Body image

Despite the 23lbs I've lost, I'm still struggling with my body image. Four out of seven days I feel pretty content with how I look, but it's those other three days that really get to me. Today is one of those three days.

After getting dressed for my dinner date with two sorority sisters, I wavered back and forth as to whether I should keep the cute little outfit I had on or simply put on a tshirt and norts and go with it.

I still have on the regular outfit (seen below) but I keep fighting with the Michelle inside as to whether I should keep it on.

How do you deal with your body image issues?

Weights

I have now started incorporating weights into my workout thanks to one of my friends. Doing weights as well as cardio is excellent and weightlifting actually continues to burn calories long after you're finished working out.

I'm trying to mainly target my abs, legs and butt because those are the areas I feel need to be more toned. My arms could use some toning but it isn't high on my priority list.

Hopefully I can keep the weight routine up and will be able to see results in the next month or so. I'd love to have a flat tummy without the little pooch under my belly button and would love to just have killer toned legs. Who doesn't love toned legs, right?

If you are planning to use weights, start off with very little weight and work your way up. I started at 50 on most of the leg weights and did 70 on some. I've always had decent leg muscles so I could start somewhat higher than 10 or 30.

Instead of doing actual crunches, I'm using the ab chair (I have no idea what it's really called). Basically you are hanging there and you have to lift your legs up until they are perpendicular with your body. My tummy muscles are sure feeling the burn that's for sure!

Eat yourself skinny

Literally.

I've lost 18 pounds since January and have yet to diet, fast, or just not eat. I have eaten basically the same things I always have, just in moderation usually. Using the My Fitness Pal app has definitely helped me keep up with what I eat and how much I eat. Being more aware of what you are eating and how many calories, carbs, fat, sugars, protein, etc. that are in the foods you are choosing to eat is beneficial. 

These are some helpful "Michelle Tips" that I find useful:

• Don't skip breakfast. Eating breakfast foods like yogurt and non-sugary cereal are better options than bagels, muffins or biscuits.
• Eat mini snacks throughout the day. Between meals, it is helpful to eat a small snack like fruit or a 100 calorie pack. Even though there may only be 100 calories in a 100 calorie pack, still check the sugars and carbs. 
•  I prefer to eat only one "big" meal a day. For my big meal, I try to not exceed 400 calories for one meal. Most Lean Cuisines are 250-350 calories and that's perfect for a meal. If you choose to eat your bigger meal at lunch, eat something less in calories for dinner and vice versa. 
• Cut out soft drinks that aren't diet. Diet soft drinks aren't exactly "good" for you, but diet soft drinks have 0 calories and typically 0 sugars. Drinks like Diet Dr. Pepper taste like regular Dr. Pepper.
• Drink lots and LOTS of water. It's vital to really lose weight.
• Eat fruit often. I've read that it's good to eat five servings a day. I probably typically eat one or two a day. 
• You CAN eat fast food if necessary but make smarter decisions on what you eat. You can google restaurant's nutrition information.
• I love Chick-fil-A. When I crave Chick-fil-A, I get a #8 which is the chargrilled chicken sandwich and I try to not get fries but if I've done "good" that day with eating, I splurge and get fries. 
• Eating the grilled snack wraps at McDonald's are better options. An even better option is not getting one with sauce, just get it plain. 
• Eating salads is always a better option.
• Fried foods are not your friend.
•  Don't eat past 9pm AT LEAST. If you go to bed at 10, you might want to stop eating around 8 or 8:30. It does nothing good for you to eat right before you lay down to sleep.
• Be careful with juices. Most juices are filled with sugar, so that's why I now drink Trop50 orange juice. It still tastes like regular orange juice, just has less calories and less sugar. 

If you have ANY questions about other foodie things you may be curious about or anything that I've written, please feel free to ask!! 

Work Out Routine

Working out is essential to losing weight. You don't have to work out for hours on end to see results, but an hour is a good amount of time to get your fitness on!

When I first started, I was just walking on a treadmill for 30 minutes until I got my stamina up because let's face it, I had never stuck to working out before and was sadly out of shape. I was also only working out maybe twice a week.

Not long after I got started working out and seeing results, I started working out for at least an hour, I started using the elliptical and treadmill and started working out more times a week. The results started to really show.

After using the elliptical one time, I fell in love. It's by far my favorite piece of work out equipment.

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Now that my stamina is up, I tend to work out for at least an hour and a half, at least five or six times a week.

These are my various workout routines for the gym.

Routine One -- Elliptical for an hour, on Aerobic Workout, resistance 3
Routine Two -- Elliptical for an hour, on Aerobic Workout, resistance 2
                         Treadmill for 30 minutes, incline 6, speed 3.5
Routine Three -- Elliptical for 45 minutes, on Aerobic Workout, resistance 3
                          Treadmill for 15 minutes, incline 6, speed 3.5
Routine Four -- (for my lazy days) Elliptical for 30 minutes, on Aerobic Workout, resistance 2
                         Treadmill for 30 minutes, incline 6, speed 3.5

Sometimes I do a variation of these, depends on my mood. One key to working out and not hurting yourself or being super sore the next day is knowing your limits and knowing what you can do.

Follow!

Hey y'all. It's Michelle from Southern Ambition. Since I always post my weight loss stuff and other information of the sort on my other blog, I decided to start this blog up and just focus on my weight loss and healthy foods and recipes and keep my other blog as what it was.

Please follow this blog, as well as my other blog, to keep up!