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Feeling good in your clothes!

Lady T

Member

What do you do to feel good in your own skin & confident in your clothes?
(more physical activities)

I've been doing basic floor pilates, yoga and various stretches. I jog 1-2 a week.

Side note: I write a blog documenting/exploring my journey as I change my behavior regarding my compulsive shopping. It seems I've used shopping as a coping mechanism over the years and I'm exploring how and why and hopefully in turn will stop the behavior as I get to the source.
http://breakingthecontract.com

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16 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think exercising in place of shopping is a great habit switch! I also run a few times a week and do planks and squats and stuff most nights before bed. I used to do more yoga but have been out of practice for a while.

Vildy

Veteran

Confidence can come from feeling fit and healthy but it's an attitude and an attitude can be pinned to whatever you fancy. Where confidence tends to show is in posture/bearing and people can confuse that with athletic prowess of any sort but it needn't have any connection.

Lady T

Member

@ Mo- Yes, a much healthier habit...but everything in moderation Shopping isn't a bad thing but it's the amount that I'd done it over the years that is no good.
I'm curious, why do you exercise before bed?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

It's when I find I can make myself accountable . . . I can find a zillion other things to do instead throughout the day, but once it's time to turn in, I have but that last thing on the agenda. Kinda like brushing one's teeth and washing your face - it becomes a habit through routine.
And, yes, I would never exercise 4 hours a day much as I would not shop every day either. Moderation, indeed!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Lady T, I started running early last year (for the first time in my life, except for those horrible middle school years when I was forced to take phys ed instead of dance). I started at the age of 45, and trust me when I say that anyone who knows me well was completely baffled and surprised that I decided to try it.

My motivation was a personal challenge -- to run the majority of 13.1 miles in a half marathon, as I raised funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society with Team In Training. I started training in February for a race in June, and when I started, I could run for 1-2 minutes, walk for a minute or two, and then run again. Since then I've run another half, as well as a couple of 10Ks, 5Ks, and metric half (8 miles). At my peak when I'm training, I can now run about 5-6 miles without walking (other than a couple of water stops). I'm not fast (I'm happy with an 11-min mile these days), but I do have endurance.

In the summer, when it's hot and humid here, I switch over to swimming more than running. I'm not a hot weather person -- I get overheated easily -- and having a pool in our backyard makes this easy.

I've also taken yoga classes on and off for over 15 years, but I must say that running has had more of an impact on my sense of bodily well-being than anything else in my life. I lost about 15 lbs and 1-2 dress sizes, but more importantly, I toned up and my blood pressure is great, whereas before it was a bit more borderline. Having lost both parents to heart disease, this is really important to me.

I'll probably never be model-thin, but I'm much more comfortable in my skin than I was in my pre-running days.

Lady T

Member

@ Vildy- I completely agree. As an Ayurvedic practitioner, I wholeheartedly believe the body and mind are one. I'm simply curious as to what most women do physically to feel good or in attempt to join the body and mind. Confidence- happiness- it all must come from within, deeper than muscle, but muscle is required to stand tall too, no?
I believe physical activity, whether it be a daily walk or yoga or dance, all contribute to the psychological well-being.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Mo, that's so funny. I'm just the opposite. If I don't get my exercise in in the early part of the day, I'll find a million things I have to do, and the workout doesn't happen! I love running in the morning -- I know that whatever else I do or don't accomplish during the day, at least I ran!

Lady T

Member

@Janet- Good for you!! 11 mins a mile is pretty fantastic!
Why do you think running has more of an impact on your bodily well-being than something like yoga?
Do you run with music?

And being model thin, especially when you aren't built to be, wouldn't be much fun as that wouldn't leave much room for those running muscles

Lady T

Member

@Mo- That makes sense and makes for a routine that 'll stick and you'll continue with. I sometimes enjoy a run at night but I tend to exercise before my morning shower.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Yes, sweaty cardio I do earlier in the day before showering as well. It's the strength training I tend to slack on, so this has been my way of at least 'getting in a little bit' most nights instead of thinking in terms of a whole body workout that I inevitably put off.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Lady T, I'm pretty surprised myself at how I've connected with running. I never expected it. I think maybe it has had such an impact on me because it challenged so many assumptions I had about my body and what it was capable of. Yoga, swimming, hiking, biking...somehow all those things I'd done before felt very much in my comfort zone. Running was not something I thought I could do, so being able to do it makes me feel stronger and more empowered than I expected.

I don't run with music, which also comes as a surprise to many people, since I am a big music person (I DJ for a radio station from time to time). I love running outdoors (hate the treadmill!) so I like hearing the environmental noises -- birds, insects, etc. Or even city noises since I like running in the city too!

Anonymous

I'm a fan of walking and not sitting for long periods of time. I also go up and down the stairs umpteen times a day, which has been great for my legs. My sciatica pain flares up big time if I sit too much, so that's another reason to stay active. Also, I hate shapewear or anything that constricts, and look for clothing that drapes well on my body and flatters my figure. Lastly, I watch what I eat. I don't count calories, but I do make sure to eat healthy and not stuff myself.

Sharon

Veteran

I lift weights twice a week and row (machine) 5km twice a week. I find it has an enormous effect on my mood, and if I'm feeling particularly grumpy I will sneak in an extra cardio session.

Janet, I am really interested to hear your experiences with running. I would love to be able to run and, more importantly to enjoy it. Every time I start I hate it. Did you push through an initial aversion or did you enjoy it from the start?

Irene

Veteran

Janet, your story is inspiring to me. I have ALWAYS been really bad at sports and my level of endurance while running is... low. Is it really possible to improve that to minimum standard?

Aziraphale

Veteran

I run and hike. Lately, there's been a lot more hiking than running, because last summer I had a spot of trouble with sciatica, so I'm trying to ease up on the repetitive stress. Hiking involves less pounding on my joints and spine. So far, so good. I hike hard, up a steep trail, for about 35 minutes, then go back down again. The whole thing takes a little over an hour. I do this maybe three times a week. I don't do any planks, crunches, or strength training of any kind, although I know I should.

rachylou

Veteran

Well, for physical exertion and engagement, I have my hobby job as a baker and I take the dog out a lot.

The baking is seriously engaging physically and mentally; it's one of those activities where there's *a zone* to get into. Leaves you with a runner's high, if you will.

The dog - Well, first let me say, a dog can really help you stay out of the stores since you can't go in the first place. Truth. Second, ton of exercise. Too much even (for me, not her). We walk, hike, and occasionally bike. But the other thing is, she is a hoot when she is proud of herself. She models satisfaction well, and it's contagious. We are doing intermediate obedience for the fourth time (we've graduated advanced), just because she loves doing what she can do.