Last night I attended a formal affair and put on a fancy dress. The best part about that particular dress is that I wasn’t worried about having to hold in my stomach the whole night. I didn’t think much about this 10 or even five years ago. Keeping weight off in older age is indeed a thing. I can remember when I could eat almost a whole box of Cheez-Its (a snack with which I have had an inappropriate relationship in years past) and not be affected. I could also skip a workout or three and still have a flat stomach.
I have never really been a dieter, but I am mindful of what I eat. About five years ago, I enlisted the help of Lindsey Black of Lindsey Black Fitness, who helped me to think of food differently, and as a result, I now understand how important it is to have a good balance of protein, carbs and fat. Sure, I can eat a cheeseburger with fries, but what else have I eaten that day or week? Bacon is totally fine in moderation, too.
For the past few months I’ve been trying to get back down to my “fighting weight,” which means I have about 20 more pounds to lose. It’s my own doing and I’m not going to blame it on COVID. I stopped drinking my 130 oz of water each day, drank coffee in my sugar and cream, and didn’t pay as much attention to my portions. Over time it makes a difference. It didn’t help that I had some pesky injuries that caused me not to workout like I had been accustomed to doing. I was working out as little as twice a week and told myself that was okay. I allowed myself to slip and was in a mental slump. Even though I can’t do everything I used to do, I have to keep moving.
In a few months Greg will be celebrating a milestone birthday, and while it’s his day I of course want to look my best, too. However, I realize that even after his day has come and gone, I have to continue to make healthy choices, and not only for a special occasion. As Lindsey would say, eating and exercising for a special occasion isn’t sustainable, as we will often eat restrictively and go crazy with exercise, and after our moment is done, we go back to the same stagnant way, or maybe that’s just me.
We are about to be in holiday mode, but I am trying to enjoy things in moderation. I don’t want to eat all I can eat and work it off in January. I need to make good choices throughout the holiday season no matter how loudly cheesecake calls my name. I also will be celebrating a certain milestone in 2023, so I’m pledging to myself to maintain my movement. I hope you will do the same.
#ksmithsays
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