Wow. I totally thought that losing 4% in a month was doable in my last dietbet. Apparently not so much. Counting calories did not do it for me. I tried decreasing them a bit, and nada. I lost initially but bottomed out after that. I really felt I'd met my match and that my body was doomed.
Then I discovered carb cycling. It takes some research but to get results you have to put in the work. So I worked at it, to really understand it and got started. And thennnn...I got sick, 4 days after getting the flu shot. You can't get sick from a dead virus, so I did more research, and found out that for the reason people get sick after getting vaccinated, is because for the two weeks it takes for the vaccine to start protecting you, that's how long it takes your body to put all its resources towards fighting the injected virus. So your body is working overtime to build up against the vaccine...leaving you at a much higher risk of getting sick in that timeframe. Mystery solved.
But now, what to do? Skimp my newfound way of eating, and resolved commitment to exercise? No way. I'll just take it easy and do some Leslie dvds to stay active, and that way I can slow down when I feel like it gets to be too much on my lungs. Besides, I read that light cardio can actually boost your immune system. Who would have thought?
I also, during my time of being sick, discovered that my body retains crazy amounts of water from salt. I literally dropped 5 pounds from one day to the next, then put it back on again the very next day! I went out and got a salt substitute to use, hoping that will solve it.
It all comes down to this. I'm not going to get to my goal weight in a month. But six months, with checkmarks along the way - combined with what I've learned about my body, and this new way of eating, I think I just might get there finally. Or really close. I didn't use my blogs very much the first four weeks, but I plan to this game.
Carb cycling what it is...various forms but I'm following Chris Powell's version. Essentially clean eating, swapping out carbs for fats alternating days, and unlimited portions of most veggies. I really liked his book, Choose To Lose. I skipped ahead to the meat and potatoes of the plan and focused there, and then went back and read the whole thing - several times. It's funny how I learned something new each time I read the same material.
My plan mealwise is what's outlined in his book. Exercise wise, I am going to exercise every day, at least do something. I think the key to weight loss is doing what works for me. I've been on this journey for over a year and a half, and in that time I have learned what will set me up to make excuses, what will get me off track, what will get me on track, and what will set me up for success. All of us are different and what works for one won't work for the other. And for me, my mentality unfortunately lol is all or nothing. I can go-go-go, and if I fall off for one meal, I throw in the towel. I just am not at the point where I can stop with the one snack or one meal and get right back on again. Some are, and boy am I jealous of them lol. I pray with all my heart one day I will get there! But for now, I must start where I am at, and this is where I'm at. All clean eating, doing strictly Chris' plan, no cheat meals or reward meals that include non clean things, and exercising every day - whether it's a dvd, a walk, floor work, strength training, or whatever - but I must stay active in some way every day.
Anyway, I'm so excited to be here. The dietbet really helps me stay on track more than anything else I have tried so far. So I hope this is what does it for me. I can't wait to see how my journey will continue with my renewed hope, as I look ahead and forget what is behind. What matters is today. Right now. I'm all in it.