Before I unveil our results, a few things I’ve learned over the past month:
- Accountability is majorly important. To a spouse, a friend, the mirror. Accountability can carry you a long way.
- Getting outside and getting some exercise cannot be overstated.
- Some people will not be as supportive as you might think. Even the backhanded compliment can eat at your willpower. “Yeah it’s working, but you’re not being healthy.” Let’s all support each other!
- Tortilla chips are the devil.
- Emotional eating and comfort food when the day turns south … a very dangerous and slippery slope.
- Life is short … enjoy it!
- Out of failure often grows success
- The wellness lifestyle is just that … a lifestyle change, not a one-time thing with a finish line.
- The calorie debit card. It’s the easiest and best way for me to consider each and every decision I make throughout the day
- News flash: I really, really like beer a lot.
Thanks for taking a ride with me this month, as I expose my inner demons and share with you the inner wrestling matches I have multiple times per day. I have learned so many things about myself, and they will all equip me to venture forward, hopefully maintaining and even increasing the positive progress I’ve made. (And if you see me in a Mexican restaurant, seriously, slap the tortilla chip out of my hand.)
The Results Are In!
When I started this challenge a month ago, I shared a real-life photo of my scale as of February 1. I was sitting at a way-too-big 232.8. Four weeks, lots of learning, and loads of beer later, today I do slightly less damage to the scale:
It’s not a super-crazy, massive loss, but I believe that it proves the point I was hoping to prove.
YES! You can splurge for those nachos … but you have to be careful the rest of the day.
YES! You can enjoy girls’ night out on the town, but you have to budget for it earlier in the day.
YES! You can have the boys over for a bottle share, but you’d better stick with salad for lunch.
This is all about moderation. Living life to its extremes and excesses may work when you’re 22 and have the metabolism of an Olympic athlete. Once we get older and gravity starts to do its thing, we have to be much more cognizant of what we’re taking in. Cardio/ sports, exercise … calorie burn is a great way to offset this trend.
While the challenge may be over, the renewed commitment to living a better and healthier lifestyle is just beginning. Share with us your tips, tricks, and best practices for enjoying life … within reason.
Cheers!
