I can't believe this whole watching what I eat and exercise thing really works. For a couple years there, I attempted diets and ended up discourged every time. I would lose weight, gain it back and then some. It was incredibly frustrating. The weird part is, I can't even pin point my original reason for wanting to lose weight. I just remember I wanted to and clearly (by dieting) my original reasons were not about health.
Now a days I am more about my overall health, how I look, and how I feel. While I still have a number in my head I am not as focused on pounds but more so on the looks and feels of everything.
I am really noticing the affects of my 87 pounds down. Shopping is harder than ever but so rewarding. Yesterday, while shopping, I grabbed a size 11 and a size 9. Looking at the 11's I thought "They'll be snug, but thats good, I am still losing weight". Grabbed the 9's and thought "Wishful thinking much?" but decided I'd give them a try. Neither one fit, I didn't even have to unbutton them to get them on. I didn't like the style of them once I got them on so I didn't try 7's to see if they fit or not. But, what an accomplishment so far. At the peak of my weight issues, I had 1 pair of pants and 1 pair of shorts that were both size 18's. While they may have been lose, I was still able to wear them. To go from a size 18 to 7 (at least) is wonderfull. It's just more proof that this works. It is more proof that what I have done for nearly a year has and will continue to "pay off".
I still have goals I am working on. Some of them are; my goal weight, reducing my body fat to 20% (at least, maybe more), becoming a runner, walking more than I already do, and getting to the point I am completely happy with what I see in the mirror. Don't get me wrong, I am happy but I still have problem areas. I am working on them and it will take time.
Since spot reducing does not exist and I can't "tone up" a certain part of my body (i.e. arm, legs, butt, stomach, etc.) because the body decides when and where it will lose fat from... I have to be patient. You can build all the muscle you want but if you are not getting rid of fat, that muscle can't be seen and you wont see that "toneness" that everyone talks about wanting but really don't know how to get it or what it means exactly. You have to think, the muscle is there, you have tons of muscles in your body. While some are bigger & stronger than others, they are all there. Take abs for an example. Everyone has abs, but more often people have fat sitting on top. That is why reducing your overall body fat % is important. That is what I am working towards. Not exactly abs, but reducing body fat so that I will be toned, lean, muscular (girly-style of course, haha).
Of course, some people may need to gain muscle in order to get the "tone" look they are thinking of. After all, everyone is different. Weight training not only builds muscle and gives you strength, it also burns calories for up to 36 hours after. Where as cardio, once you stop that is all that you will burn. So, I just want to share than strength training is NOT just for body builders. It's great for everyone. But please, do some research before attempting it. :)
