Challenge #1 ~ Breaking my belief barrier
Prior to my starting my journey my head was full of a lot of reasons why I can't lose weight and get fit.
- Doctors told me ~ Once you are fat, you will always be fat...you can lose the weight but you will just gain it right back.....Well with that kind of encouragement, my thought were...why even try?
- Random people told me ~ You're getting too old.....it harder to lose weight and keep it off.
- Me talking ~ You've tried so many things and nothings worked....You are a failure!
Victory #1
With support of my family and friends and belief in myself and people like Dr Laura who says...."There's no magic pill!! It just takes grit....", to movies like Julie and Julia of a young woman who decided she could do anything for a year and set out to cook every recipe in Julia Child's cookbook and completed her goals, to the Biggest Loser where I saw really heavy people make changes in their lives. (Extreme way to do it, but I saw that it was possible), to me finally trusting the Lord and relying on Him to help me. After all that I started to see some success!
Challenge #2 ~ Support
When you want to lose weight and get fit, sometimes you don't get the support you need. It changes the whole house, so people will resist, because they don't want to change. Hubby's can get stressed out, because of fears of losing you when you get your new body. Kids can just rebel and bring goodies into the house to tempt you. Friends....well friends don't want you to look better than they do....So getting support can be difficult.
Victory #2
I experienced some of the above. With my hubby...instead of excluding him in my journey, I included him ~ asking for help, exercising together, strategizing our food together and most importantly being attentive to him and his needs and fears. I guess that is what I've done with everyone in my life.....I have drawn them into my team and we are all working toward this goal together. We are all having a lot of fun with this!!!
Challenge #3 ~ Food
The challenge for me is trying to figure this whole thing out. I've tried a lot of diets and had some success. Yes, you can lose weight on the grapefruit diet, but it's not long lasting success!! Can't eat grapefruit for the rest of my life. With the use of the Internet there is a ton of information out there, so much so, that for me, I get too overwhelmed with it all.
Victory #3
I surrounded myself with a team of people to help me. One of them was a nutritionist. With her help, I was able to get my food under control. I learned what calories "I" needed to lose weight, I learned tips, like using my small plates and bowls, how much veggies versus carbs versus protein I should eat and on and on. She taught me things that I can do the rest of my life.
Challenge #4 ~ Exercise
Used to be an athlete......but for the last 20-25 years I was sedentary. When I decided to get this weight off, I knew I needed to move this body. So I did......maybe a little too much, too hard, because a few weeks into my journey I got an exercise over use injury. Then I got another one a few weeks after the first injury. Also, I tend to fall into ruts, so I was doing the same things over and over. It got really boring!!!
Victory #4
I got a trainer! So helpful. I've been exercising 3-6 days per week for almost 2 1/2 years!! And I love it!! I have a lot of variety and for the most part, I'm injury free. (Still get em, but don't most athletes?)
Challenge #5 ~ Clothes
When I started my journey, I was in size 26-28 for some things. XXL in others. Now I'm in a 14-16, large to XL!! So keeping my body clothed has been a challenge.
Victory #5
I get to shop in regular clothes stores. So that means sometimes, I can buy a shirt for $15 instead of the $45 to $50 I would pay at my specialty shop. Sales help me be able to get a little more. So much fun!!
How about you....What have been your challenges and victories?
Keep Focused!!!
What a great post! Challenges 1,2,&3 are exactly where I'm at right now. Thanks so much for sharing this today - it's just what I needed!
ReplyDeletePS - I added this post to my Blog of Fame page on my site. Hope that's okay!
I can't believe doctors would say that to you. That's so untrue and terrible.
ReplyDeleteI love the breakdown of victories and challenges! My current challenge is to keep going even though I don't know if my body is capable of losing more. My victory is related to this which is I'm staying true to my goals and holding steady even though this is uncharted territory
Have a lovely weekend!
This is a wonderful post! Your not only listed your challenges, but your victories and how you accomplished them. That is so helpful! I'm still working on the weight loss part of things, but I'm making progress! I now think I need to write down my challenges, in an effort to clarify things and to develop strategies for dealing with them. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat's great. I love how you turned your challenges into victories.
ReplyDeleteLori
Hi Joy Thank goodness this quote is a lie.
ReplyDelete"Random people told me ~ You're getting too old.....it harder to lose weight and keep it off."
I would be in big trouble if it were true.
I'm trying to keep a lowish profile and not do too much boasting because a lot of water has to pass under the bridge before I can say the job is done and permanently done. Nevertheless I know it's possible so like you it's a matter of staying focussed. I go to bed every night believing I can do it for another day.
I'm not finding it that hard and right now am wondering why I gave up on this so many times. I guess I had to reach the point where if I don't do it this time I'll have ill health for the rest of my life. Not an option I choose.
Blessings
My biggest challenge has been overcoming a negative mindset, and more recently breaking out of MY exercise rut. You've been such an inspiration in my journey and I'm so proud of you!
ReplyDeleteThat's great news! I'm glad you're having so much success. It's a tough road, but you're right. Stay focused!
ReplyDeleteI've personally found that a life coach has been the best addition to my team. The support for EVERY area of my life is needed for me to gain synergy.