Like so many people, I want to get into better shape. My life is so hectic that taking care of myself has dropped to the bottom of my priorities – and this summer in particular has been so busy and stressful that I have not made time to exercise or eat properly. I love my job, but spending 12 hours a day in front of a computer and not doing anything active has taken its toll. I’ve been “Too busy” to go to the gym or for a walk, and “Too busy” to stop and eat at regular times – and surprise, surprise, at the end of the day I’m often so tired that I turn to takeaway. As a result, I feel out of shape, lethargic, and have gained a lot of weight. So it’s time to regain control of my schedule, and make my health a top priority. To help motivate myself, I’m going to be starting an ongoing series where I chronicle my journey – and keep myself focused and on track, since everyone will be watching!
To begin, I’ll (begrudgingly) show you my “Before” picture. Here I am as I look right now – no flattering dresses or cute shoes; just me in my unflattering workout clothes and flats:
I’m much more looking forward to posting the “After” picture when I’m done! And forgive the half-finished bathroom – much like myself, it is still under construction.
Currently, I weigh 147 pounds. I am 5′ 4″, and all my weight goes to my middle, leaving me with quite a “spare tire”. So how am I going to turn things around?
1. Be more active. Not just by exercising and getting outdoors more, but by taking breaks during the workday to stretch out.
2. Eat better. My main problem is that I often eat at erratic times – I’ll skip a meal and then overeat later. I also want to drastically cut back on how much I eat out – that is one of the main sources of my weight gain.
3. Take control of my schedule. I neglect to take care of myself because I’m too wrapped up in everything I have going on. Working crazy hours and pulling all-nighters is doing me no favors – and it’s not productive, either! With these kind of hours, no wonder my eating habits are out of whack.
And since I’m a product reviewer, I thought it would be fun to test out some diet & fitness products as well. Make no mistake about it – in my opinion, nothing will change unless the three key points above are dealt with. There is no “Magic pill” that will make me a supermodel overnight. However, reviewing these products means I actually have to use them, so I’ll have a reason to stick with it; and I think that motivation will spill over into other areas as well. Not to mention, I think it will be interesting to see a regular person try this stuff out – how well does it work in the real world? So let me introduce you to the items I’ll be testing out:
Shapely Secrets – this is one of those “As Seen On TV” products that I’ve always wanted to try! This DVD set contains a set of quick “motionless” isometric exercises that creator Greer Childers says can help you lose one size in 14 days. I’ve been doing these since Monday, and am surprised at how much of a workout I can feel given the brevity of the exercise. 7 minutes a day by itself isn’t enough, but getting into the habit of working out is the most important part for me – once I start doing it, I feel motivated to do more and be more active in general. So I think this is a positive step in that direction – and I’ll let you know what I weigh and provide a detailed critique of the program after 14 days!
Sensa – this is a diet aid which you sprinkle on your food. The concept behind Sensa is that it works through your sense of smell – according to Dr. Alan Hirsch, who developed Sensa, it works by stimulating the “satiety center” of the brain, which is supposed to help you lose weight. I’ll be honest – I am skeptical of weight loss pills and supplements. If just a pill could help you lose weight, then everyone would take it, right? However, I have never tried any type of diet supplement, and I’m certainly willing to give it a go. What do I have to lose?
I was sent a 3-month supply of Sensa to try out, so I will be posting a thorough review later, along with updates on how it’s going. If you’re interested in learning more about Sensa, you can click here to check out their website. They are also currently offering a 60-day trial offer to anyone who may be interested.
SlimShots – when our friends over at FuelMyBlog asked if I’d like to review SlimShots, I knew it was perfect timing. I’m sure you’ve all seen the commercials advertising this – well, now I’m going to test it out and see if I deflate like that cartoon character! SlimShots are supposed to help suppress your appetite – my main problem is not so much that I get really hungry, it’s making poor meal choices and eating when I’m not hungry. (When I’m really stressed out, you’re likely to see me holding a bag of cheetos in one hand and a mars bar in the other!) However, I have noticed lately that my portions have been larger, so I’m curious to see what SlimShots will or won’t do – and how I’ll feel taking them. I was sent a 14-day supply, so I’ll have more details for you soon!
And there you have – my first step on the journey to getting healthier. If any of you are embarking on similar journeys, you are welcome to leave your thoughts, frustrations, advice, or just commiserate in the comments!
Always consult with your physician before embarking on any weight loss or exercise program. This is an anecdotal account of my own personal experience, provided for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Individual results will vary.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing how some of these products work. I can commiserate: developing “blogger butt” isn’t helping my fitness level. (I can’t take credit for the “blogger butt” expression; I read it elsewhere, but it’s so true.)
It sounds like you know what you need to do & I’de be interested in knowing how so of theses products work. If you want an easy exercise try hula hooping. It really works and slims all areas.
Good luck darling! I seriously am starting a diet program now too… it’s so depressing all the weight I’ve gained from laziness.
Good luck! Can’t wait to hear if the products make a difference!
I need to get up and moving a lot more often, I just completely lack motivation!
Good for you for taking the first step. Best of luck in your journey 🙂
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