I've kicked things up a notch.
I was rocking my stationary bike. I was doing anywhere between 5 and 5.5 miles in 20 minutes, depending on how fast I was pedaling.
Now...haha...I'm doing 6 miles in just under 20 minutes.
Ok, not to toot my own horn, but do you have any idea how fast you have to pedal at a constant rate in order to go 6 miles in 20 minutes?
It's insane! It's no wonder my legs have been sore and my quads started burning within minutes of hopping on my bike last night!
It's not pretty. I'm huffing and puffing like the Big Bad Wolf's big-fat-out-of-shape sister, and sweating like a pig, and by the time I'm done, my legs feel like rubber!
But it's such a rush when I scroll through my display menu to see that I'm pedaling anywhere from 18.5 and 19 miles per hour - seriously, go me!!!
Now I just need to keep it up!!!
My boss is going to be gone for the better part of the next 2 weeks. My goal is to have her comment (unsolicited, of course) on how I look when she gets back. I've been on my kick for about 2 weeks already, so I'm hoping that after a month of watching the food and exercising like crazy, there should be SOME change!
We'll see!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Food Log
It's been a while since I did a weekly weigh-in. I haven't wanted to be a slave to it, and quite honestly, it wasn't making me feel good about my attempts at losing weight.
But, I've been doing my bike on a regular basis, I've been watching what I eat, and yesterday, I was feeling brave.
So, yesterday morning, I reluctantly climbed onto the scale to check the status of my seemingly ongoing ass expansion.
I somehow wasn't surprised to see that I'm back where I started months ago. Not heavier, thankfully, but right back at square one.
Perhaps this is a good thing - a new year, new start, new motivation.
I'm taking steps in the right direction. I've been working out 5 or 6 days a week for the last few weeks. I've also started logging my food and exercise on MyFitnessPal.com (thanks Tricia for introducing me to that incredible website).
The cool thing about MyFitnessPal.com is that when you finish your daily entry, there is a message that pops up telling you "If every day were like today, you'd weigh ____ in 5 weeks." (By the way, the number that they give is about 15 pounds less than what I currently weigh)
That remains to be seen. I've religiously logged my food for over a week - there really is something to being held accountable for what I'm eating. I find that I'm catching myself before I have a snack, wondering whether it will push me over my daily caloric intake goal. I'm thinking twice before deciding what to have for lunch, so that I don't pay for it later.
I'll just be curious to see if I continue on my current path whether in 4 weeks I actually manage to lose 15 pounds - here's hoping!!!
But, I've been doing my bike on a regular basis, I've been watching what I eat, and yesterday, I was feeling brave.
So, yesterday morning, I reluctantly climbed onto the scale to check the status of my seemingly ongoing ass expansion.
I somehow wasn't surprised to see that I'm back where I started months ago. Not heavier, thankfully, but right back at square one.
Perhaps this is a good thing - a new year, new start, new motivation.
I'm taking steps in the right direction. I've been working out 5 or 6 days a week for the last few weeks. I've also started logging my food and exercise on MyFitnessPal.com (thanks Tricia for introducing me to that incredible website).
The cool thing about MyFitnessPal.com is that when you finish your daily entry, there is a message that pops up telling you "If every day were like today, you'd weigh ____ in 5 weeks." (By the way, the number that they give is about 15 pounds less than what I currently weigh)
That remains to be seen. I've religiously logged my food for over a week - there really is something to being held accountable for what I'm eating. I find that I'm catching myself before I have a snack, wondering whether it will push me over my daily caloric intake goal. I'm thinking twice before deciding what to have for lunch, so that I don't pay for it later.
I'll just be curious to see if I continue on my current path whether in 4 weeks I actually manage to lose 15 pounds - here's hoping!!!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
A Manageable Goal!
I don't like New Year's Resolutions. I lose my motivation, I never stick to them, and in the end I feel like a bum for setting such a lofty goal for myself and not being able to follow through.
I do, however, believe in giving things up for Lent.
For me, it's the perfect amount of time. It's long enough to be a challenge, but short enough to be do-able!
In the past, I've had great success with giving things up.
Several years ago (and by several I mean about 6 or 7) I had a...well...an addiction. No, it wasn't drugs...it was Milk Duds! I LOVED them! I would eat them constantly! At the time, I had an enabler in my life who kept bringing them to me, so I just kept on eating them. Finally, I'd had enough, so I gave them up for Lent. I ended up going about 3 years before I had a Milk Dud again - I'd say that was a success!
Last year, I decided that I needed to cut back on the caffeine. I've always been sensitive to it, it was affecting my sleep, and I was getting headaches when I hadn't had any. So, for Lent, I cut myself off. It's now almost a year later, and I haven't gone back. Aside from the random sip of Ben's Diet Coke when we're in a restaurant, or when the teenagers at Starbucks give me regular instead of decaf (yes, I can tell), I'm still off caffeine and loving it!
Now, you might be asking yourself "what insane and unhealthy addiction is she going to give up this year?". Let me say, I had many to choose from. Thankfully, Ben has agreed to join me in my effort to give something up for Lent, which means we had to agree on what to give up!
I have decided, that this year, I'll be giving up ice cream. *tear*
I love ice cream. Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough...oh, my mouth is watering even as I type this! We always have some in the freezer and I've (unfortunately) gotten into the bad habit of having a dish of it almost every night.
No more...it ends now!
Starting February 22nd, there will be no more ice cream in our house!
(I think it's worth mentioning that before deciding to give up ice cream I had to check the date of Easter to make sure that it falls before my birthday, as it is a tradition to have DQ ice cream birthday cake in my family. It does!)
I've given up ice cream before, so I know that this is going to be a tough one. But, I know that I can do it!
The big challenge will be not replacing ice cream with something equally unhealthy (brownies, cookies, M&Ms, etc.).
In the meantime...I'm going to try to cut back on the ice cream, so that in February it won't be quite so painful.
Wish me luck!!!
I do, however, believe in giving things up for Lent.
For me, it's the perfect amount of time. It's long enough to be a challenge, but short enough to be do-able!
In the past, I've had great success with giving things up.
Several years ago (and by several I mean about 6 or 7) I had a...well...an addiction. No, it wasn't drugs...it was Milk Duds! I LOVED them! I would eat them constantly! At the time, I had an enabler in my life who kept bringing them to me, so I just kept on eating them. Finally, I'd had enough, so I gave them up for Lent. I ended up going about 3 years before I had a Milk Dud again - I'd say that was a success!
Last year, I decided that I needed to cut back on the caffeine. I've always been sensitive to it, it was affecting my sleep, and I was getting headaches when I hadn't had any. So, for Lent, I cut myself off. It's now almost a year later, and I haven't gone back. Aside from the random sip of Ben's Diet Coke when we're in a restaurant, or when the teenagers at Starbucks give me regular instead of decaf (yes, I can tell), I'm still off caffeine and loving it!
Now, you might be asking yourself "what insane and unhealthy addiction is she going to give up this year?". Let me say, I had many to choose from. Thankfully, Ben has agreed to join me in my effort to give something up for Lent, which means we had to agree on what to give up!
I have decided, that this year, I'll be giving up ice cream. *tear*
I love ice cream. Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cookie Dough...oh, my mouth is watering even as I type this! We always have some in the freezer and I've (unfortunately) gotten into the bad habit of having a dish of it almost every night.
No more...it ends now!
Starting February 22nd, there will be no more ice cream in our house!
(I think it's worth mentioning that before deciding to give up ice cream I had to check the date of Easter to make sure that it falls before my birthday, as it is a tradition to have DQ ice cream birthday cake in my family. It does!)
I've given up ice cream before, so I know that this is going to be a tough one. But, I know that I can do it!
The big challenge will be not replacing ice cream with something equally unhealthy (brownies, cookies, M&Ms, etc.).
In the meantime...I'm going to try to cut back on the ice cream, so that in February it won't be quite so painful.
Wish me luck!!!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Going To The Doctor
Doctors...ugh...
I hate going to the doctor's office. I get tense, my blood pressure shoots up, and I usually find myself sitting in the waiting room brainstorming ways to get out of the dreaded weigh-in. (I'm still working on that one, but I'll let you know if I come up with a good one.)
Today was no exception.
I sat in the waiting room flashing ahead to the shame that was about to befall me, the inevitable lecture that I was sure to get from the doctor about my weight, and all the excuses that I could give to help explain away why I weigh about twice what I "should".
As I nervously waited to be called back, I thought back to last year's appointment when my doctor in California (who managed to secure her place on my "shit list") lectured me about how I needed to exercise and eat right (um...duh...what do you think I've been doing???), and rather rudely informed me that she couldn't perform a proper pelvic exam on me because of my weight, and that if there were any cysts or tumors we'd find them down the road if I had trouble getting pregnant. Um...thanks for that delightful commentary...bitch!
So, back to today's appointment...
It started out much the same as most appointments do - with me averting my eyes as the digital number on the scale crept up, with a blood pressure reading that made the fact that I was able to walk down the hallway without having a heart attack seem like a medical miracle, and with me trying to convince Tiny Nurse that I really do have low blood pressure...really...I DO!!!
Tiny Nurse assured me that the doctor could take my blood pressure again at the end of my appointment, but that I shouldn't worry too much about having high blood pressure (apparently she didn't hear that I have LOW blood pressure).
I'll spare you all the delightful details of the rest of my appointment, but I will say that I enjoyed speaking with a doctor about as much as one can expect to in that situation.
There was no guilt, no smug lecture, actually, no mention of my weight or the fact that I need to lose a heap of it.
I love this doctor!!!!!
There need to be more doctors like her! Doctors who realize that patients like me are all too aware of the fact that we need to lose weight and having skinnyassholes people like them pointing it out only makes us feel worse. Doctors who understand that pointing out my weight problem will basically guarantee that I'll be knee deep in comfort food by the end of the day! Doctors who don't make me want to cry!
And...to top off my positive experience...at the end of my appointment I got my vindication...my blood pressure was 125 over 75 - take that Tiny Nurse (who was actually delightful).
So, the important lesson that I learned today is that there are actually nice medical professionals out there whose sole purpose is not to make those of us with extra junk in the trunk (and belly, and arms, and thighs) feel like the lazy scum of the earth for being heavier than we should be.
Now all I need to do is lose 50 pounds so that when I go in again next year she'll say "my, look at how thin you are" (here's hoping).
I hate going to the doctor's office. I get tense, my blood pressure shoots up, and I usually find myself sitting in the waiting room brainstorming ways to get out of the dreaded weigh-in. (I'm still working on that one, but I'll let you know if I come up with a good one.)
Today was no exception.
I sat in the waiting room flashing ahead to the shame that was about to befall me, the inevitable lecture that I was sure to get from the doctor about my weight, and all the excuses that I could give to help explain away why I weigh about twice what I "should".
As I nervously waited to be called back, I thought back to last year's appointment when my doctor in California (who managed to secure her place on my "shit list") lectured me about how I needed to exercise and eat right (um...duh...what do you think I've been doing???), and rather rudely informed me that she couldn't perform a proper pelvic exam on me because of my weight, and that if there were any cysts or tumors we'd find them down the road if I had trouble getting pregnant. Um...thanks for that delightful commentary...bitch!
So, back to today's appointment...
It started out much the same as most appointments do - with me averting my eyes as the digital number on the scale crept up, with a blood pressure reading that made the fact that I was able to walk down the hallway without having a heart attack seem like a medical miracle, and with me trying to convince Tiny Nurse that I really do have low blood pressure...really...I DO!!!
Tiny Nurse assured me that the doctor could take my blood pressure again at the end of my appointment, but that I shouldn't worry too much about having high blood pressure (apparently she didn't hear that I have LOW blood pressure).
I'll spare you all the delightful details of the rest of my appointment, but I will say that I enjoyed speaking with a doctor about as much as one can expect to in that situation.
There was no guilt, no smug lecture, actually, no mention of my weight or the fact that I need to lose a heap of it.
I love this doctor!!!!!
There need to be more doctors like her! Doctors who realize that patients like me are all too aware of the fact that we need to lose weight and having skinny
And...to top off my positive experience...at the end of my appointment I got my vindication...my blood pressure was 125 over 75 - take that Tiny Nurse (who was actually delightful).
So, the important lesson that I learned today is that there are actually nice medical professionals out there whose sole purpose is not to make those of us with extra junk in the trunk (and belly, and arms, and thighs) feel like the lazy scum of the earth for being heavier than we should be.
Now all I need to do is lose 50 pounds so that when I go in again next year she'll say "my, look at how thin you are" (here's hoping).
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Winning Streak
If I was a professional baseball team, you could say that I'm on a winning streak! Even though it is the weekend, the time when I want to be lazy, I have stuck to my workouts!!!
Yesterday, though I wanted to sit my ass on the couch and veg, I did the bike for 20 minutes (5.5 miles again)!
Today, rather than start off my day with a shower, I threw on my workout clothes and did my Biggest Loser workout again.
Thankfully, as I had hoped, the workout was (just a little) easier, and I was huffing and puffing (just a little) less.
I'm on a roll, baby!!!
Where is this new motivation coming from, you might ask? It honestly has nothing to do with New Year's resolutions. It has more to do with the fact that I've got a doctor's appointment in a few weeks, and I want to be able to counter any lectures on my weight with "I've already lost (fill in the blank) pounds this year".
I'm also looking ahead to a trip out west in May - first a conference in Vegas, followed by a quick trip to California and Salt Lake City with Ben. Not only do I not want to go through the stress of squeezing my ass into a seat on an airplane (with my boss sitting right next to me), but I'd also love nothing more than to hear "wow, you look great" or "have you lost weight?" from some of the friends and family members that we'll be visiting.
The trick for this week will be deciding whether to wake up early to exercise, or commit to working out in the evenings before dinner. That remains to be seen.
Gotta keep this streak going....
Yesterday, though I wanted to sit my ass on the couch and veg, I did the bike for 20 minutes (5.5 miles again)!
Today, rather than start off my day with a shower, I threw on my workout clothes and did my Biggest Loser workout again.
Thankfully, as I had hoped, the workout was (just a little) easier, and I was huffing and puffing (just a little) less.
I'm on a roll, baby!!!
Where is this new motivation coming from, you might ask? It honestly has nothing to do with New Year's resolutions. It has more to do with the fact that I've got a doctor's appointment in a few weeks, and I want to be able to counter any lectures on my weight with "I've already lost (fill in the blank) pounds this year".
I'm also looking ahead to a trip out west in May - first a conference in Vegas, followed by a quick trip to California and Salt Lake City with Ben. Not only do I not want to go through the stress of squeezing my ass into a seat on an airplane (with my boss sitting right next to me), but I'd also love nothing more than to hear "wow, you look great" or "have you lost weight?" from some of the friends and family members that we'll be visiting.
The trick for this week will be deciding whether to wake up early to exercise, or commit to working out in the evenings before dinner. That remains to be seen.
Gotta keep this streak going....
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Baby Steps
I'm on a roll...or what I feel could be the beginning of a roll.
Last night I did my bike for 20 minutes (5.5 miles, thank you very much)! It was the first time in a while, shamefully, but I was glad I did it.
Tonight, when I got home, rather than getting into my jammies (which has become my evening ritual), I got into my workout clothes, closed myself in our guest room, and did my 25 minute Biggest Loser workout!
So...now I just need to keep the momentum going. That's the challenge - taking baby steps, slowly getting into a routine, and trying to figure out ways to stay on track even when the schedule changes.
Tomorrow will be a challenge. After work we're meeting friends for dinner at Olive Garden (mmmm...salad and bread sticks - fortunately, I'm more excited about the salad), but I'm sure by the time we get home, I won't feel like working out. So, I need to decide whether I'd rather get up early and exercise in the morning, give myself an evening off, or try to muster the motivation to get back on the bike after downing (what I expect will be) several helpings of salad, ravioli, and (just maybe) dessert.
Exercise is one of those things that I never regret doing. Sure, it's a pain in the ass, I hate getting all sweaty, and it's so much more tempting to stay curled up on the couch...but I've never finished a workout and thought to myself "boy, that was a waste of time".
That's what I need to remember - that sense of accomplishment that I get when I finish a workout!
Again...it's all about the baby steps. I'm not going to tackle a huge food makeover and try to start a dramatic exercise routine all at the same time.
At this point I'm so out of shape that during the initial "just step side to side with me" part of the workout video, my hips were starting to burn.
Just another sign that I need to take this slowly and go at my own pace.
Yes, I was winded by the end. Yes, the sweat was pouring off of me as if I'd just stepped out of the shower. Yes, my legs feel like spaghetti. But next time it will be a little bit easier. I'll be a little less winded, a little less drenched in sweat, and a little less likely to collapse in the kitchen as I chug water.
Baby steps and little victories - that's what I'm about!
Last night I did my bike for 20 minutes (5.5 miles, thank you very much)! It was the first time in a while, shamefully, but I was glad I did it.
Tonight, when I got home, rather than getting into my jammies (which has become my evening ritual), I got into my workout clothes, closed myself in our guest room, and did my 25 minute Biggest Loser workout!
So...now I just need to keep the momentum going. That's the challenge - taking baby steps, slowly getting into a routine, and trying to figure out ways to stay on track even when the schedule changes.
Tomorrow will be a challenge. After work we're meeting friends for dinner at Olive Garden (mmmm...salad and bread sticks - fortunately, I'm more excited about the salad), but I'm sure by the time we get home, I won't feel like working out. So, I need to decide whether I'd rather get up early and exercise in the morning, give myself an evening off, or try to muster the motivation to get back on the bike after downing (what I expect will be) several helpings of salad, ravioli, and (just maybe) dessert.
Exercise is one of those things that I never regret doing. Sure, it's a pain in the ass, I hate getting all sweaty, and it's so much more tempting to stay curled up on the couch...but I've never finished a workout and thought to myself "boy, that was a waste of time".
That's what I need to remember - that sense of accomplishment that I get when I finish a workout!
Again...it's all about the baby steps. I'm not going to tackle a huge food makeover and try to start a dramatic exercise routine all at the same time.
At this point I'm so out of shape that during the initial "just step side to side with me" part of the workout video, my hips were starting to burn.
Just another sign that I need to take this slowly and go at my own pace.
Yes, I was winded by the end. Yes, the sweat was pouring off of me as if I'd just stepped out of the shower. Yes, my legs feel like spaghetti. But next time it will be a little bit easier. I'll be a little less winded, a little less drenched in sweat, and a little less likely to collapse in the kitchen as I chug water.
Baby steps and little victories - that's what I'm about!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Back In The Saddle
For the first time all year (and keep in mind it's only been 11 days), I hopped back into the saddle, or rather, onto my bike.
I've been out of my exercise routine for a while now, and though the evidence was right there (my tight jeans, my ever-chubby-cheeks looking even chubbier, the extra jiggle to my jello)...I've been secretly hoping that somehow I'd magically lose these extra pounds without having to do anything.
Haha...yeah right! I know better than that!
I'm not that girl. I've never been one of those lucky bastards who gets stressed and LOSES weight. One who can eat a plate of cookies or a tray of brownies and still fit into my pants the next day.
Haha...not me!
No, I'm the girl who gains 10 pounds if I even think about a chocolate chip cookie or a single brownie.
So, despite my urges to hit the snooze button every morning, and happily sit on my couch every night after work, I'm going to get my ass back on track.
I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record...but I MEAN IT this time!
I ride 5.5 miles this evening - go me! I'm planning on dusting off my exercise dvds and giving those a try tomorrow.
Wish me luck...again!!!
I've been out of my exercise routine for a while now, and though the evidence was right there (my tight jeans, my ever-chubby-cheeks looking even chubbier, the extra jiggle to my jello)...I've been secretly hoping that somehow I'd magically lose these extra pounds without having to do anything.
Haha...yeah right! I know better than that!
I'm not that girl. I've never been one of those lucky bastards who gets stressed and LOSES weight. One who can eat a plate of cookies or a tray of brownies and still fit into my pants the next day.
Haha...not me!
No, I'm the girl who gains 10 pounds if I even think about a chocolate chip cookie or a single brownie.
So, despite my urges to hit the snooze button every morning, and happily sit on my couch every night after work, I'm going to get my ass back on track.
I know I'm starting to sound like a broken record...but I MEAN IT this time!
I ride 5.5 miles this evening - go me! I'm planning on dusting off my exercise dvds and giving those a try tomorrow.
Wish me luck...again!!!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
The New Year
It began several weeks before Christmas.
We all noticed it, even if we didn't acknowledge it. It was there on the radio, on tv, in magazines...
The pressure to "lose weight in the New Year".
Bastards!
As if I don't have enough to worry about this holiday season, you're already slamming me with images of skinny women who once weighed 300 pounds and now fit into a string bikini, infomercials about "the new revolution in home fitness", and endless runnings of Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and Nutri System promos.
I feel like going on strike!
I know I need to lose weight, and yes, jump-starting the process on January 1st would be a lovely idea if I didn't mind joining a class or going to a gym with all of the other "I'm so motivated to lose weight this year" people who will inevitably misplace their ambition sometime in March.
I don't want to participate in the cliched "New Year's resolution to lose weight". I don't want to be one of the millions of people who misplace their motivation and rattle off excuse after excuse for why I didn't lose weight this year.
Not me! No way!
That being said, I DO want to make changes. I DO want to lose weight this year.
But, I'm going to do it on my terms, and because I want to, not because everyone else is participating in the same half-baked plan to make this the year that we FINALLY lose the weight that we've been battling.
We all noticed it, even if we didn't acknowledge it. It was there on the radio, on tv, in magazines...
The pressure to "lose weight in the New Year".
Bastards!
As if I don't have enough to worry about this holiday season, you're already slamming me with images of skinny women who once weighed 300 pounds and now fit into a string bikini, infomercials about "the new revolution in home fitness", and endless runnings of Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, and Nutri System promos.
I feel like going on strike!
I know I need to lose weight, and yes, jump-starting the process on January 1st would be a lovely idea if I didn't mind joining a class or going to a gym with all of the other "I'm so motivated to lose weight this year" people who will inevitably misplace their ambition sometime in March.
I don't want to participate in the cliched "New Year's resolution to lose weight". I don't want to be one of the millions of people who misplace their motivation and rattle off excuse after excuse for why I didn't lose weight this year.
Not me! No way!
That being said, I DO want to make changes. I DO want to lose weight this year.
But, I'm going to do it on my terms, and because I want to, not because everyone else is participating in the same half-baked plan to make this the year that we FINALLY lose the weight that we've been battling.
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