Huge Changes
Ok, I have made a lot of small changes that are starting to add up to be huge changes. I started a little while back, my weight was starting to climb and I decided I am definitely tired of the excess weight. Tired enough to do everything it takes. So I started making changes. The first big one (and probably the most important) is I decided to make sure I was getting enough water (not soda, juice, energy drinks, etc.) and that had an immediate effect. Honestly it was not one I was fond of, over the span of a few weeks I put on a lot of weight. I was actually alarmed at first. I literally put on over 20 pounds. It freaked me out! But what I found was I have been dehydrating myself. All the sugar, no matter how much water I drank, was drying me up. I still have a soda here and there, maybe one or two a week. But not one or two a day like I was.
That made a lot of difference, then I started eating 6-10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. That seemed to make a huge difference too. We hardly ever eat out anymore, which helps a lot. It is so easy for me to make my own meals and know what is in them. I have also backed off on the caffeine (another thing that was drying me up) and though I still get some here and there (when I need the pick me up) I am definitely down to 1/3 or less of what I was taking in.
The other big change I made was to start getting in 45 minutes of cardio 3 days a week. This has been great for my heart and lungs. I go home whooped every time as I am always pushing to run 0.1mph faster or go for another minute. But it is definitely worth it. As always I try to make my meats lean and get a decent amount of protein in. The only carbs for the most part are brown rice, whole wheat, etc. I have been keeping a food journal for a year or so now and I can honestly say that I am proud of what I see in it on a daily basis now. What I was putting in there a year ago is downright embarrassing to me.
Sadly I did drop weightlifting for a little while, but I have shrunk my schedule to three days a week and I will be starting back up this week. I have two more changes on my list to make (I do one a week to slip it in and make it stick) after that and I will be there for all my physical goals.
I am happy about the strides I am making. It is starting to pay off in small ways that add up. Like I do not crave sugar hardly at all anymore. I am hungry less often. I have a little bit more energy (I don’t feel like a teenager again or nothing, yet…) and I do feel better all around. I have noticed some changes in what clothes fit me now. I had some early signs of insulinemia and they are beginning to fade away. I am very happy about that. Took my BP the other day and it was almost perfect. All these little positive things are stacking up, it is great.
I just had to share my small success story. I am by no means thin. I have a very long way to go. However, I do expect that I will most likely be two pounds thinner again come Monday. I will keep my fingers crossed LOL. But so far has been so good, so we will see. 
May 17, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Keep up the good work my friend! Thanks for sharing your success!