Ok, so I started off getting healthier about 10 weeks ago when a spark ignited during the month of my birthday. My feet hurt, my back hurt and I was way over my proper weight. I started running one night. My husband was a cross country runner in college and he helped me start my intervals. I started with 2 intervals of 3 minutes running 3 minutes walking. I am now up to a total running time of 15 minutes with three one and a half minute walking breaks (20 minutes??). I hope to be able to run a mile without stopping very soon.( my goal was Christmas, but my progress is slow, I may be able to do it by New Years.) I stumbled on to this forum during those beginning phases and have been lurking until this week. I appreciate your posts , honesty and humor. As a result, I have been analizing my mental and physical behaviors trying to figure out WHY I got to over two hundred pounds.
I have noticed some very minor results with my running but wanted to kick it up a notch with a good eating plan as well. I started using the phone app loose it and have been sort of satisfied with the program but after two weeks, I have no idea if it is working or not. I have not weighted myself. I don’t want to be obsessed with numbers or calories, but counting calories is making me a little crazy. I am having trouble keeping accurate account in times when I am unable to truly measure things. During family style meals or when eating out at lunch. Is that a table spoon of Ranch Dressing or two? How many shredded nuts are on my salad? How many ounces of meat are mixed in this salad? I have been guestimating for a lot of the time and usually I guess way over the amount it actually is. The exercise is the same way. MPH etc. I am walking a lot more now in addition to the running just to make sure I don’t accidentally go over in calories. And all of that mixed with less food is making me tired.
How do you guys adjust to having to count every single bite? I feel like I am MORE obsessed with food than I was before. Going to the grocery store today was over whelming. All I could see was the chocolate covered Christmas Milano cookies and the store baked Cinnamon bread with no nutritional info on it. I ended up buying 3 boxes of Kashi cookies and Snack wells. Not sure how much better that stuff is for me. I am trying NOT to eat all of my work out calories back, but I am eating some back and then feel guilty like I might be eating too much still….MAN, this is a metal game!!!!
Sorry for the rambling, but today was a tough day. Tough shopping trip, tough work out and the Kashi Cookie did not make me feel better. I guess food should not affect or effect my emotions or state of being. I think that may be a tough nut to crack.
Thanks for listening. Some tips for this newb would be excellent.
******Update 10-2012******
It has been a year since I started my journey and I have come a long way. It is still a challenge but some of the everyday food "issues" are easier. Generally speaking my new eating habits are easier and I feel better.
I have lost almost 60 pounds in one year. I thought I would be closer to goal but slow is OK too. Hoping by next year I will be 30 pounds lighter.
Thanks everyone for your daily dose of courage and butt kicking. 3FC has become a part of my "plan".