This post is written as part of a journey inspired by the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s My Healthy Weight Action Plan, an online tool geared towards helping you live a healthier life. Feel free to get caught up on previous posts: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15, Week 16, Week 17, Week 18, Week 19, Week 20
Here are the stats to show my progress in my “Get Healthy Challenge”:
| Start Weight: 190 pounds | Starting BMI: 28.9 |
|---|---|
| End of Week 1: 185 pounds | End of Week 1 BMI: 28.1 |
| End of Week 4: 179 pounds | End of Week 4 BMI: 27.2 |
| End of Week 8: 175 pounds | End of Week 8 BMI: 26.6 |
| End of Week 11: 175 pounds | End of Week 11 BMI: 26.6 |
| End of Week 14: 175 pounds | End of Week 14 BMI: 26.6 |
| End of Week 17: 175 pounds | End of Week 17 BMI: 26.6 |
| End of Week 18: 172 pounds | End of Week 18 BMI: 26.1 |
| End of Week 20: 172 pounds | End of Week 20 BMI: 26.1 |
UPDATED GOAL: My goal is to reach a normal BMI which would be 24.9 (the top of what is considered a “normal” BMI) at 164 pounds by July 1st. There, I said it, I actually made a REAL goal with a real date. I’m hoping that this will help to motivate me even further! I’ve got approximately 6 more weeks to lose approximately 1.5 pounds per week, I think that is attainable, don’t you?
As part of the Healthy Weight Action Plan, you receive weekly e-newsletters full of resources, tips, articles, recipe suggestions and more. I have found this part of the plan helps to make the experience more real. Reading the newsletters and the articles that it suggests really helps to keep me focussed on my goal. Whether it is helpful tips or articles about heart health, I find myself feeling re-focussed after each newsletter.
Other than me wanting to live a healthy lifestyle, the main motivator in my Getting Healthy challenge has been the Healthy Weight Action Plan available FREE by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. I am able to easily track (by hand or online) the foods that I eat, the times that I eat and the breakdown of how items from each category I consume in a meal or day. I can also track how I am feeling each day and the amount and type of exercise that I accomplish. The My Healthy Weight Action Plan Tool has helped to motivate me and guide me to becoming a healthier individual.
This week’s e-newsletter discussed the topic of plateaus during weight loss. This is something that I have been struggling with for quite some time. Although my mindset on my eating and physical activity has changed, I am also not going “hard core” with any of it, because in the past I have found when I do that, I only fall off the bandwagon faster. However, with me not having the “hard core” mentality since January (I went pretty strong the first month), I have hit a plateau. I am feeling good about my weight loss up to here and I feel good, for the most part, about my healthier lifestyle, BUT I need to do more! The article that was linked in the e-newsletter has provided me with some excellent suggestions to help me move forward with this journey.
The first tip came as no surprise! I must kick up my “exercise routine” a notch. I have started to swim once a week. I *know* that this is good for me as I can feel it while I am swimming! My walking partner and I have also started to walk a bit further. I am thinking that I need to encourage my walking partner to add on another night each week. I am not walking enough. What I have to see past is the fact that when I do walk, that becomes my night. I get the kids ready for bed, I clean up the kitchen from dinner, I walk, I come home and drink water and I go to bed. I don’t love that routine, however, if it means I am being healthier, I think I might just have to suck it up!
Lately, I have definitely been slacking in recording my food intake. The article also mentions how easy it is to consume more calories when you are not monitoring everything that you eat. So, starting NOW, I will be more diligent about tracking my food. This truly helps to keep you focussed, when you know that after you finish eating your food choice, you will have to record it.
I will end with this quote from the article, “Keep your eye on the big picture. You’re losing weight in order to protect your health. Your health is worth it.”
Yes, my health is worth it!
Ok, your turn. Have you ever hit a plateau? Do you have any advice to share?
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Opinions expressed belong to Multi-Testing Mommy and are NOT influenced in any way. See MTM’s Disclosure for more details.
You are doing fabulously! I know whenever I hit a plateau, I just need to try something different. I am so excited, impressed, happy, proud, and ecstatic for you and your progress! You are such an inspiration!!!
By the way, I’ve been going on morning speed walks every day for an hour with a friend. My friend is consistently inconsistent. Sometimes she comes to my house at 5:45AM and sometimes at 6:40AM (we said we’d go for our walks at 6:30 every day). At least we’ve been going consistently 🙂 LOL!
Congrats on your accomplishements!!! This is great news!! My husband and I are on a healthier diet since last week and we are all excited it about! !
you have come so far! That is awesome!
I agree with the change of routine when you hit a plateau. I struggled around Christmas..for months with no change in my weight. Although I was walking about 15 miles a week, my body was too used to that. So by changing to using a stepper machine (that actually took less time each day) I was able to start seeing new progress!
Living each day in awareness isn’t easy, I’ve dropped the ball on this one but it’s all about getting back on board right?? right lol
I know it can be hard when you do all this work and feel like you’re not getting anywhere. But girly you are doing fantastic. The fact that you are still committed and still aiming towards your goal says a lot. You are still one of my favorite people that have inspired me to continue especially when I feel like throwing in the towel, so thank you! 🙂
You’re doing a great job! And unless it’s lasting you more than a month it’s not really considered a plateau. Often times our bodies (that are doing a lot of new work) just say, “Ok, hang on I need a second” pair that with hormones and life and we can not lose weight for a week or two. Just remember that even if the scale isn’t moving, your healthy choices are making changes on the inside every day! Your heart is sexier, your lungs are stronger and your body is saying “THANK YOU!” Great job!!!
Wow you’re doing great! Do you think keeping us updated has helped you stay on track?
You have done so fabulously! Way to go girlie!
I need to get my eating in check, or moreover, record what I eat. I’ve started exercising some more but I know I need to do more in that department too.
Keep it up!
Way to go, you’re journey has been inspirational to follow! Part of the reason why I bought a Blissdom ticket, was to give myself a kick in the butt to get in shape for all my virtual friends, lol!
Keep up the great work!!
Chris
December 1-Let’s get healthy together-week 21.
Yes; I have hit many plateaus! The best thing to do is not obsess over the scale and weigh in at the same time every week. You just keep ‘on the wagon’ and, sooner or later, that stubborn scale will move downward again. More exercise, more water seem to help as well. Keep up the good fight. Your are going in the right direction! Elva Roberts
December 1-Let’s get healthy together-week 21.
Yes; I have hit many plateaus! The best thing to do is not obsess over the scale and weigh in at the same time every week. You just keep ‘on the wagon’ and, sooner or later, that stubborn scale will move downward again. More exercise, more water seem to help as well. Keep up the good fight. Your are going in the right direction! Elva Roberts