I get asked a lot for advice on losing weight. Even though I'm 72.8 pounds down sometimes I still wonder why people would ask ME for help??! It's very odd, as I'm shrinking in body, I sometimes still don't feel as successful as I truly am in this weight loss process I'm in the middle of...
I have been dieting ALL of my life practically, battling my addiction to food against my desire to be at a healthy weight for my height and build... and failing over and over. What's different this time? I'm going to try and answer that.
1. I was very vocal about my plan to lose weight from the beginning. I am sure I drove people on Facebook insane with all my posting about it, but it helped me stay accountable.
2. I met a friend who's lost almost exactly the amount I need to lose and I've been updating her, picking her brain, etc. She's been an invaluable resource!! (thanks Janelle!!)
3. I have wonderful friends and family who support me 100%. My husband has been amazing--making sure I get time at the gym and going along with the changes. I'm blessed because many people have a spouse who will not do it with them so its a million times harder!!
4. I move more. Most people know I have rheumatoid arthritis which makes it hard to move sometimes. When I was at my heaviest I would still go to the gym and ride the bike. I hated it, but it burned calories and helped me move more. Once I could tolerate it, I switched to the elliptical because it was low impact and burned more calories. I have days where I don't want to move, or don't want to work out. I always go anyway, unless I'm SURE moving will make me feel WORSE. I've learned along the way that a lot of the time moving WILL make me feel better.
5. I've decided that even though I'm on a much lower fitness level than a lot of folks I will still do what I can and be proud of it!! I used to beat myself up over "only being able to ride the bike" but truth be told, I'm doing WAY more than folks on the couch! no offense, but I had to realize anything I could do was better than nothing!! I do get down when I see friends progressing so well on their fitness journeys but I have to remember I have limitations... I CAN do many things, but not ALL.
6. Track, track, track. Whether you use SparkPeople.com, Weight Watchers, or My Fitness Pal, TRACK YOUR FOOD!! This is the only way to truly know what is going into your body. I have often been SHOCKED at how many points/calories were in things I assumed were healthy, or low cal!!
7. Realize that you're going to have to deny self. Much like the Christian walk where we must lay self and our sinful desires down, we have to also do this with food. Last night I wanted some ice cream REALLY REALLY BAD!!! I knew I did not have the points, and also that today was weigh day. I reminded myself that I'd get more points today, and could have an ice cream today... so I was able to keep my wants in check knowing that I COULD do it, just not NOW.
8. I finally realized if I'm going to beat food addiction, or manage it.... God HAS to be included in my efforts. When I was 72.8 pounds heavier, I was so depressed, down... I just figured I'd never get here but I prayed... GOD help me. I can NOT do this on my own. I've prayed many times since then. Sometimes I fail, most of the time I succeed. But God has been there with me, leading and guiding me.
9. I see my boundaries not as a thing where I'm trapped and confined, but rather... "I can eat this much. I can have x amount of points in treats per week." Instead of "I only get this. I can't have this or that because of this dumb diet." I use a lot of positive self-talk... "This food is not beneficial for me... but I CAN have XYZ instead."
10. Tell the food pushers NO. You are NOT being rude if you turn down food at a gathering. I have been bringing my own fruit with me places (0 points on WW). I feel badly in Sunday school at times not eating the wonderful snacks, but I tell myself that staying on track and on target is worth more than whatever snacks are there. I DO indulge plenty, believe me! But Sunday school is one time that I know I better not because we often eat out on Sundays or eat at my parents' house and I am pretty sure I'll end up with dessert at their place... or a higher point lunch if we eat out. There are trade-offs. At other get -togethers, I just simply won't eat certain things. I stopped letting comments like "hey help me eat this, because I don't want to take it home" bother me. I tell myself, "I don't want to take it home EITHER... and it will go home on my backside!!"
I'm sure there's more... I just thought I'd throw some thoughts out there. If I can help anyone in any way, let me know!! If I can do it with the RA and movement limitations, YOU CAN TOO!!!
another one!
11. Celebrate EVERY victory!!! Did you make it through a buffet without going bonkers? Celebrate it!!! Did you lose 1 pound!? Celebrate!! Did you NOT gain or vacation? Celebrate that too!! Do not reward with food... one time I bought workout clothes, another time I bought myself a heart rate monitor foy the gym... I've bought iTunes music as a little reward... Just celebrate... and when you can do something you couldn't do before when heavier... celebrate that!!! Rejoice in all victories big and small!!!
