Many years of my life I have fought with myself to be thin. I am not a thin person by nature. Every New Year I vow to lose weight and diet until I could be happy with the way I look. A few years ago I even decided to reward myself for a large weight loss with a trip to a place I have always wanted to visit. It didn't happen. Disappointment, Diet, Despair. No more "D's"....Time to rethink.
I studied nutrition in college. I know what to eat and what it takes to lose the weight. As a side note all my nutrition teachers were morbidly obese save one. We all know what to eat. I do eat well most of the time. I am addicted to sugar and chocolate and do not keep those items in the house. I have maintained the same weight with in 5 pounds for the last 5 years. So what do I need to do to change?
I have been having trouble remembering things and have little or no energy for a while now. Don't get me wrong, I am busy all the time, but I am just not myself. This needs to change.
This New Year I decided not to diet. I will eat sensibly when ever possible. I did not set an unrealistic weight loss goal.
This is my new attitude... I now exercise 20 minutes in the morning on a stationary bike. I started with 3 times a week and have worked up to 5 times per week, first thing in the morning, no excuses. I have decided to look at my weight loss one pound at a time. My goal is to lose one pound per week. If I didn't make it, I add an extra workout in the evening until I make my goal. I also plan to add yoga when my weight loss stagnates. No huge life change, just a little something to make me a healthier person.
The results so far... I have lost a pound each week. My muscles are stronger and my waist is just a bit more shapely from the bike riding. I have more energy during the day. My memory and my concentration are improving and I sleep well at night for the first time in a very long while.
This year I am rewarding myself with that trip as a birthday gift to myself. I will join some of my girlfriends on their annual trek to the AQS Quilt show in Paducah, KY. Maybe I will see you there!
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21 comments:
Sounds like you have a very practical and rewarding plan in place. I lack the discipline to stick to any plan, but it sounds like you are good at it! :)
What a wonderful plan and wonderful award!
That's fantastic Chris.
One step at a time and you'll get there I'm sure.
P.S. I think you look lovely in that picture.x
you go girl!!! good job on the little changes, they'll turn into a big change in the end.
Chris, you are so inspirational! I'm struggling with establishing an exercise routine and I love your "no execuses" first thing in the morning philosophy towards exercise. Eating sensisibly and healthy is just not enough, at least for me.
What a great picture of you!
Yay for you!
Thats the way to do it...never use that word diet again...it is all about lifestyle and your lifestyle choices...and you are making some fantastic choices!!!
I am very excited for you!
xxsm
Chris that is the best attitude. My friend is trying to loose also and has been trying to have that attitude, started with a little exercise and working her way up and cutting back portions. It is hard but you can do it too. Maybe I will see you in Paducah, I'm going to try to go.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
Chris, I do believe you are on a good track. I took up the same cause last January 2008. I vowed to simply take on a healthy life style.
It did mean no sugar, no chocolate, and smaller portions and exercise. All of which I have stuck to. I have absolutely no cravings either.
I am proud to say I dumped (I do not lose weight as it can be too easily found again) 18 pounds. I blog about it on my Health Blog. Due to a pain in my tummy that I am currently working with a doctor to find the source of I had stopped exercising around Xmas time 2008. She told me yesterday to start up again, Thank goodness, to see if it's the exercise crunches that caused the tummy pain. I put back a few of those pounds over the past month of much less exercise.
But I have faith that I can dump it again post haste if I can get my crunches and tread milling going again and will. I liked having a flatter tummy! I do have tons of energy too. It's fun to have a buddy in this and Cris in Oregon has been a stanch supporter and fellow exerciser with me.
You are welcome to join us if you like the buddy system via email.
Wishing you all the best in your new plans.
Isn't it amazing? For so long women have taken care of others, neglecting themselves. I'm still learning how those minutes of aerobic activity can add to the energy of the whole day. And you're inspiring me to be more consistent!!
To your health!! Love, you-know-who
Pleased you have found something you can work at. Keep up the good work. Perhaps I should take a leaf out of your book.
Good for you, I read one time if you fail at the plan one day, do not get discouraged, just pick it up again the next day!
Lucky you to go to the AQS!!!!!
PS tell me about the quilt behind your head in the photo:) Love it!
Hooray! Well done.
As you know I also have something to work towards so we are both in good company.
Since the arrival of my Nike+ and sensor I have lost 12 lbs.
My daughter sets challenges for us, weekly and I am enjoying watching as the kilometers are clocked up. So I'm not concentrating on the weight aspect all the time. I enjoy watching the stats but I also enjoy feeling more energetic.
I'm looking forward to being on the same road as you Chris, the road to success!!
I am so happy for you. I tell my kids you never fail until you give up. Way to set a reasonable goal, make a plan to achieve it, and stick with it. Best wishes for your success. Have a great day! Em
After years of being a dedicated chocoholic, I have given up the notion of being as svelte as I was 20 years ago. Instead, I do my best to practice healthy eating habits, and have developed an exercise routine I enjoy and can stick to. I wish you well in your endeavors to be good to yourself!
Judy
I think your plan sounds great. I think being or feeling healthier should really be the goal. Not the size 2 or 4 we see on these women on tv or magazines. It's not realistic or probably healthy eaither. Keep it up. I know I don't know you but I'm proud of you and you inspire me!! Thanks.
One step at a time! I'm with you doing this one. Not the exercise bike however. My mode is walking - just as soon as my knee heals up. Stressed it during my pantry revamp. It is a hamstring injury I fear.
Oh well, I hear excuses coming out of my fingers. I have cut a bit of the junk food already. Best of luck to you! p
I think this is the best way to do it. I lost quite a lot of weight by eating sensibly and walking more. (I got a bit lazy and put it back on again) You have inspired me to try again.
I like your attitude Chris... I like determination on your own terms.. its the best kind!!! the best to you!!!
Amen. Amen. Amen. I can totally relate to knowing exactly what you need to do and still not doing it. Woohoooo!!! for you Chris!
Well done Chris! I find my early morning walks have been the turning point...for energy levels and stabilizing my weight. I have to admire you for persisting and doing the extra exercise at the end of the day if your goal isn't reached.
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