My So-Called Slug Life
It’s been just over three months since my first blog post (how crazy is that!!??) and I’ve been open about my love of food, wine and being more than just a little lazy. You also may have noticed that I don’t post a lot of pictures of myself. And there is a reason for that. Over the past five years or so, I have let myself go…into…the #sluglife.
I’ve never been a skinny human being, but I have been fit. But I have been choosing how do I “fit this” into my mouth over working on my fitness a lá Fergie for WAY TOO LONG. And when your body type is what your mother calls “sturdy peasant stock” and the pounds add up, you start to resemble a Weeble that wobbles but doesn’t fall down.
And you know what? I don’t like it, and my pants agree with me. So it’s time to call a health and fitness audible. Publicly. Because that’s how I bloggy roll.
So what am I going to do about it? Well…let me tell you. And no…none of this is going to be earth-shattering, but dang will it be honest.
Eat More of the Rainbow, Less of the Clouds. Eat the rainbow may refer to Skittles, but it is also a plethora of fruits and vegetables. I am not the greatest at eating my greens. However, I’ve been excellent at eating the “clouds” – cheese, white wine, bread, pasta. I’m thinking a nice morning smoothie with a Blender Bomb will be a perfect way to kickstart my day. But I would like to develop a “salad strategy.” If anyone is a “salad strategist” please let me know in the comments below or send me an email. I need a better vegetable strategy. Thanks in advance.
Dear Food Diary. I’ve read that keeping a food journal is a great way to keep track of all the foods and drinks going down the hatch, so I’m going to give it a whirl. I hope that my eating and drinking doesn’t lead to a case of writer’s cramp.
Fit Big Brother is Watching. I’ve had a few FitBits over the years. I’ve lost them (the clip-on versions really like to bail). I’ve poured enough sweat on them to cry “fitness uncle” (putting a FitBit in my sports bra probably qualified as a crime in and of itself). I (fit)bit the bullet and purchased the Versa. It resembles an Apple Watch, so the design is quite sleek. I also bought a few watch straps to change up the look, so I feel a bit more fit-fashionable when I wear it. Do you want to be FitBit “friends”? If so, you can find me here.
Move My A$$ – The Race Edition. I signed up for the Watermelon 5k, the annual 4th of July race via Track Shack This race is a fun one with lots and lots of watermelon available to be consumed at the end (total bonus that this hydrating fruit is a part of the rainbow!) During my Maine vacation, I will be participating in the Spurling Charity 5k. A race through Kennebunk should be a gorgeous way to add some fitness to my leisure time.
Move My A$$ – The Class Edition. There are so many fitness classes that I want to try! I am a little afraid of Cross-Fit and Orange Theory but will attempt at least a single session of each this summer. I am excited to try CycleBar – a spinning studio that has some extras (food, drinks!). And there will be yoga. Quite a bit of yoga. And 10 Minute Trainer via Beachbody because I can commit to 10 minutes, right? RIGHT!!??
More H20, less Pinot Grigio. I am pretty decent with my water intake but drink more than my share of wine. And do you know what happens when I have wine? Food apathy. I get a case of the IDGAF’s when it comes to eating after a couple of drinks. So yeah…less wine. Stat.
So there you have it. I don’t want to feel gross anymore (this pertains to my appearance AND how I feel physically). The non-stop food and wine festival I’ve personally had for the last five years has been a lot of fun but hasn’t been the pinnacle of healthy living. I need a little bit more balance. And I’m excited to start. I will falter and fail at times but dang it…I’m going to try.
Are you living the #SlugLife? Are you or have you gotten into a healthier lifestyle? Do you have any tips for me? Please let me know in the comments below.
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink (less) Chard.
Laurie
76 Comments
Kelly Berryman
First! Just kidding!
Have you tried cashew milk yet? We get it at Target here. So creamy! https://www.silk.com/products/original-cashewmilk
lauriegannon1
I haven’t tried cashew milk yet! But I will. Can cashew milk chocolate?
Kelly Berryman
Yes! They have regular, vanilla, and chocolate.
lauriegannon1
Yep. I need to get this. And whenever I reach for the cashew milk I am going to fake sneeze with a “cassshhheww.”
kkatch22
Hey Girl! I’m right there with you. I’ve already started the exercise regime, but somehow that seemed to give my brain a pass to “Eat whatever and however much you want because you’re working out now” and it has had bad bad bad effects! So as I sit and type I have a giant glass of water beside me. I’ll be curious and a definite cheerleader in your endeavor as it will help keep me on track too! Let’s do this!
lauriegannon1
I completely understand the “eat whatever and however much you want” syndrome. I trained for a half marathon and ate like I was Michael Phelps. I am sipping a sparkling water as I type this back to you so we are in this together! Let’s do this!!
kkatch22
Game on!!! 😙
lauriegannon1
Every time I hear or read that I can’t help but think of Wayne’s World. 🙂
kkatch22
Yay!! That’s exactly where I got it!! It’s our generation…well…I’m guessing you might be near my generation.
lauriegannon1
Hahahaha! I am sure that we are! Now if you start quoting Spaceballs…
kkatch22
Oddly, though definitely in my generation, it was not one of my favorites. Go figure.
lauriegannon1
I think I wore out two VHS cassettes. It’s such a ridiculous movie. 🙂
kkatch22
Oh yeah…VHS…there’s a through back!
Marya The BeauTraveler
i could relate to the situation of being a slug. lol. and i’ve also gained a few pounds since i quit my full-time job last year, although i never keep food journal myself, as an indonesian, rice is a must and i stopped eating rice in the past few months. and you’re right!! better to eat more fruits if you’re not easy with veggies. 😀
lauriegannon1
I must say that I was a gold-star slug, but it really didn’t get me anywhere. Oh man…I love rice. I just need to love it a little less. 🙂
mary yowell
I love this! I feel the same way an I love the eat more rainbows thing! This is very inspiring!
lauriegannon1
Hi, Mary (which is also my mother’s name and she is super duper rad). I am going to do my best to eat more of the rainbow and a little less of the clouds. Wish me willpower and luck! 🙂
Clarice / Camping for Women
I super love your journal. It pretty much sums up my daily mantra since I am on a strict diet and committed to my road to good health and fitness.
lauriegannon1
Thanks! I super love the journal, too! I need to come up with a daily mantra. Do you have any suggestions?
Tara
I was with you, till put cheese in the “cloud”, I love my cheese, I actually changed from one diet to another because I couldn’t stand cutting out my dairy. Then of course I lost steam and am completely off course. The watermelon 5K sounds like lots of fun.
lauriegannon1
I won’t be quitting cheese. “I just can’t quit you, Cheese!” But I will be eating less of it. 🙂
optingoutofnormal
Very well written and very inspiring. LOVE the pictures! ~ Stacy
lauriegannon1
Hi, Stacy! Thank you so much for the kind words! By the way…I LOVE the name of your blog. It’s awesome!
kidneyfornikki
This sounds like a good plan. I am moving my butt now too! I have never been good at the food journal thing. I need to get better!
lauriegannon1
Nikki, you absolutely rule! Your post about working out was absolutely awesome and I am going to need to read it whenever I start to “go off the rails”.
kidneyfornikki
Thank you! I will have to re-read it too LOL
Reesa Lewandowski (@mommalewsblog)
I never heard of those blender bombs before! I would love to give them a try. They would be perfect for my smoothies!
lauriegannon1
My fiance and I really love them! Actually, he makes sure to let me know when we are low since I have to order them online. They are tasty and definitely keep me fuller longer when I have a smoothie. I absolutely recommend giving them a try. My favorite is the cacao coffee almond butter flavor.
Natalie Allen
Haha! I love how candid you are. I get the IDGAFs when I drink wine as well. Lately, I’ve been hitting the white wine like it’s going out of style and I need to slow down on that. We just joined a gym to try to get healthier and not have to buy a new wardrobe. Here’s hoping we can stick to that…
lauriegannon1
Hi, Natalie! Here’s to hoping that we can stick with this. I will always love my white wine and cheese and all the things (I just need to dial it back a bit). But man…I would love to IDGAF about something other than food. I might make that a secondary goal!
liveloveandadventure
Thanks for your post, I can relate at least 100%. I always am great at starting but easily sidetracked. I can give up wine for a little while but it’s so hard breaking up with carbs…..I wish we could just break up and go our separate ways for good….
lauriegannon1
I feel you! I wish I didn’t have cholesterol levels or a metabolism that has a Slug Life of its own.
Wander With Ola
Wow the FitBit straps in the picture look really pretty! This is such a great read. I love the idea of “eating more of the rainbow”.
lauriegannon1
Thank you! I am so glad they have options for the band. I found some really cute ones via Amazon. Full disclosure…I’ve read about “eating the rainbow” elsewhere. The “clouds” are my own. 😁
fivelittledoves (@fivelittledove5)
Oh I love this! I I can really relate, I am great at saying I am going to get fit and then always get sidetracked. I do have a Fitbit though which has really helped!
lauriegannon1
We should be FitBit friends! But only if you want to be. 🙂
Kamapala Chukwuka (@kami_chukwuka)
I too have finally joined the move your a$$ club! I was feeling a little heavy and knew I was not heading to a good place 🙂 I’m trying to eat more rainbows too and definitely upping my H2O game! What helpful tips and I really enjoyed the way you served it…beautiful and fun post!
lauriegannon1
Hi and thank you, Kami! We are in this together!
Akamatra
I can’t decide which fitness class to try too! I want cardio but I want yoga too!
lauriegannon1
Will you be able to try both?
ninalehan21
eat, drink and be healthy <3 you can get easily distracted if you are not determined 🙂 and eat more rainbows – haha
lauriegannon1
I am going to try my darndest! 🙂
Laura Beth
I love the rainbow and clouds analogy. We go to the gym together between 4-5 days per week, before work. We’re also trying to ride our bikes more in the neighborhood. I drink a minimum of 75 ounces of water per day, which is about half my body weight. I’ve definitely cut way back on the alcohol – (a) It’s expensive, and (b) a lot of it gives me terrible headaches. I love my FitBit – Best tool ever invented, at least for me. My biggest hurdle at the moment is how to convince my wonderful, amazing husband to go to the doctor for a check-up (He hasn’t been to the doctor in about five years).
lauriegannon1
Laura Beth!!! Let’s be FitBit buddies!!!! I love that you guys work together on your health and fitness. My fiance has lost a ton of weight since the beginning of the year. He’s been drinking lots of water and doing yoga almost daily. He’s made the effort to be healthier. It’s my turn to get this health and fitness party started. 🙂
Laura Beth
Thank you so much! We certainly try. I think Al is getting tired of carrying around the extra weight. But, it’s hard to not offend or discourage someone.
lauriegannon1
I would like to kick my extra weight to the curb! Instead, I am going to try a little 10 Minute Trainer when I get home.
Laura Beth
Good for you! You’ve got this!
Sara Drone
I get plenty of greens but really only in the shape of spinach lol. I definitely love my clouds as well!
lauriegannon1
I’ve been trying to get spinach into my smoothies! I love the clouds. Love them all. 🙂
Di
I always used to say to clients start with moving more and eating less! I have a smoothie every morning, and shove in at least 1 1/2 cups of frozen spnach. You cannot taste it and you get all the vitamins and minerals of healthy greens!
lauriegannon1
Thank you, Di!!! I am trying to do all of that minus the frozen spinach in the smoothie. I’m using the real kind! I want to do yoga with you!!!!
Kareen Liez Datoy
Most of us finds it hard to resist eating delish foodies so we end up eating a lot anyway no matter what kind of diet we want to try. Lol. But it is good that you started moving and even joining marathons with watermelons at the end!
lauriegannon1
There is so much delicious food out there. I love it all. I just need to try to love it a little less. Hopefully, the exercise will help a bit. At least I know I will feel better!
Kaitlyn
I am pretty much living the slug life. If it weren’t for me kids, I wouldn’t be fit at all. Maybe I should get a fit bit and get off my ass.
lauriegannon1
I’ll be your FitBit friend if you do! No one wants to be my FitBit friend. Sigh.
Leigh Ann
I can relate to so much of this! I have been much better with food and exercise lately, but I too had a wake up call. My tip for salads: but the prettiest veggies you can from a farmers market! Much more inspired to opt for a salad when I have pretty veggies I don’t want to waste.
lauriegannon1
Leigh Ann! You are the very first “Salad Strategist”! That’s a fantastic tip. Thank you!
tita05081415
I need more of these kinds of tips in my life! more h20 and less chardonay! ahahaha we will see lol
lauriegannon1
Hydrating ain’t easy. 😉
Alaina-Lee Monster (@MomEhCA)
Ugggg – I really need to drink more water. Funny how it’s no problem to throw back a couple glasses of wine, but it seems like such a chore to drink more water. haha!
lauriegannon1
You know what is a little weird…to me? I am amazing at drinking water in the office. It makes me get up. At home. I don’t want to get up. Doesn’t that seem jacked up????
toastycritic
Congrats on getting through the first three months. The time just seems to fly by after a while. Just keep consistent with it and that will help all along the way.
lauriegannon1
Thank you, David! It’s interesting balancing the blog and a full-time job. It’s definitely fun but I definitely need to work on consistency.
toastycritic
It’s pretty hard. I do it and have a full time job as well. It get’s challenging. Find the amount you can do per week and don’t drive yourself crazy at the same time. That works best. Although I’m not the best at keeping to that either…. so yeah. haha!
lauriegannon1
How long have you been doing both?
toastycritic
a little over a year and a half.
lauriegannon1
I am going to check in with you in a year and a half (and before then, too).
toastycritic
Always good to network and make friends. 🙂
Blair Villanueva
Welcome back to blogging! Sometimes we have that lazy days and its okay. I like your interchangeable straps watch! Very practical 🙂
makeupadda1
that’s a interesting post. Never heard of cashew milk but sound interesting. Would love to try it sometime
lauriegannon1
I’ve tried almond milk but not cashew milk. Chocolate cashew milk is in my future. 🙂
toughcookiemommy
Becoming more active definitely helps. We changed over to almond milk a few years ago and have never looked back.
lauriegannon1
We use almond milk in our smoothies. I wish I could train myself to put it into my coffee. Maybe I can add that to my Sluglife list. 🤔
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Joi Savery
I’m trying to up my smoothie game. Can’t wait to try the blender bombs. They look amazing!
lauriegannon1
The Blender Bombs are awesome! I really hope you enjoy them! Please let me know what you think. And…hi to you!!!!! 🙂