Trying to get fit!

About 16 years ago, I weighed more than I had ever weighed in my life, and after a trip to the beach with Ron and Cindy, I decided I HAD to lose some weight!  (Nothing like seeing your thin friend in a bikini to motivate you.)  I immediately came home and talked to my friend and neighbor Becky.  She had lost a lot of weight, and I wanted to know her secret.  She told me she had joined TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly), and she gave me the details about it.  I told her I wanted to go with her to the next meeting.  I went, and I joined, and about seven months later, I had lost 33 pounds and had met my goal.  I maintained that weight (within five pounds on either side) for about seven years.  And then I got lazy.  And the weight returned. 

For the last couple of years, I've said I needed to lose weight.  I've played around with losing weight.  But I never got serious about it.  Earlier this year, I said that by the time school was out, I was going to lose at least ten pounds.  It didn't happen.

Last week, I made up my mind that I AM going to get serious, and I AM going to get some of this weight off!!  I am tired of seeing that size 16 in my clothes.  I hate buying XL.  I AM going to do something about it!  So I downloaded the 5K Runner app, an exercise log app, the MyFitnessPal app, and the MapMyWalk app.  And yes, I have actually used them.  Daily.  I don't plan on running a 5K, but that one helps me keep my pace up.  I could probably delete the exercise log app because I put my exercise into MyFitnessPal, and now that I have done several walks around town, I pretty much know the mileage, so MapMyWalk could be deleted too.  I doubt I will delete it, though, because I do like knowing exactly what I've walked and the speed.

I've started drinking more water again, and I'm being more conscious about what goes in my mouth.  Do I REALLY want to put those 43 calories in my mouth for a one-inch square Snickers?  Or would I rather have an apple?  Sure, an apple has about twice the calories, but it is also more filling, and it provides healthy nutrients.  The Snickers provides a brief moment of bliss.  Don't get me wrong; sometimes that brief moment of bliss is EXACTLY what I need, and I have it, but I try to be smart about it.

Exercise and watching what I ate (and going to TOPS) was how I lost my weight before, so I know I can do it again.  I did consider joining Weight Watchers, but I figure my accountability will be to myself through the apps instead of going to the weekly weigh-ins with a group.

Today was day 7 of my fitness plan.  When I weighed, I was down 4-1/2 pounds from Tuesday, and I had lost right at two inches.  I know the first week or so is when the most dramatic change occurs, so I don't expect to be down almost ten pounds this time next week, but I am very pleased with myself so far.  I don't plan on my goal weight being quite so low this time.  I had a couple of people tell me I looked anorexic when I was down to 125-130 pounds.  I didn't see it at the time, but when I look at pictures now, I can tell how gaunt my face did look.  And of course, there is nothing like the tactlessness of teenagers to tell you how bad you looked in old yearbook pictures.  :-/  My first goal is to reach a ten-pound loss.  When that happens, I'll set another one until I reach my goal of 40 pounds lost.  That sounds like SO much to me right now, but hey, I have only 35-1/2 to go!  :)

Now, I need to decide what HEALTHY meal I want to make for dinner.  Have a GREAT day!