Week 4 - Blah

Day 30, January 30th, 2010

Weight: 142.2

Loss from Last week: +0.6
Total Weight Lost: 8.5lbs

Arrgg....not sure what happened this week. Well, I lie. I did pretty well on calories, but not so good on exercise. I didn't do anything Wed-today, so that's probably why. I started feeling like I was getting a cold on Tuesday, so by Wednesday I had no energy. Sigh. When I weighed on Tuesday it read 140.8, so I'm not sure what happened. There is a possibility that my period is coming soon, so that might be to blame too. Anyhow, hopefully this little cold thing goes away over the weekend and I can be back on track on Monday.

I think that I am going to step it up on the exercise and start the interval running workout that I found. I think that would help the numbers too- maybe I'm on a mini-plateau? I can definitely run for several minutes without a problem, so I'll see how it goes. I also think that even by breaking the rules slightly by eating different foods- tortilla chips and cheese for example (It was a small plate! 350 calories!!!) that it throws off the cycle because of the refined sugars and flours. I don't know!

Anyhow...must try harder this week. I can't believe it's been 30 days already! Even with the weird gain, 8.5lbs in a month is not too bad. At least I didn't gain 8.5lbs...Imagine if I were writing a depressing blog about how I'm out of control and hate myself, blah, blah, blah. Now, if I'd said 159.2, then I'd be pissed.

There's a good amount of perspective on things!

Week 3

Day 22, January 22nd, 2010
Weight: 141.6
Loss from Last week: 2.5lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 9.1lbs

Woo Hoo! Feeling good this week about the overall numbers! Seems too good to be true, although I can feel the same feeling that I always do when I start this journey creeping up on me. It's really hard not to get frustrated when looking at the big picture. Yes, I'm right on track and right where I should be, but when I look at how far I have to go still it's hard. But, I must stand firm and just take it day by day and remember that it's all in preparation for the future and le bebe.

I don't think that you can tell that I've lost any weight because I think a lot of it has been water weight. I've read several articles that say that usually the first 5-8 lbs is water weight, but the number is certainly encouraging. I made a super nerdy spreadsheet yesterday that projects weight lost based on a lose of 2lbs per week so I know approximately when I'll hit different milestones. Again, difficult when you look at how long it will take, but in the big picture of life, what's a couple of months? Plus, my measly 30 lbs seems easy compared to someone that has say, 100 lbs to lose.

Pros for this week:
Total success on eating well! I'm averaging around 1350 calories per day, which is what is recommended on the Livestrong site for 2lbs per week weight loss. I've been drinking a ridiculous amount of water and I think that's really helping! As a treat when I hit 140, I'm going to have my friend Breanne cut and color my hair, so hopefully my next weekend, I'll have a mini-makeover.

Cons for this week:
I didn't exercise last night because we had a church meeting, so we didn't get home until 10, but I ate a diet meal for dinner so I think things evened out.

Goals for next week:
I haven't had a chance to go through the exercise DVDs that Kathi lent me, so I need to go through those this weekend and pick a couple for the weight training. Also, I'm wondering if I can do more on the treadmill than what I've been doing. The walking is pretty easy and I barely break a sweat, so I wonder if I should switch it up to a different workout I found. Maybe in two weeks I'll try out this version. It's the couch to 5k program that trains you to be able to run a 5k over a 3-month period. We shall see. Running is good, but hard on the body.

Until next week...

Random Thought...

While perusing the internet looking at my usual sites; news, email, exercise, clothing etc. I realized something that I think is a really good piece of motivation for weight loss. When you are thin, shopping for clothes is great- everything looks good! No thoughts in the back of your mind like, "Right. That would not make my rear look any smaller." or "If I do that, you'll see my flab belly." If you don't need to have those thoughts then all you have to really worry about is the color. Oh...And if it's sale or not.

Renewed Vigor...

Ugg. After an entire week of not working out and doing about 80% eating-wise of what I should be doing to lose this damn weight, I've got to get a grip and absolutely got to get on the stick this week!

My house guests are leaving today so by this evening, I'll have the house back to myself and won't feel so guilty doing my evening "routine". Although I know I could have been doing it the entire time they've been visiting, it's hard to feel like a good host if you are gone all day until 5:30, come home to workout for an hour, shower, cook dinner, and then cleanup from dinner- by then it's already 8pm!

Anyhow. Excuses, excuses. I am fueled today by the horrifying number on the scale. 146.9- How did I gain 2.8lbs. since Friday?! I'm assuming that I didn't drink enough water and ate too much garbage. I'm sure it's retained sodium or something, but I'll try to resist the urge to weigh again until this Friday. Last night I was bad and had popcorn, chips, a mini Butterfinger, some Resse's Peanut Butter Cups and MORE chocolate! Damn. Damn. Damn. Not even worth it, sadly.

I digress. Must get on the stick and back on the treadmill.

Big Plans...The Offical Week Two

Day 14, January 15th, 2010
Weight: 144.1
Loss from Last week: 1.5lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 6.6lbs
Dream Jeans: Right. Might need to hold off on the dream jeans for just a little while. The good news is that I feel like my work pants are a bit looser and don't put a strain on my stomach as much. My buttons aren't about to burst anymore...but still could use a lot more room. I'm excited to ditch my "semi-fat" pants.

I've maintained a pretty good eating schedule this week, which has been difficult because we've had house guests all week. I've been eating pretty much the same things over and over again while I'm at work and since we've had plans each night of the week I've been eating a Lean Cuisine meal at dinner for convenience. Not the greatest flavor and kind of unappetizing, but not too bad. Wednesday was a true test of my will power because we went to a FABULOUS dinner show that was filled with drinks and heavy dishes. I only ate half of each course but as usual, I went overboard on the vino! :) My weakness!

The daily routine has been as follows:
Breakfast:
Coffee with Fat Free Half and Half
1/2 Whole Wheat English Muffin
1 Tbs. Sugar free Blackberry Jam
1/2 cup cottage cheese


Mid-morning Snack:
Baby Carrots


Lunch:HUGE salad with diced deli ham with Caesar Vinaigrette and Bacos
Fuji Apple


Afternoon Snack:
Low-fat Yogurt
Handful of Almonds

Dinner:
Some days have been a Lean Cuisine meal and others I just try to eat low-fat and keep it under 500 calories.

Pros for this week:
My eating habits have been pretty good and feel like the eating routine is helping. Breakfast is definitely key as is the afternoon snack so I'm not famished by the time I get home. I have been really good about drinking a lot of water, which I also thinks helps. Beauty Note: Have been using the Clinque 3-step system all this week and my skin definitely looks better! Got my eyebrows done yesterday as a small reward to myself. Only 4.1 lbs to go till I'll get my hair cut and colored. Though depending on cash flow, I may just get a box hair dye and have it trimmed :) I think when I reach 135 I'll get a pedicure then 130 I'll buy a new outfit or two.


Cons for this week:
Ugg. Not a lick of exercise. Nada. Nothing. Not even once on the treadmill. Sigh. At least I didn't gain anything, and at least I've been 90% good with my calorie intake. My house guests leave on Monday, so on Tuesday it's ON! Kathi gave me an entire spindle of workout DVD's that I need to go through. A random mix of strength training, pilates, and cardio so I'll have a good selection. I just wish they weren't so cheesy! I also received my new workout shoes in the mail yesterday so that will make running a little easier.


Goals for next week:
EXERCISE. I sleep so much better when I exercise and even though it sounds crazy, I feel like each day I exercise my leg muscles are stronger. Plus, it definitely ups the speed of weight loss so it's a win-win. Tuesday my house will be back to normal so it's time to get serious. Again...watching the calories on drinking. It's crazy how easy it is to say, "Aww whatever..." after having a drink or two!

Until next week...

Big Plans...Week Two

I guess technically, it's the end of week one, but here are the standings...

Day 7, January 8th, 2010
Weight: 145.6
Total Weight Lost: 5.1lbs
Dream Jeans: Hmmm. First pair of three? Not so much. I can button them, but I don't think that I'd wear them out in public for fear that the button may explode or I'd rip the butt out when I sat down. Not too much progress there, as expected.

I was surprised by the number on the scale, but I think that the reason that it's such a dramatic loss so quickly is that I weighed last week the day after new year's and I had eaten waaaaaay too many chips and drank too many Bud Lights the night before, so I think that my body way full of garbage. Plus, I've been drinking water like a fiend and eating a lot of fiber, so I think my body is just flushing itself out. We'll see how next week goes. I think my friend Flow is coming next week so that will probably skew the number a bit.

Pros for this week:
I did the treadmill workout everyday- pretty easy, but enought to work up a little sweat, but not too much that I'm not too sore the next day. Also did at least 25 situps and butt-raise things each day as well. As far as eating goes, I've done pretty well too. One night I ate too much, but I think the average caloric intake for the week is pretty good. I'm right around 1400 per day, which is what worked for me last time.

Cons for this week:
As mentioned above, went a little overboard on the weekend. I need to practice self control :)

Goals for next week:
Do some strength training. My friend Kathi is going to give me an old weight set with a DVD, so I'd like to add that in at least twice a week.

Until next week...

Starting Fresh...

Something refreshing about starting off a new year...

I realize that I haven't blogged in forever, but after being glued to the computer all morning while Koa has been sleeping off last nights festivities, I don't feel too much like writing anything lengthy.

Anyhow, for what feels like the thousandth time in my life, my resolution this year is to lose some weight. 30 lbs to be exact...well, 35lbs would be ideal, but let's not get crazy here. Blech, the truth hurts sometimes...enough said, I need to get serious. I know exactly what to do after losing 30 lbs two years ago (f*ck it was that long ago?!) so all I need to do is get going.

Here's the plan: 1400 calorie diet and treadmill walking plan, both from Prevention Magazine. No need to go into details, I get it. Technically, I'm on day three, but after last night I feel like I should just call today day one.

So. Me and my big plans. I like to think if I write about it, maybe it will increase my accountability...

Day 1, January 1st, 2010
Weight: 150.7 Just typing that pisses me off.
Dream Jeans*: Ha. Not even close.

*The dream jeans are the prefect pair of Guess jeans that I bought while at my skinnest, and I only needed to lose about 5 lbs to make them fit perfectly. Now, I can barely get them up my legs. Pissed.

Until the next weight in...