BackStage Utah

Here is the 2009 thread for creating a health plan and reporting on your progress!

My goal:  Lose 12 pounds by April; then go on to lose another 5 by May.

Plan--

Eating:  continue my journaling. It's worked for me for the past 4 years of weight loss;  I always gain when I stop journaling.  I record exchanges for starches, fats, milk, meat, fruit and vegetables.  My caloric limit is 1500.  I have a hard time staying within my caloric limit when I include desserts in my diet, so I think I'll go back to my pre-holiday limit of one dessert per week.  And I'm thinking no more on the chocolate.

Exercise:  I finally found what works for me with weightloss--1 hour of ballet barre, stretching and centers.  Even if it's just alone in my house.  I enjoy it more than running or aerobics; and I'm able to maintain my target heart rate when I do it at home and if I avoid taking long breaks between exercises.  I'm going to make a plan for upper body strength training, though, since I don't get much of it with the ballet stuff.  My goal is to dance 5 days a week.

I'll report on Monday mornings.

My health plan for 2009 is to try very hard not to die.

I'll also try to keep you posted on my progress....   

kitchensinger wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 8:21pm:


If you have Wednesday mornings available, consider signing up for the adult ballet class with me at Classical Ballet Academy!  It's at 9:30, $55/month.  Jennie Creer-King is an excellent teacher.

This is my friend Christopher

http://pics.livejournal.com/bladeliger/pic/0000bp3y

This is also my friend Christopher

http://pics.livejournal.com/bladeliger/pic/00025769

He changed himself little by little by making his goals and sticking with them.  If he can do it, I can do it.  I already know how wonderful it felt/feels to ride a bike and be at that point where I physically like it.  I just need to find other muscles to train (I'm sure there's no shortage), and I just need to take a little time out of every day, like I did with my bike this year, to actually do something about it.

Oh, and no more cheese.

I'm tired of my belly entering the room a full two seconds before I get there. I'm tired of looking seven months pregnant when I do a yoga posture. Therefore, the belly has to go. The question is, how?

I'm thinking BFL again, now that my life is going to return to semi-normal. It worked great before, I lost about 60 lbs the last time and gained about 35 in muscle. I just need to make sure to underline "For Life". With class on Tuesdays, it would need to be cardio TTS and weights MWF. I can probably get my best friend to commit with me to help his health and weight, and he's got the weight set...

Above all, I MUST stop eating seconds and sometimes thirds at dinner. I need to cut soda pop out altogether, and watch my sugar intake in general. BFL was really good for that.

Day Three and everything is still going great.  Baby steps.   I did a Tae Bo workout yesterday, and did lower body weight training today.  While I don't have enough weights to truly challenge every muscle group, it's definitely doing something, and better than not training at all.  I can see that I'll have to go to the gym as I progress if I want to increase my intensity.  *shudder*  I'm not fond of exercising in public.

Nutrition plan on track, and I'm enjoying my food so far.  I've started making a mental list for free day, which helps me cope with cravings.  I'm going to make turkey pot pie, and mincemeat cookies, on Saturday.

Meals: Did a lot better. Made conscious choices and ate things that were FAR better for me, and even conquered tomatoes in a sandwich. I didn't pick them off like usual-- I just ate them. We had fish two times for dinner and it was wonderful.

Exercise: Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahaahahahaahahahaa.

Treats: Did not do so well, but better than normal. I had two treats this week. Depressed friends are NOT GOOD when you are on a diet/trying to eat better. They beg you to go get ice cream with them. It is rude.

I made it through Week #1!  Yesterday's exercise didn't really happen, although I did do a fair amount of walking as I was boot-shopping last night.  I need to map out a more realistic plan for Friday's schedule.

I didn't cheat on my nutrition plan this week.  Yay me!  I worked my lower body really well, but I need to up the weights for my upper body training.  I also need to make sure I'm stretching after workouts from now on.

All in all, a successful first week.

1/9 - 1/16

Exercise: I followed my Stodgy Legs Elf plan and ran three days this week. �I did weights once and missed my other weight workout due to a migraine. �I'll be making that up tomorrow. �I had a sock full of blood this morning, but I made it running my three miles. �A

http://stodgylegs.blogspot.com/

Eating: I didn't keep my journal at all this week. �School starting is my excuse. �I ate loads of veggies and fruits and didn't binge, but I also ate quite a few naughty things and ate until I was full several times. C+

http://finefettlekettle.blogspot.com/

Emotional: PMS week. �School started. �Migraine. �I did do meditation twice this week, but I should do it every day. �I read my brain-candy and relaxed several times with my family. �I feel a little tense, but that is probably hormones. � B-

Sleep: Zero is being trained to sleep in his crate. �He has been crying all night long. �This is just like having a baby all over again. �I have to get up twice in the night to let him outside so he won't pee in his bed. �I'm getting about 4 - 5 hours sleep per night is all. D-

Week 1/18 - 1/24

Exercise: I followed my Stodgy Legs Elf plan and ran three days this week.  I did minimal weights and yoga.   A-

http://stodgylegs.blogspot.com/

Eating: I kept a journal most of the week and ate under my goal calories.  I took one day off as planned.  I ate a lot of veggies and whole foods.  I goofed up twice and ate too much sugar.  A-

http://finefettlekettle.blogspot.com/

Emotional: I had a really busy week, and I'm still going crazy but somehow I fit in entertainment and relaxation too.  I worked on meditation, but could use more.  I practiced somatic awareness. B+

Sleep: Better this week.  I usually got 7 hours, although I was shy of that twice. B+

In spite of all my exercise and careful eating, I still weigh the exact same number as I did on January 1st. This is discouraging since my doctor wants me to lose 20+ pounds.  I have to go back in to see her soon and I'm worried about my LDL levels.

I just joined a Biggest Loser contest for our family reunion this July.  The before and after dates are February 1st and July 15th.  The prize money looks like it will be around $2,000.  I doubt it will motivate me or help me lose weight, but what the heck?

Whoah!   I can't believe they don't provide more healthy alternatives.  Do they pay for your health insurance?  If they do, you'd think one of their main goals with free food would be to keep their employees healthy.

Week 1/25 - 1/31

Exercise: SICK WEEK.  I was too sick most of this week to exercise.  I only did one workout.  D-

http://stodgylegs.blogspot.com/

Eating: I did pretty well all but two days.  B+

http://finefettlekettle.blogspot.com/

Emotional: Not so good.  Being sick sucks.  I had so much schoolwork and fell behind on my teaching and everything.  I felt a little depressed.  It was nice to have everyone over for the cocktail party.  That really lifted my spirits.  D+

Sleep: Not bad aside from last night.  B+

Next Week: I have another nightmare week of trying to catch up.  I have a midterm test, a psych labrat research thing, three papers and I'm already behind with my son's curriculum. Solution: I'm following a new eating plan and setting up my TTh workout routine at home rather than the gym.  MWF I do Stodgy Legs running in the forest of training.

I am sick sick sick.  I thought I was better but NOT TODAY. 

Persistent wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2009 at 8:33am:

I believe that was the measurement of the costume Hale rented from the touring company the last time they did Pimpernel, correct? �Someone connected with Hale's costume department told me in December that they were building their own costumes this time, and that they were going to wait until after Marguerite was cast before they built hers. �But maybe this info is outdated or incorrect....

I suppose it's safe to shoot for the 28 inches, anyway �

No way is your waist bigger than 28", Persistent!  My waist is 28" right now and I'm 30 pounds overweight and 5'8".  You are super way more thinner and smaller than me!

Then again, my proportions might be freaky and distorted.   Is it normal to have your thigh almost as large as your waist?

Weight: THE SAME!

Diet: �Stayed right on again.

Exercise: �My goal was to get in 3 days...but I did 4. �So this week I'm doing 5. �My plan is to dance 3 days, rest 1, then dance 2. �I think I'll get the most of my training this way if I plan out my resting days like this.

I can't figure out why my body is being so stubborn about letting pounds go. �Normally my body has a delayed reaction, but it usually isn't THIS stubborn. �It's been 5 weeks! �I'm eating the same calories that have given me success in weightloss in the past. �I've been monitoring my heart rate during my dancing to be sure I've got the intensity high enough to burn some fat, and I'm going for an hour...so it's not like I'm not exercising long enough. �I'm not lifting or building muscle, so I don't think I'm replacing body fat mass with muscle mass. �And I've taken into account the whole monthly water-retention thing too....I can't figure it out. �Maybe I'm just getting old?....

Week 2/1 - 2/7

Exercise: I was recovering from illness but managed to get in three runs.  I did really well on Saturday. B+

http://stodgylegs.blogspot.com/

Eating: I did pretty well.  I had e-coli poisoning last night and lost several pounds (doesn't count).  I'm so weak and tired today.   Otherwise my weight has remained the exact same number as 1/1. B+

http://finefettlekettle.blogspot.com/

Emotional: A lot of stress.  Tests and the last of the illness.  E-coli poisoning.   D+

Sleep: Not great. C+

Next Week: Right now I'm too sick from food poisoning to think about this week.    I already missed my workout this morning.  I barfed every half hour last night.  I'm not in the mood to think about exercise and eating yet.

Thanks, Kaylee. �I agree! �It was bad enough being sick for two weeks with a sinus infection. �Why must that be followed with e. coli poisoning? Gluck.

I have no doubt that my high stress levels aren't helping my immune system much. �I generally don't experience much stress because I'm a pretty calm person, so when I do... I suck at it.

Week 2/8 - 2/14

Exercise: No exercise this week. �Too sick. F

http://stodgylegs.blogspot.com/

Eating: I ate mostly cold cereal and bits of mashed potato, although I ate like a pig the last two days because I was starving once I got my appetite back. F

http://finefettlekettle.blogspot.com/

Emotional: I've been sick for three weeks now. �I was depressed this week... not to mention I couldn't take my hormone pills without barfing them up, so I was completely imbalanced. �Logically I knew what was wrong, but I spent several times crying all night long. � �F

Sleep: Blah. D+

Weight: I dropped five pounds this week, but it is from being sick, so I don't really count it. �That is going to come right back on now that I'm feeling better.

Next Week: I feel positive about this week now that I'm taking my hormone meds again. �I do have three midterm tests coming up and lots of teaching and work to catch up on because I was sick, but I think I can make it to the gym three times (including today) and do weights at home three times. �I'm going to try to follow my eating plan too.

Eating: �I really slacked off this week. �I went 120 over on one day, 75 over on another and 715 over on another!!! �We had family gatherings for President's Day and a couple birthdays this week, so that's where I'm placing the blame. �Dang birthday cake, mac & cheese and hot dogs! �The calories were SO not worth it, too.

Exercise: �did three one-hour workouts out of my goal of five. �I've also increased my activity level in general to try and break through this stupid weight plateau. �

Weight: �I don't know. �I refuse to weigh myself. �It's too discouraging since I've seen no change so far. �I'll weigh-in in a couple of weeks.

Weight �Not weighing until June, if then

Eating �Not counting calories, but making sure I eat enough, and making sure I eat more healthy things than fatty things. �And more good fats than bad fats.  And I'm not restricting myself, I'm just eating what sounds good and not eating too much of it.

Exercise �Stronger than I was a month ago, tracking my miles and trying to go as fast as possible as long as possible.

Not obsessing about anything keeps me sane.

I've been eating a lot better-- I got up the energy to go with my mom to the store the other night, and I made her get fresh veggies and lots of chicken, lots of fish. Cottage cheese. Rice. Fruit. (Honey crisp apples nomnomnom.) Don't you love the sense of bounty you get when you've just come home from the market? I love it.

I haven't been putting extra sugar on my cereal at all, or eating sugary cereal. I had salad today for lunch. I still am probably eating way too many carbs, but I'm also trying to balance a little as well. I'm paying better attention to my choices and my calories.

I'm still not exercising, but I am trying to be a little more active just in general. I hate this whole chronic illness whatever the hell thing-- I have so little energy. Eating better has helped so much though. I'm hoping it just keeps going up and up from here.

FRANta Claus wrote on Feb 26^th, 2009 at 1:18pm:


Thanks for posting that. �I think it's interesting that counseling and behavioral therapy were more effective than any specific diet and that cutting calories didn't have long-lasting results in any of the four restrictive plans. �It really does seem to have to be a change in lifestyle rather than a focus on some kind of food deprivation. �So much for cutting out certain foods and measuring everything.

Ugh.  Remember how I'm always talking about how I hate the word diet and don't want to restrict any foods? 

Strike that.  Well, not quite.  I still hate the word diet and I don't want to restrict any foods, but my dad's on a weight-loss program (providing moral support for a friend of his) and for three weeks of that he needs to cut out starches and sugars.  In order to help him help his friend, my family has decided to join him on the no-starch-no-sugar thing.  It'll probably be good for me, but I really don't want to get in a weird food habit.  I REALLY don't ever want to be one of those people who brag about how they've cut out potatoes (for example) completely for 6 years as if they're at an AA meeting.  "Hi, I'm Ellen, and I've been potato-free for 97 days."

Someone slap me if I turn into someone like that, please.  And slap me twice if I start telling other people they HAVE TO do what I did in order to be happy and healthy.

Eating: �I went over on my birthday last week, but stayed within my caloric limit for the rest of the week.

Exercise: �I only got in 2 days of exercise cuz I was sick a couple days last week. �Will do better this week though. �I already have my ballet clothes out and ready for 6:30am class tomorrow.

I measured my waist and I'm down about 1/2-3/4 of an inch and also down a pound. �FINALLY a LITTLE bit of change.

I've been frustrated with my weight-loss plateau, so I did a little more research on my eating habits. �Last year when I lost 20 pounds, it was after a 4-month-long commitment to eliminating desserts and candy. �But during the weightloss, I replaced some of those calories that would've gone to desserts with more healthful, filling foods. �So although I cut out most simple sugars, I didn't necessarily drastically reduce my caloric intake. �I've decided that my body is pretty sensitive to my blood sugar levels, and that when I keep it evened out, it allows more fat to be burnt and I also feel more full on less calories.

So this is my new plan: �keep my calories low on my balanced, low-fat diet; choose mostly complex carbs and pair them up with proteins and healthy fats so that my blood sugar stays leveled out throughout the day, and stay committed and improve on my exercise plan.

Which means I can still eat some desserts like the delicious peanut butter-oatmeal-whole wheat cookie with milk that I just had. �

Eating: �Good until the weekend. �Had a couple of parties. �I didn't overeat...just didn't have very healthy food choices, so my calories were a little higher on those days. �I managed to keep sugar at a minumum, though.

Exercise: �Great. �Got in 5 days of dancing plus an extra 3 aerobic workouts.

Weight: �Waist measurement down a little bit (about 1/4 inch) and weight down about a pound.

Week 3/8 - 3/14

Exercise: Not bad! �I got in my usual workouts and a 10k yesterday. �I also tried to incorporate more natural exercise (by taking a stroll at lunch, for example). �I need to stretch more and do a few more weights. �A-

http://stodgylegs.blogspot.com/

Eating: Sporadic. �I was writing research papers and taking exams and I didn't do too hot, but I tried to make some good choices. � C+

http://finefettlekettle.blogspot.com/

Emotional: I don't want to talk about it. �D

Sleep: On and off. �Mostly off. D+

Next Week: This is Spring Break, which is nice... but I have two short papers to write and a whole bunch of text reading to do. �I also have an exam to study for (Another one? �Sheesh!) and I need to do research for my term project.

*big fat reboot*

The past 5 months have been the hardest for me outside of post-pregnancy/newborn periods of my life.  Pain accompanied by almost constant bleeding for 2, almost 3 of those months.  Stress over selling the house, buying a new one and managing the move.  So, no more excuses.  That's all over with (well, not the pain, completely, but ah well).  Tomorrow the girls start attending their new school here.  So, we're moved.  The long haul is over.

NOW.  I have approximately 18 weeks before I turn 40.  In that time I ought to be able to lose 18 pounds, right?  I signed up with a Curves today, I start there tomorrow.  I start walking the kids to school in the mornings.  I start eating better.  Much better.

Time to get to work and move on to the next phase.

Mister Grinch wrote on Mar 17^th, 2009 at 10:22pm:


Okay.  So metabolism is made up of hormones and enzymes and energy burning and junk. Some people inherit a worse metabolic rate from their parents, so you can blame your ancestors for surviving bad weather and starvation and stuff.

So lifting weights and building muscle is the best way to boost your metabolism.  More body mass = burning more energy.

Weird thing:  you burn most of your calories just by staying alive.  So your organs and you brain and your muscles and stuff are eating up energy (calories) like crazy.  One pound of muscle just sitting there, burns up 35 calories a day.  One pound of fat only burns about 2 calories a day.  So obviously it's better to have more muscle.

Also you got to eat more.  That sounds wrong, but it's true.  If you don't eat enough your metabolism slows way down to compensate.  It's trying to save you from starving.  So you don't want to overeat, but you want to eat often and enough.  Never skip meals!  It's the WORST thing you can do to your metabolism.  And if possible, snack on small things between meals.

Eat low-glycemic stuff and high protein.  Supposedly your body takes more energy to burn foods like that, so it increases your metabolism.

And that's all I can think of right now. 

Oh... and while writing my research paper on obesity in the U.S. I also discovered that people set way too high of expectations which jimmies them up for failure. So we shouldn't try to look like we did ten years ago *cry*  We should settle for losing ten pounds or something more achievable, because ten pounds can really improve our health and we don't need to all be skinny beans who fit in size zero pants.

Eating: �I went over on my cals every single day but one. �I averaged 90 calories over per day. �Even with the extra 90 calories, I'm still in my weight-loss zone...but the pounds just don't come off as quickly.

Exercise: �Got 4 moderate workouts in and 3 dance sessions. �My goal is 5 and 5. �And I need to get more intense on a couple of my workouts.

Weight: �Lost 1 to 1 1/2 pounds and about a quarter inch around my waist.

Good for you, Persistent!  You're amazing.

Last week I dropped another 3 lbs, but it was poorly done and out of stress rather than healthy eating/exercise habits. �That weight is oozing back on already and doesn't count as a move toward better health.

This had been a difficult year so far and the most stressful one I've had in years due to an overwhelming semester with too many credits and extra intense classes (I have 26 research papers this semester. �I am NOT kidding. �I also have 12 major exams, field work, projects, interviews, and reflection assignments.) �On top of that, I'm teaching up to 6 hours most days, trying to be a full time mom with a daughter who has been in and out of hospitals and doctor's offices the last eight weeks, desperately but poorly attempting to train for a marathon, hoping to be a supportive and attentive wife, and trying to find time for myself to just relax... a mandatory part of my health (which is what I'm attempting to do right now by posting here). �All of that doesn't even include stress from the economic problems, my search for a job, individual family problems, etc.

Point in fact, I need a break. �

Fortunately, in five weeks I'll be sitting on the beach in Aruba for the better part of a month with the people I love most, no work, no school, and time to exercise and catch up on the books I want to read.

What I need to get me through until that time is a renewed PLAN. �Some things so far are working for me, others not so much. �So here are my adjustments:

Exercise:
MWF - 6:00 a.m. Marathon Training (Running/Walking pattern) 45 minutes - 1 hr.*
TTh - 4:50 a.m. Weight and Circuit Training (gym class) 1hr**
Saturday - Long Run Marathon Training with Dave***
Sunday - Rest
Nightly- Yoga before bed

*Option for MWF - Outdoor training at 9:00 a.m.
**Option for TTh - Weight Training at home 6:00 a.m.
**(in miles) 6, 7, 6, 8, 6, 10, 8, 10, 8, 12, 10, 14, 10, 12, 10, 14, 12, 16, 12, 16, 14, 20, 12, 22, 12, 24, 10, 26.2 (28 weeks)

Eating:
Pattern - 300, 400, 500 w/300SN
One meal off per week (dessert, red meat allowed)
Whole grains, low in fat, 3 -5 veggies, 2 fruit (limited), fish&poultry, skimmed milk products, nuts, legumes, beans, etc.
Contractual/Self-Monitoring/CBT

Persistent wrote on Mar 26^th, 2009 at 8:27am:


And now, the numbers...

12/30/08
Bust 38 3/8
Under Bust 32 1/4
Waist 30 1/2
Hip 39
Upper Arm 11 3/4

3/29/09
Bust 37
Under Bust 31 1/2
Waist 29
Hip 38
Upper Arm 11

I'll admit, I was hoping for more drastic changes in the numbers, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not a very big person to begin with.  I'm so happy to be getting rid of my back flab and floppy upper arms.

I'm going to start another 12-week challenge this Saturday.  My goal is to see a definite increase in muscle tone, particularly in the back of my upper arms and in my thighs.  I expect my progress to be pretty slow, due to the fact that I'm 40, post-menopausal, and don't have a lot of excess weight to remove.

I'm very happy with what I've accomplished so far.  Thanks for the kudos!

Quote:


I've noticed my metabolism changing since I was about 23... but that's probably because I methodically and obsessively track my food and exercise.  It gets harder every year to maintain my weight or stay in shape.

Seriously though, I was in the best shape I've ever been between ages 30 and 37.  That had nothing to do with metabolism, and everything to do with the fact that I had the resources, time, and money to focus on being a gym bum.   Before age 30 I was having babies and after age 37 I was busy working and (now) going to school.   I'm just way more sedentary than I was four years ago.

I agree with Persistent.  Weight training (like I said to Mister A.) and building muscle is the best thing you can do for your metabolism.

It's one of my problems over the past three years ... I've sacrificed body building for marathon training because of time constraints.  I really need to add more weights into my routine.   

Arrrgh!!

So frustrated. �My weight stayed the same...AGAIN!

So I guess the positive side of the fact that I've only lost 3 pounds over the past 4 months of dedicated diet and exercise is that I've learned what DOESN'T work. �Oh, and that I'm going down (albeit slooooooooowly) and not up in weight.

My report for the week:

diet: �Stayed under 1100 calories, but went 200 over on two of the days.

exercise: �Not as good. �I only got in 1 workout and 3 dance sessions. �I had a pretty packed week and I'm trying to get ready for an audition, so my time to commit to exercise was minimal this week. �Plus, I think I'm getting pretty discouraged...which scares me because even though I'm having a hard time getting the weight off, I KNOW it will come on fast if I stop movin' and eatin' right.

Thanks to those who responded to my last question about age and metabolism. �I've decided to really push the upper body strength training. �I think I will work it into a sort-of circuit training mixed in with my aerobics (which right now is what I call "Turbo Cleaning": which is jogging around my house while straightening up �), and see how that goes. �I'm not going to do lower body for several reasons: �I get a lot of core and all-over leg training with ballet and my knees bother me when I do lunges and squats.

Also, once auditions are over this week, I'm going to replace 2 of my dance sessions with straight cardio. �So my new exercise plan will look like this

Monday: �dance in the morning; circuit training with upper-body strength-training in the afternoon
Tuesday: �cardio in the morning
Wednesday: �dance in the morning; �circuit training with upper-body strength training in the afternoon
Thursday: �cardio in the morning
Friday: �30-minute ballet barre warm-up, followed immediately by a 45-minute brisk walk or lap-swimming, then 5 minutes of stretching.
Saturday: �20-minute upper-body strength training
� �

I'm happy to say that I narrowly avoided a Twix craving by eating a Caramel Nut Brownie Luna Bar instead. The Fetus is grateful for my decision.

Healthy week!  I ate plenty of veggies and some fruit every day, ate mostly whole grains and good fats, exercised five times (without overdoing it) and never once binged.

Emotionally it was not too bad.  I did have an important exam this morning and a couple papers due and my daughter rejected her new meds which is really disappointing and worrisome, but I managed to stay fairly relaxed (in spite of this being a PMS week).

Bad, bad week. �Was sick and also did lots of emotional eating.

Weight: �Lost 1 pound. �The inches on my waist are coming off super slowly, I've averaged about 1/8" over the past two weeks. �Like I said before, �atleast it's going down and not up.

Diet: �I averaged about 100 over each day. �Still in the weightloss zone, just not ideal.

Exercise. �Not one single day. �Neither dancing nor exercising nor strenghth training. �My excuse (not really) is that I was pinched for time with auditions this week, weak from being sick for 3 days, and too bummed to even try for the rest of the week. �So all I can do is improve, right?

Better week next week. �Truthfully, I think my body needed the break from the routine, anyway.

Up a pound.  Not surprising as my eating was a complete and total disaster.  I tried, but just couldn't manage it with everything we were doing over the past week.  I also only worked out 2 days.

Will try harder this week.

Mister Grinch wrote on Apr 15^th, 2009 at 5:57pm:


People who are chubby are more jolly... right?  Because that's what I'm counting on.  Being jolly.

Want to come over for homemade cinnamon rolls fresh out of the oven?  I think I'll make some today if I have time.  And no, I haven't been to the gym yet today.  I'm sitting here in my workout clothes watching youtube and avoiding studying for my final exams.

I'm using cognitive behavioral therapy and it's totally helping me not be a non-purging bulimic.  But... it's doing nothing for my "jolly" figure.   

Somehow I need to be okay with it. *cheers*

The Kaylee and the Ivy wrote on Apr 17^th, 2009 at 8:37pm:


EFF IT! 

BLAH!!!

I was exercising this morning in my basement, and half-way through I ran upstairs to wake up my daughter for school, then on my way back down I slipped on a fleece blanket that was lying on my wood floor and I slammed my knee HARD into the floor.

I hope it heals soon so that I don't end-up immobile and unable to exercise or practice for dance auditions. � �I hate kinks in the plan like this. �Injuries suck.

Down 2.5 pounds.  I think.  Different scale than last week.  I really need to start using the same scale from week to week.  I worked out 3 times plus did yard work for several hours one day, so I'm calling it 4 days.  Did okay with eating, but not great.  When I'm home in the evening I just want to snack my way through the night.  Will take my measurements again next week (4 weeks since last measurements), although I'm not expecting much to be different.

Things I feel good about: I'm drinking a ton of water every day.  I'm getting out of the mindset that one bad eating choice necessarily means I should write off the whole day (or even the week).  Trying to just take it one meal--one part of the day at a time.  If I make a bad choice in the morning, or know I'm going to be having an indulgent meal for dinner, I try to make still make good choices for the rest of the day.  Working out at Curves, I can already feel that certain machines are getting easier for me to do.

Huh.  I guess I'm doing better than I thought.  Down another 2 pounds this week.  Measured everywhere and I've lost almost 4 inches total in the past 4 weeks.  I was a lot more active in general this past week.  2 days of formal workout, 2 days of yardwork.  Still struggling with eating the right amount of calories.  I have good moments and bad ones.  Maybe now that I'm seeing some progress in my measurements it will motivate me.

Ugh.  A hard week.  I'm up about a half pound.  Between mr.'s birthday and the girls being sick, my eating was really erratic and not great and I only worked out twice.  And now I have what the girls had.  Blech.

I've tried to make a lot of changes in a short time.  I've had a little success, but, y'know, new habits are hard to build.

1. Regular time for exercise.  I managed to do it 4 days in a row and then stumbled for the next two.  I hope to get back to it again tomorrow.

2. I haven't particularly changed my food habits yet, but I finally started a food log so I can begin to see patterns.

3. I set some goals - My records state that I'm currently a 39 inch waist.  My goal right now is to get back to a 34.  Regular exercise and food awareness is more than I was doing before, so I hope that it begins to help until I've built up enough of a habit and can do more.

Any encouragement would be lovely.  I'm essentially doing this all on my own.

Persistent wrote on Feb 3^rd, 2009 at 8:33am:


I did it!  Waist is 28 inches.  Auditions are in two and a half weeks.  I understand there are several factors that will come into play here, but I'm still so pleased I achieved this goal!

Mister Grinch wrote on May 11^th, 2009 at 2:40pm:


No you're not, silly. �You've got the rest of us on this thread. �

(...and I think your food journal idea sound good, BTW.  'tis always been what makes or breaks success for me.)