Time to Get Serious

Since I finished High School, I have been gaining a few pounds a year. I might lose a few, then gain a few, but basically, over the course of 25 years it adds up to 100 pounds! 100 pounds that I now need to lose. I know I'll never be as skinny as I was at 16, but I cannot age healthfully at this weight. I want my senior years to be as healthy and vibrant as possible. I want to be able to be independent as long as possible. I want to fend off senility as long as possible. I am not yet fifty, but the time to prepare for old age is now! The first part of my life flew by, and time just seems to go faster as we get older. For years I have planned to lose weight, talked and read about losing weight. It has to become a reality NOW. I must start redeeming the time NOW!!

My husband and I are going to spend the next 90 days eating clean and exercising regularly. It will be interesting to see how much weight I can lose during that time period. 90 days is just over 12 weeks, so I think 25 pounds is a reasonable weight loss goal. Our food plan will consist of lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, low-fat dairy, and fruits and vegetables. I will be reducing the sweets and salty snacks I eat, and cutting back on artificial sweeteners. I will increase my water consumption. My exercise program will include weight training, walking, and yoga. This will cover the 3 of the basic components of fitness: cardio-vascular health, strength, and balance and flexibility. As we get older we lose muscle mass, and our balance can falter. I hope to stave off these issues with regular exercise.


TODAY'S EXERCISE
Warm up
20 minutes of upper body weight training
1 mile walk
Cool down and stretches


TODAY'S FOOD

Breakfast:
Boiled egg
Low cal yogurt
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
Coffee w/flavored creamer (Gotta get off this stuff!)

Lunch:
Grilled chicken thigh (skin and fat removed/no sauce)
Lima beans w/2 tsp. Smart Balance
Cinnamon apple sauce

Snack:
NO sugar added cocoa (The high is 60 degrees here today...usually it's 80!)
1/4 cup dried cranberries

Dinner:
Salad of mixed greens with steak; also tomato, cucumber, cheese, olives, tortilla crisps, and chipotle ranch dressing.
Unsweetened peppermint tea

Dessert:
30 M&Ms (105 calories)

Water:V