I started a six month Diet Bet on May 3. I won round one, but did not win rounds 2-4! Ugh. I keep trying and have been making progress, just not at the prescribed pace. I have been great at exercise, and have even found a friend during the process! I walk the neighborhood as does she with her dog. We kept running into each other and saying hi, eventually we introduced ourselves and chatted a bit more. Now that school has started and we are going to walk and talk!
Now that I'm on month 5 I am determined to make it to my goal weight by October 3. I have just over 6 pounds to lose. I'm committed to walking more and adding in some squats and push ups. I'm going to drink at least 80oz of water (10 cups) everyday and I'm back to really watching my calories and food intake.
As I have learned AGAIN...I can't out run/walk a bad diet. One has to keep trying to reach those goals. Weight loss is similar to managing finances. If you don't try you are going to miss every time.
I don't regret doing the Diet Bet even though I have failed a few months. I think it has kept me going and more accountable than if I didn't do it. It is always there in the back of my mind reminding me of what my goal was: my health. I might even consider another one after this one ends, as I know I have more to lose when I finish this one.
Diet Bet Update
September 5th, 2016 at 02:58 pm
September 5th, 2016 at 04:14 pm 1473092041
September 5th, 2016 at 06:48 pm 1473101288
My new routine, which I kind of just fell into by gradually adding habits, is:
- Weight training every weekday morning (usuall 50 crunches, 20 squats and 20 pushups)
- Skip breakfast
- Reasonable portion for lunch
- Nice size dinner (seconds are OK!)
- Walk at least 2 miles
- No more night snacking
- If I know I'm going to be snacking (like at a party), skip or reduce either lunch or dinner
I've slowly formed and solidified all these habits over the course of the time since we got back from Europe, so it's been about a month and a half. I've had all the habits in place for about four weeks, and I've lost about 3 lbs. total. I'm OK with that gradual process since this feels like a comfortable routine that I can stick with for a while.
I realized that what I'm doing is similar to "intermittent fasting" which is becoming a buzzword of late. I typically eat lunch at noon or 1pm and dinner at 6:30 or 7pm, so I essentially have 16-17 hours of the day that I'm not eating. (I do allow myself coffee, alcohol and the occasional diet soda during the "fasting" period though, so I'm not sure if I'm technically fasting.)
September 7th, 2016 at 01:56 am 1473213401
The thing I didn't like about the Dietbet is that even though I was able to also "win" the first month (and I think the second) by the 3rd month my body just had slowed WAY down ... and I got discouraged ... Hope you can make it for the final push!
September 7th, 2016 at 02:01 am 1473213702
@FT, yes I do eat a fair number of veggies. Half my plate was a salad tonight along with fish. I also make green smoothies (kale and spinach blended with various fruits. I need to make veggies my snacks!!
September 7th, 2016 at 02:03 am 1473213806