Monday, June 7, 2010

Theres No Finish Line


As you may or may not know I joined Biz's summer challenge and it is helping to keep me motivated to work out when I don't "want" to! I think last week was successful I've gotten back into the 150's again thankfully and now I will keep it going down I hope.

I've been working out for the last 13 years pretty steadily. I joined a gym in March of 1997 and it took me about six months to get hooked on exercise but I did eventually get hooked so much so I decided to become a personal trainer.

What I have come to know is that there really is no end to the fitness journey even after you reach your weight loss goal number. You have to keep doing your exercises and you have to be mindful and careful of your eating. Originally, I lost 40 pounds and kept it off until my mom died in 2004 over the next year I let my weight creep up 10 pounds. I was so numb and disconnected for a while there. Then I got comfortable with the weight gain and saw that I wasn't going to regain the other thirty pounds I had lost so I accepted my new higher weight until last fall.

Once I made the decision to have the hysterectomy I knew I had to get the extra weight back off again and I am down to 159 as of today from 168.5 in October of last year. It was so much harder to start losing weight again this time being in my 40's and in menopause now but I am here to say it is doable hard but doable.

After I read Shelly's and Lori's blog today I wanted to put my two cents in about long term weight loss success since they were pondering whether they would regain all the weight they have lost. I don't think it is inevitable as long as you keep living the way you lived to lose the weight. That is not to say that you can't eat a tiny bit more calorie wise but you have to keep up with your exercise. For example: If I want to lose weight I have to do cardio about a hour a day 5 days a week maintenance for me is 45 minutes. Oh yeah, this time around I am weight lifting a couple of days a week as well. I have discovered I look better toned than wrinkly....LOL

Last Saturday I was out garage sailing and thrift store shopping and I lifted a bunch of boxes with china and books and now my right arm, shoulder, forearm hurt. I am hoping this is just sore muscles and not a re injury to a old shoulder injury of mine.

My workout week so far: Sunday 4 miles and Monday 3 miles, I have been meeting my goals of 3 veggies a day, 2 fruits, and water as well, as low fat balanced eating. I won't do weight lifting on my upper body until this soreness leaves hopefully in the next day or two I could go lightly...

Check out this blog if you haven't already www.betweengirl.com she has a "Real Food Boot Camp" going. This is very well done with shopping list, prep instructions and 3 recipes. Not many followers yet check her out and leave a comment we all need support. Its harder to be a blogger than one would think.

If your on Facebook and would like to "friend" me look up Susan Calderon you will see my profile pic from here there.

The summer challenge has challenged me to be a better blogger as well!
Till next time

Susan

5 comments:

  1. Congrats on getting back into the 150's and thanks for your input on weight regain...this: "keep living the way you lived to lose the weight" is key and I have to remember it.

    Glad you will be blogging more this summer - you're doing great with Biz's challenge!

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  2. There is no end. I often tell people that when they reach their goal weight they really are just beginning their new journey at a healthy weight. And like any journey, that requires continued vigilance and dedication. You are doing a great job and congratulations on your commitment to your health and getting back into the 150's!!

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  3. Cool stuff. You got your hysterectomy weight off and everything. That's fantastic. And yeah, gotta keep on exercising or the joints stiffin up. I ought to know. I can hardly move today.
    ;-)

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  4. I love how you've wrapped your head around this whole weight maintenance thing. When I think back to all the times I lost weight only to gain it back, it was because I had no clue how to keep it off. It took me forever to figure out it was a whole life change thing. Shelley gets it, Lori gets it, you get it...and I'm so very glad to be in on the "secret," too. Thanks for writing this and especially for letting me know about it :)

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  5. I think you are doing great Susan! Way to get in the workouts! And I agree, it is a bit harder in our 40's, but it is doable!!

    Off to check out between girl!

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