Okay so if you have seen photos of me recently you'll know I could do with losing a few (okay, many) pounds. I spent all last year gaining weight even though I knew I didn't want to. I just couldn't help myself, the cake was too nice. But of course it always catches up to us doesn't it? So when the boys went back to school I decided it was time to sort myself out and that's why I started a new fitness routine.
It's been 2 weeks
I started this new routine a little more than 2 weeks ago, it hasn't made that much difference to my body shape but it has made a difference to me.
So what's the routine?
Well, I get up at 6am every day, put on my trainers and turn on our treadmill. I do a brisk walk (about 3.5mph) for 30 minutes - that's it. For now it's all I can manage without turning a nice shade of lobster. I have done this every day since 6th September and to be honest I thought it would have made more of a difference by now but these things take time.
- In order to succeed, we must first believe that we can.
Nikos Kazantzakis
Weight loss
So far I have lost a little more than 5lbs - again it's not much but it's progress and I'm taking that. Any weight loss at the moment is good and shifting the 4 stones plus is going to take some doing. I'm not focusing on that though, that would just discourage me from doing the exercise because it's virtually impossible. However if I lose any weight at all I see that as a win.
Monitoring food
The other thing I've started doing to aid the weight loss/fitness routine is to monitor what food I'm eating and being careful not to overdo it. Using the MyFitnessPal app I'm adding my meals every day and if I'm close to my calorie limit then I don't have chocolate, if - by some miracle - I've got calories left for a treat I allow myself that treat. It's not easy, I love chocolate and cake and it can be difficult to refuse when it's there but if I want to make progress I need to keep the willpower for this.
Where to get willpower
To be honest I'm not sure this will come if you don't truly want it. I was truly at my happiest when I weight 10 stones - I was healthy, running for about an hour almost every day, I could eat almost what I wanted, and best of all I was alert all day. Being heavier means I have less energy (I'm ready for bed by 10pm) and that impacts the rest of my life. The lethargy and laziness is just a consequence of being overweight and if I want those things to change I need to have the willpower to change.
- Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.
Gordon B. Hinckley
How do I feel?
I won't lie - it's not easy. Dragging my bottom out of bed every morning at 6 am has got more difficult as the colder weather rolls in. I don't want to leave my bed in a morning, it's far too cosy. The restrictions on chocolate and sweets is difficult too, particularly if I have a bad day food-wise. But on a positive note I do still have the occasional chocolate bar (think Club or Penguin) and my meals, while healthy, are filling and enjoyable. I'm not overdoing it, and I think that's the key to keeping hold of my willpower.
If I restrict myself too much or try to do too much exercise I'll lose motivation and give up. I'm being mindful too, checking in with how I'm feeling and trying to adjust according to my emotions. I haven't, so far, had to deal with the week before my period - that'll be tough. But again, I can do it.
The point?
The point of this post is to say that if I can do it, weighing 14st 7lbs when I started, then you can too. You just have to push yourself a little bit. You don't have to do 30 minutes of brisk walking - do whatever exercise YOU enjoy. If you don't know what that exercise is then try to find it, try out different types of exercise until you find one that you kind-of enjoy. It is difficult in the beginning but starting out slow is the best way to make progress and when you do (and you will!) make progress you'll be motivated by it.
I'm not going to do weekly updates on my progress because I think the pressure is too much but I'll check in occasionally and let you know how I'm going.
As always if you have any questions put them in the comments or head over to my Facebook Page and I'll be sure to answer.
What would be your top tip for starting a new fitness routine?