Two years ago I accepted a teaching position that caused me to commute for an hour and a half each way every day. In order to stay awake for those long drives, I began drinking too much coffee, eating too much for lunch, and upon arriving home, I would scarf down dinner accompanied by a heavy dose of dessert. It was as though I had never met a buffet I had not fallen head over heels in love with. Before the year had ended, I had gained nearly 25 pounds.
Did I Really Gain That Much Weight?
Both my shirts and pants began to feel awfully cramped. I felt bloated and out of shape. Once I recognized that my future spouse was not the culprit that had shrunk my clothing, my epiphany was spot on; I had eaten myself into high cholesterol and a brand new pant size.
Being patently obvious that I needed to go on a diet, I resolved to cut back on my calorie consumption and also decided to begin a workout regimen.
First Step to Weight Loss
The first step I took was switching from regular ice cream to frozen yogurt. Most frozen yogurt desserts, comparatively speaking, contain fewer calories and fat than regular ice cream treats. I also began the transition from regular soda to diet. With the advice of friends and family, I started drinking water every morning and before bed in order to quiet the urgent hunger impulses of my overgrown stomach.
Diet and Exercise
This was just the initial foray however, as I also purchased an exercise bike. I resolved to bike for a minimum of ten minutes a day and always after dinner to help expedite the digestive process. Gradually, I turned up the resistance on the bike in order to make exercising more strenuous, thus burning more calories in the process. Consequently, my legs became toned, which was a nice bonus. Having had little time to weight lift at the gym on account of the excessive travel requirements of my job, I bought two ten pound dumbbells and an over-the-door exercise contraption which is quite helpful for toning my arms. In tandem, biking and weight lifting helped me burn calories, tone my arms and legs, and begin to feel much better about my appearance.
When Should I Check the Scale?
Instead of obsessively checking the scale every night, I decided to wait for two months before checking to see my progress. I had lost approximately 10 of those 25 pounds in just two short months. The process continued as I began reducing even my yogurt and frozen yogurt intake, as portion control is essential to losing weight. Within six months I had returned to my normal form and ideal weight. I felt healthier and less fatigued that I had in a long time.
If this all sounds easy then perhaps I am in the wrong for making it sound that way. Losing weight can be frustrating and it can place a severe strain on one’s body. It is mentally stressful at first, but so too is the thought of having high cholesterol and living a destructive lifestyle. This is just one weight loss story; please feel free to share yours below in the comments section!
