12 weeks into my commitment to a healthier lifestyle and 20 less pounds, and I’ve arrived. You may wonder how I can say that when this commitment included a goal of 20 pounds, and I have yet 6 to go, AND when an arrival assumes a journey is complete but….I assure you for me it is an arrival point that I celebrate with an ongoing commitment to continue this journey to the next arrival point.
With that said, a few weeks ago, my weight plateaued at about 155, (10 pounds less than my starting weight, and 10 pounds more than my goal weight), and I had the choice to take it up a notch by further refining my dietary choices, adding more weight resistance exercises, taking weight loss accelerators, or some other means of getting there and guess what I chose?
First, I deliberately considered my choices, and committed to continue forward with whatever I decided. And, in that deliberation, I realized it was more important to me to achieve my long-term goal of a healthier lifestyle that would be sustainable for ME in the long run, than to ramp it up beyond what was right for me. At the same time, I realized this choice may end up extending the time period for me to reach my weight goal.
So, I chose what would allow me to continue the already healthy new habits, enjoy summer and incrementally move me closer to my weight loss goal over a longer period of time. What I changed was to increase my weight resistance exercise by biking 5 miles a day and lifting weights 3 x week. I also added a consistent practice of energy healing, which I believe has supported my overall wellbeing and contributed to my 4-pound weight loss jump in the last couple weeks.
Of my newly formed habits, what I have continued is consistently 1) eating 1-2 servings of fruit per day (my past habit was more like 1-2 servings of fruit 1-2 times per week) 2) eating 3-4 servings of vegetables versus 1-2. 3) eliminating wheat and carbs from my daily diet, eating them only on occasion 4) minimizing sugar, which has included learning to create some healthy non sugar based desserts 5) increasing my water intake. Of my already well-formed habits, I continued regularly exercising, sleeping well, meditating and praying daily.
In moderation, I am also enjoying an occasional serving of “less sugar-chemical laden” ice cream, a few “gotta have the crunch factor” chips here and there, a couple squares of dark chocolate and a periodic “worthy of exception” food offering at a friend’s house or social gathering. Other than that, I really have “crowded out” more of the foods that aren’t best for me and “added in” more of the foods that are.
It feels good. I’m happy with my choice and inspired to continue forward on my own and with others who are ready to do the same. (With same, meaning, others finding their own best path to their health / weight loss goals.)
Until the next time…be well and be happy.
