New Year's Resolutions

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Comment by Guinevere on February 14, 2015 at 8:30

Wow! That's quite a goal.  I hope your path will be a fulfilling one.  I can't start to imagine the work and will involved in such a commitment.  Hope you succeed :)

Comment by Flammeous {De Empress} on January 20, 2015 at 11:40

Hey Serenity,

Well, let me be the first to commend you, on your New Years resolution.  :)

My weight loss journey wasn't that recent; can't believe it's been almost 2 yrs now, but I managed to lose 40 lbs.  Most of my life I wore between a 16-18 pants size.  The largest size I wore was a 22, after I was pregnant.  I'm wearing a size 9 now.  

I think losing 5 lbs each month is very reasonable and obtainable goal.  Mine was 8 lbs. a month.  I did it, and I surely believe that you can too!

I did more than just diet.  I started working out at home.  First I started out just by walking more.  Then I went to some light workouts (watch youtube videos), and then moved onto some light weights.  When I thought I needed more of a challenge, I went and got a membership at a gym, and started going regularly.

What really inspired me on my journey, was seeing someone at work, just transform right before my eyes, and I figured if they can do it.  I can do it.  I just got to stick with it, and that's really the best advice, motivator, mantra, positive thinking there is.

Other things I did that I felt kept me on track was:  I started my exercise off slow and easy. It may not seem like I was doing much at first, but it did pay off, and when I built up more strength and stamina, I started adding to it.  I didn't want to start off all crazy because first I was concerned about injury (as I've had that happen) and secondly, this is the reason why people don't stick with it.  They do too much too soon.

The other thing I did was once a week, I would log/track my body measurements, because relying on what the numbers on the scale say, fluctuates so much and isn't always an accurate portrayal.  You will surely get discouraged when you don't see those numbers moving down if you go solely off the scale.  Or even worse!  The numbers going up (may be muscle).  I found that I lost a few centimeters or inches, even though the scale wasn't going down, and that made me feel like I was making progress, and stuck with it.  (I also read that those who write down their measurements, are more likely to stick with it).

It so happen for me, I somehow got surrounded by fitness fanatics.  I think this helped me a lot, like support.  I mean those who workout & diet will be about the only ones who will want to listen to you talk about it, and in turn talk to you about theirs. :P  I learned a lot from other people who were on the same journey. Also, a close friend of mine end up following suit.  We didn't workout together, but we kinda did give each other some support, and for me, I made it like a little contest in my mind.

Don't completely eliminate all the junk.  Everything in moderation.  Think portions.  I eat chips. I still do, but they fill up only a snack size sandwich bag, and that's it.  It's alright to splurge and treat yourself every now an then, so as long as it's really every now an then, and you not gorging yourself on a whole bag of chips, cookies, cake etc.  

I really started looking at the calories, fat and sugar content, before I put it in my mouth.  Now that I know how much I have to work, to burn those calories off, I'm less likely to eat it, or the whole thing...sometimes I would share with someone.  I know something that has 600 calories would take me 45 minutes to burn off at the gym. :P

I did quit the soda.  Every full moon I might incline to have one.  Even then I can never manage to drink the whole thing.  I quit process meats altogether.  Cheese, I keep to a minimal. I do watch my carbs; rice, bread, pasta, etc., but I don't eliminate them.  More vegetables, fruits, lean chicken, turkey and fish.  I found once I started eating more of these for a while, it became easier to 'stick' with my diet.  It was no longer a 'diet' any more. My body just seem to crave it. 

Plus you are going to feel great!  You will begin to have so much more energy, you will be begging for something to do.  Being active won't be an issue at all. :)

Getting started, and sticking to it, is the biggest challenge, but trust me, if you make it over this small speed bump, it gets so much more easier.

If you ever need anything.  Feel free to shoot me a line, anytime.  

Blessings Upon Your Endeavors, May All Your Goals Be Manifested...

- Flammeous