The Bag Lady realized something today. Because she is referring to herself constantly in the third person, she doesn’t really feel accountable for the statements she makes!! So she can say things about how she wants to lose weight and get into better shape, but she doesn’t do anything about it because it isn’t really her! (Does that make sense?) So, here goes:
I would like to get into better shape, so to that end, I am going to start an exercise program and watch my caloric intake. There, I said it. I am giving myself 3 months; by the end of which I would like to be in better shape, and weigh at least 20 lbs less. I am making myself a promise. And I expect at least a couple of you to help hold me to my promise! Keep asking me how I’m doing with it, because this post is a one-time thing – I am probably not going to post progress reports. I am much too ashamed to admit how much I weigh right now! I may occasionally post something about how many pounds I have lost, but don’t count on it.
This post will self-destruct in a couple hours!
20 comments:
Never be ashamed of trying to get healthy! And you can post progress reports without saying how much you weight, you can just talk about how things are going with the changes you are trying to make. You can do it!
Thanks, Javachick! It was actually your recent posts that made me think I should get started! I guess my biggest fear is failing...I don't want the whole blogging community to think I'm a fat slacker!
Hi Bg Lady!
20 pounds is a lot in three months, you know...a pound a week seems to be what is recommended. So don't diet yourself TOO hard! I started Weight Watchers at the end of December, so I am working right alongside you. I like it because I function well on guilt...having to show up every week and having someone write down your weight is the best motivation for me.
Cheers!
Hey Baggie (because your clothes just might be, one day soon), I agree with Laura that 20 is a big expectation to have for 3 months. But I understand the need to say it out loud and in public, so to speak. That having been said, I'll help hold you accountable in email if you do the same for me. I'd like to lose that same 20 lbs too. Starting right after tonight.. when the cupcakes we bought for company are gone. And no, these cupcakes were NOT stolen from Crabby's blog!
Your goal is fantastic, but may I make a suggestion? How about breaking this into smaller goals, with the first being to reduce or eliminate one of your sources of empty calories, and to get in the habit of daily or near-daily activity?
Build your habits first, then go from there. If you make diet change and exercise feel high-pressure and odious, you won't want to continue. A daily walk or light strength tuning to some favorite tunes should be something you look forward to. In time, you'll naturally want to do more as your body becomes capable of it.
At the outset, just do something, even if it's only for ten minutes. Think habit and health, not weight loss. Everything else will flow from there.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do! :-)
Ah ha! It's OUT there now. In the universe. No erasing. Even if you delete the blog, a few of us will remember it.
Once you get started, you will feel so much better and stick with it.
Good luck Bag-a-licious
Thanks, all of you. I did not get off to a good start today - too much going on. But I DID do some stair-stepping thing I saw on a program on TV - timed myself for 2 minutes to see how many I could do. The woman on TV only did 43 in 2 minutes - I did 64, so I may not be in as bad a shape as I thought...well, not as bad as she was!
Hi, Laura - thanks for stopping, and for commenting - we'll have to keep tabs on each other! I have lost lots of weight in previous years on what the Cowboy calls the 'Starvedale Diet' (anyone else remember the Scarsdale Diet from the '70's?) but it is pretty extreme, and once you stop dieting, the weight slowly creeps back on. This time I am not going to diet, but change my bad habits for good ones, and try to get more exercise.
Hilary, we can certainly hold each other accountable (by email is perfect!)and maybe hold each other's (virtual) hands through the rough patches!
BG - thanks for the suggestions. In the past, I have done exactly as you said - put so much pressure on myself to do something I didn't like that I set myself up for failure. I chop wood everyday, which is a good workout, but need to do more.
POM - okay, I'll leave this post up! I actually was going to take it down after a couple hours, but ended up being away from the house all day, then had company for supper, so it got left up.
Just my luck, the weather is about to head into the deep-freeze (minus 40 for the next few days - which is the same in Farenheit and Celsius - really f*cking cold!!) so there won't be much outside exercising - well, more wood-chopping, 'cause I'll be burning more, but it splits easier in the cold...
Good for you Sis, I know you can do it! And slipping a few healthy choices into the Cowboys feedbag won't hurt him either - too bad you can't cook for me too though!
Thanks, Reb. It's all about choices, eh?
Oh, now you've done it.
Good for you, Cousin. Putting it out there is a smart thing to do.
You'll have plenty of help and surpport from the blogoverse. It will make a difference.
*surpport*
I proofed twice and this still got by.
Hmm, "sur" means super. You're getting super support from the blogosphere for having the courage to put it in writing.
Thanks, Leah! I'll take all the support or even surpport I can get!!
Good luck to you BL. I need to lose a pound or two as well - nothing like Hilary though. :)
(I ate most of the cupcakes. They were goooooood.)
Hi, Frank: as long as you are around to eat the cupcakes, Hilary shouldn't have any trouble losing weight. Won't discuss what that'll do to YOUR waistline...
Thanks for the good wishes.
Good for you! We want you to stay healthy and happy and vigorous for many, many decades to come. (And ditto what bunnygirl & Hilary said re ambitious goals--just don't be too hard on yourself!)
And I know exactly what you mean about the third person! (I've been experimenting with 1st person and I feel much more exposed--some days I miss my crab shell to hide behind).
It's strange, isn't it, Crabby, to use first person! I agree - you feel much more exposed. And more accountable, hopefully!!
Thanks for your support.
You're going to do it Bag Lady! We're all in this together.
Congrats on putting yourself out there in the accountable first person! Let me add my voice to the encouraging choir.
Also- and I wish like heck I could find the article- science now seems to support that a gentle, gradual, almost sneaky little changes provide the longest-lasting weight loss without triggering the emotional and physical backlash that cause so many to gain it back and more.
Bunnygirl's suggestions seem to follow that logic. Scraping off an extra hundred calories a day and exercising a bit more may not seem like much, but it will change your dress size for sure and it's easy to stick with a moderate regime.
In whatever way you find works best for you, all the luck and support in the world!
SB - thanks for the support!
Clare - thanks to you, too. I've been slow off the mark this week - it has been so bloody cold that I haven't felt much like eating salads! Stew and biscuits have been on the menu. Not exactly diet food, but I've been trying to limit my portions. Also trying to do some exercising and stretching. Shaving a few calories here and there and moving more is at least a start...!
Oh, and I used really lean meat for the stew and made the biscuits whole wheat...
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