I posted this update on my Facebook yesterday:
It’s been a hard, long journey, but also a life-changing, incredible one. I’m happy and healthy and the feeling of being an inspiration to others is really an amazing one. This past month especially I have received a lot of sweet words and questions on how I got in shape. Ergo, I thought I’d post some tips that helped me get where I am today! Ahem:
1. Oftentimes people will ask me about running, and proceed their question by a statement about how much they, in fact, hate running. That’s fine. Hate running! Find an exercise you do love. Try new things. Zumba. Yoga. Tango. (I’ve tried all three and they’re all awesome!) You’re expanding boundaries, having fun AND burning calories. Really can’t go wrong there.
2. Bargain with yourself. Throughout my life, I’ve lost weight and then gained it all back (and then some) in a matter of months. I knew I didn’t want that this time around, and that I’d have to make some major lifestyle changes to keep the weight off. At the same time, I knew I’d cut off my left big toe before giving up wine or coffee. So instead, I gave up fast food and soda. It was hard at first, and I occasionally cheated. Now though, I rarely crave either and feel so much better without both. Give up what you don’t have to have, but don’t constantly deprive yourself of your favorite guilty pleasures.
3. Cereal is your friend. When I’m craving something sweet between meals but don’t want to overdo it with a triple chocolate cake, I often go for a bowl of Cinnamon Life or Raisin Bran. It’s a filling, satisfying and healthier alternative to the sweets that I try my best to use sparingly. (But, c’mon, sometimes you really just have to go for that triple chocolate cake…)
4. Never ever ever ever say “I can’t.” If you say you can’t, you won’t. If you would’ve told me a little over a year ago that I’d run a half-marathon and lose nearly 35 pounds, I would’ve responded with something like this: “Hahahahahaha!” But I did run a half-marathon and I did lose almost 35 pounds. When I stopped saying that I couldn’t, a crazy thing happened: I did.
5. Be excited about your food. I absolutely hate the phrase, “Eat to live. Don’t live to eat.” I’d be willing to bet that a lot of health plans fail because of this mentality. I mean, how boring. Eating is among life’s many joys, and it should be something to look forward to, even in moderation. So instead of anticipating the double cheeseburger I used to eat for lunch, I’ll often savor my cup of coffee with butter-pecan cream and eat a much healthier (but still delicious!) lunch of hard-boiled eggs and toast (my latest kick). Then I’ll giddily peruse recipes for the dinner I’ll be making that night. Food is fun,and it should be. Don’t let the eat-to-livers tell you any different.
6. On that note, I can’t stress how great eating in is. Eat in more! I’ve come to love cooking and both the leftovers, health benefits and new experiences this brings. It also makes eating out such a nice, fun little treat. And I’ve learned that I can actually cook! Edible things! Who knew!?
7. If you run outside and find that you really need to take a breather, Give yourself markers to stop at. If I need a little break, I’ve learned to stop at signs that speak to me such as, “Slow: Kids at play.” or “Construction work ends here.” Clearly these are signs from the universe that I should also slow down/momentarily end my running. And if Demi Lovato’s “Give your heart a break” starts playing on your Ipod, maybe you should do just that. Eh!? At the very least, it makes for an entertaining exercise.
8. Up until a year or so ago, I just assumed I hated all healthy foods. This is..um, because I really never ate anything healthy– I just assumed eating right meant Lean Cuisines and broccoli. I was very wrong. You just gotta Find the healthy foods that work for you. Another reason to try new things! In the past year, I’ve become a huge fan of green beans, avocado, whole-wheat products, mushrooms, sweet potato chips, and raspberries. And, oh, asparagus. I’d marry asparagus if I could. Then I’d slather it with olive oil. This is getting kind of kinky, isn’t it?
9. Stop making excuses. Examples: “It’s too cold/hot outside to run.”,“I have to eat half of that pizza because my boyfriend/girlfriend/best friend/dog just ordered one and I don’t want him/her/it to feel left out.”, “I was going to exercise today, but then I remembered I sweat when I exercise and I don’t feel like sweating today!” Be honest with yourself. Say,“I am going to eat half of that pizza because I want to.” or “I’m not exercising today because I really don’t feel like it.” Making excuses today makes it a lot simpler to make them tomorrow too. Holding yourself accountable makes it much easier to choose healthier decisions the next time around.
10. Take it from me and what I haven’t always done–Take the time to feel proud of yourself. Once you start noticing real progress, it’s really easy to get caught up in the, “Faster. Thinner. Healthier. Stronger.” thought process. This motivation and improvement mentality is great, but it also makes it a lot easier to burn out. Pat yourself on the back every once in a while. Give your mirror a high-five. Call a friend and squeal your results. Do a happy-dance around the scale. Realize you are awesome, smile because you’re awesome and then continue to be awesome.
Ps: Some of the Sweat Pink Ambassadors have decided to start a video blog collaboration! I’m a day late but here is my introduction video (If for some reason you can’t see the video blog here, my Youtube name is ‘Tinabobinadreaux’):
I’m glad you’re healthy and I do the cereal trick too 🙂 Plus a lot of time I just crave cereal anyway…haha
<3!!!!!!
haha it’s SO good!
love you! 🙂
You’re super cute! Loved the vlog! 🙂 SPA ❤
aw, thanks! 😀 and hi,fellow SPA!
Sending some SPA LOVE! Great job on vlog #1! (My second vlog is being published tomorrow morning, technically 5 days after my first because I too jumped on the vlog bandwagon a bit late :O )
Hi!!! So glad you’re vlogging too! 😀
Perfect post! Just what I needed to read ( not because, I am trying to lose weight but for the motivation aspect)! You are truly a wonderful inspiration! 🙂
aw, thanks girl! 🙂 *hugs*
this is really inspiring! i’m glad you were honest and posted encouraging words 🙂
well, thank-you! 😀
Love this! I am so happy for you girl <3. I like your vlog!! Also, cereal is my BFF. LOL.
thanks lady! isn’t it amazing!? (cereal) i just finished a bowl of mini wheats, actually.
Love your tips! Particularly number 5. Healthy food does not have to be bland or boring!
I am really curious what that white strap thing in your vlog was. 😛
Haha! The lamp cord. I’d be curious if I was you too. 😉
And thanks! 😀
Oh. My. Goodness. You are just the cutest. Seriously. I loved your vlog! I knew I loved you already, but seeing/hearing you talk was just the best. Sorry about your cheek! I hope it feels better soon. 🙂
Aw, glad you liked my ramblings hehe! 😀 And thank-you! Much better now lol.
Yesss!
Couldn’t watch the vid b/c I’m at workety work, but YESSS. Totally agree with all of your points. I keep trying to tell people these things. SO true!
I’m so with you on the balance stuff. Try something new… Eat in… Don’t deprive yourself… Set little goals. Win-win-win. It really is allll about the balance, isn’t it?
And I do the opposite with my runs. When I feel like stopping, I tell myself, “Nope… Not until I get to that tree right there.” And when I get to the tree and see another landmark, of course I want to make it to that one too. But I like your idea anyway. If only we had more “Go Slow” signs around here. Hahaha.
Ahhh I do that so much too! When I see a sign, I’ll sometimes tell myself to run to it and then I’ll feel I’ve “earned” a break….but by the time I get to the sign or whatever it is I decide I can go just a litttleeee bit farther lol. You know this means we’re soul-mates,right?! Just in case you didn’t already know. 😛 And thank-you! I am very honored to be reblogged by you, my friend! 🙂
Totally and complete agree!
And I HAD to do it. 🙂
Reblogged this on conchsaladesque and commented:
Read this. Great pointers on getting fit and being healthy. AND happy. Christina is always right. 🙂
OH MY GOD!! YOU are amazing!!! I didn’t realize you have lost 35 pounds, you DEF are a natural at being healthy!! I LOVE THIS post and I love your vlog, you are sooo stinking cute!
hehe, well thank-you ma’am! makes me smile. 😀 <<<
Aw I loved watching your vlog 🙂 You’re just as bright and perky in life as you are in writing! I wish I could come meet you, I have a feeling we’d get along super well 🙂
These are really great tips, I so admire what you’ve done, the progress you’ve made and of course your fantastic attitude!
Shucks, thanks lady! 😀 And I agree! Come to Austin, pretty please? 🙂
This is one of my top favorite blogs of yours. I even read it out loud to my mom lol It was just half an hour ago I was telling her, “Mom, I really want to get fit”.
Love you, my inspiration. See you soon!