As I mentioned, people often ask me how I lost 115 pounds in less than a year. My answer is simple, yet frustrating for many: Counting calories and exercising.
Yup, that’s it.
Trust me. I am a veteran of weight loss plans. I have successfully lost weight on Weight Watchers many times and think it is the best thing out there! This time around, however, I just couldn’t bring myself to pay someone to tell me what I already know. I’ve heard many people say you have to eat fewer calories than you burn to lose weight. Sounded pretty simple, but would it work for me?
In a word, yes. Despite my vast knowledge of Weight Watchers points, I felt at a loss when it came to determining where to begin. How many calories should I eat to lose weight? I wanted maximum results (who doesn't?). An internet search of how many calories one should eat yields numerous results. I can't even tell you which ones I looked at, but formulas abound! Most of them give you a number based on the number of calories your body needs in order to simply sustain itself throughout the day. You are generally instructed to take this number and subtract calories from it (never going below 1200 in a day) in order to determine how many calories you should be eating. You may be pleased to know that the more you weigh, the more calories your body requires to maintain itself. So, if you weigh a lot, like I did, you don't need to drop to 1200 calories right away. The idea is that you gradually reduce your calories as the weight drops off.
This is where I stop to make a confession. Almost immediately, I reduced my calories drastically. And there were many days (toward the end of my weight loss phase) that I ate fewer than 1200 calories. I do not advocate this for everyone. I'm not even sure that it made a difference in the long run. Sometimes you find that eating more calories stokes your metabolism, allowing for improved weight loss. The only point I'm trying to make is that different things work for different people (hence the name of my blog). We are all different, and what worked for me may not work for you. But I strongly believe that finding your caloric "sweet spot" is the key to weight loss success. I think a formula is a great place to start, but I think you should always pay attention to your own body and tailor things to your own comfort level. I do not think an extremely low calorie diet is safe or productive. But I also don't necessarily believe that man must live on a minimum of 1200 calories every single day of his life.
In no way do I deprive myself. During the work week, I normally have breakfast, a mid-morning snack, lunch, a mid-afternoon snack, dinner, and a treat after dinner. The key for me has been following my rule that I was NOT going to eat anything I didn't like in order to lose weight. It definitely takes time and effort, but there is a way to design an eating plan that leaves you satisfied and successful.
The other component to my weight loss was exercise. I have never liked exercise and still don't relish it. I lost 40 pounds before I did any. I began by a half mile around the block and increased a little at a time until I was walking 3 to 4 miles most days of the week. This is still primarily what I do. I've also incorporated kettlebell workouts into my routine, although I confess that I haven't used them as much of late. On a whim, I purchased a DVD and kettlebell on clearance at Target and found I loved it, despite not being one much for exercise videos. Again, the key is finding what you are comfortable with and what works for you. I have a good friend who loves to nearly kill herself exercising. If that is you, good for you!! It means you can eat more.
I do feel better and more energetic when I exercise, and I know there is vast research on the health benefits of it. So, give it a shot. But find your comfort level.
Until next time,
Jenifer
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