Weight for it...

Yeah, so I am attempting to change part of my life for the better. I am NOT going on a diet. I don’t believe in diets. They are stupid and pointless, as far as I’m concerned, and I won’t do it. I am attempting a lifestyle change, something I can do for years, not for a few weeks or months.
I know myself. I like to eat until I’m full and I don’t like tedious, repetitive exercise. I had a gym membership for an entire year (automatic debit $30 a month from my checking account) and went ONE (1) time. True story.

I think I mentioned a few posts back that I started learning to play basketball. I’m still doing that and I still like it. I play almost every day (when it’s not raining), usually by myself or with my son. I did play one on one with one of the neighborhood boys. He won of course, but it was a good experience for me.

The funny thing is how a little bit of exercise changes my attitude about food. I find that when I sit down to eat I am less hungry, weird, huh? I think about all the running and sweating I’ve done and the thought of chowing down on 2,000 calories of anything is NOT appealing. I’m finding there are lots of foods that I enjoy eating that are low in fat and calories. I actually enjoy crunching on baby carrots. Special K bars and Quaker Oatmeal granola bars are my new favorite snacks. I am proud to report I have not set foot inside a McDonalds in 2 weeks, and I don’t really miss it. All that fast food was going to be the death of me.

So, here I am playing basketball, getting pretty good, eating more healthy foods; so I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised that I found myself doing sit-ups one evening. Just on a whim. Shortly after I was doing push-ups too, given they were girl push ups but it’s better than nothing. Then I found some old free weights and started doing reps, working out my arms and shoulders. I’m stretching every night, feeling more limber.

I have made it point not to weigh myself, I don’t own a scale. I am more interested in how I feel and how my clothes fit. My weight has never made much sense, I have always looked about 20 lbs lighter than I really was, I contribute that to the natural muscle tone in my legs (I can’t take credit for that, it’s a family trait) and a large chest. I have always had narrow hips and couldn’t gain weight in my rear if I tried. It’s a blessing and a curse. I sometimes wish I gained weight in my hips and rear because then I would have a more voluptuous and feminine figure. Sadly all my weight goes to my belly and back.

The good thing about a lifestyle change versus a diet is that I can relax and enjoy it. Instead of setting unrealistic timelines and stressing about how many pounds I lost this week, I can just do what I’m doing and see the results as they come. In the mean while I feel great inside and out, because after all these years I’m finally getting it right.

That is all.