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Healthy Habits: April

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

A delayed spring for some of us, and summer-like weather for others. How was your April?

Most of my physical activity was confined to the gym, partly because of weather, and partly because I typically work out late at night. Doing cardio has become a pretty ingrained habit and has largely replaced weights—not ideal, but any activity is better than none. I’ve been squatting once a week for maintenance purposes, but have added in an extra session the past two weeks.

Tomorrow I’m supposed to check out a yoga class taught by someone whom I heard interviewed on a podcast. It’s on the other side of the city, but I think she might be a good fit for what I’m seeking.

How was your April?

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19 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

Anonymous

Curious why you've cut back on the weight training.

My April was fairly consistent, and the weather was dry enough to start long outdoor power walks a few times. I started doing step classes again - talk about retro ! - and am really liking it. After the first one, I realized how much my agility had decreased over the years by sticking to a regimen of weights and spinning. I am really motivated to regain that fluidity and agility .

Style Fan

Veteran

I kept to my Yoga practice in April. Walking was more difficult because of the icy streets. I used my Nordic poles but still, I had to go very slowly.
Now that it is nice out I plan to do more walking. I am looking forward to that.

Anonymous

Do tai chi ( and chi gong) every am. Occasionally throw in some yoga but I am a big walker even when weather is bad we hit the mall before hours.
( wallet is safer that way- lol).
April was chilly but as long as you dress for it it’s all good.
Looking forward to getting bike out on our rails to trails.
My goal is to stop mindless snacking.

Jane

Veteran

I’ve had a good month as for the first time I’ve joined Weightwatchers and it has been a super experience. Lots of support, a great app.

I go to the class on a Saturday morning with my dear mum (which is lovely in itself) and since late March, I’ve worked hard and lost 7lbs. I’m so pleased that I’ve found something that works and I can stick to.

I’d like to loose another 7lb and then I will be back to my optimum weight.

Exercise wise, I do a lot of walking every day. Once I’ve lost the weight, I will start training again. I find it hard to combine increasing fitness levels and weight loss, so walking lots needs to be sufficient for now.

Anonymous

First time back to the gym last Thursday after my rib injury. Today was my third session. Slowly rehabbing...no bending, limited twisting, and gentle stretches, lunges, chest presses, hammercurls, plus a few other things using lighter weights. Sessions have only been an hour long instead of the usual 2 to 2-1/2 hrs.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Really good. Hot yoga vinyasa classes in 96 to 102 degrees - 3/4 times a week. I LOVE the heat. Walk Sam each day, and shop with clients.

I don't do any weight training because gym is not my thing. The type of yoga I do is very weight baring and much healthier for my body so that side is sorted. I love that I stay flexible, fit, fluid, agile and centered because of yoga. Gives me energy, calms my nerves, and prevents the aches and pains. It's magical and I cannot live without it. I feel blessed that I found my thing.

anne

Veteran

Getting back into things after 2 weeks with a cold in each week after Easter when I cut down on exercise. Feeling the time off in rather sluggish running, but managed 3 runs in the last week, and a couple of gym visits.

Decided I had to face the bad eating habits I've been indulging in. I put back weight I'd lost doing whole30 (only 2kg). I'm good at following strict rules, less good at being moderate all the time. Am trying a more moderate approach with just changing a few habits at a time.

Helen11

Veteran

Oh, so glad to see this thread! I've only been popping in and out on the main forum, but would love some support and accountability for getting some healthy habits back on track.
It's great to read what everyone else is doing.
For me - only a couple of runs in April. Eating rubbish. And have signed up for a 5km run at the end of May. I had great plans to work towards a goal time of 30mins, not sure if that's achievable for me now with so much time off.

Sisi

Veteran

No yoga (the only activity I do) during all March and April because I sprained an ankle. Now it is finally better and I want to go back to my yoga hall in the next days. I am so bored of doing nothing that I even find pleasant the exercises I have to do to strengthen my ankle!

chouette22

Veteran

My husband and I switched our diet on April 1st to the Plant Paradox Diet, cutting out all lectins (because of Arthritis in my right hand). It is going very well and I am really happy to have made the switch, even though I don't feel any pain relief yet. Right now we are renouncing dairy (except for a tiny amount of feta in our salads), gluten, sugar, meat (but we do eat wild-caught fish), all processed foods, 95% of fruit and all nightshade vegetables. It might look like there is not much left on the list, but we eat very well (a ton of vegetables, quite obviously). We ate healthy before as well and have always cooked a lot, but I have wanted to change a few things and it was sort of overwhelming trying to figure out where to start. Adhering strictly, for the time being, to this new diet made the change much easier. I work out every day (cardio and some weights).

Runcarla

Veteran

A gentle month - yoga and cardio (run, cycle-fit) and when not in the gym, long, long walks with DH. Got my bike out (finally) and rides with the cycling club I joined start this month (May). I have a swim date with a buddy for tomorrow. Need to get back to weight training though.

Sal

Veteran

A mixed bag for me

-I entered a 10km race in the weekend and ran 8.5km of it which was more than I expected. I walked up the last 1km hill and took too short breathing breaks. But I realised I am slow and a bit heavy.

- Gym work has been consistent but I have not been doing the running training to allow me to run the 10km. I am not naturally a good runner so need to be better prepared. I cannot make exercise a stress in my life I need to make it a pleasure.

- I am changing gyms this week to one that offers yoga, swimming and some classes and more flexibility. Time to change the three mornings a week routine.

- I rarely talk about weight and don't hop on the scales. I am nervous they will make me do this at the new gym but maybe I need to be more accountable. I am a person that does not like to obsess about eating or weight as for me it is counterproductive often. I love having a glass of wine or nibbles with friends and I love sharing meals with my slim children and husband.....The downside of this is that I can be ill disciplined and sometimes eat without thinking. I am not quite sure how to get a balance. I am fit and strong, but I do genuinely believe I would feel better if I lost a little weight.

- So to make myself accountable I will not be drinking alcohol or eating added sugar for the rest of May. I will eat fruit and lactose (greek yoghurt for example) - but not cakes, biscuits, desserts, chocolate, or dried fruit. And I will not compensate for this by eating extra cheese, nuts or crisps. I will be honest with the forum if I slip up. End of this challenge is 2nd June (my birthday and off to a wedding).

Anyone want to join me on this challenge?

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

@Sal— I’m not a natural runner, but find it easier when I slow down my pace and do run/walk. Run walk doesn’t offer the same high, but it helps reduce injury if you incorporate walking breaks (which can be as short as 15 sec) from the beginning. As for weight, if it’s something that’ll cause you more stress, then ask not to be weighed or be weighed with your back turned. Accountability can also come in the form of food journaling, which is apparently the most effective intervention for weight loss. There’s also an app called YouFood where you submit photographs of what you eat, instead of having to write things down.

Runcarla

Veteran

Sal, I have a sweet tooth AND I enjoy wine. I don't like to deprive myself so I make a decision to have either wine OR dessert, but not both.

Since DH and I retired we have been doing a lot of walking when we might normally take the car. Fridays we do our 'liquor run'. We walk to our local LCBO (20 minutes) and select 2 bottles of wine for the weekend. They get wrapped up in a towel, packed in a backpack (which I carry since DH carries the library books on Thursdays!) and then we take a circuitous route home that adds another hour and a half to our walk!

We have both lost weight since April 1 - likely due to increased activity and reduced stress.

Sal

Veteran

Gradfashionista - a food diary is a good idea!! And I might ask to be weighed with my back turned - I am into waist measurement though.

Carla - thanks, I did used to do a lot more incidental walking - walking school bus for example. As life has got busier and the boys bike/walk to school on their own it has dropped. And I agree stress can make some of us cling on to weight!! I like your liquor run idea!!

I am going to try and reset my boundaries - treats have increased in size and quantity. While I change my gym and before the worst of winter sets in seems a good time to do this.

unfrumped

Veteran

I started a modest health and fitness journey in March— may describe some of that is a separate post. April went pretty well. Had started adding short but deliberate activity breaks throughout the workday, using Fitbit to help, and cutting back food portions and logging that on most days. In addition to the benefits of spring and DST for working out in yard. Have felt better and slightly reduced some squidgy parts.

Sal

Veteran

My update:

No glasses of wine or alcohol.
No sweets or chocolate or added sugars (jam, honey, syrup etc) I did have a date scone one day and I know some sauces and dressings have small amounts of sugar (I am not worrying about them). I also had some no refined sugar apple crumble.

I turned down chips/crisps twice but did have a small amount on Saturday evening...

Two gym sessions last week, one walk and one run. One less than my ideal.

What this makes me realise is how many opportunities there are to "treat" yourself - it is a bit mad really.

Runcarla

Veteran

Hang in there Sal! You are very brave.

I've been in the garden 4-5 hours each day for the past week and the one day I wasn't, I went out for a ride with the bicycle group I joined. By the time I got home I had covered 70K! I feel like someone has beat me up with a baseball bat! In the garden again today (we have extensive gardens.). I was ever so grateful that DH took over dinner making duties so I could take an Epsom salt soak in the tub! (DH did a bar-b-que surf and turf for Mother's Day!).

Sal

Veteran

Sounds busy and productive Carla - gardening can be such a good workout.

I don't feel brave - I am realising that bad food habits really had crept in to my diet and how prevalent fast unhealthy options are. I am not a puritanical personality - much more of a moderation person. But I am resetting the moderate !!