Make calories in less than calories out. That's it. The complete and total secret to weightloss. If I follow this formula then I MUST lose weight.
Ummm. Yeah, the calories in part. I make really poor choices. I think a lot of people have gotten obese because eating out has become such a big deal. I don't know the statistics, but most of the folks that I know that are overweight, including myself, eat out regularly. Sometimes one meal a day. And that one meal is usually around 3000 calories. It starts because eating out is supposed to be a celebratory thing, right? And who eats carrots to celebrate. At least that is the way it started for us. We ate out for something to do other than stay home (in that town, eating was about the only thing to do unless we wanted to be around drunk undergraduates. Not that there is anything wrong with that, as long as you are not an over 25 graduate student). Then it morphed into not having time to cook. Then it just became habit.
Being poor will help greatly with that. It's like not keeping the food in the house. If I can't eat out, I am not likely to make hot wings or Big Macs at home. As an aside, why are all plus-size clothes so damned high-waisted?
I want to lose weight. Why? I want to feel better, age better, not get diabetes (runs in the family), not get cancer (runs in the family), and not get heart disease (runs in the family). I wish running ran in the family. I also want to be able to buy clothes in "normal" stores. I want to be able to shop in consignment stores easily. I want to be able to run and jump without feeling like I am crushing my knees.
I will lose weight. I am confident that I can lose weight, because if the formula is followed it is physically impossible not to lose weight.
So on to the "Plan".
1. State goals in achievable, realistic, and concrete language: (a.) I will lose 110 lbs over the course of 2 years by losing approximately one pound per week; (b.) Calorie consumption per day will be 1800 calories; (c.) I will keep a food diary in order to track calorie consumption; (d.) I will exercise by walking or exercise video for 30 minutes every day; (e.) I will use hand weights and resistance training for strength training 3 times a week; (f.) Water, water, everywhere. Drink it damn it.
2. Envision my success: Spend time meditating on how this will help me through energy and health.
3. Avoid problem areas, in other words, no eating out for a while and let DH do the grocery shopping.
4. Keep myself motivated. This is hard. Motivation needs to come from within for the long haul. I know, I have lost and gained the same 45 lbs numerous times over the past 10 years. I'm doing this to be in charge of my life, not just to be a certain size. And that is the internal driving force. I am doing this for me and to make my life better.
5. Don't beat myself up. There are going to be days when I eat the brownie. And that's okay. I am tired of approaching weight loss as an all or nothing prospect.
6. Finally, follow through and affirmation. I am going to use my blog as a follow-through and affirmation place. I can record for those 2 or 3 that read this my daily struggles. And if it helps someone, excellent. If it helps me, even better.
So I am going to be perfectly honest here. On this blog. I am 5'6" and I currently weigh 244 lbs. My ultimate goal is 135 lbs. But my first goal, which is easily achievable is 5 lbs. So first goal = 239.
Yay me.
5 comments:
High waisted pants = accomodate big butts. Trust me, I know. ;)
I was 267, 5'8" and a size 24 six years ago when I had gastric bypass surgery. Now I'm 185lbs, size 14/16 and much happier. I wouldn't necessarily advocate surgery for everyone and I'd probably have considered lap-band if it was around then, but it does make things easier. I paid thousands of dollars for non-surgical remedies and nothing worked. Mind you, I have ALWAYS been fat -- from birth on. It wasn't something that happened when I got older. Anyway, I just ate half a chicken breast, 1/4 cup rice and 1/2 cup green beans for lunch and I am totally full. :)
Yes, but why can't I ever find pants that fit my shape : ).
Wow. I keep thinking about the surgery, but I am really afraid of having it.
As for being fat, I was chunky as a preteen, lost it all through the miracle of puberty and anorexia, then began gaining weight as soon as I hit college. Unfortunately, I also have one of those families that measure success based on weight. So added to my stress of being called names (their way of showing love) I have yo-yoed myself way the hell over 200 lbs.
Anyway, I have made myself a promise. If I am unsuccessful this time around, I am doing the lap-band thing next summer. I am tired of fighting my inner demons, they are too freakin hungry.
Love your blog!
Sorry your family are so unsupportive of you. :( That's hard. Mine have all had surgery - LOL! My mother was first, then me, then my aunt. I've had a lot of nutritional/vitamin issues with the gastric bypass, which is why I'd do the lap band if I could do it over. Good luck to you as you try to do it in what sounds like a very health way!
I agree about the clothes -- I think we all need personal tailors. It's just not fair that my bottom is one size and my top another. Don't get me started on the fact that my hips/butt and calves seem to have come from different models size-wise. Sigh...
Good luck with your plan. Don't focus on the numbers, ask yourself, do I feel healthier today? Did eating well make me feel good, give me more energy, etc. Same with exercise, don't look at the calorie counter on the machine, ask your body how it feels. This will mentally get you through the times when your body just plateaus. I applaud your efforts!
Good luck with this, Eliza! I fear that food will be a constant battle for me - as someone with a history of anorexia/bulemia and compulsive eating. I'm an okay size right now, I guess, but I think it's hard for us to be okay with our bodies whatever the size. I'll be checking in to see how it's going with you. I've fallen off my food journal wagon, but I'm trying to get back on. And I, like you, just really want to be healthy and happy. And I do appreciate that you're writing about it. :)
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