Day 25: Progress

Well, now we're getting somewhere. 

After my pity party 10 days ago, my sister-in-law reminded me that I have a very cool app that helps me track my food, water, macronutrients, exercise, and anything else I might want to track. I was pretty sure I knew I was eating what I needed to eat in order to lose weight, but I decided to humor her. 

I fiercely did not want to track my intake, for a lot of reasons. Mainly, I didn't want to get hung up on the calories in-calories out mentality, because there are so many other things that play into weight. I know I need to focus more on those other things if I don't want to boomerang right back to an unhealthy weight. But I did track my intake, faithfully, and now I'm seeing the results I was struggling to see before. 10 days and 4 pounds later, I must admit that I am happy I am tracking. But, I'm also still concerned about losing the details by focusing on the big calorie picture.  (The Calorie Myth by Jonathon Bailor is a good read for anyone interested in why calories are only one small piece of the weight puzzle. Any podcast bearing his name is great, too.) As long as I remain conscious, and keep working on improving my diet by small steps, I know I will create in myself a new lifestyle and mentality that will help me maintain a healthy weight for life. 

What's different about me today?

About a month into my commitment to improve my life, I have noticed some qualitative changes that are pretty cool. 

I don't crave sugar nearly as much as I did before. I went to an Overeaters Anonymous meeting once, and they mentioned to avoid refined sugar. I asked my host why and she said that it was considered a trigger food. I've held onto that note for the last twelve years since that meeting, and I believe it. I definitely notice that when I don't eat sugar, I don't crave sugar. 

I feel a lot lighter walking up the stairs. Even when I'm carrying one of my kids. It's amazing what a little strength training can do to make you feel ... stronger!

I can get up from sitting on the floor. Even when I'm holding one of my kids. I have trained my 19-month-old to get off my lap and stand on the floor while I stand. Then, and only then, will I pick her up. Now it's much easier to just stand up - I don't have to rock back and forth and make a production out of it. If someone had told me 10 years ago that at 32 I would be celebrating my ability to stand up off the floor, I would have laughed. 

All in all, I feel better today than I did a month ago. Comment below to share your progress as well!