It's amazing when it really hits you.

masterofktulu

My whole life I was skinny. I played almost every sport all year round, rarely stayed still in one stop and enjoyed life. In high school I ate like a moron but was graced with a high metabolism. After high school and getting a car is where it all went downhill. I began to eat worse, drink, smoke, never drink water, and sleep terribly. After a couple of years of abuse I started to notice my body's metabolism was not so great anymore. I had gotten a stomach. So I quit smoking and went to the gym. I was doing great, and then as stupid as could be over time I slipped out and binged like you wouldn't believe. I am now the heaviest I have ever been. It only took a few things for it to really kick in.

I went to my old hometown for the holidays and had seen friends I haven't seen in a couple of years. I had received many comments saying I have gotten bigger. Embarrassed, I laughed it off and ignored it. At work, my manager noticed in the short 7 months I have been with the company so far I look bigger. My jeans where I needed a belt to hold in I didn't need a belt at all. All of my clothes were shorter. Even a nice suit jacket dress shirt and tie I had worn 7 months ago were almost too tight. I sat down and came to a realization. I am getting much overweight. I am absolutely embarrassed with how I look. I have decided enough is enough.

Two weeks ago I started to change my diet completely. This week I have started my exercising. in just two weeks of doing these things so far I have way more energy, sleep great, and am getting turned off by unhealthy foods. I have used a few tips to keep me super optimistic along the way and I hope they can help as motivational tools!

Tip 1:

In your food diary, add a typical day where your horrible eating habits were at their worst. It shocked me to find out almost 70 percent of what I eat in a day is covered by one meal of fast food. It horrified me to see my sodium, fat, calories, and carbs were as much in one day as I eat in 3-4. It has kept me reminding myself how eating horrible like I used to is just not an option.

Tip 2:

It took me some time to realize this but eating low calories and exercising actually do more damage than good. For example I would eat 1300 calories a day and burn off 300-500 working out. I thought I was coming out ahead, but I was feeling weak, hungry and tired. So I got past being scared to eat and just took a look at the situation and applied logic. Losing weight doesn't mean eat next to nothing. It really means eating a lot but making healthy choices and portioning food right. I now incorporate more calories and protein in my diet, and in just one day I have felt a difference! I also eat every 1-3 hours of snacks and small meals.

Tip 3:

I actually picked this up out of a women's magazine but it's so smart. Try to break up your exercise during the day making small changes. For example now I wake up 15-20 minutes earlier than usual and do 10-15 minutes of core exercises. It boosts your metabolism right at the start of your day and increases your energy. I then go to the gym and do a 10 minute cardio warm up, 15 minutes of weight training, 15 minutes of cardio, then another 15 minutes of weight training. I do not know if this is ideal for everyone but I am still getting a long workout and feeling like it is going much faster!

Tip 4:

Remember why you joined this website. To live a healthier lifestyle and become the person you feel you are meant to be and look like. Remember that results do not happen overnight. I am unfortunately a somewhat impatient person in some circumstances, especially for results. The best thing I took out of experience is honestly, ignore the weight you see on a scale. Weight is a problem to focus on. What I focus on are the measurements. The scale may tip in your favour or not, but the measurements do not lie. I have already lost an inch around my stomach and I feel more proud of that than seeing I lost ten pounds but do not see a physical result. Always be proud if you reach your goal weight, but trust me stick to the measurements and you will be far more content and want to continue your weight loss journey!

I am sure I could conjure up more tips but these are the ones I will be living by. I hope I help at least one person out there! And stick with it and just remember how amazing it is going to feel when you look the way you want!!!

Sandytoes71

Thanks for sharing! Excellent points made