Well, this is the last week of the May Day Weight Loss Challenge that I joined beginning in May. My goal was to lose 20 pounds. I didn't quite make it, but I have made significant progress toward that goal.
My starting weight was 157. This morning, I weighed in at 149 for a total loss of 8 pounds for this challenge, an average of a half pound a week. I was hoping to do better, but you know the saying, "Slow and steady wins the race." I found that I did better losing weight when I weighed myself more frequently. It allowed me to see the results of the previous day's eating/exercising. I discovered that you can ruin an entire week of healthy, good choices by indulging yourself on the weekend. I also discovered that I am less likely to lose weight in a given week if I drink soda, diet or otherwise.
I learned that "useful" calories are much more filling than an equal amount of "empty" calories. For example, a sandwich made with Pepperidge Farm Harvest 7-grain bread will keep me full for HOURS. The same sandwich on white or even "honey wheat" bread requires additional side items for the meal, and I'll be hungry again sooner. Not only do you feel full eating less food, your body will feel a satisfaction that you don't get from junk food. It's almost like you can feel your body absorbing all the nutrients and putting them to use, rather than storing them up for later or simply getting rid of them.
Fortunately for me, the gals at Tales From the Scales are beginning a new weight-loss challenge, "Look Great in 2008!" I will join in this one as well. If you'd like to be part of a community of bloggers with the goal of becoming more healthy and losing weight, please join in with us! You simply weigh in each week and report your goals, successes, failures, improvements, etc. You do not have to post your actual weight, but instead can just say how much you lost or gained in a given week.
My ultimate weight-loss goal is 120, which is, according to the "charts," a healthy weight for my height and age. That means I have 29 pounds to lose. Let's see how much I can lose during this next challenge!
The three things I am going to focus on for this challenge are:
1. DRINK WATER!!
2. Add fruits and veggies
3. Reduce salt intake
Good luck to all my fellow participants!
I learned that "useful" calories are much more filling than an equal amount of "empty" calories. For example, a sandwich made with Pepperidge Farm Harvest 7-grain bread will keep me full for HOURS. The same sandwich on white or even "honey wheat" bread requires additional side items for the meal, and I'll be hungry again sooner. Not only do you feel full eating less food, your body will feel a satisfaction that you don't get from junk food. It's almost like you can feel your body absorbing all the nutrients and putting them to use, rather than storing them up for later or simply getting rid of them.
Fortunately for me, the gals at Tales From the Scales are beginning a new weight-loss challenge, "Look Great in 2008!" I will join in this one as well. If you'd like to be part of a community of bloggers with the goal of becoming more healthy and losing weight, please join in with us! You simply weigh in each week and report your goals, successes, failures, improvements, etc. You do not have to post your actual weight, but instead can just say how much you lost or gained in a given week.
My ultimate weight-loss goal is 120, which is, according to the "charts," a healthy weight for my height and age. That means I have 29 pounds to lose. Let's see how much I can lose during this next challenge!
The three things I am going to focus on for this challenge are:
1. DRINK WATER!!
2. Add fruits and veggies
3. Reduce salt intake
Good luck to all my fellow participants!
7 comments:
Thanks for the weight loss encouragement! Good for you for losing 8 lbs! I know it can be frustrating when it comes off slowly, but people who lose weight slowly tend to do better at keeping it off, so you can take that to heart. :)
We're the exact opposite when it comes to weighing -- personally, it's detrimental to me to weigh more than once a week. Messes with my mind too much, but I have a friend who weighs everyday and that's worked for her, so...
Hope you make your goal!
Thank you for the encouragement and support you give me. I'm adding your blog to my favourites and will return when it's not quite so late to read more. Reading this I think we have some similarities. Looking forward to doing the next challenge with you!
Glad you will be with us again. I lost 8 lbs with the May Day Challenge, too. But I hope to kick it up with this one and lose twice as much! I know we can!
Path to Health
Eight pounds is great! Best wishes with your goal, keep trying.
Good job! I'm right with you on dieting, though I don't know how much I have lost but I can feel it. I can't stand the scale. I become obsessed with every little pound and it makes it even tougher. If I know I am on track and can feel it, I don't bother with it.
I wanted to start in May, but I didn't. Now, I'm working out like crazy...but I think I'm going to make no commitment to the other one. I'm rooting for you..and cheering you on. Remember "inch by inch life's a cinch...yard by yard it's hard." You have to do it a little at a time.
Hugs.
:-) Susan
Congrat on losing weight even though it wasn't your goal weight. I lost over 40 pounds this year. I have 40 more to go! Thanks for the encouragement!
Post a Comment