New activities.

Totally lost focus for a few days. Weighed today and am up two pounds. Oh no!

So I'm determined in the gym again. Today I walked my mile on the treadmill, at an average speed of 3.2, so I finished in around 20 minutes. Then I moved my happy butt over to the elliptical, and did another 15 minutes, getting through 1.10 miles there. My speed on the elliptical averages about 3.8, but I keep it on level one.
Isn't it so frustrating... the moment you realize, if you'd have stayed on track the last few weeks, you'd actually be close to your goal? But instead, you had a second helping of this, or an extra serving of that, and next thing you know, you're heading the wrong way on the scale again.
A while back, I talked about adding new activities to my daily routine. I need new ways to burn calories, so I'm considering starting to ride my bike to work. I checked the distance yesterday, and it's just over a mile, so it's really no big deal at all. The only concern I have is getting into the routine of taking my uniform to work, and making sure I have time to change and freshen up before work. I have a fairly "sweaty" job anyway, so a quick bike ride and a little perspiring is not going to ruin my reputation. :-)
My only other concern is that if I were to get a flat or otherwise break down on the way to work, I'd have to walk the bike back home, and get the car. There might be an occasion where I'm late to work, and I hate that! But chances are, it won't happen ever... or at least very rarely.
The weather has been warm for February, and as long as there's no snow or rain, there should be no reason for me not to give this a try. Trust me people, I'm psyching myself up for it. I'm going over all the pros and cons in my head... talking myself into it.
I have a friend who has given up vehicles, almost completely. He still owns a truck and motorcycle, but has commuted and travelled by bicycle exclusively since September. Even in the snow. He's my inspiration. If he can do everything by bicycle, and still have a normal life, why can't I do a 2-mile round trip daily? Well, it's a start. I might like it so much, I'll follow his lead! Not likely, but it's a nice thought. :-)

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Still at 219.2 this morning. I'm going to have to ramp up my workouts, or I'm not going to see a big difference in my weight. The food is same as usual, and most days I'm keeping it around 1100-1500 calories a day. Probably should read back in my posts from 2 years ago, and see what little tricks I'm forgetting. Simple things sometimes make all the difference.

Slow-going.

Moving down slowly, but I guess I'm just spoiled, considering how quickly I lost weight the last time we went through this. Two pounds a week should be considered good progress, and yet, I'm feeling like I'm not doing enough.
I've started changing up my routine at the gym. Instead of just my standard treadmill-weights-go home routine, I've decided to do some heavier leg stuff. My theory is to build up the big muscle groups, so they can do the fat-burning for me.
I use the "Expresso" bike, which has the monitor on the front, and a video of your virtual ride. You can sync your bike with the one next to you, and compete, or just ride alone. You still have riders on your course to pass, but you're not racing. I have been setting it for the "Coastal Ride" which is about 2 miles, and the "Campus Loop" which is about 2.6. There are hills and downgrades, so it's like a real ride. And my legs are feeling the burn!!
New scale weighed me at 219 today. Slow-going. Only about 7 pounds so far.

New scale.

Since day one, back in February of 2010, I've used the same scale. It's been a good friend, but it was time to jump start my motivation with something new. The old scale has been moved to the laundry room, and the new, fancy one is now in a place of honor in the master bath.
The old scale was pretty basic with a digital readout, and nothing fancy. But over the last couple years, I've gotten to where I'm just tired of its questionable memory. It seems that its memory will hold a weight for longer than the normal 24 hours. And I find it hard to believe that I will weigh the same, to the tenth, for up to 5 days straight. I don't think it was designed for someone like myself, who likes to weigh daily.
So this new one actually has memory for up to four people. And you can program it for your age and height, so it will also give you an approximate BMI. Another cool feature is the calorie readout. It will tell you how many calories you are allowed to eat, in order to maintain your current weight, based on your stats.
One problem: It weighs about 3 lbs heavier than my old one. So this morning, after having lost 5 lbs a few days ago, it looks like I'm back to 3 lbs lost. I weighed at 220 this morning, and started at 223. Oh well, it's just going to have to be this way. It's a sacrifice I'm making for the new and improved Biggest Loser scale!!

Going down, again...

Just a couple days into eating right again, and I'm down another 3 lbs. I didn't show any loss yesterday, so today kind of makes up for it.
Scale said 218 today. I'll make that summer goal for sure!

Funny, though, how just a few days of eating right suddenly makes such a difference. I don't realize when I'm doing it, but the second helping of mashed potatoes, or that fourth slice of pizza... It all adds up. And I'm paying for it now. But it's not a huge sacrifice... I actually feel so much better when I'm not loading up on carbs for no reason. These last few days have been full of protein and veggies. I've gotten to where I steam a big pan of carrots in the morning, and then just refrigerate them. Any time then during the day or evening when I want something quick, I grab a couple of those little carrots. I've never been a raw carrot person, but I love 'em steamed!

Flashback!

OMG. I just looked back at the photo posted, ("Bonus Photo") on October 19, 2010. Why didn't someone tell me! ......okay, you did. But geez! I looked great! I think the transformation was so fast, I didn't realize. Now, having gained back some weight, I can look back at that photo and go WHOA!!! I gotta get there again!! LOL

GOAL!

On the downward track again. Weighed in at 221 this morning. That's two pounds since yesterday.
Honestly, I've known since the end of last year that I was going to have to crack down again on my habits, and I was sincerely looking forward to the holidays being over to start doing the right things again. I'm happy to be eating my egg whites for breakfast, and going to bed without feeling bloated is once again, a good feeling.
I've got many things to motivate me this time around, too. It's not been so long ago that I was shaking my size 12 booty around town, and it felt good. I'm not gonna lie... at age 48, I still love the attention I was getting. It's been a real bummer feeling like I've been a failure, but I know this is not only a project to get healthy, it's a learning process at the same time. I've got to wrap my brain around the maintaining bit.
This year, I've got two vacations planned: One in April back home to attend my niece's wedding, and another back east to help out in a family-run charity golf tournament held by my cousins. Some I haven't seen in 20 years, and some I've never met. I've got to look good, and I want to feel good for the trip.
For the wedding in April, I've already bought a dress. Okay, it was on sale. And yes, it's a 14. But at the time I bought it, I was, (and am still) in a 16, so buying that dress was not only a bargain, it also became my goal dress. It's a cute little sleeveless number with big flowers! Perfect for a spring wedding!
The way I look at it, I can be in that dress comfortably if I lose about 25 lbs. Somewhere around 195, I'm in a 14. It was at 173 when I wore a size 10, but that was short-lived. Being in a size 12, at 185, was a happy weight for me. And I think this time around, that's my goal.
Yes, Shelley, I have a goal. :-)