I found out about a walkathon that's being held in my neck of the woods next month. It's sponsored by the American Heart Association. The walk includes a quarter mile or 3 mile fitness walk through the park. I've never participated in a walkathon before so I'm hoping that I can actually make it through the entire 3 miles. I haven't exercised since I left the hospital last week so I only have one month to prepare my body for this challenge.
Today, the temperature reached almost 100 degrees so there was no way I was going outside to walk in that heat. I'm thinking that early tomorrow morning might be a better bet. I guess I'll play that one by ear.
I'd like to share a weight loss story with you that I found very motivating. I love how Pamela changed her eating habits and reversed her heart disease:
Pamela lost 113 pounds and kicked the extra pounds and her meds to the curb.
Name: Pamela Jackson
Age: 45
Location: Los Angeles
Height: 5’4”
Before: 260 lbs.
After: 147 lbs.
What was the turning point that prompted you to lose weight?
One day, at the age of 41, I walked past a mirror and thought, “I do not recognize myself anymore.” My healthy and happy self was trapped inside of a body that I wanted out of.
When did you start trying to lose weight?
The first time I remember trying to lose weight was in junior high. I was able to slim down by drinking weight-loss shakes or skipping meals. However, I soon gained the weight back plus more – by my mid-twenties, I was up to 260 pounds. I would try to lose 10 pounds for an event by using fad diets (lemonade cleanse, cabbage soup, or no-carb diets), but I would always gain the weight back right after the event. In August 2011, I decided to try again and not give up this time. I realized that losing and maintaining weight is a lifestyle change, not just a temporary diet.
How did you get started?
I decided to not go on another fad diet and instead educated myself on proper nutrition. I also decided that instead of staying in the office on my lunch break, I would get up and take a nice walk. At first, I could only walk for a block or two before feeling out of breath. By April 2013, I completed a 5k walk for autism!
What was your biggest challenge?
Portion control. In the past I would eat until I was really full and didn’t pay attention to how many calories I was consuming. Learning proper portion control and keeping a list of how many calories I was eating each day played a big part in my weight loss.
What’s your current exercise routine?
I enjoy walking and jogging. I continue to walk on my lunch break or after work. On weekends I walk and jog. I would love to start taking Zumba classes.
What’s your daily diet look like?
I love a high-protein breakfast (egg whites and lean meat) and a granola bar for my morning snack. For lunch I usually have a salad or a hearty soup. Greek yogurt and fruit is my favorite afternoon snack. Lean meat and veggies with a small amount of steamed rice or a baked potato is always a nice and easy dinner. I also make over my favorite recipes into healthier ones that I can cook at home.
How has losing weight changed your life?
It changed everything – from being able to breathe better to feeling better about myself. Because of my unhealthy weight and poor eating habits, I was placed on blood-pressure and heart-rate medication. As I lost the weight, the medicine was decreased and as of today, I’m off both medicines!
Do you have any advice for those trying to lose weight?
Yes! It does not matter how many times you have failed before, you only have to be successful once. Maintaining, however, is something you have to do for a lifetime – but success and happiness are much sweeter than any cupcake!
Day 9
Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal with honey, raisins, cinnamon and walnuts,
Lunch - Creamy tomato soup and a Seasonal Green Salad with arugula, romaine, kale and radicchio blend, tomatoes, and diced cucumbers mixed with reduced fat balsamic vinaigrette.
Dinner - Homemade veggie pizza on a tortilla wrap with broccoli, cherry tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese / A side of cantaloupe
Hubby's pizza actually looked better than mine, but I was trying to avoid using too much cheese.
It's okay because it turned out great! Homemade veggie pizza is delicious. My husband even loved it so we will definitely be making this again.
Snack - A handful of sliced almonds
Water Intake - 20 oz bottle / 2 glasses
Fruits - 1
Veggies- 9
Grains - Yes, Oatmeal
Beans - Not today
Notes- My oldest daughter and I had lunch at Panera Bread today while we were out running errands. It was really delicious, by the way and I loved that they had so many vegetarian options.
No comments:
Post a Comment