Weight Loss Series Week 3: The Difference & BFFs with My Treadmill

When it comes to losing weight I’m going with the KISS principle, “Keep it Simple, Stupid.” I’m eating less and moving more. This week I worked my ass off. I exercised a lot more than I normally do. I’ve been doing one to two hours per day. I’m happy to see my hard work being reflected in this week’s weight loss results. I followed my 1200 calorie per day diet too. Although I haven’t quite hit the 21-day mark yet, I feel like I’m already developing healthier habits and seeing some changes in myself.

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Catch-up on Previous Weight Loss Series Posts

Weight Loss Series Week 1: Fertility Clinic Closed, Focusing on Health

Weight Loss Series Week 2: 100 Miles in April Challenge & Online Infertility Group

Countdown Until Target Weight Date: 5 months & 13 days (as of 4-14-2020)

The Difference

Not only am I beginning to see the changes in my weight, but I’m feeling it too. I feel it emotionally and physically. One meditative habit I’ve been trying to do more lately is positive visualization. One visualization I like to do when I’m on my treadmill is that I picture myself running somewhere outside, and I’m shedding my skin like a snake does. Each step forward as I’m jogging is another step closer to the person I see myself becoming. I’m shedding my past and the bad habits that led me to become overweight. I’m shedding the belief that I can’t do it. I’m now seeing myself achieving things I didn’t think were possible. It’s a visualization that I am trying to make my reality. I can’t wait to be on the other side of all of this.

Completed 44.9 miles in the 100 Mile Challenge so far this month.

I’m already feeling better in different ways. My core strength seems to be improving and I definitely feel way less bloated. Most of my fat is in my stomach, so to feel it starting to shrink is a pretty nice feeling. The other day I was walking around and I kept having to pull up my pants, which is a good problem to have if you are trying to lose weight. But I think the biggest and best change I’m experiencing is that I no longer feel depressed. I think when someone deals with multiple stressors over time and they do nothing but sit sedentary for so long, I truly believe that negative energy accumulates until it reaches a toxic point.

I think I was just sitting in that toxic state for so long and it was hard for me to pull myself out of the deep rut I was in. I was dealing with a mostly physical and somewhat emotional depression for a few months. But I am surprised that I feel so different now. With exercising more I’m getting all those “feel good” chemicals flowing through my brain. My life isn’t devoid of stressors now, but I look forward to exercising to let off some steam instead of seeking out comfort food.

BFFs with My Treadmill

I know some people despise using a treadmill, but during this pandemic I am feeling really thankful I have my treadmill here at home. I’ve been jamming out to my music and doing mostly HIIT (high-intensity interval training) this week on my treadmill. I’m pleasantly surprised at how I’m able to run longer than I thought I could. Each time I workout I try to push myself out of my comfort zone just a little bit more. In the past I was the Queen of the Comfort Zone, and avoided anything other than a 30-minute walk. But I’m glad I am building on each success with a new mini-challenge.

Why do I like my treadmill so much? I can use my incline and it also has arm bars, this helps to mix up my workout a bit. When I’m not running full-throttle jamming out to my music, I’ll slow it down to read or watch a TV show on my Kindle Fire. Or I’ll be playing on my phone checking Instagram (follow me @hopingforbabyblog). Essentially I’m doing all the same stuff that I used to do except I’m not sitting on my ass to do it, I’m up and moving on the treadmill. Those are some of the main reasons my treadmill and I are BFFs now.