Wednesday, April 27, 2016

My 600-Lb Life

It's been a very long time since I have sat down and written anything in this space.  It's not because I don't think this page has value or that people don't enjoy reading it....it's just that:

  • I got hooked on Instagram and realized I can use it to send out short messages and updates.
  • I have a Facebook page where I do the same thing
  • At the end of the day, I am tired, ready to relax, but also need to get my exercise in, because I prefer to do it at the end of the day when the kids are in bed.
 I have been doing my best to stay motivated, but it is so hard!  I set myself a challenge for April to hit my step goal every day.  My daily step goal is 10,000 steps and while I don't often have much trouble if I put my mind to it...there are times when it just can't happen.   So I challenged myself to reach 300,000 by April 30th.  So far, I am ahead of schedule and expect that not to change in the next few days.  This challenge had me realize that to reach that goal, I needed to just walk for an additional 30-45 minutes each day.  For May, I am planning to increase my daily step goal to 11,000.  I reached that most days during April, so I want to experiment with that.

While I have the exercise part down, the food aspect is still in the crapper!  My results on the scale each week are pretty much NOT inspirational!  I know what needs to be done and I need to focus on that!

By now, you are probably wondering where my blog title fits into all of this.

Have you watched the TLC show, My 600-Lb Life?  I would label this as a guilty pleasure show...one I don't really tell anyone I watch and if someone comes in the room, I switch it off.  At first I thought I liked to watch it because it gave me something to watch that left me feeling better than someone else....and part of that is still true if I am being honest.  I watch it and am always stunned as to how these people could get to 600+ pounds and not realize it....and then one day....I watched and realized just how easy it could be!  Weight is a funny thing....it creeps up on you....it's not like you put on 100 lbs in a week....no, it's a little bit here and a little bit there, until eventually, your clothes are a bit snugger, so you go up one size.  Maybe you have a partner that loves you regardless of your size, or family that makes excuses for you.  For most of these people on the show....they appear to come from a low social economic class, which I know contributes...they often come from a family where other members are larger too.  Far too often I also see family that enables their behavior, however, I can understand that one too.   One of the other key points I noticed is they have not set themselves up with any check points.   They do not have anyone or anywhere to be accountable to on the scale each week.  For many of them....until they start seeing the doctor that will perform weight loss surgery on them...they don't even really know how much they weigh.  For me...this is SUCH a key piece!  I attend my TOPS meeting each week and I know that without it....there is a very real chance my own weight would be over 300 lbs!

I beg you...if you are on this journey and have not set up some sort of weekly accountability with the scale...please do so!  I KNOW the scale is not the only reflection of how you are are doing or the success you are having, but you have to start somewhere!  It's at least going to tip you off if the scale is going up more than it should.

How can you find accountability?  Joining TOPS is always my first recommendation....but there are other programs out there...find one and join!  If that doesn't work for you....find a friend or family member and ask them to help you out.   Set one day each week where you will report to them.  Even if you don't want to actually tell them your weight....as least report if you are up or down!  The point is...you need to do SOMETHING!  Message me....I am  more than happy to be your support!  While the work going into it needs to be something you do yourself....this journey does not need to be...the "weight" and challenge that goes along with it needs to be spread out!  You can do it...but you don't need to do it alone!!!!!!