"A hard ride, a worthwhile journey and an amazing result. 1/5 of my weight in 4 months, and I feel fantastic!"
How I did it: My plan was simple. I looked at where I wanted to be by getting a general idea from a BMI calculator, I figured out what I ought to be eating, using Thedailyplate.com, and I kept a log of what I ate there, along with my weight loss progress. Then I simply started to become active. I took up running. Started with the "Couch to 5k" program, and just kept on from there.
I let the activity and eating right do the work and tried not to focus on how long it might take, but rather how far I had come. Simple plan, but naturally challenging. It only required the determination to keep going.
Lessons & tips: I can provide a few tips.
1. Don't think "this is going to take forever", but instead think "Look how far I have come", "Look how far I might be in a year if I stay the course".
2. Set goals. A big goal, and small ones along the way. You've heard it said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Very true.
3. Tell people. Update them. Make sure they know what you're doing and that you are accountable to the people around you. The more people know what you're doing, the less likely you are to fall off the wagon around them, and the more encouragement you'll receive as they begin to notice your progress! Nothing feels better than "Hey, have you lost more weight?"
4. Food journal, food journal, food journal! The Daily Plate is a great one. It also tracks measurements, weight, BMI and Physical Activity. Use it and you won't be sorry!
5. Find an image, song, Bible verse, or mantra that you can use to renew your strength and willpower. I use a combination.
6. If you mess up, get back on the horse. You haven't ruined anything by having a cookie when you shouldn't have. Don't let yourself fall into the trap of thinking "Well, I had the cookie. I guess I messed up and it's over." I mean, it's just a cookie. Get up, and keep on. Everyone likes a cookie now and then.
7. Reward yourself. However that may be. Some say don't do it with food, but I've done that a couple of times. "Ok, when I lose down to here, then I'm going to such and such a restaurant, or I'm going to have a shake or something." Again, if you fall into thinking that a shake will ruin your "diet" then this will ruin things. A shake is a shake. Tomorrow, keep moving and stay with it.
8. It isn't a "Diet" it's your diet. The best thing you can possibly do is change your lifestyle forever. Decide to be a healty person, not an unhealthy one who eats healthy for a month and then you get McFood and Taco Bell again. That's why people seesaw. I know, because I have done it. Decide right now and be the healthy person who might sometimes have a hamburger.
You can do this. If I did it, you can. Trust me.
Resources: http://www.thedailyplate.com
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
23 people found this helpful
Oct 02, 06:12AM PDT
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