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Kitchen Trials

How I got in shape, and why I need to again.

By 106 Comments



Weight has always been an issue for me. Just writing that makes me cringe. After my second was born I finally did something about it. I’m obviously not a big dieter, I love food, good food, and that’s something I’m not willing to give up. Besides, to me, it’s not the weight that bothers me, it’s that I want to be able to go all day, keeping up with my kids, without feeling exhausted. I started swimming at the gym, because I love the water. I kept track of what I was eating (I love the internet for this, so many easy, awesome sites to help you do this. I use myfitnesspal.com and my name is “katrinakitchentrials” if you want to be pals on there!), and I started running on the elliptical at home.
The first day on the elliptical – I made it 2 minutes (yes, there are embarrassing truth bombs to be found throughout this post). I tried to run too hard and fast, thinking I was somehow in better shape than I actually was. I was getting concerned quickly about how this was going to turn out. But (isn’t there always a but), two days later I got on again and I went for 6 minutes before feeling exhausted. The next day it was 12 minutes, then 30, and by the end of the month I was running for 1 – 2 hours on the elliptical while the kids napped without even realizing it. Good TV watching while running was the key for me, mainly zombies, and while that helped with the running, it made my sleep horrible. A 30 year old having zombie nightmares: I realize this is ridiculous and I should have been mature enough to change shows. I wasn’t.
florida 2015

These three little guys are why I need to get in better shape again.

But (there’s another one of those but’s), while I was definitely feeling better, and getting in better shape, the weight wasn’t coming off as quickly as I thought it would. It started getting really discouraging, stepping on the scale, and not seeing it move more than a pound after working so hard all week. It wasn’t until that spring that I saw alli®, a weight loss product sitting on the shelf, and I grabbed it. It couldn’t hurt, and maybe it would be exactly what I needed. With summer bathing suit season right around the corner, I was even more motivated to start back up on the elliptical (slowly). On those rainy spring days, I made sure to burn more calories than I ate. I was finally able to find a successful routine that worked for me with the help of alli® in the mix!  

alli® is the only FDA-approved over-the-counter weight loss aid* on the markets and prevents about 25% of the fat you eat from being absorbed.* That means that for every 2 pounds you lose through diet and exercise, alli® can help you lose one more.* Keep in mind that it works best when you stick to a reduced-calorie, low-fat diet too.

I changed nothing else about my routine. I kept up with the running on the elliptical and swimming at the gym. Finally, when I stepped on the scale, the numbers staring back at me were encouraging me, pushing me forward, instead of pulling me back down.

alli

Like I said at the beginning, it was never about the numbers though, it was always about how I felt. It was just so discouraging to see little to no change. Day to day I knew that I was getting in better shape… but that part is so gradual you can’t keep track of it, you don’t notice the changes. I realized that the scale works as a motivator for me, and when it doesn’t move, it doesn’t motivate. That is the biggest gift alli® gave me – it helped that scale move a little more, motivating me a lot more. I suggest checking out myalli.com for advice, information and great recipes! 

And then we decided on one more baby, and here I am, back at square one. I basically took the last two years to become incredibly lazy. The year after Sophie was born was really rough. I had more than my fair share of health issues and recovery the first year after she was born, and now here I sit, right back at the beginning. I’m finally mentally ready to get back into shape again this spring. 

Did Someone Say Giveaway? How about a little motivation of your own?

How about we help each other out a little more? Tell me what motivates you to be active each day, what your favorite exercise is that you can do at home, or why you wish you were in better shape. To help keep that motivation going, one of you lucky commenters is going to win a $100 Visa gift card thanks to SheKnows. Good Luck!

 

*alli (orlistat 60 mg capsules) is for weight loss in overweight adults, 18 years and older, when used along with a reduced-calorie and low-fat diet. Follow label directions.

**Most people lose 5-10 lbs over a 6 month period. 

 

Entry Instructions:

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You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “NO PURCHASE NECESSARY,” “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/9/2016 – 6/30/2016

Be sure to visit the alli® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by alli® or GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tonya Atkinson

    Wanting to look nice and feel good about myself as well as keeping down my blood pressure motivates me to work out. My favorite exercise to do at home is to ride my bike. I have a treadclimber but it can get a little boring I wish I had a TV set up to watch while I was on it.
    Reply

  3. Erin Ellis

    My jeans motivate me to be active every day. I hate when I get lax and then they are hard to button! lol. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway. Erin ErinLoves2Run at gmail dot com
    Reply

  7. Julie Wood

    I need to stay healthy for my elderly Dad that I take care of. I make sure to walk every day, even if it rains like today. And my dog loves to walk in any weather so he motivates me to get out and exercise!
    Reply

  9. Elena

    My clothes motivate me to be more active. When they feel tight I know it's time to loose some weight. I like walking and running
    Reply

  11. Jessie C.

    My favorite exercise to do at home is yoga. My family is what motivates me to be active each day. tcarolinep at gmail dot com
    Reply

  13. Natalie

    I sign up for running races which motivates me to train and keep in shape. I love to run because the only equipment required is a pair of shoes.
    Reply

  15. Heather B

    I have been fighting to keep my weight down after going from an active job to sitting in from of a computer. It is hard to resist becoming tied to the desk.
    Reply

  26. Anastasia Falling

    My kids keep me moving and motivated, that's for sure! One form of exercise I love to do at home is yoga!! So refreshing! I wish I was in better shape just so my health would be better, overall :)
    Reply

  32. Jeffrey

    I love to run, its my time and I use it to clear my mind and get ready for the day ahead. I'm motivated by family, setting a positive example for my kids. Aging is also a motivator, staying healthy gives me the ability to still chase my kids around and keep up on all their activities.
    Reply

    • Jeffrey

      My apologies, I had to fix my tweet. Apparently I can't read directions! https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/734523046195777537.
      Reply

  35. Morgan

    Wow, this is a great post! Losing weight and staying in shape, especially as adult women, are serious challenges, so it's really awesome to read about methods that have worked! Well done!
    Reply

  36. Angela Saver

    Losing weight & getting to my goal is what motivates me to be active each day! I love to walk my hilly neighborhood for exercise. When the weather is bad, I ride my stationary bicycle at home. Thanks for the motivation & this great giveaway! [email protected]
    Reply

  39. ANGEL JACKLYN

    Summer motivates me and gets me out more, doing more activities... I really want to look better for the swimsuit, ya know??
    Reply

  43. Lisa Brown

    I don't need much motivation daily, since I love to walk. Walking and hiking, a bit of aerobics, are my favorite ways to stay active. jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
    Reply

  44. Lisa Brown

    tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/739427115804688384 jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
    Reply

  47. shelly peterson

    My grandsons motivate me to be healthy. I usually like to go walking. cshell090869 at aol dot com
    Reply

  48. shelly peterson

    tweeted https://twitter.com/cshell202/status/741859610881974272 cshell090869 at aol dot com
    Reply

  49. Elizabeth pergande

    I like to drink water and not waste my calories on sugared drinks. truckredford(at)Gmail(Dot)com
    Reply

  51. Susan Smith

    My children motivate me to loose weight. I enjoy taking my dog for a walk to burn off energy.
    Reply

  54. Gina M

    My fitbit keeps me motivated to move more throughout the day and reach my goal of 10k steps. Thanks for the chance to win! wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
    Reply

  57. Sarah L

    My goal is to swim 3 times a week. So far, so good. I drink lots of water and get plenty of sleep. Thanks for the contest.
    Reply

  59. donna

    my kids are so active and they love doing different activities so i always have a blast when I'm with them and get a great workout. They motivate me
    Reply

  61. Linda

    I used to love love to run, but an injury made me stop, wish I could run again, bathing suit season is upon us!
    Reply

  63. Cynthia C

    I like to walk every day. I listen to an audio book on my iPod to avoid boredom while I do it.
    Reply

  68. Susan Christy

    My dogs motivate me to be active whether I want to or not because they always want to walk.
    Reply

  69. Denise L

    My son LOVES to play sports and he always motivates me to get moving and stay in shape. Someone has to pitch him fastballs :)
    Reply

  71. Ellie Wright

    My grandchildren motivate me. Every day we get out and walk and play. And we do silly dances around the house.
    Reply

  73. Kathleen

    What motivates me: I want to live my best life because it's too short to feel crappy all the time!
    Reply

  74. Stephanie Phelps

    My granddaughter motivates me everyday to get in shape and I just want to be around to see her grow up and be able to be a good example for her!
    Reply

  76. Betty C

    When my family is active and I can't keep up that motivates me to get back in shape. I've used the treadmill, an exercise bike and stair stepper at home. By far, I enjoyed the stair stepper most. In fact, I used it so much it broke.
    Reply

  84. Tabathia B

    My kids keep me motivated, I want to live a long life for them and myself and I want to be fit enough that I can keep up with them tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
    Reply

  85. Tabathia B

    tweet https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/748240951009808388 tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
    Reply

  88. Whitney Bellows

    My biggest motivation are my two dogs. They always have so much energy and I always wish I could match it -- I'm working on it though.
    Reply

  92. Debbie B

    my husband and i joined a gym together and we enjoyed working out - now that its summer though we haven't been going regularly because its so hot -
    Reply

  94. Bert Ruiz

    My favorite way to "workout" is to serve at Food Pantry, carrying lots pounds of food 2 days a week #sweepstakesentry
    Reply

  100. Jerry Marquardt

    What motivates me to be active each day most is my family., I wish you were in better shape because it is not easy to keep up after you are out of shape.
    Reply

  101. Jerry Marquardt

    I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/748617552188805121
    Reply

  102. Janice Cooper

    My tip is to walk whenever you can. Park your car far from the door, Take the stairs instead of the elevator. I even walk on my lunch hour at work. It has really helped a lot.
    Reply

  104. Sarah L

    My goal is to swim 3 times a week. So far, so good. I don't need to lose any weight. Thanks for the contest.
    Reply

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