Twelve weeks ago I had no idea what success would mean. I imagined myself losing two pounds a week, sweating like crazy everyday, and getting everyone around me interested in this movement to live a healthy life. Did I fail?
The past 12 weeks were not what I expected. I expected everything to be a breeze. I mean, I had a national program behind me, a group of women cheering me on, and a commitment to the American Heart Association. I couldn’t fail. I had all the tools to keep me motivated. I bought a gym membership, I chose healthier ways of cooking and eating, and I told many people about my commitment to be healthier. All these steps were what I thought I needed to succeed.
However, twelves weeks ago I had no idea what success would mean. In the beginning, I thought I did fail. I thought that because I didn’t end up losing 24 pounds or getting everyone around me interested, that I had miserably failed the American Heart Association, the challenge, and myself.
I faced resistance from family and friends and I often felt like I was exaggerating. I didn’t want people to call me a health nut, vain, or anything like that. I did my thing quietly. I guess that’s why I didn’t have a dramatic outcome. I know I could have lost a lot more weight. This time, unlike other times, I’m not mad at myself for not reaching dramatic results. I’m happy with the outcome and with myself. I did things slowly, quietly, and kept it low-key. Because of this, the past 12 weeks were a time for me to train, to rethink what losing weight and exercising is all about. Living healthy is not about the dramatic results I see on television and magazines: (“I LOST 100 pounds in 5 weeks and 10 inches off my waist!”). Living healthy is about making DAILY choices and moving forward 10,000 steps a day.
Posts
At the end of any journey, it’s always nice to reflect on the experience and enjoy the exhilaration that comes with accomplishment. During the past 12 weeks, seven real women have opened their hearts and minds to women across the country. They’ve revealed struggles, shared empowering messages, offered valuable tips and served as genuine advocates for this program.
During the Choose To Move challenge, these women not only engaged in physical activity, they discovered a community of women who share a common goal – increase physical activity in order to develop a healthier lifestyle. Their success is a direct result of determination, commitment and the support they received from those in the Choose To Move community.
From a mom with three kids to a full-time college student to women in the workplace, our real women take on many important roles. And as women juggling multiple responsibilities, we want to be the best we can be - a common thread among women in America. However, in order to be the best for our families, we must do what’s best for ourselves. Our seven real women did exactly that! Each woman, in her own way, learned how to make time for physical activity and develop better eating habits!
For Ruann, Kara, Lisa, Melanie, Vernita, Kathleen and Zulema, the 12-week challenge has come to an end. However, the ultimate reality is that their life-long journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle has only begun. No matter where you are in this journey, I encourage you to rely on women in the Choose To Move community, as well as those around you. Take advantage of the Choose To Move program and turn this challenge into a way of life.
My total chol. is 184
HDL is 46
LDL is 106
Trig. is 184
I have been on a low fat, low carb diet since Sept (NutriSystem). Should I be concerm about my Trig?
Comment by on February 12, 2008 2:54 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PMDr. Mieres,
I'm very much an internet girl. As soon as I found out I had high blood pressure, I found this site. After going through all the 'choose to move' selectees, I chose Vervita, for the reason that she update often and replied to those that posted comments.
Well here we are, 6 months later, most of those chosen have yet to update.
Considering these are all busy and accomplished women, perhaps some slack should be cut. Ok.
The forums are worse. I have had to hunt and peck to find true posts, some of which should be answered by a professional, not a jr. high social studies teacher.
I'm sorry to be so negative. In truth, AHA diet and recipes have made it possible that I may be coming off meds next week. My diet plan has been based on your cookbooks.
When I called in my numbers today, to get a refill, the office called me back and said the doctor said when I want, to stop meds for 4 days and make an appointment for the 5th. If bp is in the 100-120 range, we'll stop the meds. Woo hoo! Diet and exercise may pay off!
Comment by on June 12, 2008 8:17 PM
Comments
May 30 | Vernita said …
Hello Zulema,
It's not at all about the final destination but mainly about the roads you take, your experiences, in order to get there - and that's the biggest lesson of them all.
Great job on sticking with the program and not giving up!
~Vernita
May 30 | Melanie said …
You're so right Zulema - it is a slow and gradual process. Even after the 12 weeks I don't feel like I have it right all of a sudden - I'm still learning! I like the way you say "living healthy" - that should be our goal - not just losing pounds or inches so that we can meet some standard of beauty that has been imposed by the media. Media images are so unrealistic! Beauty comes in all sizes, and all ages!
May 30 | Liz Deken said …
You absolutely did not fail! You spend these weeks evaluating your lifestyle, your choices, your habits, and making small changes. It is exactly that type of change that is success. None of us get to be where we are by huge leaps and bounds, but by minute-by-minute decisions. And you have helped hundreds of women just like me. Just to read how real you are, and how it is a struggle, and how you can actually feel bad, angry, and depressed over food! I mean, really, who'd think it would be this hard to get up and move and eat less? But it is. And it has been a joy for you to share this with me and I will miss your blogs when this 12 week challenge is over.
Thanks-
Jun 03 | Kathleen said …
You got it right Zulema, living healthy is about making daily choices for better things to eat and daily choices to move. It is not for a certain time period till we reach a certain weight it is for life.
Jun 26 | Tina Paulson said …
Zulema,
Your right being healthy is the main thing. I really don't eat allot. But I eat the wrong things. So I have gained 20lbs. over the last 2 years. It's going to be a challange to lose it. And get healthy at the same time because I feel it. Thanks for being there.
Aug 29 | Maria Adams said …
Zulema Hi wow you did very well congratulations my goal is to get down to 140lbs .. I was 165 I am now 155.. it has been hard work as I am 65 I work out for an hour per day ,pluss walk 3000 steps per day ,mediterranean so eat mainly fish ,vegis ,beans,and salads .
Thanks for being my role model
Nov 16 | Roossy Tirta said …
I know how you feel. Many times, when I told my friends, I need to swim, they will say " swim again". Then they say, "you need to take a break from exercise...:)". Well, good thing, I have never listened to them. Don't give up! and May I know where to get a good pedometer? thanks.
Jan 29 | Roxanne said …
Zulema,
Congrats on your successful journey, you make it "real" for those of us who do NOT want to take stock in those T.V. ads...
I am doing this with my best friend, we are going to encourage each other as we always have for the past 15 years..We work in the health field and it is amazing how we know what is the right thing to do but sometimes we can talk the talk but can't walk the walk... Well it is time to get walking! We are hoping to be on the road to a healthy future.. Thanks for sharing your journey.
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