My Weight Loss Experience to Date and the Importance of Routine

I became aware of how much I detested my physique in my third year of college. I wanted to stop gaining weight at any costs because I was over 200 pounds. I made the decision to change with two objectives in mind: eventually losing fifty pounds and gaining enough endurance to complete a five-kilometer run every other day. Since I finished almost last in every elementary school cross-country competition, I was never much of a runner, but I knew that jogging was a reliable method of burning fat. I eventually achieved one of my goals in three months after working my way up the exercise ladder.

I never glanced back and managed to run at a steady 8:30-mile pace. I started switching up the days and times I ran, until I could do it whenever I pleased. Gliding across the running route with the knowledge that I had accomplished one objective I never believed was feasible for me and that the second milestone was just around the corner was such a relief.

I was ignoring rest and consistency, which are two of the most important aspects of any weight loss program that would ultimately catch up with me.

My knee began to hurt a lot a week after I accomplished one of my goals, which limited my ability to jog the roughly 20-mile running trail. My objective, which was to run a 5k every other day, would change to trying to run a mile without stopping or experiencing any pain. My ankle was injured from overuse shortly after. Still, my brain was encouraging me to keep going. Every time I removed my shirt and glanced in the mirror, I would reluctantly remember how overweight I was.I recalled how awkward it was for me to undress in front of my loved ones in order to swim or visit the beach. Why should I continue to be this way? I wanted to lose weight quickly.

When I stumbled into the pavement on the running route and landed firmly on my right knee, it served as my wake-up call. I was advised to avoid physical exertion for three weeks while my knee and ankle healed and to attend physical therapy after my visit to the doctor's office for a checkup.

I was miserable when I was sleeping. I couldn't swim, jog, or play sports with my buddies. Without my family's help, I couldn't even reach the upper cupboard in the kitchen for a dish! Knowing that I couldn't do much exercise without using my legs made me detest every moment I couldn't work out, and it had an impact on my mental health.

But even though it took some time, attending physical therapy completely altered my perspective. Everyone there was kind and considerate, and a few of the physical therapists helped me get back on my feet, ankles, and knees since they understood my situation. Leg lifts and leg bicycles were the only basic workouts used in the beginning of the process. In addition, I had to apply ice to my ankles and knees five times a day for half an hour each time. At the time, the duties seemed repetitive, and I dreaded completing them for days on end.

However, for some reason, I started to enjoy it!

My joints started to hurt less and less shortly after, and I told my physical therapist how good it felt to see improvement. He advised me that establishing a regimen was crucial to physical therapy and maintaining physical health in general. The light switch in my thoughts flickered on in an instant after I saw the outcomes of therapy and remembered my inconsistent exercise regimen. I became aware of how much I was doing incorrectly at the time and how it was affecting both my physical and mental wellbeing.

I stayed in touch with my physical therapist on routines to establish after my physical therapy sessions ended. Joining a local running group once I was fully recovered was one of his suggestions that stuck with me; I now run in one every other Saturday morning. Every day is literally a breath of fresh air, and I've made a lot of friends in the group who have experienced similar things to me.Meal planning, which is, in my opinion, the ultimate test for any regimen, was another suggestion. Though I'm still working on changing up what I buy at the grocery store, I occasionally find it difficult to prepare regular meals for the entire week and frequently slip into the same dull chicken and rice dishes.

To say that my weight loss strategy at the time was ridiculous would be an understatement. Although changing your lifestyle can be challenging, I've discovered that sometimes the most difficult things to deal with are patience and consistency. I discovered the hard way that rushing to achieve the results you desire might backfire if you're not careful. I’m still on the road to losing 50 pounds and building up jogging stamina again, but getting into a consistent routine has changed how I exercise and how I think going forward. I’m currently closer to my elementary school cross-country long-distance times than I am to an 8:30 mile, but I don’t plan on rushing myself anytime soon.