Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Well, Thanksgiving didn't quite go as planned.. It went something like this:


I swear, it just brought the inner fat girl right out of me. I didn't go super crazy or overboard, but once I ate on Thursday, the rest of the weekend was shot and I gained 2 pounds.

It's back to the daily grind this week, but I'm having a really hard time motivating myself.

I really can't even put into words how I feel. I'm just tired, upset, and want to quit.

But I won't. So hopefully there's a loss next week.






Monday, November 21, 2011

How to survive Thanksgiving

Weight loss this week: 4.2 pounds
Weight loss so far: 10.6 pounds

Yes. You read that right. 4.2 freaking pounds this week.

I usually weigh in on Monday, but I woke up feeling pretty good on Saturday. I generally despise weighing myself because I'm so afraid of that number. But I thought, why not, and was extremely surprised.

I really attribute the increase in loss to my work outs. I ate the same this past week (if not worse), but started going to kickboxing instead of just hitting the elliptical. I went for a hike. And I loved my workouts. I felt like I was actually accomplishing something when I felt the burn in my legs and abs all week. So I've decided to make this a habit. From now on, it's kickboxing Mondays and Wednesdays, and Zumba on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays that I'm not booked at the salon.

The great thing about these classes is I feel like I'm toning and strengthening while also getting an awesome cardio workout. I also work out harder than if I'm just doing it on my own.

On to the real matters of this week. It's Thanksgiving. (insert scary music here.)

People have been asking me what I'm going to do about the gigantic feast that will inevitably be shoved in my face this coming Thursday. Here's my plan for the day:

I'm waking up at 6:30 and going for a hike. That way I can get my exercise in early, jump start my metabolism for the day, and enjoy a beautiful morning with my family.

I'm eating my regular diet throughout the day. Generally, I just either binge all day, because hey, it's Thanksgiving! Or I starve myself then eat until I want to pass out. While those both sound like ridiculously fun ideas, I think I'll go the healthy route this year. Balanced breakfast, and my usual low calorie snacks in between meals, so that when the big meal comes, I don't over do it.

For the actual Thanksgiving dinner..I am not going to deprive myself. I want to enjoy the tradition, and feel like I'm not missing out. I plan to fill my plate with veggies, and get bite sized portions of the things I love-because who wants to miss out on the mashed potatoes, yams, and pumpkin pie? Not this girl. By having just a taste of the heavier things on the menu, but filling up on vegetables and lean meat beforehand, I promise you won't feel like you're missing out at all.

Eat slowly, and enjoy the company around you.
Thanksgiving should be a day to celebrate family, friends, and the freedom that we enjoy.
(And a preface to the great holiday, Black Friday.)

Eat to live, don't live to eat!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Update and Goals

Yes, yes, I know, I missed blogging last week.. I may or may not have intentionally not weighed myself out of fear that a certain time of the month would disrupt the outcome. It happens.

But I weighed myself yesterday and am down 6.4 pounds! Not ideal, but I am happy with anything, honestly. I keep reminding myself that I'm working out and (hopefully) gaining muscle also.


In 2 days, it will have been a month since I started. And I can honestly say I don't crave sugar at all anymore, or carbs usually. Yes, when a friend took me to Lolo's chicken and waffles, I ate half of a waffle.. and the same with the eggnog shake that another friend bought for me.


And then I worked my butt off at the gym.


Here's my theory. (Yes. Another one. I'm full of them.)


A month ago, I would have eaten 3 waffles, and 2 pieces of fried chicken, then chased it down with 2 or 3 Dr. Peppers. So I don't feel any remorse or guilt for eating ONE HALF of a waffle and having the self control to stop there.


Because I am so happy to finally feel a sense of control over my eating habits.


I had a really emotional week this past week, dealing with some really sad things that friends and family are going through. And when I got home, drained from emotion almost every night, I had the temptation to run to the fridge, and eat away my feelings. Just like when I was going through my divorce.



But I didn't.


And I will add that to the list of things to celebrate about myself.

Goals for this week:


1. Find cute ways to fit into the clothes I already have and dress them up a little more.

(my first attempt-I've never belted a shirt in my life. I was missing out!)

2. Lose at least 1.5 pounds.


Ready, set, go!













Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Rambling and a recipe

I'm halfway through with week 3, and 4.3 pounds down. I really should stop counting by weeks, because as far as I'm concerned, there's no end date to this.

People keep calling it a diet, and it annoys me. This isn't some quick fix where I'll drop the weight then eat whatever I want. I refuse to see this as a diet, I see it as a life long change.

I've come to know my body. I know that I don't have the best metabolism. I gain weight fast. I become addicted to sugars (ahem..Dr. Pepper), and so I shouldn't have them. At least not so regularly that it becomes a habit instead of a treat.

Every day I have to remind myself that it is ok if it takes me a year, even two years to reach my goal weight. I tell myself constantly that once I get to that point, going to the gym daily will just be a part of my routine. Eating fruit and vegetables will become second nature. (I've eaten more in the last two weeks than I have in the last year.)

As hard as it is to take this day by day, and not see immediate results, I know I'm changing my life and health for good, and for the better. And that's all that matters.

Anyway, onto the goods. As I said in the first post, I eat homemade protein bars every day.

Let me tell you, they are delicious. Ok, maybe "delicious" is being a little too generous. But they taste somewhat along the lines of a no-bake cookie, with at least half the fat, and lots of protein. I highly recommend them. So, here is the recipe. You're welcome.

Ingredients
3 TB natural peanut butter (crunchy or creamy. I prefer crunchy.)
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup oat flour (if you don’t have oat flour, use another 1/2 cup of oats)
3 scoops chocolate or  vanilla 
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup non fat dry milk
1/2 cup water (you may need more water depending on protein)
(I may or may not, but definitely do, add 1/2 T of Nutella.) 
Directions
Have a plate ready to put cookies on.  Mix together dry ingredients in a bowl.  Add everything else and mix together with your hands… it will be very sticky.  Roll about a 1 1/2” diameter of dough between your hands into a ball, smash it between your hands into a cookie and put onto a plate. One batch makes about
8-10 cookies.  Place them in the freezer…. And then enjoy.
Nutrition Content (per square):
97 Calories, 7g fat, 14g carbohydrates, 21g protein

Seriously, they're my go-to snack.

I've started eating fruit about twice a week, and I allow myself one treat a week also. I've been thinking about this a lot recently, and reading a lot of weight loss blogs, and I've come to this conclusion:

I firmly believe that life is to be enjoyed, not just endured. And I believe that that applies to every aspect of our lives-even dieting. When it comes down to it, if you hate everything you eat, you'll quit. You won't be happy. You'll resent your diet, resent your choices, and through that resentment, lose motivation. And that is when the weight creeps right back. (I'm speaking from experience, people.)

Complete and total restriction almost always leads to binging. Words of wisdom coming from Queen Binge herself. So my philosophy is to live a little. Give in to that craving once in a while (no, not every day). Then hit the gym for an extra 10 minutes the next day. Don't regret that bite of cheesecake. Or beat yourself up because you think a mini Snickers will make you gain 10 pounds. Enjoy it, savor it, and move on with your life.

Slow and steady wins the race.