I'll have to figure out why my picture are coming out so dark...next one will be better. I'll be in Puerto Rico next MOnday so my next official weigh in will be the following Monday. I may have to do a pre-trip weigh in on Friday.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Week 8 Weigh In
I'm thankful to have a loss again this week. I'm down another 2.8 pounds and for that I'm pleased yet I have a fear of what challenges I'll face next week. On Saturday the 23rd, I'll be going to Puerto Rico for a week and I'm worried about how well I'll manage my food intake while I'm there. I know there will be healthy options and I do plan to try some of the local specialties (like fried plantains), but it really is going to be about portion control and moderation. Wish me luck! I know how to do this.....right?!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Weigh In with Visuals!
So I have finally found some time to post my weekly weigh in for this week. I was a little disappointed that it wasn't a bigger loss but it is a loss. I've been trying to think of how I could continue to show a symbol or visual representation of my weightloss as I go. SO, I bought 5# bags of flour that I will stack as I lose. Here you see that there are 6 bags and the notation of +3 means that I'm down a total of 33 pounds! Next summer when I meet my first goal, I'll donate the flour to the food bank or the local community kitchen. The interesting thing in this little endeavor was how amazing it was to realize how MUCH weight that is. I carried 6 bags of flour in 3 grocery sacks and was SHOCKED at how it felt. I held them and stood on the scale...and there it was. Almost back up to my start weight! Scared the crap out of me and brought tears to my eyes. Then I sat them down...the relief I felt was amazing. How much pain my poor body endured by carrying so much extra. I forgive myself.
Here's another visual concept that I borrowed from Miss Tara's blog (you should definitely read her blog www.263andcounting.com . I was wearing the size 26 pair last Winter and they were miserably tight. There's no way they'd stay up now without a really tight belt of a lovely pair of suspenders. I'm now comfortably in a size 22 which feels great.
AND, now for the official scale photo...
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Those of you who have known me for any length of time, know that I've battled my weight for many years. As I move forward in my weightloss journey, I'm trying to be very mindful of my progress while looking back to previous efforts that have failed.
One trend that I became aware of about a year ago is that once someone acknowledges my weight loss, IT STOPS. As soon as someone says "wow, you're losing weight!" or "have lost weight?" or "Hey, you're looking good...what are you doing to lose weight?" I STOPPED. What was it about those compliments that made me change direction...rather than continuing on to more weightloss, I'd reverse directions and pile it all back on and then some!
As I started this journey back in April, that issue was front and center in my thinking. The visible changes weren't evident until recently and I've been challenged with the "compliments" that have derailed my progress in the past. For about a month or so, people close to me have said they've noticed a difference. They've been hesitant to mention it because they're afraid I'll revert back. I will not.
Yesterday was a real challenge for me because I went to an event where I saw people I hadn't seen in a while. Some of them have been following my blog posts while others had no idea of the changes I've been making. I was barraged with the compliments and at first it was so exciting and then it hit me. FEAR. Fear that this might be the time that the compliments send be tumbling backwards.
SO, by posting this fear...I hope to diminish it's power. I remain commited to my weightloss journey. I'm grateful for the friends and family that continue to support my effort and please know that I will not allow the compliments to send me in the wrong direction. Keep them coming....they will NOT have a negative impact on my progress!
One trend that I became aware of about a year ago is that once someone acknowledges my weight loss, IT STOPS. As soon as someone says "wow, you're losing weight!" or "have lost weight?" or "Hey, you're looking good...what are you doing to lose weight?" I STOPPED. What was it about those compliments that made me change direction...rather than continuing on to more weightloss, I'd reverse directions and pile it all back on and then some!
As I started this journey back in April, that issue was front and center in my thinking. The visible changes weren't evident until recently and I've been challenged with the "compliments" that have derailed my progress in the past. For about a month or so, people close to me have said they've noticed a difference. They've been hesitant to mention it because they're afraid I'll revert back. I will not.
Yesterday was a real challenge for me because I went to an event where I saw people I hadn't seen in a while. Some of them have been following my blog posts while others had no idea of the changes I've been making. I was barraged with the compliments and at first it was so exciting and then it hit me. FEAR. Fear that this might be the time that the compliments send be tumbling backwards.
SO, by posting this fear...I hope to diminish it's power. I remain commited to my weightloss journey. I'm grateful for the friends and family that continue to support my effort and please know that I will not allow the compliments to send me in the wrong direction. Keep them coming....they will NOT have a negative impact on my progress!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
What makes this time different?
The following post is something that Miss Tara shared with me...it's made an impact on me and I read it every single day....every day!!!!
What makes this time different....
You.
You decide.
You walk.
You count.
You struggle.
You try.
You fail.
You cry.
You fight.
You get up.
You succeed.
You keep going.
You don't stop.
You BELIEVE
You ACHIEVE.
YOU WIN.
Remind yourself that YOU are what makes this time different. Keep up the hard work and in the end YOU are the beneficiary of all the effort, blood, sweat, tears....MUCH love to those of you supporting me through this journey as I make this time different for myself!
What makes this time different....
You.
You decide.
You walk.
You count.
You struggle.
You try.
You fail.
You cry.
You fight.
You get up.
You succeed.
You keep going.
You don't stop.
You BELIEVE
You ACHIEVE.
YOU WIN.
Remind yourself that YOU are what makes this time different. Keep up the hard work and in the end YOU are the beneficiary of all the effort, blood, sweat, tears....MUCH love to those of you supporting me through this journey as I make this time different for myself!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Week 6 Weigh In
This weekend I had the opportunity to walk a 5K with a couple of friends who were doing their first ever 5K. The walk was beautiful and the company was great. I'm so proud of Janelle and Heidi and they inspire me to keep moving. I definitely plan to go back and try to run the route but the incline was crazy steep!
So, down to the weigh in....Ta Da!
I'm down 4.2 pounds this week. I think in part due to the fact that my trainer called me on the itty bitty losses that I was having. Unless I MOVE more than 2 or three days a week, I won't see the kind of results I'm able to accomplish with effort and determination.
I'm down 4.2 pounds this week. I think in part due to the fact that my trainer called me on the itty bitty losses that I was having. Unless I MOVE more than 2 or three days a week, I won't see the kind of results I'm able to accomplish with effort and determination. Thursday, September 30, 2010
What is it about jumping jacks???
I can tell you exactly what it is about jumping jacks...fat rolls and big boobs! That's why I hate them. When I'm doing jumping jacks I forget about all the great things I'm doing for my body (including the jumping jack itself!) and see/feel nothing but the embarrassment of all the "extra" that I'm carrying around with me. I mean...who really wants to be smacked in the face with their own boobs? Alright, sarcasm is a tool I've always used for coping with situations that are uncomfortable so that's why I use it here.
Today, my trainer worked with me in a different way than he has before and he decided to add jumping jacks...he even said "I know you hate jumping jacks" and yet he made me do 3 sets of 30 jumping jacks between intervals of other cardio stuff. I wanted to hate him but he really knows how to move me forward.
On the same note, I was so proud of myself for taking a step aerobics/sculpting class last night. 75 minutes of really great exercise and I was able to keep up with the instructor for the most part. WHY then did I feel completely deflated afterwards? Because I looked at myself in the mirrored wall and saw what I hate most about my body...rolls of fat. I was the biggest person in the room by far, the sweatiest (is that a word?), and I let that image make me sad.
HOWEVER...I didn't let it make me so sad that I wanted to give up. As a matter of fact, instead of heading home after an hour and fifteen minutes of exercise...I grabbed my Kindle from my locker and jumped on a treadmill for another 30 minutes.
I refuse to give up but the reality is that I often find myself sad...sad for my body that I've done so much damage to over the years.
Today, my trainer worked with me in a different way than he has before and he decided to add jumping jacks...he even said "I know you hate jumping jacks" and yet he made me do 3 sets of 30 jumping jacks between intervals of other cardio stuff. I wanted to hate him but he really knows how to move me forward.
On the same note, I was so proud of myself for taking a step aerobics/sculpting class last night. 75 minutes of really great exercise and I was able to keep up with the instructor for the most part. WHY then did I feel completely deflated afterwards? Because I looked at myself in the mirrored wall and saw what I hate most about my body...rolls of fat. I was the biggest person in the room by far, the sweatiest (is that a word?), and I let that image make me sad.
HOWEVER...I didn't let it make me so sad that I wanted to give up. As a matter of fact, instead of heading home after an hour and fifteen minutes of exercise...I grabbed my Kindle from my locker and jumped on a treadmill for another 30 minutes.
I refuse to give up but the reality is that I often find myself sad...sad for my body that I've done so much damage to over the years.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Week 5 Weigh In
I really had a great weekend! It was filled with family and friends, productivity, ACTIVITY and in the end, a small weightloss.
There's truly something to be said for getting rid of clutter...both physical and mental clutter. I'm currently reading a book (and doing the work) "Throw Out Fifty Things. Clear the Clutter and Get Back Your Life". It's a great book and as I do the work I'm amazed to see just how good it can feel to really get rid of useless crap! The space that is left after decluttering brings me a sense of peace and that's what happened this weekend.
Mikki, Ashley, JaiCie and I cleaned out the garage on Saturday. It’s a 1260 sq. ft. outbuilding that is a magnet for CRAP! I used to blame the kids for the mess but guess what?!?! No kids at home means no one to blame but myself! There’s always a reason for leaving something in there…I’ll get to it tomorrow, I don’t know where I’m going to store it yet, I might need it sooner rather than later, it’s still got a use...I just don’t know what yet…ON and ON and ON.
The truth is, that crap…the clutter that takes up physical space in our environment causes emotional chaos and clutter too. By decluttering the environment we surround ourselves with, we allow our hearts and our minds to be open to new ideas, new habits, new expectations of ourselves and those around us. There’s still more stuff out there to be gotten rid of. Old paint cans, fluorescent light bulbs, and a couple of drawers full of tools/nails/screws//// - Those things will go on the next round when I figure out the safest/greenest way to do so.
After cleaning out the garage and having a little while to play with my granddaughter Taylor before she and her mommy headed home, it was off to Little Larch Mountain (JaiCie…correct me if I spelled that wrong) up in the Capital Forest. The view was amazing.
JaiCie is a brilliant photographer (I'll have to get her permission to post some of her pictures in my blog....watch for updates on that!). She took Mikki and I to share a magnificent view. From this place high in the forest, on a clear day, you can see Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Hood. Saturday was clear enough to see all three. It was a real treat and sharing it with Mikki and JaiCie made it that much more special.
Feeling invigorated from the great decluttering activity and the gorgeous view, I decided it was as good a time as any to get in some exercise! My support team (and that’s exactly what they’ve been) was right there and encouraged me to go for it.
There's truly something to be said for getting rid of clutter...both physical and mental clutter. I'm currently reading a book (and doing the work) "Throw Out Fifty Things. Clear the Clutter and Get Back Your Life". It's a great book and as I do the work I'm amazed to see just how good it can feel to really get rid of useless crap! The space that is left after decluttering brings me a sense of peace and that's what happened this weekend.
Mikki, Ashley, JaiCie and I cleaned out the garage on Saturday. It’s a 1260 sq. ft. outbuilding that is a magnet for CRAP! I used to blame the kids for the mess but guess what?!?! No kids at home means no one to blame but myself! There’s always a reason for leaving something in there…I’ll get to it tomorrow, I don’t know where I’m going to store it yet, I might need it sooner rather than later, it’s still got a use...I just don’t know what yet…ON and ON and ON.
The truth is, that crap…the clutter that takes up physical space in our environment causes emotional chaos and clutter too. By decluttering the environment we surround ourselves with, we allow our hearts and our minds to be open to new ideas, new habits, new expectations of ourselves and those around us. There’s still more stuff out there to be gotten rid of. Old paint cans, fluorescent light bulbs, and a couple of drawers full of tools/nails/screws//// - Those things will go on the next round when I figure out the safest/greenest way to do so.
After cleaning out the garage and having a little while to play with my granddaughter Taylor before she and her mommy headed home, it was off to Little Larch Mountain (JaiCie…correct me if I spelled that wrong) up in the Capital Forest. The view was amazing.
JaiCie is a brilliant photographer (I'll have to get her permission to post some of her pictures in my blog....watch for updates on that!). She took Mikki and I to share a magnificent view. From this place high in the forest, on a clear day, you can see Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Hood. Saturday was clear enough to see all three. It was a real treat and sharing it with Mikki and JaiCie made it that much more special.
Feeling invigorated from the great decluttering activity and the gorgeous view, I decided it was as good a time as any to get in some exercise! My support team (and that’s exactly what they’ve been) was right there and encouraged me to go for it.
SO, I RAN DOWN A MOUNTAIN! I ran (and occasionally walked) for nearly 4 miles. Granted most of it was downhill….but I RAN DOWN A MOUNTAIN! It was so great. There was a time (as I was getting to the 3.1 mile mark) that I felt this complete rhythm…I didn’t want to stop at the planned 3.1 mile..so I didn’t! I kept running!
JaiCie was driving my car and going ahead then waiting to make sure I still wanted to run…Mikki was my water girl (she’s such a cute water girl!) and I did it! I felt so good about the run and the encouragement from them made it that much more exciting. Today my hips are really sore and my calves have a burn to them. It’s such a different sensation than the muscles affected when running uphill!
JaiCie was driving my car and going ahead then waiting to make sure I still wanted to run…Mikki was my water girl (she’s such a cute water girl!) and I did it! I felt so good about the run and the encouragement from them made it that much more exciting. Today my hips are really sore and my calves have a burn to them. It’s such a different sensation than the muscles affected when running uphill!
Tomorrow morning’s 5:30 am training 
appointment should be interesting! I hope he focuses on my arms because I suspect my legs will still be “tender” LOL.
SO, here it is….my official weigh in this week. Thanks to those of you who follow and take the time to read. Your continued support and encouragement keeps me moving. There are times that I feel like I'll never win the battle, but I will never give up!
appointment should be interesting! I hope he focuses on my arms because I suspect my legs will still be “tender” LOL.SO, here it is….my official weigh in this week. Thanks to those of you who follow and take the time to read. Your continued support and encouragement keeps me moving. There are times that I feel like I'll never win the battle, but I will never give up!
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