I cannot get over the amazing show of support that I have received in writing this blog. I share it's existence with a couple of people each day, and the feedback has been uplifting, to say the least. Some of the feedback has been in the form of emails which, unfortunately, can't be shared here in full. Those, together with the comments here, are beyond any expectation I had. And I am grateful for the advice. So THANK you to everyone.A couple of things worth addressing today. First is why I chose 1200 calories as my daily limit rather than something higher. Believe me, I realized it seems low. But the truth is, anything higher and I wouldn't lose any weight. My metabolism has been abnormally slow for a couple of years. There is nothing wrong me but I continued to gain weight even when I wasn't ingesting much. At one point if I ate anything over 1300 I would gain. I have no explanation, and have been to a couple of doctors about it. It's slowed substantially, but is still a problem. I am hoping this program will shake things up.
Soooo, on other fronts: Today I took the advice of a fellow loser, and when I went to the gym today I focused on my time instead of distance. That went pretty good, but I was sort of tired today. Couldn't get my groove going, so I just walked a little slower. But I stayed on the treadmill for 40 minutes and then hopped on a stationary bike to round out a full hour. My exercise goal is to try and improve the walk in both time and distance. Within a couple of weeks I would like to add weights and the pool. So we'll see how that goes.
Had a good food day today too. Went out to lunch, which can sometimes be a challenge. But I counted calories all day long and used up 600 calories at lunch. I had a cup of chicken chili and a bagel. I love bread. I LOOOOVVVVEEE bread. I know you're suppose to avoid it when you are trying to lose weight, but I just don't see that as a possibility. I would rather cut calories than cut out bread. I can cut back and I can eat light bread, but I can't imagine giving it up completely. Maybe that's why I'm in this position to begin with! Hahaha.
Anyway -- this has been a good week for me. I figure I will get healthier and healthier as I go. Maybe that's when the bread will go . . I'll see. But don't hold your breath.
Have a super weekend all!
P.S. To Anonymous: I heart you! You are my role model! But I HAVE to get on the scale everyday. It's my last vice, and I need something to be addicted to! lol. By the way, if you get to have beer, does that mean I can have my wine????
Has anyone told you that when you begin to replace fat with muscle tissue, your metabolism will increase? That's right. Aerobic exercise is for losing fat (and keeping your heart in shape). Working with weights, strength conditioning (swimming will do this!) is what will help you build muscle tissue. So, I'm SO glad to hear you adding variety to your exercise routine. Maybe when you walk, begin carrying 1 pound free weights and move those arms. Or, put 1 pound ankle weights on. That small change adds some strength conditioning to your exercise which equals an increase in metabolism.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't know how true this is, but I read somewhere that it's important to drink 8 oz of water before you exercise. Staying hydrated during exercise keeps your metabolism up. Get dehydrated during exercise, and your metabolism slows DOWN during exercise! WATER!!!