If you consider yourself healthy and physically fit...

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Can you please answer some questions for me. I am getting ready to work out a healthy plan because I need to make some changes. I would like some feedback first from people that are already there. Some of these questions I am asking because I need to reaffirm that these are the right changes I need to make.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?

3. How often do you eat out?

4. How often do you eat fast food?

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

 

[aaarcher86]

Can you please answer some questions for me. I am getting ready to work out a healthy plan because I need to make some changes. I would like some feedback first from people that are already there. Some of these questions I am asking because I need to reaffirm that these are the right changes I need to make.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?

3. How often do you eat out?

4. How often do you eat fast food?

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

1. I exercise 3 - 4 times per week and usually do one of the cardio based P90X discs and/or ab workout. Depends on my mood. I love cardio, but hate running for no reason.

2. I drink Diet Mountain Dew. I used to drink Coca-Cola all day long. I probably drink one or two cans a day.

3. We don't eat out at sit down restaurants often. We're just too busy.

4. In the summer we'll eat fast food about once per week (I coach football). Regularly we don't eat fast food much at home - but if we do we'll usually get Chinese or something instead of burgers and fries (not that it's a whole lot more healthy)

5. We don't count calories. We eat healthy on a regular basis so if we want to go off the grid and eat something greasy we do (although sometimes the after effects suck since our bodies aren't used to it!)

6. We don't even own a scale. I judge myself on how I look and what size pants I fit into.

7. Exercising makes me feel fit and healthy. We quit smoking earlier this year and that definitely helped us feel better. Drinking large bottles of water makes me feel healthy sometimes.

 

[acejka]

Can you please answer some questions for me. I am getting ready to work out a healthy plan because I need to make some changes. I would like some feedback first from people that are already there. Some of these questions I am asking because I need to reaffirm that these are the right changes I need to make.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?

3. How often do you eat out?

4. How often do you eat fast food?

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

I'm working on becomming healthy and fit, join sparkpeople.com I find it great to track calories, exercise, there are plenty of articles and videos and it keeps me going because it teaches you a lifestyle and there are little trphies you can earn. Best of all, its free.

I'd answer the rest of your questions but I'm not quite there yet and you asked for people who were.

 

[Darcy03231]

Can you please answer some questions for me. I am getting ready to work out a healthy plan because I need to make some changes. I would like some feedback first from people that are already there. Some of these questions I am asking because I need to reaffirm that these are the right changes I need to make.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

Every other day for an hour. 30 min of cardio followed by 30 min of weight training.

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much? No
3. How often do you eat out?

About once a week.

4. How often do you eat fast food?

Once or twice a year.

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

Both. I count calories, but if I'm hungry I eat something.

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

Once a week.

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

I walk quite a bit. If shopping I park far away for the extra walk. DH and I both like to kayak in the good weather months. I don't eat fried food except for maybe once or twice a year. I've cut way back on red meat and we try to eat a lot of chicken/fish.

 

[clarabelle]

I think these are good questions

I have just lost a little weight and I am concerned about keeping it off.
For me I think maintenance is much harder than losing. I am currently not overweight -but I have just lost 20 lbs. Before I lost the weight I considered myself reasonably healthy with good cardio fitness -but I was unhappy with how I looked.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

I teach spinning 3 days a week and take Pilates once or twice a week. I also walk with a little running thrown in. I want to add that I have never really lost a significant amount of weight from exercise alone. I exercise because it is good for my health and it makes me feel good -but I don't seem to lose much weight from it

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?Diet -once or twice a day

3. How often do you eat out? Right now about once a week and it is usually a sandwich place. Once of my downfalls is Mexican food and I am trying to make it at home instead of the 1000 calorie meals that I would have when we went to our local mexican restaurant

4. How often do you eat fast food? Once a week maybe (no fries) and the occasional starbucks

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?Count calories

6. How often do you weigh yourself?Daily

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy? For me teaching exercise is a huge motivator to look and feel good and it keeps me doing it. I have also done a few 5 Ks they are a great motivator

 

[NHdisneylover]

1. I try to use the Wii fit at least 30 minutes a day (not always on weekends). Generally I get on it after I get the kids to bed. When I can make the time I also get in a half hour in the morning before my shower.
Other than that, the main thing I do is try to be active in just daily activities. I walk a lot just to get from place to place like to the store to pick up eggs, or to the video store, bank, etc. (or bike in the warmer months). I get out and play soccer with my son, roller blade with my daughter, just turn on the music and dance around with the kids, etc.

2. Yes I do. It is my big downfall/vice. I drink about one half liter bottle of Coke a day. More for a couple of days a month It is a habit I really should break.

3. Varies. Generally once every week or two for a main meal but I may pick up a quick lunch out once or twice a week as well.

4. Those quick lunches out are often fast food. I tend to order the less bad or you things on the menu. I hate mayo and always hold that which may help too.

5. I listen to my body. I have never been good with counting calories or portion sizes or any of that. I loved reading In Defense of Food (a good read, and fast, if you are interested) as that is largely my approach anyway.

6. Well, the Wii wants you to do it daily, so I end up doing so. Prior to that I only knew my weight if i had recently been to the doctor.

7. Drink plenty of water. Get enough sleep. I will repeat myself here, but live in an active way--exercise should not be had only when you are "exercising." Make time to relax--we sip a glass of wine before dinner every night (while munching fresh veggies--takes the edge of the hunger and then you do not eat as much heavy stuff later).

 

[MerMom60_94]

Can you please answer some questions for me. I am getting ready to work out a healthy plan because I need to make some changes. I would like some feedback first from people that are already there. Some of these questions I am asking because I need to reaffirm that these are the right changes I need to make.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?

3. How often do you eat out?

4. How often do you eat fast food?

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

I think I pretty much fit the description of fit and healthy. I used to be heavy and took a lot of weight off a few years back. I started out by walking everyday. Eventually, just to do something different, I would sometimes ride my bicycle instead and I followed the Weight Watchers diet. That brought me down a few sizes over the course of probably six months. Eventually, when it got cold out and started getting dark early, I joined a gym. I go at least 5 times a week. I sometimes run when it's nice out, too. My preference is to stop at the gym on the way home from work. It's right along my route and I know if I stop I won't get sidetracked and I am sure to get my workout in. I take a lot of classes, though, so if I am running early I sometimes go home first. I vary which days I go according to my DH's and DD's schedules. I rarely drink soda/pop, but once in a blue moon I will buy diet root beer just for something different. Mostly I drink water, tea, herbal tea, sometimes a smoothy. I don't go to restaurants very often but sometimes it is a challenge to fit in home cooked meals and we do eat on the fly. I also find I have fallen back into buying lunch during the week but I try to look for things like salads, veggie burgers, wraps. I don't eat a lot of fast food anymore. The exception is that I still eat pizza. I don't eat at burger joints, though. I used to count Weight Watchers points, but since taking the weight off I have just listened to my body and set goals of eating 5 servings of fruits / veggies every day, 2-3 servings of milk, etc. By the time I eat all my healthy foods I don't have a lot of room or desire for junk. I do have a bad habit of weighing myself most mornings. I just don't want all the weight to come back and try to stay on top of it. I go a lot more by how my clothes are fitting, though, not just by weight. I think getting outside and getting fresh air in my lungs always makes me feel especially healthy, even if it is for a little while.

Good luck with your venture!

 

[autumnpalm]

Can you please answer some questions for me. I am getting ready to work out a healthy plan because I need to make some changes. I would like some feedback first from people that are already there. Some of these questions I am asking because I need to reaffirm that these are the right changes I need to make.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?

3. How often do you eat out?

4. How often do you eat fast food?

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

1. I exercise 3 days a week in the gym at my university, I do 45 mins of cardio and then half an half an hour of weights and strength. I also take a yoga or pilates class once a week.

2. I have about 2 or 3 diet sodas per month and am still trying to cut that back to 0.

3. I eat about once a week, usually sushi.

4. As infrequently as possible.

5. Yes, I do count calories. I'm not overly obsessive about it but I do know what goes into my body every day.

6. Once a week.

7. Drink lots of water, take vitamin supplements (I take B12, D, C and Omega capsules), walk as much as you can, get lots of sleep, buy the highest quality groceries you can find, be gentle with yourself, find an exercise buddy to keep you accountable!

 

[clarabelle]

Another thing have found helpful was getting a digital scale.
I can look at the serving size written on the package and get exactly that serving.
I think serving size is really important.

 

[disfan07]

For me, fit and healthy holds a different meaning because I have so many chronic health problems. But I am no longer overweight (finally got off all prednisone) and I exercise regularly so my doctors consider me as fit and healthy as I can be in my situation.

1. How often do you exercise and what do your do?

I exercise 4-5 days per week (depending on how much work I have to do for school). I usually go to the gym Mon, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun. I do cardio all 5 days. Usually 30-45 minutes on the treadmill depending on how my asthma is doing. 2 or 3 days a week I also do strength training. On the days I only do cardio and abs, I am at the gym for about an hour and the days that I do cardio and strength I am usually at the gym for about 2 hours. I probably log about 7-8 hours a week at the gym.

2.Do you drink soda? How often?

Yes. That is my one big downfall. I usually drink 1 a day. I used to drink more but i've gotten myself down to just drinking it with dinner.

3. How often do you eat out?

Sit down restaurants-very rarely. It's only if I'm back home for the weekend usually. I'm a broke college student with very little extra time. I dont get a chance to go out when I am at school

4. How often do you eat fast food?

Unfortuantely, it has gotten to teh point where I eat it once a week at school. I have one day where I am on campus with an hour break at 5PM in between classes and the only thing in teh food court that I know I can eat because they list ingredients adn I have food allergies is wendys. But I usually only get like a 5 piece chicken nuggets and bring some cut up veggies and fruit with me from home.

5. Do you count calories?

No. I dont eat a lot to begin with. I tend to gravitate towards healthier foods anyways but if I am craving something unhealthy I just eat a little bit of it. I only keep one junk food snack in my apartment at once (chips, cookies, etc) so that keeps me on track with snack on fruits and veggies when I am hungry instead.

6. How often do you weigh yourself.

More than I would like to...lol. I dont actually weight myself at home at all. I dont have a scale in my apartment. But I go to the doctors usually once a week for appointments and they always weight me there so that is enough for me

 

[gate_pourri]

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?
I walk to and from work everyday - It is a little over 1 mile each way. I also try to get the gym once during the week and once on the weekend.

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?
Yes. Probably 1 bottle of diet coke a day.

3. How often do you eat out?
Way more than I should. I tend to buy lunch everyday at work and order take out at least once a week.

4. How often do you eat fast food?
Rarely. Maybe once a month, if that.

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?
It depends. If I am actively trying to loose weight (like I am right now - got a beach vaca coming up in January and need to get back into a bathing suit. Eeps!) than I count calories. If I am not actively trying to loose weight, I don't.

6. How often do you weigh yourself?
Almost every morning - First thing in the AM.

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?
I take vitamins, and luckily love salad, so that is a major component of my diet.

 

[mrsxsparrow]

I'm not completely healthy and fit yet... but I'm well on my way

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?
I exercise six days a week. I'm training for the WDW Half right now so I run 4 days a week and strength train twice a week for about 45 mins to an hour each time.

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?
Nope. It was pretty hard for me to stop but once I replaced it with water I felt a lot better and even my skin looked better. I don't really think it was related to not drinking soda so much as the increase in water but for me they go hand in hand.

3. How often do you eat out?
Once or twice a week. There's this one place we go all the time and I know my options.

4. How often do you eat fast food?
Too often. I'm a full time student and I work two part time jobs so I end up in the drive through a lot. Again, though, I know my options. Some favorites are Taco Bell (a tostada with extra lettuce and/or a soft taco), Carl's Jr. (they have a pretty good bbq chicken salad and I pair it with a side salad), and Wendy's (I love to mix a small chili with a side salad and if I ate well the rest of the day a small order of fries). Subway's pretty good too.

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?
I count calories the first week of every month to make sure I stay on track then just try to eat pretty similar the rest of the month. I've found that sticking to pretty exact portions is more helpful. I also have a GoWear Fit, which tracks the calories I burn, so I make sure I burn more if I've eaten more that day.

6. How often do you weigh yourself?
Once a week. I joined Weight Watchers and weigh in there. I use it not so much for the program as the accountability weighing in in front of someone brings.

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?
Drink a BUTTLOAD of water. Um... that's all I got

 

[BeenHereB4]

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do? 5-6 days a week 35-65 minutes. I started with Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and some Jackie Warner stuff to get into the groove and then moved on to P90X and then Insanity. Now I just kind of rotate and mix up what I have so I lift weights 3x a week and do cardio 2 or 3x as well. I track what I do every week on my blog if you care to check that out.

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much? Other than OJ in the morning and the occasional glass of wine, I'm all about water.

3. How often do you eat out? Once or twice a month

4. How often do you eat fast food? Rarely

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body? Can't stand counting calories. I just try to limit white flour and sugar along with other processed foods. I do not eat enough veggies and tend to overload on carbs though.

6. How often do you weigh yourself? Don't own a scale

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy? Park at the end of the lot when at the shopping center, walking the dog, opting for fruit as a snack over something carby (not easy for me though) and hey a little doesn't hurt either.

One thing I have to say is that at first I tried getting in shape for my husband. Very much NOT the way to do it. I had to do it for me and then I was more successful and better able to stick with it. All I wanted to do was feel more comfortable in my clothing and now that I've done that, I'm working on getting some nice muscle definition.

Good luck in your journey - I hope you meet and exceed whatever goals you set for yourself.

 

[IDoDis]

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

Five to six times a week although I've had a busy 2 weeks so I've fallen off the wagon, but am getting back on tomorrow.

In the summer I exercise at night when it's cool. This time of year it's around 6:00pm.

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?
I do drink Diet Coke. Once or twice a day, but have been trying to cut back and skip some days entirely and drink water instead.

3. How often do you eat out?
Once a week.

4. How often do you eat fast food?
Once a week, but go for the healthier choices.

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?
I don't count calories, but I am a label reader and I know about how much I can eat and not gain weight. I end up putting lots of things back on the shelf at the grocery store!

6. How often do you weigh yourself?
A couple of times a week. I don't live by the scale, but I like to keep tabs before I find out I've gained 5 pounds.

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?
Exercise is the #1 thing. It really gives me so much energy. Other things I do is only drink fat-free milk, only eat lean cuts of meat (unless I'm eating out), have smaller portions, but eat more often during the day. I don't drink alcohol or smoke.

One other thing I do that I think helps, but may sound strange, is I go through a jar of natural peanut butter every week. I know it's high in calories, but for some reason, it doesn't put on fat and the added protein keeps me from getting too hungry. I have my own jar and eat it with a spoon right out of the jar.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had not had one sick day (not even a cold) in 4 years!

 

[jacksmom]

Great Questions! I have lost 21lbs and do so worry about making sure it stays off!
1) I walk most everyday but am now considering other exercises as well!
2) I do drink Diet Coke, but try to keep it at a minimum!
3) We eat out about every 2 weeks
4) I really try not to eat fast food! If i do it is Subway or Chickfila (salad)
5) I do count calories and try to stay at 1200 or less a day!
6) I only weigh once every 2 weeks!
7) I eat lots of fruits and veggies and limit carbs!

 

[Bilberry]

Can you please answer some questions for me. I am getting ready to work out a healthy plan because I need to make some changes. I would like some feedback first from people that are already there. Some of these questions I am asking because I need to reaffirm that these are the right changes I need to make.

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?

3. How often do you eat out?

4. How often do you eat fast food?

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

1) I work out at a gym with a trainer twice a week. We meet at 7:00 in the morning, do resistance training and aerobics for an hour.

2) I do not drink soda.

3) Not that often. When on the road I will eat out. But when at home I cook pretty much all my meals.

4) a handful of times a year. It's only when on the road.

5) I eat low carb. That keeps me thin. Because of that I don't count calories. I believe calories count for weight loss, but believe there is more to keeping in shape than calories in/ calories out - like having a healthy thyroid, taking fish oil, high D3 levels, avoiding wheat, eating good protein, etc.

6) Too much! Probably once a day. I'm curious after exercising.

7) I play tennis a couple times a week. With everything I do, healthy diet and working out with weights, I'm able to stay on top of my game I feel.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Thanks so much for answering the questions!!! It is very motivating to read what everyone does to be healthy and fit. It surely is helping me get my plan in place. And I am really taking note how much exercise is playing into everyone's healthy lifestyle, as well as the fast food frequency. That is my BIGGEST downfall, and I am heartened that many of you eat it rarely, makes me feel like I CAN go to rarely and reap the benefits.

Please keep them coming! I'd love to read more!

 

[FireDancer]

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do?

It fluctuates depending on the time of year and what I'm training for but I usually work out or do something physically demanding 5-7 days. Right now I am running 5 days and hitting the gym 2 but once my marathon training is done the running will go down and the gym up. In the summer I also hike, bike, swim, and do other active stuff. About 9 months out of the year I am on an organized sports team that plays one day/night per week per sport.

The key is to find something you like to do instead of forcing yourself to so something you hate.

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much?

Other than an occasional rum & coke (maybe 3 or 4 a year) never.

3. How often do you eat out?

Maybe once per week. As long as you are discerning in your choices you can eat out and still eat healthy.

4. How often do you eat fast food?

Pretty much never. I've gotten salads at Wendy's or a sandwich from Subway but standard fast food, like a burger and fries, it has probably been about 5 years.

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?

Every month or so I'll keep a food journal just to make sure I'm estimating my calories and fat/carb/protein ratios correctly. I would highly recommend keeping a food journal though for anyone just starting out. It is a great way to learn what is in the food you are eating (you have to look at the label after all) and just as important learn what a single serving actually is.

6. How often do you weigh yourself?

Rarely. I might jump on the scale at the gym a couple of times a year but I don't own one and don't worry about my weight. It hasn't fluctuated more than a pound or two in either direction in years. I do get my body fat measured about 3 times a year, and with something accurate, not one of those devices you grab with two hands and count to 10. I feel body composition is more important then straight weight. You can loose fat and put on muscles by working out and the scale won't tell you anything useful about that.

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy?

The two most important things IMO are nutrition and exercise. Once better habits in both become routine for you, which they will if you let them, your overall health will usually improve along with those habits. After a while the new healthy habits become second nature just like old unhealthy habits were.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[bellebud]

I'm not going to answer each question, because I've always had a very fast metabolism and have always been a bit stressed, but makes me not eat much, so I'm skinny, but not so much because of all the things you listed (but believe me, it's not fun being a stressed out person and often having no appetite because of it).

what I've heard other people say about losing weight that has stuck with me is not drinking soda - only water. I've found a good tip from my sil - because I like the fizz of soda w/ some meals (and just wanted to be healthier in general), a watered down fruit juice (apple cider is really good), with some seltzer water is a nice, refreshing drink if you're someone who likes that fizz. I try to drink just water at most meals though.

I just bought a treadmill (to help me w/ my stress), and I'm on it for an hour each morning. I walk only (I get a cramp if I run), but I do the full incline and a fast walk. I've noticed I'm losing weight (which isn't what I wanted), but hopefully my appetite will kick in.

I find my motivation for the treadmill w/ music. I made a playlist of my fav songs that get me 'grooving', I start w/ slow ones to warm up, then fast ones (where if I went to a gym, I'd be laughed at for how I'm "walking" - because I'm strutting, etc, but it's fun for me)... I also sing my heart out the whole time (can't do that in a gym). I do this after my cup of coffee in the morning, then I shower and I feel like a million bucks!

My brother has his motivation to get on his treadmill watching a fav TV show "only" when he's on the treadmill. He picks shows that have good cliffhangers so he wants to get on the next day. I tried that (to watch a movie), but it was too boring for me.

I've always read a big breakfast, big lunch and small dinner is best, with healthy snacks in between if needed. Personally, I've found that when I needed to lose weight (after I had dd - I had gained 55lbs - I started pregnancy at 110, so I gained a half of me - LOL)... anyway, those stubborn last 20 lbs WOULDN'T come off w/ dieting. I drank slim fast, and it really worked for me. I'm not saying I recommend that - because that's not a lifestyle change, but for what I needed, it worked.

Stay away from white breads and pastas, and added sugar in things. I won't use sugar substitutes though (I don't trust them - I'd rather have the real stuff).

Drink a lot of water - a lot of the first weight that comes off is water weight, and it's a good incentive.

When a friend was trying to lose weight, she drank a whole glass of water and ate a salad (or an apple, etc) about a half hour before her meal (not "right" before, like at mealtime). She let the salad and water settle into her stomach. That really helped her eat smaller portions at mealtime.

I'm not a good cook, so that probably helps me out. We eat very simply - grilled meat, potatoes, veggie, salad. No bread. It gets boring, but simple foods are best. There's a saying that if our grandparents wouldn't recognize the food, don't eat it (like doritos, packaged food, etc). When you're food shopping, remember that all the real food is usually on the outside perimiter (produce, meat, breads, etc). Of course there's some stuff down the aisles you need, but "real" food is best, not boxed noodles, etc.

Good luck w/ getting fit! I've just started doing the same thing - again, for stress related reasons. Hope you find what works for you!

 

[mnrose]

1. How often do you exercise (time and days) and what do you do? 3-4 times a week, mornings after I drop the kids at school, I go to the gym for 75-80 minutes. Twice a week, I do 35-40 minutes of cardio, followed by an equal amount of weight work, then stretching. The other days, I do pure cardio for 60 minutes, and then a cool down. I find I MUST do it immediately in the morning or there are too many excuses about why I shouldn't. LOL!

2. Do you drink any soda/pop, and if so, how much? Rarely. Maybe once a week? And, then only diet. I prefer water as my beverage of choice.

3. How often do you eat out? 1-2 times a week

4. How often do you eat fast food?Never

5. Do you count calories, or just listen to your body?Listen to my body. I've been exercising regularly for 25+ years and I know well what does and doesn't work for me.

6. How often do you weigh yourself?Rarely. I can tell by how my clothes fit whether I'm on track or not. Weighing is unnecessary for me.

7. what are other things you do that make you feel fit and healthy? A good stretching routine, eating healthy, whole foods instead of processed crap, and drinking lots of water.