For most of my life, I was always a bit overweight.
Although I’ve never been obese, I wasn’t happy with how I looked.
I worried about the risk of serious health problems, including heart disease, hypertensions and type 2 diabetes. I tried all sorts of fad diets, but couldn’t keep up with them for very long. I finally consulted with a nutritionist who helped me create a nutritious diet I could live with. I’ve gradually made positive changes to achieve a balanced lifestyle. I changed my goal from simple weight loss to overall wellness. I now follow a healthier way of life. The nutritionist targeted a five to ten percent reduction of body weight over a six month span. This reasonable weight loss goal allowed me to feel good about my achievements instead of getting discouraged over failure. I now follow a program of healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. This is not a temporary solution but a long-term strategy. When I first started running, bicycling and weight lifting, I needed to be very careful. My body was not accustomed to the exertion. I didn’t want soreness or injury undermining my motivation. I increased the mileage and minutes of my workouts by about ten percent per week and made sure to rest my muscles in-between. Combining exercise with proper nutrition and plenty of sleep has greatly improved my quality of life. I’ve lost enough weight to require a whole new wardrobe. I now engage in regular physical activity not only to stay fit but for enjoyment. I feel stronger and more confident than ever before.