My desire of becoming healthier through diet (not starving myself or following fad diets) and exercise can bring undue expectations for results. As I’ve aged I realize I cannot do what I did when I was twenty, at least not right now, but there are things I can do at fifty-something (sigh).
My three week powerhouse workouts that dropped weight and re-shaped things all while not changing a thing with my diet just don’t work anymore — age does seem to have messed with my metabolism. Talk about wanting to turn back time — now I have Cher singing in my head — and with her money I could surgically turn back time too!
Great Expectations
Back to expectations … I’ve started down this healthy road many times over the last few years but got stuck when things didn’t change after putting in a good four to six week effort. I hope that will change for me because of what I read today in the February 2013 issue of Real Simple:
“It takes six months to get into shape and two weeks to get out of shape. Once you know this you can stop being angry about other things in life and only be angry about this.” Rita Rudner, Naked Beneath my Clothes “THE WORKOUT WHISPERER”
Hum, I think someone needs to reevaluate her expectations. Everyday I need to serve myself up a huge portion of consistency and patience! I may need to be reminded of this next week, but I’m hoping this message sticks to become my great expectation that will result in lifelong changes.
What about you? Ever wish you could turn back time and get a do-over?
P.S. I am so glad you stopped by today! I started this blog to document my journey into motorcycling and along the way I met so many other lady riders with inspiring stories to tell I began to share theirs as well.
About the same time I started this blog I joined Twitter (@helmetorheels) and began to meet other female motorcycle riders. These ladies were so inspiring to me because I found other newbies like me to life-long experienced riders who were willing to share encouragement, tips, and their friendship. I was welcomed where I was on my journey. What an incredible community I found online to fuel my desire to ride.
Catch us on Instagram @helmetorheels and Pinterest @helmetorheels – we are just getting started!
12 Responses
Sigh…I didn’t need to know the 6 months vs 2 weeks thing. It is something I knew unconciously, but you’ve just brought it completely to the forefront. Good luck to you. I’m with you and trying to do the same thing. (The M&M’s for breakfast probably wasn’t a good thing.) LOL
I know what you mean! Patience and consistency will be my motto for 2013.
Oh no, ear worm…….
I agree that it sure takes longer to get healthy and in shape. I am healthier than I’ve ever been but not really in shape.
If you are just starting out and cutting out soda and cookies, etc the pounds can drop quickly, but then after you’ve been that way a few years it seems to drop a few more pounds is even harder. And difficult sometimes to think what else we can change with our diets. I know I need to exercise more, sigh.
Good luck with things. Try to be patient. Easier said than done, I know.
Thanks friend!
Thanks for putting that song in my mind. I am working on an installment on this topic as things have worked out quite well for me when changing diet and adding just a little bit of exercise (I am a lazy person).
Turning back time? Nope, I am happy I got that far, and I hope to continue having fun 😉
Great!! I would love to hear what others are doing too!!
For me, I think the ratio is closer to 6 years to get into shape and 2 days to get out of shape…
Richard – I think you called it like it is for many of us!!
Like you, I value health and fitness. Like you, I’m in my fifties. You’re right: our metabolisms do slow down and it’s harder to stay in shape. That said, it’s more important to maintain fitness because there are serious health consequences if we don’t. Hang in there. Do the best you can and let us commiserate with you. 🙂
Thanks friend! On a side note you’ve inspired me to try thrifting – except I was able to do it with a personal shopper (free of charge)! I’ll be posting my glorious haul in the next few days!
I think when we try to get healthy with diet and exercise sometimes we get more wrapped up in where we expect to be. I have learned over the last 24 months since my scooter wipe-out that I have to definitely do things in moderation and I have had to drop my expectations a little in order to make steady gains and strengthening the injured area. I definitely can’t do what I did in my 20’s and I can’t limp through an injury anymore, now I have to actually take the time and put the work into healing it, no more walking it off and ignoring it. There is just no automatic ‘bounce back’ now 🙁 I was started to get concerned because my injured hip & leg was starting to feel weaker when I was riding and that concerns me. So now I have taken up walking and hiking. I am going to find a Tai Chi class and doing that again and I have changed my eating habits. I hear ya about the metabolism slowing down and it sucks!
Princess Scooterpie – we’re in this together! Let’s make 2013 our year of becoming stronger!