Halfway There – Only 35,000 more to go! (Calorie deficit, that is!)

Remember in earlier blog when I said that in order to lose one pound, a woman my age needs to have a calorie deficit of 3,500?  My goal has been to lose one pound per week so that’s a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day.  If my normal calorie intake is around the 1,800 mark to maintain weight and I reduce my daily calorie intake to 1,300, then with that 500-calorie daily deficit, I should lose one pound per week. 

Starting on December 28, that’s a touch over 13 weeks ago as of today. So far, my weight loss has been 14 pounds so I’m exactly on target.  My goal of 150 pounds is only 10 pounds away.  That’s a calorie deficit of 35,000 calories.  I know the numbers say I’m over halfway there.  My current challenge is that I’m feeling a bit of fatigue.  It seems every pound gets harder and harder to lose.  I’m not complaining … well maybe I’m complaining a little… mostly I’m sharing that this is not easy. 

I have thought about getting some help by using one of the many weight loss drugs or aids that are so common now.  I have friends who have had enormous success losing 20, 25, 30+ pounds quickly and with apparently not a lot of stress.  Someone for whom I have enormous respect and who has scientific knowledge about how these drugs work has encouraged me to try them.

Here’s my fear.  I also know of so many people who had successful weight loss experiences using the drugs, but when they stopped taking them immediately put the weight right back on.  They were then faced with a choice of continuing the drugs or making the kind of lifestyle changes required to maintain that lower, healthier weight number. 

I know that when I achieve my healthier weight, I’m going to enjoy eating more.  I believe that I will be able to maintain the healthier food options I’ve come to enjoy.  Roasted vegetables, small portions of meat & fish, a colorful rainbow of fruits and vegetables, oatmeal in the morning with honey and walnuts and blueberries, lots of water throughout the day are all a welcome part of my life now. 

While I’m on sabbatical during the month of April, it will be interesting to see if I can maintain the momentum and the discipline.  I’ve increased my exercise and shifted some of my focus to more muscle building.  Muscle burns more calories so that should help.  I still have plenty of subcutaneous fat hanging around my stomach so I think these next 10 pounds will make an even bigger difference in how my clothes fit.

If you’ve ever been in a marathon or on a long journey, you know that those last few miles can take forever.  It’s so important to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Don’t think about the challenges ahead and keep your focus on making one good choice at a time. 

If you’re struggling with finding your healthy weight, please know it’s a journey that lasts a lifetime but you’re not alone!