This year, I have decided to FINALLY take the weight off once and for all. I was extremely frustrated because nothing I tried ever yielded long-term results. I'd lose about 20 lbs or so and then it would stop working for me, I'd get frustrated after months of trying and console myself with something incredibly cheesy.
Then came the days when I decided that my issue wasn't dieting, it was that I needed to make a lifestyle change. So I educated myself. I looked at it as an adventure to try many different things. I gradually began to love fruits, vegetables, lean turkey, chicken, low-fat cheese, etc. And exercise! I learned to enjoy exercise. I began running plans and exercise classes. I became known as the "healthy eater" at work and was even teased for my healthy eating habits. Nothing yielded a result of much consequence.
Finally, out of extreme frustration, I went to my doctor and told her my woes. She sympathized greatly stating that she wished every one of her patients were as into healthy eating/living that I was and couldn't figure out why I wasn't skinny as a rail either. So she sent me to a specialist who figured out that I was "blessed" with extremely slow metabolism. He said that I was doing all the right things and that I'd be able to stay thin because of my healthy lifestyle yet I was just having trouble getting to my ideal weight because of this pesky metabolism. I mean, the good news is that if I were stuck out in the wilderness I'd probably live longer than everyone else because my body doesn't need as much food. But then I'd be all alone with no one to talk to.
So now I'm on a strict health plan and have lost a total of 17 pounds. So why am I not excited? Because this week I'm kind of stuck. Things are going slower and I'm terrified that my metabolism has gotten used to this new regimen and is saying: "Woah...hold on here!" On top of that, I'm starting phase 2 of the doctor's plan next week and am told that I will likely gain a pound or two. So I'm trying to stay positive. I'm trying to stay patient. I just feel that I have so much more to go and it can't get here soon enough!
I'm really trying to enjoy the ride...but the scenery isn't that exciting...
*******BREAK FOR A RUN*******
So I get changed for my run I'm still feeling this sense of dissatisfaction. I'm praying for some inspiration but have no clue where it's going to come from. I start out on my run and begin talking to my running partner. I'm getting really discouraged now because I'm huffing and puffing more than I did the day before and the ability to talk has become more difficult. How frustrating! I've been running for a few weeks, shouldn't this get easier rather than harder? I express my frustrations to my running buddy and he says: "You're more out of breath because you're running faster."
Me: That's not possible. It doesn't feel faster.
Him: Well the GPS doesn't lie. You're running approximately 10-15% faster than you were yesterday.
I feel like the Golden Corral skillet has hit the back of my head. Suddenly, all these little differences in the fit of my clothing start popping up. Stuff like: "Hey...it was a lot easier to put my running bra on tonight. It's not so tight. And these sweats are way too loose on me. I'm swimming in this hoodie..." Then, other thoughts start to come like: "Hey! Maybe that's why I haven't lost much this week, I've put on some muscle instead." I start to pay more attention to my muscles as I run and I realize how strong I've become. The running partner explains that it doesn't feel as if I'm going faster because the legs remember the amount of exertion to put out in order to run but the fact that I'm lighter and have more muscle means I'm able to go faster.
So, lesson learned: Pray for inspiration and don't worry about where it's going to come from. It's gonna come.
