Couch to 5k, and the difference between losing inches vs pounds.

So tomorrow I'm getting a treadmill. I'm so excited, especially for the fact that I've been using my bike a lot more, and now I can switch things up a bit (:

Now I plan to do the couch to 5k workout. I've been wanting to try it, but since I'm pretty self conscious, it's very hard to go running out in public. At least with this, I can workout in the comfort of my own home. Being a home body has it's disadvantages when it comes to workouts, but not for this home body! Actually talking about that, I can already see a change in my body since I started really working out about 2 weeks ago. It's not much, but my stomach looks just a TIIIINY bit smaller (all seen through pictures because scales scare me. Lol.)

On that topic, let's have a little talk about losing inches vs pounds. Normally when people starting working out, they want to lose weight. I know I sure do! But don't be discouraged if you don't lose a lot. People going in with the mentality of "I'm going to lose so much weight in a few months! I'll lose at LEAST 10 pounds a month." I'm sorry, but you're setting yourself up for failure. To healthily lose weight, it's good to lose 1-2 pounds a week.

And why does no one talk about losing inches? You can lose 2 pounds, but see a definite change in your body shape. Many people will tell you stories about how they didn't lose much weight, but lost inches all around. And honestly, I think I'd rather lose inches. Especially if it's in my waist :D Haha.

Now, don't get me wrong, in the first month, you may lose a lot. If you're not used to exercising, and you jump right into it, the first month may give you a boost! HOWEVER, it can also not work out the way you want it to either. Never, ever just jump right into something. Just don't. Diets are fads. You need to do a whole lifestyle change. If you want to keep it off, you need to permanently change your habits. Think about it, do you REALLY think going hard on a "diet" for a few months will work in the long run after your "diet" is done? No, it won't.

Why? Because as soon as you start eating like you did before, it'll all come right back. That's why many diets fail... like, really really fail.

Another thing, honestly, throw out that darn scale. Just do it. Throw it out. As told to me by a very good friend of mine (I won't name names since I'm not sure if she even wants to be named), throw out everything and work towards feeling healthier. And that's probably the best advice anyone has ever given me. Stop obsessing over how much you weigh, or the inches of your waist, and just try your hardest to be as healthy as possible. And once you change your habits, you'll see and feel the change.

So all in all, go do the couch to 5k. Lol.

No, but really, losing inches and losing pounds are different. Almost vastly different. You may not lose a lot, but you could possibly see a change in your body. The pounds will come off, just maybe not right away. And that's not a bad thing. Just keep at it!

Hope you stick around for my next post about motivation! And if I can't get on tomorrow, HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY! :D Don't be counting calories so much that you can't enjoy yourself. Party a bit, then work hard on the 6th.