Fitness Friday: Week 11 & Getting Fit In Your 40s
Every week, along with my progress update, I’m sharing guest posts from friends who are making changes in their lives to live more healthily. This week’s guest poster is my friend, Deborah Buentello-Carriles. Deborah and I went to the same high school, and she’s the big sister of a guy in my class (Seniors ’93 Rule!). When we were in school, I thought Deborah was one of the prettiest and nicest girls in the world! Also, she was a cheerleader who wore glasses, which I thought was awesome. Deborah hasn’t changed at all, she’s still one of the nicest and prettiest women in the world (only with contacts now). Deborah shares some thoughts on getting and staying healthy in your 40s and one of her favorite easy weeknight meals. You can also visit her YouTube channel to find a few recipes that she’s posted where you’ll see just how awesome she is!
Deborah’s words…
When Sherry asked me to be a guest post on her blog re fitness and recipes my response was, “of course!â€. But honestly it was more like, “hell yeah!†LOL! So let me tell you a bit about me. I am a soon to be 42-year-old Mama, and nope, I am not one of those women who hate to reveal their age. I truly believe that age is simply a number. I am a Mama to my awesome 8-year-old daughter and a wife to an amazing hubby. I am a stay at home Mommy and keep myself busy with two online businesses where I get to show off my crafty side. I own Gigi Belle Designs (Mami Designs on Facebook) and 2 Mama’s Tees (2 Mamas Tees on FB) which I share with my very talented friend Tami Z.
As for the fitness part of this piece, let me tell you when I decided it was time to change. Well, you know about the freshman 15? I gained the 15 lbs and then some when I went off to college. At my heaviest I weighed 135 lbs and I am 5’1″! Uh huh…that is no bueno. So what made me decided to lose it? It was something major, my Daddy had a heart attack. I decided right then and there that it was time for me to change.
After that happened, my weight was at the forefront of my mind and still is. Yes, I can become obsessed with it but I do try not to be too hard on myself when the weight fluctuates (especially around that time of the month) but it happens…I knock myself down, I am only human.
Now let;s talk fitness. Find something you love to do and just do it…just like that shoe company says. If you love walking—walk, if you love running—run, if you love dancing—try Zumba. Ask a friend/spouse to be your cheerleader. If you miss a workout, don’t get down on yourself, just make it up the next day.
Next, let’s talk food. Here are a few things that I keep in mind. I always read labels. I look out for calories per serving and sodium count. I don’t pay too much attention to sugar as I am not much into sweets. I love to cook!  I sneak in whole wheat flour whenever I can. I make weekly menus when possible and try to make at least one of my meals for the week a fish dish. I stay away from sodas all together and drink lots of water. I hardly ever fry anything, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have fries…if I want them I eat them…everything in moderation.
So here is a recipe my family loves: Baked Salmon, Baked Asparagus and Wild Rice
Salmon
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil paper and spray with a non stick cooking spray. Lay salmon skin side down and spray salmon with non stick cooking spray. Season with your favorite seasoning mix. Cook salmon to your liking. I usually bake until it is cooked through as my family is not into medium rare salmon.
Asparagus
Line a cookie sheet with foil. Spread rinsed asparagus onto cookie sheet and drizzle with EVOO and season with sea salt and pepper. Note-I put the asparagus in when my salmon is halfway done.
Wild Rice
Here is where I cheat. I love Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice. I cook according to package.
And there you have it…dinner is served!
Sherry’s update…
I am calling this week The Week of Asshole Medicine. I started taking an oral steroid two weeks ago and increased the dosage this past week. The doctor told me it could make me gain weight and retain water, and I seem to be one of the lucky ones that that applies to. I’m not saying I had a perfect week with my eating, but it doesn’t merit the craziness that is my weight and measurements this week. But, I’m sticking to the plan and working through it, and only have two more weeks with the medicine.
Successes…
- I did much better with staying hydrated this week. I drank all of my H2Orange every day this week.
- I worked to keep my portion sizes right and to only eat when I was hungry.
- I picked up a cookie cake for Nicholas’ birthday this week and didn’t eat anything while I was there! Y’all, I wanted one of the fudge brownies so bad. But, I resisted.
- Weight…I gained 7 pounds! Related: this medicine is an asshole. Last week I was down 16 pounds since I started the program and 26 pounds since my highest of 301. With this week’s weight, I’m back to where I was in the middle of April.
- Inches…I put 6.5 inches back on. Related: this medicine is an asshole. Last week I was down two more inches for a total of 26.5 inches in 10 weeks. With this week’s measurements, I’m back to where I was around the second week of the program.
Challenges…
- Not getting discouraged about this weight/inches/swelling situation. I know it’s not all just my behavior, but it’s hard not to get frustrated.
- We’re going to the Hill Country this weekend to visit William’s grandmothers, so it will be a challenge to drink all my H2Orange and not to eat too much or when I’m not hungry.
So, how did you all do this week?
Past Posts on my fitness Journey…
Again…thanks so much for asking me! You are totally awesome! Continued blessings girlie!
Deb~Thank you! I’m so glad you contributed. I hope you’ll come back!