What's Your Secret to Losing Weight?

Published 12 February 08 12:20 PM | Corinne

My husband has always said to me, "Why do you spend time thinking about reasons that hold you back? Figure out how to do it, learn about it, and go for it. If it is really worth it to you, you will find the time to focus on what you NEED to be doing."

I think we often use our reasons we can't do things as a way to just never get started. Losing weight is so easy and yet we make it so hard. Here's my secret:

1.Make a weekly meal plan and weekly exercise plan.

2. Go grocery shopping.

3. Prepare your food for the week (2 hours tops).

4. Eat the food. Do the exercise.

You are done and losing weight. Don't make it more complicated than that. If you got remotely close to your calorie range, hopped in a circle for 30 min. a day fast and hard, and spent your free time figuring out how to do it better next week, where would you be in a year from now? A lot fitter, healthier, and taking up less space!

Maybe now that I am thin I finally understand that those who sit around thinking about what they should be doing are the same ones doing nothing about it. Now a days I just do the things I know make me successful and don't do the things that make me fat.

I don't go out to eat often. I'm not good at controlling myself so I don't do it. Sure I miss out on meals with friends and such, but I have a lot of meals with my family that are healthy. I've even made friends who like to workout and that's how we get together...at the gym versus an overpriced, unhealthy meal.

I don't miss workouts. I plan my week. If my regular workout time doesn't fit, I get my butt out of bed super early and do it. This Sunday I skipped sleeping in because I needed to do an hour of make-up cardio. My son was out of school and had nosebleeds Friday so we couldn't go the gym. Rather than just forgetting it, I moved it. You think I love hitting the TM at 6am on Sunday morning when the boys are sleeping? Hell no I don't! But, I promise I look better than most of the mommies who slept in this weekend versus working out because they found "reasons" they needed to be in bed versus doing a video or lifting their weights.

I eat my healthy foods. I carry a cooler. I THINK about what's going on in my life versus just cruising through and LETTING THINGS HAPPEN to me. Ladies, McDonald's, Sonic, the gas station, and Starbucks don't happen to you. That's a choice you made when you walked out the door, or better yet, before you went to bed and didn't prepare your food cooler for the next day.

I DON'T HAVE JUNK IN MY HOUSE! I know my weaknesses. People who complain about being an a sugar binge and stuffing their face are usually doing it at home. Dear Lord! Why does someone who want to lose weight have foods in the house that they can't control themselves with? It AMAZES ME that someone who wants to be thin doesn't have time to grocery shop but somehow when they find time buy chips, cookies, and ice cream.

I understand having a few things in the house for your kids and husband. A FEW THINGS! They should be eating healthy too. Are you the only one who deserves a fit, healthy, and LONG life free of diabetes and cancer? Nope. Respect their body just like you respect your own. For kids and hubbies it's a great time to introduce those 100 calorie snack packs. I don't eat them, but I have a few for Logan. When he does get cookies it's nice because he can have them in a controlled, appropriate portion.

Basically, we all know what we need to do. Sometimes ladies, you just have to quit thinking and start doing. That's the real secret.

Feel free to visit the main www.phit-n-phat.com website for resources and tools on how to live the PNP lifestyle.

Comments

# micheleb said on February 12, 2008 01:48 PM:

Great advice.  This is so very true!  PS...I stole an idea from you yesterday and started using Sparkpeople to track my diet.  I am curious to see how much I actually eat in a given day.  I know it is so much more than I admit.  Thanks again for the idea.  I didn't realize Sparkpeople was so easy to use.  

# Corinne said on February 12, 2008 02:03 PM:

It really does keep you in check when you track. I'm very satisfied doing it and already making better choices because I am out there for all to see. :)

# pdx2mo said on February 12, 2008 03:04 PM:

I agree with you completely and admire you for saying it so boldly and frankly.  I never leave the house without my packed cooler for the day, filled with all my snacks and meals until I plan to get back home again.  Sometimes I don't eat everything in the bag (rarely does that happed), but I NEVER eat anything that's not in there.  If it's not in there, I didn't plan for it!

I just started PNP this week and I started a Sparkpeople food journal today; it IS eye-opening to see it all calculated there for you and I'm certain it will help me with the night-time eating that I've been struggling with lately; I don't want to see a great day go bad just because I don't control what I eat after dinner!

Thanks for the site and your great words or wisdom!

Kim

# Les said on February 12, 2008 03:36 PM:

Sometimes, I wonder if you read my journal, then go write your blog entry.  No, really.  You always seem so timely with your blogs.  Thank you for always being honest.

~Les

# Corinne said on February 12, 2008 05:32 PM:

If my blog speaks to you then I did a good job writing. Most of the time, I am inspired by the thoughts and feelings of my girls. I'm not saying you did in particular but know you aren't the only on who feels this way. The key though, is that even if you "feel" this way you shouldn't act on it. If I did everything I felt like doing I'd be in a world of hurt!

# lucythomas said on February 12, 2008 09:22 PM:

I echo Les' thoughts here...It's as if you've been in my house the past week or two with this blog. Thank you.  Just what I needed to hear.

# Corinne said on February 12, 2008 09:40 PM:

I tell you, if I could magically pop-in I bet some of you would be cleaning out the pantry tonight! LOL. That's a good idea. If you have stuff in your pantry and fridge you know is a huge no-no...what's it doing in there??? Just pretend I'm standing there with a huge look of drop and give me 50!

# LiveToday said on February 12, 2008 10:17 PM:

Wow - I swear this is about me - perfect timing - I like how you said it all - thank you!  I am going to keep this one and review it over and over ...

# got2bthin said on February 13, 2008 08:58 AM:

Corinne,

I am dropping lots of inches (scale not moving, but I'm okay with it) I guess I have a very personal question for you...what about all the stretch marks...I really don't want to replace the stretch marks with a huge scar from a tummy tuck but I want to wear a two piece this summer after busting my bootie this year....what did you do or do you not have stretch marks? You don't have to answer if this is too personal...TIA

# Corinne said on February 13, 2008 06:20 PM:

I have lots of stretch marks. Are you kidding me? There is no way you can be 250 a few times and live a life of fat without the battle scars to prove it. :)

Mine are not red. They are the slivery type and that means they cover with some tanning spray and lotion pretty good. Not great, but decent. I also don't tend to wear things that show them off. I dress pretty well...show off the parts that look great and play down the ones that don't.

My issue is loose skin on my legs. I'd trade stretch marks for loose skin any day. I just have learned to live with it. There is no fighting it. I could have surgery but it's just not worth it to me to do it. It's a six month layoff from exercise and I just won't go through it for the vanity. :)

# Phit-N-Phat.com said on April 14, 2008 05:58 PM:

This week we are going to celebrate our members from our latest winner of the Blast the Fat Challenge

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