NF Fitness Challenge

I've just joined the next Nerd Fitness Challenge, starting tomorrow. For the next 6 weeks I'll try to achieve these goals:

1) Take 2 classes/week at my local gym. Take 1-2 extra classes whenever possible.
2) Cut down on sugar/eat less candy and fast food.
3) Walk 5-10 extra minutes with the dog each day.
4) Be a better homemaker. 
I'm trying to take it easy.

My introductory post on the NF forums is here. 

Is anybody else taking part in this? Add me as a friend on the NF site. :)

Health & Happiness

Health & Happiness

I've changed the blog title to "A Quest For Health & Happiness" (the url remains the same, though) because I feel this blog shouldn't be about physical health and fitness only, but also about mental health and happiness.

As you know, I've been suffering from depression since childhood. This mental disorder is, unfortunately, part of who I am. 

When starting this blog not long ago, all I had in mind was losing weight, changing eating habits, and working out regularly. Since then I've come to realize this won't happen as long as I'm not changing my mindset completely. Getting fitter physically isn't enough, I have to work on my mental health, too.

So let's see how this will work out in the future. 

Favorite Foods Aren't Favorites Anymore

I don't know why, but since I've had the flu I stopped wanting to eat certain foods. I don't even crave some of my favorites anymore. Why is that? Does anybody know?

Suddenly, I keep thinking about pizza all the time. And I seem to always be thirsty. I used to go a whole day without drinking anything, but now I'm suddenly aware of thirst. That has never happened before! Weird. Why has that changed?

Getting Started: Running Gear & Little Helpers

by Sal of “A Quest For Health & Fitness“

Last week, I decided to buy running gear. I have found lots of excuses for not doing it earlier but this time I actually got up and went downtown to get the stuff I wanted.

Since fall in Germany is mostly cold and rainy, it had to be long running pants, long-sleeved shirts, and a hat to keep my ears warm. I own an old pair of running shoes which I never found quite comfortable (I think they might be half a size too big). At first, I thought I’d just keep these for starters but I guess I already knew I was not looking forward to wearing them. Yesterday, I found a brand new pair of Puma running shoes on sale for 30 €. They’re a full size smaller than my old shoes. Hopefully, the size is right this time. I really can’t tell just yet. I’m so used to wearing shoes a size larger than needed that I can’t tell at all.

Right now, I’m waiting for it to stop raining. I want to try out my new running gear and see how I’m doing. How long will I be able to run? A minute? Two?

Before I even started thinking about running months ago, I knew I had to change many, many things about my lifestyle. The first thing I did in late June was downloading the Noomfitness app which I used (and still use) to track the few times I exercise. I walk about 20-30 minutes daily and do push-ups, squats, and jumping jacks every other day week.

I used the Noom app to keep track of what I ate, too, but discovered in the meantime that food-tracking is much simpler using the My Fitness Pal app. Being a lazy person, I find using apps quite helpful.

Are you using any health and fitness apps? Which ones do you recommend?

Unfortunately, I’m not easily motivated. That’s why I read lots of health, fitness, and weight loss blogs for extra motivation (see blogroll in the sidebar).

Are you a health & fitness blogger, too? Leave the link to your blog in the comments. 

Starting Point & Goals

by Sal of "A Quest For Health & Fitness"

A Quest For Health & Fitness is about losing weight, getting fit(ter), and making better, healthier choices. It’s about being happy, about self-respect, and about taking care of oneself.

 ~     ~     ~

My name is Sal, 31 years old and living in Germany. I’m a tax auditor by trade, I also work a couple of hours in my local health & fitness club – I’m the girl doing all the “computer stuff”. I’m not yet overweight but getting close, which is the reason for me wanting to bring about serious change in my life.

In the past 3 years, I’ve gained lots of weight. I ate (and still eat) lots of crap, ceased to exercise regularly, and was put on medication. But I gained weight mostly because of unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise. The meds only cause a little extra food-craving.

Once upon a time, I used to be thin and athletic, my body was flexible and I had great endurance and strength.

In late 2009, I changed jobs and moved to a different city. Suddenly, I didn’t have friends and family around. I turned to chocolate and chips for comfort. I tried to find a fitness club in my new “home” but didn’t want to go on my own – and didn’t go at all. In 2011 I had already gained quite a few kilograms.

In the summer of 2011, I asked to be transferred to a different department and to yet another different city. I moved in with my boyfriend, D., and all seemed to be going well. Until my new job slowly started burning me out. On top of this, a friend of mine committed suicide in September 2011, which I couldn’t handle at all: depression, panic attacks, medication, over-eating, self-destructive behavior… you name it.

Nowadays, taking the stairs to the third floor leaves me breathless and feeling awful. My favorite jeans don’t fit any more and I’ve gone two sizes up. I can’t run for longer than a minute or two. I used to do 30 push-ups daily – now I can hardly do three before collapsing.

I absolutely hate being that way! And that’s why I want to change. I want to eat differently, I want to find the courage to go to a fitness club and actually work out again(and not only help the manager doing the computer stuff). I want to be a runner. I want to be able to do 20+ push-ups. I want! I want! I want!

I want to make better choices. Because, in a nutshell, it’s all about choices.

~     ~     ~

Starting point:

• not yet overweight, but close
• no endurance
• low strength
• bad, bad eating habits (high carb)
• back hurts
• climbing stairs is exhausting
• food allergies are excuse for not eating healthy

Goals:

• lose 7-8 kgs
• be able to run for 30 mintes
• be able to do 20+ push-ups
• eat healthy (low carb)
• reduce sugar intake
• drink more water
• build muscles & gain strength

What are your goals and what’s your starting point?