As we officially end one year and begin another, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a wonderful New Year and the best of everything in 2015.
As always, a new year seems like a good time to make new commitments, because we are making a "fresh start" or new beginning. Now is the time to rethink our options and make our resolutions. It's, also time to decide what we are going to do for the next year, regarding our weight loss efforts.
There are many different methods of losing weight -- a new diet comes along almost every day; new articles are printed in magazines with suggestions of all kinds, from diets to exercise routines and of course, they all profess to be the best.
I still find that making small changes and taking baby steps is the safest way to go. Healthy lifestyle changes that we can maintain are by far the best...
I began my weight loss journey in 2008, when my thyroid malfunctioned and I suddenly gained 30 lbs that I have not been able to lose. Of course, along the way, other health issues have required medications that only added to the problem. I'm quite sure that I've gained and lost the same 5 lbs, numerous times, over the past few years, even while I gained additional weight . Sometimes, frustration runs high, other times I look at lab results or my notes on how I felt at a given time and determine to "forgive" myself.
If you have medical issues, like I do, please make sure they’re under control before embarking on a weight loss journey, or you may only set yourself up for disappointment. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor to make sure the plan you are starting is appropriate and safe for you.
I’m not a fan of “dieting” per se, as I believe in making diet and exercise choices that I can maintain over the long term vs drastic choices that I’ll only be able to tolerate for a week or two, at the most. Once I realize I can't do those any longer, I feel like a failure... I don't do those any more.
I’ve been doing quite well lately, and over the past 6 weeks, I’ve managed to lose about 13 lbs, so I’m hoping to keep my momentum going in the new year, though I’ve kind of “blown it”, with the Christmas holiday. So I forgive myself and move on…
Safe weight loss is 1-2 lbs/week, but with my medical conditions and the medications I take, I think 1 lb/wk is probably reasonable. I’m challenging every one of you to “meet or beat” my goal.
All you have to do to join, is make a commitment to lose at least 1 pound/week. Can’t be *that* hard, right?? Hmmmmmm, we’ll see about that!! LOL
So here we go; just post below that you want to join, then start by losing (weight, that is). I’ll post a Sunday weigh in thread to keep track of progress. For those not familiar with the Sunday Weigh In (I haven’t been doing them, due to lack of participation) – this is a post that I do each Sunday, in which we post our weight loss for the previous week, “brag” about our successes, talk about whatever problems we might have encountered, what we might do to change things, encourage those having problems staying on course, etc……….. Watch for it – I’ll post it every Sunday morning, with the title “Sunday Weigh In (date)”.
Everyone is welcome to post on the weigh in thread, whether or not you choose to join this challenge.
Are you ready?? LET’S “WIN” BY LOSING (weight)
It's 11:30 pm ET, so the New Year starts in 30 minutes... Happy New Year... and best of luck to everyone..