I recently saw a picture of myself. Not a selfie, or a picture taken from the neck up. It was also not a picture I was smiling and posing for. It was taken candidly, as I was sitting in a normal position not trying to look nice. And I was taken aback. I knew I was overweight. But I never see my whole body as I'm doing the day-to-day things. And this was a shocker.
To top it off, a couple days later I had a not-so-pleasant doctors appointment in which she told me some hard facts to hear about my weight, and numbers that I need to see on the scale to be considered "healthy." That's when I decided I needed to do something about this. I've let it get way too bad, and I need to make a change.
I had played around with an app called My Fitness Pal a few times over the last year or so. It tracks all the calories you consume and burn throughout the day. I began to log every single thing I ate during the day, and I have to tell you...it really makes you think about how much you eat. Is it really worth it to have that handful of M&Ms if I have to enter it into the app and see those precious calories go up? The answer is no, it's not worth it. I've cut my eating practically in half, because I don't really snack anymore. I've almost made it a game with myself. I'm allowed 1700 calories a day, and I try to make sure I always have calories left at the end of the day. If I'm in the negative, I'm disappointed. I'm not about to go on a crazy veggie-only diet. But I'm doing better, and that's what matters.
The other part of losing weight aside from diet is exercise. In my whole life (even when I was thin) I NEVER exercised. I hate it. I get anxiety when I'm out of breath and feel like I can't breathe. That's a problem. Well I've had to suck it up and get over that, because I HAVE to exercise now. I'm taking it slow...mostly speed-walking or doing the elliptical trainer (since I got such bad shin splints from trying to run). And unfortunately, I'm not seeing the pounds fly off the scale at lightning speed like I'd like to. But I feel stronger. And I can workout for longer periods of time then when I started. And that's what matters too.
To top it off, a couple days later I had a not-so-pleasant doctors appointment in which she told me some hard facts to hear about my weight, and numbers that I need to see on the scale to be considered "healthy." That's when I decided I needed to do something about this. I've let it get way too bad, and I need to make a change.
I had played around with an app called My Fitness Pal a few times over the last year or so. It tracks all the calories you consume and burn throughout the day. I began to log every single thing I ate during the day, and I have to tell you...it really makes you think about how much you eat. Is it really worth it to have that handful of M&Ms if I have to enter it into the app and see those precious calories go up? The answer is no, it's not worth it. I've cut my eating practically in half, because I don't really snack anymore. I've almost made it a game with myself. I'm allowed 1700 calories a day, and I try to make sure I always have calories left at the end of the day. If I'm in the negative, I'm disappointed. I'm not about to go on a crazy veggie-only diet. But I'm doing better, and that's what matters.
The other part of losing weight aside from diet is exercise. In my whole life (even when I was thin) I NEVER exercised. I hate it. I get anxiety when I'm out of breath and feel like I can't breathe. That's a problem. Well I've had to suck it up and get over that, because I HAVE to exercise now. I'm taking it slow...mostly speed-walking or doing the elliptical trainer (since I got such bad shin splints from trying to run). And unfortunately, I'm not seeing the pounds fly off the scale at lightning speed like I'd like to. But I feel stronger. And I can workout for longer periods of time then when I started. And that's what matters too.
Yes...I sometimes force my dog to burn calories with me. She likes it though, because she gets ice cubes after.
The My Fitness Pal app that tracks my calories consumed and burned throughout the day. At the end of this day, I had over 600 calories left that I didn't consume. That's what I like to see.
xoxo, wife.
I think you are doing great. I see a determination in you to do this that I haven't seen before. And you have a great "goal" to keep you on track. Keep it up and don't be discourage if the pounds come off slowly because in the long run it is the best way. Also, I love our walks....well, I love spending the time with you....I probably only slightly "like" the walking but I know it is good for both of us! I will keep it up if you will ! ! !
ReplyDeleteThanks Mom. Love you!
DeletePlease don't get discouraged, I think you are doing great and just remember if you lose weight slowly it is more
ReplyDeleteapt to stay off. Diet and exercise does work it just takes time and determination and I can see that you are determined.
Love you so much.
Grandma Sue