My Weight Loss Story
Contents
- Weight loss goals
- Step #1 - Join a Gym
- Find a gym
- Step #2 - Start Exercising
- When to Exercise
- Exercise bookmarks on Del.icio.us
- Step #3 - Reduce Sugar Consumption
- Great Tasting Sugar-Free Creamer
- Blog Posts from Google
- Step #4 - Cut Out the Eating Out
- Calorie Counter
- Step #5 - Cook Healthy Meals
- Healthy Recipes
- Conclusion
- Reader Feedback
Weight loss goals
Step #1 - Join a Gym
Yeah, I know. They're expensive. You don't have to join a gym to exercise. It's embarrassing.I used all those excuses every time I tried to start an exercise routine. For me taking a walk, or exercise videos were not enough. It wasn't until I joined our local YMCA that I stuck to my commitment to exercise.
Find a gym
- YMCA Finder
- Use these link to find your nearest YMCA.
- Gold's Gym Locator
- This link will help you locate a Gold's Gym near you.
- Gym.com
- Gym.com has a gym locator. A gym has to register with their site to be listed.
- 24 Hour Fitness
- Locate a 24 Hour Fitness near you.
Step #2 - Start Exercising
After about two weeks, I set up an appointment with a trainer. He set up a very simple weight routine. He also showed me how to use the elliptical trainer which is now my workout machine of choice.
The key to exercise for me was to set very easy, obtainable goals. Then I was encouraged that I was meeting my easy goals and very slowly set higher goals. Consistency and getting better have been my focus over the last 21 months.
When to Exercise
Another common difficulty in exercising, is finding time to exercise. I personally have had to get up earlier in order to have a consistent exercise time. I workout from about 5:45 to 6:30 am.
Exercise bookmarks on Del.icio.us
Step #3 - Reduce Sugar Consumption
After faithfully exercising at least 3 times a week for several months I had lost 12 lbs! Not bad at all. However, my weight loss chart had leveled off.The next step (or should I say drastic measure!) was to finally admit to myself that I was an addict. Yes, a Dr. Pepper addict. I knew all the bad stuff about soda. I really wanted the caffeine. I decided that if I really wanted to lose the weight the sugar soft drinks would have to go. However, I did not cut out my caffeine consumption. I switched to coffee. I was never a coffee drinker, but have found that if I flavor it up using Sugar Free flavored creamer, it is actually drinkable. And I didn't turn into a caffeineless slug.
Great Tasting Sugar-Free Creamer
Blog Posts from Google
Step #4 - Cut Out the Eating Out
The reason that quitting eating out helped me to lose weight it that I eat much better at home. There are a couple of reasons why I didn't usually eat well at a restaurant.
1. Due to financial constraints (did I mention I have 4 kids?), our eating out usually consisted of fast food.
2. I tend to be drawn to some of the worst items on the menu. No broiled chicken and a side of steamed vegetables for me, oh no. I usually order fried chicken strips with fries or something equally fatty.
Calorie Counter
- Chowbaby.com
- Chowbaby.com has fast food nutritional information. You can even purchase a guide to take with you!
- Washington Post
- Here's another calorie counter from the Washington Post.
Step #5 - Cook Healthy Meals
Frankly, eating frozen meals at home isn't that much different than eating fast food out. It is much healthier to cook simple, healthy meals at home. I have developed a basic menu plan that I repeat every week. I make my menu plan for the month and buy all but my perishable food in one large shopping trip.
For example our typical weekly menu is:
Monday - Baked tilapia,
Tuesday - Spaghetti
Wednesday - Breakfast (could be pancakes, eggs, quiche, etc.)
Thursday - Bean dish (either lentils or red beans and rice)
Friday - Macaroni and cheese (homemade, not the box)
Saturday - Chicken
Sunday - varies
It's not tremendously exciting, but I have a plan, I have the ingredients, and dinner gets made. Therefore there is no last minute deciding to pick up pizza or burgers. A menu plan can also save a lot of money, but that's for another lens!
Healthy Recipes
Cookbooks on Amazon
Quick & Healthy Recipes and Ideas: For people who say they don't have time to cook healthy meals, 3rd Edition
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/10/2009) 
Real Food for Healthy Kids: 200+ Easy, Wholesome Recipes
Amazon Price: $22.76 (as of 07/10/2009)
Honey: More than 75 Delicious & Healthy Recipes
Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 07/10/2009)
The Top 100 Recipes for Happy Kids: Keep Your Child Alert, Focused, Active and Healthy (Top 100 Recipes For...)
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/10/2009)
Eat, Live, Love: The Great Tasting, Low Carb, High Fiber, High Protein, Super Healthy Recipes That You've Prayed For
Amazon Price: $7.99 (as of 07/10/2009)
Conclusion
Reader Feedback
JoyfulPamela wrote...
This is so encouraging to me. I really need to get myself back on track. I will certainly try! Thank you for your lens!
Posted June 12, 2009
Jimmie wrote...
Wow! Four kids and at your age 22 weight. Amazing!
Practical tips without hype. Thanks for encouraging your readers.
Posted October 20, 2008
Nimsy wrote...
Well done for acheiving what so many of us would love to and sharing your tips..
Posted October 16, 2008
SoniaC wrote...
Great lens!! I totally agree with the soda addiction. It's hard to kick it because they're so "tasty," but I've been Cherry-Coke-free for a month now and I can definitely tell the difference. (dropped 10 lbs) However, I kicked the caffeine habit at the same time. If I could just figure out how to do the gym thing...my excuse is a bit more "legitimate"..when am I supposed to go? I have a bit of a crazy schedule that is driven by my husband's schedule. I guess I'll have to figure out how to make that work now. :-) Maybe if I just used my Wii fit every day, it would help. It's so much more "fun" than a exercise video. :-)
Posted October 15, 2008
SoniaC wrote...
Great lens!! I totally agree with the soda addiction. It's hard to kick it because they're so "tasty," but I've been Cherry-Coke-free for a month now and I can definitely tell the difference. (dropped 10 lbs) However, I kicked the caffeine habit at the same time. If I could just figure out how to do the gym thing...my excuse is a bit more "legitimate"..when am I supposed to go? I have a bit of a crazy schedule that is driven by my husband's schedule. I guess I'll have to figure out how to make that work now. :-) Maybe if I just used my Wii fit every day, it would help. It's so much more "fun" than a exercise video. :-)
Posted October 15, 2008
