Gather round fellow bloggers, readers/family members and immediate friends. It’s time for me to share a little story with you about a rambunctious little Sometimes Healthy child. I already did a little high school reminiscing with you earlier this week, so why not go a little further back to the days where cell phones were a rarity (only Zach Morris and VIP’s owned them) and Happy Meals were just another food group on the pyramid. Of course, I wouldn’t just share a childhood story with you for kicks…it has a point.
However, you’ll have to read through it to get there. So make yourself comfortable, cook up some oats in a jar or some egg muffins and come with me on a little journey back to Omaha circa 1995.
It All Started with a Horse
You’d probably be absolutely shocked to learn that I was quite the energetic little child. Not only did I run my mouth a lot, but I couldn’t sit still. Therefore, my parents had to place me in every sport imaginable before I’d get tired of it and move on to the next. From gymnastics to soccer and softball, I pretty much tried everything…I even had a few weeks in there where is was taking a class called “Hammer Dance.” (It’s okay to picture this and laugh at me right now- I won’t be offended).
Anyway, since I grew up in Nebraska, it was only natural I move on to horseback riding once I tired of cow tipping.
Just kidding….maybe.
Anyway, back to the story. In fourth grade, I was certain I was destined to be the next great jockey. So, my sweet, well-intentioned parents enrolled me in private horseback riding lessons immediately. After my first lesson, I realized something was wrong. I seemed to like petting and feeding the horse much more than actually riding the horse. But nonetheless, I kept riding.
This is not a picture of me...you get the idea.
Then a couple weeks into my lessons, “tragedy” struck. Some idiot took a picture with the flash right in the face of my camera-shy horse, Nate (I should have known, with a name like that, he was bad news), who went crazy. After about 30 seconds of “sheer terror,” I finally fell off. Injuries sustained included a slightly cut lip and a broken heart – you can bet there were lots of tears.
After such a harrowing experience, I was hesitant to get back on a bad a** big horse so my instructor stuck me on a cute little pony called Peppermint. Peppermint was a bit too young and energetic for my liking, and I was afraid she’d buck me off accidentally just like that a-hole, Nate. So, my instructor found me the oldest pony on the farm, Barney. But by the time, I got to Barney, the damage had been done.
I was already longing for the kindergarten days of My Little Pony
Then, Christopher Reeves fell off his horse, and I took that as a sign I should retire from horseback riding for good. 6 weeks after I mounted my first horse, my dreams of winning the Kentucky Derby were over.
So What Does this All Mean?
If you’re thinking this story is a metaphor for my dating life, you’re wrong. This is a healthy living blog after all ;-). What I’m trying to demonstrate is how the age-old mantra of “getting back on the horse” hasn’t always worked for me. Sometimes when I fall off the horse, it takes me a while to get back on…and sometimes I have to get back on a pony, instead of a horse…and sometimes I just give up!
So here is my official Sometimes Healthy Statement: I’ve fallen off the Healthy Horse, become Rarely Healthy Girl, gained a little weight, and now I’m struggling to get back on the Sometimes Healthy Pony
A couple weeks ago, around Cinco de Mayo I fell off the “healthy living” horse/wagon completely. First, the nutrition aspect. That day, I ate a Margarita Cupcake, along with a whole lotta carb-i-licious goodness. And once I fell off, I really just didn’t feel like hopping back on. It was like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate River flooded my apartment and I decided to just let myself drown 😉
If only it would have stopped with this little...ok BIG cupcake
Then, I decided to start the Budget Diet Challenge. Saving money on food felt great, but unless I was super-prepared, I’d find myself hungry and without money to buy healthy food. Even though I could have gone to the fruit guy downstairs, it was just easier to go to the vending machine around the corner and buy a bag of pretzels….or 5.
And then there was the whole exercise thing. I was very determined to keep up with my running after I completed the National Marathon, but then work, this blog and social obligations interfered.
Office workouts were fun but rare
I did my best to fight off runner’s block, but a nagging injury in my foot made it impossible to cover the distances I was running before.
I’m still running, but can’t go long distances without feeling pain. So, until I go to a foot doctor, long distances are out.
Rather than vary my routine with challenging classes, interval training and weight training, I’ve slipped into a sort of exercise plateau that basically consists of the elliptical/stair master, reality television, 8 minute arms and quickie abs….oh and lots of the Couch Monster (this morning – I woke up and chose to finish the Bachelorette rather than workout…oooops)
With all of these factors, can you guess what’s happened??
Sometimes Healthy Girl has put on a few lb’s. I don’t know how many because I haven’t weighed myself since before the marathon. I don’t have anything against the scale – I just don’t want to see the damage I’ve done. Sure, my jeans are a bit tighter but it doesn’t become real to me until I see that scale creep up…and up.
I don't even wanna go there...
The problem for me is that I can feel the lbs when I work out…which makes me not want to work out. That’s probably the reason I’ve been writing about the couch monster a whole lot lately.
A Weighty Issue
Since weight is an extremely sensitive issue for some readers, I generally avoid discussing it on my happy little blog (I realize that life is not butterflies and rainbows but I like my blog to be as happy as possible, albeit quirky like me- I save the gripes for my mother and lucky chosen select friends). Additionally, by society standards, I am a perfectly healthy weight. BUT it’s time I admit, while I’ve never had an eating disorder, I’ve certainly had body issues before…and I have them right now. Furthermore, I deal with those issues in unhealthy ways: I binge! While it is slightly entertaining to view my garbage contents on a nightly basis (3 empty bags of pretzels, two licked clean tubs of cream cheese, 10 3/4 eaten bagel thins), this habit is neither healthy nor budget-friendly! And it’s decreased my motivation to workout.
As I stated in my Runpowerment post, I truly feel that pushing one’s body to the physical limit is the ultimate confidence booster. When I’m my fittest and healthiest, I’m the happiest version of my Sometimes Healthy self. Thus, it’s important to me that I lose that 5lbs, get back into shape and start making healthier eating decisions (within the parameters of the budget diet, hopefully!)
HEALTHY JAMIE = HAPPY JAMIE!
I want to get back to the Sometimes Healthy girl that everyone knows and (hopefully) loves. Here are a couple of things I’m going to do to ease back on to that pony:
- Head to the Doctor – Not knowing what is wrong with my foot has really hampered my motivation to workout; In typical melodramatic fashion, I’m envisioning this earth-shattering injury, when it may be very minor.
- Diversify my Exercise – I may not be able to run for a while, so I need to start exploring other ways to get “empowered.” I have an incredible gym with 5 star classes at my disposal and a wealth of fitness magazines/healthy living blogs to reference. This should not be a problem
- Keep it Positive – Recognize that UNhealthy decision will not influence the rest of my healthy plans for the day – ie. one Margarita Cupcake does not need to turn into 5 slices of pizza and a giant bag of pretzels
- Stop Binging – Easier said than done. My binging problem is nowhere near the seriousness of the problems you see on tv, but it’s definitely affecting my fitness/energy levels/happy weight. I need to find something else to turn to during stressful times.
- Avoid Comparison Trap – Every blogger talks about it, and I am not immune. I certainly struggle with comparing myself to bloggers every now and then, particularly my favorite running blogs. I’m admittedly jealous to read about someone’s refreshing 10 mile run, and this usually causes me to reach for comfort in those pretzels.
Now it’s Your Turn: Tell me what you do get back on the Healthy Horse! I need all the help I can get 🙂
Oh and please enjoy this “blast from the past” video that represents how I feel right now (had to end the way I started – with some Sometimes Healthy Humor): I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! (wait for 1:40 – I couldn’t get the perfect clip!)
you go get it girl!! we all fall off the wagon sometimes, and your plan of action sounds realistic and achievable. i don’t think there’s a single gal out there who can’t relate to this post 🙂
Aw, I’m sorry to hear you’re struggling at the moment but love your honesty here! Sometimes recognizing our poor behaviors and pinpointing what’s making us feel less than our best is the only way we can start to work to make better choices! So, you’re already on your way to getting your happy self back by seeing what you need to do a bit better.
I have definitely been in ‘the hole’ before where I desperately want to make changes and get out of the rut/trap of bad habits, and the one thing that’s helped me is to make changes slowly, a bit at a time. Otherwise, I know if I try to make all the changes at once, I’m setting myself up for failure since its a big undertaking!
So I’d look to focus just on running/exercising regularly for a bit. Once you’re in a good routine and regaining fitness, start to work on eating a bit healthier. Add in extra fruits and veggies to what you’re already eating, and then slowly work to cut the junk. Maybe you’ll find you’ll be less likely to binge with the new additions, or maybe you’ll find you turn to baby carrots vs pretzels when you’re stressed. Then, try to focus on recipes and shopping habits that help you eat healthy but also cut costs. When you focus on a bit at a time, it gets more manageable and lets you establish the behaviors as routines prior to adding on another. It’s definitely not instant gratification but you can do it, I know it! Keep me updated and let me know if you ever want to chat more. 🙂
ha! i love the early 90’s references.
anywayyy…
girl, we’ve all been there! and anyone who says they haven’t is lying. for realz. sometimes life happens, and we do end up falling off that wagon. the important part is keeping a positive attitude and gaining the strength to pick yourself up again. and it seem like you’re going to be just fineeee!
when i get off track, it usually takes a lot of self committment. i need to physically, mentally and emotionally push myself. whether it be to the gym, to saying no to going out to eat, making that doc appointment that’s oh so long overdue, etc. i wrote it out on paper first. because for some reason seeing it written down always makes it feel more “real” to me. like okay, it’s written in pen-i guess i must make a move and really get a move on!
xoxo
I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling at the moment, but you are doing a very positive thing by recognizing all that you believe needs to be improved!
The story in the beginning of your blog was such a clever way to introduce what you wanted to talk about. I enjoyed hearing about your experience with riding horses, although it is too bad you were thrown off, those beasts can be quite terrifying! I used to ride horses when I was younger too, and I was kicked one day and it scared the hell out of me for quite some time!
Anyway, I think your suggestions for “getting yourself back on the pony” are a first great step. It is definitely important to go see the doctor before an injury gets any worse, because that will prevent you from doing any type of exercise 🙁 Also trying other types of exercises is important too. If your gym offers spinning you could do that, it certainly kicks my butt when I take a class. Also ones such as body pump (if offered), cardio kick, and other strength training classes will still allow you to get a great workout in, but without injuring yourself more.
I know when I have felt the need to binge, it is because I have not properly fueled myself in the beginning of the day. So I suggest eating a healthy, light but nutritious breakfast will give you a positive boost for the day and then you will be more inclined to keep making healthy changes.
And remember, “to compare is to despair!”
Good luck lady, please keep us updated 🙂
I think you’re doing great. Being able to reflect on yourself and write about it is a huge step, and I think that should have been one of the steps you listed! 😉
Don’t be too hard on yourself. I constantly compare myself to fellow bloggers and have to step back and realize that everyone is doing their own thing the best they can. It’s all we can ask for!
Hope the doctor gives a great diagnosis!
I really think you’re doing great. Everyone falls off the band-wagon now and then, but not everyone admits it. Goodness knows I’ve been there! I, like you, am not overweight, but when I’m feeling the lbs pack on, my body issues rear their ugly head. I just remind myself that the binging and lack of exercise are both behaviors that I have 100% control over. I have all the ability in the world to put down the cookie box and walk away. And once I start making the little changes, the big ones (ie my pants feeling normal again) start to show in no time. Don’t worry! That only makes it worse 🙂 Just thinking about getting back on the pony is a good place to start 🙂
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