(Finally) Enjoying My Workouts

I almost shrieked with delight when I stepped on the scale Monday morning: 212.4!
When you are trying to lose weight, it is an awesome feeling to see your hard work rewarded with a lower weight displayed on the scale.

After being so frustrated after Thanksgiving, I wanted to make sure I had an exceptional week following the long holiday weekend. At the advice of people who know much more about nutrition and weight loss than I do, I kept a food journal.

I love being able to track my food online, but sometimes it can get a little time consuming writing down the nutrition content of my food selection, which leads me to skip writing down everything all together. Instead, I opted to get a cute, purse-friendly notebook that I have been carrying everywhere with me. I wrote down what I was eating and tried to write down how I felt while eating. Mostly it was "hungry," but one entry did give me some food for thought (pun intended) for the next day.

After one meal, I wrote "went back for more because it tasted good." Went back for more because it tasted good? That doesn't seem like a good food technique. If I wanted more because I was still hungry, that is one thing, but simply eating something when full because it tastes good is not a winning combination in terms of weight loss.

Had I not written that down, I doubt I would have remembered or reflected on that moment. When I am faced with a similar situation in the future, I can now think back to that instance and remind myself that just because it tastes good, doesn't mean I need more.

Another new thing I tried this week was a Zumba class. I was really nervous. I'm not exactly the most coordinated person; my dancing may even suggest that I am rhythmically challenged. But as the music started and the instructor kept us moving the entire 60 minutes, I realized I was having fun! How many times have I been able to say that I've had fun while working out? I haven't been keeping a running tally, but I'm pretty sure the answer would be one time: the Zumba class.

I am looking around to see if there are gyms or recreation centers in my area that offer passes you can purchase just for classes; I would like to add Zumba to my normal workout routine. I could easily tell that I had worked different muscles with Zumba than with my regular treadmill and bike routines.

Also, it would be really nice to add some variety to my workout schedule. Currently, I seem stuck at the 1.25-mile marker when I run. I am still excited that I can consistently run a mile but would like to push through the gap and be able to run two miles. Perhaps adding a class such as Zumba would help me build up the endurance to push through my running plateau.

As I sit here writing this blog, eating my plain oatmeal sweetened only with Stevia and sipping on a cup green tea, I have to give myself a small pat on the back. In just a week, I've made some significant, manageable changes. I am actually pleased with my progress instead of frustrated and upset. It's a great feeling. As hard as I am on myself when I fail, it is important to recognize success, no matter how small.

More on Tipping the Scales:
Eating Healthy Is Harder Than I Thought
Begging for Pizza
My Wii Told Me I'm Fat

After decades of dieting only to gain it back, two That's Fit readers have decided to finally rethink their relationship with food and exercise over the next year to move toward a lifetime of fulfilling, healthy living. Come by every week as Ashley and Lee share their successes and challenges as they tip the scale.