Assessment

Assessment is my motivational word for today.  Assessment:  The act of evaluation.

I am two weeks into my month, and I'm on target to having my best month ever for weight loss, even surpassing my very first start-up month.   Awesome!  I think it is my body adjusting to the new, tighter, calorie restrictions and the added water.  It is treating this change, in essence, as a new start-up.  

I've read it is important to keep the body guessing, and perhaps this is proof of that.  Keeping the body guessing, from all I've read, helps keep the metabolism in higher gear (well that, and staying properly hydrated). 

December has traditionally been one of those months (in diets past) I'd "take a break" from dieting ... aka I'd quit.  For, while I had every intention of going back on the diet, I never really got back into it.  Or I would, but had gained so much over the holidays, I'd kick myself for undoing so much previous hard work and progress. 

So, it is especially amazing to me to be at year's end and still steadfast in my commitment.  I was stronger than I gave myself credit for being, OR, I just know myself so well by now, I am anticipating my usual reactions and am circumventing them - for instance, by doing a tougher challenge in December.  I picked something to force me to focus more intently.  So far, it seems to be working.

I know the body will eventually adjust to this regimen too.  But, I feel I have a very good handle now on proper portion sizes, proper hydration, proper foods. I'm not perfect by any means, but I'm well on the path I need to be on.

I am going to turn my attention now to something that is (for me) an even greater challenge - exercise. 

It is necessary for good balanced health, and it is something I've NEVER (not even when thin, not even as a child) warmed up to.  I think exercise comes naturally to many people, but not to all of us - not to ME.  I recognize, for the sake of good and sustained health, it is vital  to incorporate regular exercise into my routine.  This is why I've made it a resolution this year. 

Yes, something I've always avoided, I am going to learn to love and embrace.

I did well in my walking earlier this fall, but typical for me, the downturn in weather was the very excuse I needed to stop doing it.  I read with envy Clyde, Patrick and Christina and others, who RUN in all sorts of weather, setting personal bests and enjoying the movement of their bodies and the challenge of it all.  I love reading those posts, actually.  It is like watching the Olympics.  I may never engage in that activity, but it is a beautiful thing to behold.  LOL  My knee won't allow me to run, but that doesn't mean I can't do something. 

Well, I was delighted when Allan announced Phase IV will be a focus on exercise.  I'm committed and looking forward to changing my fitness level.  You know, over Thanksgiving, I got on a treadmill thing at the local hotel, where some of the overflow guests stayed.  It had all sorts of buttons and gadgets, but I eventually figured out how to punch in the fitness test. 

The machine starts up, and I begin walking ... at a good clip.  It wasn't long before I had to breathe through my mouth, sucking in air.  Well, you hold onto bars that measure your heart rate, etc.  And, after a 5 minute workout, where I actually broke a sweat, the machine read: 

Very low 

And here I thought I did well just to make it to the end of the 5 minute fitness test without passing out.   So, my fitness level is pretty much not there.  And that is why I'm shifting my focus to something I've always avoided.  I'm jumping in where I traditionally avoid most, feet first, no net.

I probably should be scared, but I'm so uneducated on anything remotely fitness related, that I don't have the common sense to be.  I don't even know what, if any, effect regular exercise will have on my appetite.  I'm an exercise infant ... a great BIG exercise infant.  LOL

I'm ending 2010 more than 80 lighter than this time last year.  And I am so pleased!  If I do that again, in 2011, I'd be very near normal (healthy) weight range next December!  Awesome ...