What Have You Learned About Yourself?

believe it or not... moderation. my strategy for pretty much anything was some combination of "go as hard as you can" and "ready/shoot/aim" which actually doesn't always work out so well. so learning how to slowly change my diet to reflect the realities of being in my fifties and slowly rebuild my body after two years of accidents and illness has been eye opening.

the lessons about slow and steady progress that i am learning here i am finding to be really helpful in lots of other areas of my life. and that's really friggin' cool.

I've learned that my day/week etc does not have to revolve around food. It's an important part, but not the most important.

I used to snack out of boredom but now I think more about my snacks. I also used to serve myself a bigger portion than I really needed, without realising the calorific consequences. Now, by eating the right foods in the right quantities - and at the right times of the day - I get through a day without "thinking" I am hungry simply because I'm bored. I am sated. I feel good. I eat less in volume than I used to and I am losing weight. It's awesome

First, that, by starting in moderation and building up slowly,I'm creating a massive wave of healthy energy and rapid recovery, which is now surprising me by the steady and easy progress that I perceive myself accomplishing, on a daily basis. Lots of small details, but, they add up. I find MyFitnessPal a great tool, which, combined to scales (for my food and my bodyweight) plus a spring loaded caliper, help me to really focus on achieving my goal. I find the need for cheating with food and alcohol greatly decreased since I now feel "sated" and "satiated" with my food regimen. My training is now extremely efficient, and it really pays off! It's very interesting to note how people now react to me and my appearance... Some are extremely enthusiastic with my progress...Especially younger people... People my age (mid-fifties and up) are pretending not to notice, but, it's very odd to them...Instead of getting old and slowing down, they say I look younger and I know I'm "speeding up"! According to their logic about life, there's something wrong with me!

I've learned I can love myself no matter my size, and that it's ok to love myself, because my opinion about myself is the only opinion that matters

This week I did 2 things I spent most of my life thinking I couldn't do.

I lifted weights and went running. Not a big deal to some. But to me, priceless.

What have you discovered on your journey that you can do that you didn't think you could before?

I started running this week as well. I began with C25K and was so happy I could even complete day 1 week 1. It was a great feeling.

That Ive become capable of more than I ever thought possible.

What I used to think was impossible is now happening, and its coming from just being consistent in what I eat and what I do on a daily basis.

The biggest unanticpated benefit is that the discpilne Ive learned seems to be spreading to other areas of my lfe.

Since lack of sef-discipline was a personal weakness Id already identifed, this benefit is paying off in a lot of other areas.

In short? My life is simpler and more fulfilling than it ever has been. Hope this answers the question

well said ^^^ discipline

I have a lot more will power than I thought I did. I challenged myself to go 30 days with no added sugar. Obviously, I'm still consuming naturally occurring sugars in fruits and veg, but I have not consumed sugary drinks, cookies, candy or anything with added sugar for 26 days. I've never gone this long without added sugar, so I'm very pleased that I only have 4 more days to go. The funny thing is, I don't think I'm going to go berserk on Day 31. I might allow myself a treat, but now that I know I have the will power to resist these things, I just don't feel that strong of an urge.