Ok, I have noticed that many people are willing to workout. Some of them will exercise for 2 or more hours a day. However, before I even begin, please note that I am not knocking exercise. I LOVE exercise! I do it just like that (2 hours or more) on a regular basis myself. My point is, exercise, when you get into it can be a very enjoyable experience. So much happens for the person who decides that exercise is not just a part of their life, but, a part that they really enjoy. When you get to that point it is easy to devote two hours or more to taking care of your body. Some might view this as an obsession, you are ‘ALWAYS’ at the gym; while the rest of us who happen to be at the gym as well…well…we get it. This is one of the reasons people are willing to workout, and workout and workout…number one, they like it, number two, they like the results (sometimes) and number three…they don’t have to change how they eat. We need to talk about number three.
Working out will only take your body so far then you have to sit down and have a long talk with you about changing that plate. Good news, good nutrition is in style now; I’m not trying to say that tofu taste like hamburger, but…tofu has come a long way. I know you have to make adjustments; just look at it like you did when you first began exercising. You did a little at a time and now you really love the workout and the rewards. You can create that same love for your new food. I do believe it will take a bit of creativity and willpower because unlike smoking…which you quit…you don’t quit eating…you just change eating. So, the question becomes are you ready for the change? If you are tired of your workout not working out, you are ready for the change. If you thought (even for a fleeting moment) that you need to pass on the donut…you are ready for the change. Finally, if you really want to see the results of all that hard work you put into your workout…you are ready for the change.
For the most part, especially in the beginning, eating right has some general guidelines. Even just following them will produce some results; that’s what we are looking. The smallest of results will turn you on and you will embrace eating healthier and healthier. So it is real important that these baby steps pay off. So…what do you do now? Well, for starters there are about 8 steps you need to take to get the ball rolling. After writing down these steps, put them into action and remember to include the nutrition classes we are offering every Thursday for the month of May from 5:00pm to 6:00pm at the Thomas Lee Hall Library. That number is 803-751-5589 on Fort Jackson. This will be time well spent.
Now, back to those 8 steps: number 1, eat every three to four hours, number 2, divide your plate where veggies dominate, number 3, pack in protein at every meal, number 4, eat more high water content foods, number 5, go for whole grains, number 6, eat healthy starches, number 7, add fiber and finally number 8, eat the right fats. This entire list will be discussed in depth in our upcoming edition of ’Fitness News’ please make sure you read all about it.
Thanks for reading and as always, blog me back
Pam G.
