Scribbles

So I honestly think I should start blogging about fitness/health and body image. It seems as though everyone is so down on themselves lately about what they do and what they eat. Why can't people realize that if you can't love yourself, how do you expect anyone else to? I have a few things I need to get off of my chest by the way, concerning my weight and yadda yadda. Just cause someone has what appears to be a larger stomach, does not mean they are fat (hate that word) or overweight. In most cases when you see someone who is bulky and has a bigger stomach, it is because they built muscle before they started to lose weight. This is what gives them size. In most cases, is how bodybuilders build mass. They bulk up, (usually on foods heavy in protein) increase fibre intake, and THEN workout to gain muscle. there is a difference between a 'beer gut' and a 'gut'

I also want people to know that they shouldn't be afraid to eat the foods that they like just because it's deemed as bad for you, you can still eat the food you like, BUT ask yourself 'how much do I eat of this food, and how often?' This was my first step towards my weight loss and getting under 200lbs again. You may recall that I had previously blogged about how when I was in grade ten I reached my highest weight of 245lbs, I almost weighed the same as my dad when I was in grade ten. I was completely unhealthy and hid myself in large sweaters. I had such a poor body image and such low self-worth, I didn't really see the point in living at times.

Then I asked myself, what can I do, on my own to encourage myself. Because I am a person that needs self-motivation rather than having someone else attempt to motivate me. (This is why I still have yet to set foot in a gym). Here are the steps that I took:

Reflect on eating patterns, sleeping patterns and physical activity

Is the food I'm eating healthy, do I have a minimum of 8hours of sleep, is my sleep pattern regular and how often am I sitting at the couch instead of doing something?

2. Use one or two days of the week (middle and end are best) for your 'splurge' days. Use those days to eat the foods that you want; keeping in mind that moderation is extremely important, otherwise you'll throw off all of your progress. Up fibre intake, and add as many proteins to your diet as possible (red meat being the best source, however nuts, tofu and even fruit and vegetables have high levels of protein as well. You may also have heard of many swimmers eating 1-2 peanut butter sandwiches before a big event; peanuts are extremely high in protein and have large quantities of calcium and iron) The rest of the week should be dedicated to healthier choices and portion control. When I say portion control I don't mean a single green pea and two sticks of carrots either, just don't overdue it. Just by looking online or in health magazines, you can easily find healthy recipes that often cost less than $20 to make. No one said you had to go to the special organic stores, just regular fruits and veggies go a long way.

3. EXCERCISE! Probably the most obvious is exercising, otherwise your body will lose weight from eating healthy, but then after awhile, you will reach a certain weight and your body will stay at that constant weight, due to inactivity. Going for a run or jog in the morning will wake up the muscles in your body (stretch first) and get your respiratory system working. You may have heard of Cardio, these types of workouts overwork your respiratory system, making you breathe heavier, and one of the biggest benefits of cardio is that you burn more calories, and you build stronger chest muscles. Here is a simple 20 minute daily workout you can do after a jog, this will work the arms, glutes, calves, shins, thighs, obliques, abs, back, and shoulders. Targets those main areas, of course most of these workouts may target the stomach legs and arms,as with most workouts.

Workout Time:

25 pushups

25 crunches

15 lunges

15 squats

10 toe touches

30 high knee lifts

20 bicycle crunches (see below)

4. After working out and planning your strategies, the next step is to monitor weight loss. Measuring weight loss in the morning is the worst possible option, weight fluctuates throughout the day, most people gain weight in their sleep, measuring in the morning will provide an inaccurate read. Therefore use the whole day to your advantage, go for a jog, do your excercises, plan healthy meals and before bed, weigh yourself and record it on a calender or notebook. If you know how to read a measuring tape you can even record the inches you've lost on your chest waist thighs, or the muscle growth on your arms.

5. Continue this process and you'll be well on your way to a healthier lifestyle.

Now I know this seems like such a huge read. But wouldn't you rather take advice from someone who is more relate-able than say someone who has chiseled abs but has never really been on the other side? I know what it is like to have self doubt and poor body image and it sucks, and anything anyone says about you makes you feel self conscious, even if it's a compliment. But there are ways of turning things around and being a more happy and positive you. Besides, now that it's a new year, maybe the world will see a new you? Holidays are over, and everyone knows about the infamous Christmas 10 pounds. Winter is the worst for weight because your body naturally stores fats, which is why a lot of people get the Christmas ten pounds. And by eating right and controlling portion controls and following my basic workout plan or even coming up with your own, losing weight and feeling great should be a breeze.

Stay strong guys.

-Mike

But wasn't the world supposed to end like 11 days ago?
Anyways, it is in fact New Years day and does it feel like a fresh start for me? No, not at all. I literally couldn't care less. It just really isn't the same feeling anymore. I'm not super happy or ecstatic and I'm definitely bummed out that I never got my New Year's kiss from my girlfriend.

Let me paint a pretty picture. Would you not be extremely annoyed that you didn't get to see your girlfriend on Christmas, and then she promises she will stay with you on New Years to make it up to you but then by some force of nature she has to leave before hand. I constantly feel like I'm getting shafted left right and centre. I really just want things to go my way for once you know?

It's a nuisance that If I want something to happen I have to make it happen in my head because that's the only time anything I want will ACTUALLY come to fruition. I'm tired, exhausted and just wish someone could just be here and not actual leave.

I have separation anxiety, and it's not in a jokingly "ha ha, that's a made up illness" I actually have separation anxiety. Mostly stemmed from many people and pets dying or going away and not coming back. It's developed into this huge burden that by the time someone i care about is going, I just become super overwhelmed with emotion and I can't stand to see them leave - especially when we never got to do what I wanted.. which is the case more often then not.

I don't really think my reasoning is selfish.. how can it be. It'd be selfish if I actually always had my way, but I don't. And it may seem as though I'm reacting like a moody child, an dyes perhaps it's so... but honestly how would you feel if you were constantly thrown on a back burner. Trust me my friends, it's a horrible feeling, and you constantly have this large lump in your throat that is painful to choke down. I always feel unheard and left out, constantly wishing someone would realize that I have things to say to.

Eh, maybe I'm just being over sensitive. It still stings nonetheless. Anyways I'm starving so I'm going to eat food soon. My grandparents are coming down from Chatham, we're going to celebrate our own Christmas together since we don't see them as often as we'd like. I at least have something to look forward to today, so there's that.

So with that off of my chest, I think it's best that I go eat something.

-Michael