Even though it hasn't been a full year, I thought that now is a good time to reflect on the my use of the Body Bugg. This blog post actually came about because I was responding to a thread on the BB Message board and got logged out. So, I thought perhaps I should come on over here, say my peace, and then get my booty on the treadmill!
So, this post is geared to anyone curious about the Body Bugg. Maybe you've recently purchased one, maybe Santa is bringing you one, maybe you bought one and haven't used it, or maybe you're contemplating the purchase. Regardless of your Body Bugg state of mind, I hope you find this post informative and helpful.
It's helpful to know a bit of back story, so here goes:
I started dieting on 1/15/2010. I had hit 265 pounds and after seeing 400 pound people on the Biggest Loser workout like insane people, run, and drop weight like crazy, I thought to myself, maybe I can drop a few pounds and get some distance between me and 300 pounds. With my 40th birthday looming in the distance (2012) I figured that was as good of a time as any. So off I went!
First, I joined a women's only gym. This is a fitness center in my town that offers cardio machines, classes, personal training, and spa services. I joined the gym and decided that a once-per-week session with a personal trainer might benefit me. Much to the trainer's disappointment, when asked for my "goal" weight, I said I'd like to be in the 250's.
She did not like this..."No, really....what's your GOAL weight?"
"I want to get into the 250's. At 259, we'll talk again."
I wasn't going to budge. I wanted small, manageable goals that I could fairly easily attain. I refused to put a huge goal on myself. She even tried me to say "I want to get under 200" but I refused. I wanted to get into the 250's.
In February my husband could see I was really interested in the Body Bugg, after seeing it on the Biggest Loser contestants. I had done lots of Internet research and really felt that this device might be a HUGE game changer for my weight loss. "Order it for your birthday if you REALLY want it" he said.
So I did. And that's honestly when EVERYTHING about weight loss changed for me.
I hit my "in the 250's" goal...then I hit the "in the 240's" goal, and so on. And now here I sit today, at 195. I'm not done yet. I have a new goal...any guesses?
Yeah, I want to be in the 180's.
But, right now, for the rest of this year, I'm content to celebrate what I HAVE done this year. I have lost 70 pounds. I have gone from wearing a 22/24 to a 14. I no longer buy 2X shirts...I buy a Large. I can run. I am stronger. I am healthier. And, amazingly enough, I am happier.
So, to new Body Bugg users asking "can I do this"...I have but one thing to say to you. ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY!!! You can and you will...but I do have a few tips for you.
1. Be honest. The BB will keep you honest on how much exercise you're doing, but for the BB to really work, you MUST be honest with the food. Buy a food scale and weigh/measure as often as you can. After a while, you will KNOW what 1/2 cup of cottage cheese looks like, but for a while weigh and measure everything. I know it's a pain, but seriously, it will make a HUGE difference.
2. Avoid eating out at restaurants as much as possible at first. You can control what you eat at home, but it's so easy to go overboard in a restaurant. If you must eat out, educate yourself BEFORE you go. You can get on the Internet and find "good" choices at restaurants. Make sure you STICK to that choice once you get there. Don't add in an appetizer or load a salad with dressing. KNOW how that meal is going to factor into your daily calorie target and adjust other meals accordingly. My personal favs are Subway and Applebee's.
3. Exercise! It seems obvious, but you have to exercise. The trick is to not look at "exercise" as being in a gym or on a machine. Small changes can make a huge difference. When I go to a store or the mall, I park WAY out in the lot. (unless it's bad weather) That extra walk will add up! A lot of my weight was lost by walking. In the evening if you're short on calories burned and/or high on calories consumed, walk in your HOUSE! If you have multiple levels, go up and down the stairs several times. Reset the "trip" meter and do the stairs or walk around until you hit 100 calories. Do step-ups. March in place. Do something!
4. Get support! I think that one of the most helpful things for me was having support. My hubby and kids knew I was trying so hard to eat healthy and exercise. They sometimes complained about a trip to the gym or dinner choices, but most of the time they knew that they needed to help and not complaining was a huge help. Friends also knew my struggles so they didn't sabotage me. I also got support from the BB Message Board. Find those sources of support and turn to them when you're struggling.
5. Set manageable goals! Obviously I'm not a long-term kinda gal! Had someone told me in January that I would lose 70 pounds I would have laughed in their face. However, by slowly chipping away at it, that mountain of 70 pounds became possible. I'm sure some people do well with big long-term plans, but not me! I needed small manageable goals that I could hit and then celebrate the success and then move on to the next goal. Just don't celebrate with cheesecake!
6. Speaking of cheesecake.....I think it's important to not deny yourself ANYTHING. That's right...I said ANYTHING. Now, sometimes when faced with the choice of eating something and then doing an extra 20 minutes of exercise to burn that special treat, I would CHOOSE to skip the food. But, sometimes, the food was totally worth it! And then I didn't mind that extra exercise at all. If you're going to a party or out to dinner with friends, exercise BEFORE you go and add in the extra time to burn those extra calories. I would never succeed if I thought I could NEVER have a glass of wine, some chocolate, or a nice steak again in my life. But, with the Body Bugg I can plan for that and still lose weight. That is just beautiful to me!
7. Water....lots and lots of water! Seriously. Drink a lot of water. When I was hard-core losing, I was drinking a lot of water. In addition to flushing out all that bad stuff, my skin looked great, my hair was awesome, and I felt generally better. I can tell that even right now I'm not drinking as much and I don't feel quite right. Can't stand more water? Crystal Lite packets....mix it in and drink down another serving!
8. Change ONE thing per week. Yeah, I said ONE. Hell, if that's too much, change one thing per MONTH. The point is, Rome wasn't built in a day and you're not going to conquer all of your weight loss issues in a few weeks. Start with small changes. If you drink regular soda, either switch to diet or mix 1/2 diet and 1/2 regular until you can get yourself off the regular soda. If you eat out all the time, start packing your lunch for work. Take a look at your life and make a list of the really bad habits that you have. Change one at a time into a good habit and then move on to the next one.
9. Finally, don't give UP! You're gonna have a bad day and not log food. Or, you're going to gain one week. Or you're just going to get tired of logging food and measuring and weighing, and it's all going to seem not worth it. But, stick with it...push through. Because it's not just weight we're talking about. It's health...it's your LIFE. I would've never imagined that losing those 70 pounds would make such a difference on not only my physical health, but my mental health as well. Don't get me wrong, I was happy before, but now it's a different kind of happiness. I was the 265 pound woman that was confident and happy with who I was....or that's what I told myself anyway. Now, at 195, I can tell you that I'm happier on a whole different level. I fit better into life. I can play with my kids and not get winded. I can cross my legs and not feel pain, and even look down at my muscular calf and think "wow...my legs are starting to look pretty damned good". Don't give up...your life is worth enjoying and you will be amazed at how much better you can feel.
There are probably more tips that I could share, but for now, that's it. Millions of us will make those New Years Resolutions, and plenty of those resolutions will include weight loss or lifestyle changes. Good luck to you on your journey and remember that YOU are in control!
