Tonight I'm working out with the BF, some of his friends and some of my friends. I like working out by myself better, just because I can do what I want, when I want, but it's also nice being able to talk as I work out. Don't worry, I'm not annoying the hell out of anyone around me, I always go pretty late, and usually no one is around us.
When I don't work out, I usually weigh between 115-118, but when I start working out, I weigh around 125 because of strength training. I don't want scary big arms though (or big legs) because I would look super awkward. I try to do all of the different leg lifts, arm stuff, and ab stuff. Don't you love how professional I sound? I want to have a goal of doing at least 50 crunches a day and maybe some leg stuff at home. Wish me luck!
Also, I've talked about this before, but the BF is trying to build up muscle and I'm trying to tone up. So this makes it difficult when we do anything. I eat a lot, but he eats A TON. He'll have 3 or 4 Lion's Choice sandwiches for breakfast, a big lunch, a huge dinner and then snacks all the time. And this is everyday, this is his routine. He hardly goes a day without a ton of sandwiches.
I on the other hand, am trying to eat healthy. I'm trying to cut more meat out of my diet because I feel horrible for the poor animals. Someone the other day came up to me when I was eating (I can't remember where this was), and they told me to imagine myself killing the animal that I was eating and then they went on and on and on and on about how eating meat is horrible. I felt sick. I know what they do to chickens, cows, etc are bad, but when a stranger comes up to me and gives me details as I'm eating it, it makes me sick to think about.
I would like to be vegetarian but I'm not sure how to start. I've talked about in the past about how I need to eat A LOT. I have to eat a lot or I feel really dizzy and light headed and feel like I'm going to pass out. I also get really bad migraines when I don't snack enough. I feel like I would need a lot of vegetarian food in order to make me feel full.
So my question is, is there some sort of vegetarian recipe website or anything that any of you would recommend? Or any tips or anything?
So, back to the topic of working out. I don't think I've worked out since before Halloween. So many things wrong with that! I'm going on so many vacations so I need to work out (and buy cute swimsuits). I don't really run too much when I go to the gym. I'm only wanting to tone, so I mainly do strength training. I always feel so awkward trying to do this around guys though.
I don't want to spend money, but I also need workout clothes and shoes. My shoes are blah and they kind of hurt now when I work out in them (ok so last time I worked out was 3 months ago, but I vividly remember them hurting). I feel more comfortable and happier when I look decent. Yes I know this is probably not what a personal finance blogger should say, but I want to be happy and look good with nice clothes! What shoes do you recommend? I'm super picky and have a hard time finding a pair that I absolutely love.
I also want to run with my dog more (my smaller dog cannot go outside much). I feel like I've been neglecting my bigger dog. I haven't really gone running with her too much, mainly because I feel like she will run way faster than me and everything will just be awkward. Since the weather has been nice though, I plan on running with her tomorrow.
Are one of your goals to be healthier? What are you doing to change?
It’s hard to get fit, especially on a budget, but you can always try cheap protein powder recipes to help get into shape.
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Stephanie says
January 6, 2012 at 3:26 amHey, another person who gains weight when they work out!! Nice. I do the same thing because I build muscle pretty easily, so even if my measurements decrease, my weight goes up a bit.A recommendation on the meat thing: What my husband and I have done is go *mostly* vegetarian. We haven't given up meat altogether, but we have given up factory farmed meats. The fact of the matter is that humans are omnivores, we are *meant* to eat meat, so there's no need to feel guilty about it. But animals in factory farms are treated poorly, and they're pumped full of antibiotics and hormones and stuff, and THAT'S what I feel guilty about. If you can afford it, I'd recommend buying your meat from a small farm where the animals aren't overcrowded and are primarily grass-fed (as opposed to grain-fed). It's more expensive (hence why we're mostly vegetarian- meat maybe once or twice a week) but you know that the animal had a happy, healthy life. A lot of small farms in my area will even give tours, you can see exactly the sort of conditions the animals live in.My husband does most of the cooking in our house, but we've taken to replacing meat with lentils in a lot of recipes. They're cheap, loaded with protein, and he's made some awesome meals. He's done shepherds pie, "meat"loaf, and chili, all substituting lentils for the ground meat. They were all AMAZING. Unfortunately, he's an improviser in the kitchen, so I don't have any recipes to share with you. 🙁
SEL says
January 6, 2012 at 4:22 amI have saucony's and I do intense workouts and am training for a half marathon in them. The right shoes make all the difference when working out!
Holly says
January 6, 2012 at 4:52 amGood luck with your workout goals! I haven't done anything since before our wedding and now that I'm slowly starting again I'm really feeling it. Hopefully I'll stick with it this time 🙂
Valerie Griffin says
January 6, 2012 at 5:07 amAwesome!
Kimberley says
January 6, 2012 at 5:08 amOne of the personal goals I have this year is to consistently work out during the week! I'm not a vegetarian, but if you want to become one, take it slow and start introducing more veggie meals during the week so your body can get used to it. Tofu and beans are great sources of protein and whole grains such Farro, Quinoa and Bulgar are great to use to get that full feeling. I love making bulgur and chickpea burgers!!
Lindsey says
January 6, 2012 at 5:42 amIt's impossible for girls to bulk up like guys do, but so many girls are afraid of weights. If you use light weights like 8 to 12 lbs, I promise you that you will not bulk up. You will tone up! Just a little FYI!!My goal this year is to feel good about myself and be healthy, which means losing weight!
Bailey says
January 6, 2012 at 5:54 amHey! I am with you on the weight gain, when I workout I gain muscle fast. It is a discouragement when the scale goes up. I love targets workout clothes as well as TJ maxx. For shoes I like my nikes and sauconys.
Jana @ Daily Money S says
January 6, 2012 at 5:56 amI became a vegetarian almost 4 years ago because of a similar experience. I honestly don't miss meat at all. It's not as hard to switch as you would think. Just look at your favorite recipes and figure out how to vegetarianize them–swap chicken broth for veggie broth. If you're making a stirfry, instead of adding meat, just have an all veggie one or add some black beans. If you're making chili, leave out the hamburger. Simple removals or substitutions work. Also, don't feel like you have to go all out and switch to being vegan immediately. If you can't give up cheese or eggs or fish, then don't. If you don't like tofu (I don't), don't eat it. Do whatever works for you. As a word of caution, the meat subtitutes are very enticing but try not to eat too many. They are expensive, loaded with chemicals and often are not that filling. Good luck!
hklover86 says
January 6, 2012 at 5:58 amI want to try to work out and eat healthier as well. There is a new gym that just opened right near my house and they have hot yoga which I wanted to try. I might look into it.
Live Simply- Live We says
January 6, 2012 at 6:04 amI run and I swear by my asics. I have worn them in all of my marathons and countless other races. Love them. We are in the process of going meatless…it's a work in progress as my husband loves meat. Check out the website peas and thank you for vegan recipies
Under the Fluorescen says
January 6, 2012 at 7:09 amsuch good motivation, i never heard that phrase before. http://underthefluorescents.blogspot.com/
Bryan says
January 6, 2012 at 7:12 amThanks for stopping by my site. I am also working towards being healthier in the new year. In the short term, I've joined a weight loss contest with some friends, and over the longer term, I've resolved to work out just about every day this year. Good luck in your own healthy journey!
Christine says
January 6, 2012 at 7:41 amtry on several different shoes before buying. and maybe do some research on what types of shoes are good for your foot type and the types of workouts you're doing. good luck!!! 🙂
Lekker Leven Met Min says
January 6, 2012 at 8:14 amWhen I started to work out, I also didn't want to buy anything, but my shoes weren't quite right. They fitted, but I accidentally bought UK size 8 instead of US size 8 (or the other way around), which made them about 4cm bigger than they should be. So after a while, I decided to buy other shoes, and I'm glad I did. Though I don't think you must look a certain way or anything like that, I do want to look nice. The fact that the shoes were also really much too big made the choice easier.
Lauren says
January 6, 2012 at 9:21 amI LOVE working out by myself… and I get really frustrated when I'm in a group. I like doing what I want on my own time in the workout arena, so I completely understand.Go to a running store to buy your shoes! They will watch you walk and pair you with the right type of shoes for you. They'll probably run about $100 but honestly a pair off the shelf of Foot Locker isn't that much less. If you invest in the right shoe, you'll be that much more likely to workout (and you'll be less likely to injure yourself). I'm far from a runner – except maybe in my dreams, but even for the average Joe a good pair of running shoes will keep your feet happy at the gym doing whatever it is you feel like doing.Both my husband and I have Brooks shoes, but comopletely different styles (which is good because our feet are completely different too – thank goodness).
Miss T @ Prairie Eco says
January 6, 2012 at 9:43 amAs a health professional I can tell that strength training won't bulk you up. You are a woman you don't generate enough testosterone to build big muscles. The strength training will help you tone and lose inches. Muscle burns more fat and calories so you will lose inches too.We both went on a get health journey a couple years ago before our wedding and we both lost almost 30 pounds and have kept it off. We eat really healthy- lots of whole grains, produce, nuts, and seeds and we work out regularly.. We have actually found circuit training to be really effective. We personally like the Jillian Micheals workouts. They are quick and effective. I suggest you give them a try.Best of luck with your goals.
Anne Sabine says
January 6, 2012 at 9:47 amI do want to be healthier and work out more, but like you, I am very strapped for time. So, I'm going to have to make some serious sacrifices, but I think I will manage. I'm still shocked that a stranger came up to you and disrupted your lunch like that. Regardless of whether what he/she was saying was right or wrong, that's so rude!
Michelle P says
January 6, 2012 at 9:50 amThanks everyone!And thanks to the people who reassured me that I won't get scary muscles, because that's not what I want. I feel much better now! I'm working out tonight and hopefully I get something good in.
Money Pincher says
January 6, 2012 at 9:53 amYes, one of my goals is to be healthier. I try to work out at least 1 – 2 times a week if not follow those yoga videos at home. I don't think I am exercising enough to lose weight, but I definitely feel some difference after I work out… I feel much more energized! :)I am maintaining my weight pretty well. I am 110 pounds, 5"4 and I hope to maintain it for the rest of the year and maybe just tone up a bit 🙂
Daisy says
January 6, 2012 at 10:23 amYou have such a great blog! I'm so glad you commented. I'm a new follower 🙂
Serendipity says
January 6, 2012 at 10:28 amWhen I work out ( see I said when* Lol) I tend to wear Nikes. I have a narrow foot so I find Nikes and pumas really help. Also, I love Pumas for Zumba.
Married...with a Pup says
January 6, 2012 at 10:41 amYes, these are definitely two of my goals as well! I'm really not a worker-outer…so we will see how I accomplish that goal. BUT, my husband are going to try a completely vegan diet for just 2 weeks. If we notice a difference in our bodies, then we are going to try and figure out how to incorporate vegetarian/vegan lifestyle in to ours. HOWEVER- I love meat; so I need to try it first before committing =)
femmefrugality says
January 6, 2012 at 11:17 amI don't know any vegetarian sites, but that's awesome about your goals! I'm trying to get better about all this as well. Once the weather gets nice again, me and BF are gonna be at the tennis courts ALL DAY. And…you should look nice if you want to. It's personal finance. Not personal deprivation.
Mr. Taylor and his L says
January 6, 2012 at 11:44 amwhen it comes to being a vegetarian, it can definitely be very hard. right now, i haven't eaten red meat in over twelve years and i don't miss it at all. i still eat chicken and fish, but like you said, baby steps.xo TJ
McVal says
January 6, 2012 at 12:22 pmI think my main goal would be to move away from that person while eating!LOL! I am starting on a diet this week and hope to have it continue until I'm 20 lbs lighter.That's my goal.
Sharon says
January 6, 2012 at 2:53 pmOh Michelle, I need to do this too. If you find a good vegetarian recipe site, let me know!!
- Lesley says
January 8, 2012 at 5:51 amI, too, want to tone up a lot this spring but am having a hard time finding the motivation! It's hard when it's so cold out and working out inside get so boring (: I found some awesome shoes for working out though – they are the K-Swiss tubes and they're the comfiest shoes I've worn. Check them out! I also agree with you about feeling horrible for animals. It's so sad. Great blog, btw!
Frugal(er) says
January 8, 2012 at 7:52 amVegetarian Times (vegetariantimes.com) is a great resource for finding recipes. You can search by ingredient and they have TONS of stuff. That's where I first went when I realized I had no idea what to do with tofu. If you make sure to get enough protein and fiber, you'll totally feel full on a vegetarian diet. It's just a matter of finding the right combination. I've been playing around with barley a lot in the past year, which is totally filling and delicious.RE: Shoes, I agree that you should talk to a professional, especially if you want to start running more. Everyone's feet behave differently, and someone who knows what to look for can totally save you from an injury down the road. Also, if you try them out on a treadmill and don't like them, you can still return them.Good luck!!!
Anonymous says
January 12, 2012 at 12:57 pmCheck out ohsheglows.com. It's a vegan website, but I just add back in the non-vegan things: when she says use a chia egg, I put in a real egg; when she uses fake cheese, I add real cheese, etc. I'm not vegan, or even vegetarian, but her website makes me drool!! She also does little blurbs about her life, remodeling her house, running, yoga, etc.
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