How I Did It
- An Average Person's Account of Weight Loss
By Jon T. Stevens
For most of my life, or at least as long as I
can remember, I have been overweight. No let me rephrase. I
have been fat. Yes, fat. Not just a little overweight, not big
boned, not plus sized or comfortably large. Not weight challenged
or in need of loosing a few pounds. I was fat. Fat, fat, fat.
Fat to the point of being teased and of having problems finding
cloths that fit. Fat to the point of just being miserable. It
was amazing how one aspect of my life could so completely take
control of my life.
One day, while on vacation, I noticed a couple
on the beach obviously enjoying each other and life in general.
Yes, they were fit and trim just like the perfect picture we
all know about. I don't know for sure what it was about them
that hit me the way it did. After all, it wasn't like I had
never seen happy, fit people before. Maybe it was the fact that
being alone the way I was, I often found myself in a state of
introspection especially when on a vacation. But that scene,
of those two people, changed my life forever. Right then and
there, I decided I was going to lose weight and keep it off,
no matter what it took. I decided that I was strong enough to
do this and I was going to prove it to the world - at least
my world. I was going to be trim, fit and happy with the girl
of my dreams.
Although still looking for the girl of my dreams,
I am happy to report that I have lost the weight (47 pounds)
that I intended to lose. I feel great, look great and have more
energy then I ever have. I am indeed happy with an active social
life and a very positive outlook in general. My only regret
is that I didn't do it sooner.
How did I do it? I did everything. I exercised,
I changed my diet and I completely changed the way I lived my
life. I set goals, both short, intermediate as well as long
term. Goals that were easily obtainable at first, then a little
harder. I told everyone I knew what I was going to do so that
there was no turning back. And it worked, I lost the weight.
I started out slowly at first with my first goal
of doing 25 sit-ups 4 days a week for the first week. Notice
I didn't say every day or 50 sit-ups. I wanted a goal I could
easily obtain. I also set a goal of eating two salads in that
first week. And that was it. On my second week, I bumped up
the sit-ups to 50 per day but, again, only for 4 days. I continued
to eat 2 salads though I added a serving of fresh fruit. I also
added two 20-minute walks for that second week. Not setting
any world records, but again easily obtainable and with little
suffering.
By the end of my second week, I had not faltered
from any one of my goals and had actually exceeded one of them
by going for a third walk as I actually enjoyed it. I decided
to set some more goals. I decided to start going to the gym.
Not right way mind you, but in two more weeks. Yes, this was
a big one so I decided that I needed to work up to it. In the
mean time, I did more sit-ups, now up to 5 days per week and
4 walks per week, although some days I actually went for two
walks and by the third week I went for eight 30-minute walks
in all. The whole time now working myself up to and picturing
myself going to the gym - in two weeks. I knew going to the
gym would be hard as I was out of shape, unlike all the people
that go to the gym. Also, I just knew it would be a big step.
But, I also knew I needed to do it and that I was strong enough
to "just do it."
The end of week three came. One more week till
I started to the gym. Again, I had not faltered on any of my
goals and again had actually exceeded several of them. I had
also decided to start talking health supplements - I had a friend
that suggested an internet web site, www.healthproductsusa.net,
that sold a wide variety of health supplements.
I took a complete multi-vitamin as well as a complete
mineral. Also, on this fourth week, I incorporated an actual
diet. It wasn't a "lose weight" diet, just a healthy
diet with fruits, vegetables and a good balance. I figured I
would falter if I tried to stick to it every day so I didn't.
Instead I just did the best I could for the time being. One
thing I had noticed with the goals I set was that it became
easier and easier to meet and even surpass them, the longer
I went. I was now doing 100 sit-ups per day for 6 days per week
although my goal was only for 5 days. I was also starting to
feel a lot better.
Week 5, Monday morning, without much thought,
I went to my local gym and signed up. Just like going to work,
I just did it. I started on a regiment of three times per week
for 45 minutes. I kept telling myself that I had to do it and
it was as simple as that. That was the real turning point of
my program as after just three weeks at the gym, the weight
really started coming off and I felt really good. Yes, just
eight weeks since I started, I felt I was over the hump and
well on my way to a better life.
One year later, I go to the gym almost every day
for over an hour. I eat right and have a very active lifestyle.
I feel great. I feel that my secret to success was to set the
goals and to set them in an obtainable way. Easy at first, then
progressing. Although I figured that I would fail at some aspects,
I didn't want to set myself up for a lot of failure that would
be discouraging. Notice that I did not keep track of the weight
I lost especially on a day- to-day basis. I wanted successes
as small as they may be. It was also important to tell people
close to me what I was going to do. This helped push me probably
more then anything else. I remember one of my friends telling
me "yeah, right" when I told him of my plan. He did
not think I could ever do it and I was going to prove him wrong.
I now feel that there is very little that I can't do if I set
my mind to it.
Maybe starting out with sit-ups is not right for
you, but I bet that goal setting in a similar manner will get
you the results you want. Maybe not overnight, but step-by-step
and goal-by-goal. Just do it and you will be absolutely amazed
at how good you look and feel. Convince yourself and prove to
your friends and loved ones that you are strong enough to lose
the weight.
Jonathan T. Stevens is a regular contributor to editorial
sections of local newspapers as well as Internet magazines.
A 32 year old mathematician and substitute schoolteacher, he
enjoys writing and is currently working on his first travel
guide for boaters.
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