Log: Day 1
Intent: to lose 117 pounds in 16 months
Purpose: to blog my weight loss journey
Here I am, day one of my 117 pound journey. So why am I blogging? Motivation, mostly. But maybe a little background is in order. I spent half of my life at a relatively normal size and half of my life as a fat person. Yes, I use the word fat. In medical terms, I’m morbidly obese. What a terrible way to say that! Anyway, I’ve discovered over the past 20 years, that the world is incredibly unkind to fat people. Not fitting in seats, finding clothes that fit and don’t look ridiculous, being made fun of. And I’ve tried any number of diets, pills, and plans. So why now?
In 16 months, I’m going on a river cruise in France. I have a number of medical issues that are exacerbated by my weight (more on that later). I realize that losing weight may not help with everything. But I’m pretty sure it will help my self-esteem and ability to get around. My sister gave me a fit-bit for Christmas, and we are fit-bit friends – another good motivator. How am I going to accomplish this, you ask? (That’s assuming anyone is reading this and would ask :))
Several years ago, I lost about 60 pounds on a diet my doctor provided me. It’s actually a diet to help obese people who are heart patients. It’s healthy, of course, but also really easy to follow. Every day is specific in food content. There is a substitution list, if you want to change things up a bit. And I can tolerate the foods. When you reach your goal weight, there’s a maintenance plan to help you select foods that will keep you at your goal. It basically trains you to eat differently.
I realize as I’m telling you this, that it’s probably clear that I failed the last go round. And I did. I simply didn’t stay motivated enough. I’m a comfort food eater. I have unhealthy favorites … bread and chips top of the list, and those darned oreo cookies. So now it’s time to get back on it. I don’t know if I have the courage to post pictures, but I will track everything with the myfitnesspal app – weight, calorie intake, exercise, and of course, my fit-bit steps. I do vertical swim exercises nearly every day, as well.
Curious about the food plan?
Today, I started the morning with an apple and 12 oz. of water. Then oatmeal for breakfast. I’m having yogurt and blueberry snack as I type. It’s tuna and salad for lunch, nonfat jello and string cheese for my afternoon snack, steak, steamed veggies, and salad for dinner, and a mini-omelet for my evening snack. Vitamins are dispersed through the day. Here we go …