Weigh Ins

Feeling frustrated.....as I have for the past 9 years. I keep adjusting my diet and I still bounce around in the same 15 pound range. I honestly think I must be sabotaging myself somewhere.

I have started plugging in my data to a spreadsheet to see my progress (or lack thereof).

I started 2015 at 277.2. I bounced around until I landed at 268.2 at the end of 2017 with a low of 260. I wish I could figure out how I got down to 260 then bounced back up. I bought a new scale that shows percentages and body age as well as weight. I've made a point to weigh in on Mondays.

Here's all my numbers in black and white glory:

Date	Weight	BMI	Fat %	Muscle %	Visceral fat
12/25/17	268.2	36.9	49.7	22.5	10
1/1/18	271.2	37.3	49.2	22.8	10
1/8/18	268.8	37	48.2	23.3	10
1/22/18	275.6	37.9	47	24.1	10

I went on a girls weekend and I'm sure alcohol can account for the uptick in weight. Really hope that goes away by next Monday. But I saw a surprising trend!! My Fat% has gone down every week while my Muscle% has gone up.  

I will count that as a minor win.

Off to go drink my 40oz of water. I still haven't conquered that goal.

Week 2 Goals

Week 1 was all about wrapping my head around the new year, the new adventures, the new disappointments.

I conquered it!!

Week 2 is a simple goal:
1. Drink 1 cup of green tea each day
2. Drink 40 oz of water each day

I drink A LOT of coffee. It's black and it's my favorite drink. Ever. I drink 4-5 cups a day and usually a grande from Starbucks. No additional calories, but I'm sure I'm dehydrated.

I know I should be 64+ ozs of water each day, but that is unrealistic for me. I thought I would aim for realistic and attainable goals. 40 ozs is hard enough for me. I can increase it next week.

2018 Begins

9 years later....

Many attempts, many failures. Though I have a healthy heart and great cholesterol.

2016 was the year of the trainer. Marc and I signed up for a personal trainer. Twice a week for 30 minutes each. After 3 sessions, Marc bailed and it was up to me to fulfill the contract.

My trainer, Misgna at LA Fitness was wonderful. He worked with me. He pushed me. He got me to do some embarrassing moves. While I did not see any weight loss, I definitely gained muscle and my pants were slightly looser. WIN!!

BUT... I really want that damn scale to move. Everything in me screams for the scale to go down. I'm not unrealistic. With 0% body fat, I would weight 150 lbs. That is not my goal. My true goal is to be pre 1st baby. I started my weight gain journey weighing 205 lbs. My "the stars aligned" goal would be 190 lbs, but I think genetics and age will fight me on that.

2017 led me to Orange Theory. Loved those workouts. It was like being with the trainer for 1/3 of the price and I could go 5 days a week. Which I did. I was a work out machine.

Still no weight loss. Just a stronger heart and great cholesterol levels. With a big ass.

If I change nothing else this year, I want to reduce the size of my hips and belly so that I am comfortable on an airplane. I hate that my hip pushes up the armrest between myself and the poor sap in the middle seat. My only consolation is that I lean into the window to give them space and I read quietly, plus I smell good. LOL.

2015 is almost over

Here we are...6 years later and no big changes. Even a minor change would have been nice. 

I struggle daily. 

I completed a round of optifast. 500 calories a day, for months. I lost 20#. Good news was 16# were fat, not all muscle loss. Bad news, I gained it back plus 20 when I went back to eating. 

I cut out soda. I decreased Starbucks. I started going to the gym. 

By the end of 2013, I was going to the gym 5 days a week. Sometimes for 2 hours. I switched between treadmill, elliptical or rower for 30-60 minutes. I tried to keep my heart rate in the fat burning zone. Then I would hit the weights. NO WEIGHT LOSS!!

Frustration and acceptance has set in. 

Day 4

I'm hoping I will hit my writing groove and these will become more witty, but for now.. I'm proud that I am getting the work done and keeping myself accountable.

Day 4 of my 30 day March challenge was Thurs, Mar 3rd. I met my friend at the gym and we stretched before working out. We completed 40 minutes on the treadmill (I was 3.5 mph at a 2-3% incline). My hips are hurting today. 

My friend was meeting her friend at 11am for lunch so I said good-bye and stayed at the gym. Yep, I stayed to finish my workout. I am loving the gym.

I did:
Abs:
crunches - 3 sets of 10 with 80 pounds
side twists - 3 sets of 20 with 50 pounds


Bicep curls - 3 sets of 10 with 30 pounds
Triceps - 3 sets of 12 with 30 pounds
Shoulder press (to the sides) - 3 sets of 10 with 35 pounds


I'm trying to find the weight that makes me exhausted at the end of the 30th rep. I know that means it's not too light and not too heavy. My arms feel the burn, but not enough pain to discourage me from the next workout.


My day 5 workout will be on Saturday. I will be a great workout (especially after the crap I ate today). Hopefully I can make it to the store afterwards to pick up a new pair of shoes and some new t-shirts for my workouts.


This is the new me. I am healthy and happy!
 

Day 3

Woot. Woot. The exercise train is rolling from the station.

It's day 3 of my 30 day challenge and I'm doing great (though it is only day 3).

I met my friend at the gym this morning. We worked out for an hour-ish.

1. Ab machines - I have strong abs with a healthy layer of fat on top.
2. Arm machines - I avoided the shoulder press since it caused cramping last time and my triceps were screaming at me while doing bicep curls (because of the pressure down on the pads). That's good - I've made them work.
3. Recumbent bike- 30 minutes at level 7 - this worked up a good sweat.
4. Stretching - nothing like coaxing those muscles to relax after working out.

I drank a protein shake for breakfast and had my morning mocha. The protein infusion seems to help me from getting dizzy after working out. Nathan and I enjoyed a lunch out. I had Aloo Matar (potatoes and pees in a spicy sauce). I kept my portion small to save money and calories. I drank 24 ounces of water - definitely need to go refill my water bottle. I had some all white chicken nuggets with the kids for a snack at 4 and am still not hungry. I'm realizing now that I am seriously lacking in the fruits and vegetables department, so I'll have a carrot or green bean snack for my dinner.

I'm feeling very tired and blah right now. I'll put the chocolate away and step back from the kitchen!

Meet some other great friends working on losing weight by joining Lucy's Fat to Fit Blog Hop.

Day 2

Another successful day!!

I met my friend at the gym.

Stretching (more like gossiping)
40 minutes on the treadmill at 3-3.8 mph and a 2-3% incline
We skipped weights because we ran out of time.

I feeling my muscles in my arms today. Not terribly, but enough to know I did good. I have a cramp in my trapezius muscle that causes my right arm to feel numb. Last time I ended up calling the chiropractor at 3am for the pain. I used my friends advice and imagined my muscles as taffy and slowly pulled the muscle into a longer shape. It worked enough to not cause my unbearable pain and I fell asleep. 

Now it's Day 3 and I'm off to the gym again. Woo Hoo!

Day 1

The first day of my 30 day challenge is complete and done!!

9am:
20 minutes on the upright bike
ab exercises
2 bicep machines

11:30am:
lunch with Mr N (slice of pizza)

1pm:
20 minutes on the rower
20 minutes on the treadmill (3mph, 2% incline)
2 tricep machines
2 shoulder machines

Overall - a great first day
(I even drank water!! about 48 ounces so far).

March Challenge

picture found at http://healthycurb.com/blog/

It's always time for a change. Every night I think "if I had done 10 sit ups today - I would be 1 day closer to losing the weight". I've gained about 75 pounds in the last 11 years. This is the weight I gained having 4 kids. My oldest will be 11 in June and it's time to rid myself of the weight I carry.

My knees hurt, my heart pounds as I go up the stairs. It's time to slim this waistline and get healthy. For me. For my children. For my life.

I've started by joining LA Fitness. My neighbor and I bought a one year family plan. It's all paid for and daycare comes out automatically. My youngest enjoy the daycare. I'm glad they are old enough to be in charge of themselves because the childcare staff is horribly inattentive.

I was going 5 days a week (for 2 weeks) and walking a 5k on the treadmill. I gained 3 pounds. I really don't think I changed my eating habits, but with this new challenge, I'm going to track everything.

My goal:
1. go to the gym 5 days a week for the month of March. Walk my 5k on the treadmill (takes me about 50 minutes). 
2. use the weights to perform arm exercises 3 days a week.
3. use the weights to perform leg exercises 2 days a week.
4. use the weights to perform ab exercises 5 days a week.
5. follow my firm, flat abs fast (10 minutes) every night with my husband.
6. write down everything that passes through my lips. EVERYTHING!!
7. Drink water - this one is huge. I realize I haven't had a glass of water in 2 weeks. I drink coffee. Lots of coffee.


I'll try to get some updates on here. Tomorrow will be my weigh in and measurements.

My challenge for April will be to start the couch to 5k.

Let's do it again

Another year. How is it 2011 already. I swear, every year I think "this is the year". This is the year I will get serious and lose that baby weight. Why is it so hard to be motivated. I'm thinking I'll print a photo or two to remind me what I look like.

You've heard of anorexics? I think I'm a thin-o-rexic. Not sure what else to call it. I think I look thinner or better than I do. I see myself in the mirror. I think, yes - I'm overweight by the scale, but I look OK. Then I see photos and I think, no - there is no way that is me.

I was always normal growing up. I ate and ate and played. Never did I have trouble. I was fine in college. But, I was putting on 10 lbs a year (without realizing it. this was pre "scale love affair"). I had my babies (4 in 5 years) and put on weight with each one. Since I have never dieted prior to this, it is really hard. 

I want to be fitter. That is my goal. I have a high fat percentage. I'm not thinking numbers or sizes. Just that I want to be fitter. Yes, I can go out for a 3 mile walk. Yes, I can hike up the mountain, but it's not making a difference in my body. Probably because it's so random that I do these things. Diet alone will not change me. I have to change my thinking and get myself to the gym. No mommy guilt. I sit at home playing on the computer or cleaning. That's not quality time with the kids. So why do I feel guilt about putting them in the kid care so I can take care of myself. In the long run, that means I will be able to take better care of them.

I have my first appointment with the gym this Friday. Two friends on my street are going to meet me at the school bus and we are all going to the gym. Accountability. Friendship. Encouragement. Together we can do it. Hopefully, my next post will say that I'm sticking to it. Or that I feel so great, I will finally sign up for that 5K with my family. Then it's off to a 1/2 marathon. That is my ultimate goal. Weight loss will be a happy side effect.

IT moved

My evil best friend is my bathroom scale. I have an obsession with it. I try not to. But it's almost like an affair.

I try to weigh myself only once a week. It's more like 5 times a week. If I press the button to see what I weigh and my fat percentage, the scale makes a loud beeping noise and I feel like I'm hiding a drug addiction because I'm wondering if my husband heard that.

I'm obsessed. Even worse. It NEVER moves (except when it kept going up). It finally stopped. I quit soda. I quit cookies. I eat veggies and push aside the carbs. I've recently switched to weight loss shakes (they are soy, chocolate and from Costco. They are delicious). I love them. I drink one for breakfast. Sometimes one for lunch. If I stop for pizza or fast food, I don't get anything for me. I try and choose water. I lecture the kids on healthy eating habits. When our schedules permits, I make a large salad to go with the chicken or fish for dinner. I think my diet secret is exercise. And that is my elusive piece of the puzzle.

I think about exercise ALL the time. I even put my most recent walk away the weight DVD in front of the TV and still I don't turn it on. Ugh!! Lazy, hardly. But I would rather read and play with the kids. Plus, it's so yucky out. Who wants to go out in the drizzle cool weather of Seattle.

Anyway, my obsession means I weigh myself 5 times a week. Always in the morning and always naked (very bad visual). Today it went down.

Woo Hoo.
Today's weight: 264.4
Yep. 2 pounds. I will wait until Monday to weigh again so that I don't get disappointed on a Sunday. It's much easier to stick to my eating schedule on a Monday.

And my obsession beginnings: started when I was pregnant with baby #3. Baby #1 - I gained 55 pounds. I ate healthy and still gained a load of weight. I lost all but 15 (so I thought) and then got pregnant with baby #2. Doctor said I had lost 22 pounds. Ugh again. But, I ate what I wanted (mostly meat) and didn't gain anything until week 28. And then it was 4 pounds every time!! Although it was only 28 pounds total.

Then baby #3 came along. Mind you, I lost nothing after baby #2. So I was on that scale everyday. Making sure I only gained the 20 pounds the doctor recommended. Go me. I succeeded. I lost it all too. Then baby #4 came along. I gained 20 pounds again and lost it all.

I have worked hard to break myself from this habit of daily weigh ins, but I can't get the baby weight off. I guess if I REALLY wanted to, I would succeed. I'm always thinking "tomorrow". I'll run out of tomorrows and wonder if I'll regret it.

I'm all over the place here. My brain is wacky. Anyway. I'm happy I lost 2. Now I have 66 more to go!!

not posting so well

I am ho-hum on this diet. The food is good but the weight is not "melting" off. I'm not looking for the quick fix (of course I am), but I realize that it takes time to get the weight off. It's just frustrating to watch it be so s-l-o-w!

So, week 1 weigh-in, I lost 4 pounds!!
Week 2 weigh-in, I gained 1 pound (what??)
Week 3 weigh-in, I'm back to where I started (seriously, I didn't eat that much over the weekend).
Week 4 weigh-in, I'm back to the weight lost! I'm down 4 pounds. It's better than nothing.

I've been working on exercise. It's the toughest part for me. My little 2 kids and I went on a 3 mile walk last Monday (the 19th) and then again on Saturday (the 24th). I'm now nursing a major sinus infection that isn't too troubling, but my breathing is very labored. I'm a little nervous to get out there and walk again.

I just borrowed "the biggest loser" for the Wii. I'll have to plug that in tomorrow and give it a try.

I'm working on eating on my own. Today I tried to be good, but I need to journal my food:

Breakfast:
lowfat vanilla yogurt with a teaspoon of honey
coffee with 1 tablespoon of creamer and vanilla flavoring

Snack:
1 slice (1/8) of large de-lite pizza


Lunch:
4 slices canadian bacon
2 slices lowfat swiss cheese
1 cup raw carrots
24 ounces of water


Snack:
lowfat blueberry yogurt
16 ounces nonfat, no whip mocha
1 slice (1/8) of large de-lite pizza


Dinner:
3 corn tortillas with
chopped steak
avocado with jalepeno
chopped onion and cilantro


coffee with creamer and vanilla (I have 4 of these each day. I love my hot coffee).
 

Day 2

I think about the general food less today. It's easy to stick to the program (so far). Serving sizes for vegetables are much more different than expected, but it's a doable program.

I had cereal for breakfast with an egg and mandarin orange.
I was up until 4:30AM with Mr. C's friend who slept here last night and had a hard time. So, my thoughtful friend, Carol, brought me a triple non fat, no whip mocha to help get me through the day. It was my lifesaver.
My lunch consisted for red beans, rice and sausage with a side of celery (peanut butter on it), 2 carrots and a slice of cheese.
My afternoon snack was another slice of cheese and a mandarin orange.
I drank a few coffees with nonfat creamer. It's not on my list of foods, but it's worth having if I'm giving up Starbucks.
Dinner was mushroom risotto (so gross) with roasted asparagus and broccoli.
Now it's time for dessert. Yummy.

I've even managed to drink all my water since I've began. I'm looking forward to weigh-in on Sunday and planning out my exercise routine. Keep it simple and get it done.

Day 1

Strange how starting a healthy eating plan can make you think about food all day. When is my next meal?
What do I get to eat?
Am I hungry?

I find that I am a grazer and walk into the kitchen often. 
I did manage to leave the food alone that sits on my kids plates. 
I did manage to drink 5 glasses of water to add to my 3 glasses of coffee. 
I did manage to avoid Starbucks.

I feel good and full. I will have to find more vegetables to add to each meal. Salad alone will not cut it.

Today was good!

Getting my fat ass in shape

OK.  I admit it.  I am fat.  I've been fat for a long time but I haven't done anything about it.  But that needs to change.  Why?  Well, the obvious one is because of my health.  I can't continue to be as overweight as I am without it starting to have a negative impact on my health long term.  So far I've been pretty lucky and don't have diabetes or high blood pressure or anything - but if I simply maintain where I've gotten to it's just a matter of time.  But I've known I need to fix this for my health for a long time - so why now?  What's the catalyst for jumping in this time around and committing to losing weight this time?  I wanted to start getting some exercise so I joined a co-ed soccer team with some of my co-workers last year.  Rather than get into shape my body started to break down.  My knees are killing me, I pulled muscles on a regular basis and I've now got a terrible case of plantar fasciitis.  This all made me realize that in order to be as active as I wanted to I need to lose some weight by changing my diet.  I used to play baseball, basketball, soccer - for hours on end.  It kills me that I can't do any of this anymore.  I know I'm older, but that's no excuse.  Now is the time to get my fat ass in shape.  I've got four kids to keep up with - and hauling around this tanker truck of a body is going to make that difficult!

Day 1

breakfast:
1 blueberry muffin (nutrisystem)
1 hard boil egg
1 small pear
2 coffee with 2T creamer

lunch:
chicken caesar (nutrisystem) salad with 2 cups Romaine and 1 cup celery
1 oz low fat Jarlsberg cheese

afternoon snack: 
Honey Nonfat Greek Yogurt
1/2 med banana


dinner:
Homestyle beef with mashed potatoes and gravy (nutrisystem)
2 cups salad with tomato and cucumber (fat free balsamic vinegar dressing)


dessert: 
Carrot Cake (nutrisystem)
coffee 

Initial numbers

Sunday, March 28: GOAL - pre baby #3 & 4 (250 lbs)

week 1:
Weight: 267.2 pounds
% Fat: 42.8%

measurements:
Hips: 53"
Waist: 36-1/2"
Belly Button: 46"
Upper Arms: 13-1/4"
Mid-thigh: 29"
Chest (under breast): 38"

Heather starts her new lifestyle

As you can see, 2008 did not become the starting point for us. Today is the starting point for us. I will be accountable and I will get this baby weight off.

I, Heather, will lose the weight that holds me back from being myself and comfortable in my own skin. Actually, I am quite comfortable, until I see photos. I'm reminded of my thoughts as a child of my own mother and wonder if my kids think the same way.

I've always been a judger. It's a very sad fact and the majority of the time, I will judge an appearance or weight and quickly forget it. It's true that we are more concerned about ourselves than others.

I spend a fair amount of time, thinking "Wow, she is so thin." But some women are just thin. I wasn't able to wrap my head around the fact that we are all different and born with the bodies we are to have based on evolution and procreation until I read the book "Hungry" about a model who starved herself to a size zero, but her actual body is a size 12. She looks WONDERFUL as a size 12. I find myself thinking, "Wow, at least I don't look like that." But, if I don't do something, I will look like that. I do have the advantage of height to help me with my weight, but I can't hide it anymore. I'm uncomfortable with my muffin top. I'm pathetic climbing a flight of stairs. I will NOT go to the waterslides or put on a bathing suit to play with my kids. And this is the place I'm ashamed of. I want to play with my kids. I want to be comfortable. I want to be thinner.

Notice, I don't say thin. I want to be me. I want to be able to eat the foods I love, drink some wine, enjoy myself, but not be so overweight that I am inhibited from participating with my kids. I can walk 4 miles without pain. I can finish a 90 minute Hot Yoga class. I just can't find the right balance to get the weight to come off.

So, that brings me to today. Marc and I are taking our first step, together, to lose the weight we have gained since having our first child. Prior to Miss M, I was 205. Yes, 205! But, I wore a bikini and looked good.

1. My goal is to be pre 1st baby. To get to this elusive 205.
2. My ideal goal is to be within the recommended weight from my height of 140 - 180 lbs. I'm going for 180 pounds.
3. According to a bmi calculator I am 37.2 which is severely obese. My 1st goal should be 250.3 to be moderately obese.

To help me and Marc on this weight loss journey, we have ordered Nutrisystem (I am not paid or endorsed by them). Our food arrived today. And the journey begins. We will each tell you what we think of the food and how things are going. We will weigh in every Sunday and take measurements every 4th Sunday. We will set goals and check them off as we go. Join us in our journey to get healthy and happy!

Getting Ready to begin

My wife Heather and I have been talking for a long time now about losing some weight and getting in shape. We've started and stopped so many times and it doesn't feel like we've ever made any real headway. My hope is that by tracking our progress online I will feel accountable to someone and apparently I need that sort of motivation to get me to stick with it. At least, that's the theory behind this. If you are following along, feel free to post any advice or comments that might help us along the way.