It came late in my life the realization that a fitter body equals to a fitter you. I have to admit that I may have let myself go and started to care less about my appearance because I was still in that safety net of marriage. However, that all change when I separated from my husband and started living for my kids and myself. I started to take more care of myself and noticed that there was much to improve on. Now, this change has become a lifestyle change and has led me to a fitter body and ultimately a fitter me.
So how do you start after years of not being concerned with your body, your health, your wants and needs? All it takes is for you to want it. In all honesty, you just need to have the desire to want to make a change and everything else will follow. You’ll seek to work out, eat healthier and give some time for yourself.
I imagine there are plenty of women who are seeking this change but are either stuck in a rut or don’t even realize that they need to make a change. I was in the second category. I didn’t realize until my world came tumbling down and I was forced to look at myself. Now when I look at myself in the mirror I’m happier with what’s in front of me.
Eat Healthier
Eating healthy is not a trend it’s a must. I know it’s hard not to give into those cravings and sometimes even when you are eating healthy you still will but what’s important is that you become conscious about it and make an extra effort when it comes to food choices. For example, today I gave in to an age old craving of mine. I had a cheeseburger, fries, soda and caramel sundae… It’s been awhile that I’ve eaten like that BUT afterwards (and after all the guilt I felt!) I accepted the choice I made and exercised for a good full hour. I also reminded myself to make better food choices for the rest of the week. Eating healthy doesn’t mean depriving yourself. Have cheat days just make sure it’s not everyday!
Healthy Snacking
If you’re going to snack choose healthy ones! Robinsons Supermarket has a great line of affordable and healthy snacks to choose from. I used to hate the idea of healthy snacking! It always seemed like a deep depravation but it’s not. There are healthy food choices and you can even eat chocolate. You just have to choose a healthy chocolate alternative. Like I said you don’t have to deprive yourself. I used to down a chocolate bar like there’s no tomorrow. Now I have a couple of pieces and save the rest for the next day and so on and so forth. Control does play a huge part but don’t imagine it as you not getting what you want. Think of it as you making the choice to have what you want.
Drink Plenty of Water
I was so bad at drinking water. There were days that I hardly had but a sip and my arrogance came at a very expensive and painful cost. I eventually had to have my gallbladder removed. Water is one of the most important things that we ingest daily. We should make it a habit to drink water everyday and at least 8 full glasses a day. Today, I always have a glass of water with me. Since I’ve been working out I’ve doubled my intake because my work outs can be a killer! I hungrily reach for even just a sip to get me to the next workout sequence.
Have a Goal
It’s totally up to you as to what kind of goal you want for yourself. When I started out my goal was very vague, it was to just lose weight. As time goes by however and you see your progress you start to refine that goal and reach for a certain standard. Mine was to drop down pants sizes and I successfully went from a size 40 waist to a 32. Even I can’t believe it. Now that I’ve lost the weight I’m focused on toning. Always try to present yourself with a goal but don’t be too hard on yourself if you seem to take time getting there. What’s important is that you’ve started your journey. Just make sure to continuously work on it.
These are just some examples of my weight loss. I don’t focus on numbers on a scale rather how I feel and what I think about myself. I’m very happy with my progress. I feel healthier and stronger than I did 10 years ago.
My daily workouts have helped me lose the weight and be stronger both physically and mentally.
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This post is just so inspiring! Losing weight is such a struggle for many moms and seeing you completing the journey makes me motivated on keeping myself healthy too! hanks so much for this, mommy Louisa! <3 I need the tips so bad! Hihi.
How inspiring Mommy Louisa. 🙂 I started living and eating healthy last year of June when I had a series of high blood pressure due to very high cholesterol, I can say doing it is really not hard just need a lot of self-discipline. Pero nag-christmas season, Oh MY! sarap kumain haha. So now once again umulit hehe now back to that healthy lifestyle. If you can be consistent I bet I can too. 🙂
Yes, you sure can! 🙂
Healthy snacking is a must! I feel like this is the downfall of a lot of people.
Bilib ako sa dedication mo to exercise, sana ganun din ako!
Eating healthy really helps, based on experience. I hardly drink soda/cola these days, and stay away from junk food as much as I can. My tummy looks less bloated and feels lighter than before. Still a far cry from my 20-year-old figure, though. Haha!
Soda is a total body killer! I try and avoid as much as possible but what helped was to really moderate what I eat and lessen the rice to 2x a week and half a cup to a cup only. Working out every day also helps big time!
Love your progress, Louisa. Keep it up, you are inspiring a lot of moms in your journey to fitter, healthier lifestyle. 🙂
Thanks for the support Joy! <3
looking good Louisa. Ang payat mo na!
Thanks! Same to you! 🙂
Oh I can definitely relate to the letting yourself go part. As soon as I’ve weaned my baby from breastfeeding, I’m going to try and be more strict with my diet and start exercising too. It’s now or never coz I’m getting older!
The change is really good on you, Mommy! 🙂 I’m slacking when it comes to healthy eating and exercise. I hope I can get back to it before it’s too late.
After our meeting, I start getting conscious on what I ate 🙂 Love how you are getting fitter, healthier, and Fab every single day!
But next time we meet I’ll eat first. JK. Miss You!
Miss you sis!
I am proud to share that I am getting used to eating healthy snacks and got an appetite for veggies and fish. Although once in a while, I crave for something crunchy and sweet. I never gone beyond 50kilos so losing weight wasn’t an issue for me. I agree that having a target or a goal can be a great motivation.
That’s great to hear! You shouldn’t deprive yourself at all. I don’t, I just make sure everything in moderation and exercise to help it along!
LODI! Galing, truly an inspiration to many many moms who are into fitness! 🙂
Thanks Joy! Isa ka na dun sa inspiration ko! Parang di ka nanganak 🙂
Wow! I wish I had the same discipline as you… 🙂 I need to lose weight myself!
Your post is applicable to all the parents, whether they are separated or not. Don’t link your life to your kids or husbands/ spouses etc. I mean, beyond a point, every person should have an independent identity. You look great in all those pics. Who is that handsome young man in that bottom pic?
That’s my eldest. 🙂
You look fit and fab! I wish I can be like you when it comes to exercising. We do eat healthily at home though but I don’t think that’s enough.
Ang galing mo mommy… Thanks for this po… madalas di ko na naiisip sarili ko… Basta lang everyday… Now narealize ko na tama ka.. Dapat healthy rin tayo inside and out para sa self natin at para sa family natin….
Yes mommy, the healthier we are in body, mind and heart the more we can do for our family.
Sana ganun dn ako,kaso dko talaga mapigilan