Why I’m losing my age – 37 Before 37
This year, I’m on a mission. I know it’s a similar mission, but this time it has a logo and that makes it super-official. I’m going to lose 37 lbs by the time I hit 37 years old. That’s July 17th, 2020.
I started today, on 31st December 2019 and weighed in at 204 lbs, giving me a target of 167 lbs and I’m pretty sure I can do it.
I’ve lost large amounts of weight before and have talked about my journey before, but this time I want to make it stick.
The reasons aren’t all for vanity, though I sure am looking forward to being able to fit my clothes. They’re for general wellness and avoiding injury. Recently I’ve been hurting my back or knees at least once per month and I know it’s due to the extra weight I’m carrying around.
I’m also doing this to save money. I won’t be paying for any expensive protein shakes or ‘detox’ nonsense. I’ll be buying less convenience food and making more soups, eating more veggies, and snacking way less.
I realised that I was spending up to $20 per day on lunch and snacks, which is $100 per workweek. That’s crazy!
So here’s how I’m going to do it:
- Cutting out sugar – no refined sugar, only some fruit
- Cutting out carbs on non-workout days – all bread, rice, pasta, and potato chips when I don’t need the boost in slow-burning energy
- Drinking more water – and way back on my diet drinks
- Eat more real food – plenty of veggies!
- Plenty of exercise – 30 mins minimum per day (gym/walk/run)
- No more snacks to fill the time – eat because I’m hungry, not because I’m just not eating anything right now
- Track my progress – keeping this top-of-mind will help me stay focused
It’s all pretty straight forward. Just good old-fashioned burn more calories than I eat. Honesty is key here too. If I’m putting weight back on, it’s because I’m consuming too many calories. It’s simple.
I also have to remember that slow progress is still progress. There isn’t room for excuses, quick-fixes, or good enough reasons to fail.
I’ve fallen victim to the ‘there are just lots of birthdays this month’, or ‘we were all going out for poutine, so I can’t just order nothing’ reasoning. My bathroom scales don’t care that I didn’t want to look for the salad option, or that I ate cake because everyone else did. It deals in data and that’s it.
This isn’t going to be easy, but nothing worth it ever is.
I’ll be posting updates on my Instagram stories, (FOLLOW ME) and will also be making a video to document my complete journey.
VIDEO UPDATES – SUBSCRIBE HERE
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DAB
January 2, 2020 at 9:05 amGood luck James!!! I’ll be cheering you on every day! Might I suggest meal planning too? I find that if I don’t have a meal plan, on those long and exhausting days, rather than to spend more time “working” on figuring out what to make for dinner, I order a pizza or grab something “quick” – which often translates to unhealthy. Just a thought.
admin
January 2, 2020 at 9:59 amGreat idea, although my planning usually only goes as far as an idea for what I’ll eat. I find meal prep isn’t sustainable for me due to laziness! As long as I know I’ll be having soup for dinner, I’ll be ok.
Heather
January 2, 2020 at 10:46 amGood luck! When I did an elimination diet & had to miss out on some of my fav. treats, I just reminded myself that they would still be there later, when I had decided I could have them (in this case, after the elimination diet).. that really helped!
Ladena
January 2, 2020 at 4:49 pmYou totally have this! Your checklist is great and totally do-able. In fact, we should all be following this list! I find a big difference in my weight when I stop snacking. Best to not have any snacks in the house!
Salma
January 2, 2020 at 7:13 pmGood luck with your goals. Being healthy for ourselves and our kids and just feeling better are great goals
Janette Shearer
January 3, 2020 at 1:15 amProud of you for making yourself a priority and reclaiming your health. January 13th 2018, I cut out refined sugars and it was the best choice I made, I lost 20lbs this year! My other suggestion is to watch the overeating, it was a big part of the puzzle for me! You should come join my running group, we run out of Hastings Community Centre Monday nights at 6:30, we train for the Vancouver Sun Run!
Tairalyn Ciulla
January 3, 2020 at 9:26 amI am not one for losing weight for the purpose of obtaining ‘a look’ but I absolutely stand behind one who is becoming more active to feel better overall! I am here rooting you on. So long as you don’t start striving to fit into societies perfection. OKAY?! Got that 😉
Michael Kwan
January 3, 2020 at 5:38 pmMy goal is similar but not. It’s much less about losing pounds as much as it is about being healthier and more active, so I’m trying to hit my daily step goal 250/366 days.