David and I have committed to changing our lifestyles. I know, I know, I’ve said it a zillion times, but this time it feels different. It feels like we are actually changing for the long haul.
I know a big piece that has helped me get into a better
groove is my career change. Not having to wake up at 2 am and work a 12-13 hour
day everyday has definitely made a positive impact on me and my well-being.
Several weeks ago, David and I sat at the kitchen table and
wrote down the goals we had for the next year. These goals include things like,
paying off one student loan, getting a new job, going to church regularly, and
reaching our goal weight.
That’s been a big focus lately: reaching our goal weight. I
have never been as heavy as I am now. Being so athletic growing up meant I
could eat whatever I wanted. Well, 21 years of that mentality meant that when I
stopped actively participating in sports, my diet did not change with it. I was
still eating like I was burning however-many-calories; but instead, those
lovely little calories have stuck with me. On my face, my thighs, my stomach…you
get the idea.
My weight-gain has weighed pretty heavy on me lately (ha,
get the pun there?) and David has felt the same way.
So we decided to do something about it.
We have started eating better. We have integrated lots
of fruits and vegetables in our diet. I eat yogurt for breakfast with an apple
or some watermelon. No more Sausage McMuffins (although they sound delicious).
I would rather eat healthy and be happier with my body than have a few minutes
of McDonalds. And I drink a lot of water. A lot as in over 100 ounces some
days. I think my coworkers think I have a bladder problem.
Last Tuesday I began tracking what I was eating and focusing
heavily on healthy decisions. At my Week 1 weigh in, I was down 2.4 pounds!
This week, David and I have started running (1.83 miles a
day). Even last night, despite me already being half asleep, in my pajamas,
lying in the dark in bed, David encouraged me to get up and go running with him
and Hank. I’m so grateful I did because we ran our usual route faster than we
ever have before, and were able to run 95% of the route without stopping. We
felt SO pumped, motivated and accomplished after, it was amazing.
I will note that running by a high school at 10:30 p.m. is pretty
scary. There were people hanging out in the shadows and one guy standing ON TOP
of the stadium in the commentator area. In the dark. Alone. At 10:30 p.m. At
one point we turned this corner and there was a man walking directly behind us
in the shadows. Nothing speeds up a run like feeling you are about to be
snatched by a shadow dweller.
Another big piece of our weight loss journey, other than running daily, drinking gallons of water a day, and tracking what we eat (and making wise decision around our food) is accountability. My sister and her husband suggested that we FaceTime and workout together every night for 20 minutes. They live in Arizona right now (she’s attending nursing school there) but we thought it was a great idea and gives David and I more accountability than just each other. So a number of times in the past week, we have all FaceTimed and completed Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred DVD. They set it up on their end, and we watch and participate on our end too. It’s actually pretty cool, and like I said, it’s great accountability.
Tuesday’s are my “official weigh-in days,” but I have been
weighing myself daily. Today I got on the scale and it said I have lost 4.4
pounds in 9 days. Without quick fixes or fad-diets.
I’m pretty proud of that.
