Taking Back Kay: Losing Weight - What I've Learnt so far

So, I am trying to lose weight for what seem to be the millionth time. Before everything was so much to do and remember and after either half starving, over eating, not eating enough of what you're supposed to eat, not working out enough etc. And even though I can't afford a lot of things right now, I NEED to lose the weight. As a reward, if I lose twenty pounds by my bday June of 2012, I give myself permission to go on a vacation. I won't be able to wear one of those string bikinis nor do I wish to be THAT skinny, but it will be EPIC. So because I want to go to Costa Rica or La Romana, I am going to fight as hell to get this done.

So here are the things I've learnt so far.

First, do your research. I was going to try Dr. Bernstein but I found out some stuff that just turned me off. First the current price (as of Nov 2011) is $150 a week or $600 a month. You get to eat 500-800 calories which I know cannot be healthy because then you will lose nutrients to your bones or other vital organs. You you have to go see them three times a week for weight-ins, a urine tests and a series of injections. INJECTIONS- yes I wrote that correctly. This is because as I said before eating so little calories is not healthy so they have to find some way of making all that missing nurtrients up. Do not let someone inject you with stuff just to lose weight. It may be harder to do it any other way but do no introduce foreign stuff to your body. Weight Watchers - is also quite expensive for me at the moment but they are better because they have their products in most local grocery stores. You can buy their dinners, bagels, breads and a whole host of other things. If money is tight for you, check ebay. There are TONS of people selling their food calculator and kits. Even if you don't get the calculator or kits, you can do this on your own too. Eat only what is on the Weight Watcher's box. Don't eat two of the meals! Eat just one. I had vegetable lasagne the other night and its 280 calories but so filling and yummy! I was shocked at how good the thing tasted.

Use Google, it's there for a reason. Google what foods are healthy and there are plenty of free sites to help you know the portion to eat. If you want portion use your mind and think...what portion should be healthy but not too much.
Make a plan - I have a plan. Every night I go home, I plan what I am going to eat the next day based on what I know is healthy (fruits, vegetables, a certain kind of cereal, water) and set those aside. So last night I planned for today. I shared out my cereal and placed in an airtight container (because I have to rush out in the mornings and eat breakfast once I get to work), I served my milk out in a water bottle, put out what fruits I'll be bringing and stick my dinner in the standing freezer in my house because that way I'll remember it being there.

When you're going grocery shopping, make a shopping list. If the food isn't on the list, don't buy it. Make a list of fruits that will last you the week and know how to spread them out...don't just buy one fruit...For my first shopping--I bought Blackberries (that I drop a few on top of my bran cereal), apples and grapefuit (which helps with the weight loss process). This way, I can alternate. So, buy what is on your list that you know will not let you over-eat.

Work Out - This videos you see on television - not all of them are BS. Some of them actually works. But I cannot tell you which because, well, I haven't gotten mine in the mail yet. If you're like me and don't have the funds, check ebay. Now don't just work out willy nilly--because if you don't enjoy what you're doing, you will quit. Find something that interest you that gets you active and do it for about half an hour a day. Me, I love dancing. I love culture so what better way to get both those in that ZUMBA! I bought hip hop Abs (because I was a nerd and didn't remember Zumba because I was gung-ho on starting, and then today I was watching a commercial for Zumba and palmed my forehead going "of course!" Zumba is amazing from what I've seen so far because it's dancing and it's fun. If you don't like dancing you will have to find what is better for you but I LOVE dancing and culture so Zumba is perfect. It doesn't just start you out and say "go!" it teaches you and then builds up to the wild crazy dance parties you see in the commercials. So find what works for you and if it's too expensive to buy from their commercials or in stores, try ebay. There is someone who is out there who got it for XMAS and want to unload it for some reason. (but be careful though...ensure you read everything first. If you're in Canada and order something outside of Canada see if they force you to bay the border taxes first...just read everything).

And if you dont have much time for work-outs (like me right now after working 15 hour days) then do little things. Take the stairs instead of the elevator if you're on the fourth or third floors...If you're higher, climb as far as you can then take an elevator. Park away from your store and walk to the actual store. Go to the grocery store closer to your house just so you can walk there if you only have to pick up a few things. Dance around the kitchen while you're cooking, go swimming every day for an hour (you don't have to do laps but be active). Go to the mall and walk for two hours or something...little things, right? In the summer go for a walk, do it by the lake if you can.
Drink your 8 glasses - I know, it sounds like much. But if you get a 1 litre water bottle, you only have to drink one a half (roughly) to make the eight glasses. And you don't have to chug a glass of water every two hours or something stupid like that. Take the water bottle, leave it on your desk and sip from it throughout the day. You have up till midnight to get all 8 glasses in so take your time, pace yourself. You may have to go the bathroom more but that's normal for drinking so much water.

There's No shame in doing it Alone - I don't have anyone to work out with. But I can't let that get in the way of me losing the pounds. I do it alone. When I walk, I get awesome, heart pumping, shake ya booty music. Am talking Pitbul, MBLAQ, David Guette, Tiesto, Kelly Roland...am talking STRUT by Adam Lambert and when that song comes on, girrrrrl I put in my most BEAST catwalk and strut down the street not caring who's watching. Have fun with weight loss - that's what I'm going to do. Because if you make it depress you, you won't lose the pounds.
Be Healthy - Fruits, vegetables, water. Don't drink those sodas or overly sweat juices. Those you really don't need. They are just fun to have. Drink water instead of the pop. Drink one of those vitamin waters instead of juice. Sure it's probably not the best for you but it's better than soda. You really don't need juice but if you have to drink it, drink cranberry, V8--substitute things that you don't need for the things you need. Chocolate bars, cut those out. We really don't need them. Sure they are delicious but we need to lose the pounds. Don't buy them--don't put them on your list, don't buy them.
Reward yourself - My reward is a trip after 20 lbs. Don't reward yourself a can of pop, junk food etc...Reward yourself with a trip to the movies with frozen yogurt for your snack. Do healthy rewards.