Why is it that even when you’re working out regularly, the scale still goes up?
Only a few months away from my 40th birthday I know that as I get older, it will be harder and harder to build muscle and lose weight. I figure if I get healthy now, I’ll have a better chance of staying healthy as I age.
It’s been a nagging thought in the back of my head for years.
Last year my cholesterol had crept up, and my doctor gave me 3 months to bring it down on my own or he would recommend meds. I started walking on the treadmill every day. I cut out the fatty foods, increased my fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and dropped my cholesterol 60 points in 4 months.
My doctor was shocked. My clothes were fitting better, and I could see the changes in my body.
But the scale didn’t move. It went up! I was working hard, and I knew I was losing fat and gaining muscle. I could see it, but it was so disappointing.
I stayed pretty active but the scale wasn’t budging. Then I started some home improvement projects this winter. I started scraping popcorn ceilings in my house, patching walls, and painting. With the regular exercise, going up and down the ladder, scraping and painting, my body was toned, and I had built up some nice muscles. But the scale only went up.
Then the project ended. I went back to my sedentary lifestyle, and lost all the momentum. Again.
Until today. Today I decided that’s enough.
I need to get myself in shape. I’m going to get my but in gear and start exercising again.
I want to feel good, and have lots of energy. I want my clothes to fit well. When I look at myself in the mirror I don’t want to be disgusted with myself for letting myself go. I want to look at myself and be proud to say “This is 40!”
This time, I’m going to set a routine, and stick with it, no matter what’s going on in my life. If I’m doing lots of active things that day, I will still get my workout in. I am a creature of habit, and I know that I need to maintain a routine, no matter what, or I will not get back into it.
So I’m heading on this journey, and I want you to come along and I hope that sharing all of this on my blog will keep me accountable. I can’t skip out on a workout, because then I will be letting you all down. I hope that sharing my struggles with you, maybe you’ll be inspired to be the healthiest you too.
What’s your motivation to be the healthiest you?
Want more? Check out more fitness posts or my Metabolic Renewal Review.