Noticeable Changes Now

I started a new workout called Callenetics. A friend of mine introduced the workout to me, and since I was looking for something other than a 30-minute walk, or my usual indoor routine, I decided to give it a try.

I have tried other workouts at home before. Usually, I make it through the first 15 minutes, and then give up because it's just too much to try all at once. I tell myself I'll get back to it the next day, but then I lose interest, thinking I can't ever finish the whole set, so I give up on it completely.

Not this time. With this program, the instructor actually reminds me to take "breathers" when I need them. If I can't hold the pose, it's okay for me to stop, take a breath, and try again. And again. And again, if I need it. I didn't feel completely exhausted halfway through, either. In fact, I made it through the one-hour workout the very first day.

The next day, I noticed some significant changes (for me, anyway). I did the CD again today and again feel energized and excited to continue.

This weight loss "thing" sure is a long journey, but my goal remains in focus: to live a healthy, long life. I don't want to have a heart attack early in life like members of my family have. I don't want to feel 100 years old when I'm 50. I don't want diabetes. Not that I can completely avoid illness or anything, but I sure can do everything in my power to keep my body healthy.

For Laughs: 7 Insured Body Parts

I saw this, and I thought: I just have to share it.

Taken from: http://www.rd.com/clean-jokes-and-laughs/

1. Taste Buds: If you're Gennaro Pelliccia, an Italian coffee taster, the answer is $13.9 million. That's how much he insured his taste buds for
   
2. Chest Hair: The chest hair of Tom Jones - $7 million
   
3. Breasts: The breasts of Dolly Parton - $600,000
   
4. Feet: The feet of Michael Flatley (Riverdance) - $39 million
   
5. Nose: The nose of Iija Gort (winemaker) - $8 million
   
6. Right Leg: The right leg of Heidi Klum - $1.2 million
   
7. Left Leg: The left leg of Heidi Klum - $1 million (it has a scar)

My Loss is Also My Gain

I am so excited to have lost 11 pounds. I have been doing my very best to eat healthy and exercise daily. I'm gaining a healthier attitude about food and exercise, and learning how to properly care for my body. So, my loss of 11 pounds is also a gain of a healthy lifestyle. J

I want to point out the period that all of this weight loss has taken place, though. Because the amount of time it took me to get here is important. I see on television all the time about how you can lose 10 pounds in 1 week, or 60 pounds in a month. That's just not healthy! I started to seriously focus on learning how to live a healthier life in the beginning of November, 2009. Every single day since I went to the doctor the first week of November, I have focused on eating the right portions, eating healthy foods, exercising, and monitoring my calories, fat, and protein intake. I'm not on a special diet. I'm simply learning how to live a healthy lifestyle through my every day choices, while being monitored by my doctor. That's it! Willpower and the motivation to be around for my grandchildren are my only helpers. (My children and husband are supportive of my decisions, though they don't always eat the same things I choose to eat.)

This blog is about my journey. I hope to help others by posting about my experiences, so that if you are on the same road as me, you will know there are those of us out here who are going through the same thing. One choice at a time is all it takes!

By the way, my big goal is to lose 125 pounds, and keep it off. Make my heart healthy, and my body healthy.

Things I've learned

I have learned ...

That "starting" is the hardest part. Actually making the choice to have a healthier lifestyle and then doing it.

That I can eat all the vegetables I want, and that I actually like to eat more vegetables than I thought I did before.

Once your body gets used to eating vegetables and fruits regularly, you actually start to crave them. I know! Crazy, right? I never thought it was possible, but it really is!

Weight loss isn't the main goal. The main goal is how I feel about myself. I don't think I've lost much weight, but since I've been working out daily and eating healthier for a solid month now, I feel better about myself. My clothes aren't fitting too much differently ... maybe a little, but not a whole lot yet. But I still feel happier knowing that I'm making a difference in my overall health.

I have to make the choice every single day - every single meal - to eat healthy and not give in to the junk food. Since I have a family that includes a husband and children, I have to have some chips and cookies in the house - or there would be a large revolt. So, I tell myself that if I'm still hungry after eating my healthy meal, I can have the junk. The thing is, I am NEVER hungry after eating a full serving of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Not once!

I have less stomach troubles than I did before. I used to feel sick at night and not sleep well. Lately, my stomach hurts a lot less and I sleep a lot better.

I don't weigh myself anymore. I used to weigh myself daily, get discouraged, and give up. Then, I'd say to myself, "I'll weigh only once a week." With the scale right there, I was always tempted. A month ago, I had my children hide the scale. I told them I don't want to see it again, but I wasn't ready to just get rid of it altogether. Now, I am only weighed at the doctor's office when I go once a month. I am no longer discouraged about my progress, because knowing that I'm making the right choices each and every day is all I need to do to stay motivated.

Having the support of my physician is crucial for my success. She helps me understand the choices that I've made and why they work or not. She keeps things in perspective. Helps me see the "bigger picture". Gives me goals to work toward.

So .... if you are on this journey with me, consider the things I've learned. It might help to know that there are many others out there who are in our situation. The important thing to remember is that if you're dedicated, you too can lose weight with little cost.

Oh, and that reminds me .... I can't tell you how often I've heard, "eating healthier is more expensive than eating junk food." Okay, I go to the grocery store every week. Before I started this lifestyle change, I spent $180-$200 per week on groceries. Now, I might spend $80 on food each week. Buying fruit and vegetables mostly, and cutting back on chips, cookies, soda, and junk has saved us money ... so that's just not true.

Still Sticking With It, Although Not Much Has Changed

Hello there, happy people!

I wanted to post an update letting you know how things are going. I have been sticking with the plan to eat healthier and exercise regularly. Every day, for about 30 minutes, I either go on a walk or do some sort of exercise.

I have also been eating more healthy foods, although I know that I have been eating too much. I haven't lost any weight. I'm hungry almost all the time. I try not to eat (and mostly succeed) but when a person is hungry all the time, it doesn't help. Even if I munch on fruit or raw veggies, I'm still not seeing any change in weight.

So, I am headed to the doctor sometime soon. Haven't actually made the appointment yet. What am I waiting for? Well, I don't have insurance, and it's expensive to go. But, I have to bite that bullet and go anyway. Will post an update later!

Update ... and Goals!

Alright, I know I was going strong for so long with blogging ...

But then life took over and I've been busy.

That doesn't mean I'm not sticking to the plan.

I just need to incorporate more exercise into my life.

So my wonderful sister, Stacey, convinced me to post an update and let people know how I was doing.

ALSO, I am to post a new goal each week and the following week, post how I did with reaching that goal.

So, here goes. This week, my goal will be to do 15 wall push ups every other day. I am starting SMALL with this one because workouts are not my normal routine ... AT ALL. So, baby steps for the big baby!

I've been sticking to my diet really well. It's easy to do because I don't deprive myself, but I'm no longer over-indulging. I'm not eating emotionally anymore. I eat with a purpose, and enjoy every bite.

Still not losing any more weight after the 10 lbs. I'm not discouraged, but I know that I need to change something to create that calorie deficit I wrote about earlier.

I'll let ya know how my goal works out in a week!

Still Sticking With It

I haven't blogged in a few days. It's been busy around here with the class starting up and the interview I had. I also haven't had much time to get into Sparkpeople yesterday or today and log my food. I think I might just start blogging it on my Sparkpage. . . .

I am sticking to the plan, though. I had a rough day yesterday, however. My daughter made chocolate chip cookies. Oh my goodness I didn't realize I had such a weakness for them. I ate 3 throughout the course of the evening. At first, I had 1 and told myself that 2 were in a serving, so it would be okay to have the 2nd one later on. After dinner, I had said cookie #2.

Then around 7 or so, everybody else in the house was eating a cookie and cookie #3 started calling my name and I had no willpower to say no. So, I ate it. Didn't send me over the calorie range, but I still know it's not good for me. Yes, I still got my fruits and veggies in for the day, too.

Today, I am going to try to do better. Although, I'm not feeling that well today. Tummy isn't happy for some reason. Breakfast was cream of wheat with a little Sunny Delight. I didn't like the Sunny D - it didn't go down very well. Maybe that's why my tummy isn't happy?

So far, I've eaten a blueberry yogurt for lunch. I am going to get some veggies in, but I want my tummy to settle down a bit first.

My mom and I argue about how to lose weight properly. She has a lot of weight to lose too and can't understand why she doesn't lose anything. She doesn't eat. She lost weight before by not eating and thinks that it's the best way to go. I tried to explain to her about proper nutrition and the whole thing I figured out, but she doesn't want to listen. I find that so many people think that being healthy is about being skinny and not eating anything. Well, if that's the case, then I guess I'll never be that definition of healthy.

My goal here is to get to a healthy weight for me. If that means I'll always be overweight, then so be it. As long as I know I'm eating right and getting exercise and sleep I will feel good about myself.