More on Importance of Consistency
Monday, April 6, 2009
So, Friday I did a post about the importance of consistency & how it is such an important factor in reaching your weight loss goals. Today, I want to take all those points from Friday one step more.
I know many of you are not my age but I guaranty you that consistency is going to play not only a huge factor in your "diet"/weight loss goals right now but even more so later on!!! Once I got to the mid 40's my body really started to do "different things". Hey, don't get me wrong, it was changing all along the way in my 30's and early 40's too. BUT, once I hit the mid to late 40's, all my hard work on consistency & paying attention to & listening to my body paid off!
Since I already knew what did & did not work for me ... and I had been making changes along the way anyway as my body changed.... well, I knew how to take the steps to changing my food & exercise program to meet my changing hormones. I knew how to "play around" with my protein/carb/calorie counts & to take small steps & one thing at a time so I knew what was working & what was not working. If I did too many things at once, I would not know which change made the difference. This is a piece of advice you can take right now & apply it to your program.
So, I had to change not only my food program but also my exercise program. I did up the intensity of my exercise program but at some point, you can only do so much & nobody wants to injure themselves. So, you are not going to like this BUT, food (the types you eat, how much, how "clean" etc.) is a big factor in maintaining your weight not only now but even more so as you age & hormones change. There is no way to get around this. .. UNLESS you are a lucky one & one of the few that does not have as many probs as most women do as they age.
I guess what I really want to say is that getting in the habit of being consistent is not only going to help you now by sticking to your diet/weight loss program and your food program. The lessons learned now are going to pay off in dividends later when the body really starts to change. Just pay attention to how your body reacts to changes in your program, learn to "listen to it" and "get in tune" with it & you should be able to lose your weight & keep it off long term!
So, Friday I did a post about the importance of consistency & how it is such an important factor in reaching your weight loss goals. Today, I want to take all those points from Friday one step more.I know many of you are not my age but I guaranty you that consistency is going to play not only a huge factor in your "diet"/weight loss goals right now but even more so later on!!! Once I got to the mid 40's my body really started to do "different things". Hey, don't get me wrong, it was changing all along the way in my 30's and early 40's too. BUT, once I hit the mid to late 40's, all my hard work on consistency & paying attention to & listening to my body paid off!
Since I already knew what did & did not work for me ... and I had been making changes along the way anyway as my body changed.... well, I knew how to take the steps to changing my food & exercise program to meet my changing hormones. I knew how to "play around" with my protein/carb/calorie counts & to take small steps & one thing at a time so I knew what was working & what was not working. If I did too many things at once, I would not know which change made the difference. This is a piece of advice you can take right now & apply it to your program.
So, I had to change not only my food program but also my exercise program. I did up the intensity of my exercise program but at some point, you can only do so much & nobody wants to injure themselves. So, you are not going to like this BUT, food (the types you eat, how much, how "clean" etc.) is a big factor in maintaining your weight not only now but even more so as you age & hormones change. There is no way to get around this. .. UNLESS you are a lucky one & one of the few that does not have as many probs as most women do as they age.
I guess what I really want to say is that getting in the habit of being consistent is not only going to help you now by sticking to your diet/weight loss program and your food program. The lessons learned now are going to pay off in dividends later when the body really starts to change. Just pay attention to how your body reacts to changes in your program, learn to "listen to it" and "get in tune" with it & you should be able to lose your weight & keep it off long term!
so true while consistency is the key things that worked for you 15 years ago, may not work for you today. Need to listen to your body and what it's need are presently. What does your diet consist of? I need to get better with that.
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That is right Kristi. What worked 15 years ago or even 5 years ago does not work now. That is why the consistency in my food & exercise plan has really helped me. I know exactly what I am doing on a regular basis so I can change from there. And when I do make changes, I do it 1 thing at a time so I can figure out what does & does not work. I will do a post about my food program this week. I have been wanting to do a follow up post to your BOSU one. I want to add a couple sites to look at & also link to your site with your exercises. That is coming soon.. I hope tomorrow!
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You're right! I'm 36 and don't want to hear about drastically changing the way I eat...but it's probably inevitable. For now, I'll eat the donut and do my intervals. Sorry, but I've gone into this rebellious mode all of a sudden. Chastisement is welcomed.
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Hey Josie, if it is just 1 donut & you are doing all else pretty good, not to worry! Maybe your donut is my cookie splurge. Although,after your comments on how many pieces of cake & pizza you like to eat, I am afraid to ask about how many donuts.. HA! Joking with ya!
PS: On your bread post to cher's site, I am a huge bread fan!!!! I used to be able to eat my bagels every day but no more. I have switched to really good 100% whole grain breads, Ezekiel 4:9® Organic Sprouted Whole Grain Flourless Breads and Ezekiel 4:9® Organic Sprouted Whole Grain and other really good make-up breads that have 80-110 calories, 3-6 grams of protein, 15-24 grams of carbs and 0.5-1.5 grams of fat per slice. I am not a butter person so I just toast & eat plain... unless after a workout & then I use my power peanut butter. I actually have 3-4 pieces per day but I have figured them into my food plan. They can actually be a "treat for the day" for me during the week. I eat my cookie treat on the weekend.
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I know since going back on insulin, I have digestive problems now with my favorite sinful treat of all time.. Reese's peanut butter eggs. I literally get sick to my stomach now, and it can last for almost 48 hrs, which I guess is good, because I steer clear of them now.
I'm trying to be more consistant in my grocery shopping too. Cutting out fast/convenient foods almost all together.
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Hi cher. Well, I guess that insulin might have worked for you in that one way.. the Reese's PB eggs! You are not going to want to eat them if they make you sick, for sure!
I do not eat any fast food (unless I steal a couple french fries from my hubby) & very very little convenient food. I am not working right now so it makes that easier for me. Although, I need to get back to work & make some money before I put us out on the street! My hubby can only do so much. I am a lucky women to have him!
I am going to do a post this week on what I eat per request from Kristi.
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Great advice!
It was true for me as well that in my forties, I began to really figure things out--what sort of misbehavior I can get away with, and what sorts I can't. I know when I hit menopause it can all change again... but for now, I know what I need to do. Sometimes I fall of the wagon, but that's part of the cycle and I always seem to climb back on again.
But if I hadn't made incremental healthy changes throughout my 20's and 30's, I think the whole process would be a lot harder!
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I am with you on the menopause comment. I doubt I can exercise any more than I am now... well, yes I could but I would be living in the gym! So, it will come down to playing with my food program again. Like you said, I am used to doing it so the process will be familiar to me. I may not like it but I will do it!
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Consitency requires discipline. This two works side by side.
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You are right on that! Without it though, a person is really not going to be able to succeed at their weight loss & exercise goals. You need consistency to lose weight & eat better & you need it to maintain it long term even if you are not as strict as when you first lost the weight.
Thx for visiting!
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