When I weighed myself on April 11, 2013 I got the shock of my life. I was the heaviest I have ever been. In order to get the scope and significance of this realization, keep in mind that I was 35lbs larger than my highest weight ever and 90lbs heavier than I had been the last time I weighed myself in 2011. I had managed to gain 45lbs each year since the last time I was on a diet. I am a certified yo-yo dieter. I am always on a diet. Be it the nutrisystem diet, I have been on it twice and succeeded both times only to gain the weight back once I started making my own meals. I have done it on my own at least 5 other times and had success, but gained the weight back.
I seem to have a hard time realizing that I need to make a "forever" lifestyle change, as opposed to a 4 month lifestyle change. For some reason I can't seem to grasp the concept of moderation as opposed to starvation. I restrict myself, and my diet and I end up feeling like prisoners. And once I let myself out of my self imposed cell I gobble up everything in sight.
When I decided to start this journey again, for the last time, I realized I had to make a lot of changes to my approach, my choices, my way of thinking, my timeline and my end goal. For one, I needed a realistic time line: 2 years as opposed to 6 months. I sought help with accountability in the form of MyFitnesspal and Sparkpeople. I also started working out again, but this time I have to change it up or I will burn out like I always do. I have been at it for 76 days, I am holding strong despite some missteps and I am making sure that if I ever feel overwhelmed or burned out I will step back and reevaluate my approach.
I have some goals that are on the horizon, one of which is being 50lbs lighter by 8/31/2013. I am already 31lbs lighter so I am 19lbs away from my goal. I hope to attain it, but if I don't quite make it I will endeavor to not overlook my progress so far. I also signed up for the Color in Motion 5k scheduled for 9/14/2013, at least that is something to look forward to. I also have a date with the Susan G Komen race for the cure next year, no excuses this time I have to be there.
