This Is My Place To Grow

So I have final come to make a blog showing my progress towards my goal of a healthier me. It's not really about the numbers, it's about how I feel about myself. Number however do help so I will share them SW: 215 lbs HW: 223 lbs CGW: 180 lbs GW: 150 lbs I am not a nutritionist nor a fitness specialist. I have studied health and fitness in college and I am currently working towards getting into PA school. So it's safe to say I am knowledgable and capable of making good informed decisions. Also note I do post progress pics, some are clothed some are less clothed, but this is not an explicit or adult blog.

[canibblesgoals]

So here’s an update. I’ve dropped 30lbs and I have another 30 more to go to get back to a semi healthy weight for me. It’s a journey and it’s been challenging but I’m happier in my own skin. I’m feeling like myself again. So here I am sitting on my counter realizing that even though it do this most nights, part of me has changed.

[canibblesgoals]

Still working

[sashacoki]

[sashacoki]

[diycraftsnmore]

[canibblesgoals]

It's been about a year since I have been under 200. I know it's just a number but it makes me happy. My body might be on the fritz and my hormones might be trying to make me bleed out but it's a silver lining.

[sweetoothgirl]

Maple Snickerdoodles

[canibblesgoals]

I decided to change my look up for fall.

[cwote]

Just my fav flower motivation :))

[pavelow]

I would not survive a vibe check right now

[lalalizzy16fitness]

In a Good Mood? So is Your Metabolism!

These two seemingly disparate things are connected in surprising ways.

Good Mood, Better Metabolism

A fast metabolism, a happy outlook-these are two things we can all agree are worth chasing. And now, scientists are realizing that going after one may naturally deliver both.

What we know for sure: The key to this connection is the hunger hormone leptin, which tells your brain that you feel full. Leptin impacts not only your food intake but your mood as well. This is partly because of the hormone’s relationship with dopamine, a neurotransmitter that controls happiness and motivation. Generally, when leptin levels dip, that’s when the release of dopamine increases. That’s when mood starts to rise.

Exercise early! Working out, especially running and cycling, causes your leptin levels to fall, triggering a surge of dopamine. When leptin declines, it sends a signal to your body that you need to eat. That stimulates dopamine production, which in turn increases your motivation to exercise longer. To take full advantage of this effect, hit the road or the gym in the morning, before breakfast. Since you haven’t eaten for hours, your leptin levels will already be low, and you’ll be able to go longer, which may rev your metabolism even more.

Check your iron levels. If you’re deficient in this mineral, you’ll be less likely to score the perks of the leptin-dopamine response. People with the lowest amounts of iron had 3.2 times higher leptin levels than others. This could even lead to leptin resistance, which occurs when leptin levels remain too high for too long; the hormone stops affecting your brain, contributing to weight gain and moodiness. Aim for about 18 mg of iron a day.

Find your funny. Your body responds to laughter the same way it does to a short bout of moderate exercise. Research has found that peoples leptin levels decreased after watching a comedy film. Genuine laughter increases your metabolism by up to 20 percent, and there’s plenty of evidence that it makes you happier. The trick is to laugh every day. (Did you know there’s such a thing as laugh yoga!?)

Sleep deeper. It’s no secret that a lack of sleep makes you cranky, but losing just two hours of sleep for three days can also cause your metabolism to grind to a halt. Sleep deprivation increases your cravings for junk food. It’s a cycle, you don’t sleep well, so you’re more stressed and crave comfort food that’s high in saturated fats. This increases inflammation, worsening your mood.

Eat better fats. Replacing saturated fat from meat and dairy with polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats in salmon, avocados, and nuts may benefit your metabolism and your mood. Saturated fats make you accumulate visceral fat, which slows the metabolism and produces inflammatory molecules that are linked to depression. Visceral fat also cranks out leptin and may increase your odds of leptin resistance.

[canibblesgoals]

Pregym selfies (ignore the raging pink eye, it's better than it was)

[canibblesgoals]

Sooo I was underestimating my lifts by 30lbs... that's exciting. Today I tried my max comfortable squat and went up by 50lbs (got 3 clean lifts and 2 crappy lifts). Still working on adding deadlifts to my routine. Did a handful of sumo squats at 95lbs and after squatting it was tough. 20 min session done. Pretty satisfied after fight an upper respiratory infection and pink eye for a week.

[delicatuscii-wasbella102]

Motailroto by Manden

[canibblesgoals]

This is me. The me I don't see in my head. The me that is soft and strong. The me that can squat 120lb easily. The me that is more flexible then the me from 3 yrs ago. This is the me that is healing. The me I try to hide. The me that some how still gets approached and flirted with. While I won't post this on any other social media, I actually like this photo for all its composition.

[anyabocharov]

[canibblesgoals]

Today's todo list. Must be done before 7pm...