It has been a while since I shared my weight loss journey. In fact, I have been shying away from sharing the number and even discussing weight loss… while focusing mainly on the importance of being healthy. However, it is time in my journey to weigh in and share with you my weight loss goals, journey, and status… or lack there of.
My weight has not changed (or has slowly increased in number about 5-10 pounds) the past year. It is not for lack of trying. I have been running like crazy and have tried to focus on nutrition and portion control. But the truth of the matter is, I gave up and tried to out train a bad diet. Thus the weight slowly crept back on. Bummer.
My excuses
I found myself celebrating any weight loss successes with food.
I rationalized the weight wasn’t coming off because I was in my thirties and thus weight is harder to lose.
I used the excuse that I was marathon training, and I wasn’t supposed to lose weight.
I baked and birthed three children in three years… my body was still recovering.
The sad fact is that those were all excuses. We all have them. You. Me. Us. Doing something that challenges you makes the reward that much sweeter. When we want to throw in the towel and give up, we must persevere and keep fighting and pressing on. Even when the walk gets hard.
My action plan
I am focusing on the next three months of 2014 to get my nutrition and portion control back in order. I have my fitness goals… but now I am sharing my weight loss goals with you too. I need accountability in my own journey to be successful.
I will be using the meal plan from the 21 Day Fix to really focus on proper nutrition and portion control. Food is my weakness.
I will also be doing my best to remember to log my food and fitness into myfitnesspal. Feel free to friend me over there for added support and encouragement on your journey too!
You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work. James 1:3-4a
I will persevere and be strong. I will have patience in this journey… knowing that change doesn’t happen over night. I will stay positive on this journey because there will be ups and downs and a positive outlook is contagious. I will not give up until I have finished my work and have reached my goal.
I love the quote image above. I found it on pinterest, and I love the whole message by Jackson Kiddard. Patience, enjoy the journey, trust the process, and persevere!
Perseverance
Between any trial and the blessing that comes from that trial, there is a pathway I must walk – that pathway is perseverance.
Perseverance means having an urgency, firmness, resolve, and consistency.
Protection
Learning about healthy eating as well as how to prevent disease, be more active, raise healthy children, and maybe even live longer. This gives me a measure of joy to persevere.
Provision
God is providing me with many things I never expected to come from this trial of weight loss journey. New found friendships and accountability partners on my weight loss and fitness journey, learning and discovering new foods to enjoy.
I crave what I eat. The more I provide my body with healthy foods, the more I crave healthy foods. God cares what I eat, and I need to eat healthy, good-for-me foods.
Process
Making lasting changes is a process. There are no quick fixes.
The truth is, a scale can measure my physical body but never my worth as a woman. God loves me the way I am, but He loves me too much to leave me stuck in a place of defeat.
Persevere – onward and upward!
What are some of your successful tips to persevere when things get hard?
How are you doing on your weight loss journey?
Do you struggle with NUTRITION or FITNESS more?
NO quick fixes, none! We are all here to support you and keep you accountable, so do keep us posted with all of your successes and pitfalls! I am pretty sure we can all relate in some fashion and give you advice 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
for me it really is as simple (and hard :)) as try my best each day and then GET BACK UP and try again.
xo
Yes… thankful for a new day with a clean slate (for EVERY aspect of my life). 😀 Try try again! 🙂
we’re there for you rachel! It’s tough, but doable! Especially with your friends at your side cheering you on!
Thank you!! 🙂
I am so at the point of getting my act together and trying to lose weight again. I had to take a few months to heal my IBS, but now my gut is feeling strong, so I need to focus on losing weight. We are all in this together! 🙂
Hugs… we can do this!! 🙂
My weight is slowly creeping back up, too. I need to cut back on the indulgences. I’m right there with you – we’re in this together 🙂
Thank you for your support. Those darn indulgences always creep in, don’t they!?
BTW – have a blast this weekend at Ragnar!!
Blah, I am struggling too. I try not to play the hypothyroid card but since I changed meds, weight is creeping on and it’s SO hard to lose. I used My Fitness Pal and did SO well with limiting calories but then I got sick. Sigh. Searching for that balance between not making excuses and not giving up and finding peace. Ha!
Ah the proverbial BALANCE word… it is SO hard!
Yes, myfitness pal can be a bit overwhelming when counting calories because that doesn’t really help.
I am hopeful that by recording what I eat (and how I move) I will be able to really see the big picture of how I am fueling my body (good/bad). 🙂
Wishing you the best balance. I have been there, I lost a huge amount if weight and kept it off for almost 20 years! I would love to follow your journey. Are you on instagram? It is a great tool to keep inspired supported and accountable. It wasn’t around in my day, lol. You can find me at @foreverfittingin I’d love to support your journey!
Thank you. Congrats on losing 20lbs! That is awesome… and keeping it off is most of the battle! 🙂
I am on instagram… @RunningRachel (unique, eh?) Thank you for your support!
I’m 37 and it is hard. I’m in the same boat as you. I’m on my third round of the 21 Day Fix and I love it! The lbs may not be dropping fast but the inches are. I’m building muscle too. If you need support I’m here!
Thank you! I ‘should’ be on week 3 of my first round of the fix… but this week I failed to plan… thus my week 3 will be next week. 🙂
Way to go for dropping inches! That is a total non scale victory! 🙂
great Post!
Love, love, love what you wrote: “The truth is, a scale can measure my physical body but never my worth as a woman. God loves me the way I am, but He loves me too much to leave me stuck in a place of defeat.” I am right there with you too. This life is always throwing us curve balls. We might have a really good day, week, month, and then bam, we fail and do horribly. I’m so thankful for God’s grace! And also the realization that it is a marathon and not a sprint. Would love if you want to join in my #PerceptionOfProgress link up – celebrating nonscale victories and progress pics that may show progress even when the scale doesn’t (or doesn’t, I plan to take pics even when I don’t have a dramatic difference, I think it’ll help with my accountability). You’re definitely not alone – you can do this! 🙂
You can do this!!
I’m the same way though – I exercise a ton, but my eating is out of control. I haven’t gained anything for a while, but my jeans have been tight since last winter and I’ve really not done what I need to to make it end.
We are all here cheering you on!
You are too sweet. Thank you! <3
It seems like the battle of the scale never ends, Urgh. Although for the record, I thought that you’d lost weight in the time I’ve been following you. Maybe added muscle?
For me personally, it’s all about diet. Like you, I train pretty hard for my fitness goals, yet the scale doesn’t follow. Lately I’ve found a way of eating that seems to work for me, and the scale is finally moving steadily down for the first time.
When I’m struggling to persevere (love that word and the quote you found!) I focus on my goals, on remembering “why” I’m putting myself through the training and diet. I’ve also found that it helps to look at old pictures to remind myself of the progress I’ve already made.
You can do this!
Yes, right!? That blasted scale.
I agree with you. Although the number on the SCALE hasn’t budged (actually has increased since this time last year).
BUT… my jeans are SMALLER and I am STRONGER and I can run FURTHER and lift HEAVIER weights. SO… yes, I am stronger and my body has shifted (smaller) but that number. That blasted number <3
Rachel, you go girl! I am looking at working on my fitness goals, so we can support one another virtually 🙂 Don’t get caught up with scales and numbers, don’t get frustrated and want quick fixes…I am inspired by you my friend 🙂
Oh man,the 30s. I’m turning 31 this year and I keep blaming my flab on that rather than my lack of control when it come to eating. Thanks for putting this out there.
I definitely know where you’re coming from!!! I am trying to get back on the wagon myself. I think I struggle with nutrition more. Which is the hardest part of losing weight!! But either way press on and enjoy the journey!