Getting healthy is a process

So, in my last real post I talked about feeling like EVERYTHING I did revolved around my weight loss.  I have found that I have regained some semblance of sanity now that I don't log everything I do in 5 different places.  I still religiously log my food and exercise in MFP.  I do not blog as often.  I still check in on my DietBet that is in progress.  Other than that, I have chilled.

I think that people forget that this is a lifetime journey.  Once you hit that goal you're done.  I don't think it works that way.  I have known many people that get with 10 pounds of their goal or even reach it and then turn around and put all 100+ pounds right back on.  How frustrating is that?  More importantly, wouldn't it be easier to just check in to ensure that you stay on the right track?

That being said, there is no reason to eat a salad for lunch every day for the rest of your life.  I believe the key is moderation.  Many people talk about the 80/20 rule.  Eat healthy 80% of the time and give yourself a break the other 20%.  I am leaning more toward the 90/10 side of things only because there is NO WAY I am gaining all of this back!  Granted, I am not to the maintenance phase yet but I will be soon.

People focus so much on what they CAN'T eat or CAN'T do.  Why?  I can eat whatever I want.  Can I eat it all day every day?  Sure.  If I want to ruin what I have accomplished.  But that doesn't mean that I have to say no to every slice of birthday cake or worry about what I am going to eat at a dinner party.  Moderation.  I have to be able to live life without constantly worrying about it.

On that note, I also see a lot of people beat themselves up over the scale.  1 pound and their life is going to end.  Obviously, weight fluctuates.  They talk about "falling off the wagon" or "cheating".  I don't believe in those things.  I believe in building certain things into your program so that you can be successful.  Are there days that I want to eat everything in sight?  Of course.  I wouldn't be human if I didn't have those days.  Give yourself some room to breathe.  If you find that you are 200 mg over in sodium after you make dinner, then what?  Oh well.  1 day, 1 meal will not change your life.

Variety is good for the body.  It keeps it guessing.  I believe that's why I am having good success with carb cycling.  My food is constantly switching and then I have a day where I can eat whatever I want.  I am aware that it could be damaging but it's not.  Moderation.  I give myself an extra 1,000 calories to have my way with and I'm happy.

Bottom line:  Getting healthy is a process.  It's not always easy but it's definitely worth it.

Looking Back at my Journey

I was thinking about my journey today.  I have been heavy my entire adult life.  I have never had an adult relationship where I didn't have a significant amount of extra weight to bring to it.  At my highest I was 167 pounds more than I should be.  It took me a few years of ups and downs before my family decided to join me in a "Biggest Loser" Challenge.  That was January of 2012 and I was still 146 pounds heavier than I wanted to be.  I lost 50 pounds in 2012.  I managed to maintained that weight and lost about 3 pounds in 2013.  It was a year of ups and downs and I recommitted myself toward the end of the year.  2014 is the year of my "double golden birthday" and I have to be healthy!  It is my mission to FINALLY get rid of the remaining 93 pounds.  I am down 14.6 so far after 5 weeks (15.7%).  I have a ways to go but I know that I can do it.  I have all the right systems in place - Healthy eating, working out, accountability and motivation teams and an overall desire to make it happen.  I can do this!  So can you! 


I often wonder what is going to happen when I hit my goal weight.  I anticipate that I will have a lifelong journey with my weight.  I may not need to be actively trying to lose it but I suspect that it will be just as much work to maintain my accomplishment.  I just hope that I know what healthy looks like and I won't fall back into old routines.  I have awhile to think about that so need to stress myself out with what could be.  I will worry about that when the time comes.  Just like what I'm going to wear when I am fit.  What a nice problem to have!