Since New Year's is almost upon us I feel the need to reach back to this time last year and share my personal journey toward a healthier lifestyle and weight loss. I will share the what's and how's as it pertains to creating that plan for the weight loss goal. This is what worked for me. Everyone has to find their own way.
The first thing I did was to sign up for Weight Watchers online. (http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx) My husband decided to join in with me and having someone to work with makes it much easier. We tracked our food together each evening after dinner. After signing in he began to search for low calorie, low fat recipes. He found most of them on Pinterest. (http://www.pinterest.com) Those he found are quick and delicious. We ate out only on Friday nights. We made this our date night and got into the ritual of eating out and then grocery shopping. We'd choose places to eat out that had a good low fat, low calorie entree and green and yellow veggies. I became that lady carrying her own fat-free shredded cheddar cheese in a baggie and her tiny container of fat free salad dressing. I never understood why people would go to that trouble but after watching every morsel that went into my mouth, I learned to do this with grace. Water, we drink lots and lots of water. I have two full 8 ounce glasses before I ever leave the house for work in the morning. I carry two bottled waters with me to work and make sure I drink those before lunchtime. Then there is exercise. We bought an elliptical and have a nautilus center and created a workout room. I began to stay on the elliptical 15 min, then increased it to 20, then to 30, then 45 and worked my way up to one hour on that thing a day. I attended a workshop this past summer and learned that if I don't schedule it within my day/week it doesn't happen so that's what I did. I scheduled the time to work out and protected it, committed to it. Since I am in education and have summers off, I got on that elliptical and worked out each day at 6:30 after my hubby left for work. Yes, I even work out on weekends. Eating low calorie, low or no fat foods and cardio exercise are what helped me take off the weight. There are days when I do not have time to do the one hour of cardio so I do 30 minutes at least. Hey, 30 minutes is better than none.
My goal was to feel better and get off my blood pressure meds. I've accomplished both but I am not done yet.
3/11/15 Update time. I've backtracked but maintained. Yes, over the course of a year I've gained about 20 and I am working on getting it back off. I'm still eating healthy but increased my portions as I landed a different position in education which affords me less time to work out on some days. It's a numbers game, yes those dreaded calories. I am still following Weight Watchers (I do it online) but now my hubby has gone off the tracks a bit. I am determined though. I still work out about 4 times a week. He and I take dance lessons one night a week, and go dancing for about 3 hours on the weekends most all weekends so I get it in one way or another. I have found the key to maintaining but the losses each week are not as drastic. The scales show losses of 1/4 to 1/2 lb a week now whereas I was losing a pound a week when I began. Oh well, down is down huh?
I've gotten bored with some of the regular foods I ate and have found others. My good ole Smart Ones Ice Cream Candy Bars get me through some rough times though. Really, its a mindset. I have my mind made up I will reach my goal of 140 lbs. It will happen but I won't lie, I struggle every single day. I'm just used to it. I reach for grapes or a banana or an apple in lieu of candy like I used to. I do feel better and have a more positive outlook when I am in the zone (working out and eating right.)
I also enjoy cooking veggies as my hubby cooks the meat during the week. We only eat out one day a week. If I find I need to eat out its a salad and water. I do still drink a full glass of water before dinner. This helps a bunch.
My next goal is to wake ONE morning a week and workout for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Due to early AM meetings two days a week this will be a challenge but it will pay off and I will be happier when I do. We'll see how that goes. If I don't write it and commit I'll never do it.
12/31/16 Update - well, I cancelled my weight watchers subscription some time ago and just signed back up last night. Weight watchers works for me. I'm committed to get it all off. I'm at 177.7 and want to get to 14- by years end. I am determined because I feel so much better when I take it off. Eating right gives me energy. We are still dancing and much has changed. Our family is growing. More grandbabies to run after so here I go. My cholesterol is also up so I need to find ways to address that so that I don't have to take medication. My husband is not as pumped about this as I am this time. I will need to work harder to lose it as he is not going to be the same help he was three years ago. Oh well, no matter. I'll get it off. Nights are the most difficult and I know it. Now, how am I going to keep from eating after dinner? I decided to try hot tea before bed to see if it helps fill me up.
Things I miss about being down in weight:
-feeling my hip bones
-Fitting into size 8 clothing
-confidence of meeting a goal
-having energy
-more attention from the hubs
-having NO sugar in my body
So, here I go, 3 years later to try and get it all off. I will do it. Stay tuned.
