January 2016 Health Check In

Today I am checking in with you and recapping what has happened since January 1, 2016 when I hit the reset button.  It has been hard work every - single - day to stay on track.  To tell you the truth, this time has been the hardest.  I kept putting ME off in 2015.  I would start and then quit on myself again because it was so hard. 

I am not going to lie.  I have no secrets for you or a fast forward button.  Every day is a struggle.  It will continue to be a struggle but I have to stay focused, keep my eye on my goals, and remember to work at balance.

Here is what I have been doing:

-Calorie Count-Tracking those darn calories has been keeping me straight.  Every day I start off with the same amount of calories.  I eat breakfast and start subtracting from there.  Sometimes for dinner I don't have many calories left and I have to work around that. 

-Serving Sizes-Smaller portions.  Eating on smaller plates.  I am measuring everything.  Even my drinks.  Everything you put in your mouth counts. 

-Fitness Shows-I know how to do this.  It is like riding a bike.  It will all come back to me.  And some things have come back.  But I am also learning new things.  Where?  On TV.  Yes, I am a dork and am watching The Biggest Loser, My Diet is Better Than Yours, and Fit to Fat to Fit.  Why?  Because it helps me.  I work out while watching the shows.  I learn from the tips they give.  I see what exercises are working for them.

-Diet Bet-I signed up for a biggest loser challenge.  This is the first time I have ever joined in a challenge like this.  It is helping me stay on track with my own goals.  Every 2 weeks we will check in and on the final weigh in, the person who has lost the biggest percentage will win the money. 

-Lifestyle-I am cooking at home.  We are eating at home.  I am making and packing lunches.  We are all eating the same.  My family is being supportive and it has been a lifestyle change for all of us.

-Resting-I have been getting to bed earlier.  The doctor did recommend this to me.  She said it would make a difference and it did.  I am more ready for my day.

-Steps-I said I wanted to run 365 miles by the end of the year.  I have only ran 1.5 miles but I have walked more than half of my goal already in steps.  My goal is to do 10,000 steps everyday.  When I first started the month it took me all day to get my steps.  I started walking before work, during lunch, and right before bed.  I kinda set a daily time goal.  Before lunch I tried to get half my steps done.  I would catch up my steps during lunch.  Any missing steps I would do before bed.  As the month progressed I got better at making sure I got my steps done and even went above my daily goal.

Here is my progress:

I have lost a total of 8 pounds.

I am so happy that I am so motivated.  I have been successful.  Every pound has been hard work on my part.  If I told you that the number on the scale does not really matter I would be lying.  This time it does matter to me.  I will tell you that even if I did not see the scale change, I would know that something was happening in my body.  I feel better.  I am happier.  I have energy.  I like that my clothes is fitting again.  I have already went down at least 3 sizes.  I have to admit I was wearing some Plus sizes.  I had never been this size.  I hope to never go back.

To be clear I am not taking any magic pills, drinking special shakes, or anything else someone is selling.  I am taking my multi-vitamin, skin-hair-nails, and drinking lots of water.  Every now and again, I take the easy road and do indulge on a Smoothie King shake as a replacement meal.  Why am I telling you all of this, transparency?  I am not on anyone's plan, except my own.  I do not have weekly meetings to talk about my weight with a total stranger.  I do what I can everyday to work hard at my own goals.  I am not paying for a meal plan.  I am learning to cook our favorite dishes by making little changes to ingredients.  Choosing healthy.  Indulging a little but in smaller portions.  I am eating what I want but not getting carried away.  I am not dieting.  I am not spending everyday in the gym.  See as a mom I felt so guilty spending any minute away from my kids.  That guilt kept me home most days in 2015.  This is why I am doing it my way this time.  I am spending time with my kids and my husband.  We walk around the mall, go down every aisle in the grocery store, enjoy bike rides and going to the park. 

Moving on to February, my plan is to continue doing my 10,000 steps every day.  I am planning to incorporate more weight training.  Losing 1 lb a week is healthy to me.  I am moving in the right direction and that is good enough for me.  This isn't a race, this is life.  My life.

Thanks for sticking around for this long post.  Any thoughts?  questions?  comments?