By Angie Fenton
A little over a month ago, I made a decision to invest in my health by signing up with a local wellness and weight loss program. I’d recently received had my cholesterol tested, and for the first time in my life, it was high. Too high. And that scared me.
After my consultation and training, I forked over a hefty sum and walked out the door with a new plan that was – as I like up call it – “stupid easy.” I knew exactly what to eat (lean protein, small amounts of fruit and lots of vegetables), when to eat and how much water I needed to consume.
There was no way I could mess this up.
In the first 10 days, I lost a little over 7 pounds and 2.2 percent of my body fat. I was ecstatic. My clothes fit better already, I woke up each morning just before my 4 a.m. alarm and felt sharper and more focused than I had in years.
Friends and colleagues noticed a new pep in my step, and my energy increased, too. The timing couldn’t have been better.
In addition to my roles as editor Extol and editor in chief of The Voice-Tribune, a monthly Louisville-based publication, I also now serve as the solo host of WHAS11’s “Great Day Live!” weekday morning show, which airs 10 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. Like many of you, I also juggle work obligations with family, and trying to find a balance is a constant battle. But it wasn’t, at least for 10 days.
With this new lifestyle plan in action, I slept better, felt more engaged in all aspects of my life and was on a serious roll.
And then I screwed it all up.
Instead of sticking to the “stupid easy” plan, I sabotaged my success with excuses and simply stopped following the steps I knew I needed to take despite seeing evidence that it worked – and quickly.
What a waste of money.
What a waste of results.
What a waste, I told myself again and again.
Except, the thing about failure is there’s always an option to start again.
So, that’s what I’ve done, but with new resolve, new goals and the enlistment of supportive friends and family.
Losing weight is nice and necessary (I’m still in the unhealthy range), but I’m now mostly focused on getting my energy back, regaining that pep, focus and ability to sleep better, and reducing my cholesterol. I also am making physical activity a priority.
Here’s to turning a waste of time, effort and money into a success as I head into Round 2, where it’s me versus me.
MY “STUPID EASY” PLAN FOR SUCCESS
Weigh myself every morning but refuse to fixate on the number.
Prep my meals ahead of time and use measuring cups and an electric scale to ensure my portions are correct.
Write down everything I eat and drink and record calories.
Be honest with people in my life about my goals and ask for their support.
Stop making excuses.
