I wanted to talk a little bit about something I am sure many people can relate to today.
I am a quitter. I have pretty much successfully quit any type of work out or weight loss program I have ever started. I also love fads. I will jump on just about any bandwagon diet out there. You name it, I've probably done it, minus the really crazy things like eating tapeworms or something like that. I still can't believe that was a "thing" among celebrities and models at one point!!
But I did try a cranberry juice cleanse once. I made it approximately 18 hours before I ate a whole bag of Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips without breathing.
I also followed the Adkins Diet for a summer in high school. It worked for me in the short term, but all I thought about was bread, pasta, and mashed potatoes. That diet also didn't make me feel very well. I felt weak and cranky the whole time.
My most recent fail was the "Insanity" program. When my husband brought it home one night after borrowing it from a coworker, I was pumped. I was going to have some really banging abs, and I was going to look as amazing as Tanya does while getting them! If you've done Insanity, you know who Tanya is. She's so badass and looks so pretty while she's doing everything. So I did Insanity in my basement for a couple weeks. But my shins started hurting, so I cut out all the plyo moves. What a slippery slope. It ended with me cutting out all of the moves and the DVD is gathering dust inside my TV stand.
Weight Watchers has been the one "diet" program that I've semi stuck with. I find it really easy and I have gotten results, albeit slower than I'd like. I don't consider it a diet, because I still eat whatever I want for the most part. But it taught me a lot about portion sizes and making better food decisions.
I also found a work out program that I've stuck to. My friend introduced me to a kettlebell conditioning class at a martial arts studio in Pittsburgh. It's hard, and it's tiring, but I love it. I've been going since September, and I actually sometimes find myself wondering if I'm going to quit. I've never stuck to something like this for this long. But the changes I see in my body because of it keeps me coming back. I actually have biceps!! I also love the camaraderie at the gym. Everyone is sweating and high fiving each other. I love a good high five!
My very own kettlebell
In the last year, I've realized that the reason I've quit some of these things is because they aren't the right way to lose weight or be healthier. I am a firm believer of listening to your body and eating whatever you want...IN MODERATION. I can't cut out carbs, because I will be unbearable to all those around me, but I can refrain from eating a spaghetti sandwich for dinner. Oh, you've never had one? It's exactly what it sounds like. Spaghetti, sauce and all, on bread. Buttered bread if you want to include your dairy for the day. I don't think you'll see that recipe on Weight Watchers.
And I realized that I need to work out with someone. I can't just hang out in my basement watching Shaun T or Jillian Michaels or watch an episode of Parks and Recreation while on my elliptical and expect to get a great work out because I won't push myself. I know that about myself. I need someone to push me and celebrate with, and complain about how much we both hate burpees.
I'm happy that I've made these realizations, because I think, hopefully, they have gotten me one step closer to not being a quitter.
What have you found keeps you from quitting?
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