Hopefully this helps me stay committed and become less likely to procrastinate about continuing to lose and keep off the weight, and also a great way to not only get feedback, but even new ideas about it. I realized a long time ago that actual weight loss isn't easy, it isn't just a 'quick fix' and it means that it's a lifestyle change in order to become healthier. Many people I know bounce around from one diet to the next and never keep off the weight, and many never lose more than 5 or 10 lbs in the long run. But, I like to think that I've already made major changes, due to not eating nearly as much as before. And probably most noticeable for me was when I learned earlier this week that if I ever want children I will either have to adopt or get a surrogate. I usually tend to eat my emotions; nothing seems to comfort me like ice cream or fried foods in large quantities, but when I felt like eating my pain, I instead ate a banana and went on an hour and a half jog, then talked to my boyfriend about what was bothering me. So I like to think that I've at least made a little bit of progress towards changing my lifestyle so that I keep the weight off.
I read that answering these questions is probably a good idea, so here it goes
-- How much weight do you want to lose? Amount isn't really thought about, I just want to get healthy and fit into regular clothes properly.
-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight? A year or two, hopefully as quickly as possible.
-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)? Exercise and proper eating, but mostly exercise
-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal? This forum, and hopefully a few coworkers who have similar goals.
-- How realistic is your goal? I think it is very realistic.
-- When will you start? Probably sometime this week I will be able to start a workout regimen.
Other questions you might want to consider answering in your diary, to get you started, and avoid that white page writer's block are: (stolen shameless from Geam's diary)
What is your current height and weight? 5"1 210 lbs
If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be? 180 lbs? Maybe 160 lbs?
At what weight would you like to be at four months from now? At least 190 lbs
Why do you want to lose weight? To become healthier, and I'm honestly tired of always being the fat girl everywhere.
Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event? Nope
What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals? I procrastinate A LOT, and I LOVE fatty/sugary foods
Why do you think that you now have a weight problem? A mixture of learning that eating your emotions is the only way to deal with them, and growing up, extra weight was seen as a good thing (it meant that you were being taken care of). And that to my family a vegetable was either an onion, bell pepper, garlic or potato that was mostly cooked with the meat to enhance the meat flavor.
What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight? Learning to talk/express my problems in a constructive manner and to get into the habit of exercising.
Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight? Yes, I had lost about 100 lbs. What worked was exercising and my boyfriend's mother constantly made me self-conscious about my food intake, so I learned to eat in smaller portions.
Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back? I worked for 2 years at a job where from 6:30am-5:00pm I would sit down and assemble small pieces, the drive to and from work was 1 hour each way, so by the time I got home I was mentally exhausted and it would already be close to night time.
What, if anything, has not worked for you in the past in helping you to lose weight? Why do you think it did not work? People telling me to do what everyone else is doing. I will admit that I have authority issues/don't like being told what to do. My cousins tried to constantly get me to do various diets with them but I constantly denied it due to seeing that they weren't losing weight and knowing that they were just going to go on a different diet within the next few months.
Would you try writing down all food and drink consumed for a given period of time? I would probably try it. I don't really know how effective it would be, but I would try it.
Do you cook at home often? If so, what do you cook? I cook almost everyday. It is mostly meat with some type of rice or pasta on the side and some type of veggie or fruit to go with it whenever it is available. I grew up in a Hispanic household and my boyfriend is Hispanic as well, so I cook a lot of fried foods.
How often do you go out to eat? Where do you go? Not very often. Usually we either get pizza, Chinese takeout or some fast food (mostly Taco Bell or Subway)
What are your three favorite foods? Homemade chicharones (pork rinds?), sushi, pistachios.
What are your three favorite restaurants? Ichi Maki, In and Out, and I don't really have a third.
What are three things you can do differently when it comes to food? Eat more fruits and veggies.
If you woke up tomorrow and your body was exactly the way you want it, what would be different? Flat (or close to) stomach, no more apron pooche, no more back fat, less fat on my arms, my thighs not touching as much.
Do you eat when you are not hungry? Yes
Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)? Not anymore
Do you hide your food or eat in secret? Sometimes
Do you eat when you are sad, nervous, or depressed? Yes
Do you eat as a reward? Sometimes
Do you eat while watching TV or using the computer? Yes
What do you normally eat for a meal? Working days: A sandwich or muffin, Dinner; Some type of meat, either rice or pasta and usually some type of veggie or fruit.
Non-working days: Breakfast; Pancakes or eggs or cereal with a piece of fruit. If I'm hungry at lunch; A sandwich or salad. Dinner; Some type of meat, either rice or pasta and usually some type of veggie or fruit.
What type of snacks do you eat? Usually baby carrots, sometimes a doughnut at work, or nuts if available.
In terms of exercise, what, if anything, are you currently doing? Occasional jogging, but hopefully I will have an actual workout regimen starting this weekend.
Where do you go for exercise? A local public gym? School/work gym? Home? Home
What, if anything, are your three favorite types of exercise? Jogging/running, dancing, swimming
What is your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly motivation to move towards your goals? I am my motivation
Do you have rewards for certain goals? Yes
I read that answering these questions is probably a good idea, so here it goes
-- How much weight do you want to lose? Amount isn't really thought about, I just want to get healthy and fit into regular clothes properly.
-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight? A year or two, hopefully as quickly as possible.
-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)? Exercise and proper eating, but mostly exercise
-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal? This forum, and hopefully a few coworkers who have similar goals.
-- How realistic is your goal? I think it is very realistic.
-- When will you start? Probably sometime this week I will be able to start a workout regimen.
Other questions you might want to consider answering in your diary, to get you started, and avoid that white page writer's block are: (stolen shameless from Geam's diary)
What is your current height and weight? 5"1 210 lbs
If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be? 180 lbs? Maybe 160 lbs?
At what weight would you like to be at four months from now? At least 190 lbs
Why do you want to lose weight? To become healthier, and I'm honestly tired of always being the fat girl everywhere.
Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event? Nope
What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals? I procrastinate A LOT, and I LOVE fatty/sugary foods
Why do you think that you now have a weight problem? A mixture of learning that eating your emotions is the only way to deal with them, and growing up, extra weight was seen as a good thing (it meant that you were being taken care of). And that to my family a vegetable was either an onion, bell pepper, garlic or potato that was mostly cooked with the meat to enhance the meat flavor.
What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight? Learning to talk/express my problems in a constructive manner and to get into the habit of exercising.
Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight? Yes, I had lost about 100 lbs. What worked was exercising and my boyfriend's mother constantly made me self-conscious about my food intake, so I learned to eat in smaller portions.
Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back? I worked for 2 years at a job where from 6:30am-5:00pm I would sit down and assemble small pieces, the drive to and from work was 1 hour each way, so by the time I got home I was mentally exhausted and it would already be close to night time.
What, if anything, has not worked for you in the past in helping you to lose weight? Why do you think it did not work? People telling me to do what everyone else is doing. I will admit that I have authority issues/don't like being told what to do. My cousins tried to constantly get me to do various diets with them but I constantly denied it due to seeing that they weren't losing weight and knowing that they were just going to go on a different diet within the next few months.
Would you try writing down all food and drink consumed for a given period of time? I would probably try it. I don't really know how effective it would be, but I would try it.
Do you cook at home often? If so, what do you cook? I cook almost everyday. It is mostly meat with some type of rice or pasta on the side and some type of veggie or fruit to go with it whenever it is available. I grew up in a Hispanic household and my boyfriend is Hispanic as well, so I cook a lot of fried foods.
How often do you go out to eat? Where do you go? Not very often. Usually we either get pizza, Chinese takeout or some fast food (mostly Taco Bell or Subway)
What are your three favorite foods? Homemade chicharones (pork rinds?), sushi, pistachios.
What are your three favorite restaurants? Ichi Maki, In and Out, and I don't really have a third.
What are three things you can do differently when it comes to food? Eat more fruits and veggies.
If you woke up tomorrow and your body was exactly the way you want it, what would be different? Flat (or close to) stomach, no more apron pooche, no more back fat, less fat on my arms, my thighs not touching as much.
Do you eat when you are not hungry? Yes
Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)? Not anymore
Do you hide your food or eat in secret? Sometimes
Do you eat when you are sad, nervous, or depressed? Yes
Do you eat as a reward? Sometimes
Do you eat while watching TV or using the computer? Yes
What do you normally eat for a meal? Working days: A sandwich or muffin, Dinner; Some type of meat, either rice or pasta and usually some type of veggie or fruit.
Non-working days: Breakfast; Pancakes or eggs or cereal with a piece of fruit. If I'm hungry at lunch; A sandwich or salad. Dinner; Some type of meat, either rice or pasta and usually some type of veggie or fruit.
What type of snacks do you eat? Usually baby carrots, sometimes a doughnut at work, or nuts if available.
In terms of exercise, what, if anything, are you currently doing? Occasional jogging, but hopefully I will have an actual workout regimen starting this weekend.
Where do you go for exercise? A local public gym? School/work gym? Home? Home
What, if anything, are your three favorite types of exercise? Jogging/running, dancing, swimming
What is your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly motivation to move towards your goals? I am my motivation
Do you have rewards for certain goals? Yes
