Fall 2010 proved to be a challenging semester for me, physically. Having a broken foot for over a month prevented me from doing any workout, except upper body which is decent but doesn't burn even a dent of calories. Recovering from my foot injury was a slow process as well, and proved to be more difficult than I thought. While not working out for 2 months is something that doesn't sound too devastating, it is important to understand my body. I don't even understand my body, but I think I've finally mastered most of what its about with regards to fitness.
Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure I was not graced with a fast metabolism. What I mean by this is that I can look at a soda and gain 2 pounds. (Okay, not literally.. but humor me here). In January, I decided it was time to smack down on my body and whip it back into shape.
My body frame is not small - I have never been one of those teeny girls with size 1 jeans that are baggy. I have a pretty curvaceous figure as well and I'm also pretty tall, which is a blessing since I can carry my weight well, but a curse because changes aren't too noticeable to most people. However, by having a curvy, dense, and tall body I must work hard to maintain healthy proportions. In January I felt as though I had reached a tipping point - I could either continue on the path I was on and have unhappy results or, I could kick it in gear and get into better shape.
Look, thats me in high school! Marching band and being on the tennis team kept me rather slim and trim and probably at the smallest size ever, for me. I know I'm not alone when I say I miss my high school body (minus people who have improved their high school body, which is wonderful). I understand though, that with the end of high school also comes growing up, a changing metabolism, calorie temptations in college, and less exercise, among other roadblocks.
I may never reach my "high school body" but.. I refuse to be where I don't want to be.
This is me on Halloween, 2010 at my most unhappy point with regards to my body. You may be thinking, "but Jen, you don't look that different." Wrong. That was about 15 pounds ago.
Here is my model-status body (ha.. ha) from a few weeks ago. I probably don't look much different, but I can tell a world's difference.
Today, I am satisfied with my body more than before. My endurance is where it should be, I am tighter & toned, and I've lost a significant amount of weight, for me at least. I don't want to stop here though. I have to keep pushing through.
So.. how difficult has this been for me all semester? I think people underestimate my efforts. I don't feel as though it is quite understood how drastic my efforts have to be in order to lose weight. When I tell people my lifestyle for the past semester, no one believes me. My lifestyle this semester should have probably resulted in faster success, but for me the process is very slow. So what exactly do I do?
Don't drink any alcohol. Ever.
No exaggeration. I can't drink alcohol and lose weight. I gave it up for 40 days and saw the best results. I had a few splurges (not even nights of binge drinking.. just a moderate amount of alcohol) and my progress was slowed down dramatically.
Consume no more than 1200 calories per day.
Yes. Not 1300, not 1250.. but 1200. I sometimes go over by a couple hundred, but if so, I work it off. 1200 was difficult at first, but its gotten to be pretty much habit now.
No soda.
In the past 4 months, I have had maybe 2 or 3 sodas, and each were diet.
Work out at least 5 out of 7 days per week (7-day week).
I can't skip a work out. I won't see any progress if I don't work out. "I don't have time to work out" is the most common phrase I hear and let me tell you, I definitely have a busy schedule. But I can always find at least 45 minutes to an hour to squeeze a work out in, even on my busiest days. And when I say work out, I'm talking about at least 45 - 60 minutes of cardio + resistance/weight training. None of that 20 minutes on the elliptical, resistance 0 business. And I am not dissing 20 minutes on the elliptical - like I said, my endurance has increased. I used to be panting + gasping for air after 20 minutes.
No snacking on junk food. EVER.
I can't eat chips or cookies or anything. If I have a snack, its 3 or 5 crackers with peanut butter or maybe a protein bar.
Track every. single. morsel. that enters your mouth.
www.thedailyplate.com has become my top visited site. Even on bad days where I've gone waaay over 1200, I am honest and track everything. And speaking about bad days...
NEVER take a break. remain consistent.
I'll admit I've been slacking in this area. I would constantly fluctuate between a 5-pound area by dieting during the week and indulging on weekends. This doesn't work. I absolutely have to be consistent for weeks and weeks and weeks.
Accept set-backs and overcome them.
I have had so many set-backs throughout this process. Getting stuck at a weight, gaining weight for no reason, etc. I can't get hung up on these though. What I've realized the most out of my efforts is that with food and exercise aside.. I truly believe 80% of the game is willpower, dedication, and a positive attitude. It is mind over matter. No, its not easy. Its one of the most difficult efforts of all. But when you put your mind to it and consciously focus and tell yourself you will be successful, you start to see success.
So, the point of this writing? No really sure. I am not wishing to lecture or sound like I know everything about dieting and exercising because, obviously I'm not pro. Also, I have still have a long way to go. But I think the most important lesson about weight loss is that it is a personal battle and no one else's battle but your own. And also that, even though you are the only person who is in control of the battle, you are not alone in the battle because there are billions of others fighting the same or similar battles.
Find out what it takes for your body to be its best. Put your mind to the goal, and work hard.
So, here is a shout out to anyone trying the same thing I am. WE CAN DO IT!
If you read this much, you deserve a high five. :)
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