Weight Loss Journey
It is that time again….a time in my life that I have seen a lot of. I hate saying that because I wish this part of my life could be a bit easier. After I make the commitment to lose the weight, I have a goal, a plan, and the motivation, but this time has been a lot harder.
The last time I tried to lose weight, I knew why I had gained the weight, and I knew that was unacceptable and it had to go. But, this time, I just cannot come to terms with why I have gained the weight, or what my plan is, or where my motivation will come from, but for health reasons (because I want to live many, many more years) I know I HAVE TO START DOING SOMETHING NOW! If I keep going day to day saying, “Oh, I will just start tomorrow…”, It will eventually turn in to “Oh, I will start this weekend…”, or “Oh, I will start next week, or month, or year.” But, Why wait. Waiting only makes me larger, and more unhealthy, and I do not deserve this. My boyfriend does not deserve to see me unhappy or seep into this deep dark depression, and loath myself. It makes neither one of happy.
I know he loves me, but I want to love me too. And, this time, I want to track every step of my journey, and talk about how it feels, and how hard it will be, but hopefully this can serve as inspiration to me to lose it, keep it off, and love life happy, and healthier. And who knows, maybe I will help inspire someone else.
So, listed below are some Ways to Stay Motivated that stuck with me, and I am going to follow everyone of them.
“Try tipping your scales with blue. Did you know that the color blue is a known appetite suppressant? Why not use a little color to help you stay on track? “Eat your dinner on a blue plate and you’ll discover that you need less to feel full,” advises color intuitive expert Elizabeth Harper.
Take stock of any and all of the positive changes new eating habits have brought you. Instead of focusing only on the changes you aren’t seeing yet (i.e. a drop in your scale weight), focus on the benefits you are noticing, like saving money by not wasting it on junk food, or your increased energy level from exercising, advises Valerie Berkowitz,
author of The Stubborn Fat Fix.
Wear red to get going! “If your energy is low and you feel lackluster about a project or event (or working out?) then wear red,” suggests color intuitive expert Elizabeth Harper. According to Harper, red energizes your system, boosts your confidence and empowers you to action.
Stop focusing only on physical changes. Switch from vanity-based fitness or weight loss goals to those that are activity, time or frequency-based, recommends fitness instructor Kelly Gray. For instance, instead of vowing to have a 6-pack in 6 weeks (which can be quite a feat to accomplish) aim to be able to run for 45 min 2-3 times a week. You won’t see results instantly from working out, but you can FEEL them instantly.
Sleep on it. According to Feng Shui, everything has energy. “Write down your goal and sleep with it under your pillow” recommends Feng Shui expert Donna Stellhorn . Literally ‘sleeping on it’ (your goals) will help incorporate that energy into you, and may help you manifest them sooner.
List the painful consequences of not achieving your goal. Sure, it’s nice to think about all the great things you’ll have/feel once you’ve achieved your goal, but it can also be motivating to list all the possible negatives that may come about if you DON’T achieve it. “Write out all the negative consequences of not exercising (poor health, pain, limited abilities, medical costs, lack of socializing, low self-esteem)” recommends Ronald Kaufman, author of Anatomy of Success. And with each negative consequence, asks yourself: “What’s the consequence of? and “What’s the consequence of …?” – writing down all of your answers until you’ve finished your full list, and then refer back to it anytime you need a dose of motivation.
Name one reason why losing weight is bad for you. List as many reasons as you can about why losing weight is bad for you. Can you think of any? Now, write down all the reasons you can think about why losing weight is good for you, and make a nice long, positive list for reinforcement recommends Dr. Michele Olson, Exercise Physiologist at Auburn University Montgomery.
Keep a success journal. Documenting your successes in a journal can help build your confidence in your abilities to accomplish your goal suggests body image and success coach Stephanie Mansour. Keep a success journal next to your bed and write down each day’s successes (which can be as seemingly insignificant as - fought through a sluggish day and still went to the gym).”
Let today, December 7, 2012 be the day I start a journey to healthier me.
This is a bit embarrassing but I want to put a start weight, and goal weight, because I need to remember how I started this journey at the Heaviest weight I have ever been, and have it as a reminder to never ever EVER see this number on the scale again.
Current Weight: 265lbs
Goal Weight: 175lbs
Goals on this journey…
1. Lose at least 2-3 pounds a week based on a 1200 calorie a day diet.
2. Become stronger.
3. Choose Grilled over Fried.
4. Limit Sugar Dramatically.
5. Stay true to myself.
6. Go to the gym at least 4 times a week.
**My journey should last close to a year if I follow it correctly. Wish me luck…**
Before picture…
My skinnier self picture…
