Page Title

Introduction Text I'm a dreamer. I'm a thinker. I'm a writer. I'm a warrior. When I set out to lose weight, I had plenty of motivations driving a 113 pound loss. To my surprise, I discovered that reaching goal weight didn't change my life in quite the ways I anticipated. The adage of "weight loss doesn't solve all the problems in your life" is truer than I ever could've expected during my lifetime of weight struggles. In the absence of strong motivations for maintaining and in the face of increasing stresses, my drive dwindled and my weight rose. I'm taking a new approach. I'm dreaming: about the person I want to be and the life I want to lead. I'm thinking: about what makes maintenance integral to my dreams and how to go about actualizing them. I'm writing: my story to read the way I want it to read, and reminders of why the payoff is worth the effort. And I'm fighting: against the odds, old habits, numerous unhealing injuries, and seeming obstacles. http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=4100888

Maintain in the ways constituent of what I consider "successful maintenance" for me: **REFUSE TO QUIT** ~Strive for balance ^ Find & operate within the middle ground: in eating, exercising, and LIFE = Love myself = Fulfill my true needs = Focus on what's: -positive -possible -reasonable -actionable = Continue venturing outside my comfort zones = Exercise in ways that are FUN enough to positively reinforce increasing my level of physical fitness

1. Mind - practice mindfulness - meditate - journal - blog - utilize support groups 2. Nutrition - Diet centered around eating mostly lean protein, a minimum of 2 fruits & 3 veggies a day, healthy fats, and whole grains - Track food intake, combined with: ~portion control [guided by weighing and measuring food whenever possible] ~eating 3-4 hours or so to stave off hunger-based binges 3. Physical Activity * daily walks outside to meet minimum activity level (I work a sedentary job) and get fresh air * cardio -at least 60 minutes inline skating at least once per week, foot pain permitting -45 minute Bollywood Zumba class once a week, barring schedule conflicts with music lessons and 5K planning meetings -20-30 minutes of low-impact cardio once a week * stretching on cardio days * strength training 2x/week, shoulder and neck pain permitting * yoga practice at least once per week

I'm 5'8". I started at a HW of 258 lbs, reached my goal weight of 145 lbs, and maintained successfully in my range for several months. I regained up to 155 between years 1-2, successfully maintained around 175 for about 3 years, and probably got up around 180 while training for a half marathon. Over the course of 3 years of injuries which medical treatment hasn't healed, my weight climbed up to 213, for a total regain of 68 lbs. No more. I am in this for the long haul. That means learning how to arrive at a *sustainable* maintenance weight range and how to best go about successfully, healthfully staying within it with my physical limitations.

"Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around." -Vanilla Sky ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "When you keep on fightin' After you lost your strength: That's the sign of a victory. When darkness is all around you, You still find your way. That's the sign of a victory." - R. Kelly, "Sign of a Victory" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "And I just can't keep living this way. So starting today, I'm breaking out of this cage. I'm standing up, Imma face my demons. I'm manning up, Imma hold my ground. I've had enough, now I'm so fed up. Time to put my life back together right now." -Eminem, "Not Afraid" ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Something has changed within me. Something is not the same. I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game. Too late for second-guessing. Too late to go back to sleep. It's time to trust my instincts, Close my eyes, and leap. It's time to try Defying gravity." -Wicked, "Defying Gravity"

Add a Link "It's never too late to be what you might have been." - George Eliot ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Forget regret or life is yours to miss. No other road, no other way. No day but today." -Rent
Save Changes