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)
Saturday, January 12, 2008
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. :-?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
LGC: Week 12
I just can't seem to be consistent. My exercise days are here and there, as are the days when I drink my water. I'm doing okay with my eating ... not stuffing myself, for the most part ... so that's good. When I'm not out and about, I do okay. It's the gatherings, where there are other people around, that I do really poorly with.
Even normal mealtimes are like that. I do excellent when I'm home alone. But, when the family is here, I find it more difficult to pay attention to my hunger signals.
Ah well. Still plugging.
I got a new workout DVD (Prevention's "Ultimate Walking Workout"), and it's pretty cool. I tried it out the other day. Will take a bit of practice to be more fluid with the movements (I'm never super-coordinated), but that's okay. It's a good cardio workout, so it's a nice compliment to the WAtP videos I already use. :o)
Speaking of which, I had intended to do a 3-4 mile walk today, but that didn't happen, as I ended up having company for a bit this afternoon. Ah well. There's still tomorrow. ;)
Even normal mealtimes are like that. I do excellent when I'm home alone. But, when the family is here, I find it more difficult to pay attention to my hunger signals.
Ah well. Still plugging.
I got a new workout DVD (Prevention's "Ultimate Walking Workout"), and it's pretty cool. I tried it out the other day. Will take a bit of practice to be more fluid with the movements (I'm never super-coordinated), but that's okay. It's a good cardio workout, so it's a nice compliment to the WAtP videos I already use. :o)
Speaking of which, I had intended to do a 3-4 mile walk today, but that didn't happen, as I ended up having company for a bit this afternoon. Ah well. There's still tomorrow. ;)
Friday, December 7, 2007
LGC: Week 11
I don't have a lot to tell you. Things went from bad to worse. I've all but given up on getting healthier. But, don't you worry... I haven't given up, yet!
I am lucky to have some really good friends, and an awesome God. They helped me realize, just in the nick-of-time, what I need to do to stay focused on my goals. I need to 1) stop being so desperate about losing weight, and 2) let God change me in HIS time, instead of demanding that He "fix" me in the time-frame *I* set. ;)
So, back to basics... Move more! Eat less! Journal! ;-)
PS... I can't recommend the TALES FROM THE SCALES website highly enough... so often, when I've been having a hard time with this weight loss / getting healthy thing, I've popped in there to read the posts, and I've been encouraged and motivated to keep plugging away at things, little by little! The stories of how others are doing really inspire me... they show me that I'm not alone in this, and that it CAN be done!
I am lucky to have some really good friends, and an awesome God. They helped me realize, just in the nick-of-time, what I need to do to stay focused on my goals. I need to 1) stop being so desperate about losing weight, and 2) let God change me in HIS time, instead of demanding that He "fix" me in the time-frame *I* set. ;)
So, back to basics... Move more! Eat less! Journal! ;-)
PS... I can't recommend the TALES FROM THE SCALES website highly enough... so often, when I've been having a hard time with this weight loss / getting healthy thing, I've popped in there to read the posts, and I've been encouraged and motivated to keep plugging away at things, little by little! The stories of how others are doing really inspire me... they show me that I'm not alone in this, and that it CAN be done!
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