No, the title of my blog is not indicative of what I've been doing. It is, however, indicative of what my weight loss has been doing. In the past two weeks, I've only lost 1 lb. I know any weight loss is good weight loss for me, but I have been working REALLY hard! So seeing those number creep down can lead to disappointment when you step on the scales. I've done a couple of things to help this.
One: My first instinct is to yet again cut how many calories I am taking in...but we all know of my obsession with calorie counting and as I am already trying to keep it at 1200-1250 right now, I don't think I could safely take it down much. My next thought was to increase the number of calories I am burning each day. This works to a certain extent, but I was already putting in a lot of time doing cardio in the gym and didn't feel I could add much more time to that. So I have changed up my routine a little in an effort to keep my body guessing. I realized I had fallen in to a bit of a rut workout-wise and needed something wake my body up. I got a jump rope to use at home (thanks for the suggestion Emily!) got a great work out video to up my strength training and have been changing it up on the machines in the gym. The last week or so I have been doing some crosstraining on the elliptical machine. This gives you a variety of inclines, resistances and even varies between pedaling forward and backward. I even started doing parts of it on my toes to work my calves and thigh muscles even more.
I do have to say that I may not be losing weight, but my clothes are fitting much, much looser. I finally broke down and got a couple more pairs of pants as now some of my pants (especially anything lower rise) are falling down...literally. It got embarrasing to have to continually pull my pants up over my bum, so those pants were officially retired. I also got some new tops. I CANNOT wear a large anymore...they swallow me up. Mediums are perfect. This is particularly exciting because I HAD to wear larges after G was born to be long enough to cover my belly. Mediums cut me wrong across the pooch. So being able to wear a medium and wear it well indicates to me that my pooch is deflating :)
I also found my dress. I will get a picture up soon. I went to several stores but everything was either super casual or super dressy (think pool-side dress vs. prom dress). I finally made a stop at Kohl's and grabbed a few dresses to try on. One in particular I liked on the hanger but once I got it on it just looked all wrong. I couldn't pin my finger on what it was, but it just didn't look good on my body. As I was walking out with my head hung, I thought "You know...that was a large...I wonder..." I grabbed a medium (which as an aside...who in the WORLD makes dresses in small, medium and large? Like there aren't in between sizes???) and headed back to the dressing room, fully expecting the results to be worse than before. What do you know....they weren't. Actually, I LIKED what I saw!!! I left the dressing room and immediately bought the dress!
Two (back to my weight loss plan): I am changing up what kinds of foods I eat. I am taking in more protein and cutting back on starches and carbs. I found a program that encourages you to do this for a week or two to wake your body up. I am still keeping my calories down, just distributing them differently. I can still have my fruit, veggies and even dairy. And of course the occasional carb/starch, but for the most part I am trying to take in more protein. Awesome breakfast idea: 2 tbs of peanut butter spread across apple slices. About 250 calories and super yummy. I wasn't hungry until lunch time! This gives you your protein, fiber and fat to help you feel full and have energy to burn!
So we'll see if any of these things help kick my weight loss back into gear. I cannot wait for it to get a smidge warmer (no more snow storms please!) so I can be outside more. G is anxious to get out and so am I. I am much more active in the spring/summer.
Stay tuned...soon I'll be swimming suit shopping. THAT will be a HILARIOUS post you won't want to miss!
Later, gators!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Mother's Day 5K
So due to the inspiration of my friend Emily (smallermeemily.blogspot.com) I am going to run my first 5K on Mother's Day this year. I am both excited and nervous. It is for runners/walkers of all ages, the only stipulation is that you must be female. There will also obviously be many different ability levels from walkers w/ strollers to experienced runners. Despite that I still have some anxiety about running in front of other people (other than those I run next to in the gym).
For the last week I have been "training". Essentially this consists of working up to running the three miles with minimal resting/walking. At this point in time I can run nearly a mile without stopping and my mile is between 13 and 14 minutes. I know that may not sound like much to a runner, but for me this is a big deal! I can speed walk with the best of them, but your body is so much more engaged when you are running. I can REALLY feel it when I get home from the gym.
So, we'll see how it goes. More than anything, I want to be able to say I did it. At that point I'll have been on this diet/exercise routine for 4 months, and I think that running a 5K will be a big milestone to hit.
I have begun to experience aches and pains in places I hadn't before. I have always struggled with a bum knee and my hips have been hurting. I know some of it is just my body getting used to the impact of running vs. speed walking. I did get new shoes. I was due and needed something that would provide more support. If necessary, I'll get a brace for my knee as well.
So there you have it, my NEW goal! It's kind of exciting to have a personal goal that doesn't involved a scale and numbers!
Speaking of numbers...
Weigh in 3/14/2009: 160.5
Total weight loss: 16.5
I am about 1 pound from losing 10% of my body weight! I have started trying on dresses for our date to see Phantom. I am typically a "pants and skirts" type of girl, but I am really liking what I see in the mirror so far. And guess what....the dress size I've been trying on and FITTING in to is.....drum roll please....
AN EIGHT!!!
I was in an 8 before getting pregnant with G...and a 6 about 3 months before that. I feel like I am slowly getting pieces of me back, a little at a time.
Ok, ladies. I'll keep you posted. I am still hoping to hit 158 before April 2nd when we go to Phantom. Love, love, love!
For the last week I have been "training". Essentially this consists of working up to running the three miles with minimal resting/walking. At this point in time I can run nearly a mile without stopping and my mile is between 13 and 14 minutes. I know that may not sound like much to a runner, but for me this is a big deal! I can speed walk with the best of them, but your body is so much more engaged when you are running. I can REALLY feel it when I get home from the gym.
So, we'll see how it goes. More than anything, I want to be able to say I did it. At that point I'll have been on this diet/exercise routine for 4 months, and I think that running a 5K will be a big milestone to hit.
I have begun to experience aches and pains in places I hadn't before. I have always struggled with a bum knee and my hips have been hurting. I know some of it is just my body getting used to the impact of running vs. speed walking. I did get new shoes. I was due and needed something that would provide more support. If necessary, I'll get a brace for my knee as well.
So there you have it, my NEW goal! It's kind of exciting to have a personal goal that doesn't involved a scale and numbers!
Speaking of numbers...
Weigh in 3/14/2009: 160.5
Total weight loss: 16.5
I am about 1 pound from losing 10% of my body weight! I have started trying on dresses for our date to see Phantom. I am typically a "pants and skirts" type of girl, but I am really liking what I see in the mirror so far. And guess what....the dress size I've been trying on and FITTING in to is.....drum roll please....
AN EIGHT!!!
I was in an 8 before getting pregnant with G...and a 6 about 3 months before that. I feel like I am slowly getting pieces of me back, a little at a time.
Ok, ladies. I'll keep you posted. I am still hoping to hit 158 before April 2nd when we go to Phantom. Love, love, love!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Approaching Thirty
I had a conversation this weekend with a good friend who turned 30 today. This friend approached today with a little anxiety. I am a couple years away from hitting the big 3-0, but it got me to thinking. What's so scary about a number? What changes from the 365th day of your 29th year and the first day of your 30th year?
The more I thought about it, I realized I am actually the opposite. Getting older doesn't scare me. Yes, I know this means changes in my body, changes in my hair color, changes in my abilities. Despite all of these things, I approach my future with excitement and anticipation. Our 30's do not mean the same things they once did. Women in their 30's are having children, starting and thriving in their careers, and doing more than they ever have before. I have to be honest and say that I like myself more and more the older I get. I feel more comfortable in my own skin, more confident about where I am going in life and more prepared for trying new things.
I hope every woman out there can look to their future, not looking back and wishing for earlier years, but looking forward with great excitement to what their future may hold. With that said, happy birthday, Christie...who doesn't look a day over 24 :) I know the next 10 years will be awesome for you!
Ok, here are this week's stats:
Weigh in 3/7/2009: 162
Total weight loss: 15 lbs
I can't believe how excited I am to almost be back in the 150's! I haven't seen the 150's since about the summer of 2006. When I hit 154, I will officially be back into a health Body Mass Index as well. Another 15 lbs and I will have reached my goal weight! Here is to HALF WAY THERE!
I am hoping to be at 158 before our April 2nd date to see Phantom. I know that is 4 more pounds in 24 days and that may be pretty difficult, but I'm up for the challenge.
Later, ladies!
The more I thought about it, I realized I am actually the opposite. Getting older doesn't scare me. Yes, I know this means changes in my body, changes in my hair color, changes in my abilities. Despite all of these things, I approach my future with excitement and anticipation. Our 30's do not mean the same things they once did. Women in their 30's are having children, starting and thriving in their careers, and doing more than they ever have before. I have to be honest and say that I like myself more and more the older I get. I feel more comfortable in my own skin, more confident about where I am going in life and more prepared for trying new things.
I hope every woman out there can look to their future, not looking back and wishing for earlier years, but looking forward with great excitement to what their future may hold. With that said, happy birthday, Christie...who doesn't look a day over 24 :) I know the next 10 years will be awesome for you!
Ok, here are this week's stats:
Weigh in 3/7/2009: 162
Total weight loss: 15 lbs
I can't believe how excited I am to almost be back in the 150's! I haven't seen the 150's since about the summer of 2006. When I hit 154, I will officially be back into a health Body Mass Index as well. Another 15 lbs and I will have reached my goal weight! Here is to HALF WAY THERE!
I am hoping to be at 158 before our April 2nd date to see Phantom. I know that is 4 more pounds in 24 days and that may be pretty difficult, but I'm up for the challenge.
Later, ladies!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Second Verse...Same as the First
Anyone feel like when you are on a diet you have little variety in your life? I do have to say I am not nearly as discouraged as I was a couple of weeks ago. But, sometimes I just get sick of the same old packaged meals for lunch and boring water. I have come up with some alternatives.
My newest fav...Diet Limeade from Sonic w/ extra lime juice. Caffiene free, minimal calories (approx 10-20 - just from the limes) and lots of tangy, carbonated good-ness. I was finding myself dreaming of Coke again, so I thought I'd try another carbonated beverage and see if that "cured" me. It worked. And it will be a great summer drink!
So...I bet you're wondering how I faired through my days down in the dumps. I did gain. It was unfortunate. I think I went back up about a pound and a half. (165.5 lbs). But after a week back on track I weighed in this past Saturday.
2/28/2009 weigh in: 164!!! Woo hoo. It only took a week of recovery!
Total weight loss: 13 lbs
New goal: lose 6 lbs by April 2nd.
Ben has gotten us tickets to see Phantom of the Opera at the Music Hall here in Kansas City (my Valentine's Day gift) and I would LOVE to buy a new dress for the occasion. So my goal is to lose a little more and then find an awesome dress to flatter my "getting there" figure.
Here is a picture from this past weekend with my cousin, Brandi. She was cheering in a regional competition here in KC and we went to see her perform/compete. Her team got 1st and is going to Nationals! But you can see from this pic that the diet and exercise is starting to make a little difference!
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