Ready, Set, Go!

Last night I was reading a book, trying to get myself motivated to really take some weight off this summer. For years and years, I've started every summer saying that this will be my summer to lose weight. Last summer I was on the right track - particularly by taking on the Great American Eat Right Challenge - but I think the knee injury really got me down.

Anywho, as I was reading the book, weightloss just really seemed simple to me. The best way to lose a pound a week? Cut 300 calories out of your current daily eating and burn 200 more calories. So if I just walked 20 minutes and cut out that nighttime snacking, I'd be on track to lose a pound a week!

I think what's intimidating about losing weight is that there's so much information out there. Do you eliminate carbs? Do you try a liquid diet? Count calories? Eat three meals a day, or six small ones? How do you even know what to put in your body?

This summer, I'm going to try to get back to the basics. I'm going to try working out for 30 minutes most days of the week, whether it be a brisk walk with my dogs or a heavy weight-lifting session at the gym. I'm also going to listen to my body when it comes to eating. I'm surprised at how much healthier when I feel after I eat an apple as opposed to a cookie. I need to start paying attention to whether my body actually needs seconds, or if I just want seconds. There's a difference.

To start, though, I'm going to implement these things slowly, going back to the Eat Right Challenge. I'm not going to overhaul my entire lifestyle at once. I'm going to take it one day at a time, rewarding myself for what I can do, and not beating myself up for what I can't do. It's a process, and I'm ready to take it on.