False Start

Okay, maybe I jumped the gun and got off to a false start on my last post that said I was ready to mount up and get back on the proverbial horse...

Because I exercised on Monday then got sick with a spring cold on Tuesday.  Blech.  So the exercise for the week went out the window and I never really got my eating back in line. 

Here we are again.

The good news is I am starting again (for the 100th time) 35.6 pounds lighter than when I began.  This week I am going to concentrate on my hunger and fullness and a minimum of 15 minutes of daily fitness - my goals in the beginning.  It worked before and it will again.

Week 19 stats:

• Weight released:  0 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  53 minutes
• Calories burned:  528 calories

Numbers to date:

• Weight released:  35.6 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  3674 minutes
• Calories burned:  29181 calories

Thanks folks for sticking around and continuing to inspire me.  I promise to return the favor and be more inspiring myself very soon...

Still Here

For those of you who thought I fell off the face of the earth...

I am still here.

And I am officially finished with college - for now.  My last final was Wednesday and according to my instructors I received As in both classes.  Hooray!  Going back to school was an eye-opening success.  I learned a lot more than I expected to and actually enjoyed it.  So much so that, dare I even say, I may continue and get a second degree.

The bad news however, is during these last two weeks I wasn't in my best, most diligent, health conscious, let's-be-a-good-eater-and-exerciser mode.  Basically, if it wasn't nailed down I ate it and the most walking I did was to get from the computer to the fridge.  Okay, it wasn't that bad but close.

I hope to quickly get back on the horse, in the saddle (pick your favorite equestrian metaphor) this week.  Here are my numbers for the last two weeks:

Week 17 & 18 stats:

• Weight released:  0 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  357 minutes
• Calories burned:  3087 calories

Totals to date:

• Weight released:  35.6 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  3,621 minutes
• Calories burned:  28,653 calories

Now that the excuses are gone, please pray for me to get my conviction and groove back!

Time for a New Goal!

Well, as you can see I have changed my weight loss ticker to my second of three goals.  I reached my first goal of 35 pounds - whoo hoo!  My second goal is another 40 pounds released.  I figured I would set three doable amounts rather than put the whole enchilada out there at once and have it feel like I'd never get there!  It's kinda nice already being almost halfway to my second goal too.  Here are my stats for the week.

Week 16 Stats:

• Weight released:  2.5 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  277 minutes
• Calories burned:  2286 calories

Numbers to Date:

• Weight released:  35.6 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  3,264 minutes/54.4 hours
• Calories burned:  25,566 calories/7.3 pounds

Cheers to new goals!

Same Old, Same Old

After a loss last week I was looking forward to continuing the momentum this week, especially since I am now taking thyroid hormones, but my body conspired against me - drat!  I logged everything I ate and my exercise (as usual).  I was a Rock Star in that department so I have to chalk it up to the unknown and wait to see what next week brings.

In the meantime, I tried on some old shorts that were way too tight last summer but fit great now so I'll settle for that.  Here's the scoop for this week...

Week 15 stats:

• Weight released:  0 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  171 minutes
• Calories burned:  2387 calories

Numbers to date:

• Weight released:  33.1 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  2,987 minutes
• Calories burned:  23,280 calories

Next week I hope to start on my secondary-goal Weight Loss Ticker...

Can We Turn Up The Heat In Here?

I went to the doctor this week for my annual check up.  I got lots of good news:

1. Blood pressure is down
2. Glucose levels are great - no diabetes fears
3. Cholesterol levels are good
4. 20+ pounds lighter than last year
5. And - drum roll please...  I lost 1.4 pounds this week - whoo hoo!  I finally broke the stronghold the scale had over me the past 4 weeks!

But don't start a parade in my honor just yet...  My thyroid test came back with some concerns.  It seems my thyroid is failing.  I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  This is sort of ironic.  When I was a teenager my grandparents insisted that I get my thyroid checked because of my weight problem - I wore a size ten.  Really?  I was all right then but not so much now.  So I will have to take hormone-replacement drugs for the rest of my life.

This means that when I insist I gain weight just smelling a donut - I was telling the truth!

Now I know, my metabolic rate has been low despite my workout habits.  That will be fixed.  My low energy level is due to a lack of hormones.  That will be fixed.  My dry skin?  Fixed.  Cold extremities?  Fixed. 

Is this going to cure everything that ails me?  No.  But it will darn sure help my weight loss efforts!

Week 14 Stats:

• Weight released:  1.4 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  221 minutes
• Calories burned:  2152 calories

Total numbers to date:

• Weight released:  33.1 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  2,816 minutes
• Calories burned:  20,893

We're back in business.

Something's Gotta Give

Week 13 stats:

• Weight released:  0 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  281 minutes
• Calories burned:  2416

Totals to date:

• Weight released:  31.7 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  2,595
• Calories burned:  18,741

Okay, something's gotta give.  And it's going to have to be me.  I'm going to have to give up:

• those few extra bites I've been squeezing in past fullness
• the snacks I'm consuming after dinner
• the eating according to the clock 
• the not waiting for hunger 
• the reliance on exercise instead of moderating my food intake
• MY GENERAL LOVE OF FOOD!

How do I break this unholy alliance?  This draw food has that makes me consumed with consuming?  This greed that goads me into eating more than my fair share, more than my body needs, more than I can handle?  

It's going to take me giving more effort to give up more food.  This week I commit to logging all my food in my Lose It! app and reevaluating my hunger and fullness.  I will slow down and be conscious every time I eat.  I will recommit to the sacrifice because that is want it is going to take. 

I can't have my cake and eat it too. 

I'm gonna have to give up more.  And I will.  Because I'm worth it, darnit!    

The Little Things

How do I define success or failure?  Is a loss on the scale a success?  Mosty definitely.  A looser fit in the booty and thigh-area of my pants?  Heaven.  A comment about losing weight from a friend?  Fabulous!  But what about failure?  Is no loss for the third week in a row a failure?  Oooh, a little harder to define.  Normally, I would answer yes but this afternoon since Hubs told me "You're lookin' good" and wrapped his arms around me for a kiss, I think not.

Sometimes it's the little things that keep us going.  Not everyday is going to be a loss, a new size, or a pat on the back.  Maybe what keeps me going today is the fact that I can run for 5 minutes without stopping - a miracle!  Maybe today my pants no longer bind my waist to the point of having to unzip them when I bend down to tie my shoe.  And just maybe, today, I can demonstrate a bunny hop relay race at preschool , boobs bouncing all the way, without peeing my pants! (sorry if this is TMI) 

All this to say I'm not letting the scale get to me this week.  I am going to trust that my body is figuring things out, settling in at a new weight before deciding that it's okay to let fat go again.  I'm going to look for the little things and be content in those things instead.

Week 12 stats:

• Weight released:  0 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  174 minutes
• Calories burned:  1382 calories

Total numbers to date:

• Weight released:  31.7 pounds
• Minutes exercising:  2,314 minutes (this is 38 hours & 56 minutes - whoo hoo!)
• Calories burned: 16,325 calories (this is 4.66 pounds burned off!)

And really, what alternative do I have?  Going back to my old habits?  No way.