Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Healthy Changes

I've mentioned in previous posts how I've been working to establish a healthy lifestyle and lose some weight. I've mentioned my struggle with my weight. I've mentioned how my childhood affected my view on weight and health. I am in no way an expert, and I will not pretend to be. I do, however, have experience when it comes to changing ones lifestyle to establish something healthier.

Just over a year ago, maybe a bit more, I was at my peak weight. I was unhealthy, and more self-conscious then ever. I will be open with you, I was over 170 pounds....which just didn't hang well on my 5'6" frame. I was in the midst of a life-changing move, stressed as can be, and just not taking care of myself. I wont say I had a moment, I didn't really, where I decided I needed to change, it just happened and I decided. It was VERY slow going at first, just started to be more conscious about what I was eating and how much of it I was eating. It wasn't until after Christmas that I really decided to make a change, it may have had something to do with my Uncle calling me a pig and onking at me when I went up for seconds. (I am sure he meant nothing by it and didn't realize how it was inappropriate.)

Finally in February I decided to get a gym membership. I decided to do a full year, because if I was going to commit to change I was really going to do! It was slow going. I started on the treadmill running for 2 minutes and walking for 8, doing intervals of this for a full hour. Slowly, slowly, slowly, I started upping the running time, pushing myself to run harder. I started adding weights to my gym-time routine. I finally started to see some change. I remember climbing onto the scale and seeing the numbers slowly tick down. I was thrilled.

I am not one to toot my own whistle but, I have since lost about 40 pounds. I am only a few pounds away from my goal but, at this point it isn't as much about my weight but about how I feel. Yes, I'd like to take a few pounds away, I'd like to tone up, but I know I can do it so I am not worried. Like I said earlier, I am no expert, but for those wondering how I did it here is a little run down. Like anything, I can't guarantee this will work for you. We all have a different way of doing things, and you will have to find what will work for you but, these are things that worked for me.

(left: Aug 2010, right: May 2011. I have since lost some more weight but, at least this will give you an idea.)



1.) Buying a gym pass. I no longer had a reason not to work out. I committed to pay for a full year at the gym and I wasn't going to throw my money away. I was going to use the equipment and get my moneys worth.



2.) Only go on the scale once a month. I wasn't going to get caught up on numbers. Yes, I had a goal, a number in mind but, I wasn't going to reach it in a day or week. As long as I was working hard I knew the weight was coming off, I didn't need to stress about a number.


3.) Write down everything. Well okay not everything. This is a newer part of my healthy changes but, it is one I wish I started to do earlier and has definitely helped. Writing down everything I eat and it's caloric value, it has helped me be aware of what I am eating and it has help me decide to eat healthier. I'd rather write down that I had an apple than a chocolate bar. I also write down how many calories I've burned at the gym, if I am sick I write down what medication I am taking, and I write down whether or not I've taken my vitamins. (You need your vitamin D when you live in a place that is gray most of the time.) I write it all down and it is a constant reminder to be healthy.

There you go, that is pretty much it. I still have a ways to go till I feel like my lifestyle is where I want it to be but, I am getting closer. Any positive change is just that, positive.

I'd love to hear some of your stories and how you are doing it. If you have any tips for me, idea's, healthy recipes, I am always eager to hear what other people are doing to get healthy.

Hope you have a lovely day,

7 comments:

Bob Fraser said...

For the record, I am NOT the uncle who called you a pig! I would never do that...

Kels. said...

Wow Lainey your looking good ;) I need to get more motivated and work hard

Robyn said...

lainey, you look amazing! thanks for sharing your story :)

Anonymous said...

Woot! Woot! YAY you. Weight loss is never easy so good on you. Stick with it and you look amazing.
a fellow weight struggler....

Ash said...

Lainey - I really enjoyed reading this post. So proud of you, my cousin in law! I have "been there" to a certain extent and have certainly had my ups and downs with my health - a lifelong battle, but super rewarding. Way to go!

Erica said...

You look amazing! Good for you Lainey, truly inspiring!! (and I am sorry about inappropriate comments from my father in law.)

The Carrot Flower said...

Thank you all for your kindness and support, it means a lot.