Weight loss is not impossible, however, it’s not super easy either. It requires dedication and consistency.
In my experience, weight maintenance is even more difficult. Once you reach your goal weight, you tend to give yourself a break, which usually includes a lot of junk food, and skipping exercise a lot.
That is exactly what happened to me last year, as a consequence of which, I’ve gained close to 15 pounds (more muscle, than fat) since my drastic weight loss in 2018.
You can take a look at my weight loss journey, here.
My mistakes :
As obsessed as I was with weight loss in 2018, which made me lose around 40 pounds in less than 6 months, I made a lot of mistakes.
I have mentioned most of them in an earlier post, titled 'My Hips Don’t Lie'.
Let’s change our focus :
The main parameter people use to judge whether they have lost weight or not, is the number on the scale.
However, the scale is the least accurate method of monitoring your weight loss.
Try taking body measurements instead, or calculating your ‘waist to hip ratio’.
Below are some of the non-scale victories I’ve achieved, even though the number on the scale has increased.
Energy levels :
In 2018, I put in a lot of effort, both physical and mental, to achieve the results I wanted. I ate little, and exercised too much. However, over those 6 months, my metabolism had decreased a lot, and I felt sleepy/tired/irritated all the time.
As soon as I went back to eating for 6 to 8 hours a day, since March, 2019, my metabolism has increased, and I am no longer as tired as I was before.
As I had mentioned in an earlier post, either ‘eat more and exercise more’, or ‘eat less and exercise less’.
Fasting :
Prior to June, 2018, I had never fasted in my life. It was something I had told myself I’d never be able to do.
However, since June, 2018, I have been fasting daily for 18 to 22 hours.
A few weeks ago I completed a 39 hour fast! Yay me! *wink*
Blood sugar levels :
If you are overweight, chances are you are pre-diabetic as well. It is always better to get tested and take the necessary precautions. Better late than never!
Prior to May, 2018, my fasting blood sugar was in the 140 mg/DL range. That was a wake up call, since I have a family history of diabetes.
Now, in Jan, 2020, it is 95 mg/DL.
As you can see, fasting has helped me combat insulin resistance.
Exercising :
Exercise is so important, not only for weight loss, but for overall health.
I’ve led a pretty sedentary life till 2018, and since the past few months, I have tried my best to exercise daily.
These are the exercises I usually perform (each on different days, or a combination of each) : – 30 to 60 mins on the stationary exercise cycle – 10 min Upper/Lower body workout – 100 to 150 squats
Strength :
As a result of the regular exercise, I am much stronger than I was before.
I love doing lower body workouts, and that has definitely helped me gain more muscle.
Habit Tracking :
Habit tracking takes literally 5 minutes, but can be really effective for analysing your progress.
I have made it a habit to track the unhealthy food I eat, the number of hours I fast, the type of exercise I perform, the musical instruments I play, whether I have read/meditated/written.
Healthy eating :
Since May, 2018, I made a large number of changes to my diet.
Some of the foods I have cut out : – white rice – white bread – table sugar – table salt
Some of the foods I have included : – a bowl of salad daily – stevia (to replace sugar) – himalayan salt – sunflower & pumpkin seeds
Although I’m a tad bit unhappy that I’ve gained 15 pounds, I’m extremely happy and proud of myself for accomplishing all the non-scale victories I’ve mentioned above.
Also, I know for a fact, that I am much healthier now, than I ever was before!
Thank you for reading! Stay blessed!
©TheKindTempest