Finally – I Can Write a Weight Loss Blog Post!

Last year at this time – just like every other year for the past 10 years – I made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight.

But last year was different. Last year was the year that I actually took some steps to make it happen.

The first step was admitting that I couldn’t do it alone – I’ve tried.

So I joined Weight Watchers Online. Their point system was something I could understand. I have so many points every day – just like having money in the bank. I can use them in any way I want but when I use them up – they are gone.

Weight Watchers helped me make better choices. Since my life will always include mashed potatoes and chocolate – I had to figure out how to live with them.

I’m a wife and the mom of five children – so I cook almost everything from scratch. With Weight Watchers I can figure out the point value of my own recipes using the Recipe Builder.

My second step was to get moving. I’ve watched the Biggest Loser long enough to know that exercise is key to getting the weight off and keeping it off.

The problem is – I hate exercise.

I had to find a way to motivate myself. My solution – the TV.

Seriously.  I love watching TV. So we set up the exercise bike in front of the TV in the basement. Now I get to “treat” myself to TV or a movie while I work out. (And yes – I appreciate the irony of working out while watching Paula Deen make decadent desserts using 4 pounds of butter!)

I started out with a 15 minute work-out but gradually worked up to 30 minutes, then 45. I’m now up to an hour a day.

I also learned that my muscles quickly learn routine and start using fewer calories in a work-out. So I needed to switch things up a bit. We’ve slowly added to our “exercise room” as we found exercise equipment at garage sales or thrift stores.

But it’s not about fancy equipment. I also lost weight just running in place in front of the TV or taking power walks up and down the hills. It’s all about the sweat and how much time I put into it.

Believe me, I don’t have it all figured out! It’s still a daily struggle. The holidays have been especially difficult.

But it has been so worth it!

For the first time in many years I am entering a New Year feeling good about myself. A year ago I was wearing size 16. Today I put on size 10 pants and even have a few size 8’s in my drawer.

And if I can do it – so can you!

Let this year be your year!