Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

It's time for an update, so in lieu of my typical Five on Friday, I'll be sharing my current weight loss progress.

My weight loss journey continues...and with each day, I face new challenges. There are days I fight the exercise. There are days I just want to make excuses. And yet everyday, whether I want to acknowledge it or not, is an opportunity for me to better myself and the lives of others. I can't just sit back and expect change to happen...

 

 

Over the past month I've had several "ah ha" moments, which to many of you may seem more like "duh" moments, but nonetheless, I've laid claim to some new understandings.

 

 

Food is Fuel...It's Meant to Make Me Function, Not Fat. While most of you are nodding your head and thinking, how could she not know this, let me clarify. It is not a matter of not knowing, it is a matter of knowing, accepting, and applying. I've done the WW program in the past, and while I love the idea and for many it works, it never worked for me because I didn't have a firm grasp on "better eating." I accepted my point allowance and my splurge day. I counted my points, tracked my exercise minutes and thought that was enough. They were my points. I could eat what I wanted. That was the beauty of the program right? Wrong. Eating foods high in fat, calories and/or sugar just pack on the pounds. It doesn't matter that I had 20 points and ate a dozen doughnuts as long as I was in my point range...silly me. I now have a different food mantra. Food is Fuel. I enjoy the occasional donut or cupcake, but these are not my go to foods. While I enjoy a snack or two, I make better choices. I've figured out more ways to make food work for me, not against me. Need an idea on how to get started? Take a look at Foods that Turn to Fat to get some perspective. I'm not doing a "diet plan" this go-around. Instead I'm making lifestyle changes in the way I eat, cook and exercise.

 

 

Movement is a Must. I am becoming more accepting of exercise as a pro instead of a con. There are days when work has just exhausted me and by the time I make dinner, bathe the baby and get her to bed, fold some laundry and get things ready for the next day, I really struggle to muster up the will to exercise. The treadmill seems to mock me. My workout DVDs don't mind if they collect dust on the shelf...and yet just like anything else, if change is going to occur, movement must be made. An advancement, a forward motion, progression...whatever your terminology, a physical and mental shift must happen. I ran across this simple Activity Pyramid. It's a great example of how to incorporate activity and how often.

 



  

Okay, now that I've bored inspired shared with you my revelations, it's time to reveal this month's numbers and picture...I always get a bit nervous putting this out there but the amount of support, encouragement, and accountability are well worth it.

 

From December 29, 2013 to March 28, 2014 I am down another .5 inches in my waist and I have lost...

 

 

 
 
 
 

March 2014

As April unfolds, there are many exciting things ahead. This month we'll celebrate my last birthday in my twenties (eek!), my daughter's first birthday, her first Easter, the death and Resurrection of my Savior, my first 5k in almost 3 years, and several other itty bitty birthdays. It will be a full month of wonderful celebrations. As I look forward to these things, I'm also reminded that all of these festivities generally incorporate excellent food and sedentary activities. I have already begun mentally preparing myself for these occasions and I'm working on ways to find a balance that won't undo all that I've done and won't impede my progress.

 

Thanks for all of the encouragement. I hope to make more progress as the months pass on.