HOW I DID IT!
Tips and Tricks I learned while losing 25 lbs in 2 months. The right way.
This blog post isn't any fancy wording...I'm just spitting out my weight loss secrets in bullet points at 2am just to get it into a format that can hopefully help some people meet their goals.
- The biggest help was the app MyFitnessPal.com and gave myself a 1200 calorie goal. If wanted to eat more calories, I had to earn it with exercise. It taught me to look at food in a whole new light.
- I joined a gym, ran 5 times a week, usually 3.2 miles (with some walking in there), skated about 7 miles a couple of times a week. It was hard at first, but I noticed it getting easier as the lbs started to come off, so that was incentive in itself. I just said, "it'll just be easier next time" every time I hit the treadmill.
- I ran a 5k and constantly plan on training for 5k's with a target of under 30 minutes.
- I learned the value of a good playlist. Never underestimate the power of Joy Division, Eagles of Death Metal and Front 242 in heavy rotation...but find what works for you.
- I learned to love the sweaty me. Sweat is sexy. And a good workout can feel almost as good as sex.
- I learned that you can't outrun your bad eating habits. If you work out all the time, but just can't seem to lose any weight, it's all about your diet.
- I cut out all salt and alcohol completely for the last month. Cut out many carbs.
- I learned to use spices creatively so I wouldn't miss the salt.
- I started drinking sparkling water with lots of fruit in it in social situations so I wouldn't miss the alcohol.
- I avoided alot of events that might set me up for failure - until I felt I had the will power to resist alcohol and bad foods on my own.
- I lived on avocados, fruit, smoked salmon, cherry tomatoes, steak with only Sriracha on it, salads with no dressing or just a bit of olive oil. Not all fats are bad fats.
- Soups I made were low in calories, but I could put a ton of veggies into them, so they'd fill me up.
- I learned to have fun with my food. Fresh veggies are beautiful and colorful and look great on a plate posted on Instagram.
- I posted pictures of my pretty and healthy meals to social media. People love to look at food!
- I posted pic so my progress on facebook not only to keep me accountable, and to rely of my FB friends for encouragement during the rough times. It's amazing what a little positivity will do--there's nothing wrong with receiving a bit of the ol' "atta girl" to keep you going! Plus, I figured my posts might help someone else that needs motivation.
- My boyfriend dieted with me and helped motivate me. It helps to have a partner in crime to share your experiences with.
- When i got a sweet tooth, I had a Pure Protein bar, chocolate deluxe flavor. 180 calories, but only 2g of sugar and a whopping 30g of protein.
- I used to make breakfast my biggest meal of the day since it was my favorite, but I decided to make that my "throw away" meal so I would just eat unflavored instant oatmeal packets with either mashed banana or a handful of raisins or currants in it. I made it just something to get me through til lunch.
- I drank TONS of water. I told myself I can have a coffee/tea/diet soda if I drink 8 glasses of water
- I drank better coffee. I learned to drink coffee with only non dairy creamer powder in it, so the coffee flavor itself had to be good to be bearable. If it was really bad coffee, though, I'd put a packet of splenda in it as well, but I tried to avoid the splendas if possible.
- I substituted Dr. Pepper 10 for my regular Dr. Peppers.
- I traded sweet tea for half sweet / half unsweet tea. Restaurants will do that for you if you ask.
- I posted about my progress on Facebook so I felt I wasn't doing it for just me, but I was doing it for everyone who wanted to do it, but they just needed to see someone else do it first. I was just hoping it would help someone else along the way.
- OH and did I mention SRIRACHA???? And SMOKED SALMON??? Those saved my life.
If I can do it, you can do it. Keep me posted on your experiences. I love that shit.
GOOD LUCK!
Trigger Mortis
