Weigh In - Week 3 (And the strength of me!)

lbs lost this week: 2.4

lbs lost competition total: 4.4

% lost competition total: 1.7%

lbs lost journey total: 15.4

% lost journey total: 5.7%

So... I decided to switch it up a bit and do Tae Bo tonight... which I haven't done in months... maybe a year? I have forgotten how much I love it! The exercises make you feel strong. Billy Blanks always seems to know the moment I'm dying and ready to quit. It's at that precise moment that he pulls out some motivating pearls of wisdom and encourages me to push myself farther and harder. He not only pushes you to your limit, but shows you that its ok if you need to "walk it out". I need that... I need that push and that reassurance. I know that if I work hard... and strengthen my body, I can get through a one hour Billy Blanks session without having to "walk it out". And that motivates me. It motivates me to step up  my game, to push myself as hard as I can and most importantly... not to give up on myself. 

I know how intense a Tae Bo workout can be. Ive done them in the past. I didn't go into the workout tonight expecting to do the whole workout. I promised myself that I would do as much as I could... but I would try to make it to 30 minutes. It started off slow (as good workouts do) and built up. I had to walk it out a few times because quite frankly... I've abused my body (cigarettes, junk food and lack of exercise). I did most of the slower parts... but when they sped it up... I just couldn't seem to keep up. I walked it out or did a slower version of the exercise. I tried not to stop moving. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were some familiar and old favorites mixed in to the exercise routine. I definitely tried to keep up. And I know that with hard work and patience, I will be able to keep up through the whole thing. 

Tonight's exercise reminded me that I am strong and capable. I can handle a lot more than I give myself credit for. I need to remember this. It is definitely an important lesson. 

On a weight loss note: I'm steadily losing weight at a consistent pace. I'm quite proud of myself. I didn't think I would be able to actually commit to this lifestyle change. So far so good for me! I'm 5lbs away from hitting 20 lbs. At the rate I'm going it will be another two weeks. Maybe if I keep up the Tae Bo I can make that leap in one week? Oh we will definitely see!

Goal for the week: Same as last week. Lose 5lbs this week. 

Tip: Don't exercise on an empty stomach. Your body needs fuel to properly work through a workout. Also, a small protein filled snack after a workout will boost metabolism for a few hours afterward. Also, make sure to stay hydrated! WATER WATER WATER

 

Mid week check in

WoW! Has it been a tough week so far! Mid week check in is saying I only lost .7 lbs. I guess I should be thankful after the last couple of days.

I worked my butt off Sunday and Monday... and boy did I pay for it! Sunday my upper thighs were sore... but bearable. Monday after working out I couldnt even sit... Id get halfway into a sitting position and then fall the rest of the way. IT WAS PAINFUL! I took Tuesday as a rest day... but Wednesday my legs were feeling the same. I decided to take the day off from work and talk to a medical professional. This wonderful RN said that my muscles need to get used to the exercise. The soreness is just my body telling me its building muscles. If it becomes painful, like a twisting pain... then I would need to ice it and elevate it. I decided to take Wednesday as a rest day too. IT WORKED! My legs are slightly sore today... but not nearly as bad as the past two days. I guess the elevation yesterday worked! I even decided to jump back on the exercise band wagon. And it's funny... I'm all sweaty and gross... I wanted to stop in the middle and take a breather ( I didnt!)... but by the end of the workout I was like... wait... that's it? Was that really half an hour already? I feel like I missed half a workout because my legs dont hurt nearly as much as they did on Sunday and Monday.

That makes me proud... to know that I'm progressing physically. (Even my Wii fit age is down 3-4 years!) Even though the weight loss has been minimal so far this week, the benefits I am reaping from this competition are reward enough. I'm getting stronger. The boys are seeing me exercise, which means I'm setting a good example for them. I'm developing a good healthy habit. I'd dare say its even becoming an addiction or obsession. Well... I'd rather be addicted to exercising once a day than smoking or drinking.

Hopefully I'll be able to make up for the two rest days I had this week and melt off the pounds with hard work. I guess we'll see on Sunday! :)

Week 2 Stats - And my self pep talk

% of weight loss this week: 0.8%
lbs lost this week: 2


% of weight loss since January 1st: 4.8%
lbs lost since January 1st: 13

Looks like all three of us had a not so stellar week. I was the only one of the three to actually lose weight. (Doesn't that mean I get immunity or something cool? LOL) We all had different reasons (and excuses... ahem pizza) of why we didn't do as well as we should have. 

Im using this "setback" as a push forward. I'm not going to let this stop me. I want to turn that 2 lbs into 20 lbs. My first goal of losing 20 lbs and being once again below 250 lbs is on the horizon. I can see it. I can smell it. I can almost taste it even. And let me tell you... when I reach 249... I will be jumping for joy. Because I did it. I pushed past my comfort zone. I worked out til I couldn't breath and my muscles burned. I ate salads when what I really wanted to eat was a greasy cheesy tray of Fratelli's pizza. I snacked on Edamame beans instead of M and M's. All because I have a goal in mind. 20 lbs is only the beginning... next it will be 40, then 60, then 80. I want to be able to chase my sons around the baseball field when we're practicing. I want to feel comfortable in my own skin when I go to the pool. Hell... I want to buy a bathing suit and actually WEAR it at a pool instead of just wondering... will I fit into it? 


But most importantly, I want to set an example for myself and my children. I want to show myself and them what a healthy lifestyle looks like, what a healthy person looks like. I dont want them to see that fat person who falls asleep right after work and doesnt have energy to play ball or go to the park. I want them to see the person who is full of life and energy. The person who decides... oh look... its 6pm. Let's dance for the heck of it! 


So many reasons to keep on keepin' on. All of them good. All of them different. And all of them will keep me motivated, focused and on target during different parts of my journey. 


Goal for the week: Lose 5 lbs at next weigh in. 


Tip: Trick your brain. Use a small salad (or sandwich) plate for meals. It will look like more because the plate is smaller. (Thanks for reminding me of this one Ms. Susan :) ! )

Weigh in - Week 2

This week was a tough week. It has shown me that I need to learn more. I don't know nearly enough as I should. My lack of knowledge has not prevented me from making significant changes to my diet and exercise regimen. I've drastically cut down on cheese (insert sad face here!!!). I've increased my water intake. I am trying to load my meals with veggies. I am definitely learning as I go along. One of the things I've learned (and I kind of knew all along) is how important it is to keep a food journal. I picked up a food journal this weekend (Biggest Loser... what else? LOL)  There are tons and tons of pages packed with important information, tips, recipes, etc. I've been reading a few pages before bed since I've picked it up. Tomorrow I will start using it. (Totally forgot to use it today... even though I was keeping an eye on my calorie intake.) 

I need to make it a habit to be my own Jillian Michaels or Bob Harper. I've got no one here to kick my ass except for me. I've got know one here to make me have an earth shattering life altering revelation... except for me. I've also got no one to blame, no one to take orders from and no one to police my actions... except for (you got it!) me. That's the hardest thing about this. I can tell my self what I am supposed to do... but I can also come up with a million excuses of why it can wait til tomorrow. 

So far I've been good. I've exercised 5 out of 7 days this week. (6 days if you count Just Dance). I've watched my calorie intake and ensured that I was eating mostly veggies (except for my slip up on Friday). All in all I'm making progress... And with that being said... my weight tonight is.....................................................................................

256. 

I'm slightly disappointed in myself. I wanted to put up a bigger number. But I'm also proud of myself too... Even though its only two pounds since last Sunday (the official start of the BL competition at work), it's a whopping thirteen pounds total since I began my personal journey. Whether it's two pounds or twelve pounds... I'm still losing weight. I'm making healthier choices and I'm exercising more. That right there already makes me a winner. 

I'll post official stats tomorrow. 

Goal for the week: Find 5 ways to add protein to my diet. 

 

Pizza my heart!

Tough start to the weekend on Friday. Couldn't resist chowing down on some pizza. Totally kicked myself for it later. The rest of the weekend went well. Learning more about what I should be eating... how and when. This is definitely a lot harder than I thought it would be! Bought two DVDs. Biggest Loser Boot Camp and another Tae Bo DVD. Havent tried them eat. Im thinking Im going to use the Boot Camp one as my last chance workout tonight before I weigh in. 

Kinda scared about the weigh in tonight. I dont think I did as well as I thought I was going to. I guess time will tell. My calorie count was good today. Calories evenly distribute throughout the day. Even started looking at serving sizes today. I think that is going to be the killer! 

Well... Ill try and post again tonight after I weigh myself in. Wish me luck!!!! 

Mid week check in

Here are my midweek stats: 


% of weight loss this week: 1.9%
lbs lost so far this week: 5


% of weight loss since January 1st: 5.9%
lbs lost since January 1st: 16


Goal for the week: Reach 250 lbs... or less! Only 3 lbs away. Also, only 4lbs away from my first weight goal of 20 lbs!!!!! I can't put enough exclamation points up to show how excited I am! 


I have to think of a treat for myself when I reach the 20 lbs lost marker. Obviously, it wont be food. That would be counterproductive. 


What are your ideas for my 20lb treat? Let me know! I'd love to hear your suggestions.


Tip: Keep the top of your work desk free of food, especially candy. This will help eliminate unnecessary snacking. Out of sight, out of mind!

Out with the old... In with the new

In 30 years I have gone from big... to bigger... to biggest. I've always known that I was a "big" girl. And I've always known the complications obesity can cause. It wasn't a lack of knowledge that got me to such a large weight. It was a lack of motivation... a lack of self appreciation and most importantly the fear of failure. Fear that if I lose the weight... I'll gain it right back. Fear that if I exercise... I wont lose weight. Fear that if I eat healthier food... I'll gain more weight. 

Well... it's time to stop being afraid! It's time to appreciate the person that I currently am. And most importantly... its time to kick my ass into a healthier me. 

My starting weight is... <dramatic drum roll please>

269!!!!

My real journey began months ago... I would watch the Biggest Loser and think to myself, "Look at all they've accomplished! I bet I could do that!" And then I would continue eating my ice cream, pizza, etc. I didn't like the way I felt. I was tired all the time... I'd fall asleep almost immediately after getting  home from work. It was normal for me to be asleep by 9pm. My body was just drained... all the time. I relied on energy drinks to push me through the day. The more I drank... the more I needed them. If I didnt have an energy drink... I'd be cranky and miserable. My run down body just wasnt cutting it anymore... I needed a change!

I decided to look at what my body was missing. Being a vegetarian is no easy feat... and is oft times criticized as not being healthy. My choice to be a vegetarian is non negotiable. I needed to find out what my body was missing due to a lack of meat and supplement it. I started taking vitamins, iron and a Super B Complex supplement. It was amazing! I had a little more energy... I wasnt feeling as run down as before. 

But still... something was missing. Something was still wrong. I was winded after walking swiftly for short distances or after bringing groceries up to the apartment. I knew this was not good, not healthy. How on earth could I change it? I decided I needed to lose weight. But how? Left to my own devices I would surely fail. I could make up a million excuses as to why its ok to have this pizza right now. I needed guidance... support... a program. Literally (and I do mean literally) on a whim Kadin and I took a detour to the grocery store and stopped  by a weight management program. I spoke with a super nice lady... who measured my BMI, fat percentage, weight, etc. All signs point to obesity... morbidly obese... MOBY as my father says. We looked at the programs... talked about what issues I thought I was going to have. I was all for it! Sign me up! Until I saw the prices... OUCH! At a 50% discount... it was still over $600 (payable before services are rendered!). Suffice it to say... I was not able to go with that decision.

That setback didnt stop me... especially after I saw the pictures and videos Kadin surreptitiously took of me while in the office speaking to the super nice lady. I wanted to cry... "Did I really have THAT MUCH back fat? Is that really truly how I look?  How did I let myself go????" It became evident then that I needed to do something. 


My opportunity came during Christmas. Frank bought the boys a Wii for Christmas. He bought me a Wii Fit and a balance board. Just what I wanted. (Really... not trying to be sarcastic! LOL) Three weeks ago I stepped on it for the first time. I was 269 lbs. Morbidly obese... BMI 42. Last week I weighed myself... I lost 10 lbs. 10 lbs! Me! Lost 10lbs! This is awesome! I was so excited that I told the girls at work... 


We decided to have a Biggest Loser type competition. Two of us are very competitive. And it works...  I need that competitive support to get my rear in gear. Our competition officially began yesterday, January 17th, 2011. My starting weight for this competition is 258 lbs. 


Ive started keeping an eye on my calories so I can have a rough estimate of where I am. Ive been exercising for at least 30 minutes a day. Ive increased my water intake drastically... I can hit about 2 liters a day... but Im aiming for 3. Im trying to reduce my soda, energy drink and cheese intake. (I just need to add that cheese is Heaven!)


So far whatever I have been doing is working... unofficially for competition purposes... I've lost another 5 lbs. Im down to 253. Again... its only unofficially as anything could happen by Sunday night. 


My goal: Short term: I would like to lose 20lbs in the next two months (the length of this competition).
  Long term: By this time next year I would like to be 180 lbs and steady. 

Tip: Instead of parking close to the grocery store's entrance, park further away. A few extra steps means you're burning a few extra calories!


This year... its definitely out with the old me and in with the new!



Sara Jane