Yes, I am trying to deflect responsibility.
My blog allows me to sit on my ass all day and absent-mindedly shove food in my mouth.
And it also makes me feel super busy so that I can use that as an excuse for not taking the time to exercise. God I love this blog!
But enough is enough. It’s time to figure out why I’m getting fat and what I need to do to lose weight and get healthy.
More excuses…
A. It’s menopause.
B. I’m lazy.
C. I eat too much.
D. I wear yoga pants everyday so that I don’t know that I’m gaining weight.
E. I make very few plans that take me out of the house.
This past winter coupled with quitting smoking (10 months smoke free yesterday), made me pack on the pounds. I’m too embarrassed to even say how much. But what has become more scary to me is that I have lost a lot of flexibility.
I seriously have trouble bending down and tying shoes, getting up from a low seat or the floor and taking tops off over my head. Yikes! It really is true. Use it or lose it.
I have decided to make the commitment and join a gym.
Correction. I have decided to actually go to the gym that I have been a member of for almost a year.
So far I am on day 2. I’ve done 40 minutes cardio and the circuit machines each day.
I also received a swim suit in the mail today so I am ready to add some water exercises to my routine.
Since I don’t believe in measuring progress with a scale, I have taken photos of myself. I plan on taking one once a week and hopefully noticing changes in myself with spur me on.
Are you a midlife blogger struggling with weight gain?
24 comments
Well done Elena, the first steps are usually the hardest. My first 10km [competition walk] I ate five barley sugars as I thought I would not have enough energy 🙂 I landed up doing ten half marathons and not requiring one barley sugar. Started that in my early 50’s. Anyway, my point is us “older women”, can do anything.
Suz
That is great to hear! Thank you for the inspiration.
I work at a sedentary job and then I go home and write. It makes for a very unhealthy lifestyle, so I know what you mean. I’m glad you are getting to the gym, and proud of you for sharing your progress with us readers!
I’m on day 8! I can’t believe I’m still going because I usually give up by now. Slow progress but still progress.
It’s a struggle in our mid life years even without the smoking. Fortunately. I’m not much of an eater, which I’m sure has contributed to the slowing down of my metabolism, coupled with midriff spread and sitting at a computer, it adds up. 🙂 Good on you for exercising. I do 3 times a week and shudder to think how much more I’d gain if I didn’t lol. 🙂
Good for you for staying active! And I’m a big eater and I’m sure my metabolism has slowed so you can’t win either way.
That’s a a sad truth Elena. But we have to keep on fighting lol 🙂
Hi Elena, I’m a ‘Pauser, blogger and a Foodie!! I know exactly what you’re going through! I just started my blog in January and I still have a full time (mostly desk work) job. So I sit all day during the week and sit all day during the weekend! My fat shorts were getting tight. To counteract the spreading cheeks, I’m getting out in our 1,000 square foot veggie garden with my hubby. He supervises while I hoe weeds. Ugh…but it’s working and it’s making my lunch lady arms smaller. But my fat shorts are getting loose AND I’m getting good stuff from the garden to eat. Congrats on 10 months smoke free!
I think I’d love a standing desk. On the wish list…
Elena — I can help!! And it’ll be fun!! (Really.) As an ex-smoker and fellow “pauser”, I know where you’re coming from! But, since February, I have rediscovered the body I thought I had lost forever … in spite of the many people who suggested I get comfortable with my new, more “generous” body.
I hear you! It is so easy to mindlessly munch while I sit at my desk all day. I do make space in the middle of the day to step away from the blog and go swim. Good luck with the workouts, don’t burn out to fast and furiously!
Thank you for the encouragement!
As much as I work out, I still had to change my eating habits. I’m at lifetime on Weight Watchers and plan to stay with the program.I am looking into installing a desk that elevates so I can stand at my computer. I do sit a lot between writing and working from home. I hope you find something that works for you–exercise is the ticket for most people. Congrats on being smoke-free, that’s a huge accomplishment! Now where are those carrot sticks?
I will eat carrot sticks if someone else prepares them and puts them in front of me. You have done fantastic and I do plan on changing my eating habits but I am trying to tackle one thing at a time. Smoking. Exercise. Eating.
Haaaha! Love it.
I snook across from Fb #FollowItFriday to see who you be! You got me following caught me with your words, the one’s that are my echo echo echo… writing makes me fat! Really it is sitting It’s the new smoking, recognised by health bods , the ones in the city, standing, working. They cracked it, they are working/walking, while their £3000 treadmill is powering the computer… walk and write. So The husband fashioned me a standing desk. He reworked our butchers block I may blog about it soon… *thinking*
sp why am I looking at it from the kitchen table where sipping tea I comment on my tablet… you guessed it, sitting.
Lol! I actually do like working standing up. I love the idea of a standing desk. But I do my best work horizontal. You take that whichever way you want.
It’s a frustrating battle. Several years ago, I finally managed to drop 25 lbs. by slow and steady change. I started following a “Paleo” diet due to some other health issues and started walking at a local park. Long story short, I’m now in better health than I was ten years ago. Good luck on your journey and remember not to be too hard on yourself …. slow and steady!
Thank you! I do believe in slow and steady. That is how I got here.
I’m struggling with weight gain too, and I’m a blogger. My daughter just moved to the other side of the country, so that makes me sad and want to eat. I also write in my blog about things that I’m emotionally connected to, and that makes me eat. Plus I look older when I look in the mirror. I eat for that as well. The list goes on and on, but most importantly, I LOVE GOOD FOOD!!!!
Your comment make me laugh! You sound like me.
Good luck! 😀
I am rubbish at going to the gym too. I find it much easier to plan things like walking to fetch shopping or just adding a long walk into my day.
I am trying to “force” more walking into my day too.
That does make it more fun!