Still trying...

Last weigh in (August): 215.8

This week: 213.6

It's something. There was a lot of fluctuating going on in September, but I'm still here and still trying.

Another loss

This week I'm happy to report another loss! Not as huge as last week, but still on par with the recommended weekly loss rate, so I'm not complaining. It's a few more pounds that I won't be seeing again.

I'm continuing to plan out my weekly meals, and working on getting in some form of excercise daily. Last week I was under the weather for a few days, and didn't stick to my meal plan as closely, but I survived.

Still working on keeping up with a weight lifting regiment, but in time. Next week I'll be at camp (Birch Family Camp), working with 6-8 year old girls. My plan is to walk/jog 3 or 4 times that week, use children as dumbbells when ever possible, and eat as best I can given the camp food menu.

I'll check back in with you all in 2 weeks. As always, thanks for following.

Last week: 215.8 pounds

This week: 213.4 pounds

Loss of: 2.4 pounds

WOO HOO!!!!

So the magic phrase for this week: OMG OMG OMG!!!

As some of you may have noticed, I didn't post last week. For one, I had gone home to Ohio the weekend before and had some major food setbacks so I knew that I had gained, and second, I was preparing for the 5K on saturday so I didn't want to get mentally down on myself before the race. However, I did end up weighing myself last Wednesday and had gained...so, I just didn't post using the upcoming race as my excuse. Grrr....

So, last week's weight was a massive 221 pounds. OUCH! But, I'm happy (very happy) to report that this week is a much different story. As soon as I returned to Pittsburgh last Sunday, I started getting back on track with my food choices. I created a weekly menu chart and sat down that night and wrote out everything I would eat for the rest of the week (this seems to work better for me in comparison to writing down everything I eat after it's been consumed). Then I typed up a list of all the groceries I would need to prepare these meals. Monday after work I went straight to the grocery store and got my supplies and went home and cleaned my veggies, sealed and packed everything into individual servings, and tapped my menu to the front of the fridge. WHAT AN AMAZING DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES!!!!

What I found was that morning routine goes so much smoothier. I'm not awake enough in the mornings to think through what I want to pack for breakfast and lunch, so having the menu printed and posted on the fridge door takes thinking out of the equation. I just grab what my chart says for those two meals that day and go. No forgetting my lunch, no eating out for lunch, and no bad choices. I had one slip up last week...that was it! And, in order to prevent slip ups this week, I've printed an extra copy of my weekly menu and posted it at my desk at work. So, I'm reminded at the end of the day what I'm having for dinner and am less tempted to stop for fast food on the way home. It's great! I'm also working on (and getting better at) planning quick, healthy meals for the evenings when I'm busy so there is no chance for me to say, "I don't have time to make a healthy meal, why not just stop somewhere" (cause we all know I can't be trusted with that just yet).

The only other change I've made to my meals (which is actually a big change I guess), is I'm eating organic whenever possible. I'm also trying to choose meats that are grass fed and organically raised. I can't even begin to tell you the difference. I had the most amazing steak the other night! It was 100% organic and grass fed and the taste was so much cleaner and moist. Try it! Even if it's just for one meal....try it! (Also, check out Jillian Michaels MASTER YOUR METABOLISM book...scary, but insightful and makes a lot of sense.)

As for excercise these last two weeks. I managed to workout for about an hour 5 times both weeks (That includes a 5K this past Saturday). Those workouts include some strength training (however, this week's goal is to be more consistent with strength training), a little jogging/walking, and a lot of swimming!

Anyway, sorry to write your ears off this week, but I'm so excited. I really needed this week as a pat on the back for making great choices and big changes. It paid off and I will contine.

Last week: 221 lbs

This week: 215.8 lbs

Loss of: 5.2 lbs

Check back next week and I'll let you all know what I'm trying this week to improve my workouts!

Another week...

So this week was a little better with the food. I still made mistakes and slipped up a few times, but I feel like I did so less than the previous week...so progress. I made an effort to plan out my meals this week and make sure that I only pack my lunches and that's been going well, so I'm looking forwad to more progress next week.

On the workout front...that's going great! And I'm really really enjoying it. This week I've made sure to go to the gym every day (whether it's in the morning or night). My goal for next week is to up the intensity of my workouts and try to sneak in some short 20 min workouts during my lunch hour at work at least 3 days a week. I've been trying to keep my current workouts to an hour so that I don't get over zealous and do too much too soon (which has been a problem in the past). It seems to be going well and I'm always excited and looking forward to my gym time.

I'll be at my camp in New York (I volunteer at Birch Family Camp) in three and a half weeks and I've already started setting up healthy agendas for that week. I've mapped out a 1.5 mile jogging loop that I can do three days that week, and I've asked a friend to help keep me accountable by jogging with me (Thanks again, Jeff!!). When I'm not jogging, I'll be running around with 6-8 year olds so I'm sure that will substitute for other workouts. :D

Finally, in other news, my next 5K is in a week and half. I won't be running the entire thing, but I'm confident that my time will be much better than my last.

As always, thanks for following. This week I'm happy to report a loss...

Last week: 221 pounds

This week: 219.2 pounds

Just one more cheesburger, please!

When I started this blog, I vowed to be honest...completely honest. I've shared with you my weight-loss failures, set-backs , and my struggles with depression. So, when mulling over whether or not to share this post with everyone, I decided that if you already know that much, you might as well hear it all.

I have food issues. Now, by stating that I don't mean that I get up at night and eat out of the cupboards, consume tons of calories, and then return to bed. I actually don't eat after 9pm unless dinner has been severely delayed, and then I choose only to eat light. I mean, for some reason, I have trouble making good food choices. It's not about time or being hungry, it's just because I want it. I crave something and then I give in WAY TOO MUCH!

The other evening I was coming home from the grocery store with healthy veggies and meat and fruits, and still, after passing Burger King, I decided to turn around and go back to order to Jr. Whopper. Even as I was ordering, I knew it was bad. I knew that I didn't really want it, but something inside me was insisting that I really really wanted it; that I had to have it. After eating it, I felt horrible. Both for the diet and for my stomach. THat type of food makes me sick, for real. So why did I do it? I can't figure it out.

I've watched the shows like Biggest Loser and Losing it with Jillian and I hear them talk about food issues stemming from something missing in your life, or issues with family, or whatever. But I don't see those in myself. I don't think I eat to feel better, I know I don't feel better or proud of myself when I do it. I know what I want is to be healthier and feel great about working out and making strides, but for some reason I still do something that I know is the exact opposite of my goal. I'm not successful with a food journal because when I eat like this, I just don't write it down (kind of like, who besides me is going to know). It feels like I don't thing being accountable to me is enough, but it should be cause I'm doing this for me. What the hell?!

SO, I'm looking for suggestions. I keep telling myself that this is something I can handle on my own, that I just have to choose to make the right choices ... I've even talked to a therapist about this stuff ... and it does work...for like a week. I'm tired of trying to get myself motivated and keeping myself on track...but I'm so fed up at this point, I'm not going to let myself give up. I want to be healthier! I want to be fit by 30! I want to mow the lawn in a pair of shorts and sports bra and feel good about it!

It's almost like a need a monitor on me when I'm faced with a food choice. They make those alcohol monitors, like the one they gave Lohan, why can't they make a food one!!!? Anyone want to come live with me and monitor my every food move? Just kidding. I really want to be able to do this for myself. I want being accountable to me, enough motivation for me. I do notice that when I'm with someone else and faced with a food choice, I make the better choice. But, when I'm by myself I tend not to. I notice that I can "talk myself into" making a bad choice about three or four times a week. It really feels like there are two personalities going on inside this healthy quest; I'm just tired of the unfit one winning more than it should.

Any help? Any suggestions? I need you ladies.


Results: Workout outs are going great. Worked out 4 days last week for over and hour each time. THis week I've managed 3 days already!

Last week's weight: 219.2

This week's weight: 221

It's HOT outside!

Damn! With this heat outside, I'm really glad I decided to take swim lessons and start swimming laps! It's ridiculous out there! However, while mowing the yard this weekend, it did prompt me to make a life fitness goal for myself. This time next year, I want to be mowing the yard in shorts and a sports bra...no shirt...and not be self-conscious about it! That's my new HEAT goal!

So, this past week I've been working out everyday for an hour. Whether it's getting up in the morning and swimming laps, jogging, lifting weights, taking a fitness class, or doing yard work, I've been doing something active every day for at least an hour.

On the "If I Were A Fit Chick" fanpage, we've posted a summer challenge for all to participate (no matter what your fitness level is currently) and I would like to once again encourage you all to go check it out and post your goals (You might win a free t-shirt!). I met my first goal in the first day, which was to swim 20 laps, so I made two new goals for the challenge and posted them there as well. I vow to break the 200 lbs barrier , and to run a 5K without stopping by Labor Day. So, stay tuned to see if I make it. As an incentive, I've posted an unflattering profile picture of myself that will not be removed until I weigh in below 200 lbs....talk about motivation. Yikes!

When I weighed in this week, knowing that I had put in a lot of work, I was a little disappointed to see the exact same weight pop up on the scale. Being that the workouts are going great, it means one thing...food. Last week I started keeping a food journal and did great during the week and found that I was eating a lot healthier. However, with the holiday weekend and all the great food at my reach, I overate and failed to record what I consumed (mental blocking seems to keep me from writing down the bad food...hmmm). Anyway, this week I want to work on what I eat and keeping myself accountable. I don't know if the food journal is for me, but I'm going to keep trying and see what happens. At least for now I feel great about the workouts and love the progress I'm making both on the treadmill and in the water.

Stay tuned folks...let's see what this heat can melt off me!

Last week weigh-in: 219.2
This week weigh-in: 219.2

NO MOVEMENT

It's Summer and that means FITNESS!

Yes, it's me again, the reluctant blogger. So, it's been a while since I posted (seems to be a habit), but I'm still here.

Updates to know about: I quit the gym I belonged to and joined the local (well, newly local since we just moved) YMCA. It's slightly cheaper, but more importantly, offers a ton of cool exercise classes that are included in the monthly cost. AND, you don't sign up for classes, you can just drop in them which means I can switch in and out of classes as I please.

I went through the class schedule and picked out classes I could take (drop into) each night (m, t, w, th, sat)...giving myself 2 evenings off each week. Keep in mind, this will be in addition to my hour workout in the morning monday through friday. The goal is that if I get home after work and find myself bored or in need of some additional excercise, I can look at my schedule and say, "Hey look, there is a spinning class tonight at the Y. I can go do that!" This is by no means my making a stringent workout routine that will quickly leave me burnt out. It's outlining my options.

Second update: I have made a goal for myself this summer (see If I Were A Fit Chick facebook fanpage) or being able to swim 20 laps three times a week by Labor Day. So, the first thing to do was learn to swim! I start my first adult swim lesson tonight and I am so damn nervous. Right now, the extent of my swimming abilities is doggie paddling and it's time that I learned more.

And that, my friends is where I'm at this week. I've got goals, I've got ambition, and I've got all of you! Summer of Fitness here I come!!!

Last weigh in: 221
This week: 219.2
Loss of 1.8 lbs