I mentioned that I made cupcakes from the 'Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200' cookbook and thought I would give a quick review for anyone interested. I actually baked two different sets of cupcakes yesterday: the piña colada recipe and the banana with peanut butter frosting one.
I actually made the latter recipe a few days ago for the first time and sampled one then; today was the initial taste of the piña colada one. In my opinion, they were both really good! Maybe it is just because I have been avoiding sweets for the most part lately, but I thought these were so, so yummy! I had been looking forward to the tropical ones the most and was surprised when I discovered that the banana cupcakes were my favourites. Still, both will definitely be going into my baking arsenal and pulled out again and again. Sarah from Ethereal Endeavor recommended baking them a little longer than the book says which I did – for about thirty minutes instead of twenty – and I think that made a big difference.
In general, the cookbook has lots of really tasty looking recipes that I am sure I will try out eventually (I am still battling to release my inner chef). The one thing that I am not a huge fan of – which, however, makes the recipes very quick to prepare – is the use of pre-packaged ingredients such as cake and hot chocolate mixes. Overall, I am really pleased I got the book and look forward to trying my hand at the cinnamon rolls recipe sometime in the not too distant future!
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 2 cups of salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper, sliced deli ham, grated cheese, and fat free honey mustard dressing
- 1 pan fried mustard chicken breast
- 1 homemade piña colada cupcake
- 1 mug of vanilla steamed soy milk
- 1 1/2 cups of carrots, celery, and red pepper with fat free rancher’s choice dressing
- 3/4 cup fat free mixed berry yogurt
- 2 cups of Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 1/2 mug of decaffeinated tea with milk
EXERCISE:
- 45 minute step workout video (without the step)
- 25 minute walk
- 6 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 6 sets of 15 squats
- 6 sets of 10 knee push ups
- 6 sets of 30 stomach crunches (2 straight, 2 right, and 2 left)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Holiday Eating
This coming weekend is Thanksgiving for us Canadians. While I can think of many things that I am extremely appreciative of this year, I am still having some apprehension about the food that will be served at the two holiday dinners I am scheduled to attend.
This is definitely the season that puts people trying to lose weight to the ultimate test. I keep on running through my head about what is coming up and attempting to figure out a plan of attack that will not leave me overly bloated, feeling deprived, nor suffering the shame of a ten pound weekend gain.
Halloween and Christmas are also fast approaching and that makes me nervous too. Christmas especially sends me into a mental fetal position when I consider just how many get-togethers, outings, and special events happen during the month of December as a prelude to the twenty-fifth. Why, oh, why do all festivities have to be so closely tied to the overindulgence in food?
So, I am planning… I will have more control over my food choices at one of the dinners that will happen this weekend than at the other. This means that on Monday I can opt for healthier items, without appearing too picky, and probably stay mostly on course. Sunday will be a little trickier since I know the hosts generally provide a lot of cheesy, buttery options at these types of gatherings, but I will do my best to choose wisely there and I can always aim for mostly vegetables throughout the rest of the day prior to arriving for supper that evening.
Halloween is a little easier - at least it is in theory, although whether or not I will be successful moving my plan into the realm of practice remains to be seen. I am not going to be buying Halloween candy ahead of time this year. I will either bring it into the house for the trick-or-treaters on the actual day (with the intention of sending leftovers to work with my husband) or figure out a complete alternative to sweets. However, I do have one tiny indulgence that I have already arranged. In the spirit of not feeling deprived, I have asked my husband to purchase no more than a quarter cup of candy corn for me to have on the thirty-first. There is just something about that treat that screams Halloween to me and I don’t think I would feel right if I did not get at least a little taste. I knew that if I didn’t delegate that task to him that I would end up doing it myself, but that I would ultimately buy closer to double or ever quadruple the amount that I have asked him to buy. It’s all about thinking ahead!
Christmas – or more accurately, the Christmas season – is the time that leads me to feel the most anxious. I don’t have more than a loose plan in place for this yet. I will work at filling my plate with healthy options when I can and will try to eat prior to arriving at events so that I have control over my hunger and, thus, my cravings. I will approach any dinners that I am invited to with the same consideration that I am giving this upcoming weekend. I will watch my portions when I do indulge and remember that if I pass on the chance to try something that I can always have it another time. I will also revisit this particular issue on this blog as the holiday get closer so that I can reevaluate and refocus on getting through it without too much difficulty.
I don’t think that I have ever, even once, made it through the holiday season without putting on weight. That is the challenge that I would like to meet this year. I would love to see the number on the scale continue to go downwards even as the days grow shorter and colder and the festivities blend together into one long string of celebrations. That would truly make me happy. That would be the best Christmas gift that I could ever receive.
This is definitely the season that puts people trying to lose weight to the ultimate test. I keep on running through my head about what is coming up and attempting to figure out a plan of attack that will not leave me overly bloated, feeling deprived, nor suffering the shame of a ten pound weekend gain.
Halloween and Christmas are also fast approaching and that makes me nervous too. Christmas especially sends me into a mental fetal position when I consider just how many get-togethers, outings, and special events happen during the month of December as a prelude to the twenty-fifth. Why, oh, why do all festivities have to be so closely tied to the overindulgence in food?
So, I am planning… I will have more control over my food choices at one of the dinners that will happen this weekend than at the other. This means that on Monday I can opt for healthier items, without appearing too picky, and probably stay mostly on course. Sunday will be a little trickier since I know the hosts generally provide a lot of cheesy, buttery options at these types of gatherings, but I will do my best to choose wisely there and I can always aim for mostly vegetables throughout the rest of the day prior to arriving for supper that evening.
Halloween is a little easier - at least it is in theory, although whether or not I will be successful moving my plan into the realm of practice remains to be seen. I am not going to be buying Halloween candy ahead of time this year. I will either bring it into the house for the trick-or-treaters on the actual day (with the intention of sending leftovers to work with my husband) or figure out a complete alternative to sweets. However, I do have one tiny indulgence that I have already arranged. In the spirit of not feeling deprived, I have asked my husband to purchase no more than a quarter cup of candy corn for me to have on the thirty-first. There is just something about that treat that screams Halloween to me and I don’t think I would feel right if I did not get at least a little taste. I knew that if I didn’t delegate that task to him that I would end up doing it myself, but that I would ultimately buy closer to double or ever quadruple the amount that I have asked him to buy. It’s all about thinking ahead!
Christmas – or more accurately, the Christmas season – is the time that leads me to feel the most anxious. I don’t have more than a loose plan in place for this yet. I will work at filling my plate with healthy options when I can and will try to eat prior to arriving at events so that I have control over my hunger and, thus, my cravings. I will approach any dinners that I am invited to with the same consideration that I am giving this upcoming weekend. I will watch my portions when I do indulge and remember that if I pass on the chance to try something that I can always have it another time. I will also revisit this particular issue on this blog as the holiday get closer so that I can reevaluate and refocus on getting through it without too much difficulty.
I don’t think that I have ever, even once, made it through the holiday season without putting on weight. That is the challenge that I would like to meet this year. I would love to see the number on the scale continue to go downwards even as the days grow shorter and colder and the festivities blend together into one long string of celebrations. That would truly make me happy. That would be the best Christmas gift that I could ever receive.
Just Not Feelin' It
I don’t have much to report tonight. Pretty much all day I have been fighting the desire to snack. It’s been quite annoying. I kept thinking about how well I have been doing and started justifying in my head how I was due for a slip up or even a purposeful binge.
On top of that my energy was fairly low. I wasn’t really all that interested in working out although I managed to get a bit of activity in. I’ve only had a couple of these types of days so far, but I find they are really hard to get through unscathed. The temptation to throw in the towel – even just for a few hours – is huge.
I think I actually allowed all that to start putting me into a sulky mood. In an attempt to counter the funk, I decided to make cupcakes out of the 'Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200' cookbook I got last month. I will eat mine tomorrow and send the rest out of the house with my husband. I really hope I find myself in a better mood after a good night’s sleep.
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 pear
- 1 wrap on a soft tortilla shell with deli sliced turkey, grated cheese, lettuce, dried cranberries, fat free Miracle Whip, mustard, and pepper
- 3 cups of salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper, sliced deli ham, grated cheese, and fat free honey mustard dressing
- 1 mug of low fat vanilla steamed milk
- 1 sip of hot chocolate
- 3/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt with 1 cup of whole grain cereal
- 2 cups Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 1 toasted whole wheat English muffin with light peanut butter and strawberry jam
- 1 really tiny lick of batter
- 1 really tiny lick of frosting
EXERCISE:- 35 minute walk
- 4 sets of 10 knee push ups
- 4 sets of 30 stomach crunches (2 straight, 1 right, and 1 left)
- 2 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 2 sets of 15 squats
On top of that my energy was fairly low. I wasn’t really all that interested in working out although I managed to get a bit of activity in. I’ve only had a couple of these types of days so far, but I find they are really hard to get through unscathed. The temptation to throw in the towel – even just for a few hours – is huge.
I think I actually allowed all that to start putting me into a sulky mood. In an attempt to counter the funk, I decided to make cupcakes out of the 'Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200' cookbook I got last month. I will eat mine tomorrow and send the rest out of the house with my husband. I really hope I find myself in a better mood after a good night’s sleep.
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 pear
- 1 wrap on a soft tortilla shell with deli sliced turkey, grated cheese, lettuce, dried cranberries, fat free Miracle Whip, mustard, and pepper
- 3 cups of salad with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper, sliced deli ham, grated cheese, and fat free honey mustard dressing
- 1 mug of low fat vanilla steamed milk
- 1 sip of hot chocolate
- 3/4 cup fat free vanilla yogurt with 1 cup of whole grain cereal
- 2 cups Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 1 toasted whole wheat English muffin with light peanut butter and strawberry jam
- 1 really tiny lick of batter
- 1 really tiny lick of frosting
EXERCISE:- 35 minute walk
- 4 sets of 10 knee push ups
- 4 sets of 30 stomach crunches (2 straight, 1 right, and 1 left)
- 2 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 2 sets of 15 squats
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Unregimented Regimen
After yesterday’s incredibly difficult hike, I am not too sure what my plan is for exercising today just yet. I am not sore – which was a complete, yet pleasant, surprise when I awoke this morning – but I am not sure it is a great idea to push myself too much following such a great physical exertion either.
It really is a bit of a juggling act, trying to get in different types of workouts while ensuring that no one body part has too much strain put onto it. Yet, at the same time, I find that the way I implement activity into my life to be quite freeing.
I have discovered that not having a set plan, but simply doing something physical every day, works in ways I never thought it could. I generally like organized and set schedules and have utilized that type of exercise plan is the past. Of course, all of those attempts at weight loss eventually failed.
Now, I am finding that opening up the range of possibilities has really helped me to succeed. I never feel like I have faltered if I do not perform in a particular way. I do not view workouts with disgust. I actually look forward to being active, rather than dreading something that I am tired of or just outright dislike doing. Like everything else I know there is a chance that I will need to reevaluate in the future, but for now this liberty has allowed me to enjoy physical activity in ways I never dreamed possible.
It really is a bit of a juggling act, trying to get in different types of workouts while ensuring that no one body part has too much strain put onto it. Yet, at the same time, I find that the way I implement activity into my life to be quite freeing.
I have discovered that not having a set plan, but simply doing something physical every day, works in ways I never thought it could. I generally like organized and set schedules and have utilized that type of exercise plan is the past. Of course, all of those attempts at weight loss eventually failed.
Now, I am finding that opening up the range of possibilities has really helped me to succeed. I never feel like I have faltered if I do not perform in a particular way. I do not view workouts with disgust. I actually look forward to being active, rather than dreading something that I am tired of or just outright dislike doing. Like everything else I know there is a chance that I will need to reevaluate in the future, but for now this liberty has allowed me to enjoy physical activity in ways I never dreamed possible.
An Uphill Battle
This is what happens when I have a day off with my husband and no plan…
Two hours and twenty minutes. That is the amount of time that it took us to hike up a mountain with a 2,800 foot elevation gain. I can not believe that I did it!
I suggested the trek because we didn’t have anything else on the agenda for the day and it was something I have been toying with attempting for a little while now. We left this afternoon with the vague understanding that the locally well-known climb is long, steep, and brutal. Let me assure anyone reading this, that does not even begin to cover it. I repeat, I can not believe I did it!
The distance covered was actually less than three kilometers, but the entire trail was uphill with a pretty consistent incline of over fifty-five percent. At the quarter marker we stopped – only one of probably two dozen much shorter rests that took place during the trek – and I sat for a few minutes while we debated whether or not to continue. It was just so much tougher than I had anticipated! There was a sign right below the distance post that noted that the trail became steeper and more difficult past that point. We very nearly turned around because we had already been going for a considerable chunk of time and thought that the ground we had already covered was extremely hard to hike.
But, somehow, we found the strength to carry on! (I think a big part of my husband’s motivation was the desire to defeat the trail once and for all, never to return again!) At the halfway point, once more we seriously debated turning tail and heading down the slope, yet we continued despite better judgement. At the three-quarter sign we rejoiced that going up was the lesser of two evils and put retreat out of our minds once and for all.
Finally, as the sun was beginning to set in the distance, we could make out further along the mountainous trail and way up over our heads the start of a clearing. The end! We drew from our energy reserves and – with the promise of flat terrain just a few hundred feet away – slowly climbed the last portion of trail to the summit, which sits about three hundred feet below the actual peak of the mountain.
This is not something I would have ever been able to do probably during the entire time I have known my husband. Even though I weighed less than I do now when we first met, I have never been fit enough to have even considered trying to conquer that hike. This particular trail has often been compared to a stairmaster and it is definitely the most gruelling hike I have ever undertaken. I admit that I grossly underestimated the difficulty of climbing that mountain trail, but I am absolutely ecstatic that I somehow actually finished it!
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 2 1/2 cups Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 4 large crackers
- 1 bird’s nest made with 1 piece of whole wheat bread, 1 egg, margarine, and pepper
- 3/4 cup fat free lemon chiffon yogurt
- 1/2 sweet and salty almond granola bar
- 3 cups of Caesar salad with croutons and Parmesan
- 1 bite of a chicken strip with sweet and sour sauce
- 1 mandarin orange
- 1 cup of red peppers with fat free rancher’s choice dressing
- 1/2 mug of decaffeinated tea with milk
EXERCISE:
- 2 hour and 20 minute uphill hike (with multiple short breaks)
Two hours and twenty minutes. That is the amount of time that it took us to hike up a mountain with a 2,800 foot elevation gain. I can not believe that I did it!
I suggested the trek because we didn’t have anything else on the agenda for the day and it was something I have been toying with attempting for a little while now. We left this afternoon with the vague understanding that the locally well-known climb is long, steep, and brutal. Let me assure anyone reading this, that does not even begin to cover it. I repeat, I can not believe I did it!
The distance covered was actually less than three kilometers, but the entire trail was uphill with a pretty consistent incline of over fifty-five percent. At the quarter marker we stopped – only one of probably two dozen much shorter rests that took place during the trek – and I sat for a few minutes while we debated whether or not to continue. It was just so much tougher than I had anticipated! There was a sign right below the distance post that noted that the trail became steeper and more difficult past that point. We very nearly turned around because we had already been going for a considerable chunk of time and thought that the ground we had already covered was extremely hard to hike.
But, somehow, we found the strength to carry on! (I think a big part of my husband’s motivation was the desire to defeat the trail once and for all, never to return again!) At the halfway point, once more we seriously debated turning tail and heading down the slope, yet we continued despite better judgement. At the three-quarter sign we rejoiced that going up was the lesser of two evils and put retreat out of our minds once and for all.
Finally, as the sun was beginning to set in the distance, we could make out further along the mountainous trail and way up over our heads the start of a clearing. The end! We drew from our energy reserves and – with the promise of flat terrain just a few hundred feet away – slowly climbed the last portion of trail to the summit, which sits about three hundred feet below the actual peak of the mountain.
This is not something I would have ever been able to do probably during the entire time I have known my husband. Even though I weighed less than I do now when we first met, I have never been fit enough to have even considered trying to conquer that hike. This particular trail has often been compared to a stairmaster and it is definitely the most gruelling hike I have ever undertaken. I admit that I grossly underestimated the difficulty of climbing that mountain trail, but I am absolutely ecstatic that I somehow actually finished it!
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 2 1/2 cups Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 4 large crackers
- 1 bird’s nest made with 1 piece of whole wheat bread, 1 egg, margarine, and pepper
- 3/4 cup fat free lemon chiffon yogurt
- 1/2 sweet and salty almond granola bar
- 3 cups of Caesar salad with croutons and Parmesan
- 1 bite of a chicken strip with sweet and sour sauce
- 1 mandarin orange
- 1 cup of red peppers with fat free rancher’s choice dressing
- 1/2 mug of decaffeinated tea with milk
EXERCISE:
- 2 hour and 20 minute uphill hike (with multiple short breaks)
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Where Did The Time Go?
Something that I have taken note of over the last few weeks is that the amount of time that it takes me to complete a particular exercise seems to be significantly less than it was when I first started. It really isn’t, but it feels like that is the case.
I know that I have improved my walking speed, for example, by approximately seven percent. I do go faster. Yet that is not what I am delving into here. What I am referring to is the concept – not the actual passing – of time.
When I ride my stationary bike, go for a stroll, or do a few sets of stomach crunches I am less in tune with the actual number of minutes that tick by than I was when beginning this journey. I do not realize that an hour has passed, but rather often estimate half that time when exercising now.
It is so strange to think about how I felt every single moment of my workout before. I would push that last little bit of energy that I had into finishing a five minute set or counting down the seconds until I reached whatever fitness goal I was attempting to achieve in that moment. I was very aware. Now I lose track of how long I have been at something and am constantly surprised to learn that I have been active much longer than I suspected.
The reality is that, yes, I am indeed completing most of my exercises in a slightly shorter time frame than I was in the past. This is not significant enough though to account for the speed with with my workouts appear to pass. I love that my mind is playing tricks on me! If I can just learn to apply this technique to my annual physical…
I know that I have improved my walking speed, for example, by approximately seven percent. I do go faster. Yet that is not what I am delving into here. What I am referring to is the concept – not the actual passing – of time.
When I ride my stationary bike, go for a stroll, or do a few sets of stomach crunches I am less in tune with the actual number of minutes that tick by than I was when beginning this journey. I do not realize that an hour has passed, but rather often estimate half that time when exercising now.
It is so strange to think about how I felt every single moment of my workout before. I would push that last little bit of energy that I had into finishing a five minute set or counting down the seconds until I reached whatever fitness goal I was attempting to achieve in that moment. I was very aware. Now I lose track of how long I have been at something and am constantly surprised to learn that I have been active much longer than I suspected.
The reality is that, yes, I am indeed completing most of my exercises in a slightly shorter time frame than I was in the past. This is not significant enough though to account for the speed with with my workouts appear to pass. I love that my mind is playing tricks on me! If I can just learn to apply this technique to my annual physical…
Confidence Boost
A couple of completely unexpected and really confidence boosting things happened to me today. I think these were two of the best non-scale victories I have had to date!
The first had to do with the fact that the friend I was with today agree to go for a walk along the lengthy seaside path that I have mentioned before. When we arrived I double checked that she knew it would take about two hours to do the ten kilometer loop and she was fine with that. This particular woman has always been very fit and body and health conscious so it came as a complete shock when it quickly became apparent that she needed me to slow my pace.
I know that this friend has been going through a few struggles lately that have likely caused her focus on healthy practices to wane slightly, so I obliged without complaint. But, after less than halfway through she needed to take a break. I was floored! I am not remotely knocking her fitness level, but I really took it as a boon to my own! We ended up having to take a second break, slowing our pace a few more times, and cutting short the loop by about two and a half kilometers since she didn’t feel she could finish. In all fairness I think her shoes were really bugging her, but I still believe that it is a great example of how far I have come on this journey.
The second NSV is warranted because a guy flirted with me. Me! I am so happy and fulfilled in my marriage and would never, ever even put half a thought into anyone else as a possibility, but it felt so great to know that someone other than my – wonderfully biased – husband found me attractive!
I was really very sweet how it happened too. As my friend was driving us around a van pulled up next to us at a light, and I caught the eye of the driver in one of those millisecond scans. He smiled at me and held up his water bottle in a sort of salute. Well, I was drinking water too so I saluted him back, not thinking much of it at that point. As we moved up a little, he pulled up beside us and kept grinning at me and then he waved. It was adorable. We drove straight for a short while and when he came up beside us a couple of times he kept on smiling and glancing over at me, and when we turned off that street he even beeped the horn at us. Honestly, it was one of the sweetest ways I have ever been hit on, and it meant more than he’ll ever know because it has been so long since the last time that I can’t even remember when it might have been. It was a really, really nice NSV!
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 8 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 pear
- 2 cups of salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onion, cucumber, grated carrot, grated cheese, and buttermilk ranch dressing
- 1 wrap on a soft tortilla shell with deli sliced turkey, lettuce, dried cranberries, grated cheese, fat free Miracle Whip, mustard, and pepper
- 2 cups of Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 1 sip of cola
- 1 mandarin orange
EXERCISE:
- 1 hour and 35 minute walk
- 20 minute aerobics workout
The first had to do with the fact that the friend I was with today agree to go for a walk along the lengthy seaside path that I have mentioned before. When we arrived I double checked that she knew it would take about two hours to do the ten kilometer loop and she was fine with that. This particular woman has always been very fit and body and health conscious so it came as a complete shock when it quickly became apparent that she needed me to slow my pace.
I know that this friend has been going through a few struggles lately that have likely caused her focus on healthy practices to wane slightly, so I obliged without complaint. But, after less than halfway through she needed to take a break. I was floored! I am not remotely knocking her fitness level, but I really took it as a boon to my own! We ended up having to take a second break, slowing our pace a few more times, and cutting short the loop by about two and a half kilometers since she didn’t feel she could finish. In all fairness I think her shoes were really bugging her, but I still believe that it is a great example of how far I have come on this journey.
The second NSV is warranted because a guy flirted with me. Me! I am so happy and fulfilled in my marriage and would never, ever even put half a thought into anyone else as a possibility, but it felt so great to know that someone other than my – wonderfully biased – husband found me attractive!
I was really very sweet how it happened too. As my friend was driving us around a van pulled up next to us at a light, and I caught the eye of the driver in one of those millisecond scans. He smiled at me and held up his water bottle in a sort of salute. Well, I was drinking water too so I saluted him back, not thinking much of it at that point. As we moved up a little, he pulled up beside us and kept grinning at me and then he waved. It was adorable. We drove straight for a short while and when he came up beside us a couple of times he kept on smiling and glancing over at me, and when we turned off that street he even beeped the horn at us. Honestly, it was one of the sweetest ways I have ever been hit on, and it meant more than he’ll ever know because it has been so long since the last time that I can’t even remember when it might have been. It was a really, really nice NSV!
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 8 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 pear
- 2 cups of salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, onion, cucumber, grated carrot, grated cheese, and buttermilk ranch dressing
- 1 wrap on a soft tortilla shell with deli sliced turkey, lettuce, dried cranberries, grated cheese, fat free Miracle Whip, mustard, and pepper
- 2 cups of Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 1 sip of cola
- 1 mandarin orange
EXERCISE:
- 1 hour and 35 minute walk
- 20 minute aerobics workout
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Weigh-In For Week 8
Whew! The issue from earlier has been resolved with my poor, dear friend left exhausted after she parted ways with her significant other. I wish I had more time this morning to post about my updates prior to having to leave so unexpectedly to support her through this difficult time, but I needed to be there for her and I am able to make up for it now.
The one thing I was able to note this morning was my 3.8 pound loss since last week's weigh-in. I am thrilled that the numbers are moving downward, but I must admit it was the tiniest bit irking to see the figure on the scale today since yesterday morning I was 0.2 of a pound less. I know! I know! Fluctuations, many reasons, bigger picture, blah, blah, blah... It was just a minuscule annoyance, but in the spirit of accurate recording I am writing my feelings down.
My measurements on the other hand, exceeded my expectations. They showed very similar drops to what I had last time which is great because I was thinking that I would see less of a loss due to the initial momentum potentially slowing down. The exceptions to this are that my bust lost less than last time I did an update and my hips lost more. Really, I couldn't ask for that to have gone better for me though, so I am definitely not complaining!
Weight - 223.8 lbs (-30.8 from start / -16.0 from Sept.)
Bust - 45.5 inches (-4.5 from start / -1.5 from Sept.)
Waist - 44.0 inches (-4.0 from start / -2.0 from Sept.)
Hips - 51.5 inches (-3.5 from start / -2.5 from Sept.)
Arms - 16.5 inches (-1.0 from start / -0.5 from Sept.)
Thighs - 29.5 inches (-3.0 from start / -1.5 from Sept.)
BMI - 35.1 (-4.8 from start / -2.5 from Sept.)
And for the pièce de résistance, here is my progress picture:
I still have trouble telling if there is much of a difference from last month, but I had a couple great NSV's today that I will be writing about later that make me think that perhaps I am being too critical of myself. I do know that when I compare the photograph from the start of this journey to this one I can see some changes. So maybe there is hope for me yet!
Reporting On The Go
I suddenly have a minor friend emergency that I need to immediately tend to so I will post pictures and measurements later, but I will quickly report that I weighed in this morning at 223.8 for a 3.8 pound drop. Yay!
Obsess Much?
Weigh-in, progress pictures, and updated measurements are tomorrow! I’m a bit nervous about those photographs. Some days I think that I see big changes in the mirror and other times the reflection looks pretty similar to the one I had at the start of this journey. I’m just not sure what to expect.
I have had so many thoughts running through my head this last week or so in regards to losing weight and becoming healthier. I have to admit, it’s where the majority of my focus is at this point in time. I constantly find myself pondering about nutrition, cooking, smaller sized clothing, body image, motivation, energy levels, and my future goals. I also often catch myself doing math in my head, trying to figure out how much I might lose by this specific date or that particular event.
It’s all a bit of an obsession at this point. However, I have realized that it is less of a fascination than it was when I first started this blog. I am already naturally reaching for the healthy foods in the supermarket, not pointedly walking down the corridors that line the perimeter of the store with better options. I now walk when I have a nearby errand to run without considering whether or not to use alternate transportation. I even step up onto the scale less than I had been. I have previously confessed to weighing multiple times a day – strictly for information gathering and without emotion attached to the results – but this too has begun to settle into a less purposeful routine, although I do suspect that I will continue being a daily weigher for quite a while.
A large portion of my free time as of late has been committed to the process of becoming healthier. I am fortunate that my life is currently aligned perfectly that I can afford such focus. The circumstances needed for progress are laid out wonderfully and I refuse to deny myself this opportunity.
I am content being absorbed with altering my lifestyle right now. I know that the changes I am making are slowly becoming habits and that the motivation is starting to come from the results (a cycle I also intend to take full advantage of), so it is comforting to realize that eventually these things will not require the attention they do now. Sooner or later, this will all become second nature, but until that time I am more than happy to obsess.
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 2 cups pineapple
- 2 cups of beef and broccoli
- 2 cups of Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 1 toasted English muffin with 1 light Laughing Cow wedge, tomato, and pepper
- 1 1/2 cups celery with fat free rancher’s choice dressing
EXERCISE:
- 55 minute walk
- 30 minutes on the recumbent bike
- 2 sets of 10 knee push ups
- 2 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 2 sets of 15 squats
- 2 sets of 50 stomach crunches
I have had so many thoughts running through my head this last week or so in regards to losing weight and becoming healthier. I have to admit, it’s where the majority of my focus is at this point in time. I constantly find myself pondering about nutrition, cooking, smaller sized clothing, body image, motivation, energy levels, and my future goals. I also often catch myself doing math in my head, trying to figure out how much I might lose by this specific date or that particular event.
It’s all a bit of an obsession at this point. However, I have realized that it is less of a fascination than it was when I first started this blog. I am already naturally reaching for the healthy foods in the supermarket, not pointedly walking down the corridors that line the perimeter of the store with better options. I now walk when I have a nearby errand to run without considering whether or not to use alternate transportation. I even step up onto the scale less than I had been. I have previously confessed to weighing multiple times a day – strictly for information gathering and without emotion attached to the results – but this too has begun to settle into a less purposeful routine, although I do suspect that I will continue being a daily weigher for quite a while.
A large portion of my free time as of late has been committed to the process of becoming healthier. I am fortunate that my life is currently aligned perfectly that I can afford such focus. The circumstances needed for progress are laid out wonderfully and I refuse to deny myself this opportunity.
I am content being absorbed with altering my lifestyle right now. I know that the changes I am making are slowly becoming habits and that the motivation is starting to come from the results (a cycle I also intend to take full advantage of), so it is comforting to realize that eventually these things will not require the attention they do now. Sooner or later, this will all become second nature, but until that time I am more than happy to obsess.
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 2 cups pineapple
- 2 cups of beef and broccoli
- 2 cups of Caesar salad with light dressing and croutons
- 1 toasted English muffin with 1 light Laughing Cow wedge, tomato, and pepper
- 1 1/2 cups celery with fat free rancher’s choice dressing
EXERCISE:
- 55 minute walk
- 30 minutes on the recumbent bike
- 2 sets of 10 knee push ups
- 2 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 2 sets of 15 squats
- 2 sets of 50 stomach crunches
Friday, October 2, 2009
Bony Protrusion
It's been a bit of a low activity day so far which is unfortunate. I am hoping to turn it around, but I have a few things to take care of that may cut into my working out time. We will see what I am able to make happen, but I'll do my very best to ensure I get some sort of exercise before the day if out.
I had a strange moment yesterday. I was with my mother, having a nice meal of beef and broccoli in a restaurant, when I bent down to scratch an itch at the bottom of my right leg. All of a sudden I got this concerned look on my face and my mom asked me what what wrong. My hand had stopped on a weird, bony protrusion and I had no idea what is was.
It was my ankle. Yup. It really didn't take me more than a second to figure it out, but I checked on my left leg just to be certain and - sure enough - discovered a second bit of bone jutting out just like the first. Both of my ankles are no longer surrounded by layers of fat. I guarantee that will probably be the only strange lump that I will ever be okay with finding.
I had a strange moment yesterday. I was with my mother, having a nice meal of beef and broccoli in a restaurant, when I bent down to scratch an itch at the bottom of my right leg. All of a sudden I got this concerned look on my face and my mom asked me what what wrong. My hand had stopped on a weird, bony protrusion and I had no idea what is was.
It was my ankle. Yup. It really didn't take me more than a second to figure it out, but I checked on my left leg just to be certain and - sure enough - discovered a second bit of bone jutting out just like the first. Both of my ankles are no longer surrounded by layers of fat. I guarantee that will probably be the only strange lump that I will ever be okay with finding.
Wishing For A Winter Coat
The thing that I am most looking forward to about the upcoming winter is the heavier clothes. I know that sounds strange, but the reason behind why I am anticipating this is the truly weird part…
I want to hide behind the curtain until it is time for an unveiling. I don’t know why, but the idea of being wrapped up in obscurity until I can make more of a show of my weight loss is really appealing right now. I think there must be something wrong with me.
I guess that because people don’t seem to really be noticing much in the way of the changes to my shape nor my eating and exercise patterns, I feel like it would be interesting to actually put effort into minimizing any attention those differences may attract in the near future. Wearing the thicker, longer-sleeved, often layered clothing of winter would be optimal camouflage.
Come spring - and the warmer weather that we are so quickly moving away from now - I can picture casually showing up to something in new jeans and a t-shirt and having people be wowed. I envision friends and family being flabbergasted at the changes that they failed to notice beforehand.
It’s silly. I know that. But it is something that has been floating around in my head for the last couple of days. Nearly no one in my life has noticed the losses and I guess I am feeling a little bit frustrated. I know that I am doing this mostly for myself, but it just gets me a little down when my efforts aren’t being recognized. It makes me want to take that minor hold that I have let them have over my emotions and shape things so that I am more in control of my feelings about their apparent lack of interest or attention.
It’s a bit of a paradox, really. I want to be noticed so I’m contemplating putting in effort to remain unnoticed. Like I said: it’s silly.
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 1/2 cups of pineapple
- 1 1/2 cups of chicken noodle soup
- 3 cups of beef and broccoli
- 2 cups of celery with 2 Tb. Mexican cheese spread
- 1 homemade banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting
EXERCISE:
- 2 hour and 35 minute walk
- 4 sets of 10 knee push ups
- 4 sets of 30 stomach crunches (2 straight, 1 right, and 1 left)
- 4 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
I want to hide behind the curtain until it is time for an unveiling. I don’t know why, but the idea of being wrapped up in obscurity until I can make more of a show of my weight loss is really appealing right now. I think there must be something wrong with me.
I guess that because people don’t seem to really be noticing much in the way of the changes to my shape nor my eating and exercise patterns, I feel like it would be interesting to actually put effort into minimizing any attention those differences may attract in the near future. Wearing the thicker, longer-sleeved, often layered clothing of winter would be optimal camouflage.
Come spring - and the warmer weather that we are so quickly moving away from now - I can picture casually showing up to something in new jeans and a t-shirt and having people be wowed. I envision friends and family being flabbergasted at the changes that they failed to notice beforehand.
It’s silly. I know that. But it is something that has been floating around in my head for the last couple of days. Nearly no one in my life has noticed the losses and I guess I am feeling a little bit frustrated. I know that I am doing this mostly for myself, but it just gets me a little down when my efforts aren’t being recognized. It makes me want to take that minor hold that I have let them have over my emotions and shape things so that I am more in control of my feelings about their apparent lack of interest or attention.
It’s a bit of a paradox, really. I want to be noticed so I’m contemplating putting in effort to remain unnoticed. Like I said: it’s silly.
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 1/2 cups of pineapple
- 1 1/2 cups of chicken noodle soup
- 3 cups of beef and broccoli
- 2 cups of celery with 2 Tb. Mexican cheese spread
- 1 homemade banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting
EXERCISE:
- 2 hour and 35 minute walk
- 4 sets of 10 knee push ups
- 4 sets of 30 stomach crunches (2 straight, 1 right, and 1 left)
- 4 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Cankers, Blisters, And Another Pain In My...
I love pineapple! Darn stuff gives me cankers though so I can't eat it all the time. Yesterday I broke into a new fresh specimen though, and I've already had some today as well. It hurts so good! Just like working out, sometimes the satisfaction you derive after something slightly torturous is totally worthwhile.
Today's plan includes a lengthy stroll since my blister - or, as one commenter suggested I call it, 'une blessure' - seemed to leave me relatively untroubled yesterday. I have it bandaged just in case, but I think I can probably get back to normal walking now.
I really should clean when I get home, but I'm not looking forward to it. I know that anything that gets the body moving is positive - and certainly vacuuming, sweeping, and scrubbing counter tops falls into that category - but I have other things I'd like to do with my time. Oh well. At least if I'm doing those rather mindless tasks I can use the time to also plot out some food ideas for the next few days. Isn't multi-tasking grand?
Today's plan includes a lengthy stroll since my blister - or, as one commenter suggested I call it, 'une blessure' - seemed to leave me relatively untroubled yesterday. I have it bandaged just in case, but I think I can probably get back to normal walking now.
I really should clean when I get home, but I'm not looking forward to it. I know that anything that gets the body moving is positive - and certainly vacuuming, sweeping, and scrubbing counter tops falls into that category - but I have other things I'd like to do with my time. Oh well. At least if I'm doing those rather mindless tasks I can use the time to also plot out some food ideas for the next few days. Isn't multi-tasking grand?
Laughter And Tears
On a whim, I decided to go to the mall today to see how close I was to fitting into the next size down. I ended up in a large department store, made me way through the rows of clothing, and found two pairs of size 20W jeans and a pair of size 20 slacks. I walked into the change room and hung up the pants. I stared wistfully at the clothes hanging against the cubical wall on the small silver hooks as I disrobed, and I took a deep breath when I pulled the first pair of jeans from their hanger…
They fit! Yes, they were just the slightest bit snug, but I never would have let that stop me if I was on a normal shopping excursion. There was no tugging or sucking in or stretching involved; they simply zipped up without hesitation. There was no muffin top left peeking over the edge nor uncomfortable straining against the waistline. I couldn’t believe it!
I looked at myself in the mirror with shock and an enormous smile broke across my face. I actually started giggling out loud as the reality that they fit set in. And then I started to cry.
I sat down and bawled like a baby. It wasn’t long – maybe two minutes tops – but I could not have stopped myself if I had tried. I hadn’t really believed that I was down to a size 22 from my original 24W. My old 22’s are exactly that: old. I had justified that they must be extremely stretched to have allowed my lower half to be accommodated within them. And the pair of 22W’s that I got a couple of weeks ago? They were bought used from a thrift store and I assumed the same about them. So, of course, I had never actually thought that I would fit into anything even close to a 20W jean.
After I calmed down and wiped the wetness from my cheeks, I tried on the other pairs of pants. They, too, fit very well. I decided that – although they were slightly more than I generally pay for clothing – I would buy the first ones since I doubt I will ever come across any other jeans that make me both laugh and cry.
Without a doubt, this is the most emotional post that I have written to date. I have tears welling in my eyes even as I write this. Now, as the first one runs down my left cheek, I realize that somehow that was the first time I had recognized just how much progress I have made.
I’m not sure how I missed it before. I know I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and that I feel better and more energized. I am more active and consistently make healthier food choices. But, in that change room today, the reality of what I have so far accomplished sunk in. I can now say with certainty that I wear a size 20. And I am very, very proud of that!
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 peach
- 1 small slice of whole grain bread with margarine
- 2 pan fried mustard chicken thighs
- 1 plum
- 3/4 cup fat free black cherry yogurt with 1 cup of Special K
- 1 cup of pineapple
EXERCISE:
- 1 hour and 40 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (55 minutes long and 45 minutes long)
- 4 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 4 sets of 10 knee push ups
They fit! Yes, they were just the slightest bit snug, but I never would have let that stop me if I was on a normal shopping excursion. There was no tugging or sucking in or stretching involved; they simply zipped up without hesitation. There was no muffin top left peeking over the edge nor uncomfortable straining against the waistline. I couldn’t believe it!
I looked at myself in the mirror with shock and an enormous smile broke across my face. I actually started giggling out loud as the reality that they fit set in. And then I started to cry.
I sat down and bawled like a baby. It wasn’t long – maybe two minutes tops – but I could not have stopped myself if I had tried. I hadn’t really believed that I was down to a size 22 from my original 24W. My old 22’s are exactly that: old. I had justified that they must be extremely stretched to have allowed my lower half to be accommodated within them. And the pair of 22W’s that I got a couple of weeks ago? They were bought used from a thrift store and I assumed the same about them. So, of course, I had never actually thought that I would fit into anything even close to a 20W jean.
After I calmed down and wiped the wetness from my cheeks, I tried on the other pairs of pants. They, too, fit very well. I decided that – although they were slightly more than I generally pay for clothing – I would buy the first ones since I doubt I will ever come across any other jeans that make me both laugh and cry.
Without a doubt, this is the most emotional post that I have written to date. I have tears welling in my eyes even as I write this. Now, as the first one runs down my left cheek, I realize that somehow that was the first time I had recognized just how much progress I have made.
I’m not sure how I missed it before. I know I’ve lost a significant amount of weight and that I feel better and more energized. I am more active and consistently make healthier food choices. But, in that change room today, the reality of what I have so far accomplished sunk in. I can now say with certainty that I wear a size 20. And I am very, very proud of that!
FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 10 glasses of water throughout the day
- 1 peach
- 1 small slice of whole grain bread with margarine
- 2 pan fried mustard chicken thighs
- 1 plum
- 3/4 cup fat free black cherry yogurt with 1 cup of Special K
- 1 cup of pineapple
EXERCISE:
- 1 hour and 40 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (55 minutes long and 45 minutes long)
- 4 sets of 15 lunges for each leg
- 4 sets of 10 knee push ups
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