Hi guys,
I recently lost about 9kg, it was a struggle but I'm so happy! I am doing a triathlon next weekend and my next aim is to get more defined abs!!
Anyway, I had to battle with a very very strong love of food which I realise now borders on an eating disorder.
Here are my tips:
- Make friends with exercise. Don't stop reading because I said that, trust me!! I hated it when I first started but then one afternoon I had two hours to spare before I met my girlfriends for dinner. I did a pump class and an hour of cardio and I was amazed by how good I felt afterwards! It was this endorphine rush that kept me going back to the gym, and eventually my body started to change. Because I was used to eating a lot, I got really hungry, but exercise ensured that I was able to lose weight while I was still learning how many calories to take in, what food to eat etc.
- Mix up your exercise - dance & step classes are fun. At the moment I work out 5-6 days a week (still have a few more kg to shift), mixing up bike riding, with strength training, with running, with aerobics classes at the gym. Some days I just think "F**K IT" and so I let myself have a day or two off. Even if you feel tired and not in the mood, just put the radio on and dance for 3 songs, or go for a walk and do some stretches. I was never a morning person but I used to get up at 6.30am to go to the gym just so it was over and done with.
- Find an idol/motivator - I read Ajay Rochester's book 'the lazy girl's guide to losing weight' and it motivated me so much! While I think 1200 calories is too little, it taught me so many other things!
- Don't give up if you blow out. There were many times when I thought I had stuffed it up and I would go back up to 78kg but I somehow managed to keep losing despite my social binges.
- Have treats! I have dinners out and takeaways and chocolates and I drink about once a week but I have still managed to do it. Be good about 80% of the time, but treat yourself too. I find it helpful to be really good on weekdays so I can relax on the weekends.
- Keep telling yourself positive things, like how beautiful you are. I think that when you lose weight you can often have a very negative voice saying "that's not enough" or if you put on a few grams one week you'll feel like you're a failure. It's a slow process but just keep trekking and treating yourself well.
- If you have emotional eating problems, you have to deal with them. They will most likely come to the surface when you try and get healthy anyway.
Anyway, I love this forum and I thank you guys for all your help!!!
xx