My first post back after a month off was one where I mentioned "Don't complain to me about the weather" Basically, it comes from my annoyance with people complaining about a) situations they have no control of (complaining won't change it) or b) complaining about situations they DO have control of but aren't willing to change (ex: 'I'm broke and don't have any money, but am not willing to cut back my lifestyle')
These are two of my biggest pet peeves. After I wrote (and deleted most of) that post I started thinking about my own life---what are areas I'm complaining about that I have no control over? What are areas I'm complaining about that I'm not willing to change the habits that got me in that situation?
One of the areas that I'm the least happy with is my weight. This is an area where I've always struggled. As a toddler my parents called me "thunder thighs" and though I was "average" as a kid, once puberty hit that was it . . . my weight has been a constant issue ever since.
I had a baby in 2006 and a baby in 2008. I will not be having any more children and I decided IT'S TIME. I was reading last week that eliminating 500 calories a day, either by a change in diet or increased exercise, is all it takes to lose 1lb/wk. Joining a gym isn't in the budget right now, but it didn't take me long to figure out where those 500 calories can come from.
I am posting this for accountability. To achieve my goal of being down 30lbs by the end of 2010 I will:
1) Limit myself to one soda a day (I'm a Coke addict and 4 cans/day wasn't unusual)
2) Drink at least 64oz of water a day
3) Jump rope at least 500 times a day
4) Not snack in the evening after I put the kids down. IF I snack it will be an apple or other fruit and not chips or other junk food
5) Once it warms up a bit I will swim 30mins 4 times a week after my kids are in bed
It's going to be HOT here soon so there's not really an opportunity for walks or other outside activities, but I'm hoping these small changes will be all that is necessary for me to stop complaining and start achieving this goal!
That sounds like a GREAT plan, Heidi! Awesome!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great start Heidi! The accountability will help! I have started some small changes as well...no more seconds for me at any meal, only 1 small glass of sweet tea when it is in the house, walking or jogging at least 4 times a week, no more snacking after dinner unless healthy. I am also keeping the verse, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength..." for when I just want to not do what I just listed. For the last 3 days it has worked well. Good luck! -Michelle M.
ReplyDeleteyou can do it, heidi! cutting down on soda will help a ton...i virtually cut it out of my diet except the rare occasion (like once or twice a week) while i lived in new orleans, and as well as portion control (not eating seconds, even if the food was delicious, eating half of the food on my plate at a restaurant) and a life of ridiculous stress (which i wouldn't recommend on anyone), i lost about 35 lbs the last year... gained about 15 of it back when i moved back to cali, and have started getting really serious about losing it again... i've lost 4 lbs in the past two weeks... just being more active and cutting soda and coffee again... not completely out, but 1 drink a day... the rest water or juice or jamba juice (my new best friend). :) so... you can do it! :) hang in there, and make the habits stick :)
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