It’s all about eating right, often and smart! How to lose weight in 2012?
2011 GOAL accomplished! Yeah! 20 lbs lighter for 2012!
I finally made the decision to get healthier this past year. Of course, like most of us, I spent more time than I should have thinking about it, but finally made the mental commitment to myself.
I’m an active tennis player and take walks a few times a week of about 3 miles, so I was getting decent exercise. However, the weight was still creeping up over the years. I went in May to meet with a nutritionist and figure out a plan that would help me lose weight, but even more importantly make a lifestyle change so that I could keep the weight off.
Fast forward to today, January 4, 2012 and I am 20 lbs lights – on someone 5’1”, this makes a big difference. The big key to achieving this goal is mindset. I really think it’s because I was determined to make it happen and had the right support.
My biggest lifestyle changes were eating better, less overall food, but eating more frequently. I learned to listen to my body and ate when I was hungry. Staying somewhat full is much better than that STARVING mode where you will eat everything in sight as you haven’t eaten in days.
Sheryl Westerman, my nutritionist was a huge help. She was supportive, helped me tailor my likes and dislikes to make it a plan that would work to lose and then be the right plan to keep on tract. The good news is that what I did to lose weight – eating smarter and more often is something I liked and can keep up with. I really wanted a sensible weight loss plan that was practical and more of a smart lifestyle update.
So, I share this more as encouragement of what can be done when you put your mind to something and have a strategic plan. I also learned IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU EAT! Now for 2012 – keep it off and maybe lose 5 more. I know I can make it happen.
What are you waiting for? What goals do you want to make happen in 2012?
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Information and content on this blog is original to Michelle Francis
Michelle Francis
Tim Francis Realty, Serving Buckhead, Atlanta & Sandy Springs GA
(404) 219-9760
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I would like to do what you did! Guess the mindset needs to change!
Michelle - Congratulations! I so need to lose weight - I need to find a nutritionist to help me make better choices.
Hi Michelle - Good for you! Over the last several years, one by one my parents, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins have died and I seem to gain a few pounds with each death. I have made the same resolution - and I have picked up an exercise DVD and I'm keeping a food diary that I plan to share with my doctor to see if she has any ideas of what more I can do to get this weight back off. I already eat a pretty good diet.
Michelle, I think that's all great and I wish you luck reaching your goal. Too often we take our health for granted until it's gone. So keep up the good, healthy routine. BTW-my father played tennis regularly with his old pals well into his 70s. One of the guys was a 90-yr old retired judge! It can be you.
(My graphic code word is "filbert" probably because you should eat nuts--good omega 3s.
Michelle,
Congratulations on shedding those extra pounds in a healthy way. My husband and I are walking, going to the gym. We'll see where we stand next year.
Good Job, it is so hard to lose but you are right, you have to be determined to make the change.Congrats!
Good post and good advice. The problem with most people is that they don't have the will power to finish what they start. We truly can accomplish anything when we put our minds to it, stay disciplined and focused and don't quit until we cross the finish line.
Congratulations on reaching a goal.
Mine is 15000 leads in one month to my website in one month. I hit 9000 in Nov and 7000 in Dec.
For January I have hit over 500 per day so far so this looks like the beginning of a great year.
And it is all about BLOGGING and AR.
Liz,
You can do it. I just decided I wanted to get in better shape more than eat that junk food. Sweets are my challenge. (Christmas buffet's were still a challenge.)
Pam,
Yes, I really think the nutritionist was KEY! I have been spoiled by a phenominal metabolism until about age 35. Deliver a third child and viola.... a bit more weight. Listening to your body - eating when you are a somewhat hungry verses starving is so important.
Susan,
I am so sorry for your losses. That certainly makes life tough. Coming up with a good plan is key. I ate a lot more protein, but was so carb heavy before, this just made sense. I still eat carbs - just not 80% of my intake:-)
You are so right on and congrats that is a great accomplishment. Its all the little things we do that add up. How we think, what we accept, and what we are willing to sacrifice for our goals that make the difference. Not until we make a line in the sand and adhere it will we see results!
Kudos
Lloyd,
Anyday I get to play tennis is a heck of a good day! I hope to keep playing for decades and this should help. I am a nut and protein fan.
Carmela,
Walking is great. I just love being outside. It's a series of steps that show success! I hope it goes great.
Melinda,
Determination was a critical element. I just decided I could make it happen. Planning a bit ahead of what I was going to eat during the day or as a snack as I was out with clients helped! I learned to keep NuGo Nutrition bars around. They fill you up (are actually Vegan - and taste good - if that's not an oxymoron.)
All the best, Michelle
John,
Mindset is key. I love problem solving and decided I COULD solve this problem!
Kevin,
Love the goals. You WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN, I have no doubt. Am working on other goals as well, just celebrating a goal reached:-)
David,
Thanks! I was willing to make it happen. It's a good feeling. Now I am determined to keep it off.
All the best, Michelle
Michelle - you tiny little thing - I tower over you at 5'3", LOL.
Seriously, I lost 29 lbs over the last year - it's amazing how we need to change our diet and exercise as we get older. I so loved buying size 4 pants again, and noting they are still slightly large.
My best advice - just do SOMETHING additional that's physical - get that metobalism going. Me, I look like a geek walking through my house but I don't care - I do big arm swings and march through my house walking to the bathroom that's the farthest distance away from my home office in addition to almost daily walks. It seemed to be just that little extra I needed and only takes a few minutes a day.
WTG on setting a goal and getting it done. I'm sure you feel better and healthier and have so much more energy. Here's to keeping it off!!!
I lost 30 lbs 3 years ago and have kept it off....ALL NEW CLOTHES helps and don't forget a NEW BRA! Kudos and you look GOOD!
Juli,
Almost everyone towers over me:-) I am pretty active. It just wan't until I combined exercise and EATING RIGHT that I lost weight. (I think I might have felt that you could exercise it off......) Looks like we both had the same idea for 2011. Congrats and here's to staying that way in 2012!
Wallace,
My husband did joke that our clothing budget went up last year. It's been fun to get some nice new cloths - although when you are still changing sizes, kind of tough to keep up. Congrats on your missing 30 lbs. Way to go on three years with it kept off.
All the best, Michelle
Kudos, Michelle. My daughter did the same thing last year. To change her wardrobe she came to my house and 'shopped in Mom's closet.' I no longer work full time so I have lots of business-type clothes that just happen to be too big for me and fit her. WIN-WIN for both of us.
Keep going in 2012.
I do understand how hard this is and I hope to lose about another 20 lbs of fat myself and then put on about 20 lbs of muscle weight in 2012. (2011 was a great year for me with weight loss and I don't plan to be slowed down in 2012) Then my 2013 goal will be to run the Portland marathon. (These are two goals I will reach)
Michelle-20 pounds is something to be proud of. I used to be able to eat the extra piece of bread, or dessert---but darned metabolism slows as we age. It's good to have support---like a nutritionist to guide you along the way. My Uncle, who just passed away at 87, was playing tennis until 2 months ago!
Michelle I lost 38lbs fall/spring 2011/12. Picked up 20 lbs during 2012. Getting it back off is just not working for some reason. Arghhh. Congrats to you though for staying on course.
Mary,
Love that your daughter had a second closet to shop in! Although, it has been fun getting new smaller cloths.
Todd,
I know you will reach both goals!
Deborah,
I was trying to get this done before the huge metabolism change!
Charita,
Way to go girl on the loss. Know YOU can get back on track.
All the best, Michelle
I was able to start running for the first time in over 10 years the other day. It wasn't much, but I did make it a mile and a half. I'm going to start running more frequently now and start on that 2013 goal.
Micelle--I needed to read this post tonight. Just had chocolate peanut butter fudge ice cream. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow . . .
This part I like...this is pretty much what my doctor said I should do, following my gall bladder removal surgery, and finding out I'm borderline diabetic and high blood pressure candidate. She recommended lighter but more frequent meals. Gotta get going...soon!
My biggest lifestyle changes were eating better, less overall food, but eating more frequently.
Michelle, OMGosh! 20 pounds! That's wonderful. I've signed up to do the Country Music Half Marathon in April. I'm hoping it'll help me to drop a few this spring.
Congratulations Michelle! It's great to have goals and even better when we accomplish them!
Congrats Michelle and may the 2012 be with you also! I am waiting on a magic pill to for the extra pounds to just fall off me :)