Start of Week 44 … You are worth it - Weight Loss Support

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Start of Week 44 … You are worth it

Johnny-One profile image
Johnny-OneVisitor
9 Replies

OK so why am I on this treadmill of getting to become a healthier me? We all know that healthy habits make sense, but did you ever stop to think why we practice them? Research shows that the impact of good health on your quality of life is far-reaching, regardless of your age, sex, or physical ability. Check out these five qualities that good health promotes.

It controls our weight … duh, I think that is why many of us started, isn’t it? Eating right and exercising regularly can help you avoid excess weight gain and maintain a healthy weight, or in many of our cases, lose some excess weight. You can obtain benefits of exercise by being active in simple ways throughout the day. For example, walk instead of driving or take the stairs instead of the escalators or lift. So for me I aim to do a brisk walk twenty minutes a day, seven days a week. I actually aim to walk an hour a day, five days a week.

Improves Mood … It is a cyclical thing; you start to look a little bit better so you start to feel better about yourself, you start to feel better about yourself so you start to look better in yourself. Doing right by your body pays off for your mind as well. Physical activity stimulates brain chemicals that often leave you feeling both happier and more relaxed. Eating a healthy diet as well as exercising can lead to a better physique, so you may also feel better about your appearance, which can boost your confidence and self-esteem. Another healthy habit that leads to better mental health is making social connections too; whether it's volunteering, joining a club, or attending a movie, communal activities help improve mood and mental functioning by keeping the mind active.

Combats Diseases … Healthy habits can help prevent certain health conditions—such as heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure—by helping to keep certain levels in your body within their targets, such as cholesterol and blood pressure. This combination keeps your blood flowing smoothly, decreasing your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Regular physical activity and proper diet can help you prevent or manage a wide range of other health problems, including diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, and arthritis.

Boosts Energy … Most of us have experienced that lethargic feeling we get after eating too much unhealthy food. When you eat a balanced diet including whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, and fruits and vegetables, your body has the fuel that it needs to manage your energy level. Add to this regular physical exercise it also improves muscle strength and boosts endurance, giving you more energy. Exercise helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and gets your cardiovascular system working more efficiently so that you have more energy to go about your daily activities. It also helps boost energy by promoting better sleep, helping you fall asleep faster and deepening your sleep.

Improves Longevity … And is if that is not enough it means your family have to suffer you longer. Study after study has shown that those who walked just 30 minutes each day significantly reduced their chances of dying prematurely, compared with those who exercised infrequently. Looking forward to more time with loved ones is reason enough to keep walking.

So not just listen to me babble on though, put your hand where your heart is and feel it thumping against your chest. It means you are still alive. Whilst that still works you still have an opportunity to change your life into something that you want it to be, and if you do not want to do it for yourself, chose a loved one in your life and do it for them. Believe me however, you are worth fighting for.

Good luck this week.

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Johnny-One profile image
Johnny-One
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9 Replies
IndigoBlue61 profile image
IndigoBlue61

Lovely positive post 😊 Thank you for sharing 😊

Gjels profile image
Gjels

Thanks

Caz28 profile image
Caz28

How coincidental, There is a 'smart coach' on my tracker app and this morning it pointed me in the direction of an article which I have just read over breakfast, it echoes all of your points above! I feel like I am having it dinned into me that this is the right way to go! I have been up against comments lately, saying 'you don't want to lose too much weight, you won't look right' - I still have at least a stone to go, so I can't see that happening just yet, and ' you're walking too far, doing too much', yes I've pulled a muscle in the top of my leg, probably overdid it a bit, but it doesn't mean I've got to stop, just be a bit more careful. Being up against such negativity, it was nice to read both articles this morning, which back up what I am trying to achieve 😊

Johnny-One profile image
Johnny-OneVisitor in reply to Caz28

I too still have a stone to go, but the weight is not the target; it is the healthier me. To be fair, I only need to lose half a stone to hit the BMI target, which I do not like anyway. Good luck with what you want out of life, and remember to keep enjoying the journey, life is too short for anything else.

VickyDLM profile image
VickyDLM2 stone in reply to Caz28

I don't know why it is that people who otherwise love and care about you insist on being defeatist! I had the same thing with my Mom. She was pleased for me at how far I've come so far. But when I said I was aiming for the 140 lb mark (it's the middle of my "healthy" range) she got discouraging and advised me not to try too hard to get to my goal as "losing weight is hard when you get to 40". I'm not 40 for another year and half! And besides that, hard does not mean impossible.

I'm not going to push myself to the point of depression to hit a specific number on the scale. But a little encouragement would have been welcome! I totally agree with you Caz! :)

So thanks for your points Johnny-One , positivity is always greatly received! :D

Anon-E-Mouse profile image
Anon-E-Mouse in reply to VickyDLM

Hi VickyDLM and Caz28

I had to laugh at the comment "losing weight is hard when you get to 40"! I'm 70 and have lost over 2 stone since my birthday 😃

I'm now at the top of my 'healthy' range but friends are starting to say 'you don't want to lose any more now'. Funny that they are my two slimmest friends, quite tiny in fact, and they can eat anything and stay slim, gggrrrrr.

Like you both, I shall ignore others and do what I feel is right for me. And thanks to Johnny-One for posting these encouraging points.

Mouse 🐭

VickyDLM profile image
VickyDLM2 stone in reply to Anon-E-Mouse

Thanks, Mouse. Clearly Mom is misinformed! :)

Congratulations on losing 2 stone! :D

Onwards and downwards!

hjpawsey profile image
hjpawsey

Very inspirational and true.

YellowRose55 profile image
YellowRose55

Lovely inspiring words which have hit a cord for me. I have a very long way to go before I get any where near a healthier weight, but I know I can do it because for the first time in my life no one is telling me to do it. I now live on my own and for the first time in a long time I can look after me, with no one telling me I can't do it or I will fail. No one making me feel worthless. I am just starting week 7 and so far have lost one stone one pound and I'm loving how I feel right now. The start of this year I could not walk across my living because of the physical pain I was in and now yesterday I did 10000 steps with my 2 daughters and they both said how proud they are on how I'm doing. That felt wonderful and it felt great just to walk along the lake with them knowing I could do it. Thank you for you inspiring words this morning Johnny-One they do help keep us all motivated.

Have a good week.

Rose

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