Reporter sets weight-loss goals for the new year

After the month I’ve had, I should probably rename this whole “weight loss” process to “weight a minute.”

It’s taking more time to lose weight for me lately because I have been going through some health issues and the effects of some medications are halting the process. I haven’t gained weight, just have not felt the best over the past few weeks and haven’t lost any weight either.

I can’t really be discouraged, and I’m not. I hear people say all the time, try this and try that, no, do this, not that. Not everything in this whole journey will be for me, but I take some of that advice and try to alter it best to my situation

Lately, however, that hasn’t been much. The ill effects of my medication not working to help me get pregnant is preventing me from doing normal activities, as I’ve been curled up in pain some days. On top of that, it’s the wonderful time of year, and I’m not talking about Christmas, rather cold and flu season.

I’ve been drinking hot tea, orange juice, taking medicine, and trying to rest. Gearing up for Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations is the easy part.

I proved that at Thanksgiving I can set small food goals, not overload or over eat and still be happy on a holiday.

I have that plan, now I just need a magic wand to feel 100 percent.

Until that happens, I have set a goal of working out daily at home. If I don’t feel well enough to go to the gym I still need to do something. Even the slightest bit at home will put me further ahead, even for the next time I write this column.

I’m closing in on a year of this weight loss process, and I want to — I need to — hit that 50-pound weight loss mark.

All along I thought I’d celebrate my 100-pound weight loss goal, but now if I can reach that 50-pound goal I’d be just as ecstatic. Only a few more pounds to go in a month and a half; I can do that.

Getting plenty of rest is important, so while I am sick I can do just that, and maybe that will also help me re-energize and be even more re-focused when I’m not knee-deep in medicine.

Until then, I am going to try to make working out at home fun. Want to know my secret? Xbox Kinect. I like the game “Dance Central” and “Dance Central 2.” Dancing doesn’t sound like a workout, but it is. I first learned that from one fan of this column who happens to be in her 80s, and told me that is how she, to this day, keeps her weight off.

Having upbeat, current songs, and some good oldies, have been a great way to get me and others who don’t normally get up and groove (ahem — my husband) to keep moving.

The Xbox Kinect is what helped me lose my first 25 pounds through a different game, and now I’d like to see if I can dance away some pounds.

And, getting more people involved in that game, in which you don’t need any controllers because the Kinect acts as a video monitor and you can see yourself on TV, doesn’t make it feel like a workout at all. But, before you know it you’re sweating.

That got me to thinking: what are some other unconventional ways to lose weight? What else can I do to work out help me lose weight that’s not just the gym? What are your suggestions?

Before I got pretty sick, I did have one major accomplishment I wanted to share — I ran on a treadmill for the first time in my life. Doesn’t sound like a big deal? Well, for someone my size it is. With an incline of 5.0 and a speed of 5.0, I ran my little heart out. Not that it lasted long, but I did it.

Until my body can get used to this new way of exercise, I need to introduce my body to it gradually. I’ll warm up on the treadmill, and then after five minutes, I’ll run for just one or two minutes, then walk for four, and run again for one to two, and just repeat that cycle.

I’m improving. I used to just walk at a 2.5 mile-per-hour pace, and then week by week, month by month I have worked my way up to 5.0. My family and friends who are fit and active run anywhere between 5.5 and 7.0 miles per hour on the treadmill. Granted, they do it for more than one or two minute intervals, but I’m working my way up to them. It feels great.

Here’s to the next couple of weeks with me feeling better and having some sort of progress to report back. The next time I check in it will be a new year, and my resolution is to stick with this weight loss process, prove people wrong who say I can’t do this, avoid weight-loss surgery and do this on my own. 2012 will be my year.