I have been overweight for years. I weigh more (just a little!) than I did when I delivered my youngest daughter (she’ll be 18 in April). I have weighed even more than I do now, but lost weight over the past 2 years due to stress. And that is really odd, because I am a stress eater normally. I can throw down some carbs when I am stressed/depressed!
I went through an extremely stressful past 2 years, with a job that worked me 80+ hours a week and I literally did not have time to eat. Or exercise. Or do anything healthy. I lost a total of 25 pounds over those 2 years. (oh, part of it wasn’t the job, part of the stress was my hubby having a brain aneurysm 2 years ago.) My life has changed quite a bit over the past 4 months. I had a nervous breakdown and went on medical leave.
Since I have much more time on my hands, and because I am trying to take care of myself overall, body and soul, I thought it would be good to try to learn to eat healthy and begin exercising. Since I have been at home I have put back on about 10 pounds and I don’t want to gain even more.
However, I will say, that this is NOT truly about weight loss. If I even stayed the same size as I am now, but were healthy and strong, I’d be okay with that. I thought I would join up with a challenge though, to help me keep motivated! A girl likes to have friends encouraging her on, right? So I am joing the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans challenge!
So, what are my goals?
-To exercise for a minumum of 15 minutes at least 5 out of 7 days a week- I have a treadmill and do speed and hill intervals
-To do a yoga/pilate routine at least 5 days a week (20 minute routine from Amazon)
-To go to bed by 11 pm each night
-To track my food intake by using Sparkpeople.com, EVERYTHING I EAT!
What is the weight goal? I’d like to lose 28 pounds by April 1st. Since this challenge goes through February 28th, I’d say I’d like to lose 18 pounds by then. But like I said, this is about feeling healthier and stronger. That is why I am also incorporating the yoga and pilates, for strength and flexibilty.
I FEEL old. My joints ache. I want to be YOUNG when I am 60, but at 45, I FEEL old!
My Journey to Balance
While working on the body, I am also working on my emotional and mental health over at my other blog. If you feel overwhelmed with your life, I encourage you to come on over and participate! It’s FREE!
Good luck with your new program. I’d encourage you to keep exercising, and perhaps think about doubling or triipling your time on the treadmill. Or better yet, go outside, if possible, even if it’s cold and dark.
Also, see if you can get a copy of the book titled “Younger Next Year for Women”. The guys who wrote it set out a pretty ambitious program, but the net gain is basically getting your life back.
And don’t obsess about food. I think that over time, given the right amt of exercise and a reasonable diet, most people can lose weight w/o trying so hard.
i think sometimes in life, we tend to take our health for granted. but it’s true that health is 1 of the most priority in leading a happier life and im trying my best to strike the balance of being contented in life. Trying to exercise more and eat healthy but when you are surrounded with junk food and stress all the time, being healthy can be quite challenge! pls blog more, would love to follow ur journey 🙂