October 7th, 2017 makes "9" years since I reached my initial weight loss goal in 2008! I'm very thankful that I have been able to maintain and exceed my original goal for all these years with no set backs.
My original "goal" shorts are still to big!
- ‘Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.’ (Matthew 22:39 TLB) I spent so much of my life trying to make sure I loved everyone else as much as I could that I didn't realize in order to love others the way I should, I first had to "love myself"! That was a major wake up call for me. I had to be committed to doing what was best for me, regardless of what others thought, felt, or said. Many people had a lot to say about how I looked and how I changed my eating, but I didn't let that stop me.
- "... do you not know that your body is the temple..." (1 Corinthians 6:19) We only have one body and we have to do our best to take care of it. I'm not doing anything new. I did the research and found the information to help me, information that is as easily accessible to anyone as it was to me. I'm thankful today, I am not on any prescribed medicines. I just take vitamins by choice to supplement my nutritional needs. I pray I will be able to continue on this path, based on the eating and exercising changes I have made and continue to make.
- eating "right" changes your size... Changing how I eat was the most important part of reaching my goal in 8 months! The foods you eat are 80% of losing and maintaining weight loss. AMPS Plan does not instruct you what specific foods to eat, but instead instructs you what servings you should eat from which food groups in a specific combination at each meal to obtain your daily recommended nutrition and calorie needs. I have comprised a very detailed list of foods to "consume", eat "in moderation" and "eliminated" to help guide your choices, but you have the freedom to choose whatever you prefer so you can better stick to the Plan for the long-term.
- exercise changes your shape... Many people make the mistake of joining a gym and working out like crazy thinking that is what they need to do to lose weight, without addressing the issue of changing how they eat. Exercise is only 20% of losing weight. Exercise is important for your overall well being, and as you start losing the weight by changing how you eat, you will be even more motivated to add and increase your exercise regimen. I got so motivated, I started setting challenge goals - running in half marathons, posing in a body building competition, training for an upcoming master's track and field event.
There's so much more I could share, but the main message I want to get across is that if I can do it, you can too! Remember, "exercise changes your shape, but eating 'right' changes your size!" AMPS #AMPSLifestyleChange
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