I lost 5.2 pounds this month. That brings my grand total to 69.4 pounds. I was really hoping for the big 7-0.....so close but no cigar! But still YEAH! I have been at it for 9 months now so I am averaging 1.8 pounds per week. My weight loss slowed to 1.3 per week for the last month. It can get discouraging week by week when the scale seems to barely be moving and I know how hard I am working, but it really does add up over time!
So I will just keep swimming!
So everyone has been asking: What are you doing to lose weight? They want the secret. Well the secret is....there is is not a secret.
This is what I do.
I eat a healthy breakfast.
I eat a healthy lunch.
I eat a healthy dinner.
I snack on fruits and vegetables and low fat dairy.
Every. Single. Day.
I take my thyroid medication.
I drink a LOT of water.
I get enough sleep. At least 7 hours.
I exercise my butt off. I push myself further then I want to go, earlier then I want to.
Every. Single. Day.
And once in a while....I have a small treat. I enjoy it fully. I don't feel bad about it. I indulge.
Then I get right back on the program.
Eat real, healthy, good foods. Drink lots of pure water. Take my medicine. Exercise hard. Sleep well. Cave into cravings occasionally. That is my secret AND it works....very well!
I have not had surgery. People have hinted at it. I have not done any meal supplements/replacements/shakes. People have asked. I do not eliminate any food groups. I am not a health food nut, but I am MUCH healthier then I used to be. I am not saying any of these things are not good and do not work. I think there is great value in many of them. I know people who have had surgery for weight loss and totally revamped their lives, their diets, their hearts. They have worked VERY hard. They have trained and accomplished MAJOR physical feats and I think they and their results are every bit as spectacular! I know people who are truly health food fanatics that have eliminated toxic foods from their diets and are truly an inspiration for me. I am amazed by their discipline and their health must be ASTONISHING! I want to continue to grow in this area. I also know people who use meal replacement as a healthy alternative and have had fabulous results and are exercising and all of that requires discipline. This is not a slam in any way about what has worked for others. This is just what I am doing.
As anyone who has lost a lot of weight can tell you, losing weight for good, is not a quick fix. It is not easy....at all....BUT......it is so worth it. It is true that
"Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!"
I am most certainly not skinny....but the skinner I get the more I see the truth in that statement.
I also work hard to stay motivated and encouraged. Motivation is huge in sticking with any long term weight loss plan.
To keep motivated I read lots of inspiring quotes. I keep them pinned on my pinterest board and review them regularly. Here is a small sampling:
"No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everyone on the couch."
"One pound at a time."
"A year from now you will wish you had started today."
"Eat meticulous. Train ridiculous."
"You get one chance. Not three wishes."
"All you have to do is never give up."
And I have helpful reminders like,
"Do not use your stomach as a trash can."
"Do not reward yourself with food. You are not a dog."
"Unless you puke, faint, or die...keep going!"
I also remind myself regularly of non-scale victories along the way.
My rings flip over now because they are loose.
I am able to wear two rings my mom gave me that had previously been too tight.
I am down three full sizes in clothing, close to 4!
It is really fun to look at clothes now.
I can shop in the regular person section now at any store. No more big girl store for me! The options are amazing.
My resting heart rate went from 99 to 58!
I don't get winded climbing the flights of stairs at church.
I don't hide every time I see a camera now.
All of this helps to keep me motivated.
This blog also helps. Knowing I am going to give an update the second Tuesday of each month keeps me working. I want good news to report!
The other thing I do to stay motivated is:
I sign up for things like Mud Runs and 5K's that are TOTALLY outside my comfort zone....but keep me working towards a goal. If I wasn't working towards a goal I think I would be more likely to give up.
Finally I reward myself periodically. I just make sure it is not a food treat! I may buy myself a cute water bottle to reward myself for drinking water consistently. I may buy myself a new pair of jeans to reward myself for losing another size. I may treat myself to a professional cut and color to reward myself for losing another 20 pounds. I may buy myself a new pair of workout shorts to reward myself for training for a 5K. I may take a long bubble bath, guilt free to reward myself for a particularly tough workout. I may buy myself a magazine or earrings to reward myself for sticking to the program even when the results aren't showing up.
My other secret weapon is that I pray a lot about this. Really. When I want to cheat or I don't want to work out or I want to binge on food, I am learning to pray. The work you see in my flesh a mere reflection of the inner work the Lord is doing. The true work has been the Lord changing my heart and making me love boundaries. Making me desire discipline. After all as 1 Timothy 4::8 reminds us, "bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Taking care of our body matters. However the inner life matters much more. That for me has been so key. The Lord has been building discipline, boundaries, self-control into my life from the inside, it is just now spilling out. I have a long way to go, however I have come a long way. The other inner issue is identifying and destroying idols in my life. I have made an idol out of comfort. I have comforted myself with food, laziness, pampering. Nothing is wrong with food, rest, treats but something IS wrong with me seeking comfort above Christ. That however is a whole other post for a whole other day.
So the secret is....there isn't a secret. Just a lot of discipline and a lot of hard work and a lot of healthy choices and keeping motivated and prayer and giving myself a lot of time. Mixed with water, sleep, good food and a thyroid pill. Results may vary...but I promise if I can do it....ANYONE can do it!
Wish I could be of more help....but that is all I've got!
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