One Step at a Time

It has been awhile, since I wrote for the blog. Many things are happening in my life… A breather today was welcomed with open arms .

So how are things going for me? Pretty good! Lost a bit of weight in last month. And now 15 days into Ramadan, more weight loss should happen.

So what’s my current weight? Hey, you know I hardly measure myself on the scales. So how do I know that I have lost few kilos? The fit of my clothes says it all. They are bit loose than before, my wedding ring glides easily onto my finger and I can feel the increase in my energy levels. The whole process wasn’t easy for me though.

All along, I took small steps and achieved victories at each step. And trust me, these small victories have been good motivator for my weight loss journey. Few baby steps and good habits at a time made way for healthier me.

Earlier I tried various ways to shed pounds, but I burned out too easily. After some good soul searching, I decided to take small achievable steps. Did you know that it takes about three good weeks to establish a habit? I found this when i was pushing myself religiously, sometimes once/twice a day to do my yoga exercises. Besides working out at home, I would look forward to my classes. Yoga helped me calm down and enjoy ‘me’ time, which was rare.

Before starting yoga, I was not sure how to get started. So I sat down with my list of changes and chose weight loss as the first change. I haven’t been able to do a makeover in my entire diet, but it is happening in bits and pieces.

I feel confident each day with my renewed sense of energy. I am positive that I will be able to check off all the items on my list for change soon.

Have you hit the Weight Plateau?

You did the right exercises, ate the right foods, and controlled your portion sizes, but still the scales did not budge. Isn’t it extremely frustrating, when scales stop co-operating?

Just because you haven’t lost weight, avoid the temptation to drown your sorrows by taking extreme measures such as skipping meals or excessive workouts. A weight plateau is no reason to give up on a healthy plan. Instead, it could mean that you’re ready for something more.

The numbers on the scales don’t tell us all that is needed to assess fitness levels. Calm down, regroup your priorities and consider other ways to measure your progress. It’s time to see health rewards elsewhere other than on the bathroom scales.

Monitoring numbers such as body fat percentage, waist-hip ratio, BMI, blood pressure, heart beat rate, cholesterol and stress levels and improved overall quality of life denote positive change in the weight loss efforts.

Few ways to trace your progress:

Keep a daily journal of your fitness activities, measurements, dietary needs, sleep and your day-to-day feelings.

The fit of your clothes is the best indicator of how is your body shaping up with regular exercise and healthy food habits. If your clothes hang looser in all the right spots unlike earlier, then your weight loss program is effective

Test your fitness level to measure your muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, stamina and flexibility. Repeat these tests at regular intervals and compare the results. Difference in numbers should tell all.

Stalling in a weight loss program is natural. A plateau means that your body needs a change in the intensity, frequency and/or type of workout. The ideal way to get over weight plateau is to bring about small changes in kinds of exercises, speed and intensity of doing them.

I too, have reached weight plateau many a times and frankly it is uninspiring. But my fitness success is not measured by bathroom scales alone. Fit of the clothes and finger ring, increase in flexibility, stamina and energy levels to do various things gauge my weight loss progress.

Workout Buddy

Revamping you’re eating habits, starting an exercise plan and improving your overall lifestyle is not easy. These are big changes and one definitely could use all the encouragement and support required to maintain these changes.

Experts say people who have support and encouragement are successful in maintaining their diet and exercise programs.

Having a support or making a commitment to improve your lifestyle along with someone like a close girlfriend/buddy, significant other or your own child – will make you want to stick to your program, simply because that person is counting on you.

If you’re on a look out for a buddy, ask your neighbour to commit to walking together for 30 minutes daily a week, sign up for a dance class with your friend/spouse, play a sport with your child or cook healthy meals over weekend for your family. This will help you keep up your new lifestyle changes.

You can also look for support online. Like your best pal, who is just an email away or sign up with any of the weight watchers sites where you will come across inspiring stories of people who have successfully managed to shed off pounds and improve their lifestyle through proper healthy diet plans and exercise regimes.

Sindhu and I started this blog for supporting and encouraging one another in our journey towards healthier lifestyle. Along the way, we have come across people who appreciate that the fact, a workout buddy is a must. We have been successful to a certain extent, but we still have a long way to go.

Go find that extra support. There is no time to waste.

Healthier Alternatives

Try munching on a low cal sandwich made from whole wheat bread instead of white bread low cal sandwich. Try refined rice instead of plain ole’ white rice. Turn to honey and organic jaggery for sweetness instead of sugar, plain water or fresh lime water instead of aerated drinks and skimmed milk instead of the regular milk. Opting for healthier food options in our diet will cut our calories and increase the nutrients in our body.