As I mentioned in my last post, my verb for 2013 is “to shed” and one of the things I want to shed is weight. Shedding that weight begins today. I’m doing a modified low-carb diet. I know…you’re probably thinking, “KeAnne, how can a diet of butter and fat be healthy regardless of how much weight you lose? Think of your arteries!” Relax! My version of low-carbing cuts out all extraneous carbs: pasta, white rice, bread etc. I eat plenty of veggies and low-sugar fruits along with meat like chicken or pork. Yes, I’ll have the occasional steak too.
The good thing (and the bad thing) about low-carbing is that it forces me to be very deliberate about what I eat. It’s a lot harder to settle for takeout when your options are limited. I don’t know why low-carbing is my diet of choice, but it works for me. Maybe it appeals to me to deny myself completely a food group. I’m sure that if I lived in Medieval times, I’d have been one of those monks that thrived on water and flagellation.
I’m not only making dietary changes but also adding in more exercise. Daniel and I took a walk on Saturday. Yes, I acknowledge how silly that sentence must seem: OMG! I took a walk! I swear that I’m not completely slothful. Daniel has preferred to run since he could walk and for a while, my active little boy refused the stroller. Or maybe I thought it cruel to strap him in so I could take a walk when he wanted to run, run, run. Unfortunately, he doesn’t exactly want to run in the same direction I am going 
On Saturday, I asked Daniel if he’d like to ride in the stroller and go for a walk, and he surprised me by saying yes (maybe I also tricked him by saying we’d try to put one of the cats in the stroller too. We didn’t, I promise. No cats were harmed but he thought the idea was hysterical). We had a really nice walk around part of the neighborhood, and I hope we can continue to do so every weekend. I’m even wondering if I need a jogging stroller because our Maclaren, awesome as it is, seems a little unsuited for the lack of sidewalks in our neighborhood (we rough it in Johnston County. No creature comforts for us).
In addition to walking, I had a moment of insanity and joined Brandy in the 100 pushup challenge. I’m starting at Level 2 and will have homework three times a week. I’m also eyeing a few classes at a local fitness center. Believe it or not, I really like working out. I like brisk walks on a treadmill (preferably while watching Law & Order reruns) and using the weight machines. I have free weights in my closet so I can do bicep curls. I have no coordination, so I don’t think you’ll ever see me in a zumba class though. I’m not a runner either. I’ve thought about Couch to 5K, but no, I don’t want to run.
My goal is to lose 20 or possibly 30 pounds. I’ll be happy to start with 10, but I really hope to reach 20. I think I can. I’m ready to make some changes and like what I see in the mirror again.
I’m kind of shocked I’m posting about my weight issues and plans to shed it. Normally it is something I’d keep very private, but I think I need the accountability as well as the cheering and commiseration. Or maybe it is an indication that my dissatisfaction with my weight has become a major part of who I am right now.
So today I commence Shed: Weight. Wish me luck, and I look forward to sharing my progress.
How are you doing with your 2013 goals?
Family Building With a Twist 