I did not have high expectations for this week. I didn't exercise much towards the beginning of the week, due to getting over my cold. I didn't do my strength training until Saturday, which tends to make me retain a little water. My period is expected soon. I ate too much popcorn at the movie theater yesterday. (My husband and I took our kids to see brave, the first time we had gone to the movies as a family. We had popcorn because we so rarely go to the movies, and it was a special treat.) Otherwise, I've been doing okay, but felt especialy bad about the popcorn. I know--I need to forgive myself about the popcorn and move on.
Well, the scale, to my surprise, pronounced me 134.2 this morning, down almost half a pound from last week. So, this week I'm going to work very hard and try and get on the other side of 134 for next week (I have seen the lovely 133's on the scale some mornings). Getting so close to the 120's again!
One thing I learned from Thin for Life is that successful maintainers set reasonable goals. Setting a goal of 10 pounds in a month for July was not a reasonable goal for a busy mother of 2 children who doesn't have very much weight to lose. Sure, if I went to a weight loss camp and burned a ton of calories every day, I could do it, but it would be very difficult and time consuming for me to do that in conjunction with my responsibilities at home. Five pounds might have been a reasonable goal, but 3-4 is probably what I'm going to get.
I'm not discouraged or sad that I'm not going to lose 10 pounds this month, and the idea of it did motivate me at the beginning of the month. As much as I want to be at my goal, I have to remind myself that even when I'm "done" losing weight, I'm not going to be "done" ever. I will have to watch my eating and exercise habits for the rest of my life. And that's okay--most fit people do, and I can too.
One great thing that has happened is that my jean shorts fit again. Actually, they are too loose. I have lost five pounds, apparently mostly off my waist, and I must have built up muscle over the months too. In late spring, my shorts were unwearable because they were so tight. Now I have inches to spare and really should retire them. It's kind of confusing actually. These are not shorts from when I was at my thinnest--they are from when I had put on some weight--I picked them up at a yard sale. My other shorts are still a little snug, but I can wear them. Hopefully, by the end of the summer, they will be really comfortable again.
I got some new videos, one Biggest Loser, one Bob Harper, and one Jillian. (Yes, I'm a fan of the show.) I hope to review them in the coming weeks. I'm only now feeling over my cold enough to do them.
Originally, had decided to tie my weight loss to my clothing budget and only buy clothes for myself when I had lost weight or maintained my goal weight. I decided this was a bad idea for me. I need to look nice no matter what my weight, so I have bought clothes that should continue to fit me at my goal weight. When I reach my goal, however, I will get myself a refurbished iTouch. I really want one!
Overall, I'm pleased with my results today and planning on working very hard next week.
Losing the Last 14 (One More Time)
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Book Review: Thin for Life
I just finished reading Thin for Life by Anne M. Fletcher. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and I recommend it to anyone wanting some encouragement about maintaining their weight loss.
This book describes people who have maintained a weight loss, describes how they do it, and discusses why these people may not show up in studies. There is so much negativity out there about how it's "impossible" to keep weight off. This is contrary to my own experience and that of people I know. According to the fat acceptance circles, you lose weight, and then you gain even more back, and continue a viscious cycle. I've yo-yo'd a little over the past 9 years, but each time the string gets shorter. My husband has kept about 40 pounds off fo the past 9 years. He'd like to be 180, sometimes gets up to 200, and is generally about 190. (He's a tall, broad-shouldered and devastatingly handsome man.)
Anyway, this book is very encouraging. There were several things that were particularly helpful to me. The first was that it's okay not to be in love with the way you look in a bathing suit at your goal weight. It's really okay. I needed to hear that so badly. When I got to my goal 2 years ago and didn't have that washboard stomach, I felt like I wasn't done, even though I was within my BMI range for my height, even though I had a healthy amount of muscle, and even though I felt great. (The tummy didn't go away, by the way, when I continued past my goal.) I will get to 125 and just keep doing cardio, strength, and work on my core, but I give myself permission to be happy with my weight even if I don't look like someone on TV or in a magazine. (As my husband reminded me, even those people don't actually look like that.)
Another thing that was interesting to read was that maintainers eat very similarly to how they ate while they were losing weight. So, when I go to maintain, I've decided I should keep my calories the same, but have a glass of wine once a day, a sugar free coffee drink, or perhaps another small treat. This is really helpful.
Third, it's essential to have a "line in the sand." I originally was gonig to make it 125, but I've decided to make it 127, although I may change my mind and lower it depending on how my weight loss goes. If I get up to 127, I have to cut back a little on food, and step up my exercise. This is so I don't end up with 15 extra pounds to lose, like I did this time. This is what maintainers do, and what people who have never been overweight do. They cut back or exercise more when they see the scale creeping up, or their clothes get tight.
There are a lot more useful ideas in the book, but those were the ones that were particularly helpful to me. The one thing I didn't like was the emphasis on low-fat eating. For those of us with insulin resistence, I believe studies have shown that a low-carb approach can be more helpful. It seems like recent research has shown some people do better with one approach or the other.
Overall, this is a very useful and motivating book.
This book describes people who have maintained a weight loss, describes how they do it, and discusses why these people may not show up in studies. There is so much negativity out there about how it's "impossible" to keep weight off. This is contrary to my own experience and that of people I know. According to the fat acceptance circles, you lose weight, and then you gain even more back, and continue a viscious cycle. I've yo-yo'd a little over the past 9 years, but each time the string gets shorter. My husband has kept about 40 pounds off fo the past 9 years. He'd like to be 180, sometimes gets up to 200, and is generally about 190. (He's a tall, broad-shouldered and devastatingly handsome man.)
Anyway, this book is very encouraging. There were several things that were particularly helpful to me. The first was that it's okay not to be in love with the way you look in a bathing suit at your goal weight. It's really okay. I needed to hear that so badly. When I got to my goal 2 years ago and didn't have that washboard stomach, I felt like I wasn't done, even though I was within my BMI range for my height, even though I had a healthy amount of muscle, and even though I felt great. (The tummy didn't go away, by the way, when I continued past my goal.) I will get to 125 and just keep doing cardio, strength, and work on my core, but I give myself permission to be happy with my weight even if I don't look like someone on TV or in a magazine. (As my husband reminded me, even those people don't actually look like that.)
Another thing that was interesting to read was that maintainers eat very similarly to how they ate while they were losing weight. So, when I go to maintain, I've decided I should keep my calories the same, but have a glass of wine once a day, a sugar free coffee drink, or perhaps another small treat. This is really helpful.
Third, it's essential to have a "line in the sand." I originally was gonig to make it 125, but I've decided to make it 127, although I may change my mind and lower it depending on how my weight loss goes. If I get up to 127, I have to cut back a little on food, and step up my exercise. This is so I don't end up with 15 extra pounds to lose, like I did this time. This is what maintainers do, and what people who have never been overweight do. They cut back or exercise more when they see the scale creeping up, or their clothes get tight.
There are a lot more useful ideas in the book, but those were the ones that were particularly helpful to me. The one thing I didn't like was the emphasis on low-fat eating. For those of us with insulin resistence, I believe studies have shown that a low-carb approach can be more helpful. It seems like recent research has shown some people do better with one approach or the other.
Overall, this is a very useful and motivating book.
Monday, July 9, 2012
Weekly Weigh-in
I weighed in yesterday at 134.6. Hurray! 134.6! That's the lowest point since February, when I was painfully charting my weight creeping up. That's the good news. The bad news is that I've been fighting a cold for the past few days, so haven't been able to exercise. Many people can exercise through a cold, but I've found that it just makes me feel terrible, possibly because of my slight asthma. Also, it's been about 100 degrees here every day, which is even more miserable when you have a cold. I might have gone for a slow walk, but I think the 100 degrees on top of the
So, I watched about a million episodes of the Biggest Loser on Netflix this weekend. Yesterday, that's basically all that I did. It was great. I would have rather been moving around, but a TV binge when you're sick is kind of nice. It's nice that my kids are old enough where I can actually do that. Especially since my husband was home and willing to take them away for a while. I also find the Biggest Loser to be extremely motivating. Right now I wish I could go to "Fitness Ridge" for 2-4 weeks and get rid of my extra pounds. But, alas, I am not rich.
I've also been reading a book called Thin For Life, which has also been motivational to me. I'll try and post a review of it here when I'm finished.
I'm very, very happy about breaking 135. My next goal is to get into the 133's. One step at a time.
So, I watched about a million episodes of the Biggest Loser on Netflix this weekend. Yesterday, that's basically all that I did. It was great. I would have rather been moving around, but a TV binge when you're sick is kind of nice. It's nice that my kids are old enough where I can actually do that. Especially since my husband was home and willing to take them away for a while. I also find the Biggest Loser to be extremely motivating. Right now I wish I could go to "Fitness Ridge" for 2-4 weeks and get rid of my extra pounds. But, alas, I am not rich.
I've also been reading a book called Thin For Life, which has also been motivational to me. I'll try and post a review of it here when I'm finished.
I'm very, very happy about breaking 135. My next goal is to get into the 133's. One step at a time.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Mid-week update
I've had a good week so far, since deciding to really "get serious" on July 1. I have to admit that I only logged my calories the first day, and I've made a deal with myself that I will have to log calories if I can't control my eating. This gets me to control it. I HATE recording stuff like that. I didn't like sparkpeople either. If I do record calories, I'll have to get back into fitday or try another calorie counting page. If you have any recommendations, please include them in the comments.
I've been good about walking the dog in the mornings. Unfortunately, we don't do more than 1-2 miles because of the heat. I'm fine with the heat, but my Corgi isn't. Dogs can't sweat. He loves the cold though. I have to be careful with him above 70 degrees and really careful with him above 80 degrees.
On Monday, I went to Zumba class at the YMCA. It was fun. I'm a terrible dancer, so I have trouble following the moves, but I just tried to keep moving. I was happy when we did a dance that included jumping jacks--at least I can do those. I was sore after the class. On Tuesday, I went to yoga at the Y. I was surprised to see that the teacher resembled Santa Claus, albeit thinner. I enjoyed th class, although it wasn't much of a workout. We spent at least 15 minutes in corpse pose. But I felt a lot better aftewards.
Today, in addition to our little walk, I did my strength exercises, and I did 45 minutes on my stationary bike. I was also at the pool for a couple of hours, but that mostly consisted of floating with a noodle.
My calorie intake has been good, probably around 1200-1400 a day, but more today, since we had some special holiday meals. I've been trying to eat just enough to stave off hunger. I'll just keeping trying.
I'm considering going down to about 124 pounds (my official goal is 125) and making 127 the weight at which I start dieting again. I think that seems like a good range.
I'm feeling good about myself. The exercise makes me feel happy with my body. It's a little thicker than I would prefer, but I like it. The muscles on my legs and arms are obvious now. I got a tan through my sunscreen, and I like being light brown.
I realized that some of my lingerie fits again, and that makes me happy.
I also wanted to buy a new swimsuit from Target, since my favorite one is from Target, and it fits nicely. I thought it was a medium, so I was debating whether to buy a medium or small. I looked at the tag on my suit, and it's a small. I couldn't find one in the right size, sadly, but I am very glad that the small is fitting well again.
Overall, a very good day--I'm feeling good enough that it's quite an effort to motivate myself to continue losing these pounds, but I know I'll be even gladder when they are gone.
I've been good about walking the dog in the mornings. Unfortunately, we don't do more than 1-2 miles because of the heat. I'm fine with the heat, but my Corgi isn't. Dogs can't sweat. He loves the cold though. I have to be careful with him above 70 degrees and really careful with him above 80 degrees.
On Monday, I went to Zumba class at the YMCA. It was fun. I'm a terrible dancer, so I have trouble following the moves, but I just tried to keep moving. I was happy when we did a dance that included jumping jacks--at least I can do those. I was sore after the class. On Tuesday, I went to yoga at the Y. I was surprised to see that the teacher resembled Santa Claus, albeit thinner. I enjoyed th class, although it wasn't much of a workout. We spent at least 15 minutes in corpse pose. But I felt a lot better aftewards.
Today, in addition to our little walk, I did my strength exercises, and I did 45 minutes on my stationary bike. I was also at the pool for a couple of hours, but that mostly consisted of floating with a noodle.
My calorie intake has been good, probably around 1200-1400 a day, but more today, since we had some special holiday meals. I've been trying to eat just enough to stave off hunger. I'll just keeping trying.
I'm considering going down to about 124 pounds (my official goal is 125) and making 127 the weight at which I start dieting again. I think that seems like a good range.
I'm feeling good about myself. The exercise makes me feel happy with my body. It's a little thicker than I would prefer, but I like it. The muscles on my legs and arms are obvious now. I got a tan through my sunscreen, and I like being light brown.
I realized that some of my lingerie fits again, and that makes me happy.
I also wanted to buy a new swimsuit from Target, since my favorite one is from Target, and it fits nicely. I thought it was a medium, so I was debating whether to buy a medium or small. I looked at the tag on my suit, and it's a small. I couldn't find one in the right size, sadly, but I am very glad that the small is fitting well again.
Overall, a very good day--I'm feeling good enough that it's quite an effort to motivate myself to continue losing these pounds, but I know I'll be even gladder when they are gone.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Could I really finish this?
So, I counted my calories today and came up with a grand total of 1274. Pretty good. I may have a little bit of cheese before I go to bed to keep away the hunger and keep my blood sugar stable. I also did a dance video and rode my exercise bike for 30 minutes. I read some articles stating that there really isn't any health reason not to diet down to 1200 calories or so, and as short as I am, I think that's where I need to be. When I weighed 155, I lost weight by dropping down to 2000 calories (while exercising). I don't that that cuts it anymore, although I really don't know how much I've been eating lately. It could have been that much or more.
We went out to Panera for dinner, and I made choices that were several hundred calories less than my usual ones. They did push me over my carb count for the day, sadly.
It's possible I could drop these silly 10 pounds in a month and be done. And actually work on maintaining, which is what this silly blog is supposed to be about. I'm going to stick to my diet as well as possible. Unfortunately, Friday is my husband's birthday, and he wants us to go to the Cheesecake Factory, which will result in us taking home either a whole cheesecake or individual cheesecakes. I'll have to decide if I'm going to partake. Also, all the entrees there are HUGE and delicious, another dilemna.
We went out to Panera for dinner, and I made choices that were several hundred calories less than my usual ones. They did push me over my carb count for the day, sadly.
It's possible I could drop these silly 10 pounds in a month and be done. And actually work on maintaining, which is what this silly blog is supposed to be about. I'm going to stick to my diet as well as possible. Unfortunately, Friday is my husband's birthday, and he wants us to go to the Cheesecake Factory, which will result in us taking home either a whole cheesecake or individual cheesecakes. I'll have to decide if I'm going to partake. Also, all the entrees there are HUGE and delicious, another dilemna.
Weekly Weigh-In
Weighed in at 136.8 today. UGH.
The only thing left to do is what I should have been doing all along: count calories. I'm going to try to stay below 1500 calories each day. I also decided, rather arbitrarily, to stay below 60 carbs a day.
I used to use Fitday to track my calories, but I couldn't log in to their site today, and they didn't instantly send me a link to reset my password, so I decided to try a site I haven't used before, SparkPeople.
All I can say is that it SUCKS to lose weight when you don't have a lot to lose. But it's still better than having a lot to lose.
I've been afraid to track my calories because I know I eat too much. But why should I be afraid, when this will stop me from eating too much? When I lost a lot of weight 2 years ago (went from about 160 to 120), I only tracked my calories at first. After that, I got use to a lower caloric intake and was able to tell when I had eaten enough by how full I felt. I hope that happens again. I will need to continue to weigh myself after I reach my goal to see if I need to count calories again.
It is also possible that I will need to count calories for the rest of my life, if I want to maintain at my goal weight. With today's technology, that shouldn't be a problem, although a smartphone sure would help. Oh, well.
The only thing left to do is what I should have been doing all along: count calories. I'm going to try to stay below 1500 calories each day. I also decided, rather arbitrarily, to stay below 60 carbs a day.
I used to use Fitday to track my calories, but I couldn't log in to their site today, and they didn't instantly send me a link to reset my password, so I decided to try a site I haven't used before, SparkPeople.
All I can say is that it SUCKS to lose weight when you don't have a lot to lose. But it's still better than having a lot to lose.
I've been afraid to track my calories because I know I eat too much. But why should I be afraid, when this will stop me from eating too much? When I lost a lot of weight 2 years ago (went from about 160 to 120), I only tracked my calories at first. After that, I got use to a lower caloric intake and was able to tell when I had eaten enough by how full I felt. I hope that happens again. I will need to continue to weigh myself after I reach my goal to see if I need to count calories again.
It is also possible that I will need to count calories for the rest of my life, if I want to maintain at my goal weight. With today's technology, that shouldn't be a problem, although a smartphone sure would help. Oh, well.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
I am so tired, but in a good way
My kids are at camp (mornings only) this week, so, even though I have a billion things I need to do, I decided to use the time to exercise. Mostly walking, with a little couch-to-5K sprinkled in. Because my schedule is constantly changing, I've decided I have to plan out my exercise in advance for each week. So, this week is walking and walking and walking and a little running.
Next week, I hope to be able to do some classes at the Y.
Eating has been pretty good. I have decided to eat veggie wraps for lunch, until I get tired of them. The veggies come from my garden or the farmer's market, so they are full of flavor. I sautee onions and squash in butter, mix them with fresh cucumber and tomato, goat cheese, and I put everything on a couple of Trader Joe's low carb tortillas. Yummy.
I did go out with friends last night, going out for pizza with friends on Thursday night, and out to lunch at Panera on Saturday. So, that is not all that good. Also, my husband made brownies last night.
I would love, love, love to be in the 134's on the scale on Sunday. We'll see. I'm going to do my strength training before we head for the pool.
Next week, I hope to be able to do some classes at the Y.
Eating has been pretty good. I have decided to eat veggie wraps for lunch, until I get tired of them. The veggies come from my garden or the farmer's market, so they are full of flavor. I sautee onions and squash in butter, mix them with fresh cucumber and tomato, goat cheese, and I put everything on a couple of Trader Joe's low carb tortillas. Yummy.
I did go out with friends last night, going out for pizza with friends on Thursday night, and out to lunch at Panera on Saturday. So, that is not all that good. Also, my husband made brownies last night.
I would love, love, love to be in the 134's on the scale on Sunday. We'll see. I'm going to do my strength training before we head for the pool.
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