How I Lost 18lbs by Watching TV

In the past, when I would begin a weight-loss regime, I would go all out. ALLLLLLLL out. I would set an eating plan, and stick to it pretty perfectly. I would excerise 6 times a week at the start, drink all the water in the world, and spend each evening mapping out my next day's plan.

It was exhausting. And it nearly drove me insane.

This time around, when the New Year hit, I pledged to not do that. I didn't want to be obsessive about my weight loss. Because while WHAT I was doing and what I was eating was healthy enough, it wasn't MENTALLY healthy. Which is probably why I was having such trouble getting back at it. I didn't want me life to revolve around fitness and food again.

I am pretty happy to report that I have kept my own promise. And while it means that my weight loss has been slower (18lbs down in about four months - nothing to sneeze at, but not exactly speedy), I feel more confident about being able to keep it off in the long run. Because even when I had those "setback" weeks, I managed to maintain my weight - not gain. I really feel like I've learned from fast mistakes.

So how does TV factor into this? It's so cheesy. But it's true, so I have to say it.

I started watching "My 600lb Life."

Please understand - I starting watching because I am genuinely rooting for these people. A lot of them have such traumatic pasts, it's no wonder they turned to food to cope! And I do NOT judge them, one bit, for how big they became. I only wish them success.

But, watching the show made me realize something: you don't just wake up one day grossly overweight. These people gained weight over time, and very likely, the weight gain seemed to sneak up on them. They had no clue how big they were getting...until it was too late. And that's a scary thought. I am NOT comparing myself to the people on that show. They have far bigger hills to climb, and far more struggles. That isn't what I am saying. But I think I started to reflect more on my own bad habits after I started watching - and my own excuses. So I don't know...I feel like that reflection has been helping me. So I figure I might as well give credit where it's due. To television! Who would have thought?

So yeah...there is my update. 18lbs down, and mentally sounds (at least as it pertains to weight loss!). I am working my way into running again, and looking forward to doing even more! As I am not yet ready to share full-body shots...I shall end with a cheesy selfie!