I'm not only writing this to remind others, but also to remind myself.
I just found out I have tendinitis from overuse of my biceps during exercise. This extremely painful condition is a wake up call. I need to not overdo it as I always want to put health first.
In a few weeks, I'm having my body fat percentage checked again at the Southern CT State University. I've been working hard, but besides all the working out, I also eat very clean. They say it's essential to eat nutritious food and no junk food if you're trying to get to 10 percent body fat, as I am. The only way I'll get there is an eating plan that promotes muscle growth and keeps my weight in check.
I don't think I've touched upon the typical foods that I eat, so I thought I would blog about it for those that want to know. The foods are primarily from Dr. Fuhrman's list of suggested foods for the Nutritarian plan, but with some additions. Many of these foods I've researched the past few years and have them on a regular basis because of the important nutrients in them.
Sometime in December, 2012, I got to my lowest weight (although I've lost some weight since then) of 212 pounds. The thing that astonishes me is that I've maintained this weight loss for three years now. After all the failed diet attempts, the weightless happened because I gave up on "diets".and changed my lifestyle.
I'm like everyone else who was heavy. I was on so many different diets but none of them ever worked. You can make all the resolutions you want, but when you are on a diet, you have to come off the diet sometime. And once that happens, you will more than likely regain.
I was searching for foods that would promote good health as I wanted to lower my blood pressure without prescription drugs. Dr. Fuhrman's nutritional plan provided foods that I incorporated in my diet everyday.
First, I'd like to get away from the word "diet". I think of a diet as a temporary fix, never a permanent solution to maintain a healthy weight. In order to sustain healthy weight loss, without risk of gaining it all back, you have to have a lifestyle change. For me, that meant giving up overly processed, sugary foods and replacing them with healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
The push-up challenge I'm doing is helping me a lot. Not only have my push-ups improved, but I'm noticing how much stronger my triceps have become. This challenge has been a great opportunity to improve something that I was never able to do for years, the dreaded push-up.
I'm amazed when I think of how far I came since college. I never could do push-ups and I remember people laughing at me that I couldn't do them. I just had no strength in my arms back then.
