Hi All,
I'm starting a journal as a tool to help me in achieving my goals surrounding how I approach my health, and how I think about food. I would like to lose weight partially to look better and feel comfortable in my own skin again, but I would also like to make a regular exercise routine part of my everyday life. I feel that I'm lacking motivation in other areas of my life, and I've heard taking up exercise is a great way to improve attitude and overall well-being.
Weight loss is something that has been at the back of my mind for close to five years now. Growing up and in my teens, I could eat whatever I wanted and didn't have to think about its effects on my figure. In my early 20's, I found myself having to count calories and keep an eye on my weight for the first time in my life. At age 21, my weight was sitting around 120 lbs. Since then, I have been steadily gaining about 5lbs per year, and am sitting at 158 lbs at age 26. I know this isn't any extreme weight issue, but for me personally, I am frustrated with always considering calories in the back of my mind, and feeling guilty about what I eat, only to keep gaining.
I have had small successes over the years, and managed to lose 10 lbs at two separate occasions, only to put it back on very quickly on vacation. I have attributed part of my struggles to the birth control I was on up until recently (depo provera), which commonly causes weight gain as a side-effect.
I feel that at this point in my life, it's time to make a lifestyle change. I have attempted (half heartedly) to track my calories over the past several weeks, and can see from my daily log that I am not trying very hard. I have a real tough time with cravings of candy and baked goods, and have not been avoiding these like I used to. I have put on 6 lbs in the last 6 weeks alone, and realize now that I need to do something to stop this trainwreck (before the holiday season is among us, and more challenges arise)! In the past, I have had the most success when I am exercising and watching what I eat simultaneously.
My plan is as follows:
-Limit my calorie intake to 1300 per day
-Eat at least one serving of fruits or veg at every meal (I know that's low, but I'm not a big fan)
-Use the elliptical trainer in my basement at least 3X per week
-Swim laps at the pool at least 1X per week
-Strength training 3X per week
-Climb stairs at work 4X per week (24 flights) (am doing this already most days)
I'm hoping that writing out my goals and thoughts (and posting here regularly) will help me take this more seriously, be accountable, and change my lifestyle for the better.
Thanks for reading and wish me luck!
Starting Weight: 158.5 lbs
Short Term Goal: 153.5 lbs by December 11
I'm starting a journal as a tool to help me in achieving my goals surrounding how I approach my health, and how I think about food. I would like to lose weight partially to look better and feel comfortable in my own skin again, but I would also like to make a regular exercise routine part of my everyday life. I feel that I'm lacking motivation in other areas of my life, and I've heard taking up exercise is a great way to improve attitude and overall well-being.
Weight loss is something that has been at the back of my mind for close to five years now. Growing up and in my teens, I could eat whatever I wanted and didn't have to think about its effects on my figure. In my early 20's, I found myself having to count calories and keep an eye on my weight for the first time in my life. At age 21, my weight was sitting around 120 lbs. Since then, I have been steadily gaining about 5lbs per year, and am sitting at 158 lbs at age 26. I know this isn't any extreme weight issue, but for me personally, I am frustrated with always considering calories in the back of my mind, and feeling guilty about what I eat, only to keep gaining.
I have had small successes over the years, and managed to lose 10 lbs at two separate occasions, only to put it back on very quickly on vacation. I have attributed part of my struggles to the birth control I was on up until recently (depo provera), which commonly causes weight gain as a side-effect.
I feel that at this point in my life, it's time to make a lifestyle change. I have attempted (half heartedly) to track my calories over the past several weeks, and can see from my daily log that I am not trying very hard. I have a real tough time with cravings of candy and baked goods, and have not been avoiding these like I used to. I have put on 6 lbs in the last 6 weeks alone, and realize now that I need to do something to stop this trainwreck (before the holiday season is among us, and more challenges arise)! In the past, I have had the most success when I am exercising and watching what I eat simultaneously.
My plan is as follows:
-Limit my calorie intake to 1300 per day
-Eat at least one serving of fruits or veg at every meal (I know that's low, but I'm not a big fan)
-Use the elliptical trainer in my basement at least 3X per week
-Swim laps at the pool at least 1X per week
-Strength training 3X per week
-Climb stairs at work 4X per week (24 flights) (am doing this already most days)
I'm hoping that writing out my goals and thoughts (and posting here regularly) will help me take this more seriously, be accountable, and change my lifestyle for the better.
Thanks for reading and wish me luck!
Starting Weight: 158.5 lbs
Short Term Goal: 153.5 lbs by December 11
