It is hard to believe that we only have 2 weeks left of the heart challenge. I hope I have learned enough and am dedicated enough to change my health habits forever. I think that most of us are feeling a little worried that we may return to the poor health habits of prior days. One of the Heart Challenge participants had talked to a prior participant from another year and that person had regained all their lost weight. That felt discouraging but a reality.
Mindy, our dietician, devoted a large part of one of our classes talking about what determines if someone keeps their healthy habits and referred us to the National Weight Control Registry (google that), made up of 3200+ people that have lost 30-300 lbs and kept it off. HERE IS THE SECRET: Basically it comes down to continuing to monitor your food intake and exercising at least 200-300 minutes per week, eating healthy foods. This is not "rocket science". You have to stick to your goals 90% of the time and remember that each day is new and a chance to start over.
I think that all of us that have been part of this have literally felt like we have "worked" our butts off. We have not been alone. Each of us has had a great trainer. I am so grateful to Kaitlin Boston, who has put a lot of time, energy, and thought into her training. Her encouragement has been invaluable to me. Traci and Mindy have been great cheer leaders too.
I have not learned to love exercise . . . .which is unfortunate, but I like how much better I feel. My sense of balance is better, I am not having anxiety attacks anymore, I feel more stable emotionally and physically, and I look so much better. I can wear clothes that I have been unable to fit into for many years. I have increase my wardrobe by 1/3. I can run up the stairs without feeling winded.
At the beginning of this experience I think we all thought we were in it for 100 days. Not so. It never stops! Hang in there all of you and remember that today is a your day to start new!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment