Ok, so here's the thing.... I have tried this whole weight loss thing more than once and usually it gives me nothing more than disappointment. Mostly because, to put it bluntly, I suck! I will do the exercise regiment with a friend, but as for what goes into my mouth, it is all about what I want and what tastes good, not about what I NEED and what IS good. Exercise is all good, but if you aren't going to change how you eat and what you eat not a whole lot is going to be different.
Well, this time is going to be different. For a few reasons.
1. I have resources
2. I have motivation
3. I have an actual goal
4. I have a support system
5. I understand that there is a cost
I will go though these one by one just to explain.
1. I have resources: I have been reading a few books that are not just weight loss books, but books that focus on changing your lifestyle to fit the life that you lead. I started with "The Lean Belly Prescription" by Dr. Travis Stork from the show "The Doctors". It is a great book that gives you practical advice on how to make small changes in your life that will make a big impact on your waist line. Cheesy I know, but still still good and accurate.
The second book I have been reading is "Reshaping it All" by Candace Cameron Bure. This book is different mostly because Candace Cameron Bure (CCB) is a Christian woman who has struggled with weight, eating disorders and seeing herself though they eyes of society. This book is different because it is more to get you to rethink how you look at yourself in the mirror. Do you look at yourself and see a creation of God who knows you and loves you regardless of what you look like? You do not become more or less loveable by the side of your waist.
2. I have motivation: As of Thursday September 4, 2014 I am going to be 29 years old. I will be entering the last year of my twenties and I do not want to look back on my twenties and wish that I could have that body back. I am actually excited to be heading into my 30's and I want to be feeling great and looking great as I say goodbye to my 20's. I want to break the cycle I have set for myself and I want to be a healthy example for my sweet daughters. I am not wanting to lose the weight so that I will feel better about myself or think that I will be more likeable/loveable. If I can't feel good about myself at a size 14/16 then who says I will be able to feel good about myself at a size 8/10 or a size 10/12. I want to be healthy, make healthy choices, be a good example to my daughters and head into my 30's feeling/looking awesome!
3. I have an actual goal: In the past I have only wanted to lose weight. I would try something and just see where it would take me, not actually have a goal to work towards. This is different. I have the plan to lose 52 lbs in 52 weeks. That is 1lb a week and is completely attainable. Part two of the goal is to actually have a plan to get there. I have committed to eating breakfast (didn't do that before), eating smaller portions, eating more whole foods, (less out things out of a box) and saying no to sweets that I don't need. That does not mean cutting them out completely (yet) but seriously cutting back. That is my starting point and when I come to a stand still I will tweak my plan (like cutting out carbs in the evening or cutting out all processed sugar) to make my goal successful. Also, I have committed to doing a workout 3 times a week, and to choosing a more active lifestyle (walking instead of driving, standing instead of sitting... Etc) Thus far I have already started seeing some changes just in how my clothes fit.
4. I have a support system: Not only do I have my husband and kids but I also have 4 select girlfriends who have committed to walking along side me to encourage me, hold me accountable and give me some serious tough love. And, I can't forget about my readers. Every time you read my blog you are supporting me. Every time you comment you are giving me a bit of encouragement. By writing my thoughts, goals, successes and failures out here on the "interweb" I am extending my support system out farther and farther and having so many more people hold me accountable. I know I can do this, and I know that I will be more successful with you! I will be taking weekly pictures and post them with the hashtag #52lbsin52weeks on Instagram and Facebook so you can also follow via picture. I will also be posting (semi) daily on what healthy choices I made throughout the day and admitting the poor choices I have made. (Sometimes we take a step back and have to stop, rewind, and keep moving forward. That is ok, as long as you continue to move forward instead of giving up!)
5. I understand that there is a cost: This reason may have some people puzzled, but I have always had things pretty easy. School came easy to me and I didn't have to try very hard. When it came time for me to have to try, I didn't want to. I didn't want to have to work to be successful at anything. I am naturally talented with music, but as I got older I had to work harder to be good at the instrument I played. I didn't want to practice and so I didn't get any better. This is a BAD way to live life. When things are hard to just give up and take the easy way out. This is how I have done most everything.
BUT.... I am learning that everything comes with a cost. To have a relationship with Christ comes with a cost. No where in the bible does it say that the life of a Christian will be a happy easy life. No actually in Luke 21:10-19 it actually tells us that the life of following Christ is a HARD road and that "You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives." (vs. 17-19)
Marriage comes with a cost: you need to give yourself completely to another person. There are sacrifices that need to be made in your own agenda in order for the two lives meet together and make ONE life. You cannot think only of yourself because that is how marriages fall apart. In all reality, after God, you need to be thinking of your spouse in all you do.
Parenthood comes with a cost: if you are a parent then no further explanation needs to be made on this statement. But if you are not a parent you have NO COMPREHENTION of what it means to be a parent. As a mother, from conception until you finish nursing or put your child on solid food you are literally the sole life force of this tiny human being. When the baby is growing inside of you, that baby is sucking your life force in order to have life. That is a huge deal. And then after the baby comes out you have lost all freedom that you know of. I am making this sound really extreme because for me, it was. Some women adjust easier than I did, but it is still a sacrifice like no other to become a parent.
A relationship with food has a cost: food is a good thing that was given to us by God. But just like everything, too much of a good thing can become a bad thing. So, for me I have had at least 10 years of too much food, and my body is the one who is suffering. So, in order to get back to a healthy relationship with good food I am going to have to cut back on my portions and eat more whole food. That means more prep time and also sometimes feeling hungry as I wait for my stomach to adjust to smaller portions. Just like a tree that produces fruit, you have to cut off the old branches in order for the new branches to produce good fruit.
So there we have it! This is my plan that is written down, and I have people following me in my journey as I head through the next 52 weeks.
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