My New Weight Loss Program
By terilee79720
@terilee79720 (3621)
United States
January 2, 2008 9:37am CST
I'm really dedicated this time. I know, I know. Some of us say that every year, or when we start a new weight loss program. But this time, I think I've found the right one, the right time, and for the right reasons.
Let's face it. I'm fat. I'm not fluffy. I'm not pleasingly plump. I'm not even big boned. I'm just fat. And I really hate it. Each time I've thought about loosing weight, I think I wanted to do it for all the wrong reasons. This time, I believe I have made up my mind and have the drive to succeed because I have realized it's just not healthy. While that in itself is not a good enough reason, (there will always be a reason why not to loose), I decided I wanted to loose weight for me. Not for my husband, not for any one else, but for me. I want to be as healthy as I can be - for me.
I'm tired of the excuses I give myself or come up so I've started my own new weight loss program, designed for me, by me and I honestly believe this is it.
Now that I have the time to do it, the reason to do it and the will power to do it, I am going to give it my very best shot, with no excuses, no sabotage, and no holds barred.
I have always watched what I ate. I can smell chocolate and gain 5 pounds so I'm really watching what I eat. The proportions are smaller and more appetizing along with being more nutritious and satisfying.
I hate exercise! I've walked, rode a bicycle, and all the rest of it but couldn't stick to it. I think I have the solution (at least for me). I love music. I love dancing. So, I turn on my dance music, you remember, the kind we used to dance to that really got your blood pumping. I turn it up loud enough that I can enjoy it and I dance for 20 to 30 minutes.
When I first started, I thought I wouldn't get through the first song. My legs ached and I thought I was going to throw up. But the second song I had to dance to and then the third and then the next. By the time I noticed the clock, I had been dancing for 20 minutes. I was pooped, but then the next song came on and I just kept on dancing. I made my dance session last for 30 minutes.
By the time I was finished I realized I could do this easily each day and not only get the exercise I so desperately needed but I could have fun and loose weight at the same time.
So, my new weight loss program is thus far, a big success. I've lost 10 pounds in the first 20 days. I've already lost a dress size and am looking forward to strengthening my heart, my legs and my overall well being. I'm drinking lots of water, which I love. That helps flush out the toxins. I'm dancing daily now for at least 30 minutes each day. I'm determined this time to get some of this excess weight off. I'm determined to have my husband look at me one of these days and say, "Dang Baby, You look good"!
So - turn up the music and let's go nuts.
6 people like this
12 responses
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Well, I'm not your husband, nor will I call you baby, but dang, you look good! I love your hair. I think you look like a healthy country lass! I think someone should write a song about you.
2 people like this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
LOL Well thank you for the compliments zigzag. I AM a healthy country lass........too healthy for my own good. I think I look pretty good for being an old woman. I'm 57 but still feel (sometimes) like I'm still a young girl. Then there are those days I feel more than my age. The picture is recent by the way. My husband still thinks I'm sexy - I just want to loose the caboose........which you can't see..LOL
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Ahh, so that's why you're so coyly hiding behind the tree!
1 person likes this
@34momma (13882)
• United States
2 Jan 08
now that is what i am talking about! dancing is a great way to drop the pounds. and as you said you lost 10 pounds just dancing and having a great time! what is better then that. it is very important to know why you want to drop the pounds. it never works when you are doing it for the wrong reasons. that goes for anything in life. i am so proud of you, keep on dancing!!! oh wait, i think you are playing my song girl!!!!
2 people like this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
2 Jan 08
My goal is to loose - well - forget that. I'm just gonna see what happens and I'll let you know when I reach the goal I set for myself. One pound at a time.
2 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Good for you in figuring out the right reasons for losing weight. I would make one stratigy suggestion and that is to use a maller plate and those smaller perportions won't look so small. Another thing is to not cook more sevings than you can use at a time. good luck. I think I will try that danceing for exercise
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Thanks for reminding me about the plates. I switched from the huge dinner plates to the smaller plates just last week. You're right, smaller plate make the helpings look bigger.
I never was a great dancer - but in my own living room - who cares....I'm having fun.
1 person likes this
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
2 Jan 08
hello, terilee!are you really determined to loss the weight?if so change your life style and food habits.you have interest in dancing,you know this is a good exercise for you.but you should make your time in the morning or evening for dancing.it is the right time for exercise.besides you don't go for fast food as these are more harmful for obese.eating a high fat,high-carb fast food meals produce damaging cellular changes that are greater and longer lasting in obese people.so try to avoid high-fat,high-carb fast foods and consume as much fruits and vegetables as possible.if you are above 30 years,you are sure to go with this practice otherwise weight problem would result in intrauterine growth restriction,hyperthyroidism,hypertension,ultimately leading to miscarriage.so it is vital for you to change your diet .cutting down on foods with saturated fats,salt and coffeine is vital for good health.thank you.good day.
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Changed all that years ago bbsr13. Thanks for the reminder to eat right. The health issue is a big one for me now that I'm facing retirement. I want to stay as young as I can for as long as I can.
2 people like this
@lorelai (1558)
• Italy
3 Jan 08
I agree with you dancing is a great way to lose weight. I remember when I was younger when I was still and I'd go to the disco and dance the whole night the next day I'd feel so empty but it never occurred to me to try it on a regular basis, I mean every day for a certain period of time. Great idea!
2 people like this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
it seems to be working lorelai. I'm not only loosing some weight but I really feel better that I'm moving and trying to do something instead of wishing....and hoping......
@markusgrejaldo (112)
• Philippines
3 Jan 08
i am fat myself and am trying everything in my power to lose weight. i am now 235 lbs. and my ideal weight is around 150-170 lbs. that's a long way to go, but having read your post. it rather gives me the idea to push with my own diet and exercise program.
i particularly like your idea of dancing. i'm now thinking of buying a dance-dance revo game and groove my way to a thinner me. thanks!
2 people like this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Try it markusgrejaldo, The dancing is not only fun but it's really working for me - along with watching my food. I'm putting my meals on smaller plates, drinking a lot of water, I've cut way back on colas and sweets, very little bread. I still eat what I like, french fries, pizza, deserts, and things, I'm just not eating as much. I'm eating lots of raw veggies and fruit, drinking juices and turning up the volumn of the dance music.
Some mornings are 30 minutes - some are 10 minutes but I'm doing something - instead of sitting with a bag of chips and cola watching television or something. I'm moving!
I'm determined to do it for me - to be able to go to the store and buy something right off the rack instead of trying to find the fat section and taking it home to try on - then hating it.
I'm not setting a goal - I'm just going to see how much I can loose - one pound at a time.
We can help each other just by keeping up with our progress here.
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Awesome. I know you are right. The thing is, with all that revved up metabolism from all that dancing, you will be able to eat bigger portions. I think it is great you are sharing this here on myLot. You have met the criteria for success, having a reason, having exercise you enjoy. I bet you continue to this with great success, because it is fun, and it seems to make you feel good.
1 person likes this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Thanks GardenGerty. So far so good.......I'm going to try to not only keep it up but I would like to continue to keep everyone informed here. Trust me - - - - If I can do it - anyone can.
I got my little chores taken care of this morning then turned on the music and danced for 20 minutes. After the revved up session, I turned the music to soothing calming music and stretched for 10 - breathing deep and happy with myself that I'm working on it.
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
3 Jan 08
That's awesome, I'm so glad for you and so inspired! I've put on some weight recently since I left my letter carrier job a couple years ago and I'm not getting the exercise I once did. It's really depressing because I know I was lucky in being able to eat whatever I felt like and not have to worry but now, between getting older which I guess automatically slows your metabolism and not walking like I did for years it kind of snuck up on me and I can't fit in my clothes anymore and I hate it.
I think you really found the key - or should I say combination - in how to succeed at losing weight and basically improving your health overall. You have to have the right reason and I think that reason has to be for YOU and not for anyone or anything else and you have to set realistic goals and use reasonable ways to obtain them. I've just decided in the past few days to start the year by doing some exercises with small weights everyday but I think dancing is also a fantastic idea! I think I'll combine the two, turn up the music and dance, holding my 3 pounds weights for some of the songs. I'll throw in some of the techniques I figured out from the Hip-Hop Abs commercials and see what happens. I think maybe we can help and encourage each other! You've got a nice head start on me and I congratulate you!
A small piece of advice; don't worry about setting an actual weight goal as in so many pounds, just go by how you feel, how your clothes fit and look on you and how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror. Your weight is just a number and it's not "one size fits all". One person can weigh one thing and look slim and another person may look heavier. It's not only about height but bone structure and fat to muscle ratio. Also, I've hear muscle weighs more than fat so as you exercise you'll naturally build more muscle so the actual number of pounds lost may be misleading. Good luck, and happy dancing!
Annie
1 person likes this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Thank you so much Annie. Your words are so encouraging, as well as everyone here. Wow. I never thought my dancing and desire to loose would be the encouragement it has become.
I've decided to try to keep everyone informed of my progress.
You're right. I'm not setting a specific goal. I'm just loosing some weight and trying to be as healthy as I can be FOR ME
Cause I want to and for no other reason. (Well, actually lots of reasons but you know what I mean).
Turn up your music and let's do this thing together.
Now that's a sight to visualize - All us girls bouncing up and down together - but in the comfort and privacy of our own homes. We can be with each other in spirit and try to encourage each other here.
Thanks again Annie. Turn up the volumn.......Let's dance.
@SerbanBlack (24)
• Romania
3 Jan 08
My new loss weight program is to don't eat something some days lol ^^.
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Whatever works best SerbanBlack. Not eating isn't the key for some of us. We have to get up and move.
If we don't eat daily, that causes more problems than just being fat. We have to work on the overall health issues. Dancing seems to be a way for me to be active and enjoy it.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Good for you!! You finally came up with the right reason, and that's what it takes, when I decided to do it for me, I lost the weight and kept it off. And once you start loosing the weight it is easier to eat less since your stomach shrinks and you can't eat as much as you once could. At the beginning of 2004, I was pushing (probably over) 300lbs, because at 280 I stopped getting on the scales! I lost 150 lbs and have kept it off, I feel better than I did when I was heavy, I'm in much better shape, now I go hiking in the woods which I wouldn't have been able to make it 20 steps back then! And one of the best things was when my daughters said 'Mom, you look great!' I stopped buying clothes when my jean size hit size 20, now I buy size 10 and it feels great! So, you go girl, good luck and keep us posted on how it's going! You've made a great start and I know you can do it!!
1 person likes this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Oh palonghorn, Thank you. I'm amazed at the encouragement from everyone. I stopped buying clothes at size 22. I even stopped looking in the mirror......I already feel better and know this is going to be my finest hour..........I'll never be the petite thing I was 40 years ago, but I'm going to try to be as healthy as I can be.
I'm going to try to keep everyone informed about my progress. thanks again.
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Congratulations! You've hit on all the key points here. The reasons you want to lose weight have to be for you and no one else. You know why you have failed in the past, and you have chosen something that is sustainable for you. Don't bother going out and buying a treadmill if you know you are going to hate it and stop using it in a month. It doesn't matter what kind of exercise you do as long as you do it. Dancing is great fun and good for you.
I think that you will have continued success as long as you keep in mind the reasons you are doing this. Good luck and best wishes for continued success. Keep us posted, I always like to read such positive posts. Thanks.
I am inspired by your story and am also looking to improve my exercise habits. I think dancing could work for me, too. Thanks!
2 people like this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Did the treadmill thing. Turned our garage into a regular gym - I did. We used it for about 2 months and then sold everything at half the cost.
Dancing is the ticket that seems to be working for me and doing it because I know it's the right thing to do - - - for me......
Thanks for the good wishes. I'll keep everyone who is interested posted on my progress.
Another good idea - - - to keep you guys posted on my progress. A good journal way to keep me and everyone else up on my success......
Thanks sillychick.
Turn up the volumn.
1 person likes this
@nichole1983 (1187)
• Canada
3 Jan 08
congrats on the 10 pounds in 20 days... thats awesome to hear.. and im happy you are doing it for yourself and not for someone else.. i really wanna tone up go back to the healthy me that i was before not as skinny as i have been in the past that i just look so sick... not a good feeling at all... i want tone and depth to my body...
good choice of workout as well.. it does help... let us know how things go like a month from know.. im curious to know... happy dancing :)
1 person likes this
@terilee79720 (3621)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Thanks nichole - I'm going to try to keep everyone informed with my progress. I feel soooo much better already - not to mention what the encouragement has done for me. It gives me a boost to do my best...
