The Mindset Shift I Needed To Start Losing Weight
Weight loss journal for Bikini prep 2023
After years of trying to lose weight unsuccessfully, at 46 years old, I had a mindset shift that was necessary for me to finally reach my weight loss goal.
I remember clearly the day and the thought regarding my inability to lose weight.
I imagined myself at the end of my life, and how I’d feel at 99 years old, if I were still trying to lose weight. Obviously, I wouldn’t be trying at 99 years old. But the idea that I could go another 50 years and never reach a goal that I thought was so important to me had me sad. Sad because I never took control of my life and made it happen. I didn’t want to spend the next 50 years just CHASING a goal. I wanted to spend the next 50 years having more meaningful goals.
That was the day I decided I would give achieving my weight loss goal 10000% of my effort. No more excuses. No more justifications. And no more living life on the sidelines.
I want to die having accomplished ALL my goals (And I have a lot of them!). I’ve talked about this before, but the quote that has guided the last ten years of my life is:
Live the Story You Want to Tell
I want to be on my death bed, telling my grandkids about crazy goals, accomplishments, adventures, and more. I want to tell them their crazy grandma was competing in bikini competitions when she was 50. I want them to know I had some stories to tell.
I also remember questioning all my beliefs about diet and losing weight. Particularly the idea that I shouldn’t do something (like count calories or exercise every day) to lose weight, if I couldn’t do it forever. I realize there is some wisdom in this belief, but it was only holding me back.
I thought, “What if I can“. What If I can’t exercise every day till I’m old to keep the weight off. But what if I can?!” What if I can’t ever eat a crumbl cookie in my life ever again. But what if I can? And even better, what If I CAN eat a cookie and not binge on cookies.
And, I’ve found out, that you don’t have to be restrictive forever. You don’t have to exercise every day. So, why did that hold me back from just getting started? I decided that if for 6 months I could do everything to lose weight, and then after 6 months, I gave myself permission to go back to my old habits if the weight loss wasn’t worth it.
But I found out, IT WAS worth it! Am I really going to let the desire to eat handfuls of cereal hold me back from living my best life? Cereal doesn’t need to have that type of control over any one.
Whew. Rant over. And I needed to write that so I can remember how it happened!
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Yesterday’s meals, and only 40 days left to get on the bikini stage.
𝟏𝟐𝟗𝟐 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬
𝟏𝟓𝟎 𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧, 𝟏𝟎𝟕 𝐠 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐬, 𝟑𝟏 𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐭
Check out them macros! Totally hit my goal. I want to hit 150 protein, but not go over, or under. So yesterday was a success! 🙏
46% protein, 33% carbs 21% fat
- 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭: 1 cup egg whites. 1 oz Fat free feta, 1/4 cup mushrooms, 1/2 cup oats, salted caramel skinny syrup sauce, and 1/2 cup raspberries. 😋
- 𝐋𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡:. KALE SALAD~! More raspberries with G Hughes sugar free poppyseed dressing, 1 ounce fat free feta, 6 ounces chicken breasts, 1/2 cup pecans
- 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐜𝐤 Big protein fail. I was getting creative and trying a new protein treat, and it was NOT good! I actually ate it anyway, but I won’t be sharing that recipe any time soon! haha. But, unsatisfied by that, I had a cucumber with cinnamon, salt, and zero calorie sugar. TBH, I’ve been eating that a LOT and not taking photos, and sometimes, I don’t track it. But, it is so satisfying to me! The other day, I actually ate 500 grams of cucumber! (photo in slide show)
- 𝐃𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 150 g cauliflower rice, mushrooms, 75 g zucchini and 4 ounces chicken breasts
