I made it a New Year's Resolution to lose 10% of my body weight, since I'd hit an all-time high. I haven't done nearly enough physical activity (so this is less of a "fitness" post and more "weight" post), but I've managed to hit a benchmark already: for the first time in far too long, I'm on the right side of 220. It first happened on Monday, and today is day 3 of the same, so I feel comfortable putting it down on paper (or whatever we call this).
That's about 10 pounds lower than I started the year. It's all been very little changes, but they are really adding up, much quicker than I anticipated.
First, I bought a scale, and I just write my weight down every day (or nearly. I keep it at work, so if I don't go in to work, I don't weigh myself). Just having an idea of where I'm at has been helpful. It keeps it in my mind a little bit throughout the day.
Second, I have cut dramatically back on the pop that I'm drinking. I haven't given it up entirely, but instead of almost 2 cans a day, I'm now somewhere in the the 4 cans a week range. Along with this, I've tried to cut back on the cream and sugar I'm adding to my coffee. That's been made easier since I've been buying better coffee. Pricier, but I think it's a good balance.
Third, I've been trying to have smaller lunches. This is one area where I can still make a lot of progress. There are far too many days where I don't plan ahead, or I let myself have an extra sandwich or something along those lines. I started off very well in this area, just limiting myself to a can of soup and a few crackers, but that has gotten a bit tiring. I plan to work on this more.
Fourth, my after-supper snacks have been pared back. Instead of 4 or 5 nights a week having something to eat around 9 or 10, I'm going with maybe 3, and the things are often smaller than they were before.
Fifth, I bought some small exercise bands for my office - just a little thing to do to mindlessly move around and work some muscles a small amount when I'm doing other tasks.
Anyway, these are all really small things, and I am amazed at how much they've added up in less than 3 months. I know at some point these changes won't be enough, and I'll have to add more efforts. I hope that I will, even before I get to that point. But I'm glad for where I've gotten, and I'm excited for where I'm hopefully going. The small changes are really important.
When you're ready: C25K (or C210K if you're ambitious). Changed my life before. Lost the rhythm awhile back (ankle and laziness), but starting at the beginning and trying to get into it again.
"C25K"? TIL!
I have done the C25K before (though I've never been so out of shape that it took me that long to get up to 5k. I suspect it would be a much, much rougher go now.). Someday I'll start running again...
see, that's why i dig the program. it's deceptively simple.
After Cece was born I weighed 245 and I lost thirty pounds within two months. I think the first set of pounds drops pretty easily if you just make some simple changes like you said. For me it was eliminating all fluids with calories, reducing all the chocolate I eat around the office (it's everywhere) and just not going back for seconds at supper. The next thirty pounds is going to take more discipline and exercise. Sometimes I slip for a while into bad habits, and I always feel crummy and tired. If I go just one day where I eat intentionally I feel way better.
I decided to sign up the peperoncino for ice-skating lessons in January, and when I realized that adult lessons were offered at the same time, I signed myself up as well. I know the basics, but every time I have to try something new (balance on one foot while going backward!), I'm mildly terrified. I think my legs are getting stronger, though.