Hi all,
I'm back from 2 weeks in the US where I had spent a great few days at a health spa with my aunt, did loads of shopping and also squeezed in some work. Based on some work with an exercise physiologist, I know my body is in good shape and that if I lose more than 5 or so lbs, that's my vanity rather than necessity. Alway reassuring. I also signed up for a 5k later in the year - am both excited and nervous about it, but it gives me a deadline and purpose to keep up with my workout schedule.
Basically, I feel that I'm not in diet mode anymore - I'm in living the rest of my life mode. I still want to lose a few lbs, but I also want to get on with enjoying life, taking up sailing agin, looking into going horseback riding, etc. Losing some more weight is mostly to get into the next size down and to give myself a range to manoeuvre in - the weight I am now I would consider the high end of the range.
So while I may pop in from time to time to see how you're all doing and to gain inspiration if the weight doesn't come off as fast I'd like or, worse, starts to creep back on, I'm switching form a multiple times a day visitor to a 1-2/month one.
And the lifelong challenge begins....not to gain it all back again!!!! There's a study in process in the US called the National Weight Loss - it is made up of people who have lost 30lbs or more and have kept it off 1 or more years. 80% women, average age 45, average weight loss 65lbs. The 3 things the people who have kept the weight off all seem to have in common are:
- regular exercise: multiple times per week
- balanced meals: and when overeat, cut back on next meal(s)
- journaling: keeping track of both exercise and what they ate
Best of luck and until next time!
