Skinny Fit

Technical Difficulties

2011-08-15T15:29:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to let everyone know I've been having some technical difficulties with my computer, thus I haven't been posting.

I have a laptop and the keyboard started doing crazy things. It would lock up and I would have to unplug the laptop and take the battery out to reset it (restarting didn't work). I thought the keyboard went bad, so I ordered and installed a new one. Didn't work. Ran every antivirus/spyware/fix your computer stuff out there... in safe mode even... didn't help. Saved all my pictures and documents to external hard drive. Used recovery disks to reset my laptop to factory spec. Still didn't work.

I've now resorted to using my laptop as a desktop. I have a wireless keyboard and mouse that I'm using at my desk. Hopefully when I have the money, I can buy a monitor for my desk. For now I had to cover up my laptop keyboard so I would quit trying to use it.

Just wanted to give an explanation for my absence. I will start posting again soon!

My Profile Pic

2011-06-30T21:44:00.000-04:00

Originally I posted this wonderfully flattering picture on the You Look Fab forum in order to determine my body type. Now I am using it as my profile pic for Skinny Fit!

I figured it was a good picture to use as a profile pic. It shows my body from almost every angle (except from the back). It's not the most flattering picture ever, so maybe it will make future pictures look even better? Haha!

Actually this picture has helped me in more than one way. Not only did it help me to determine my body type (and really see it!), but it also illustrates the whole idea of skinny fat.

Obviously you can see that I am skinny. I have been skinny all my life. So skinny in fact that I was the sickly looking child in my class/school. I've been told more than once I needed to eat more, even though I already eat everything in sight to my heart's content.

Thus part of the problem. I eat everything! Healthy food, junk food, red meat, ice cream, candy, pop, sweet tea, pasta, fast food. I could go on and on. My favorite food group is Italian! None of it shows on the outside, but it has to be causing problems on the inside. If not now, later!

It is very hard to get motivated to exercise and work out when losing weight is not on the agenda. I look fine on the outside. Sure I have a little jiggle here and there, just like anyone else, but if anything I need to gain weight. Gaining lean muscle mass would be ideal!

A few days ago I went to my free *sample* training session at my gym. My body fat was 16%! Pretty shocking actually when that puts me in the lower portion of the athletic range for a female according to WebMD's article Body Fat Measurement: Percentage Vs. Body Mass.

Now for eating, although I don't watch what I eat like a hawk, you won't always catch me scarfing down fast food. I also have a deep seated belief in the fact that you should enjoy what little life you have, so you won't see me totally nixing the ice cream, chocolate or fast food either. Almost everything is ok in moderation.

I have found recently if I eat some things that I don't eat often, such as fried foods, they makes me sick and I don't want to eat them. Blessing in disguise.

Recently I bought a new protein shake mix and have been trying to drink a shake every day after I work out. I've also been taking multivitamins every day. Hopefully it will all help!

Here is another set of pictures featuring a favorite pair of jeans (Levi's Perfect Waist Boot Cut) and the flip flops I wear everywhere (Olukai Kumu women's sandals). The great thing about this pic is that it includes the riveting rearsider portion not seen in the previous picture. That is one part neither I nor my boyfriend wants me to lose! Also features the dusty iron I actually used before this picture, a pink flamingo that is in my kitchen, and my fuzzy puppy!

Good starting point I think. Now we just have to get the inside feeling better!

Oh by the way, my body type is a Racy Rectangle with a *bubble butt*!!

Workout Mascara

2011-06-29T15:40:00.000-04:00

L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

To start with, I have oily/dry combination skin and hair, horrible allergies, live in the very humid southeast, and wear contacts! I have yet to find a mascara that would stand up to the combination of my eyes watering, oily skin, the humidity, and not hurt my eyes.

Recently there was a post on You Look Fab forum that listed favorite mascaras. There was one I had never heard of called L'Oreal Paris Double-Extend Beauty Tubes.

First off, I'd never heard of beauty tubes. I'd tried all the waterproof mascaras I could find. Sure they did better than the non-waterproof versions, but by the end of the day (and night if I was bad and didn't wash it off) it would be smeared all over my eyes.

I tried removing the waterproof mascaras with almost every waterproof makeup remover I could find. None of them were very successful. They all involved a lot of rubbing, or just holding in place for awhile. I was constantly losing lashes and never totally got all the mascara off. If I went days without applying any makeup, I was still waking up with raccoon eyes!

Enter the L'Oreal Beauty Tubes mascara. It is labeled as "water resistant" and says it comes off with warm water and pressure (bonus no more makeup remover to sting my eyes)! I tried it and loved it! I can't give enough compliments about this mascara! It works exactly as advertised, looks great, and doesn't come off all over my face.

I've worn it every day since. I've spent all day in 100 degree temperatures, rain and humidity and nothing ran. I washed the car and it didn't run. I even slept in it one night (oops!) with no transfer all over my face or on my pillow.

As a bonus, when I do take it off, there is no leftover mascara to deal with.

I'm in love with a mascara.

How does this pertain to Skinny Fit? I've worn it when I've worked out. Inside, outside, rain, shine... no matter how much I sweat, it hasn't come off!

For anyone that uses their lunch break to go to the gym, or heads to the gym after work, you know about that raccoon look and having to haul around make-up remover to use before you leave. This means one less product you have to carry around in your gym bag!

It's a bonus for trainers and class leaders. You want to look good when you're in front of people leading a class, not have mascara running down your face.

My suggestion, just try it already and let me know what you think! If you have any other suggestions, add them in the comments section below!

L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara

Introduction

2011-06-29T13:49:00.001-04:00

Hello and welcome to my blog Skinny Fit!

I have been blessed to be skinny all my life. Throughout my school age years I played sports year-round including softball, basketball, and soccer. I also spent almost every waking moment outside being very active. I was a skinny fit kid.

For the past 8 years I have become a total couch potato. Although I still remain 120 lbs (same weight I was in high school), I can not run around the block... only walk. Ever heard the term skinny fat? I'm there. I want to be able to take my dog for a run and not be afraid I will pass out. I love hiking, but am scared I will get tired out too quickly to do any long hikes. Running, swimming for fun? Forget it!

Many fitness articles and blogs are targeted to losing weight. I don't need to lose weight, but I do need to change my lifestyle to become fit and healthy.

Wake Up Call

I work as a paramedic. I need to be fit for my job to keep from getting injured! A recent knee injury woke me up and made me realize how out of shape I really am. During physical therapy, people 40-60 years older than me seemed to be having an easier time doing the exercises. What a wake up call!

Confessions Ahead!

I signed an expensive gym contract 2 1/2 years ago and only went maybe 3 times in that time frame. I wasted $1000's of dollars! During the free training session, the trainer told me they normally do 30 min sessions... I only made it 15 minutes! Should have been a wake up call then.
I got a Wii Fit for my birthday 2 years ago. I've used it a handful of times.
I found out about a year and a half ago that I have adult onset asthma. Instead of it motivating me to get in shape, I've used it as an excuse to not work out.
I use being uncoordinated as an excuse to not do exercises. I found out during physical therapy for my knee injury that is not an excuse as the more you do something, the more coordinated you become.

Here's to Good Habits: Going from Skinny Fat to Skinny Fit!

A few weeks ago I started going to the gym with my boyfriend. He's been trying to get me to go for years. Every day I've had off, I have at least gone to the gym and walked on the treadmill, even if he wasn't with me. That is an accomplishment in itself! I have also continued some of my physical therapy exercises using the Bosu ball.

So far, I invested in a good sports bra, some running shorts, a gym bag, lifting gloves, and multivitamins and protein shakes. Once I had gone to the gym regularly for a few weeks, I signed a new, less expensive contract that cost about a third of the first one, and canceled the membership from the first contract. I know a lot of things I can do at home, but I have found it is better for me to go somewhere to work out. They say that 20 days of something in a row makes it a habit. Here's to good habits!

My Hope: Goals/Plans

My hope is that this blog will keep me accountable, motivated, and inspire others to be healthy and get fit.

I plan to blog about my fitness ups and downs, search for fitness gear/clothing/health and beauty products etc, learning various exercises to do at the gym and at home, and food/supplements.

My current goals include being able to run around the block with my dog, being able to run at 6.0 mph for 5 minutes on treadmill, actually being able to do triceps workouts (apparently I have no triceps), being able to do ab workouts (apparently I have no abs either), and being able to do targeted weight lifting without direction from my boyfriend.

Wish me luck! Here's to good habits and going from skinny fat to skinny fit!