Losing Weight- What a Difference a Few Pounds Make

 ...I lost 35 pounds...

    It was not due to the stress of my recent divorce, it was because I finally had time to work out.  I could finally put myself first after 10 years.  I felt like myself again. Before getting married I always worked out and took care of my mind, body and spirit. After marriage my mind, body and spirit were slowly whittled away with verbal and emotional abuse. But that story is for another day, and another post. The reason I wanted to post about my weight loss was to share how absolutely easy it really can be. 

I made two changes...

Number 1- Eat less. I still ate everything, and I mean everything, that I have always eaten only less of it. And I will admit I am not the healthiest eater. In fact, I really need to take a look at that but I am not ready for that lifestyle change quite yet. 

Number 2- Move more. I got off the couch and out of bed and moved. I started with walking my dog.  A slow walk- I have a French Bulldog and he has short legs and a low tolerance for exercise. With time I kept increasing the amount of time I walked, increased my pace and before I knew it I had to start jogging and pretty soon I was training for a 5K. 

    I know....I couldn't believe it either. I have always hated running. Running just brought memories from High School PE class and of huffing, puffing, side aches and dry throat while getting timed for the mile out on the track. I couldn't think of anything I would like to do less other than folding laundry. Seriously though, hated it. I would do the power walk thing in the past, but I was mostly an aerobics type of girl. The music, the dancing, the cute outfits back in the 90's...that was my thing. I was not made for running, I was a cheerleader for goodness sake!

     

    So when you are mentally ready, take it slooow, eat a little less, and move a little more, lie to yourself and say- I am just going to walk around the block today, but then you will love the feeling and go farther. Plus, the stress relief and the endorphines you get will make you happy! I hope reading this will give you the push to start on a weight loss journey. And I mean a journey, not a race. You are worth it and your family will thank you for it. I kid you not. One of the best decisions I have made.

****Disclaimer**** That is not me in the picture. I am still working on getting there.