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, Week 21, Week 22
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 20: 172 pounds | End of Week 20 BMI: 26.1 |
| End of Week 21: 172 pounds | End of Week 21 BMI: 26.1 |
| End of Week 22: 171 pounds | End of Week 22 BMI: 26.0 |
When starting out on this “get healthy adventure”, my mind set was NOT to go on a diet! I simply wanted to change my lifestyle and to create new healthy routines and a healthy mindset that would continue for life. This is because I have witnessed too many people who embrace a diet hard core only to fall off the bandwagon weeks or months later, finding themselves gaining the weight back faster than they lost it.
I also knew that it is not practical of me to think that I could lose a bunch of weight by eating a certain way and then automatically be changed for life.
So, my mentality was to make some new healthy eating routines and hopefully some exercise routines that would become my every day thing.
I am still working on this! Changing my eating habits and exercise routine (or lack thereof) is not something that comes easily to me. I am taking baby steps towards an end goal.
Here are the things that I have achieved in the past 5 months:
- I am drinking my daily recommended intake of water almost every day.
- I am eating more fruits and vegetables.
- I am much more conscious of my serving sizes.
- I know my body better and what it requires throughout the day in order to not have pitfalls (too often).
- I have a regular walking routine and while it is not much, it is a start!
Having said this, there are still some areas that I would like to focus upon:
- Allow myself to have an occasional SMALL treat without feeling guilty or eating too much.
- Continue to discover new healthier recipes that I enjoy.
- Exercise, Exercise, Exercise.
- I would like to cut down on the amount of coffee that I drink in order to function throughout the day. This will come as my sleep habits change, I’m sure.
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 help 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. This week marked the 12th week that I received a newsletter (there was a technical glitch for a while that has since been worked out).
The newsletter this week discussed the fact that I have learned the tools that I require in order to make a long-term lifestyle change. I read some motivating thoughts and was guided to a delicious recipe for Polenta with Cranberry Apple Compote. This sounds very fancy, but looks easy enough to make! I love polenta, but we usually buy it from the store. Looks like I will be attempting to make it next time.
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.
If you are one of the people who read these posts, I’d love to know you’re out there (please leave a comment below) because, I am very serious when I say that the more people who are behind me in this, the easier it is for me.
Ok, your turn. Share a healthy aspect of your daily routine that you stick to.
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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.
well,you know I’m doing it and supporting you on this for sure 🙂
You’re rocking it, my friend. And I appreciate your support.
For the record, I’m sitting at my desk surrounded by healthy snacks and glasses of water. (and of course a starbucks)
I am still with you, just hurdling some personal things and have not has the chance to blog for my Fit N firm posts. I think the main thing for me in the last 5 months is tracking what I eat. And drinking my water. I still have my coffee but I still really enjoy it. I have however tried to replace the afternoon one with green tea. 🙂
I’m still here checking in on you, just not as quick to reply these days (end of school year madness). I have honestly been more considerate of what foods I purchase at the grocery store (I try to buy LOTS of fruits and veggies to stock my fridge with for when I get a snacking craving). I’ve been drinking a lot more water daily, reading your blog reminded me of that importance!
I bought a larger water bottle (BPA free of course), and fill it each morning… I find just by making myself fill the larger bottle, I automatically drink more by having a goal of finishing it during the work day, as well as drinking another half or full bottle throughout the evening after school. That was a trick that worked for me — put the water physically in a larger bottle, so that I drink more without needing to refill. Might seem silly, but it’s working!
I broke 10k steps yesterday for the first time!! 😀 You are doing great!!
you are doing awesome!!!
I stick drinking the water daily and I do exercise every other day but I would like to increase the amount of time I spend exercising.
Congrats!! I try to drink water but sometimes I forget
I’m so proud of you sticking to your guns like this. Slow weight loss is a much better way of being sure to keep it off. It’s tough and can be daunting at times. I have to lose a few pounds myself. Put on 5 (can you believe that) while I was on vacay!! Eek
Bet you’re looking good 🙂
Eating healthy and changing your lifestyle has ups and downs, but it’s good to hear that you’re still taking your recommended water intake and are walking. Every little bit counts and helps tremendously. I’ve been shaking things up over here with making different types of water besides the Sassy Water. I’ll be sharing these within the next couple of Thirsty Thursdays! 🙂
Keep up the GREAT work!! I really need to jump back on the weight loss plan, but I’m actually content with myself at the moment. I guess I should be since I’ve maintained for the last almost 2 years
I think you are amazing what you are doing, this journey. I wish I had the umph to get off my butt but my health prevents me from doing anything, though I’ve started walking even a few blocks a day!
I’ve loved following your journey and think you are doing amazing. I love how in your posts you reflect on what you’re doing well and that you also set goals for what you’d love to improve. Being honest with yourself about those key things is what will help you overcome the hurdles.
Keep up the great work hun!
Good for you! I should check this out, as I’ve been wanting to get healthier too. 🙂 Except that with the amount of emails I get right now, adding another weekly newsletter sounds a bit overwhelming. But maybe as you say it would be encouraging and inspiring. 🙂 ~SASS
Oh I’m so inspired! I’m going to have to do this with you I think! I’m getting in shape on my own and it’s a lonely thing when it’s just you. Love the community feel of your site. Hopping over from SASS. Hope you can follow back!
http://www.exceptionalistic.com
Your doing an excellent job. Keep up the good work.
Here from SASS
Danielle @ Royalegacy
Keep up the good work !! I also drink plenty of water daily but could sure do more excerise.
Congratulations on another loss! Keep up the good work!
(visiting from SASS)
You are doing awesome. And you should be super proud.
Hun sorry for the late comment…as for something healthy in my routine that I stick too..thats my issue…I have started doing Zumba a couple times a week and want to start running so we shall see. You are very motivating keep it up!
SASS
Thanks for the tips. I just came back from the 5 kms walk today.
polo_wataga at yahoo dot com
I’ve been replacing my lunch everyday with a shake with fruits and carrots, soy milk and flax.
Dieting is ok as long as you can keep at it. Thank you. Jerri Davis