Friday, February 22, 2019

Making a Comitment

Through hard work, both without and within, I have lost a total of 70 pounds, including my goal of 52 pounds lost last year.  I have increased the amount of exercise I get and decreased my food intake, neither of which is easy no matter what anyone says.  I have also worked hard to understand some of the emotional reasons as to why I held on to this weight for so long.

If anyone tells you there is not an emotional component to eating or exercising they are blowing smoke.  We all have our reasons for why we eat and exercise the way we do and it doesn't always have to do with food or exercise itself.  Food and exercise are a means to an end, like money is simply a medium of exchange.  Very few people eat simply to fuel their bodies and move just to get a particular task done.  Before you deny these thoughts out of hand, think about them.  Think about how you feel when you sit down with friends and family for a meal.  Think about how you feel when you take a walk through the park.

I am an emotional eater.  Not everyone is.  I eat to feel good.  I eat when I feel bad.  I eat when I am bored.  I had to find healthier ways to deal with these and other emotions.

When I need to think, I now walk or clean the house.  If I get bored, I pick up one of my many projects I have wanted to do and get busy or I read a book.  If I am feeling restless, I go for a hike or go to the gym.  If I am feeling bad, I take a good hard look at where those feelings are coming from and deal with them, even if it means taking a long walk or going for a drive.

As I have lost weight, my body has started pressuring me to exercise more.  I feel better when I have worked hard enough to work up a sweat.  I feel strong.  I feel powerful.  I feel energetic.  I feel good.

I have lost a lot, but I still have a long way to go.  I am hoping to lose at least 26 pounds this year.  The closer I get to my goal, the more difficult it will become to get there, so I am doing my best to be realistic.

Maybe while I am setting goals I will set a goal to write more often on my blog.  I'll think about it.

I'm off for my morning stroll.