Over the past 18 months I've lost about 80 lbs.  Honestly, I didn't think my blog readers would notice -  After all, who's paying attention to my waistline!?  LOL!   I’m making this post because several people have messaged me and asked what’s up with my weight.  So, here’s the story:

As my 50th birthday approached I decided that it was time to do a better job of taking care of lifestyle and my waistline.

I did not make friends at the gym and I didn’t talk to other people.  I simple showed up, watched my show while walking very slowly and I went home. I walked 3x a week for a couple of months.  My only goal was to build the habit of consistency.

My relationship to exercise has changed A LOT over the last 18 mos.  In the beginning I HATED it, but I did it.  It’s such a habit now that I miss it when I can’t do it.  I’ve even run a couple of 5k races! 

These days I walk and jog (mostly walk) about 3 miles a day.  I always walk in nature now.  I explore parks, trails and various neighborhoods around town.  Also, these days I take nature pictures on my phone while walking.  I also listened to true crime podcasts.

Walking helped me to lose my first 8 lbs!  With a little bit of weight loss success under my belt, I made an appointment with my doctor.

Healthcare Providers

Until recently I only went to the doctor once a year and I hated every minute of it.  I rarely got my bloodwork done.  I figured as long as I felt good everything was fine.  At the end of 2018 I asked my GYN for a referral to a nutritionist.  That year I say my primary care provider and got all required routine screenings.  When the blood and other test results came back, I read them. My A1C (blood sugar) was very high.  My blood pressure was high.  My weight was very high (242 lbs) at 5’1.5“.  Frankly speaking I was obese.  Prior to that screening I didn’t know all of my numbers for sure, but I knew they probably weren’t great.

I worked with a nutritionist to come up with a beginners plan that I could live with.  It was VERY basic.  She didn’t put me on a “diet”.  She educated me about healthy eating and told me what to reduce and or avoid.  I reduced sugar, processed food and fast food.  I added in more liquids (coffee, tea, water).  I started tracking my food using an app on my phone.  I decided that if it goes in my mouth, it goes in my phone app.  Seeing what I was eating helped me a lot!

Plus, I started taking LOTS of pictures of myself.  I decided that I wanted to have lots of “before” shots.

Also, I didn’t tell anybody about my plans.  I quietly changed things and nobody noticed.  I didn’t want to hear from naysayers.  I didn’t want outside support.  I just wanted to do my thing and be left alone.  PLUS, if it all failed, nobody would know but me.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I lost about 40 lbs before anybody began to notice a change.  I’d lost about 60 lbs before it was common knowledge that I’d changed anything at all.  It took a very long time for people to recognize anything.  Mostly people would say “you cut your hair-you look so different with shirt hair!” LOL!

As my weight shifted, I kept in close touch with my nutritionist.  She lowered my calorie target and suggested that I increase exercise.  She also suggested that I weight myself DAILY!  What a terrifying idea!  But I did it.  And I tracked my weight fluxations.  Weighing daily took away my fear of the scale.

There where LONG periods of time where the scale did not move.  I just kept quietly doing what I needed to do (walking, tracking my food, drinking water, getting plenty of rest).

Food

I’m listing food last because it’s the easiest and the hardest part of the journey.  Once I got all of the other habits in place, food was easy.  When I’m well rested food is not an issue at all.  If I’m emotional or tired food is a BIG DEAL!  Being full is a comfort to me.  When I’m worn out I need a LOT more comfort.

These days I eat a high protein, healthy carb diet.  Lots of lean meat, grains, fruits and veggies.  I no longer crave rice, bread or potatoes; though I do have pizza from time to time.  I limit sugar.  I make a TON of homemade food (Greek yogurt, granola, pizza, cold brew coffee and tea) but that’s not new.

I cook my family the foods they like.  If they want treats, I make them.  Sometimes I have a bite.  Other times not.  I find that when I’m taking good care of myself with exercise, rest and positive self talk I don’t really crave junk food.

It’s been 18 mos and I’m still learning new things about good health.  I’m sure that there is a LOT more for me to discover.

My numbers today:

Weight 162lbs (80 lbs of weight loss)

Height 5’2” (after i lost weight I gained half an inch)

A1C - 4.4 (normal)

Blood pressure - 111/76 (normal)

All of my levels are normal according to my PCP.