The Healthy Ginger: Getting My Gym On.

I'd asked for a gym membership  for my birthday this year. As I'm getting further in to my twenties, I'm finding that my metabolism isn't as fast as it used to be, and I'm starting to put on weight at a steadier rate. I'm in no way overweight, but whereas I used to feel active, for the past few years I have just been bone idle. And because I am such a big foodie lover, if I carried on this path, I'd end up a recluse, living with on hundred cats, dogs and small rodents and surrounded by Chocomel cartons and pesto jars. 

I had to make a change.

The whole gym thing started off quite well. I decided to go at weekends. My working schedule means that during the week I don't know what my days will entail from one day to the next and I didn't want to make a promise to myself that I couldn't keep. 

I think I made it to the gym about three times before things went down hill. I lost my interest. I'd find other jobs that needed doing. I'd make plans. Anything to avoid the "g" word. I was working out. But it was at home. When I felt like it. I was hardly benefiting from a healthy lifestyle.

And then one day I woke up and realised what an idiot I was being. I wasn't only letting my parents down, who had bought me my years membership. I was letting me down. Things had to change. 

Part of it was my old trainers. I think I must've had them for about eight years (they were even quite possibly hand-me-downs from MG.) They were velcro, old, and had absolutely no flexibility whatsoever. Which, when one of your feet doesn't have an arch, isn't the best thing. 

Boyfriend very kindly treated me to a new pair of trainers - Reebok Sublite -and I love them. They are bright, bold, have great grip, and above all, are extremely flexible. Just looking at them makes me smile inside. 

But still, the motivation was lacking. Actually getting up at the weekends and going to the gym was a chore. I didn't know what to do. I was in a big fat old rut of unhappiness and deflation....I needed a wingman. 

Boyfriend, being a hero, was there to save the day. 

We are now gym-buddies. We have our own separate goals, but now, I know I have somebody there to kick my butt in to gear if I'm being a couch potato. We have made a joint commitment to go to the gym together at least three times a week. 

And what's more. To make sure I push myself, I have signed up for the Roy Castle Dream Walk, the Race for Life, and Run or Dye this year. There are so many wonderful people out there, bravely battling illness, or working to help find a cure, that the least I can do is get off my arse and do something to support them, their amazing work, and show my appreciation for some amazing causes. 

And, in a few weeks, Boyfriend and I are climbing Snowdon. 

I have no excuse now. I have to start training like a beast. 

I started off slowly, working on lowering my walking time for 2km on the treadmill. I went from walking to 4.1 km/h to 4.6 km/h to 5.1 kn/h. Each time I have been to the gym I have set myself a goal, and pushed to complete it. So far I have knocked 4 minutes off my 2km time. So now it's on to tackling 3km.....I'm not going to lie. I'm scared. 

Boyfriend is always there to keep me motivated. We plan goals together. It's a way for me to let out my competitive side. I go in to competition with my previous PBs. I find its the best way to keep my pumped and make me push myself. And so far it's working really well. Last week I went to the gym four times. Yes, I even surprised myself with that one! 

We have also invested in an immersion blender so that we can make post-gym smoothies. It's a great way to replenish my system after a really sweaty workout, and make sure that I get nutrients, fibre, and all the goodness fruit brings! Plus, smoothies are super-tasty. Bonus.

For anybody wanting to get back in to the gym, I'd say 

Take your time. 

Set attainable goals, 

(and if, like me, you need it,) 

Get yourself a wingman/wingwoman. 

Boyfriend and I may not workout together, but there's something about knowing that he is in the gym that makes me want to work harder and push myself. He's always in my peripheral, so he'd know if I was slacking....I have no place to hide when he's there with me. Which is what I need. 

The Healthy Ginger: A Day in Meals

A Day in Meals. From Left: Morning Coffee. Muesli. Chocolate Treat. Lunch. Water Cup (Paperchase.) BBQ Pasta

Morning

Because I get up quite early to head off to work, I don't usually feel like eating anything until my first shift is over. So instead, to keep me ticking over, and to ensure that I do not get grumpy, I have to have a cup of coffee. I like the Nescafe Vanilla Cappuccino sachets because they go super-frothy when mixed with water, give me a caffeine boost and taste delicious. 

This will be my first and last coffee of the day, so I make sure I sip it slowly. Because I have recently enforced a coffee ration on myself, if I need a pick-me-up during the day, I'll have a green tea (I drink Twinings Earl Grey Green Tea.)  This gives me a little bit of a boost if I need it, but doesn't make me over-caffeinated 

After I've come home from work - and if I haven't had breakfast with my work colleague - I will have a bowl of Dorset Cereals muesli. I add in golden linseeds for added crunch. 

Mid-morning 

If I;m feeling a little bit peckish around midday, and I've been particularly healthy over the course of the week, I will treat myself to a chocolate fix. I know that from experience if I deprive myself of chocolate for too long I will eat loads of it all in one go, and feel completely rubbish afterwards. But a little hot of chocolate every few days is enough to keep me going. 

Lunch 

When it comes to what I eat at lunchtime, it completely depends on the day. If we have leftovers from ea the night before, I will eat those up, but if not, I'll make myself a sandwich or some pasta (unless of course I;m out, in which case I'll pick up lunch wherever I am. I will usually try and incorporate some fruit. At the moment I am obsessed with citrus fruits. 

Lunchtime is usually the point where I make sure I drink lots of water. Sometimes as work in the afternoon, I'm so busy that I forget to keep myself hydrated, so by drinking a few large glasses of water after I've eaten, this keeps me from getting a headache or starting to feel lethargic.

Tea Time

Boyfriend is an absolute superstar and normally takes on the role as Head Chef. Our dinner (or tea as I now say) will usually have lots of veggies (mushrooms & peppers are a must in our house) and some kind of accompanying sauce. We buy meat in bulk so normally defrost what we need beforehand. Boyfriend is really good at coming up with his own creations, so the recipes/meals are either made up on the spot, or ones that have been tried and tested before. 

Sometimes after tea, if I'm feeling tired, or need a bit of a treat, I will have something. I don't deprive myself of anything. I listen to what my body is telling me, and if I'm really craving something, I'll have a little bit of it. Usually it's chocolate, hot chocolate, or some kind of cake. A small portion of yummy, but oh so cheeky dessert is enough to see me through. 

And yes.....at the weekends I do sneak in my glass of red! 

Got any good recipes or healthy diet tips & tricks? Please share them in the comments below!

The Healthy Ginger: Keeping a Food Diary

If you read my 2014 New Year Resolutions post, then you will know that this year I am making a conscious effort to be a healthier person. This means cutting back on the naughty treats, eating a more well-balanced diet, and upping the exercise regime. 

Boyfriend - being as supportive as always - said he would help me in this goal. So, for the first step on this epic journey, he set me the task of keeping a food diary. 

As a record to show what I am eating on a weekly basis, and where I need to improve/change.

Often, during the day, I will subconsciously reach for the snacks. And when there is a LOT of chocolate in the house, this is a very bad thing. Before I went back to work I could attack the stash at regular intervals. But since keeping my food diary, I find myself making a conscious effort to choose the healthier options. There's something about keeping a running record of what I have eaten that makes me want to prove to myself that I can be healthier. 

Looking back at what I have eaten so far is empowering. I have in no way deprived myself of anything. I'm still having my daily chocolatey treats, but I'm doing it now in moderation. And because I'm going to be sharing my weekly diary with Boyfriend, it's giving me a sense of achievement. 




I won't do this every week, but I just wanted to share my first week of Food Diary with you lovely lot. 



13/01/14 - Monday




.Caramel Latte 

.500ml water

.Bowl of nut & seed muesli w. semi-skimmed milk & linseeds

.Coffee w. coffee mate

. 3 Quality Street 

.Peach Yogurt

.3/4 banana

.200ml Chocomel 

.500ml water 

.Chicken breast, chopped tomatoes & pepper w. rice

.1 piece of chocolate cake 




14/01/14 - Tuesday 




.Coffee w. Coffee Mate

.Bowl of nut & seed muesli w. Linseeds & semi-skimmed milk 

.Caramel latte 

.4 Chocolates 

.1 pint water 

.1 banana / 5 table spoons mango & vanilla yogurt 

.Coffee w. Coffee Mate 

.1 pint water

.Mug of Milk 

.2 pints water 

.Minced Meat, Pepper, Onion, Ham, Chopped Tomatoes, Grated Cheese & Pasta

.4 Chocolates

.1 pint water 




15/01/14 - Wednesday 




.Caramel latte 

.Bowl of nut & seed muesli w. Linseeds & semi-skimmed milk 

.Caramel latte 

.4 Chocolates

.Banana & Honey sandwich on white bread 

.5 tbsps mango & vanilla yogurt 

.1 pint water

.1 pint water 

.Coffee w. Coffee Mate

.200ml Chocomel 

.Earl Grey Green Tea 

.Cumberland sausages, potato wedges, peppers, onions, passata, Tabasco, mushrooms 

.1 pint water 

.3 chocolates




16/01/14 - Thursday 




.Caramel latte 

.Bowl of nut & seed muesli w. Linseeds & semi-skimmed milk 

.Caramel latte 

.4 Chocolates

.1 pint water 

.4 tbsps Mango & Vanilla yogurt & 2 tbsps of Mango, Papaya. & Passionfruit yogurt + 2 bananas 

.1 pint water 

. Coffee w. Coffee Mate 

.Hot dog wrapped in bacon with BBQ sauce and cheese w. Chips (Half bun)

.Glass of water 




17/01/14 - Friday 




.Caramel Latte 

.1 piece of toast with lfs. 

.100g mini eggs 

.Bowl of nut & seed muesli w. Linseeds & semi-skimmed milk 

.1 pint of water

.Caramel latte 

.Coffee w. Coffee Mate 

.Breaded chicken, half burger bun, mayonnaise, salad & small chips 

.Mocha 

.Water




18/01/14 - Saturday 




.Caramel latte

.4 chocolates 

.Coffee w. Coffee Mate 

.1 pint of water 

.Banana 

.1 Poppadum, rice, keema naan bread, chicken tikka pieces in mango, almond & cream sauce 

.1 pint of water




18/01/14 - Sunday 




.Coffee w. Coffee Mate

.Vanilla latte x 2 

.Pint of water 

.2 Poached eggs, hollandaise sauce, English muffin, 2 slices of ham, chives & 2 portions of black pudding 



If you are looking to be healthier in 2014, then I highly recommend going on a Food Diary journey too. Even if you are just wanting to change one thing in your lifestyle, like drinking more water, doing more exercise, or cutting down on ice cream....The sense of satisfaction and achievement that you'll gain when you get to the end of each week and see how well you have done will be amazing! 




If you are starting a Food Diary journey too, let me know in the comments.There will always be somebody here to support you in your 2014 Healthy Quest. 




Good Luck!








Psst....Keep an eye out for more Healthy Ginger posts. I'll be sharing meal tips, my new exercise regime, and other pieces of advice