It's Time to Get Moving

I had a serious eye opener last week at the gym. I thought I had been pushing myself physically enough up to that point. I was exercising a few times a week and I was in good enough shape. I wasn't eating unhealthily. But what I realized, after a kick-butt hour long class of weight training and aerobics, that up to that point, I'd hit a plateau.

I had a baby 8 months ago, my first baby. I was amazed at how much my body could change in just 9 months. And then, of course, I was surprised at how hard it was to get my body back.

So needless to say, after that incredibly challenging class at the gym, I had some perspective about what kind of activity level I needed to get my old body back. I couldn't just go for a moderately challenging walk/jog. I needed to sweat bullets and be uncomfortable in order to get back in shape. I have started looking forward to faster paced walks with intervals of running. I have worked out harder than I have in the past year. As a result, my muscles are uncomfortably sore, but I am happy to see more tone and definition. No pain, no gain, and it's totally worth it.

What does this have to do with overeating? After that day at the gym, I kicked up my activity level a big notch. And I discovered that my eating habits followed suit and I started getting more focused and more committed to making healthier eating choices.

I started eating more vegetables, and eating less carbs. I spent more time preparing healthy meals, for example cutting up celery and making a spinach salad, instead of just eating on the run.

This brings more evidence that working out, especially in a class setting or with a personal trainer, where there is more challenge and accountability, leads to better eating choices and less careless indulgence. That is what I discussed in my book, Stop Overeating Today!, in one of the 33 tips. Now I have more personal conviction to back up that strategy.