Getting Fit: I’m 10% of the Way There

Just a little update on my weight loss journey/adventure/enormous mountain that looks too big to climb but I’m going for it anyway.

As I mentioned in my previous post, Susan’s Getting Her Sh*t Together, I am working on dropping a buck. One HUNDRED pounds, that is. (A buck makes it sound so much easier.) I think I can achieve that in about a year. I started my weight-loss efforts in earnest about a month ago, and so far have gotten 10% of the way to my goal. For you non-math majors out there, that’s 10 pounds I’ve shed.

How am I doing it? Well, it isn’t rocket science, though weight loss has achieved some kind of mythical too-complex-to-comprehend status in this country full of overweight and obese people. I basically keep track of my food intake (calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber) and try to stay within my recommended limits — courtesy of SparkPeople. And I work out with a trainer once or twice a week, plus additional gym workouts on my own. I’ve been doing beginner-level strength training, each session focusing on a different area of my body (arms/chest, core/back, legs/butt, etc.) I also do cardio on a treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical machine.

It’s the actual making myself do all this that’s hard. I have to keep thinking about what we have to eat in the house, what I’m going to eat next, how many calories I’ve consumed so far that day. I have to constantly resist urges, temptations, habits to reach for the fattiest, sweetest junk. I have to force myself to leave my work or kids behind and exercise. (Yes, I exercise with my kids, too, but sometimes I need to focus and do it at the gym and with my trainer.)

I’m also leaning on a support network of family and friends who are working on their own fitness and cheering me on. They help keep me honest and accountable. And they offer tips and advice when I’m having trouble.

There’s no magic pill or procedure that will accelerate my 100-pound weight loss. I just have to keep on keepin’ on, 10% here, 20% there, till I reach my ultimate summit of being a fit, fab, hot mama. And this is just the beginning.

7 thoughts on “Getting Fit: I’m 10% of the Way There

  1. Headless Mom says:

    Susan-I’m so proud of you! 10 is awesome. You are motivating me! Yes, I hit my un-magical number this week and I’m determined to lose it…again. Love you, Lady! Go for it!

  2. Good Luck!! Nice to see this- I am trying to do the same thing. I need to lose about 40 cents (lol!) and am giving myself a half goal of the summer (when I will be wearing a yellow bridesmaid dress for my best friend’s wedding) and final goal of November (when I will put on another bridesmaid dress for my brother in laws wedding- the whole fam is in it- hubby and kids- so gotta look good in pics!). Have you seen those little wallet type things at Walgreens? They have a tracker inside to keep track of calories, protein, fat, etc each day. It’s just a little piece of plastic- but I think it might help me to have it with me all day long. Cheers to healthier lives!

  3. Anonymous says:

    Where have you been all my guilt ridden life? Love this blog. As for the buck minus 10– go for it!!!!!

  4. Yay!! Nice work!! Eventually it’ll become a lifestyle and it won’t seem like so much work. Proud of you!!

  5. So happy for your progress thus far! My husband and I recently started…restarted…our own life style change so I am with you. You might be able to pick up a few healthy tips at lunchitpunchit.com. I recently posted about cutting up some fruits and veggies to have on hand when a sweet or crunchy snack is a must. Due to my life style change committment I would say this will be the first of many attempts to find healthier and lower fat lunch options!

  6. Thank you all for your words of support and encouragement. I think what I’m really trying to focus on this time around is healthy behaviors and habits. If I work on those, and reward myself along the way, the weight will come off and I will get healthier. Still, there’s no denying that seeing the needle move is a big motivator!

  7. Keep up the good work! You’re 10% farther than you were when you started!!!!

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