To be honest, sometimes when I get asked that I want to be sassy. I want to say you know that sensa powder (or whatever gimmick is out there) to put on your food, yeah, I used that. I ate whatever I wanted and never worked out. None of my habits changed and the pounds just melted away. It has been the easiest thing I have ever done.
I have never said that and probably never will (although, I'll still think it sometimes). People want a quick fix, to find the magic solution, to not change what they are doing and lose weight. I understand that and have been in that boat most of my life. Truth is I made changes and worked really hard. When I tell people diet and exercise, most people get it. I think we all know in reality that that is what it takes to lose weight, but are hoping there is some secret we don't know about. Sometimes people still don't think that they can do it, or think I'm crazy (and maybe I am), but if I can do it, anyone can do it. It will take hard work, dedication and changing habits, but it IS possible.
Most of my conversations are very brief, so I thought I would provide some tips that helped me. It will not work for everyone, you have to find what works for you.
- I relied on God; that is what made it different this time. I have tried to lose weight before (sometimes successfully, but most the time short term). I needed something that was not a quick fix, this was going to be a life style change. I was going to make smart choices because God only gave me one body and I should make choices to glorify Him. I should go to Him instead of food. He was also my strength. "For I can do all things through Christ who give me strength." Philippians 4:13 The book Made to Crave really helped.
- This time was also different because I was at my heaviest and looking back more depressed than I was willing to admit. I had a medical issue and after discussing with my doctor thought it could have been because I had gained about 15 pounds that year. Thankfully, I have an amazing doctor who could see I needed help and wanted a change. I didn't want to be that unhappy and I wanted to be able to live life to the fullest. I want to have kids and be able to run around with them. I didn't want my health to control what I can or can not do. Ultimately, I was doing this for me, it wasn't for a wedding, a boy, a dress, etc, it was for me. My trainer talks about finding your why. You have to find your why...why do you want to do this? If you don't have a big enough why, you will likely go back to old habits.
- I also started on a random day, January 12. I think it was a Thursday. It wasn't a new years resolution, it wasn't I'll start on Sunday. It was this is the day that I am seeing the nutritionist and this is the day that I am taking control of my life. Sunday's will come and go, New Years will come and go, if you want to change, just do it...do it today!
- For the first year, I only weighed in at my nutritionist appointment. The scale is a constant battle and it can fluctuate so much throughout the day and month. It would just completely mess with my head. Instead I concentrated on making healthy decisions and not on which way the number was moving depending on the time of day, what I was wearing, etc. One of my friends actually took my scale away, so once a month, that was it. .
- I told people I was trying to get healthy and surrounded myself with supportive people. In the past, I didn't tell people that I was going to weight watchers or trying to lose weight. I always thought that they would judge the food choices that I made. But telling people was one of the best things I did, and no one has ever asked me why I am making an unhealthy food choice. I realized that people don't care or pay attention as much as I thought they would. They want to support you on this journey, but that doesn't mean that they will unintentionally tempt you. However, they are more likely to understand when you say no because they know you are trying to eat healthy.
- Have someone to hold you accountable. There were several people that held me accountable throughout this journey...whether it was a co-worker asking how my runs were going, or a friend checking in after my appointment or my mom asking how it was going in general. It's so important to have someone that can check in with you and you can be honest with, but know that they will hold you accountable. I now have someone that I go to boot camp with and I know she is counting on me being there.
- I said No...A LOT. No to that cookie, no to a beer, no to eating out, no no no!
- On the flip side, you have to give yourself a splurge meal once a week. The first couple of months, I was so focused and did not eat anything sweets or alcohol. I think it was good for me to get use to saying no and really make some significant changes. But then I broke down, crying at my appointment, and telling my nutritionist all I wanted was chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream one day, but I didn't have it. Her response was you have to give yourself treats every once in awhile; otherwise you will feel deprived and then binge. She also suggested that I go out for the treat...buy a small blizzard not a gallon of ice cream to keep in the house.
- I schedule my workouts...seriously they are on my google calendar. I get a pop up on my phone to go work out. .It's like an appointment, so if someone asks to do something, I can look at my calendar and tell them when I'll be free. Find a workout that you enjoy. If you hate it, but think it's the exercise you should do, you won't do it because you'll dread it. I love going to bootcamp...I get excited to go!
- Push yourself during your workout. You are stronger than you think you are. Your mind gives up before your body does. I try to push myself during my workouts...whether to go faster on the treadmill or pick up the heavier weight at BC (well sometimes, I don't have a choice, the trainer makes me) :) Sometimes you need someone to believe in you more than you believe in yourself.
- Don't be too hard on yourself. There will be days where you make poor eating choices, miss your workout or just want to give up. Trust me, there are days where I eat like crap, days that I don't push myself, days I should have worked out and didn't, but it doesn't mean that everything was a waste and I might as well just give up all together. It is a lifestyle, so you have to find a balance. I know that I don't want to go back to where I was EVER (yes, it's like Taylor Swift's song...we are never ever getting back together, like ever)
- I use Myfitnesspal (free app) to track my food. To start off with I measured everything, and still try to measure most things.I don't drink pop anymore (gave it up after Thanksgiving) and drink SO much water. I try to eat lots of veggies, and protein, but it's still a work in progress. I am learning how to cook and don't eat lean cuisines anymore.
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