Welcome to the most exciting time of the month where I get
to recap my weight loss activities and post my progress!
This month, from July 2 – Aug 2, I lost an incredible 10lbs
and 3.25inches over all! I am so excited! I wanted to break that 190 mark but really,
who is going to complain about losing 10lbs! That brings my total weight loss
to a total of 43lbs and I am not stopping there! And even better was that I
maintained my weight loss through a vacation and an extremely stressful move to
a new home. How? By not allowing the stress to throw me off, using my USANA
Nutrimeal Shakes to give me the nutrients I needed to function, taking my USANA
HealthPak to provide the energy and healing qualities, and continuing to
exercise (stretching is exercise) even when I was in pain and tired.
One of the common things that I hear Fibromyalgia sufferers
complain about is how hard it is to lose weight. I used to say the same thing
because I would allow my pain to keep me immobile without realizing that this
did more harm than good. Now, I exercise every day, eat a clean, healthy diet,
and have bounced back from the pain and stress of moving in only two days. A
year ago, it took me almost two weeks for the excruciating pain to subside
after a move. I am not ready to run a 5K yet, but I imagine with gentle
workouts (going to do some biking today) and plenty of stretching, I will be
back at Body Pump on Saturday.
And did you know that eating out can be part of a clean
diet? Sure! I still enjoy a weekly trip to a restaurant with my best friend
where we often have a drink and just sit and recap the ups and downs of the past
week. This trip is good for both of us because we focus very hard on our
studies, jobs, and diets during the week and it’s nice to have one meal where
we just enjoy the foods we always enjoyed. The key – moderation!
Crap Friday, as we call it, is the one day a week were we
kick back just a little and enjoy a Bacon Ranch Quesadilla and guacamole, or a
creamy pasta dish at Olive Garden. These little splurges serve several purposes
for us.
** First – When you feel like you have to give up everything
you enjoy to lose weight, you have already set yourself up for failure.
Planning my meals ahead of time, including our weekly trip out, allows me to
lose the weight and still enjoy going to restaurants and not have to order a
heaping side of Guilt. Only allowing myself a single drink when we go out has
also helped with my alcohol problems (but that’s a story for a later date) and
sometimes I don’t even have a drink. I just enjoy my meal and the conversation
knowing that I will still be able to reach my goals.
** Secondly – When you follow a strict diet for any length
of time your body will acclimate to it and then you will experience a plateau
in your weight loss. This plateau is what often drives people to give up on
their goals. Our “Crap Friday” meals, which are moderate portions of our
favorite foods, give our metabolism a boost which in turn keeps our weight
dropping week after week.
** Third – Stress is a significant player in weight gain and
when your Cortisol (a stress hormone) levels remain high in the body, weight
loss cannot occur (or at least as much as you want). By getting together every
week, my best friend and I are able to laugh and discuss the things that caused
us stresses throughout the week and talk about ways that we will focus on
improving the next week. Having friends that share your goals, or at the very
least respect them, will make obtaining your ambitions not only a possibility,
but a reality!
Weight loss with Fibromyalgia is possible and it is also
possible to be free from the nagging pain and fatigue that accompanies it.
Don’t wait to lose the weight. Send me an email at rachelpresley@usana.com and we will
take this trip together. Going alone makes for a very long road trip but
friends and companions make it enjoyable and productive!
A Healthy Home is a Happy Home!
Rachel P.
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