Friday, April 10, 2009

Putting it out There

I am going to lose weight.

It makes me nervous to put it out there, but there it is.

I am the sort of person who believes strongly in following through on what they say they are going to do. I have been trying to improve my eating habits for a long time now, but it seems that I back track very quickly. Usually I wake up in the morning committed to eating healthier and then give up by noon. Back in 2001 I lost 50 pounds so I know that I CAN do it. It is just a matter of getting started and building some momentum. And my theory is that if I put my goal out there, publicly I will be more committed to my effort.

I've always been a fat girl. Even when I lost weight I was still chubby or at least felt that way. When I lost weight in 2001, I was able to maintain it for a few years even. But then I started grad school and gain 20 pounds. And then I tried to get pregnant but couldn't and gained 20 pounds. Then I got pregnant and while I am near to my pre-pregnancy weight that is still nowhere near my ultimate goal.

I would like to lose weight to feel healthier. To set a good example for my daughter. To feel good about my body. To have more energy. I believe in losing weight at a healthy pace, and I've read enough to know all the things that I SHOULD do. It is just a matter of doing them. I do not have a specific weight loss goal at this point as this is not really about reaching a particular number. It is more about how I feel.

I'm starting in small steps because it is too much to make all the needed habit changes at once. That is what I always try to do and a big part of why I give up mid-day. Instead I am going to start by keeping a food journal and limiting myself to 1800 calories per day. I will probably lower that a little bit down the road but 1800 is a good place to start. As I get momentum I will try to add in exercise which is my biggest demon.

I know that I might backslide. But I've told you all I'm going to do this so I will. And I know I can.

So yeah you might have to hear about this from time to time. But I know I'm not the only fat girl on the planet so maybe some of you can relate.

15 comments:

RBandRC said...

I can totally relate. It's tough to lose weight, but I think the food journal is a GREAT place to start. Wishing you lots of luck and long-lasting results! ((HUGS))

magena said...

Sounds like a good plan to me! At weight watchers, they have you write everything down, and I swear that helps more than anything.
*Start monday morning, cause tomorrow will be too fun, and sunday you have to eat all of Jillian's peeps, cadbury eggs, and jelly beans!

K @ ourboxofrain said...

As one who is in the midst of a similar effort (and also as one who lost weight -- 35 pounds -- in 2001 and kept most of it off for a while, then gained 15 pounds in grad school and 20 following a miscarriage), I can definitely relate. I'll do whatever I can to lend support. We can do this!

Jen said...

Oh Cadbury cream eggs...

Birdee said...

I battle my weight since I had my (first) son. I was so naturally thin (104-118 at 5'8").
And now, tho ppl dissagree because they still think I'm naturally thing (only because I've been thin a while) I work very hard to keep it off and stay in shape. It's a B* sometimes and very discouraging as I age on how hard it is to keep it off.
But yes, it can be done. The only thing I'd suggest because of my mother's history of dieting and only gaining weight, is if you find you have a problem losing, go see a Dr and maybe even a hormone therapist (check out those new bio-identical hormone replacements - only if needed) and get help. We know all to well what it's like to need help with our bodies.
But here's to your new weight loss committment =D and hopefully our body will just respond well w/o interventions. There's a million programs, and I believe many will work, not just ONE. I hope you find what works well for you and you enjoy it.
Wanna come running with me? ::cheesy grin::

Kelly said...

After Miss Thing arrives, I will join your weight loss group! I've been athletic-sized my whole life until I hurt my back playing college sports. Then I gained a bunch of weight because I could barely walk for almost a year. I've been up and down ever since
(4+ yrs). I've really been thinking about getting down to ~my~ ideal size which I think is a size 7/8. That's what I was in H.S. and most of college and felt really comfortable there. Plus I want to be a good example for my daughter too:)

Anyway!! Good for you:)

Sunny said...

Good for you, that's awesome! Limiting calories is a great place to start. I hope the weight melts right off.

Oh, and cute new blog style! :)

George said...

Motivation like this is just great...good luck!!!

B said...

Good for you! I did WW and lost 40+ pounds and it's so rewarding. I hope you have lots of success. =)

Bud2400 said...

Heh, food journals. I've seen those go wrong before, resulting in quite a bit of detrimental effects on those individuals. Whatever you do Jen, don't obsess over it so greatly that you wind up starving yourself / denying yourself nutrients you need, but at the same time, remaining firm enough to achieve your goal of losing weight. Balance is key.

Kathy V said...

Good Luck. I am hoping it goes well for you.

Maria said...

Good luck!! It's tough, but it's so worth the outcome of being healthier and feeling better about yourself.

If this cycle doesn't work for me, I'm throwing myself back into working out. I've gained too much weight through all these years of fertility treatments.

Barb said...

Good luck sweetie! You'll do great!

nancy said...

Good for you Jen. We'll be here to support you!

chicklet said...

I'm always here to root on someone trying to lose weight, and I have lotsa tips and tricks (uh, assvice?) if you want them. I shall otherwise keep them to myself.

But I think the best thing you can do is what you just did - make it public, because then you're accountable, which always helps:-)

Good luck!