Frustration = Motivation?

Let me start off by apologizing to any skinny person that may have read my post from yesterday and was offended. I wasn't trying to be ugly. I know we all have self image issues whether or not we are skinny or lubby. Skinny people seem to have it so easy. Eat what you want and not worry about it. If you gain a pound or two, no big deal.  Lubolicious people have to think about everything we eat...whether it be good or bad.  No one stares at a skinny person if they scarf down a quarter pounder with cheese, but hand it over to a person of lubbyness and everyone stares and thinks "How gross, they should be eating a salad!".  That's all I was saying......people don't scrutinize what a skinny person eats. For people who are of the hefty nature, everything we eat is scrutinized.  Anyhooooo.........

I have recently gotten back on the treadmill along with eating rabbit food healthier meals.

 Last night after we came home from my son's game, I was a little frustrated for various reasons. It was later than I would have liked, but I got my butt on that treadmill to run out some of my frustration and it helped a lot.  I warmed up for 5 min (about .25mi) and then just started running. Set my pace and kept trucking on.  When I looked down I had run to 1.25 miles which means that I ran a full mile without stopping. I was so excited! I walked for a little bit and then ran a little bit more until I reached 2 miles.  By this point it was probably 10:00p so I decided to stop. It sure did feel good! I woke up today and before I had eaten anything (except a banana), wanted to get on the treadmill to run some more. Wait, WHAT??  Did I just say what I think I just said?  ;)  

Again, I warmed up for 5 min, set my pace and started running.  This morning I ran to 1.50 miles, which means I actually ran 1.25 miles without stopping. YA HOO!!  Kept my mind focused on a few things and before I knew it, I was there.  Seems like it went by so fast. For the last .25 miles (to 2 miles) I put the treadmill on an incline of 6 and worked it!  I could feel the burning in my legs and it actually was a good burn.

It's kind of amazing when you focus on something in particular instead of just randomly thinking while exercising.  Will have to do that more often!

Question: Does it matter what time of day you walk/run?  Is there a better time as far as burning the most calories? Or is it all personal preference?

Hope you guys are having a wonderful day! Mine has been good so far! :)

Skinny Girl Is a'Screamin'

That's what I said.  The skinny girl in me is fighting so hard to come out.

 I am constantly surrounded by skinny people.  The ballpark, the store, fast food places, the mall and even David's Bridal.  Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of meaty people at those places too, but I only seem to notice the skinny ones.  It's almost irritating.  Whenever I see or are around skinny people, it just reminds me of what I am not.  Being around overweight people isn't so bad because there will always be someone who is more hefty than me so in turn that makes me feel a little bit better about myself because I can say "thank goodness I am not as big as that person."  I know, that's not nice to say but it's the truth.  Who doesn't think that way too? If you don't than you are lying.

Something else that I find irritating......which I shouldn't , but do is when I hear skinny people gripe and complain that they need to lose weight. Seriously???  Ooooohhhh so you had one too many fiber one bars or an extra cookie. Big deal!  You'll probably burn that off just walking back to your chair or as in a fiber one bar.......flatulate those extra calories out. LOL! If you don't know what I'm talking about, grab you a few of those yummy bars and you'll know exactly what I mean. Anyway,  I understand that skinny people want to stay skinny and I guess if they feel a little off by an extra pound or two, then that makes them physically feel bad or "fat", but try having an extra 80lbs on you and trying to walk away from that extra cookie.  It's very hard to do.  One more won't hurt right???  Especially if you are addicted to sweets. *Ahem*....not saying I am or anything........

Ok, enough with my complaining about skinny people.  They really have it so easy and just don't know it. 

I am happy to report that I am back on the wagon. In total, I have gained back about 5 of the 15 I lost.  I absolutely hate how I worked so hard to get those off and in turn gained them back sooo quickly. DARN YOU FOOD!  If I didn't have to have it to survive, I might just skip it altogether.  BUT,  I have already lost a few of those pounds that I gained back. I have really been watching what I eat and have been on the treadmill.  I am determined.  To be totally  honest, this roller coaster ride is no fun.  I hate scrutinizing what I put in my mouth (even though I have indulged in a small Baby Ruth or cookie from time to time) every time I eat, but that is what is essential for me to do.  I must do this and do it literally minute by minute.

 I sort of feel like a smoker in the sense that they are used to the habit of holding a cigarette up to their mouth and participating in the act of smoking. For me, it's the constant need to have something in my mouth. It's hard to explain but just like when you open a can of  DDP or whatever carbonated drink you like and you take that first initial sip and the burn hits your mouth. I love that! Or the crunchiness of a few RF Pringles crunching in your mouth.  That's what I crave.   I keep gum on hand just for that reason.  For the feeling of needing something in my mouth all the time.  I know I have issues. ;)

I had my daughter take a picture of myself the other day in my workout clothes.  Wow.  I was so disgusted.  See, I really don't see myself the way I must look to others. I blame the mirror in my bathroom. When I look at myself in that mirror, I see someone who needs to lose weight but it's not an extreme amount. But when I see myself in a department store mirror, I really am shocked  because I think those mirrors really do show you how you look. I don't know if it's the lighting or something about the mirror, but I always get depressed when trying on clothes at a store because then, I am hit with the reality of  how overweight I really am.  I see the scale and know it too, but my eyes don't see what you all see. 

Well, I'm back to trying to get the skinny girl out.  We will see. It will be a day by day process, but I am going to really try again. 

If you are still reading this blog and haven't given up on me totally, please say a prayer for me.  I would really, really, really appreciate it.  Thank you.

Loves!!

Done? Over It? Don't Think So!

Wow! Seriously, a month and a half? It's been that long?  We've been so busy that time really is flying by!

At last count, I had lost about 15 pounds.  I've fallin' off the wagon so to speak.....sort of.  Who didn't see THAT coming??? LOL! 

After I ran those two miles, I couldn't seem to do it again and I got really discouraged. So discouraged that I just kinda felt like.....what's the point?   I know, crazy but hey, I'm human.  That's the thing about trying to lose weight. It's an up and down roller coaster ride. Some parts are more fun than others. I guess I'm just weak and get discouraged very easily. In fact, I know I do. 

Well, I weighed in this morning. Haven't done that in a while, but I did.  I have gained back between 3-4 pounds but I feel like it is way more.  Funny how just a few stupid measly little pounds can make you feel like you've gained 20 pounds. 

I have had a lot of things going on in my life the last few months and have been under A LOT of stress and through that I have come to realize that I am an emotional eater.  Eating doesn't require emotion. It's the numbness of stress that causes the reaction. Sadly, I will admit that there are times when I am not even hungry and may go as far as to say that I might be full, but because of stress, I find something to do with my hands and unfortunately it's been to grab food. I have tried to make food be my comfort.  That is NOT ok! I guess it's the same for those that smoke. It then becomes a habit and therefore is what you go to when you are dealing with any kind of emotion.

I am trying to change that. I'm trying to change the fact that I run to food for comfort instead of Jesus. He is my only comforter and in Him, I should take refuge.  He is working in me on that! I am a work in progress until He returns which will complete me and make me whole.  To Him I must run. Not food!

Exciting things are also going on around me and so I've got to get back on the journey that I started.  I'm on a timeline! We have been so busy that by the time I think about doing what I know I should be doing, I'm tired and you know what happens....motivation is almost non existent. I'm trying to get back to that.

I actually did get on the treadmill today. I walked/ran a mile and a half.  It's not alot, I know, but I gotta start somewhere.  I also lifted some weights and did about 80 situps. I might have actually done 100, but at one point I was so into my praise music that I lost count!!  AMEN???

Thank you to those that have sent me messages on FB checking on me and encouraging me!! It really means so much to me. Please pray for me. Pray that I will not let discouragement get me down. I can do this remember?? Yes, Yes, I can because I'M WINNING! HAHAHAHAAAA!  Ok , SORRY, I couldn't help but do that.

Love you precious friends!! :)

Hello...Hello...

Is this thing still on??  I know some of you must think I have given up already? Come on...be honest!!

Good news, I haven't given up.  I have been taking a break.  You are probably thinking WHAT?? Let me explain.

After I ran the two miles on week 6 of Couch to 5K, I tried to start on week 7 and I couldn't do it. Talk about feeling like a failure.  Here I was coming off a high of running two miles straight, and now I couldn't do it again. So, I decided to take a break from the running and I haven't started back yet.  I have been watching what I eat but I will admit that I have slipped some. I have not necessarily gotten back into old habits, but I've been slacking a little. I hope that doesn't make me look bad. 

I know that I've got to get back to being strict with myself and disciplined, but I really just needed a break.  I was worrying about it way too much. Worrying about what others thought of me and that's just not what I should be doing. I should be trusting God and relying on His help to make good eating choices and to get back to exercising.  I weighed myself on the week of March 7-11 and I had lost another pound so that made a total of 13 pounds. YAY! 

Last week was Spring break and I decided to not weigh myself. I think I was more afraid to so I skipped it.  BUT I did weigh myself this morning and it said I was down 2 more pounds.  Double YAYNESS!! So that makes a total of 15 pounds to date! I am excited even though when I look at myself in the mirror, I still see  my lubby self.  I don't really notice any change.  I will one day I guess!  So that's my story for now. I'm hoping to get back to week 7 when I'm ready. Maybe I am scaring myself into thinking that I can't do it.  Still watching what I am eating for the most part. Got to get back to being more strict!

Thanks so much to those of you who have actually stayed with me and have been checking to see if I've updated.  Please keep the prayers going! I really need them.

I hope each of you are doing well and enjoying the blessing of life that God has given you!! It's a beautiful day outside today and I'm enjoying the fragrance of His creation as I drive around with my sunroof open.

Loves! 

:)

Back to the Grind

 I can't tell ya'll enough how overwhelmed but excited I was that I ran two whole miles on Friday!!! I was so nervous about that day, but I did it!!  We were very busy this weekend so I didn't have the time to get on the treadmill. I kinda missed it.  It's all good though because it just gave my muscles some time to rest.  I pretty much stuck to the diet as well. We celebrated Bud's 7th birthday this weekend  so I ate Chinese (gasp) and did have some cake but I tried not to overdo it too bad.  I'm afraid that if I restricted myself too too much then I might binge so I allow myself to have some extra leeway. 

I can't remember if I mentioned this sometime last week but I did get a new scale. It's the dial kind. I did not weigh myself yesterday but I did this morning and I had lost another 2 pounds!! So that's a total of 12 pounds. Yipee!! 

I wasn't able to start week 6 yesterday on the Cto5K but I'm going to start that today.  Here's what I'll be working on:

Week 6 Day 1

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
•Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
•Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
•Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
•Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
•Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Week 6 Day 2

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
•Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
•Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
•Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)

Week 6 Day 3

Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.


Just like the Little Engine That Could.... I think I can, I think I can, I think I can........I CAN DO IT!!!

It is a beautiful day outside! Hope each of you have a blessed day! :)

Toot Toot and A Sack of Taters

Tooting my horn here!

 I can't tell you enough how glad I am that today is over in the Cto5K program. Today I was to walk briskly for 5 minutes and then run 2 miles....straight....with no walking! I was dreading it. My awesome sister reminded me to not doubt myself because if I did then I would not be able to do it. 

I was trying to put it off as long as I could but with my schedule for today, I knew I had to hurry up and get on the treadmill.  I stretched really good and asked God to please give me the strength I needed to get through today.  I turned up the ipod and started walking. All was good and then the time came....4:57....4:58...4:59 and then BOOM, there it was.....the 5 minute mark. I started on a slow pace and just started jogging.  I didn't look down at the mileage or the time because I knew that if I glanced at it and the numbers were lower that what I thought they should be, then I would just get discouraged.  I ran and ran and ran. The lower calve muscle on my left leg started to hurt so I started focusing on the words of the songs I was listening to at that time.  When I focus on the words.....I'm not focusing on the pain.  And when I say pain, it's just a pain that feels like it's cramping and I need to stretch it out more.

The first time I glanced at the mileage it said 1.36 miles. I knew I had to keep going so I just kept jogging.  I looked down a few more times just to see where I was at......1.61 miles, 1.88 miles and then 1.99. I thought YES, I'M DONE, but really I wasn't . See, when I walked the five minute warm up, it took me to .25 so I knew that if I was going to actually do 2 whole miles, then I needed to go to 2.25 miles so I asked God to help me get through that and I told myself that I could do it.  I also remember thinking about the Bible verse, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31)  How awesome that God reminded me of that verse!

I got to 2.25 miles and slowed the treadmill down. I couldn't believe it!! I had just run 2 miles!!!!  The song that I was listening to went off and another one came on. I didn't want to listen to that one so I advanced a song and it was a song called "Deliver Me" by Selah.  I immediately burst into tears!! I had actually done what I didn't think I could do and this song was telling exactly what I was feeling......HE delivered me! I was so overcome with emotion so I just raised my hands and praised God for helping me get through that!  I kept on until I had reached 3 miles and burned 640 calories!  My legs felt so heavy when I was done but that was ok!!  I got off the treadmill and then did 100 sit ups.....5 sets of 20.  I was sweating so hard and so much and was so glad that today's workout was over. It was a good glad! Yayness!!!

I did buy a new scale this week....not a digital one though and when I weighed myself again it said that I was 1 pound lighter! SOOOO that means that I have lost a 10lb sack of taters! Hee-hee!  And actually it kept teeter tottering back and forth between the 10lb and 11lb mark, but I'll stick with the 10lbs! I'm excited. I feel like I have worked really hard for those ten lubs to come off.  I think my body has figured out what I'm doing and it wants to hold onto my lubs instead of saying goodbye to them. BUT I WILL DO IT!!! Even if it takes a while!   

Here is the song I was listening to called "Deliver Me". Please just close your eyes and listen to it. It's  so powerful!!!  AND don't forget to "pause" the music in the sidebar ------> first!!!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend sweet friends! Again, thank you ALL for your encouragement! :)

It's Monday...Weigh In Day

So I weighed in this morning and my scale showed that I weighed the exact same as last week which means I didn't gain any (thank goodness) but I hadn't lost any either.  It's hard for me to believe that. I called two of my four in the bathroom so they could get on the scale and see how much they weighed and the scale wouldn't even register them. Nothing....no numbers or anything. So I'm kinda wondering if something is wrong with the scale.  It's a digital scale but I'm thinking I might just go buy me one of those older kinds......you know , the ones with the roller round number thingy and the irritating red line on it.  We'll see. I may re-weigh in tomorrow morning to see what it says and a friend also suggested that I change my weigh in day. Things I'm pondering. 

I've had several of you tell me that you have started doing the Couch to 5K Running Program too! That's exciting! Reminds me that I am not alone while doing this!! We'll be online running buddies! LOL!
I finished Week 4 Day 3, lifted weights and did 100 sit ups on Saturday and took yesterday completely off. I didn't do any type of exercise whatsoever and it was nice to rest.

Today, I'll start Week 5. It looks really intimidating. Here's what I'll be working on:

Day 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

Day 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:

• Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
• Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)

Day 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.

TWO MILES by the third day?  Oh dear Lord, please help me get through that!  It should be interesting!

I'll let you know how I do!  :)

Weigh In Day....Yesterday

So I've slacked on the blogging....I know. But, in my defense I have been sick.  Not the pukey kind of sick but the watery eyes, hacking cough, stuffy but at the same time runny nose sick, and let's not forget the headaches and the part where my eyes feel like I have rolled them around in a big bowl of sand kind of sick. Today I feel like I have a pitch fork stuck in my face. Nice huh?  :/

Yesterday was weigh in day for me and I'll just go ahead and say it....I was bummed. I had gained a pound. I know I have been watching what I eat except for that one day last week, but I know for a fact that I didn't go crazy and I didn't eat an extra 3500 calories (3500 calories = 1lb).  Sooo, David thinks that I could have gained a pound in muscle. I've been lifting weights on the same days that I do the Cto5K program so that's three days a week. I have also not been drinking the water like I should. I am at least getting in the 64 ounces I need but I guess I need to go back to drinking the ounces of half my body weight.  A friend of mine also reminded me that the "gained" pound could be because of different factors like water retention or stress or just whatever so that made me feel a little better.  OR I could just have a pound of snot in my head...yeah that's it right? ;)

Sooo, I think I am going to try something different.  I'm going to try to get in my carbs during the day and not have them at night.  That was something the consultants told me to do when I was doing LA Weight Loss a few years ago.  My body is weird. I have always had sugar "spill" over into my urine and everytime I go to the Dr. they freak out because of it.  I was tested as a child for diabetes but I didn't have it. I did have gestational diabetes with all four of my babies and was even on insulin for three of them. So obviously my body doesn't do whatever it is supposed to do in regards to carbs and sugar. I have been told that I am pre-diabetic so maybe losing some weight will help in that.

I am also going to re-start week 4 in the Cto5K program.  Because of not feeling well and two days last week where I was just blah....I didn't do the 3rd day, so I'm just going to re-start that week again this week and hopefully go from there. 

Please say a prayer that this terrible, no good day kind of cold will go away.

Because my face doesn't "feel" very happy to say have a happy day, I'll just say "Have a Day Ya'll"! :)

Let's Dance!

Zumba style! I went to my first Zumba class today with my friend, Heather, at a local Y! I was so intimidated when I first walked in. All you saw was skinniness and beefiness working out at the weights or ellipticals or treadmills.....you get the idea.  I guess I'm more of a private worker outererer. I don't want strangers people watching me in case I look really stupid and uncoordinated. I care too much about what others think....it's a flaw, I know. 

We went into the room, found our spot and the music started. I noticed that there were other people like me in there.  I wasn't the only lubby one. I'm sorry....I know that's not nice. Sooo anyway, the instructor was great! She was full of energy and charisma and you could tell she was having fun! She was very encouraging  to those of us that were newby's.  Heather and I were in the back so I had a hard time keeping up with the footsteps (because I couldn't see the instructor's feet) but for my first time I thought I did just fine.  *This* white girl does have some rhythm and I have always loved to dance. Those of you who've known me for a loooong time....remember the roger rabbit....I kicked it! HAHA!!

Except for the wedgie I got, it really was a fun time and I'm so glad I went. Thank you Heather for inviting me!! :)

On a personal note, I really wanted to say thank you to all of you for your comments and emails on facebook and on here in regards to how I was feeling the last two days.  Trying to lose weight is so very hard especially at my age.  The lubs want to stay with me instead of going away.   I felt guilty for not wanting to get on the treadmill but you guys encouraged me so much by saying it was ok to take a rest day...or two. Thank you so much sweet friends for your prayers also.  I have felt them! Today has been much better and I'm so thankful for the sunshine and the promise of some warmer days this weekend and upcoming week.  I really do think the sunshine makes all the difference!

 Monday is weigh in day and I'm nervous because I didn't work out two days this week, but I have been good with the eating...for the most part. Wednesday I ate just a few more points than I should have but hopefully that won't have ruined me. We'll see on Monday I guess. If I lose some more , than great! If I don't then I'll know to try and work harder.  If I have gained....well then I'll just choose to say that I've gained muscle because I have really been watching what I've been eating.  The battle of the bulge.....it's tough.

Hope you guys have a great weekend! :)

Ok ya'll. I need your prayers. I feel like such a wuss for writing this. I knew this whole trying to lose weight thing would have ups and downs. I just didn't expect them so early on. I know I've only been at this for a few weeks, but I'm struggling. I'm really wanting to cheat and be lazy. I know that gets me nowhere. And I know this weather doesn't help either.  I'm thankful for the snow we got. It is beautiful and God answered my prayers that we would get *some* snow. But the downside to that is that it's so blah outside. Even though the snow is gorgeous to look at, it keeps the motivation factor on the low side.  It's like, all I want to do is just snuggle up and sleep.  I saw this on someone's FB status today and I thought it was cute...."I think I'd like to try this whole hibernating thing...Eat whatever I want. Sleep til Spring. Wake up skinny."  Don't I wish it were that easy! 

 I decided to take a full "rest" day yesterday. I kept up with my points but maybe did have a few extra. :/   I have gotten on the treadmill almost everyday since I started...even if it was just to walk. But yesterday I couldn't ramp up enough motivation to get on it. Maybe it's because I am sleepy. At least one of my children wakes me up every night for something.  Plus, add in my own waking up for whatever reason and you have a restless night's sleep. AND, three of my four youngin's and David have been sick this week so that has kinda worn on me too. I know this low time is an opportunity for the evil one to wear on me. To make me think I can't do this. To tempt me. I don't need that.  So, if you don't mind, please say a prayer for me today. Pray for strength, motivation and my desire for healthiness to be restored.  Those sweet treats are reeeeeally calling out my name and the thought of going in the cold garage to get on the dreadmill (haha Sara B.) is not sounding tooo hot right now. 

Thank you sweet friends! :)

Torture

Yes, that's what I call it.....pure D torture with a capital T!!

I started W4 Day 1 in the Cto5K program today.  I was sooo dreading it too.  I didn't want to do it honestly but I put the two youngest down for a nap, asked God to help me and give me strength, and I got on the torturemill treadmill.  This is what I am working on this week :

Brisk five-minute warm up walk, then:

• Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
• Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
• Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
• Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
• Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)

I was worried about the 5 minute sections. I haven't run that long consecutively....ever.....well maybe in high school when I was a cheerleader or at p.e. , but NEVER as an adult.  A chubby adult at that.

Even though my calve muscles felt like they had 100lb cinder blocks attached to them towards the end, I DID IT!!! And went ahead and did an extra mile too = 3 miles. YAYNESS!!  Thank you Lord! 

Ok, I'm going to crash now.  :)

Happy Day Ya'll!

Weigh In Day

Well, I weighed in this morning and the scale showed.....wait for it....wait for it.....2 more pounds lost!! YIPEE!! So that makes a total of 9 pounds lost!! :)

I completed W3D3 of the Cto5K program yesterday so today is my "rest"day but when my two youngest lay down for a nap, I'm going to get on the treadmill. I have also been doing some weight lifting and killing my stomach  sit ups. When I do my sit ups, I've been holding two 10lb weights so I'm actually lifting 20lbs along with my own body weight. I must say that when I started doing those I could only do maybe 10.  But for the last couple of days I've been doing 60.....yep 60!!!! Three sets of 20. All with the 20lb weights. I am sitting on a weight bench too but I don't think that matters.

I'm still sticking to the WW plan and points and drinking TONS of water.  I am still noticing the super salty taste of things.  It really has made me re-think about what I let the kids eat and how much . I really believe that my taste buds have been, for lack of a better word, "corrupted" because of the cokes and sweet tea and everything else that I would choose to drink instead of water. I really think the water is helping! AND not just with flushing out my system or making me extra sensitive to the saltiness of the food that is out there, but also with my complextion.  David told me the other night that my "complextion"  looked really pretty and smooth.  If you know David, then you know that's not something he would normally say. He might say I look pretty but nothing about my complextion. LOL! Gosh love him!!! :)

Have a happy day ya'll! :)

Unexpected Love

This week I started Week 3 in the Cto5K program. I am working on doing two sets of each: run for 90 seconds, walk for 90 seconds, run for 3 minutes and walk for 3 minutes. I didn't think I could do the three minutes but I did. I will do day 3 on Saturday probably. It's basically doing the program three days a week and letting your muscles "rest" on the other days but on those "rest" days I am still getting on the treadmill. I'm trying to do three miles a day. Some days I am able to and others I'm not just because of time constraints with all of the running around I have to do. But I am doing it and that's what matters.

I'm SOOOO ready for Spring! How about you? These cold days just kinda make it dreary and really make me want to just stay bundled up in my jammies all snuggly under a warm blanket eating whatever the heck I please. BUT that thinking is probably what has helped to contribute to my lubbyness. I'm still really motivated to do this. I really want to lose the weight. I wish I could just snap my fingers and "WHALA" the weight be gone but it didn't attach itself to me in a day so I know realistically it won't come off in a day. That's the hard part for me....the waiting. The patience. Making sure I'm doing it the healthy way....not just the easy way. Being healthy and staying healthy is not easy. It's hard work and right now I'm in for the hard work.

Yesterday I stopped in to see my pre-schooler's teacher and we got to talking about WW. She has done it for 5 years I believe and has lost about 75 pounds. She's a lifetime member. She was telling me about how the new points system works and what the new changes are. She's going to stick with the old system which is what I'm doing. Anyway, she was so sweet and encouraging to me and I just appreciated that. She told me that I was a pretty girl and she knew that I would be able to do this and I know this may sound really silly but it made me feel so special. I really needed to hear that and especially from someone that I wouldn't have expected it from.

Lubby people need the love too. :)

Water....and Plenty of It!

One of the things that I have heard is to make sure that I need to be drinking at least eight 8oz glasses of water everyday. 64 ounces right? Can anybody really tell me why that is? I mean, I know it supposedly flushes you out and all, which for me, I think everything in my body was "flushed" out on the first day (har har), but what is the real purpose of drinking that much water a day and who came up with that formula? If you can tell me then I'll send you something........is 50cents ok? How about a stamp? That's about all I've got these days. :)

Well, I have been drinking my eight 8oz glasses of water and then some. Plenty of some! I've actually been drinking half of my body weight in ounces of water. Why? I've heard that's what you are really supposed to do. I don't know if that's right or not but it sounds good to me. Some days I feel like I am going to float away. Water is pretty much all I have been drinking with the exception of some ff milk to eat with my cereal or I may have a DDP. But I have cut down the DDP's considerably since I started this a few weeks ago. I may go a day or two without one or I may keep the glass to a small one but I am for the most part drinking solely water. I actually had a glass of DDP today for lunch and kind of thought, Eh, this isn't that good. I really loved the fizzyness and burn of it in my mouth but I was kinda surprised that I had that first initial thought. I wonder if this is the beginning of the end of DDP for me? It just didn't taste right and it's a new liter. I just bought it yesterday so I know it's not the freshness or anything.

I'm beginning to think that maybe my taste buds are changing some? Last night I cooked David and me some tilapia for dinner. In the cooking process I normally add garlic salt to it. Last night, I added no more than I normally do. Well, when I went to eat the fish, I told David that my tilapia seemed super salty. I could barely eat it but I did anyway because I was hungry and didn't want to waste it. And today as I was fixing my youngest one some macaroni and cheese (yes, it was the easy velveeta kind...head hung in shame) I took a small bite of it to make sure it wasn't too hot for him and I noticed how salty it tasted. I thought WOW. David thinks that I am becoming sensative to the salt taste because of all of the water I'm drinking. What do you think?

Something else I've noticed is that even though I am drinking all this water....at night I seem to be so very thirsty. It's like I have a huge cotton ball in my mouth. By the night time, I have usually already had my waterage for the day so anything I drink is just extra. Any idea's on why I get so thirsty even though I've had enough water for the day?

A friend of mine told me that she was having trouble posting comments on here so I went and looked at the settings and had to change them, so I'm sorry if you have had any trouble being able to post comments. I love to hear feedback so be sure and say Hello sometime! It's very encouraging to know that someone is reading this! :)

Weigh In Day

Just so you know I have NOT fallen off the "diet" wagon. I've been pretty busy the last few days and haven't had a chance to update.

Ok, so today is my weigh in day! And guess what? I have lost 2 more pounds!! YAYNESS!! So that is a total of 7 pounds lost! I am excited! I also finished week 2 of the Cto5K program!

On Friday, I didn't plan my time as well and was only able to get in 1 mile on the treadmill. I had planned to go back and finish that afternoon, but things just didn't end up that way. I felt bad because I felt like 1 mile wasn't very good, but at least I was able to get in that little bit of exercise.

Saturday, I was able to have lunch at Habanero's with one of my most favorite teachers from high school, Ms. Mince. It was so good to be able to catch up with her since she has become a missionary! When it came time to eat, I actually did very well. Mexican food is one of the most fattiest foods you can eat. A lot of Mexican places cook with lard to make their food taste better and I must say, they do a goooood job! LOL! Usually I would get a bowl of their yummy cheese dip and chips and share it with everybody but I didn't even order any. I also did not eat any of the chips and on WW you can have them. You can have like 12 chips with the salsa but I decided that I didn't really need them. Usually I would order a type of combo plate that included some type of soft taco or burrito with sides of rice and beans. But on Saturday I only ordered two soft chicken taco's with no cheese and just lettuce. They were really good considering I don't normally eat Mexican chicken. Something about serving chicken in a Mexican place just doesn't sound normal but I'm glad I tried it because it was really good.

Saturday night, Allison invited us over and made a chicken pot pie. I was going to take some cereal or something lite to eat because even though chicken pot pie is so yummy and definitely a comfort food, I knew that I wouldn't be able to have any because of the ingredients. But that awesome sister of mine went online and googled a WW recipe for chicken pot pie and she made me my own pie that I could eat along with everyone else. Isn't she the best?? I think so!! Thank you Dee-deed!

I wasn't able to exercise on Saturday either and then the guilt started setting in of not getting my butt on the treadmill, but I really didn't have the time. Right now, if I do 3 miles, it takes me about 50 minutes. Hopefully, as I train my body to run longer periods of time, I will shorten that amount of minutes. Sunday came and I took the kids to church (David had to work) and then we came home and ate lunch, then took a Sunday nap. Something we haven't done in a while. It was nice. David came home, we ate supper and got the kids in the bed, and he wanted to go downstairs to workout on his weights. It was late and I didn't want to get all sweaty and hot right before bedtime but I had not been able to finish the last day of week 2 in the Cto5K program because of time so I sucked it up and got on the treadmill. I only did the requirements for Week 2 Day 3, but I did it. Come on ya'll, it was 9:30p at night. BUT I did do some weight lifting after that.

This morning was my weigh in and the scale showed that I was 2 pounds lighter. I was really excited but a small part of me was disappointed that it wasn't more. I called David and told him and he reminded me that the healthy way to lose weight is losing about 1-2 pounds per week. So I guess I'm on target?? I did get on the treadmill after I weighed in and had 3 miles done before 8:15am this morning! Woot Woot!!

I am doing WW but I'm not signed up with WW. I am watching what I eat because of the books my friend is loaning me so when I say that I've weighed in....that's with me standing in my birthday suit early on Monday mornings by myself so that there is no embarrassment there. ;)

I hope each of you are doing well! Please continue to pray for me as I go through this. Your encouragement and prayers really do mean so much! :)

Stats for this week: 2 lbs lost
Total lbs lost overall: 7

Oh Yeah!

I completed Week 2 Day 2 of the Couch to 5K Running Plan today! PLUS I continued until I had done a total of 3 miles and burned 555 calories! I am excited. This week I am focusing on running for 90 seconds every 2 minutes until I reach 20 minutes. Then I am choosing to stay on the treadmill longer than that.To be honest, some of it was tough today. Not because I was tired of exercising but because my legs and feet started to hurt. I think I tied my shoelaces too tight, but I trekked on and did my goal which was 3 miles. I also lifted some weights with my arms and legs. I just hope all this lifting is helping my "wings" to go away. It will be a while, I know but still. I hate my arms. I have always hated my arms. I honestly don't think that I have ever worn a sleeveless shirt out in public since I was in elementary school. Seriously.

Today I got a little down because I want the weight to come off as easily as it found a home on my body. It was not welcome. I want instant loss. After my workout, I was getting in the shower and saw my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I felt so gross. Gross in the fact that I let myself get like this. Gross in the fact that I didn't stick with my other diets (LA Weight Loss a few years ago) and exercise routines because I probably would be in great shape by now if I had. Gross in the fact that I feel blah. I'm hoping the hard work will pay off. Hoping that when Monday comes, the scale will reflect my hard work. I'm not setting any specific goals right now because if I do, then I'm afraid I'll get disappointed easily.

I had a friend ask me what was I doing about the caffeine withdrawl headaches from not drinking so much DDP. Honestly, I haven't had any. I am wondering if drinking so much water every day is helping to keep my system flushed therefore keeping any headaches from happening. Maybe I just haven't had any because I am allowing myself to still have a DDP but maybe one every other day or every two days. Maybe it's the slow process of cutting it out that is keeping them at bay. I am not complaining though for sure!

Night ya'll! :)

Inspiration

I hope you are having a wonderful day today! I am so excited to actually see sunshine outside! There is something about the sunshine that just makes me all happy inside. I love to open my blinds and be able to see the beautiful creation that God has made! I don't understand people who never open their blinds or windows. Why even have those on your house if you never look outside? Oh well.....I don't know about you but I am so ready for the Spring time. Sooo ready to be able to open my windows and smell the fresh Spring air and see the flowers blooming and feel the cool wind blowing through the house! It's a season of newness and freshness! It's exhilarating! Don't get me wrong, I love the winter time. I love snow and I love the cold air. But after Christmas I'm kinda like...what's the point? Let's hurry up move into Spring! Spring is prettier anyway!! :)

I'm so encouraged by every one's response in this new change for me! Thank you! And thank you so much for the encouragement and kind words you have left either here or on Facebook. I have great friends!

Yesterday was so cold and rainy and dreary that I did NOT feel like getting on the treadmill, but I did! I did my Week 2 Day 1 of the Couch to 5K Running Plan. It went well. Total it was about 1.5 miles and let me tell you...it goes quick. I guess I'm focusing so much on the time that I don't really think about how far I'm going. After the initial 1.5 miles I decided to walk briskly to 2.5 miles. THEN, when I got to 2.5 miles, my treadmill said that I was at 494 calories burned and that bugged me. I wanted to get to 500 calories burned, soooo I continued walking until I reached 504 calories burned and a total of 2.8 miles on the treadmill. I was excited. Not that I haven't done 2 miles before because whenever I get on the treadmill, I usually just do a standard 2 miles with walking and running. But I felt good and felt like going on. After my time on the treadmill I decided to lift some weights. I did intermittent weight lifting with 10lb weights and also did some 25lb weights (I think that's what they were). After that (LOL) I ran steps. We have a split foyer so I ran the top steps up and down until I couldn't breath anymore. I was sweating and that felt good!

Eating: I am really trying to stay where I'm supposed to be. The good thing about Weight Watchers is that you can basically eat what you want as long as you stay in the range of points you are allotted. I have been trying to spread my points out for the whole day instead of eating a majority of points at one meal.

For example: Today, I had for breakfast: 1 cup of (GV version) Special K cereal with red berries with 1 cup of ff milk. The cereal was 2 points and the milk was 2 points. Total 4 points.

For Lunch, I had a Chargrilled Chick-fil-A sandwich with lettuce and tomato and a side salad with Lite Italian. The sandwich was only 5 points, the salad was 1 point, the dressing was 0 points and I did eat the croutons so that was 2 points. Total of 8 points.

So as of right now, I have only consumed 12 points. I am allotted (and if you've done WW before and know about the points, then I am kind of giving myself away here)... *Squinting my eyes*..... 29-31 points. From what I've been told, you are supposed to eat at least your allotted points for the day and when you get down into the next weight range, then you can lower your points.

I haven't thought about what we are doing for supper yet but I can probably have a snack between now and then to make up some of my points. I'll have to watch what I eat for supper to make sure I don't go over but I think I've been doing ok so far!

I read about this guy earlier today and thought his story was inspiring. Check out the link and then his website. If he can do it, so can I!!!

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=119531

Also, another person who has inspired me is a MOPS friend. She has been working so hard over the last year and a half, even in the midst of trauma of a house fire and having to move, she kept on. So Jfer, if your reading this.....thanks for being an inspiration even when you haven't known it.

Thank you again for the encouraging words! I can't tell you enough how much they mean to me!

Have a great day peeps! AND OPEN your blinds and enjoy the sunshine!!

Starting the "Diet"

I actually started my new journey last Monday. I'm so thankful for my friend, Lee, who let me borrow her Weight Watchers Points info. I was able to figure out how many points I am allotted for the day based on my weight. I am NOT going to post how much I weigh on here right now. I'm not comfortable with that. But I will post what my starting weight was when I get down to my goal weight.

I have also been drinking half my weight in ounces of water almost every day. I have only had maybe 3 or 4 DDP's since I started last week. :) That's a good thing for me. I crave one so much but I know that the water is what is healthier and better for me. Sometimes I feel as though I will float away. LOL!

I also got my big hiney on the treadmill again. I started this program called The Couch to 5K Running Plan. I have completed Week 1! Yay! You can click on the link to learn more.

I need to start week 2 today but the weather outside makes me want to stay in my pj's all day and curl up on the couch with my babies. But, I will do it. I will get on that treadmill sometime today! I have also been lifting some weights. I know that will help me some too. I have arms that could fly me away. If you don't get it, then just nevermind. LOL!

After starting a week ago, I have lost 5 lbs!!!!! HAPPY DANCE!!! I know that doesn't seem like a lot and I know most of it is probably water weight but hey, I'll take it!!! I am going to try and only weigh myself once a week, probably on Monday mornings. That way I won't get discouraged as easily.

If you have any tips you think might be helpful to me, then please be sure and let me know by leaving a comment!

Have a blessed day ya'll!! :)

Confession

Ok, so I actually started my "diet" last Monday, but just now got the nerve to actually start a blog. Something about "putting yourself out there" that scares me. People see your weaknesses and vulnerability when you do that. That's so intimidating to me. I'm a private person so to be talking about my fatness is quite embarrassing.

Let me give a little bit of history.

As most of you know, I'm a twin. At birth, Allison was actually bigger than me. HA!



I was always skinny growing up too.







AND before you starting laughing hysterically.....I was a Junior in high school here ok? AND what is UP with that big top hair do thingy I have going on?? Oh how we can look back and laugh now! But still, you can see how "little" I was in this picture.



This was my Senior year....again, not sure what is up with my Princess Leia hairdo or the goofy look on my face but you can see how skinny I was.



And to think that I actually thought I was fat in high school because my cheer leading uniform was bigger than everyone else's. I didn't know or understand then about body frames. All I knew was that my uniform was a size bigger than everyone else's. So in my mind I was fat. I weighed 140lbs. Most of that was muscle. Especially on my legs. I admit, I had good looking legs back then. They were tanned and defined. But that didn't matter because all of my friends were 120-130lbs. I even had a Dr. tell me that because of my "weight number", I was considered "obese". I'm sorry, I don't think I was obese then.

So anyway, I grew up. I didn't really start gaining weight until right before David and I got married and I started on birth control. I know that had something to do with it. But even at my wedding, I wasn't big or overweight.



I just love that picture! I love the way it looks!!

Slowly over the years and 4 children later, I have gained weight and it has stayed with me. I know of people who have had babies and lost like 20lbs in the hospital....yeah, that was NOT me. So unfair. ;)

Plus, my eating habits aren't good at all. I'm a sweetaholic. I love anything sweet. Particularly brownies, chocolate , cookies.....whatever. If it's sweet, I'll probably eat it. I know....that's not good!! The saying "A moment on the lips is a lifetime for my hips" rings true with me. Plus I am addicted to Dt. Dr. Pepper. I've read all of the info about diet drinks. Yes, they are better for you....no, they really aren't better for you blah, blah, blah. But dangit, it's just soo good! Sadly there have been days where the only thing I drank that day was a Dt. Dr. Pepper and absolutely NO water. I'm ashamed. I knew I shouldn't do that but sometimes it was more about feeling the burn/fizzyness of the drink rather than the drink itself. There's nothing like popping open an ice cold can of DDP! Sooo refreshing. But I do think that it has helped in the whole weight issue. I think it helps me to eat more. Sounds weird huh? But I really do think that.

My problem isn't really with portions of food. The problem is with the constant snacking. I usually don't eat breakfast...I would just find something to snack on. And it pretty much was like that all day and then a nice meal at night.

And I'm ashamed to admit this, but I'm a night eater too. I don't sleep well at night. So if I'm up walking around, checking on the kids...whatever, then I'm bored and go to the pantry or fridge. So basically, it's like I'm eating all the time.

I can't believe I just typed all of that. I'm embarrassed now.

I'm ok though.

Here We Go!

Howdy! What I've written below is from my other blog so.......I hope that you will join me in this journey that I have already started.

This new blog will be about my journey to lose some weight. I have said over and over that I need to lose weight but I have been lacking in motivation something serious! I thought that if I journaled what I was feeling and going through that it would make me be accountable to myself and to whoever else wants to read it. If you decide to go on my journey with me then I would ask a few things of you.

First, please pray for me. Pray that I will be strong and not lazy. Pray that I will make healthy decisions and choices in regards to food and exercise. Pray that I will not listen to the lies of the one who wants to destroy me.

Secondly, encourage me. Let me know if you are reading by leaving me a comment.

Thirdly, please don't judge me. This will be new to me and I need encouragement, not someone who will tear me down and discourage me. If you are going to make in fun of me, then I ask that you please not read what I post. Losing weight is a battle, hence the name "Battle of the Bulge". I want to win and be victorious over it. Knowing that I have friends who are praying for and encouraging me will make it a lot easier during those tough times or plateaus.

I haven't worked out all of the details yet.....weight goals and such. For now, I'm just trying to get into the habit of eating healthy and making the right choices at every minute of the day....literally minute by minute for me.

Blessings!! :)