Let’s begin then, shall we?

Wow, looks like a whole bunch of you want to hear what tips I have to share. Thank you for all your positive comments and emails, and phone calls too!

 

I have lost thirty-two lbs in the past six months. Not “quick” weight loss by any means, but that was never my intention. I didn’t gain all this weight overnight, and I certainly don’t want to loose it overnight either. Slow and steady is the plan. On average, I have lost 1 1/4 pounds every week. Over these past 6 months, I’ve gained a few times (never more than 1 pound), but it always self corrects the following week with a satisfactory loss, most likely due to water retention. I try to weigh myself once a week, but I won’t lie…sometimes I’ll weigh myself several times a week if the number wasn’t favorable due to water retention or whatever.

 

I have not yet reached my goal. I am looking to loose another twenty to thirty pounds. But more important than numbers, it’s really about how my body feels and fits in my clothing. I’ve dropped three sizes so far, and it’s like a whole new world when shopping for clothing. I keep reaching for my “old” size (old habits are hard to break at first), and I am discovering I can actually shop in new clothing departments that I couldn’t shop in before, which I find exhilarating.

 

As we all know, weight loss boils down to two things…eat right and exercise. Sounds easy enough, right! Than why is it so hard for so many of us to do? I think many of us give up too easily or get bored, I know I have in the past. I’m not sure why it’s so different for me this time around, but I feel like I can move mountains with my bare hands…I am that motivated. I also try not to compare myself to others. I might see someone with my “goal body” walking around and I try not to focus on what she has that I don’t, because that just causes envy and frustration. I remind myself that this is not a race. There will always be someone who is ahead of you, and that’s okay. Just go at your own pace. You WILL get there. 

 

What I eat, and don’t eat

I do…

eat breakfast every day. never skip meals. have three meals a day with a snack between each meal. pay strict attention to serving sizes. avoid taking seconds. write down everything I eat.

I do not…

drink anything but water or tea (8 glasses/day). no soda, no alcohol. no juice or fruit drinks.

I eat…

organic foods, green veggies, legumes, fruit, non-fat dairy, whole grain foods, lean protein.

I don’t eat…

starchy foods, fried foods, white foods (white potatoes, white rice, etc), processed foods or enriched foods.

I try my best to…

only eat when I’m hungry. stop eating as soon as I feel full. eat at the dining table, not in front of the television.

I avoid…

sugar. this is particularly difficult for me. I do indulge in one postage-stamp size square of dark chocolate. It must be organic, 70% cocoa or higher. Aside from obvious health benefits of dark chocolate, it greatly helps with cravings.

Every day I have…

8 ounces of non-fat greek yogurt. Traders Joes brand is my favorite. I mix in cinnamon and a handful of fresh berries. Greek yogurt is said to help loose belly fat, and my significantly flatter tummy is proof it works.

I proceed with caution with…

olive oil, avocado and nuts. all good fats, but best in moderation.

I snack on…

cucumbers, carrots, celery, and plain air-popped popcorn. I love crunchy foods.

Instead of…

ketchup I have mustard. I do baked or grilled chicken instead of fried. As much as I love pork bacon, Trader Joe’s carries turkey bacon with zero nitrates. I suggest cooking for 10 minutes in a dry skillet, NOT in the microwave (for best flavor).

I have learned to love…

apple cider vinegar, 3 x’s a day (helps with weight loss, among many other benefits). Ground flax seeds (sprinkled into oatmeal is best).  

 

Okay, time to get moving

The first two months, I was highly resistant to exercise, but then I quickly realized it was the only way I would ever achieve my goals. And once I began exercising, not only was I seeing more weight loss, but my body was quickly changing shape and tone. To ensure I achieve my goal, I continue to do some form of exercise every single day.

Cardio…

I purchased Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD, and I did it every single day for 30 days. I noticed great results, especially in my arms and legs and booty. Then I bought another one of her DVD’s Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism. It’s a real butt-kicker, in a good way. I do this video 4 – 5 x’s a week. I also add in kickboxing, swimming and yoga on the off-days I’m not doing Jillian’s workout videos.

Walking…

I have a pedometer and I try to walk 10,000+ steps every day. You would be amazed at how many steps you walk just vacuuming your house or shopping at the grocery store.

Dancing…

I love to dance. I didn’t say I was great at it, but I love to move to music. I started taking Zumba classes (Latin inspired dancing). Sure, at the beginning I was at the back of the class and felt like everyone was watching me and my two left feet, but now I’m moving closer to the front of the class, understanding the moves and really having fun with it.

I joined a gym…

Best of all, I joined with my mom. We motivate each other, and we also laugh a lot. We workout together 3 – 4 x’s a week and I’m enjoying sharing this part of my journey with her.

I  bought…

Good athletic shoes. Nike Shox are my favorite. A yoga mat for floor work and stretching. A pedometer for counting my daily steps. Proper work-out clothing. Old t-shirts and grubby sweat pants just weren’t cutting it. I am still looking for a really good sports bra if anyone has any suggestions. I wear Champion brand, but I know there’s got to be a better brand out there.

 

If I could offer just one piece of motivation, I know this is what keeps me on track every day...I imagine I’m strapping a backpack onto my back. It’s empty, but then I picture placing a ten pound weight inside the backpack. Then picture adding a twenty pound weight inside that same backpack. I think about carrying around those ten and twenty pound weights on my back and how much strain I would feel on my body and my joints, my heart, and especially my knees. Then I picture myself doing all of my daily activities, but with all that extra weight on my back; walking, jogging, cleaning the house, shopping, sleeping, eating, even intimate moments. When I picture my weight as an actual object that I am voluntarily carrying around, I find it incredibly motivating to loose that weight.

 

Finally, I want to remind you that these are the things that have worked for me. I realize it may not be the perfect answer for everyone out there, as much as I might like it to be. I hope that you’ve found this helpful!

PS: Many of you asked to see before and after pictures. Since I’m not yet at my goal weight, the after pictures will have just to wait a bit longer, and actually this adds to my motivation!