I actually wrote this on New Year's Eve 3 years ago after losing 100lbs between February and December 2012. Life happened and I've gained some of that weight back. Today was a good day to revisit it. Maybe it might be helpful to one of you as you work to meet your goals for the new year.
A…Accountability
Find someone to be accountable to. This person can be someone on the journey with you or just someone in your support system . It must be someone that you trust to keep you on track either because they’re trying to reach the same goal or they’re just super supportive to you reaching your goal.
B…Be honest
The scale can be deceiving at times, but even if the scale isn’t moving, if you’re giving it effort you should see and feel changes. If you don’t, re-evaluate what you’re doing.
C…Care about you
Care enough about you to put the journey to fit first. I’ve had to let some things and some people go. 2013 will be more of the same because I’ve got to do what benefits me and my health. Period.
D…Drink
Drink at least 64-128oz of water EVERY DAY. Limit or avoid sugary, carbonated and alcoholic drinks. If you must have them, flush them out with twice as much water.
E…Exercise
Losing lbs is great but you need to tone muscle as well. Nuff said.
F…Forget old habits
Train your mind to be focused on the new you. All the things of the past that hinder you from doing that, forget.
G…Gravitate towards like minded individuals
Just like it’s hard for an alcoholic or drug addict to run in the same circles, foodies have to get with people that share and support and share their goals.
H…Have a splurge meal
One day a week, have a splurge meal. It’s unrealistic to believe that you’ll give up all your unhealthy foods, but learn to do them in moderation. You can eat anything you like; portion control and moderation are key though.
I…Independence
Though you need an accountability partner (s), this is YOUR journey. People can’t lose weight for you or keep you motivated. That’s internal. I’ve walked alone, exercised alone, eaten alone…not by force, but by choice…to prove to myself that I can do this.
J…Just do it
Don’t talk about it; be about it. Talking about losing weight or needing to lose weight does not get rid of pounds. You gotta do work. Ask me how I know…
K…Knowledge
Knowledge is power. Be knowledgeable of what you’re eating. Read your labels. Know how your body reacts to certain foods and certain routines. No two bodies are the same. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Know your body.
L…Leave the naysayers alone
Not everyone will understand your journey. “I like the way you are now.”; “You don’t need to lose weight.”; “That’s too much weight to lose.” Again, this is your body. Do what makes you happy.
M…Make time
The common excuse that people have in regards to weight loss and exercise is I don’t have time. It was mine for a LONG time. Make time to be fit or make time to be sick. Period. Point blank.
N…Never compare
Never compare your journey to someone else’s. Their journey is theirs. Your journey is yours. What God has for you is yours. Don’t focus on what He’s doing for others and wonder why not me. This is a general life rule actually…
O…Options
Give yourself options. Lifestyle changes don’t have to be boring. The days of eating dry salad alone to lose weight are gone. There are so many things that you can eat and do if you keep your options open and broaden your horizons. I’m eating things I never thought I liked and doing things I never thought I could do.
P…Pray without ceasing
No discussion needed here. However, also keep in mind, faith without works is dead. Again, you gotta do work.
Q…Question
Ask questions about things you’re unsure of. Changing your lifestyle may require some professional intervention. No shame in that; just be informed.
R…Remember why you started
Remembering why you started keeps you anchored and focused on your goals.
S…Self Preserve
Every person, place or thing that was with you at the beginning of the journey won’t necessarily be with you at the end. You’ll shed dead weight, figuratively and literally.
T…Try new things
Before I began this journey, I was convinced that I couldn’t do certain things and didn’t like certain things. Don’t be afraid to try new things; embrace change.
U…Understand that weight loss takes time
You eat an elephant one bite at a time. You change your life one day at a time. You lose weight one pound at a time. You didn’t lay down one night and wake up overweight. You won’t lay down one night and wake up fit either. It’s a process.
V…Visualize
See yourself as who you want to be, not who you were or who you are now. Set your vision on where you’re going.
W…Watch your changes
Sometimes the hardest part of the weight loss journey is seeing where you were. Capture your changes by photo, journal or both.
X…Xerox your goals
Write the vision; make it plain. Put it anywhere you need it to stay focused: your mirror, your refrigerator, your desk, your car, your wallet, wherever!
Y…Yearn for success
Want to succeed so much that it consumes you, that way thoughts of failure have no way to get in.
Z…Zealous
Stay devoted to your goals. It won’t be easy; there will be ups and downs, without question. Stay enthusiastic throughout though because you’re worth the effort!
I’m not by any stretch of the imagination a weight loss expert. I’m just a regular, overweight person that knows how it is to listen to someone that you think doesn’t understand you because their BMI can actually be calculated. I’ve been to the doctor and not known my weight because my weight has exceeded the scale. I’ve been stared at, ridiculed, and/or felt uncomfortable because of my weight more than a few times. I know what it ‘s like to want to do better but feel like you can’t because walking a block exhausts you. So, trust me when I say…IF I CAN…YOU CAN! Here’s to a healthier beginning for us all!!
Love, Carmen
December 31, 2012
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