. WIAW … round eleven .
Yippee, it’s Wednesday! 😀 And you know what that means…
It’s party time!
True to my early bird ways, I was up at 5:30 this morning. But I was tired, so I’m pretty sure that the only reason I was actually able to drag my sorry butt out of bed was because of the promise of a delicious breakfast…
[eggy bananafied oats topped with almond butter and chocolate/caramel pudding]
I didn’t end up passing out at 9:30 last night, like I thought I would. I was up until 11 doing… I don’t even know what. I remember there being a computer. Books were involved at some point, too. Oh, and I definitely remember this beautiful sight…
Rainbow sunsets 😀 Nature never ceases to amaze me.
And speaking of amazing… any guesses as to which book I picked out of the crazy stash to read first?
Drum roll pleaseeeee….
My thoughts so far? Ah.maze.ing. I’m completely smitten. And I’m also smitten by my new favorite pre-workout snack…
… which I inhaled before powering through a 20 minute HIIT workout on the treadmill, followed by one of my last strength routines in Stage 1 of The New Rules of Lifting for Women.
I’ve been following the lifting program for just a little over a month now (I don’t follow the diet plan) and dayyyuuum… I’m loving the results. I’ve definitely gotten stronger and leaner, and I just feel… good. Happy. Healthy. It’s nice 😀
And the best part of it is that I think I’ve finally reached a place where I can say that I have a perfectly healthy relationship with exercise. I no longer look at is as a way to burn extra calories, but as a way to make myself healthier. I used to suffer from the “exercise more, eat less” mentality, meaning that the more I exercised, the more I was tempted to restrict my intake (because that makes perfect sense), but now the complete opposite is true. The more I exercise, the more I want to eat so that I can become even faster and stronger. I hate the feeling of dragging through a workout, or dragging through a day in general, and I notice that it doesn’t tend to happen if I’m properly fueled, so I fuel…
After I managed to pick my sweaty and shaky self off the floor (stability ball jackknifes kill me), I was more than eager to dig into my favorite lunch…
[mango tofu protein smoothie – Greek yogurt topped with trail mix, Puffins, Kashi Sunshine, puffed wheat – unpictured salad beast]
… and because I was still feeling a bit peckish after that, I followed it up with dessert, which came courtesy of my dad. He knows how much I love my Greek yogurt, and has to listen to me complain about the lack of variety up here in Canada, so he picked up this gem just to shut me up because he loves me…
… and I. am. in. LOVE. The combination of sweet mango and slightly tangy orange is just to die for. Be still my fluttering heart. Mmmm yessss. Err. Sorry. I was having a moment…
MOVING ON
The afternoon was devoted to this, that, and a little bit of everything in between. I worked. I shopped. I got hungry. I ate an afternoon snack…
[a perfectly sweet nectarine alongside the last muffin]
… I ran some work related errands. I cussed like a sailor when I hit rush hour traffic on my way home. I eventually made it home. I whipped up a quick dinner…
[Pumpkin Hummus Tortilla Pizza]
… I blogged while it baked. And nowwww I just want to relax and do nothing at all. I’m wiped, and tomorrow promises to be yet another crazy day with even more condo viewing in the afternoon. Sigh.
It’ll all be worth it in the end. It’ll all be worth it in the end. It’ll all be….
Love you guys! Wish me luck!
. – . – . – .
Let’s chat. Why do you exercise? Because you truly enjoy it, or because you feel guilty if you don’t? Do you do it to get stronger, or to burn calories? Have your views on it changed over time?
. running with spoons . 
I exercise because it makes me feel strong. I exercise in the morning because it starts my day on the right food – feeling accomplished and self confident. How could you not feel great when you’ve done more before 6am than most will do all day? 🙂
I’m loving the new rules of weight lifting! I’m halfway through the first stage and I’ve noticed such a change! The jackknifes kill me! My abs are actually feeling it right now.
I’ve been cutting back on cardio so much because I’m loving the strength training. It makes me feel powerful, strong, and confident. I love exercise for the high that I get after I’m done. It never fails to make me feel better. 🙂
I love The Alchemist, it’s one of my faves. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
I’m a little over halfway through and I’m loving it!
I just started weight lifting more and love how strong I am feeling! I used to workout to burn calories, but now I do it to make me feel happier, stronger, and less stressed 🙂
After college I used to think I could eat junk and drink excessive amounts of alcohol and then just like that I could exercise and it would erase all of the indulging. Ummm, no, that didn’t at all work in my favor! After a total life shift and a healthy understanding of whole foods and exercise for strength and energy, I view exercise as a must for the balance of feeling empowered, strong, lean and healthified!
My favoriteform of exercse is eith a nice long walk, yoga, tennis or biking,Ive never been one for the gym – id much rather bee outside in the sun! I love to do some form of exercise at keast once a day but thankfully don’t feel guilty when ii don’t have the timeor energy. After all i do love those days of just relaxing!
Great meals today! Thst greek yogurt sounds like a winning combination!
Enjoy the book – i heatd its great – it too is on my list for must reads!
I used to exercise to burn calories! Now I look it as a way to stay fit and boost my mental health. Whether I’m walking, running or lifting, I try to do something at least 5 days a week! This new mentality makes exercise more of a pleasure that I crave to do!
I just started eating “eggy oats” because of your blog, and I’m never going back! 🙂
About exercise…running I do for the enjoyment, and for the training. But honestly, sometimes I do cross-training to burn off calories.
I could never go back to non-eggy oats either. They’re just too good!
You take the prettiest food pictures. Sooo i’m gonna come over and you’re gonna make me that hummus pizza, right? It looks faaaabulous.
I love that strength training has helped you make peace with exercise. A good, hard strength workout that leaves you trembling is awesome (stepups kill me!) and so satisfying. I was talking about why I love exercise today with my mom in the car after I went to a spin class “for fun”. I just can’t get enough. I love to strength train and do cardio because it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world and has boosted my self esteem tremendously (before and after ED). Don’t even get me started on running, because i don’t even call that exercise… that’s my true love, my oxygen, my motivation to be a healthy, happy person. I am fascinated by the human body and it’s capability to do so much, especially exercise and move. I can’t wait to study this stuff in college… I’m such a geek, but I LOVE it.
Awwr girl that’s not geeky at all! I love it when people have a true passion for exercise 😀
When I finally work my arse up to go exercise I definitely do so for the mental clarity and energy it gives me. I feel less sluggish, and my motivation ups to cross stuff off my to-do list/do everything I’ve been procrastinating- plus it puts me in a good mood and gives me a killlller appetite 🙂
Okay, first of all, those stability ball jackknives look killer! must try that sometime 🙂
and I exercise because I fully enjoy it. I consider the way it makes me look a bonus, but the way it makes me feel is why I do it. There is nothing like a hard sweaty workout – it makes me feel stronger and more determined.
It hasn’t always been that way, I used to tell myself I did it because I enjoyed it but I would be staring at the calorie counter the entire time. I’m happy to say I’m gotten past that. I don’t think about calories anymore, I just know that It takes energy to exercise therefore you will have to eat more. Since I’ve learned this my workouts have become 100% enjoyable!
Good luuuuck! You’ll find the perfect place soon 🙂
I used to exercise just to burn calories & totally relate in that the more I exercised, the less I ate…I think that’s now why I don’t really enjoy running…
I just love strength training for how it makes me feel, cliched as that sounds! Its nothing to do with calories or weight, purely for me and my well being…I see it as a kind of treat these days rather than a chore like I used to! Whoah this is turning into an essay!haha.
Love your eats as always, happy WIAW! ❤
Oh those Jackknifes…not to mention they come at the END of the workout! I just finished that workout although I have few more left in the stage. I also find myself getting stronger. On days I exercise I definitely consciously eat more, because I want my muscles to grow and I want to be a strong women. I agree with what Tara said in the above comment, I also exercise because it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world!
I agree about Canada’s greek yogurt selection…so few options 😦
I exercise because I do enjoy it and I love results. I like getting stronger or faster.
I love how much you love TNROLFW , it seems like you have really found a way to excercise you ENJOY and have a fab mentality towards exercise now. I can’t say I have a 100% healthy relationship with exercise:/ but I feel pretty addicted to the endorphins(maybe a little dependent or something) & I do feel so much better once iv done it.
Mango orange greek yoggy sounds to.die.for, and so do the rest of your beautiful eats!
Lovin the gorgeous sunset!
Xxx
Damnnnnnnn, I need all of your eats. I know I say it every day but it always looks so yummy–and that pizza!! WOW! I used to exercise for the wrong reasons (cutting cals) but now I do it for my sanity…love the feeling.
I am loving your eats 🙂 What a nice dad with the greek yogurt!
congrats on getting to the next stage in the lifting! sounds like fun 🙂
and I really wish I could say my relationship with exercise is as good as yours, but it just isnt yet. there are still times I do it just because I feel like I have to. but days like today where I DO do what I want, those feel great 😀
You’ll get there, Scott. It’s definitely been a long process for me.
I just wrote a workout post today, so it’s funny that your post today is about exercise too! I usually don’t talk about working out on my blog. Anyway, I exercise because I truly enjoy it, and because it keeps me mentally sane. I need an outlet for all the anxiety I carry around! Yes, unfortunately I’m a natural stress case. Exercise helps…majorly. I don’t do it to burn calories, but I definitely do it to stay strong. I’m very proud of my strength! Working out makes me feel like a superhero. My views changed when I met my current fiance, who’s a kick-ass personal trainer. He showed me the amazing effects that lifting can have on a body. I got so inspired that I got certified as a personal trainer! Exercising became a sense of empowerment for me, rather than just a means to stay thin. I love both the mental and physical benefits, but I no longer think of working out in terms of weight loss.
your hummus pizza looks amazingggg.
That rainbow sunset is stunning, nature never ceases to amaze me! 🙂 I’m kookoo for cocoa puffs for your breakfast–you should totally make a breakfast cookbook one day, all of your oat creations are so easy on the eyes 😉
I love working out because it makes me feel strong, keeps me on the right path in recovery, gets my blood/endorphins pumping, and it just makes me feel so happy! I look so forward to my lifting days 😀
Haha my breakfast cookbook would be like… 3 pages long 😆 I eat my pudding oats almost every day!
Your breakfast looks amazing. Seriously. My mouth is wateringggg
I’m so happy that I can say I exercise because I really and truly love it! While I used to look at it as a more “well, it’s good for me so I should” kind of thing – I honestly look forward to each and every run or cross-training session. I love feeling strong, too!
Hi beautiful!!!
I have to say that is ONE amazing pic of the beautiful sky and sunset! How amazing, seeing a pic like that, makes you realize how lucky you are, to have each day you are given in this world : )
Loving the WIAW, I did not join in this week, perhaps next ; ) I had birthday boy on my mind, so it didn’t happen
Loving that you are saying that book is amazing, should I get it?!!! I need a new read!
Love you! Hope your night is great!
and DQ Ice Cream cakes rock too! Love them!
Mike is way more important than WIAW, and you definitely need to get this book! I think you’ll love it 😀
I think that picture just renewed my taste for morning oats!!
All of your food always looks SO beautiful and delicious 🙂 And I’m happy that you’re reading The Alchemist because it truly is an amazing book! I LOVE exercise because it makes me feel happy! I do it to feel balanced, strong, healthy and fit. I think it’s such an important part of living. Any form physical activity is essential to life! I love doing so many different things…yoga, lifting, pilates, running, dancing, etc. Variety is the spice of life and I like to keep things spicy 😉
Would you recommend the TNRLW? I really want to get it.
I definitely would, yeah 😀 It has a lot of good info in it, and it’s super easy to read. The workout plan is a nice basic routine to follow, and there’s some good info on nutrition in it too!
1 – GORGEOUS sky/rainbow. I’m such a sucker for beautiful sky photos.
2 – The Alchemist is amazing isn’t it!
3 – I haven’t seen that Liberte Mango Orange flavour yet but I am definitely going to be on the lookout
4 – Exercise oh exercise. I’ll admit, it’s VERY up and down for me. Sometimes I do it because I genuinely love it, both during AND after. The zoning out and thinking time, the getting pumped up, the blasting tunes, the feeling strong and AWESOME… all great things. But then there are times, usually when I’ve been overdoing it, that I just get right worn out of it… and continue doing it anyway out of guilt. I have a lot of hatred for it at those points, I’ll tell you. Lately exercise has been more of a resentment for me. With so much time on my hands, it always feels like an obligation as one of the only “productive” parts of my day and I feel like I need to kill it hard, strong and multiple times a day. No good. That being said, that mentality is fading and I’m starting to enjoy it again which is nice! I do think I need to switch some things up soon though. I may just bite the bullet and join a gym. I LOVE classes and I’d love access to some larger weights/weight machines. Staring at my basement wall is getting old 😉
I exercise because it gives me energy and I love feeling strong. Running (whether it is 1 mile or 26.2!) gives me such a feeling of accomplishment that I just love and want more and more.
I do truly enjoy exercise. I love the feeling that I get when I complete a really hard workout. Working out improves my moood and I get really crabby if I don’t work out for an extended period of time. However… I do get caught up in guilt as well. Mostly on rest days. I know my body needs the rest.. but I don’t like having nothing to do in the timeI normally workout.
And I am LOVING that pumpkin hummus tortilla. I just bookmarked the recipe to make one day soon~
Still needing to try pudding on my oats. Theres a vegan mix they sell in the stores, Ill always walk buy, go to buy it then think to myself, ohh maybe next time.
So yesterday I went in to buy it and they were sold out 😦
Oh my gosh that sunset, that hue of pink is just amazing.
Thats so good that youre feeling fit and healthy.
My relationship with exercise and food is slowly getting better. This is thanks to people like you. 🙂
Ever since I started eating what my body wanted I’ve found I do love exercise, and I WANT to do it, because I actually have the energy.
Sometimes I do it because I really want to, but yes I will admit I have a side where I feel guilty if I dont and sometimes to burn calories. 😦
hopefully this is something Ill get over.
You will… it just takes some time. Soon you’ll fall in love with feeling healthy and strong, and calories and guilt won’t matter anymore 😀
I didn’t even know rainbow sunsets existed but that’s crazy! And by crazy I mean beautiful!
So first off, I’m a new commenter (*enthusiastically waves hello*) – and I effing adore your blog. The recipes look great, the pictures are gorgeous, and it’s just generally awesome. Well done! 🙂
On the exercise issue, I’ve always worked out because it makes me happy — but in the last two years or so, it all changed. I gained some weight after I started dating my soon-to-be-husband (he makes great lasagna, and the fact that I chose his company over my gym-Nazi ways is testament to how much I love the man), and I was pretty peeved about the fact that my thighs seemed to be expanding faster than the universe. (He wasn’t the least bit bothered by said thigh expansion; I, meanwhile, was uber not thrilled.) I then started looking at exercise as a way to burn calories, but that just made me miserable. Now I’ve started doing more strength training and less cardio, and focusing on becoming strong — vice watching the calorie counter on the elliptical — has made a huge difference. Like you, I really like the physical results of strength training, and the psychological benefit has been huge too. Keep on lifting!
Hi Lillian, thank you for saying hello 😀 Your fiancé sounds like a great guy. Congrats!
Good Luck! Haha, I really want to steal your book, The New Rules of Lifting for Women one. I have heard so many bloggers raving about it!
Hmm….truthfully, I exercise because I know it is good for me. But I equate exercise to an intense run or bike ride in my mind. But I really enjoy yoga videos, weight lifting, playing tag, swimming, frisbee, hiking, climbing,…ahhh, I change my answer.
I like exercising but only when it has purpose. Going out for a run or bike ride through random neighborhoods gives me no joy, but calming my mind with yoga, pushing myself with weights, running around with kids, racing through water, exploring God’s creation, or challenging my strategy with a climb; those things get me psyched! Problem is through, I don’t do most of those things because, in my mind, they are unrealistic. You have to pay for most of them and I can’t even afford clothes and my parents make getting a job very. hard.
I guess I am going to have to change some things in my life…
Thanks for this question Amanda! It has challenged me to go out on a limb for the things I love.
Oh! and I LOOOOVE sea kayaking! LOVE IT!
I love to exercise and to be active, so it comes naturally for me. For me personally, if I have to refer to something as exercise, I shouldn’t do it because it means I’m not enjoying it. I love to rollerblade (for hours!) I love yoga, walking, dance, lots of sports etc. Those endorphines feel so good!
I’m jealous of your Greek yogurt! I know we have way more variety down here in the U.S. but I’ve never seen any mango orange flavor! I did just buy some peach mango Greek yogurt so maybe it’ll be similar.
I do struggle a little with enjoying exercise vs doing it for the calorie burn. I do feel guilty if I’m not active every single day, but for the most part, I love the feeling it gives me. And I always do yoga because it never makes me feel bad and it helps me clear my mind and get stronger. I love it!
I read the Alchemist just few months ago, and it was great. Seriously, I mean, it’s when I truly started to believe in “fate” somehow – that everything happens for a reason.
Even with ‘eds,’ if it wasn’t there, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be living the way I am right now and I wouldn’t be having the dream I have currently.
I’ve already seen so many people who change their path of life due to different events in their life, (such as GC) and it’s just amazing how we all find our way at some point.
I loved the simple, and straight-forward writing of the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. (best part is that it’s pretty short, lol).
I admire so much on your new realization on the exercise thing. I don’t really obsess about the amount of exercise I do, but a post like this will sure help many other people 🙂
p.s. How much of pudding do you add once? I recently tried Soy pudding and while it’s so good, I think it’s ridiculously high in sugar (and I sometimes have two a day).
I just eyeball it and spoon on a couple big globs. Our bodies need sugar too 🙂
Oh my gosh I LOVE that sky! I exercise simply because I love it. No other reason. If I don’t feel up to it, then I just don’t do it. Once I took the pressure off I found I was much more apt to CHOOSE to workout than I was when I felt pressured to do it 🙂
The same thing happened to me. When I felt like I HAD to do it, I never wanted to. But when I backed off with all the planning and schedules, I found that I wanted to do it even more 🙂
I have finally (I think) come to peace with exercise….It feels so weird (in comparison) to feel like I can go forever (hooray proper fueling! Yay carbs!) but just stop because…you know what? I’m done. That’s it. Ends there.
PS- What time is the sun setting up yonder?
Pss- Hope all the alluded to changing and business is thrilling and exhilerating and all good things. (o:
Thank ya 😀 And I believe it sets around 10 or so? Around there anyways.
YAY!!! I am so happy you’re loving the Alchemist!!! Its such an amazing story….like I said, totally one of my favorite books!
Dancing is my passion! 🙂
That post-workout snack looks delicious. I am adding more chocolate to my meals, and am in love. I can’t believe I was saving it for dessert so often when I can enjoy it all the time!
I also love Liberte yogurt. When I lived in Vermont I was able to find it all the time, but it’s not quite as common in Massachusets. Sadness. It’s so delicious, and I had their coconut yogurt on my trip to Quebec last week – it’s amazing. Have you had it?
I have, yeah. The lemon one is really good too 😀
you blogged you baked you wiaw-ed and I have goooot to read that book! can’t wait to hear your recap/opinon when you’ve finished it! hooray for loving it so far! ❤ Happy WIAW dahhling!
I truly love excersize, but it also fuels my ed and has become an addiction. So it’s a really confusing thing for me. I do know that my favourite forms include; bikram/hot/power yoga, and hiking. Im not sure about running, and I really want to try lifting!
I want orange-mango Liberte, the best flavour I’ve tried is the fig-date.
I like some forms of exercise just because I enjoy doing them… like, I like walking places, and I genuinely enjoy running. I also like how I feel after doing certain other exercises (namely elliptical) because endorphins = fab especially for anxious littl eme 😉
But I was realizing in one fitness class I did today that I was really just doing it in hopes of looking better and that that was not really good enough motivation for me, which was why I kept skipping the class even though I paid for it… so I don’t know. It’s a mixed bag unfortunately!
Glad your’e loving the alchemist. Like is aid, one of my faves. 🙂 & written by a Brazilian author to boot 😉 hehe
Wow, the rainbow sunset is gorgeous!
Breakfast always gets me out of bed too 🙂
My views on exercise have definitely changed over time. I used to do it to burn as many calories as possible, but then I began to find certain exercises I actually enjoyed doing. Also I started feeling and seeing how much stronger I was getting and I just began to love exercise in general. I love strength training and short runs and how they make me feel afterwards 🙂
The idea of a delicious breakfast also always helps me waking up 🙂 And that rainbow pictures is so beautiful!
That is awesome that you have found your healthy relaationship with exercise!! It is so hard to do this, because do exercise from various (wrong) reasons and media keep “bombing” us with messages that we need to workout to get thin and thinner. I love that workous give me energy, boost my mood, make me strong..it is all amazing. But this attitude didn´t appeare overnight, it took a lot of periods of over-exercising, under-eating, over-eating and under-exercising, until I have found the right “ratio” 🙂
Agh! Too delicious to even describe, your eats. Nomnomnom.
Oats? Always a win. Puffins? Makes anything and everything more win than it originally was. Speaking of mango, I had mango soy yogurt today! I agree, the flavor of mango in yogurt is definitely a good thing. Though yours sounds bunches better than mine- mixed with orange? Perfection!
To be perfectly honest I don’t do any hardcore “exercise” at the moment. I do some ab work, the occasional workout DVD, and lots of walking with my dogs and such. I think I’d have loved Zumba, but I never got the chance to try! No worries. I just enjoy being active in general! Sometimes I lose patience with dedicating a time in my day for “working out”. I think I’ve just not found a workout that fits me yet!
❤
I think that being generally active is the most important thing anyways… On days where I’m busy running errands and stuff, I don’t usually bother to get a “proper” workout in, because I’m basically on my feet all day anyways, so I count that as my exercise 😀
As usually, Im in love with your eats! Everything looks SO good!
Im so happy for you that you have found peace with exercise! And youq are getting the results you deserve 😀
I used to exercise just to burn calories. I could skip school and tell my friends I was sick- only to go to the gym and work out for 5-7 hours! I even had two memberships, so the gym-staff shouldnt notice my crazy habits. Oh, those were the days.. 😛
Or not! I had to separate food and exercive, because I finally understood that working out, wouldnt zero out my binges. And that I would just binge even more if I kept up my out-of-control work-outs. This is many years ago though.
Nowdays, I love running (when they are pain free) and yoga and walking. I think I would have issues cutting them out (and that is a good thing!!), but Im not obsessed about them. And I never think of how many calories I have been eating, and how many I should burn off!
All of your food looks amazing!!! I really need to get my hands on that weights book sharpish-it sounds awesome!!!
I still struggle with exercise thoughts of just burning calories. But I don’t actively restrict its just in my mind. I do enjoy it though as I guess a part of the ed for me was to feel that I was good at something be so determined to see that number go down on the scale and that was the only pleasure I had in my life. But now I get lots of satisfaction from exercise I love feeling stronger out on the bike be able to go faster, feel my muscles get stronger.
Nice blog! The hummus pizza looks soo good. Hummus is pretty much amazing with everything, so I’ll have to give it a shot! I love substituting mayo with hummus on sandwiches. It has much more flavor, and less empty calories. It’s sooo good!
Good luck with all your viewings! I used to exercise just to burn calories, now I exercise because of how it makes me feel which is totally awesome! I can’t imagine not exercising, it just makes me feel kind of centred but also really strong and fit – and to feel that way I know I need to eat well to be able to get the most out of my workouts. I love that feeling of achievement too, whether its adding a few seconds to my plank hold or managing another push up its great 🙂
Ahh girly, you seriously take stunning photos and eat the most amazing food..therefore I am doubly jealous! And that sunset, gosh I’m a sucker for sunrises and sunsets…
I admit that a part of me exercises to burn calories but my relationship with exercise is getting better. It keeps me mentally sane, I love the endorphins from it and afterwards I feel great. I guess I enjoy it because I’m actually physically able to do it now and it makes me realise how much stronger and healthier I am now whereas before I could barely walk around for an hour. I see it as a reminder of how powerful my body can be when I fuel it properly with good food 🙂
I still remember the days where I barely had any energy to do anything, which makes me appreciate what my body can do even more now. I’m kind of smitten with being healthy 😀
Can I come over someday and enjoy a pumpkin hummus pizza with you, while discussing life-changing books? I haven’t read The Alchemist, but have heard good things. It’s officially on my reading list now, per your recommendation. Oh, and what is that delicious chocolate-looking pre-workout concoction? I’d like some of that too. 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on exercise. I once subscribed to the “exercise more, eat less” mentality as well. In fact, this outlook ruled every part of my being. I was a slave to exercise, as my entire day was centered around it. I’d be lying if I said that I’m 100% over exercise addiction. Sometimes I feel obligated to workout–as though I “need” to go six days/week in order to stay “healthy.” When I feel this way now, it’s not so much about the calories, rather, the “control” to do what’s right for my body. The lines can be a bit fuzzy…How much is too much?
Most of the time, however, I exercise because it makes me FEEL GOOD–both physically and emotionally. Like you said, a well-fueled body is a happy, healthy body. And that really IS nice. 🙂
Of course you can come over for pizza! I just need a 30 minute warning in advance so that you can enjoy it straight from the oven 😉 And the chocolatey pre-workout goodness was just some cottage cheese mixed with vanilla protein powder and cocoa powder 🙂
I exercise because it keeps me sane and is one of the few moments out of my day where I can have pure, unrestricted “me” time. Also, seeing the changes in my body is not-to-shabby of a reason either 😉
Hummus on a pizza!? You’re brilliant!
That rainbow sunrise is beautiful! Wow.
How in the world did I miss your post on pumpkin hummus tortilla pizza?! I make your pumpkin chili scramble all the time so I know this will be amazing too!
I saw on Liberte’s fb page that they released that new flavour, but I haven’t seen it in stores here yet. It sounds so good!
I exercise because it makes me feel good! And because it’s good for me. I like knowing that by making exercise a regular part of my routine, I’m reducing my risk of tons of diseases, cancers, and heart problems. My family has a history of high blood pressure and cholesterol, so I hope that by exercising I’ll be able to avoid that!
LOVE stability ball jackknifes! They are so hard, but you totally feel them working :). I used to workout for the whole calorie thing too…ugh that was awful. Now I do it because I love it- I love the way I feel mentally and physically. Also, I do it for my health. I was an exercise science major and I know all the awesome ways that exercise contributes to better health- basically it’s a wonder drug!
I love to run and ‘work out’ for the high I feel after. But I definitely suffer from guilt with rest. Maybe i should try more lifting to change my perspective a bit..
I exercise to get stronger and I also like the feeling after a good sweat session. I may be tired during the day, but I know once I exercise I’ll get an extra burst of energy!
Oooh, I’ve heard good things about the Alchemist. Let me know how it turns out. And that sunset picture is gorgeous 🙂 I exercise because it makes me feel truly alive and it ridiculously empowering. Not to mention, running is such stress release for me. It’s a time I get to be alone with my thoughts and sort them all out. I must say however, that I didn’t always feel that way about exercise. I used to think of it in terms of how many calories I was burning. Once I changed my mindset, my attitude towards exercise changed as well 🙂
The sunset is so beautiful! I’ve been meaning to check out the The Alchemist for a while now. I really need to get to it! I used to workout only to burn calories and I honestly didn’t enjoy it at all. My views have definitely changed though. Now I exercise because it makes me feel good, stronger, and gives me a sense of accomplishment. It releases a huge amount of stress too which is one of my favorite parts about it :]
I feel as though we have a similar taste for favorite foods. I would eat oatmeal or greek yogurt messes and protein shakes for every meal if i could. But I also love veggies and hummus and what not. Crazzzy 🙂
But I am getting better at my relationship with exercise. I do yoga because, well, I teach it, and I love bringing the sense of calm and strength to others. I take Les Mills group fitness classes because almost everyone in my family teaches them (mom, brother, stepdad, sister-in-law, myself, close family friends…) and they are the funnest things in the world! And I lift because it makes me feel so strong. I’m actually kind of thinking about getting into bodybuilding competitions.. haha. I’ve always been around exercise and always will because my mom has always been a fitness instructor (even when she was preggo with me 🙂 ) and we own a health club and now I’M a fitness instructor. It never stops! (sorry for rambling in your comments section, by the way ;D)
I luv ur pics!
“The Alchemist” is a wonderful read–enjoy! ❤
I used to workout obsessively just for the “calorie burn.” That took all the fun out of working out and it became a chore. Now I work out because it makes me feel good. I have no clue how many calories I burn during each workout, and I don’t care anymore.
P.S. I thought I was the only one who ate hummus on their “pizza” 🙂 Such a quick and delicious meal.
I used to exercise for fun – swimming, riding etc – then I got an ED and it was to burn calories, and now it’s because it’s fun, and it makes me feel like a superhero! I can hand on heart say I enjoy the stuff I do 🙂
Wow, that sunset is breathtakingly gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a pink rainbow before!
I remember the first time I ever did a strength training routine. I felt so empowered afterwards; its an entirely different feeling than a cardio workout. I workout mostly from habit now. I’ve worked it into my routine for so long now that it would just be weird not to. And obviously I enjoy it–there’s nothing better than being drippy with sweat and knowing you’ve worked hard!
Exercising is something I am currently dealing with- I mean how I approach it and why I do it. I exercise because I do love how my body feels, but I still feel quite compelled to engage in physical activity to burn calories. I have talked about this on my blog before but it’s really time for me to re approach this difficult subject for myself.
P.s. your eats look phenomenal as usual 🙂
I exercise because I truly love it, but sometimes it is guilt induced.
I could lie and say I exercise because I like it… but it’s mostly because I want to look good… and I want to eat more… Is that lame? I mean, I DO like the feeling I get after I exercise, but would I do it if it didn’t help me keep my weight in check?… probably not? Thats sad but probably true…
I exercise because… I don’t think I always enjoy it but I enjoy the results. It has turned to a habit and I don’t ask myself if I feel like doing it or not. I simply do it and move on. I really love swimming but it is not even on my exercise list. It is filed under “Hobbies” 😀 .
And you really like “The Alchemist”? For me the style of Coelho is just too plain. I read the whole book in like 2-3 hours and then I was happy to put it on the shelf knowing that I will never touch it again. Personal opinion…
His plain writing style is actually one of the things that I loved about it. The book had such a profound message which I thought contrasted beautifully with the simplistic words.
I exercise because I love it. I love the feeling and energy I get from a good sweat!
this was really lovely to read Amanda, you are so inspirational, whether you realize it or not. And if you dont start believing it because Im telling you. 😀 😀
I dont know, after reading your posts, I always get a buzz and i just feel like that you are such a strong person, and I mean I dont know all of your story about your ED but just knowing how far you have come in terms of recovery, and look at how you are living your life, and how happy you are. Its actually amazing. 😀 I only hope that I shall be in your position one day very soon, I know Im in the process despite it sometimes being slow.
I love the sunset, its absolutely gorgeous, the colours sunsets produce is incredible.
i’m so sorry this comment is late.
I hope you are having a lovely Sunday.
Love Jess xx