Monday, April 12, 2010

Weight Loss: Making a Plan

Background
Most of my life I have struggled with my weight. As far back as I can remember, I have had food and my body constantly on my radar. I was a picky eater when I was little and was frequently told I didn't eat enough (not really by my mom, but by babysitters and other family members). I also remember watching both my mom and my grandma diet and talk about losing those last five pounds. My awareness of food and its affect on my body is coupled with the fact that I am not naturally skinny. I have to be very careful with what I eat and make an effort to work out in order to feel like I'm at a good, attractive weight. I say attractive because I know that right now I am not at an unhealthy weight. I calculated my BMI the other day and it is dead-center normal. The problem I have is that I don't feel attractive. I remember a few years ago when I first met my husband. I ate so healthy and exercised regularly. I look at pictures from that time and I look great. I was definitely not too skinny; I look healthy and young and cute. I want to be there again.

Why Now?
I didn't really make a big effort to get in tip-top shape before our wedding last year. So why now? Well, I went off the pill last month. We know we want to start a family soon and my prescription insurance went up on January 1st from $15 for 3 months of birth control to $90 for 3 months. I got one last cheap 3 month supply right before the new year and used it until it ran out. It is actually perfect timing as it gives my body about two months to get used to being off BC before we're really ready to make a baby (conceiving in June would put me at a March delivery, 12 weeks off for mat. leave plus 2 months of summer vacation means I wouldn't go back to work until the little one is about 5 months old - plus, we have baby FEVER). We all know how plans go... who knows, I might be pregnant as I type this, though I doubt that one, or it might take a long time for us to conceive. However, I want my body to be READY for that baby when the times comes. I know that the shape I am in now will greatly influence the shape I'll be in during and, more importantly, after pregnancy.

How?
I am going to do this the healthiest way possible. I can't eliminate carbs or protein, I can't use any pills or powders, I can't go raw or vegetarian... I just have to eat right and exercise regularly. I plan to cut out most white stuff: white bread, pasta, and rice, sugar in the cookie/candy/cake/ice cream form (sugar in fruit form is ok), cream (nonfat milk is allowed), fatty meats (byebye bacon), etc. I will exercise using various workout videos and walking my dogs. I can't afford a gym membership and I can't run more than a minute, so I'll have to find other ways to shed the lbs.

HELP!
How do you want me to blog about this? I know there aren't many of you out there reading, but I want your input. Should I blog daily, giving you a list of what I eat and how I exercise everyday, also sharing my pitfalls and triumphs (crying through a Wendy's commercial, binging on marshmallows...)? Or would you rather just see a weekly weight-loss update? Do you want to see recipes? Video reviews? Should I share my measurements? Weight checks? Let me know what you think!

2 comments:

Jakeandjess said... [Reply to comment]

my vote...weekly updates with triumphs and other challenges you face. fav recipes for sure...weight checks if you think it might help you be more accountable.

Amy said... [Reply to comment]

Thanks for your input Jess and I agree! Beginning tomorrow with my starting weight and measurements. Check in for Weight Loss Wednesdays!

Related Posts with Thumbnails