Rebekahs Fitness Challenge Story
Short Version: Weight Loss is all about motivation and timing.
Long Version:
Before the Challenge: In the last ten years, my husband has done five years of grad school and then spent several years building a multiple-office law practice. During this time we also had five kids, currently ranging in age from ten months to eight years old. Although there has been much joy and big successes, there have been many moments of utter exhaustion and intense stress. During these times, I let myself be an emotional eater. Reese’s peanut Butter Cups, apple pie, brownies, ice cream, chocolate chip cookies—you name it. Consuming sugar is what got me through those tough times.
Finally after the birth of our fifth child, I got a membership to our local club and began swimming laps. My coach let me know right off that exercise only makes up about 20% of weight loss, food choices make up the other 80%. So I started getting myself mentally prepared to start some sort of diet after Christmas.
I was considering some sort of crash diet, but realized this would only fix my problem temporarily. Yes, I might lose lots of weight, but I would gain it all back if my habits had not changed. The Challenge: When I heard about the Challenge, I knew it would be a perfect way to keep me motivated. I really liked the idea of weekly goals and being accountable for my weight each week.
I opted not to do any crash diet, but to eat normal foods and just limit myself. So I started counting calories using an app called “My Fitness Pal.” The first week I chose to do the “move more challenge.” This completely opened my eyes to some of the habits I had resorted to after years of being pregnant and nursing babies. While some of these habits had been appropriate at those times, I realized it was time for me to change. Instead of feeling more tired, I felt great moving more.
The other challenges that really helped me were the 64oz. of water a day and the wheat only challenge. I use to really dislike wheat. Suddenly though, when it was my only option, I started to really like it. I find it does taste good and it makes me feel fuller than white flour products. Drinking a tall glass of water before meals really has helped me too since I eat less throughout the day.
The other challenge that really helped was eating more veggies. I know that a lot of my weight loss came because I really tried to make veggies my main focus throughout my day. Someone told me that when you look at your dinner plate at meal time, it should be 2/3 full of fruits and veggies. I often ate a steamer of veggies as a whole meal along with a slice of wheat bread or a bagel. I ate tons of salad. I also found myself really trying to get my family to eat more veggies too.
I was complaining to a friend that all my kids ever ate was Mac &Cheese and hot dogs. She pointed out though that as moms we are the ones who buy it. Very true. So I remembered that and kept the veggies available. Surprisingly, my kids really do love veggies and eating simpler, healthier food.
Although, I never approached my exercise as my main means of losing weight, I did try consistently to get to the pool at least 3 times a week. I felt so much better physically, mentally and emotionally when I had done a good work out. My family has seen what a difference it has made, so they have been very supportive.
After the Challenge: I am really excited that I won, but not necessarily for myself. I wanted to prove that people can be healthy, eat normal food (yes, I did eat cheesecake, have a cookie now and then) and still lose lots of weight. The key for me was being disciplined most of the time—not all the time because every once and awhile you need to give yourself a break from the “1200 calories only” rule. But I do believe that busy women with kids, pursuits, etc. can eat well and lose weight too.
I really feel like there is a time and season for weight loss. Of course, we should all try to be healthy throughout our lives. For me though, I feel strongly that there is a time and place for it. We shouldn’t beat ourselves up for getting a second bowl of ice cream. Often that second round of dessert is what gets us through another day. Then there comes a time though for everyone, when they can let go of those habits and lean on healthier ones to feel happier.
What helped me lose weight—
--Tall glass of water before breakfast.
--Greek yogurt and fruit for breakfast (keeps you full and has protein in it)
--Four servings of veggies a day.
--If I did go out to eat for lunch with friends, then I kept dinner limited to a salad.
--I tried to eat only one-two carbs and dairy a day.
--limited snacks and snitching while cooking.
--really limited sugar. Your body burns veggies and healthy foods way faster then sugar.
--No eating after dinner.
--Weigh yourself before breakfast. Your weight is lower at the beginning of the day.
