M/31/5'11" [309 > 179 = 130 lbs].
Progress pics on this subreddit here.
Hey there everyone! Last June I decided to turn my life around through a weight loss journey that has been so challenging yet very rewarding, leaving me feeling so much more confident with myself.
I live near the Smoky Mountains and have enjoyed hiking with my friends for years. However, last June 2020 I went hiking with a few friends and for this first time ever I was almost unable to finish the hike. That evening I went home to weigh myself and I was blown away at the scale. I thought I was around 280 but I topped out at 309. I was super discouraged. That same day, though, I decided it was time to do something about my weight issue. I immediately drove to a nearby park. I had no idea at that time that I would spend almost every day for the next 7 months walking at that park. Here's a little of what I did and what I learned:
I really stuck to these three things and still do:
(1) I drank one gallon of water a day, throughout the day and that was the only liquid I drank besides black coffee
(2) I cut all portion sizes in half. I work with college students for a living so this was super difficult as I eat out a lot. Almost every meal out I ask for a to-go box before my meal arrives. When It came to food there wasn't anything I eliminated. I made wiser choices, things like grilled over fried, veggies over rice, etc., no or less sauces. But mostly, it was cutting portion sizes.
(3) I walked 6 miles a day, everyday. In the first 7 months (June - Dec) I only missed 5 days of walking. It took me around1.5 hours/day to complete my 6 miles. I tried really hard to walk a brisk mile. In the beginning I walked a 18min mile. Now I walk a 13.5/14min mile. Beginning in January I began jogging a few times a week. Today, I alternate between running and walking. I usually walk 5 miles one day, and run 3-4 the next day, and repeat. I take 1 day off from walking/running a week. I'm training for a half-marathon that takes place next fall and am excited for that.
Two small things that I found helpful when It came to walking was: (1) to change up the park I was at! One I go to has far more hills that are steep. I don't usually run at that one but I do walk fast at it and burn significantly more calories there than I do at the flatter park. (2) I bought an Apple watch (used 3-series) and that was such a motivating decision for me! I set my calorie goal at 1000 in the beginning and beat it everyday. I challenged friends to competitions and even had one great friend text me in the evening if he didn't get a notification that I completed my rings
Here's a little of what I learned:
I'm sure on some level I can blame some of the extra pounds I carried on a slow metabolism, genetics, and my work with college and high school students. But the truth is that I really need to blame it on cycles and seasons of laziness and carelessness. For years my battle with my weight has been measured much more than just pounds on the scale. There's been the burdensome weight of shame, condemnation, and doubt which led to hopelessness that is much more unhealthy and destructive to my person than the pounds you can see with your eye. To shed this kind of weight it's taken many reminders of truth about where my real identity is found from great friends and I'm so grateful for that. I've had to see myself as God sees me: loved, adopted, forgiven, accepted, and secured. This past year I have learned that it's infinitely more important to watch my heart intake than it is to watch my calorie intake. What my soul feeds on ultimately guides the choices I make for my body and I am the most encouraged when my community pushed me to focus on my sanctification over skinniness and my spiritual fitness over my physical fitness.
My hope is that people in this community find a steady source or encouragement like I did this past year. Ask friends and/or family to keep you accountable and to check in with your progress. Take advantage of this great reddit community as a source of wisdom, experience, and a place to ask good questions. There's a lot of people out here who want to cheer you on and who desire to root for your success! I'm no expert and this is my own experience, however, I'm willing to answer any questions and wish everyone here great success in their weight loss journey!
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from loseit - Lose the Fat https://ift.tt/2Sb6TUp
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