I have always struggled with my weight. It’s been something on my mind since I was in middle school. There has always been this voice in the back of my head whenever I go to eat something for pleasure, like ice cream (my weakness). But I am turning 21 and I will be graduating college in December so I’ve decided it’s time to start changing my lifestyle, partially so I have more calories to spare for alcohol. But really, I have made a plan that I would like to share with all of you out there.
I am starting this journey in April. This is 2 months before it’s time to put on a bikini and head to the beach, and a month before my birthday. But I want to make one thing clear. I am not doing this to look good in a bikini. Of course, that is a perk, but I am doing this to be healthy and happy. I don’t feel good about the way I am living right now. I spend most of my free time on the couch watching Shonda Rhimes’ masterpieces on ABC. I’m lazy and I’m getting restless because of it. So, this is to feel better. Not to look better, although again, that is an added bonus.
My diet change will be related to portion control only. I am not going on one of those crazy no carb diets, or living only on smoothies. I am going to be eating off of a cake plate. Not literally all of the time, but that size. I am limiting my portions to a smaller dish to ensure that I will not overeat. Of course it’ll be tempting to go back for seconds but I refuse. This is a normal portion size; right now, I am for sure eating more than I should. Making my portions smaller will eventually allow me to get fuller by eating less food and in the end will help my metabolism. Overall, a positive, healthy change in my life.
My exercise routine right now is non existent. Sometimes I get the urge to go lift some weights or do push ups and crunches, but really I just don’t work out. This is going to change. I am going to start walking and then work my way up to jogging. I want to walk/jog for at least 45 minutes every other day. The days that I am not doing cardio will be used for weight training. This way I can tone and gain strength while I am recovering from the cardio. I am hoping that this will give me the greatest results.
I need to lose at least 10 pounds to be considered at a healthy weight, but I will not be stepping on the scale. This is all about feeling better. I think the fitness craze today is too focused on numbers, whether that be your weight or your jean size. I don’t want to have a goal other than that I want to be comfortable and energized more than I am today. In the past I have tried other diets and workout routines but I’ve never been able to stick with them. This is a realistic change to my lifestyle. 45 minutes a day is not a lot, considering I watch 3 hours every Thursday of Greys Anatomy, Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder.
I know I can do this and I will be updating every month with how I’m doing! I hope to inform you that in May I have stuck to my routine for a full month and am already making progress.