No, no bangs. But I love that show. It makes me laugh so hard. And laughter is good for life. Tonight's episode was about the character Sheldon wanting to live longer and doing what he has to do to make that happen. Of course the outcomes are hilarious. He eats brussel sprouts one night and farts everyone out of the apartment. He tries to go running and falls down the stairs. He eventually decides to make a virtual self and sends this robot around to his work.
I think I'm doing better than eating only brussel sprouts and falling down stairs. Today's menu included some very good spinach rigatoni (Smart ones) and I still have points left for dessert (pudding) and had a strange green drink (looked like mouthwash) that my roommate made with Midori (2 points) and Blue Curacao (1 point) and diet 7up (0 points).
Sorry, I haven't been reading the magazines or the website recently. Should have something by the weekend. Meantime, keep tracking what you eat. Remember to move. And believe in yourself. Laughter helps. Being able to believe in your ability to do anything you put your mind to is priceless.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Week 9 Day 4 - Hump Day
Not much to say about today. Was a busy day. Feeling better. Went to work and still worked 6 hours. Came home and really wanted to curl up next to the cats and sleep in the sun.
But I had stuff to do so I'm settling for going to bed earlier than I have been. Getting enough sleep is important.
Been a while since I shared what I ate and I came in under my points so here's what I had:
4 oz Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, blackberry
4 pieces of light string cheese
1 cup tomato
Diet 7 up
2 cups Progresso Light Italian style vegetable soup
the last pack of Market Pantry (Target brand) cheese crackers
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
4 oz Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, vanilla
1 Jello Dulce Du Leche pudding cup (THIS IS SOOOOOOOO GOOD! and 1 point!)
1 vanilla coke zero
2 pieces Sara Lee bread
2 boca burgers (2 points each)
1 oz brandy (cause a friend came and gave me a GREAT deal on a bunch of booze, so 1.5 points is worth it)
1 cherry coke zero
1 Smart Ones Fiesta Quesadilla (4 points and great!)
one of my salads - 2 cups lettuce, 1 cup spinach, 1 cup cherry tomatos, 2 oz fat free feta, 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette (I need to get a new dressing, this is high in points)
And that's a lot of points, but for me? It's 1 less than I get in a day. And I will get less as the journey goes along. But it's fine. And I did some more calisthenics and weights for my arms, must remove the flaps.
Meanwhile, I gotta go to bed. Up to work again. The great thing? Boss is gone for a week. :)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
But I had stuff to do so I'm settling for going to bed earlier than I have been. Getting enough sleep is important.
Been a while since I shared what I ate and I came in under my points so here's what I had:
4 oz Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, blackberry
4 pieces of light string cheese
1 cup tomato
Diet 7 up
2 cups Progresso Light Italian style vegetable soup
the last pack of Market Pantry (Target brand) cheese crackers
1 cup lowfat cottage cheese
4 oz Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, vanilla
1 Jello Dulce Du Leche pudding cup (THIS IS SOOOOOOOO GOOD! and 1 point!)
1 vanilla coke zero
2 pieces Sara Lee bread
2 boca burgers (2 points each)
1 oz brandy (cause a friend came and gave me a GREAT deal on a bunch of booze, so 1.5 points is worth it)
1 cherry coke zero
1 Smart Ones Fiesta Quesadilla (4 points and great!)
one of my salads - 2 cups lettuce, 1 cup spinach, 1 cup cherry tomatos, 2 oz fat free feta, 2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette (I need to get a new dressing, this is high in points)
And that's a lot of points, but for me? It's 1 less than I get in a day. And I will get less as the journey goes along. But it's fine. And I did some more calisthenics and weights for my arms, must remove the flaps.
Meanwhile, I gotta go to bed. Up to work again. The great thing? Boss is gone for a week. :)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Week 9 Day 3 - Got to keep on movin.
Biggest Loser night tonight. Watching Jilian and Bob (yes even Bob, hilarious to see the gleam in his eye when the guy asked if they were almost done yet) put these people through the work outs on day 1 and 2. Man oh man. Puking and sweating. Looking like total hell. Crying.
I hadn't walked since Saturday so I got my yoga mat out and I started doing push ups, leg lifts, some weights for my arms and spent 10 minutes doing that. 10 minutes is NOTHING compared to what the people were doing on my tv. But when they were sitting in the kitchen talking about the things they used to eat and how much exercise they need to do to really speed up the weight loss I was thinking "that is me, that is something that I need to do. To put myself in that burning mode."
I need to make a yellow line for myself. And the exercise is what needs to happen. I am doing ok with my eating. I even counted out 14 Cheezits today (because I ate all the Target crackers) and instead of thinking that's not enough cracker - it was just right. Wow, the first guy stepped on the scale and lost 41 pounds. In 2 weeks. That's more than me in 9. Exercise. That's the key.
So, the mat will stay out in the living room and I will do this again in the morning. I can use what I'm watching on tv as a momentum, a reminder to keep going. Because I've done this before, lost weight by moving and watching what I ate. And I have to see this, to use this as my LIFE changer. Not just a passing fancy or fad.
Being aware of what I eat and what it does to me. They talked about that tonight, when looking at what the people were used to eating and holding it up and saying "THIS is what is killing you" - that's the stuff I have to look at. I've been eating very healthy stuff for over 2 months now. And it's not been difficult. I found a new favorite - Jello sugar free Dulce Du Leche. YUM. 1 point. Yummy goodness. And I found 100 calorie packs of popcorn. 1 point for the WHOLE BAG!! Way better than 7.5 for a bag. Still loving the progresso light soups. And those sandwich thins are my new pick for bread and bagels. I can't see going back to the other kind of bread. Sara Lee or Sandwich Thins and I found some bagel thins too.
I'm just going to keep doing this thing One day. One pound. One step at a time. (And maybe make a yellow line somewhere on my scale before weigh in day next Sunday...)
~N
I hadn't walked since Saturday so I got my yoga mat out and I started doing push ups, leg lifts, some weights for my arms and spent 10 minutes doing that. 10 minutes is NOTHING compared to what the people were doing on my tv. But when they were sitting in the kitchen talking about the things they used to eat and how much exercise they need to do to really speed up the weight loss I was thinking "that is me, that is something that I need to do. To put myself in that burning mode."
I need to make a yellow line for myself. And the exercise is what needs to happen. I am doing ok with my eating. I even counted out 14 Cheezits today (because I ate all the Target crackers) and instead of thinking that's not enough cracker - it was just right. Wow, the first guy stepped on the scale and lost 41 pounds. In 2 weeks. That's more than me in 9. Exercise. That's the key.
So, the mat will stay out in the living room and I will do this again in the morning. I can use what I'm watching on tv as a momentum, a reminder to keep going. Because I've done this before, lost weight by moving and watching what I ate. And I have to see this, to use this as my LIFE changer. Not just a passing fancy or fad.
Being aware of what I eat and what it does to me. They talked about that tonight, when looking at what the people were used to eating and holding it up and saying "THIS is what is killing you" - that's the stuff I have to look at. I've been eating very healthy stuff for over 2 months now. And it's not been difficult. I found a new favorite - Jello sugar free Dulce Du Leche. YUM. 1 point. Yummy goodness. And I found 100 calorie packs of popcorn. 1 point for the WHOLE BAG!! Way better than 7.5 for a bag. Still loving the progresso light soups. And those sandwich thins are my new pick for bread and bagels. I can't see going back to the other kind of bread. Sara Lee or Sandwich Thins and I found some bagel thins too.
I'm just going to keep doing this thing One day. One pound. One step at a time. (And maybe make a yellow line somewhere on my scale before weigh in day next Sunday...)
~N
Monday, September 27, 2010
Week 9 Day 2 - The Hard Way
Yeah, so losing weight because you feel like crap is quite over-rated. Well, maybe it's not even highly rated but yeah I am so ready to go back to work tomorrow. I know I'm sleeping and getting rest and not eating all my points so I am sure to lose more, but the headache, body ache, generalized crappiness can go away ANY TIME. Actually I do feel better. Just not 100%
So today was a sleep, read, sleep, go to the nearest grocery store and buy basics and return to my divet on the couch day. I got stuff for salad and soup and more of my Light & Fit yogurts and some Diet 7up (yeah, normally I'm not into that, but I was craving cherry 7up and now I just need to find some cherry flavoring to add to it - of I can just drink it and deal with it).
Tonight I will be having some more harvest stew (3 points per BIG bowl) and crackers and be very happy for my fuzzy blue robe and go to bed early.
I would assume I'm losing more pounds this week but I'm not counting on them being the kind of pounds that will stay off. (but they still count!)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
So today was a sleep, read, sleep, go to the nearest grocery store and buy basics and return to my divet on the couch day. I got stuff for salad and soup and more of my Light & Fit yogurts and some Diet 7up (yeah, normally I'm not into that, but I was craving cherry 7up and now I just need to find some cherry flavoring to add to it - of I can just drink it and deal with it).
Tonight I will be having some more harvest stew (3 points per BIG bowl) and crackers and be very happy for my fuzzy blue robe and go to bed early.
I would assume I'm losing more pounds this week but I'm not counting on them being the kind of pounds that will stay off. (but they still count!)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Week 9 - Weigh-in day
I'm still sick. In fact today there is an element of stomach bug that I'm feeling and oh boy, I really would like to NOT be stuck at home again tomorrow. Yesterday went out for dinner for a friend's birthday and had a half-sandwich and a salad and a diet coke. It was funny to hear the reaction from my friends that are used to my old ways. In the old days I would have had a plate of bread and a pot of fondue at this place, as well as several mojitos. And I might have shared some of the bread (MIGHT). ;) So a half sandwich with a salad and a diet soda was a big change. And I had a bbq chicken breast and some bbq'd asparagus, corn on the cob and a small salad for dinner. The thing I did NOT say no to was the fan-freakin-tastic chocolate cake with Guinnes/Irish Cream Gnosh frosting. OMG. I have no idea how many points but I ate it up.
So, being sick I haven't been very active and add on the chocolate cake I was a bit worried to stand on the scale this morning. But......I am now 4 pounds away from the next goal. T minus 26 pounds and counting!!!
Ok, that's about all the excitement I can stand for now. Going to go make some tea and watch football.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
So, being sick I haven't been very active and add on the chocolate cake I was a bit worried to stand on the scale this morning. But......I am now 4 pounds away from the next goal. T minus 26 pounds and counting!!!
Ok, that's about all the excitement I can stand for now. Going to go make some tea and watch football.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Friday, September 24, 2010
Week 8 Day 6 - Still sick
Still home with this cold. Sleeping a lot. Definately staying under my points. Soup, yogurt and tea along with lots of cold meds make me happy.
Of course having a laptop with netflix makes me happy too, as do my Sookie Stackhouse novels. This too shall pass and I'm hoping to feel better enough to go outside tomorrow.
Here's to jammies, hot water for showers and tea and soup. As the song says I'm "stayin alive".
One day. One pound. One day at a time.
~N
Of course having a laptop with netflix makes me happy too, as do my Sookie Stackhouse novels. This too shall pass and I'm hoping to feel better enough to go outside tomorrow.
Here's to jammies, hot water for showers and tea and soup. As the song says I'm "stayin alive".
One day. One pound. One day at a time.
~N
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week 8 Day 5 - Sick and tired
Well, what I thought was allergies for the last 2 or so weeks must not just be allergies cause I spent 80-90% of today asleep. Sneezing, coughing, headache. Yep, good old-fashioned cold. And for this I take the night-time sneezing, coughing, fever, so you can rest medicine - Nyquil. I buy the generic kind (cause if you look at the ingredients it makes zero difference if it is Walgreens or the actual Nyquil or Dayquil brand, just costs more) and I pop them like candy. Totally don't follow the maximun dose. And before you start writing in to tell me that's dangerous. I know. I don't mix them with other stuff and I don't go too far. Just enough to knock me out so I can sleep and get rid of this.
So I did not exercise today, except to walk to the bathroom and kitchen and back to my bed. And I had the soup that my roommate made yesterday. The thing is - I looked up the ingredients on the ww website today and I am afraid that it might be an 8 or 10 point per bowl soup. Yikes. Potato, celery, onion, squash, boullion, garlic, mushrooms and vegetable broth add up. The site has a build your own recipe thing where you enter the ingredients and that's what I came up with. So, I didn't eat much but that soup is costly. The more you know the more you realize you have to watch it. And the more I realize how little I paid attention to what I ate. I have this erroneous thought process that says "if it's soup it must be low calorie" (except for the cheddar broccoli stuff) and now that I'm paying close attention I realize just how easy it is to slip into that pattern that will pack on the pounds. And I'm not doing that.
In one of my brief awake states today I watched an episode of Nip/Tuck on Netflix and there was this lady that was literally fused to her couch. She had back pain and in order to not be in pain she stayed on the couch. Her fear of pain led to her becoming one with her couch. They had to cut the side of her house open to move her out and put her on a back loader and take her to the hospital where she eventually died. That type of life is one that I have a deep, dark fear of ever having. I realize that I am actually not headed anywhere near that direction. And that's great, but I think knowing that that exact scenario could indeed happen to someone is great motivation to get up and do stuff.
So, not working again tomorrow. I need to kick this bug completely and sleep will help. And lots of water, tea and Lifewater. And I think that tomorrow I will do some yoga. Don't really feel like walking is a realistic option but yoga is.
Hope each of you is well. I have a feeling there are a lot of different bugs going around out there so, rest up, get your rest and drink lots of fluids. This too shall pass.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
So I did not exercise today, except to walk to the bathroom and kitchen and back to my bed. And I had the soup that my roommate made yesterday. The thing is - I looked up the ingredients on the ww website today and I am afraid that it might be an 8 or 10 point per bowl soup. Yikes. Potato, celery, onion, squash, boullion, garlic, mushrooms and vegetable broth add up. The site has a build your own recipe thing where you enter the ingredients and that's what I came up with. So, I didn't eat much but that soup is costly. The more you know the more you realize you have to watch it. And the more I realize how little I paid attention to what I ate. I have this erroneous thought process that says "if it's soup it must be low calorie" (except for the cheddar broccoli stuff) and now that I'm paying close attention I realize just how easy it is to slip into that pattern that will pack on the pounds. And I'm not doing that.
In one of my brief awake states today I watched an episode of Nip/Tuck on Netflix and there was this lady that was literally fused to her couch. She had back pain and in order to not be in pain she stayed on the couch. Her fear of pain led to her becoming one with her couch. They had to cut the side of her house open to move her out and put her on a back loader and take her to the hospital where she eventually died. That type of life is one that I have a deep, dark fear of ever having. I realize that I am actually not headed anywhere near that direction. And that's great, but I think knowing that that exact scenario could indeed happen to someone is great motivation to get up and do stuff.
So, not working again tomorrow. I need to kick this bug completely and sleep will help. And lots of water, tea and Lifewater. And I think that tomorrow I will do some yoga. Don't really feel like walking is a realistic option but yoga is.
Hope each of you is well. I have a feeling there are a lot of different bugs going around out there so, rest up, get your rest and drink lots of fluids. This too shall pass.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Week 8 Day 4 - All things being Equal
Today is a very special day. It is one of the 2 days of the year when the sun crosses the plane of the earth's equator and day and night are of equal length. An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. This year the autumnal Equinox (that occured today) also happened on the same day as the Harvest Moon, a full moon that is absolutely gorgeous and this won't happen again until 2029.
It is a time when people like me get to reflect on the concept of balance. And I feel like I've been working, for at least the last 8 weeks, on getting balance in my life. Today a co-worker and I talked about watching The Biggest Loser and how that motivates us. She got so motivated a few years ago that she started running and working out and got to where she ran a half-marathon. I cannot even imagine doing that. Walking up heartattack hill this morning made my lungs hurt and I'm still hacking and coughing. Altho, to be honest I'm not convinced that I don't have a cold. I've been telling myself that it's allergies for 2 weeks now...and the way I'm still wheezing makes me think "ok fine, maybe I'm fighting something."
But hey, if I am fighting something the really really great soup that my roommate made for dinner tonight will help. Being my short day I got off work early and went to the store and bought some groceries. I had decided that I wanted to celebrate the start of Fall, and use it as a time to re-focus and keep the motivation going. So I bought some potatos, squash, onions, shallots, celery and my roommate cooked it all into a fantastic soup that I'm going to enjoy again tomorrow. Nature's bounty and mmm-mmm good.
Keeping things in balance means getting up and walking. Getting good rest. Drinking enough water and eating good food. Doing my best at work and keeping my eye on the goals I set for myself. All things being equal, this isn't a bad time to be on this journey and Fall brings soup weather and the right soups are low points!! ;)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
Happy Fall.
~N
It is a time when people like me get to reflect on the concept of balance. And I feel like I've been working, for at least the last 8 weeks, on getting balance in my life. Today a co-worker and I talked about watching The Biggest Loser and how that motivates us. She got so motivated a few years ago that she started running and working out and got to where she ran a half-marathon. I cannot even imagine doing that. Walking up heartattack hill this morning made my lungs hurt and I'm still hacking and coughing. Altho, to be honest I'm not convinced that I don't have a cold. I've been telling myself that it's allergies for 2 weeks now...and the way I'm still wheezing makes me think "ok fine, maybe I'm fighting something."
But hey, if I am fighting something the really really great soup that my roommate made for dinner tonight will help. Being my short day I got off work early and went to the store and bought some groceries. I had decided that I wanted to celebrate the start of Fall, and use it as a time to re-focus and keep the motivation going. So I bought some potatos, squash, onions, shallots, celery and my roommate cooked it all into a fantastic soup that I'm going to enjoy again tomorrow. Nature's bounty and mmm-mmm good.
Keeping things in balance means getting up and walking. Getting good rest. Drinking enough water and eating good food. Doing my best at work and keeping my eye on the goals I set for myself. All things being equal, this isn't a bad time to be on this journey and Fall brings soup weather and the right soups are low points!! ;)
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
Happy Fall.
~N
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Week 8 Day 2 & 3 - The good, the bad, the motivators
I have a confession to make. I hate reality tv. I love TV but I don't love reality tv. I watch only 2 of the myriad of shows that call themselves reality. One is Big Brother. And the other is the Biggest Loser. I have watched BL off and on for several years. I have watched it while sitting on the couch, lying in bed. Eating. Sitting. Sometimes I watched it and started doing exercises. But I never followed it through.
Tonight I flat out BAWLED watching some of these stories. One girl in particular was doing everything she could to do the 500 step challenge but she collapsed before she could finish and got taken to the hospital. And she was so heartbroken that she couldn't go on and go to the ranch to compete. And all I could think was "would I be that determined?" To stand up there in a sports bra and clingy (ugly) shorts and weigh in on national television. I would be embarrassed. I would not want to show my face or my name. Sure, writing this blog is one thing. Most (if not all) of you that read this thing are here because I told you about it. And you know my name but you don't know the #s I'm working off. And I'm not ready or willing to tell you the starting number. I might. Some day.
I watched these people who are determined to change their lives. Sure, some of them might be in it for the fame/infamy that comes from these shows. This is why I do not like reality tv. But most of these people are ready and willing to honestly and literally work their asses off. And I want the outcome. I want that success story. I love that my roommate is able to see changes in me. That my co-worker told me I was going to have to get some new pants because these are falling off. That another co-worker told me "the walking is working". But I have to be willing to get up tomorrow morning and walk up heart attack hill and keep going. Because I want the outcome. And it's not going to happen if I get comfortable.
Yeah. Comfortable. I am getting used to this routine of counting points. That's one thing. And it's almost a habit. I haven't gone completely off the diet once (ok there was the pea salad incident but even then I still had my weekly points) but I also haven't made the exercise regular. I did walking, some great long walks even. (6 miles at the lake was awesome.) But lately I've found excuses to not get up in the morning and walk ("I'm tired, I'll go later." "It's raining, I'll do the Wii." "I don't want to.") and even when walking is a way to get out of work (literally) I haven't done it. Sitting on my ass hasn't worked for me. And it's not going to get me that outcome.
I know that if I were on The Biggest Loser I would want Bob as my trainer but I would NEED Jillian. I would loathe her. Despise her. And need her. Nice is one thing but put someone in front of me that tells me I CAN'T do it?? ooooooh (insert cartoon picture here with steam blowing out of my ears and the top off of my head) Mind you, I know that Bob can be hard on his team and Jillian can be kind. But they have different styles. And I know for sure which one I'd need.
So, today I did go over my points. By 3. And yet I am still proud of myself. I was 1 away from the total and I was still hungry and really wanted a sandwich. Instead I made myself a salad. Cucumber, orange pepper, cherry tomatos, not even 1/16th of a cup of fat free feta, 2 cups of fresh spinach and 2 tablespoons of Lighthouse Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. 1 point for the feta and 3 points for the dressing. The rest of the day was pretty much the same as I've been having - yogurt, fat free cottage cheese, baby carrots, sandwich thins with tofurky turky slices (my new fave) and a slice of provolone, Progresso soup with the crackers I love and if I hadn't given in and eaten 1/2 of a bagel I would have only been 1 point over.
But it would still have been 1 point over. So tomorrow I get up and walk, it's my short day so I come home and do some work on the Wii. And I will not go over on my points. Jillian would be my trainer. So it's her voice I'll hear in the morning if I don't get up when the alarm goes off. And it's her voice I'll hear when I'm walking up that hill. And her voice when I think I need something tomorrow night that puts me over on points.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Tonight I flat out BAWLED watching some of these stories. One girl in particular was doing everything she could to do the 500 step challenge but she collapsed before she could finish and got taken to the hospital. And she was so heartbroken that she couldn't go on and go to the ranch to compete. And all I could think was "would I be that determined?" To stand up there in a sports bra and clingy (ugly) shorts and weigh in on national television. I would be embarrassed. I would not want to show my face or my name. Sure, writing this blog is one thing. Most (if not all) of you that read this thing are here because I told you about it. And you know my name but you don't know the #s I'm working off. And I'm not ready or willing to tell you the starting number. I might. Some day.
I watched these people who are determined to change their lives. Sure, some of them might be in it for the fame/infamy that comes from these shows. This is why I do not like reality tv. But most of these people are ready and willing to honestly and literally work their asses off. And I want the outcome. I want that success story. I love that my roommate is able to see changes in me. That my co-worker told me I was going to have to get some new pants because these are falling off. That another co-worker told me "the walking is working". But I have to be willing to get up tomorrow morning and walk up heart attack hill and keep going. Because I want the outcome. And it's not going to happen if I get comfortable.
Yeah. Comfortable. I am getting used to this routine of counting points. That's one thing. And it's almost a habit. I haven't gone completely off the diet once (ok there was the pea salad incident but even then I still had my weekly points) but I also haven't made the exercise regular. I did walking, some great long walks even. (6 miles at the lake was awesome.) But lately I've found excuses to not get up in the morning and walk ("I'm tired, I'll go later." "It's raining, I'll do the Wii." "I don't want to.") and even when walking is a way to get out of work (literally) I haven't done it. Sitting on my ass hasn't worked for me. And it's not going to get me that outcome.
I know that if I were on The Biggest Loser I would want Bob as my trainer but I would NEED Jillian. I would loathe her. Despise her. And need her. Nice is one thing but put someone in front of me that tells me I CAN'T do it?? ooooooh (insert cartoon picture here with steam blowing out of my ears and the top off of my head) Mind you, I know that Bob can be hard on his team and Jillian can be kind. But they have different styles. And I know for sure which one I'd need.
So, today I did go over my points. By 3. And yet I am still proud of myself. I was 1 away from the total and I was still hungry and really wanted a sandwich. Instead I made myself a salad. Cucumber, orange pepper, cherry tomatos, not even 1/16th of a cup of fat free feta, 2 cups of fresh spinach and 2 tablespoons of Lighthouse Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. 1 point for the feta and 3 points for the dressing. The rest of the day was pretty much the same as I've been having - yogurt, fat free cottage cheese, baby carrots, sandwich thins with tofurky turky slices (my new fave) and a slice of provolone, Progresso soup with the crackers I love and if I hadn't given in and eaten 1/2 of a bagel I would have only been 1 point over.
But it would still have been 1 point over. So tomorrow I get up and walk, it's my short day so I come home and do some work on the Wii. And I will not go over on my points. Jillian would be my trainer. So it's her voice I'll hear in the morning if I don't get up when the alarm goes off. And it's her voice I'll hear when I'm walking up that hill. And her voice when I think I need something tomorrow night that puts me over on points.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weigh-In Day. Rollin'. Rollin'. Rollin' on the river...
Big wheel keep on turnin'. Proud Mary keep on burnin'. Rollin'....... Ok, so I'm in a Tina Turner mood. The point is, that stone rolled over the hill. And I am at minus 22 pounds. 8 pounds closer to my 2nd big goal.
Last night I went out, after being good and following all my points I had 13 points and my weekly points left. Which was good. Because I had 2 hot toddys (whiskey, hot water, lemon juice, cinnamon) a vodka press (raspberry vodka and some sort of tonic. it was GREAT) a veggie burger with swiss cheese and mushrooms and onions and lettuce (dear lord, just thinking about it now makes my mouth water!!!) and the kicker .... cajun tater tots with a little dish of ranch. The tots were not good for me. But they were soooooooooo yummy. And so this morning it was with great trepidation (and no hangover since I drank a big glass of water with each drink) that I stood on the scale. Yesterday I was at 21.5 pounds down. Which I would have been happy with, because just getting over 20 was my goal. But today it's 22. Happy dance!
So, to review. This last week I tried very very hard to not go over my daily points. I will confess that I did go over at least twice, before last night. Altho neither time was over by more than 2 points, so they came out of my weekly points. And I honestly don't know what last night's points were but I know I did not use up the weekly points. And I walked for 3 days this last week. Not the 4 that I had said I would. No big walks this time either. Just under 2 miles. So this week I will try the same things: stick to the points as much as possible. And really, try to not go over and use the weekly points. And walk for 4 days. Now, I may have to change up my exercise if the weather continues to do what it did yesterday (POUR) but I do have my Wii Fit and a goal of 30 minutes a day is not impossible.
I'm telling you, if you pay attention to what you eat, if you can sign up for weight watchers and stick to your points and you add a little bit of exercise every week, more and more, you will see results. Next goal? 25 pounds. And if I can do that 4 times I'll be at my final goal.
Which reminds me of an article that I read on WW that I was going to paraphrase here yesterday, but forgot. It's all about writing your own success story. You know, the stories of the people who tell you what they looked and felt like before and then you see how fabulous they look after and you read the things they are able to do now that they've met their goals. I liked it because I really think it works when you imagine and picture what your success will look like. If you can imagine it you can make it happen.
The article is by Sylvie Donna and it's called Plan Your Own Success Story -
Plan your appearance: Visualize your photo shoot, what will you wear? What colors? How will you feel in your new body? How slim are you? Picture how you will look, would you wear different colors than you do now? Different styles?
Plan your turning point: If you read the success stories you will notice that most people have turning points that they can identify readily. What turned out to be the key in your success? Did you track things differently? Did you become more active? Was there a certain point in time that made you decide to do things? (I already have my own)
Plan your people: I love this one. It's easy for me. You get to identify the people that were key to your success. And I can tell you dear readers that each of YOU is one of my people. :) Mel, you were the kickstart as you have been many times before for me to make a change in my life. And Janice, Laurie, Lara, Barb, even my mom who hasn't joined WW but is tracking her food. And my roommate who has gone on my walks with me and steps on the scale to see if he's made any changes. Yes, looking at the people who were key in your success. Great question. And very easy for me to identify mine. Who are your's?
Plan your new priorities: "Most success stories include some mention of a change of priorities. How will your life have changed? What will your new perspective be? What new routines will you have? Which part of your new lifestyle will have been an essential part of getting you to this point? (Is planning now your top priority? Is it buying in healthy snacks? Is it regular walking? Do you see yourself regularly going to the gym?)." I just copied and pasted that because it says it so well.
Plan your pointers: What are your tips for others. If you can identify or guess what your keys for successful change are, you'll be well on your way to the actual success you are planning. Of course, you have to actually be USING your tips. :)
Yep, I can start planning my own success story now. It's been 2 months and I am almost 25 pounds down. At this rate I'll be closing in on around 60 pounds lost by the time I turn 40 at the end of January. And THAT would be something to celebrate.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Last night I went out, after being good and following all my points I had 13 points and my weekly points left. Which was good. Because I had 2 hot toddys (whiskey, hot water, lemon juice, cinnamon) a vodka press (raspberry vodka and some sort of tonic. it was GREAT) a veggie burger with swiss cheese and mushrooms and onions and lettuce (dear lord, just thinking about it now makes my mouth water!!!) and the kicker .... cajun tater tots with a little dish of ranch. The tots were not good for me. But they were soooooooooo yummy. And so this morning it was with great trepidation (and no hangover since I drank a big glass of water with each drink) that I stood on the scale. Yesterday I was at 21.5 pounds down. Which I would have been happy with, because just getting over 20 was my goal. But today it's 22. Happy dance!
So, to review. This last week I tried very very hard to not go over my daily points. I will confess that I did go over at least twice, before last night. Altho neither time was over by more than 2 points, so they came out of my weekly points. And I honestly don't know what last night's points were but I know I did not use up the weekly points. And I walked for 3 days this last week. Not the 4 that I had said I would. No big walks this time either. Just under 2 miles. So this week I will try the same things: stick to the points as much as possible. And really, try to not go over and use the weekly points. And walk for 4 days. Now, I may have to change up my exercise if the weather continues to do what it did yesterday (POUR) but I do have my Wii Fit and a goal of 30 minutes a day is not impossible.
I'm telling you, if you pay attention to what you eat, if you can sign up for weight watchers and stick to your points and you add a little bit of exercise every week, more and more, you will see results. Next goal? 25 pounds. And if I can do that 4 times I'll be at my final goal.
Which reminds me of an article that I read on WW that I was going to paraphrase here yesterday, but forgot. It's all about writing your own success story. You know, the stories of the people who tell you what they looked and felt like before and then you see how fabulous they look after and you read the things they are able to do now that they've met their goals. I liked it because I really think it works when you imagine and picture what your success will look like. If you can imagine it you can make it happen.
The article is by Sylvie Donna and it's called Plan Your Own Success Story -
Plan your appearance: Visualize your photo shoot, what will you wear? What colors? How will you feel in your new body? How slim are you? Picture how you will look, would you wear different colors than you do now? Different styles?
Plan your turning point: If you read the success stories you will notice that most people have turning points that they can identify readily. What turned out to be the key in your success? Did you track things differently? Did you become more active? Was there a certain point in time that made you decide to do things? (I already have my own)
Plan your people: I love this one. It's easy for me. You get to identify the people that were key to your success. And I can tell you dear readers that each of YOU is one of my people. :) Mel, you were the kickstart as you have been many times before for me to make a change in my life. And Janice, Laurie, Lara, Barb, even my mom who hasn't joined WW but is tracking her food. And my roommate who has gone on my walks with me and steps on the scale to see if he's made any changes. Yes, looking at the people who were key in your success. Great question. And very easy for me to identify mine. Who are your's?
Plan your new priorities: "Most success stories include some mention of a change of priorities. How will your life have changed? What will your new perspective be? What new routines will you have? Which part of your new lifestyle will have been an essential part of getting you to this point? (Is planning now your top priority? Is it buying in healthy snacks? Is it regular walking? Do you see yourself regularly going to the gym?)." I just copied and pasted that because it says it so well.
Plan your pointers: What are your tips for others. If you can identify or guess what your keys for successful change are, you'll be well on your way to the actual success you are planning. Of course, you have to actually be USING your tips. :)
Yep, I can start planning my own success story now. It's been 2 months and I am almost 25 pounds down. At this rate I'll be closing in on around 60 pounds lost by the time I turn 40 at the end of January. And THAT would be something to celebrate.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Week 7 Day 6/7 Sisterhood of the traveling pants
Ok, I've never seen that movie, I have seen the Ya-Ya Sisterhood which is great, but I digress. The reason I chose this title is that I have worn 2 pairs of pants in the last 2 days that I hadn't been able to wear in at least 1 year, if not 2. And the last time I wore them I was on my way to losing 50 pounds. This time I plan to power right past the 50 pounds point, and keep going.
So, yesterday was Friday. It wasn't a bad day at work, despite the things I've been thinking about and the fact that yes my boss is still (for the moment) my boss. I kept my head down and did my job and got the hell out of there. I did NOT walk. In fact I haven't walked since Tuesday. So I didn't get my 4 days in this week. And yet I still lost weight. I'll hold off on telling you the # until tomorrow but I do find it very interesting that for a couple of weeks I was walking and exercising a LOT and I didn't really see a movement on the scale. But this week I only have 8 exercise points and I did. I'm not saying I'm going to stop exercising, hahahaha! But I am saying that I need to pay attention to what I do and what I eat when I'm doing regular exercise and see if I can put the exercise together with good food/drink choices to power the engines back up and burn that fat.
I find that planning, packing and taking a lunch/snacks to work with me really works well. I am never hungry at work. I may eat pretty much the same thing every day (yogurt, carrots, cherry tomatos, cottage cheese or string cheese, sandwich, soup and a pudding) but I like what I eat and that is a big deal. I'm not feeling like I'm cheating myself out of something. And I still get to eat stuff at home that I like. Friday nights are almost always game night at my house and we've been known to order pizzas and guzzle beer/drinks until the wee hours. (I usually poop out at midnight, 1am at the latest but my roommate and another friend can be up till 3 or later) Last night we played Rock Band for hours and the guys got a pizza. And I had a Smart Ones meal with broccoli and pasta, a rum and coke zero and a couple of slices of a quesadilla that my roommate made. Oh, my new favorite snack is to take 2 of the little corn tortillas and put some low fat mozerella cheese in them and microwave them. Low points. And cheesy goodness.
And today I had a VIA (last weekend I went to get my favorite coffee drink, an almond mocha from a local coffee shop and was horrified to see that if I'd gotten it the regular way I always got it I'd have been spending around 10 points!!!!) and then made myself what has become my favorite breakfast: egg whites, fresh spinach, white mushrooms, fat free feta and some garlic. SOOOO good. Oh, and I put salsa on it. And I had 2 pieces of the Sara Lee bread with a butter/type spray that I bought last week. I'm telling you, spray is the way to go for things like butter, oil, dressing. It gets the taste on more space, without using so much actual stuff.
It's raining today so I really would like nothing more than to sit and read a book and/or watch movies all afternoon. But I should go on a walk. We'll see.
Tomorrow is weigh-in day. I know I'm at a new # and I'm happy with that. And I am wearing some jeans I haven't been able to get on, much less button up in 2 years. Life is not bad today.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
So, yesterday was Friday. It wasn't a bad day at work, despite the things I've been thinking about and the fact that yes my boss is still (for the moment) my boss. I kept my head down and did my job and got the hell out of there. I did NOT walk. In fact I haven't walked since Tuesday. So I didn't get my 4 days in this week. And yet I still lost weight. I'll hold off on telling you the # until tomorrow but I do find it very interesting that for a couple of weeks I was walking and exercising a LOT and I didn't really see a movement on the scale. But this week I only have 8 exercise points and I did. I'm not saying I'm going to stop exercising, hahahaha! But I am saying that I need to pay attention to what I do and what I eat when I'm doing regular exercise and see if I can put the exercise together with good food/drink choices to power the engines back up and burn that fat.
I find that planning, packing and taking a lunch/snacks to work with me really works well. I am never hungry at work. I may eat pretty much the same thing every day (yogurt, carrots, cherry tomatos, cottage cheese or string cheese, sandwich, soup and a pudding) but I like what I eat and that is a big deal. I'm not feeling like I'm cheating myself out of something. And I still get to eat stuff at home that I like. Friday nights are almost always game night at my house and we've been known to order pizzas and guzzle beer/drinks until the wee hours. (I usually poop out at midnight, 1am at the latest but my roommate and another friend can be up till 3 or later) Last night we played Rock Band for hours and the guys got a pizza. And I had a Smart Ones meal with broccoli and pasta, a rum and coke zero and a couple of slices of a quesadilla that my roommate made. Oh, my new favorite snack is to take 2 of the little corn tortillas and put some low fat mozerella cheese in them and microwave them. Low points. And cheesy goodness.
And today I had a VIA (last weekend I went to get my favorite coffee drink, an almond mocha from a local coffee shop and was horrified to see that if I'd gotten it the regular way I always got it I'd have been spending around 10 points!!!!) and then made myself what has become my favorite breakfast: egg whites, fresh spinach, white mushrooms, fat free feta and some garlic. SOOOO good. Oh, and I put salsa on it. And I had 2 pieces of the Sara Lee bread with a butter/type spray that I bought last week. I'm telling you, spray is the way to go for things like butter, oil, dressing. It gets the taste on more space, without using so much actual stuff.
It's raining today so I really would like nothing more than to sit and read a book and/or watch movies all afternoon. But I should go on a walk. We'll see.
Tomorrow is weigh-in day. I know I'm at a new # and I'm happy with that. And I am wearing some jeans I haven't been able to get on, much less button up in 2 years. Life is not bad today.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Week 7 Day 5 - Sisyphus
So, in Greek Mythology there's this guy Sisyphus who thinks himself smarter than the god Zeus and for his punishment he is given the task of pushing a boulder up a hill and at the last minute the boulder rolls back down and he has to start again. Forever. I think I've felt like that about my weight. But I'm going to keep going till I get that damn boulder over that hill. Right now the hill is 20 pounds. I will get there.
Today was fine. Boring actually. No earth-shattering revelations or decisions. And not much work. But I am fighting a cold/allergies and that was the excuse I used to NOT get up and out of bed to walk this morning. *sigh* But I did stay in my points. And ate good food. And I will not beat myself up for it. Just being real.
I always feel good when I walk, but I have to get myself up in the morning to do that. Habits. ...
I tried the Smart Ones Quesadilla tonight. They were very good. I had a salad and the quesadillas and water. And now I'm figuring out what I want for dessert. Because I want something sweet and because I still have the points.
The rest of the day I pretty much had what I've been having. Yogurt, sandwich, carrots, diet soda. I can pretty much eat the same food for a while. I'm weird like that. But I find comfort in knowing that I'll not be going over my points. And THAT can be a habit.
One day. One pound. One step/boulder at a time.
~N
Today was fine. Boring actually. No earth-shattering revelations or decisions. And not much work. But I am fighting a cold/allergies and that was the excuse I used to NOT get up and out of bed to walk this morning. *sigh* But I did stay in my points. And ate good food. And I will not beat myself up for it. Just being real.
I always feel good when I walk, but I have to get myself up in the morning to do that. Habits. ...
I tried the Smart Ones Quesadilla tonight. They were very good. I had a salad and the quesadillas and water. And now I'm figuring out what I want for dessert. Because I want something sweet and because I still have the points.
The rest of the day I pretty much had what I've been having. Yogurt, sandwich, carrots, diet soda. I can pretty much eat the same food for a while. I'm weird like that. But I find comfort in knowing that I'll not be going over my points. And THAT can be a habit.
One day. One pound. One step/boulder at a time.
~N
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Week 7 Day 4 - Ch-ch-ch-changes
I made a big decision today. A life-changing, have only told one other person decision. I am going to have a new job by this time next year. In fact it's going to happen as soon as I can put all the pieces together. This is something that I have been thinking about/talking about for a while now and it is something that must be done. I have been talking to some of my best friends in the last month about the importance of doing the right thing, and the right thing is following what your inner voice tells you. Not doing things just because you're "supposed to." Since Journey can't be quoted too often, "Be good to yourself, 'cause nobody else will." Ok, so other people might be good to you but the only person that knows what it's like to live in your head/behind your eyes is YOU.
And I know this because I believe it. I also know this because I used to be a therapist. And I want to be one again. It will change my income but I have to follow what I know will make me feel like I am doing a difference and following my heart. And I have the opportunity to do that.
Today I found myself looking at myself in the mirror and saying "you are going to be 40 and you hate your job and you can change that." Part of my change is already happening, this whole getting healthy part is helping to wake me up to the fact that it really is my choice. And I do have the control of this outcome. Both, in fact.
And I am going to take a big trip to a country overseas and go hiking. It's something I've wanted for a few years now and I have said "I'll do it when I've paid my student loans off" or "when I lose all the weight". And I have always been someone who says "Carpe Diem" and I believe that. Really, we have to seize the day. The moment. Because life goes by fast.
So, today I cleaned my room and thought things through. I have been planning to get rid of things for a while now but with this in my head I really went through things. It was my short work day and so I had the extra time and cleaning counts for exercise points too! I have more to clean and get rid of. But today I made a dent.
And here is what I had to eat, it wasn't super healthy, but it was what I wanted and I made better choices than I would have in the past.
2 Dannon Light & Fit yogurts (4 oz) 2.5
Sandwich thins - 1
2 tbsp Peanut butter - 5
Smart Ones meal - 4
3 pieces light string cheese - 3.5
1 bag light popcorn (and this is more than I thought) - 7.5 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
1 serving 100 calorie cheese crisps - 2 (by the way I found these at Target, they are less points than the Cheez-its and taste just as great!)
2 cups Progress Light southwest style vegetable soup - 1.5
I spent the most of my points in the afternoon but I still have 6 left and I'm going to make them count.
So, yeah, it was an eventful day. And I know it's the right thing. Because I feel good.
I'm still taking it one day. One pound. One point at a time.
~N
And I know this because I believe it. I also know this because I used to be a therapist. And I want to be one again. It will change my income but I have to follow what I know will make me feel like I am doing a difference and following my heart. And I have the opportunity to do that.
Today I found myself looking at myself in the mirror and saying "you are going to be 40 and you hate your job and you can change that." Part of my change is already happening, this whole getting healthy part is helping to wake me up to the fact that it really is my choice. And I do have the control of this outcome. Both, in fact.
And I am going to take a big trip to a country overseas and go hiking. It's something I've wanted for a few years now and I have said "I'll do it when I've paid my student loans off" or "when I lose all the weight". And I have always been someone who says "Carpe Diem" and I believe that. Really, we have to seize the day. The moment. Because life goes by fast.
So, today I cleaned my room and thought things through. I have been planning to get rid of things for a while now but with this in my head I really went through things. It was my short work day and so I had the extra time and cleaning counts for exercise points too! I have more to clean and get rid of. But today I made a dent.
And here is what I had to eat, it wasn't super healthy, but it was what I wanted and I made better choices than I would have in the past.
2 Dannon Light & Fit yogurts (4 oz) 2.5
Sandwich thins - 1
2 tbsp Peanut butter - 5
Smart Ones meal - 4
3 pieces light string cheese - 3.5
1 bag light popcorn (and this is more than I thought) - 7.5 (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
1 serving 100 calorie cheese crisps - 2 (by the way I found these at Target, they are less points than the Cheez-its and taste just as great!)
2 cups Progress Light southwest style vegetable soup - 1.5
I spent the most of my points in the afternoon but I still have 6 left and I'm going to make them count.
So, yeah, it was an eventful day. And I know it's the right thing. Because I feel good.
I'm still taking it one day. One pound. One point at a time.
~N
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Week 7 Day 3 - Don't Stop Believing
I got the idea for the title from Glee, they are doing Journey songs on tonight's episode and Journey will always have a special place in my heart, it was my very favorite band all through high school and right into college. To this day as long as it's the Steve Perry grouping I can at least sing the songs, if not play them on the piano. Plus, this particular song has a great message.
So I got up this morning and did a 10 minute walk. It really is a great way to start my day. Unfortunately I didn't walk any other times today. But I did stick to my points. I worked with my friend B on looking up points so she can get started on this too.
OH, I have a "yay me" minute from last night. I made a great dinner of broccoli and whole wheat pasta with sauce and low fat cottage cheese. And when I was done with my fantastic dinner I wanted dessert. I wanted chocolate. And I wanted it bad. But when I looked at my points I was exactly at 33. And one of my goals this week was to not go over my points. I had a fudge bar in the freezer worth 1 point. And I did not eat it. Nope. I had a vanilla Coke Zero and drank some water and I did NOT go over my points.
I got bored at work today and I should have gone on a walk. But I found some other projects to work on. And then on my way home I had a fantastic 2 hour phone call and vent session with one of my closest friends. I could have walked but I decided not to tonight. I will get up and walk in the morning because it's helping me deal with work. And because tomorrow is my short day I will have time and I will walk my mile and the hill.
So, tonight I'm going to just list what I ate today because I know it helps to know and I'll put the points values as well:
2 Dannon Light & Fit yogurts - 2.5 points
1 cup black tea with sugar - 2 (the points are from the sugar)
12 baby carrots with 1 tbsp light ranch dressing - 1
Sandwich thins - 1
1 piece provolone cheese - 3
2 pieces Yves veggie meat - 1
2 packets weight watchers string cheese - 2.5
Snack Pack Fat Free Tapioca - 1
1 can Progresso Light Vegetable and barley soup - 1.5
29 Cheeze-its reduced fat crackers - 3
6 water crackers - 2
1 oz hard cheese - 3
Sandwich thins - 1
Morningstar Farms Grillers California Turk'y (2 patties) - 3.5
1 tsp mayonnaise - 1
I have 4 points left and I am going to make a salad, and cut back on the dressing to keep it to 3 points so I can have that fudge bar.
Even if it's only for 10 minutes that's an exercise point. And that's more than I was doing before I started this.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
So I got up this morning and did a 10 minute walk. It really is a great way to start my day. Unfortunately I didn't walk any other times today. But I did stick to my points. I worked with my friend B on looking up points so she can get started on this too.
OH, I have a "yay me" minute from last night. I made a great dinner of broccoli and whole wheat pasta with sauce and low fat cottage cheese. And when I was done with my fantastic dinner I wanted dessert. I wanted chocolate. And I wanted it bad. But when I looked at my points I was exactly at 33. And one of my goals this week was to not go over my points. I had a fudge bar in the freezer worth 1 point. And I did not eat it. Nope. I had a vanilla Coke Zero and drank some water and I did NOT go over my points.
I got bored at work today and I should have gone on a walk. But I found some other projects to work on. And then on my way home I had a fantastic 2 hour phone call and vent session with one of my closest friends. I could have walked but I decided not to tonight. I will get up and walk in the morning because it's helping me deal with work. And because tomorrow is my short day I will have time and I will walk my mile and the hill.
So, tonight I'm going to just list what I ate today because I know it helps to know and I'll put the points values as well:
2 Dannon Light & Fit yogurts - 2.5 points
1 cup black tea with sugar - 2 (the points are from the sugar)
12 baby carrots with 1 tbsp light ranch dressing - 1
Sandwich thins - 1
1 piece provolone cheese - 3
2 pieces Yves veggie meat - 1
2 packets weight watchers string cheese - 2.5
Snack Pack Fat Free Tapioca - 1
1 can Progresso Light Vegetable and barley soup - 1.5
29 Cheeze-its reduced fat crackers - 3
6 water crackers - 2
1 oz hard cheese - 3
Sandwich thins - 1
Morningstar Farms Grillers California Turk'y (2 patties) - 3.5
1 tsp mayonnaise - 1
I have 4 points left and I am going to make a salad, and cut back on the dressing to keep it to 3 points so I can have that fudge bar.
Even if it's only for 10 minutes that's an exercise point. And that's more than I was doing before I started this.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Monday, September 13, 2010
Week 7 Day 2 - "You're a heart breaker...
 |
| 4.5 points Yummy Salad |
So, I walked for 20 minutes today. 1.2 miles. And that .2 was heartattack hill. And I have proof. I was on the phone with one of my favorite people. And we'll talk again tomorrow, while I'm walking again. I don't know if the plan is that you do the walk for 20 min and then run in place for 5 min directly after that but I haven't done the run yet. Gonna get the Wii Fit out for that one. They have a running thing and I need something to run towards besides the end of the time.
I bought a pedometer today. Cheap little one but it works. Because I had already measured how far my walk was and it was exactly the same. So now I'll wear that all day and add up how much I move. I did not get up this morning to walk. But I did walk today. And hopefully tomorrow I'll feel more like getting up because MAN I can tell a difference when I don't. (And I'll bet if you talk to my co workers they notice a difference too...)
One of my very best girlfriends (in fact the one that I wrote adoption papers for in 8th grade) wrote me today and she is going to sign up for weight watchers also. She's going through the same frustrating yoyo that I've been riding - the one where you lose some and then you find it (and sometimes more). She asked me if it works and I can honestly say "yes" I really believe it works. But as another one of my friends pointed out about exercise, the best kind is the one you do. And the best diet is the one you stay on. I feel like I can do this. I know I can do this.
So, here's what I ate today and I'll include the points too for B who is learning about the system...
Dannon Lite & Fit 60 cal yogurt x 2 = 2.5 points (1 point a piece)
Weight Watchers String Cheese x 2 = 2.5 points (1 point a piece)
12 baby carrots = .5 points
2 tbsp Light Ranch dressing/dip = 2 points
Sandwich Thins bread (2 pieces) = 1 point
slice of colby/cheddar cheese = 3 points
2 slices Yves Meatless Salami lunch "meat" = 1 point
Veggie Patty = 2 points (this was something I found in the work kitchen along with chips and pretzels and potato salad...I picked the patty)
1 can Progresso Light Vegetable and Noodle soup = 1.5 points
1 serving (29 crackers) reduced fat Cheez-its = 3 points
1 cup Snack pack Fat Free Chocolate pudding = 1 point
I have 13 points to go in the day and I'm planning salad and whole wheat spaghetti with some veggie burger. Walking before I eat dinner helps me not be as hungry as I usually am when I get home.
So, today was Monday and I survived. Still taking it ....
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Week 7 - Day 1 - Paused
So, today is weigh-in day. And I got up this morning. Went to the kitchen and stood on the scale. And the number had not moved from last week. Now, keeping in mind (and having re-read) my post about plateaus I know that 1 week of zero weight loss does not make it a plateau. However I am irritated. And that makes me motivated.
I had a feeling I had not lost more this week. Being angry makes me hold onto things. I don't know exactly what. (I have my theories.) But I know it does. So I just have to keep focused. I am not done with my journey, I have not met my next goal. Yet. And I will.
So, yesterday I walked 4 miles. Today my foot was sore (I've started to develope a blister, I have to be careful.) so I did not plan a big walk. But I DID walk. I did a mile in 16 minutes. That is not fast, but it's not slow either. It may in fact be the fastest mile I've done yet in the last 6 weeks. I am going to pay very close attention to my points this week, not that I didn't last week but I did go over my points and dip into the weekly points and I think that did not help me.
So I have 2 things to work on this week. First will be to stay either exactly at my points (33 currently) or under the points. And second will be to keep the activity points up. I had 18 this last week. Week before I had 20. So, I want to do at LEAST 18 points this week. Preferrably 20+.
One of the things I found in the Weight Watchers magazine was a plan to work on a walking routine and get "Back on Track". (Jan/Feb 2009, Weight Watchers Magazine, pg 110) It is a 16 week plan to get you going on a regular exercise program and it adds short bursts of cardio to the walking that increases from 5 minutes a day (4 days a week) to 30 minutes a day. I'm starting on week 6 because I didn't really start exercising for the first week or two in this. So, here's the plan:
Week 1: 4 days - walk 5 min, do 10 jumping jacks.
Week 2: (each week it's 4 days)Walk 5 to 10 min. Run in place 2 min.
Week 3: Walk 10 min. 20 jumping jacks.
Week 4: Walk 10 min. Run in place 3 min.
Week 5: Walk 15 min. 25 jumping jacks.
Week 6: Walk 20 min. Run in place 5 min. (I think I'll do the Wii for this one, the Fit has a good one.
Week 7: Walk 25 min. 25 jumping jacks.
Week 8: Walk 30 min.
Week 9: Walk 30 min. 20 jumping jacks.
Week 10: Walk 35 min. Run in place 4 min.
Week 11: Walk 40 min. 25 jumping jacks.
Week 12: Walk 45 min. Run in place 6 min.
Week 13: Walk 50 min. 30 jumping jacks.
Week 14: Walk 55 min. Run in place 6 min.
Week 15: Walk 55 min. 35 jumping jacks.
Week 16: Walk 60 min.
The longer the walking time the more challenging this will be to do during the work day. But I will figure something out. Being active is key to my success. And unlike eating activity is not a habit of mine. Yet.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
I had a feeling I had not lost more this week. Being angry makes me hold onto things. I don't know exactly what. (I have my theories.) But I know it does. So I just have to keep focused. I am not done with my journey, I have not met my next goal. Yet. And I will.
So, yesterday I walked 4 miles. Today my foot was sore (I've started to develope a blister, I have to be careful.) so I did not plan a big walk. But I DID walk. I did a mile in 16 minutes. That is not fast, but it's not slow either. It may in fact be the fastest mile I've done yet in the last 6 weeks. I am going to pay very close attention to my points this week, not that I didn't last week but I did go over my points and dip into the weekly points and I think that did not help me.
So I have 2 things to work on this week. First will be to stay either exactly at my points (33 currently) or under the points. And second will be to keep the activity points up. I had 18 this last week. Week before I had 20. So, I want to do at LEAST 18 points this week. Preferrably 20+.
One of the things I found in the Weight Watchers magazine was a plan to work on a walking routine and get "Back on Track". (Jan/Feb 2009, Weight Watchers Magazine, pg 110) It is a 16 week plan to get you going on a regular exercise program and it adds short bursts of cardio to the walking that increases from 5 minutes a day (4 days a week) to 30 minutes a day. I'm starting on week 6 because I didn't really start exercising for the first week or two in this. So, here's the plan:
Week 1: 4 days - walk 5 min, do 10 jumping jacks.
Week 2: (each week it's 4 days)Walk 5 to 10 min. Run in place 2 min.
Week 3: Walk 10 min. 20 jumping jacks.
Week 4: Walk 10 min. Run in place 3 min.
Week 5: Walk 15 min. 25 jumping jacks.
Week 6: Walk 20 min. Run in place 5 min. (I think I'll do the Wii for this one, the Fit has a good one.
Week 7: Walk 25 min. 25 jumping jacks.
Week 8: Walk 30 min.
Week 9: Walk 30 min. 20 jumping jacks.
Week 10: Walk 35 min. Run in place 4 min.
Week 11: Walk 40 min. 25 jumping jacks.
Week 12: Walk 45 min. Run in place 6 min.
Week 13: Walk 50 min. 30 jumping jacks.
Week 14: Walk 55 min. Run in place 6 min.
Week 15: Walk 55 min. 35 jumping jacks.
Week 16: Walk 60 min.
The longer the walking time the more challenging this will be to do during the work day. But I will figure something out. Being active is key to my success. And unlike eating activity is not a habit of mine. Yet.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Week 6, Day 7 - September 11, 2010
9 years ago today I watched, with everyone else, horrendous things happening in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. I was working at the same place I'm at now, answering phones at the front desk that day so I had to be at work by 8 and was up at 6am and watched in horror as the second tower fell. I cried a LOT that day and pretty much every day after that for a while. I had been depressed for a long time and all that sadness around me, even tho it did not affect me personally through the loss of someone I loved, just sent me into a cocoon of self-soothing. I could not soothe the people I was watching on tv, so I soothed myself.
One of the things that happens to some people when they get depressed is that their sleep patterns change. It's something therapists (such as myself) will ask in an entrance inverview with a patient. "How are you sleeping?" A lot of the time people that experience depression will have a difficult time sleeping. Sometimes they will have a hard time NOT sleeping. It's called hypersomnia. And I had it. Boy could I sleep. 20 hours was not out of the question at some points in my depression.
*side note from the therapist: if any of these symptoms sound familiar and have been disrupting your life for more than a month, please consider talking to someone. Depression is an illness I am incredibly glad to be away from and is absolutely serious.Don't try to just "gut it out", it's like trying to gut out Diabetes. It can kill you.*
Another symptom, something a therapist will ask is "have your eating habits changed?" Many people with depression will find it difficult to experience pleasure from things that they normally would and eating is one of the big flags. They just won't eat. And there is also a goup that will not be able to STOP eating. Guess which group I fit into? Yep. In college I failed a class because I went to it 3 times in a quarter because I stayed in my room all day watching my tiny 8" television and eating mac and cheese or rice and salsa from my dorm room crock pot. I slept and carbo-loaded. And I gained 100 pounds. In about 5 years. These are the same pounds I am working on losing now.
So, on September 11, 2001 I cried and went home and I don't remember what I ate but I do remember sitting on the couch (I lived with my brother and sister-in law at the time) next to my brother and absorbing what was happening. I was not healthy. I lived in a suburban neighborhood with plenty of space to walk but I never did. I was sedentary. Nine years later I spent the day walking next to a beach I had no idea existed less than 5 miles from my house. And I walked 4 miles. It was a beautiful fall day. Not a cloud in the sky. Warm breeze on the water and did I mention I walked 4 miles? It was actually more like 4.5 miles. At over 3 miles an hour (because it took us just under 1 1/2 hours).
And I rewarded myself (again) with a ginger mojito. This time I was hungry so I got a veggie burger with swiss cheese and mushrooms and lettuce and tomato. I took the top off the bun and ate probably 1/2 of the bottom. I had a salad on the side with vinaigrette (on the side) and 2 mojitos. As you may recall those little suckers are 4 points each!! So I had 2 big glasses of ice water too. I had a great breakfast this morning, egg white omelette with fresh spinach and reduced fat feta cheese and mushrooms, a vanilla yogurt (Lite & Fit) and 2 pieces of the Sara Lee toast. Oh and a cup of tea. The food was all good and the exercise was GREAT.
Tomorrow is weigh in day and no matter what comes out on the scale I am prepared to continue working on this. I FEEL better. Work and all that stuff might not be the best but compared to what happened to all those people 9 years ago? Yeah, a dumb boss and insane demands are NOTHING compared to that. Time, and a good walk help clear the head. (Plus my horoscope that keeps telling me not to quit my day job told me that something that looked bad would end up being good....)
So, 9 years later I am active, I am not depressed (haven't been in over 6 years) and I am learning better, healthier ways to self-soothe. In the end it IS all about freedom isn't it?
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
One of the things that happens to some people when they get depressed is that their sleep patterns change. It's something therapists (such as myself) will ask in an entrance inverview with a patient. "How are you sleeping?" A lot of the time people that experience depression will have a difficult time sleeping. Sometimes they will have a hard time NOT sleeping. It's called hypersomnia. And I had it. Boy could I sleep. 20 hours was not out of the question at some points in my depression.
*side note from the therapist: if any of these symptoms sound familiar and have been disrupting your life for more than a month, please consider talking to someone. Depression is an illness I am incredibly glad to be away from and is absolutely serious.Don't try to just "gut it out", it's like trying to gut out Diabetes. It can kill you.*
Another symptom, something a therapist will ask is "have your eating habits changed?" Many people with depression will find it difficult to experience pleasure from things that they normally would and eating is one of the big flags. They just won't eat. And there is also a goup that will not be able to STOP eating. Guess which group I fit into? Yep. In college I failed a class because I went to it 3 times in a quarter because I stayed in my room all day watching my tiny 8" television and eating mac and cheese or rice and salsa from my dorm room crock pot. I slept and carbo-loaded. And I gained 100 pounds. In about 5 years. These are the same pounds I am working on losing now.
So, on September 11, 2001 I cried and went home and I don't remember what I ate but I do remember sitting on the couch (I lived with my brother and sister-in law at the time) next to my brother and absorbing what was happening. I was not healthy. I lived in a suburban neighborhood with plenty of space to walk but I never did. I was sedentary. Nine years later I spent the day walking next to a beach I had no idea existed less than 5 miles from my house. And I walked 4 miles. It was a beautiful fall day. Not a cloud in the sky. Warm breeze on the water and did I mention I walked 4 miles? It was actually more like 4.5 miles. At over 3 miles an hour (because it took us just under 1 1/2 hours).
And I rewarded myself (again) with a ginger mojito. This time I was hungry so I got a veggie burger with swiss cheese and mushrooms and lettuce and tomato. I took the top off the bun and ate probably 1/2 of the bottom. I had a salad on the side with vinaigrette (on the side) and 2 mojitos. As you may recall those little suckers are 4 points each!! So I had 2 big glasses of ice water too. I had a great breakfast this morning, egg white omelette with fresh spinach and reduced fat feta cheese and mushrooms, a vanilla yogurt (Lite & Fit) and 2 pieces of the Sara Lee toast. Oh and a cup of tea. The food was all good and the exercise was GREAT.
Tomorrow is weigh in day and no matter what comes out on the scale I am prepared to continue working on this. I FEEL better. Work and all that stuff might not be the best but compared to what happened to all those people 9 years ago? Yeah, a dumb boss and insane demands are NOTHING compared to that. Time, and a good walk help clear the head. (Plus my horoscope that keeps telling me not to quit my day job told me that something that looked bad would end up being good....)
So, 9 years later I am active, I am not depressed (haven't been in over 6 years) and I am learning better, healthier ways to self-soothe. In the end it IS all about freedom isn't it?
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Week 6 Day 6 - Just keep going
Still didn't get up to walk today and I did not meet my other goal of walking during the day. That habit is going to have to be made one step at a time. I am scouting places to walk for the weekend.
But today was not a bad day. I'm under my points actually. Worked hard, went in early and stayed the same hours as I normally would have so overtime is coming my way whether the boss wants it or not.
I had not gone shopping yet so I was out of my snacks that I like to use at work, but I still had a Dannon light & Fit yogurt and my Sara Lee bread so I had a sandwich at lunch, with veggie turkey and a slice of colby cheese that was totally worth the 3 points. Drank more today and that helped the mid-afternoon cravings. Still have Lifewater after my last shopping spree so I had that and tea. And I was scrounging in the cupboard and found a Progresso soup can - 1.5 points!! So that kept me full and this evening is usually a hard one with points because we have a friend that comes over and I usually stay up too late (much as tonight) and drink so that adds up the points quickly. But today after work I went to Safeway and went shopping for good stuff.
I got stuff for salad, found a fat free feta that will be delish in my salad. Cherry tomatos, more thin bread from Sara Lee, I got the Dannon Lite and Fit mini yogurts (they are less calories than the big ones and I don't like the Active One yogurt as much) and some low fat cottage cheese. I then went through the frozen foods section and bought some Smart Ones foods, some Weight Watchers ice cream (2 points for a HUGE cookies and cream bar!) and weight watchers string cheese. Got some more pudding, this time I went for the fat free kind and then I got a bunch of the Progresso Soups for lunches, some more little containers to pack snacks in and some Cheezit crackers for the soup. I love soup this time of year! And because I also love pasta during fall I went for the whole wheat pasta and got some broccoli (0 points for 1 cup!) and some sauce. I'll make some of that for dinner this next week. Got some Coke Zero, vanilla (YUM) and more life water. And I feel set for at least a week, probably have to buy more salad stuff and veggies but yeah, I had a great dinner.
Had a big salad with tomatos, cucumber, fat free feta and the vinaigrette I love. Had some of my light popcorn (yeah, I bought some of that too) and a sandwich and an ice cream bar for dessert.
So, shopping made me feel better, knowing I have all that good and healthy stuff available feels good. And I WILL be walking tomorrow. Even if it's where I walked last week. It's my favorite time of year and the air is fresh and clear. Time to get out in it and become the active person I know I can be, but haven't been for a long time.
Posted this too late to show up on Friday so it'll show as 2 on Saturday. Sept 11th. Date of significance for anyone who was alive and aware 9 years ago. It is significant to me in that it is my last 11th being in this shape. I am determined.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
But today was not a bad day. I'm under my points actually. Worked hard, went in early and stayed the same hours as I normally would have so overtime is coming my way whether the boss wants it or not.
I had not gone shopping yet so I was out of my snacks that I like to use at work, but I still had a Dannon light & Fit yogurt and my Sara Lee bread so I had a sandwich at lunch, with veggie turkey and a slice of colby cheese that was totally worth the 3 points. Drank more today and that helped the mid-afternoon cravings. Still have Lifewater after my last shopping spree so I had that and tea. And I was scrounging in the cupboard and found a Progresso soup can - 1.5 points!! So that kept me full and this evening is usually a hard one with points because we have a friend that comes over and I usually stay up too late (much as tonight) and drink so that adds up the points quickly. But today after work I went to Safeway and went shopping for good stuff.
I got stuff for salad, found a fat free feta that will be delish in my salad. Cherry tomatos, more thin bread from Sara Lee, I got the Dannon Lite and Fit mini yogurts (they are less calories than the big ones and I don't like the Active One yogurt as much) and some low fat cottage cheese. I then went through the frozen foods section and bought some Smart Ones foods, some Weight Watchers ice cream (2 points for a HUGE cookies and cream bar!) and weight watchers string cheese. Got some more pudding, this time I went for the fat free kind and then I got a bunch of the Progresso Soups for lunches, some more little containers to pack snacks in and some Cheezit crackers for the soup. I love soup this time of year! And because I also love pasta during fall I went for the whole wheat pasta and got some broccoli (0 points for 1 cup!) and some sauce. I'll make some of that for dinner this next week. Got some Coke Zero, vanilla (YUM) and more life water. And I feel set for at least a week, probably have to buy more salad stuff and veggies but yeah, I had a great dinner.
Had a big salad with tomatos, cucumber, fat free feta and the vinaigrette I love. Had some of my light popcorn (yeah, I bought some of that too) and a sandwich and an ice cream bar for dessert.
So, shopping made me feel better, knowing I have all that good and healthy stuff available feels good. And I WILL be walking tomorrow. Even if it's where I walked last week. It's my favorite time of year and the air is fresh and clear. Time to get out in it and become the active person I know I can be, but haven't been for a long time.
Posted this too late to show up on Friday so it'll show as 2 on Saturday. Sept 11th. Date of significance for anyone who was alive and aware 9 years ago. It is significant to me in that it is my last 11th being in this shape. I am determined.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Week 6 Days 4 and 5 - Tired
I realize to write about being super mad and then not posting for 2 days after posting every day for over a month is probably not cool. So I'm checking in to let you know: I'm fine. Was very tired yesterday and it probably has a lot to do with emotional exhaustion - I don't get mad often but when I do and have to deal with some of the stuff I was dealing with (life-changing, job-changing decisions) it makes me very tired.
Yesterday I did write a blog post, a short one but I guess I didn't post it. I'll blame that on the red wine I was drinking last night. Oh yes I went over my points yesterday. Not only did I not walk but I had to sit for more of the day than usual (meetings) and came home and ate. And sat. And drank wine. Now, this time of year is prime weather for me to want pasta and veggies and red wine. And reading WW website I see that whole wheat pasta is the way to go, so I'm going to buy some, and I know that a cup of broccoli is zero points but red wine is 2 points a glass....and this girl loves red wine and not just 1 glass. So I will have to plan better next time. I used some of my weekly points up yesterday and without any exercise either yesterday OR today (yes, yet another day of it) I can feel it.
However, today I did not go over my points (I coincidentally did not have wine) and so that's something. I am still tired tho so I'm going to bed early and that will help me get up early and walk. Because tomorrow is Friday. And we all know that before we can get to the TGIF part (at my work) we have to get through the work day. So my goal is 2 walks tomorrow. 2 miles. One in the morning and one during the day.
This weekend I am going to scout a place to go walking. Maybe I can get the roommate to go back to the lake with me. That felt good!! (Tiring but good kind of tiring.)
So, yeah. I do not feel like I've lost any weight this week. Even tho I started out so well on the exercise points, I'm still only at 10 for the week but that's better than a lot of my weeks previously. Baby steps. Which reminds me of my little motto....
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
(it's there to remind ME) g'night kiddies
~N
Yesterday I did write a blog post, a short one but I guess I didn't post it. I'll blame that on the red wine I was drinking last night. Oh yes I went over my points yesterday. Not only did I not walk but I had to sit for more of the day than usual (meetings) and came home and ate. And sat. And drank wine. Now, this time of year is prime weather for me to want pasta and veggies and red wine. And reading WW website I see that whole wheat pasta is the way to go, so I'm going to buy some, and I know that a cup of broccoli is zero points but red wine is 2 points a glass....and this girl loves red wine and not just 1 glass. So I will have to plan better next time. I used some of my weekly points up yesterday and without any exercise either yesterday OR today (yes, yet another day of it) I can feel it.
However, today I did not go over my points (I coincidentally did not have wine) and so that's something. I am still tired tho so I'm going to bed early and that will help me get up early and walk. Because tomorrow is Friday. And we all know that before we can get to the TGIF part (at my work) we have to get through the work day. So my goal is 2 walks tomorrow. 2 miles. One in the morning and one during the day.
This weekend I am going to scout a place to go walking. Maybe I can get the roommate to go back to the lake with me. That felt good!! (Tiring but good kind of tiring.)
So, yeah. I do not feel like I've lost any weight this week. Even tho I started out so well on the exercise points, I'm still only at 10 for the week but that's better than a lot of my weeks previously. Baby steps. Which reminds me of my little motto....
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
(it's there to remind ME) g'night kiddies
~N
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Week 6 Day 3 - Anger
I won't go into it much here because there is no need for me to wind myself up again but let's just say that I am damn proud of myself for not telling my boss to do something to herself that is physically impossible today. And I am even MORE proud of, directly after leaving the meeting that left me shaking (in which I did not give her personal life-directive #1) walking outside IN THE RAIN, for 1 mile and getting my severe anger out.
I woke up today and did not want to get up at the first alarm. So I hit snooze twice and then said "nope, you have to go do this - today is going to suck" and BOY was I right. That early morning walk got me through a meeting that I'd have become unemployed in otherwise. And the mid-day walk got me through the rest of the day.
Anger is a very strong motivator for me to make bad decisions with what I put in my mouth. Alcohol and cigarettes being #1 and fatty food being #2. Today I walked. #1 and #2 weren't even an option (till I got home and then they still weren't really an option because I don't want a drink tonight). And this is a good, no GREAT thing for me to learn because I am German and Irish so I don't get mad, I GO OFF. Picture volcano letting off steam till you just go *kablammo!* That's me. But now I have exercise as an outlet instead of food or other potentially self-destructive forces in my possession.
On any other day like today (altho this was one for the books, I have had other stinkers) I would have said "F the points" and gone to McDonalds for some Chicken nuggets with sweet/sour sauce, large fries and a large Diet (haha) Dr Pepper. Then maybe stopped at Dairy Queen on the way home. Because when I get mad I want something to soothe me. I talked to my roommate at length about anger and the importance of having healthy outlets for it. And I think that it's in my current toolbox to have exercise become a part of my outlets for anger. I have a post-it at work that says "Smile, Breathe, Think, Walk" and these are 4 steps I remind myself to take when I get mad. I'm going to underline "walk" tomorrow.
Had a breakfast sandwich, yogurt, bread and cheese, chocolate sugar free pudding, cheese sandwich, Smart Ones Lasagne, a bowl of broccoli and cottage cheese and I still have 9 points left. :) Oh, and I have 7 activity points for the week, and it's only Tuesday. :)
Never have these words been more true: If I can do it so can you.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
I woke up today and did not want to get up at the first alarm. So I hit snooze twice and then said "nope, you have to go do this - today is going to suck" and BOY was I right. That early morning walk got me through a meeting that I'd have become unemployed in otherwise. And the mid-day walk got me through the rest of the day.
Anger is a very strong motivator for me to make bad decisions with what I put in my mouth. Alcohol and cigarettes being #1 and fatty food being #2. Today I walked. #1 and #2 weren't even an option (till I got home and then they still weren't really an option because I don't want a drink tonight). And this is a good, no GREAT thing for me to learn because I am German and Irish so I don't get mad, I GO OFF. Picture volcano letting off steam till you just go *kablammo!* That's me. But now I have exercise as an outlet instead of food or other potentially self-destructive forces in my possession.
On any other day like today (altho this was one for the books, I have had other stinkers) I would have said "F the points" and gone to McDonalds for some Chicken nuggets with sweet/sour sauce, large fries and a large Diet (haha) Dr Pepper. Then maybe stopped at Dairy Queen on the way home. Because when I get mad I want something to soothe me. I talked to my roommate at length about anger and the importance of having healthy outlets for it. And I think that it's in my current toolbox to have exercise become a part of my outlets for anger. I have a post-it at work that says "Smile, Breathe, Think, Walk" and these are 4 steps I remind myself to take when I get mad. I'm going to underline "walk" tomorrow.
Had a breakfast sandwich, yogurt, bread and cheese, chocolate sugar free pudding, cheese sandwich, Smart Ones Lasagne, a bowl of broccoli and cottage cheese and I still have 9 points left. :) Oh, and I have 7 activity points for the week, and it's only Tuesday. :)
Never have these words been more true: If I can do it so can you.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Monday, September 6, 2010
Week 6 Day 2 - Up where the air is clear
When I was a little kid I used to love to watch Mary Poppins and the song "Let's go fly a kite" was one of my favorite songs. (Of course Superkalifragiliciousexpialidocious and Chim-chiminy were right up there as well) Today I did not want to get up early and walk, and so I scouted ideas for a different walk and again tip of the hat to Janice for the idea - I walked along the Columbia river which is not far from my house.
My roommate went with me and we walked 2 miles along beautiful scenery (and lots of people) and at the end we got a drink at one of the restaurants along the boardwalk. Ginger mojitos are totally worth the 4.5 points. (ok, mostly worth it....4.5 points?!) I really think I can get myself into a habit of finding new places to walk and get my heart going. I am not anti-gym, but it's just not really for me. I love the variety of scenery and the fresh air and the sounds. Will have to come up with something suitable when it starts to be winter because I may love the snow but I do not see myself walking 3 miles a day in snow...unless it's for a horror story for a kid "in my day we walked 3 miles in the snow...up hill....both ways"
This morning we went out to breakfast and boy do I need to really look my points up before I go out to eat!! I had an egg substitute vegetable omelette (onions, mushrooms, peppers, some cheese, and salsa on top) 1 piece of wheat toast and about 1 cup of hashbrowns. (And some coffee) The omelette itself was 10 points.....yeah. So, I will next time ask for the egg white omelette and see if they can make it to order. After that yummy meal I was so full I haven't eaten since. But after the walk I am getting hungry and will check out something in the kitchen.
The exercise points will keep adding up, I am now positive I can get up and walk every morning. Even in the rain. And I plan to walk further tomorrow morning, I clocked how far a mile is today when we were driving to the boardwalk and I am sure I can do it. Just a little longer. And I may throw in good old heart attack hill while I'm at it.
Feeling good even tho I'm still not further down on pounds. This is week 6. Went by fast and I just keep taking it....
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
My roommate went with me and we walked 2 miles along beautiful scenery (and lots of people) and at the end we got a drink at one of the restaurants along the boardwalk. Ginger mojitos are totally worth the 4.5 points. (ok, mostly worth it....4.5 points?!) I really think I can get myself into a habit of finding new places to walk and get my heart going. I am not anti-gym, but it's just not really for me. I love the variety of scenery and the fresh air and the sounds. Will have to come up with something suitable when it starts to be winter because I may love the snow but I do not see myself walking 3 miles a day in snow...unless it's for a horror story for a kid "in my day we walked 3 miles in the snow...up hill....both ways"
This morning we went out to breakfast and boy do I need to really look my points up before I go out to eat!! I had an egg substitute vegetable omelette (onions, mushrooms, peppers, some cheese, and salsa on top) 1 piece of wheat toast and about 1 cup of hashbrowns. (And some coffee) The omelette itself was 10 points.....yeah. So, I will next time ask for the egg white omelette and see if they can make it to order. After that yummy meal I was so full I haven't eaten since. But after the walk I am getting hungry and will check out something in the kitchen.
The exercise points will keep adding up, I am now positive I can get up and walk every morning. Even in the rain. And I plan to walk further tomorrow morning, I clocked how far a mile is today when we were driving to the boardwalk and I am sure I can do it. Just a little longer. And I may throw in good old heart attack hill while I'm at it.
Feeling good even tho I'm still not further down on pounds. This is week 6. Went by fast and I just keep taking it....
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Week 6 - Heart Attack Hill/Weigh-in day
So, got up this morning, still a little sore (took Ibuprofen before I went to bed tho....because I expected it) and stood on the scale......1/2 a pound. *sigh* I so wanted it to be more. I felt like it SHOULD have been more. I worked my ass off (or part of it) this week. But hey, 1/2 a pound is still 1/2 a pound. And it brings me to minus 19 pounds. And I KNOW that I will hit 20 next week. (maybe more)
And then I got up and decided I was going to walk. The roommate came in and said "let's go to Starbucks". I thought "hrrm. well that might work". Because in order to walk to Starbucks you must first walk up .... wait for it .... heart attack hill. He was excited and wanted to get me going and was saying "let's jog". I immediately felt like he was pushing me (and this may well have not been the case) and it pissed me off and I announced "I am not jogging. I am not in shape enough to do it. I will walk up that hill, but I am going at my own pace so you will have to deal with me doing this on MY terms." Poor guy was like "you woke up in a bad mood." To which I responded "nope, but I will not be pushed." *sigh* Yeah, people pushing me to do stuff, anything as a matter of fact, get an IMMEDIATE reaction from me. And it's not good. Guess I'm going to have to see my therapist (me) about that and figure out why that is.
Regardless, I put my shoes and socks on my sore feet and put on my most comfortable pants (let's just say that walking as much as I have, I need to make sure I have no way to create chaffing....more fat girl issues) and walked up Heart Attack Hill. I stopped at the top. Was having a hard time breathing through my nose, and thus a hard time getting enough oxygen (having allergy issues I guess) so I had to slow my breathing to where I wasn't gasping. Now, the last time I walked up this hill I had flashing lights in the corner of my eyes. Yeah. It was that bad. And, mind you this hill is not THAT steep. Honestly, it's not. But if you are not in shape it is a challenge.
So, I walked up the hill, stopped for a few seconds and kept going. And walked the 1.1 miles to Starbucks, got a coffee with equal and half and half (worth the points). And then walked back. So far today I have 4 activity points and have walked 2.2 miles. I was looking at my activity points since I started this and I'm seeing an encouraging trend:
Week 1 - 2 points (10 minutes is generally 1 point, so you know...)
Week 2 - 6 points
Week 3 - 3 points
Week 4 - 7 points
Week 5 - 20 points (this was my post-vacation week)
Week 6 - 4 points so far and it's only day 1
Yep, I will keep going. I feel better when I exercise, especially in the mornings. And I tell you this - all it takes is getting up and doing something. Park further away from work. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Start slow. Don't put yourself into the trap of trying too much too quickly. If it's going to be a habit it has to be one you believe you WILL follow through on. And today's lesson - don't let others push you into doing what you know you can't do, but don't give up either. Heart attack hill has been conquered. Once. It will be again.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
And then I got up and decided I was going to walk. The roommate came in and said "let's go to Starbucks". I thought "hrrm. well that might work". Because in order to walk to Starbucks you must first walk up .... wait for it .... heart attack hill. He was excited and wanted to get me going and was saying "let's jog". I immediately felt like he was pushing me (and this may well have not been the case) and it pissed me off and I announced "I am not jogging. I am not in shape enough to do it. I will walk up that hill, but I am going at my own pace so you will have to deal with me doing this on MY terms." Poor guy was like "you woke up in a bad mood." To which I responded "nope, but I will not be pushed." *sigh* Yeah, people pushing me to do stuff, anything as a matter of fact, get an IMMEDIATE reaction from me. And it's not good. Guess I'm going to have to see my therapist (me) about that and figure out why that is.
Regardless, I put my shoes and socks on my sore feet and put on my most comfortable pants (let's just say that walking as much as I have, I need to make sure I have no way to create chaffing....more fat girl issues) and walked up Heart Attack Hill. I stopped at the top. Was having a hard time breathing through my nose, and thus a hard time getting enough oxygen (having allergy issues I guess) so I had to slow my breathing to where I wasn't gasping. Now, the last time I walked up this hill I had flashing lights in the corner of my eyes. Yeah. It was that bad. And, mind you this hill is not THAT steep. Honestly, it's not. But if you are not in shape it is a challenge.
So, I walked up the hill, stopped for a few seconds and kept going. And walked the 1.1 miles to Starbucks, got a coffee with equal and half and half (worth the points). And then walked back. So far today I have 4 activity points and have walked 2.2 miles. I was looking at my activity points since I started this and I'm seeing an encouraging trend:
Week 1 - 2 points (10 minutes is generally 1 point, so you know...)
Week 2 - 6 points
Week 3 - 3 points
Week 4 - 7 points
Week 5 - 20 points (this was my post-vacation week)
Week 6 - 4 points so far and it's only day 1
Yep, I will keep going. I feel better when I exercise, especially in the mornings. And I tell you this - all it takes is getting up and doing something. Park further away from work. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Start slow. Don't put yourself into the trap of trying too much too quickly. If it's going to be a habit it has to be one you believe you WILL follow through on. And today's lesson - don't let others push you into doing what you know you can't do, but don't give up either. Heart attack hill has been conquered. Once. It will be again.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Week 5, Day 7 - Doin' The Walk of Life
First of all, ouch. I can tell that I walked today. So, I walked 6 miles at 3 miles an hour. I know this because there were mile posts along the trail and I timed myself. I was so proud of myself. I went with my roommate and our friend and at a few points they were far enough behind me that I couldn't see or hear them. I loved the scenery. Unfortunately my phone is not working right now of I'd post some pictures that I took.
The trail starts out in a parkinglot, just out of our little town, and there is a sign in this parkinglot that I took a picture of but can't post yet. It said "Warning: high crime area." Uhhhhh. And I'm supposed to leave my car here and WALK?! Luckily the walk then proceeds through trees on a path that looks a bit like the pictures you see of Central Park (NY) in fall. Beautiful. There were a few people on the trail, but not constant. And then you keep walking and you see a little swampy area with lilly pads (at which point I was thinking "uhh, that is not a lake") but you keep walking down a gravel path, through gorgeous trees, blackberry bushes. Eventually the lake came into view and yes, there is indeed a lake there. I had no idea. There were sign posts all along the way telling us how far we'd gone (which is great when you want to know your progress and at the end how close you are to done) and when I got to the one that said "3 miles" I waited for the boys to catch up and turned back around and walked back.
I was not trying to be super fast, just walk fast enough to get and keep my heart rate up. And I got back to the car exactly 2 hours after we left. By the end of the walk my knee (that I had surgery on in high school) was achy and my feet were starting to hurt, but I felt great otherwise. It was awesome to be outside in nature. At several points when I was by myself it felt so peaceful. The lake itself had several aspects that reminded me of growing up in Montana. We went to a tiny little camp every summer, slept on creaky/squeaky cots in drafty cabins and I spent most of my time in or on the lake. At one point I remember going out in my canoe on the lake early in the morning when the mist was still all over and the smell of the water was something I re-experienced today. Regardless of the scary sign at the start I could see this walk becoming a part of my regular routine. It's not far from my house and it is a GREAT walk.
Getting back into the car my knee was SCREAMING at me and my feet were throbbing but by the time we stopped to get an iced chai (that was my treat) and at the store to get chips for the great chicken nachos the throbbing had subsided and I was feeling that great relaxed feeling you get after a work out.
So, I started my day with an egg white, mushroom, feta omelette with an iced coffee (skim milk) light & fit blueberry yogurt, toast with honey, lots of water before and after the walk and then my chai latte and chicken nachos with guacamole. Not really hungry now but I'm thinking some sort of vegetables will make it into the menu and more water.
And did I mention I walked SIX MILES at 3 miles an hour??? Yes, even for a "Fat Girl Hike" it was a great workout. I'm thinking tomorrow morning I may just get to the top of heartattack hill..... Thanks for the idea Janice. I hope your bike ride went well.
Tomorrow is weigh in day and I know I lost something, just not sure how much. Regardless, I am proud of myself, I did some form of exercise EVERY day this week. And that is a big deal.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
The trail starts out in a parkinglot, just out of our little town, and there is a sign in this parkinglot that I took a picture of but can't post yet. It said "Warning: high crime area." Uhhhhh. And I'm supposed to leave my car here and WALK?! Luckily the walk then proceeds through trees on a path that looks a bit like the pictures you see of Central Park (NY) in fall. Beautiful. There were a few people on the trail, but not constant. And then you keep walking and you see a little swampy area with lilly pads (at which point I was thinking "uhh, that is not a lake") but you keep walking down a gravel path, through gorgeous trees, blackberry bushes. Eventually the lake came into view and yes, there is indeed a lake there. I had no idea. There were sign posts all along the way telling us how far we'd gone (which is great when you want to know your progress and at the end how close you are to done) and when I got to the one that said "3 miles" I waited for the boys to catch up and turned back around and walked back.
I was not trying to be super fast, just walk fast enough to get and keep my heart rate up. And I got back to the car exactly 2 hours after we left. By the end of the walk my knee (that I had surgery on in high school) was achy and my feet were starting to hurt, but I felt great otherwise. It was awesome to be outside in nature. At several points when I was by myself it felt so peaceful. The lake itself had several aspects that reminded me of growing up in Montana. We went to a tiny little camp every summer, slept on creaky/squeaky cots in drafty cabins and I spent most of my time in or on the lake. At one point I remember going out in my canoe on the lake early in the morning when the mist was still all over and the smell of the water was something I re-experienced today. Regardless of the scary sign at the start I could see this walk becoming a part of my regular routine. It's not far from my house and it is a GREAT walk.
Getting back into the car my knee was SCREAMING at me and my feet were throbbing but by the time we stopped to get an iced chai (that was my treat) and at the store to get chips for the great chicken nachos the throbbing had subsided and I was feeling that great relaxed feeling you get after a work out.
So, I started my day with an egg white, mushroom, feta omelette with an iced coffee (skim milk) light & fit blueberry yogurt, toast with honey, lots of water before and after the walk and then my chai latte and chicken nachos with guacamole. Not really hungry now but I'm thinking some sort of vegetables will make it into the menu and more water.
And did I mention I walked SIX MILES at 3 miles an hour??? Yes, even for a "Fat Girl Hike" it was a great workout. I'm thinking tomorrow morning I may just get to the top of heartattack hill..... Thanks for the idea Janice. I hope your bike ride went well.
Tomorrow is weigh in day and I know I lost something, just not sure how much. Regardless, I am proud of myself, I did some form of exercise EVERY day this week. And that is a big deal.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Friday, September 3, 2010
Week 5 Day 6 - Thank god it's over
So, yeah, today sucked. Yesterday's 10 hours was NOT enough to make today any less crappy. But it's work. Not that I expect it to be fantastic, it was Friday after all. I will not make the mistake of not getting up to walk again. That makes such a huge difference to me. All it is is 10 minutes walking before I've showered or put makeup on but that 10 minutes makes me able to deal with angry co-workers and never-ending stuff to do NOW.
I was prepared with my snacks tho. I now have to go shopping for Smart Ones, their breakfasts are great and low numbers. I had a couple of yogurts, nice sugary taste to feel like a treat. Made a basic sandwich of Sara Lee bread (I'm stuck on the 45 calorie slices, the thin subs are 100 calories for the whole sandwich, but these only add up to 90!) a slice of cheddar and some veggie meat. (You get 2 Yves slices for 1 point) I also took a container of cherry tomatoes and baby carrots and a couple of string cheese sticks.
Tonight our friend is over to play Wii Golf and other video games so I'm using some of my weekend points, we are having yummy chicken quesadillas (and tortillas are 4 points...) and I had the last of my Limoncello (because I deserve it dammit!). One of the tricks they talk about on WW is to eat before you go to a party...so I made myself a very good (and low point) salad with carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce/spinach, and a little bit of vinaigrette BEFORE I drank my Limoncello and before I started in on the chicken.
And guess what I'm doing tomorrow?? Thanks to my friend Janice I'm going on a 6 mile hike. Going with the roommate and our friend. I know, 6 miles. But it's promised not to be up any hills like heartattack hill. And I'm looking forward to it. I really like being outside. Anything not to sit indoors too long after working so much. I will still do my share of sitting indoors tomorrow but I will walk. A LOT. :)
I will blog tomorrow night about the walk, I'm calling it a Fat Girl Hike (because I am NOT marching up a hill) and I'm looking forward to it!! TGIF peoples.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
I was prepared with my snacks tho. I now have to go shopping for Smart Ones, their breakfasts are great and low numbers. I had a couple of yogurts, nice sugary taste to feel like a treat. Made a basic sandwich of Sara Lee bread (I'm stuck on the 45 calorie slices, the thin subs are 100 calories for the whole sandwich, but these only add up to 90!) a slice of cheddar and some veggie meat. (You get 2 Yves slices for 1 point) I also took a container of cherry tomatoes and baby carrots and a couple of string cheese sticks.
Tonight our friend is over to play Wii Golf and other video games so I'm using some of my weekend points, we are having yummy chicken quesadillas (and tortillas are 4 points...) and I had the last of my Limoncello (because I deserve it dammit!). One of the tricks they talk about on WW is to eat before you go to a party...so I made myself a very good (and low point) salad with carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, lettuce/spinach, and a little bit of vinaigrette BEFORE I drank my Limoncello and before I started in on the chicken.
And guess what I'm doing tomorrow?? Thanks to my friend Janice I'm going on a 6 mile hike. Going with the roommate and our friend. I know, 6 miles. But it's promised not to be up any hills like heartattack hill. And I'm looking forward to it. I really like being outside. Anything not to sit indoors too long after working so much. I will still do my share of sitting indoors tomorrow but I will walk. A LOT. :)
I will blog tomorrow night about the walk, I'm calling it a Fat Girl Hike (because I am NOT marching up a hill) and I'm looking forward to it!! TGIF peoples.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Week 5 Day 5 - Tired
Ugh, I am freakin exhausted. Just finished a 10 hour day at work and it wasn't even a Friday! I got up this morning and did my walk. And this time I got 3/4 or more up heart-attack hill. Tomorrow I'm thinking I may just make it the entire way!! I did NOT want to get up but I did. Yay me.
I had a Smart Ones breakfast - it had cheesy eggs and some hashbrowns, yum (4 points). Then I had a yogurt, it's a bigger one than the ones I usually get so it's 2 points. Then I went to a meeting....oh yes, they had food. So I got a salad in a little plastic container. This salad had probably 2 cups of lettuce, 3 strawberries, a handful of walnuts and a container of vinaigrette dressing.....and the whole thing was off the charts in points. Why you ask?? Because they think you are going to eat the entire container of dressing.....and I did not. I had less than 2 tbsp, oh yeah and it had feta. Seriously, just that one little container of dressing (and it was the size of those little containers they bring with Dominos pizza, the ones with garlic oil/butter? yeah, I love breadsticks in those. Anyway, it was that size.) made all the difference in terms of calories. Then I went back to work and had some carrots and tomatos and a bit of ranch that I had portioned out this morning (love my little containers) and when I run out of my sugar free chocolate puddings I will be sad. Meantime I enjoyed one.
I came home and instead of being one with my couch (and oh did I want to just sit here and stare at the tv) I got my roommate to do Wii Fit and I did a run with him, and then I did my own measuring and checking in (still hate that little voice when it says "that's obese" but I am proud to see the drop in percentage of BMI so there's that). So, all together I had around 20 minutes of moderate activity. (I did some balance games, the hula hoop, the step and some strength moves.)
And I know it will be worth it when I step on that scale on Sunday morning. Did not drink enough water today, I have to remind myself to do that every day. But it's still...
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Ps. Congrats MtSnowbb on your progress. Every pound counts girl!
I had a Smart Ones breakfast - it had cheesy eggs and some hashbrowns, yum (4 points). Then I had a yogurt, it's a bigger one than the ones I usually get so it's 2 points. Then I went to a meeting....oh yes, they had food. So I got a salad in a little plastic container. This salad had probably 2 cups of lettuce, 3 strawberries, a handful of walnuts and a container of vinaigrette dressing.....and the whole thing was off the charts in points. Why you ask?? Because they think you are going to eat the entire container of dressing.....and I did not. I had less than 2 tbsp, oh yeah and it had feta. Seriously, just that one little container of dressing (and it was the size of those little containers they bring with Dominos pizza, the ones with garlic oil/butter? yeah, I love breadsticks in those. Anyway, it was that size.) made all the difference in terms of calories. Then I went back to work and had some carrots and tomatos and a bit of ranch that I had portioned out this morning (love my little containers) and when I run out of my sugar free chocolate puddings I will be sad. Meantime I enjoyed one.
I came home and instead of being one with my couch (and oh did I want to just sit here and stare at the tv) I got my roommate to do Wii Fit and I did a run with him, and then I did my own measuring and checking in (still hate that little voice when it says "that's obese" but I am proud to see the drop in percentage of BMI so there's that). So, all together I had around 20 minutes of moderate activity. (I did some balance games, the hula hoop, the step and some strength moves.)
And I know it will be worth it when I step on that scale on Sunday morning. Did not drink enough water today, I have to remind myself to do that every day. But it's still...
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Ps. Congrats MtSnowbb on your progress. Every pound counts girl!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Week 5 Day 4 - Plateaus
I haven't hit one yet but I know a plateau is in my future. I've hit them before. 2 years ago when I lost 50 pounds I hit several slow spots, the longest one at 30 pounds. I know that adding exercise this week will work well to keep me going. I didn't get up and walk this morning, but I did walk today. Fast and in the rain.
Was reading online about plateaus and some good points to be made:
1. What might be causing your plateau:
Most people lose very quickly when they first start a weight-loss plan. You’ll often hear this referred to as losing “water weight.” When you reduce calorie intake, your body releases stores of glycogen, a stored carbohydrate. After glycogen is exhausted, your body burns fat stores – which is good, but…fat burns slower than glycogen. So weight loss may slow down. Don’t start thinking it’s a plateau until your weight-loss has halted for several consecutive weeks. Other things that might be causing the plateau - too much loss too quickly (you start with muscle loss), a body's changing needs (smaller body = less calories needed), new medication (yeah, lots of meds can cause this)
2. Pushing past a plateau:
Eat more filling foods, don't forget to track everything you eat, make sure you aren't eating too many zero points foods, consider using half of your weekly values (!!) and consider measuring your food (you might be underestimating the sizes).
Move more - a pound of muscle weighs as much as a pound of fat, but the muscle takes less space, so the fat loss might still be happening but the newly un-earthed muscle may be standing in your way.
It is predictable to lose more at the beginning of a dietary change. "When calories from food are reduced, the body gets needed energy by releasing its stores of glycogen, a type of carbohydrate found in the muscles and liver. Glycogen holds onto water, so when glycogen is burned for energy, it also releases the water—about 4 grams of water for every gram of glycogen—resulting in substantial weight loss that's mostly water. "
"Once the body uses up its glycogen stores, it starts to burn fat for energy. Unlike glycogen, fat does not store much water and each gram of fat releases more than twice the amount of energy (i.e., calories) than a gram of glycogen. The result is that weight loss slows down substantially. At this point, the recommended rate of weight loss is no more than an average of 2 pounds per week. Losing weight faster than this is generally a sign that amounts of lean muscle mass, which like glycogen is largely water, are being broken down for energy."
The article goes on to state that a plateau around 6 months is likely to occur (great...something to look forward to) and that research is still unclear as to whether or not hormones related to fat might affect this, and metabolic changes may also affect the process. Regardless, it's worth it to keep going because plateaus are not brick walls. They are just things to move across.
(article from: http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=23561&sc=801)
I'm not giving up if/when I hit one. Because if I can get my ass out of bed at 6:30 and go walk up heart-attack hill, I can work my way through a plateau.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
Was reading online about plateaus and some good points to be made:
1. What might be causing your plateau:
Most people lose very quickly when they first start a weight-loss plan. You’ll often hear this referred to as losing “water weight.” When you reduce calorie intake, your body releases stores of glycogen, a stored carbohydrate. After glycogen is exhausted, your body burns fat stores – which is good, but…fat burns slower than glycogen. So weight loss may slow down. Don’t start thinking it’s a plateau until your weight-loss has halted for several consecutive weeks. Other things that might be causing the plateau - too much loss too quickly (you start with muscle loss), a body's changing needs (smaller body = less calories needed), new medication (yeah, lots of meds can cause this)
2. Pushing past a plateau:
Eat more filling foods, don't forget to track everything you eat, make sure you aren't eating too many zero points foods, consider using half of your weekly values (!!) and consider measuring your food (you might be underestimating the sizes).
Move more - a pound of muscle weighs as much as a pound of fat, but the muscle takes less space, so the fat loss might still be happening but the newly un-earthed muscle may be standing in your way.
It is predictable to lose more at the beginning of a dietary change. "When calories from food are reduced, the body gets needed energy by releasing its stores of glycogen, a type of carbohydrate found in the muscles and liver. Glycogen holds onto water, so when glycogen is burned for energy, it also releases the water—about 4 grams of water for every gram of glycogen—resulting in substantial weight loss that's mostly water. "
"Once the body uses up its glycogen stores, it starts to burn fat for energy. Unlike glycogen, fat does not store much water and each gram of fat releases more than twice the amount of energy (i.e., calories) than a gram of glycogen. The result is that weight loss slows down substantially. At this point, the recommended rate of weight loss is no more than an average of 2 pounds per week. Losing weight faster than this is generally a sign that amounts of lean muscle mass, which like glycogen is largely water, are being broken down for energy."
The article goes on to state that a plateau around 6 months is likely to occur (great...something to look forward to) and that research is still unclear as to whether or not hormones related to fat might affect this, and metabolic changes may also affect the process. Regardless, it's worth it to keep going because plateaus are not brick walls. They are just things to move across.
(article from: http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=23561&sc=801)
I'm not giving up if/when I hit one. Because if I can get my ass out of bed at 6:30 and go walk up heart-attack hill, I can work my way through a plateau.
One day. One pound. One step at a time.
~N
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