Wellness

We all have them. I know I did and so did Alyssa. So, what are setbacks when you're on a quest to lose weight, have more energy, and improve your overall health? First off, I need to stipulate that I am 56 years old, and Alyssa is 30 years old.  We are on opposite sides of the hormone spectrum. Hormones believe it or not play a very big role in weight loss. Alyssa is of childbearing age, while I am in my third year of menopause.  Is it true that as we age it is more difficult to lose weight and regain your health? The answer to that question is YES! I have to work much harder, and a lot longer than Alyssa does. I also had a lot more weight to lose than she does. Her body also responds better to exercise than mine does. 

Setbacks occur when we stray from the original plan.  To lose weight we need to give up certain foods and beverages that made us overweight and out of shape in the first place. Sugar has always been my weakness. It still is. I have never been a fan of high content sugary beverages like Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, and Mountain Dew. However I used to put too much sugar in my coffee and tea, but I find myself at times giving in to other forbidden sugary delights like chocolate, saltwater taffy, and caramel. I had to remove some things from my diet when I first started like sugar, caffeinated beverages, bread, pasta, and white potatoes. Now that I am getting closer to my goal weight I find that I am slowly bringing them back onto my plate. That's my setback. Alyssa is no different. Her setbacks include sugar, pasta, and birth control pills.  All that screws up her hormones and makes her journey to weight loss a challenge. Another issue is weight loss stalls. This means when you jump on the scale you have not only not lost any weight in 30 days, but you put on a few extra pounds. That can be very discouraging. Don't give up, keep going. Keep in mind that you are building lean muscle which weighs more than fat. When your body is ready it will use those muscles to burn fat - thus more weight loss. Be patient and be kind to yourself while you are in this process.

Update: 2023

Alyssa has done a great job on her fitness journey this past year.  She has not only maintained her weight loss, but she has lost an additional 15 pounds.  She has also maintained lean muscle and she continues with a healthy diet in addition to her 3-day a week workout plan.

I on the other hand have had 2 major setbacks - my left shoulder and my right hip are not doing well.  This has set me back a pace on my journey to fitness and weight loss.  I was not able to exercise for months following shoulder pain which progressed to frozen shoulder.  I decided to heal my pain which was due to inflammation by incorporating anti-inflammatory foods into my diet.  I googled physical therapy for frozen shoulder.  In 3 weeks I achieved 100 percent of my full mobility back in my left shoulder, then my right hip decided that it too had enough of my mid-fifty crazy-ass workout routine.  Instead of becoming disheartened and defeated, I reached down for that extra something that wasn't there anymore - I pulled it up and continued to move forward in a positive direction toward success.  I was determined not to blow 4 years of hard work - my journey to total wellness.  I will not be defeated emotionally and physically.  I am committed to a healthy lifestyle.