My New Happy: Strength and Throwing Away the Scale

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Strength and Throwing Away the Scale


I'm all about this quote from my friend Deb at Solful Life.  I've finally learned that what I want from my workouts is strength, flexibility, balance, and energy.  The older I get, the more I value the ability to keep doing the things I've always done.

Ultimately, I'd love to be in a place where I never stepped on a scale again.  As long as I'm eating mostly healthy, maintaining a varied fitness routine, and my clothes fit, weight shouldn't matter, right?  A year ago I was totally in that mindset.  Unfortunately, genetics and my doctor don't see it that way.

After being diagnosed with pre-diabetes last fall, the doc asked me to lose 10-15 pounds in an attempt to lower my glucose numbers naturally.  Damn - there went getting rid of the scale.  Just when I'd figured out that "dieting" wasn't the best way forward, I had to go on a diet.  I've had success with Weight Watchers and The Faster Way To Fat Loss in the past, but I didn't 100% adore them.  So I decided to take parts of each and come up with my own program.

The thing that's made the biggest difference in my life?  Intermittent Fasting.  For years we've been told never to skip breakfast, and eat small meals throughout the day to keep our metabolism up.  The problem is that we don't give our bodies a chance to burn the fat we've already stored.  We're just digesting the last meal we ate.  It makes so much sense to me.  

I've been following the 16/8 method.  Each day I eat during an 8 hour window, and then fast for 16 hours.  It takes a little getting used to, but now I can't imagine eating any other way.  And of course I'm flexible - if there's a late event, or an earlier breakfast out with my family, I just adjust my window.

Over the last six months, I've done what the doctor ordered, have lost almost 15 pounds, and now it's time to see if the genetics will be kind to me.  This week I'm having blood work done to see if I'm out of pre-diabetes range. 

And then I'm throwing away the scale.

15 comments:

  1. Congrats on the weight loss and I hope your doctor's appointment goes well.

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  2. Good job Lana!! I totally believe that each of us is so different that you have to find the right program for you. That's what makes it so hard. We read about this one or that, and get discouraged when it doesn't work.
    I do love the idea that it's not the weight that makes a difference----it's totally how our bodies work!!
    XOXO
    Jodie

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    Replies
    1. Finding what works is definitely the hardest part. And my body tends to get used to a certain way, and stops losing weight. I've been trying to change things up and that's helping!

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  3. Yay Lana!!! I am so happy for you, I love that you did what works for you and took the time to really look at what you need, that makes all the difference. So I adore IF but I haven't dropped weight because what I'm eating in my 8 hour window isn't on point - I have lost weight this way but currently I am indulging in too much crap so...but I really like the way I feel and I enjoy it. Good for you my friend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. I feel so much better doing the IF, but you're right, you have to be careful what you eat during the window!

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  4. Intermittent fasting sounds so interesting. I agree that the whole small meals thing and not being able to burn it off makes sense to me! I feel like when I try to eat that way I actually end up eating more. Good for you losing 15 pounds!!

    Brooke
    Pumps and Push-Ups

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  5. I can't wait to hear the GOOD news! I think you'll reverse it. It's totally reversible at the pre part.
    I have done intermittent fasting accidentally, which sounds odd, but an anxiety disorder makes that happen. And it's true - it's really effective at weight loss.
    You rock!

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    Replies
    1. I hope so - I don't want to go on medication yet. True - anxiety makes me not want to eat at all!

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  6. I love the intermittent fasting- I started doing it after you mentioned it last year.

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  7. Good for you for losing 15 pounds! I love that you modified the two programs to make them work for you! So happy for you!

    Jill - Doused in Pink

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