Are you Skinny/fat or a Strong bi*ch?

I know this Kelly Clarkson song doesn't really apply to my message here, but she has been scrutinized for her weight and she has admitted that she'll never 'be skinny'.  Her body is rockin' and a waif she will never be. This strong gal gets it!  She's beautiful and she looks 'healthy'.  Excuse me, but when did this look fall from grace?  "OMG!  You look so healthy"...these are words I live to hear!

Have you ever had a friend that eats whatever they want and their gym 'routine' consists of passing a facility on the way to work?  No matter what they do, exercise or not, they just don't gain weight.  They're not flabby, they're not struggling and they don't even think about it.  Their only concern is what to eat next!  

These people are FREAKS of nature, plain and simple.  Many of these same people are also paid beacoup cash to be models/dancers/actors, etc.  Sometimes their only talent -- a metabolism that won't quit.  But these are the people who seriously need to watch what they're putting into their bodies.  I know I cannot eat crap because it will adversely affect my weight and health.  However, for these freaks of nature who eat whatever, they may be doing far more damage to their systems because their outsides mask it.  Beware of bad habits!  Watch out for cholesterol levels, raised blood pressure, premature aging (courtesy of fried foods) and chronic diseases related to poor food choices.

For the rest of us mere mortals, we are cursed with a metabolism that slows to a crawl as we age.  There are basically two choices - diet, feel total deprivation and then put it all back on OR have a come to Jesus moment and change the way you handle your lifestyle!  

People who diet, or have done so previously, will all say the same thing....it doesn't work!  They're right.  Dieting is a joke.  But people are so desperate to lose weight they'll try anything.  Astronaut food, bars, points, juice fasting, you name and someone will have tried it and failed.  

Here's a shocking fact: food tastes good and is mandatory.  There is no getting around it.  We need the stuff or we die.  And our bodies need the REAL stuff, not the fake/chemically processed crap on the grocery shelves.  

I'm sorry, but simply eating grass and never enjoying food is just not an option for me.  I read 'Skinny Bitch ' and for four years I gave up meat.  What ended up happening was a major carb overload!  My corner was turned when I finally realized I wanted to be stronger and if I lost the weight, it was a bonus.  Being strong and healthy are my main goals.  Getting into skinny jeans was a thrill, not a priority.  The most amazing things will happen to your body (and your aging metabolism) as you increase muscle mass.  

Quick Fixes

by J. Rentilly July 11, 2012, 09:02 pm EDT
"You can always go under the knife, hack yourself to pieces, or take a bunch of pills. Plenty of Americans do that, but I think it’s a losing bet. Most of us know the best ways to take care of ourselves, but we just lack the discipline, focus, and tenacity to live that way. At this age, you can still turn it all around. You can drop the 20 pounds if you want to. Basically, the choice is this: Do I want an easy exit or a crash landing? At 50, those are your options."

It's not sexy, it's not rocket-science and it's free for all!  This is easy to do at home and you don't even need equipment.  Check out these additional articles from Women's and Men's Health!

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/anywhere-workout

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/gym-exercise-machines?page=0

http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/no-gym-no-excuses-workout

It's totally fine if you're starting a new routine from square one.  Some of these examples are a bit advanced, no problem.  Start out by going for a walk!  Each time you walk, extend your time by 5 minutes.  Maybe pick up the pace a bit.  Getting your cardio going will help start to strengthen you and then you can flirt with some of the exercises or even free weights.

I'd much rather be a strong bi*tch then a skinny one.  I'm much more confidant, I get a major rush of endorphins and it's empowering...plain and simple.

Quit dieting and join the legion of strong peeps who'd rather charge for tickets to the gun show!

How do you get strong?

Picking a path

Morning walk

In life it is inevitable to encounter choices.  The big ones involve picking a school, a partner, a career, a family, etc.

Granted, these are the big questions we face.  Life is a multiple choice test with no right answer.  We just fill our days making small choices that ultimately impact our path.  We plug along deciding what to eat for dinner, who to spend our time with and making choices we hope are right.  Some people believe in the power of prayer, others will seek assurance from trusted friends and family.

All in all, most of us have a drive to be happy and make others happy.  What makes you happy?  Would you feel differently if someone was pointing out your path for you?  Would you rebel?  Would you challenge them?  Or maybe you would feel relieved to not have to make the decision for yourself.

I'm tackling the path to health.  Everyday, I attempt to reform my old maladaptive ways and walk a path that challenges my comfort zone.  The problem with broken paths, is while we are trudging along we think they're 'alright' but later discover we were going about the path all wrong.

I was a vegetarian for four years and while I thought I had embraced a new and healthier way of living, I had slipped away from eating animals and into a diet consisting mainly of fake/processed food and CARBS!  Cheese pizza?  SURE!  French fries? Pass 'em over here!!  I had also consumed numerous frozen entrees chalk full of ingredients I didn't recognize and could not pronounce.  Ultimately, there was more of me to love than I had wanted ;)

Morning walk path

After four years of passing on the meat, I was sitting at my favorite Japanese restaurant and could not keep my chopsticks off of my savvy hubby's hibachi steak.  My body was sending me a message loud and clear...I was on the wrong path.  I reintroduced meat into my diet and now I'm on a much healthier path, for me.

I know vegetarians and vegans who would tell me otherwise, but for now my path involves ingesting animal protein.  I'm still not a huge meat eater and I tend to shy away from red meat as much as possible.  My diet consists less and less of carbs, but I still make sure I balance the carbs with the protein.  Chicken and vegetables, fillet Mignon with vegetables, plain hamburger with vegetables, etc.  No bun, no bread and no fries!

My path is not always a clear one, but my ultimate destination is a healthy body that will keep me out of doctor's office and standing in the upright position for as long as I'm still on this Earth selecting my paths.

My path involves savvy eating and exercising as much as I can.  It's not always easy, but when I think about the previous path I was treading there is no question this one is much brighter and healthier.

Which path are you on?  What is your destination?