I don’t profess to be any sort of lifestyle expert, but last week, when I got the ‘Shock of my life!’ (slight exaggeration!) I decided I had to do something.
I was fed up with looking in the mirror, depressed by what I saw, that double-chinned face looking back at me, that stomach that could pass for 6 months pregnant. I hated the fact that so many of my clothes weren’t fitting well. I didn’t like that I was feeling so low in energy all the time.
Something had to give.
So I looked back on an old eating plan I had when I was following the Juiceplus+ diet a couple of years ago. No, I wasn’t going to fork out lots of money on the shakes and vitamins etc, but they had a great detox plan, which really helped me strip back unnecessary food, and encouraged clean eating.
Water. I have been drinking lots of water, and herbal teas too, at least 3 litres every day! (Yes, you do wee a lot, but hey, if it helps!)
Another thing I have tried to do is not eat after 8pm either. And I have managed that every night, except tonight. It is 10.30pm and I am eating now! But there is a long story behind that one! At least it’s healthy!!
I downloaded the My Fitness Pal App, and set it up on my phone It is a calorie counter, but if you input your details, and tell it what you want to do, be it lose weight maintain, or put on weight, it will give you a calorie goal. You can tailor your nutritional requirements if you want to aim for more protein, or carbs, or fat, or lower the percentages too. You can then enter the food you eat, either manually, or by scanning a barcode. It is even possible to make your own recipes which are then ready for you to enter whenever you make them!
Then, I decided I needed some form of exercise. Again, I have tried lots of things over the years, but simply walking was not something I had concentrated on. So I found an app called Map My Walk, which you can set to record your walks. It tells you speed, distance, steps and calorie burn.
We have the playing field moments from the house, so every morning, during the holiday, I get up and I go with Lil Man, or with him, and Lil Princess. They play football while I do my circuits, listening to music as I go around. It’s even better as the family are getting involved too! Yesterday we even went to a local country park, and hiked around for an hour, and I built up another 3km on my walking app!
The best thing? It links to the My Fitness Pal app so any exercise you do, creates extra calories that you can eat, if you want, without jeopardising your weight goal!
I will weigh in, in the morning, but to be honest, I am not going to cry if I don’t lose lots of weight straight away. I am already feeling so much better, and the weight loss will be a great boost!
I must give a little mention here to someone, who has been extra supportive… All of you who commented on my original post last week are amazing. You really spurred me on to make sure I try my best and do this!
But I have been following a blog for a while now, Amanda at The Keen Peach. She is amazing! Despite being pregnant for, as she describes, 3 years, she has been eating well, keeping her fitness up, and is trying various healthy diets, to be in as best form as she can be. Every day she posts about what she eats, as well as any exercise she may have done, and encourages others who follow to do the same, giving commenters a really motivating reply!
Oh, and I started flooding my Instagram posting some foodie pics on my Instagram account (@phantom_giggler) which have been liked by a few (possibly self-professed!) healthy eating experts out there! A few extra likes are always a plus!
My hashtags for me personal life revolution? #icandothis and #lose2stone
I guess what I want to say really is, if you want things to change in your life, you need to be that change! Several of you mentioned that my thoughts and determination had motivated you to think about your lifestyle. I’d love to know if any of you were really spurred on to do something like I did!
Have a wonderful night/day Peeps! Love my Blogily 💗
amommasview
Aug 10, 2016 @ 02:24:44
The hardest thing is done: You have started. I did too. You inspired me! And I’m 2kg down! We can do it 🙂
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Ritu
Aug 10, 2016 @ 08:30:02
Woohoo! That’s great Sandra!!! We can do this!!
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amommasview
Aug 10, 2016 @ 09:59:15
Yes we can!
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Hugh's Views and News
Aug 09, 2016 @ 16:14:20
Well done, Ritu. You certainly sound like you have the willpower to do this.
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TanGental
Aug 09, 2016 @ 12:06:50
Yep, go for it; I was rather depressed when I described a healthy eating plan to a friend who commented that ‘I can see your body must be your temple… it looks like the dome of St Paul’s’. But nil desperandum. You can do this!
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 12:23:00
Uh oh! Lol!!!!
But thank you Geoffles! I am trying my best. I even dusted off the hula hooping this morning and swung it around my waist for 20 minutes, no dropping!!!
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treacledays
Aug 09, 2016 @ 10:02:36
Good for you, keep going! You have got me thinking about my own situation. I need to start looking after myself more. I would really like to change my looks. x
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 10:09:08
Make this the day you change something then! Even a little change can reap results! Thank you and good luck 😊
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Judy Martin
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:18:02
Well done Sis. The meals look wonderful and you are really making the effort which will no doubt pay off! 🙂
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:55:16
I do hope so… I noticed also that I seem to get full a bit quicker
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Judy Martin
Aug 09, 2016 @ 17:25:27
That’s a real bonus! 🙂
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 17:38:29
Definitely lol@@@
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:55:58
Sorry!
I get full a bit quicker. So hopefully my portion sizes will reduce a bit too, in a good way!
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Erika Kind
Aug 09, 2016 @ 07:11:29
You just started. Soon you will have your own plan and diet/fitness routines and all will be part of your day. Just the time until everything is getting together. You are doing great and the holidays help that you have time to manage that start!
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:54:48
I sure hope so sis!!!!! Thank you 😘
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Erika Kind
Aug 09, 2016 @ 15:41:00
I believe so, Sis 😘
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 15:42:37
😚
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New Journey
Aug 09, 2016 @ 05:58:48
I start the day with a glass of water with a bit of fresh lemon…great easy detox on the liver….good job on the food plans….I use fatsecret app to keep track of my calories…..you got this girlfriend….nothing to it….kat
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:52:52
Thank you Kat!
Yes, I use the water and lemon first thing in the morning too!
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keen peach
Aug 09, 2016 @ 01:08:35
Oh my gosh! Thank you for the shout out Ritu! You are doing SO GOOD! You have such a good plan and you’re just taking it a day at a time. You got this girl!
I love that you won’t be disappointed if the scale had not budged in the morning. There are so many factors that go into that number. The fact that you have been doing everything right and are feeling great is proof enough that you are on the right track. You might be down though! Fingers crossed friend! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:51:01
Thank you sooo much for the encouragement, serious.t though, Amanda! It means a lot! I still haven’t weighed myself… But will be checking, once I finished my morning blog check!!!
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syl65
Aug 09, 2016 @ 00:56:44
One day at a time Sister! You’re off to a rousing start 😊
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:50:00
Thank you Brother, it is really amazing how much energy I have this week, after just a few changes!!!
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syl65
Aug 09, 2016 @ 13:50:28
You’re welcome Sister and I’m happy you are feeling reenergized!! ⚡️⚡️
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 13:57:59
I am indeed!!!
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syl65
Aug 09, 2016 @ 14:01:34
That is awesome!!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Aug 09, 2016 @ 00:22:25
It sounds like you’re off to a fantastic start! And, getting started is half the battle. I’m so happy you’re feeling better and moving toward your goals! Thanks for the inspiration. 😊💛
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:47:24
Thank you Tonya ! I do feel so much better, waking with a spring in my step!!!
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Fourth Generation Farmgirl
Aug 09, 2016 @ 11:05:02
That’s wonderful! 😊
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 11:12:02
😊
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Tessa
Aug 09, 2016 @ 00:03:13
Very inspirational. I wish I had your determination right now. I know I would feel so much better despite my health problems, and some would be lessened or eliminated altogether. Keep going, you inspire me.
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 08:46:52
Thank you Tessa 🌞 why don’t you try and make one change, even a small one? Like more water, or less snacking… Or even go for a walk ?
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Tessa
Aug 09, 2016 @ 15:42:29
No more water. It runs right out of me. Been incontinent ever since the babies, but think something else is wrong now, don’t feel the urge it just leaks constantly so I drink a good bit of water, but have to be very careful. Walking is painful and lucky if I can make 5 minutes. Even cut down on the snacking. I still get too much sugar, but so hooked on sugar.
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 15:44:02
Hmm…… we need to find you sweet alternatives with less sugar… what do you like to snack on? X
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Tessa
Aug 09, 2016 @ 15:47:55
Ice cream is my favorite or cheesecake. Don’t eat candy much now or chips.
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 15:48:51
… what about sorbets instead of Ice cream?
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Tessa
Aug 09, 2016 @ 20:38:52
Nothing like ice cream. I am a sugar fiend.
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 20:47:27
Aw man! What are we going to do with you!!!
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Tessa
Aug 09, 2016 @ 22:00:25
I don’t know. 🙂
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Ritu
Aug 09, 2016 @ 22:04:20
😊
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vanbytheriver
Aug 08, 2016 @ 23:03:01
Stay strong, Ritu, you are on the right track. Wish you the best results. You are already feeling better…and that’s a huge benefit. ☺
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Ritu
Aug 08, 2016 @ 23:04:07
Thank you for your encouragement to Van! 😘
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Natalia Erehnah
Aug 08, 2016 @ 22:57:48
You can do this! Thanks for sharing your journey.
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Ritu
Aug 08, 2016 @ 22:59:46
Thanks Natalia! Having support from everyone is seriously so encouraging! 😊
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Natalia Erehnah
Aug 08, 2016 @ 23:01:32
I constantly waffle between just loving my body as it is, and wanting to be slimmer, stronger, healthier, and more flexible.
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Ritu
Aug 08, 2016 @ 23:03:45
Me too… but this time my shock at my weight and shape made me do this! Hope I can keep it up!
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