So I wrote down, crossed
out, wrote it down again…and I still am not sure if I have all my bases
covered. I started with what rewards I might give to myself when I meet
certain milestones, but the idea of actually getting to them feels almost impossible
at times. Any suggestions on what rewards I could do would really help
this girl out.
After rewards came my
goals. I mean what do I want? Just saying that I want to lose
weight...or become skinnier seems too broad with a lot of room for
interpretation. I wanted to have smaller goals to reach, and knowing
myself I broke it down into 3 month segments. Each milestone is big
in itself but feels more manageable then saying “Lose 200 pounds”.
Like a lot of other
people that struggle with losing weight and becoming healthier, I see only the
desired end result without looking at the small stuff that is needed to get there. I
figured that if I gave myself 6 months of goals to meet, I might be wiser in the end and
able to reevaluate what I want after that.
In
the spirit of getting wiser, I didn’t uber-stress over my exercise schedule. I tend to over analyze and plan a lot of things only to give up after a while because I put too much pressure on myself. I don't want to do that this time. I want to build up gradually to being a gym
rat. Demanding 2 hour sessions every day isn't possible or something that I will likely stick with for more than a few
days. 45 minutes isn't a lot of time but
it is enough that I can focus on myself before my family needs me.
As
for my blog, I truly enjoy it. It’s nice
to have a place for my voice. I can
vent, fess up, work through things…all with a sense of confidence that I
normally wouldn’t have. If I have learned
one thing over the last few weeks, it is that a lot of people struggle with the
same issues that I have and talking about it really helps. If talking about my own struggles helps
someone else then I can’t think of a better reason to post…more frequently.
So
now I’m off to step on the scale to see where I’m at and to take
measurements. Good times right?
<3
- Cat
Nice Cat! Very sensible and workable plan! Keep at it! Enjoying hearing your story- including the ups & downs!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Hopefully I will have more ups then downs.
DeleteI found my way to your blog by way of LJ and I just want to say that you are such an inspiration. I have about 150 pounds to lose myself, but I have yet to jump on that wagon. I really enjoyed reading your story and I felt like I could really relate to what you are going through. I hope it is okay if I add you on LJ. (Your blog kind of makes me want to start a weight loss blog of my own, if I knew how to make it all cute like yours!!) Good luck and hang in there!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm happy that what I'm doing and going through can inspire someone else to make healthy changes, but you don't mind me asking, what is keeping you from jumping on the wagon? If you want to lose those 150 lbs, what is really stopping you from starting?
DeleteBelieve me when I say that I have asked myself that same question many, many....many times. I have had so many excuses over the years but the truth is that they were all ways for me to hide from the truth. If you ever want to talk to someone or work through whatever reasons you may have for not starting you can always talk to me.
For me, having an outlet (like this blog) has been such a source of encouragement and strength. Being completely honest with where I’ve been, where I’m at now, and where I want to go was the jump start I needed to make my life better.
I wasn't sure if you wanted comments here or there, so I'll comment here.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what your income level is, but an important thing that I have to keep in mind is that every 20 pounds or so, I lose a clothing size and have to buy pants. Luckily I have a friend (my workout buddy, actually) who started at a 22 and is now an 8, who is saving all of her (super fashionable) clothes for me, and as I lose a size, she gives me the next size down so I don't have to go shopping. If you don't have that luxury, keep in mind that you'll have to save some cash for new clothes (which can be a nice reward in and of itself). Most of your early goals don't look too expensive, though, which is good. How about a photo shoot with a professional photographer at one of your later goals?
I would, however, recommend adding more frequent small rewards (rather than waiting till you hit 50, maybe start at 10 down, or 15 or something, and go every 10 pounds for a little reward) - that way you see those milestones when it's still really easy to give up. Once you get to 50 down, if you're anything like me, you'll be WAYYYY less likely to feel like it isn't working and give up. You'll have progress photos to look at by then and really see a difference, and you'll more than likely have people really noticing.
Your quarterly goals look pretty good too, but don't get caught up in the numbers of inches and pounds. Focus on building your stamina like you have with the jogging, and increasing your weight lifting abilities. You'll be surprised, if you stick with it (and using active recovery like rowing a couple times a week to give your legs a break) how fast you'll increase your endurance when you jog. When I was in high school, we had the option of working out in our fitness center instead of regular gym class, and one of the metrics we had was our 1 rep max on every weight lifting machine we used. (You can calculate your 1rm with something like this: http://www.exrx.net/Calculators/OneRepMax.html) Ask a trainer to show you machines for a full body workout that you can break down into three or four days. Back and shoulders, chest and arms, legs, and abs/core, or whatever/however you want to break it down. Bring a notebook with you and write down how many reps you can do at what weight on each machine and then track your progress that way, too.
I don't know if you plan on going in the morning or afternoons, but if you go in the mornings, fasted low intensity cardio (like walking or rowing) kickstarts your body to burn fat. Caffeine can help your muscles "wake up" to work in the mornings before you eat, too, and work at the same level as they would in the afternoon, just be sure to also drink lots of water. And if you have a hard time with motivating yourself to go every day and your gym has lockers that you can actually lock for the day, stop by in the morning, drop off your gym bag and put your HOUSE KEYS in there, too. That way, on your way home, you HAVE to go to the gym to get your keys (or something else that you need at home every night), and since you and your clothes are already there, you may as well work out. Wednesday used to be my rest day from weight training and was strictly cardio. I'd plug in my headphones, set the machine to an hour of the personal training program (speed goals, backwards, forwards, higher resistance that cycled through), turn the TV on to ABC for Cougartown and Modern Family, and have "Cardio Comedy Wednesday" with myself. If you need little gimmicks like that, do it. It's for you and for no one else.
The biggest advice I can give though, is to not get caught up in the numbers game of your weight, and instead focus on the increase in endurance, speed, and ability, and how much better you feel after a workout, and the weight results will follow.
Sarah - Thank you so much for commenting. I'm a complete numbers girl but I hear what you are saying and think I will keep it in mind when I don't feel like I'm making much progress.
DeleteThankfully, I have an entire closet full of clothes in smaller sizes. My packrat tendencies have kept me from throwing out any of my smaller clothes, and my hopeful heart always wanted to believe that I would fit back into everything. They are probably dated and a little young looking for my current age, but heck I’ll have something to wear that won’t fall down…and really that’s all I need for right now.
What you have so far looks great, but like a previous poster said, I'd find a way to celebrate the smaller victories, too. I try to reward myself every ten pounds or so to keep my motivation up. For instance, I bought myself a pair of new walking shoes when I lost my first 20 lbs. As for making it to the gym everyday, I love what Sarah suggested about leaving your keys in a gym locker. So clever! ^.^ If I can't make it to the gym, I usually pop in a workout dvd or find an online video to follow along with (I like the blogilates channel on youtube). Anyway, I wish you tons of success, and I look forward to hearing more from you!
ReplyDeleteJameena - Thank you so much! What kind of workout DVDs to you use? I tried once and it didn't go over too well. I think I got frustrated at the speed of the explanation and how many times I was having to stop/rewind/re-watch the darn thing. It really felt like my thumb was getting more of a workout then the rest of my body. Maybe I’ll give it another shot and see if I can get the hang of it.
DeleteHi Sis, I know you are way past this post but I am reading them for the first time and I want to just comment as if you just wrote them. I had a couple of thoughts on the work out thing only because of some things a couple of guys said when I started at the gym. The gym manager told me to start out with however much I could lift or push or what ever on the machines and to 3 sets of 12 and move to the next...so I did...and I did the treadmill. Only I was so stinking tired afterwards I wasn't much good for anything..but I plugged alone. Little did I know that there was a guy there who has seen me in there giving it all I had and he found the courage to come over and talk with me about my workouts. He was encouraging and told me he had been in gyms his whole life and some other stuff. He graciously offered me a suggestion and it worked wonders! He said instead of heavy weights to use light or even none on the machines and intstead do the same about of sets (3) but more reps. I started that and I had so much energy after my work outs I was buzzing most days all day after.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the rewards. I wanted to just share with you (because it is pretty cool to have someone to even talk about this stuff with..wish I would have earlier) Well my goal is to get under 200lbs...even if it is 199.9 (at first) and my reward is a new bike..a really good amazing one. I also, bought some tennis shoe skates and I am so looking forward to skating on the levee in Lewiston Idaho. It is along the Snake River. But! here may be a twist..I am not allowing myself to buy another pair of pants till I drop another size. I have one pair and it is so cold and I don't care..Im not going to buy another one..so I wear my capris with big socks and hiking boots! Funny really...but hey I decided it was my ..umm...fashion statement!