I am not a New Year resolution fan. The failure rate is a turn off to me. And although I do not make resolutions, I admit to trying and failing before deciding not to partake. I had an epiphany that random list of desires does not hold my attention. This evolved into small steps accumulating into long term goals being accomplished.
Example, I used to weigh 420lbs. I made personal changes, then had the weight loss surgery, and my best weight was 185. Never reaching my initial goal of 175. Will I get there! Who knows but the goal is established? To attain the goal, I chip away at it 5lbs at a time. When I reach a sustained 5lb or less then I gravitate to the next 5lbs. This keeps me on track and establish a boundary not allowing weight gain to become an excuse.
Here is How I accomplish my long-term goals:
- Set a Goal– A goal should not be unattainable, but a challenge. Careful consideration is needed because the goal should never change. All changes leading to the achieved goal are personal ones, but never the goal itself. At 420lbs all I wanted was to lose weight. Realistically losing weight is too broad of a goal, and I set a goal weight of 175lbs. To this day, I have no idea how or why 175lbs became the goal. But once I set the goal, I have never changed it.
- Implement a Plan– At 420lbs walking was a challenge. So, I decided to begin with a food reduction. One week into my plan, I was sitting in a restaurant crying because I could not have the desired meal. I quickly recognized this as a set up for failure and decided to remove two food items loved dearly. My daily large bag of peanut M&M’s and two-liter Pepsi (I have not indulged in dark chocolate or carbonated drinks since). This was a power move that allowed me to eat everything else desired. I
replaced the Pepsi with water and loss 20lbs in a month. I then switched fried meats for baked meats, more veggies, and less starch. Later removed bread, started exercising on the Gazelle (showing my age), and a year later I weighed 320lbs.
- Revisit and Revise– As I loss weight , I no longer desired the secrecy of my own four walls. I joined the Y for a community of weight loss hopefuls. I received encouragement, exercise and eating tips enhancing my weight loss journey. My job relocated and so did my gym. Big mistake! I injured my back attempting an inappropriate age and physical ability tactic. Leading to a cycle of pain, healing, and weight gain. 5 years post injury and weighing 220lbs; I began to search for pain management assistance to get myself back on track. I am no longer doing any PX-90 moves, but I am losing weight by dancing. I am currently 195lbs (which is not a lot of weight loss), but I had to devise a plan that would limit pain. With slow progression, I now exercise Monday, Tuesday, rest on Wednesday, exercise Thursday, Friday, and rest on weekends. This seems to work and lessen back pain. I will add another day of exercise or strength training later.
My 2021 goal is to continue the path to 175lbs. I will celebrate the 10th Anniversary since the weight loss surgery. And would love to begin planning skin removal. I would like to have the surgery this year, but a more realistic date will be decided after a consult. Before consult, I am aiming to weigh 185lbs this year. I am basing this on menopause, arthritis pain, and exercise routines structured around health and previous injuries. It would be a joy to weigh 175lbs by the end of the year, but realistically I have not weighed 185lbs in 8 years and finally under 200lbs in over 5 years. Over the last 6 months I lost about 25lbs. I am encouraged (many are gaining the corona 15)! But I am beginning to stabilize requiring another change in caloric intake and/or exercise adjustment. I will figure it out. What I enjoy most about not having a New Year Resolution is there is no failure only recalculations.
