Staying Motivated

My biggest and most difficult goal this new year has been to lose weight. Since I returned from Europe 3 summers ago, I packed on the weight I lost and then some. America is fat by virtue. But this year, I decided that it was time and have concentrated my efforts not only in exercise, but revamping my diet as well. It has totally paid off! As of this morning, I have lost 9 pounds!

This is more than I've been able to lose in the last three years, I feel like a big loser! In the Biggest Loser sense, that is. This small success motivates me to keep going, even when I don't feel like it. Logging and counting calories has helped tremendously, mostly because I can be a control freak, and this helps with my control tendencies. Exercise is totally second nature to me (finally!) and I have been going 4-5 days a week. I'm so pleased that I'm making progress. There's nothing more discouraging than not getting anywhere... (i.e. me in the last few years).

I knew 2008 was going to be great!

My Relationship with Food.

I love food. I'm pretty sure that it loves me back, especially when it tries to get all up close and personal with me on my hips, thighs, and belly.

This year, I'm evaluating my relationship with food. I'm trying to become a conscious eater and think about what I'm putting into my body. My goal is to make progress this year with my efforts concentrated on improving my eating habits and continuing my exercise regime.

Growing up, we used to eat fast food after school. Since my mom had to work a lot, we'd have to stay in extended care, or as I like to call it, the Land of Watered Down Punch and Raisins. I came to despise little boxes of raisins after those years. So fast food was always a treat. I didn't know anything about all the calories that were packed in McDonald's Happy Meals or a #5. It all just tasted good. I didn't know that I was basically drinking pure sugar and then letting it develop into junk in my trunk by sitting watching TV. Looking back, I wish I had said no. I remember now why we used to give up fast food for Lent. It was probably the best sacrifice we could have made.

All through college I ate whatever I wanted. At one point I tried the Atkins diet, and I did lose 8lbs. However, as soon as I had my first delicious carbohydrate, 10lbs found their way back to my midsection. I studied abroad in France and ate everything I desired. But since I had to walk everywhere, sometimes miles a day, when I got back to the US, I had lost almost 20lbs! Without even noticing. Unfortunately, re-entry into Fatsoville, I mean the good old USA, brought on the return of those lost pounds.

Finally, now that I'm out of college and feel much more in control of my life, I've developed an exercise routine. Exercise has not been my stumbling block. It's all the food and appropriate serving sizes. I've belonged to the Clean Plate Club my whole life. It's only in the last few weeks that I've been testing my stomach and metabolism. I've learned that I can get by without all the sugar and fats. Eating one cookie slowly provides (almost) the same amount of satisfaction as cramming 5 cookies down my throat.

I love food and will continue to love it. I know I could never become anorexic. As much as I don't like being fat, my love for food outweighs starving myself. Like they say about everything, moderation is key. It's going to happen in 2008. Lots of great things.

Motivation, not just another noun.

Ah motivation. My coworker told me about this website SparkPeople.com which has some great resources and support networks for getting back to a healthy lifestyle and finding your "happy" weight. It's the first website I've seen that's totally free, but provides above average resources.

You enter in your goals and SparkPeople will generate an exercise and meal plan based on your answers. You can modify your goals, fitness, and meal plans as needed. You can read articles about health, fitness, and motivation. There are little quizzes and polls, and interactive activities that keep the site fun. It also has the social networking aspect where you have a "page" where you can describe your goals, your program, and why you joined Spark. You can comment on the pages, post to the message boards, and join groups. As opposed to a social networking site like MySpace - where skanks and child predators play, this site is more inspirational and motivational than any other. I especially enjoy reading success stories.

I'm motivated. Now with the support of three coworkers, we're all embarking on a similar journey. Thanks SparkPeople!