I am the kind of person who has BIG ideas--but very little follow through This is most evident in my endeavors to be healthier and slim down. Although things do pop up to make my journey harder, it's really my inability to commit that is my downfall.
However, this time, it has to work. I have no choice.
January 8th, I am scheduled for some major back surgery. I will be on bed rest for anywhere from 2-4 months and will only be able to get up for up to an hour (at first) a day.
I need to lose at least 30 lbs between then and now. In the long run, I'll need to lose much more than that. But I think 30 is an attainable goal which will make my recovery that much easier.
Since the middle of August, I have been reasonably good about exercise. We purchased a recumbent bike, as that puts less stress on my back then walking or other things. I average 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. I also walk the dog for 20-30 minutes when I can tolerate the pain (so around 4-5 days a week).
Now I need to focus on my eating. This is where it gets hard. I have the worst sweet tooth. But I don't think that's the issue. It's all of the extra calories that sneak in. The sweetened iced tea, the sprite when we're out, the heaping bowl of cereal. All of these things need to be taken care of.
I almost think it will be easier once I am on bed rest. I will instruct DH to only bring things that fit the healthy requirement!
For now, however, here is my plan. I happy to hear other's ideas or experiences with this. As an aside, I did see a nutritionist for a year in college, and lost 70 lbs, so I'm very familiar with what is good food and what isn't. The problem I have is following my own advice! Hence, the regaining of the weight.
Breakfast:
some sort of protean--> an egg white or cottage cheese
some sort of fruit or dairy
some small starch--> Kashi granola bar or whole wheat toast
Lunch and Dinner
Lean Cuisine with a salad or other vegetables (I do not have high blood pressure, so the sodium levels don't concern me at this moment)
Snacks of granola bars, yogurt, veggies or fruit.
Hopefully I can stay on track this time, and will use this journal to keep myself honest. Please feel free to yell at me if I'm slacking off! I'm also going to get a counter, I think. It'll be good to see the progress.
However, this time, it has to work. I have no choice.
January 8th, I am scheduled for some major back surgery. I will be on bed rest for anywhere from 2-4 months and will only be able to get up for up to an hour (at first) a day.
I need to lose at least 30 lbs between then and now. In the long run, I'll need to lose much more than that. But I think 30 is an attainable goal which will make my recovery that much easier.
Since the middle of August, I have been reasonably good about exercise. We purchased a recumbent bike, as that puts less stress on my back then walking or other things. I average 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. I also walk the dog for 20-30 minutes when I can tolerate the pain (so around 4-5 days a week).
Now I need to focus on my eating. This is where it gets hard. I have the worst sweet tooth. But I don't think that's the issue. It's all of the extra calories that sneak in. The sweetened iced tea, the sprite when we're out, the heaping bowl of cereal. All of these things need to be taken care of.
I almost think it will be easier once I am on bed rest. I will instruct DH to only bring things that fit the healthy requirement!
For now, however, here is my plan. I happy to hear other's ideas or experiences with this. As an aside, I did see a nutritionist for a year in college, and lost 70 lbs, so I'm very familiar with what is good food and what isn't. The problem I have is following my own advice! Hence, the regaining of the weight.
Breakfast:
some sort of protean--> an egg white or cottage cheese
some sort of fruit or dairy
some small starch--> Kashi granola bar or whole wheat toast
Lunch and Dinner
Lean Cuisine with a salad or other vegetables (I do not have high blood pressure, so the sodium levels don't concern me at this moment)
Snacks of granola bars, yogurt, veggies or fruit.
Hopefully I can stay on track this time, and will use this journal to keep myself honest. Please feel free to yell at me if I'm slacking off! I'm also going to get a counter, I think. It'll be good to see the progress.