Phitness

Let's talk fitness.

Every bride tends to want to get in shape for the big day. I can't blame anyone for wanting that...but really? For the big day? Not for your own personal well being? Not for the thousands of other benefits?

I get it, your arms are going to show in your dress...but let me tell you...your arms show in tank tops during the summer. Do you really only care now? Or is it because you KNOW other people are looking?

I don't take fitness lightly (pun intended?). I have gone through the gauntlet of trying to lose weight, yo-yo dieting better than the professionals. I've done Weight Watchers (twice), I've done Atkins (more times than I'd like to count), I've taken pills (yikes), I've taken diet shakes (meal replacements), I've done the raw foods diet, I've even done the cabbage soup diet. I'm here to tell you

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They're all scams. Do they work? Hell yeah! Are you really going to track your points, take pills, eat food under 120 degrees, not eat bread, or eat soup for the rest of your life? In the words of Jerry Seinfeld...NOT BLOODY LIKELY!

All of these methods can help you jump start, and in the camp of Weight Watchers, get you on a REALLY good path for recognizing what foods are good and bad...and why.

Here's my beef though, until you recognize your true issue with food and/or fitness, NONE of these are going to work. Period.

So what worked for me? Trial and error.

When I graduated from high school I was 45 pounds heavier than I am today. I would regularly walk across the street to Jack in the Box and order the following...

Ultimate Cheeseburger


Chilli Cheese Fries


and an Oreo Shake (extra Oreos)

No joke. That's over 2000 calories (according to Jack in the Box) that I would consume prior to going home...and eating dinner with my parents. My workout for the day? Walking between classes and home. Go me.

I had a problem with fitness AND exercise.

I struggled gaining and losing weight up and down with Weight Watchers while I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do with myself in Junior College. When I finally found my calling (hello business world), I finally started to change. Not only did I start to care a little more about what I ate...but how I looked. I still didn't feel like taking part in physical activity but I was starting to recognize how my own choices were stopping me. My own choices stopping me. uh...no. Not anymore.

I started making choices for me...making food for me and the betterment of who I am...was...however you want to look at it. I chose not to eat fast food anymore. I chose to purchase and actually consume vegetables. I chose whole wheat all the time. I chose to eliminate butter from my diet (although, if I ever go to a Paula Dean restaurant...I will eat that food). I started to lose weight, I got down to a solid 15 pounds lighter from high school and pretty much plateaued. You can only do so much with just a change in food choices.

Next time we'll talk about the active part of getting healthy and my unhealthy appetite for competition.