The idea of "losing weight" for me is definitely not a new one. I have made countless attempts at weight loss, some even successful in the short run, but I have really maintained anything long term. My story begins quite young actually, I think I was about 10 or 11 when I started worrying about my weight. It' sad, but true. I weighed about the same then as I do now, but was much shorter which therefore made me overweight. Up until I was 14 though, I had never really taken my thoughts about weight loss into action. Throughout high school I would go through periods where I would eat healthy most days of the week and exercise fairly regularly. But I always had this little voice in the back of my head saying "you can't keep this up" "someone like you could never be successful at this" "you can't do it" "one day you'll just give up and this will all be for nothing". Turns out, those thoughts would always come to reality. After just one cheat day, I would think "oh yeah, guess my thoughts were right." Which is not the way it should be!! I let my head get to me just when the going was getting good!
2014 was pretty special in my weight loss journey as I reached my lowest weight since I can remember (yes, more than 8 years ago!). This was exciting for me! It was my last semester of high school. I had a spare everyday and the gym was right accross the road so it was easy to make the effort. And I always found it easier to pack a healthy lunch, so I ate healthy at school all week, leading to healthier choices on the weekends too! But after prom (and the pressures of looking good in my dress!), I slowly started to gain a pound or two back, which accelerated over the summer as I stopped working out. And then, I started my first semester of university this past fall, and the inevitable freshman 15 proved to be very real.
Throughout my long journey, I have aquired a lot of information about fitness and nutrition. I have been exposed to countless videos, opinions and blog posts about the "right way" to lose weight. And I have even tried cleansing to "kickstart" my diet (which for me, totally didn't work because I just felt totally deprived the whole time!).
I have found though, through all of this, that the best thing I can do for myself is find healthy foods that I love and never putting limitations on what I can and can't eat. I have decided that it is necessary to indulge once and a while (probably every week to be honest) if I want to sustain my healthy diet. And of course, it is most important to find exercise that I enjoy doing, or else I will eventually stop doing it.
Another significant part of my journey that I haven't yet mentioned is Tone It Up. I found this program about a year and half ago. This program has been one of the most influential aspects of my journey. I love how they always host challenges at different times of the year, I just wish I could stick through with them! This year, I am going to follow their Love Your Body Series which started on January 1st and goes through utnil Valentine's day, but I am going to allow myself more flexibility in the schedule so that is most enjoyable for me!
For me, 2015 is going to be all about taking the things that I have learned throughout my journey and working them into my health and fitness routines!
Lastly, if you're still with me, I would like to add that one of the main reasons why I joined this DietBet is to help earn extra money to put towards my volunteer trip to Peru this upcoming May (while adding incentive to follow through with my weight loss goals). If you are interested in learning more or would like to donate, you can visit the following link:
http://www.volunteerforever.com/volunteer_profile/erika-pateman
Thank you, and good luck to everyone! :)