Reporter stays focused, sets smaller goals

I lost no weight in the past two weeks. Zilch. Zero. Nada.

And you know what? For the first time I am telling myself, “Good job.” Good job for not gaining, good job for maintaining.

Did I want to lose several pounds by this week? Sure. Was it realistic? Eh.

Here’s what I do know: on Thanksgiving I stuck to my goals. I allowed myself one homemade roll my uncle made. They’re pretty much to die for and I usually would have had about a dozen. I’m not kidding. For my meal I ate more vegetables than anything, a small scoop of potatoes, a drizzle of gravy, and about 6 ounces of roasted turkey. And yes, I had just one piece of pie.

Planning for the holidays and special occasions is something Ready to Be Fit instructor Michelle Graham drilled into my head earlier this year, and it works.

I also spent a few days in my hometown, and my cousin took me to her gym and we worked out hard for the four days I was there.

When I got back home, I started working some longer hours and devoted mommy-and-me time to my daughter. Not factoring the gym in those few days (or any workout) was the roadblock.

I didn’t lose any weight in two weeks, but I have kept my word to eating right. My husband hates that because two of the three shelves in our refrigerator are all fruits and vegetables and for snacks I have reduced-fat and whole-wheat crackers and Greek yogurt.

I could say it’s because as a family we aren’t eating healthy together is the reason I didn’t lose weight, but that would be an excuse. There can be no excuses in this process.

It’s about me. I am accountable. Working out and eating right. You can’t have one without the other.

The ironic thing is I have had a few people say I look great and they ask if I’ve lost weight — nope! But, I sure hope to.

Do I want to lose 100 more pounds? Absolutely. Could I really lose that in a year? I don’t know, but it’d be nice.

Baby steps need to be taken before I learn how to walk on my own on this journey. By Christmas I hope to lose 5 pounds. It’s a small, realistic goal.

The new phrase I have heard is, “No excuses, just results.” If I want results I need to step it up.

One thing for sure has been working: core exercises. While the scale says otherwise, my body is telling me there is a difference. Focusing in on one area and doing specific exercises for that area has helped. My core is sore and feels tight the day after I do a mix of planks, push-ups, crunches, and reverse crunches. And you know what? I’m doing pretty good for a fat girl because I know for a fact that I can do planks longer than others I have seen at the gym and elsewhere.

The fact that I can teach somebody something on how to improve an exercise technique is rewarding. Something I’m doing for myself is reaching others, and that’s pretty cool.

Over the next two weeks, until I check in with you all again, I will continue to focus on my core, increase the intensity of cardiovascular workouts and also focus on my triceps.

While my biceps have improved immensely, my triceps could probably be most compared to Jello jigglers. I feel accomplished when I can see definition, and seeing that in my legs, biceps, forearms, and the change in my face, feet and attitude lets me know I am making progress. There I did it: I said out loud how proud I am of myself.

There comes a point for anyone who is also on a weight loss journey to accept the fact that things honestly won’t change unless you change everything. Some people say, “Oh, don’t change who you are on the inside.” Gross. That’s where everything is I need to change — less fat, tone muscle.

And you know what else is pretty cool? I also am able to shop at stores I haven’t been able to before. I can buy clothes at Old Navy, among other stores, and it feels great. Granted it’s the biggest size in the store, but I was never able to shop at those places before.

Here’s to more positivity and reaching goals when I check-in in two weeks.

To share your weight loss journey with me, email me at rmadden@wdt.net