- You have to start out small. Do not look at the big number you need to lose by the time you are done. Set small reachable goals like 5% of your weight or 5 or 10 pound increments. Each time you reach one celebrate! Chipping away at 120 pounds was easier when I looked at it 10 pounds at a time.
- You will sustain change over time by making 1-2 small changes every week or 2 and building upon them. I did not go from eating out every day to paleo in a week. It took a good year to instill each healthy living habit I live today. Every week I pushed myself harder and worked more towards an end goal: to cut out all the processed junk and eat whole, natural foods.
- Exercise is not always what the body wants but it is what the body needs. Our bodies were built to exercise, our ancestors walked and ran everywhere no cars, no planes. I do not always want to get up and workout but after a workout I feel so good that it keeps me excited for the next one.
- Living healthy is not the easiest choice to make. There is so much cheap quick diet fixes out there and it can be tempting to try them, I did I always failed long term. Weight Watchers is what worked for me because it taught me to eat healthy balanced meals and control my portions. Losing an average of 8-10 pounds a month was the healthy way to do things and it has kept me consistent, to lose 100 pounds in 14 months.
- Keep setting new goals and achieving them. I mix up my workouts, I look for new challenges. It keeps the body guessing and me working harder and harder every month. I like to find new challenges and set new obstacles for myself to overcome.
- Most Important: You can do anything you set your mind to. At 272 pounds I never ever would have thought I would one day we running half marathons and training for a full. But thankfully I am and I know that no matter what challenges I face it can be done.
MizFit comment: I love me some Colleen. Ive had the opportunity to meet her in person and beg her for a guest post and she’s as amazing IRL as she is on her blog.
bodynsoil says
August 25, 2011 at 4:19 amCongratulations Colleen for your success with your fitness journey!! I love this post and your list of things to do that helped you along the way, all of them are excellent points. Now I am off to check out your blog and read more about you.
@FitInMyHeart (Dr. Mo) says
August 25, 2011 at 5:22 amWonderful #WordsOfWisdom!!!! You are a perfect example of what itmeans to be an “Agent Of Change” Continue to #Motivate and INSPIRE!!! *Hugs*
gene @boutdrz says
August 25, 2011 at 6:03 am@bodynsoil well, hello! small world!!! one cool thing about Colleen is that she is a New Englandah~
Yes, she is one of those rare types who’s online and IRL personalities match. love that!
I met her at a dinner near Boston, and she is amazing. Very real, down to earth, no BS kinda gal. Hard working, adoring Mom, inspiring, motivating, a$$-kicking.
Props, Miz, for featuring Colleen!
Colleen, keep up the great work!!!
-gene-
addy says
August 25, 2011 at 6:06 amCongratulations! Thanks for the words of wisdom – everyone can use.
Jody - Fit at 53 says
August 25, 2011 at 6:17 amI just looked at the before & after pic & said – WOW!!!! I love your words of wisdom for people! So many want it now & they try the quick fix which does not work. You got it right & HUGE CONGRATS TO YOU!
Carla, thx for sharing!
Irene says
August 25, 2011 at 7:20 amLove this!
Dawn says
August 25, 2011 at 7:45 amWay to go Colleen, great advice 🙂
Kimberley says
August 25, 2011 at 10:07 amCongratulations Colleen! Thanks for the great tips!
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
August 25, 2011 at 10:59 amWonderful advice! What an inspiring journey – thanks, Colleen!
messymimi says
August 25, 2011 at 11:12 amHaving lost and kept it off, finally, after several unsuccessful attempts, i agree wholeheartedly.
Yum Yucky says
August 25, 2011 at 11:35 amNo waaaay! That is the same woman in both pics!? Well, yes and no. The mindsets are different. I love your tips, Colleen. Somebody spiked your awesomesauce with extra awesome. Obviously.
charlotte says
August 25, 2011 at 1:18 pmSo inspiring! And I love your very rational and do-able tips!
Tara Burner says
August 25, 2011 at 6:21 pmcongrats 🙂
you rock!!!!
angie says
August 25, 2011 at 10:33 pmI have shared this on my CrossFit page on Facebook, and the words you wrote have echoed in my head all day. Thank you for sharing this wonderfully smart tips! You freakin’ rock hard, Colleen! New fan right here!
Sarah says
August 26, 2011 at 12:38 amCongratulations on your weight loss, its fantastic! I love your tips, some of them I discovered myself on the weight loss journey – particularly the one that slow and steady is the way to go.
For weight maintenance living healthy is not an easy choice either – our society seems to revolve around food, and celebrations and social events always seem to involve unhealthy food – lots of cake and so forth. Its not easy to keep making that choice every day.
Deanna @ The Unnatural Mother says
August 29, 2011 at 2:29 pmLOVE this post! So many good tips! I’m 58 pounds down and still learning, so I thank you!
Leslie Goldman says
August 30, 2011 at 1:47 pmThanks, Colleen! You’re an inspiration for anyone with a daunting goal by proving that slow and steady actually does win the race! Pun intended.
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