I don't know if my story is inspirational but there it is. LOL
I've been on a few diets in my life. But this time, I'm not. And I've lost more and have kept with eating healthy longer than when I did go on diets.
I just started watching what I ate last Summer (2005). Nothing major, just no more junk, no fast food (or very rarely).
My BF and I read Dr Oz's book YOU: The Owner's Manual : An Insider's Guide to the Body that Will Make You Healthier and Younger. It's not a diet book. It's just a book that explains how our body works etc...but it does offer advice on what foods are beneficial to your body and overall health. It rang a bell with us and so from then on, everything we ate had to have one purpose : be good for our body (brain, skin, heart...whatever). It basically became about making better choices. Even in a fast food joint...if we are out and need to eat, we try to make the best educated choice on what we can have...and enjoy the occasional treat once in a while.
Wouldn't you know...our weight started coming off. We didn't do anything as far as exercise goes apart from regular day to day stuff. People at work started noticing and started asking what we were doing. We told them and pretty soon, everyone at work was having a competition to see who would bring the healthiest lunch! lol
Even the fast food addicts who were thin as sticks felt bad and started eating salads...grumbling to themselves that when they got to the restaurant and about to order their favorite staple food...all they could think about was all that healthy stuff and somehow ended up ordering a salad instead of gravy fries and burgers. LOL
Then, in September, I started walking. I noticed more results. My legs looked nicer...I had more energy. Woah! This actually is good for me and
I look forward to it! I got myself some audio books...and would end up walking a little more just to hear the rest of a chapter. lol So walking became regular.
By the end of November, we pulled out our ancient treadmill and stationary bike that were gathering dust and started using them. Sadly, the treadmill was so old and had been out of commission for so long, the motor burnt out. LOL So, we got ourselves another one for Xmas and have been using it religiously ever since. We added weight training in December and lift weights 3 times a week.
Everything just sort of happened on it's own. It started with wanting to eat better...but with the weight loss came more energy and things snowballed from there. I used to sit in front of the TV for hours, watching weight loss shows and dreaming about being thin like those people on the shows. Now, I can't sit in front of the tv that long because I get bored! I need to move or do something. I'll watch a show I like while on the treadmill and the time goes by fast. And when I do watch tv now, I don't feel bad because I know I worked out. I feel better in my body and just more comfortable. Now, when I see those weight loss shows, I can say "I'm doing it too!" and it's a great feeling to have.
I did drag my feet on some days (still do sometimes) "ugh! I have to work out and it's late", but the difference this time is, I change into my workout outfit and get my butt into gear and do it. And it's become part of my daily routine. I can't imagine not doing it. I fill in this little calendar every day with what I did. It really helps me stay motivated. I don't want to see too many "did nothing" days on there! It's a reminder of how far I've come and helps me stay focussed.
As for food, I can't say I've felt deprived of anything. I really think switching the focus on health rather than weight loss has made the biggest difference. Junk food just isn't so appetizing when you look at it from your body's perspective. What will all that trans fat and sodium do to my body?! Makes it easier to just not want to eat it.
It's weird to say, but since I decided to focus on health instead of "losing weight now!!", I've lost more weight than I ever have...and I am simply enjoying the journey. I feel stronger, healthier, more confident. I now enjoy pushing myself to see what I can do when I workout. I never thought I'd get to this point! I'm not exactly sure how I got here...but I sure enjoy it. I just wish I'd "gotten it" sooner, but meh, today is as good as any other day right?
Whew! This turned into a novel. Sorry about that
Good luck on your journey! It can be overwhelming to get the ball rolling at first, but all it takes is one small change, and then you can build from there. The satisfaction that comes from doing one thing will make you want to tackle another, then another, then another. Just take the first step!