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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 loose 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 loose. 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.
This is how I did it
How did I do it? I did everything. I exercised, I changed my diet, I took diet
pills 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 as well as diet
pills and that was to start this week. 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 (Coral Calcium). I
also took a cortisol blocker and another diet pill designed to increase your
metabolism and give you more energy. Also, on this fourth week, I incorporated
an actual diet. It wasn’t a “loose 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 manner 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 loose 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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