Wow- what a way to start the new year!
Seven months ago, something clicked, and I started focusing on a healthy lifestyle. I cut out sugar, most additives, excess fat, and began to move around- not enough to say I was exercising, but a heck of a lot more than I was doing.
I'm not going to say I don't deserve a big pat on the back, but the truth is, making this lifestyle change hasn't been that difficult. My craving for sugar disappeared fairy quickly, and the weight has been all but rolling off.
Some stats:
Start date: June 1, 2010
Starting weight: 242 lbs Present weight: 158 lbs Goal weight: 120 lbs
Starting size: 22-24W (3X) Present size: ~ 10 (S-M) Goal size: 4-6 (XS-S)
As to what exactly I'm doing to take off the weight:
- I keep a daily log of what I eat, and what/how I exercise.
- I limit my fat intake to 10% of my daily diet.
- Basically, my diet consists of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, with a touch of low fat dairy.
{I've been a vegetarian for 30 years, with occasional bouts of veganism, and I'm starting to feel a strong pull back toward veganism; I've started 'eating vegan' 3 days a week, and when I look to the future, I have a feeling it will be only rarely that I'll be choosing non-vegan foods.}
- I'm not being fanatical about exercise- only about 1/2 hour a day, with a mix of walking and some light weight training; I do the weight work at home, and the walking is done mainly around my neighborhood (although I really enjoy finding new places to walk).
- I've been focusing more and more on the 'time after'- my life once I've reached my goal weight. My food and exercise choices are done with easy lifetime maintenance in mind, which is why I'm limiting my exercise time. My thinking is that 1/2 hour of daily exercise will pretty much be always easy to do; more than that might become a chore. I also eat out a few times a month- I order carefully, but I do make sure to order foods that I'll enjoy and consider a treat.
- I smile a lot :-)
- I weigh myself everyday, but I accept the weight that I am. I don't freak out about not having lost weight; I know that if I'm eating 'right' the weight will come off.
- I go through my closets at least twice a month. There's nothing like baggy pants for encouragement!
- I have a wonderful network of supporting, encouranging, and loving friends and close ones- starting with my husband, Stu, whose enthusiasm for the new me is infectious!
- I start every day with gratitude and with a slap on the ass, telling myself that at my age I should be smart enough to know how to get my act together.
- I look for articles, books, and films that will be inspiring. I recently read 'Skinny Bitch' and loved it; 'Eat Pray Love' is a favorite, and the film 'Super Size Me' had me nodding (and shaking) my head.
- I meditate. Not as often as I'd like to (but that's one of my New Year's resolutions).
- I always look forward. (I'm already perusing eBay for size 8 and size 6 pants!)
And that's all there is to it!
There have been some weird bumps along the road (my heart threw me a couple of loops over the summer, but I'm dealing with it), but all in all, it's been pretty easy. The weight loss has slowed down, but I knew that would happen, so it's not an issue. With the arrival of the new year, I've renewed my committment to taking- and keeping- the weight off, and am looking forward to new ways of toning and smiling at my body.
I'm amazed at the increase in my stamina.. Heck- I'm thrilled that I can see my toes!
Writing this post is my public 'coming out'. I'm actually not sure what's prompted me to go public with my 'before' stats, but if it helps or inspires anyone, then I'm glad I went public.
I guess some 'before; pics are due, so here you go, along with my wishes for a happy, healthy, and content year, filled with hopes and dreams realized and fulfilled, and at least an inkling of glee every day.
Nov, 2009:
Dec 2010:
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