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July 24, 2003 Since my start date of losing weight, I have gone through many changes in my life. Back in late April I started a diet program and incorporated exercise a little at a time. I knew I had to change when my jeans, which were in a size bigger than I ever wanted to be in, became tight. Right then I made a vow to myself that this time I would put in one hundred percent dedication into taking care of myself. Here it is July and so far things have paid off. Three months later and thirty pounds lighter I have a new outlook on the direction my life is going. My self-confidence is soaring and the clothes are falling off. I have retrained myself how to eat healthy, ignore cravings, make better choices, and love vegetables. I have lost 3 dress sizes and by the beginning of next month it will be four. Never before did I expect such results of this magnitude! I even look forward to exercise and I really never thought that would happen. Every morning I walk for an hour with a friend. Some days when she isnt walking with me I do a mix of walking and jogging to my headphones. I do pilates three times a week and yes Mari, they really do work. Twice a week I lift weights but next week I have an appointment with Curves and I will go in and see what its like. Im a little nervous, it has been a long time since Ive dared to go into a gym, but Ive heard such good things that I cant keep away even if I wanted. So I will go in and talk with a lady there, do the workout, and then decide if it interests me enough. As I continue to slip easily into smaller sized jeans, I find so many other things growing, in a good way of course. My confidence is at an all time high, my energy level is probably five times what it once was, and I feel younger. I love to hear the compliments that everyone quickly passes along my way. Of course the support and love from my family is the most important praise but to have his arms slip around my waist and him calling me his incredible shrinking woman, I am just flying high. This change is for myself first, that is and will remain my focal point, doing it for myself. However, to have the way my sweetheart look at me with such amazement and pride, well it sends me soaring. I love that I can tuck shirts in and that I need a belt, something I havent needed before. Im not going to lie and say everyday has been easy, because it hasnt. Retraining your brain to reach for an apple rather than a candy bar or cucumber slices rather than potato chips takes a lot of work and convincing. But having the results so visible makes it less difficult. Since my family is not on my diet I make sure they get to eat goodies and treats, so they dont feel pressured into eating my way. Occasionally I feel a little tempted, but then I remind myself I am worth all this effort and grab a healthy snack instead. In all truth I dont miss most of the junk that I ate. Obviously eating that stuff got me to the way I started out at, so since I am trying to keep from getting back there, those things can just be forgotten. My greatest achievement was back on July 5th where I met my first goal, to get into the smaller sized jeans that I bought. Oh wow, I slipped them on without any problem. No one could have kept me from the cloud nine I was riding on. A few weeks later they are getting loose and Im almost into the next goal, which is August 5th to get into the smaller sized pants I bought. I have no doubt that I will make it, Im almost there now. The only irritation is while losing weight you dont want to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe because you will soon(or hope to be anyways) be out of them and into a smaller size, so only buying one thing at a time while wearing the stuff that is loose, baggy, and needs to be hiked up to an Urkel from Family Matters range is embarrassing! But I wouldnt change it for the results I show. So, Monday is Curves and we will see from there. As I said Ive heard great comments on them and there really isnt an excuse to at least go there and try it out for one day. I am worth it. ------------ About the author: Nancy Jackson is a full time author and poet with works in Literati, Twilight Times, Anotherealm, Sonny World, and various anthologies. Her pasttimes include spending time with her loved ones, drinking wine, and lots of writing! Email Nancy Jackson: coryann93@yahoo.com Comment on this column in the forum. Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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