|
Bored,
Lazy and Out of Shape? Push Yourself to the Next Level
Dear
Kathleen,
I know you have kept your weight off for many years. How
do you stay motivated to exercise and eat right? I get bored,
frustrated and lazy.
Tasha
Dear Tasha,
I went cycling this weekend with an elite group of riders.
I fell in the first minute and got dropped after 5.
Thank heavens, it was because my bike suffered easy-to-fix
damage in the fall and NOT because I had no energy, no power
in my legs or was the worst, most out-of-shape rider on
the whole planet.
When I finally caught up with the group, the team mechanic
diagnosed my slowdown, attributed it to mechanical failure,
unlocked my back wheel, adjusted my brakes and off we went.
Because the group's fitness level exceeded my own, I pushed
myself mentally and physically to levels of riding I hadn't
yet achieved this season.
At the end of the ride, they invited me to join them again.
I was so tired, I wasn't sure I could get my bike stuffed
into my car, let alone find the energy to push the gas pedal
all the way home. My mind raced to think of ways to politely
decline.
Thankfully, my inner goddess of fitness silenced the cry-baby-cop-out
and immediately began to think of ways I could prepare to
ride with them again. Focusing on elements I can control—eating,
hydrating, rest, bike maintenance and attitude—will
help me gain the confidence I need to work to my personal
best on the bike and in life.
Prepare to win and you can.
I see why Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong's training
diet doesn't include ice-cream cones and cheeseburgers.
I felt every single culinary indiscretion when I was on
the road digging deep for the energy I needed to keep up
with the group and climb yet another hill.
My cycling coach friend told me later that I need to eat
carbs. He didn't mean the chips and Cheetos kind, either.
A perfect in-training supper: 4-5 ounces of grilled chicken
or fish such as salmon or tuna with a black bean, born,
tomato and avocado salsa.
To prepare the salsa: In a large, nonreactive bowl, combine
2 large, cored and diced tomatoes with 1 (15 ounce) can
of drained and rinsed black beans; 1 cup of fresh corn kernels
(about 2 ears' worth); 1 peeled, pitted and diced avocado;
1 tablespoon of grated or minced jalapeño; 2 tablespoons
lime juice; 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and 1/2 cup chopped
cilantro. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings with
course salt. Serve immediately. Serves 4.
No matter how you work out or what your workout consists
of, figure out a way to do it with an individual or group
of people who are at a slightly higher skill level than
you. If you work out at home, pursue working out with a
partner once a week. Invite someone to come over and work
out with you or schedule a weekly power walk with a fit
friend.
Consider signing up for a class. If that seems intimidating,
audit a class so you can gain a comfort level.
Another option is to follow some of the athletes through
their Olympic experiences. Reading about their training
trials, tribulations and triumphs can be extremely motivating.
The goal is to continually find ways to push yourself out
of your comfort zone and take yourself to the next level
because no matter how far you get, there's always a higher
level of mental and physical fitness we can achieve.
Ready, get set, go!
kd@chefkathleen.com
|
