I’m at that stage of my early morning workout plan where I’m gaining weight. Everyone always says you gain weight first because of the extra muscle you’re building and then you start to lose. I know this usually seems to work for me when I go hard-core on a new workout routine, but seriously, why does the weight gain always come when you need the most encouragement, i.e. the beginning?
I’ve been seeing all these photos of me from the bff’s wedding cropping up on Facebook, and each one brings one thought to my head: do I really look that big in person? I’m only 5-foot-3, so it doesn’t take a whole lot to make me overweight. I know I should just be happy with me the way I am and all that mumbo-jumbo, but by all dietician standards, I AM overweight and therefore could stand to be healthier.
Enter workout guilt.
I know the only way I’m going to lose is by working out and eating healthier. Which means whenever I’m not doing those things, I feel guilty. Yay for being Catholic. And as a result, I go into overkill. Instead of just working out this morning, I walked to a bunch of errands after my salad lunch and I demanded the Modern Beau join me on a walk to Ben & Jerry’s for Free Cone Day (yes, I can walk to B&J, but fortunately it’s just far enough that I don’t do it often. Marble Slab on the other hand …)
I figured I’d been good all day with all the walking and eating a salad and some veggies at dinner and only a teensy-weensy portion of meat that I could spare some calories for free ice cream — especially by walking to the ice cream store.
We made the 10-15 minute walk to B&J only to see the line … out the door … spilling into the parking lot … lots and lots of kids. I turned to the MB, and said “We don’t have to stay … seriously.” I love ice cream almost as much as I love pizza, but it wasn’t worth the annoyance for a free $3 cone.
I just checked my trusty pedometer … yes I wear a pedometer EVERY DAY just like I wear my watch every day, I’m cool like that … 18,029 steps today or the equivalent of 8.51 miles. And no ice cream.
My conscience is laughing out loud at me.
Growing is something unusual for the body when you are over eighteen. The body isn’t used to ten, eleven, or twelve reps with a maximum weight. Then I do ten or fifteen sets of this in a row. No human body was ever prepared for this and suddenly it is making itself grow to handle this new challenge, growing through this pain area.
After years of A&P and studying yoga I have some insight into the whole exercise planning conundrum if you would like my insight. Just let me know. Otherwise, good luck and keep it up and you will see results and start feeling better on a regular basis.
you are in luck! do you live near a Baskin Robbins? today is 31 cent cone day!!! and while I understand that is not exactly Free, what else can you get these days for 31 cents, besides some bubble gum?
You wear a pedometer every day? That’s cool. I used to wear one when I had a job that involved a lot of walking, and it was cool to see how that added up every day. Good luck with the workout!
Give yourself some credit you work out in the AM for goodness sake! I totally hear where you are coming from though. TOTALLY. Ya just gotta keep with it. Im good at giving that advice just not taking it.
AMB: Thanks, but I’m not really into body building, just toning and cardio and some yoga/pilates.
Dustin: I’m always interested in your insight, seeing as you’re a professional observer 🙂
Angie: I was wondering about 31 cent cone day yesterday … Thanks for the info!
Courtney: If I don’t, I become especially sedentary. I need a constant reminder.
K: Thanks! If I were in Chicago, we could be workout buddies.
I always gain weight when I start working out more, because I eat more, unless I’m being really conscientious about calorie intake. And I’m never worried about my calorie intake.
That’s some serious mileage. Keep it up.
(Yeah, I couldn’t think of anything better to say, but I like people to know I’ve been here because lurking is rude.)
Noelle: That’s another area where my guilt kicks in, but I usually end up overruling it. It’s so easy to justify that ice cream when you’ve worked out that day.
Mickey: Thanks for not lurking.
My husband always tells me that you shouldn’t work out every day b/c it gets your body used to a higher level of activity and then it adjusts to that. Or something like that. I’ve read things along those lines, so I don’t think he’s totally out of whack on it. But I have the problem that if I don’t make it a daily thing, it’s easier to excuse it on the days I’m supposed to exercise.
I think it’s just hard and it stinks and then it gets easier. Great advice, huh?
I just noticed that I was gaining weight. I’ve been going to the gym for a month. My plan was to lose 10, then gain back 5 in muscle. So far I’ve lost none and gained 6. I sure hope it’s muscle and not fat!
MG,
You have to eat to jumpstart your Metabolism. Eat more small meals during the day and make sure you eat more than just a teeny bit of meat. You need protein if you are lifiting weights and for energy. I lost quite a bit of weight this way… It takes awhile but it is worth it. Let me know if I can give you any pointers.
8+ miles? Good lord. I say you’re fabulous! In what ever shape/color/combo you come in. 🙂
Allie: I could not fathom getting up early to workout every day. I have myself on an every-other day routine. I do try to clock 10,000 steps every day though.
Jenn: Misery loves company.
Heide: I’ve had several friends try that. I do sorta spend all day eating my lunch, though I don’t know that I can be so dedicated to eating so many meals.
Noodles: You’d be surprised how many miles you walk each day.