My biggest mistakes...

So here is another random blog by me...I figured it's been almost 2 months since I posted my last one, and thought I'd update the Sparkworld on my progress.

To date I am down an even 24lbs...I am back in my size 12's comfortably and really starting to feel good about myself again:-)

I've been down this road more times than I can count...I guess you could call me a "chronic relapser" or just one who has "yoyo-ed" my entire life with my weight.
I've ALWAYS struggled with food. I've ALWAYS given up before I reached a goal. I've ALWAYS fought things every step of the way. I've ALWAYS plateaued and gotten frustrated. I'm sure I'm not alone on this...

So my first time around the Spark world, I was actually pretty successful. I lost over 40lbs and felt great, but I never reached what I set as my realistic goal weight. I made A LOT of mistakes that I want to share. I fought a lot things that I had knowledge of, but of course I'm stubborn and hard headed and always thought that I could do things my own way. After gaining back nearly 20-some pounds of my 40lb loss, here I am again, back to the drawing board, waving the white flag...but this time around, I'm doing things a little different.

Mistake #1...I always cringed at the thought of tracking food. Too much of a pain in the butt, too much time and effort, too much hassle...But the reality is that I HAVE to be accountable for what I'm putting in my mouth. Even the small things add up...such as my mindless "picking". Now I know how many calories I end up with at the end of a day. I also mix my calories up...spiking them every few days. I was told it really confuses my metabolism and keeps it moving.

Mistake #2...Panicking when an occasion comes up. Whether it be lunch with a friend, a wedding, a holiday dinner, a birthday, whatever. I restricted myself as it being "off limits". And if I DID eat, the guilt about killed me. This time around, I realized, it's ok...I don't need to restrict anything. Just be smart about it. Keep the portions at a minimum and do some extra activity that day or the next. It's not the end of the world if I eat a small piece of cake at a birthday party! I'm trying really hard to focus on the entire picture...a lifestyle change, not a diet.

Mistake #3...Doing the same activity over and over and over again. Never mixing things up. Always hopping on the elliptical because I thought it burned the most calories. Sure it worked for a while, but when my body got used to it, I hit that plateau and got frustrated. This time around I've really been trying to mix things up...I've found a love for circuit training courses, old Richard Simmons work out tapes, swimming, and I've very recently taken up wogging! ME! Of all people! LOL...

Mistake #4...Not really believing that every movement counts...I learned the concept around here that every random act of fitness adds up. If I couldn't fit in an entire work out into a day, I just didn't. Now when I'm at work and home I just break into jumping jacks, leg lifts, calf raises, jog in place for 60 seconds, whatever! I keep try to keep it moving all day...especially at work. I've noticed that a major perk of this is that I'm actually feeling a lot more energetic lately...

And these are just the mistakes I can think of! But they were big ones. I figured some of you could relate to them and wanted to share.

I know I'm no expert by any means...I'm just so tired of quitting 5 minutes before the miracle happens...and I know I'm not alone. I thought if I shared this, it might help inspire someone. I've been inspired by so many of you, and I wanted to return the favor:-)

Hugs!