The latest ebook to pass through my hands was 344 Pounds: How I Lost 125 Pounds by Counting Calories, by Shawn Weeks. It struck close to home, this book.
For the better part of the last decade I had a (losing) seesaw battle with the bulge. Gaining several pounds here, losing some a few months later, only for the weight to come back on with additional poundage in tow. Although I would consider it a wee bit depressing at times, I didn't really make a huge effort to stick to the changes I embarked on in a consistent fashion, namely dieting and exercising. Maybe because it seemed to smack too much of... sacrifice.
At the time I wasn't willing enough to "suffer" to lose weight, so I went back to my sedentary lifestyle, munched on my junk foods of choice, and pretended that everything was A-ok.
Then came the rude (and quite painful) awakening.
After enduring stomachaches that couldn't be alleviated by pain meds, I found out I had numerous gallstones and had to have my gallbladder removed. After the successful operation, I was actually given an all-clear to eat what I wanted, but "in moderation."
In moderation. Those two words seemed to be the key. It didn't mean I had to deprive myself of what I enjoyed eating, but I had to do so in reasonable, moderate quantities. And I definitely wasn't doing that in the past.
A previous blog post tackles this theme as well. At the time I wrote it in June 2011, I had lost 10 kg already. By the end of 2011, I had shed 25 kg, through a combination of brisk walking and running, as well as mindful eating (for the most part, at least).
People I know would actually be skeptical when I negated their assumption that I was taking something (pills, supplements and whatnot) in addition to my routine. I guess it's because as a society, we have been programmed to believe that we need pricey solutions to our problems, when in fact the fuse to light that spark to action actually lies within us.
The book's author chronicles his own journey from 344 pounds to losing 125 of them, without giving up his favorite snacks. The key was increased physical activity, and counting calories; in other dieting parlance, "portion control." Which is actually rooted in science anyway. Put in more than what your body needs, and you gain weight. Use up more energy than what you put in, and see the pounds fade away.
Throughout 2012, I managed to keep the weight off, give or take a few pounds during holidays, which I would try to lose once more after all the festivities had died down. This is also something that the author touched on: it's ok to fall off the proverbial wagon occasionally. That's cool, don't knock yourself over the head too much. As long as you come back the next day to make up for it.
It has not always been easy, but thinking of growing old as a healthy person is more than enough to keep the motivation alive.
Now that the holiday season has just concluded, it is time to walk those pounds away once more.
For the better part of the last decade I had a (losing) seesaw battle with the bulge. Gaining several pounds here, losing some a few months later, only for the weight to come back on with additional poundage in tow. Although I would consider it a wee bit depressing at times, I didn't really make a huge effort to stick to the changes I embarked on in a consistent fashion, namely dieting and exercising. Maybe because it seemed to smack too much of... sacrifice.
At the time I wasn't willing enough to "suffer" to lose weight, so I went back to my sedentary lifestyle, munched on my junk foods of choice, and pretended that everything was A-ok.
Then came the rude (and quite painful) awakening.
After enduring stomachaches that couldn't be alleviated by pain meds, I found out I had numerous gallstones and had to have my gallbladder removed. After the successful operation, I was actually given an all-clear to eat what I wanted, but "in moderation."
In moderation. Those two words seemed to be the key. It didn't mean I had to deprive myself of what I enjoyed eating, but I had to do so in reasonable, moderate quantities. And I definitely wasn't doing that in the past.
A previous blog post tackles this theme as well. At the time I wrote it in June 2011, I had lost 10 kg already. By the end of 2011, I had shed 25 kg, through a combination of brisk walking and running, as well as mindful eating (for the most part, at least).
People I know would actually be skeptical when I negated their assumption that I was taking something (pills, supplements and whatnot) in addition to my routine. I guess it's because as a society, we have been programmed to believe that we need pricey solutions to our problems, when in fact the fuse to light that spark to action actually lies within us.
The book's author chronicles his own journey from 344 pounds to losing 125 of them, without giving up his favorite snacks. The key was increased physical activity, and counting calories; in other dieting parlance, "portion control." Which is actually rooted in science anyway. Put in more than what your body needs, and you gain weight. Use up more energy than what you put in, and see the pounds fade away.
Throughout 2012, I managed to keep the weight off, give or take a few pounds during holidays, which I would try to lose once more after all the festivities had died down. This is also something that the author touched on: it's ok to fall off the proverbial wagon occasionally. That's cool, don't knock yourself over the head too much. As long as you come back the next day to make up for it.
It has not always been easy, but thinking of growing old as a healthy person is more than enough to keep the motivation alive.
Now that the holiday season has just concluded, it is time to walk those pounds away once more.
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