My wife has pictures around our house from the good old days, when I was some 20 pounds lighter than I am now. Without trying to sound like a diet-sales-spam, I'm going to use the cliche "I've struggled with my weight for most of my life". I suppose I'm lucky that I'm not obese, and never have been, but my issue is how easy I put the extra weight back on, after I work hard to loose it, especially these days.
Being 44 it stands to reason that my metabolism burns less calories than it used to, therefore I have to be more pro-active to drop pounds than I used to be.
It feels rather odd to be writing about something so personal, but let's face-it, all aspects of our lives are effected by a healthy body, and the image in the mirror is one that we wish would match our own ideal perception, of how we should look. If we're not happy with what we see in the mirror, then how can we expect other people to like us enough to believe in our abilities? It's so easy to let the body get out of hand and then the self-esteem is dragged down with it, like an endless cycle.
Sure I know that our outward image is not the core of happiness, yes being obsessed with looks is a sure sign of vanity, but what about the lack of energy from poor nutrition? and just the feeling of being overweight? when the clothes don't fit well and an obvious craving for caffeine and/or sweets interrupts our work? as the body runs tired trying to burn off all the toxins ingested the previous night. Again, and endless cycle, not to mention the simple discomfort of having the added bulk on the frame.
Ok, it's obvious the time has come again to make changes and enact some self-improvements. Despite the plaguing knowledge that this year alone I've embarked upon at least 5 earnest efforts to gain control over my personal eating habits. Having kept a journal with a diary and an ink pen, which by the way seems novel, in this day of high-technology and with all these blogs, but no-one but me reads my journal, whereas I'm not sure who reads this Blog. Anyway, I'm using this Blog to improve-myself and hoping that baring my soul a little will further motivate me to remain more disciplined about my health regime.
What I have learned from looking back in my ink and paper journal, is that it's relatively easy for me to drop the first 4 kg (weight is measured in kilograms here in Brasil), and once I lost as much as 7, but then I always broke the good patterns and quickly put the weight back on. So this time, I'm aiming for 10 kg loss by January 1, which is about 22 lbs. and makes an average of 3 lbs per week. This is realistic for me, and according to my knowledge of nutrition, shouldn't cause any health risks or leave me with too much diminished energy.
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I'm using the comment system built into this incredible Blog software (Movable Type) to keep track of my health regime. This Blog Post will become the tracking for the progress of my new regime. Maybe it'll provide some inspiration to anonymous readers, but primarily it's been published and designed for my own personal purposes. - Aaron
This morning I stepped on the scale to discover that I've already shed 2kg. Now down to 86.
It's a good start but I've really been craving carbs and find myself a little grouchy - Aaron
One week in and the worst part of the diet is behind me. The scale said that I was down to 84kg or that I've shed 4kg which is almost 9 lbs.
Good start but long way to go.
- Aaron
Back at it again, as all the hard work was wasted in a few weeks of travel. Too much beer and good food and all the weight came back faster than it came off.
This time I had a professional evaluation, connected to heart monitor and computer while tested on a tread-mill. Top honors for a healthy heart but now the diet is on again...
Yo-yo dieting at it's best. Down to 82.2kg then up to 83.7 and bouncing between. At least I'm running 3-4 times per week and working out at the gym.
Slipping back up to 85kg and decided it's time to put on the brakes, so another diet session begins and this time aiming to drop 5 kg in 30 days.
Looking back on 2006, in terms of my health and weight, it would seem that 85kg was about the norm, although I did drop as low as 82 and a high of 88. However, my overall fitness improved and my strength improved dramatically, thanks to consistent working-out at my club.
Now I'm going to attempt, once again, to lose 5kg. My target date is Feb. 21.