Friday, April 30, 2010

Day 25 - BMI's and Rainy Days

Diet tip of the day: When you're setting a goal weight, check your BMI (Body Mass Index) and check what a healthy BMI for your height would be. You might be closer to a healthy weight than you thought, or you might have a long way to go. Either way, you'll figure out exactly what to aim for and be able to mentally prepare yourself for the battle ahead.

When I set my goal weight, I checked my current BMI. It was NOT pretty. I am definitely in the obese category, which was not a shock to me. I know I am overweight. I'm not someone who has had weight gain sneak up on her. It has taken me years to put on this weight, and I've been well aware of it the entire time. What I WAS surprised to see is that the goal I set for myself is still in the overweight category for BMI. As you all remember, my goal is 175 pounds. For my height, that is a BMI of 26.7, but a healthy BMI is 18.5 to 24.9. But what does all that mean? Basically, a healthy weight for someone my height is between 122 and 163 pounds. I thought about it a lot and almost set my goal weight at 160. I might end up getting to that weight someday. It depends on how hard it is to get to 175, but I am still going to aim for my original goal. I will be more than ecstatic when I hit that weight. Anything beyond that will be (sugar free) icing on the cake.

I'd like to encourage you guys to send me those healthy recipes. My sister must have read my mind, because she sent me a recipe for Avocado Chicken Wraps, which I am really looking forward to trying out, right before I published my post yesterday. If I get a bunch of recipes, I might make a printable healthy eating recipe book for you guys to try out yourself! So if you've got something tasty and healthy in your recipe card box, send it to me at theshapeshifterblog@yahoo.com.

This morning, after my only class of the day, I decided to try out the first Couch to 5K workout for a third time. I'm still on Week One Day One, which reminds me more and more that I can never let myself get this out-of-shape again. I almost made it through the half hour walk-jog/walk-walk work-out without cheating, but two of the jogging spurts I substituted with walking, so by this next time I do it I should be able to check it off the list and move on. I don't expect to reach 5K status, but I like how much it pushes me. The sirens go off and tell me to "Run Now" and I feel like I've got something to prove. I'm lucky I worked out this morning, even though it was hot and muggy (as hot and muggy as it can be in Wisconsin in April). You see, as I type up this post, it is pouring outside, and the thunder is rattling the windows a bit. I'm glad I exercised earlier, because I would have been out of luck if I'd waiting until now.

I also burned quite a few calories by pushing myself to do most of the work-out, and I stayed on track today with my diet, so I've got plenty of freedom for dinner tonight. It's the night I go out with my boyfriend's family, and I couldn't be more excited. However, I'm going to still aim for something healthy, because I want to make the most of my exercise. I need to remember that my goal isn't to eat the fewest calories or to give myself the most calories with my exercise. My goal is to burn the most calories on my original calorie budget. My goal is to eat healthy and work out to get even healthier. My goal is to BE a healthy person.

For an exercise tip, how about something to get you guys outside? All of my exercises have been indoor exercises, as if we have to be ashamed that we're dieting. I struggled today before I went out to run, because I wondered what people would think if they saw me, a 264.4 pound woman, running outside. Then I realized, the worst they could think is, "Wow! SHE'S exercising?" YES. I am exercising. I am aware of my current state and that is exactly why I am exercising. It's not like I'm going out and filling up my plate at an all-you-can-eat buffet. I'm doing something GOOD for my health. I encourage you all to get outside and make people react. Make people notice that you're doing something good for yourself. Take a walk around the block. Take a walk around your yard even! Get outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. Be proud that you're doing something for your health and for your happiness!

4 comments:

  1. You go girl!! Go outside!! I walk around my block almost every day and am very excited that it is spring so my walks can get longer without freezing me!

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  2. Great encouraging post today! We spent a couple of hours outside this morning to work on our future herb garden. I actually started crying a bit because I remember how much I used to love working in the soil early in the morning with my flowers and herbs. I'm so out of shape, I can't sit on the ground to dig up weeds and I can't really do it bending over. My hubby helped and did most of the work, and the results were great. I'm determined to get in shape so I can enjoy this again. Thanks for reminding me why I'm doing this!

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  3. Anonymous, isn't the spring wonderful? I too am so glad to be outside without getting frostbite.
    And Rainy, I thought of you with my Rainy Day post. Not just because of your screen name, but because I know a little bit of your story. Keep it up! When you let yourself give up, you're only keeping yourself down even longer. Put up a fight now so you aren't fighting every day with even smaller tasks. I know you can do it!

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  4. You are exactly right about what people think when they see you exercising. One of my best friends is trying to get back to a healthy BMI through exercise and she hates every minute of it, but the amount of people (myself included) that see her following through and pushing herself everyday are inspired themselves to stick to their own personal workout plans, and knowing she gives those people a little extra push is what keeps her going. Congratulations!

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