I Wish Losing It Was As Easy As Gaining It

Although I say that I wish losing weight was as easy as gaining weight...I'm glad it's not. When I do loose weight, I have so much satisfaction and am so proud of myself. The last two weeks have been very hard! The girls were sick, I didn't get any workouts in...except for a short walk once or twice. I made and took lunch to work with me most days, but that didn't stop me from going down and getting a cookie or other sweet. One day I got a greasy breakfast of hashbrowns and sausage...one that I used to get a lot... and I actually felt sick afterwards, I think it was from all the grease. In a weird way, I was kinda happy about it. That makes me know that my body is changing.

I went to Lane Bryant the other day. I walked out empty handed. I don't like shopping for myself. If the clothes actually fit I think they look terrible. One thing that was really dissapointing was there weren't a lot of stuff in my size. I thought to myself, You know it's bad when clothes are too small for you in a big girl store. I might do a little online shopping. Another thing is that I didn't want to really buy clothes in the size that I am now because I don't want to be at this size for too much longer. I should treat myself to a little shopping when I hit my next weight goal.

I don't even want to weigh myself. I know I've gained weight the last two weeks.

Guess what I did yesterday! I bought a brand new double jogging stroller!!! :) I am so excited to get out and about with it. It really got me motivated. I found it on Walmarts' website but it was cheaper with free shipping at Amazon.com. I hope it ships fast!

Next I want to get a bike trailer to put the girls in on bike rides. I also plan on getting Brayden rollerblades for his birthday so we can go rollerblading. The stroller has a hand brake, so I might be able to rollerblade and push them in the stroller. I was thinking, one thing I could try to do is start riding my bike in the morning. I am going on my 3-11 shift now, so it will be much easier to workout. I still want to do the first day of RAGBRAI at the end of July so I need to improve my bike riding skills

Spice it up!

Well, as I predicted, I didn't get a workout in this weekend. I didn't even do a workout video. I was thinking that I didn't eat very well...but thinking back... I didn't do too bad. I had fish both nights for supper and made myself a good breakfast, lunch both days I made a sandwich.

Dr. Oz said today to put spices in your foods to raise your metabolism. I imagine it will also put a lot of flavor into sometimes bland foods. My coach, Brittni, made chicken using three herbs....rosmary, thyme, and sage. It looked really good!

My breakfast looked so good this morning I decided to take a picture of it. Scrambled eggs (2 w/ yolks and 2 w/o yolks) with medium salsa on top and fresh strawberries. It tasted so good, too!

I still would like to get that workout video in...hopefully today since I won't be able to make it to the gym.

The weeks I work 8-4 is so hard to get a workout in. I have tried to go in the morning but I have to go SO early in order for me to be able to make it to work. I think it's hard to do it after work because I get home, make supper, get everyone to bed and then I'm ready for bed. I'm going to have to figure out some way to sqeeze it in though. Hopefully since we had daylight savings time the other night it will be light out later and I can go for a walk or...anything!

Scale Issues

I went to the gym today and weighed myself on the scale that was used for my initial weigh-in. It is the scale that the rec center used for the largest loser contest that I was apart of. I was dissapointed to find out that my weight on that scale is 334. I thought about it while I was working out and on my drive home. I can either be upset that I haven't lost as much weight as I thought or I can be proud that no matter what...I have lost weight. I decided that I am going to go off of the scale that I usually do because the other scale won't always be there. I am not going to stress myself about what my weight is on different scales. I also decided that no matter what...I am becoming more healthy, happy and energized. I had a GREAT workout! I did my 15 min. on the eliptical...my goal was to get in at least a mile and 200 cal. before the 15 min was up...and... I burned 230 cal. and went 1.05 mi.!! Then I went to the treadmill for 15 min. I did my 1 min. @ 3.0 / 1 min. @ 5.0 intervals until the last 2 min. I did 5.5 and 3.5 because I wanted to get in the 1 mile before the 15 min. was up. I don't remember the calorie burn on that but the way I was sweating makes me think that I definately put my body to work!

No meat today as it's Friday, so, fish it is! I think I'm going to make myself a little fish fillet for lunch and the tuna rolls I planned on earlier this week.

This weekend is going to be hard to get a good workout in because Jeremy works the entire weekend. Sounds like a perfect time to get my workout video in.

OH, I asked Matt at the Rec Center what my body fat % was at the beginning of the largest loser contest....48.6%! That's almost 1/2 fat! ...I just calculated my BMI on the internet (I calculated it using 327lbs as my weight.) My BMI is 45.6. Those are numbers that I will be excited to see go down!

Dr. Oz's 10 Weight-Loss Commandments

1. Thou Shalt Not Wear Pants that Stretch : Your clothing is your early-warning system for weight gain. When it's getting hard to snap your jeans, you know it's time to be vigilant. Wearing stretchy clothes allows you to live in ignorance of how your body is growing, making it easier to pack on pounds without knowing it.

2. Thou Shalt Not Keep Bad Clothes in Your Closet : When you keep the clothes you wore at an unhealthy weight, it gives you a back-up plan if the pounds don't come off. Instead, force yourself to stay on track by 86ing your "fat pants."

3. Thou Shalt Not Eat Meat That Walks on Four Legs More Than Once a Week : Meat that comes from an animal with 4 legs is higher in saturated fat (the unhealthy kind) than that which comes from a 2-legged animal such as chickens, or animals with no legs, like fish. Plus: women who eat large amounts of red meat more than once a week have a 50% higher chance of dying from heart disease and have higher cancer rates.

4. Thou Shalt Not Graze : Plan your meal before you open the refrigerator, get what you need, and close the door. Opening it throughout the day leads to impulsive choices and overeating.

5. Thou Shalt Not Eat After 7:30pm : When you eat late at night you are more likely to be eating in front of the TV (when you won't pay attention to how much you're putting in your mouth) and you're more likely to pick high-calorie snacks.

6. Thou Shalt Not Pile Food More than 1 Inch High or Within 2 Inches of the Plate Edge : Larger portions equal more calories. 'Nuff said.

7. Thou Shalt Not Chew Food Less than 20 Times Per Bite : Chewing allows your body to realize that you are eating food, prompting it to create a sensation of fullness at the appropriate time. When you don't chew enough, you get ahead of that process, eating well past when you are actually satisfied.

8. Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Plate : Spend your day nibbling bites on someone else's sandwich or afternoon snack, and you will add on 1,000 calories easy.

9. Thou Shalt Not Carry Small Bills : Nothing loves a small bill better than a vending machine. When you have them at the ready, you are one step closer to an impulsive, calorie-loaded afternoon slip up.

10. Thou Shalt Not Eat While Standing Up : Eating sitting down enables you to be aware of what you're eating and eat it slowly so that your body can tell you you're full before it's too late.

Inspirational Sayings

Today is a good day for some inspirational words of wisdom. (Espically after the cheeseburger I made myself at lunchtime!)

I got a picture of myself ...terrible picture. On the back I filled it with inspirational sayings. That way I can keep it with me and look at it when I'm feeling discouraged or anytime I might need a little push to do the right thing.

*Don't sacrifice your future for a momentary pleasure.

*Never trade what you want most for what you want at the moment.

*If you always do what you always did, you'll always get what you always got. (Good one.)

*A year from now, you may wish you had started today. (I also think...A year from now you'll be happy you started today.)

*Never, never, never quit.

*Victory belongs to the most persevering.

*Nothing tastes better than being thin feels.

*Your body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess the baggage, the shorter the trip.

*Rule your mind or it will rule you.

*Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can.

*Your past does not equal nor does it dictate your future.

*One definition of insanity is: Doing the same thing again and again and expecting a different result.

I am so proud of myself for what I have accomplished in the last 8 1/2 weeks! 28 pounds is definately something to be proud of. To tell the truth, it really hasn't been that hard. I do not feel like I have deprived myself at all. I feel good and have more energy. I can't imagine how I'll feel after 28 more pounds....or what it will feel like at my goal weight. This is going to be a good year. :)

Sweet Struggles

I have had a great day! I went to the rec center and worked out...15 min on the eliptical (235cal. and 1.06 mi. in 15 min) and I did 15 min. on the treadmill (1min at 3.0/1min at 5.0) I feel like I'm doing pretty well at both of those...if I can get in a few more workouts per week I might bump up one or both of those. I also want to get weight lifting back into my workout schedule. Once it gets nice out I'm going to dig my bike out of the rafters and get to work on it. I'm going to start swimming soon, too. I really need a new swimsuit and I don't want to buy one yet. I want to wait until I get down to a size 22-24 before I spend the money on a new swimsuit. Right now I'm sitting at a 26...in jeans anyway.

I had Subway for lunch...chicken breast on 9 grain wheat, veggies and lite mayo. I ate the whole 12 in. ...I was hungry. Supper I had a taco salad and grapes...I know... carbs. I had black beans on my salad, too. I guess I figured they were at least "healthy" carbs. BUT .... OK.... I did soo good but I guess I just couldn't back down to my temptations anymore. There was a birthday at work and the entire counter was filled with junk. I crumbled to a brownie with frosting and crunched up oreos on top! I am upset with myself for eating it but I am proud that that is all I had. There have been times (more than once) that food was brought and I had a stomach ache from eating so many sweets and junk. One brownie. ...and it was good! I promise myself that I will do the stairs tonight as "punishment." ...from 4th floor to the top, 9th floor, and back down. I have to think of something that will get me by the sweet temptations. Maybe I should put a picture of myself in my pocket that I can quick take out to look at when I am going to make a bad choice. I have a few pictures up my sleeve that might do the trick. Maybe on the back of the picture I can write some inspirational messages.

OH! I nearly forgot! I weighed myself at the gym today....327! :)

Family Changes Plus

I am so happy and proud. Since I have been trying to change my habits I have noticed my family has been making better choices! It has been proven several times just this morning! ...the bad choices I have made have also shown today, too. I talked to Jeremy a little yesterday about my concern about his health. He got defensive but I know what he felt...I wasn't trying to attack him...just trying to help. Now I look back and realize all the times my mom would say stuff about my weight... she also was just trying to help and was concerned. I knew that at the time but still always felt attacked and worthless. I was so happy this morning when Jeremy asked me to pack him a lunch for him today! That means...no fast food for him and Brayden on their little trip they are taking today! :) When I was packing it I was putting in some carrots and grapes and (this is where the bad choices proof came in) Brayden saw me and said, "I don't like that gross stuff!" The poor boy doesn't like any fruit except bananas and sometimes apples.... his first day of school was a disaster because he wouldn't try his pears...I mean REFUSED! Hopefully I haven't destroyed his eating habits for life. Jeremy also said that last night he ate well. I think he said he had a salad, carrots, some almonds, he loves the 100 cal snack packs (except he usually eats like 2...better than a big mug of ice cream) and I have him hooked on the waters I like ...SoBe Life Water is my favorite and he also likes the low cal Vitamin Water. I am hoping with my change in eating habits I can change my entire family's life!

I also have to say....the no carbs after midafternoon is going to be very challenging! I was thinking about the things I usually have for supper and pretty much everything has carbs! Chili, baked potato, sandwhich, spagetti... I am going to have to get a few more salad ideas. I already thought about Friday...no meat, so, I think I might make some tuna salad (tuna, a little light miracle whip, and maybe a pickle) and put it in lettuce leafs, rolled up. ....what to go with it? ...more importantly...what's for supper tonight? I know it's going to be harder when I'm home in the evening...at work I am pretty limited because I don't have it in front of me if I don't bring it. I'm also not going to like making something different for my family than what I eat...if theirs have carbs. ....I know, I know...I am being so negative. I'm just going to try it..at least be more conscious about what carbs I'm eating in the evening.

Work out videos: I am addicted to them...buying them that is! I always buy a workout video with good intentions of doing it...the comercials are so tempting! I have a pretty big collection of workout videos that I never use! My favorite to use is the Pilates Circle workout. ...plus it's only like 20 minutes. There are other very good ones and some I haven't even taken out of the plastic wrapper! A goal I should add is to actually use those workout videos. One thing I can say is... I don't like using them when anyone is home. I don't know why but, I don't like anyone watching me when I do them...it just feels weird. I don't know why I can go to the gym and run on a treadmill, sucking air, and not do a simple workout (or not so simple workout) in my livingroom when my husband is home and may see me. I guess I know the people at the gym are also working out. Goal...Do a workout video this week!

Carbs, Coach, and Other Tips

I have always thought that the low/no carb diets were crazy. Who could go without carbs! Well, I am going to try and do a modified version of that diet. I am going to try and not eat carbs past my afternoon snack. That way the carbs will have time to burn off before I go to bed at night and I won't have to worry about them storring in my body. It will definately be a challenge for me as the ultimate carboholic...but it will be worth it!

I should also introduce my "coach." I have a very good friend that is helping me out a lot on my weight loss adventure. She is a huge reason that I am still in the game. I don't think I have ever lasted this long on trying to loose weight. She pushes me and keeps me thinking about what is important. She also gives me great pointers on excercises and diet. She was the one that told me about what she does with carbs. She said it's better to eat carbs at breakfast and a little at lunch but after that try not to. The other day I sent my food log for the day to her and she went through the whole thing and critiqued it. I was very grateful for that because she can pick out things that I might not have noticed.

A good pointer she gave me that I am going to try and use is...during my long commute....be prepared! Make sure I have a bottle of water and a bag of carrotts to munch on. That way I won't be tempted to stop at a quick stop for pop and chips or a cookie or something. For me...when I eat and drive it's all mindless eating anyway. I could eat an entire bag of cookies and get home and not remember it.

Tomorrow I am going to try and go to the gym! I really need a good workout. Today, I was so exhausted I took the kids to school and daycare and went back home and slept until it was time to leave for work! I didn't have time to prepare my lunch so I did a quick stop at Colberts and got a lean cuisine, grapes, grapefruit, apples, and carrotts. I didn't have any fruit at home so I thought I'd get a little for the next couple days.

I really am feeling good about myself. My scrubs are getting baggy which is pretty cool and I think the pair of jeans that is fitting right now are getting a little looser! Considering in January they wouldn't even come close to buttoning...I'm pretty proud! :)

Spring is almost here!

So, I decided to start blogging about my weight loss adventure. I have been struggling with my weight for as long as I can remember. Now, after all my babies have been born I had gotten to the highest weight I had EVER seen! On January 10, 2010 I started working to lose weight and better myself healthwise. I hear good advice here and there and thought this would be a great place to put those little bits of advice.

Since January I have lost 25 lbs.! I have changed my eating habits quite a bit...although I have a lot of room for improvement. Mostly, I have excercised more. I am so glad spring is coming because I can't wait to get outside more! I went for a walk outside on my route today, and mapped it out on runningmap.com... 3.44miles! I thought it was only 3 miles so that was a nice suprise. I am doing a 5K the first week of April...it's a go at your own pace sort of thing so I will be able to walk. So, I decided that my route would be perfect for training. I started my walk with the intentions of running parts here and there but after the first block of running I had a terrible bra malfunction which took me the next 3-4 blocks to descretly fix and decided no more running for today. I will remember a sports bra next time and try it again. I hope to one day be able to run the entire route! I took my Ipod and put it on shuffle...the songs that came up were all perfect. I like the songs to be upbeat enough because I usually walk to the beat. Plus, it keeps me in a good mood and makes me forget about the time. I usually get lost in my thoughts when I go for walks. It has always proven to be a good stress reliever.

Today, I was invited to go with a group from work to do the first day of RAGBRAI. I thought...that would be a great challenge and I have been thinking that I'm going to bike a lot more ...although I am visualizing myself on the side of the road crying at about mile 5. Hopefully, I'll be at a fitness level that I can do it!

So, as the title states...I am out to become half my size!