Keeping my health in check
When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, health is a priority on many people’s lists. From losing weight to eating better to drinking more water, I’ve made some of these same resolutions each year, but they never really stuck. I was always looking for a quick fix.
Right after the twins’ pregnancy, I lost some of the pregnancy weight, but the stress of the NICU made the pounds all come back on. And then some. I was the heaviest I’ve ever been (even counting pregnancy!) and I didn’t feel good about myself.
My clothes didn’t fit, I had no energy, and my health was suffering. Not only was my blood pressure high, but my acid reflux was really bad. Still, I didn’t really have the motivation to make a change until May of this year. Sure, I wanted to be able to play with my kids without getting winded, feel comfortable on a date with my husband, and not have to take a ton of pills to lower my blood pressure, but if I’m honest, the real motivator that started it all was money.
What’s your motivation?
If you’ve been reading my posts for a while, you know that I started a healthy eating and exercising plan back in May, and it all started because of a fundraiser my twins’ club was doing. One of the women in my group sells healthy products, and I purchased a protein shake and vitamin plan for a month. It was a lot of money for me to spend, and I wasn’t going to let the money go to waste. It turned out to be the best money I’ve spent in a very long time.
What I Learned
Not only were there protein shakes twice a day, but the plan came with a calorie counting tool. I had never counted calories before, and boy was I in shock at how many calories I had been consuming.
I’m not going to lie. I was starving a lot that first month. I also didn’t do very much exercise because I was just learning how to eat healthy. However, once I got the hang of counting calories and the weight began to come off, I had more energy to start exercising.
I only used the protein shakes for one month, then found food substitutes that fit within my calorie count I needed to hit each day.
Progress and the future
It’s been almost 8 months, and I’m feeling great about my weight, as well as my fitness. I fit into clothes I could wear in high school, my blood pressure is great, and I’m not starving! I eat 5 times a day, workout at least 3 times a week, and finally have some muscle tone again.
Things to work on
Water
Even though I’m feeling great about most things, I still have areas I want to improve. I still have a hard time drinking just plain water. I’ve decided I want to get either an infuser bottle or one that monitors your intake… or just a really cute one. These are three I’m thinking about:
I’m hoping that they will give me the extra motivation to up my water intake. I do drink a ton of tea, and cut out soda.
Vitamins
Another area I want to improve is taking vitamins every day. Even though I eat healthy, I sometimes miss out on some key nutrients because I often eat the same foods that I like. I also need to make sure that I’m getting good fats in my diet, so I may try some supplements, as well. Here are two products that I’m going to consider adding to my diet:
Sleep
This is a huge one. I know I am not getting enough quality sleep.
By the time the kids go to bed, I finish working on things (like this blog,) I just want a little down time to myself. I stay up entirely too late watching TV or reading or flipping through my phone.
In order to help myself get some good sleep, I’m going to try to make our room more comfortable and conducive to rest by doing the following:
- Getting room darkening curtains (ours is the only room that doesn’t have them)
- Getting some new comfy, cotton sheets
- A new pillow
- A new mattress pad and pillow protector
Now, you might wonder why a new mattress pad and pillow protector are on the list. Well, I’m a bit of a germ-a-phobe, so I like to know I’m sleeping in a clean environment. Plus, I have allergies to dust mites, so these protectors cut down on them, as well as protect our mattress from any other unforeseen accidents (we sometimes have a visitor that sneaks in, and I have a feeling we’ll have 2 more once they figure out the child protective lock on their door.) So, here are my choices:
No need for Resolutions
So, with my health plan already in place, I will not be making any resolutions this New Year’s. I will, however, keep up my monthly goals, and keep OFF my weight.
What are you doing for your health right now? What areas do you need to work on?
You look awesome! You can’t even tell you have three babies! Thanks for sharing your tips with us!
Awe. Thank you so much!
sleep and water have been past goals for me that have eventually stuck! Right now Im trying to add more walking into my daily routine as I love to walk and that is a manageable lifestyle change for me 🙂
Great job, Shann. I have the same goals as you~ maintaining the healthy lifestyle we are learning to obtain! Looking forward to seeing your updated post! Happy New Year!
Water and sleep – I completely agree with these! I will be making those same resolutions this year. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
You look great!
Thank you Alexa!
Great post! I’m trying to lose weight this year in time for my wedding, I’ve done it before, so I know I can do it again 🙂
Thank you! Best of luck to you. If you ever need support, please let me know.
Hi Shann,
Your story is the epitome of what I discuss with others in regard to their well-being.
Just start when the inspiration, or opportunity hits you.
I had started my weight loss journey in March of 2008. It happened through an opportunity I came across in the form of a part time job at a small fitness center. I went on to attend personal training school and my life took a new direction.
By the time the new year rolled around, I was well into my new habits. Because I had started so early in the year, those habits became my new reality and I wasn’t even tempted to overindulge during the holidays.
It was a great feeling.
Very inspiring story Shann. Congrats on this accomplishment 🙂
Thank you so much Dana. I really appreciate that. I’ve been thinking about fitness as a new job direction when all my boys are in school.
Wow!!! You look absolutely incredible! It’s clear that what you’ve been doing has been working really well because you look amazing. I’m in awe! 🙂
You’re too sweet. Thank you.
Damn, woman. You look greats!!! Good for you. You put in the work and the pounds came off. 🙂 I need to work on getting more sleep… I definitely don’t get enough during the week.
Have a wonder New Years and all the very best for 2016! 🙂
Thank you so much Lindsay. All the best in 2016 to you too!
Shann what are you exercising for??? Your body looks great! ??
🙂 Thank you!
you look fab! Every time I need to lose a few.. I just start counting calories! It is ALWAYS such a shock those first few days but it works! I really need to get more sleep as well.. it is just so hard!
You look great! I’m going to be struggling to get back in a training mode after my shoulder heals! Yikes.
You look great!! Keep up the good work in the new year!
You look great! Hope your 2016 is just as well for you.
Wow Shann! I’m so proud of you! What you’ve accomplished is amazing! This is definitely on my “to do” list for the year too! I just started exercising again yesterday…hey a girl’s gotta start somewhere right? On a side note – I also have a really bad allergy to dust mites. If you haven’t tried the Norwex mattress spray yet – it’s changed my life. It kills dust mites and the only thing that has stopped me from waking up stuffy every morning. I digress… Happy new year!!!
Awesome. Thank you…I haven’t tried it yet, but I will look into it. Thank you! And thank you for all your support!
I NEED to work on my water intake. Especially with nursing. Aside from taking care of ME this year, I’m ditching the resolutions too.
Way to go you, you look fantastic! I also have a plan to maintain and better my health in the coming year! Best of luck in your journey and thank you for sharing!
You look so great! And best of luck on these – I really need to work on drinking more water and being a bit more active during the day. I don’t want to lose much weight, but I do need the energy boost for sure.
This is so great! I love how you tracked your progress and listed the exact steps you took to meet your goals. THAT is how resolutions are crushed! Get it Shann!
Awe. Thank you Angie 🙂
Holy smokes Shann! You look amazing!! I’m so inspired! I’m glad you mentioned that you felt like you were starving for the first month. I try to remind myself that that feeling is normal before I reach for convenience food. Best wishes for you in 2016! 🙂
Thank you so much Heather! Best wishes to you too!