Time to get real today, friends, and I need your help. I've got a serious case of the frumps.
It's happened before. The college years were pretty frumpy. It's hard to look cute in zero degrees and a 3/4 length poop-brown, down coat. The late 90's were super frumpy. I blame that on two small boys and no desire to get out of sweats.
And now here I am again, worse than ever. This time the culprit is aging, metabolism, and hormones. Turning 50 is no joke.
I've always been active and eaten healthy most of the time. In the past, when things started to go in the wrong direction, I had proven strategies to get back on track. Eating clean and exercising isn't working anymore.
I'm a big believer in body positivity and loving yourself no matter what. I don't need or want to be super thin, but I do want to be fit and strong and as lean as I can be. Right now I feel heavy and bloaty and unhealthy. My clothes fit, but they're tight and uncomfortable. I don't feel like me, and I definitely feel frumpy.
In the past few weeks I've realized that it's time to do something different. Things are a-changin, and that calls for a new strategy. After a lot of research, and talking to several friends who've had success, I've decided to try Faster Way To Fat Loss. I start in mid-August, and I'm excited and apprehensive.
The program is based around carb cycling (low carb and high carb days), intermittent fasting (not eating from 8pm until noon the next day), and targeted workouts to correspond to each day. The fasting doesn't bother me, since I rarely get hungry in the morning. But the carb cycling will be challenging. I'm not a fan of meat, and fish is a no go.
So here's where I need your help. Do you have any yummy low carb recipes? Websites I should check out for ideas? I love salads, chicken, fruits and veggies. Hit me with your suggestions, please!
I'll keep you posted on my progress and do an depth review when I've completed the six week program. Hopefully this will help get me over the hump....and the frump!
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And speaking of exercising, PLEASE head over to The Blended Blog today for a special treat. Deena, Sarah, Nicole and Whitney have teamed up to share their favorite fitness videos, featuring Fitness Marshall and a little Britney. You won't want to miss their video, because it's awesome!
Well, we can be in the frump together because I have not felt this bad this summer since you're exactly right, this time last year when those boys were getting ready to leave. It is a terrible feeling and my hormones to her all over the place too! I have gained 8 pounds this summer and I feel absolutely terrible. I am with you, I know we both try to be positive and upbeat but sometimes the frumps just get us! I'm gonna look through my recipe files and find some yummy low-carb stuff and I'll email you. Sending you a big hug and I love you!
ReplyDeleteThose hormones are a killer! You always look amazing - I can't imagine you ever being frumpy :)! Love you too and we will get through this!
DeleteI've been feeling frumpy this past year too. I'm not motivated and my summer clothes seem to fit differently. This program sounds intriguing and can't wait to hear more about it! I don't know if I have any low carb recipes but I'll check and send them your way!
ReplyDeleteJill
Doused in Pink
I haven't been very motivated either. Hoping this program will help!
DeleteI feel ya, I've felt frumpy since November, gained a little vacation weight and cannot for the life of me get rid of it. Lately I've really been trying a lot harder, and so far have seen some results...which I guess is good. I think this no shopping ban I'm on makes me feel a little frumpy when I don't have at least one new choice of clothes, hehe :) I am looking forward to seeing what this new program does for you, good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Feeling frumpy has definitely helped my credit cards - I don't feel like buying anything!
DeleteGirl, I thought you were going to ask for fashion tips. I hate cooking so I have no go-to recipes for food BUT my go to recipe for fashion, for when you feel bloated, is tunic tops and leggings!
ReplyDeleteIt works every time!
http://styleforlessvegas.wordpress.com
True - tunic tops and leggings are the perfect solution!
DeleteMenopooch or Menopounds it is all about that great metabolism slowing down or how I like to say just went out and never came back!Currently I am on a very low carb no dairy no sugar diet. It seems to be working and I think it will be a lifestyle for me. For special occasions I will go off for a meal or 2 but then back to watching. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think that's my future - I need to give up all that stuff, except on special occasions. Love the term menopooch!
DeleteI read a little bit about that program and can't wait to hear what you think!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to get started.
DeleteWell I think you're wonderful no matter what. Intrigued about that program..
ReplyDeleteAnd this is why I love you.
DeleteI can't wait to hear how this program works for you. Not eating from 8 p.m. till Noon sounds interesting. I put on about 8 lbs in vacation weight and I'm trying to work on losing it right now. I tend to gain in my tummy and butt, yet the rest of me stays thin! It's annoying, because then my clothes get uncomfortable. What works for me is I try to workout 5 days a week (3 days of running and 2 days of at home videos), I calorie count M-F and on the weekend I give myself a break. I've noticed eating better works better than exercising. I am really into watermelon feta salads right now, especially the one at Panera! I need to find a recipe online so I can make it at home for a lot less!
ReplyDeleteCarrie
curlycraftymom.com
Watermelon/feta sounds delicious and it would be very filling. I gain weight in my stomach too. The extra exercising isn't working anymore for me, so time to tighten up the diet!
DeleteI can't imagine you looking frumpy ever, but since I know it's more about what you think, and I know how it is to feel the same, I just offer support! My friend Josie has the Yum Yucky blog and YouTube channel. If you don't already know her, look her up. She talks about intermittent fasting and she fully believes in it. Also my in person friend does it and it absolutely works.
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet! I'm really excited about the intermittent fasting. I've been doing a lot of reading on it and it sounds like it will work well for me. Fingers crossed!
DeleteI hear you. Moving past 50 is a biggie. I've noticed it in my own body as well. It's never been easy for me to lose weight but now it is beyond challenging.
ReplyDeleteI have done the fasting for 16 hours for a week and did get some results. I didn't keep up with it though as I've just started trying to run a bit again and doing that and then not eating for so long gives me a massive headache.
I hope this works out for you.
I have no low carb recipes...they must have lots online though.
bisous
Suzanne
You always look amazing! I'm excited to see where the intermittent fasting gets me.
DeleteSweet lady I'm right there with you. I've never worked so hard to stay the same in my entire life. Blah! I have another friend who did this system in June and she liked it. I can't wait to see your results from the program.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to hear! I haven't heard any bad reviews about the program, so I'm really hoping it works for me. You always look amazing!
DeleteI feel frumpy all the time! My friends say I’m crazy but I feel like I feel :) The late 90s were super frumpy, I wish that style would comeback, skinny jeans are annoying. The older I get the harder it is to stay in shape and I'm only in my mid-30s. I notice belly fat just sitting on my tummy and it really bothers me. I’m going to check out Faster Way to Fat Loss.
ReplyDeleteI think you always look fabulous! I'm going to do updates as I go along so I'll keep you posted!
DeleteBoy, do I feel ya! I had surgery 6 weeks ago and lost weight right after, but then gained as I recouped and couldn't be as active. Weight is always an up and down battle with me. But I'm now in "get back on the healthy eating wagon" mode too (except for the salt and vinegar chips last night). I love the recipes that replace pasta with vegetables, like cauliflower and zuchini. I see them alot on Facebook. Good luck, girl! You can do this!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a struggle, isn't it? We've been using cauliflower to make rice and it's pretty good!
DeleteI hope this new program works well for you! I've never been good at low carb, but I've heard that http://peaceloveandlowcarb.com/ has a lot of great recipes!
ReplyDeleteBrooke
Pumps and Push-Ups
Oh, thank you for the website. I hopped over and she has so many yummy things!
Delete