I don’t really have much to report, I feel like each day is getting better than the day before, but it’s hard. Every day seems to be a struggle.
Sorry for the woe is me post today, just feeling a bit down I guess.
Starting Weight: 217.8
Current Weight: 215.2
Total Loss: -2.6
My goals for this week is to just make each day better than the day before. Cut out the fast food and diet coke and find a way to exercise and stick with it.
If there’s one thing I miss about Weight Watchers, it’s the weekly accountability of weighing in at the center. Just the fact that at the end of the week, I was going to weigh in was usually enough to keep me on track and stay motivated. Once I left Weight Watchers, I stopped weighing myself weekly and even though last week I challenged myself to get on track with exercise again…I took a spring break along with my two kids. I needed a break from the blog, the laptop, counting calories and exercise minutes and obsessing over what foods I was going to or not going to eat. The break was much needed. I know what I need to do and I’m ready to go for it. Unfortunately, I also put on about 4lbs, which I could blame on the reese’s eggs, but I know it was a combination of many things.
This post is so hard for me to write today, I’ve been composing it in my head for a few days now, but keep hesitating to publish. I used to be so active, now it seems most days doing laundry and dishes is active as it gets. I am pretty disgusted that my life revolves around the TV and the DVR. I am home all day with my 4 year old who is really easy going and pretty much entertains himself and does his own thing; apparently I don’t play cars the “right” way. I used to be the person who was on the go all day long, trying to squeeze in workouts and outside walks whenever I could, and lately it seems I can’t be bothered to do more than 30 minutes a day. I don’t want to be this person anymore. I want to push myself when I work out, squeeze in exercise whenever I can during the day and most importantly…remove the Jen shaped imprint off the couch.
I have the best intentions at heart, but have the follow through of nothing. I don’t know what my issue has been. I know how to work hard, I know that I want to change, so why am I not changing? It comes down to one thing; laziness. I seem to run away from hard work lately and it’s showing in everything I do. I’ve been putting off everything until the very last second and I hate myself for it. I deserve better, my kids deserve better, my husband deserves better.
So, starting with this week’s weigh in (which I did yesterday morning), I will be weighing in and posting a weekly weigh in.
Starting Weight: 217.8
Current Weight: 217.8
Loss:
Total Loss:
As for my goals this week, since I really didn’t put in much effort for exercise last week, my goals are the same as they were.
270 minutes and burn a minimum of 2100 calories.
For those who don’t know about Mamavation:
Mamavation™ is a online docudrama and weight loss support group for moms in social media. It’s both a campaign and Virtual Sorority™ in one.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Mamavation Sistahood, Mondays is the day to pledge. Here are instructions if you want (and you should!) to pledge: http://www.mamavation.com/how-to-pledge
This week’s mamavation post is all about goals, and I need some re-direction and a re-evaluation on goals for myself, so I’m excited about this post. Instead of concentrating on month long goals, it’s easier for me to stick to week long challenges for myself.
My goals this week are to exercise for at least 270 minutes and burn a minimum of 2100 calories.
This month is a very difficult and emotional month for me, next week on the 10th was my Dad’s birthday and the 13th is the 2 year anniversary of his death. Such a hard week.
Last year I let myself sink into a pretty deep depression around this time, and I’m determined not to let that happen this year. I know that the best way to honor my Dad and his memory is to continue living my life in a way that would make him proud. I will also be running/walking a 5K in June in his memory.
I joined the 2 Week Challenge for Mamavation and it started yesterday, but we’ll get to that in a minute.
My day started off meeting with a personal trainer at the gym and I learned that I’m trying to do too much too soon and I’m headed for burnout. I was wearing my heart rate monitor and after about 9 minutes on the arc trainer, she stopped it and my heart was beating so totally out of control, she made me get off. We then headed to the recumbent bike and then to the treadmills and even though I was going really slow {to me} on both of those machines, my heart rate was SO much better and I had a really good workout. I told her that I lost all of my weight before using the elliptical and didn’t understand why I couldn’t use the arc this time. She asked what my weight was before, and I told her when I started using the elliptical I was about 180 lbs, she then broke my little heart by telling me that I’m currently 30lbs heavier than that and it’s just too much for my body to handle, but if I alternate the treadmill and the bike, I’ll be able to work my way up to using the Arc. She also showed me a bunch of the various weight machines that I should use and I’m really excited about moving forward!!
As for the 2 Week Challenge, I’m doing the beginner version, and it’s still pretty brutal for me!! Today’s workout was called Down to the Core and you better believe I worked down to the core! I’ve never done timed planks before, and I wasn’t sure I could hold the side versions, but I did it!!! Here are my starting weight and measurements, I’m excited to see where I’ll be at the end of this.
Starting Weight: 214.8
Waist: 42.8”
Hips: 49”
Thighs: 25”
Breakfast this morning was a new favorite, hard boiled eggs with toast
A Banana
And a mug of hot lemon water
In the world’s cutest cup, how can you not smile when you look at this?
“What food did you think was good, but discovered that it’s not?”
When I first decided I needed to lose weight, it was in 2007, my youngest at the time was 2 and seeing pictures of myself from Christmas and her birthday party sent me in a tail spin, I couldn’t believe how much I had let myself go. I really had no idea where or how to start. I got a gym membership and started using the treadmill and sticking to 1200 calories a day. Imagine my surprise when nothing happened. My weight never changed, except to go up and I didn’t know why. I was only eating 1200 calories per day, but most of those were from my McDonald’s breakfasts, romaine lettuce with oil and vinegar for lunch and soft tacos from Taco Bell for dinner…not to mention the gallons of Diet Coke I was drinking all day long ( they were 0 calories after all!!) and anything that was labeled “diet” or “fat free” I thought was what I needed to be eating or drinking. It wasn’t until I started pushing myself at the gym, drinking water instead of diet coke and eating whole, real, unprocessed foods that the weight started coming off. I was amazed at how much MORE food I could eat and how much better I felt when I stayed away from things in boxes, wrappers or anything from a drive thru.
I packed my breakfast, lunch and two snacks for myself for work every day and that was it. Trying to lose weight this time around is SO much harder, but prepping makes the difference. I went to the store this morning to stock up for the week and I’m currently prepping vegetables, fruits and protein sources for the week so I can just grab from the fridge and eat. And, I’m no longer replenishing my Diet Pepsi stash. This is going to be the tough one…
“This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”
It’s been so long since I’ve posted a Mamavation Monday post, I had someone check on me last week asking if I was coming back. It has also been one month since I pretty much gave up. I gained a lot of weight starting a birth control pill and then when I went off of it, I started my period the following day, then had about a week and then had the worst PMS, bloating and a real period that started shortly after that. I spent most of last week on the couch not able to move, because every time I did…it was bad news. I gave in to too much the last month or so and have just been way too easy on myself. It all came to a point last night when my mom and husband pretty much told me I have to do something. I have been loosely trying, but whenever it gets tough, I give up and give in to old / bad habits and it has to stop.
I am loving my gym membership and it’s the best money I’ve spent in a very long time, but as the saying goes “You can’t out train a bad diet.” I put that theory to the test, and it’s true…so very true. I’ve basically wasted my time at the gym the past couple of weeks – and I didn’t go at all last week – because I have been eating like absolute CRAP every single day. I’ve been so embarassed to do anything, because I have gained back everything I lost when I was on weight watchers…and more. In all fairness, I just weighed myself, I’m dressed, have already had two meals today…but no more excuses. It is what it is, and it’s not pretty.
Just in case you can’t read that, it says 215.8 which is horrifying. I can’t believe this. I hate the way I feel. I’m out of breath, I’m exhausted all the time, I eat like crap, I drink way too much diet coke, I hardly drink water, I eat too much fast food and not enough vegetables.
And I just realized I have on two different socks. Awesome.
I have made a choice to go on a Dr. approved program. For the next 7 days, I’m supposed to add in two cups of vegetables to lunch and dinner and also add in fresh fruits as well. I’m also supposed to drink at least 64oz of water and keep exercising. Next week, I will start the official program which concentrates on lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats. The best part is that, it requires little to no thinking on my part. I will be given a list of foods to eat and a list of foods to eat in moderation. I will be given meal plans and a shopping list as well. I used to think that a plan that told me what to eat, how much, etc would drive me crazy, but I have realized it’s exactly what I need. The absolute hardest part for me right now is to be surrounded by foods, and I love the simplicity of being able to prep all of my food for a week and just grab what I need to eat at any point during the day.
And now for the Mamavation Monday question for today!
What steps have you made so far this year to improve your quality of life?
I joined a gym a few weeks ago and I’m working on the eating portion of losing weight. I realize that no matter how hard I work out, I need to control my eating as well.
“This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”
Things were going so well. Thanksgiving came and I actually did really well that day, I did a 5K that morning, ate what I wanted, but not too much on
Thanksgiving and was feeling on top of the world…then Friday – Monday
happened. We were insanely busy, kids were off school for 6 days and I ate too
many meals out and stopped worrying about points and anything else. Once my kids
went back to school on Tuesday and life went back to normal, i tried SO hard to
get back on track all week, but I struggled. Big time. Not being able to attend
my meeting last Saturday (kids were in a Christmas parade) really threw me off
as well and I felt “off” all week long. I was able to attend my meeting this
morning and I finally feel back in control. This WILL be a better week!!!
Last Weigh In: 202.4
Current Weight: 203.6
Loss: +1.2
Total Loss: -9.2
I have been thinking about what I want to do for exercise and after watching a DVD this morning, one sentence really spoke out to me. She basically said if you are out of shape and overweight, this program will be tough, but if you’re ready to change your life, stop babying yourself and be the best person you can be…go for it!
So that’s what I’m going to do! I have plenty of easy workout DVD’s that I could do, but I want a challenge. I want to say at the end of 90 days, I did it. I accomplished it.
This week’s Mamavation Monday post is about holiday shopping.
When it comes to holiday shopping, how do you make sure you stick to your budget ?
This one is pretty easy for me. We don’t have a lot of money, we have enough, but not a lot for extras. So, there is a very strict budget and I don’t have to worry about sticking to it, because when it’s gone, it’s gone. No other way around it.
For me, the Christmas season is just that. The season. From November – January, I love it all. The sights, decorations, smells, music, everything! Most people have a countdown to Christmas, but not me. I don’t want Christmas Day to actually arrive, because that means the season is over.
“This post is sponsored by Reflect It Apparel and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women”
I missed last week’s mamavation monday, but I’m pretty excited for this post today!
Last Week: 206.4
Current Weight: 202.4
Loss: -.4
Total Loss: -10.4
What an awesome week! I’m finally feeling like I have a handle on things, I’m no longer starving all day long and thinking about food constantly, fast food doesn’t tempt me as much anymore and I find myself craving vegetables and foods that are actually good for me! It’s an amazing feeling!!
This week’s Mamavation Monday post is all about Thanksgiving.
What is your plan to avoid overindulging during holiday feasts?
This is something I have been thinking about since my meeting on Saturday and I think I’m ready to put it into words. For so many years, I treated Thanksgiving like a week long eating festival. But not this year. This year I’m ready for it mentally. Thanksgiving is not a week long celebration of all out eating. It is one meal on one day. I will be running (well, more walking than running) a 5K Thursday morning and will be having a normal breakfast and lunch before indulging in some Thanksgiving goodness. My favorite part about Thanksgiving is the stuffing. Anything else I can do without. I plan on having a single plate with the things I want most and the things that I only have on Thanksgiving.
I plan on enjoying the day with my family and friends and remembering everything I’m truly thankful for.
And remember this when other foods are tempting…
“This post is sponsored by Eco-foil and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women“
First things first, the weekly weigh in!
Last Week: 205.2
Saturday: 203.8
Loss: -1.4
Total Loss: -9
I’m also a mere 1.6lbs away from meeting my first goal; losing 5% of my weight. I’m hoping to make it by next Saturday and I’m well on my way to my 2nd goal; to be 199 or lower by January 1st.
Today’s Mamavation Monday post is How has Type II diabetes affected your life?
When I was pregnant with each of my 3 children, I had gestational diabetes and was told I was at a greater risk of developing diabetes later in life because of that. Given the fact that diabetes runs rampant in my family, it’s always been in the back of my mind. About a month ago, I went in for a Dr. appointment and was told with no amount of uncertainty that I was facing some serious health risks if I didn’t get my weight, blood pressure and heartrate under control. The very next morning I joined Weight Watchers and it was the best decision I have ever made. My weight loss isn’t rapid, I’m averaging a 1.8lb loss per week, but I’m thrilled and can’t wait to see what the next year will bring.
“This post is sponsored by Better’n Eggs and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women“”
Last Week: 207.4
This Week: 207
Loss: -.4
Total Loss: -5.8
I wish I could be happy about this, but I’m not. I really don’t want to be spending as much money as it costs to be on WW to lose less than 1/2 a pound a week. I know the program works, it’s worked for me before. I lost 50lbs in about 6 months in 2007, and when I did it before I was losing 3-4lbs per week and was in the best shape that I had been in, for years. I loved everything about what I was doing. So what’s changed?
#1: I was working in an office full time back then and now I’m a full time stay at home mom. I used to pack my breakfast, lunch and two snacks and that was all there was to eat. Now, I’m home all day surrounded by food. It’s a LOT harder.
#2. I had a gym membership. I was at the gym monday-friday from 4:30am-6am. I ran 4 miles every morning and then would use the free weights for about 30 minutes. I don’t have that luxury this time. Instead, I have DVD’s to do at home, but let me tell you, it’s a lot easier to stay in bed some mornings and since I’m not driving to a gym, it’s easier to not do anything some days. I’m focusing on one workout at a time right now. I won’t be running anytime soon, but when I first started back then, it was all I could do to walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes.
So, I’m going back to basics. I am going back to eating how I was back then. At that time, they had a Flex plan and a Core plan. I counted points, but if the foods weren’t listed on the Core foods list, I didn’t eat it. This time with the Points Plus program, they have a Power Foods list. I’m armed with it to go to the grocery store, and if foods aren’t on that list, I’m not eating them.
I’m sick of drinking my weight in Diet coke. It’s time to break up with Diet Crack and concentrate on drinking my weight in water instead 
And now, for some Mamavation Monday!
How would you brand your health and wellness lifestyle? How do you want others to know you in this area?
I want to show other people that losing weight CAN be done without breaking the bank. You don’t have to invest a ton of money to be successful. I want to show other moms that taking time for ourselves is important and our health is just as important as our family members.
“This post is sponsored by New Balance and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women“”
I am feeling so inspired and committed this morning, it will be a great week!!! I love Mondays, a clean slate for something fabulous to happen!!
