Here are some things I have learned and things that have helped me with side notes attached. Also, if anyone has any advice for me...trust me..I'm all ears. I still need all the help I can get.
Enjoy!
1. Exercise does not mean going to the gym and running the elipical for an hour. It is walking down the road, doing vigorous housework to sweat, doing jumping jacks between loads of laundry...ANYTHING. For me, I found Zumba. It was some money, not going to lie. But nothing like what you pay for a gym membership. It is fun, interactive, and constantly changing. And if you are ADD like me, you need that in exercise. I find myself doing this at 10:00 at night when everything has settled down. But it works for me, because Chris leaves me to myself and I can do it, shower, and go to bed. No one is there to laugh at me or see me struggling to keep up. But it has, honestly, been my life saver. Find what works for you. It will make all the difference in the world.
2. You have to eat! You have to eat 3 meals a day or even snacks in between. I promise, don't deprive your body.
3. It is not an all or nothing deal. You can treat yourself. If you are like me, you have to have diet drinks. And you can. Just in moderation. Which brings me to number 4.
4. Moderation is key. Don't deprive yourself of anything. If you want a breadstick from Olive Garden, have a half of one. It's better than breaking down and eating the whole basket, right? I can't go without peanut butter...so I don't. I limit my intake of Reduced Fat Jif Peanut Butter to 2 tablespoons a day with a bowl of apples. If that's what gets me from just throwing it all out the window, it's okay, right? Yes.
5. Don't only eat right, but know what you are eating. Myfitnesspal has been my right hand man through this whole change. I log everything. And that helps so much on accountability...again, that brings me to number 6.
6. Have an accountability partner. Weighing into Dr. Caruthers and finally telling Chris what I weigh, after 4 years, has helped so much. Since he is such a logical male, when I get on the scales and get to tell him that I now weigh 195, he can congradulate me. Being honest with him allowed me to have it all out on the table. And it was so hard for me, because if you didn't know, Chris is 6'1'' and 170lbs. He can eat whatever he wants whenever he wants. And obviously, he weighs less. When I weigh in, I can share my progress on the printout she gives me and he can see the numbers go down with me. Nothing helps more than having your best friend by your side. Now don't get me wrong, he doesn't tell me what to eat and what not to eat. I do that on my own. But he does encourage me. And that means the world.
7. Be accountable with yourself. Step on that scale. Be honest with yourself. For others, they can weigh once a week...for me, I weigh every single morning. No getting out of it.
8. When I made the comment on knowing what you are eating, I mean everything. I used to only count calories. Now, I am still on a 1200 calorie day diet but I also watch my fat, sugar, carbs, fiber, and protien. Myfitnesspal will help lay that out for you. You will learn the basic changes like what I am talking about.
You will want to be able to eat as much as you can.
9. Keep yourself busy. If you are a bored eater. Don't be bored. There are always other things you can do. Go buy cheap stuff at a thrift store. Go clean something. Just don't sit there. :)
10. Realize it is not a diet. It is a job. If you have a bad day on the job, what do you do? You still go back the next day. So if you eat bad one day (which is completely allowed) don't just think "oh well! I blew it!". Just get your act together. Sleep on it. And start back the next day. In the end, God only gives us one body and we have to work with it.
11. Skinny does not mean healthy.
12. You waste so many grams of sugar on a 100 calorie pack...
13. Cut out the fast food.
14. Cut out the sweet tea..it's like having a piece of chocolate cake with every meal.
15. Substitutions are key, as well. Mustard instead of Mayo. Simply Naked Pita chips instead of Doritos. Salsa instead of cheesedip. Sweet N Low or Splenda instead of sugar. Wheat bread and pasta instead of white. Diet drinks instead of regular. Dark chocolate instead of milk.
Your pallet will get used to the tastes and you will start craving what's right, especially when you see how much better you feel. You will crave veggies and fruit. I promise. Give your body time.
Being 27 pounds lighter and now in a size 12, I have never felt better. You will have days that are rough but just take it one day at a time. Don't think about all you have left to lose. If all I thought about everyday was that I have 33 pounds to lose before I am happy, I would never get there. Just think...one pound a week. Focus on present so you can love the future.
We can do this. I will be here for you, if you will be here for me.
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