Weight Loss Motivation Time

So I have been trying to lose some weight for a while now and it seems like I'm not getting the results I want.  But then I'm only measuring one thing.  My weight,  seemed like a good idea to me, I'm trying to lose weight so I why would I measure my progress in another way?

Well I think I'm going to have to reevaluate....I keep gaining and losing the same 5 pounds every week. So I think two things need to be changed, one is my workout routine and the other is measuring other goals for myself other than pounds lost.  So I'm going to think more about my overall fitness level/ endurance and strength and setting smaller goals to focus on.

Now I have noticed more endurance on the part of my lungs for sure.  I quit smoking 4 months ago so that is also a huge impact on my aerobic abilities.  But I feel good when I walk I'm not gasping for air as much nor do my lungs hurt after only a little bit of working out.  

Last week I added walking for a half hour to my daily workout routine, I find it it's a great way to release stress, be by myself and just work out in the open air. After my first walk my arm, shins and feet were KILLING me! I found an article on SparkPeople about the proper way to walk.  Which I thought was silly since I have bee walking most of my life! But it turns out most of us are walking improperly, I usually drag my feet and over pronate.  While the only thing I can do to stop over pronating is correct foot wear I had no idea that dragging my feet would cause aches and pains in my legs.  Rolling heal to toe and lifting the foot up off the ground is the right way, making sure your toes face the front and not inward or outward.  I know I know, we all know this!  But do we practice it?  Think about it the next time you walk, I bet you will find you are doing it wrong.
I also read that your arms should be bent at the elbow like a runners while walking to lose weight.  This helps to propel you forwards without taking too large of a stride.

This week I have incorporated jogging 1/3 round the track every other lap.  I plan to work up to half the track, then jog each lap, eventually working up to jogging a whole lap.  It's been a long time since I have been able to do that!

Ok so my weeks goals are:

1, to walk/run 5 days this week
2, not weight myself
3, read a motivating article about nutrition and fitness everyday
4, reduce stress with yoga

Wish me luck!  I will post my progress next week.