I was asked recently to do a post on how I stay fit and have so much energy. I wrote the post but haven’t been able to push the publish button till now. I am not suggesting anyone do this, but this is what works for me. I fear it might be too much info, but here it goes!
Basically, I am a boring person. I get plenty of sleep, exercise regularly, and watch what I eat. That’s it. I weigh just a little more than I did in high school and often describe my body as that of a twelve year old with cellulite. I’ll break it down for you and might end up sharing more information than you have any reason to be interested in.
1. FOOD – I count my calories daily…..not in an obsessive way, but I am always aware of how much I am eating every day. Do I ever overeat? Of course. But when I do, I’ll pull back the next day. I know that I can eat around 1,800 calories a day and maintain my weight. If I eat up to 2,500 any day, then the next day I’ll pull back to around 1,200. It always evens out in the end. Do I eat dessert? Yes, I love sweets, but I seldom eat an entire dessert after a meal. I usually will have just a bite. Also, I factor it into my total calorie intake. I know that eating is all about choices. I might opt for an apple rather than an apple pie. I love my chocolate and like to have mini bags of M & M’s on hand or mini Snickers. I’ll eat a bag of M’s or a mini Snickers in the afternoon, and that will satisfy my craving. I never feel as if I am sacrificing. If I want to eat something, then I’ll eat it, but I don’t overdo it. I always order my salad dressings and sauces on the side. I eat plain baked potatoes or plain sweet potatoes and plenty of fruits and steamed or roasted veggies. I seldom eat anything fried (except my mother’s fried chicken). I haven’t eaten much pork nor any beef in over 20 years, but I do eat fish and chicken. I’ll have bacon now and then, and that’s my pork intake. If I am at home, my typical lunch will be a large serving of fat-free cottage cheese (I love the texture) with fresh fruit, usually grapes. In the winter I often eat homemade soup for lunch. I have a serving of cheese crackers or chips on the side but just a serving. I love a glass of Pinot Grigio or a mixed drink if we go out or are entertaining, but I’ll just have one.
2. WEIGHT – I am 5 feet 8 inches tall and weigh 125 pounds. At this point I should probably mention that I am in my early 60’s. (Is that T.M.I???) During my two pregnancies, my OB/GYN didn’t want his patients to gain more than 20 pounds back then. I wore my regular clothes home from the hospital. I was so glad that I didn’t have to deal with a new born and a diet to lose weight at the same time. I think maintaining my weight is a key reason why I am so healthy. My body doesn’t have to be constantly adjusting to weight changes. It just is what it is. I weigh myself a once or twice a week. I have always been flat-chested, have a long torso and long arms with shorter legs.
3. EXERCISE – I work out at least six days a week, and I love it. I started working out regularly in my 30’s. I go to a 6 a.m. weight and aerobics class at the Y three mornings a week and walk or do a tread mill three mornings a week. I wear a fitbit so I make sure to get my 10,000 steps on most days. In warm months, I also ride my bicycle 30 to 50 miles a few times a week. If you have been reading us for a while, then you know I love to bicycle, and we ride all over the world. Those trips can be strenuous and require me to be in tip-top shape. For instance, when we rode across the USA a few years ago, we averaged 80 miles a day. One day was even 120 miles. I worked really hard to get in shape for that trip and the ones that followed. I won’t go on any bicycle tours now that average more than 60 miles a day. That is a very doable amount of mileage for me. More than that takes away some of the joy because there’s no time to stop and “smell the roses.”
4. SLEEP – I get seven to eight hours of sleep a night. When I worked full time, I only got six hours some nights. I love to read right before I go to sleep. I find that I sleep better after reading than I do if I watch Bravo and the housewives (my station of choice) right before bedtime. We also keep our bedroom fairly cool at night. Mr. Right gets a massage every Friday afternoon (when he’s in town), and I will use that time to take a nap. It’s my treat for making the most of my week.
5. HEALTH – I get a check-up twice a year and paps and mams annually. Sugar diabetes is in my family, and it scares me. One of the people who has it is my skinny and active uncle. I feel that if he can get it, then I can get it. That’s a huge motivator for me to stay active and trim. I also know that tall and thin women are more susceptible to osteoporosis, and I take daily vitamins including calcium to help with that. So far, my bones are equal to someone in her 20’s. I’ll take that.
6. WHAT I DO WRONG – Now I certainly need to let you know my bad habits while I’m at it. I love a Diet Coke in a can – right out of the can. I have cut way back, and now will only have one if I am in a restaurant or deserve a reward or treat. It has to be Diet Coke, and it has to be in a can. Also, I use sweeteners in my tea, which is decaf, by the way (this is my favorite tea, and I LOVE it). I know sweeteners get a lot of bad press, but I use them anyway. Probably the worst thing of all is that I am not a big water drinker. I have to remind myself to drink it.
So, that’s it. There are no surprises and no magic. I just live a healthy lifestyle, and that’s why I have so much energy. I apologize if your eyes have glazed over by now. If you have any questions, I would love to answer them. Meanwhile, I’m going biking.
Cheryl says
Not too much info at all. Just makes me want to excerise more and make better choices on my food intake.
You look great!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
You always look fantastic Janette!….I truly need to exercise more!…
Cheryl Ann says
Thanks so much for sharing Janette and it’s not TMI for me. I needed to see that this isn’t just by accident…you have a plan and stick to it. So glad you are actively fighting off diabetes that’s in your family history. I’m going to look for this tea also. Blessings, Cheryl Ann
Alicia@ Eco Friendly Homemaking says
This was a great post to read and not too much TMI at all! I lost around 60 pounds a few years ago and even though I eat really healthy I started to gain some of the weight back and couldn’t understand why. Our daughter asked me if I counted my calories at all and I said no. Well come to find out all of that healthy almond butter I was eating amounted to over 800 calories a day. What an eye opener for me. Now I count my calories each day and it has made such a great difference!
kathy says
Wow! You deserve to look as good as you do. You work hard at it…and I like you anyway! LOL
Janette says
Thank you, Kathy!