Feel like you need to lose weight? Here is a list of what’s easy and not so easy about losing weight.
Losing Weight to Be Healthy and Happy
If you’ve been following Mommy Knows What’s Best either here on the blog or on the Facebook page, you know one thing: I have talked about my weight a lot and how I am keen on losing weight.
I write (think, talk) about it so much as if it’s an obsession or addiction. I mean, what woman doesn’t?
Truth is, it’s neither an obsession or addiction.
If it was one of those things, I would have lost my excess weight already and have been living a healthier (hopefully) life. But no, it’s more like a promise to myself to be healthier, for my kids, for my husband, but most of all, for me.
At a time in the year when most people’s health resolutions fade away, I feel like it’s important to talk about it all once more.
Like many women, I gained too much weight when I started having kids. Four kids later, I was more than 70 lbs overweight, and that’s being generous. After baby #3, I decided to take back my health and lose that unhealthy weight, because, let’s face it, with too much weight comes:
- heart disease (runs in my family)
- diabetes (runs in my family)
- some cancers (runs in my family)…
What is Easy about Losing Weight
- It’s super easy to say/think/write “I’m going to lose weight to be healthy”.
- It’s easy to look into or research ways to lose weight in a healthy manner.
- It’s easy to get all psyched when you think about the prospect of losing weight.
- It’s easy to start a gym membership or buy fitness clothing/shoes.
- It’s easy to find a plan and stick to it for a few weeks, maybe more.
- It’s easy to fall back into bad habits.
- It’s easy to give up.
What is Difficult about Losing Weight
- It can be difficult to change your current lifestyle to live a healthier lifestyle.
- It can be difficult taking the first step to a healthier lifestyle, which usually includes finding the time to exercise regularly.
- It can be difficult to lose some weight but then reach a plateau.
- It can be difficult to lose some weight but not see any physical results when you look in the mirror.
- It can be difficult to stay the course when all is looking bleak.
- It can be difficult to break bad habits.
- It can be difficult to see others drop weight like it’s nothing.
- It can be difficult to admit to yourself that you are not healthy.
- It can be difficult to convince with whom you live that they may need to change too.
- It can be difficult to avoid your bad habits.
The thing is, I need things to get ‘difficult’. Without difficulty, there is no challenge, no goals to reach. Only boredom and inconsistency can come from things that are too easy, especially when it comes to losing weight to be healthy.
Key words: to be healthy.
I am not doing this to be a super model or to be ‘skinny’ to fit in. I am not doing this to win some monetary award or to be acknowledged by some institution for weight loss.
I want to be healthy, and since I have strayed so far from a healthy path, it’s going to be difficult.
But I’m okay with that. Bring on the challenges. I’m ready to be healthy once more.
Tell me: What is a healthy goal for you? Is it something that comes easy or difficult to you? How can you reach that goal? Leave a comment below!
Healthy Weight Loss Tips
- Speak with your doctor or health care provider before trying any methods, including simple diet and exercise, to lose weight.
- Track what you eat. I have lost weight just by simply tracking everything I eat, making sure I stay within the recommended calories.
- Walk. Walking is one of the easiest exercises to do, and all it requires is a good pair of shoes. You can walk anytime and reap the health benefits of it every day!
- Understand that healthy weight loss may be a slow process. One to two pounds a week is considered healthy.
- Believe in yourself! Want to be healthy? Believe that you can do it!
Originally written in 2014
Glenda Cates says
For me it is also weight lose and I am also obese and I am sure I am just as much as you are over weight if not more and it is hard to lose it and stay on track. I wish I could find a company to work with me to help me stay motivated but I am always turned down but I am going to change it and soon so I am here to see my son grow up.
Marissa McKenna says
Glenda, thank you for sharing your story. Try not to think of it all as ‘losing weight’ only. Think of it as being healthy, for yourself and your son. I have to keep reminding myself of the same thing since it’s so easy just to focus on weight and not on health. Best wishes!
Lindsay Swoboda says
My goal for 2014 is to not reinvent the wheel. I hate “new year, new you” mentalities. I like me. So I’ve adopted “Same ME, Stronger I’ll Be” for my mantra. It’s a little Yoda-esque, but may the force be with me! As a professional dancer, being fit has been more of a natural, everyday process of life for me. Now EATING correctly and treating my body kindly is a whole different matter. I’m working on cheering myself on, on trying new activities that invigorate me, and making the right choices for myself and my family everyday. It isn’t easy. It is a lifestyle. Sending you strength for your journey, and thank you for putting it out there honestly!
Marissa McKenna says
I love your mantra! And you’re right: being healthy in body and mind is a lifestyle. It takes dedication. Thank you for your support!
BrenDid says
I definitely need to get healthier. I am trying to focus on baby steps. First, drink more water and sleep.
Marissa McKenna says
Those are the perfect baby steps! Drinking water has so many benefits, as does a well night’s sleep, for your health and well being. I struggle with getting enough sleep, but I blame that on the kiddos. 🙂
Lisa Barton says
I too put on weight with my 4 girls, then lost it all again several years later. However I’ve noticed it creeping back on again lately and am trying to cut out unhealthy foods – but with 4 young children the biscuit barrel is always full 😉
Marissa McKenna says
Don’t I know! We try to keep cookies, candy, and chips out of the house, but there are still so many other snacks, as healthy as they may be, around! If we’re not careful, we end up eating way too much of these snacks….
Jeanie Erwin says
Weight loss is my goal right now. As a mom of seven and writer, I have not spent time taking care of my health. Thanks for redirecting my goal!! Great post!
Marissa McKenna says
Mom of seven? I salute you! It definitely can be hard to focus on your own health when you’re taking care of other s and trying to be a writer to boot. We can sit so much during the day, which isn’t healthy. I try to limit myself to an hour or so writing just so I am up and about otherwise.
Clint Butler says
Losing weight is definatley the hardest thing I have tried to do. I say tried because I tend to let life get in the way of my fitness goals. Go to the gym for a week straight, then boomm, sleeping in. Or eating right, them boooom, chessecake. I comment you on your journey and good luck!!
Marissa McKenna says
You said it: life just gets in the way. We just need to find the balance between life and fitness/health goals and we’d be set!
Carli Walker says
I also am on the road to getting healthy. After my second child (and a emergency c section) he turned one year before I realized I was heavier than I have ever been (not pregnant) and so out of shape walking up the stairs winded me. There are many reasons for that…many are good reasons! But no more! I am done putting myself on the back burner. Now that I am fully healed and my son is older, I am ready to start feeling good again!
Marissa McKenna says
I’m glad you’re feeling good again! All three of my kids were born via c-section (all emergencies too) and it took me a long time to bounce back and feel healed again. My youngest is almost a year and I still feel the tug and pull of my inner scar when I try to exercise!
I wish you all the best on the road to health! 🙂
Jen S. says
I can exercise till the cows come home. In fact, I workout a lot…BUT BUT I can never seem to loose weight. Eating is the hard part. I LOVE IT. My portions have gotten smaller (which stinks), but after having my kids and having thyroid cancer (thyroid is gone now) It seems even tougher. I think we all would like a quick fix to weight loss, but that is the society we live in. I am HAPPY just like you to be HEALTHY. Extra weight I can live with.
Marissa McKenna says
Eating is my downfall as well. When you come from a large Italian family that loves to eat, food is always around!
I’m glad to see you too are focused on being healthy! Best wishes to you!
Jelli B. says
My current healthy goal is to reserve sweets for one day a week. I love fitness and eat healthy, but my downfall is sugary sweets. When I get my sweet tooth in check, I’ll be conquering a lifelong mission!
Marissa McKenna says
That’s a good idea! It gives you something to look forward to, and you’re not depriving yourself of things you enjoy.
Marissa D says
I’m right there with you. This third pregnancy has turned into a nightmare on the scale, and there isn’t much I can do about it, life is just too hectic. But I’ve always focused more on being healthy and active, and the weight does go away. So here’s to focusing on healthy and allowing the weight to do it’s own thing for a while. Besides enjoying life with my kids is the goal, not being a supermodel.
Marissa
http://raysofgraceandjoy.blogspot.com
Marissa McKenna says
That’s just it: for moms, life can be way to hectic and we often put ourselves on the back burner to take care of our families. Hooray for focusing on health and family! Best wishes with Baby #3!
Sarah Thompson says
After dh was diagnosed with lung cancer last year, we’ve been gradually trying to develop healthier habits all the way around. Since his diagnosis, we have eaten healthier most of the time, but he’s so sick so much of the time, if he decides McDs or Pizza Hut sounds good, I’m headed up the road to get it. This year it’s going to be staying active. He was in so much pain last summer that I was dropping him off at the door whenever we went anywhere. He’s mostly out of pain now and I think we’ll be able to go on more walks this year.
Marissa McKenna says
Sometimes you just have to eat whatever you’re hungry for or whatever is easiest at the time. I find that it’s better to do that then to eat something else and then still be hungry for what you really wanted.
Best wishes to you and your husband on trying to be more active. I’ll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers as he continues to recover!
Janet Krugel says
Sometimes I find that writing about my weight loss or gain (weekly updates on my blog) keeps me accountable. Sometimes I feel like it’s boring to others, but then I get a comment about how someone was inspired or proud of me or something like that and I just want to keep writing. I want to do good so it will inspire one more person and one more person…and then one more person.
Marissa McKenna says
The accountability factor certainly does help keep me motivated, but I didn’t think of it in terms of being an inspiration. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all share our healthy journeys and continue to motivate others to do the same? Keep up the good work!!
Coffee Matters says
For me, my goal is to increase activity. I have been working on it since Christmas and I have more than doubled my average daily steps. While I am not at the 10,000 recommended steps a day, I am getting so much closer and each week I feel better. Even with the cold Montana winters and the snow that just keeps falling, I find ways to move just a little bit more even when I do not want to. My home is cleaner, and more organized than it was just 2 months ago and I feel better inside. My goal is within the next month to reach that 10,000 mark more than once and then beyond that to reach for it every single day.
Marissa McKenna says
Great goal to have! I too am finding hard to get in 10,000 steps a day with it being so cold outside. I’m lucky if I reach 3,000 just from walking around the house. Let’s hope spring is on its way so we can all get back outside!
Cole Nemeth says
I really need to lose weight, too. I gained a lot of weight when I was pregnant, lost it all, then gained it all back and am now heavier than ever. For me it’s not so much my size or weight but how I feel and I don’t feel very good physically or mentally. I know I need to eat healthier and exercise but I just can’t get motivated.
Good luck with your health journey!
Marissa McKenna says
It’s hard to get started on a healthy path, that’s for sure! Take baby steps at first, like taking your son or daughter out for a walk or cutting back on portion sizes. That’s how I started when I realized I needed to make a change. The small steps lead to bigger steps, leading you to a place where you can once again be in love with yourself and how you feel. I’m pulling for you! 🙂
Holly Higgins says
I’m right there with you! I have been working on losing weight after my daughter was born. I have lost about 25 lbs, but still have about 40 or so to go. It is incredibly difficult to watch others drop weight super easy and fast, like several friends of mine, and it is incredibly difficult to get your husband to change his habits! Slowly working on that last one though 🙂 Good luck with your weight loss!
Marissa McKenna says
Congrats on the 25lbs lost!! I was just talking to my husband last night about how hard it is to watch others lose weight so quickly, like those who have had their stomachs stapled or use some magic potion to drop weight really fast. You know what, though? If they’re not doing it to be healthy, then they can easily gain back what was lost. The key is to find a healthy lifestyle and to stick with it!
When you find out how to get your husband to change his habits, let me know. I’m still working on mine. 😉
Neva Fels says
Good luck with learning how to keep your weight under control. After menopause, it becomes even more difficult to lose those love handles. I did find one great recipe for Almond Butter Granola bars that’s low calorie, no sugar, and filling. I’d be happy to share it if you like.
Marissa McKenna says
Oooooh. Those sound delicious! Feel free to share! 🙂
Crisi @ Reserved and Waiting says
I’m right there with you. I was border line diabetic with my weight two years ago. It took me getting pneumonia when I started to lose the weight I lost 70 lbs but have not been able to the last 30 lbs off for almost a year now. We can do this, the weight will come off.
Marissa McKenna says
Yes we can! They say it’s those last few pounds that are the hardest to lose. Best wishes!!
Robyn-coolestmommy R says
I’m terrible at dieting so I work to cut down on things. Right now, I’m trying to drink less pop. I only drink it when we dine out, so I’ve tried getting water or tea instead. Less calories all around because I won’t drink diet.
Marissa McKenna says
That’s great! Dieting isn’t really my thing either, but cutting out what isn’t healthy definitely helps. We don’t have soda in the house at all unless we have a party, and I too will order a water or iced tea when I’m out to dinner. Every little thing helps! 🙂
Tammy says
My father had a heart attack at the age of 49 and survived. I found out at that time I have the gene for high cholesterol. So I had to make a life choice decision. Its not a diet, its a lifestyle for me. I do love my burgers and will have one now and again, but not every day. Great post http://www.mylifeabundant.com
Marissa McKenna says
We have something in common: my father had a heart attack in his early forties and survived. His father before him has two heart attacks before dying from heart disease. It definitely runs in the family, and while I haven’t been diagnosed with anything yet, I am sure as heck going to do everything I can to avoid it!
I’m really glad that you have made it a lifestyle instead of a diet. If only we could all take that word out of our vocabularies! 🙂
Tina Halvorson says
Marissa, Great post because I believe this is something all women struggle with – even when your baby is 7 years old. And you are 45 years young….lol Thanks for being open and honest with your struggle. We can all relate. I wanted to share with you some ways I have lost weight especially over the last year. First of all my family did a 14 week challenge to a healthier lifestyle – go here to check out this blog. Some weeks are easier than others and my family has 2 more weeks to go. I decided to blog about it to keep us accountable. I notice that we are sliding southward and not keeping us as much as in the beginning. I might go through it again in the future because it definitely helped us take some baby steps in the right direction. And I’ve lost some weight because of it. Try it out you might like it. The second thing is using essential oils, especially grapefruit in my water daily – it has helped me lose my last 5 pounds and that is without exercising. I am thinking about getting back into my exercise routine slowly this next week just for to stay healthy. Check out my website for more information on the essential oils. http://www.essentialoillover.com Blessings to you – Tina
Marissa McKenna says
Thanks for the great tips! I’ll look into both the challenge and the oils. 🙂
travelgirl says
I have been struggling for as long as I can remember. I feel like there is some secret switch that I am missing. I’ve tried so many approaches that sometimes I feel that my body is out to get me. I’d love just to feel healthier and the rest is icing on the cake (bad, metaphor!).
Marissa McKenna says
Ah, and now I want cake! Just kidding. No, really, cake sounds delicious right now… What were we talking about? 🙂
I feel that way too sometimes, like it’s my body that has control and there’s nothing I can do about it. We just have to keep trying to focus on being healthy, and the rest will follow!
travelgirl says
I have struggled with my weight since I hit puberty. I’ve tried every approach known to man, but think I am missing the “secret” that my body is hiding. Plus, after two kids and forty years, I think my body is out to get me! I do like that you wrote all this out because seeing the words helps with accountability, at least for me. I just want to be healthy and run around with my boys! All the rest is icing on the cake (bad metaphor!).
Contest Patti says
Being healthy is my goal. I am over weight but fairly fit so I don’t focus on the pounds I focus on how I feel and what I can do. I have a couple of health problems that prevent me from exercising sometimes but my biggest problem is getting past all of the barriers I set up for myself.
Marissa McKenna says
Aren’t we terrible with barriers and excuses? It really takes a strong will to overcome barriers and to keep moving forward to meet our goals.
Our Provident Home says
Perfect post for me to read today! My goal for this coming week is to run three times and track all my food. Since restarting my blog a few months ago I have gained 5 lbs. and I was not at an ideal weight before that. Not good! Thank you for the reminder that caring for our bodies can help prevent disease and other troubles later on.
Marissa McKenna says
You’re welcome! I’m hoping to start running soon. I haven’t run in a very, very, very long time, but I’d like to get started when the weather cooperates.
Good luck with your goal this week!
Vivian Peppers says
I need to lose 5lbs to meet my goal weight. The same last 5 lbs I’ve been trying to lose since late 2013, lol. I was doing really, really well – then of course the holidays hit and I fell off the rails.
What had been working for me is doing a detox in the beginning. Not one of those completely liquid detox deals, but one that made sense for me – one that I knew I could maintain for 2 or 3 days, maybe even a week.
I bought an inexpensive juicer (on sale for $39) and used a few juicing recipes I found online. I also only ate salads (no meat in them) and soups (again without meat in them). I felt really good afterward and even lost a pound or two.
After that, I maintained a vegetarian diet for a while and that helped with the rest. A really noticeable result was less bloating, which I was thrilled with too.
The holidays got me back on the meat and junk food train and I’m having a difficult time breaking that habit. However, I think a sustainable goal for myself is eating meat once a week, and probably about the same allotment for a sugary treat. I think I can handle that.
P.S. just want to share a workout channel on youtube that may fit in with your lifestyle. I haven’t watched their latest videos, but when I got turned on to it, the premise was 12 minute workouts that you can do in your home. charliejames1975. http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuY1W4AwhhgkB6rsJBtltUA
A Day in Candiland says
I have Graves disease and always been thin, then I lost a lot of weight when I want for my diagnosis. Now I am on medication and gained too much weight. For me. Some people would laugh but when you can’t button your pants its’ a problem, no matter what you look like. So I guess it has to be for you and only you need to know what has to change. I think a support system helps. I am trying to be healthier in my choices.
Desiree Jackson says
I have never had a problem with because I am pretty small but having my second child gave me a pouch that made me feel so ugly. I have now reached a point where if I maintain a good and healthier food choices I will be back to where I am accustomed to
Selena Brown says
I have always been slender since a little girl. People are always telling me how nice my figure is, but I never make it a big deal. When I entered the military, I had to do physical fitness workouts every morning. That gave me more muscle mass and now outside of the Army, I’m always on the go, so I don’t do regular gym workouts. I keep things simple. I’m conscious of what’s in the foods I eat, which keeps me fit and compliments my body. I enjoy yoga class when I can attend at the Veterans Hospital, and keep away from unnecessary stress. Living in Los Angeles, Ca, that’s all people talk about and even in the magazines and on TV. It’s actually sad because it really affects some people worse than others. I say, love yourself, and if your family loves you, then they will love you at a “healthy weight”. Strive for your healthy weight and set your goals to stay within that range, because we are all different and more than our weight.
Anna says
So true! I wish you the best with your journey!
I have found that setting small healthy goals each day. Such as: Today I’m going to make sure I get my water in, Today I’m going to eat veggies with at least x meals, etc.
Helicopter Mom and Just Plane Dad says
It was easy to read this post and realize that I need to get my butt back to the gym. It isn’t easy to get my butt up and drive there. Thanks for the reminder. I will recommit to my goals.
survivingtoddlerhood.com says
I have a couple of health goals for this year. One is to run a marathon with my sister in October, I really need to get training for this!! o-0 And the other is to complete a one day ride across our state with my husband. He is a super fast biker, but he agreed to stay back with me, I just want to finish and not die. 🙂
OhMyShihTzu says
I would so love to lose 50 pounds… I don’t know how or when I’m going to do it, but it does need to happen now. Glad to hear that you have had some great progress 🙂
Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic says
I don’t have a weight problem, but I DO have an energy problem. Granted, I’m pregnant & that takes a lot of energy out of me, but still… Even when I’m not pregnant I have an energy problem. I think it is partially because I don’t drink enough water & partially because I don’t eat as healthy as I should. I’ve definitely got work ahead of me if I don’t want to run into problems later in life…
PS: I love your name too 😉
Rosanne A says
It’s great that you have had the sense to identify the realities that exist in your family’s medical history and are using those truths as motivation to lose weight. What is interesting though is how sometimes when we let go a little, there is less resistance to our goals. Case in point, I just got back from France a few days ago and after eating cheese, bread, foie fras, butter, custard pie slices, and pain au raisins with abandon, I came back to find my jeans a little looser! I am not saying that to make you throw a shoe at the computer screen and instantly craft a voodoo doll of me, rather it is just an example of how when I gave myself permission to live in the moment and truly enjoy what was in front of me, my body DID NOT punish me with pounds. Indeed the portion sizes in France are significantly smaller than what we get here in the States, but calories are calories right? By leaving any food baggage at the airport, I was free. By allowing myself to eat what I liked in small portions I felt satisfied and didn’t obsess! The food hate spiral stopped spinning for a moment. Now that I am back, I intend to keep that up–it feels fantastic! I think it’s awesome that you have had some real weight loss success and I am sure there is more to come. What do you think of letting go? Have you tried that? It seems like with all of the discipline you have shown, that giving yourself permission to “enjoy,” might be a way to shake things up and bring back the fun of heading toward a goal. And, you are absolutely right about walking–it’s PERFECT. Stay inspired!! You can do this!!
Melissa Coleman says
This is definitely something I struggle with. After I had my daughter and then got asked by a little old lady when I was due again I started on my weight lost journey. I lost around 40 lbs but then fell off the wagon and though I didn’t gain all of it back gaining any back was heartbreaking for me. It is so hard to get back on that mindset. Once I was there I was kicking it’s butt but getting back on has proven to be a challenge. :/
The GO Mamas says
I deal with daily. I have changed my eating habits to a more plant-based diet and smoothies, but I know I really have to exercise more. Plus I learned to just relax and not beat myself up so much (well at least not everyday)
Anna Mujica says
Everything you said is so true! One of the most difficult things for me is that my husband has always been so adamant about eating whatever he wants.. Oreos, donuts, sugary cereals, candy… he has such an over the top sweet tooth. He wants to get healthy too after years of feeling like crap and finally, just today, we went food shopping with a paleo diet in mind. We still have some non-paleo items in our house and will slowly transition them out until we have a 100% healthy pantry and fridge! We also joined a gym yesterday, so I’m hoping we stick with it. Like you said, it’s easy to say you’re going to do it, but doing it is a whole different story. Great post and good luck with your weight loss journey!
Anna Mujica says
I don’t think my first comment posted, man that stinks! Everything you said here is so true. My biggest difficulty is having my husband on board because he has always been adamant on eating whatever he wants.. Oreos, donuts, cakes, pies, sugary cereals, the list goes on and on. He has such a ridiculous sweet tooth! But finally, after years of feeling like crap, he has decided to get on board with me and just today we went food shopping, didn’t buy any junk and really shopped with a paleo diet in mind. We have non-paleo items in our house still and will be transitioning them out until we have a 100% healthy pantry and fridge! Good lucky with your weight loss and I look forward to reading more!
Jo-Ann Brightman says
I also want to be healthy. It is not always easy making the right choices. I think that one has to leave some out of treats foo or others in the plan or the program won’t work. One thing that I found to be very important is to eat a good breakfast first thing in the morning.