Accidental Help: Making Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

I've never really been one to count calories, diet, or even check my weight until recently. I was invited to a birthday party by my mentor, and I knew there'd be a lot of dignitaries there, so I wanted to look nice and make a good first impression. I knew exactly what I was going to wear so I didn't make a fuss.

When my party dress didn't fit

On the morning of the event, I brought out my cherished sequined black dress to let it air out, as I hadn't worn it in a few months. For some reason, I decided to try it on; lo and behold, it didn't fit!

Panic set in! I had no alternative planned. The event was just a few hours away. Beads of sweat ran down my armpits onto my sides and I could feel my heart pounding in its cocoon deep within my chest.

For the first time in years, I brought out my scale from storage and stepped on it. I didn't like what I saw. I didn't like it at all!

A frantic drive to the mall

How did I put on all this weight? Scratch that! I know exactly how. Stress eating, late eating, comfort eating! Most of it from days and times restless legs syndrome wouldn't let me sleep.

I didn't have the magic to lose weight in 4 hours, so I did the next right thing (thank you Grand Pabbie and Princess Anna): I got into my car and drove to the mall. I struggled to find something I liked, and it didn't help that I detest shopping, but eventually, I did find something that worked. It also wasn't lost on me how the process of trying those clothes left me so so winded.

Making sustainable lifestyle and diet changes

The event went well, but I really started to feel very alien in my own skin, so I started to make a few changes that were sustainable.

I've learnt from past mistakes not to make huge lifestyle changes too quickly and all at once. I started with intermittent fasting and portioning. I started eating during a 12-hour window every day, between only 11 AM and 7 PM. I also started counting my calories; I'm still not good at it, so I just try to eat food that is as balanced as possible and stop once I feel full no matter what.

I also started drinking only water, and lots of it. I used to drink as little water as possible so as not to wake up at night to pee, because once I'm up, restless legs syndrome will never let me go back to sleep. I started taking supplements to help with any missing nutrients, too, and I have been taking a lot more walks since I haven't been going to the gym or actively working out since my treadmill accident.

This is the best I've felt in a long time

I haven't really lost much weight; however, I have noticed some other changes. I feel loads better, more alert, and most importantly, I've been sleeping for 5 hours straight each night for the last 3 weeks. I'm not exactly sure which of my new lifestyle choices is responsible for it; it could be a combination of all of them, but this is the best I've felt in so long, and it is definitely worth sharing.