So, I have been eating extremely healthy since January (besides my 6-week break in Europe), and I have lost 30 pounds. I would like to lose 20 more, so I am continuing my lifestyle, probably forever. It’s sometimes really hard when you struggle with the stresses of work and school and being a dog mom, but it is possible.
I started being a vegetarian because it was easier to eat healthier on a budget that way. I am just going to put in some tips that I found helped me in my weight loss journey.
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist nor know anything about diet and exercise besides what I read online, so I am not an expert. This is just what worked for me.
1. Slowly clean up what you are eating
I wanted this to be a lifestyle change. I came to college my freshman year, and I had a lot of family craziness that caused me to not sleep right or eat right. I ended up gaining a lot more than the freshman 15.
When I moved out of the dorms and into my apartment, I started slowing cutting out foods that I knew weren’t going to help me lose weight. I started with completely taking out boxed meals or frozen meals or anything that is pop it in the microwave ready and using stevia in my coffee. Then, I took out dairy, breads and pastas for breakfast and lunch (excluding yogurt and my coffee creamer).
I did this from September to December (excluding the holidays). When January came around, I made the big plunge. No meat, no dairy, no pastas, no bread, no excess sugars, all the time, everyday, with one cheat meal every two weeks. It was a lot easier to stick with since I had been preparing myself.
2. Drink lots of water
This point is belabored so much that I am not going to go too much into this. The Mayo Clinic recommends 72 cups for the average woman. Since I was overweight, I went ahead and drank 105. But seriously, this not only keeps you full (and in the bathroom), but your skin gets so much brighter and healthier as well.
3. Choose a lifestyle, not a diet
Like I said in my first point, I really think choosing a lifestyle is way more productive than choosing a diet. Yeah, you lose the weight slower, but you are teaching your self discipline that you will most likely follow forever.
After diets, weight always creeps back in when all is said and done, but when that is just how you eat then you should stay the same. I am not saying never eating a slice of pizza or a hamburger again, just know your limits.
4. Exercise
Okay, this is my main struggle. I hate exercise, well, mainly cardio. You know, the thing that burns the fat that I am desperately trying to get rid of. I have the body type that needs 80% cardio in my routine or I will bulk up.
Part of my weight gain was the fact that I was dumb and only did weights. So I had all this muscle, covered in fat. Now, I try to do things that I enjoy for cardio.
For example, I downloaded the Workouts app, and I do the cardio on that. You can pick your level and how long you do it. I do that in the mornings, and at night, I go to the gym and hit the treadmill.
I still do weights, but I make sure to do two times as much cardio.
5. Track your food
Hold yourself accountable. Write down everything you eat, and trust me, on days you overdo it, you will never want to again. Seeing how many calories you eat a day really changes your mindset.
I recommend the Livestrong app. There you can also put in how much water you have drank.
6. Get a regular sleep schedule, or a schedule in general
Keeping yourself busy keeps you from getting mindlessly hungry. I am a BIG Netflix watcher, and when I watch Netflix, I could consume my whole kitchen and not notice it.
Now, I keep a well schedule list of what I need to do. Every time I think of a project, I write it down and put it on my free time list. If you don’t have a project, get a hobby. Blogging, hint hint.
Also sleeping regularly helps so much too. I am being very hypocritical because I did not sleep at all last night, but I have my excuses.
Most weekdays, I wake up at 9, workout, feed/take my dog out, get dressed, eat breakfast, read the paper, go to class, come home, eat lunch, take my dog out, do homework, watch an episode of tv, do more homework, eat dinner/feed my dog, workout, bathe, sleep.
That is my working routine, for the summer at least.
Once I have completed my process, I will post the embarrassing before and after pictures. I have no idea when that will be, but I am a perfectionist and refuse to post them until I have completed my evolving (Pokemon reference, in case you are not aware).
Well those are my tips! If you have any more I would live to hear them!
Ciao!
