New Thoughts for a New Year

HidyleDidyle

I have decided not to be so consumed by what the scale says and by what I think it should say.

Since starting my adventure on MFP, I have loved seeing the changes in my body and my mind due to being physically active. I get excited when I think back to two months ago when I found it difficult to touch my toes, and now I can touch the floor. Or the fact that doing 20 crunches just about did me in, and now I can do 360 crunches!

One thing that I've found challenging though is the weight...the scale. Sometimes it is down, sometimes it is up, and it is 100% dependent upon if I eat perfectly "clean" and very restricted, or if I allow myself to live life and indulge occasionally on things that I enjoy.
This is a lifestyle change, but I don't want to be denied certain things for the rest of my life! I like the occasional piece of bread and peanut butter. I like the occasional sweet delight. If I tell myself that I can't have treats, then I will fail completely.

So, my thinking is this:
(1) I'm going to stop worrying so much about counting calories and fluctuations in the scale.
(2) I'm going to continue to eat healthily with a few treats here and there.
(3) I am going to focus my energies on exercise, growing stronger, improving my lung capacity, building muscle, learning how to run.

So I am proposing a new challenge for myself for the month of January:
(1) To only weigh myself twice during the month (the beginning and the end).
(2) Week 1: To work out 5 times a week for at least 30 minutes and burning 350 calories each time.
(3) Week 2: To work out 5 times a week for at least 35 minutes and burning 400 calories each time.
(4) Week 3: To work out 5 times a week for at least 40 minutes and burning 450 calories each time.
(5) Week 4: To work out 5 times a week for at least 45 minutes and burning 500 calories each time.

From now until the holiday season is over, I'm still going to watch my calories, try to maintain where I am right now, and try to squeeze in some exercise amidst all of the celebrations.

I hope that you all are able to meet your goals, and enjoy the adventure of reaching them!

wardba4

I like your thinking. This is a new way of life for me also and I will not be deprived. I have learned that with some exercise I can eat just about anything i want. which is great.
I plan on enjoying myself over the holidays and hopefully the scale will still go down next weigh in.

Sporty98

Sounds great, Heidi! I agree with you whole-heartedly! The number on the scale cannot be the be-all-and-end-all....

I also love to have a taste of sweets every now and then (almost daily...), so I like to treat myself. I try not to feel guity with a bite of this or that.....So long as I don't do it all the time!

I have taken to measuring myself, and I find it a very gratifying way to measure my changes, too. Maybe more reliable than the scale! I measure my waist, hips, and thighs.

Chickabittie

I love this Heidi!

It sounds very doable. You are right, this is a lifestyle change, and we have a life to live and enjoy. Good luck meeting your goals, I'm behind you 100%, no matter if the scale goes up of down. We're in this together. :flowerforyou:

HidyleDidyle

Don't get me wrong - I do want to lose weight! BUT, I don't want to be obsessed with how slow the scale is moving. If I continue eating moderately, and get consistent exercise, the weight will come off. It just might take a year instead of months...and I want to be okay with that.
:happy:

Chickabittie

Don't get me wrong - I do want to lose weight! BUT, I don't want to be obsessed with how slow the scale is moving. If I continue eating moderately, and get consistent exercise, the weight will come off. It just might take a year instead of months...and I want to be okay with that.
:happy:

Yeah, I know, got that. Let's BOTH stop being obsessed with the scale. I'm gonna keep on keeping on. :bigsmile: