After far too long indulging in being a certified couch potato, this year I decided to get myself moving. I’ve had highs, and lows, moments of truimph and hit the dreaded plateau.
Now I’m a legitimate warrior, but not the kind you may be thinking.
What did I do?
I think it’s important to talk a little about the pressures of life. I work. A lot. I work a full time job here at Allure media, as well as host three television shows. I also tour the country speaking at events, am Mum to a teenager who communicates mostly in grunts, and I need to remember to clean my turtle’s tank and water my plants on occasion, too. Sometimes I even get to spend time with my husband.
The result of this busy lifestyle means, despite my best efforts (planning to get up an hour early to run, planning to workout in my lunch break, planning to workout between job one and job two), weekday workouts just aren’t working for me.
I think I’ve found a solution, though – I became a legit weekend warrior.
Hiking
I can’t begin to express how good hiking is. Getting away from the city with good friends, in the country – mountains or sea – is so, so good for me on every level. Physically I can handle bigger hikes now. Emotionally I find it so much easier to deal with a stressful work week if I’ve hiked on the weekend. And spiritually I’m the equivalent of a white woman who just “discovered” meditation and sage. Namaste.
You can totally start small, and work your way up. It’s what I did, and now I’m itching to plan a multi-day hike. Or climb a proper mountain. I use the WildWalks app to find great hikes wherever I am.
Running
Behold, a story of a woman who has a difficult relationship with running.
I haven’t been able to work out a way to incorporate my beloved Yoga or Weights sessions as much as I’d like, but for now I’ve decided not to beat myself up over it.
I’m getting fitter, stronger, happier and more content. And that’s by just cramming as much activity into my weekends as I can, and eating well during the week.
Speaking of which…
What did I eat?
So as you know, I have personalised “macros” – hitting protein, healthy fats and complex carbs goals which I log in MyFitnessPal. Food like this:
- Fats
- Avocado
- Nuts
- Coconut oil
- Cheese (yes!)
- Flaxseed Oil
- Dark Chocolate
- Protein
- Lean red meat
- Lean poultry
- Fish
- Eggs
- Milk & Cheese
- Carbs
- Rice
- Bread
- Potatoes
- Veggies
- Fruit
- Oats
I’ve been pretty good at sticking to this list, but this month I made one major change – I started drinking protein shakes.
I was finding myself getting super hungry between job one and job two – and not having time for a sit-down dinner until 10pm just wasn’t working for me. Instead of stuffing my face with whatever I could find, 500ml of protein shake keeps me full for hours, and ensures I have enough nutrients in my system.
So…do you have any results?
Um, yep.
I’ve lost a total of 9kg now since I started this journey. I’ve lost 14cm off my waist. I’m “healthy” now. I feel good. I don’t feel like my body is breaking down.
I feel capable. It’s actually quite an emotional experience.
What’s next?
Let’s take a look at “The Plan”
- Strength (Start lifting after a hike when the endorphins are racing)
- Flexibility (Just find the time, Rae)
- Endurance (Go on a multi-day hike!)
- Eating food that fuels me (I’ve got this mastered now, it’s great)
- Killing a man with my bare hands AKA badassery (I’m feeling pretty badass, but if I find the time to add a kickboxing class – that may just be my thing)
I’m honestly feeling really, really good right now. Even though I’m not doing what I “planned”, I’m doing what works for me and my current lifestyle. And I think that’s probably the key.
You can follow along, and join in, with #couchpotatotowonderwoman on Instagram – and feel free to join in with the people that are motivating me!
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/12/couch-potato-to-wonder-woman/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/12/DSC9133-410×231.jpg” title=”Couch Potato To Wonder Woman”]
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/02/couch-potato-to-wonder-woman-month-one/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/02/10339272_729655063742681_2462987775689307489_o-1-410×231.jpg” title=”Couch Potato To Wonder Woman: Month One”]
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/03/couch-potato-to-wonder-woman-month-two/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/03/June_-RaeJohnston30-410×231.jpg” title=”Couch Potato To Wonder Woman: Month Two”]
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/04/couch-potato-to-wonder-woman-month-three/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/04/Rae-Wonder-Woman-Cropped-2-410×231.jpg” title=”Couch Potato To Wonder Woman: Month Three”]
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/05/couch-potato-to-wonder-woman-month-four/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/05/couch-potato-month-four-410×231.jpg” title=”Couch Potato To Wonder Woman: Month Four” excerpt=”I’ve learned more about myself this year than in any other. I’ve gone from being a couch potato, to a self-starter, to a fully fledged-fitness noob, complete with a month of “failures”.
Now I’m in month four of Couch Potato to Wonder Woman, I’m finding some balance.”]
[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2017/07/couch-potato-to-wonder-woman-months-five-and-six/” thumb=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/07/cropped-rae-couch-potato-410×231.jpg” title=”Couch Potato To Wonder Woman: Months Five And Six” excerpt=”At the beginning of this year I decided to stop being a couch potato. I got got myself moving, began to love my new lifestyle, hit rock bottom and rose back up again.
It’s been a while since my last update, and for a very common reason – I’ve hit the dreaded “plateau”.”]
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