Snippet of Europe
Useful, inexpensive options to help Torontoians live the healthiest, fittest, and happiest lives
One of the reasons to love the summer is because there are so many things to do! And what's everyone's favorite four letter word that starts with 'F'? F-R-E-E!
Walking: The Harborfront Musical Garden is one of those things where citizens can live in Toronto for almost 10 years and not have visited it (ahem, me) because people have never heard about it, and because a bit hidden. It's perfect for taking Facebook profile photos of yourself + friends during sunset, or wedding photos. Yoga: Also, if you want a free fitness class to stretch and relax, I highly recommend the Lululemon store on Bloor. It's more pleasant than the other locations that are located in malls. While the instructor is all like "Focus on your breathing', you can't help but focus on the crappy Lady Gaga mall music about chasing you down until you love me. Papa-papa-razzi. Running: The easiest thing to do is lace on your running shoes, and go outside on a cool evening. There are tons of great parks and quiet streets in all neighborhoods for a quick run. Free, except for the cost of running shoes.From this post forward, the blog will be dedicated to issues people face while improving their fitness in Toronto. I feel that the weight loss media is focused on unrealistic quick fixes to health problems and habits. Whoever said that 'weight loss is easy and simple with these 3 steps!' is completely wrong. It's not easy, it's hard.
This blog will discuss anecdotally how weight loss works, how to actually start eating foods that are truely good for you, staying fit while you're busy, and motivation, being realistic, eating out, itches and ticks to "cheat" on the diet, and more, not as a nutritionist or athlete but from the perspective of a person trying to sort through all the fads.I understand that it's never as easy as 'just park your car intentionally further away so you can walk more' or 'switch cream sauces for tomato-based sauces' because lifelong habits, convenience, and social events are non-linear, tough issues.
The number one reason why weight loss plans are often derailed is the lack of consistent effort. Getting into good shape with others is the single greatest insurance you can have to help maintain a routine.
Consistency and time are so important is because body weight, unlike many other things like grades or money, are not subjected to the 80/20 rule. For example, an university student's final exam and project are worth 80% of the grade, which may be evaluated on the last 5 days of a 3-month course. Weight on the other hand, is all about consistency. There will never be a single week during the year where you eat 80% of your annual calories. Likewise, there will never be a single week or month where you will lose 80% of your body fat. Since steady progress is the only way to lose weight and keep it off forever, it also means progress can seem extremely, extremely slow. The second aspect of dedication is unfortunately, the accompanied fear of failure. It can be interpreted as a chronic personal catastrophe. The third is the lack of planning for nutrition, which results in food derailment.
Consistency is the single most important thing. To achieve it, it's critical to have fitness goals with others who are on the same wavelength. I started a fitness program called p90x and finished it. I would've quit in week three if three of my good friends weren't doing it with me.Not only is it important to have exercise BFFs, but also food and nutrition BFFs. If Jon didn't cut out refined carbs with me, there's no way on earth I would've done it, and more importantly, continue to do it.
General health, energy, confidence, and other stuff are the individual foundation to keeping up the good work. It's important to have real, non superficial reasons apart from vanity. It's like the movie Hitch. Hitch won't work with people who just want superficial gratification - his clients actually have to like the girl. It's important to actually want to live a better wholesome life.Finishing p90x is one of those things I did that I thought was impossible. Like, flossing everyday and actually sticking to all of your New Year's resolutions. I'm supremely glad I finished the 90 day exercise + food program. The best thing about the program is that it actually works! The worst thing is that you have to do it! No pills, just exercise (cardio and weights) and eating right. It's a sure-fire way to get closer to a beach body, or what I refer to as The Victoria Secret Model Wanna-be.
I know my success is attributed to the fact that Jon, Jehangir, and Andrew, three university buddies, were doing it at the same time. Peer pressure and the shame of failure are classic forces to put you to action. Another trick was watching youtube 'before and after' videos of people who did the program. I distinctively remember one large man who did not look any different after 30 days, or 60 days, and I assume quit because he did not post a 90-day progress video. I recall I told myself that I had to stick to this because it's completely pointless to do it and achieve no results. Everytime I wanted to give up, I thought of the video and the perfectionist in me cried out. The third tip is to focus on how you feel, rather than how you look. You might think 'how can I feel good if I'm still bloated'? The good news is that I can do more push ups, lift more reps, and have better endurance the more the program goes on. I did not start to look different until month 1.5, so it's key for me was to focus on how I feel and the looks will follow. I've also come upon a realization that when it comes to body types, it's not fair and that's okay. I've realized that for all the work that I had put in, some people just naturally look better without lifting a finger - and there's nothing you can do. You know that girl in class that all the guys are like "She's so hot", yah I'm pretty sure she's just born with the predisposition to the body type. You can't look like that, but you can feel as healthy and energetic. From my personal experience, I recommend it to women who are serious about getting lean, and eliminating body-image related anxiety. Worrying about whether or not you will go to the gym, or what you're eating, and stuff like that is pointless without a structure. p90x is highly effective structure, so two thumbs up for this program!
