Monday, May 24, 2010

Yawn

219.2 (wow, depressing)

At this point, I figure no one is even reading this blog any more. But it's still good for me to write about my feelings and chronicle my efforts.

As evidenced not only by the number on the scale above but also by the fact that I recently became winded walking up 5 flights of steps to my car in a parking garage, I desperately need to get my weight under control. I know how to do this--exercise regularly and make healthier food choices--but as ever, there is a disconnect between what I know and what I do.

I've read from numerous sources over the years that exercising first thing in the morning is supposed to give you more energy. I've seen evidence of this firsthand in several people I know.

I bought all the food I need to (yet again) restart South Beach this week. Cutting out sugar and starches just seems to work for me. I also decided to walk 15-30 minutes each weekday morning and focus on weight training when I go to the gym in the evenings. (Not only would this help "jump start" my day, it would also help the dogs get more exercise. Hunter needs to lose weight, and Sebastian needs to stay active for his heart.)

Planning to start the week off on a good foot, I put my plan into motion this morning. I woke up an hour earlier than usual today so that I could walk the dogs and have a leisurely breakfast before leaving for work. I took the dogs on a brisk 15-minute walk around the neighborhood (starting small, baby steps), followed by 8-10 minutes of stretching. I ate a healthy breakfast: scrambled eggs, salsa, V8, and 2 glasses of water. I felt full of energy when I hopped in the shower.

I have now been at work for a little over an hour-and-a-half, and I am really, really tired. It's not lack of sleep due to getting up earlier. . . . I went to bed earlier to compensate and still got about 7.5 hours of sleep. I gave up coffee (again) in mid-April and have grown accustomed to not having it every morning, so it's not lack of caffeine.

So riddle me this: if morning exercise gives you so much energy, why am I frickin' exhausted today? *sigh*

I'm starting to think that this whole "morning exercise will give you more energy throughout the day" thing is one of those habits that doesn't pay off right away. I probably have to do it for several days before I'll see the benefit.

Healthy lifestyle changes would sure be easier if I could see some immediate results.

5 comments:

JessiferSeabs said...

I'm still reading too -- sorry for the lack of comments. I read through a reader so that my browsing history doesn't look QUITE so bad at work. ;-)

I'm one of those morning exercisers. The thing is... if you hate getting up in the morning, then it won't magically work for you. I'm an early bird by nature, so it works for me (because when I get home for the day, forget it, I just want to crash). I also do think that it takes a little time to adjust your sleep cycle. I'm usually out like a light at about 10:20 every night, and then I automatically wake up at 5:55 (no alarm). But if I don't go to bed early enough, I could snooze for hours!

MB said...

I'm here, I'm here ... please keep blogging.

I think, like anything else, it takes a while to feel and see the affects of our efforts. Keep it up and, hopefully, you'll get that extra surge of energy from your morning workouts. Either that or start drinking coffee again ;)

Mo said...

You know I'm always here. :o)

I'm re-starting on the diet again myself after having fallen off the wagon for the last few weeks. Time to get back on. Giving myself a month to lose 10lbs. Should be easy! LOL God I hope it's easy.

Care to join me in this goal?

Land family said...

I haven't exercised in forever, but for me personally, starting the day off with exercise equals starvation the whole day. That said, waiting until evening frequently results in a total blow off. Although I do like an after dinner walk, I'm not up for much more.

Emily Canady said...

You know I am still here too.... I wish you would write more, but then again, I wish I would write more.. :) I am NOT a morning exerciser. NEVER have been. Yup, I hear all about how good it is and how much energy it gives you during the day, etc... Does not work for me. I tried it a few times and all it did was make me tired and crazy hungry all day. I will stick to what works for me. Every body is different and every BODY is different so you never know.