This is not
a diet -- it’s a
lifestyle change!
Since Jan. 12, Star-Bulletin staffer Nancy Christenson has been sharing her story of trying to lose weight and gain muscle through a nutrition-and-exercise program. We promised an update each month through April 15.Jan. 12 | Feb. 3
I've been doing the Body for Life 12-week exercise and nutrition program for a few weeks now, and it's going fairly well. I did have one major setback during week three, when I caught some type of flu bug and could barely drag myself out of bed in the mornings, let alone exercise. These things happen -- the trick is not to use a setback as an excuse to fail.
By Nancy Christenson
The following are excerpts from week two of my journal, as I am starting to get into the rhythm of daily exercise and proper nutrition.
Monday: People at work are asking "How's the diet?" and generally being encouraging. No cravings. Lower-body workout went well, considering. Stopped when my knees started hurting (cartilage problem left over from an earlier, athletic life).
Tuesday: Kicked ass on the treadmill. Came in to work, co-workers were eating birthday cake. Great, someone's stupid birthday, another excuse to pig out. A plate of cake just looks like a big blob of fat to me. God, I love this feeling of self-righteousness. No cravings at all today, not even for chocolate. Well, I am craving Baskin Robbins pistachio-almond ice cream, but that's normal.
People are so encouraging, asking how the "diet" is going, but I wish they understood that it's not a "diet" -- it's a program, a lifestyle change, a commonsense approach to nutrition and exercise.
Wednesday: Terrific upper-body workout. It's easy for me to hit the high points because I'm in such bad shape, I can barely lift the weights. When you're this bad, there's only one direction to go. My jeans are looser than they were last week. Woo hoo!
But if one more idiot co-worker asks how the "diet" is going, I'm going to erupt. IT'S NOT A FREAKIN' DIET!!
Outside of my usual jones for ice cream, I'm not craving anything. Not even Girl Scout cookies. (That might be because I ate two boxes of Thin Mints on Sunday.)
Thursday: I have a lot more energy than I'm used to. I'm getting more done at work and I don't feel burned out, for a change. All this energy is making me a little impatient, though. Like on the way to work today, when that idiot was sitting in the left lane of the Pali Highway at 73 mph. That's the passing lane, buddy. Move over!
"Drive with aloha!" I shrieked into his open passenger window as I passed him on the right. What's the matter with some people?
And what's with all this "how's the diet" business? Are my co-workers trying to tell me something? Do I look like I need to lose 50 pounds, or what? At least I'm not stuffing myself on leftover pizza, like some people around here.
Friday: Got up late, skipped today's workout. Succumbed to the lure of oyster-sauce chicken with cake noodle for dinner. Fridays are my longest, busiest work days, and it's hard to stay on track. Maybe Friday should be free day, instead of Sunday.
One thing I've noticed is that on the days I don't work out, I don't have as much will to stay on track nutritionally, either, and the fuel I consume is just as important as how I burn it off.
Several readers have expressed interest in the nutrition side of the Body for Life program. It's pretty simple. Eat six small, balanced meals (protein and carbohydrate) and drink at least 10 glasses of water each day. Avoid fried foods, most oils (including butter), most breads and sugar. One day a week is free day, when you give your body a rest from exercise and eat whatever you want.
Next time: More detail about approved and un-approved foods, including easy menu ideas and convenient meals you can take to work or play.
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