Monday, January 31, 2011

Week three

Weight loss this week: 3.0 pounds
Total weight loss: 1.4 pounds

That's right: 1.4 pounds lost in three weeks. Pretty dismal, although I do think that I maybe would have lost more, except that my daughter was in the hospital this weekend. I drank lots of diet soda, and ate whatever I could - so, all things considered, I am glad at least for a loss.

What went wrong:
I actually had a great week until the whole hospital thing. I feel like the rest of the week went well, so I'm just hoping my daughter gets better.

What went right:
I did have 5 workouts, and I've started combining weight training (my husband helps). I've also been eating a few more carbs, but healthy ones of course.

I also went to the doctor and had my blood checked. TSH levels were good, so my thyroid is not the culprit. I do have mono though apparently.

Goals for the week:
I'm shooting to lose an entire pound this week. Wish me luck!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Discouragement

Weight gain this week: 2.8 pounds
Total weight gain: 1.6 pounds

Yes - that is right. My second week's weigh-in netted a 2.8 pound GAIN since last week. I am currently entertaining a visit from my auntie flo - maybe its water weight? I can hope. I didn't think I did that bad this week.

What went wrong:
I did cheat twice. Tuesday night I went to Mimi's Cafe - I ordered the 500 calorie mahi mahi, and then also ate three pieces of carrot raisin bread. Saturday I went out for pizza, but I got a salad and only ate one piece of pizza and one breadstick.

What went right:
I got 5 workouts in. I've added more weight training in, and my long run on Saturday felt really good.

I also tried to add in more carbs. I've had oatmeal for breakfast a few morning, and I made some lowfat turkey chili that I ate over some brown rice. I think this week I need to pull back on the carbs - its spinach egg white omlettes for breakfast this week again.

I did go to the doctor on Thursday to have my thyroid checked, but the results aren't back yet. Maybe I'll know something in the next couple of days.

In the mean time, I'm discouraged. I know I didn't eat 10,000 extra calories to equate for such a gain :(

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Budding artists

When ever people ask me what to buy my kids for gifts, I'm at a loss. They really don't play with toys. They're not much into video games. And they do love to read, but we already have one million books. My answer is usually art supplies. They are constantly coloring, drawing, cutting, gluing, painting, or in some other way creating. The art supplies need constant replenishment. So, this year for Christmas, my dad actually did what I asked - only instead of construction paper and crayons, he bought them clay, canvas, and acrylic paints.

The girls were in heaven. Upon closer inspection, the clay was actually a "make your own jewelry kit", so they went to work making beads and pendants. I think they turned out rather cute:
The paints took a bit more supervision, but they were fun nonetheless. The little artists loved the paints, and created several "masterpieces". I think I'll frame them:
Rainbow and Flowers
Girl on Hill (looking at a cloud that looks like a horse)


Monday, January 17, 2011

Week one update

Week one: 1.2 pounds weight loss
Total weight loss: 1.2 pounds

One week down, too many to count to go . . .

This week went pretty well. Overall, I think it was a success. I'll admit it: I'm not perfect. Nor do I have the world's best will power. But, a pound a week is some loss - and I'll take it. I have about 36 weeks, so at this rate, I'll do it ;).

What went wrong this week:
I cheated a couple of times. Twice, I had diet soda (oh, sweet nectar of the gods) and on Saturday I ate 2 restaurant meals, which means I overindulged a bit and I ate 2 cookies (they were totally worth it) - on Friday I ate a couple of left-over Christmas chocolates. I also only worked out 4 times (my goal is 6x a week).

What went right:
I stuck to my diet well most days - ate at least 2 fruits a day and plenty of veggies, drank tons of water, and limited my carbs. I also went snowshoeing twice. No only is snowshoeing a great way to get out and enjoy the out-of-doors when there's snow on the ground, but its a great workout. It roughly burns twice the same calories than just walking would. Especially when its fresh, deep snow and/or steep terrain, of which I had both.

On Saturday, I went snowshoeing with my brother, who over the past few years has had quite a bit of weight loss success. I'd guess he's lost over 60 pounds, and he's as skinny now as he was in high school. His secrets? Well, first off, he admits that he is always hungry. ALWAYS. Secondly, he works out at least 90 minutes a day, 6 times a week. And thirdly, he also limits his carbs.

Goals for the week:
I plan to fit 6 workouts in this week. I also want to try and limit my carbs more. I've already broken down and had one diet soda today. . . the flesh is weak. . . so no more soda for the rest of the week.

Wish me luck!!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Its a new year

Its a new year, but I have the same-ole resolution as always: to lose weight. Only this time I'm serious . . . ya right? I think we've all heard that before . . . But I really am. Because this year is my 10 year anniversary and I'm going to HAWAII. Can you tell I'm excited? I've never been there before, and I CAN. NOT. WAIT. Seriously. But, I want to be comfortable. I want to look good on the beach. And not just "you look good for a middle-aged women who's had two kids" but "damn girl, you look GOOOOD" good.

I do think that I am more healthy than the average American. I do eat pretty healthy (for the most part). I do have my vices {{carbs-cough}} and the fact that I LOVE food. But I do limit processed foods, and try to stick to around 1500 calories a day. I also am a fairly regular exerciser. Right now, I'm signed up to run a 1/2 marathon in April and a relay race in June. And I've been snowshoeing a couple of times already this month. I probably could add some weight training into my routine, and do my body a lot of good . . . but I do try.

I really think my biggest obstacle is my crappy metabolism. It hasn't always been crappy. In fact, for most of my college years and 20s, I was thin without too much effort. But marriage, fertility drugs, and pregnancy slowly brought on the pounds (of course non of this was by any means my fault). Pregnancy was the worst. With both babies, I suffered from hyperemesis, which basically means I threw up almost every meal that I ate for the entire time (luckily both babies came early, but it was still a long time). Somehow tho, with the first I gained 65 pounds and with the second I gained 75. I think my body must have gone into extreme starvation mode trying to conserve the calories that I did actually digest. And sadly, it has never reset. I thankfully have lost most of that weight - but I still have about 30 pounds to lose.

I need help. Regular diet and exercise just isn't cutting it. So, my goal for this week is to eat no carbs - only lean protein and veggies. Oh, and I can have the occasional piece of fruit. But no other carbs of any kind. And maybe the humiliation factor will work - I'm going to post my weekly loss every Monday on my blog. I'm not ready yet to admit how much I weight, but I will post the loss. Maybe the fact that I have to answer to cyber-space will give me the boost I need.