What's hardest for you? Exercising or eating right?

[lindrusso]

Forgive me if this has been asked before, but this seemed like hard one to search for unless you already know the title of the thread.

So, which is hardest for you to get under control: Eating or exercise?

For me, exercise has become a routine - I even look forward to it a lot of the time (but not ALL the time ;) ). I'm not a naturally active person who hikes, engages in sports, etc., so that's definitely a good thing for me to be exercising regularly! It makes me feel so good.

It's the eating that trips me up, time and time again. I am not like others on this BB who seem to be naturally wired to eat healthfully. Though I can thouroughly enjoy a healthful meal, I naturally crave the carbs and the fats and rarely truly crave the good stuff (except when things like corn, tomatoes and fruits are in season - but that leaves a whole winter of unhealthful cravings!). Argh. Very frustrating.

Alysha :)

[wallycat]

I voted eating healthy foods.

I've been exercising since I was 20 (give or take a month over the course of the last 26.9 years :p ) and I too look forward to it most of the time. Even on days I need motivation, I know I'll FEEL better afterwards.

Over the years, eating balanced meals is getting easier and easier...but I'd lie if I said I wouldn't prefer ice-cream or potato chips more times than not. :o

As I've gotten into the swing of the eating and respect my body a bit more, I gravitate towards the healthier stuff out of habit and because I know it is important.....but it sure would be nice if chocolate and chips could be a food group :D :p

I think my hardest thing has always been portion control...and I still find myself battling this demon when something yummy is on my plate :(

[Little Bit]

Exercise. Definitely.

[AmyO26]

Originally posted by Little Bit
Exercise. Definitely.

Same here! Walking is pretty much the extent of my exercise, and sadly I am a "fair-weather walker" (not a good thing when you live in PA, especially this winter) I am much more successful when it comes to making healthy food choices and eating treats in moderation.
Amy

[kirkbyky]

I think my hardest thing has always been portion control...and I still find myself battling this demon when something yummy is on my plate.

Oh yeah, this is definitely true for me!:o :p I think that I eat a healthy diet; wide variety of foods/fruits and veggies, etc. But snacking/portion control trips me up ALOT, and its not necessarily junk food either--I tend to get my extra calories because I eat a lot. A 'snack' of carrots and o.j. is still 200+ calories, even if it is good veggies and juice.

I've been pretty good with exercise though, I've been doing yoga for the past several years and just recently began lifting weights (hence, my sig...). I always feel fantastic afterward and that's the most important motivator for me.

Kyle

[kima]

What Ana said!!!

I was a serious athlete for many years so exercise is like breathing for me. Sadly my body is falling apart but I still do what I can.

But I love to eat and snacking is my downfall.:( For years I could eat whatever I wanted in whatever quantities I wanted- always woke up with a flat tummy again. Those days are gone and it sucks!!!!!:( :D :rolleyes:

[aggie94]

Another ditto to what Ana said. For me, it's definitely eating that gives me trouble. No matter what my intentions, my arm can always be twisted into skipping the healthy lunch I bring to work and going out for Thai instead. And when things get particularly hectic, I find myself faced with the choice in the evening between taking the time to cook a healthy meal or going to the gym to exercise. I usually opt for exercise and get something to go instead. At least for me, I find that I get more health benefits from exercising regularly and eating less than ideally than I do from eating well and not exercising. Obviously, if I could stick with both, I'd be in really great shape. :rolleyes:

[VictoriaL]

Most definately-- exercise. The healthful eating part is a cinch, but I cannot get myself motivated. At all. I know that I should, but there's always an excuse! It's a good thing that I don't have a sit-down-all-day sort of a job and that I'm always moving. But not regularly, vigorously, and for a length of time-- which is what I need to do. I've been blaming the lethargy on my back problems (I do stretches for this) for the past 2 years and I just have to force myself, somehow. :rolleyes:

[SueK]

Definitely exercise. I find it hard to find time, especially w/a baby, but I have been doing better lately. (Thanks to the 6 Week Challenge threads!)

For me, personally, I was thinking that I eat pretty healthy because I'm not good at fitting in exercise. So I felt like I'm at least doing one thing good for myself. However, I just started WW, and now realize I really needed to up the amount of fruits and veggies I was eating, which I'm doing now. But I'm still working on the exercise thing, though. Now that the weather is heading toward spring, I will most likely incorporate more activity into my schedule every day.

[TerriS]

Both, but in different ways.
Ironically, I really enjoy exercising and I love eating healthy food. I crave veggies. I don't enjoy things like sugary sodas, I want to gag when I order pancakes at a restaurant and there are two full tablespoonds of butter on top. I like to think I cook VERY healthy food. Very little fat, tons of veggies, lots of fiber, whole grains, etc.

I am okay at both. Eating I think I'm better at. What gets me are the "f$%k it" days where I'm hungry and annoyed or stressed and decide that I don't care, and eat nachos for dinner. The problem is I do care. I also have a snacky inclination...I've largely gotten that in control but just not keeping those kinds of foods in the house but I still run into trouble at parties and restaurants. What gets me is how hard it is to not take advantage of baked treats people bring to work, or to avoid pigging out on the free lunch at the meeting, or eating what's in front of me just because it's there. I hate when I waste points on food that doesn't even taste that good! Sigh.

Exercise is a little more of a challenge. I'm on an upswing now, but it is really hard for me to maintain a consistent workout schedule. I really hope that by adding an elliptical trainer to my home gym, I will have removed the biggest obstacle...what to do for cardio when I don't feel like jumping around my living room and the weather is too crappy to exercise outside. Now I have an option for almost every mood. We'll see if that works. I really enjoy life so much more when I'm in control of my eating, when I'm eating healthy foods, and when I'm exercising consistently. It amazes me that I am not so good at maintaining that!

Continuous improvement....

[memartha]

Exercise. I am a pretty healthy eater but getting myself onto the treadmill or out for a walk is a challenge. I've been doing well lately, walking on the treadmill for about 40 mins. (2 miles) 3x/week. But this isn't always the case.

[Mimeea]

Healthy eating is my downfall. Well, I eat balanced meals (usually CL or EW) but I snack way to often and eat too much. Its usually something like dried fruit, nuts, or cereal but the thing is before I know it I've finished the whole package! My recent baking exploits haven't helped much either. :rolleyes:

On the other hand excercise is a regular routine for me. Since I'm on the swim team we have practice every weekday. And since the routine is given by a coach, I can't skimp out on any of it. Usually it consists of 30 m dry land: running, lunges, strength work, and then an hour swim practice. Now I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best swimmer on the team, so it is motivation to try to keep up and stay focused.

[Rottlover]

Most definitely exercise. I HATE it. (Mind you, once I've worked out I always feel soooooooo glad that I did - but I just have to FORCE myself into the gym).

I am relatively good at controlling what I eat. I cook mainly from CL and can limit portion size.

My biggest problem is I require the combo of exercise and healthy eating to drop weight. I can eat well all the time, but unless I work out at least 4 times a week, I just can't shed the pounds.

[claire797]

EXERCISE!

[Paula H]

Exercise.

Eating "right" is now just second nature to me (well, maybe with the exception of resisting chocolate...), while exercise is still, hmm, I'll be positive and call it "a work in progress".

I'm hoping to someday (soon?) reach the point where exercise becomes second nature too.

[Chiffonade]

The endorphin rush I get from exercise has, more than once, been pivotal to my mood for the day. (I exercise very early in the AM so I reap the mood benefits all day.) For that reason, I don't think I could give it up.

The eating right...hmmmmmm, now there's a problem. I enjoy a variety of foods of all kinds and much to my disadvantage, I know how to cook them all. :rolleyes: They say "A diet starts in the supermarket. If you don't buy cake and goodies, they won't get into your house." But what if you know how to make these verboten foods?

I probably won't get anywhere near the weight I feel is my optimum weight. I will continue to exercise 3x/week unless my husband decides he'd like to do weight training with me, then it will be more. As for "eating right"..? Sorry, dude. I can't live on sprouts.

[Jessica]

Cool thread. I voted for "eating healthy." I started exercising late in life — around age 24 — and it took years to make it a habit. But now I work out for an hour at a time and it is rare that I miss two days in a row. It makes me feel great, even though I am far from being an athlete.

I give myself a B in the food department. I don't eat fast food or most junk food, but I struggle with portions and I have a huge sweet tooth. If I look back over the past 10 years, I can see huge improvements in my diet, but from day to day I always seem to fall short of what is considered the healthiest of diets.

Unfortunately, I only lose weight when I eat less :(

[lhall]

Exercise!

Mostly because I'm so busy it's hard to make time. The 6 week challenge has helped, but there's always something to do around the house.

I'm pretty good about eating healthy. Most of my slipups come from PMS. I just don't have a big sweet tooth, and if I'm going to waste calories on dessert it better be good (very good!!!).

Leigh

[LaraW]

Exercise is definitely harder for me than eating right. When I was pregnant, I was so exhausted all the time that I really slipped out of the habit, and now that I have a baby it seems like there are not enough hours in teh day to get stuff done around the house. Now that the weather is nicer, though, I am hoping that it will help to get out and get some exercise. I want to set a good example for her.

[MrsReber]

I LOVE to eat!!! It's my biggest problem and always has been. I love exercise and I'll work out before work (getting up before 5:00 am) just so I can go to the gym before starting work. I'm pretty good eating all day because I bring my food with me and I'm cheap. I refuse to spend money on food while I'm at work. Once I go home, though, all bets are off. Darn, I wish I wasn't such a good cook!

Lara, I feel your pain. I was good with my first pregnancy and exercised up to my 9th month. I was getting back into shape when I found out I was pregnant again. The demands of having one baby and home coupled with the exhaustion of pregnancy was more than I could handle. I gave up exercise. When I finally took control of things again, I felt sooooo good when I exercised. I had been walking with the kids when I was on maternity leave the second time and that in itself did wonders.

I know how good I feel mentally and physically when I exercise so that is definitely the easier part for me. However, if a good looking cannoli comes along, I have a hard time saying no! I made CL's cream cheese brownies on Sunday night simply because I had a can of condensed milk in the house. I'm hoping DH eats most of them!

[ellery]

Originally posted by lindrusso
I am not like others on this BB who seem to be naturally wired to eat healthfully.

Oh, how I wish I was one of those people!!!

I definitely struggle most with the eating part, and actually, have struggled with it pretty much all my life. I've never been remotely overweight, but always conscious of what I ate, almost constantly "on a diet", always struggling between the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other. I've relaxed some over the years, but it's disheartening to think that I'll probably be this way for the next 40 years or so. I look forward to being a fat old grandmother one day, baking (and eating!!) cookies with abandon, eating ice cream for dinner if I want... :D :D

It always seems like other people have it easier, but I guess not, eh?

;)

Leah

[ellery]

stupid thing won't bump.

[SusanMac]

I'd be curious to know if this has changed for anyone over the years? I'm not quite sure how to describe this. I've been eating healthy for most of my adult life (since my early/mid-20s). I haven't ever counted calories because, between lots of exercise (which I love) and eating healthy, I haven't had any problems.

But as I age I'm afraid I need to rethink what's "healthy." I mean, my hips aren't as small as they used to be, yet I haven't changed my eating habits and I probably exercise more than I did 10 years ago.

Anyone else in this same boat? How are you adjusting?

[Paula H]

I know what you mean SusanMac - although I never ate particularly healthy when I was in my teens/early 20s (I was one of those horrible people that could eat anything and stay skinny), my eating definitely got healthier from about 24, with continual improvements over that time. But now, even though I exercise a lot more now (never exercised until I was about 22), things don't want to tone up quite as nicely as they used to - and I'm only 30!

Okay, so I used to walk/bike everywhere (and now I live so far out from the centre of town that I drive there), and so I don't truly expect to have the body I had at 23 when I was biking everywhere, not working so training every day, and doing serious kickboxing twice a week, but still!

I try telling myself that I look healthier now than when I was in my early/mid 20s. I'm no longer struggling with malnutrition from Crohn's Disease (which means I actually have to pay attention to food in/energy out, rather than relying on getting sick all the time), I've got strong healthy legs, my arms have got some definition, my back is nice and strong, and my abs are pretty good - sure, my abs aren't ever going to be as flat as they were during my kickboxing days, but I had massive abdominal surgery that cut those muscles in half, and I have to let go of expecting them to be as flat as some 20 year old's. Not going to happen.

Sorry. Rambling/ranting.

I don't want to age gracefully, if gracefully means accepting podgy bits and saggy bits. I want to fight it. I love this quote from "The Round Heeled Woman", and I guess it sums it up for me: "I sure as hell wasn't going to go gentle into that good night. F***, f*** against the dying of the light."

That's it. I'm off to check my schedule and see if I can fit in some more cardio today.

[The Shadow Ride]

Oh my, definitely exercise.
But, it is a price I pay to keep my weight off (I lost 82-1/2# in 1985 on WW).
I eat healthy (vegetarian), but I have to literally make app'ts to keep my date with my daily exercise. However, I do get my walk in somehow. Usually in the mornings.
It has become second nature now and is addictive, but I really have to watch myself or I may slip back in my old lazy ways. Or should I say, I am 'afraid' of falling back into the old lazy ways. :p

[EsteemSamurai]

When I was in high school and early in college, I didn't eat right or exercise the way I should. I mean, as a college student, I obviously had to walk around quite a bit, simply by nature of going to a large university. But that was it. And it showed - at 5' 6.5" I was around 200lbs. My senior year I decided it was time to change that. I began to exercise 5x/week for at least an hour and watched the way I ate.

My eating and exercise patterns have gone through MASSIVE transitions since then, but at the end of the day, I think the harder part for me is balance. I might eat perfectly one day, but exercise too much. I might eat impefectly another day, and not be able to haul my a$$ off the couch. Insert iterations here.

I'm getting better about it, though. I exercise at least 4x/week and I'm slowly getting into my strength training. And I'm eating healthy foods and increasing my variety. I know its different for everyone, and I'm getting to accept that. I think that comes with age but more than that, I think it comes with experience.

Just my 2-cents. :)

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by EsteemSamurai
but at the end of the day, I think the harder part for me is balance.

Excellent point. :) That can be a big problem for me too. When I'm doing really well in one area, the other areas suffer.