I've never liked too much structure or discipline. From the roads I drive to the foods I eat, I like to choose spontaneously. So I shudder when I hear from the Challenge gurus that I should have a plan to achieve my weight loss goal. But...it's true. And yet, too many rules and I rebel. So here's my "plan" which gives me lots of wiggle room to make my own choices.
1) 1500 calories a day. I'm still nursing so I need the extra 300 calories (thanks, baby!)
2) basic calisthenics every day = 30 pushups, 100 situps (the girly kind), 30 leg lifts each, and 30 squats. I find this to be surprisingly easy to incorporate when I make a game of it with my baby girl. She sits on my belly as I do situps and lies beneath me as I do pushups and she squeals and giggles every time my face gets close. I end up doing more than my goal because it is so rewarding to make her laugh.
3) a workout video 3 times a week. So far I've tried the New York City Ballet workout which I love and a couple Denise Austin videos. I feel like a cornball saying this but she is so encouraging, it really keeps me going when I want to quit. Still looking for a really good dance video.
4) a 45 minute walk 3 times a week. We have a treadmill (taking up space and looking really ugly in my living room) but I can't do more than 20 minutes before I am bored bored bored. So I have to take my walks outside. Pumpkin Girl goes with me and she loves it, too.
5) 6-8 glasses of water. I think this is one reason I feel so much better than I did just a few days ago. (okay, exercise and good nutrition, too) I kept forgetting to drink water which left me tired. I've found that drinking it through a straw keeps me drinking more.
6) daily multi-vitamin Why is this so hard for me to remember?? I have had to leave the bottle at the table next to my place setting to remind me.
7) A morning get -ready routine. I learned this from Flylady, (If you've never been to her site and you have any resistance at all to cleaning your house, do yourself a favor and visit. You CAN change and she is extremely helpful.) Anyway, my basic morning get-ready routine includes washing my face, brushing my teeth, combing my hair and getting dressed, including shoes. The shoes are important to make me feel like I'm ready to be productive. Some of you wouldn't think that these would need to be goals. Some of you find these things to be common sense and automatic. Some of you didn't just have a baby.
So there. Nah.
8) 3 servings each of fruits and veggies. Using my electric steamer in the morning has given me the option of snacking on veggies throughout the day. I never thought I would buy prepackaged already-washed-and-cut-for-you vegetables but I do and I judge myself for it, but I eat more veggies and that's the point.
9) Healthy protein at every meal I know I'm going to sound like the gadget queen, but I love my George Foreman grill for ease and lowfat cooking.
10) Chocolate every day You think I'm kidding? I keep processed food out of my diet all day long and at the end of the day, the last thing in my mouth after I put the baby to bed are two generic storebrand lowfat devils food cookies...I literally groan with relief and pleasure.
So there it is, in a nutshell, as they say. Mmm...nuts. Oh dear, time for some steamed carrots.
Good for you for working chocolate into your "plan"!
Posted by: Thea | Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Thanks, Thea.
You know, it's tough to keep it up day after day but...
Seriously, I'm so glad I have it to look forward to. And because I haven't eaten other sugar throughout the day, the flavor is fantastic. (I used to eat hordes of cookies and not taste them.)
Thank you for all your encouragement!
Posted by: Joo | Friday, May 11, 2007 at 02:34 PM
You've inspired me. Our youngest turned one yesterday, and I've been saying for months that I need to get serious about losing twenty pounds - 10 from the pregnancy and 10 I really should have lost before I got pregnant. But, without some kind of plan, I get stuck. I looked at the pictures we took yesterday, and I'm tired of seeing those extra twenty pounds. So, thanks for the inspiration to get serious about it and set a plan.
Posted by: Rebekah | Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 04:34 AM
Pictures have an odd way of bringing extra weight into focus, don't they? I can look at myself in a sort of impressionistic haze in the mirror and think I look pretty good. Then my picture is taken and I think, who let me go out of the house like this!?
Seriously, Rebekah, I am so glad you're inspired. Do go over to Tales from the Scales because there are lots of gals doing this right now sharing tips and stories. Best of luck!
Posted by: Joo | Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Oh this is SUCH an encouraging post!!! I DO need a plan, don't I??? I was following attending Weight Watchers meetings until we brought our baby home. Needless to say, I've gained weight since we got her mid February. TODAY, I am going to make my plan!!!
Thank you!
His,
Mrs. U
Posted by: Mrs. U | Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 08:14 AM