Losing Weight

Since I have started working out, I have learned some things that I think anyone who wants to lose weight need to have/know.

1. You have to be motivated. Losing weight and exercising is 90% mental. I know there are lots of people who say I would do anything to be a size 6, but then just sit on the couch and eat ice cream. Obviously you wouldn't do anything. Because all you to do is work out and eat right.

My motivation came in October of 2008 when I saw a picture of myself. I was horrified. I couldn't believe that I really looked like that. (I would post it, but I am still too embarrassed.) The next day, I started exercising and I lost 17 pounds by Christmas. Something in my head clicked and I knew what I needed to do. That picture is my motivation picture now when I don't really want to workout.

Now I lost some motivation and would do good for a few weeks then "reward" myself with not doing good. But in January of this year I made the decision that there was no reason I couldn't take the time for myself. And since then I have worked out at least 3 times, mostly 5 times, a week.

2. You have to lie, or you have to be really committed. Because the majority of the world will not understand. I plan my workouts at least the day before and know that at 8am, I will be running. When someone calls and asks me to do something at 9am, I know I will not be done running. I can say, "sorry I have plans, but can we meet at 10 instead?" If I were to say, "I have to run first, can we meet later?" That person may try to talk me out of it. If you are like me, it doesn't take much to talk yourself out of running. Sometimes all it takes it someone saying, "you can workout tomorrow" and for me to say "you're right, I can."

I think these lies are justified. You should take time for yourself (MOM). You aren't being selfish. This is your life and your health.

3. You have to give up somethings. I am sure you have heard that it isn't a diet, it is a lifestyle change. And that is the truth. This isn't about giving up ice cream for 3 months and then you are done. You have to change your diet permanently. To me that doesn't mean giving up everything you love, it is about giving up some of it. Instead of having 4 servings of ice cream (which is only 2 cups) three times a week, you have 1 serving of ice cream once every two weeks. (Replace ice cream with your favorite vice: donuts, chips and dip(which was mine), soda, candy bars...) This is hard to accept. But take it one day at a time, don't think to far into the future or you might have a panic attack.

4. The hardest part is the easiest. The hardest part for me is getting into my work out clothes. I know that if I change, then I will have to work out. But it is the easiest task, so I take it one step at a time. I think to myself "I can change clothes right now. That's not too hard." And once I've done that, I'm in.

This is just my two cents. Take it or leave it if you want. I have lost 39 pounds, so I guess I am not completely just making stuff up.