Here's what I've been doing wrong when I start a new diet/ exercise plan- I only check the scale. So when week 2, 3, and so on roll around I get very discouraged by measly pounds lost and sometimes gained, despite my best efforts. When the scale stalls, I end up binging out of frustration and rebellion. I've always had it in my head that the scale should reflect the amount of effort I'm putting in, so I should easily be able to lose 10 pounds a week, dammit. I'm working hard to change that mentality. I'm also working on changing the 100 percent mentality in which I'm completely on plan or completely off. The completely off times account for a majority of my weight gain, because instead of eating like a normal person, I have an "I'll show you" attitude, and I eat everything I want all the time. I'm still not sure who I'm showing...I'm working on a "moderation is key attitude" now.
I haven't really discussed my diet on here- mostly because I think that's boring. I am a "live to eat" person, so eating healthfully doesn't excite me. I do feel that I should mention that on a typical day, I eat around 1500 calories, mostly from non-processed whole foods. A whole grain waffle with natural peanut butter for breakfast. An apple with low fat cheese for a snack. Lunch and dinner consist of something like stir fry, a portobello burger, or a salad- all with some sort of fruit. And I squeeze another snack in there, which lately has been pickles and cheese. Pickles have no calories. Did you know that? Awesome.
Along with my diet, the other thing I think that has helped tremendously is that I have significantly decreased my soda intake. I don't drink regular. I drink diet. Diet Dr. Pepper, to be exact. I <3 Diet Dr. Pepper so much so that I would leave Wesley just to marry into the Pepper family and have Pepper children. We would be Dr. and Mrs. Pepper. This, by far, is the hardest thing for me to give up, which is probably why I still have to have some every day. This also has held me back for quite some time. The thing is, most people think that it's no big deal since it's diet and has no calories. Well, the artificial sweetener is way sweeter than actual sugar, so when you overload your body with diet soda, it makes you crave that much more sugar, not to mention when it's the only thing you drink, it leaves you dehydrated, which makes you exhausted. Not a good motivator for being active. The Mayo Clinic has a great article which explains the harm in drinking too much. I try to keep it to 2 cups a day now, which is a tremendous decreae from my previous 2+ liters a day. I drink a ton of water, and I feel much better.
So, on to the week one results...
Pounds Lost -7
Right Bicep -1 in
Left Bicep -1 in
Chest -1 in
Waist -3 in (I measured a few times to make sure)
Hips -1 in
Abductors -2 in
Right thigh +1.5 in (Muscle?????)
Left Thigh +1.5 in
Total in lost = 6 inches
Not bad for the first week. This is much better motivation than just the scale for sure. I genuinely think the waist is due in part to cutting down soda and therefore not being as bloated. I knew the abductors (saddlebags) went down. Everything else, except the thighs, was a pleasant surprise. I'm hoping the thighs are gaining muscle. I've always had muscular legs, but I'm hoping they will trim down as I continue in the program.