Fair warning: this is a brag post. If I had the technology I'd create a blatant bragging badge so you could prepare yourself by gathering your air sickness bag, map of Indonesia, and a pair of swim goggles.
I have no idea what the goggles are for, but one can never be too prepared.
Anyway, here it goes: in the last year and a half I have lost 55 pounds, 3" off my waist, and 5.25" off my hips.
I've gone from a size 16....
...to a size 10.
I'm not quite done yet. I'd like to lose another 10-15 pounds, but last weekend we went on an 8.6-mile hike in the mountains, climbing over 2600 feet in the span of six hours. I couldn't have done that (and lived) 55 pounds ago, so I'm pretty happy I've been able to make this change in my life.
Not only that, but I recently accepted a position as a fitness instructor at the local hospital. Right now it is only as-needed but I hope the position will expand so I can combine a career in healthcare with my new-found passion for health and fitness!
How did I do it? Well, I had to tell myself often to be patient. The best changes take time, and anytime I tried to starve myself for quick weight loss it never lasted long. So, this time, I didn't get in a hurry. I made one small change at a time. Like a very wise woman once told me, all you have to do is be 10% better each day, and in 10 days, you'll be 100% better! In other words, small changes add up. Remember, there is no such thing as small change!
The closer I get to my goals, the more strict I have to be. Since my wedding I've lost another ten pounds thanks to having a wonderful husband who is as dedicated to a healthy lifestyle as I am (or wished I was at times)! We support and push each other. Once in a while we will splurge together, but then we help each other get on track so we can achieve our goals. It's always an easier journey with support.
I've also recently found an app for my iPhone I highly recommend called "My Fitness Pal." It is free and allows you to track your caloric intake and output and lets you know where you are at all times based on your weight loss goal. After breakfast and my morning hike I was actually at negative net calories for the day--talk about motivation!!
Ultimately, though, I had to make a decision. Anytime I think, "I deserve this bean burrito with extra cheese because I worked hard today," I have to stop and realize how ridiculous that is. I never
deserve to sabotage my health! I
deserve to feed my body good things because I
deserve to feel healthy and energized. I
deserve to like how I look and I
deserve to feel great! I
deserve the best and I need to treat myself accordingly.
Not that I don't have slip-ups now and then. Heck, if it was easy everyone would do it, and with the national obesity epidemic, obviously, maintaining a healthy weight is NOT easy. But I'm trying, and I'm doing. And there it is, folks, my shameless brag, and a little public reminder to myself to keep moving forward so the scale dial keeps going down.
And by the way, I need an entire new wardrobe now, so if anyone wants to nominate me to "What Not To Wear," my ensembles resemble a bag lady at this point--I'd be great show fodder, I'm sure (hint, hint).
Mind over platter,
~J
