It seems this summer's theme is going to revolve around 30. Seriously, it's everywhere! (Disclaimer: I'm not into numerology or anything, no, no no. I just find it a little funny that everything seems to be converging at 30 for the moment!)
To begin with, I'll be turning 30 in August. It will be nice to begin a new decade with a new approach to life! I'm not really dreading this milestone, because with all the progress of this year, it feels like a threshold to something amazing! I hope to make my 30's my healthiest decade yet. :)
Today, my waist measurement dropped into the 30's. Yes, it was in the 40's (shudder), but thanks to Zumba and calorie counting, it's dropped 4 inches in the last 6 weeks. I'm excited to keep seeing those inches dropping off. It's what keeps me going even when the scale stays put for a while. 32 is a number I can't wait to reach. I ended there during my junior year in college (the last time I successfully lost significant weight), and I still remember how good I felt then. Can't wait to see that again.
I'm still not quite in the 230's, but my goal for the next 6 weeks (by the time my daughter turns 3, on July 30th...see what I mean?) is to get to 230 lbs. That's 11 pounds from now, but I think it's do-able.
And finally, my yearly weight loss total stands at 30! Honestly, I never thought I'd get past 10. I feel great, and am ready to keep going!
Here's to 30!
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
This time around...
Sometimes, I'm really surprised at how differently I see things this time. I was dreading counting calories, and here I am two weeks into it, and getting more comfortable with it every day.
This time around, I don't really want a "cheat day". I did it the first weekend after I started the calorie counting (which was actually 2 days after I began), and I felt SO awful. I didn't go that crazy, but it was enough to give me an upset stomach and raging heartburn. Still, the second Saturday, I did it again. Same story. Hard headed, much? This weekend, there won't be any cheat day. It'll just be business as usual. Today was a little lax, because it was my hubby's birthday, and who am I to pass up cake? But I had just the one slice, and adjusted my cals earlier in the day to allow for it.
Who am I? I certainly don't recognize myself. But every day that I stick to that calorie goal, every day I work out, leaves me wanting to keep going. It's a very new reality for me, and not something I expected.
This time around, I find myself making choices instead of depriving myself. I'm okay with it when I pick up a much-loved food and decide the taste of it just won't be worth the calories involved. I'm truly seeing it as a decision, which feels really good.
I'm so close to the 230's I can taste it...and it tastes a lot better than chocolate cake, I can tell you that! I can't actually remember the last time the number on the scale started with a 23-. While it makes me sad that it's still that high, getting down out of the 240's is a mini milestone. I really really want to see 230 by my kids' birthdays at the end of July. I'd love to hit my 30th birthday in the 220's (even if it's just 229!).
After my second week of calorie counting, the weight loss stands at 6 pounds. Inches lost are 3 off my waist, and 2.5 off my hips.
Slow and steady wins the race. And I aim to win it, this time around.
This time around, I don't really want a "cheat day". I did it the first weekend after I started the calorie counting (which was actually 2 days after I began), and I felt SO awful. I didn't go that crazy, but it was enough to give me an upset stomach and raging heartburn. Still, the second Saturday, I did it again. Same story. Hard headed, much? This weekend, there won't be any cheat day. It'll just be business as usual. Today was a little lax, because it was my hubby's birthday, and who am I to pass up cake? But I had just the one slice, and adjusted my cals earlier in the day to allow for it.
Who am I? I certainly don't recognize myself. But every day that I stick to that calorie goal, every day I work out, leaves me wanting to keep going. It's a very new reality for me, and not something I expected.
This time around, I find myself making choices instead of depriving myself. I'm okay with it when I pick up a much-loved food and decide the taste of it just won't be worth the calories involved. I'm truly seeing it as a decision, which feels really good.
I'm so close to the 230's I can taste it...and it tastes a lot better than chocolate cake, I can tell you that! I can't actually remember the last time the number on the scale started with a 23-. While it makes me sad that it's still that high, getting down out of the 240's is a mini milestone. I really really want to see 230 by my kids' birthdays at the end of July. I'd love to hit my 30th birthday in the 220's (even if it's just 229!).
After my second week of calorie counting, the weight loss stands at 6 pounds. Inches lost are 3 off my waist, and 2.5 off my hips.
Slow and steady wins the race. And I aim to win it, this time around.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Stats Update
Waist total: 2.5"
Hips total: 2"
Waist and hips measurments have been taken since I started Zumba, and my weight loss total (since January - minus 2 months of plateau) is 30.6!
I can hardly believe it. I feel a lot like this journey has started with baby steps, which was maybe my problem all the other times I tried. I'd jump in and try to make it stick, without really giving myself any time to adjust.
In some ways it's been frustrating, as progress comes and goes, and when it does happen, it's slow. But I know I'm different. I know I see things differently today than I did 5 months ago, or even 1 month ago. I'm making choices, not "denying" myself. I actually enjoy working out. (Ha! I never even saw that one coming.) I count calories, and it's not driving me crazy. All good, positive changes that will help me keep this up.
And one other fun bonus...I got an early birthday present from my MIL: shoes for Zumba!
I was using my running shoes...just a little too much traction.
So excited!
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
2.2
That number? Oh, that's the number of pounds that have dropped off in my first week of calorie counting. Seriously! I finally broke through the 245 plateau. I have to say honestly that I'm still a little skeptical. Stepping on the scale makes me really nervous. I'm afraid the progress I'm seeing will be just a fluke, water weight, etc.
But on the other hand it's been so encouraging to see progress this week! This plateau has lasted almost a couple of months, and was starting to feel as though it would stretch out forever. There have definitely been positives, though. No weight gain, increased energy, improved endurance in my workouts, inches disappearing. And I'm still here. I'm still trying every day, holding myself accountable, exposing my struggles and triumphs.
I'm ready to leave this part of this journey behind. I know there will be another one down the road, maybe several. But for now, 2.2. Hopefully next week will be even better!
But on the other hand it's been so encouraging to see progress this week! This plateau has lasted almost a couple of months, and was starting to feel as though it would stretch out forever. There have definitely been positives, though. No weight gain, increased energy, improved endurance in my workouts, inches disappearing. And I'm still here. I'm still trying every day, holding myself accountable, exposing my struggles and triumphs.
I'm ready to leave this part of this journey behind. I know there will be another one down the road, maybe several. But for now, 2.2. Hopefully next week will be even better!
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The New Normal
I've been at the calorie counting for about 5 days. The first day was such a challenge. According to my FitnessPal app, my calorie goal should be 1510 calories per day. It's shocking how fast those numbers add up. I don't beat myself up if it's a little more...but I always try to keep it under 1800. After all, according to the official math equation, I have to consume 2931 calories per day to maintain my weight. So...1800 is really just fine. But I have been learning to eat more calorie-lite veggies when I'm hungry or snacking. It saves me more for mealtime, and I don't end up with 100 calories left for dinner!
And that's all before bringing exercise into the equation. Of course, unless you have a monitor, it's hard to know exactly how many calories you're burning in a workout, but there are some decent calculators out there that will give an estimate. I also tend to downplay the intensity of my workout because I'd rather underestimate what I'm burning than overestimate. Zumbacalories.com gives me 736 burned cals for a 50 minute workout. Not bad.
When I've done this before, it's been so frustrating and tedious. All of it. The working out, the calorie counting. I was miserable, and so it didn't last. In the past, there was only one time I made a change that lasted more than a month. I'm coming up on that month now. And even though it doesn't look exactly like I hoped numbers-wise, there is a change in me. I'm settling in. It's becoming a habit, a new normal. I no longer wonder if I'll have what it takes to stick it out...in fact it's stopped feeling like I'm sticking it out altogether. It just feels right.
I didn't work out for almost a week (last week I had some rescheduled lessons and some extra babysitting, and a jam-packed weekend), and while my muscles hurt last night, today I feel fine. I have some energy, I still want to do this. I didn't quit my calorie counting last week. I had my usual cheat day, but scaled back a little. The mental game is getting less challenging, and that's almost a physical relief. Struggling against yourself day in and day out is completely exhausting!
I'm loving this new feeling. It's so worth it.
And that's all before bringing exercise into the equation. Of course, unless you have a monitor, it's hard to know exactly how many calories you're burning in a workout, but there are some decent calculators out there that will give an estimate. I also tend to downplay the intensity of my workout because I'd rather underestimate what I'm burning than overestimate. Zumbacalories.com gives me 736 burned cals for a 50 minute workout. Not bad.
When I've done this before, it's been so frustrating and tedious. All of it. The working out, the calorie counting. I was miserable, and so it didn't last. In the past, there was only one time I made a change that lasted more than a month. I'm coming up on that month now. And even though it doesn't look exactly like I hoped numbers-wise, there is a change in me. I'm settling in. It's becoming a habit, a new normal. I no longer wonder if I'll have what it takes to stick it out...in fact it's stopped feeling like I'm sticking it out altogether. It just feels right.
I didn't work out for almost a week (last week I had some rescheduled lessons and some extra babysitting, and a jam-packed weekend), and while my muscles hurt last night, today I feel fine. I have some energy, I still want to do this. I didn't quit my calorie counting last week. I had my usual cheat day, but scaled back a little. The mental game is getting less challenging, and that's almost a physical relief. Struggling against yourself day in and day out is completely exhausting!
I'm loving this new feeling. It's so worth it.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Because its not all about me...
I watched a video this morning about the increased risks of being obese and pregnant. It's been a topic of conversation around here lately because we're starting to think about expanding our family. But another aspect I hadn't thought about is the implications that go beyond pregnancy and birth. There is good research to indicate that my children have an increased risk of obesity growing up.
I can't say how very sad that made me. But on the flip side, it also made me that much more determined.
Growing up, fast food was a rarity at our house. My parents stressed the importance of sitting down as a family and I remember my father always wanting to make sure there was a green vegetable on the table. I had every advantage toward creating healthy eating habits. It was in college that I really veered off the course and stayed there after I got married. I'm an emotional eater, and the first couple years of marriage were very tough for us. I gained 50 pounds the first 2 years we were married. Yikes. I dealt with depression a couple years later and that didn't help either. But it's no longer about me. It's about my kids too, and not just me being around for them. I don't want them to be here. Ever. I want to be be able not only to talk to them about a healthy lifestyle, but to show them how hard it is to came back from an unhealthy place...and that it's entirely possible.
It would break my heart to watch my children struggle with the same emotions, challenges, body image and struggles that I have. I don't want my children to desire to be thin to please others or society. I want them to desire to be healthy and strong and for exercise to be a matter of course. I hope to do it without creating negativity about weight or body image for them. It's a tall order and the weight of the responsibility feels that much heavier.
It must be done by example. It must be done, period.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Reset
Alright. I took the day off from Zumba today. I needed a day to kind of reset and get my head around how to proceed from here. Thanks to all of you for your awesome suggestions on the last post! It's clear that calorie counting is what's ahead.
Last night George and I talked about our food choices and my frustration with dinnertime. It has to be fast, but it also needs to be healthy. Thanks to veggies that come in that steam pouch, I usually always manage to get a solid vegetable on the table (and no, never the ones with sauce or anything). But pretty much every night includes pasta or potatoes. Nope, not whole wheat pasta either. (Gross. That's just how I feel about it.) And I always keep some breaded chicken breast in the freezer in addition to the fresh organic chicken and beef I get from the store. But that takes time, so more often than not I'm reaching for the breaded stuff. But I usually also bread the fresh chicken too. So...yeah. Lots of breading here. Gonna have to find some interesting ways to prepare plain chicken.
Today at Costco, I was thrilled to find a 4 lb bag of organic quinoa! I've used it and eaten it before, but the last time I tried it was very bitter, and I've been hesitant to try it again. My fave way to make it is with organic chicken stock and root veggies, but clearly I'm going to need to change it up to get through a 4 lb bag!
Anyone have some favorite quinoa recipes to share? Or some good chicken recipes/marinades?
In addition to the quinoa, I got some organic mixed greens, organic apple slices, plain frozen chicken breasts, and lentil chips for my snack cravings. I was having pita chips, but nutritionally the lentil chips come out ahead. And I found a 24 pack of organic eggs for a much better price than in the grocery store. George and our kids go through eggs like crazy, but the price of organic usually keeps the supply limited. I love them hard boiled for snacks, so I was pretty pumped about that find.
So part of the re-focus on what I'm eating had to include what I was eating. Clearly my body isn't going to keep going with just moderation, and a disregard for what I am moderating, no matter how "decent" my choices are.
I'm going to download an app on my iphone, hoping that will make it easier to track the calories. To be honest, I'm not really sure what to aim for. Most of the time, 1200 is spoken of as being the bare minimum, so I was thinking 1500? 1800? I don't want to eat too little, but I do still need to cut back enough for weight loss.
Maybe I'll try one or the other and give it a few weeks. Then I can adjust if needed.
Thanks for reading! You all keep me accountable!!
Last night George and I talked about our food choices and my frustration with dinnertime. It has to be fast, but it also needs to be healthy. Thanks to veggies that come in that steam pouch, I usually always manage to get a solid vegetable on the table (and no, never the ones with sauce or anything). But pretty much every night includes pasta or potatoes. Nope, not whole wheat pasta either. (Gross. That's just how I feel about it.) And I always keep some breaded chicken breast in the freezer in addition to the fresh organic chicken and beef I get from the store. But that takes time, so more often than not I'm reaching for the breaded stuff. But I usually also bread the fresh chicken too. So...yeah. Lots of breading here. Gonna have to find some interesting ways to prepare plain chicken.
Today at Costco, I was thrilled to find a 4 lb bag of organic quinoa! I've used it and eaten it before, but the last time I tried it was very bitter, and I've been hesitant to try it again. My fave way to make it is with organic chicken stock and root veggies, but clearly I'm going to need to change it up to get through a 4 lb bag!
Anyone have some favorite quinoa recipes to share? Or some good chicken recipes/marinades?
In addition to the quinoa, I got some organic mixed greens, organic apple slices, plain frozen chicken breasts, and lentil chips for my snack cravings. I was having pita chips, but nutritionally the lentil chips come out ahead. And I found a 24 pack of organic eggs for a much better price than in the grocery store. George and our kids go through eggs like crazy, but the price of organic usually keeps the supply limited. I love them hard boiled for snacks, so I was pretty pumped about that find.
So part of the re-focus on what I'm eating had to include what I was eating. Clearly my body isn't going to keep going with just moderation, and a disregard for what I am moderating, no matter how "decent" my choices are.
I'm going to download an app on my iphone, hoping that will make it easier to track the calories. To be honest, I'm not really sure what to aim for. Most of the time, 1200 is spoken of as being the bare minimum, so I was thinking 1500? 1800? I don't want to eat too little, but I do still need to cut back enough for weight loss.
Maybe I'll try one or the other and give it a few weeks. Then I can adjust if needed.
Thanks for reading! You all keep me accountable!!
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