Week 4 ? Weigh In

Down almost two pounds.  I'm .2 away from 10 pounds. I don't see/feel a big difference, but I'm going to keep going.
People have asked me "do you feel better?" Ummmm... not really. I didn't feel too bad to begin with.

Week 3 Weigh In

I'm down another 2 pounds... nearly 8 total. (9 from Christmas... but I didn't "start" until Jan 1.)

Week 2 Weigh In

I'm down another 1.8 pounds.
That seems like not enough for the sacrifices made.
I guess I just like instant gratification.

Almost 6 pounds is good, I'll take it.

Someone told me about putting avocados in green smoothies a few years ago, I seriously nearly threw up thinking about it...  but guess what?  It's really good.  There are a lot of calories in avocado - so I have to take that into my daily intake - but it's good calories, right?  Also, is an avocado a fruit or a veggie?  I'll look that up for my challenge points.

It feels kind of weird that I'm the only one posting on this blog... and I don't even know if anyone is reading this.  I guess I'll post a few more times and see what happens.  I can get support other ways.

I hope you all have a great week!

One Week

I am down four pounds... Yay!
I am trying to figure out my relationship with food, and when I say "food" I think I really mean treats... or maybe food.  I don't know.
The kids have a piano recital coming up and they were to choose a western song to play, Paige picked "You Are My Sunshine".  I tear up every time.  It reminds me of Grandma Heap.  I miss her.  Then I just want to go and eat a cupcake... an orange JUST doesn't cut it.  What is wrong with me?

I guess we'll figure it out later... probably much later, like after we die we'll know what is wrong with all of us...  but for now, I'll go eat my orange.

I hope the rest of you are having a good week!
Love ya!

Back Again!!

I got a scale for Christmas (ours broke quite a while ago). 
It's about a number now.
I paid $20 for a neighborhood Biggest Loser... it starts Jan 12.  I'm starting Jan 1.
I keep finding the 20-some-odd pounds I lose every time.  I think maybe this time?  YES!  For sure, this time I will keep it off!! :)
Any of you sisters/in-laws/cousins/friends/strangers want to join this year??
My plan -
1.  No soda's - Diet or otherwise. I did a little water challenge a few weeks ago and since then I have had three 32 oz. Diet Dr. Peppers and a couple of 12 oz. cans.  (I could EASILY down that much in a single day... so, this is pretty big!) I will replace the soda with WATER... I will drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every dang day.
2.  Track my food intake - I guess it will be kind of like Weight Watchers but without points.  The program has changed from when I did it back in 2008... I don't want to sign up again.  I want to lose 50 pounds (That is DOUBLE what I lost last time, plus a couple of pounds) by June (we're going to California for a week) and my little "Lose It" app I downloaded says to do that I can have 1,327 calories per day.  If I exercise I get more!!  Woo HOO!!
3.  Exercise - Like Daily. Except Sunday.  I just printed this and will be hanging on my fridge, "Food Is The Most Abused Anxiety Drug. Exercise Is The Most Underutilized Antidepressant."  Do I believe it?  No, not really.  I don't FEEL a whole lot better after I have exercised, but - I realize I need it.  Even if it's 10 minutes of pushups/sit-ups/lunges... I will intentionally MOVE my body.  I also believe I'm very much an emotional eater... and any emotion will do.  I eat when I feel happy, sad, mad, nervous, anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, overscheduled, bored, defiant, social or even nothing at all.  My treat of choice - chips and soda... mmmmm.
I will weigh in every Thursday (because it's Jan 1 and I'm like that).  I'm hoping to have lost at least 3 pounds since last Thursday!  I had better... because depriving myself of soda HAS to be worth it!!
I love you ladies! I want us to be here and healthy for a very long long time!
Good Luck!

First Weigh In 2014

I don't want this to be so much about "weight" and "numbers" as I want it to be about "feelings" and "health"...
But, how do I measure that?
The Scale... Blah!!
First Week:  minus 2 pounds.

Not as big as last time first weigh in... but, I only changed a couple of things this past week so I'll take it.

Did I mention I'm an emotional eater?  Well, I am.  This week has been full of stress, excitement, fear, anxiety, relief, happiness etc.  I eat for all of those special occasions.  Yay Me!

Here's to next week!  Maybe I'll work out a time or two?  Eh... maybe not.
Love you guys!

Who's In This Year??

I sure am!

I have slowly and carefully added on nearly each and every pound I lost 2 years ago.


So, starting January 1...  I will commit to losing the same weight that keeps finding me... probably not for good. (Where's the fun in that???)

Time to "do it" again.  Time to "diet".  Time to "exercise". Time to lose my freaking mind.  Who's with me?

Fine. I get it.

I went to the doctor's office yesterday - just for a routine exam and new birth control prescription since I had switched insurance at the beginning of the year. When I was in the waiting room filling out forms, I came across this question:

Do you exercise regularly?

Um, no, I do not. So that's what I put. No. Negative. Nada. Honestly, I didn't think twice about my answer. Not a big deal, right?

When I got into the exam room, however, my doctor immediately zeroed in on that answer. The conversation went something like this:

"You don't exercise?"
"No, not really."
"Why not?"
"Well, I get up for work really early and it's pretty late when I get home. I don't feel like I have a ton of time for exercising."
"But it's really important."
"I know. I should be better. I am going to get a guest pass to the Stanford gym today."
"Well, that's good. Make sure you use it. You really need to exercise."

Okay, lady, I get it. I need to exercise. I am a gross couch-potato slug who just wants to curl up with a good book and some hot chocolate. As I left the office, her parting words were, "Have fun on your day off of work....make sure you exercise!"

Those not-so-gentle reminders coupled with my appointment weigh-in (definitely more than my driver's license weight...ha) finally motivated me to get off my butt today. I spent about 40 minutes doing some circuit exercises and then ran a mile and a half. It wasn't anything big, but hopefully enough to get Dr. Wong off of my back. :)

I Think I Need This To Keep Me On Track.

So, I got on the scale today for the first time in months...

YIKES!!!

I lost 22ish pounds... and I've gained 9 back.

GROSS!!!

I will be signing up for Sweaty Chix this week... I think that's the sort of exercise I like and that I will actually stick to.  I don't like the gym.  I really tried and I feel like I gave it a good effort.  I even checked out a DIFFERENT gym - I walked in and you know what???  It's STILL a gym!  Blah!

How is everyone else doing?

Hey Guys...

So today I ran (jogged) for the first time since turning the WHOPPING 4 - 0 and you know what?  I kicked butt!!
I ran (jogged 5.0 mph) for 30 minutes - I think it was around 2.5 miles... then I walked a bit.  I bumped it up to 5.0 mph and finished it out.  All total -



wait for it...




3 miles in THIRTY-EIGHT minutes.

I lost a couple of pounds since last month - but still not down to my July 1 weight.  And you know what?? I am just fine.  I eat what I want, when I want and exercise to maintain, I guess??

I hope you are all doing great things too!!

It's Me Again

So, I got on the scales and wanted to punch it in the face.  I'm up 3 pounds. 

Good news... I can run 2 miles without stopping.  It takes about 20ish minutes.

Next month goal (Sept 1.)... run two and a half miles without stopping.

Next year goal. (Some time within the year I am forty.)  Run a 5K.  A real, in front of people, like a healthy person would do - 5K.  Without walking.  NOT winning... that doesn't even matter... just finishing - respectively.

I hope you all are doing healthy fun things.  Love ya!

Anyone Still Out There??

I just wanted to check in...  more for myself.

I have been struggling to run longer than 12 minutes for weeks now.  Today I dropped the MPH from 6 to 5.5 and voila!  I ran 20 full minutes and probably could have ran at least 5 or more.  With the 1 minute walk at first and the 3 minute cool down - it was 2 miles... not too shabby!

I still have 2 weeks to be able to run 2 miles without stopping.

I weighed myself yesterday - I'm up a pound and a 1/2!!!  Oooopsie!!!  I need to chuck the scale out the window.

WOW!

I can't believe it has been 6 months!!  I  feel like I had a pretty great start and piddled out at the end...
I was down a pound.
My totals:
Pounds Lost - 22.8
Percentage Lost - 11.76%
CONGRATULATIONS TO LYNETTE!!!  You're Awesome!!!

I feel okay about my total weight loss.  I would have loved to lose more, but - you know. 

I agree with all of Lynette's post from yesterday. I too, liked when others had great success - even if I didn't.  I was genuinely happy for you.  It is weird that losing 22.8 (25 for Lynette) pounds didn't make a HUGE difference in what my body looks like.  It's kind of frustrating... I suppose I'll get over it!!

I personally liked the mental change in me.  I am less critical of strangers.  I used to look at super fit people and sort of hate them... I was like "She's probably a jerk!"  Or I would look at super unfit people and think... "I hope I NEVER get that big!"  What a PUTZ I was... maybe AM still a little?  I can usually look at a fit person and say "She/He must work HARD for that body!"  or an unfit person and really want to hug them and have compassion.  Being heavy is hard - no matter if it's 40 pounds overweight or 100 pounds!  It's a sad and lonely place to be - even if you (read: I) don't want to admit it.

I also liked the change in my stamina.  I am able to run (jog - 6 mph) for 10 minutes straight... at any time.  Because it's a new month, I began increasing my time today.  I ran 1.5 miles in 17 minutes.  I had to walk for a couple of minutes after about 12 minutes - but decided I need to bump up my game.  I'm hoping I'll be able to run a 5K when I'm 40.  Won't that be weird??

I am glad this felt like a success.  Well, it did for me - I hope some of you too.  I don't think I'll weigh myself weekly anymore... it's too maddening when I don't see a change.  I think I'll post on this blog monthly - hoping to see more changes and way LOWER numbers each time.  Maybe by December I'll have lost all 40 pounds?

We need to get together and take pictures - celebrate and have fun!!  We are awesome!!
Thanks for being a huge part of this!!  It's like I had my own cheering squad the entire time!!
Love you to bits!!! 

My goal for July 30 (four weeks)  - 2 miles in 20 minutes - down 3 pounds.

Well, this is it.

So, today was the final weigh-in.  I went out with a bang and a gain of .5 pounds.  I wish the weigh-in would have been a couple days ago, because I was down a pound.  I'm not sure what happened the last few days.  Actually, I think it was a temple date and trip to El Matador for Mexican food.  Anyway, here are my totals for the challenge:
Total Lost:  25 pounds
Total Percentage Lost:  12.8%
I am really, really disappointed that I didn't do better.  But there were some things about this experience that I really liked, so I'm going to be positive and list them now:
1.  I liked that when others had a better week than I did, I didn't feel petty.  This is big for me, because I think I am basically a petty person.  But I was truly cheering for everyone to succeed.  I really like everyone who joined this challenge with me, and I liked being part of something positive like that.
2.  I like that even though I don't really look any different, I can go to my closet and wear pretty much everything in there.  I wore the same skirt to church for probably two years.  (Only a very slight exaggeration.)  I got the skirt for Shelby's baptism, so that tells you it was long overdue for replacement.  And now I have some choices.  For that I am grateful.
3.  I really liked that through this we kept in touch with each other a little more.  I really looked forward to any posts or comments through the week.  You are all wonderful women.
4.  I can be pretty good about not overeating, but I am not good about pushing myself with exercise and working out.  You have been great inspirations to me in that department.  Thank you!
5.  I liked that this challenge made me look around and notice the good things people were doing to improve their health.  I found good examples through all of you, and through people at work, and even people in my neighborhood.  I gained a greater appreciation for others' good habits, rather than being threatened by them.
A couple weeks ago we went to Tori's graduation in California.  I was so happy to meet people that have befriended her with whom she has made connections.  I had heard of these people for a long time, now.  I really enjoyed her friends, but I was struck by the way they all interacted with each other, and I didn't sense they were competing with each other.  I think there's a lot of that here in Utah.  These women were not all skinny, blonde, augmented women with fragile self-esteem.  They were REAL and beautiful and accomplished and so good at bearing one another's burdens and seeking for happiness.  Now I am sure they have struggles and challenges just like the rest of us, but I just didn't feel that competitiveness that keeps us from enjoying one another.  Anyway, that was a silly rant because I don't really know these people enough for such an analysis, but just something I was thinking about. 
The bottom line:  During this experience, I wanted all of you to be successful and to know how beautiful and wonderful you are.  You were beautiful and wonderful before this challenge, and you are still beautiful and wonderful.  You have all touched my life for good and I am glad to know you!  In very specific ways, you have all inspired and enriched my life and I am forever grateful.  I love you!

Week 25

So, I am down 1/5 of a pound.  Seriously.  I am down .(point)2.  (I'll take it, thank you very much!!)

I am running a mile every time I go to the gym.  I never once thought I would say that sentence.  Joel has been going to the gym with his work friends.  They are more serious about lifting and they are able to "spot" more pounds than I.  I don't blame Joel for ditching me. LOL.  His friend gave me a little weight lifting schedule... I feel kind of weird doing it by myself.  So, I just run - do a few sit ups and go home.  I don't like working out with people and I guess I don't like working out alone.  Let's face it, I don't like working out... period.

I had better lose 4 pounds this week so I can catch up to Lynette!! ;)  I'll have to lose MORE to beat her!!  I haven't heard from too many others.  We could extend this "Biggest Loser" for another 6 months if we need to?  I know I didn't lose what I thought I would... hoped I would. 

If not, only one more week.  Also, if we don't - I'm chucking the scale out the window!

Finally . . . a little something.

This week I lost one pound.  It's not much to celebrate, especially when you consider I was out of town last week and missed my weigh-in, so this is essentially a two-week total.  But I have been at the same weight for WEEKS and so I am trying to be happy about this little move forward.

One week left.  Finish strong.

Two Weeks Left

And I'm up 1/2 a pound.

If I just count the pounds lost... and not ANY of the pounds I gained... I think I would be down the 40 pounds that was my goal.  I win?  :)  I'm so tired of bouncing up and down!!

I am going to blame this weight gain on stress.  I had to speak in church.  I was a mess.

Congratulations to Tori!!!  You're awesome!


Good luck to all you ladies next week!

Three Weeks Left

I am down one pound, exactly.

Only 3 more weigh-ins.  It's crazy to think about!

I was pretty sure I was going to be able to lose 40 pounds in those 6 months... I was wrong.  So, so wrong.  I'm going to be thrilled if I can lose 25 pounds.  That is something to be happy about.  It is so hard to lose weight.

I think we should have a celebratory barbecue - Monday, July 2.  My house.  I haven't been doing family dinners this year because I didn't want to sabotage your (and my) diet!  I like good food, and really good food usually includes lots of fat.  But now that the weather is better - we could barbecue (that's healthy) and we could take pictures, decide the 'winner' and celebrate these steps to better health.

3 weeks left... amazing!!

Good luck this week!!

AAAAGGHHHHHH!!

Another week with no weight lost.  It's fine.  I sincerely hope things are going much better for everyone else.

Cruise - Shmuise.

So, I weighed myself just before I left on Saturday morning... I had lost the one pound I gained the week before.  Yay.
While I was on the cruise and exploring - I ate anything and everything.  I packed my workout clothes and never once placed them on my body.  They returned home exactly as packed!!  The ship had 15 floors... I climbed them when I felt like it and took the elevator when I didn't feel like it.  We did a lot of walking at the ports.  But I really didn't worry about this "diet" like I thought I would.  Lucky for me the food on the ship was more about "quantity" than "quality" - so I wasn't super excited about any of it.  It's kind of like Chuck-A-Rama.  There is always something to get full on... but it wasn't like the best food on earth.  I don't know if that makes any sense.
My friend has lost around 25 pounds since November - and she watched what she ate, exercised several times - she made the mistake of weighing herself on the ship - she had gained 8 pounds.  That scared the crap out of me... but, I put it out of my head and went out dancing.
When I arrived home late Saturday night I was up around 2 pounds.  I figured a nice bowel movement and Fast Sunday would fix that...  I was right.  This morning for my official weigh-in, I weighed the same as the Saturday we left.  So, for two weeks... I'm actually down a pound.
I still have 4 more to get to 25 pounds.  We only have FOUR weeks to go.  At that point, I'm going to throw out my scale.  I think I'll still continue to go to the gym and watch what I eat... forever, but I can't count on a certain number on the scale to make me happy.  I was happy before we started.  I think I am the type to obsess about it.  So, I will concentrate on being 'healthy'.
I do agree with Lynette - boys lose weight much easier than girls, and sadly, it's so very easy to put it back on. 
Good luck next week ladies!!