I thought I'd take a small break from the movie blogging to address an issue I feel particularly drawn to. As we all eagerly ring in another year, we reflect within ourselves what we want to change. A common resolution is to lose weight or become more healthy, but here is where I want to address the journey of losing weight and staying that way.

Unless you knew me in my formative years, you wouldn't know that my weight fluctuated lots throughout high school and college. I never was "bulimic" or "anorexic" or anything, but it seemed like the only time I would lose weight was when I was depressed or on a resolution that started to wear after a few weeks. Of course you are probably much more disciplined than I was at that time, but even if you are, its still an challenging goal. 

Each time I had finals (and I was on a quarterly system, not semester), I studied voraciously and planted my butt down in a chair until they were over. Not eating meat at the time, I loaded on carbs, coffee, and dessert-- not exactly a healthy diet. 
 
I took action. I was mad and frustrated that I was never thin and continued to gain weight. It was almost unfair in my eyes. I found fuel in this though, and not only signed up at the gym, but hired a trainer. He was rough, he gave me a food schedule. IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO NOT BREAK THE ROUTINE. Long gone were the days when I'd let myself "cheat" the way I had for years. Eventually, it happened. I was becoming "thin". 

Coworkers and friends compliments really go a long way. Even though training myself to stick to portions was frustrating, I was beginning to have an incentive to NOT indulge. I realized that losing weight wasn't just eating right OR exercising but the combination of both. Because most people who wish to lose weight are already in the habit of eating a certain way, you have to discipline yourself to say no a lot to yourself. 

I lost about 20 pounds in the first two months. I forced myself to NOT eat fast food, run at least two miles every other day and cut my "normal portions" in half. I packed fruit at work, replaced coffee with green tea, and cut things like sour cream out and replaced it with salsa. It's a bit more work and it's a self-discipline which is always the toughest.

It's been about six years since I hired that trainer. I had him about two months before I couldn't afford him anymore, but the lessons taught stuck with me. I still love to eat, I sometimes procrastinate exercising. But before you I knew it, my body just became used to the new routine. It sounds funny but you'll learn to listen to your body a little more and when it needs greens or protein, you'll know. I wasn't educated on health or nutrition growing up. For us, eating out was a treat. But now that I know my body better, I make better choices about what I need to consume.
 
The beginning of this journey will be fun. You'll love getting to know all the ways to exercise and eat right. Don't let that inspiration die. When its March and no one is talking about resolutions anymore, that's when you'll find it most tough to maintain. Keep up with it though. Before long, you're going to love the compliments, the advice people seek from you, and the way you feel. I'm always here too if you need someone to talk you out of the dessert binge.

Already a health nut? Share with me your latest health recipes that'll help keep us fit!