Kee Kee asked some great questions that made me think, and motivated me to re-commit, and reach my fitness goals.
“Hey, this is pretty random. I was on Google searching for blogs bout losing weight and one website link to another. In the end I’m here. I was just wondering what makes you so determined in losing weight? I’ve always wanted to lose weight and came out with all sorts of strategies. But I just can’t follow them. I guess it was my lack of determination and self-discipline.
I had been doing exercise during my summer break for about 2 months. I was losing weight but very slowly. And there wasn’t any visible change beside feeling stronger physically and healthier. So when my new term starts, I stopped exercising totally. My university is organizing an annual dinner (which is exactly like school prom) next month 4th of April, which is exactly one month away. I need to lose weight in one month. This is almost like an impossible mission.
I saw your earlier post where you have visible weight lost within weeks. Is there any advice you can give? And did you starve yourself in the beginning? I really wish to look nice in this prom as this could be the last prom I attend with my boyfriend. Please help me. Thank you very much.
I also couldn’t spend too much time on this as my exam is just few weeks after the annual dinner. So I have to study while doing this. Which means I can’t spend 3 hours exercising everyday or starve myself. Cos I can’t study when I’m hungry. This is really difficult.” – Kee Kee
I know that almost every adult has found themselves in this situation. These answers are probably for me more then anyone. Sort of a self-pep-talk.
“I was just wondering what makes you so determined in losing weight?”
Started with Surfing Lessons =) It has to be fun, not just self-discipline. Once I make a promise to myself then I’m in it for the long haul. My health has become my first priority. It should have always been that way, and every day I still have to remind myself that it is most important.
Then, this Blog! Nothing more motivating then finding out that 526 new visitors found your site one day. More importantly finding new fitness friends who believe in the same things you do, and support you 100% of the way. It’s easy and free to set one up thru Wordpress, or Google. I started this to be a journal, and it ended up being one of my greatest tools for fitness.
Finally, I decided to take responsibility for my healthy. Seriously. I had over 6 months of pretty extreme illness. In and out of different specialists, surgeons. Had multiple surgeries, procedures, and more test then I knew existed. I finally decided to take responsibility for my health. Getting educated and getting healthy. My goal is personal optimal health.
“But I just can’t follow them. I guess it was my lack of determination and self-discipline.”
Believe! I had some self-esteem problems that I didn’t even realize I had. I’m learning how to believe in myself, to believe I’m worth it, and that I can accomplish anything. I visualize myself accomplishing the goal. This even helps with every day choices. It’s kind of like going into an interview knowing that I can’t get the job, no mater what I say, somehow I will sabotage my chance of getting the job. However the flip side is also true. When I truly believe in something, I can’t lose.
“Anything is possible when you realize your unlimited potential.”
If looking good on prom night isn’t motivating enough when it comes down to getting your daily workout in. Then find something that is. What are you passionate about? Link your goal to something your passionate about, something that’s exciting.
“I need to lose weight in one month.”
So do I!!! Ok, I don’t need to, I want to, or better yet I chose to. It’s all about my everyday choices. It adds up, weather it’s on a scale or in the way I feel. I’m getting very close to my trip and I’m no wear near my goal. I need to blast my fitness goals out of the water and get serious, but I still need to make it fun. Thanks to your comment, and questions, I’m setting up a 1 Month Plan.
Trainers Game Plan (First 3 Weeks)
My trainer set up a game plan that can help me lose weight up to 4 lbs/week while still gaining muscle.
- Eat 40:30:30 (Protein:Carbs:Fat)
- Use the Daily Caloric Intake Calculator to figure out your daily maintenance level. Then, make sure to have a 1000 calorie deficit. 500 from food and 500 from exercising. On the days I exercise less I eat much less, and on the days I want to splurge a little I plan on splurging on exercising as well. Fit Day is another free easy to use site, to get an idea of how much your eating. It even breaks it into the three categories (Protein:Carbs:Fat) as well making it real easy to see where your at for the day or plan out the week ahead of time. =)
- Exercise 5 days a week for 1 hour. Rotating Cardio days with Resistance Training/Cardio days. Keep the heart rate in my Fat Burning Zone(60-80% of my resting heart rate) when doing cardio.
10 Day Turbo Slim (Last 10 Days)
“I saw your earlier post where you have visible weight lost within weeks. Is there any advice you can give? “
That was all the 10 Day Turbo Slim. It was hard, but anything worth working for always is. Even after I completed the 10 days I loved my results so much that I knew I would do it again if I ever needed to jump start weight loss, or slim down. I lost 7lbs and 15 inches. And that’s even with getting a little off track over the first weekend, and adjusting the meal plan to things I could afford, or already had on hand.
Tips to make it easier this time…
- Make sure I have all the food for the 10 days before hand.
- Don’t plan on going out to eat during those 10 days. Unless I’m ok with being the only one at the table who’s eating salad when every one else is on their 3rd slice of pizza.
- Prep the meals the night before when possible. It makes the choice easy when it’s already planned out.
- Eat one of my snacks 20min before I workout, to make sure I have enough energy to give it 100%, and not get dizzy.
- Plan on getting plenty of rest and possibly being a bit edgy. Having a deficit of calories, is bound to make my emotions a little out of whack, and also very sleepy, along with working out every day.
- Make sure whoever I live with is on board or at least make sure they know what I’m up to. They may not support me, they may even unknowingly try to sabotage me, but let them know my game plan.
- Focus on the positive. Don‘t focus on what‘s not working but what is.
- Visualize myself reaching my goal.
- Every time I think “I want chocolate” remind myself “What I want more is…” Then go for the celery or almonds instead =)
“And did you starve yourself in the beginning? “
No, I don’t believe in that, and I don’t have the will power to not eat. Probably because my logic starts working and says, “This is not healthy, or smart.” My body needs fuel. I love food, and I know when I go too long without eating I get headaches, cranky, and then. . . I binge.
Solutions…
-Plan out all meals a head of time having the food on hand or better yet meals planed will help me fill up on the right kinds of foods
- Prevent hunger or cravings by eating every 2-3 hours.
- I try to think about my cravings logically not emotionally. Why am I craving that? What is in that food that I really do need? Candy bars are a sure sign I’m low on calories. Why am I low on calories?…I’ve been able to think myself out of chocolate, and into a delicious bowl of strawberries =)
The Turbo Slim Plan has lots of snacks ideas that are healthy, and energy packed. During the 10 Days I tracked everything i ate and did every day with a post. I’ve added a new Turbo Slim category so you can now easily follow my last 10 day venture. This new venture will go under the new 1 Month Plan category =)
“My goals are in stone, and my plans are in sand.
Consistency is the Key
I’m a huge believer in that. Anything I’ve stuck to long enough has worked. No “diet” has every failed me. I’ve made poor choices that only I can be accountable for. The fun part is being accountable for making the right choices. Fitting into size 8 jeans was a great reward that I never thought would be motivating, but it sure was.
“I can’t spend 3 hours exercising everyday or starve myself. “
- Exercise: I’ve never worked out more then 1 hour a day. I had to decide how much I wanted my goal. Then, honestly decide how much time I would commit to exercising, prepping and eating healthy. If I don’t write it down some where it rarely happens.
- Eat: Every 2-3 hours: To prevent poor choices decide and plan ahead of time. I even pre-packed healthy on-the-go snacks. This helped during the day and prevented hunger or possible binging later in the day
Back when I had finals I would use water, protein and fruit to help pull me thru the all nighters. Chicken, Ice water, and an orange gave me energy without the crazy energy crash or headache that I get from sugar and caffeine.
No Excuses
Normally I would give myself some speech on, “Today is the day to start, no need to procrastinate any longer.” Ok, I am giving my self a Game Plan. I have one nasty head cold, but…No Excuses. I’m re-committed. There are plenty of things I’m already doing and even more I can do to help speed my recovery. I’m going to keep making healthy choices and blast my cold away. I’ll be starting this 1 Month Game Plan on Monday the 9th. I’ll end it April 8th. This will be fun.
Honestly, who says that? I do. I’ve done something like this before, and the results are so rewarding, and worth all the hard work. I Believe!
March 4th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Kee Kee: I hope this helps in some way. I know it will help me. Thanks for helping me realize what i need to do. Hope you enjoy your Annual Dinner, and find a way to reach all of your goals.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Beautifully written.
“When I truly believe in something, I can’t lose.” There’s definitely something to that. We have to really really WANT it. It takes a lot of self discipline, and you’ve certainly got that.
March 7th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Great post! Well said.