Fitness Challenge!

[creagdhubh]

Day 2 of my 'back in shape' program was yesterday. I realise it is still early, but everything has been going rather well thus far. I am sore as heck, which is typical, and something not very unfamiliar to me, but I am already sleeping better, and feel the energy boost gradually returning! I have been limiting my daily caloric intake as well (no more than 1,200 calories per day), but without starving myself, which ultimately, never works in the end.

I drink tons of water throughout the day; and pre and post workout, I drink Gatorade G2. I also drink a small glass of fat-free, organic milk with dinner, as well as having a small glass of V8 low sodium every day. I eat a lot of salads, just because I love salad! It's usually always mixed greens with spinach, almond shavings, dried cranberries, and a low-fat vinigarette of some sort. I sometimes add small pieces of grilled chicken breast to the salad as well, for protein. Most of my larger meals, aka, dinner, consist mainly of fish (albacore tuna, mahi mahi, trout, salmon, etc) or chicken, with tons of fresh raw, or steamed veggies. I snack on fresh fruit - blueberries, bananas, cranberries, cantaloupe, raspberries - throughout the day, along with unsalted almonds. Fat-free yogurt and a multi-grain English muffin, or fiber cereal, with orange juice, is usually what I have for breakfast.

Bottom line with good nutrition, it's really all about healthy choices; being consistent in those choices, and portion control. Naturally, if one wishes to lose weight, caloric intake must be less than what you burn whilst working out. I am looking forward to working out everyday now, and the funny thing that happens every time, without fail, is that once you begin to take care of your body physically, you begin to crave healthy foods and not the greasy, fried nastiness - it's amazing - happens to me every time!

Things I cut out completely from my diet:

-Desserts
-Soda
-Fast food
-High-sodium foods
-High-sugary foods
-High-fat foods
-Anything fried
-Candy

*Consumption of alcohol is limited, but not eliminated.


Best of luck to all!