Monday Milestones

Well, I managed to lose that pesky pound that sneaked up on me last week.  That brings my total weight loss to 60 pounds in 28 weeks. 

I’ve been a little off-schedule lately and haven’t exercised as much due to our trip to San Antonio.  And, I ate out at restaurants several times.  But this week I should be able to get back on-track with my routine. 

I had my monthly weigh-in with my nurse practitioner on Friday, and everything was really good.  My blood pressure and pulse was lower than ever and it was nice to see a visual representation of my progress on a BMI chart.  The nurses were so encouraging and really cheered me on. 

Over the last few weeks, several people have talked with me or e-mailed me to inquire about some weight loss tips.  Since I’ve had a lot of new readers lately (welcome!), I’ll list a few things that have worked for me along my journey.

1. Exercise.  I usually mention this first, because I feel that it is the key.  I know that most people really struggle with this one (myself included!), but if you are truly going for a life change, this is the first thing to do to jumpstart weight loss and improve your health.  My routine includes walking on a treadmill at a high incline and doing The Shred with Jillian Michaels. 
2. Count calories.  My favorite resource for online food journaling is Calorie Count.  It’s free and chock full of great resources, including a personal calculator that tells you how many calories you should be eating for weight loss.   I count everything I eat, no matter how small.  I fill up on lots of fruits and vegetables, eat lean proteins, and enjoy healthy carbs (whole grain, brown rice, sweet potatoes, etc.).  I highly recommend the HMR 120 shake.  It’s delicious, very filling, and nutritious.  When I’m in a rush and don’t have time to prepare a healthy meal, I also enjoy the HMR entrees. 
3. Be accountable to someone.  For some people, this means joining a weight-loss group.  In my case, I discussed it with my nurse practictioner and we agreed on a monthly weigh-in appointment to check my vitals and track my progress.  Blogging about my journey has also been a HUGE motivator.
4. Keep the big picture in mind.  Try not to focus too much on the number on the scale, but on an overall improvement of health.  Women (myself included!) are notorious for drastic crash diets.  These usually work for a short time, then you get discouraged, then quit, then gain everything back plus more.  It’s just not healthy.  Eat a balanced diet, exercise, and be patient.  Slower is better for long-term maintenance.  And, the goal should be improving your overall health, not just getting into a certain size.
5. Celebrate!  Reward yourself along the journey.  I’ve enjoyed buying some new clothes and getting a couple of pedicures along the way!

I want to offer some encouragement to anyone out there who thinks they just can't make changes.  I HATE to sweat and I LOVE to eat.  I am a Food Network junkie who enjoys hanging out at Central Market.  I love to be in my kitchen and I read cookbooks just for fun.  Before I started this journey, my idea of physical exertion was pushing Grace on the swing.

If I can do this, anyone can do this. 

I have prayed over and over for discipline to stick to my goals.  It’s not always easy, but a funny thing happens when you just simply MAKE yourself exercise and eat better.  You will find yourself craving the high-sugar/high-fat foods less and the healthier fruits and vegetables more.  I’ve spent time “making over” my previous favorite recipes into healthier versions that I actually think taste better now. 

Exercise gets easier, too, as you start to build muscle and endurance.  I’m still waiting for the enjoyment to set in while I’m doing it, but I will admit that I enjoy the end result!

I truly appreciate the words of encouragement I’ve received over the last weeks, and I want to pass it along to anyone else who wants to make changes!  I understand the ups and downs that come with getting healthier, and just know that you are not alone.  It will be worth it!