yay!
Since the end of January, I have been making a concerted (as opposed to half-assed) effort to live more healthfully. The initial driving force behind it was to use natural methods to relieve my depression. I know from personal experience that my diet does have a pretty big impact on my mood, and that when I eat cut sugary things out of my diet I feel a lot better. I also know the theory that exercise improves the mood too. (It's in theory because I'm such a lazy ass that I haven't really experienced this one for myself.)
Of course I'd be lying if it wasn't also for vanity reasons - I gained a shitload of weight eating 2 am burritos in grad school (fromageordeath knows what I'm talking about here) and it's just disconcerting to look in the mirror and see so much more of me than my mental image of myself. But the weight started happening a couple years ago, and it wasn't until my mental health really deteriorated that I started working on it seriously.
Anyway, since then I have legit exercised and thought a lot more about my diet since then, refusing doughnuts at work and limiting myself on my dad's weird 11 pm baking projects. (He made baklava recently - I only had one piece.) I knew I had lost weight but the progress on the scale isn't particularly impressive and I was feeling a bit dejected. But today I was reflecting on how some of my clothing is fitting a little differently than it used to, so I got out the measuring tape.
I have lost INCHES! I have lost two inches around my waist, and an inch on each thigh!
I feel like I am actually making progress, yay! And knowing that the effort is having an effect is a nice mood boost as well. :)
BTW if you're interested in health and fitness, I really recommend fitvillains. She is so awesome and encouraging and full of helpful advice, all while being super body positive. She posts lots of workouts you can do at home, which is great if you're like me and find the gym intimidating.
Of course I'd be lying if it wasn't also for vanity reasons - I gained a shitload of weight eating 2 am burritos in grad school (fromageordeath knows what I'm talking about here) and it's just disconcerting to look in the mirror and see so much more of me than my mental image of myself. But the weight started happening a couple years ago, and it wasn't until my mental health really deteriorated that I started working on it seriously.
Anyway, since then I have legit exercised and thought a lot more about my diet since then, refusing doughnuts at work and limiting myself on my dad's weird 11 pm baking projects. (He made baklava recently - I only had one piece.) I knew I had lost weight but the progress on the scale isn't particularly impressive and I was feeling a bit dejected. But today I was reflecting on how some of my clothing is fitting a little differently than it used to, so I got out the measuring tape.
I have lost INCHES! I have lost two inches around my waist, and an inch on each thigh!
I feel like I am actually making progress, yay! And knowing that the effort is having an effect is a nice mood boost as well. :)
BTW if you're interested in health and fitness, I really recommend fitvillains. She is so awesome and encouraging and full of helpful advice, all while being super body positive. She posts lots of workouts you can do at home, which is great if you're like me and find the gym intimidating.