This past month I challenged myself to go to the gym everyday for 30 days and eat healthy. I can say that every day was not an easy one. There were days that I asked myself why in the world I decided to do this and there were other days that I did not want to leave the gym. I feel so accomplished in my efforts because of the many things I have overcome this month. First of all I overcame the fear of "not being able to follow through." All my life I have used many excuses to get out of something either because I was afraid of the outcome or I just didn't think I could. My dad would always tell me that I can do so much more than I think I can. He always tried to instill a positive attitude in me and taught me to go for whatever I can possibly go for and to succeed at it! This challenge was a first step into a new life that I want for myself...a step in living up to what my dad always knew I AM...this is A SUCCESS STORY that I am happy to share.
I posted my challenge on facebook for the world, well my facebook world, to see so therefore I had no excuse...I had to do this! Every day there would be a different picture taken of me; at the park, at the gym, at home-and I would post under the picture what I did that day physically. There was only 1 day that I did not make it to the gym, but I was pretty sick that day. I did want to go so bad, but I knew since I was trying to become healthier that a part of this was to know when to say when. I even worked with a personal trainer this month and that was an experience in itself! SORE was not even a word to describe the pain he put me through, but it was a good pain...another "accomplishment" if you will.
The food choices I made during this 30 day challenge were different that what I had been choosing the past few months, but I was never starving and I ate well!! The past few years I have been trying to lose weight. I have tried counting calories, cutting carbs, getting shots, taking pills and NOTHING had worked…I would always give up because I wasn’t happy with my food choices or the process. I was always focusing on LOSING WEIGHT. I am now on Weight Watchers...yes, another diet plan, but this one is different. I am allowed 29 points per day and everything I eat has a point value. I can have ANYTHING as long as I write it down and put that point on it. That is exactly what I have done this month. I wrote EVERYTHING down and yes, I did have a candy bar here and there..a piece of cake-EVEN A 15 POINT HONEYBUN (one of those endless pit days!), but I was accountable for everything I ate! There was not a time that I said, "Well, I only took a bite so I won't write that down.." I have realized that fruits and vegetable are filling, and these are free on my plan by the way--no point values--so I can have all I want, but we try to limit to 5 a day. What am I getting to? Well, I look at what I am about to eat...I don't count the calories, but I pay attention to what is healthy. That 15 point honey bun, yes, I knew it was bad, but I wanted it, which is something else I learned this month--we cannot deprive ourselves from what we really want. As long as we don't go binging through the kitchen at 9pm on a Wednesday night right before bed when we have to work the next day..or anyday, we will be okay. If I want something really bad, I go for it, but I am accountable for it and, yes, I feel it the next day.
I am not so hard on myself now compared to the way I was when I started this thing. I can't be or I will never achieve my goal. How much weight have I lost or how many inches have I lost?? I don't know. I will not be posting this. I do weigh in every week at WW and the scale has not been moving much, I will say that, but it is not about the weight to me right now. I do have a goal I want to reach, but I have to take care of ME first and by continuing to do this I will get there, but there is no rush. I will occasionally post about my actual weight loss, I am sure, but I think this is why so many diets fail; everyone watches the scale and when it doesn't move they get frustrated (which I have, recently actually). I know my body and what it has done. I have toned up by doing cardio and weights. My face has slimmed down. I am more awake than what I would be if I ate unhealthy every day. I enjoy my meals because I don't worry where those 8 grams of fat in my lean cuisine pizza will go anymore. I LOVE the gym! I love learning more and more about health and I LOVE motivating people!
This challenge has not only improved myself and the way I think, but I have helped others. I have been a motivator without even knowing it at the time. When I received the messages about the motivation I was sending out I got tears in my eyes. This made me feel incredible! This was NEVER a goal of mine when I started this, but now I have made it a daily goal--I will continue to try to motivate however I can. I want people to look to me for advice, for help...for whatever and whenever. I LOVE helping people and to know that I did just by posting my "healthy way of living" pictures everyday...WOW!
Right now I am continuing to focus on myself to get me where I want to be, to be happy with me, but I am currently trying to think of something else to challenge myself at. I have a few things in mind, but nothing to post on facebook yet..haha. Any ideas??
My advice for you is to challenge yourself…start with a weak area of your life and work on it, build on it..You never know what will happen in the end until you succeed!
Well first let me say, it took me a long time to learn the whole it takes time concept. Which I still struggle with today. But, in our last WW meeting, she talked about taking time to remember all the accomplishments and goals you have succeeded at this far. And, how everything we do in life is a learning experience. You and I have talked about this before, and I think where would I be if I wasn't accountable to someone? I would probably be even heavier than I was when I started this in 2007. I have hit a slump, and the scale doesn't move much for me either right now. But, I am not giving 100% to it. And our leader Susan says, you have to work the plan for it to work for you! So...I am looking forward to whatever challenge you come up with, so perhaps you could have a buddy taking that challenge with you (I mean me of course!!) We are Army strong....Woohooah!! ;-)
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