My Journey With Weight Loss – So Now What?

I got on the scale yesterday and was stunned to see I am actually at my goal of losing 92lbs. Now remember, this is not the original goal that I set. I started with wanting to lose 62lbs then when I got close to that weight I thought let’s go 20lbs more and finally I said wait, I can do this and lose a total of 92lbs. Well, that has now been accomplished and I feel as well as look great. My husband asked me what my new goal is and I told him no, this is it. This is a weight that I am hoping I can sustain long term and I have a long term plan.

So now what? Really, not much is going to change. When I decided to get serious about this journey I realized I had a lot of bad habits that I had to get rid of and I believe I have done that in a smart way. Yes, I made significant changes to what I eat but it simply became a balance of healthy choices and being cognizant of what I am eating each day. I plan ahead most days so that I know what adjustments I have to make to compensate for what I am eating. Today, for example, I am avoiding carbs because I know I am going out for dinner tonight. I will eat some carbs at dinner but no more than I would in an average day. I also know I will be having a seafood dish so that I can get in some healthy fats. I’ve faced the fact that in order to be successful I have to look at this as a life change, not just a change to lose the weight. Going back to what I was doing before is not an option, I have no plans on giving up what I have done.

I’m going to focus on my new goal of running a 10k this year (even if it just by myself). I can’t wait for that to be my main priority (ok, maybe a little sarcasm there since I still don’t feel that ‘zone’ when I am training). I have healed so much mentally and physically that I am not carrying the same baggage that I had for so long. I admit that if I keep eating the way I do and increasing my cardio endurance that I may lose a few more pounds but if I don’t I won’t be disappointed. I told myself at the beginning of the year that I would give myself all of 2021 to lose those pesky last 10lbs but here I am 3 months into the year and I am already there. The rest of the year will be just getting myself even more fit.

Next weekend I am heading up to my trailer to enjoy Easter weekend with my sister. This will be the first trip of the season at the trailer and I am already planning ahead. I have most of our meals planned out and I will admit it now, I will be eating potato chips at some point (note, I have not had a potato chip in months). But, in the grocery order I have already placed there are also lots of healthy ingredients that are going to be incorporated into the meals. I also have mapped out my exercise schedule while we are up there. Though it will be reduced a bit from normal, I will still do some sort of workout each day including my running training on Saturday (I should note the forecast says we may get some snow Saturday so outdoor running could be challenging but I will figure it out). I get that some may read this and say why would you do all that planning? Well, anyone who is like me will understand that having a plan and a schedule in place helps keep me focused and will ensure that while I have a great time relaxing I won’t come home with any regrets.