Not the biggest loser: episode 2

This weekend I reached an important goal, 66 days of consistent walking.

Seems like an odd goal I know, but if you’re a regular Cartel reader you’d know that we are quite taken with the theory that it takes 66 days to create a habit.

So, I’ve set my walking habit in stone, through a consistent, measured exercise regime that has spanned 66 lovely, thigh-thinning days.

Of course, it’s symbolic more than anything else. I don’t believe that the number is particularly important, but setting and achieving my goal is.

I wrote a while ago of my struggle with my weight.  Today I am in a great place with it all. I haven’t weighed myself for two months. I got to the point that I realised that weighing myself was doing more harm than good. Every week that I didn’t achieve my goal weight it would be a setback for me, I would think ‘oh bugger this’ and I would end up going backwards.

I decided to do what Champagne Carolyn taught me; concentrate on the things you can control. You might think well stick to a diet and you can control your weight, but unfortunately no matter how well you eat, there are some weeks where you just don’t lose weight. You can plateau, you can bloat from hormones, your ass can be holding onto a piece of brie from weeks back. You may’ve been extra hungry that week. Or you might go to three parties and eat a buttload of kabana and neck way more chardonnay than you should.

These days I focus on eating food I enjoy and feel good about eating. Moderation being the key. I have been advised by a naturopath to eat more protein, so I’m working on that one. Is kabana protein? I try and eat portion sizes that approximately correspond to my stomach size.

140311 walking legs caption

I exercise because I enjoy it. I get time out in the fresh air and I feel fitter and stronger.

And now I am finding I fit better into my clothes. I guess I still feel I have a long way to go to be my ideal in terms of attitude, health, fitness and body shape and size. My aim is to be heaps more awesome by the end of this year. Slow and steady.

The important thing is that I am working on it. I don’t give a shit about ‘perfection’ anymore. A bit of ‘boring’ good health and trimming my apple shape to a healthy-heart, size 12 waistline are my targets.

And for the first time I am persevering and being consistent and not yoyo-ing. I’m making long-term lifestyle changes. I’m doing the best I can with what I’ve got. I’m being the best me I can be. For now.

Hurray!

Right now I think I need a new goal. What do you think I should do?

I’m pondering taking up riding my rusty old bike one morning a week. Or maybe donning some double bra action, strapping the girls in and trying the Couch to 5K app.

I’d love your thoughts! What do you think I should work towards? What goals do you have on right now?

Written By

Carolyn is the editorial director of Champagne Cartel and a freelance writer. In her spare time she is a long-distance runner, peanut butter enthusiast, and single mum to three incredible humans.

6 Comments

  • Well done! I have tried the not weighing but have found I’ve become a bit addicted – I rarely weigh myself at home as I have very old scales, but can’t resist those digital ones at the gym. They also have a bit of the Biggest Loser about them as the numbers flicker to reveal the truth. Although I hate it when they show no change, I love the rush when I actually lose a whole number, like going from the twos to ones, even if it’s 1.9! I think you are right, you have to find something you enjoy and it becomes a regular part of your routine. For me it is walking the dogs in the evening, but that will end soon as daylight savings is finishing in a few weeks. I’ve also found runkeeper (a free app) spurs me on – its great to beat records and times and helps you keep track of how often you exercise. Good luck with it.

    • Thanks so much Deb! I know the weighing thing is addictive and there are some good times to be had when the scales are in your favour hahaha. I can’t wait until we get a new puppy and I can start dog walking again… soon hopefully! It’s going to be tricky for me too in winter as I walk at 5.30 and it’s getting dark already. I might have to join a gym and do a class at 6am or something. Anyway, thanks for the support, Deb! xxxx

  • Go go Gillian!!
    Great work on your goal, and well done on growing such an all-round healthy approach to an issue which can be pretty controlling & frustrating (I, too, have struggled for a long time, and it’s only since getting into walking last year that I feel like I can be in charge).

    I love the idea of biking- I gave it a shot while I was in Sweden last year (because EVERYone does it there- old, young, skinny, hugely overweight… It’s just the prime mode of transportation), and was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I recently bought a bike and have been thinking of riding to work a few days a week, but I like your idea of having one good
    Cycle each week.

    Another thing I was surprised to enjoy was kayaking. Are you in an area where you could try something like that? I know it’s getting a bit cold in Melbourne for it, but along the Brisbane river they have kayaks you can hire all year round and it’s great fun & excellent exercise.

    I’m thinking of having a goal where (in addition to keeping up the walking) I try some new physical activity every week… I still have in my head that “I’m not a sporty person so I can’t do *insert physical activity here*”, but I actually think that’s not true anymore, so I figure, screw it! Go try some new stuff!!
    Would you be in a position to try something like that?
    xxoo

    • Thanks Anna, what a great response! Yes I would definitely like to try kayaking! Funny you should mention it as it has been something I’ve talked about for some time!!! A friend of mine has a husband who works for a canoeing or kayaking group and we’re going to arrange something, which would be fab I reckon. I do love the water and I think it would be lovely to get out there in the early morning. Wow I think your goal of trying something new would be amazing, go for it!! And make sure you please let us know what you’re doing and how it’s going. It sounds like you’ve been on a big journey too – how great is walking hey?! Go girl! xxx

  • Excellent progress!! I’ve heard that mowing your neighbour’s yard on at least a weekly basis is great cardio as well. Only what I’ve heard though…

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