Weight Loss is not a diet – How to lose weight the easy way

A pair of feet in running shoes
Running can be fun

How to lose weight the easy way.

Being slim or fat is a lifestyle choice for most people.  It also gets harder as you grow older to get slim and get fit.

This can all be remedied.  I am not a doctor or dietician but I have had my battles with weight, especially in my later years.

Everything we do in life has consequences and we should take responsibility for our choices.

When I finally figured out that I really needed to lose weight (especially as the doctor said my cholesterol was high) I knew that I didn't want a fast solution, I wanted a permanent solution.

All those quick ‘lose weight now' did not attract me because I knew that if I could lose weight fast then I would put it back on just as quickly.

A change of mindset.

I realised that for any lasting change I was going to have to think this one through.  Of course, as everyone knows, it takes discipline.  I would love to say there is a pill that could do all the work but it doesn't work that way.

As with anything, shortcuts are always that, they might seem like a good idea at the time but in the end, they end up disappointing you and then demotivating you further.  As if one isn't demotivated enough knowing what kind of mindset this was going to take.

I know I love my food and cutting back on that seemed like an insurmountable task.

Exercising the brain
Exercise the body and the brain will thank you.

So what to do?

I know this sounds crazy but I decided to start running.  I have always hated running like the plague.  But I knew I wasn't going to go to the gym, too many people and I was not in good shape.

I figured running might help me (although it is going to be more like shuffling than running) to at least give me more energy.  I have heard all about those endorphins that are supposed to kick in after exercise so I thought I would give it a shot.

I went a bit crazy and decided to run around this Bay nearby.  The whole course is 7 kilometres (4.35 miles) long and luckily it's pretty much flat the whole way around.

Now, I didn't think that running would lose the weight.  It takes a lot more to lose weight than exercise.  I was going to have to change my diet.

But that I would leave for later.

Starting the regime.

I had to go and buy some running shoes, track pants and T-shirts.  This felt very foreign to me and I just picked what I liked and spent as little time in the shop as possible.

I then worked out I could run once a week and see how that panned out.  For me, Wednesday evening seemed like as good a time as any.

My mistake was starting in summer in Australia!  But I was not going to wait anymore, I needed to get back into shape.

That first day that I ran was a nightmare.  It was hard and I struggled with it, but I did it.  I don't know how or whether I would even attempt it again but I did it!

After the run, my knees turned to jelly but as I walked home I had a grin from ear to ear.  It was such a sense of achievement as I had never felt before.

Running really does not help you to lose calories, reducing your food intake does that.  But first I had to see if I could keep this up.

As I said, I was doing the shuffle but my breathing was more laboured, not incredibly so, but I was definitely breathing harder.

Stopwatches depicting time management
Scheduling running is important for well being.

How to be motivated.

Because it took many years to put on the weight I needed to be realistic in how long it would take me to get it off.

Also, I am talking about a lifestyle change not just a weight loss regime.  I had to make choices which would enable me to reach my goal and because it was going to take time, I wanted them to be life choices – for life.

All the choices I had made to date were poor choices which meant I got fat, would puff going up stairs, couldn't tie up my shoe laces and all the other associated health issues that result from a bad diet and non-existent exercise regime.

I think this choice I have made is similar to giving up any addiction, be it cigarettes or food.  I was determined and I was in it for the long haul.

My motivation?  Having a body that looks and feels great!

It's easy to say these things when I am at the beginning of my regime but I feel very different about this now than I have ever felt before.  I was going to lose weight and I was going to get a whole new body plus I get to keep it that way for the rest of my life.

Couch potato out, sleek, svelte body in!

So if you really want a body that will give you years of trouble free operation then think of lifestyle.

How much food?

Since I have been running (I started in September) I have found that my diet has been changing without me thinking about it.  The more I run, the less I want to eat.  This is really strange because I thought I would have to make radical changes to my diet.

Also what's strange is I only want fruit for breakfast.  It leaves me feeling great and not so tired.

New body!

Today for the first time ever since I started this regime I feel like I have a brand new body.  I feel almost invincible…maybe bullets won't bounce off of me but perhaps the wounds will heal faster?

This has not been easy to do at all.  I have struggled with this for the last 6 months but finally, I am seeing results.  I have lost 4 notches on my belt.

I don't weigh myself because I think that is very demotivating.  I go by my pants size, if they go down then I know I am on track.  This hasn't been easy but now I am getting results.

Quite naturally I am eating less at meals and I know I am on the path to a better lifestyle without me forcing it.  My habits will become my daily ritual.

Lots of fruit
Lots of fruit for breakfast is a great way to start the day.

Do I have to exercise for life?

The couch potato inside of me goes, oh no!  But the truth is, of course, you have to do this for life if you want a fully functioning, fantastic body that will take you through life and not give you any trouble.

Getting healthy is a massive reward and one that should be kept up.

How old am I?

I am 62 years of age.  If I can do this so can you.

Here is the first post I wrote about my running in September, 2016, I hope you enjoy it.

I hope you know what endorphins are?

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14 thoughts on “Weight Loss is not a diet – How to lose weight the easy way

  1. First of all, holy crap and congratulations! You started running at the age of 62 and it worked!?! that’s amazing. 4 belt notches in 6 months is incredible. I agree with you that there is a lot of choice to whether we are heavy or thin. I do think we are genetically predispositioned to be one or the other, for sure, but our actions are what make that a reality.

  2. Wow, way to go Michael! That is exactly what I did when I got separated. I needed to something just for me and running was the solution. Now as I am getting older and time has passed me by since then I see myself losing track and wanting something more again. Stumbling upon this post is exactly what I needed again! I am going to change my mindset and start running again!
    Thank you sir!!!

  3. Well done Michael. What I notice myself when I exercise is I crave for good food especially fruit and veg. And when I am not motivated I am eating crap-go figure! Good on you at 62 doing this. I am 50 next year and I really think if I don’t make some radical changes soon, my health will suffer. I have too much life to live for me and my kids so it really is time for a change. Thanks for the inspiration!

    1. No time like the present, Sharon. I hope you do get your health in tip top shape. We service our cars better than we service our bodies, lol !

      Michael.

  4. Great article! Very motivating and inspiring!

    Yes, it is unfortunate there is no magical peel that changes everything. It takes a lot of work and commitment.

    Recently I’ve decided to change my lifestyle, I want to be healthier, and losing weight is definitely a part of it. Even though I would love to get some quick results, I understand that they might not last long… And I want to get permanent results and to see a brand new me!

    1. I hope you do work out a system for yourself, the rewards are well worth the effort. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and commenting.

      Michael

  5. Well done,
    You seem to have the mindset to succeed. Like you mention, reaching a healthy weight and keeping it is a matter of a whole life style change which includes a reasonable diet and exercise. Anyone can do it, it is just question of being motivated and to have self discipline. It gets harder with age, but like you are proving here it is possible at any age.
    Well done, you are an inspiration for many people including myself.

  6. Hi there,First I would like to say well done to you for having the determination to go out and do this.I have been trying to get my mum who is 62 to up her fitness regime after having 2 knee replacements obviously running is not appropriate.Is there anything you could recommend?
    When you run do you pretty much run the same route and for the same distance or do you vary it as I have only just started running and I keep being advised to do short fast intervals as this way I will lose my weight faster?What are your views on this?
    Carla

    1. Thanks, Carla.

      Your mum should be doing all the exercises the doctor gives her to make sure that the knee replacements work properly. Unfortunately, with knee replacements and the exercises it’s not pleasant (it can be very painful) but they say if followed through they will have complete mobility again without pain. You would need to talk to her doctor to see what exercise would be appropriate for her.

      I run the same course every day, I am one of those lucky people who doesn’t need variety in their exercise, my brain seems to keep me entertained, lol ! I run faster when I feel like it, I don’t push it or I know I would stop. Listen to your body and see what you can do. The longer I have been running the more my body tells me what I can and can’t do.

      Losing weight is a journey not to be taken lightly because if you want it gone forever you have to have a routine that you are willing and able to maintain or you will slide back again. I know this from previous experiences. I wish you all the best and hope you succeed in your goal – if you stick with it you will get those results.

      Michael

  7. I am in total agreement with you. I also have a wellness blog and write about this often. For any weight-loss plan to work long-term there has to be a shift in consciousness that leads to long-term lifestyle changes. Also, I think that people have to come to it on their own. It’s usually a health scare that does it. Great post. Congratulations to you! a big pat on the back too! 🙂

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