With the new year, come new resolutions - which typically involve the usual losing weight, working out, saving money, etc. I'd like to address the losing weight/diet portion of these mass resolutions.
First, I love the start of a new year. I always feel refreshed (after I've recovered from my hangover from NYE, of course) when the new year rolls around. It's like breathing in all kinds of the unknown - which are hopefully good. For me, it's like a present that you receive, having no clue what's inside, or in store for you. So with that said, one of my New Years Resolutions is to lose 25 pounds this year. And this is where my blog will take off, so prepare for a long one...
I find it so amusing that when someone mentions they want to lose weight, go on a diet, eat a certain number of calories a day, or what-have-you, there are always those people who like to put in their two cents and let you know that you're crazy if you feel the need to do that, or you need to do it a different way, or you're not doing it right at all.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and mostly because I posted a comment on FB about eating healthy and there was a large number of opinions, advice and recommendations. I know people are just trying to be helpful and supportive and it's all appreciated, but to me I think it's amazing how some are so devout in the way they think someone else should get healthy and/or lose weight. For example, a friend of mine posted a couple months ago that she's finding it hard to stay within a daily 1,000 calorie diet. I'm no nutritionist or health guru, so I honestly can't say if this is healthy or not based on my friend's height, weight and how much she exercises. But I was blown away by the rash of people that responded to her post with some pretty harsh opinions. There were a number of people that threw in the statistics, and others that berated her for even thinking about it - as if she was starving herself! What a way to feel support and motivation from your peers right??? Geesh!
In my opinion, I think if someone wants to get healthy, go on a diet and lose some weight, they should do whatever works for them - as long as it's safe. Some people may prefer to use diet pills. I say go for it if that's effective and safe. Some people may prefer no carbs...whatever floats your boat! Others might go for a low-cal diet, some may choose a liquid only diet, and there's those that would rather eat what they want and in turn, spend hours at the gym. My feeling is "get on with your bad self!" ;) LOL
For me personally, a low calorie diet and regular exercise works best. Based on my height and current weight, I'm already considered "overweight," and I can definitely feel it! So my 25 pound goal will put me in a nice, healthy, middle range for my body type. I feel most comfortable trying to stay within a 1,200 daily calorie intake to lose the weight I want. I'm able to pretty much eat foods that are healthy and still keep my hunger satisfied, and I'm usually able to leave enough calories left over for a treat at the end of the day. Granted, the foods I choose to eat may not be that appetizing to other people. For example, I find that chili is a good source of protein and pretty filling, and not too high in calories for me. Canned chicken meat made into a chicken salad and eaten with crackers is also a great lunch for me. I usually eat a decent breakfast, a really tiny lunch and then a big dinner (I'm not much of a lunch person).
As most people have done, I've tried a lot of other diet programs. Weight Watchers didn't do it for me. I had a hard time with the point system and the set recipes for meals. Nutrisystem was something new, the food wasn't too bad, but I thought it was too expensive and I'd often feel like eating something different then what was packaged for me. And diet pills....eek! Those are not my friends. They pretty much all contain caffeine, and when I have a lot of caffeine it brings on migraines (no good). Not to mention how upset they make my stomach. Ack! So for me, I know to stay away from those. But some people are able to handle those - which makes me kind of jealous ;)
As I read other friends' successes and difficulties with their progress to get healthy, it does motivate me that I can do it too. In fact, I know I can do it! About two years ago Kevin and I broke up. I was devastated of course, and decided to join a gym and get really into shape to make him regret ever breaking up with me in the first place. Haha! I'll show him! Well, low-and-behold I ended up getting THE HOTTEST trainer! So he was also a great motivational tool for me too. I didn't want him seeing my flab jiggle and me sweating uncontrollably! So with a continuous workout schedule, a low-cal diet and a hot trainer, I lost about 15 pounds in three months. I had never felt better! I was so proud of myself and I felt so good and confident. Kevin and I did end up getting back together and things are going great now - so I guess my planned worked after all. ;) Not quite though, because as soon as we reunited I started slowly putting the LBS back on and not working out as much. So I'm back to square one again.
This time around I'd like to do this for myself, and not someone else. I feel like this is the last time I'm going to go through this, and I'm determined to make it part of my lifestyle. Girls who get engaged usually have this goal of wanting to lose a bunch of weight before their wedding. I always wonder why they would want to add that much more stress on to their big day? So I figure I'll just lose the weight I want before I ever get engaged - that way I'll already have that pressure over and done with! Plus, I'd like to be fit by the time I have kids so it's not so hard for me to get my pre-pregnancy figure back, but I think I'm getting ahead of myself with the kiddo talk (can you tell that I like to plan ahead?).
Basically, when I hear someone say what their weight-loss goals are going to be, I try to be more agreeable with their plans than judgemental. I won't tell them what they should eat, just because I eat it. And I won't tell them how much or how little to work out just because it works for me. And if I think the person already looks good the way they are, I'm not going to make them feel like they're psycho for wanting to better themselves. If my friend Breanna said that she wanted to start an intense workout routine, some people might look at her like she was nuts because she's a tiny little thing. But she may have her own reasons for doing so that she doesn't have to defend to anyone else.
So, I'm done with weighing in, for now. I started my health plan on Monday, January 11th, and as of today I've lost two pounds! I'm pretty stoked about that. I haven't done any exercising yet because I've been pretty sick recently, and I'm trying to kick this stupid cough. But I'm hoping to get into the gym on Monday and I'm excited to see my results once I add that portion in.
Good luck with your diets, weight loss, marathons, and any other healthy goals you may have for 2010 and beyond!
