First 6 Week Weight Loss and Fitness Challenge

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I previously posted about my weight gain over the winter and buying a dress that I was giving myself 6 weeks to get into. Well I am happy to say that I met my goal and wore the dress on Mother’s Day!

My goal was to lose 6 to 8 lbs in my first 6 weeks of my new lifestyle change. I lost 7 and ½ lbs in six weeks and I am very pleased with my results. I wish I could say it was easy, but I was able to stay motivated. And because I did so well these last 6 weeks, I am very motivated going into my next six weeks.

I think the reason it worked so well is that I have been diligent about counting calories. I use Microsoft Works Spreadsheet and keep track of every calorie I take in as well as every calorie I burn. I calculated how many calories I need to take in each day in order to reach my goal weight by August 15. I exercise 5 to 6 times a week doing aerobic exercises, with 2 to 3 days including strength training.

I tend to round up on my calories each meal (at least a little), so for example, if I’ve eaten a 290 calorie breakfast, I put down 300. The reason I do this is there are times when I may eat out and can’t be sure exactly how many calories I have eaten. So if I underestimate the calories for a meal eaten out, I may come out okay because I have over calculated throughout the week.

I also do the same with exercise – but the opposite. I wear a polar watch that tracks my calories burned, and if it says I burned 330 calories, I put down 300. So I guess you could say I cheat but in a way that will benefit my fitness goals instead of sabotaging them.  I sometimes wish there was a magic pill you could take and all the weight would just come off (with no ill side effects), but there isn't.  It's just calories in and calories out, so simple, yet so hard!

I hope to reach my 6 to 8 lb. weight loss goal over the next 6 weeks. I will check back in six weeks to let you know how I did. Enjoy Life!!!