I Am Worth The Effort

 

I wanted to do a quick post on how I am losing the weight and what methods I am using.  Many times over the years I have gone to Weight Watchers and I have been very successful because it was something that has held me accountable... I had to write down all the food I ate and I had to be weighed in once a week.  So, I would be quite dedicated in keeping my food journal... it has changed over the years and it has a point system which is great as many people I know have followed this method and lost a great deal of weight.

For myself these days, Weight Watchers wasn't doable for me; for a number of reasons. One, it is quite expensive and truthfully I do not have that money in my budget... I would prefer to spend the 18-19 dollars per week on fruit or vegetables.  Second, there isn't a place that is close by me to go to a meeting and get weighed in... I would like to do it on an early morning but then I would have to have someone watch Valentina so that I could  attend.  So for these two main reasons it was not a viable option for me.

When I had a prayer that I needed something to get me motivated to finally lose the weight and not just lose the weight but become healthy.  I knew the answer to my prayer came in the form of the contest we had at work... the email came out about two days after I prayed about it... Instantly I knew that this was the catalyst that I needed.  My sister then mentioned to me about the Fitness Pal app I could put on my phone and I excitedly used it, I had a little to learn but now, I do not go a day without filling in all the food I eat and keeping track of my water and my exercise.

This brings me to the other app I just love, that one is Map My Walk... one of the girls mentioned it to me at work, I don't go outside without my phone and if I am going further than the grocery store... I turn it on and really put in the effort to walk.  I love being able to see the routes I took and how fast I took the routes... in just one month I have completely changed my lifestyle with these two fabulous apps on my phone. I want to say one thing, I post all my walks on my Facebook, not to say... look at me, look how far I walked, look how fast I walked... I do it to be accountable to myself.

You cannot trick this app, it works by GPS and I have to be moving... there are days I think I am tired, I don't feel like walking but remind myself how great it will feel to actually complete the walk and every single time I can tell you I am so grateful for each walk I take.  It pushes me to take the next one and the one after that... I try hard not to walk in the middle of the day when the heat is the hottest but there are days that this is the only time for me to get a walk in, so I go for the walk.

I am dedicated to this and not just for the here and now but for the future... I understand and I am good with the fact that I will always have to count calories and I will always have to exercise.  I am not thinking whew... once I get this weight off I am going to splurge or sit around and say, I did it, I lost it... I will still be active, I will still think of the food I am putting into my mouth.  I will have a slice of pizza, a slice of cake, a cookie... I am not going to deprive myself and never let myself have any of these items in the future but for now... I don't feel deprived... my treat is getting on that scale every single Friday and seeing the weight come off... that is what makes me smile.

What works for me does not necessarily mean will work for everyone... I think each of us has to find the plan that works for us individually.  Besides I am in the zone more than I have ever been in my life, I have so much to prove to myself, I can do this, I will do this... I am going to get a handle on my weight... I deserve to take care of myself, I am worth the effort.

I cherish my past, I accept my present and I dream for my future ♥