New Yorkers Live Longer. What About Visitors?

I'm am in NYC! This article was in the airplane magazine as I flew. Hoping I come back a few pounds lighter :) http://www.spiritmag.com/click_this/article/the_numbers_new_yorkers_live_longer/ New Yorkers will live 2.85 years longer than the rest of us. The saying goes, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” So it should come as no surprise that Big Apple residents will live approximately 1,040 days longer than the national average, according to data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington. What keeps the city that never sleeps ahead of the game? Over the past two decades, “New York has focused on healthy food and physical education in schools, smoking bans, trans fat bans, and also promoting simple things like making it safe and easy to walk the city,” says Dr. Ali Mokdad, who led the research. Non-Gothamites, however, have nothing to fear, he says. “You can live longer anywhere if you change your behavior.” In other words, city slicker or not, avoiding that extra-large cola might not be a half bad idea.

On Motivation, Anniversaries, & Maintenance

I'm approaching the 4th anniversary of this healthy journey. I really have four healthy anniversaries that I note. May 25th - Memorial Day - when - I looked in the mirror and stepped on the scale and knew something had to be done. July 21st - when I started this blog. And my birthday - Sept. 9 - it was my 29th birthday that inspired this fitness journey and every subsequent one is a reminder and a celebration of being healthier. On this date 4 years ago, i celebrated 15lbs lost. December 31st - I finally dropped to my goal weight and fit into my jeans from grad school.

I can't believe it's been 4 years already! I'm so glad that I made the decision to get healthier, eat better, and move more.

Over the years, I have found my motivation to stay healthy wax and wane. I have maintained the weight loss (more or less) over the years. I have learned & relearned & still learning about healthy eating and recipes. I've experienced many great workouts. I've prepared for and run several organized races. I've taught fitness and Zumba classes.

I remember reading a fellow blogger who has maintained a 100 lb weight loss for over 10 years on motivation and how it changes over the years. How you'll need to find new ways to commit and new challenges to keep you going. I try to remember that and keep learning - keep doing - keep trying.

Maintenance is about diligence, vigilance, and perseverance. It's about staying focused. It's about reversing small gains. It's about never giving up.  Maintenance is about progress not perfection. Maintenance is about remembering  milestones.

The anniversaries help me maintain. Compliments fade as people get used to my new size. My new, smaller wardrobe has become my regular wardrobe. But every May, I look to be active and fit as I had hope to be 4 years ago. Every July, I hope to become better than I was when I started this blog. Every birthday in September, I try to feel flat out fabulous. Every New Years Eve, I try to be in the best body I can be for the new year (and fit into those jeans).

This May will be the first since starting this journey that I won't be as in shape as I'd like. I'm working hard to be down to around 10 lbs over my acceptable weight range by my May anniversary. But, I know that by September I'll be back to where I want to be.

I'm determined to get back to the pinnacle of fitness. Right before I hurt my ankle I was in the best shape of my life. I will get back to where I was! If not, better! I will run, I will teach Zumba, I will get back to hiit workouts. I'll wear my bikini proudly :) But in the meantime, I'll celebrate what I have accomplished over the last few years.

Who Can Tell Me I Am Overweight?

Recent Events Have Me Thinking...Would it matter WHO told me I've put on weight? Would it matter HOW I was told I've put on weight?

A friend is working on losing 40lbs and works for a major health technology and software company. They provide a yearly check up and review with a nurse free of charge to each of their employees. It was during that checkup that the nurse pointed out that her bmi is now technically obese for her height and she had put on several pounds compared to last years checkup. The nurse then gave some pointers about how to lose the weight...But, the nurse herself is overweight. So, my friend pointed out...It was hard to hear what she was saying. Why wasn't she following her own advice?

Honestly, I don't know if it would have mattered to me...I listened when my doctor gave me advice. I took action when a family friend mentioned that I was overweight (the family friend herself was overweight too).

I listened when someone said it tactfully and I listened when they didn't.

I thought this was an interesting discussion on this topic:

http://blackgirlsguidetoweightloss.com/beauty/who-should-i-allow-to-call-me-fat/

Well, They All Can't Be Winners

I tried out a different water aerobics class Wednesday. It's at a 24 closer to my work and although it wasn't the aqua boot camp class, the class promised to mix cardio and resistance training.

The instructor was annoying. Her music was terrible (1950's pop hits). Alot of the class were goofing off - chatting and not working as hard as they could.

After this class, I can see how water aerobics gets a rap that it's not as challenging...

But, I got a great workout. Better than the aqua boot camp class I've been taking. Maybe because the other teacher caters to the mostly older ladies in the class? This class was mostly younger. We did jumping jacks, lounges, crunches, biceps, triceps, agility exercises and more. So, I'll be back...

Next week I'll be in Seattle for work and am hoping to try out a few classes at the Seattle 24 or perhaps find a Aqua Zumba class to try out.

Have a good weekend!