Positive thinking

As of this week, I'm a month into my exercise routine and lately (aside from the loneliness, I guess), I've been feeling better. I think it's all the new-found energy and also being able to see my body change. Right now, I'm wearing my favorite shirt and a month ago, I wouldn't even wear it outside the house because it was too tight on me.

As much as I'd like the changes to happen a bit more drastically than they are, I just have to keep reminding myself that I'm:

1. Not doing this temporarily; I'm changing my lifestyle
2. only a month into it and have had noticeable changes and
3. A LOT healthier than I was a month ago

I think the hardest part of this change was even before I started exercising. I had to wean myself off of soda (would have 2 cans of coke a day), fast food (twice a week), and going out to eat (3-4 times a week) and really start being mindful of what I'm eating and what's inside the food that can fuel me. The funny part about keeping a food diary is that when I'm thinking about eating something, I think about if it's worth the effort of looking it up and putting it in my food journal. If it's not, then I don't eat it. It really helps cut down on mindless snacking, especially at work!

I also spend a lot less money on food these days, which is excellent. I used to have a hard time with budgeting because I'd cook once or twice a week and spend A LOT of money on those two really good meals (ah, the perks of being a cook) then still spend $25-$30 a day on going out to eat. Don't ever let anyone tell you it costs more to eat in! My guidelines are:

1. Try to prepare every meal of the day
2. Buy in bulk and cross-utilize!
3. If you have to make a lot of something, make sure it'll last through the week or that it can be frozen and used for a future meal
4. Buy local and in-season! Farmer's markets are SO much cheaper than going to the grocery store and because all the food comes directly from the growers, it's more fresh and therefore contains more nutrients
5. Buy meats from a local butcher. Same reason as above. Prices are much lower and meat is fresher. The mom and pop butcher in my neighborhood usually has a 7 meats for $37 deal every week.

The second hardest part is finding the energy to work out. I think this just comes with knowledge and listening to my body. Because sometimes I just think I'm tired because I'm not eating well, not eating enough, or am just being sluggish. And sometimes I am really just tired. When I get home from work and I'm exhausted, I tell myself that I'm going to work out for an hour and then see if I'm still tired after. It also helps with the boredom and loneliness. For the past week and a half, I've been adding an extra half hour of workouts to my routine. I figure I usually spend my time online doing nothing anyway, so why not spend an extra half hour working out?

So I'm just trying to keep motivated and positive in hopes that I don't end up sleeping and feeling sorry for myself all the time.