Introduction-
For those of you that don't know, I am currently enrolled at a community college studying Human Services, in pursuit of my Addiction Studies Certificate. That in and of itself is a story on its own, but not for the immediate post at hand. However, for the certificate one of my elective classes is "Self Esteem Strategies". This class is where the idea spurred for starting afresh my "food journey" blog. In class we are working on goal setting, with the aim of using visualization as one of the techniques to implement in attaining our goals. I found it interesting and encouraging to learn that visualization is a technique also supported by science, according to one of the speakers of a Ted Talk You Tube video. However, I myself have not looked at the research to determine how valid or reliable it is. Nevertheless, I am still able to create a goal, and work towards it.
Goal-
So my goal is to lose 40 pounds safely within a 6 month time frame. I want a great body!
Reward-
For every ten pounds lost, I have decided to reward myself. I plan to get a new haircut (oh I may as well add highlights in there too, since I am starting to see more grays). After 20 pounds lost, I will treat myself to a manicure. After 30 pounds lost I will treat myself to a pedicure. Finally when I have lost the 40 pounds I plan to treat myself to a professional muscle massage from the local Korean day spa. If during covid that is not an option, I will still do some kind of celebrating for my accomplishment. It might be a new outfit, or 5 new outfits. Anyways the rewards are set.
Every Sunday or once a week I will blog about my fresh start. I will "discuss" with you the reader about how its going with my food intake. Right now I am in the planning and preparation stage. I have allotted some time of a week or two for both the menu planning and the grocery shopping for ingredients to make delicious low calorie low carb foods that I am likely to enjoy. Lemons are on my mental list, for they are excellent to squeeze into a warm glass of water in the morning to aid digestion when I first wake up. I say warm water only because its so cold in the mornings. But cool water is fine if that's your preference I suppose.
Action Plan-
- I will buy a dozen lemons within one week by Friday 3/12/21.
- I will create a weekly menu plan by same time frame Friday 3/12/21.
- I will go grocery shopping by ASAP Sunday 3/14/21.
- I will count calories, carbs, etc. I will find the food diary and record it OR just buy a new food journal on or before Sunday 3/21/21.
- I will commit to a daily physical activity, such as strength training resistance, aerobic exercise such as zumba/dance, yoga/pilates, and.or walking neighborhood for 30 minutes daily by Saturday 3/6/21. (I missed the deadline for starting my exercises yesterday, so my next best way to handle it is to start tomorrow on Monday 3/8/21 with walking at the minimum.)
- I will drink 8 glasses of H2O daily starting Saturday 3/6/21. (Again I did not meet my quota nor deadline to start yesterday. Fortunately, tomorrow Monday is a new day for me to start afresh on this aspect of my overall goal.)
- I will create and compile easy veggie recipes of the foods and flavors I like within a 2 weeks time so by 3/19/21.
- I will "blog" my journal ASAP with one or more weekly entries every Sunday starting on 3/7/21. Yaye! I did it! I almost forgot then suddenly I remembered this goal. So I also added it into my day planner now so to remind me what I've set myself to do each week. I am planning to commit to blog (writing) each week for the next 6 months duration of "losing 40 pounds safely". If a weekly blog turns out to be "too much" then I am free to adjust accordingly, and vice versa. This is just my initial starting point.
- I will find one person to "join me" in weight loss. I will "offer" to help him or her to lose weight also. In other words, I am looking for a "study buddy" who will be my weight loss partner in crime. I am looking for someone who will be my accountability partner and or someone I can teach or coach in weight loss. The buddy system is such a great tool. Why do something alone when doing it together is so much more fun and rewarding for all involved? Yes, if you or someone you know wants to join me in this process feel free to come along!
