I am breathing a sigh of relief over the last two days as I reached 24 pounds. I feel like I am really beginning to make a dent into my journey and where I am headed. It felt so great to get on the scale over the last few days and finally see it budge. I still don't understand why it works that way but I have been documenting my weight loss/gain for the past year and a half. I have noticed patterns and time periods as to when I gain, how much and how it comes off. I am very close to being at the lowest I have been in the past 2 years since Caitlyn was born. 2 pounds to be exact. That is the next hurdle I need to cross and it's not far from the realm of possibility. The last time I was at that weight was probably for about 24 hours just after finishing a 10 day cleanse AKA starvation diet. What I did then wasn't really healthy. It was a quick fix to a much bigger problem and not sustainable for the long term. Don't get me wrong, cleanses can definitely help one drop a few lb's and clean out your system. But if you need to make a serious lifestyle change, it's not the way to go. At least not my way to go. I find I can have tremendous willpower when necessary, and I am in "the zone" but when it's over what happens? What is my long term plan? I didn't have one the last time and then came the holidays, kids birthdays and forget it I had already put on 10 pounds, so why bother and the rest came piling back on like a ton of bricks. Amazing how easily it happens and why it's so incredibly crucial for me to weigh in often. Maybe not every day will be necessary forever but definitely several times per week.
I am happy that this time around things are different. I know what my long term goals & plan are. I know where I want to be and what I need to do forever to stay there. Well at least I think I do. I may need to re-adjust and re-evaluate as more pounds float off. I have incorporated some exercise in my routine and several times a week I am doing stroller strides. I may begin something more strenuous when more weight comes off like jogging. I am nervous to mess up my knees though. Running is really tough on your body at any size and truth be told I really hate it. I wish I didn't because running and diet is what got me into the best shape of my young adult life. So we'll see what happens. I actually LOVE Zumba so maybe I'll pick that up again.
Anyway, my Labor Day goal for weight loss was 25 pounds and looks like I only need 1 more pound to reach that in the next month. I think it's safe to assume I will blow that goal out of the water. I guess I should make a new goal. So I will declare 30 as the new goal for labor day and 35 for my Columbus day goal. While I am making holiday goals I will make 42 the goal for thanksgiving and an even 50 for New years. This journey is something that will be going on for a long while, but I am worth it and I know I can do it one meal and one day at a time!!!
shans you rock!!! Have you ever tried spinning? It's a pretty hardcore workout but I really like it (although haven't done it since about 4 months preg with Mia, maybe once she starts preschool I can pick it up again?). I like that you can go as fast or slow as you want and it's easy on the knees (but a little tough on your butt at first as you get used to the seat)
ReplyDeleteShannon, you've inspired me! I'm definitely getting back in the pool when I get home. The 25lb I lost before I had G has come back on plus 10, so I really need to get it gone and it's not happening with diet, so I really need to exercise my butt away. Yoga and swimming did the deal last time, so that's what my plan is. As I said to Kerry a while back, I don't give a monkey's uncle about my figure or looking nice (I'm old, frankly it's all down hill from here on in), I just care about the ticker and the pancreas! So long as I'm healthy and can run for a bus without having a coronary, that's all I'm worried about!
ReplyDeleteThanks K! Yes, I have tried spinning. My downstairs was never able to get used to it. I had the padded seat and all. It's a FAB workout and maybe when I drop some more weight, I'll try it again. I do like that everyone can go at their own pace.
ReplyDelete@ Jo...WONDERFUL! I am so happy to hear that. Whatever works for you my darling. Everyone's journey is individual and works for them so good for you. I love swimming. When J and I were away it was wonderful to just do laps. So relaxing and peaceful...maybe I'll join lap swim this winter and sign up for the rec again. And you're beautiful Jo, you know that. For me it's a little vanity, I really don't like how I look in the mirror or pictures most of the time but more so, it's health as well. I agree that without our health, what do we have. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women so I know this is important and will affect me down the line. In weight watchers I learned that by losing just 10% of your body weight as a starter goal. Here's what else you'll gain by losing 10 percent "of your body weight, you can lower your cholesterol and reduce your blood pressure, says G. Ken Goodrick, PhD, psychologist and associate professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. High cholesterol and elevated blood pressure are two major risk factors for heart disease." You also lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, have more pep, self-confidence and motivation to continue on the journey and lose what weight you may have left.
So good for you Mama! Looking forward to continuing on the journey with another partner in crime.