My dad and I in April 1980. Wasn't I adorable?
I've been giving a lot of thought the past week or two about my diet. I have been eating atrociously and honestly, I'm not happy with what I look like. My pants are tight. My shirts don't look right. With the summer coming on quickly, I don't know how many of my capris are going to fit. This does not make me happy.
Last week, I was thinking about this. I was trying to find the motivation to get my butt in gear and start to eat healthy. What will finally move me to do what I know how to do and what I know I should do? And then I thought of my dad randomly. It happens frequently, something will trigger a memory and I think of him. And that's when I knew. I knew what would move me from the "I want to" stage to the "I WILL" stage. I want to make my dad proud. Sure, he's been gone for almost 25 years (this will come into play shortly), but you know what? I believe he's still here. Not physically, but I believe his spirit is still here looking out for me when it's important.
So I decided I am going to lose the 40 pounds I need to lose to make my dad proud. It will be 25 years since he passed away this coming Nov. 11th (5 months from today) and my goal is to lose those 40 pounds (or pretty close to it) by then. It's a pretty aggressive goal for me (2 pounds a week), but it's doable.
See, I've always been overweight. I think I was normal sized until I was about 3, from there on out photos are of a chubby little girl. I was told multiple times by my pediatrician that I would grow out of it as I grew. I would get taller and would thin out. That never happened. I am a statuesque 5'4 3/4" tall. Not too many places for that extra fat to go on such a short frame.
In that time frame, I learned unhealthy habits. Fruits and vegetables weren't top priority, nor was healthy eating. Until my dad died, we did have homemade meals. Dad was a cook in the Coast Guard, so he made some yummy food...but it wasn't healthy. Neither of my parents ate healthy, so my snacks weren't healthy either. And sadly, since my dad was very sick and spent a good amount of time in the hospital so many meals were on the run.
So, I want to get healthy NOW for all the years I wasn't and to make my dad proud. He loved me unconditionally, but I know he wished I was healthy. I want to honor his memory by finally getting healthy and being healthy by the time the November 11th anniversary comes.
I ask now for as much support as you can possibly give. I can't do this on my own. Having my friends behind me will keep my motivation up when I struggle because I know I will.
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Try Whole30. It's a 30 day Paleo challenge. It's totally changed the way I eat.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie! I saw you added me to the group! I'm not sure I can go 100%, but I bet there is some good stuff I can incorporate! Thank you for your help!
ReplyDeleteTake the vegan 30 day challenge. Or start slow, cut out fried foods and processed food. limit your sweets to only a treat on sundays. You are already doing a great job by running, so keep up the good work. Your dad is already proud of you. When you go out to eat, drink water while waiting for your food to arrive. You will get full fast and won't have room for dessert
ReplyDeleteThank you for the ideas! I want to focus more on fruits/veggies/protein, but not sure I can go 100% vegan. But, the concepts are good ones to follow.
DeleteNow with summer upping the temperatures, that water intake is getting easier and easier to get in. :) It's always rough in winter for me to drink it, but now I am drinking LOTS of it!
I'm here cheering you on from NJ! YOU CAN DO IT! and when you do, you'll have to let me in on all your secrets! LOL!
ReplyDeleteNicole, I will share all my secrets right here! If I can figure this thing out, then I sure as heck want others to benefit! And thank you for your support. I knew I could count on you!!
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