A month ago, I decided to get myself back into working out. I've decided that "working out" is not enough, and to really get serious about my diet and exercising in order to reach my goal of losing the flabby stomach.
I know that I'm not fat or need to lose a lot of weight. I just want to get into shape and get a flat stomach. People see that I have a small frame, and think I'm "skinny". I am skinny compared a lot of people since more than 25% of the US population is overweight now, but no way am I in shape. Most of the time, my stomach fat hides well under my clothing and people don't notice.
I had always liked physical outdoor activities like hiking and swimming, but I was never consistent in doing it all the time. I think college was when I noticed my stomach fat, but I used school and my part-time job as a "reason" not to be active. After graduating college, I was still never really serious about getting in shape. Being lazy and scared made me not pursue it seriously. I gave myself excuses for not exercising like being busy or that my stomach isn't that bad. Also, I was scared. I loved food too much and I wasn't ready to give up the joy of eating. I didn't want to give up delicious foods, snacks, and of course my favorite, which are desserts. I knew that getting into shape required serious dieting--eating what I use to think as "rabbit food" (blah foods) and consistent exercising.
However, I think I'm finally ready to give it a shot, and slowly incorporate a healthier diet and exercise into myself lifestyle. In a way, I think it's torture not being able to eat foods that I want, but they say no pain, no gain. No one said it would be easy.
Things I'm doing to help with diet & exercise:
-Being aware of the foods I'm eating and their calories
-Eating only three meals a day (sometimes snacks in between), which for me means cutting out my "midnight snack" meal.
-Drinking more water and green tea, and less coffee.
-Eating oatmeal, which I wouldn't have done before, but apple cinnamon flavored oatmeal I can do.
-Eating less rice (which is hard being Chinese)
-Watching the portion control, especially with snacks that I sometimes let myself eat
-Joined Dailymile in order to keep track of my workouts (Joining a group that exercises motivates me to exercise more)
-Working out at least 4 times a week. (My friend says that thinking of exercise as part of a job will force yourself to do it more)
-Watching "Lose It With Jillian" for inspiration.
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Are you a food restricter or permitter quiz.
