Well, I didn't post as I had wanted to last week, so I'll make up for that lost time now.
I said I would make this blog partially about my life while still incorporating my exercise into it as well. And that's just what I intend to do. So, this is the exercise part.
I've been exercising and trying to eat better for the past month or so. I've gained weight, mostly because I do strength training rather than cardio (Don't get me wrong, I do cardio too, but I seriously hate running. So my cardio consists of numerous jumping jacks, jump rope, and other various forms).
They tell you not to focus on the number on the scale, especially if you're hoping to gain muscle (which I am). But, let's be honest, that number on the scale sticks in your mind like a contagious song. A contagious, depressing song.
I've had my fair share of jumping on and off the scale in the past and simply plopping on my bed wondering why I ever exercised in the first place. It clearly didn't help, and I didn't gain anything from it. Of course, that was before this blog was even thought of, and before I started training last year the way I did.
Anyway, my point is, it's easy to lose focus and become depressed about the number on the scale. That's why a lot of experts suggest to not hop on the scale for a few weeks after you start exercising. But I'm just one of those people that MUST know. For who knows why, I'm not sure. A subconscious presence basically just screams at me just to look, and so I do.
If I weren't exercising and eating better, I would become depressed by the number on the scale. It's not like I haven't made progress, but it's definitely not the progress I wanted to see.
BUT, I AM exercising, and I AM eating better. So even when I step on the scale and see that number, I really focus more on how I feel. Which is SO hard to do the first two weeks of beginning exercise because you basically feel like shit and wonder who the hell does this to themselves.
And, if I'm being completely honest, I hopped on that scale the first two days after I exercised and was depressed I hadn't lost ANY weight. My body was sore, and I felt like I could've fallen over with every given step (I still feel that way after exercising sometimes). So, clearly since I felt so horrible, it meant I had dropped at least a pound or so.
It's completely silly and ridiculous to think that way, but I did. And, when you have that frame of mind, it's so hard to stay focused on exercising when you set your expectations to such an unrealistic level. Listen, unless you have that kind of money to go out and decide to have liposuction on your body, you will NEVER SEE immediate results. You'll feel them, but wont see them.
I'm not gonna lie, I've scoured the internet for work out programs, and along the way I've read more articles on working out than I can remember. But, some of those tips/motivations I would like to share for all those who are struggling and depressed with continuing you're exercise routines.
1 If you have to look at the scale, look at it in the morning, not before you go to bed. A lot of people know this, but for those who don't, your weight DOES fluctuate during the day. You didn't eat for 6 to 8 hours because you were sleeping. Of course your weight is gonna be different after a day of moving around and EATING. So better to hop on the scale before the day begins rather than when it ends.
2. Endurance! You will feel like crap after the first day you do intensive exercise. The good thing about it is, you're body adjusts and becomes used to the movement. So, the next time you exercise, you won't feel as bad. You'll be sweaty and look like a hot mess still, but you're body will feel GOOD after the next time. Not terrible. So that's something to look forward to.
3. You build muscle to get that six pack, so expect weight to go up. Just always remember, muscle weight more than fat. So instead of focusing on the number, focus on how much better you fit into those pants you just got. (I always feel that even if I haven't lost weight, I still look better in jeans than I did the day before. Like that little cellulite patch, just got a little bit smaller. Take that Cellulite!)
4. Losing a pound may not seems like a lot, but trust me, it is.
5. Don't feel guilty if you can't do that exercise, cause more than likely, not a lot of other people can do it either. The Jillian Michaels video I have has variations of exercises you can do if you can't do that full on form of a side plank lunge with a kick step karate chop....Okay, so I made that up, but some things I stare at and am like, "So, she's a beast and I'm her prey. Show me another way." Luckily the interest is full of variations of different exercises you can do. And again, the cool part about your body is, eventually it'll be strong enough that you'll be able to do that "Beast form" as I like to call them. Till then, just work on building up your strength/endurance.
Finally,
6. Don't give up! You're body is yours to control. It will listen to you, learn the techniques, and build itself up to be able to do the exercises that you want to do. And it will eventually mold itself into what you want it to look like. You just gotta work at it.
I'm sure there's a lot more things other's could add to this list, but I just wanted to keep it short, sweet, and motivated.
Hope everyone has a great week!
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