Eeek! I have to get weighed today.
I was all set to eat right and exercise for the next two weeks. After that, I was going to bite the bullet and hop on the scale. I was feeling very comfortable with that game plan. Then I realized that when I go to the doctor today, they are going to ask to weigh me. Oh my! What if the number is greater?!?!? I'm incredibly paranoid that I didn't do it correctly in the 1st place, so I am dreading getting a 're-test'. Ugh! Ok, I've got to calm myself. There isn't anything that I can do about it. I've been eating well and exercising regularly. Just yesterday I wowed myself by running a mile and walking 2 more miles. I'm sure that it will be fine, and if the number isn't one that I like then I'll just have to re-evaluate my work outs and meals and try harder. Whew!
Speaking of re-evaluating my work outs, I think its time to step my game up on my strength training exercises. They say that if you are lifting weights you should be using the # of pounds that make you feel like you couldn't possibly do one more at the end of your set. I don't really feel like that right now. Of course, I want to stop. However, I feel like I could do another squat or lunge if I had to. Today I'm going to revisit some of my workouts from the Essence magazines and try to incorporate some more challenging moves. I don't want to exhaust myself with every single work out, but I do want to feel like I pushed my body and accomplished something. I'll let you know what I come up with.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
Ok, its been nearly a week and not much excitement has taken place. I've been doing a good job of sticking to my diet, but I only worked out 4 times last week. While I am proud of that small number, I don't want to get complacent. I need to keep pushing myself to get up to the 6 times per week that I am aiming for. I guess the most difficult part about exercise is that I never have days that I am not scheduled to work out. Typically, if I don't work out it is because I don't have the time, energy, or motivation to do so. When I miss a scheduled work out b/c of this, then I typically aim to excercise on my 'off' day as a make up. This repeats week after week, so while there are days that I don't work out, it is usually just b/c I couldn't push myself to do so. The real negative about this is that every day that I don't work out feels like a day that I've failed, rather than a well deserved rest. I don't really know what the solution to this is. I'm not willing to sacrafice my goal of 6 days per week yet. That is the easy route, and I don't want to start making these sorts of allowances so early in the game. If I don't push myself now, then I'll quickly fall back into my old habits and end up right back where I started. I guess I'll just have to work harder to stick to my schedule, so I can feel good about my days w/o a workout. Also, I might want to look for some excercises that are more fun and desirable to do. I might not have to worry about the motivation part if I'm preparing to do an activity that I enjoy. Maybe I'll look into checking out some fitness videos from the library.
Other than that, all is well. I think that I can see a difference in how my clothes fit. I'm going to work on myself for about 2 more weeks b4 I head for the next weigh in. Hopefully, I'll be progressing along nicely!
Other than that, all is well. I think that I can see a difference in how my clothes fit. I'm going to work on myself for about 2 more weeks b4 I head for the next weigh in. Hopefully, I'll be progressing along nicely!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Don't deny yourself...these are the words that virtually every dieting expert utters, but what the hell do they truly mean? Either something is good for you, and you should have it, or it's bad for you, and you should avoid it.
Today my job had an ice cream social. I went and stayed as far away from the ice cream is possible; just like I avoid the brownies at our afternoon team meetings and the kolaches (butter rolls filled w/bacon, egg, and cheese or some other combination) at our morning team meetings. I socialized and interacted with co-workers, but I was dying to have some ice cream. I kept thinking of that phrase, which I've read in nearly every health & fitness mag. Don't deny yourself. I understand the theory. If you really want something then go ahead and have just a little. Don't binge, but also don't make yourself miserable trying to cut out all of your favorites forever. However, how much is really enough versus too much? I mean, whether you want/love something or not, you're still consuming the calories and grams of fat that you're supposed to be trying to avoid. You need to get enough to feel satisfied that you did in fact have the treat that you desired. Yet that much may still be a poor dieting decision. Where do the boundaries lie?
In the end, I asked the vendor to give me a smidgent of Banana Pudding flavor. Trust me, it was indeed a smidgent. We're talking 2 tablespoons max. I guess that was ok. I mean, I got to taste it, which is what I really wanted. Yet, I didn't really get to enjoy it, and what's the point of extra calories if you can't even enjoy it?
The rules need to be more defined. At what point in your weightloss process are you allowed to 'stop denying yourself'? Is it when you've reached your goal weight? Is it when you've grown truly accustomed to making good food choices and exercising? 6 months? And then once you are allowed to re-integrate these things, to what extend should you do this? One splurge a every 2 weeks? Every month? What?
I honestly don't know. I guess I'll go home content with what I did have today. I'm proud that I didn't break down and get the 2 scoops (1 Banana Pudding, 1 Strawberry) that I wanted. Yet, I'm glad that I didn't completely avoid it, like a weirdo (again, I'm trying not to be obsessed). Tonight, I'm cooking chicken and brocolli w/black beans and rice (if I don't get too lazy or run out of pots). I think its best to just banish the ice cream to back of my mind.
Today my job had an ice cream social. I went and stayed as far away from the ice cream is possible; just like I avoid the brownies at our afternoon team meetings and the kolaches (butter rolls filled w/bacon, egg, and cheese or some other combination) at our morning team meetings. I socialized and interacted with co-workers, but I was dying to have some ice cream. I kept thinking of that phrase, which I've read in nearly every health & fitness mag. Don't deny yourself. I understand the theory. If you really want something then go ahead and have just a little. Don't binge, but also don't make yourself miserable trying to cut out all of your favorites forever. However, how much is really enough versus too much? I mean, whether you want/love something or not, you're still consuming the calories and grams of fat that you're supposed to be trying to avoid. You need to get enough to feel satisfied that you did in fact have the treat that you desired. Yet that much may still be a poor dieting decision. Where do the boundaries lie?
In the end, I asked the vendor to give me a smidgent of Banana Pudding flavor. Trust me, it was indeed a smidgent. We're talking 2 tablespoons max. I guess that was ok. I mean, I got to taste it, which is what I really wanted. Yet, I didn't really get to enjoy it, and what's the point of extra calories if you can't even enjoy it?
The rules need to be more defined. At what point in your weightloss process are you allowed to 'stop denying yourself'? Is it when you've reached your goal weight? Is it when you've grown truly accustomed to making good food choices and exercising? 6 months? And then once you are allowed to re-integrate these things, to what extend should you do this? One splurge a every 2 weeks? Every month? What?
I honestly don't know. I guess I'll go home content with what I did have today. I'm proud that I didn't break down and get the 2 scoops (1 Banana Pudding, 1 Strawberry) that I wanted. Yet, I'm glad that I didn't completely avoid it, like a weirdo (again, I'm trying not to be obsessed). Tonight, I'm cooking chicken and brocolli w/black beans and rice (if I don't get too lazy or run out of pots). I think its best to just banish the ice cream to back of my mind.
Monday, August 21, 2006
Dieting makes you paranoid.
Its true. When you're not watching what you eat, then you don't even think twice about what you select off the menu. You select what you want, and if it happens to be healthy, then HEY pat yourself on the back. You lucked up. However, when you are watching what you eat, then you try your best to select the healthiest option and then obsess over whether or not your choice was healthy enough. It turns you into a crazy person, even when you don't want to be one.
Today I went to Schlotzshy's Deli. I figured that a nice Turkey Sandwich would be good. It came with Pastrami on it, but I asked them to hold that as well as the onions and tomatoes. This left me with sliced turkey breast w/mayo, cheese, lettuce and olives. I selected the Baked Lays as my chips (only 1.5 grams of fat and under 150 calories/bag) and water as my beverage. I thought I was doing pretty good. However, as I began to eat it, I started wondering why I hadn't asked them to hold the cheese and substitute Fat Free Ranch for the mayo. On top of the the bread seemed a little buttery to me. Suddenly my reasonable lunch felt laden with fat. I'm opting to skip my afternoon snack feeling that I've already had quite enough until dinner.
This can not be normal folks. It works the same way with exercising. If you aren't in the habit of working out, and you make it to the gym 2 days out of the week, then you celebrate your efforts. However, if you work out 5 days out of the week, then you kick yourself for missing the 6th day. I see how young girls fall into eating disorders so easily. Its like, the harder that you work at this, the more you doubt yourself or question the effectiveness of your efforts. For instance, one of my skinny co-workers (the one who feels guilty about eating large salads) has been on a liquid diet for the last 2 weeks, drinking only slim fast for lunch. FOR WHAT!?!?! The girl is beautiful, maybe as size 2 or 4 at the most. I can understand eating well and exercising regularly for health reasons, which is what she was doing when we 1st started working together, but dieting to the point that you are basically starving yourself is maddness. Absolute maddness!
I'm trying hard to fight it and just celebrate how well I have done so far. However, it truly is difficult. Now that I've lost weight, I feel the need to try even harder b/c I'm afraid of either gaining it back or be less successful with losing this coming weigh in. Its like, I'm afraid I'll let my game slip, so I constantly feel the need to try harder and harder. Ugh!
Anywho, now that I've finished my little rant. I ran on the lake front on Saturday (moderate walk for 5 mins, speed walk for 1 min, run for 1 min. Alternating speed walking and running for 15 mins, moderate walk for 5 mins - really 10-15 mins b/c I had to make it back to the car) and did strength training exercises on Sunday. Today I'm planning to hit the eliptical machine for 30 mins and go grocery shopping for healthy dinners for the week. I'm looking forward to it, and I'll let you know what fun foods I make.
Its true. When you're not watching what you eat, then you don't even think twice about what you select off the menu. You select what you want, and if it happens to be healthy, then HEY pat yourself on the back. You lucked up. However, when you are watching what you eat, then you try your best to select the healthiest option and then obsess over whether or not your choice was healthy enough. It turns you into a crazy person, even when you don't want to be one.
Today I went to Schlotzshy's Deli. I figured that a nice Turkey Sandwich would be good. It came with Pastrami on it, but I asked them to hold that as well as the onions and tomatoes. This left me with sliced turkey breast w/mayo, cheese, lettuce and olives. I selected the Baked Lays as my chips (only 1.5 grams of fat and under 150 calories/bag) and water as my beverage. I thought I was doing pretty good. However, as I began to eat it, I started wondering why I hadn't asked them to hold the cheese and substitute Fat Free Ranch for the mayo. On top of the the bread seemed a little buttery to me. Suddenly my reasonable lunch felt laden with fat. I'm opting to skip my afternoon snack feeling that I've already had quite enough until dinner.
This can not be normal folks. It works the same way with exercising. If you aren't in the habit of working out, and you make it to the gym 2 days out of the week, then you celebrate your efforts. However, if you work out 5 days out of the week, then you kick yourself for missing the 6th day. I see how young girls fall into eating disorders so easily. Its like, the harder that you work at this, the more you doubt yourself or question the effectiveness of your efforts. For instance, one of my skinny co-workers (the one who feels guilty about eating large salads) has been on a liquid diet for the last 2 weeks, drinking only slim fast for lunch. FOR WHAT!?!?! The girl is beautiful, maybe as size 2 or 4 at the most. I can understand eating well and exercising regularly for health reasons, which is what she was doing when we 1st started working together, but dieting to the point that you are basically starving yourself is maddness. Absolute maddness!
I'm trying hard to fight it and just celebrate how well I have done so far. However, it truly is difficult. Now that I've lost weight, I feel the need to try even harder b/c I'm afraid of either gaining it back or be less successful with losing this coming weigh in. Its like, I'm afraid I'll let my game slip, so I constantly feel the need to try harder and harder. Ugh!
Anywho, now that I've finished my little rant. I ran on the lake front on Saturday (moderate walk for 5 mins, speed walk for 1 min, run for 1 min. Alternating speed walking and running for 15 mins, moderate walk for 5 mins - really 10-15 mins b/c I had to make it back to the car) and did strength training exercises on Sunday. Today I'm planning to hit the eliptical machine for 30 mins and go grocery shopping for healthy dinners for the week. I'm looking forward to it, and I'll let you know what fun foods I make.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Finally did the weigh in:
Last night I went down to my apartment complex's gym for my standard 30 mins on the eliptical machine. While I was there I noticed that we had an old fashioned scale. You know, like the ones at the doctor's office where you have to slide the weights down until it balances. Yeah, that one. I was kind disappointed b/c I wanted to use a digital scale, so that I could be 100% sure of the reading. However, as luck would have it, this was all there was. So I completed my workout and went over to face my destiny. I climbed on (barefoot of course), and began to move the 50lb bar. 1st I moved it to 200lbs, and guess what? The bar dropped like a rock. YAY!! I wasn't 200lbs any more. Next I moved it to 150lbs, and I moved to 1lb bar to 50. Still too heavy!. I slowly began to inch back the 1lb bar, and it finally balanced at 43lbs. You do the math folks, 150lbs plus 43lbs is 193lbs. Yay, that's about a 7 lb loss. Now to be fair, I had been making little changes in my eating habits before I committed to doing better 3 weeks ago, so I could have loss a pound or two before I really began my lifestyle change. Either way, I'm estatic!
This was just the motivation that I needed to keep going. Tomorrow I'm going to go running by the lake, and Sunday I'll do my strength training. Next week I should have plenty of free time to exercise everyday, and I'm even going to start trying to cook a few healthy meals (I usually just eat out when I'm traveling). I'm so glad.
Now the question is...do I feel thinner? I don't know. I look at myself everyday, so I can't so much see a change. Some of my clothes (the 2 pairs of pants that had pushed me into size 16) are hanging loose, but then again clothes always loosen up over time. I'll have to keep monitoring it and see what people who haven't seen me for awhile say. Regardless, the scale doesn't lie, so I'm just going to keep pushing on and looking forward to even better things in the future!
Last night I went down to my apartment complex's gym for my standard 30 mins on the eliptical machine. While I was there I noticed that we had an old fashioned scale. You know, like the ones at the doctor's office where you have to slide the weights down until it balances. Yeah, that one. I was kind disappointed b/c I wanted to use a digital scale, so that I could be 100% sure of the reading. However, as luck would have it, this was all there was. So I completed my workout and went over to face my destiny. I climbed on (barefoot of course), and began to move the 50lb bar. 1st I moved it to 200lbs, and guess what? The bar dropped like a rock. YAY!! I wasn't 200lbs any more. Next I moved it to 150lbs, and I moved to 1lb bar to 50. Still too heavy!. I slowly began to inch back the 1lb bar, and it finally balanced at 43lbs. You do the math folks, 150lbs plus 43lbs is 193lbs. Yay, that's about a 7 lb loss. Now to be fair, I had been making little changes in my eating habits before I committed to doing better 3 weeks ago, so I could have loss a pound or two before I really began my lifestyle change. Either way, I'm estatic!
This was just the motivation that I needed to keep going. Tomorrow I'm going to go running by the lake, and Sunday I'll do my strength training. Next week I should have plenty of free time to exercise everyday, and I'm even going to start trying to cook a few healthy meals (I usually just eat out when I'm traveling). I'm so glad.
Now the question is...do I feel thinner? I don't know. I look at myself everyday, so I can't so much see a change. Some of my clothes (the 2 pairs of pants that had pushed me into size 16) are hanging loose, but then again clothes always loosen up over time. I'll have to keep monitoring it and see what people who haven't seen me for awhile say. Regardless, the scale doesn't lie, so I'm just going to keep pushing on and looking forward to even better things in the future!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Well folks, not much to report today.
This week I tried a new cardio activity...running. Now most who know me are aware that I'm not a runner. In fact I really have no desire to be a runner. However, it does burn calories, and it doesn't require me to get my hair wet (swimming), have a partner (tennis), or a facility/equipment (raquetball). Plus, since I find it torturous, then I'm oddly proud of myself for having endured it afterwards. My conscience (read: boyfriend) and I get out on the track to complete a 3 mile loop. I start out warning him that this is gonna be tough for me (I haven't run for exercise since early in my college career), and I'll probably need to stop about half way through. We start out by walking for a full mile. Then he points down to a mile marker on the ground and informs me that we're gonna run to the next one, a quarter of a mile down. We take off, and I am genuinely surprised at how difficult I am finding this. I can't get my breathing right. I instantly feel exhausted, and I am about as slow as a turtle. My conscience, the picture of perfect health - probably less that 5% body fat, is cruising along and getting increasingly farther ahead of me. So feeling like crap about myself I decide to stop about half way there and walk. Of course this only makes me feel even more crappy for giving up, which is then multiplied when my conscience looks back and gives me a look of mega yet genuine disappointment. So I catch up to him and explain my breathing trouble. He gives me some breathing techniques, but I'm pissed and he's pissed, and now we're just walking in silence. About another 1/2 miles down the road we decide to try it again...well really he give me a look that says "If you really want to prove yourself wrong and show that you can do this, then here's your chance. What are you gonna do?" I take off again, this time w/him running/walking behind me, and I find that I've got a better grasp on my breathing. I keep pushing myself, desparately searching for the next 1/4 mile marker until finally I reach it. YAY!!! We walk another quarter mile and he decides to run ahead to the car and back (about 3/4 mile). I successfully run the next quarter of a mile and walk the last 1/2 mile back to the car. Overall I have a loooooooooong way to go physically. I definitely have to get in better shape so that I'm faster and have more endurance. However, I still felt good about what I'd done, and I was pleased with completing the 3 miles no matter how I got there. I think I'll try it again this weekend.
As for weighing in, I did attempt to take my weight after my run. To my dismay, or maybe relief, there was no scale in the gym that I use. However, today I am going to a different gym where I believe that there are two scales. Hopefully, tomorrow I will have something to report.
This week I tried a new cardio activity...running. Now most who know me are aware that I'm not a runner. In fact I really have no desire to be a runner. However, it does burn calories, and it doesn't require me to get my hair wet (swimming), have a partner (tennis), or a facility/equipment (raquetball). Plus, since I find it torturous, then I'm oddly proud of myself for having endured it afterwards. My conscience (read: boyfriend) and I get out on the track to complete a 3 mile loop. I start out warning him that this is gonna be tough for me (I haven't run for exercise since early in my college career), and I'll probably need to stop about half way through. We start out by walking for a full mile. Then he points down to a mile marker on the ground and informs me that we're gonna run to the next one, a quarter of a mile down. We take off, and I am genuinely surprised at how difficult I am finding this. I can't get my breathing right. I instantly feel exhausted, and I am about as slow as a turtle. My conscience, the picture of perfect health - probably less that 5% body fat, is cruising along and getting increasingly farther ahead of me. So feeling like crap about myself I decide to stop about half way there and walk. Of course this only makes me feel even more crappy for giving up, which is then multiplied when my conscience looks back and gives me a look of mega yet genuine disappointment. So I catch up to him and explain my breathing trouble. He gives me some breathing techniques, but I'm pissed and he's pissed, and now we're just walking in silence. About another 1/2 miles down the road we decide to try it again...well really he give me a look that says "If you really want to prove yourself wrong and show that you can do this, then here's your chance. What are you gonna do?" I take off again, this time w/him running/walking behind me, and I find that I've got a better grasp on my breathing. I keep pushing myself, desparately searching for the next 1/4 mile marker until finally I reach it. YAY!!! We walk another quarter mile and he decides to run ahead to the car and back (about 3/4 mile). I successfully run the next quarter of a mile and walk the last 1/2 mile back to the car. Overall I have a loooooooooong way to go physically. I definitely have to get in better shape so that I'm faster and have more endurance. However, I still felt good about what I'd done, and I was pleased with completing the 3 miles no matter how I got there. I think I'll try it again this weekend.
As for weighing in, I did attempt to take my weight after my run. To my dismay, or maybe relief, there was no scale in the gym that I use. However, today I am going to a different gym where I believe that there are two scales. Hopefully, tomorrow I will have something to report.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Ok, ok, ok...I know that I said that I was gonna weigh in, and I fully intended to when I went to work out this weekend. The problem is that I didn't work out this weekend. I used sickness as an excuse, but that was only part of the problem. The other part, is just that I simply didn't plan my exercise time. I assumed that I'd have downtime in my weekend, and then I'd just use that time to work out. However, if you make a habit of scheduling your workout after everything else in your day, then it will quickly get overlooked. Your schedule gets booked, and pretty soon you're just aiming to double up the next day. So no work out Fri - Sun. I did work out yesterday, but I didn't use the gym b/c all the machines were taken. Instead I did my strength training exercises upstairs. Today, available machines or not, I will get on the scale.
The good news is that I did continue my healthy eating. I stuck with the wise options and I avoided the snacks, which was particularly hard when a co-worker brought brownie's and blondie's to our team meeting. My conscience says that things will get easier as I become more and more adjusted to my new menu. I certainly hope so b/c right now I am definitely struggling. We'll see.
The good news is that I did continue my healthy eating. I stuck with the wise options and I avoided the snacks, which was particularly hard when a co-worker brought brownie's and blondie's to our team meeting. My conscience says that things will get easier as I become more and more adjusted to my new menu. I certainly hope so b/c right now I am definitely struggling. We'll see.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Week 2 update.
So here I am about half way through week two (its really over on Sunday), and I think that I've done a pretty good job. I've definitely been eating differently and exercising nearly everyday. For the days that I haven't exercised, I've doubled up the work out the following day to equal to six workouts (six days) per week. I still feel like a recovering drug addict. Two weeks is hardly out of the woods, and everyday I have the desire to get a McDonald's breakfast or fried shrimp for lunch. Yet, I have to celebrate a little for sticking with it thus far. I also have my conscience (read: boyfriend) raising an eyebrow at me if I reach for the slightest indulgence (like an extra packet of cream for my coffee, 2g of fat & 40 calories each, or a cherry flavored ricola).
The biggest question is...what is my current weight? Honestly, I'm a little scared to hop on the scale. I mean what if it doesn't show any decrease? Two weeks really isn't much time. What if I underestimated my original weight so that while I may have lost weight I'm only down to the 200lbs that I thought I was starting at, or worse 200lbs +? I guess, I'll have to do it at some point, but I'm definitely dreading it. I kinda wanna just go on feeling good about myself and wait for my clothes to get thinner. I guess if I don't weigh in, though, I'll never know if my program is working or not, and I'll never get to celebrate. Le sigh. Ok, this Sunday, at the end of my 2 weeks, I will hop on the scale and come back with a number to report. Wish me luck.
So here I am about half way through week two (its really over on Sunday), and I think that I've done a pretty good job. I've definitely been eating differently and exercising nearly everyday. For the days that I haven't exercised, I've doubled up the work out the following day to equal to six workouts (six days) per week. I still feel like a recovering drug addict. Two weeks is hardly out of the woods, and everyday I have the desire to get a McDonald's breakfast or fried shrimp for lunch. Yet, I have to celebrate a little for sticking with it thus far. I also have my conscience (read: boyfriend) raising an eyebrow at me if I reach for the slightest indulgence (like an extra packet of cream for my coffee, 2g of fat & 40 calories each, or a cherry flavored ricola).
The biggest question is...what is my current weight? Honestly, I'm a little scared to hop on the scale. I mean what if it doesn't show any decrease? Two weeks really isn't much time. What if I underestimated my original weight so that while I may have lost weight I'm only down to the 200lbs that I thought I was starting at, or worse 200lbs +? I guess, I'll have to do it at some point, but I'm definitely dreading it. I kinda wanna just go on feeling good about myself and wait for my clothes to get thinner. I guess if I don't weigh in, though, I'll never know if my program is working or not, and I'll never get to celebrate. Le sigh. Ok, this Sunday, at the end of my 2 weeks, I will hop on the scale and come back with a number to report. Wish me luck.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Skinny chicks really are evil.
So today, I'm heading back from picking up my usually breakfast yougurt parfait, and I see a co-worker come in to the shop to order the same thing. I decide to stop and wait for her, and I see that she orders plain yougurt w/honey and just a little bit of granola. This of course makes me think twice about my peach yougurt, also w/honey, but then filled to the brim w/strawberries, pinapples, granola, and bananas. I mean there is a special kind of disdain for someone who can make you feel guilty about your 'healthy' eating choice. Another one of my co-workers, skinny chick, is also trying to lose weight. She can't possibly be more tha 110lbs dripping wet, but she isn't very curvy (read: no booty). I'm thinking that she wants to lose inches in her waist in order to have more of an hour glass figure. Either way, she orders a grilled salmon salad for lunch and complains that it was too big. Now she's going to have to cut back on dinner and put in a few extra minutes on the treadmill. WHAT!?!?! I'm looking at my salad thinking "I really should get a fruit cup or something with this b/c I'ma be starving by dinner." I just keep hearing Monique screaming "Skinny b!t@hes are evil!!!". You just can't keep up with them. Anyway, I'm not going to worry myself over it. Starving myself has never been the goal, and I'd rather be fat than on the East African diet plan. I'ma just keeping doing what I'm doing, which is a huge improvement from what I was doing. However, the next time that you see a skinny chick order a half a chicken wing...just knock her on the head for me ;-)
So today, I'm heading back from picking up my usually breakfast yougurt parfait, and I see a co-worker come in to the shop to order the same thing. I decide to stop and wait for her, and I see that she orders plain yougurt w/honey and just a little bit of granola. This of course makes me think twice about my peach yougurt, also w/honey, but then filled to the brim w/strawberries, pinapples, granola, and bananas. I mean there is a special kind of disdain for someone who can make you feel guilty about your 'healthy' eating choice. Another one of my co-workers, skinny chick, is also trying to lose weight. She can't possibly be more tha 110lbs dripping wet, but she isn't very curvy (read: no booty). I'm thinking that she wants to lose inches in her waist in order to have more of an hour glass figure. Either way, she orders a grilled salmon salad for lunch and complains that it was too big. Now she's going to have to cut back on dinner and put in a few extra minutes on the treadmill. WHAT!?!?! I'm looking at my salad thinking "I really should get a fruit cup or something with this b/c I'ma be starving by dinner." I just keep hearing Monique screaming "Skinny b!t@hes are evil!!!". You just can't keep up with them. Anyway, I'm not going to worry myself over it. Starving myself has never been the goal, and I'd rather be fat than on the East African diet plan. I'ma just keeping doing what I'm doing, which is a huge improvement from what I was doing. However, the next time that you see a skinny chick order a half a chicken wing...just knock her on the head for me ;-)
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
1st Things 1st: The Goals and The Plan
So I bet that most of you are wondering what my specific intentions are and exactly how I plan to accomplish them. So am I. No, no no, I'm just kidding. Of course I have goals and a plan in mind.
To begin with I am looking to lose 25lbs. According to what doctors say is a healthy weight for my age and height, 175lbs is the max that I should weigh. So to begin with, I'm setting this as my current target weight. Now what does 25lbs really coorespond to? This I do not know. They say that 10lbs is a dress size, which would put me into a size 9/10. I'm not so sure that this is right, but since 175 this is a healthy weight, then this is what I'm going to aim for. From there, I'll take a look at the physical appearance and decide if a new weight loss goal needs to be set, or if I just want to work to maintain the current weight.
I think that the 1st step to good health is a regular exercise program. Currently (for the past week - its still early folks) I've been working out 6 days a week for about 30 mins. This is what I am hoping to maintain until I can tell if any adjustments need to be made. I alternate cardio and strength training each day using a set of 10 strength exercises that I found in Fitness Magazine and an eliptical machine or treadmill. After a month I plan to re-assess and decide if I need to switch strength exercises, increase the amount of cardio, or maintain the same program. While I am out of town, I have ample access to a cardio studio. However, when I return home, then I will need to join a gym inorder to maintain this phase of my workout. I am excited about this, though, because it will open up a whole new set of cardio options like aerobics, pilates, dance, raquetball, and water aerobics.
Now for the dietary changes, the part we love to hate. Essentially I am setting aside the following: fried foods, red meat, sweets, foods w/heavy sauces & grease, refined flour (mostly, non-whole wheat breads and pasta), pop, and most alcohol (I think everyone deserves 1 drink/week). It sounds restrictive, but its not. It sounds permanent, but its not. I've found that there are quite a few food choices outside of this list, and once I have reached my weightloss goals and truly gotten in the habit of making healthy food choices, then I allow myself to indulge in small amounts (1/month for example). For right now, a typical day's meals would be the following: Breakfast - fruit and yougurt parfait w/glass of Cranberry juice (100% juice if possible); Lunch - grilled chicken sandwich w/veggies; Afternoon Snack - 100 calorie pack; Dinner - grilled salmon salad. Plus lots and lots of water. Of course it's not the same combo everyday, but you get the picture.
So there you have it folks. There's the plan. I'm going to push forward this week, and hopefully I'll be a pound or two lighter or an inch or to smaller next week.
So I bet that most of you are wondering what my specific intentions are and exactly how I plan to accomplish them. So am I. No, no no, I'm just kidding. Of course I have goals and a plan in mind.
To begin with I am looking to lose 25lbs. According to what doctors say is a healthy weight for my age and height, 175lbs is the max that I should weigh. So to begin with, I'm setting this as my current target weight. Now what does 25lbs really coorespond to? This I do not know. They say that 10lbs is a dress size, which would put me into a size 9/10. I'm not so sure that this is right, but since 175 this is a healthy weight, then this is what I'm going to aim for. From there, I'll take a look at the physical appearance and decide if a new weight loss goal needs to be set, or if I just want to work to maintain the current weight.
I think that the 1st step to good health is a regular exercise program. Currently (for the past week - its still early folks) I've been working out 6 days a week for about 30 mins. This is what I am hoping to maintain until I can tell if any adjustments need to be made. I alternate cardio and strength training each day using a set of 10 strength exercises that I found in Fitness Magazine and an eliptical machine or treadmill. After a month I plan to re-assess and decide if I need to switch strength exercises, increase the amount of cardio, or maintain the same program. While I am out of town, I have ample access to a cardio studio. However, when I return home, then I will need to join a gym inorder to maintain this phase of my workout. I am excited about this, though, because it will open up a whole new set of cardio options like aerobics, pilates, dance, raquetball, and water aerobics.
Now for the dietary changes, the part we love to hate. Essentially I am setting aside the following: fried foods, red meat, sweets, foods w/heavy sauces & grease, refined flour (mostly, non-whole wheat breads and pasta), pop, and most alcohol (I think everyone deserves 1 drink/week). It sounds restrictive, but its not. It sounds permanent, but its not. I've found that there are quite a few food choices outside of this list, and once I have reached my weightloss goals and truly gotten in the habit of making healthy food choices, then I allow myself to indulge in small amounts (1/month for example). For right now, a typical day's meals would be the following: Breakfast - fruit and yougurt parfait w/glass of Cranberry juice (100% juice if possible); Lunch - grilled chicken sandwich w/veggies; Afternoon Snack - 100 calorie pack; Dinner - grilled salmon salad. Plus lots and lots of water. Of course it's not the same combo everyday, but you get the picture.
So there you have it folks. There's the plan. I'm going to push forward this week, and hopefully I'll be a pound or two lighter or an inch or to smaller next week.
Welcome All!
This year, like so many years before, I am turning over a new leaf . I have decided to make my weight and my health a priority and make a serious chenge in my lifestyle. Like most other Americans I've realized that I haven't had the healthiest habits over the last several years. I've been intending to exercise reguarly and eat better. Yet each year, I've been successful only at finding excuses not to work out and allowing myself the occassional (read: daily) indulgence in hamburgers, friend chicken wings, pizza, candy, bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches, ice cream and pretty much any other treat that my heart desired. Over the last two years I have seen myself tip the scales at 200lbs. Luckily I am a good 5'11' barefoot and do not look like what we'd consider to be a big (read: fat) girl. Nevertheless, I have little business at the beach in a bikini, and a size 14 (knocking on 16) is just that whether you're tall or short. Therefore, I've decided to keep this blog as sort of my conscience. Essentially, I am hoping that it will give me some accountability during this transiton; helping to keep me on the road of daily work outs and wise food choices. Wish me luck ;-)
This year, like so many years before, I am turning over a new leaf . I have decided to make my weight and my health a priority and make a serious chenge in my lifestyle. Like most other Americans I've realized that I haven't had the healthiest habits over the last several years. I've been intending to exercise reguarly and eat better. Yet each year, I've been successful only at finding excuses not to work out and allowing myself the occassional (read: daily) indulgence in hamburgers, friend chicken wings, pizza, candy, bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches, ice cream and pretty much any other treat that my heart desired. Over the last two years I have seen myself tip the scales at 200lbs. Luckily I am a good 5'11' barefoot and do not look like what we'd consider to be a big (read: fat) girl. Nevertheless, I have little business at the beach in a bikini, and a size 14 (knocking on 16) is just that whether you're tall or short. Therefore, I've decided to keep this blog as sort of my conscience. Essentially, I am hoping that it will give me some accountability during this transiton; helping to keep me on the road of daily work outs and wise food choices. Wish me luck ;-)
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