My New Happy: Five Habits of Fit People

Thursday, May 7, 2015

Five Habits of Fit People


A few weeks ago I received a most distressing email in my inbox.....

Hello class of 1985
We hope you'll join us for our upcoming 30th High School Reunion
to be held at some local hotel,
on June something, 2015.

What?  Has it really been 30 years since I graduated from good old Mariner High?  A quick calculation proved that this was indeed correct.  Well, shoot.



Another look at the calendar told me that I have only eight weeks to get ready.

I'm not a particularly vain person, and I don't spend much time worrying about what other people think of me.  My husband says I'm pretty and that's what really matters.  But there's something about spending an evening with people who judged your every move for four years that makes you want to look your best.

Although I exercise fairly regularly and eat pretty well, I'm still carrying around what I like to call my "winter hibernation layer", which weighs approximately ten pounds and definitely needs to be shed before June 27th.  But talk is cheap, and if I really want to achieve this goal, I need a plan.  Time to get busy.

So I called my friend Nasca, a personal trainer and one of the most upbeat, positive and fit people I know.  I swear she doesn't have an ounce of fat on her - and she has three kids. She shared with me her 5 Habits of Highly Fit People, and assured me that if I follow them, I'll be ten pounds lighter by the time I face visit with my former classmates.

1. Set a goal.  Sounds simple, but it must be quantifiable and realistic. Otherwise, you're just wishing for results rather than taking action and making a plan.  Ten pounds in eight weeks seems realistic.

2. Write it down.  Hence this blog post.  Not only am I writing it down, I'm putting it out there for the whole internet to see.  That should keep me accountable (fingers crossed).

3. Watch what goes in your mouth.  Up until a few years ago, I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I was consistently working out, and I didn't gain weight.  That ship has sailed.  Nasca told me that at my age (!!!) diet is 80 percent of the equation, and exercise is 20 percent.  Bummer.  I'm much better at exercising than dieting.  But apparently you can't exercise away poor nutrition.  Fine - no cookies for eight weeks.



4. Make fitness a priority.  Which means I have to move every.single.day. Even if I just go for a quick walk.  I'm aiming for three days of cardio, three days of weight training, and leaving Sundays for something fun with my family, like hiking.  I'm also trying to exercise first thing in the morning - otherwise I put it off until it's too late and/or I'm too lazy to care.

5. Exercise effectively.  Nasca reminded me that if I'm taking the time to exercise, I need to give it my all - I can't just go through the motions.  It's important to focus on the workout and try not to be distracted by the other million things I have to do.  After a few weeks, if I'm not happy with my progress, then it will be time to increase the length, intensity, or type of workouts I'm doing.  

In the end, I know our high school reunion will be fun, whether I lose the weight or not.  My husband and I graduated together, and there are lots of people we're looking forward to seeing.  But as soon as it's over, I'm having a cupcake.

Linking up with Turn It Up Tuesday

28 comments:

  1. Hi Lana - I am the most useless person when it comes to fitness - now I am planning on having more time I might put some of these into action! BTW I have nominated your Blog for the Liebster Award, if you would like to accept it the instructions are here: http://crestingthehill.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/liebster-love.html

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    1. Leanna - thank you so much for the nomination! I accepted this award a few months ago, and I really appreciate you thinking of me!

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  2. Fitness really is about commitment.. I think 10lbs is feasible. I use My Fitness Pal to track my calories.. it's very helpful :-) ♡

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    1. The commitment can be the hardest part. I need to check out My Fitness Pal.

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  3. Oh my gosh...you are the same age as my sister! A class reunion is a great motivator for losing weight in my opinion. Wait a minute...this year is MY class reunion too! 35 years for me. Guess I better get moving too! lol By the way, you look great!
    Darlene
    http://whosaprettygirl.com

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  4. Love this post! I have such a problem with plateau-ing with workouts. need to up my game!

    xoxo

    Kaley

    My Closet Life Blog

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  5. Great post with such wise advice. I need to do all of that.

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  6. I need to follow your lead and lose some weight! I am good with the no sugar part, I don't like chocolate (I know! Flying my freak flag here). My problems are potato chips and sweet tea! I drink it from the time I get up until the time I go to sleep! It's an addiction! Good luck but I'm sure you will look fabulous! Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

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    1. Wait a minute, no chocolate? How can this be Rena - it's a food group :)!

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  7. I think you look great the way you are, but good luck on your weight loss journey!

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  8. I'm not really sure where you are hiding those 10 pounds you mentioned Lana - but thanks for these inspiring tips!

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  9. I hate habit number three, about diet being 80% of the equation. I am always amazed at just how little I can eat, and still not lose weight, despite a lot of working out. I don't complain about any aspect of ageing, except for the slowing down of my metabolism :-/ I wish you lots of success in your efforts! xx

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    1. Thank you! The slowing down of the metabolism is such a bummer.

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  10. 30th reunion! How exciting and -- yes -- mildly stressful. Definitely want to impress! I love how you say to not only set a goal but also to write it down. There's so much power in putting a goal on paper, whether for ourselves or for the world. It makes it so much more real!

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    1. Especially when you write it in your blog for everyone to see :)!

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  11. This is a great plan!!! We can't wait to see pix of your reunion!

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  12. I love this! I know a lot of people have to get their workouts in first thing in the morning, but I actually prefer afternoon (like lunch hour). It helps boost me through the rest of my day and I have the best energy then. :)

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    1. I'm a morning workout person, but as long as it gets done, anytime is good :)!

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  13. #5 is the hardest for me. Great post. Thanks for sharing! #turnituptuesdays

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    1. Me too! I'm pretty consistent, but I start to get lazy sometimes!

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  14. Silly Bloglovin - just gave me all of your posts of the last week at once. That's why I haven't been visiting! So sorry - and I WILL catch up, of course.
    This is nice to read. I'm slim but not necessarily fit. I don't set goals well but once I do, I really follow through.

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