Last week's weight: 288.4
This week's weight: 290.0
1.6 pounds GAINED
39.4 pounds lost since June 2010
I'm not going to give excuses like I had 2 weeks of good weigh ins, or it's bloating from sodium. Truthfully, I had a bad week emotionally and did some emotional eating. Not near as bad as I would have 6 months ago, so on that side of things it's a victory, but enough to derail me for the week. I also didn't do enough meal planning and my lack of grocery shopping left the end of the week up in the air. I ate two high calorie, high sodium meals out on Friday. I knew eating out for both lunch and dinner was a big no-no, but I did it anyway.
I also wasn't there mentally for my workouts due to gym overcrowding and general winter funk. After great weather this weeked with a great 6 mile walk yesterday and 6.5 mile hike today, I am feeling back and ready for my planned workouts this week.
Of course I'm disappointed I gained, but I know I can easily get back on track this week. The half marathon is two weeks from today and I have seen my level of fitness increase over the last 4 months and that is so awesome to me. It makes me feel like I can accomplish anything I want to.
I hope to write more blogs this week too. I have a list of things that have been on my mind. I just need to find the time to sit down and do it.
Do you get more depressed when you have gains on the scale and go deeper into a funk? Or do gains wake you up and make you try harder the next week?
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Weigh in - Week 33
Last week's weight - 290.6
This week's weight - 288.4
2.2 pounds LOST this week
41 pounds lost since June 2010
I've hit 40 pounds lost!!!!
I haven't seen the 280s since I put that number on my driver's license at 16. I have no recollection if I actually weighed 280 at 16, but my guess would be I was somewhere around 280-300. That number stayed on my license for 5 years, into my 20s, although as the years went on I was nowhere near 280 anymore. That was until I moved to Tennessee where they don't print your weight on your license (God bless them, right?)
I am elated with the progress I've made the last two weeks. This puts me just 39 pounds from my July 1st goal! 39! I feel so much better about being able to reach that goal and I'm right on track as long as I lose an average of 1.8 pounds a week. Totally doable.
I was planning on following Carb Lover's Kickstart again, but I've been bored on the food front and with the progress I've made, I actually want to try some new recipes from the Carb Lover's book as well as the Now Eat This cookbook. I already have 2 new recipes to share with you soon. Till then, happy Sunday!
Do you like variety in your menu plan? Or do you find your self eating the same foods overand over?
This week's weight - 288.4
2.2 pounds LOST this week
41 pounds lost since June 2010
I've hit 40 pounds lost!!!!
I haven't seen the 280s since I put that number on my driver's license at 16. I have no recollection if I actually weighed 280 at 16, but my guess would be I was somewhere around 280-300. That number stayed on my license for 5 years, into my 20s, although as the years went on I was nowhere near 280 anymore. That was until I moved to Tennessee where they don't print your weight on your license (God bless them, right?)
I am elated with the progress I've made the last two weeks. This puts me just 39 pounds from my July 1st goal! 39! I feel so much better about being able to reach that goal and I'm right on track as long as I lose an average of 1.8 pounds a week. Totally doable.
I was planning on following Carb Lover's Kickstart again, but I've been bored on the food front and with the progress I've made, I actually want to try some new recipes from the Carb Lover's book as well as the Now Eat This cookbook. I already have 2 new recipes to share with you soon. Till then, happy Sunday!
Do you like variety in your menu plan? Or do you find your self eating the same foods overand over?
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Right choice vs. the easy choice
Yesterday on the way to work it was gross and raining out. I left early to arrive with enough time to prepare for a 9am meeting. About half-way to work - BAM - some chick rammed her Crystler Pacifica into the rear end of my car.
I'm pretty sure I shouted a million expletives after impact.
I missed my 9am meeting and coupled with the fact it has been a busy week at work, I was thrown off the rest of the day. Also, I left work late to make up for the time I missed that morning. Who wants to go to the gym after THAT kind of day?
I didn't want to. But I did.
What makes us choose the right choice verses the easy choice? Over the last 4-6 months I've worked really hard to eliminate excuses from my decision making. If I would have chosen to NOT go to the gym and walk my 4 miles last night, then I would have been making a piss poor excuse. There was no physical reason why I couldn't go to the gym. Because I had a bad day? Wrong - exercise relieves stress. Because I left work late and wouldn't get home until 7:30 pm if I went to the gym? Suck it up, eat a snack and get to the gym.
Yes, I did get home 12 hours after I left my house that morning. And yes that sucks, but did it hurt me? No.
When you want to make an excuse and take the easy way out of something, I encourage you to take a look at really WHY you are making that excuse and evaluate if it's the right choice or the easy choice.
I'm pretty sure I shouted a million expletives after impact.
I missed my 9am meeting and coupled with the fact it has been a busy week at work, I was thrown off the rest of the day. Also, I left work late to make up for the time I missed that morning. Who wants to go to the gym after THAT kind of day?
I didn't want to. But I did.
What makes us choose the right choice verses the easy choice? Over the last 4-6 months I've worked really hard to eliminate excuses from my decision making. If I would have chosen to NOT go to the gym and walk my 4 miles last night, then I would have been making a piss poor excuse. There was no physical reason why I couldn't go to the gym. Because I had a bad day? Wrong - exercise relieves stress. Because I left work late and wouldn't get home until 7:30 pm if I went to the gym? Suck it up, eat a snack and get to the gym.
Yes, I did get home 12 hours after I left my house that morning. And yes that sucks, but did it hurt me? No.
When you want to make an excuse and take the easy way out of something, I encourage you to take a look at really WHY you are making that excuse and evaluate if it's the right choice or the easy choice.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Weigh in - Week 32
Last week's weight: 295.4
This week's weight: 290.6
4.8 pounds LOST this week
38.8 pounds lost since June 2010.
Damnit, I just typed out a whole post on my phone because my laptop got a virus last week and isn't running and then I lost it! Ugh.
I guess I got my 2 pounds I should have lost last week + 2.8 more for this week. Booya!
I did my 12+ miles today at a slower pace than normal. (18:45/mi) I'm blaming doing it through downtown and having to stop at intersections for traffic. Also, have you noticed how much harder it is to walk on sidewalks than paved trails? Ouch. There's only 4 weeks until my race. I'm ready to be done and turn my focus to a new fitness goal. As good as you feel after doing 10 or 12 miles, I'm ready to have my weekends back!
Expect limited updates from me until I can figure out how to fix my laptop.
This week's weight: 290.6
4.8 pounds LOST this week
38.8 pounds lost since June 2010.
Damnit, I just typed out a whole post on my phone because my laptop got a virus last week and isn't running and then I lost it! Ugh.
I guess I got my 2 pounds I should have lost last week + 2.8 more for this week. Booya!
I did my 12+ miles today at a slower pace than normal. (18:45/mi) I'm blaming doing it through downtown and having to stop at intersections for traffic. Also, have you noticed how much harder it is to walk on sidewalks than paved trails? Ouch. There's only 4 weeks until my race. I'm ready to be done and turn my focus to a new fitness goal. As good as you feel after doing 10 or 12 miles, I'm ready to have my weekends back!
Expect limited updates from me until I can figure out how to fix my laptop.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Hold the Stuffing - Results
On November 16 I weighed in to begin my employer's holiday challenge. Anyone who doesn't gain more than 2 pounds, between Thanksgiving and New Years is entered to win a prize (This year it happens to be a Nike sportsband)
My official beginning weight was 302.4
Today, was the end of the challenge for me and I weighed in to see if I qualified for the prize. If you are keeping track, my weigh ins on my blog had me losing 5.8 pounds in this two month time frame. So, I knew I completed the challenge, but would my mid-day weigh in, with a chunky sweater and winter boots on be as kind? Not exactly.
My official ending weigh in was 298.8
A total loss of 3.6 pounds (officially)
There's always disappointment in a foreign scale not matching your home scale, but more importantly, between the gluttony of Thanksgiving, the Christmas sweets and traditional New Years alcohol binge I managed to lose weight. I would be safe to bet that this is the FIRST time this has ever happened. Ever.
However, I look at those numbers (5.8 and 3.6) and I know I can do better in a span of 2 months. I know it. Sure, what I did is great - but I can be better.
Frankly, the new goal I've set for myself scares me. I am only 5 lbs down with just 25 weeks left, which means I need to lose 1.8 lbs to make it to my goal of losing 50 lbs by July 1. That's scary. But I know I CAN do it. And I WILL do it.
New blogger friend
If you haven't yet, go read Karissa's first post at Confessions of an Herbivore. And not just because she's a good friend of mine. Her first post is inspiring. She writes eloquently, so much of what I felt when I first started my blog. She's one to watch y'all.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Fitness Anxiety
Sincerely thank you to everyone for their comments, tweets, texts and calls on the last post and my major let down of a weigh in. I really appreciate the encouragement and suggestions!
I've gotten past my crappy weigh in from this weekend and MOVED ON. Sure, I'm still disappointed that it seems like all my hard work last week was for not, but I have more hard work to look forward to this week.
Last week, I was dealing with a bit of fitness anxiety. I was anxious about the upcoming spin class last Friday and half-marathon in February.
I like trying new things. I'm pretty good about "putting myself out there" but that doesn't come without reservations. When I decided to go to the spin class, I had so many anxious thoughts. Would I be able to keep up? Would I fit comfortably on the bike? What if it's crowded? What if I'm the fattest person there? In the end none of that mattered and I enjoyed the class. It was just my my mind over thinking every thing.
I've been stressing about the half-marathon since I registered. I have done one other half-marathon. It was the Country Music Nashville event from the popular Rock n Roll race series. This race is huge. There are something like over 30,000 participants? Huge! They aren't strict about the 4 hour time limit (my time was 4:18 in 2009) and when you register they ask you your pace and pre-assign you to corrals. Then, at the start of the race, they do wave starts, where every few minutes they release another corral.
Well, unbeknownst to me, the Mercedes event is very small. Tiny. Minuscule. Get it? Only 3,500-4,000 do the half. That's 90% smaller then the size of my last half! And when they didn't ask my pace on the registration I freaked out a bit since I had no idea what to expect at the start line. I ended up calling. It's just one big start (cue: fear of being trampled). They do have corrals for the different pace times (thank God), but still my irrational fear of being trampled is still there. Have I ever told you I was trampled once? Oh, yeah I was. At a concert. Back in the day we lined up all day long to be the first one into general admission rock shows and be front row. Well, at this one venue you had to RUN, up a flight of stairs to get to the mainstage area. Being the clumsy person I am, I fell and people freaking trampled me. Yeah. So fear of being trampled is alive and well in my mind.
My other anxiety ridden thought? Not finishing - or being the last one to finish. I have nothing from my training that would indicate I won't finish within the prescribed 4 hour time limit (my 10 mile walk was a 17:45 pace), but when I constantly read things like, "the half marathon finish line will close promptly at 11:03 am" it puts a lot of pressure on me mentally. It's not even the fact of not getting the medal or whatever other swag they give to official finishers. I just don't want them to deny me crossing that finish line and saying I completed 13.1 miles. Then, looking at the finisher's times last year for the half doesn't help one bit. The slowest person last year in my age group finished in 3:51:20. See? Anxiety.
I know in the end, none of this will matter. However, for the next several weeks it will. Only 4 more "long" walks to go. I'll do 12 miles this week. Then 8 as a recovery and the last two weeks will just be 6 to give my body time to rest (I got off schedule from Christmas, so there should be another 12 miler in there, but I'll be fine).
So, does anyone else suffer from "fitness" anxiety? Or other anxiety in relation to other aspects of your weight or weight loss?
I've gotten past my crappy weigh in from this weekend and MOVED ON. Sure, I'm still disappointed that it seems like all my hard work last week was for not, but I have more hard work to look forward to this week.
Last week, I was dealing with a bit of fitness anxiety. I was anxious about the upcoming spin class last Friday and half-marathon in February.
I like trying new things. I'm pretty good about "putting myself out there" but that doesn't come without reservations. When I decided to go to the spin class, I had so many anxious thoughts. Would I be able to keep up? Would I fit comfortably on the bike? What if it's crowded? What if I'm the fattest person there? In the end none of that mattered and I enjoyed the class. It was just my my mind over thinking every thing.
I've been stressing about the half-marathon since I registered. I have done one other half-marathon. It was the Country Music Nashville event from the popular Rock n Roll race series. This race is huge. There are something like over 30,000 participants? Huge! They aren't strict about the 4 hour time limit (my time was 4:18 in 2009) and when you register they ask you your pace and pre-assign you to corrals. Then, at the start of the race, they do wave starts, where every few minutes they release another corral.
Well, unbeknownst to me, the Mercedes event is very small. Tiny. Minuscule. Get it? Only 3,500-4,000 do the half. That's 90% smaller then the size of my last half! And when they didn't ask my pace on the registration I freaked out a bit since I had no idea what to expect at the start line. I ended up calling. It's just one big start (cue: fear of being trampled). They do have corrals for the different pace times (thank God), but still my irrational fear of being trampled is still there. Have I ever told you I was trampled once? Oh, yeah I was. At a concert. Back in the day we lined up all day long to be the first one into general admission rock shows and be front row. Well, at this one venue you had to RUN, up a flight of stairs to get to the mainstage area. Being the clumsy person I am, I fell and people freaking trampled me. Yeah. So fear of being trampled is alive and well in my mind.
My other anxiety ridden thought? Not finishing - or being the last one to finish. I have nothing from my training that would indicate I won't finish within the prescribed 4 hour time limit (my 10 mile walk was a 17:45 pace), but when I constantly read things like, "the half marathon finish line will close promptly at 11:03 am" it puts a lot of pressure on me mentally. It's not even the fact of not getting the medal or whatever other swag they give to official finishers. I just don't want them to deny me crossing that finish line and saying I completed 13.1 miles. Then, looking at the finisher's times last year for the half doesn't help one bit. The slowest person last year in my age group finished in 3:51:20. See? Anxiety.
I know in the end, none of this will matter. However, for the next several weeks it will. Only 4 more "long" walks to go. I'll do 12 miles this week. Then 8 as a recovery and the last two weeks will just be 6 to give my body time to rest (I got off schedule from Christmas, so there should be another 12 miler in there, but I'll be fine).
So, does anyone else suffer from "fitness" anxiety? Or other anxiety in relation to other aspects of your weight or weight loss?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Weigh in - Week 31
Last week's weight: 295.4
This week's weight: 295.4
No loss, no gain
34 pounds lost since June 2010
I am pissed.
There's really no other description for my emotion surrounding this week's weigh in. It doesn't help that I woke up in a terrible mood to begin with (however, damnyouautocorrect.com helped a bit with that - thanks Jenne).
I can't even comprehend how no movement on the scale is physically or scientifically possible AT ALL - I had over an 8,000 calorie deficit this week between what I consumed and what I burned.
Maybe this says something for how the type of calories you eat affect weight loss? I ate completely within my calorie range every day this week, but Friday I did eat a high calorie dinner (onion rings, buffalo chicken wrap, buttered croissant...) But, I ate lighter for breakfast and lunch so I was within my goal for the day. And yesterday was a perfect day eating wise.
Or maybe the spin/sculpt workout from Friday that has left me extremely sore has my muscles retaining water? As you can see, I'm at a loss...
To top it all off I'm twice as sore today as I was yesterday and still have my 8 mile walk to get in. And its currently a windchill of 9. That makes me even more of a grumpy pants.
This kind of thing makes me go all, "well who cares what the heck I eat today." And I'm trying not to do that, but I am not doing a very good job as I've ate 730 calories of my 1900 goal already.
I'm not about to let my day get worse by not getting my walk in, so I should go bundle up for that.
This week's weight: 295.4
No loss, no gain
34 pounds lost since June 2010
I am pissed.
There's really no other description for my emotion surrounding this week's weigh in. It doesn't help that I woke up in a terrible mood to begin with (however, damnyouautocorrect.com helped a bit with that - thanks Jenne).
I can't even comprehend how no movement on the scale is physically or scientifically possible AT ALL - I had over an 8,000 calorie deficit this week between what I consumed and what I burned.
Maybe this says something for how the type of calories you eat affect weight loss? I ate completely within my calorie range every day this week, but Friday I did eat a high calorie dinner (onion rings, buffalo chicken wrap, buttered croissant...) But, I ate lighter for breakfast and lunch so I was within my goal for the day. And yesterday was a perfect day eating wise.
Or maybe the spin/sculpt workout from Friday that has left me extremely sore has my muscles retaining water? As you can see, I'm at a loss...
To top it all off I'm twice as sore today as I was yesterday and still have my 8 mile walk to get in. And its currently a windchill of 9. That makes me even more of a grumpy pants.
This kind of thing makes me go all, "well who cares what the heck I eat today." And I'm trying not to do that, but I am not doing a very good job as I've ate 730 calories of my 1900 goal already.
I'm not about to let my day get worse by not getting my walk in, so I should go bundle up for that.
Friday, January 7, 2011
First spin class + 4,000 calories burned
When I am taking care of myself - eating healthy foods and exercising I start to feel so good and forget that I am still 100 lbs overweight and am not ready to move mountains yet. This is what happened when I decided to go to my first spin class tonight.
And yes I can feel it! It was actually a combo spin + sculpt class. We started out doing lunges, squats, push ups, and planks, etc. It really made me realize I need to be doing more of this sort of thing in my regular work out. I can barely do a plank, and only attempted the side plank - sheesh that stuff is hard! Also, I hate doing that type of strength training. I think it's because I never do it, plus I'm really uncoordinated and that makes things like a side plank difficult. And bottom line: my fat gets in the way! I think after the half, my fitness goal is going to be to focus more on incorporating strength training into my workouts. I know I CAN do these things - it's just I need to practice.
Now onto the spin part - after doing all of those strength exercises, I was already sweaty and wore out. But to the spin cycles we went. After adjusting the bikes we hopped on and started peddling our hearts out. I was done for 5 minutes in. I'm used to walking. When I walk, I just start going and zone out. It's something I do because it is completely in my comfort zone. Bicycling, on the other hand, is not. I haven't been on a bike in probably 15+ years. And spinning is even more out of my comfort zone because you have all the the standing and all the resistance changing while cycling - I'm just not that coordinated!! It was hard. Maybe the hardest workout I've had in my life - not kidding. I'm not going to pretend I was able to keep up. I'd say I was about 75% with the instructor's prompts. I did much more sitting than standing and for probably the last 15 minutes I thought I may puke, so I did low resistance and just peddled at a moderate pace. So yes, it was hard - but more importantly I didn't hate it! If it was a regular offering to my work's employee gym classes, then I'd go!
I already feel a bit sore. It's mostly in my arms/shoulders and the back of my thighs where my legs meet my butt. I'm sure I will feel it worse tomorrow - and I secretly hope I do!! Everyone told me about the seat. Basically, the seat puts pressure on your lady parts/ass and makes you sore. I'm not saying it was comfortable, but that was the really the least of my worries - maybe I'll sing a different story tomorrow.
So there, I did it. I was anxious all week. I went outside of my comfort zone and I survived. I can't wait to find the next thing to bring me outside that comfort zone!
On another, but similar note: this is my report from Sparkpeople for this week (Sun-Sat) for the calories burned from exercise. And yes, it says over 4,000! I've hit the gym after work every day this week (except Monday, no work) and got in a couple extra workouts, combined with my 10 mile walk on Sunday - WOW! It feels great, however, I know this isn't typical but I'm going to try and keep up the 5x a week workouts since I seem to be on a roll...
And yes I can feel it! It was actually a combo spin + sculpt class. We started out doing lunges, squats, push ups, and planks, etc. It really made me realize I need to be doing more of this sort of thing in my regular work out. I can barely do a plank, and only attempted the side plank - sheesh that stuff is hard! Also, I hate doing that type of strength training. I think it's because I never do it, plus I'm really uncoordinated and that makes things like a side plank difficult. And bottom line: my fat gets in the way! I think after the half, my fitness goal is going to be to focus more on incorporating strength training into my workouts. I know I CAN do these things - it's just I need to practice.
Now onto the spin part - after doing all of those strength exercises, I was already sweaty and wore out. But to the spin cycles we went. After adjusting the bikes we hopped on and started peddling our hearts out. I was done for 5 minutes in. I'm used to walking. When I walk, I just start going and zone out. It's something I do because it is completely in my comfort zone. Bicycling, on the other hand, is not. I haven't been on a bike in probably 15+ years. And spinning is even more out of my comfort zone because you have all the the standing and all the resistance changing while cycling - I'm just not that coordinated!! It was hard. Maybe the hardest workout I've had in my life - not kidding. I'm not going to pretend I was able to keep up. I'd say I was about 75% with the instructor's prompts. I did much more sitting than standing and for probably the last 15 minutes I thought I may puke, so I did low resistance and just peddled at a moderate pace. So yes, it was hard - but more importantly I didn't hate it! If it was a regular offering to my work's employee gym classes, then I'd go!
I already feel a bit sore. It's mostly in my arms/shoulders and the back of my thighs where my legs meet my butt. I'm sure I will feel it worse tomorrow - and I secretly hope I do!! Everyone told me about the seat. Basically, the seat puts pressure on your lady parts/ass and makes you sore. I'm not saying it was comfortable, but that was the really the least of my worries - maybe I'll sing a different story tomorrow.
So there, I did it. I was anxious all week. I went outside of my comfort zone and I survived. I can't wait to find the next thing to bring me outside that comfort zone!
On another, but similar note: this is my report from Sparkpeople for this week (Sun-Sat) for the calories burned from exercise. And yes, it says over 4,000! I've hit the gym after work every day this week (except Monday, no work) and got in a couple extra workouts, combined with my 10 mile walk on Sunday - WOW! It feels great, however, I know this isn't typical but I'm going to try and keep up the 5x a week workouts since I seem to be on a roll...
Click for bigger imageAt some point this weekend, I'll be walking 8 miles. Most likely Sunday, but we'll see how I really feel in the morning. I hope everyone had a great first week of 2011!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Weigh in - Week 30
I am headed out for my 10 mile walk, but I couldn't wait to post today's weigh in results! I downright did a happy dance when I stepped on the scale this morning. The last couple weeks have been rough to the psyche when I was only maintaining through Christmas. Sure, I know this is a huge accomplishment because, hello, it's the holidays but I was ready to see the scale move! I pulled on my big girl pants and worked out hard on Wed, Thurs, Fri - almost 2,000 calories burned just over those three days. Combine that with being back on my regular schedule for most of this week, I am very happy with this first weigh in of 2011.
Happy New Year everyone!
Last week's weight: 297.4
This week's weight: 295.4
2 pounds LOST
34 pounds lost since June 2010
Happy New Year everyone!
Last week's weight: 297.4
This week's weight: 295.4
2 pounds LOST
34 pounds lost since June 2010
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