Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Getting Back on the Horse

So that last two weeks have been pretty pathetic in terms of my weight loss effort.  I share this because I need to. I need to hold myself accountable and I know by telling you you'll keep me honest.

Losing weight and staying "with the program" is hard and while I was off to a great start, like many folks do I hit a road block.

Yesterday I had an epiphany.


This isn't just about weight loss. This is about doing something for me. Putting me first. (Thank you Mendy for that realization). I'm going to start trying a few new tactics - new tasks that I hope will keep me in the right frame of mind so that I can finally start reaching my goals.  I've been reading SparkPeople's book, The Spark, and it's really inspired me and given me some ideas.

1) A minimum of 10 minutes of exercise a day (Thanks Chris!). Who doesn't have 10 minutes they can set aside for themselves???  While my goal is to make it to the gym at least 3x a week, if I can't, there's no excuse.... I own a stationary bike.

2) Attend spin class at least once a week.  Spin is so much fun and such a great workout.  I always feel better after class and the amount of calories you burn in that a short amount of time is incredible!

3) Read more articles on the SparkPeople.com site (and not just for Spark Points, lol).  I find that on the days that the SparkPeople eNewsletter arrives in my inbox, I am much more focused and less likely to "cheat" than on days when I don't have that reminder.  Reading the tips and the success stories of other members really helps remind me why I am doing this.

4) DRINK MORE WATER.  I think that my obsession with drinking coffee (with creamer) is holding me back.  I've started drinking it all day long and I think those calories are putting the kibosh on my efforts.  I am going to try and limit myself to 3 cups of coffee a day, and increase my water intake to 6-8 cups of water a day.

5) Continue to eat healthier.  Along with the help of my friend Phyllis (a nutrition expert) and by using SparkRecipes, we've really started to explore new foods and are starting to change our eating habits.  It's been great to watch our go-to foods evolve into healthier meals.

-----> Shannan

4 comments:

Mendy said...

Shannan, I am so happy that I was able to remind you of what is important. That is one thing that I really hope to remain focused on. This is definately a journey and it will not happen overnight. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication and I just keep reminding myself that I am worth it!! I know that I am not there to put my kids to bed sometimes, but I will be there longer to see them maybe have children of their own! I really hope that my blog will be an inspiration to others who might have the same struggles as me, that is why I am talking openly about my journey. I look forward to continuing on this path and watching my friends do the same. You can do this! You ARE THAT IMPORTANT!!!

Amy said...

I needed you to say this stuff today Shannan! I've been back and forth with it all so much lately (eat great 2 meals, blow it on the last one...skip breakfast, blow it on lunch). For one it's great to know I'm not the only one with a coffee addiction! ;) But mostly it's great to know someone else out there is human and doing what they can..and your ideas are great! I'm going to steal them and use them myself! And Mendy is so right, you are that important, and you deserve it!

I can't find my blog said...

Ugh. Me too. Thankfully spring is here and maybe that will get me off my a** and moving A LOT more.

Chris Cole said...

Excellent. Once my loss began to slow, I recommitted myself. I'm working out six days a week and seeing a trainer twice a week. The pounds are slowly coming off still (I'm about 85 down now), and the inches keep disappearing too.

So life is good. :)

Keep it up everyone. We CAN do this. We can DO this!