This is really on my heart and I hope it is taken as I mean it, with the BEST of intentions...I have noticed that lots of you have plans to lose a significant amount of weight before your big days! Great...I had the same goal. I was able to do that and now I have to maintain so that I don't have to keep buying smaller clothes. Good problem to have sometimes, but I'm happy where I am now.
With that said, I wanted to share some things that helped me. If any of you have things that were helpful to you, post them here as well.
1) Talk about your plans! Let your lunch buddies, family, and close friends know that you are making healthier choices and you may discover an accountability partner that you didn't know you had.
2) Cut out the junk! Eat foods that taste good, but limit the sweets! A GREAT place to start is by cutting out empty drink calories. Let go of juice and soda and use Crystal Light if you MUST have flavor in your drinks. They are 5-10 calories per packet.
3) Download nutrition guides or ask for them when you visit restaurants. You deserve to know what you are putting in your body.
4) Figure out how many calories you should take in for the amount of exercise you do normally. I googled "caloric intake" and was able to find credible websites to determine mine.
5) Don't get discouraged, but weigh yourself every so often...particulary when you've been doing well. It will motivate you if you can see results.
6) Exercise...I combined light to moderate weights and cardio, but if you aren't there yet...just do the cardio to start. The elliptical burns more calories way faster than the treadmill so that's what I used the most.
7) Watch televsion or use music to distract you while you workout. My gym had televisions on each machine so I plugged earphones in and watched a show or two while I exercised. Not all do, so at the very least, put some music on your cell phone and let it get you hype!
8) Keep workout clothes in your office or car...it is so hard to go home after work and then convince yourself to get back out to work out.
9) Purge your home of all the stuff you KNOW you shouldn't eat and then don't buy it again. Cook with less fat, less cholesterol, less starch, etc.
10) Cut down on your fat intake, but don't eliminate it. Your body will stop producing as many fat-burning enzymes if it doesn't have a need for them.
11) If you like sweets, buy some Jello pudding cups...they have fat-free and sugar-free ones that are sooooo good!
As I mentioned before, this is just my own personal advice based on my own personal experience. Every person is different. I'm interested on if you all have any tips that you could offer for people trying to lose or even maintain their weight! Best wishes to everyone who is working on making healthier lifestyle choices!
AAW June Siggy Challenge
My Daddy and Me
