 

Since I graduated from college, I have used low-carbing as a main strategy to lose weight.  While I am usually successful on low-carb diets, I have found that I can lose the weight but the result is a smosshy toneless body that isn’t all that flattering.  I have also found that I have low levels of energy while low-carbing and that it is extremely hard to be active when you are lacking the energy to perform. 

In addition, my weight fluctuates like crazy.  Since I was about 18 years old I have always weighed around 170lbs.  Over the past year my weight has fluctuated between 160lbs. and 170lbs.  I would  usually go up to 170 around thanksgiving and Christmas, then diet down to 160, then go up to 170, and diet down to 160, and so on and so forth.  I also used to be a college athlete, so 170 now definitely does not look like 170 then!  Smh!  LOL!  …NO really!  S….M…H!!!!!. 

I believe that a healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet and an activity.  The challenge for me was how to be active, eat healthy, and be thin.  My goal is to transform the core of my body.  As an athlete I looked okay at 170 because I had a strong core, lots of muscle tone, and I was 19% body fat.  In 2010 and up until May 2011, I was up to about 23% - 24% body fat last year.  I could get down to 160 by low-carbing, but  my body was so smooshy.  I used to say that I had no idea what to do with my new (non-athletic) body.  I have few curves so it just didn’t make sense.  In order to be satisfied with my new body, I needed to workout but crazy me did not want to workout because I thought that muscle tone wasn’t always attractive on my 5’10” athletic frame (especially since I am so big in comparison to others!!!).

I needed change, so I decided to just let go of my fear of muscles and just do this!  Shavon asked me to start doing Bootcamp with her and after my second challenge I’m down to 23% body fat and I weigh 159lbs.  Throughout my life I’ve struggled with my height and weight because I’m not the little cheerleader build.  I have always seen myself as being tall and heavy!  LOL!  But, I can definitely say that I am so proud of my transformation.

O - observations about the the changes in your life, the people around you, etc. :  

Recently, my aunt asked me just how much weight I had lost.  The funny thing is that the last time she saw me I was approximately 160lb (not much different than I am now).  However, my body looks completely different because I've toned my core and achieved a leaner look.  I have to say that felt like my work was paying off when she confronted me.  :-)

G - goals - Reflect on your goals and action plan. 

My goal is to continue to push hard and target my problem areas.  I am still challenged with time and getting in an additional workout, but it will just take some more sacrificing.  My weight isn't really decreasing, but I am in shape and able to do more that I used to.  Finally,  I am still striving to make healthy eating simple and enjoyable.  I made the Thai Basil Chiken below, but the sauce has sooooo much sodium in it.  I really had to use it sparingly...but I will continue to search for yummy healthy options!

S - set next week's goals.

My goals for next week are to focus and not succumb to my muscles telling me that they are not going to work for me anymore!  LOl!

Cooking :  Thai Basil Chicken