So I Did a Thing

Hello!  So, since vacation, I have really been struggling to get back on the band wagon. It actually took me over a week to get back in the gym. And I've really been feeling like I need some support and guidance lately. I felt like I was at a crossroads. I needed more but I wanted it to be something that supported my habit change, and my mindset that focuses on life change and maintenance. I wanted it to supplement my habits I'm creating and kind of fall in line with what I'm already trying to do.  I have toyed with considering difference workout and diet plans that my friends are doing or coaching. But they all seem like a PLAN. They last a specific amount of days. A 10 day cleanse or a 3 day cleanse. A 28-day workout plan. 14-day phase 2, etc. Then typically you break (or don't) and move on to the next one. But there's a specific start and ending point. That is not conducive to what I'm trying to accomplish. I only want to start something (be it a workout, a habit, etc) that I am willing to maintain for the rest of my life. This isn't a diet I'm on. I'm simply changing my habits for sustainable weight loss and maintenance.  I have completely switched my focus. Typically, the mindset is "If I get to (x) weight, I will be happy", or "If I could just do/be/weigh this, I will not have all these issues. It's backwards. I've flipped my thinking completely. I'm focusing on nourishing my body, staying present, being kind to myself internally and externally, listening to my body, and setting non-scale goals. Weight loss will just be a by-product of that.  So I wanted a support system that jived with that. Meanwhile, it's no secret that I have A LOT of weight to lose. 100+ pounds. That's a lot. And I don't know many people in my life that have the same numbers or know what that process is like. I NEED, in my support system, those that hear my struggle, and my goals, and can relate to it because they have been there. They also have 50, 75, 100 pounds to lose. They have lost a large amount of weight. They have had a similar workout, weight, health, and mental struggles and have tackled them or are tackling them. They have the tips and tricks, the mindset, the recipes, the skills that are going to contribute to MY success.  With all that being said I have made the following choices, and I'm SO excited about it.  1. I have started couch to 5k. Currently, I'm on week 2, day 2, and so far, I haven't died! I'm just kidding. I tried to start this app in the summer, and I couldn't even finish day 1. I couldn't even run for 60 seconds. It was so discouraging that I didn't do day 2. But I had a solid workout routine before vacation that really focused on endurance, and since vacation, I have been walking a lot. That, paired with walking at work every day has really changed my endurance. So when I started again this week, I was so happy that not only could I complete day 1, but I wasn't hurting (in a bad way) and I could keep going. My breathing is much better than I anticipated. My partner and I are doing a 5k on 12/09 and I'm so excited and positive I can run it! I have wanted to be a runner for years. It's a non-scale goal for me, that I know will also contribute to weight loss as a by-product. But that's not why I'm doing it. I love how it makes me FEEL. Even when I'm huffing and puffing, it's an amazing feeling to push myself and end up drenched in sweat. I am still heading to the gym too, 2-3 days a week to ONLY lift. I don't want to overdo it, and I'm really listening to my body.  2. I am joining an online community. I listen to the podcast "Half Size Me", which I think I mentioned before, and it focuses on weight loss but also approaches it from a maintenance perspective. My mindset really started to change when I started listening to it. They also have an online community. There's a small monthly fee, and you get access to the online support group, which has people from all walks of life, but it also has 100s of people who have/ had the same struggles I do. I also get access to Webniars, workbooks, recipes, books, etc. I listen to the podcast too, but this is a supplement. The community only allows open enrollment every so often so I have to wait until it opens up again. I also have inquired about working with the creator one on one.  3. I have joined Weightwatchers. I have tried WW before, and wasn't very successful. But I believe I am ready to listen now. I was already tracking in My Fitness Pal, so tracking in the WW app isn't any more effort for me. The meetings and weigh ins provide support and accountability that I'm looking for and consistent, reliable scale results. And after going to my first meeting back this last Saturday and listening to what changed in the program, they are focusing on overall wellness, and more than just the scale, but also mental and emotional health. It re-iterated that I needed to be there.  So for now, that's all I'm taking on. I am still forming habits and working on myself. I'll add other support down the road I'm SURE. But for now, I'm not overwhelmed. I'm happy, positive, and I really believe in myself.  Thank you for reading.