Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Friends ehhhhhh

I find it very interesting how friends or family react to you when one is trying to lose weight. I find that you have three groups of people: true supporters, believe it when I see its, and people who act like all of a sudden they can't take the time to encourage you.

The true supporters are obviously the ones we all want. These are the people who are with you 100% whether they know the struggle or not. These people are asking how you are doing, possibly buddying up with you, or keeping you motivated on those days where it just seems too much!

Then the "Believe It When I See Its" are the friends of family that don"t necessarily discourage you, but rather when you tell them about starting your journey...they ask a ton of questions about how you are going to do it and may even throw in a jab or two about "The last time you tried this" I find these people to be the most interesting really. It is like they only want to invest (emotions) in something that is going to have a return. They would rather not go on the physical and emotional rollercoaster with you...but will be there when you get off, cheering and congratulating you.

Lastly, the what I like to call...straight haters! These people are in no way there for you during your journey. Plain and simply put these are the people who are mad that they cannot have the same willpower that you do and would be perfectly happy to see you fall on your face. They may not say it...but they damn sure are thinking it! These are people that will say, "I don't have time to do all that counting calories stuff" when you talk about how you do this! I have found that some people's happiness is determined by your level of misery. For example, have you ever had a friend that was just an enabler of your bad behavior (eating habits, drinking, partying, etc)? These people are all about being your friend, as long as you are not doing or looking better than they are! All bad! And with friends like these, who needs enemies right?!


Now I will say there are friends and family that just fit into a category of, "I don't understand". These people have no clue what it is to try to lose weight or how hard it is to stay motivated. These are the ones that say things like, "I love exercise" or "I just eat whatever I want and workout". Well guess what? If I liked exercise...I probably wouldn't be overweight! Most of the time, it is not their fault. They truly just don't have the empathy gear in their brain, when it comes to this.


I wrote this post to say this...You have to choose who you want to inform about your weight loss and healthy lifestyle plan. Because you will have people who are in your corner, people who are only in your corner if you win, people who would love to see you get knocked out, and lastly...people who didn't even realize that you were stepping into the ring! Either way you have to fight your fight...with or without them!

The Biggest Loser Syndrome

I feel in weight loss that nowadays we what I call, "The Biggest Loser Syndrome". These weight loss TV shows somehow lead us to believe that EVERYBODY can lose 12lbs a week as long as you workout! However, there is a problem with this. What we don't see is the contestants working out 8hrs a day! Who can do that? Not an everyday person. And I will say...if I had 2 of the best trainers in the world, a nutritionist, and no access to the very foods that got me into this predicament...I would lose 80lbs in 3 months also! I am just saying. On a side note, I do love the show because it is very inspirational.

Weight loss really comes down to, what works best for the individual. I cannot do the same workout plan and regimen as some of the other ladies I know on myfitnesspal.com, as they cannot do the same routine that I do. Plain and simple! You have to take each day as a personal challenge. Everyday you have to set goals for yourself, as it pertains to exercise and eating. You have to play your mental "Rocky" theme song and take on the day.

So do not be discouraged by the fact that your weight loss may not be what it is for contestants on weight loss shows! These people are not in normal, everyday positions that the majority of people on a weight loss journey are in.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Let's just say that the weekends are the hardest days to keep it together! I went out to eat twice this weekend, and it wasn't the best idea. I hopped on the scale and what do you know...I have gained 2lbs. I will say that I was quite disappointed in myself for this!

However, it was a lesson learned. I realize that I am not far enough into my journey to eat out 2 times in a weekend. It did taste good though! LOL But I am paying for it mentally and physically. Because now I have an upset stomach!

So like I said, now I know I cannot do this type of stuff to myself. I cannot allow this minor setback to deter me from my ultimate goal! So today was a new day, as is tomorrow.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

I'm Baaaaaaack!

So once again it has been awhile since I have been able to share.....but I am back and in full effect.

I think I have found something that actually works for me! I found this great website called myfitnesspal.com that allows you to log your daily calories and exercise, as well as gain and give support! I also started a "Mommy Weight Loss" group on babycenter.com. I have found that it is even more motivating for oneself when you can motivate and share stories with others that are going through the same struggles and progesses.

I had to step back for a minute and ask myself, "Why am I sabotaging my own happiness and well-being!?" It just didn't make sense. I also had to realize that I had to be my own biggest cheerleader. As much as I want friends and family support with this journey, it is really me and only me that knows what kind of daily sacrifice I go through to stick with it!

Now I try my very best to exercise everyday. I have been waking up at 6:00am to walk 2 miles and then when I get home from work I do 50 minutes of cardio. I force myself to do it, no matter how tired I may be. I had to let go of the excuses and stop beating myself up if I don't do ALL the exercise that I should.

I am now down to 235....which it has been awhile since I have been there....let me tell you.

I just have to take it one day at a time and realize that I CAN DO THIS! You only get one shot at life and I don't want to waste years being unhappy in my own skin...especially when I know that I am a wonderful person on the inside! I want and need the two things to match!

I have also decided that I want to write a book about weight loss for women in their 20's. I have always felt like most books are geared towards 30 to 40 something women. And I definitely feel like women in their 20's go through a different set of struggles because their is so much pressure to look a certain way, when you are in your 20's.....I want to redefine beauty and teach women to celebrate the small things. I want to call my book....."My Biggest Cheerleader"



So these are my new goals:

September 18th-215lbs
November 6th-200lbs.
January 11th-180lbs
March 11th-165-175 range THE ULTIMATE GOAL!!!