You’re going to find that as you are succeeding on this weight loss journey, that people will often ask you the annoying question.
“When are you going to stop?”
My response to this is always “NEVER!” Now imagine that I have a scrunched up determined look on my face, with my fist in the air, because that’s how I imagine it. I’m sure you’re thinking a few things, “So you’re going to workout and diet until you wither away?” or “So you’re going to work out and diet until you look like an odd version of the she hulk?” NO. No, I’m not planning on that at all. However, I’m not going to stop because this isn’t a phase or even a diet for me. You see, to me, a diet is something that you do for a certain amount of time to get quick results. I don’t even bother with diets because they aren’t created to be done for a lifetime. So, you stop your diet and eat how you are use to and you gain the weight back. Frustrated, you think that losing weight is something that only the disciplined and determined are able to do and stick to. WRONG! You keep getting on the same tracks and just continue circling. Listen to your body it knows, what is best.
I don’t avoid certain foods unless they upset my stomach or I know they are going to make me bloated. Please don’t take this as a eat how you want, because that is not what I’m saying. Moderation is my tool, and I keep it on me at all times. If you hold a caramel brownie in front of my face and tell me I can’t have it, one of two things will happen. I will either laugh at you, and tell you “All things in moderation,” or I will rip the brownie out of your hand to prove to you that I can. I have a sweet tooth and sadly, it isn’t just one that I can pull out so that it will stop bothering me.
Are you seeing what I mean? I can’t stop, and I won’t stop. (Please no singing Miley Cyrus songs right now). This is a lifestyle. Why is that important? Well, when you continue to tell yourself “this is a permanent thing” you learn how to do little things better. For example, because I know this is a permanent thing, I force myself to learn which foods are best when. How to get more food for less calories, and what foods have certain nutrients that I may be lacking. You also get a sense of what your body likes and dislikes, which is important. For so long I was drinking milk three times a day, I wanted my calcium to build my bones, but milk (even skim) hurts my stomach. I’m not lactose intolerant, milk just makes me queasy, but I learned that Greek yogurt doesn’t bother me. Listen to your body.
Now onto exercise, no I’m not going to stop it either. If I were to stop, I’d lose so much of the muscle I have gained and we all know that muscle burns more meaning you get a few extra calories to eat. Who doesn’t want that? I love exercise, there are so many benefits to it. My main reason for getting to the gym everyday, stress. I’m a huge stressor and the gym gets that out. We all know how bad stress is for your body too.
I recently found out that we are expecting. I have actually been getting this question even more now. “When are you going to stop?” Again my reply is “NEVER!” I may or may not imply that I’ll be exercising until it’s time to push. For me exercise has taken a new meaning. You see with out going into too much detail it makes this awful morning sickness bearable. Yes, I still feel horrible and I want this part to pass quickly, but if I weren’t exercising, I fear it would be so much worse.
My first pregnancy I had no sickness and ate what I wanted. Gained 60 pounds, labored for 13 hours, 2 epidurals that failed and one nurse with a bruised nose.
My second pregnancy I was so sick I lost 30 pounds, I had to eat vegetarian, I exercised lightly, labored 6 hours, with no epidural and 3 very happy and proud nurses.
Huge difference right? I’ve learned that continuing an exercise program through pregnancy makes for an easier delivery. To me that is totally worth it. Who wants to labor for hours and not be able to walk for days after? Ugh, the thought! So, to answer everyone’s question, yes I plan on continuing my current program and modifying as I get bigger. I hope to be an example for women around me to know that unless your doctor says otherwise, when you are pregnant, you are not handicapped. So suck it up buttercup and get your butt to the gym, or park, or in front of the TV doing yoga booty ballet or whatever gets you going. To my boot camp pals, Don’t let the pregnant lady show you up 
Much love to ya!
