Sunday, December 9, 2012

Happy Sunday!

Woke up this morning, my only day off, at 5:30.   I swear, sometimes I want to take my "body clock" and throw it against the wall!  LOL   Weekdays, M-Sat, my alarm goes off at 6:00.  On Sundays, I should be able to sleep until 8 without stirring... but no go! My body wakes up, and if I didn't, my cat would see to it that I got up anyway to feed him.  ;-)
  No worries though.  I got up, made my coffee, and got on the scale.  This morning I'm down 22 lbs since August.  I weighed in at 206.6, and that makes me happy.  It's not a fast loss, but I'm burning a lot of calories during the day, and not being that careful what I eat, so it's going to be slow.  Slow is fine.  Slow is healthy.  At this rate, about 20 lbs in 4 months, I'll be back to my happy 170 by summertime!  Only 36 more to go!  Easy peasy!  :-)

Sunday, November 25, 2012

No great loss.

Over the past couple days, the scale has read 210.8, or 211.02... always in that range, and it's been there for the last 4-5 days.  This morning, I woke up to a solid 211.  No ounces.  ;-)

  Last night I took my son and his new girlfriend to dinner.  TGIFriday's... her choice.  I had Brochetta Pasta, which was basically angel hair with a light pomodoro and grilled chicken.  Nice. We also ordered fried green beans, and salads.  It was a good meal.

 During the day, when I'm working, (and I'm usually on the clock between 10-12 hours), I try to get a quick protein in the morning. I'll have either a little yogurt or a couple microwaved eggs, and always at around 6:30.  By the time I get my mail ready to go out, (USPS, remember?) it's 9:30 or 10, and I'll have a quick 100 calorie Clif bar on my way out.
  By 1:30, I'm ready for lunch.  I've been bringing a whole wheat "wrap" in my lunch.  I'll put mustard and cheese and whatever meat is in the house on the wrap, roll it up, and call it GOOD!  And it IS!  Friday, I had turkey and swiss.  Yum.
  I always also throw in yogurt, and something crunchy.  Either a couple of Newton Fruit Wafers, or ginger snaps.  :-) 
  Not exactly how the "low cal" plan started, but I'm not over doing it, and the exercise I'm getting daily is burning off whatever I eat during the day.  I just have to watch my dinners.  Usually, I'm too tired to have more than a salad anyway, and some nights I'm too tired to build one, so I settle for a glass of wine and some frozen veggies.  Haha!
  I really should be balancing my meals better... but once I've had that glass of wine, I can barely balance myself!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Hello, Little Plaid Skirt. Long time no see...

Today, I went to my boyfriend's house for Thanksgiving.  Having lost 18 lbs, I was able to grab a skirt I haven't worn in a while, and feel like it was new again!  Okay, fine.  So maybe this style should have stayed buried in the closet.  But it's plaid, and plaid is cute, right??   ;-)
  I ate a plate of small portions, and then went back for more turkey.  I had two glasses of wine, and two different desserts.  No worries...   tomorrow's walking at work will burn off those calories, and then some.  I just might wake up to 211 in the morning on the scale.  But heck!  Thanksgiving only comes once a year!  And, for the most part, I was good.  It's actually hard NOT to be good.  When you're full, you're full.  And I was full after one plate, so it was easy.   I remember a time when I'd go back for a second plate, with full portions of everything.  Times have changed.
  Here's a photo of me today.  My son took this.  He had to take three, since he said in the first two, my face looked funny.   Haha!   Geez...  I can't help how my face looks!  I was born with this one!  ;-)

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

It's a wrap! ...or is it?

   It's been months and months, (maybe over a year?) since I last posted.  My weight got back up to 228.  And I was unmotivated.  But ya know, all it takes to motivate me is seeing the scale go DOWN a pound or two, rather than UP, and I'm back on track. 
  So as I was beginning my downward spiral, (haha) I suddenly had a big change happen in my life.  The boyfriend and I parted ways, happily, and I found myself needing to go back to work full time to support myself and my son on a new single income.  For years I had been working part-time as a city carrier for the USPS, but now, the decision was made to go back to full-time.  Full time mail carrier is tough work, and you almost don't have time to eat, and you work (and WALK) hours and hours a day!
  When I started full-time again, I was back up to an unhealthy weight.  In the last 2 months, by just being busy again, and working and walking tons, I've dropped so far 18 lbs.  Weighed in at 210 this morning.  I think at some point, my body will just get used to all this exercise, and the weight will stop coming off.  Hopefully, not until I get back down to 170.  :-)
  Anyway, I thought about this blog today, and I wondered if it hadn't just disappeared into cyber space.  But it's still here!  And I thought about printing it, and calling it good, but really, my story isn't over.  Is it ever over when it comes to our health? 
  I think I'll post a few more times.  Let's see if I can keep doing this until I'm back to 170, and then I'll print the whole thing, and put it to bed. 

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Same weight!

I haven't been making time for writing anymore, and it shows on the scale. There's a direct correlation between being accountable in this blog for my actions, and what the scale shows. Here it is, nearly a month since my last post, and I'm at basically the same weight. No gain, thank God, but I think I was at 219 on February 13, and today I weighed at 218. Holy cow... at this rate, I'll never get into that size 14 dress by the end of April! I haven't been as dedicated to calorie counting, as I have been in the past.
So many reasons to get this 20 lbs off before summer! And I'm wasting time!

Monday, February 13, 2012

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

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.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

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.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

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!!

Friday, January 6, 2012

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!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

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. :-)

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Here we go again!

I don't even know where to begin. It's been so long since I've sat and put my thoughts down, I don't even think I can put a sentence together anymore.
I would have to look back on my posts from last spring to actually see where my train went off the track.
Back in the winter months of 2010, I rediscovered my self-respect. I started caring about what I put in my body, and how it affected my health... mental and physical. It was a quick weight loss, now that I think about it. I remember I lost 12 lbs in the first week! My body was so happy to have more vegetables, and lots less pasta and starch, the weight just fell off. Over the following months, I dropped 1-2 pounds per week, and sometime around September of that year, I was weighing in around 175. That was approximately 80 lbs dropped.
I stabilized around 185, and wore a size 12 for a number of months. I remember going to a New Year's Eve party going into 2011, and being able to wear a size SMALL waist chain. AND, it slung down on my hips. I was actually thin.
But I had never in my life lost that much weight. I had always been chubby, and started fad diets that would take off 5-10 lbs at a time. That would always come back on, and I almost expected it to. I never had a serious weight loss until that summer of 2010.
So, I had no clue how to KEEP it off. Obviously, exercise, and continued calorie maintenance was required. But because I had never been in this position before, I had no idea how much even the smallest variance in foods could affect the scale.
By spring of 2011, I had put back on a few pounds. I told myself, if I get to where I can't fit into a 14, I've got to get serious again, and bring it down. But it was hard to focus.
When I started the "diet", I had a focus, and a goal. And it was a challenge, to myself, to do it right and get back to my high school weight. Well, mission accomplished. But the keeping it off was what I didn't plan for.
So now, here it is almost the spring of 2012. I started this whole thing on February 2, 2010... and almost two years later, I have lost the 80 I needed to, and managed to put back on quite a bit. Not all of it, but nearly half. Crazy, right?
I weighed myself this morning at 223. Back in February 2010, I was 256. I got down to my lowest of 173, and balanced out at 185. That's still a 40 lb gain since September of 2010.
So here we go again. I didn't know what women were talking about when they talked about "yo-yo" dieting. I seriously never thought it would sneak back on so fast.
But, the good new is, I have my focus back. This weight gain was a speed-bump... just a little something to slow me down. And I learned the hard way what it's going to take to keep it off.
Since August of 2011, I've been back in the gym 4-5 days a week. I do 30-40 minutes on the treadmill, and most days I make the rounds on all the weight machines, too. But now that the holidays are over, I can focus once again on my calorie intake.
When I started this healthy eating almost two years ago, I dropped it fast. I think I can do the same thing this time around. The difference now is that I have a new respect for the women that have kept it off for a long period of time. This time, the challenge won't be so much the loss of the weight, although it won't be easy. The challenge this time will be to find what will help me keep it off for good.
I have the eating part under control. I know my will power is tested everyday regarding that. But the lifestyle change, including basic daily activity, is going to have to be stepped up in order to maintain it easier, without feeling like I'm on a diet for the rest of my life. Maybe the hour at the gym 4 days a week isn't enough.
For the next few months, while I RE-lose what I had previously lost, I'm going to be searching for something I like to do that is good for me. I've been looking into hiking clubs, and Lord knows, Boise has plenty of hiking trails. Everything from flat land, to inclines that would make a mountain goat nervous! I have quite a bit of time in the mornings still, thanks to my job, and I'm thinking that something outdoors will keep my interest. I might even become one of those hiking-obsessed women, with matching socks and hats for every day of the week! :-)