Maximum Relaxation Weighing In

Lindsay Eichelman
Project & Promotions Manager

I just got back from the most wonderfully relaxing vacation I’ve had in a long time, full of lots of quality time with family. It was a much-needed getaway and time to simply unwind and just be.

The mindset I normally take while on vacation is similar to my cheat day mindset: when I’m on vacation I can do whatever I want. (Wrong crazy girl!) Well this time, I attempted to approach it differently. I didn’t want to be so strict with my diet and exercise that I didn’t get to enjoy my grandma’s home cooking or feel a lot of stress to fit in a workout, but I also didn’t want to lose my mind. Instead I attempted to just not worry about it so much —— all while trying to maintain and make healthy choices.

Turns out I lost three pounds while I was away! Can you believe that?

My main objectives were:
> Start my day with a healthy breakfast
> Try to stay away from the mindless afternoon snacking
> Enjoy dinner but in reasonable portions
> Not get so sucked into my relaxation that I forgot to get moving

Mainly, I just didn’t stress about the whole healthy living thing. It was a nice balance between being really disciplined and the whole losing my mind scenario.

I did not have to deprive myself and still got to enjoy my Oma’s homemade German potato salad and other home cooked favorites. Also, the exercise I did was not drudgery. I enjoyed walks on the beach, searching for seashells, giant trike riding and long walks with family.

Though I’m back to my more rigorous discipline, I think I’m going to attempt to add into my routine a more relaxed attitude. After all, this is about a healthy lifestyle, and being stressed out by my eating and exercising choices all the time probably isn’t helping in my journey. So while it might not be the all out maximum relaxation of vacation a bit of that attitude here and there could do us all good

Spring BreakWeighing In

Lindsay Eichelman
Project & Promotions Manager

I’m on vacation soaking up some sun and quality time with family in Florida! It’s my grown up spring break but I don’t plan to take a break from the healthy living. I see giant trike rides and lots of walking and swimming in store for my trip. I hope your week is full of sunshine of all kinds!

Enjoy!

Cheat days lead to March MadnessWeighing In

Lindsay Eichelman
Project & Promotions Manager

Cheat days are BAD. Period. I used to be of the mindset that we all need days where we are allowed to cheat on the healthy eating, healthy living stuff. Truth is, it never goes well. Normal people would look at these days as days where they shouldn’t be quite as strict or worry too much about what they are eating. I, on the other hand, apparently am not a normal person. I decide that it’s a good idea to COMPLETELY LOSE MY MIND.

True story: I decided I was going to give alcohol up for Lent this year. I did however, up front, build in one cheat day to my Lenten journey because I’m a sucker for March Madness. I mean who doesn’t like to enjoy a cold beer in conjunction with some serious basketball? All of the fun events surrounding the Big Ten tournament and Selection Sunday paired with the fact that I had friends coming to town made Saturday my perfect cheat day.

That would’ve been the case had I any self-control whatsoever. Instead, I used my “cheat day” as a day where I consumed every bad thing I could get my hands on. I seriously didn’t just fall of the wagon; I got caught under it’s wheels over and over again.

So now here I sit on Monday morning suffering from March Madness alright — and not the kind I enjoy. I’m beating myself up for behaving so poorly this weekend. And I’ve decided that I’m done with this idea of cheat days. It never works out for me how I plan it to.

I think the bottom line is that while I try to change my mindset, I still treat this as a diet when really it needs to be lifestyle change. This is something I will continue to work on.

In the meantime, please enjoy March Madness! Soak up some serious basketball — and maybe even a frosty beverage or two. But don’t declare a cheat day. Simply pair that enjoyment with a smaller meal or an extra workout.

Doing Good All AroundWeighing In

Lindsay Eichelman
Project & Promotions Manager

As we prepare for spring, I’m reminded that not only are we entering a new season on the calendar year but also a different type of season: a season of giving. Spring’s arrival means the arrival of many walks and runs that serve as major fundraisers for some of the great non-profit organizations here in central Indiana.

I can’t think of a better way to spend part of a weekend day than to participate in one of these events. The benefits are limitless: spending time with family and friends, getting outside to enjoy the beautiful spring weather, doing something different to spice up your exercise routine — all while raising money for very worthy organizations.

I know many people who like to walk, run or bike the city’s finest walking/biking trails. It’s one of my favorite things to do when the weather makes a turn for the better. Why not keep up that great exercise with a change of scenery by participating in one of these events? You not only do good for your body but also the community.

An organization near and dear to my heart is the March of Dimes. As the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health, the March of Dimes is dedicated to improving the health of ALL babies. Though I don’t yet have children, I hope to some day, and in the meantime love spoiling my honorary nieces and nephews.

I plan to participate in an awesome event called the March for Babies that supports the mission of the March of Dimes. The Indianapolis event is scheduled for Sunday April 26, but more than 35 March for Babies events are scheduled throughout the state of Indiana. I encourage you to participate. Find the closest march to you by logging on www.marchforbabies.org.

I challenge you to bound into this new season of spring by participating in one of the many walks or runs in central Indiana. Exercise while supporting great organizations truly equals doing good all around!

Some of my favorite spring walks/runs:

March for Babies - April 26th

Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure - April 18th
American Lung Association- Lung Walk - May 30th
Homeward Bound Walk - June 14th
Big 10 Hoops Day 5K - March 15th
Humane Society of Indianapolis’ Mutt Strut - April 26th
500 Festival Mini Marathon and 5K - May 2nd

Confession Time, Healthy Living

Lindsay Eichelman
Project & Promotions Manager

So I have a confession to make: I try to be extremely honest in my blog about my journey — especially my struggles and roadblocks. It’s time for me to come clean about one of those struggles.

I have not been to the gym in seven weeks. Yep, you heard me right. Seven weeks.

Now, I know you must be thinking, How can this woman write a weight loss blog when she isn’t getting her butt to the gym? And that is exactly why I’m coming clean.

Now hold on tight for the curve ball. I’ve lost more than 12 pounds in that seven weeks. Don’t get me wrong, I keep a busy schedule, and am definitely not a couch potato. As for an official workout? None have occurred in seven weeks. By making this confession, I’m bringing to light a problem I struggle with, as I’m sure some of you do as well. Hopefully by talking about it, we can find a solution.

When I’m engaging in a regular fitness routine, it is virtually impossible for me to lose pounds. Now, of course, like with the fitness challenge in the fall, my body changed in ways I can’t even begin to describe. I was fitter and more toned. I lost inches and body fat percentages, but I did not shed ONE POUND.

If you are at a healthy weight this is not a problem, but the truth is, I’m NOT at a healthy weight, and I need to get some pounds off this body of mine in addition to toning up and becoming more fit. I do, however, have great success shedding pounds when I stick to my diet routine and don’t hit the gym — even though this makes absolutely NO sense. So I made a pact that I was going to skip out on the gym until March 1 to see how many pounds I could shed.

But, honestly, I’ve been in this game long enough to know this is not the right or healthy way to accomplish my healthy life habits and goals. I wanted to come clean with my loyal readers because I’m sure some of you struggle with this as well.

All of our bodies function differently, so I think it’s all about finding a balance where your body functions the best. I like to refer to this as the “magic formula.” For some people, they need to eat more when engaging in a great fitness routine to reach optimum metabolism. For others, simply eating less and working out more does the trick. I’m not sure what my “magic formula” is yet — but I’m going to find it. I’ve consulted an old friend who just happens to be an expert in this arena. I’ll let you know what we come up with together.

But most importantly, if you hit the gym hard and don’t see the results you want on the scale, don’t quit! I know it’s hard, but the change will come when your body finds its magic spot. Know that you aren’t alone and keep up the good work. Regular exercise is so important to a healthy life.

As for me? You’ll find me back at the gym. I’m sure my muscles will punish me for not coming clean sooner.