Walking and Health

The first week of a diet is both exciting and not-exciting.  You’re starting a new weight loss program and your excited about jumping right in and following all the rules.  You begin counting calories or whatever it is your diet is based on whether it’s calories, or carbohydrates, or a high fiber, or low sodium, or low fat, or no fruits, or points for Weight Watchers.  You not only count, but you write it down to really stay on top of it.  The first week is actually very exciting if the program is new and if you’re getting immediate results on your scale or feeling the differnce in your clothes. 

The down-side of the first week of starting a weight loss program is that you find yourself longing for all the comfort foods that are heavy in fat and not good for you. These foods are the culprits that got you into your current need-to-shed-the-extra-pounds situation.  You have to maintain focus and discipline through this first week.  After that, it is still going to remain a challenge to stay on your weight loss program, but keep in mind that if you made it through the first week without too many deviations, then you can do it the next week and the next week.

My weight loss journey is now at day seven.  It’s been a week and I have lost five pounds.  I feel good that I stuck with my program.  I am ready to tackle the next week, and I’m going to reach my goal of 40 pounds, even if it doesn’t happen in the number of days as I originally planned.  This week I feel good about the choices I made while I was eating out in the real world. I attended a dinner for my parents who celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary.  I also attended a brunch at BJ’s Restaurant, for my nephew’s 19th birthday.  There was a lot of temptation and I had to resist and politely say no to cake and brownies and other goodies that were available.  I also had to choose other items on the menu that I normally wouldn’t even consider.  I got a healthy baked fish dinner instead of my usual “choose the biggest item on the menu so you’ll get nice and full” attitude that I used to have before my weight loss journey. 

The first week is always a challenge, but it is gratifying to see sacrifices made on your weight loss program were well worth it when the scale shows your success and your clothes feel better.  Just wait until next week with another two to three pounds less.  The “are you losing weight” comments from others will start to flow.  That’s when you realize your hard work, focus and discipline are rewarded with praise from the people you love and from a feeling inside that you are doing the right thing for your physical and spiritual well-being.  Keep at it and don’t lose focus.