If you follow me on Instagram you probably seen me post things like #lifestylechange #nodiet or #dietsdontwork. Today one of my followers asked me a question I felt was a good topic to blog about.
@determined2satisfied...how did you lose the weight without dieting?What exercises did you do?
I use the word "diet" meaning putting restrictions on myself on what I could or could not eat. In the past would eat salads for a week lose some weight and quit three days later. I did the cayenne pepper diet but that didn't last more than two days lol. I've tried Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, LA Weight loss, over the counter diet pills, prescription diet pills, slim fast but nothing lasted more than a month or two. I know now I wasn't mentally prepared at that time, you have to get your mind right to be successful. You have to BELIEVE you can do it and push yourself even when you don't want to.
In December of 2013 I committed to making a "Lifestyle change" my priority. I started out making small changes, like only drinking water and paying attention to my portions. I logged my meals and tried to stay within my calorie limit. If I really wanted something I would eat it but I would still log it. I researched and found healthier ways to make the unhealthy foods I enjoyed. I found different recipes online and tried new things. I came into this journey with a positive outlook excited to document my journey.
I had to find what worked for me, not everything I tried was successful but that's part of the journey. The way I look at food during my journey was if I plan to to eat something after I lose the weight,I would eat it while I was losing the weight. I knew I couldn't eat fast food 5xs a week and reach my goals but if one day I wanted some I would eat it. I realized when I told myself I couldn't have something that's when I wanted it the most.
Three weeks into my journey I participated in a 6 week bootcamp challenge on Instagram. I learned different smoothie recipes and the difference between juicing and smoothies. I even won a free juicer during the challenge which motivated me even more. For me I learned early on that breakfast smoothies worked best for me. One reason being in the past I never ate fruits/vegetables, drinking one smoothie made it easy for me to get my fruit/vegetables servings in one meal. Second smoothies are convenient, I'm always in a rush and on the go so I need something quick and easy.
As time passed, I started seeing results which motivated me to eat cleaner. I remember my first meal prep was a fail. I made all this food, just Iike I saw on Instagram and didn't eat half of it lol. After that I would say, I don't like to meal prep, I don't like eating the same thing, it's too much work. Then I realized, everyone is different and I had to find a way to make meal prep work for me. Now meal prep is a must for me; I usually meal prep enough for me to take to work for the week for lunch.
As for working out, in the beginning I just focused on being consistent. I had a history of joining gyms, kickboxing classes or bootcamps and then never going. This time I just I signed up for free guess passes and tried different classes/gyms. Some days I would just go and walk a mile, others I would do more. I kept motivated by trying new things and trying to beat myself. I took pictures of the treadmill so I could remember how long it took me to complete a mile or 2 then try to do better next time. After a month on my journey I knew I was committed and final joined Synergy. My favorite class was Pound Fitness! Six months into my journey I started signing up for different races; something I so against a year ago.
I don't feel like I'm on a diet, I eat healthy more often than not but I still eat unhealthy meals. 80/20 rule. I don't have certain cheat days or cheat meals. I CAN eat whatever I want but I choose to eat according to my goals. I don't drink how I use to but I've had my share of drinks this year. It's all about having balance, staying active and changing the way you think. You have to take it one day at a time, don't be extreme and change everything overnight. I wasn't eating Quinoa & chicken meal prep week 1 of my journey.
"I changed my whole life not just what I ate"
