Monday, 20 October 2014
Where to next...?
When I started my path to the current me..these are the goals I set on my MFP profile:
- I want to look hot!
- Be healthy and reduce risk of future problem
- I want to fit into sexy clothes
- Be fit
The ones about wanting to look hot and fit into sexy clothes cracks me up because that one really just comes down to lack of confidence and wanting to feel attractive (which I didn't).
I feel like all of these I can now check off!!!
Monday, 6 October 2014
20 things I learnt while dropping 30 kilos
I actually did it! I reached 30 kilos of weight lost!!!
When I set the goal back in May 2013 I honestly did not think I would make it, I thought it was way too ambitious, but there you go ..it can be done if you just work hard every single day. I am so proud of my achievement and the changes I've been able to make, most of which have been mental changes for me. I have a lot more goals ahead of me...this is definitely not the end. In the meantime, I thought I would share with you 20 lessons I learned on my journey so far. :)
1. Take responsibility for where you're at and how you got there. I used to be in denial about how unhealthy I was, and justify my reasons for being lazy. Once I 'woke up' and came to terms with what I had been doing to my body all of those years, I realised the power to change had always been in my hands. Taking responsibility for where you've gone wrong makes it easier to come up with an action plan for the future, and actually make it happen.
As painful and shocking it can be to 'wake up', it is empowering, and sets you free.
2. Dream big, set big goals, but be realistic about the time frames to achieve them.
Commit yourself to said goals, and take action to make it happen. It is important to have more short term, mid term and long term goals, and make these measurable so you can actually track progress.
3. Be positive and appreciate everything. This is something that has been really important for me but I think it has also made my life happier and fuller, because I take the time to acknowledge and appreciate everything that is good in my life. I am a lot more open about my feelings in general. If I want something, I am going to do everything I can to make it happen. If I appreciate something or am thankful for something, I will make it known. Even if it's just little compliments to my friends... Life is way too short to keep all that stuff locked up inside. By focusing on the good, it is a lot easier to move forward.
4. Obstacles will happen, sometimes you will fail. It is ok to get frustrated and angry, and it's ok to cry sometimes, as long as you get back up and keep going, that is all that matters.
5. Even if you are doing everything right by the book, your body is unique to you and will respond in a unique way to everything you do. Just let it do it's thing! There is no one thing that works for everyone. Find what works for you and stick with it.
6. Everyone says this one..but it's true. There are no quick fixes or miracles to help you lose weight. In order to make your efforts sustainable for the long term, it has to be a lifestyle change. There's a lot of different solutions and information all over the internet, magazines etc... make sure you do your research. At the end of the day, nothing is going to be better for you than a healthy balanced diet and exercise.
7. Take responsibility for what goes in your mouth and learn portion sizes. You don't have to deprive yourself of anything if you just stay accountable and pay attention to what goes in.
8. Food is not the enemy...look at food as a way to nourish yourself, rather than as a reward. Once I let go of the attitude of eating because I wanted to for whatever reason, and made it about eating when I needed to, I gained a lot more control and I am no longer a prisoner to food.
9. Make moving/exercising fun, choose something that you enjoy and build from there. Start small and figure out what you like. Anything at all is better than sitting on your butt.
10. Try new things. Stuff I used to frown upon, I've actually ended up enjoying. Just give it a go!
11. People will treat you differently. You will make new friends, and also lose some.
12. Not everyone will understand your reasons or what's involved mentally and physically for you to get through your journey. Don't hold this against them.
13. Surround yourself with people who will keep you inspired and motivated. Like-minded people, one's on a similar journey, at the gym, via forums, Facebook groups etc. These are the people that will help keep you on track the most.
14. Be patient. So important. Nothing will happen overnight. All of the positive changes you make will add up eventually.
15. Celebrate successes, no matter how big or small, it is a success. Use it as motivation.
16. Don't compare yourself or your results to those around you or social media etc. Your only competition is you. You don't have to be perfect as long as you try your best every single time.
17. You are strong and capable of so much more than you think, you will surprise yourself over and over at what you are able to achieve. Feed off this positivity.
18. Just keep going and never give up.
19. Don't forget who you were and where you came from. Being a former fat person is part of who I am and always will be. While it would be easier just to push out the bad memories of the old days and how awful I used to feel, it is important to remind myself every now and again of how it was being the big girl and it makes me appreciate even more that I found the strength and discipline to turn my life around.
20. This journey never ends. You will reach goals and make new ones but having a healthy lifestyle for good means working at it for good. This is why it's key that you make it enjoyable and it will just become part of who you are.
Thanks for reading and for your support. It really means a lot more than I can put into words. :)
When I set the goal back in May 2013 I honestly did not think I would make it, I thought it was way too ambitious, but there you go ..it can be done if you just work hard every single day. I am so proud of my achievement and the changes I've been able to make, most of which have been mental changes for me. I have a lot more goals ahead of me...this is definitely not the end. In the meantime, I thought I would share with you 20 lessons I learned on my journey so far. :)
1. Take responsibility for where you're at and how you got there. I used to be in denial about how unhealthy I was, and justify my reasons for being lazy. Once I 'woke up' and came to terms with what I had been doing to my body all of those years, I realised the power to change had always been in my hands. Taking responsibility for where you've gone wrong makes it easier to come up with an action plan for the future, and actually make it happen. As painful and shocking it can be to 'wake up', it is empowering, and sets you free.
2. Dream big, set big goals, but be realistic about the time frames to achieve them.
Commit yourself to said goals, and take action to make it happen. It is important to have more short term, mid term and long term goals, and make these measurable so you can actually track progress.
3. Be positive and appreciate everything. This is something that has been really important for me but I think it has also made my life happier and fuller, because I take the time to acknowledge and appreciate everything that is good in my life. I am a lot more open about my feelings in general. If I want something, I am going to do everything I can to make it happen. If I appreciate something or am thankful for something, I will make it known. Even if it's just little compliments to my friends... Life is way too short to keep all that stuff locked up inside. By focusing on the good, it is a lot easier to move forward.
4. Obstacles will happen, sometimes you will fail. It is ok to get frustrated and angry, and it's ok to cry sometimes, as long as you get back up and keep going, that is all that matters.
5. Even if you are doing everything right by the book, your body is unique to you and will respond in a unique way to everything you do. Just let it do it's thing! There is no one thing that works for everyone. Find what works for you and stick with it.
6. Everyone says this one..but it's true. There are no quick fixes or miracles to help you lose weight. In order to make your efforts sustainable for the long term, it has to be a lifestyle change. There's a lot of different solutions and information all over the internet, magazines etc... make sure you do your research. At the end of the day, nothing is going to be better for you than a healthy balanced diet and exercise.
7. Take responsibility for what goes in your mouth and learn portion sizes. You don't have to deprive yourself of anything if you just stay accountable and pay attention to what goes in.
8. Food is not the enemy...look at food as a way to nourish yourself, rather than as a reward. Once I let go of the attitude of eating because I wanted to for whatever reason, and made it about eating when I needed to, I gained a lot more control and I am no longer a prisoner to food.
9. Make moving/exercising fun, choose something that you enjoy and build from there. Start small and figure out what you like. Anything at all is better than sitting on your butt.
10. Try new things. Stuff I used to frown upon, I've actually ended up enjoying. Just give it a go!
11. People will treat you differently. You will make new friends, and also lose some.
12. Not everyone will understand your reasons or what's involved mentally and physically for you to get through your journey. Don't hold this against them.
13. Surround yourself with people who will keep you inspired and motivated. Like-minded people, one's on a similar journey, at the gym, via forums, Facebook groups etc. These are the people that will help keep you on track the most.
14. Be patient. So important. Nothing will happen overnight. All of the positive changes you make will add up eventually.
15. Celebrate successes, no matter how big or small, it is a success. Use it as motivation.
16. Don't compare yourself or your results to those around you or social media etc. Your only competition is you. You don't have to be perfect as long as you try your best every single time.
17. You are strong and capable of so much more than you think, you will surprise yourself over and over at what you are able to achieve. Feed off this positivity.
18. Just keep going and never give up.
19. Don't forget who you were and where you came from. Being a former fat person is part of who I am and always will be. While it would be easier just to push out the bad memories of the old days and how awful I used to feel, it is important to remind myself every now and again of how it was being the big girl and it makes me appreciate even more that I found the strength and discipline to turn my life around.
20. This journey never ends. You will reach goals and make new ones but having a healthy lifestyle for good means working at it for good. This is why it's key that you make it enjoyable and it will just become part of who you are.
Thanks for reading and for your support. It really means a lot more than I can put into words. :)
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