A new year
The holidays were hectic but good. I feel like I spent a lot of good quality time with my daughter, although much of it was while chaufferring her around the state to various functions. We take what we can get, right?
I seem to have gained weight over November/December. It's no surprise as I've been overeating and not exercising. I need to weigh myself again to set a new baseline for losing weight again.
I'm happy to report that my CPAP machine is doing wonders for me sleeping through the night. I have missed a few nights when I accidentally forgot to pack the machine (I've travelled quite a bit in the last two weeks with the holidays.) I feel better overall with more energy and more clarity in my thinking. And, the few nights that I've missed the machine... I could REALLY tell the difference. It is just unthinkable to me that I have been operating through the last couple of years with almost no real rest. I try to not wonder how things might a have been different, but you have to wonder.
So, it's early January and I'm fat so I'm obligated by society to loudly announce my plans to lose weight this year. And I am planning to lose weight, but not because it's January. This is no New Year's Resolution. This is part of my plan. I'm right on schedule.
With my energy level much higher, it's time to hit the gym again. I want to walk at least 30 minutes 3 times a week at a fairly fast pace, working up faster and faster as I can. I also want to lift weights and do some stretching exercises. I'm hoping to spend maybe an hour a day, starting 3 days a week and working up to 5 days a week. I think that is what sounds like it will make me feel the best. I know I always feel better when I'm working out and I know that losing weight will help me.
The other part I'm starting now is adding more thought to what I'm eating. My eating since moving out of the house has been atrocious. And bad in fat content, calorie content, lack of nutrition and expensive. So I'm going shopping tonight and will start eating better and cheaper.
I'm not developing a "plan" per se, since those plans always peter out and fail. I'm trying to change some very bad habits a little at a time but for the rest of my life. Here are the high points:
1) Start going to the gym before work. Walk 30-40 minutes and do some stretching/weightlifting. 3 days a week at first with goal of working up to 5 days.
2) Start reducing empty calories, particularly soda but including desserts and junk. I can brew tea at the office and I can keep other drinks at home.
3) Find ways to increase fruit and veggie intake significantly. My loose goal is five large servings a day (1 cup each).
4) Start decreasing meat and starch intake significantly. I need to eat less meat and starch. One piece of chicken, not 3. One scoop of mashed potatoes, not 5. Definitely thinking of substituting tofu or beans instead of meat, both of which I like if prepared the right way.
And that's it. No fanfare, no daily requirements, no huge emotional rewards or punishments... just starting to change existing habits and start some new habits that will lead me to a healthy lifestyle.
I seem to have gained weight over November/December. It's no surprise as I've been overeating and not exercising. I need to weigh myself again to set a new baseline for losing weight again.
I'm happy to report that my CPAP machine is doing wonders for me sleeping through the night. I have missed a few nights when I accidentally forgot to pack the machine (I've travelled quite a bit in the last two weeks with the holidays.) I feel better overall with more energy and more clarity in my thinking. And, the few nights that I've missed the machine... I could REALLY tell the difference. It is just unthinkable to me that I have been operating through the last couple of years with almost no real rest. I try to not wonder how things might a have been different, but you have to wonder.
So, it's early January and I'm fat so I'm obligated by society to loudly announce my plans to lose weight this year. And I am planning to lose weight, but not because it's January. This is no New Year's Resolution. This is part of my plan. I'm right on schedule.
With my energy level much higher, it's time to hit the gym again. I want to walk at least 30 minutes 3 times a week at a fairly fast pace, working up faster and faster as I can. I also want to lift weights and do some stretching exercises. I'm hoping to spend maybe an hour a day, starting 3 days a week and working up to 5 days a week. I think that is what sounds like it will make me feel the best. I know I always feel better when I'm working out and I know that losing weight will help me.
The other part I'm starting now is adding more thought to what I'm eating. My eating since moving out of the house has been atrocious. And bad in fat content, calorie content, lack of nutrition and expensive. So I'm going shopping tonight and will start eating better and cheaper.
I'm not developing a "plan" per se, since those plans always peter out and fail. I'm trying to change some very bad habits a little at a time but for the rest of my life. Here are the high points:
1) Start going to the gym before work. Walk 30-40 minutes and do some stretching/weightlifting. 3 days a week at first with goal of working up to 5 days.
2) Start reducing empty calories, particularly soda but including desserts and junk. I can brew tea at the office and I can keep other drinks at home.
3) Find ways to increase fruit and veggie intake significantly. My loose goal is five large servings a day (1 cup each).
4) Start decreasing meat and starch intake significantly. I need to eat less meat and starch. One piece of chicken, not 3. One scoop of mashed potatoes, not 5. Definitely thinking of substituting tofu or beans instead of meat, both of which I like if prepared the right way.
And that's it. No fanfare, no daily requirements, no huge emotional rewards or punishments... just starting to change existing habits and start some new habits that will lead me to a healthy lifestyle.
posted by Bif | 1/03/2008 04:51:00 PM
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