Weight Loss Wednesday

It's not good this week, but I had a feeling this was going to happen. In fact, I had such a strong feeling, I haven't stepped on the scale since Saturday. I will make no excuses. Here are some of the indicating factors I recognized - some I should have been able to control, and some I have no control over. When mixed all together they spell a weight gain of 4 pounds.

+4

I didn't exercise as much. Only 3 days, and not as long as I had been.

I cheated on my diet, not one day but 3 days. Apparently I felt the need for a pre-Superbowl and post-Superbowl splurge as well as the actual game day. What? Not everyone makes it a three day affair? Trust me, this chick is going to do every thing in her power not to allow that to happen again.

Bonehead was generous enough to share his germs with me, so the past 5 or so days I've felt pretty rough.

I can pretty much guarantee that in my weight loss endeavor, every 4-5 weeks there will be some sort of weight gain, which will be mostly water. It's a fact of life for me, and it happens like clockwork.

This week I am picking myself up, dusting myself off, and working on the things above that I can control. Exercise, Food Choices, and Water- in that order. Now if you'll excuse me, I suppose I should get Critter down for his nap and begin working on my February mileage.

Weight Loss Wednesday

I fell off the exercise bandwagon a little this week. I still exercised, just not every day like I had been doing. My goal for the next week is to get at least 1/2 hour of some sort of exercise in every day. Ideally, I'm going to try to get in at least 30 minutes of yoga in 3 times as well- in addition to the other exercise.

I still have a couple of weeks (just over 2 to be exact) until I can become a 'caloric minimalist', but I will be picking up a notebook while out running errands today. This week I'm going to go ahead and begin writing everything that I eat, so I can have a better idea of where I need to improve in the nutrition department. I just won't be tracking calories at this point.

While at the grocery store this week, I made the mistake of picking up these little teeny tiny rice cake snack packs, with caramel drizzled over them, and a cinnamon streusel kind too. I won't be making that mistake again. They were too good, and didn't last long when they went face to face with this dieter. 90 calorie packs are great, if you can have just one. Unfortunately, they were so good, I could (and did-guiltily-but I still did) eat 3 packages in one sitting and that kind of gluttony no longer adds up to 90 calories. So, little scrumptious rice cakes, you have been banished from my home.

I still need to work on the water. The good news is that I haven't been drinking soda this entire time except for diet, and I've cut way back on the diet. It's been several days since I've even had one.

Even with my few shortcomings, the news is good this week. I'm completely happy.

-3 pounds exactly.

I'd love to pull Biggest Loser numbers, but know unless you are in that type of situation, its near impossible. Every little bit counts toward something larger (and healthier) and that is my ultimate goal.

I'm fortunate to have Bonehead supporting me. I think the sweetest words I've heard in a long time are the words I heard this past Monday when he called me to tell me just after Critter went down for his nap, "I'd rather see you go work out than have a clean house."

There's nothing sweeter.

Weight Loss Wednesday

I worked hard this week and miraculously enough was able to stay focused. I put lots of miles in on the bike and tried very hard to pay attention to portion sizes.

I do need to work on drinking more water, though. I was very good with my water earlier in the week, but for some reason the past couple of days I haven't been good at all. So this week my goal is to get at least my 8 glasses in, if not more. And of course, keep exercising and trying to eat smaller portions. I'd also like to get at least a couple of yoga work outs in this week.

I made some changes to my side bar, including what I lost for the week as well as the total.

I can't drag this out any more because frankly, I'm too excited. My weight loss for the week?

-4.4

Trust me, there's dancing going on in my little corner of the world today. Tune in next week for the next installment of my journey.

Weight Loss Wednesday

It is once again time for the excruciating soul sucking reality check joy that is known as Weight Loss Wednesday. I have worked hard this week, trying to stay focused. My goal for the week was basically to keep moving, which I have pretty much done.

Thanks to Joel and his horribly warped and twisted sense of humor kindness, I have introduced my body to the joy that is known as intervals. Let it be known that Joel has been called the devil in this house on more than one occasion this week, and at one point I thought I might need one of these to make it back up the basement stairs because of the intense pleasure that is known as the interval workout. I can count my lucky stars and be thankful he chooses to focus his torture death ray on Bonehead and merely offers me helpful advice.

Quinoa was introduced to our home last night, and the way Bonehead made it, it wasn't too bad. He has this home-brewed way of doctoring up black beans to make them very tasty, and we put that on top. I thought it was actually pretty good, although we still need to tweak a few things. Once it's tweaked and tested, I will share the recipe.

I know I have stated that I can't truly cut the calories until Critter reaches his first birthday due to the nursing situation, but for this next week, I am going to focus more on portion sizes. I am going to try very hard to remember and drink a big glass of water before my meals so that might help me out.

I would like it to be known, for the record, that I am ready to beg FADKOG for her Starbucks knock-off recipe- due to a solid two weeks without any kind of Starbucks drink whatsoever. At one point a few days in, Bonehead pointed out a trip to Cariboo (it was in the same parking lot we happened to be in) and I EVEN SHOT HIM DOWN. But I would sooooo love that recipe for a once a month home made treat. And I'm pretty sure that, given another week, I would be willing to lose a pinky toe for it.

In other news, there is a weight loss website called SparkPeople that can be very useful to anyone trying to improve their health and lose weight. It's free, and it has all kinds of tips, tricks, and reference materials to help a person get motivated, eat healthier, exercise, stay focused. It's pretty cool.

And before I wrap things up with the unveiling of my weight loss total for the week, I would like to say that if anyone out there would like to join me in my Weight Loss Wednesday endeavor, I would be happy to post a link to your blog as well. Just shoot me an email me at merydianatcomcast.net and I'll post a link to your blog with my next Weight Loss Wednesday post.

I guess I've made you wait long enough, I should list my total weight lost for the week....

-1.4

Not quite the 2+ pounds I was hoping for, but its a step in the right direction. I'll take any kind of loss over a gain any day.

In other news, I have no idea why the stupid blog writer won't allow me to change FADKOG and Quinoa to black like Joel and SparkPeople, but I have a baby who's ready for breakfast so I'm going to let it slide. It doesn't mean I like you less, FADKOG and Quinoa. It just means I have a feral Critter and ran out of time.

The Resurection of Weight Loss Wednesday

I have been unkind to me. I have been eating whatever I felt like rather than what was good for me, and exercise has become my arch enemy. I don't have to be a genius at math to know its a fairly simple equation: Cheesy Italian Beef + Soda Galore (and not the diet version either) + No exercise= Weight gain.

And I was already in a position where I really couldn't afford to be gaining even a single pound. So, of course with the new year, and resolutions, yada yada yada, here comes Weight Loss Wednesday.

This time it's a little more serious. It's quickly approaching Critter's first birthday and instead of losing the baby weight I'm heavier than I was even 6 months ago. I know exactly what it takes to remove the weight, and until I get off my butt and do it, it's never going to happen. I'll be adding a few things to my blog to keep me a little more focused. I'll be adding a pounds lost/gained (please Lord no) tab to my side bar, as well as some sort of exercise tracker, I think.

It is also my intention to try to journal this time more of my thoughts and feelings as I struggle to take off what it is so easy to put on. I will share excerpts from my journey, which will more than likely be a long one. Any tips or tricks I find that work I will pass on.

There will be no whining. I got myself into this mess, and I will have to get myself out of it. No one else on earth can do it for me.

So, without further ado, here is the return of Weight Loss Wednesday. This past week hasn't quite been a full week. I weighed in on January 1st, but the exercise didn't begin until the 4th. So far this month I've ridden 18.1 miles on the stationary bike and done 2 half hour yoga workouts. While technically I can not 'restrict' calories until Valentines day, I can make healthier choices for now. By the time Valentine's day rolls around I will be calorie counting as well. And for the weigh in?

Drum Roll Please......

-3.6 pounds

Tune in next week for more on the continuing saga that is 'Chas loves Double Stuff Oreos a wee teeny bit too much'.

Weight Loss Wednesday

+3

I'm a little late with my post today. I usually try to post my weigh in first thing in the morning, but it's been a crazy day. With the gain, I actually thought about skipping the whole thing entirely, and I have to fess up and say I did consider just putting a zero down instead of the dreaded +3. But here's the thing- eventually someone is going to figure out that every 3-4 weeks I have an approx. 3 pound gain. Swiss Cake Rolls, anyone?

Weight Loss Wednesday

-1

Still moving in a positive direction. In an ideal world it would be-30, but to be fair, Homemade Hush Puppies and Sheet Cake at Bonehead's Cousin's house are not diet friendly fare. I'm just glad the figure moved in the right direction. As a positive note, what would have once been a feast beyond compare was tamed down to a low roar.

Weight Loss Wednesday

-.8

At least it wasn't another gain. And I managed to get in 3 pretty decent workouts. Next week I'm shooting for 5 workouts. It's not as easy as it sounds- Hubby might start veto-ing my workout time because every time I leave Critter alone with Daddy, Critter screams like there's an axe murderer in the house. The. Entire.Time.

Weight Loss Wednesday

+3

I knew it wouldn't be good. I've been emotional/stress eating for the past 2 days and only got away for one workout. I feel like Dora from Finding Nemo- "Just keep swimming swimming swimming." Which is what I'll do.

Does anyone have any tried and true tips to avoid emotional eating and break the habit?

Weight Loss Wednesday

It's time for the Wednesday Weigh In.

-7.2

I'm happy, excited, encouraged, back on track, and oh, did I say happy? I'm doinga little dance of joy right now, its probably a good thing you can't see it. I'll take it.

Weight Loss Wednesday

OOFTA...



+4 this week.



I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. I caved like a sand castle at high tide. I can't even think of anything to defend myself. No excuses, I floundered. This week I'm re-focusing and hopping right back on the healthy train. I'm thinking of riding a 46 mile ride in a couple of weeks, which will be a major challenge for me. I know I can do 20 miles without seizing like a blown engine, so the next challenge is 46. I can already tell you what will be crossing my mind at mile#23...

Oofta, what ON EARTH was I thinking?

Weight Loss Wednesday

Yeay!!Yeay!! Hip Hip Hooray!!

-2 pounds this week.

It's not -5, but I will take it. That brings the running total to -5 pounds all together.

For anyone addicted to Starbucks Caramel Frappucino (me) here's an incentive.

Venti Caramel Frappucino with whipped cream: 500 calories

Venti Light Caramel Frappucino with no whipped cream: 220 calories

I know it's good I've made the switch, but it would be even better if I could "just say no". Instead I'm busy telling myself that 1/2 the calories does not mean I can have twice as many........

How about we shoot for 5 next week, bako1964?

Weight Loss Wednesday

Wednesday weigh in time:

Weight: +2

I caved big time in the face of French bread yesterday. Mental note- if you’re going to cave, if you absolutely must give will power the day off, do it on Thursday and not Tuesday.

"Concert" x's Infinity / Weight Loss Wednesday

My hoodlum boys in the park

I have been taking Smooch and Critter to the park across town a couple/few days a week for something new to do. Last week Smooch, who is learning to read, noticed the sign out in front of the park announcing the annual summer concerts in the park on Tuesday nights. Our town’s symphony band plays in an outdoor pavilion on Tuesday nights at this particular park. I was impressed. Smooch read the entire sign by himself.

And then I made a colossal mistake.

I mentioned that MAYBE if it wasn’t raining, we could MAYBE go the following Tuesday, which was yesterday. I thought nothing of it. I’ve got to expose the kid to a little culture somehow, what’s better than free culture, and it was nice to see him get excited about it. Each day from that point brought forth a question from Smooch about what day of the week it was, because he was anxiously waiting for Tuesday to arrive.

I have mentioned before that Smoochie can talk at the speed of light. And with the speed of sound taken into consideration, that means even when his lips stop moving for a moment or two, I’m still hearing him.

The dawn of Tuesday morning brought forth the word “concert”. Every sentence that erupted from Smoochie’s mouth began with, ended with, or contained in some way or another, the word “concert”. I had more than one speed of light moment yesterday. I’m looking at the boy’s big blue eyes, his lips have stopped moving, and I’m still hearing the word. I may actually physically shudder every time I hear that word ever again.

Fortunately, once we arrived at the park with our picnic dinner last night, the word was quickly forgotten. The music was nice, the weather perfect, and I have to confess I enjoyed a little bit of quality time just hanging out with my boys.

We may even do it again. This time, though, I’ll try to keep my intentions secret until it’s time to go.


WEDNESDAY WEIGH IN TIME:

I weighed in this morning, and here is my weight loss progress as per my post last Wednesday:

Weight: -5 lbs

Exercise: Goal accomplished. I added 4 days of exercise to my week last week. This week, I plan to add 6.

Food journal: Fail. I found it a little difficult to track down a notebook with a squirmy 4 month old in my arms most of the day. I’m trying again.

Starbucks: Uh………Um…….No. I failed miserably. I did, however, switch to their light version, which is considerably fewer calories. This one’s going to kill me to accomplish, but I’m trying again.

I do have a recipe I’ll be posting in the next couple of days.

Weight Loss Wednesday

I have gained two pounds since I went back to work, which isn’t too bad considering I gave up the concept of dieting about a week after going back. I couldn’t seem to find time to exercise and I was exhausted so I decided the diet was off for a while. Now that I’m at home, it’s back on full swing. Starting today.

Due to the fact that I am nursing, I can’t really restrict my calorie intake too horribly much. I can watch what I eat and make sure it is good healthy food – no more Starbucks which is going to be the hardest challenge of all. Even as I sit here typing this morning, I feel this pull to pack up the kiddos in the van and drive across town for my Starbucks fix. It’s my personal version of Bonehead’s “crack shake”. Apparently Dunkin Donuts makes a shake so good he swears they put crack in it. It’s that addicting. So I am going to work real hard at the “just say no” policy and stay far far away from Starbucks. That’s change #1 for this week.

Another change I think I am going to make is to write everything that enters my mouth down in a journal this week. That way maybe my son’s popsicles may be more prone to stay in the freezer unless he’s eating them.

This leads me to change #3 for the week. Exercise. Having two children does not grant me the ability to ride almost daily like my husband has been, nor can I often escape to the basement for the exercise bike. If all goes well, I will have a place cleared off on the sun porch for the trainer sometime within the next two weeks. Until then, and even after, I’ll be packing up the kids and taking them to the park. Or on long walks. Or on long walks to parks across town.

I think 3 changes are enough for the week. I’ll post my progress next Wednesday, and any good healthy recepies I try along the way.

Birth Certificate Bingo

I gained 80 pounds during my last pregnancy. Yes, I just went there. Normally, this would have been a secret I would threaten my husband with bodily harm about and taken the secret with me to the grave, but my deep dark secret is out anyway. Apparently, the state of Illinois has felt the need to include this information on my son’s birth certificate. The reasoning behind it has left me absolutely baffled.

I have tried to reason this out in my head, but every time I attempt it I pull up a visual of my little Critter screaming and flailing while running from the county court house after a failed attempt at filing for a marriage license. “80 pounds!! My whole life has been a lie!! I can’t marry you, I don’t even know who I am!!!”

As lost as I am regarding why that whopper of a tidbit needs to be on my son’s birth certificate, I have a better idea of why I gained that much.

My first son weighed 9 pounds 5.9 ounces. My second son weighed 9 pounds 15.8 ounces. Both were little bowling balls, so that can’t be it.

I am of the belief the difference was entirely in the cravings. With Smoochie, I couldn’t get enough steak and green beans. Steak was something I hated until the pregnancy arrived, and then I turned into an absolute steak eating fool. I ate green beans by the can full. I’d have an entire can after work as a snack. Green bean casserole was a nightly occurrence during that pregnancy. I kept the French fried onion people in business single handedly.

Critter brought with him cravings of all things forbidden. McDonald’s breakfast foods-oooooooh the hash browns!! Did you know you could order an extra one for less than 50 cents? That’s probably not the best piece of information to stumble on while pregnant. Their cinnamon rolls, too, found their way into my belly quite often.

Unfortunately, my crave-a-saurus didn’t stop at McDonalds in the mornings. If I stumbled upon anything that was made with sugar, or a non diet soda, it screamed my name into a megaphone until I HAD to eat it just to shut it up. So I would eat it, and say I’d do the worrying later.

And now its sooo-ho later.

I’ve dropped half the weight but that means I’m only half way there. It’s a little hard for me to truly diet right now because I am nursing and can’t really afford to skimp on the calories. Plus, nursing makes me ravenous most of the time. It’s all I can do to put myself in check and keep the grazing to a low roar. So I do the best I can. I will get there eventually, I know I will. I’m sure there will be grumbling. I’m certain there will be the occasional chocolate fest. But I fully intend to keep with it until the much lighter brutal end.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress. I figure I have to do something to keep me busy and healthy until Critter runs screaming from the courthouse in 24.7 years.