You know the feeling…
You’re getting ready to go out, grab your favorite pair of skinny jeans, and start the ordeal..
One leg in…next leg in…PULL…aaaand the jeans won’t go up your butt.
Freaking washing machine!
It’s really time you invest in some appliances that don’t shrink your clothes.
Yep, that’s the story I’m sticking to. Totally my washer’s fault. My butt’s not getting bigger, my CLOTHES is getting smaller. Such a shame.
Okay, but honestly,eventually I get over the denial and I act like an adult, taking full responsibility for the size of my butt.
And when this happens (about once every other month or so), I go on a total fitness binge.
So here are a few things that work for me. By making just a few changes, I’m able to squeeze back into my pants in no time. And thank God for THAT, because I can’t just go buy new pants every time I decide to stuff my face with Oreos.
No, that’s not an option.
But these are:
1. Cutting back on sugar.
Sugar is the devil. Sugar is no bueno. Sugar is very very very bad. But you know what? It’s in ALMOST EVERYTHING WE EAT!! Even the supposedly “healthy” foods have tons of sugar. Go look at the food label on any of those healthy juices you’ve been drinking lately. Go! Did you know that the recommended daily intake of sugar is about 25 grams? Yea, you’re a little bit over your max with those juices, aren’t you?
Whenever I’m trying to lose a few pounds, I’ve learned that it’s not so much about how often I hit the gym. Really, the majority of my results are based on what I eat that week. So do I eliminate ALL sugar? Well, no. I need an occasional piece of dark chocolate to keep me sane. But I do cut back a whole lot, and it makes a world of a difference.
2. Buy workout clothes to keep you motivated.
Like the title of this post reads, I really just want to stay home watching Netflix. You know what I DON’T want to do? Get home after a long day at work, change into clothes that cuts my circulation, and go get sweaty in front of a bunch of strangers while fighting to catch my breath every other second. THAT’S what I don’t want to do.
But to stay fit, I have to sometimes. Sometimes more than others. And to motivate me to do that, I usually find a few good deals of some cute workout clothes and it gives me something to look forward to. I mean, there’s no way a raggedy t-shirt with holes is gunna make me WANT to go to the gym. But a LuLu Lemon sports bra or these super cute Nike Pros? Yea, that might be a different story.
3. Have equipment at home to do basic exercises.
EVEN having bought some cute workout gear, there are still days when I really just can’t don’t want to leave my house. Like, not at all. Not a teeny tiny bit. For days like these, I’ve gone and bought some basic equipment, so I can at least get SOME kind of workout in. I mean, I can’t help but feel guilty when I’m bumming on my bed at 6pm and my free weights are staring at my face. They’re right there. All I have to do is get up and grab them. Just a few reps. A few sets.
At that point, if I choose not to workout, it’s pure laziness. So yes, I guilt myself into working out a little. At home, I have a big giant stability ball, a medicine ball, a jumprope, resistance bands, and free weights. That’s really all I need. By having some equipment at the house, I really have no excuse, so I usually DO get at least 3 minutes of work in. Don’t laugh at me, okay! 3 minutes is 3 minutes, and that’s a whole lot better than nothing!
4. Work out during your lunch hour.
I’ve also found that working out during lunch really helps. I’m lucky because our gym is right upstairs where I work. So I can pack a bag in the morning, run up to the gym during lunch for about 30 minutes, and still have time to eat something before getting back to work.
And you might be thinking ewww that’s gross…going back to work all sweaty and smelly. But dude, it’s not like you have to go run a mile in the hot sun to get a workout. I usually keep it light. Get on the stationary bike for half an hour or do a few sets of weights. Maybe some crunches and pushups. Nothing crazy! When I’m done, I wipe myself down, spray a little perfume and boom! Back to work. It doesn’t have to be a whole production, and it sure as hell beats having to go workout once I’m home and all I wanna do is take a nap on my couch.
5. Have a super annoying friend who loves working out and keeps you accountable.
This is a big one. There’s nothing like having an annoying workout buddy to keep you motivated. For me, that’s Joe. If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably weigh triple my weight right now, because I DO NOT LIKE GOING TO THE GYM. Funny enough, Joe and I met at CrossFit. But the only reason I’ve kept going as long as I have is because we go together.
Having someone to push you and call you out makes you that much more accountable, and helps keep you motivated. There’s no shame in admitting that on your own, you’re a total failure. So just acknowledge your lack of self motivation and go find your self a spinning buddy. Or someone to go do yoga with. Anyone, really, just not someone who’s going to walk you straight into the nearest Krispy Kreme. Stay away from that guy.
What else?? Any other fitness tips you’ve found to be helpful?? Help me out, please! My wedding’s less than 3 months away!
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So very true! I agree with all of these. I do all of these, except have the super annoying friend, that’s what I need to find. I just have no motivation to work out all the time. I do aim for 20K a day, it’s still hard to work out intensely like I used to before I had Sophie.
Good point, and i can kinda relate to what you are going through. Back in the old days, during the prime of my youth, i used to sport a 28″ waist and 30″ pants are as big as they get! Now that I am married with 2 kids, i just cant find the energy and motivation to do so anymore. From a thousand push-ups a day (ROTC days) to a measely 25, from 140 and 65lbs later… i cant seem to catch my breath anymore.
I dont see the point being to paranoid with reading labels.
A person feels famished – EAT!
Thirsty? – DRINK and quench it!
Its just simple science & chemistry to be precise. Just how GOD made us…
but to keep on track I would like to agree with you by getting a gym buddy or workout partner to boost and reinforce your motivation. Stay out of buffet lunch meetings and pig out dinners with friends and instead do indoor sports or play card games in a cafe with miser friends who only orders a drink and lingers in the cafe for hours! Trust me time will fly and you will ought to get your mind off trying to grab a bite off that succulent piece of steak!
I also keep a pair of 40’s (dumbbells) beneath my office desk to remind me to keep pumping if i find my day to start getting dull and timid. But hey, that’s just me and i don’t want to cramp out your style. Cheers!=)
I really need that super annoying friend! It would be so convenient if it was my husband, but that’s a no go. I think I’ll just have to become his super annoying friend to benefit both of us ha
These are wonderful tips. I have a super annoying husband for a workout buddy. He won’t work out without me, so I have to do it even if I am feeling lazy.
I cracked up at your title because that totally describes me most days. I do workout every day, but I complain about it. Thank god for my friend that NAGS me incessantly about doing it.
Great tips! I agree with all of them. I just invested in more cute workout clothes and it has surprisingly motivated me a ton!
I usually am that super annoying friend, but I do need lots of cute fitness clothes to keep me motivated. 🙂
I’m way more likely to work out when working out is convenient, fun, or social. Knowing that about myself definitely helps me to prepare and get myself started in life habits that make me more likely to work out!
I wish I could watch Netflix all the time but sadly that is not possible. We are all guilty of indulging ourselves too much or putting off things because we are feeling too lazy!
Great tips! I think I do all of these, except for working out during lunch. I’m more of a morning person myself! Also that photo of the bananas, apples and berries looks sooooo good!
Buying cute workout clothes definitely keeps me motivated! And the fitbit challenges have really kept me on my toes!
Wonderful list of tips! I agree with the Ashley above me too – cute workout clothes and fitbit challenges help as well!
I totally agree , having new yoga pants gets me to the gym on those days
I definitely agree with the working out at home thing! I just bought a yoga mat and do squats, crunches, or watch Blogilates videos! It was only $10 and its so much easier than motivating myself to go to the gym, or even paying for a gym membership.
This is so me. I wish I had a workout buddy! Michael and I used to run together, but now he plays basketball. I also wish I could do group fitness classes, but they’re just expensive. I already pay too much for rent, and my apartment has a gym (or I can run outside) so I feel like I need to just use that! I hate that there’s so much sugar in EVERYTHING.
These are such great tips! I wish I could work out at lunch (not close enough) but having free weights and a yoga ball at home is SO great for getting in just a quick 10 minutes (you’re right, better than nothing!)
I go for walks at lunch. At the very least 😉
Great tips!
xxox
Laura @ http://www.cookwineandthinker.com
I hate working out but i love how it makes me feel soooooo I work out anyway. My husband and I decided to play badminton once a week starting in September. We’re also planning on swimming every Sunday night. I think that making exercise a part of our schedule will help us!
thanks for these! Something that helps me is having TV workouts haha. they trick me into thinking it’ll be fun and allow me to stay watching my shows. 😛
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I have been trying to start working out during my lunch break, but I get so lazy! I love all these tips, and I’m more motivated to get a workout in during my lunch.
Cutting out the sugar is a BIG deal that can save you TONS of calories. I have found that I feel a lot better when I drink a ton of water instead of any other drink. <3 Christine, The Choosy Mommy, http://www.choosykids.blogspot.com
I think that exercise will only get you so far and watching what you eat is really the key to weight loss. I find that if I have healthy, convenient options readily available then I am more willing to eat those instead of reaching for my junk-food standbys. I have to make healthy food as easy to eat as unhealthy food, otherwise I’ll skip right over it.
Sugar is my biggest issue. I LOVE sugar. I am not the type of person that can cut it all out but I’m working on reducing it greatly. I like to eat fresh fruit when I have a sugar craving because it helps a lot. Champagne grapes are much current go-to fruit. They are super sweet so it’s easy to eat them instead of candy!
Hahahah so glad I’m not the only one with a washer that shrinks everything!
I did the Whole30 and it really changed how I look at ingredient lists. I found sugar in almost every single item in our pantry. Now I make a lot of things homemade or buy organic so that we can avoid it as much as possible.
I can totally relate to this! I know I’m too lazy to regularly make it to the gym, so I cancelled my membership and start doing regular workouts at home using YouTube videos! Unfortunately for me, getting lazy with my workings and eating unhealthy food usually go hand in hand.
Like many others, I can certainly relate to everything you have mentioned. Eating right and squeezing in little bit of exercise, even some light walk every evening works wonder. Oh, I LOVE Netflix and Sugar lol!
hahaha, loved this post, and I definitely cracked up at the title (and with #5–we all need one of those! 😛 )!
These are all great tips! I find that when I wear workout clothes {which, let’s me honest, is all the time} I am more motivated to work out! Thanks for sharing!
The title of this post totally sums up my life. That’s me. To a T.
Love your tips though, I really need to be better about them.
Another great post! I definitely need to fix my dryer that recently shrunk my pants. Either that, or follow your advice 🙂
Having somebody to work out with always is so great for accountability! It’s one thing to let myself down but I don’t want to let somebody else down. And YES to the sugar! Just yesterday I discovered that a Sonic slush has 105g of sugar!!! My mind was blown! It really is in everything and things you wouldn’t even think to have sugar in them.
I try to schedule an appointment and make myself keep it. It’s a date with myself and I know I will feel better!
Yep, this title captures how I feel pretty much every day! I totally agree that keeping weights at home makes it so much easier to get in a workout. I also keep a couple of really good DVDs on hand in case I don’t have the mental energy to figure out which exercises I should do.
I totally relate to this title! I love my Netflix, but your suggestions are great! My one other suggestion is doing some workouts while at work! There are subtle leg lifts and other things that you can do at your desk without looking too funny. The more you do at work, the less you have to do in your precious time off.
#1 – SO CLUTCH! This is a really fantastic list!
haha love this <3 made me laugh. What I do is if I want to watch a show I make myself workout WHILE watching. Either watching it while on the treadmill, elliptical or while im doing abs 🙂
I felt like you were speaking directly to me!! Great tips- I love the app Sworkit to workout at home. You can choose your desired time and the type of workout you want or the areas you want to work. There’s no excuse because you can literally set your exercise to 5 minutes- who doesn’t have 5 minutes? And once you start, you’ll be motivated to do more!
Ha–have that annoying friend who loves working out and will keep you accountable. This is so what I need! But too many of my friends would much rather meet up for happy hour.
I think if I cut back on sugar I would lose some weight. I hate to admit it…but I have entirely too much sugar in my diet.
I used to use work out videos but they’re super cheesy and outdated now. My daughter is helping me stay on track now.
Netfilx is one of my downfalls too! I’m also trying to cut out sugar, and you’re right, there’s so much of it in everything!
Like what a friend of mine once said, being healthy is 90% food and 10% exercise. When you watch what you eat or at least learn how to eat healthier, you don’t have to worry much about staying fit even if you can’t exercise on a daily basis.
You had me smiling at “blame the washer.” That too, was my line at some point in time. I have accepted the fact that I am never going to have that body I had when I was a teenager. I just accepted and loved the body I have now.
Oh man, I’m guilty at this! That washer part cracked me up! Oh yeah, blame the washer! lol But seriously, these are great tips. I need to cut back my sugar and I totally need cute workout clothes to keep me motivated!
Yes, the annoying friend trick always works. The best thing for my weight loss has been my diet. I lost 35 pounds without exercising which I’m still shocked about. I was still active but I didn’t specifically exercise to lose weight. it has blown my mind and completely changed my perspective on things. Great tips!
I loved this post! I can completely relate and I laughed out loud a few times because you are totally right! I actually did a few of these things: cute workout clothes, workout buddy. Now, I’m actually psyched about working out because I like the outfits that I have to wear! Also, it doesn’t help that my workout buddy is my husband who when I get into bed and try to fall asleep will be doing push ups on the other side of the bed. The whole guilting yourself into working out thing? Yeah, that’s a huge factor for me. Thanks for sharing! I have one tip about the sugar: I try not to buy any sweets (baked). Instead I make them myself (most are really quick and easy) and I always cut the amount of sugar called for in half. Seriously, you can’t even taste the difference. It’s worth a try!
I totally think new workout gear gets you motivated! I went shopping a while ago and have been more active.
These are wonderful tips, though I know they won’t work for me. Well, it will work, but I just have to double my efforts. I gain weight easily, even if I eat a little and work out daily.
Thanks for posting this! I was in the Netflix couch boat earlier tonight. Instead of going to the gym, I set up my own strength training circuit and felt sooo much better! 15minutes of arms/abs/legs. I did miss a few things such as chest and back but overall not too bad! Staying motivated is so hard!
Cute title! These are all some good tips. I think I might need to up it with some cute workout clothes to help with motivation.
these are great tips! Oh, my. I’m loving the title…lol!
I have found the same thing with eating and exercising. No matter how much I exercise, if I’m not eating well, I won’t lose weight. Changing my diet has helped WAY more than exercise.
I also agree that working out during your lunch hour is a great option for anyone who has a gym at their office! When I’m sitting at a desk all day, it feels great to get up and move for an hour in the middle of the day. I’m way too lazy to get up super early in the morning and I’m too tired after work. The lunch hour is the perfect time!