Month: April 2009

Take Back the Power!

Published on by Christine3 Comments

Life is busy.  As a Mom the day never stops.  Moms are always on call, and someone always needs something.  There is never really a “good” time to workout.   Let go of the idea that there is a right time to exercise because the time may not be there and before you know it another day is drawing to a close and the exercise time just never came up!

So how do you find the time to workout? 

You just MAKE the time.

  • Involve the kids.  Go outside and run after a soccer ball.  Put in an exercise DVD and workout with the kids by your side playing along.  Skip, dance, run, do jumping jacks, play…go to the park and try out the monkey bars!
  • If you’re at work, take your coffee break or part of a lunch hour to go for a walk, or jog around the block.  Even if it’s 10 minutes of exercise here and there it counts!  Rather than e-mail a co-worker, walk to their desk and talk to them (what a novel idea with today’s technology!).  Involve your co-workers and start an at-work weight loss competition or a group workout time.
  • Get up extra early and exercise.  You won’t believe how good you will feel to start out your day this way.
  • Strap on a pedometer and move a little more.  Do you know that people that wear pedometers move up to an average of 2,000 more steps a day?
  • Put the kids in a wagon or a stroller and go for a walk/jog. 
  • Step in place (remember high-knees!) or lift hand weights while you watch TV.  Come up with an exercise to do during each commercial break such as squats, lunges, running in place, mountain climbers..oh the possibilities are endless!
  • Find a workout buddy so you are accountable to someone.

Yes life is busy.  Everyone’s life is busy. 

No more excuses. 

You are in control of your day. 

You are in control of the foods you chose to eat. 

You are in control of the amount of exercise you incorporate into your day. 

Take back the control, take back the power. 

There is NO ONE standing in the way of your goals except for you.  I apologize if that sounds preachy, but I was and still am the queen of excuses..I have to tell myself this all the time!

The great part of challenging yourself and succeeding in your goals is that you learn so much about yourself.  Just be you and make no apologies.

Have a fabulously active day 🙂

My Heart is Full!

Published on by ChristineLeave a comment

I have to admit, I was nervous to put out the link to this blog as the info here is very personal; however, I put it out there because I remember how stuck and embarrassed I was to reach out for support and help when I needed it most.  Weight loss and body image is a very sensitive subject. 

mar27__037r-web

My heart is full after reading all your amazing comments, and this blog received 244 hits yesterday (beating my previous record of 9 hits the months before when I was scared to share it! lol)

I mean it when I say I’m here to support anyone who needs it.  Pop me an e-mail at cjhop (at) telus (dot) net if you want the link to the Living FIT (which stands for “Friends Inspiring Transformation”) weight loss support group forum.  Living FIT is a small network of women supporting one another as we all share the same struggles to Live FIT.  You can always leave me a comment in a post if you need an ear to listen or have a comment to share.

So thank you!  I appreciate your support and I’m here to give it back 🙂

Christine

The Secret to Happiness!

Published on by Christine35 Comments

The secret to happiness is…..

….to LIVE life with purpose and gratitude.

When I think back to life a few years ago, I never really understood how to live life with gratitude or with purpose.  I took for granted that I had my health and forgot how to have joy in the little things.

chrissy-heaviest-02
I remember this moment.  I wanted to disappear into the crowd and I definitely did NOT want my picture taken. You can see it in my face.  PUT THE CAMERA DOWN…

This probably sounds corny or cliche, but we owe it to our kids, our partners, to our loved ones, and most importantly to ourselves to take care of our bodies.  By taking care of our bodies, in turn we are taking care of our mind too!  There is nothing better for your mind, body, and soul than to exercise and be proud of yourself for your accomplishments.  I was once a hater of all things active, so it’s definitely a learned behaviour.

What happens when I say the word “DIET”.  What do you think of?  The word “Diet” has horrible connotations attached to it.  To me diets are about will power, restriction, self-control, deprivation, etc.

Living a HEALTHY lifestyle is NOT a diet.   It’s a way of life that celebrates living the best life possible.

It’s about balance, being proud of your accomplishments, pushing yourself forward, celebrating your healthy body and all it can do, enjoying whole food packed with vitamins and nutrients and feeling the boundless amounts of energy that comes from eating that type of food.  It’s about feeling in control (this one is HUGE for me) and most importantly, feeling gratitude for your life.   LIFE IS GOOD.

When people ask me how I lost the weight, I often get the same reaction after I tell them it was through healthy eating and exercise.  Groans and eye-rolls…because we are trained to believe that it can’t be done or sustained because it’s a diet.  We are so used to hopping on the diet bandwagon and giving it all we got for a bit, only to realize that we can’t sustain it and then feel like a failure when the weight comes back on.  It’s a terrible cycle and it leaves a person feeling defeated.  I’ve been there, and it sucks!

I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way.  It really doesn’t!  If you think you can’t do it…you are absolutely wrong.   There is such freedom when you find a lifestyle that works for you and it can be sustained.

So where does one start?!

Start with little manageable changes and keep going!  Cut out processed, high-fat, high-sodium foods.  Eat the way nature intended…foods as close to their natural state as possible: whole grains, lean protein, veggies & fruits. ALWAYS eat breakfast.  Pack small healthy snacks (around 100 calories) so you never go hungry.  Eat smaller meals.  Plan your meals ahead. Walk instead of ride.  Take the stairs.  Dance, move, run, swim, cycle, jump, LIVE!

Read this: Dr. Phil’s “The Ultimate Weight Solution”

Even if you’re not a Dr. Phil fan, this book is great because it touches on all the elements that go hand in hand with losing the weight and keeping it off.  It’s not about the food.  It really isn’t.  There are many reasons for obesity, but for me it was so much more than just the food.

Find support!  I found a great group of women all going through the same trials I was (thank you “Living FIT/JTTH” girls! I love you & I’m so thankful for you)

I’ll support you! Leave me a comment or e-mail me at hopaluk (at) shaw (dot) ca

chrissy-keychainbw
I remember this wonderful moment too:  I received my goal weight key-chain from my weight loss support group!

By living a healthy lifestyle, you will tap into a side of you that you may not have known existed.  I can’t begin to tell you the freedom and zest for life I found when I realized that I didn’t have to be “the big girl” for the rest of my life; however, it’s not about the size you are or how much you weigh. It’s about honouring yourself and living the best life possible.

Christine

Self Acceptance

Published on by ChristineLeave a comment

“Accept everything about yourself–I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end–no apologies, no regrets.”
– Clark Moustakas

I’ve decided that I am the size and weight I’m supposed to be.  This weight loss journey has been a long one, but yesterday as I was beating myself up for fluctuating within the same 5 to 10 pounds, I realized that I’m the weight and size I’m meant to be. 

That doesn’t mean I will quit exercising.  Quite the opposite.  I enjoy exercising, but I also enjoy good food, and yummy drinks as well!  As long as I don’t abuse these yummy foods and drinks, I’ll be OK. 

So this is it.  I’m happy.  It takes the guilt out of enjoying rich foods from time to time. As I’ve said over and over, this is a lifestyle and not a diet.  I will always be active as it’s part of who I am now…it’s part of life.  I will continue to eat consciously…which is Key. 

Life is too short to be filled with guilt associated with food.  It’s time to move past that and embrace my life and who I am now.  Active, healthy, and full of respect for the whole process!