Well, two years ago I wrote a very well intentioned post about how I was going to start losing weight and blog about it every week to stay accountable. Since I have not posted in two years clearly I failed. However, I think its more important to get back on the horse and start trying again than to worry about past failures. Weight loss is hard and it sucks. It's a process that takes time with many ups and downs.
Since January I have been focusing more on my health. Eating right and small workouts have been key. I have lost about twenty pounds and it feels great. I know this is just a small start and I have a long way to go. However, I want to keep the momentum going. I'm hoping I can use this blog as a tool to sort out my thoughts on what works for me and what doesn't. So here are three thoughts for this week:
1) I won't run a marathon my first week exercising. Short and easy workouts that are spread out will allow me to be more active each day and not burn out or injure myself. Sometimes I get frustrated that in high school I played football, basketball, lacrosse, and track yet now I have gained so much weight and I can't do basic workouts. I have to tell myself that it doesn't matter where I am at now but what matters is what direction I am headed. The work I am putting in today will make all the difference tomorrow. Slow and steady wins the race - and loses the weight.
2) Meal prep is key. I need to set time aside to make my lunch each night. If I don't pack a healthy lunch in the evening I'll be rushed in the morning and throw crap into my lunch as I head out the door. Preparing healthy snacks and food early in the week allow me to quickly grab something when I'm hungry and not stress or give into cravings.
3) I need to find workouts I like. Robyn and I joined a gym which is perfect for us. I can go in the morning and do cardio or lift weights and Robyn can go when they have daycare available and get her workout in. I also enjoy jogging (it's more of a swift walk than a jog at this point). For me, it is my time to listen to music, think, and get some cardio in. Find a workout that you'll actually do and do it. It doesn't need to be running a marathon or doing a triathlon - any activity is better than nothing.
I hope these ramblings are helpful. My plan moving forward is to try and write more frequently about my health and weight loss adventure. I also want to use this blog to write about my family and our adorable child. So stay tuned for that. I would love to hear your comments and advice about my posts! Thanks for following and helping me on my journey!
One day at a time. Wake up every morning and recommit to the PLAN. Unfortunately, the idea of going "on" a diet means there's a plan to come "off" the diet sometime in the future. It has to be about taking better care of your body FOREVER. Doesn't mean you never get to eat a donut again. It just means most of the time you say, "No, thank you." Sugar and simple carbs and processed foods are killing us all. We just need to go back to eating the way our grandparents did. Simple, right?!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Mitch! Sam and I have found the Fast Metabolism DIET (Haylie Pomroy) to be an effective way to take off weight. The challenge has been to change our long term habits so that we don't just bounce up again. It definitely takes planning and discipline but if you have the right foods in the house (fresh fruits and vegetables, no dairy, there is a long list) we have have discovered a new appreciation for the flavors of simple foods. It has pushed us to eat foods that we wouldn't normally eat (beets and cucumbers) and to stop eating (or rarely eating )things we used to eat all the time (butter, etc) We have found we do feel better when we are eating the healthier foods- less heartburn and other digestive issues. Short, low-impact workouts (walks) are definitely the way to go- perhaps forever or at least until you feel the strength and desire to do more. Can't wait to follow your progress!!!
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