Weight loss is a goal. You get there one pound at a time. Maintaining your weight is a lifestyle. You stay there with determination, one day at a time. In the last three years I've been openly walking the walk and talking the talk with regards to exercise and weight loss. In fact, I even have my own exercise log which I use to keep myself motivated. I've even kept it up to date for almost three years now.
Putting your exercise log out there in a public display of exercise helps to hold one accountable while they talk the talk and it's a great motivating tool. I can attest to that personally. If I'm going to talk the talk, then I must walk the walk. In fact, several years ago, it was nice to see another fellow physician (and former medical blogger) pick up exercise and lose 20 pounds as a direct result of my focus. He left this comment back in a 2008 post of mine:
scalpel said... You are absolutely right.
And I also wanted you to know that your jogging log was among my inspirations to give up the couch potato lifestyle and start jogging myself this summer. I've lost 20 pounds, my BMI has gone from 30 to 27, I have more energy, and I can tuck in my shirts now.
Now I learn, in 2010, that another physician and fellow blogger, a psychiatrist known as Tigermom who blogs at Two Women Blogging, has taken up the non surgical weight loss mantra with a public display of exercise. Way to go Tiger! In her own words:
But this last month I have been a slug. I moan when it is time to get up. Tigerdad has to blare the radio alarm for me and I still fall back asleep. My kids are dressed and ready to go before I am. And I have been eating lots of junky food. That's when I realized ... I have been behaving like a bear! I was getting ready to hibernate and enough was enough. So I make this public commitment to you dear readers to keep a log of my walks like Happy logs his runs.
Another medical blogger, known as #1 Dinosaur has even lost fifty pounds, although her focus was on diet instead of exercise. Congratulations Dinosaur. I wish you the best in your life long weight management plan.
Okay. Here are some dirty little secrets about weight loss:
So what do you do when those things happen?
- You’re going to be hungry sometimes.
- It takes a long time.
- You’re going to hit plateaus from time to time.
- The less you weigh, the fewer calories your body needs.
Eat even less. If you want to lose weight, it’s the only way to do it.
I'll say it again. There are many weight loss options. Weight loss is a goal. Maintaining one's weight is a lifestyle. It takes a combination of portion control and exercise to maintain a healthy weight a healthy heart and a healthy mind. The benefits of exercise for the body, mind and soul are only fully appreciated after on has began the journey to healthy living. I can tell you, I've been on the other side and I never ever wish to go there again. And I would hope I have the strength to continue my exercise journey for the rest of my life. I hope I never hibernate.
Last year, Mrs Happy and I discovered the joys of a winter workout with winter workout gear. It was more fun than I ever thought possible. More likely than not, with Mrs Happy pregnant (just under 13 weeks now), we'll head back to the comforts of an indoor gym than brave the elements of ice and snow.
Maintaining weight loss and a stable weight is a lifestyle. To all my fellow readers who partake in the wisdom of The Happy Hospital, it's time to make an honest introspective evaluation of your own lifestyle you choose to live and ask yourself, "Am I going to hibernate this winter, or am I going to partake in the incredible physical and mental benefits of exercise".
You might even consider your own public display of exercise to get your feet moving forward this winter. Whatever you do, don't hibernate. To all you readers out there on the journey toward weight loss, refer back to the My 120 Pound Journey Video frequently. It is an emotional masterpiece. If you ever feel like sleeping-in instead of sweating, bookmark this video and I promise you'll get that exercise urge. And you'll never want to stop. That's the power of exercise. Catch the exercise bug today and watch it transform your life overnight. What are you waiting for? Get out there and exercise, one pound at a time.
For other great weight related posts visit
- Try the tongue patch weight loss plan.
- Losing weight one pound at a time through public display
- Three Clicks Weight Loss Blog. Unusual motivation to lose weight.
- How to lose weight after pregnancy (video)
- One woman's journey to seek out super morbid obesity.
