Welcome to my new series called “Sister’s Sunday”. It is a pleasure to introduce you to my sister who will share this space on Sundays. Sonja is my older (and at times wiser) sister living in Denmark. You will get to know her better over the coming weeks. Enjoy her writing – she’s a beautiful communicator. She has a way with words, as she speaks several languages fluently, especially sarcasm.
Losing Weight Without Losing Myself: Cracking the Code to Weight Loss
Since my late teen years I have weighed too much. Growing up, I was a bean stalk, so getting used to a different body shape took a while. The extra pounds probably served as a useful buffer to the world, so what happened when that buffer was gone?
I have lost weight several times, and we all know a yo-yo weight is not healthy. I have dieted by staying clear of carbohydrates and counted calories, which worked, but the restrictions and all the rules didn’t work for me in the long run. I also used to run, which of course helped me keep off the pounds, but my heel has made running too painful – and boring!
This time a dear friend reached out and asked whether I wanted to go on a 10 week diet with her in spring, so we would be ready for summer. It seemed rude to decline, since we all knew I could stand to lose 20-30 lbs. So we set up the rules and started. By the end of the 10 weeks, we had not lost as much as expected, but something else had happened. I was hooked on a new lifestyle! And it works – for me! So far I have been living it 6 months and I will keep going!
My husband sells wine for a living. This means that we dine out a lot. A lot! So a diet with restrictions, rules and regulations would not leave space for that in my life. Therefore fasting makes sense and it leaves room for feasting as well. I fast 2 days a week AND I have taken up exercising, which is key to my success so far! The name of the game is working out 3 times a week – at least! And I am hooked. I have taken up TRX Suspension Training at a local TRX Studio 3-4 times a week. It is tough, it is hardcore, and I absolutely love it!
The buffer of blubber is gone and instead I feel strong! My newfound strength not only manifests itself in my muscles, but has risen to my head as well, my husband now describes me as rather headstrong! I have a heightened sense of my boundaries and it is much easier for me to say NO!
My loss is 6 inches in the waist and 19 lbs so far, and still going strong!! My wardrobe seems huge now that I don’t only use the top layer of clothes. Going shopping usually meant that I would buy whatever fit – and that I liked, but that has been a very expensive way of shopping since the project started. I fit mostly everything, so I have to revise the shopping mantra before I go bankrupt!
With my weight loss goal within sight, I will revise the frequency of my fasting, but my training is here to stay! It does me a world of good both physically and mentally! My strong lifestyle!
Have you ever made a life style change? How long did it take before it became routine and a natural part of your daily life?
Thank you for reading, please share your thoughts.
Sonja Marie
I’d like to hear more about your fasting. Do you switch days based on your week? Is it a complete fast? Do you work out on those days? I feel that the more restrictions I put on myself in a diet, the more I rebel and then rebound. I agree that for me exercise will be the key. Working on making it a priority.