Thursday, April 30, 2009

A look at my day

Analyzing my food today:

Breakfast: Nutri-grain blueberry waffle, no syrup. I need to think of better options for breakfast, I'm pretty sure the ultra-low cal breakfasts are hurting me.

Lunch: Smart Ones sweet and sour chicken. Microwave meals are great for an easy, quick lunch. Oh, I could eat healthier by making my own lunch, but there are just some days I want a lazy lunch, know what I mean??

1st snack: Yogurt with sliced strawberries and bananas. This was delicious and very filling...I need to do it more often!

Second snack: String cheese. Just something quick to eat between my workout and dinner!

Dinner: I baked some boneless, skinless chicken breasts seasoned with Mrs. Dash and tossed them with whole wheat penne pasta and veggie pasta sauce, salad on the side. Okay, the penne isn't very low-cal, but when I add the other stuff, I don't end up eating much of the pasta. I also measured my sauce so that I only had about 3/4 cup. This was a very filling meal!

I did two different workouts today....feeling good about that! In the morning I did the 20 minute Core Secrets workout and then in the afternoon I did a 50 minute 3 mile walk/run. Right now I'm walking for four minutes and running at a 5.5 every 5th minute.

I do a lot of sitting all day, while I'm homeschooling my daughter, and I feel like it's really contributing to my weight. Today, I tried something different. I sat on my core secrets ball! I was more wiggly and bouncy...so maybe I was burning a few calories! It was actually fun and made me think about my posture more, too. I think I'll do that everyday. Every little bit helps!

Every single day is it's own challenge right now, just taking it day by day. I feel like I'm doing so much right, but still not seeing the results I'd like. I think I may try to bulk up my breakfasts a bit, but then I'll be over calories unless I scale down dinners...which is when I'm my hungriest. I'm just not that hungry in the morning at all!

Oh well. I'm just longing for the day when my weight loss is actually noticeable. My daughter has a special ceremony this Sunday at church and I have to dress up a bit more than usual...in a dress instead of pants or a skirt. It's so much harder to hide fat in an actual dress! I tried my only dress on today and it did fit, but I felt fat and exposed in it. How I wish I'd started this diet earlier!


Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Figuring out the food

I'm learning to make different foods for dinner, which has been so far pretty nice. Tonight I made steak stir-fry, using a low sodium terriaki sauce, red and green peppers, and onions. I put it all over some brown rice and added a salad on the side. Everything tasted really good!

I've been noticing that a ton of weight-loss blogs photograph their food everyday as sort of a food diary/accountability thing. I love that! I'm giving the idea some serious consideration...especially since I just got a brand new camera for Mothers Day and I'd love to have a good reason to use the heck out of it! :)

Today I was faced with the dreaded mall food court for lunch and luckily Chic-fill-a sounded good. They have a grilled chicken sandwich that is SOOOO good! I think after I put the honey bbq sauce it still only came to 330 calories....which isn't super great but considering all the other options in the mall, I feel great about it!

It isn't a great day for working out though. Busy all day, plans tonight. Oh, I totally could have gotten up early and did something...but me and mornings do NOT mesh well! (Excuses, excuses!) My weight is still hanging onto me, despite doing workouts everyday and eating better than I ever have. I don't get it, but I'm not giving up. I actually do FEEL good on this diet. I FEEL thinner, oddly. I do have more energy. My skin even looks better.

Mind you, I'll still be salty on weigh-in day if I gain or don't lose anything, but at least for today I'm at peace with it! :)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Yesterday rocked

Yesterday was amazing. I started the day a bit depressed and frustrated because I did a cheat weigh-in (note to self: STOP doing that!) and I was back up to 153 AGAIN. I ate a great lunch (turkey sandwich with baby carrots) and did the errands I needed to do. Came home, ate a great snack (low fat string cheese) and drank a ton of water. Did an AWESOME workout (for me) of running/walking for 50 minutes and hit one of my goals: three miles in less than an hour. More water and had another snack: yogurt.

I did a ton of house cleaning, including the bi-annual changing of the seasonal clothes, and had so much energy! For dinner, I made sweet and sour chicken, only tweaked a bit. I browned the chicken breast in EVOO (just a touch), with green pepper and pineapple, and only 1.5 tbsp. of the Kraft S&S sauce and put it all over brown rice. A bit blander than using a ton of oil and sauce, but it was still good and very filling. I measured EVERYTHING, which is unusual for me, and felt confident that I was within my calorie range.

SO, I got a great workout, had energy to do a ton of stuff, ate right, and had ALL my water!

If I can stop thinking of doing it forever, which totally intimidates me, and just do it one day -- one MEAL -- at a time, I think I can do this. :)

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Saturday morning weigh-in

My official weigh-in this week is 152, which is down 1.6 for the week. My goal was two pounds, so this isn't too bad I suppose.

I'm thinking it's possible I'm slowing things down by restricting my calories too much. There are many days I'm coming in below 1200 calories (some days I'm even below 1000) so it's possible I'm slowing my metabolism. This week I'll try to get between 1200-1400 calories everyday, and also add some variety to my workouts.


Friday, April 24, 2009

Getting fed up with the whole thing

I wonder how many weeks I'm going to write this same post...

I did a quick (and unofficial) weigh-in this morning and the numbers still aren't moving. I am beyond frustrated at this point.

I am working out EVERY DAY.

I am under my calorie limit almost everyday.

I have not cheated.

I'm getting enough water.

THERE IS NO REASON for the numbers to not go down!

Seriously, I want to quit. If I was eating whatever I wanted and staying put at 163, but having to work so hard to stay at 153, I'd just as soon be ten pounds fatter.


Thursday, April 23, 2009

Reruns of Biggest Loser

I'm watching an old episode of Biggest Loser and one thing really sticks out...I liked this show WAY better when everyone got along! My goodness, they're so nice to each other and there is zero back-stabbing going on. Much better show, in my opinion.

Oh, and there is no pimping of products either. How I hate that! Takes all the credibility away from the trainers in a way, and makes the contestants look foolish for playing along.

I still like watching the Biggest Loser, but seeing these old episodes reminds me of how much better the show USED to be.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Pressing on!

Still going...

My weight is stalled again this week, kinda. See, on my Monday (cheat) weigh-in it showed that I had GAINED a couple of pounds over the weekend. I just don't understand. I hardly ate over the weekend because of an argument with Hubby!

So, today was my mid-week weigh-in and I'm back down to my Saturday weight. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've been watching my calories, getting a workout everyday (except Sunday) and not cheating whatsoever. So, why isn't my weight dropping like a rock??

Not giving up just yet, though. I am determined to get to my goal, even if it's a few ounces at a time!

I think I need to explore different dinner ideas. That could be part of my problem, trying to eat the same food I did before, just smaller portions. I need to check into the fish (yuck) option. Yuck.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Saturday morning weigh-in

Well, this morning was weird. I weighed myself when I first woke up and it read 151.8. That seemed really low to me so I decided to eat breakfast and try again. I had a small bowl of Special k and a cup of coffee and back onto the scale I went. Now, it reads 153.6. Okay...two pounds for a bowl of cereal?

This weighing in thing has me confused! Nevertheless, I decided to take the bigger number so that gives me a loss of 3 pounds this week. Not as big a loss as last week, but I'm pleased.

Goals for the coming week:
*Adding a 20 minute strength training workout on two days.
*Doing my walk/run workout five times for 45 minutes each.
*Adding more water.
*Trying not to weigh in every single day!
*Total weight loss goal for next week is two pounds. :)

Friday, April 17, 2009

Still frustrated...

I've been lurking around a bunch of weight loss blogs this week, not commenting really because I feel like such an intruder. Everyone already has established bloggy friends and I don't feel like butting in...know what I mean?

Well anyway, everyone seems pretty honest about their slip-ups, which is great, but I don't understand how they can binge the way they do and only gain a pound (if any) yet I've been busting my butt and the scale has simply stopped moving! I am very frustrated.

I don't know exactly what I'm doing wrong this week. I've gotten three workouts in so far -- 45 minutes on treadmill for a total of 2.5 miles each -- and I've been watching my food pretty well, with the obvious exception of pizza night. So what's the deal?

I've started eating Special k for breakfast this week...could that be a problem? I don't see how. I do tend to eat a snack at night, but they felt safe. My choices are either a 60 cal sugar free pudding, a dark chocolate Hershey kiss, or a cinnamon cookie 100 calorie pack. Could they be the problem??

What is it?? I'm drinking about 4 bottles of water a day. Do I need more?? I'm already peeing ALL the time!

I'm totally obsessing and I know it. I'm still weighing myself everyday and I know that isn't a good thing, but I want to be able to know when to push myself harder. This week I've been stalled between 156-155 and can't get it to budge past those numbers! Argh. This sucks.

I don't know what else to do. Add a second daily workout with weights maybe? Sigh. Just thinking about that makes me tired, but then again I didn't think I could do the run/walk thing and I totally am, so....maybe I'll try. I might surprise myself again.

I think right now just pressing on is the biggest thing. Press on, girl. Press on.

UPDATE: I did a 20 minute Core Secrets workout, you know, the one with the big ball and weights? Oh my goodness. I messed myself UP. Got cocky, went with the 5 lb. weights the first time I did it, and thought I needed medical attention when I was done. It was an hour ago and I still can barely move my arms! Sigh.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Great workout!

I had a great workout today and it made me wonder: Why are some days so easy and others so stinking HARD??

I mean, there are days when I literally WILL myself through each minute I'm on that stinking treadmill -- almost in tears even! -- and then days like today when I feel great and strong and happy while I'm doing it.

Truth is, I'm proud of what I'm doing and I can sense a change in myself. For that 45 minutes today, I felt an emotional strength as much as a physical strength. It is empowering, without a doubt. Why on earth haven't I been doing this all along?!?

It's true what you hear all the contestants on the Biggest Loser say: You really can do more than you THINK you can. It's all about the trying. :)

Thursday afternoon update

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with salsa and a slice of 100% whole wheat toast.

Lunch: Half of a turkey sandwich and half of a 100 calorie pack of cheese-its.

No workout yet. I tend to do those between 4 and 6 in the evening, since we eat late dinners and that is prime snacking time for me! If I'm on the treadmill, I can't eat, right??

Skipped my workout yesterday due to cramps. BAD cramps. Those are gone today (thank goodness!) so I'll get a workout in today for sure.

I'm having to face the fact that I'm not going to lose 6 pounds every week. Last week was great, but if I only lose two this week it's okay! I've weighed myself a few times this week (my 'official' weigh-in day is Saturday) and this week is definitely slower, which is giving me fits. I need to STOP! It's ridiculous how I feel when that number isn't lower every single day.

Reminder to self: One to two pounds a week is healthy. Aim for THAT, not a pound a day, for goodness sake!

I just can't wait till I can start to feel a difference in my clothes and in the mirror. C'mon fat! Get offa me!! :)

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Unplanned exercise!

As planned, I have upped my water intake today. Well, now I may not need a workout today, seeing as how I am shlepping up the stairs every five minutes to pee! Geez! :)

Momentum gone already?

Sigh. It's slowing down. The weight loss, I mean. Last week, I lost 6 lbs. but since Saturday I haven't even lost a pound. I'm still watching what I eat, I'm still working out, so what changed??

Today I'm going to try and hit the water a bit harder and add an afternoon snack again. I was going to add a morning 20 minute quickie workout, but I am, how can I say this delicately? Um, heavy today. Any women should understand what I mean by that. Isn't very conducive to straddling a balance ball or jumping up and down on a stepper, if you know what I mean!

Hopefully by the end of the week I can add a bit of that and see if the strength training helps at all. Of course, it could have been the pizza night, but we're going to avoid that thought right now! ;)


Tuesday, April 14, 2009

PMS = Pizza, apparently!

It's my time of month right now and it isn't helping the diet situation at all! My usual monthly cravings aren't quite as strong (thank goodness!) but last night I caved and we ordered pizza for dinner.

Now, I did okay with that...at least better than usual. I made a salad on the side and stuck with two (big) slices of cheese pizza. That was all.

BUT, I hate that I caved. On the other hand, I don't want to be one of those people who gain back all their weight because their diet is unmaintainable! I guess I'm going to go out on a limb and say I will allow myself a weekly ration of two slices of cheese pizza. IF, and only IF I begin to see myself not take weight off regularly while allowing this treat, I will back off of my weekly pizza indulgence.

What's really amazing is how much I use to eat on our regular pizza night. We'd get garlic butter and parm cheese on the crust, then I would eat three slices with at least two pieces of cheesy bread on the side...always with massive amounts of Peanut M&M's at the same time! Wowzers.

I did my 45 minute/2.5 mile walk yesterday, so there's that. Still frustrated that my clothes aren't fitting any looser yet. Pressing on...

Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter weekend

I think I did alright this weekend. No working out though, which will be the downfall. Saturday we met my mom and sisters for lunch. They picked the Cracker Barrel, which is one of the worst places for high calorie 'comfort' food and few good choices! I found a meal that I THINK was okay (no idea really though, they don't provide nutrition info, even online!) and I didn't eat the cornbread on the side so...that helped. It was grilled steak with peppers, onions, and broccoli over rice. It was GOOD. :)

For dinner I made some Lloyds bbq chicken with some broccoli and cauliflower on the side. Oh, and I had a pudding cup in bed!

Sunday I had a McDonalds grilled chicken snack wrap without sauce after church, then some grilled steak and mexican rice for lunch. Way too much rice. My hispanic mother in law makes the BEST mexican rice...which is made with a ton of oil of course so I should have passed but didn't!

Dinner was just some Special K before bed.

So, not great but not too bad either. Like I said, it'll be the lack of exercise and water that will hurt me most likely.

Oh, and my weigh-in on Saturday morning put me at a total of 6 lbs. loss now! Yay!!

Side note: Glad I went to the hometown this weekend. Nice to see everyone. It's a reminder that I CAN do this if I put my mind to it. God reminded me that I need to go where He leads me so that HE is the one leading me, not myself and my fears. Good stuff, God. Thank you! :)

Friday, April 10, 2009

Eating out

You know what? Eating out while trying to diet is HARD. No one seems to have nutrition information available, so I'm just guessing. We went to Magic Wok today after Good Friday service and I had NO idea what to get. I ended up with a bowl of steamed rice, roasted chicken, veggies, and brown sauce. I just know that brown sauce kicked my butt. Argh.

Put on jeans that have been tight today. Well, they are still tight. Made me sad. :(

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Today lunch was so...

Weird. Nothing --- and I mean nothing --- sounded good to me. I popped in a Lean Cuisine meal but it tasted horrible...so now what?

The only thing that sounded half-way appealing to me was a bag of frozen broccoli/cauliflower mix. It sounded GOOD to me! I microwaved some and then topped it with some Mrs. Dash and a bit of shredded cheese and it was really good! Next time, I may even leave off the cheese. It didn't add much really, except calories!

Side note: I feel great today. Like, really full of energy and feeling positive. Took my B Complex...could that be part of it?? The sunshine? The Bible study I did this morning? It can't be the workouts, I skipped the last two days.

Whatever it is, I'm loving it!

Eggs: Friend, or foe??

They say to eat eggs in the morning to help you lose weight, so today I made some scrambled eggs and had them with a slice of whole wheat toast. Tasted good, filled me up, ect. BUT! Two problems.

First, I only like scrambled eggs smothered in ketchup, and that added a ton of calories.

Second, the entire meal is more calories at once than I have had in days!

Argh. Need to think about this one some more.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Here I go!

This isn't my normal blog--actually that one is being very neglected these days! The only thing that has been on my mind to talk about is my battle to lose weight...and that's a topic not everyone wants to hear about, know what I mean? So, even though it means having ZERO readers, here I am. I guess I just want a place to talk about each days battle, because each day is a battle when you're trying to drop pounds.

So, I'm going to be bold and put it all out there. I am short...only 5 ft. 2 in. and I weigh 159 pounds. I actually started at 163, but have dropped a few pounds already. Yay! My goal weight is 130, which is higher than it should be but I want to be as realistic as possible.

I am unfortunately a very sedentary woman. I homeschool my daughter so most of my day is spent sitting at the table working with her. My husband got us a treadmill and since the beginning of the year I've been walking around 3 days a week.

But nothing was happening.

So, I upped my workouts. First, I went from 30 min. to an hour, but that was really hard to maintain. (How embarrassing was that to admit?!) So the last couple of weeks I've done the walk four minutes, run one minute thing. I feel really good about this approach so for now, I'm sticking to it.

Still though, nothing was happening.

Until I finally admitted to myself that I needed to start monitoring my diet. Argh. I truly--truly--hate dieting! I am stubborn and just want to eat what I feel like eating whenever I feel like eating it! Needless to say, that just doesn't work!

So, I've been kinda sorta tracking my calories and since I have, the scale finally moved.

Well, that's where I am now. I'll most likely be up and down, on and off, grumpy and whatnot...but I really do want to make the change.