Got Motivation?

 After talking with a few friends, I felt the need to talk about how to stay motivated. Here are a few tips I found while researching how to stay motivated while losing weight. I realize that not everyone is intrinsically motivated, but find what works for you. For me, it included using a "fat" picture of myself that I hated, and it helped me realize I didn't want to look that way anymore. I am also extremely determined to reach a goal once I set it. Hopefully you can find what motivates you and stick to it, because whatever your goal, it is definitely attainable, one step at a time :)

1) Think wellness not weight loss. Do you only make good food choices when you are trying to lose weight? This could lead to rebound weight gain if you go back to your old habits once you’ve reached your goal. “You have to eat every day, so why not eat better every day?” advises Rania Batayneh, MPH.

2) Set reasonable goals. Ask yourself if what you are trying to accomplish is reasonable. “Trying to achieve too much in too little time can actually set you back” warns Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of Integrative Health and Healing at Miraval Resort & Spa. Losing 50 pounds in 2 months is unreasonable, but losing 10 pounds in 2 months is.

3) LIMIT but do not ELIMINATE. “Eliminating your favorite foods will just make you want/crave them more,” says Rania Batayneh, MPH. Instead, Batayneh suggests allowing yourself those less healthy choices, but finding a way to limit your intake (in portion or frequency) to avoid feelings of deprivation.

4) Pace yourself. Taking on too much at once is a recipe for disaster. Instead of taking on a bunch of new tasks you aren’t exactly looking forward to (a new exercise plan, new strict eating regime), why not take bite-sized action steps? “Work on a task you've been postponing for ten minutes and then decide whether or not to continue. If you discontinue the task, schedule another time to get it done” suggests Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of Integrative Health and Healing at Miraval Resort.


5) Take stock of any and all of the positive changes new eating habits have brought you. Instead of focusing only on the changes you aren’t seeing yet (i.e. a drop in your scale weight), focus on the benefits you are noticing, like saving money by not wasting it on junk food, or your increased energy level from exercising, advises Valerie Berkowitz, author of The Stubborn Fat Fix.

6) Celebrate the small victories! “Remember that fitness is more like a marathon than a sprint,” advises certified trainer Stacy Berman. “By setting small weekly or monthly goals you will be able to track your progress which will keep you motivated to continue as you reach them and step by step” says Berman. And once you’ve achieved a goal, no matter how small, celebrate it! You don’t always want to feel like you are far away from the finish line – celebrate each milestone as you achieve it along the way.


7) Trick out your tracksuit! “Buy yourself some stylish workout gear that makes you look good”, suggests Kate Brown, Community Director for Daily Burn. “When you look good, you'll feel good,” says Brown. Plus, you’ll be much more likely to put on your new gym outfit on those rough days (when its cold out/you are tired/its that time of the month, etc).

8) Drop the "perfect" mentality. Did you slip up? Have a moment of weakness? That’s OK, says Valerie Berkowitz, Director of Nutrition for The Center for Balanced Health. “Use any splurge as motivation to get yourself back on track,” recommends Berkowitz. Rather than using it as an excuse to have a donut for breakfast, as in I cheated last night, I might as well keep cheating, simply tell yourself that you will recommit, and make up for it.

9) Nix the “all or nothing” approach. It’s critical that the changes you are making aren’t "all or nothing", says Beth Campbell Duke of Duke Personal Branding. Use a calendar and gold stars to reward the efforts you are making. It may seem goofy, but it gives you a great snapshot of your efforts, so that next time you miss the gym or start to go back to old eating habits, you are less likely to feel like you failed at everything and give up.

10) Have an accountability partner. Find a friend, trainer, or group (10 Pounds DOWN anyone?) that will keep you on track when you miss a workout, or feel like quitting suggests Stephen Cooper, certified personal trainer.

11) Each day write down how your weight loss is making you feel healthier. Focus on the feelings of better health, and not on thinness, suggests exercise physiologist Dr. Michele Olson. You may find yourself more motivated to continue working towards your goal, especially on days when the scale isn’t budging. 

Give Credit where Credit is Due

So, This is the post where I say thank you to everyone who has helped me throughout this weight loss journey:

Ben Fambrough- My husband, best friend, and #1 fan (okay, so he's not technically a "fan" in the traditional sense, but, hey, my husband can be a fan of his wife). You have absolutely, without a doubt been the foundation of who I have become. It is because of you that I have become the best version of myself. You make me want to be  a better person every day. You sat through many dinners of grilled chicken and veggies, when we both really wanted Taco Bueno. You also listened to hours of complaints about having to work out when I really just wanted to stay in bed or go see a movie. You have helped me pick out new running shoes, new ridiculous neon running socks, a running hat, and running shirts. You gave me the nickname 'Melzilla', which is the best nickname ever, hands down. You have made sure I eat the right things after a race, and winced in pain at my bloody toes. You have gotten up early, gone to bed late, and stood around on race days just to make me happy. You have always put me first and I love you most for that. Last, but not least, you have been the one cheering the loudest when I cross that finish line, and I wouldn't ever have it any other way.

My Momma- You have been supportive over this weight loss journey as well. You always ask if I am going to see "gym" :). You have cheered me on a races, taken my picture pre and post race, and celebrated with me when I have a good run. You boost my self confidence when you tell me you don't know how I could possibly run that much. You taught me that I could do anything I set my mind to, and I have taken that to a whole new level with working out. You share my story proudly with people, strangers I am sure, and you didn't judge me when I wanted to get up early on Thanksgiving to run (although I did wimp out because cold and rainy don't make for a good run). You have helped me with all the hard stuff in life, and taught me that anything is possible, including running 50 ish miles a week. I love you....more!

To my coworkers- You guys are the ones that had the unfortunate experience of dealing with me on a daily basis while I was struggling with the ever-looming question: To eat the cookie? or not to eat the cookie? You guys had to hear all about my workouts every day and even though you called me the food nazi, I didn't mind. I mean, seriously, do you know how many calories are in a mexidips and chips???!!! To those of you who are my "new" coworkers, you have already accepted my eating habits and have asked my opinion on working out and eating healthy. It means so much to me that you value my opinion. I want you to know that I have been through the journey and I can help you guys too. It's just one step at a time, and I was once there in your shoes.

To those who I may have forgotten- At the risk of sounding like an oscar speech, there are probably people I am forgetting. It is nearly impossible to express how grateful I am to the people who have helped my through this journey, as well as those who have yet to influence me.

The Beginning...er, The End

So, now that you are completely baffled by my choice of the beginning v. the end, we are starting at the beginning...er, the end. It is the beginning of my weight loss journey, but the end of my life as a plus sized, unhappy, (almost) thirtysomething who used food as an emotional crutch. So, in August 2009, I started my journey at 230 lbs. and was appaled at the thought of actually trying to get down under 200 lbs. My school started a Biggest Loser contest and it was a great motivator to me. On a side note, if you are from that school, I heart all of you for supporting me while I became the 'food Nazi' over those 2 years :) So, throughout the contest, what motivated me the most was the fact that there would be a monetary prize at the end. I just started counting calories and walking at the gym a couple of days a week. It was torture. Oh, how I longed for the days of eating Taco Bueno (I know what you're thinking:" I LOVE the mexidips and chips"), Sonic cheese tots with a burger, and pizza, I couldn't get enough pepperoni pizza, or the macaroni and cheese pizza from CiCi's. By the way, when you eat these things multiple times per week, the calories are mind boggling!  So, as I went thoughout the school year, I researched how many calories I should eat and how much I should exercise in order to lose weight. By January 2010 I had lost 50 lbs. and had really started working out, lifting weights, and taking classes at the gym. I also contemplated having a breast reduction, as I was what you would call...blessed? (by the way, that's how girls with no boobs explain girls with big boobs); So, since I had lost enough weight, I qualified for the surgery, which I eventually had on June 8. That story is for another time and place on this blog, as it is definitely part of the journey, just not the MOST IMPORTANT PART. As I kept losing weight I became addicted to the feeling I would get when people would say they didn't recognize me or asked what I had done to look so fabulous. My ultimate goal was to be a size 12. When I passed that goal, I kind of just kept going and learned to love working out. Sheri and Lori, if you are reading this, you girls are the most influential people when it came to working out. You are both so incredibly fun and made working out seem like less work, and I can never thank you enough for that. After my surgery in June, I really started to love to run. I was running about 2ish miles a day, which seemed like a looooooong way. My lungs felt like they would burn out of my chest, but for some reason I loved it. In my next blog, I am going to write about myself as a runner and how I feel about it, although I am sure you have figured out by now that running is the only thing in my life besides my husband and family that I absolutely cannot live without. So, as I close this blog, just know that you have to find what works for you. Maybe it's weight watchers, maybe it's walking three times a week with a friend, maybe it's just finding someone to relate to, maybe it's weight loss surgery to get you started. Whatever it is, stick to it becuase you are worth it, and your body is the only one you've got, so value it!

The End - The Beginning: A Backwards Journey

      So, most stories start at the beginning, but this one is going to start at the end. I cannot explain how the last 2 years of my life have changed dramatically. I have definitely been on a journey to "find" myself as a person, a wife, a teacher, and mostly as a "skinny" person. It sounds ridiculous, but being skinny is not something I am used to yet. I still struggle with wearing a size 6 and understanding that this is my body, and that I can actually buy a shirt and not have to hide inside it. I am now much more confident and secure than I ever have been, although not as much as I could be. I hope to be able to inspire others with my story, and give them my advice and experiences in order to help them become a better person inside and out.
       So, while this is 'The End', it is actually 'The Beginning' of a new ME. A new chance to love my body and respect it enough to not try and abuse it with fattening food and laziness. I appreciate how much of a support system I have had over the last 2 years (and before); I cannot imagine how hard it must've been to live with a cranky fat girl who was trying desperately to lose weight, eating mostly veggies and salad. So, I hope that as you read my journey, you will be able to relate to me, becuase, believe me, I totally get it. I get the late night snack cravings; I get the need for junior mints in your popcorn, and I get the idea that "the dryer must've shrunk my jeans";