View Full Version : Keeping the pounds off; Kat's journal for 2004


Kat79
03-11-04, 06:56 AM
:spring: Welcome to my journal for the first half of the year 2004 :spring:

As the title indicates I have been through a weight loss, and am now struggling with the well known problem of keeping the pounds off and staying healthy.

I started my weight loss journey in the summer of 2001, when I reached my highest weight of 80 kg (appro. 175 lbs) at an age of 22 years. It suddenly struck me; being heavy made me sad and hate myself and there were no reasons for me to be that heavy; I was young and healthy (besides the weight). I realised that if I didn't take action right then and there I would just keep on gaining for the rest of my life. So I putted my foot down!

I read a danish diet book, based on some of the principles from The Zone (but being less strict!), and learned about foods GI (glycemic index), the benefits of eating protein and vegetables and how many good things exercise would do for my body. I learned that I had been fooling myself for years when it came to how many calories food contained and the quantities I could eat, and I learned how important it was for me to keep my bloodsugar stabile to avoid overeating. So little by little I started changing my food and how much I "moved" during the week. And to my great surprise it worked!! I had been on different diets before, but none of it had ever worked, so I guess that I somehow had decided in my head, that I was destined to be heavy forever.

I very slowly lost some pounds, and once I was finally convinced that this approach worked for me, I decided to set a goal - by my summer vacation of 2002 I should be down 15 kg (appro. 33 lbs) to my goal weight of 65 kg (appro. 143 lbs). And I did it, and was so proud of myself!

Since then it has been a bit of a struggle for me to keep the weight down (and maybe even go a little further down). Last spring I decided that I wanted to loose the last kilos I needed, to get down to 60 kg (appro. 132 lbs), and I almost reached it (61 kg = 135 lbs) and felt very good about myself - I felt strong and healthy and felt I was doing something good for myself. But through a very stressful autumn and winter, those kilo came back... I know that my habits have changed a lot since I started my journey, so it's not impossible for me to keep my weight. But whenever I'm in times of stress and bad moods I fall back into old habits comforting myself with cookies, sweets and cake. And now my weight has started to climb again.

So I thought it was the right time to get a hold of myself, get rid of the kilos that had crawled back on, and finally try to stay committed to live a healthy life forever! I hope this forum can help me stay motivated - people around here seem very positive and supportive :). My new goals are

Weight by april 1st: 64.9 kg (appro. 142 lbs)
Weight by may 14th: 62,0 kg (appro. 136 lbs)
Weight by july 1st: 60,0 kg (appro. 132 lbs)
Exercise goal: be able to run 5 km!!

To do this I'm using my old tools; lots of vegetables and fruits, watch the GI, more protein, watch the portion size, lots of water every day and running three times a week.

I do hope I'm able to stay healthy and fit, and not fall back into old habits... I know that when I'm able to stick to this healthy living, it makes me feel more alive, energetic, in harmony with myself. To a fresh start and a healthy me! :ex:

Kat:wave:

Lizzie B
03-11-04, 11:48 AM
Hi Kat and welcome to DT.

You sure made the right decision coming here and I know you will love the support and encouragement you get here from all the wonderful people. I think you are very smart working on your weight now instead of letting it go and then have more to lose.

Once again :welcome: and we will be:cheer: you on!!

Love and hugs,
Lizzie

Beth
03-11-04, 11:52 AM
Hi Kat :wave:

Welcome to DT and as Lizzie said, you will find lots of support and help here :)

keep coming back.....

Beth :not:

Kat79
03-12-04, 06:40 AM
Thanks Lizzie and Beth for the warm welcome! It's great to know that there are really wonderful people around here, willing to listen to your story.

I'm feeling a bit anxious today. I could not drag myself out of bed this morning to go for my planned run - it was to nice and warm under the covers with my boyfriends arm around me, and I could just hear the cold wind howl outside! So I skipped it - and now I'm paying the price [-X . I'm irritated with myself for letting myself slip so easily. I need to stay more committed to the promises I make to myself!

The reason why I think this exercise was so important, is that I'm going to a big party tomorrow (saturday), where I know I will drink a lot of wine and beer - so I needed to do very good these days up to this event to compensate for the extra calories (I think it's still important to be able to enjoy yourself once in a while, even though your trying to loose some weight). But I guess my new plan must be to go for the run tonight instead (and DO IT, god damn it!!), do my strength training tomorrow before the party, and then try to do well at the party (eat right and not too much, not drink too much etc.). Then hopefully I will not be too hung over on sunday to go for a run in the evening!

I always find it difficult to balance these party-things against my plans and goals for my weight loss. Maybe there are no easy way - just extra hard work afterwards you've had some fun :lift: .

I guess I will be able to know how well I've done, when I step on the weight on monday... I hope I haven't gained too much :sigh:

Kat :cat: