Last Saturday's WI showed another 2 lbs gone, for a total of 5 lbs lost! Something's working!
I've not done *as well* this week -- three times I gave in to the offer of a can of Coke, and twice I gave in to the craving for Reese PB Cups. And, I've not had my fruit & veggies, or all of my water. I *have* stuck with getting in my workouts, so far, though. I will keep that up, too. It really helps, and I'm progressing.
I've gotten to the point where 1-mile feels not at ALL like a workout -- it's too easy! LOL. And, the 3-mile is now doable a few times a week. So, we're getting there...things are coming along. ;o)
I am really glad that I put together my *own* plan. I don't think I could last on a "diet" made by someone else. I need to do my own thing. And, when people have offered advice (friends & family), I have just nodded, said nothing, and continued to believe in my plan. I think that's part of what's making the difference -- I'm not willing to let other people's opinions get in my way. I'm not "chasing rabbits", so-to-speak. ;o)
So, here's to 5 lbs gone, and all of their friends yet to follow! Whoo!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Crazy thinking
Today I was thinking about my goals -- why I am trying to lose weight and get fit, and what I want to do once I've reached those goals.
Well, recently I visited the local gym, and was talking with one of their personal trainers. And, I got this wacky idea in my head that maybe I'd like to BECOME a personal trainer (say WHAT?!). So, I asked the gal about this, and she recommended a website where you can get information on becoming certified. When I got home, I looked it up.
And, it turns out that it only takes about 25 hours of coursework, and then an exam. And, it doesn't cost more than about $400! So, I'm seriously considering it! LOL
BUT, I would need to be walking the walk before I even took the steps toward getting certified. So, I've put it on my list of "things I may do when I've lost the weight, and gotten healthy & fit". It's an interesting goal to reach for, certainly! I'd love to be able to help other people overcome their struggles with weight & eating! And, maybe --instead of being a Personal Trainer-- I would take the "Nutrition Wellness Specialist" course. That way I could focus more on nutrition instead of the fitness aspects. ;o)
Either way, I like this new idea ... I like the thought of helping others once I've reached a certain level, myself. :-)
Well, recently I visited the local gym, and was talking with one of their personal trainers. And, I got this wacky idea in my head that maybe I'd like to BECOME a personal trainer (say WHAT?!). So, I asked the gal about this, and she recommended a website where you can get information on becoming certified. When I got home, I looked it up.
And, it turns out that it only takes about 25 hours of coursework, and then an exam. And, it doesn't cost more than about $400! So, I'm seriously considering it! LOL
BUT, I would need to be walking the walk before I even took the steps toward getting certified. So, I've put it on my list of "things I may do when I've lost the weight, and gotten healthy & fit". It's an interesting goal to reach for, certainly! I'd love to be able to help other people overcome their struggles with weight & eating! And, maybe --instead of being a Personal Trainer-- I would take the "Nutrition Wellness Specialist" course. That way I could focus more on nutrition instead of the fitness aspects. ;o)
Either way, I like this new idea ... I like the thought of helping others once I've reached a certain level, myself. :-)
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Checking In... Progress!
Finally -- FINALLY! -- I'm seeing some progress! I was getting so tired of having to come on here, and write about how I hadn't done anything towards my healthy-living goals, and how I was failing myself in that respect.
But, with the new year, comes renewed motivation, and a sense of determination. I'm sick of being lazy & unmotivated, and I'm tired of standing in my own way!
Hence why I've taken up a few of the following new "habits":
And, all of it has greatly helped! I'm also working at keeping a positive attitude. There've been a couple of instances where I was tempted to hold a pity-party for myself --as I did in the "old days"-- when I didn't do things *exactly* as I had wanted to. But, i stopped myself, and I said, "Nope! We're gonna think positive! Negative thinking only puts me back where I don't wanna be!" And, I moved forward.
It has truly helped to really forgive myself for not doing things 100% perfect, and to just let it go, and move on to the next meal, or next moment, or next day, even. I have to keep reminding myself that it will take TIME to build these new habits into my life, and that it will take practice & patience & perseverance. So, I am sticking with it. ;)
I've exercised almost every day, and I'm doing much better at getting in my daily water (aiming for 40oz./day), and my daily fruits & veggies (at least 2 each).
I'm still working on the mid-afternoon snacking, though. It still is tripping me up a bit. I find that I *do* get hungry mid-afternoon (not just bored, as I'd originally thought), and yet I choose the "unhealthy" snacks, most of the time -- chocolate, cookies, ice cream. This week, I'm working /focusing on those snack-times...trying to choose fruit, or yogurt, or just a cup of green tea, instead. :)
Overall, I'm feeling good about this year. I really feel like this is going to be "my year"! I'm gonna kick this thing for once & for all! ;o)
But, with the new year, comes renewed motivation, and a sense of determination. I'm sick of being lazy & unmotivated, and I'm tired of standing in my own way!
Hence why I've taken up a few of the following new "habits":
- journaling my food intake
- checking off things in my "log" when I complete part of my "plan" each day
- logging my food intake & exercise at Nutrihand.com
- posting to my online support group for accountability
And, all of it has greatly helped! I'm also working at keeping a positive attitude. There've been a couple of instances where I was tempted to hold a pity-party for myself --as I did in the "old days"-- when I didn't do things *exactly* as I had wanted to. But, i stopped myself, and I said, "Nope! We're gonna think positive! Negative thinking only puts me back where I don't wanna be!" And, I moved forward.
It has truly helped to really forgive myself for not doing things 100% perfect, and to just let it go, and move on to the next meal, or next moment, or next day, even. I have to keep reminding myself that it will take TIME to build these new habits into my life, and that it will take practice & patience & perseverance. So, I am sticking with it. ;)
I've exercised almost every day, and I'm doing much better at getting in my daily water (aiming for 40oz./day), and my daily fruits & veggies (at least 2 each).
I'm still working on the mid-afternoon snacking, though. It still is tripping me up a bit. I find that I *do* get hungry mid-afternoon (not just bored, as I'd originally thought), and yet I choose the "unhealthy" snacks, most of the time -- chocolate, cookies, ice cream. This week, I'm working /focusing on those snack-times...trying to choose fruit, or yogurt, or just a cup of green tea, instead. :)
Overall, I'm feeling good about this year. I really feel like this is going to be "my year"! I'm gonna kick this thing for once & for all! ;o)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
First Week Finished
I'm glad today is Saturday. My first full-week of exercise is completed, and I'm glad for the rest! ;o)
I feel good about how I did. I got in 4 days of exercise, and that's new for me! I wish it would've been 5, but I really needed to rest on Wednesday. My body was fatigued, and my legs were sore. They're just not used to this amount of activity, yet!
I am also happy with the amount of water I got in! I didn't get in the full 40oz. I was aiming for every day, but I came close most days. That's good enough -- it's PROGRESS!
My eating is still the issue. I feel like I ate within the hunger-fullness boundaries at each mealtime, but I'm probably fooling myself about dinners, as the scale didn't show any GOOD improvements today. :-? Mind you, that could have nothing to do with my mealtimes, and EVERYTHING to do with my outside-hunger snacking (on sweets, mostly!). That's where I always struggle.
I've been trying to get myself to reach for fruit -- a natural "sweet" -- in the afternoons, but I still want the chocolate. I feel somewhat "deprived" when I tell myself I can't have chocolate for my mid-afternoon snack. Trouble is, I'm never sure if I'm *truly* hungry at 3p.m., or if it's just habit. Hence why I'd like to stay away from eating sweets at that time, and choose fruit or veggies, instead.
When I lost the 25 lbs in 2005, I didn't snack in the afternoons at ALL! I had water to drink, then, and that was it. But, since then, I've come to wonder if maybe I *am* hungry -- at a "0" -- then. After all, I get the same urge for food EVERY day within the same time-frame (2-4 p.m.). I just have no clue. I've heard it said that you can "test" this by allowing yourself to have an Apple. If you don't want the apple, you're probably just eating from Emotions, not true hunger. Hmmm...
Anyway. I consider this past week a SUCCESS! I had more so-so days than on-track days, but that's still better than the "totally-OFF-track" days I had consistently before. And, if I keep pressing on, I'll get there, and see progress, eventually. ;o)
I feel good about how I did. I got in 4 days of exercise, and that's new for me! I wish it would've been 5, but I really needed to rest on Wednesday. My body was fatigued, and my legs were sore. They're just not used to this amount of activity, yet!
I am also happy with the amount of water I got in! I didn't get in the full 40oz. I was aiming for every day, but I came close most days. That's good enough -- it's PROGRESS!
My eating is still the issue. I feel like I ate within the hunger-fullness boundaries at each mealtime, but I'm probably fooling myself about dinners, as the scale didn't show any GOOD improvements today. :-? Mind you, that could have nothing to do with my mealtimes, and EVERYTHING to do with my outside-hunger snacking (on sweets, mostly!). That's where I always struggle.
I've been trying to get myself to reach for fruit -- a natural "sweet" -- in the afternoons, but I still want the chocolate. I feel somewhat "deprived" when I tell myself I can't have chocolate for my mid-afternoon snack. Trouble is, I'm never sure if I'm *truly* hungry at 3p.m., or if it's just habit. Hence why I'd like to stay away from eating sweets at that time, and choose fruit or veggies, instead.
When I lost the 25 lbs in 2005, I didn't snack in the afternoons at ALL! I had water to drink, then, and that was it. But, since then, I've come to wonder if maybe I *am* hungry -- at a "0" -- then. After all, I get the same urge for food EVERY day within the same time-frame (2-4 p.m.). I just have no clue. I've heard it said that you can "test" this by allowing yourself to have an Apple. If you don't want the apple, you're probably just eating from Emotions, not true hunger. Hmmm...
Anyway. I consider this past week a SUCCESS! I had more so-so days than on-track days, but that's still better than the "totally-OFF-track" days I had consistently before. And, if I keep pressing on, I'll get there, and see progress, eventually. ;o)
Tracking and Such
Two things, today...
1) I have a new blog, where I'm posting my weekly progress. It's Invited Readers Only, so if you want an invite, please Email me, and ask. Note: It's not like this blog, where I give a detailed account of emotions & happenings. It's just a form (sort of) where I fill in how I've done with each of the aspects of my "plan" for losing weight & getting healthy... kind of like a "log"... for accountability.
2) I found a GREAT website, this past week, where you can track your food-intake, and exercise ... and, most of it is FREE! Check out Nutrihand.com. It's like FitDay.com, only better, IMHO.
1) I have a new blog, where I'm posting my weekly progress. It's Invited Readers Only, so if you want an invite, please Email me, and ask. Note: It's not like this blog, where I give a detailed account of emotions & happenings. It's just a form (sort of) where I fill in how I've done with each of the aspects of my "plan" for losing weight & getting healthy... kind of like a "log"... for accountability.
2) I found a GREAT website, this past week, where you can track your food-intake, and exercise ... and, most of it is FREE! Check out Nutrihand.com. It's like FitDay.com, only better, IMHO.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Day 2 of Restart
Well, I woke up today feeling majorly sluggish, and not wanting to do a thing. I thought (for only a minute), of giving up for just today... resting, and recouping. But, then I got my head back on straight, and said "Nuh-uh"...
I was again feeling lazy while checking emails, after taking the kids to the bus, and wanted to ignore exercise today. I figured I needed a day off... after all, it's been a while. Maybe I needed a day in between to rest. But, a wonderful accountability partner/friend sent me a link to a really motivating article, and voila! Renewed motivation to get going! I got off my butt, put on my workout clothes, and did a 2-mile walk! Yay for me! LOL (and, thank the Lord for good friends!)
I got in half of my water right after my walk. And, I ate between the hunger-fullness boundaries at both breakfast and lunch.
After lunch, though -- while reading my new book, "Chocolatherapy" -- things went downhill. I managed to avoid snacking at the mention of chocolate, and ice cream, and chips ... but, when she mentioned s'mores, I was long gone (a whoosh of material, as I ran to the kitchen). I had restrained myself, and had only one helping of "s'mores" (wasn't even REAL s'mores, as I didn't have the crackers, and had to substitute graham crumbs...how pathetic!)... but, later, when the kids got home, I made myself more of the fake-s'more concoction, and downed it quickly! :-(
Now I'm wondering if I'll be hungry for dinner. And, I'd had such great "plans" for tonight... eat very little at dinner in order to leave room for "dessert" when out at Bible study. Ugh.
So, now we'll have to reorganize our evening. Still will eat dinner, but may have to forgo the snacks at study. :-?
Tomorrow will be better.
---
PS... Yesterday ended up being a very good restart... Got in all my water (40oz.), did my 2-mile walk, ate 2 fruits, ate 2 veggies, stayed between hunger-fullness at meals, and had minimal caffeine. The "trouble" came when I snacked at night -- eating while watching TV, even though I wasn't hungry. Still a really good first day, though!
I was again feeling lazy while checking emails, after taking the kids to the bus, and wanted to ignore exercise today. I figured I needed a day off... after all, it's been a while. Maybe I needed a day in between to rest. But, a wonderful accountability partner/friend sent me a link to a really motivating article, and voila! Renewed motivation to get going! I got off my butt, put on my workout clothes, and did a 2-mile walk! Yay for me! LOL (and, thank the Lord for good friends!)
I got in half of my water right after my walk. And, I ate between the hunger-fullness boundaries at both breakfast and lunch.
After lunch, though -- while reading my new book, "Chocolatherapy" -- things went downhill. I managed to avoid snacking at the mention of chocolate, and ice cream, and chips ... but, when she mentioned s'mores, I was long gone (a whoosh of material, as I ran to the kitchen). I had restrained myself, and had only one helping of "s'mores" (wasn't even REAL s'mores, as I didn't have the crackers, and had to substitute graham crumbs...how pathetic!)... but, later, when the kids got home, I made myself more of the fake-s'more concoction, and downed it quickly! :-(
Now I'm wondering if I'll be hungry for dinner. And, I'd had such great "plans" for tonight... eat very little at dinner in order to leave room for "dessert" when out at Bible study. Ugh.
So, now we'll have to reorganize our evening. Still will eat dinner, but may have to forgo the snacks at study. :-?
Tomorrow will be better.
---
PS... Yesterday ended up being a very good restart... Got in all my water (40oz.), did my 2-mile walk, ate 2 fruits, ate 2 veggies, stayed between hunger-fullness at meals, and had minimal caffeine. The "trouble" came when I snacked at night -- eating while watching TV, even though I wasn't hungry. Still a really good first day, though!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Re-Started today
Well, so far, so good! I'd decided that today would be the day I recommit myself to putting 100% effort into losing weight & getting healthy. And, I've been working hard at it!
* I did a 2-mile walk
* I drank 1/2 of my water (20 oz.)
* I've eaten only when hungry (stomach empty!)
and
* I've stopped eating when I felt "satisfied", not stuffed
So, it's turning out to be a decent day. ;)
Let's just hope I can keep it up! I have written out a list of "benefits to putting 100% effort into losing weight & getting healthy", and I plan to review this whenever I feel like slacking off. I also found a great motivational website for when I'm feeling like nothing's working. Reading 'success stories' tends to get me going again -- it's just the 'boost' I need.
Here's to Looking Great in 2008! ;-)
* I did a 2-mile walk
* I drank 1/2 of my water (20 oz.)
* I've eaten only when hungry (stomach empty!)
and
* I've stopped eating when I felt "satisfied", not stuffed
So, it's turning out to be a decent day. ;)
Let's just hope I can keep it up! I have written out a list of "benefits to putting 100% effort into losing weight & getting healthy", and I plan to review this whenever I feel like slacking off. I also found a great motivational website for when I'm feeling like nothing's working. Reading 'success stories' tends to get me going again -- it's just the 'boost' I need.
Here's to Looking Great in 2008! ;-)
Thursday, January 3, 2008
LGC: Lost Track
I have no clue what week I'm supposed to be writing about, but I do know that I've not posted in a while (too busy with the holidays), so I need to do some 'catching up'.
I gave up on trying to lose weight over the holidays; felt it was pointless, and resolved, instead, to just try to maintain.
Well, even though I gained a bit at the beginning (too many of my homemade chocolate-chip cookies, and too many boxed chocolates), I weighed myself again on New Year's Day, and found myself back to a regular weight (where I'd started before the Holidays). So, I'm pleased with that. Thank the Lord. ;)
For 2008, I've decided to make some real efforts! I'm "upping" my exercise from 3 days a week to 5 days a week, instead. And, I'm aiming to walk 3-4 miles instead of my usual 1-2. I'd also like to take up jogging!
For eating, I'm still working on "mindful, intuitive eating". I need to stop eating at random, and go back to eating ONLY when my stomach is totally empty. Water between meals worked well in the past, so that's my goal now, too.
I've planned not to start until Monday, though (January 7th). Reason being, the kids are still home, and my normal "routine" is still "off" until they go back to school. AND, I'm still "recouping" from the craziness of the holiday season. ;)
I'm not sure if I want to continue with the "Look Great in '08 Challenge". I suppose I can keep going until the deadline (now extended until February?), but after that -- if it starts over, or there's a new challenge -- I think I'm going to let it go. Much as I've GREATLY appreciated the supportive comments & encouragement from fellow challenge-members, I just find it too much to keep my blog updated on a weekly basis. I'd prefer to blog when the mood strikes. :-?
I gave up on trying to lose weight over the holidays; felt it was pointless, and resolved, instead, to just try to maintain.
Well, even though I gained a bit at the beginning (too many of my homemade chocolate-chip cookies, and too many boxed chocolates), I weighed myself again on New Year's Day, and found myself back to a regular weight (where I'd started before the Holidays). So, I'm pleased with that. Thank the Lord. ;)
For 2008, I've decided to make some real efforts! I'm "upping" my exercise from 3 days a week to 5 days a week, instead. And, I'm aiming to walk 3-4 miles instead of my usual 1-2. I'd also like to take up jogging!
For eating, I'm still working on "mindful, intuitive eating". I need to stop eating at random, and go back to eating ONLY when my stomach is totally empty. Water between meals worked well in the past, so that's my goal now, too.
I've planned not to start until Monday, though (January 7th). Reason being, the kids are still home, and my normal "routine" is still "off" until they go back to school. AND, I'm still "recouping" from the craziness of the holiday season. ;)
I'm not sure if I want to continue with the "Look Great in '08 Challenge". I suppose I can keep going until the deadline (now extended until February?), but after that -- if it starts over, or there's a new challenge -- I think I'm going to let it go. Much as I've GREATLY appreciated the supportive comments & encouragement from fellow challenge-members, I just find it too much to keep my blog updated on a weekly basis. I'd prefer to blog when the mood strikes. :-?
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