How I Stay Fit

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.

 

Take care.