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I believe that every good plan needs weights loss tools if you want to be successful. Of course my husband thinks that it is just my excuse to buy more fitness toys. And he is right; I like having a new toy to jump start my motivation. But this year, I am only going to use my existing weight loss tools.
Now that I over analyzed my lack of motivation and come up with a list of lessons I learned, it is time to start putting one foot in front of the other. I want loose pants by April. There is always the option to go on a formal diet, but I don’t think a formal diet is necessary for 5-10 pounds. Besides I cannot diet. I will over analyze a diet to death and probably end up feeing deprived.
If I watch what I eat and use some weight loss tools, I can almost believe that everything is “normal.” This post is a discussion of some weight loss tools I have around the house that I am using to get rid of my post-holiday weight gain.
Weight loss tool #1: My Pedometer
My pedometer is my favorite weight loss tool. As you can see by the photo, my Omron pedometer is not as shiny as it once was. I had it for over two years and have replaced the battery twice. Unlike some of the cheap $5-$10 pedometers, the Omron pedometer does not add steps to my count when I shake it. I can throw it in my purse or a pocket and it still measures fine.
I take it with me everywhere and actually try to get a minimum of 10,000 steps. 10,000 steps is the recommended amount for a sedentary person to lose weight. And yes, that is my actual steps today in the photo. I usually get to 10,000 steps by 5pm, if not earlier sometimes. I go to the bathroom a lot at work. If you are going to walk as your main form of exercise this year, be sure to start slowly or you might end up with some walking injuries.
Weight loss tool #2: My heart rate monitor
I really love my Mio Motiva Petite heart rate monitor. But I usually do not wear it except when I am working out to keep track of how many calories I burned. However, when I am on weight loss mode, I tend to wear it all the time because of the calorie counting feature. You can read my review of the Mio Motiva Petite if you are interested in the other features available in the watch.
Counting calories is one of the most tedious, yet efficient way to control my eating. I know that as long as have a net calorie count of 1600-1700 calories per day, I will lose weight. With my heart rate monitor, I make a habit of looking at my running calorie count before popping anything in my mouth. And if I am a little over my allowance, I do some mental calculations on how much longer I need to work out and whether that piece of chocolate is worth the extra exercise. This habit provides a mental speed bump from my hand to my mouth.
Calories counting can easily be replicated with a small notebook and pen. I just have a tendency to “misplace” my notebook.
Weight loss tool #3: Dust off my exercise dvd collection
There is an exercise environment for everyone. Some people like the gym, some like organized sports like a league, some just like walking around their neighborhoods, and others like to exercise at home. I tried all of the above places. By far, my favorite place to exercise is at home or walking around my neighborhood.
For the next few months, I need to stick to what has worked for me in the past. This means dusting off my exercise dvd collection. I will not do a formal rotation like ChaLean Extreme again, but will include her dvds when I workout. I get bored working out to the same instructors every week. With my 200+ exercise dvd collection, I have options.
Did I tell you that my husband asked me not to buy any more exercise dvds this year? Stupid me, I “promised” not to clutter up our house with exercise equipment in our wedding vows and apparently he keeps reminding me this every time I squeal over a good deal on ebay.
Weight loss tool #3: My exercise bands
I can get a full body workout anywhere with my exercise bands. Many of the moves you make with dumbbells can be easily replicated with bands. This will be my first year where I leave a band at work, in my car, and my suitcase. Yes, I have that many exercise bands. Exercise bands are cheap compare to purchasing dumbbells, especially through the internet.
What do I hope to accomplish by scattering my equipment everywhere? I am not quite sure. I really do not mind exercising at my desk, but I would look ridiculous doing squats because my four foot cube walls will make me look like a bobbing head. I am okay with getting funny looks outside of work, but I try really hard to cultivate a calm, professional exterior at work (what I call my game face). So I have to see how I can modify exercises so that my head does not bob above the short cube walls.
Being the first on in the office, I can spend the first ten minutes working one body part without anyone being the wiser (except for the friend who is probably reading this post. But she will NEVER tell. 
).
So one more last hoorah for my 31st birthday this month, then I am going to get rid of my post-holiday weight gain. For those of you who are also planning to lose your post-holiday weight gain, what exercise tools are you using to help you succeed this year?
Until next time and thanks for stopping by.
Photo by: katerha.
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