Weight loss is a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly journey. My journey to better health has had its ups and downs but I want to say that I think I am finally on an up with my weight loss journey.
If you have read my earlier blogs you might have read back in August that I was going to go to the Medical Weight Loss of New York to see if they could help me with my weight. This week I had my third visit and since August I have lost about 13 lbs which is good. When I was in the hospital for an accident I had gained 20 lbs from water and had to lose that first. If I counted the water gain that I lost I could boast that I lost 33 lbs. but that just does seem right to include that as part of what I have lost for body weight.
At this last appointment I lost 5.8 pounds and 5.2 was fat mass with only a loss of 0.5 muscle. I have been working out once again at the gym but have to take it easy as I am still healing. I had hoped to have gained some muscle as I had lost a good 2.2 of muscle from not being able to exercise. I was told to give it just a little more time and I will regain what I had lost and then some as long as I keep working out and eating enough protein. We will see what happens next month for muscle growth.
It feels really good to finally slip on a shirt I haven't been able to wear for a year! I am now more motivated to working out since I am seeing visible results. I also keep track of everything that I am eating. It can be rough sometimes not eating rice, pasta, breads, or any sweets but it really is starting to pay off. I don't do any baking as I learned several years ago that if I bake the only person around to eat it is me. I guess you can say, that I lack self-control when it comes to sweet deserts, so best not to have them in the house. I now eat fresh fruit or frozen fruit for a desert if I need that sweetness.
The journey of weight loss entails self-control and self-motivation. We are all accountable to no one but ourselves and good health physically and mentally can't come about unless we put forth the determination to succeed. Our mental health is a very important key in this journey.
Weight gain happens usually from what is going on in our heads. Are we eating for emotional reasons. Did someone hurt us. Do we handle disappointments by eating? Are we dealing with low self-esteem? Are we afraid of something?or, Perhaps even eating out of boredom? These are questions I have been asking myself and trying to analyse why I over eat.
I know that some of my over eating is from being bored. Once home it is quiet and there is no one around to talk to. After my mother passed away two years ago I don't have her to chat with for an hour on the phone or to go and visit her, take her shopping or drive her to her doctor appointments. There is quite a void to try to fill. I also have a very good friend who I would see and call but sadly she too had passed away.
I also have done some emotional eating, like when I get upset and angry, that is the time I will eat. Sometimes if someone disappoints me and I am feeling sorry for myself, thinking they don't care about me or some other 'woe's me' head talk, I will eat. This is the time I want comfort food. Why is it that we crave cheese or chocolate? I don't keep these in the house but I have been known to go to the store to buy cheese or buy something to bake that is cheesy and high calorie. It is afterwards that I will then feel guilty as I knew I had consumed a lot of calories. Sometimes it is easy to just say, "I give up!" or "Why do I keep trying!" but to throw the towel in would not be beneficial at all. Best to say, "o.k., I made a mistake'" and then the next time think first as to why I want to eat and then find another way to get my mind off of food.
Until my next blog....... have a wonderful day!
