Diet Log: Day 39
I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve started some fitness program or other … and then quit. I suppose many people do. Sometimes, I got bored with it, and other times I didn’t feel like I was getting anywhere. Then I fell. Now I find myself in the unique situation – that is, unique to me – of trying to lose weight and get healthy while dealing with chronic pain and body parts that don’t always work!
I was reading on an MD website (surprise) that there are a number of ways to stay motivated, and they gave yet another list of “25 tips for Weight Loss.” Well, at this point, I think I can pick and choose. What do I need? What can I ignore?
#1 is nearly always ‘goal setting.’ If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’ve set my goals! Simply, short-term goals – 2 lbs/week, to the long-range goal 117 lbs – which I believe are both realistic and achievable.
But this list had one I hadn’t read before … make it fun. Nice idea. They suggested finding activities or sports that you enjoy, then vary the routine. This is easier said than done in my case. I can’t really go play softball or take ballroom dancing. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. But also suggests incorporating strength-training into the fitness routine. I definitely get 150 minutes each week, but strength-training is something I’m definitely not doing. But I turn to the pool for exercise and stretching (and some camaraderie).
On the fun meter … Carol and I played tennis yesterday. WHAT?! Okay, we were in our living room, and it was wii tennis. But we played a number of games and laughed a lot. In Laramie, we played wii games all of the time, but we hadn’t played since our move to Colorado. I actually used to play tennis with both hands, where one player was my right and one was my left. Very funny. My poor leftie had a losing record! I’d like to start using my wii-fit program again, but I have some pounds to go before I can use the wii-fit board. Sigh.
Another tip was making physical activity a part of my daily routine. They really stressed the importance of scheduling, not just your work-out, but your general activity. In fact, the writer suggested slipping physical activity throughout the day. That’s fit-bit’s point, as well. I need to give some thought to how I might do a better job of taking small breaks from sitting – yes, I do a lot of sitting. In general, I am feeling better about standing and walking. So, maybe it’s just a matter of doing just a little more each day.
My goals are filled with reasons … losing weight, sleeping better, losing weight, managing chronic pain, increasing energy, losing weight … so maybe ‘seeing’ the benefits would help? These researchers say yes. And it’s pretty easy – write it down. Not the goals, I’ve already done that, but charting the progress beyond just the scale. Since I’m spewing everything here in my blog, maybe I’ll add a “check-in” feature. Oh boy, you’re saying. Kind of like a movement diary – recording my daily efforts and progress. That’s a definite maybe. But I can definitely create a “positives” list – another of their suggestions.
And finally, a good reminder to say flexible – not the body kind, which would be nice, but just the ‘being gentle with yourself if you need a break’ kind. There are days when I just don’t feel up to going to the pool, or walking 2500 steps, or even dealing with higher pain than normal. The important thing, I think, is to just get right back on track the next day.
My list of positives:
- I’m enthused
- I’m moving
- I have goals
- I’m proud of my efforts thus far
… and I know this is a change for life!
PS – love this dinner because I LOVE brussels sprouts 🙂