Loser or Winner?

I've always been clear, I think, that this blog is about walking and feeling good - not about weight loss or dieting.  Still, some of us have dieted and many of us want to lose weight or maintain weight loss.  Almost 15 years ago, I began this journey of a gazillion steps when I had to give up racquetball.  At the same time, the Atkins Diet made sense to me and I went on it for about 6 months.  It was pretty easy for me.  I ended up losing 65 lbs in about a year - and I've kept 50 lbs of it off all this time - by walking.

I have not remained on the Atkins or any other diet.  My husband is the main cook in the house and he's always trying to feed me.  Food is Love!  He understands a lot about the science of weight loss and is very supportive, but he's never had a compulsion (really! well, except maybe to be sure all the doors are locked every night.) I regained that 15 lbs during the time I had my 2 knee replacements.  I have not really attempted to take off the 15 lbs as I feel good and walk comfortably at my present weight.

A Word About Weight - I'm not a doctor, scientist, or physiologist - but I'm a smart, well informed woman who has seen and read a lot.  Many of the ways of measuring weight relative to health.  A scale is only one of those methods.  Those charts from the insurance companies and the Canadian Air Force - well, there's nothing wrong with them exactly.  It's just that they don't seem to reflect reality!  I should never have weighed more than 116 lbs in my life according to those 'experts'.  When I weighed 116 lbs - and I did for a few months when I was 15 years old (fully grown for several years by then) - I looked like I had been starved in an enemy camp.  This is my personal experience.  YMMV,  But, I'm far more of an advocate of finding a weight that FEELS good for you and striving to remain there.  'Nuf said.

But, since I did wanted (and very much needed) to lose weight, the combination of Atkins and walking worked for me.  Since I was a 'beginner' at the walking thing, I often walked for 2 shorter sessions each day, dragging my aging sweet Jasmine (cockerpoo) through all kinds of weather.  The pounds fell off, the energy zoomed up, and I began to feel better than I had for years!

In the December 27, 2012 issue of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, there is a small article citing a Duke University study confirming that the best way to lose weight is aerobic activity. (swimming, running, walking).  This was a better activity for losing weight than weight lifting or resistance training.  "Those who got up and moved burned the most fat..."

Since two thirds of the adults in the US are overweight (still including me since I don't weigh anywhere near that 116 lb mark), this is an important piece of information for us to have.

What have I been telling you?  Did you need Duke University to confirm that I've got the goods?  It's okay if you did.  But, I'm right - and you can be a WINNER at LOSING by MOVING.



*************************** Remember my 100% GUARANTEE. Should you decide to stop walking and resume your old habits, I personally guarantee that you'll get back 100% of your former life - your pain, your lifestyle, your attitude. You can trust the information you find here. It's from a dedicated walker. Trust me and your life will get better! I promise.