Small Victories

I am feeling much better about this process since I have cut myself little slack. The changes are still difficult, but that's ok.  I weighed myself yesterday and I lost a pound.  A pound does not seem like a lot, but it felt good to me.  Although this was a small victory for me, I still started to think about why my goals were so hard to reach.  Why is it so difficult for me to follow through with the changes I designated for myself?  I already knew that my will power is pretty crappy when it comes to food and exercise, but why?  This is the question I have been contemplating for the past 24 hours or so and I do not yet have an answer.  More to come!

Better Days Ahead

I am feeling much better about my journey to a better me and the changes I have chosen to make.  While I did not stick to every part of my plan, I did have some small victories today.  I chose water, ate a healthier dinner, and I got a little workout during my assistantship today.  I know I walked up and down the stairs at least 10 times. 

I also came to a realization.  I don't have to be so hard on myself when I don't reach my daily goals.  There is always the next day and I only have myself to answer to, which can at times be worse.  This is for me and not anyone else, so I can go at my own pace.  I am not saving babies.  I can mess up and no one will be hurt.  This made me feel much better today about my slow progress.  Besides, slow progress is better than no progress. Small change leads to big change. I made a small change, even if only for the day.  It counts!

Off to a ROUGH Start

Change is HARD!  So far on my journey to a healthier self, I have not stuck to my plan at all.  Honestly, most of it is because I forget that I am supposed to be making changes.  This change has not yet become part of my consciousness.  It is not until I am thinking about my assignments that I think about the changes I am supposed to make to my eating habits and my exercise schedule.  I have yet to step foot in a gym or walk a lap around my complex.  I had juice and soda all weekend.  Part of this had to do with the events I attended (a baby show and a bridal shower), but I could have made better choices while I was there.  I have to figure out how to bring these changes to the forefront of my mind so that they can become part of my routine and lifestyle.  If it was easy, everyone would do it, so they say. Something small that I can do tomorrow would be drinking only water.  Accountability is key as well.  I hope that if someone sees this and sees me with something else other than water, they will call me out.  Let's see how this goes!

Already feeling defeated

Today is day two of my journey and I feel like I am already failing.  For breakfast, I had Honey Nut Cheerios which are not really bad so I felt good about that.  That held me over for all of an hour and I was hungry again.  Because I was at my assistantship, I could not get anything else to eat.  As soon as I left I made a beeline to the first thing I could get my hands on, which ended up being fried chicken at the restaurant in the Georgia Center.  Off to a great start right?  The day goes on and I decided to go to a Mexican restaurant for dinner and went to get a chocolate chunk cookie immediately afterward.  At no point in the day did I even think about the changes I am supposed to be making to my eating habits.  Not once.  As I was walking from the car to the cookie place, all of one block, I felt my legs burning.  That let me further know that I am embarassingly out of shape.  Something must be done.  Feeling extremely discouraged right now.  It's only day 2.  Let's see if I make myself get up for my workout in the morning. 

Today marks the beginning of my challenge to change my life one pound at a time.  Yes, I too am embarking on a weight loss journey.  Big shocker there!  I will not be trying some crazy diet or killing myself in the gym everyday.  I will attempt to accomplish my goal by making small changes that will last a lifetime.  But what exactly is my goal?  I would like to lose 40 pounds over the next four months and decrease my pants size by 4 sizes.  I know most experts urge against watching the scale, but this measure is important to my body because of the excess weight on my bruised knees.  The excess weight is adding additional strain and it causes me pain most days.  Therefore, my goal is two-fold.  40lbs and 4 pants sizes in 4 months.  I hope to reach my goal before Christmas. 

Now how will I do this?  I really do not know.  I know the how's of losing weight, but rarely do I follow through.  What I would like to do is begin by working out 4 days a week:  Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.  I want to begin with some yoga due to the minimal impact on my knees.  I will also cut out sodas completely, which is not very difficult for me.  I will limit my juice intake to twice a week instead of everyday and drink the recommended eight cups per day of water.  I will also limit my intake of fried foods.

Will these changes be enough to reach my goal?  Who knows. But it is a start and seems much less intimidating and doable than some of the recommended plans.  I would much rather go with something I can do and only lose 20lbs than try something I cannot follow through with and lose nothing.  I have people around me who are willing to workout with me and be supportive so I know that will be helpful.  It is time to make a change!

I am Changing!