I am working really hard to lose 20 pounds. It’s one of my first goals and an important one. For me, 20 pounds lost really boosts me into the long haul. 20 pounds lost means at least 2 months of focus, numerous successes, and usually noticeable change. To reach my weight loss goals I’ll need to lose 20 pounds multiple times, but this first 20 pounds is key as I’ll have found my stride and know I’ll see a boost in motivation from the outcomes!
These past 3 years I’ve struggled to get past the 10 pound mark. I have a great first week, an OK second week, and by the third week I’m struggling to get back to what worked in week 1. I know, looking back, that I wasn’t engaged in Golden Behaviors. Behaviors, for me, that were effective and easy.
As I shared on Monday, I have been focused on my 5 Golden Behaviors: Eating smaller portions, having specific days/times to eat treats, working out once a day, eating more fruits and veggies, and not eating after dinner. The week is going really well so far and one tool that is helping me a ton is an app called Window.
It is technically an intermittent fasting tool, which I’m not focusing on, but I am using it to have a visual for not eating after dinner. I have decided that I want to stop eating by 7PM each night, which has helped me to be mindful about when I start cooking dinner and not eating mindlessly after my kids go to bed. As we’re home during the shelter in place, I’ve been able to start cooking around 5:30PM. We then sit down as a family for dinner by 6:30PM and then I stop eating after dinner by 7:00PM.
Eating more veggies, which is another behavior I am focusing on, has been totally doable as our CSA is now underway. I have loved being a CSA member the past 8 years and I’m even more grateful now that we’re all home. We haven’t had much fruit in the house, but as it gets warmer, we’ll start getting our fruit share from the CSA.
Eating smaller meals and having a dedicated day/time to eat dessert has been going really well! Tonight I’m making brownies with my daughter and I’m definitely looking forward to having one. For portion control, I’m just working to be mindful, using smaller plates, and portioning out what I’m eating instead of eating out of the package. I’m not measuring anything out at this time, but just trying to be really intentional.
Lastly, I’ve been making a point to workout once a day. What I’m not doing is doing a strenuous workout each day. Some days, most days, I go for a walk with my kids. Other days I do a spin or yoga workout through Peloton. I am working hard to just make sure I get up and move each day. Even more important with being home all day.
As I move into the weekend, I’m feeling really proud of my first work week since working towards my goal of losing 20 pounds. I know I’m doing the best I can, considering all going on around us. I know the next 2 weeks will be really important and I am excited to weigh in each week!
