So, I am embarking on a journey to lose 10 pounds. I am not "overweight", but I do have about 10 extra pounds I am having a hard time losing. I'm finding the further I get into the 30's, the harder it is to lose anything. I avoid fast food, make our family meals most every night and eat left overs for lunch. I eat oatmeal for breakfast and I stay away from candy bars, cookies, etc. Yet, those pesky pounds just won't come off. I tried running a mile each day, drinking more water, and did some minor weight training at home.......NOTHING. I have been very frustrated to say the least.
I don't have the time, money, nor inclination to join a gym and spend an hour there each day. I have a hubby and kids who would boycott if I tried to put all of us on a strict diet. I don't eat bad, I'm not a lazy bum, and I still can't seem to get the right combination to make the weight go away. What's a girl to do?
Well, I'm on a journey to find out. I know all the diet cliche's: don't starve yourself, it takes willpower, treat yourself, etc. So far, I've started making little changes:
- Drink even more water, get rid of the diet sodas :(
- Watch the snacking. I need to lose the mid-morning and mid-day snack of peanut butter crackers....those cost you 190 calories and 9 grams of fat each.
- Don't get rid of dessert, just cut down the portion....1/2 c of low fat ice cream and 1/2 of a homemade cookie is better than a whole bowl of ice cream or 3 cookies, right?
- Refuse to give into boredom eating. Ah....that's my biggest problem. Just because the fruit snacks are 80 calories and fat free doesn't mean you need to eat 3 of them just to have something to chew on. Drink water when you get the urge or chew sugar free gum.
- Smaller portions at dinner time. That's something I've learned years ago when I lost weight doing a modified, self-starting WW plan......but keep an eye on it because the portion sizes do creep back up.
- Stop adding extras. Do I really need that much dressing? Do I need that extra roll or that much butter? Save money and skip the appetizer on date night....save room for some frozen yogurt and fruit instead.
- Exercise a little at a time. If I don't have the inclination or time to run or do an activity that really gets my heart rate up, at least do some squats at work or while brushing my teeth. Get some leg lifts in at the stove.
