Thursday, January 6, 2011

Getting Fit Is Harder Than It Looks

I have been busy trying to get myself all organized. One of the most beneficial things I did this New Year was to hire a trainer for my work outs. I can hear the questions in your mind. No,no...she doesn't do the exercise. She makes me do the exercise. Today was my first time with Kristen. She is a very sweet young lady. She is all of twenty-one years young, and she likes a challenge. She loves to get old people that are couch potatoes and work them hard. Like I said she loves a challenge.

She put me through all the torture that she had and luckily I survived. I'm not sure I will be able to walk tomorrow. Actually, I enjoyed it a lot because it reminded me of what it felt like to be fit four years ago. Believe it or not I was very fit just a mere four years ago until my struggle with the RA began. Gradually I was able to do less and less exercise. Exercise is one of the best things for RA, but somehow I became very sore and hurt all the time. I stopped moving. I started falling and tripping. I became a clutz.

My plan is to work out with my trainer and on the other days work by myself. I think that will keep me accountable. I have to take charge of my exercise regime and I am the only one that can do that. I have had a bad case of the "don'ts". You know...I don't want to exercise, I don't want to do this or that, but at any rate I have had it bad. Now I am excited to think of the possibility of getting fit.

Along with exercise comes the life style change and better food choices. It seemed so daunting over the holidays. Even though I lost 16 pounds, I was far from where my eating should really be. Tonight we ate baked fish, sweet potatoes with cinnamon, broccoli and cauliflower. I see a lot of fish and chicken in my future. Eating will no longer be my friend. Healthy food lacks in taste and I don't know how I will get around my love of Mexican food. I am sure there has to be a healthy alternative.

I look forward to this journey of living to get healthy again. I say farewell to fast food of any sort. We rarely eat fast food because we live in such a remote area, but I managed to have it once every now and then. Last April, I gave up Dr.Pepper. This fall I gave up sugar. Yikes! I feel like I have given up the World. I am keeping a food journal and now it is time to get serious and give up the last of my favorites...Sweets! I adore cookies. So adios to any kind of cookies. Hello fruits and vegetables, my new best friends.

I will let you know how I am doing as time goes by. Until next time lots of hugs and love to you all.

20 comments:

Sandee said...

Just a title? I agree getting fit is very difficult. It takes lots of work. A healthy diet, a lot of exercise and patience. Especially patience.

Have a terrific day Pam. Big hug. :)

Finding Pam said...

Sandee, I guess you figured out that I published before I finished my post.

Patience is what it will take for me to stick to this lifestyle change. I am not even going to use the D word. Nope.

I hope your eyes have healed from your surgery.

j said...

I support you 110%! You can do whatever you put your mind to.

As to how much I've lost - After the first 20 pounds, I stopped working on it. I am still down 18 pounds (I gained two back over the holidays) and I plan to get serious again soon. I want to lose another 20 by my birthday in April. That is feesible (sp?) for me when I am really trying.

Have a wonderful day Pam!

Just Be Real said...

Certainly a lot of discipline! Thank you for sharing. Blessings.

Rudee said...

Sixteen pounds during the holidays is pretty remarkable! I hope you don't feel too sore from your first workout.

Keep on!

Akelamalu said...

Well you sound determined so therefore I'm sure you will succeed. All it takes is determination really. Good luck m'dear. x

Finding Pam said...

Jennifer, I don't know where you need to loose any more weight. You look fantastic!

Thanks for the encouragement. I was down 2 more pounds this morning. Fish and chicken are my wonder foods from now on.

JBR, it has nothing to do with discipline because I have no will power. I am so tired of not feeling good and I want to live longer for my kids.

Rudee, I started in Sept. trying to loose weight. I did gain two pounds over the holidays, but today I am down those two pounds. I am not too sore today. I can walk. I was sore last night.

Akelamula,the road is paved with good intentions in my case. I just could not pull it all together at one time. I am hopeful.

DeEtta said...

I am proud of you and you can do it. When things get hard just remember the "Little Engine that Could". A good attitude is half the battle won and you have a good attitude. I need to use you as an example and work harder on getting fit.

Take care of your sweet self and a BIG (((((((((HUG))))))))))))

Nikki (Sarah) said...

Cheering for you Pam....you're taking a step in being kind to you and that's awesome cause you deserve that. Hugs to you.

Finding Pam said...

DeEtta, Thank you my friend for the confidence you have in me. The truth be told you know that I will waver in my attitude. I am my own worst enemy. This time I feel that I really need to do this right even if it takes me a while. Hugs back to you, DeEtta.

Sarah,it is so hard to be kind to myself. Tonight I am so sore on my thighs that I can barely lift my legs. Thank you for your kindness.

Debra said...

Pam, Sounds like you are getting it together! I so need to do the same. I haven't weighed in I can't tell you how long. I love to walk but just haven't since it's gotten cold.

Continued success my friend!

Cindy Swanson said...

Good for you! I'm also trying to re-focus on health and fitnesss as a Type 2 diabetic (I had kind of lost my focus lately.)

I'm sure there are low-carb, healthy Mexican alternatives...you can find anything on the internet!

Also, remember everything comes down to portion control. You can indulge your love of Mexican food occasionally by making wise choices and not pigging out on it.

I have two very healthy recipes with a Mexican flair. They are both delicious and guilt-free. Here are the links:

http://cindyswanslife.blogspot.com/2008/10/very-best-taco-soup-recipe-ever.html

http://www.facebook.com/#!/note.php?note_id=241247021890

(Let me know if you can't access the one that's on Facebook)

Xmichra said...

You know where I am and what I am doing, but I have bog plans this year!! BIG!! lol...

You can do it, and I suppor tyou a thousand percent!

I am finiding some alternatives to mexican too, because I am a spicey food nut as well ;) just have to make do with what I can have and focus on making that as good as possible :)

Travis Cody said...

I used to love working with a trainer. I was forced to stop just a few years ago. It might be possible for me to go to a different kind of trainer...more focused on keeping me moving rather than the work outs I used to do.

I just have to get my mind re-set to the things I can no longer do, and focused on the things I can.

Finding Pam said...

Debra, with all you have had going on I don't imagine you would have time to exercise.

I hope all is well with you and your husband.

Thank you for the support.

Cindy Swanson,it is very hard to stay on track 24/7 with the diabetes, but I am slowly learning to make better choices. I appreciate the receipes. I do have a good soup receipe with chicken, rotel and white Northern beans that is so delicious. Portion control is very important. I have found out that I don't eat enough protein and too many carbs. It is a learning experience.

Xmichra,I can still have hot sauce just not the chips or all of that cheese. I look forward to your big plans for the new year. You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for the support as well. As I have said before "You Rock".

Travis, it is hard to imagine how weak I have become just in four short years. I have always been physically in shape most of my life. So to feel it slipping away is a frightful thing. It is all about health for me and loosing some much needed weight. The lesson I have learned is to never stop moving.

Ferd said...

Gail has been working out with a trainer this past year and she really loves it! I hope you enjoy it as much as she does!

We still do eat fast food from time to time, I should probably reduce that, but I do think we are fairly moderate about our fast food eating.

Even though we have our share of red meats, etc, Gail cooks in a very healthy way. We especially love the style and the recipes from the Sonoma Diet books. They are very healthy and all out delicious.

Have a healthy year!

Finding Pam said...

Ferd, I love to work out with a trainer. I have used one before and loved the challenges. I also lost a lot of weight.

Getting started is the hardest part for me. That is great that Gail has a trainer.

Chickie said...

Kudos to you for taking steps to do what you know you need to! I've got a big case of the "don'ts" and am going to start working on them.

If you like burritos/tacos - there are some really good low-carb tortillas out there. They save me on my diet!

Sandi McBride said...

Pam, I am cheering from the sidelines and I have a great little recipe for you to try that is Cuban in origin and I'll email it to you! It's called Black Bean Stack and is low in fat and high in taste!
hugs
Sandi

Nessa said...

Lucky you to get a trainer. This getting fit business can be depressing. It always seems like we are GIVING UP way more than we are getting but it sounds like you are really tackling the situation.