Its not just the new year that has motivated me to make some goals and changes. I have been wanting to do this for a while, but Santa has been keeping his workshop full of toys in front of my treadmill. Now that Christmas is over and my room is finally free of all elves, I want to really start dedicating myself to getting back into shape and into my favorite pants 😉
I am currently at about 225 lbs – and I have a goal to lose 45 lbs (to start with). I figure that healthy weight loss is about 3-5 lbs a week 1-2 lbs a week, so that will put me at about 15 weeks (or 4 months) or less if I can do better, but it may take more too. Things don’t always go as planned, but this isn’t my first time losing “baby weight” and I know what and what not to do (I just haven’t been doing it). If you feel motivated to lose weight or want to lead a healthier life style, I would love for you to join me in my journey, and we can work together, encourage each other and share tips and tricks about what helps and what doesn’t.
I am going to make a list of the things I am doing now, and the things I want to do that will replace those. I am going to work through 1 item each week in hopes that this will also help me on my weight loss journey.
15 THINGS I AM DOING (OR NOT DOING) NOW:
- Not drinking enough water
- Eating to much sugar (sugary foods)
- Eating after 7 pm
- Staying up to late
- Not eating breakfast
- Not exercising (cardio)
- Not exercising (strength)
- Not stretching
- Not eating every 3-4 hours (small meals)
- Eating out too much
- Not eating a balanced diet
- Not active enough throughout the day (sitting for extended amounts of time)
- Not taking a multi-vitamin
- Not eating an apple a day
- Not cooking at least 5 dinners a week
15 THINGS I WANT TO CHANGE:
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Eat dinner at 6 pm and stop eating for the rest of the night
- Go to bed by 10:30 pm and get up by 5:30 am
- Eat a healthy breakfast every morning
- Walk on treadmill for at least 45 minutes a day
- Do strength training exercises and weights
- Stretch for at least 15 minutes every morning and 10 minutes after working out
- Eat every 4 hours
- Limit eating out to 2 times a month
- Make sure I am eating balanced meals and snacks
- Get up for at least 10 minutes every 90 minutes and do light exercise or house cleaning
- Take vitamins and supplements daily
- Eat at least 1 apple a day
- Plan a menu and cook meals every day – enlisting kids for help
I am going to pick one thing each week, not necessarily in the order listed above, and work on it. If I struggle with something for the week, I may choose to extend it to another week so I can do better.
My goal right now is to lose 10 lbs by 2/23/14 – that gives me about 5 weeks – I should easily be able to do this.
If you have any tips that have helped you or if you want to join me then let me know by leaving a comment below. You are even welcome to list out your goals!
Good luck! Keep holding yourself accountable and remember change comes SLOWLY!!
Great list! That is a great start to write it down so you can keep yourself accountable …. good luck on your journey …. you can do it 🙂
I love the way you’re approaching this. Water is very important on your weight loss journey! Good luck and thanks for sharing.
That’s amazing! Good luck with your journey! you can do whatever you put your mind too 🙂
I also have a fit challenge on my blog and I’m calling it ‘Fit by 40’ and you can find it at http://www.thewalkingtourists.com under the ‘Fit by 40’ tab. I have the same changes that I want to make as well and planned on making them a little at a time. I would say that one thing that I am going to concentrate more on is setting time limits on how long I am in front of TV/computer at home. I already spend enough time sitting at work.
You’ve put together a great list of things that would help you achieve your goal. Don’t give up. You will get there. All the Best!
Elizabeth
Thanks for your support. I have to make a list or I lose track of where I need to be. Now to stick to the list! lol
I’m always so impressed with people who put their weight loss journey out on the web. I should do this sometime instead of hiding behind my computer, maybe it will make me more accountable. If this makes you feel any better…you really look great and don’t have that far to go. Even if the weight stays the same and you build muscle, don’t get discouraged. Cheering you on from Ohio!
Thanks Jeanette. I have been really nervous about putting it out there but I think it will hold me more accountable just like you said. That is what I need, to answer to “someone” even if it is everyone who comes across my posts. I will learn and struggle and grow and I also want to share that to maybe help someone going through the same thing. Thanks for your support and kind words 🙂
I use and app called “PACT” It pays you to workout and you get fined if you don’t. I’m too cheap, so I make sure I workout every day – and I’ve been collecting the cash! You can also do a veggie pact or a nutrition journal pact.
That is really cool. I had no idea anything like that existed. I will have to check it out! Thanks Shannon! 🙂
These are great goals! I’m actually trying to work on all these! Thanks for sharing!
Good luck on your goal girly! You know you can do it. Take one step at a time 🙂 That’s what I did too while I was on diet and it actually worked especially eating healthy foods every 4 hours and drinking lots of water too! 🙂
I try to go to bed early but something or the other comes up and I forget .. Need to change the habit soon
I definitely want to stop eating after 7 pm. It’s such a habit with me to watch tv and snack. I also need to drink lots and lots of water!
Good luck on your weight loss! the stuff on your list are good tips for other women who are trying to lose weight too. Thanks for sharing this post
Good luck with your weight loss! the stuff on your list are really good tips for other women too, keep it up! Thannks for sharing this post
That’s great you’re trying to lose some weight. Congratulations on your decision to lead a healthier life. Just remember to stay motivated and stick with it.
Congratulations! This is so inspiring and also informative. That list of yours gives some very good tips, thank you!
I weigh about 17lbs less than you, but 3-5lbs a week is pretty hard on your body. Please be careful. The recommendation is 1-2lbs a weak! My ultimate goal is 150, but my first goal is to get under 200lbs! I wish you the best of luck in your journey. I would have started mine last year but I was pregnant so while I was careful not to eat too much, I couldn’t really diet.
Good luck, I will be watching you!
It sounds like you are emotional on the right road to success. I know what and how to achieve what I want but no motivation. I need kick myself in the butt!
This is a great list. I am currently on my journey to become more healthier. I started off with foods. I completely switched to organic food and immediately I started seeing weight loss. I was told when you drink 2 cups of cold water in the morning when you wake up easy way to speed up your metabolism.
I am on a weigh loss journey.. i am down 17lbs in about 10 weeks.. Good luck with your journey i am sure you will be just fine!
These are some great lists. Baby steps can definitely go a long way. Good luck on your journey!