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Friday, March 29, 2013

Fitness & Health The Mimi G Way


I posted this on facebook the other day so I am sharing it here for non facebook followers.....



I am going to start a fitness tab on the blog where I will post my tips, workouts, my food and recipes etc. to help those who have written to me countless times about changing your bodies and getting healthy! and or ask me what I do to stay fit and keep my curves, etc.......So I want to know a few things from you guys just so I can address them as we go along, you don't need to answer them all but just share one or two.

What have you tried? What is the most difficult for you? 
Do you think you need to feel accountable to someone?
Do you start with excitement and then fizzle out after a week or two?
What are your weaknesses? How quickly do you give up?


xoxo
Mimi G

25 comments:

  1. Thank you for doing this.
    ~nuff blessing sister!~

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  2. I've tried so many different things, but about eight months ago I decided to try thriveweightloss.com. Several people at work had such good results so I figured why not. I LOVE IT! It's like your comic says, it's NOT a diet, it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE. One I should have been living all along.

    I've learned what to eat, when to eat it and how much to eat. I don't always stick to it, but I no longer beat myself up about it. I just get back on track and keep going. I've lost 25lbs. It's coming off slowly, but I like it that way. I think it'll stay off this time. And did I mention I LOVE how my body is looking. YAY ME! LOL

    I also exercise. I have a Body Pump tape (strength training to music) and I do a mile walk up a nearby mountain at least three times a week. I have a Love/Hate relationship with that mountain, but it's a great workout.

    I do better when I'm accountable to someone, but I don't like being accountable to anyone. LOL

    This is the longest I've stuck with a program and I'm SO PROUD of myself. My biggest weakness is bread, but I've learned to really like a healthy alternative. Except when I get home and the men in my house have PIZZA. Then it becomes a Blow It Day and I start all over tomorrow. It's an ongoing process, but you know what, I can live with this one because it doesn't feel like a diet.

    I hope that helps.

    Jeanette

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    1. That is fantastic because that is EXACTLY right. Dont beat yourself up, just start again and if you want that piece of cake eat it just do it moderately and then work a little harder that week. You are a wonderful example!!!

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  3. Hi Mimi, I truly adore you
    For me, I definaltey need to get fit, Im 29, and I feel like I can be better. I have tried EVERYTHING!!! pills, teas, workout videos, making up my own routine, smoothies, gym memberships, cleanses, Im so serious lol. For me every cleanse I have tried makes me feel more bloated and it doesnt work ie: lemonade diet (master cleanse), cabbage soup diet, veggie soup diet), I tried p90x which is awesome, but I start off excited and then it fizzles and I stop. I go to school, have 2 kids, and work at nights, so my eating habits are not good, I rarely eat breakfast, I normally dont eat my first meal to 1pm, Im so used to eating late. I dont have time to go to the gym. I try to sleep during the day (if my 7 mon old lets me) so i feel like Im too tird to go out walking, Im just a mess! I start doing something and if I miss a day, its hard to start again. Hope I dont sound crazy explaining all this lol. Hopefully your tips and advice can help, Im willing to listen, Im sure I can pick up something from you. And I need to get fit for myself, if I can avoid taking high blood pressure pills, or having high cholestoral when I get older, Im willing to do it, and I know by not taking care of youself and eating whatever and not being active can lead to those problems. I want to be healthy, focus on clean eating, and give an example to my kids. Ok Im done :

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    1. Tee, you sound basically like me, except that my reasons are dogs, grad school, a part-time job, volunteering, and a spouse who's a terrible influence. :) I'm still within the "healthy" weight range for my height, but I don't feel like it. I'm tired, my muscles have gone all soft, and I go up a size in jeans every two years or so. I've also done p90X, had a gym membership, worked out at home, worked out with a personal trainer at a gym I used to work at, tried running, etc., but I haven't tried any diet pills or shakes and don't want to. I am relatively healthy, in that my partner and I cook almost every meal we eat, and I walk and/or bike an average of 3 miles a day between the dogs and my walk to work/school, but that's not enough to keep the weight off when I have dessert almost daily and binge on junk food when I think no one's looking. :/

      I'm trying another BeachBody program right now, but I think I always try to do too much at once, and my enthusiasm fizzles as soon as I miss one workout or eat one thing I wasn't supposed to. I'm trying to take it one small step at a time this time, starting with short daily workouts, and adding something else small every week, like drinking more water, eating only at meal times, etc. I've tried a couple of accountability groups online, but I always either end up feeling guilty or they don't keep up their end of the bargain.


      Mimi, I was going to ask about your workout routine after your purple dress outfit post. You look amazing. Thank you for deciding to share!

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  4. What have you tried?before I tried a full body weight loss I used to work my stomach out a lot but it never went flat so I started the full weight loss routine. I used dvd's like p90x, and jillian michaels etc and reduced my calories. Being hungry because I was not consuming so much was difficult. Looking for healthy food choices, that satiated me was difficult as well. Even when you are cooking, you pretty much have to make everything from scratch so that you know what ingredients are going into your body.Time Consuming. What made the whole weight loss experience so discouraging was the fact that,I didn't lose weight because I had a weight issue or was over weight, I lost it because in my mind I felt I would miraculously have a certain body type if I lost it. when I hit my planned weight I did not like the way my body looked. I am an apple shape so I naturally store more weight in my chest and stomach.No hips or butt. Losing a lot of weight made me look rather boyish.But the weight loss did work.Sorry for the ramble I wrote it because, it might help if you added something for your readers about being healthy versus having an idealized image of what they should be. I recommend a book by Tom Venuto called the Weight loss diet, it was one of the best down to earth fitness books I have read and believe me I have read plenty :)

    I didn't feel the need for accountability,but it would have been more than awesome to have a friend on the journey with me exchanging recipes and workout tips.

    Do you start with excitement and then fizzle out after a week or two?My Fizzle out moments were 4 months in but I had already reached my goal or rather learned what my true goal was.

    What are your weaknesses?Sugar is my definite weakness.I would not say I'm a candy person but if you combine all the soda and sugary drinks I have it it is appalling.



    Hope this helps!
    Lillian

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    1. Lillian, I, too, am an apple shape. Which in another terminology is called an "Athletic build." :p No hips, no butt. I'm having trouble sticking with exercising because I know that I won't have those pretty curves that other ladies have. I just need some encouragement to do it anyway. I know that I'll like the way that I look in my clothes that do work with our body type.

      Do you have any recommendations for where to find clothes that look good on the apple shape? I love jackets, but find that they are too hot for me. I've just started to realize that I can buy very light weight, no sleeve shirts and throw a jacket over it to look nice. Took me a while to figure that one out. I'm desperately in need of jeans...small hips, skinny legs, larger tummy. Any ideas there?

      Thanks for any tips!

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    2. Hi Grace,
      I just wanted to clarify something. Apple isn't synonymous with the athletic or slim "inverted V" shape. Apples have a full upper body (including tummy) and a very slim lower body and thick waists. Athletic types have broad shoulders, full bust lines, slim hips, but not necessarily full tummies, and they may or may not still have a defined waist. That seems a small point, but can make a big difference in dressing to fit your shape. Jessica Biel is a "athletic" but someone like Sherri Shephard from the view is more of an apple. There's a really good site (I can't remember but I think it's the insideoutstyle blog) where the blogger gives a great overview of different body types and fashion advice.

      In any case I want to encourage you you CAN look great and close to how you want to look, but you have to build lean mass on your lower body and continue to work to keep your upper body slimmed down. That helps things a lot. I'm an athletic build (slim hips), but a good exercise program allows me to build some booty and a little illusion of hip by having stronger, more muscular legs. However, you are right. We need to have realistic expectations. I'll never be super bootylicious, but I think Jessie Biel and Hayden Panettera (sp?) look great - slim but still curvaceous.

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    3. Hi Hope Grace,
      I love your name. That apple shape...Isn't it such a drag?But we have gorgeous legs! Believe me I know I struggle with having the apple body.
      I find old navy has the best jean selection for me.It's very trial and error, but good quality, and the prices are not bad.
      I usually go to Victoria's Secret for dresses or inspiration although they can be a bit expensive.If it gets too expensive I'll look for the same design in other stores. I think clothes can be found anywhere though, just gotta spend time in the fitting room :)to find your signature style.

      Do you like wrap tops?They are great too. or even a top that ties with a sash at the waist?

      I hope this helps! and Please let me know your inspirations I might have to try something new out.

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  5. The best thing that I ever did was change to eating Primal/Paleo. I did it around 90-100% for 2 months last year and with that and working out at least 3 days a week I shed 20 pounds. I did weights first and then cardio. I didn't stick with it after that time, though, because I honestly just got lazy and didn't feel like cooking all the time and getting to the gym before they closed was a real PITA for me. (I know, stupid excuses.) I did learn a lot about why I eat what I do and what foods bother me (I get IBS from wheat and I'm lactose intolerant). I was able to keep off at least 15 of those 20 pounds without working out or eating strictly Primal/Paleo for over a year.

    I have more I want to lose, though (around 50-60 pounds still), and I want to go back on Primal/Paleo like I was before. I found that Once a Month Mom now has Paleo freezer meal plans (I'm all for bulk cooking!) and I've signed up for those. I know that when things are inconvenient I will drop them. I know that if I don't see results quickly enough I will drop what I'm doing. I'm currently looking into home fitness routines because going to the gym is just not convenient for me most days (we don't have 24 hour gyms here, sadly).

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  6. Thank you Mimi :)

    My goal is to live and eat healthier so I can feel better. I am one of those that gets excited in beginning, then it dies down. I don't know how to keep the momentum going. Never tried anything specific, but I can see myself doing better just don't know how to But I am open to trying anything.

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  7. I am in the process of trying to lose about thirty pounds. For the past month I've been working out 6 times a week doing an hour of cardio and I lift about twice a week. I do not really see a change in the way my clothes fit and so far I have lost about 4-5 pounds, it fluctuates. I am eating on a low carb diet and it's a little frustrating for me right now, that I am not losing more. However, I am still staying strong on my road to a healthier me with hopes that one day my body will catch up and start to shed this fat..lol! I am ecstatic and looking forward to the fitness portion that you're adding to your blog! Thanks!

    Roni
    www.styleandpoise.blogspot.com

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  8. Of course you can join MiMi. What an honor to have you be a part. I just added you to the list of participants. The SAL goes through April 7th. When you complete a top just email me a picture and I'll add it to the lineup of finished projects. Thanks for joining, can't wait to see your tops!

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  9. Hi Mimi
    I changed my lifestyle going on three months now and have lost 37 pounds. I had to do a variety of things because I could not stay consistent. I pretty much at my desires weight and I soooooo need toning.. Breast gone, bottom gone, belly still lingering. But overall happy with results. I just dislike negative ppl. I hate when ppl say " your so skinny"no I'm healthy.. What are you taking" it's called exercise" are you on a diet? " no I watch what I eat".then waste my time asking me what I did, knowing your not going to do it and asking only because you wanted to confirm your negative thoughts.. Ok I got it out....lol send any tips MiMi

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  10. I've been steadily losing weight over the past 2 years. I started at around 135, and now I'm 108-110.I was never a "big" person to begin with, and I didn't set out to lose weight. I honestly just wanted to reduce my risk of cancer. I have this big fear of developing cancer.
    I started with simple changes in my diet-eating less meat and having smaller portion sizes. Of course I stepped my exercise game up.
    I don't promise the same results for everyone because even when I was a kid, the slightest bit of uptick in my exercise caused weight loss. It got to the point I just didn't exercise (or at least exercise a lot) because I didn't want to lose weight and go through buying a bunch of new clothes.

    I'm now a vegan, not to lose weight, but because of environmental reasons and it makes health sense for me. I work out about 2-3 times a week, at least an hour at a time. I don't focus on my weight-I focus on how I feel, and how my clothes fit.

    My weakness is chocolate and instead of trying to give it up, I am going to try to incorporate it into my smoothies. I bought a Vitamix a week ago (I absolutely love it) and I'm going to try to incorporate the chocolate taste into my green smoothies.
    Sorry for the lengthy comment. lol.

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  11. I def need someone to hold me accountable since I obviously can't do it for myself. I can't seem to get motivated lately. I don't like to get up early and that seems to be the best time for me. I'm interested in any help or suggestions, but maybe the reality is that I just need to do it.

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  12. Hi Mimi,

    Your blogs are so real & relatable. It's like I am talking to a dear friend. Thank you for this 'cause for some of us, we reached a point in our life where we're done with the BS, & we want to become all around better for whatever reason. As for your question, I haven't necessarily been on a "diet" but I have been mindful of what I put in my body. Coming from a family of serious health issues & obesity, I was determined not to follow in their footsteps. Life had other plans though. I was diagnosed with lupus & currently am on dialysis. My weight will fluxuate, but is relatively stable. I just want to tone & tighten the body that I have now. Walking is what I enjoy, and is the best exercise, stress reliever, energy & mood booster, etc... I just want to keep my curves, & wear the clothes in my closet. The goal is to look good and feel better. No flabby anything, and no dimply skin anywhere.

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  13. Hi Mimi,

    Your blogs are so real & relatable. It's like I am talking to a dear friend. Thank you for this 'cause for some of us, we reached a point in our life where we're done with the BS, & we want to become all around better for whatever reason. As for your question, I haven't necessarily been on a "diet" but I have been mindful of what I put in my body. Coming from a family of serious health issues & obesity, I was determined not to follow in their footsteps. Life had other plans though. I was diagnosed with lupus & currently am on dialysis. My weight will fluxuate, but is relatively stable. I just want to tone & tighten the body that I have now. Walking is what I enjoy, and is the best exercise, stress reliever, energy & mood booster, etc... I just want to keep my curves, & wear the clothes in my closet. The goal is to look good and feel better. No flabby anything, and no dimply skin anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Mimi,

    Your blogs are so real & relatable. It's like I am talking to a dear friend. Thank you for this 'cause for some of us, we reached a point in our life where we're done with the BS, & we want to become all around better for whatever reason. As for your question, I haven't necessarily been on a "diet" but I have been mindful of what I put in my body. Coming from a family of serious health issues & obesity, I was determined not to follow in their footsteps. Life had other plans though. I was diagnosed with lupus & currently am on dialysis. My weight will fluxuate, but is relatively stable. I just want to tone & tighten the body that I have now. Walking is what I enjoy, and is the best exercise, stress reliever, energy & mood booster, etc... I just want to keep my curves, & wear the clothes in my closet. The goal is to look good and feel better. No flabby anything, and no dimply skin anywhere.

    ReplyDelete
  15. For me time is a major issue. when I went through the stage of prepping my food I was so tired the rest of the day I couldn't get a proper workout. Then I found that I was prepping this food and when it came toeating it I wanted something else! I get home late andhave to do it all again.

    another issue is eating out. we eat out a lot and I find it hard to say no to desserts, I feel like my willpower has gone. :'(

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  16. I cut the salt and sugar. and i use the disposable plastic containers for portion size, my bloodpressure drop like crazy but i do have temptations for sweet. So this blog is perfect to keep strong because i see your weight is constant thank you.Plus i was not doing anything for the past 2 year. I deciding to start this mts(3week ago) and use your upcomimg tour as a weight loss goal So i am sooo happy you started this, it will be quit a journey. My weight is now 158.My goal is to be 130.( all my weight tend to go in my stomach area.)I find out my Blood pressure stay normal at that weight where i once was on the first ( It's a lifestyle change!!) smile.

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  17. What have you tried? What is the most difficult for you?
    Do you think you need to feel accountable to someone?
    Do you start with excitement and then fizzle out after a week or two?
    What are your weaknesses? How quickly do you give up? I tried cutting down on salt and sugar, hard yes, but it the biggest challenge. I do think i need to feel accountable to my family. I start with excitment but then i start getting invitation to hang out which can be a very tempting(Restaurant).Sugar is my weakness.I give up not too easily but from experience i know it can happy.

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  18. Great addition to your blog! I've always been bigger.. I'm 24 btw. I've tried a lot of different things since I was around 16. From not eating much of anything, diets (grapefruit diet), diet pills, but the only thing that worked for me was of course eating "right" and working out. I lost 40 lbs that way within 3 months and later on I found out my calorie intake wasn't high enough for my weight. I had so much motivation then. I just got up and did what I had to do and followed a menu that gave different options for each meal online. My mom passed soon after I lost the 40 lbs and I gained it all back. Now I'm trying to do it again but definitely don't have the kind of motivation I did then.

    I'd say a big weakness for me is emotional eating and always has been.

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  19. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS! I was one of probably many that asked the exact question: how do you stay fit and keep your curves. I don't have too many to begin with (athletic build) so my goals would be to gain some curves in the butt and hips and trim down my post-baby belly. I'm happy with my calves and even my thighs though they could use some tightening.

    I've tried Jillian Michaels 30 day shred but got incredibly bored so I quit. Also tried couch to 5k and got incredibly bored so I quit. The only thing I've done consistently and with amazing results was a weights class at the YMCA - Les Mills Bodypump. But that was before my kids when I had more time. i plan on joining the Y again this week and doing a combo of Bodypump and free weights. I hear weights is the way to go for people who don't really need to lose much weight. I'm not concerned with pounds at all. I'm at my ideal weight, just flabby.

    I think being accountable to someone definitely helps which is why I had most success with dance classes and weights classes. Again, thanks for doing this and I can not WAIT to see what this brings :).

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Thank you for taking time to comment ;-)

xoxo
mimi g.