Getting Fit

Life has finally slowed down a bit, thanks to my favorite teacher perk:

SUMMER BREAK!

Since the last post, I have finished my first "real" year teaching, passed the Praxis 3 (final teacher assessment), moved into a nice house, had a birthday, celebrated our two year anniversary, visited St. Louis, met Dave Ramsey (we're big FPU people), eliminated all financial debt from our lives, gained a new precious baby niece, and lost about 24 lbs. And probably some other random crap too.

I am thoroughly enjoying summer break.  I get up every day at 6:30 (yes, I've turned into that person) and run 3 miles with my constantly convivial canine companion, Delta.  (Ooh, should've used "d" adjectives instead of "c" ones...)

She even has a great dog-backpack so that she can carry my stuff if we go to the walking trail or something.  And it makes her feel important because kids think she's a rescue dog (overheard the following from a kid at the park last month: "Daddy, look! That's a rescue dog! You can tell because she's wearing a backpack.").  She's a stellar running buddy, except when she spots a squirrel or bunny, which is often in this neighborhood (last week I counted during a run and there were 5 bunnies and 17 squirrels... maybe they're plotting a neighborhood takeover?).  Anyways, I try to go to the gym at least 3 or 4 times a week.  And I have lots of time to cook and try out new healthy recipes.

I still have a ways to go until I'm as fit as I want to be.  And through all this work and weight loss, I've discovered the trick to getting fit...



The trick is as follows:


Stop thinking there's a trick. 
Stop making excuses and exceptions and whining about what you wish you were like, and go work your butt off.
Count all the calories, eat healthy stuff, and don't eat crap.

Pretty simple, yes?  I highly recommend MyFitnessPal, an iPhone app (though there's also an online version).  There's even a bar code scanner for new foods.  SO easy to keep track of your calories.  And as long as you eat the right things, you are NOT going to be hungry.  I allow myself a "cheat day" a week, because- let's face it it- I will never be ready to give up chocolate ;).

Never been a runner?  That's okay, start at *nothing* and build your way up.  Some people really enjoy Couch to 5k (another great app), but I found a better system for me was to run as long as I could, then walk when I couldn't keep going, then run after I'd caught my breath, then walk when I couldn't go any further... you get the picture... until you have done 3 miles (or whatever you goal is).  Just do it and work as hard as you possibly can until you think you're going to die.  You won't die.  Well, unless you go in the middle of the afternoon in the summer- then you might.  (That's why I go at 6:30.) 


So, in conclusion...
1. Do it.
2. Feel like you're dying.
3. Don't die.
4. Eat the good stuff and you can eat a lot.
5. Get your dog a backpack. :P

Anyways, I'm off to eat this wonderful 230 calorie lunch!

Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt mixed with Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning, 8 baby carrots, 3 celery stalks, 4 slices Sara Lee Low Sodium Turkey, Ole Xtreme Wellness Spinach and Herb Tortilla

Feel free to share your fitness and food finds!