As I was walking tonight, I got to thinking about commitment when it comes to losing weight.
The first time I did this challenge I was 100% committed to losing weight. The shock of the scale was enough to kick me in the ass to get a jump start. I also began thinking of my kids and how they deserved to have a mom who could keep up with them when we were playing soccer in the yard or even playing on the swing set. These two things were what kept me going on my journey. I just kept thinking...I can't let them down.
Some where on the journey though I added myself to the list of why I wanted to lose weight. I know again, it sounds cliche', but it really is the truth. As a mom, I usually put my own needs on the back burner and did what needed to be done for the kids or the family. I found myself with little to no "me" time on any given day, as I am sure most moms feel. And I can tell you this, the time that I did get for me, exercise was not high on my list of things to do.
I don't know exactly what changed this. I might have just come to my senses and realized the weight wasn't going to come off by itself. And the only time I had to exercise was during my "me" time. I also figured I gave an hour (at least) to watching television 2-4 times a week. I could commit to exercising for that long too.
When I first started, the only thing I needed to motivate myself to exercise was putting on my gym shoes and grabbing either my watch or pedometer. Again, I don't really know why this was enough, but it was. I was/am a stay at home mom and found it much easier to get my walks in before the kids got home. I planned when I would walk into my day, .
Planning was crucial for me. If I didn't wake up with a plan for the day, those were/are the days I found/find myself dreading the workout the most.
So, I've been asked (on more than one occasion)..."Holly you have 4 kids, how on Earth do you get exercising in?" Again it comes back to having a plan. Since starting this second challenge I have had to work around all 4 kids being home. It has made it a little tougher, but still very much do able. It just took planning!
Not sure if I mentioned this or not, but I do pretty much all of my walking up and down my own drive way. Yes, it gets boring going back and forth (23 times equals 1 mile), but I found I can do it whenever I wanted without worrying about who was going to watch the kids. I can go outside and walk and feel comfortable with them in the house by themselves. And really, is it any different than walking on a treadmill?...besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on one, doubt it!
Would I have been able to do it this way when they were younger? More than likely, no. My kids are 11, 8, 6, and 3 and most of the time my 3 and 6 year old are outside with me playing while I am walking, so it works out even more perfect for me.
I guess my point in this entry is, you have to commit your mind to losing weight as much as you commit your body. Think about why you want to lose weight and then plan how you are going to get there. I feel like losing weight is like any other detail in my life. Having a plan works for everything else and my weight loss journey is no exception!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Post Vacation....
Well vacation was FUN, but I didn't stick to my plan very well at all. LOL I will say it was because it was a vacation and move forward. Got a lot of work ahead of me this upcoming week.
tip: when you fall off "the plan," don't beat yourself up...just get back to it the next day.
How I plan to move forward:
I will walk my 3 miles each day and also add a biggest loser dvd workout between now and next Thursday. The diet part will be watched very closely this week also back to 1500 calories. Low fat meals will be my best friend. At least one big veggie salad a day. And NO fast food (had enough of that on vacation).
tip: when you fall off "the plan," don't beat yourself up...just get back to it the next day.
How I plan to move forward:
I will walk my 3 miles each day and also add a biggest loser dvd workout between now and next Thursday. The diet part will be watched very closely this week also back to 1500 calories. Low fat meals will be my best friend. At least one big veggie salad a day. And NO fast food (had enough of that on vacation).
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Vacation
I will be gone for a couple of days. We decided to take a family vacation this year. This will be our first vacation since having children, so I am little nervous, but VERY excited all at the same time.
With this being said, I probably won't be able to post for the next couple of days. I thought I would post tonight what I plan to do as far as my challenges go. I am hoping if I have a game plan it will help me stay focused.
Since this will be a vacation away from home and traveling will be involved I plan to make healthy choices when dining out and snacking.
The hotel we are staying in has an exercise room (complete with treadmill) I am gonna try that sucker out. I have been wanting to see if having one would really be worth my while. Figured this was a perfect opportunity to try one out.
Walking shouldn't be a problem since we are going to an amusement park. It won't be what I am use to exercise wise, but it will still be some form of it.
Since soda will be available. I am going to try really hard to drink it sparingly. And when I do drink it I am going to make it a diet.
***I added another webpage (Pedometer Walking Calories and Distance Calculator) under interesting websites to check out
With this being said, I probably won't be able to post for the next couple of days. I thought I would post tonight what I plan to do as far as my challenges go. I am hoping if I have a game plan it will help me stay focused.
Since this will be a vacation away from home and traveling will be involved I plan to make healthy choices when dining out and snacking.
The hotel we are staying in has an exercise room (complete with treadmill) I am gonna try that sucker out. I have been wanting to see if having one would really be worth my while. Figured this was a perfect opportunity to try one out.
Walking shouldn't be a problem since we are going to an amusement park. It won't be what I am use to exercise wise, but it will still be some form of it.
Since soda will be available. I am going to try really hard to drink it sparingly. And when I do drink it I am going to make it a diet.
***I added another webpage (Pedometer Walking Calories and Distance Calculator) under interesting websites to check out
Today's Challenge
I took another day off from what I call exercising (planning to walk) but I did get lots of walking in yesterday as I was out and about with friends.
So, today's challenge will be getting a walk in...60 minutes as usual! I am also going to try that smoothie recipe I posted...hope it is good cause since then I have enjoyed 2 McDonald's fruit smoothies...I might just be addicted to them, so good!
A little about yesterday:
I was out and about all day yesterday looking for a new swim suit! I figured now was the time to look for them since most places have them marked down on clearance. The thing is when they are marked down the pickings are slim...which I expected, but still was in a little shock after going to 2 stores and not able to find anything. I finally did find one that I LOVE and that I feel good in! We are going on vacation and I couldn't see wearing the one I have had for the past 11 years (yes, that is really how long it has been since I have bought a swim suit) that is all stretched out. Here is the crazy thing though...I tried on a suit that was a size 16 and it actually fit me!!! I haven't worn a size 16 since college days. So can I just tell you how excited I was, VERY!
My adventures out yesterday, also included dining out at a Chinese Buffet nonetheless . I feel it is important to share this to show I am an everyday person. My plates (yes, I had more than one, lol) consisted of mostly chicken and broccoli (it's my favorite). But I also had beef and broccoli with onion and peppers, some peanut butter chicken (yum, good stuff) and of course crab ragoon...cause no visit is complete without them! Here is the thing though...this meal was my ONLY meal yesterday and I probably consumed at least 1500 calories within this meal alone. I know everything that you read (or at least that I have read) says you should not eat only one meal a day and how unhealthy it is. Honestly though I had this at lunch time and my body was not telling me it needed to eat at dinner. I even felt content when I went to bed too.
I am not saying you should do this regularly, cause you shouldn't. 3 meals or 6 meals daily is the norm and should be. BUT, I think it is important to listen to your body too. If you aren't hungry at meal times you shouldn't eat. But if you are, then you should. If I was hungry at dinner time I would have kept it light with a veggie salad to counter balance my meal from earlier.
So, today's challenge will be getting a walk in...60 minutes as usual! I am also going to try that smoothie recipe I posted...hope it is good cause since then I have enjoyed 2 McDonald's fruit smoothies...I might just be addicted to them, so good!
A little about yesterday:
I was out and about all day yesterday looking for a new swim suit! I figured now was the time to look for them since most places have them marked down on clearance. The thing is when they are marked down the pickings are slim...which I expected, but still was in a little shock after going to 2 stores and not able to find anything. I finally did find one that I LOVE and that I feel good in! We are going on vacation and I couldn't see wearing the one I have had for the past 11 years (yes, that is really how long it has been since I have bought a swim suit) that is all stretched out. Here is the crazy thing though...I tried on a suit that was a size 16 and it actually fit me!!! I haven't worn a size 16 since college days. So can I just tell you how excited I was, VERY!
My adventures out yesterday, also included dining out at a Chinese Buffet nonetheless . I feel it is important to share this to show I am an everyday person. My plates (yes, I had more than one, lol) consisted of mostly chicken and broccoli (it's my favorite). But I also had beef and broccoli with onion and peppers, some peanut butter chicken (yum, good stuff) and of course crab ragoon...cause no visit is complete without them! Here is the thing though...this meal was my ONLY meal yesterday and I probably consumed at least 1500 calories within this meal alone. I know everything that you read (or at least that I have read) says you should not eat only one meal a day and how unhealthy it is. Honestly though I had this at lunch time and my body was not telling me it needed to eat at dinner. I even felt content when I went to bed too.
I am not saying you should do this regularly, cause you shouldn't. 3 meals or 6 meals daily is the norm and should be. BUT, I think it is important to listen to your body too. If you aren't hungry at meal times you shouldn't eat. But if you are, then you should. If I was hungry at dinner time I would have kept it light with a veggie salad to counter balance my meal from earlier.
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