Though I'd like to lose more, I think 15% is a very manageable initial goal that sets me up for success. Some major life changes, as well as menopause have caused me to gain a lot of weight in the last few years. It's to the point that working out is tough because I am so very out of shape. I've instituted nightly walks with Husband. Not that 25-30 minutes of walking is going to change much, but this is also about health, and I know I need to move more so having that daily bit of activity can only help.
I did a HIIT workout today. I am pretty sure I died. It was supposed to take about 30 minutes, including warm up, cool down and stretching. It took me about an hour. But I didn't quit. I took my time and rested as much as I felt I needed to, and I muddled through while keeping decent technique. I am also considering purchasing a treadmill. On one hand, this seems silly as I have free access to a gym a mile and a half from my house. But I am supremely self-conscious about how out of shape I am, and the idea of being the fat girl struggling to jog holds me back. Yes, I know that most people aren't paying attention to others at the gym, but if this is my hang up, money on a treadmill might be a wise investment. For someone who used to (a long time ago) be in wonderful shape, it's pretty demoralizing. But I can change that. I will change that.
I'm also trying to find some easy, quick, healthy meals to add in to the rotation. I hate cooking, I hate cleaning, and I live in a place with limited access to foods I'm used to. I love one pot and crockpot meals, and I need to find more than don't include cream, cheese, and other high calorie items. And I need to cut myself off from eating after dinner, or find healthy low calorie snacks and "schedule" one of those and only one after dinner.
And I'm hoping to get Husband on board with not buying soda. It is isn't here, I won't miss it, and he could stand to get healthier as well. I have two pitchers of water I keep in the fridge. I may start adding fruit to one to make flavored water. That's on my grocery list for today.