Weight-Loss Challenges

Expecting ups and downs is the perfect way to make them work for you, rather than against you. Here are a few of my weight-loss obstacles that have challenged me along my weight-loss journey. 


#1 Guilt - This one is my most common challenge and I have recently come face-to-face with it. Knowing you overindulged can be upsetting, but instead of punishing yourself, learn from the lesson. 


#2 Temptations - This is so hard for me. I have my weakness just like anyone else. I love salty foods when on my period. I can sit down and eat a whole bag of chips with cheese dip in one sitting. I love my carbs. I can't stay away from bread; garlic, cheese, buttered, herb. You name it bread I love. My mothers burritos. Love, love, love them. If you have favorite foods that are very high in calories, and you really love them, deciding you'll never eat them again is a recipe for disaster. Because then, when the temptation wins (and it probably will), you'll feel as though you've failed. The trick is to find ways to fit the food in without going off track. Look for low-fat versions, for example. Or allow yourself an occasional splurge. Plan accordingly knowing and understanding the pros and cons of eating this temptation.


#3 Unrealistic Goal Setting - Years past this has been a huge obstacle for me. I set these unrealistic goals and then allow them to depress me when I can't reach them. This time around I am shooting for small, realistic goals. Be patient with your body. Set realistic goals, then work hard to get to them. Remember, reaching your weight loss goal will feel just as great if it takes you longer to get there, and taking the time to establish healthy habits will help you stay at your weight goal for life. 


I set my first goal at 1 pound per week, not counting holiday weeks. This allows me to lose more one and gain or flat-line another. 


#4 Plateaus - Let's start off by first defining a plateau. "A point in an exercise program where additional progress cannot be made, such as weight loss or increase in strength or endurance. This usually happens 6 – 8 weeks into an exercise program. http://www.weightlossndiet.com/definition/plateau" The key words in this definition is cannot be made. Understand that it's totally okay to reach a plateau in your weight loss. The reasons could be your body's natural reaction, or it could mean you've loosened up on the good habits you've developed. Here are 5 ways to beat the plateau. 

•  Kick up your fitness level.  Look for simple ways to get more activity in: Take the family (or the dog) for an afternoon walk. Park the car farther away, or get off the bus a stop or two away from your destination.  
• Write it down - if it goes in your mouth, it goes on the paper. Track everything. Make sure not to forget those BLT's. 
• Eat right - eat your fruits and veggies. Don't cheat yourself. Just because you think your eating right, doesn't mean you are. Take a good look at your diet. 
• Spice things up - you know I like this one. Summer time is just around the corner, so add a little flavor to your BBQ.
• Get busy and stay active -  Join an after-work volleyball league, attend art openings or just chase your kids around outside. The less you're in the kitchen, the less tempted you'll be to eat. Summer is coming so why not get out with the kids and kick around a ball. Put up a net and play some badminton. Plant a garden or work in the yard. 

Just be patient, and you will make your goal!

Wednesday

What makes Wednesday better than Tuesday on the scale? Tuesday is my normal weigh in day but it never fails that Wednesday is always nicer to me. Is it that I am less stressed and there for lose weight? Is it another day of working out after weekend eating? Would Wednesday become Tuesday if I switched my weigh in day?

All I know is that this morning the scale was VERY nice to me. Hope this good weight loss plus more more follow me to Tuesday. Cross your fingers and toes.. Keep the positive (negative loss) scale vibes coming.

Weigh In

It is weigh in Tuesday. Sadly I have to report that I did not reach goal this week. I however did have a loss so that's good. I can't bring up last weeks weigh in right now but this weeks number is 171.2 - as you can see not below 170 yet.

Next week on Tuesday is when I hoped to be there so we will see.

This morning has been interesting. We do not have Internet nor phones at work. Normally I would be excited but, I have a boring day at work today and was hoping to work on my presentation for Thursday night class.

5K

Two years ago I did a 5k with my beautiful daughter MiKayla and our good friends. I was able to walk/run some of it but mainly walked. The weather was warm but raining. My feet felt like they weighed 100 pounds soaked with water.

I wanted so much to complete the 5K running the whole way, I just couldn't. I ended up finishing though and am determined to try again. I am debating on two different races or maybe even both. One is April 21st and the other is Memorial Day. If I do the one Memorial Day I will get to do it again with MiKayla. The debate is whether I do the April one and see how much I can improve my time by May or just let MiKayla have her race day to herself. Thoughts?

MiKayla finishing the race!

Feeling Good Today

We all have good days and bad days. For someone who is over weight we tend to have more bad then good. Every time we go shopping and things don't seem to fit. Every time we go out to eat and we see someone watching us (your sure that they are wondering how much that fat person is going to eat). Every time you get asked if your pregnant. Anytime you catch a glimpse of yourself in a mirror or window. Lately the bad days have out weighed the good ones. I have been depressed over weight, acne, money, school, pto, and just plain life. I really need a positive boost to pick me up and get me back on track. I was lucky enough to get one. I stepped on the scale (unofficial) and I was down 2 pounds. That was enough to get me excited and kick my butt into high gear. I watched my portions all day and did an hour of cardio. Feeling pretty good. Less then 2 weeks until vacation. I am a little nervous about vacation and weight gain. Hoping that park walking, fresh fruit, and fresh air will be enough to keep the weight off.

Long depressing night.

I am a fat cow who is out of control. I tried to get my head on straight tonight and couldn't. Came home and ate like I hadn't eatten in days. I attempted to do my 5 mile walk and was winded after 2 miles so I quit. I feel like it's day one of my workout except mentally my head is ready to give up. Dressed in my gym clothes I shouldn't weigh anymore than 174 but I am 175.6 so what the hell. I am so depressed. I need a good nights sleep and maybe tomorrow will be a new day.

Weigh In

Here it is short and "bitter"... I gained -- first time since starting my weight loss journey 9 weeks ago and I feel depressed, fat, ugly, nasty, and discouraged. I weighed in at 173.2.

Good but BAD

I had a wonderful weekend full of parties which made it an amazing weekend but that also means I had an opportunity to do bad on my diet. My baby girl turned 6 this weekend. She had a wonderful time. We rented out the theater for a private viewing of the Lorax. We ate popcorn. Drank "diet" pop. and... ate cupcakes.

After her party it was time to clean up the house and prepare for my first "Girls Night In". I planned to host with munchies, chocolates, and wine. I made up a meat, cheese and cracker tray. I also served some petit fours, chocolates, and cookies. After several cookies, two glasses of wine, and also a ton of crackers. Needless to say I ate a ton of junk that day. Pizza rolls, french fries, and tatar tots. I became a pig. Another bad habit I picked up was drinking diet soda. I have stayed away from all soda for a while now and very disappointed in myself.

So mother nature blessed me again. Like clock work I am cursed every month - so now I am very depressed in myself, bloated, and gaining weight. This morning I was up almost 2 pounds and fear my weigh in tomorrow. This maybe my first gain since I started on my mission 9 weeks ago. I was so depressed that I came home tonight and continued on my destructive ways. I ate 3 cookies, 1 pickle, 3 leftover petit fours, a turkey burger, and two string cheeses as dinner. I feel sick. I am in a funk. My workouts have been lacked this week. I have only worked out a couple times and small 2/3 mile walks rather then my normal 4/7 mile ones.

Really hoping I get luck tomorrow and can hold a flat line or a loss but don't see how it is possible. I am going to need to shake out of this funk I am out. 

Weigh In

This mornings goal was to reach 174.6 or lighter. I stepped onto the scale hoping to see the 174.6 fearing 175.0 but wait for it...... 172.0 that is a 3 pound loss this week. I am so ecstatic. I am only 2 1/2 pounds from reaching my first mini goal of being below 170. I haven't been below 170 since my little brothers open house and I was at 168 pounds.

168 pounds, 2008

I was 162 the last time I saw my mother. Feels good knowing that I am only 10 pounds from that. The lowest weight I have been since having children was 154 pound and that was my weight right before I got pregnant with Nicole. I have 3 weeks until my vacation and I really want to clear the 170 mark by then. Here I go...

Running numbers are 12.4 total lost since the 1st of year and 40 lost since my largest recorded weight at the doctor.

Night before

I have weigh in, in the morning. This past week the scale has been amazing but not today. I am pretty worried about it. I did good today food wise, and I got my workout in so I really hope that will be enough. The goal number is 174.6 cross your fingers and toes.

The dressing room.

Our family vacation is only 4 weeks away so I have started working on gathering some spring/summer clothes for everyone to wear in sunny Florida. Today I dared to venture into the store and into the dressing room. I started off at JCPennies. I found myself between departments mentally and physically. I love the styles found in the juniors department but most things found in there do not fit me. I am short so I need "short" pants and those can typically be found in a couple different departments. Also I am wide so I need plus size but don't like the styles found there. I am also a business woman so I like some items found in the womens department. I started walking around from department here and there trying to fix and match and put a few things together in my arms. I did it, I put together three really cute outfits now it was time to hit the dressing room. This is normally my least favorite part of shopping. I step into the small room in the back. I lay out my treasures and hang up my purse. I can feel the stess and anxiety whelling up inside as I undress. I put the shirt on first; and it fits infact it's a little big. I put on the flannel and it fits perfect. I head next to the pants. First the capri's. Now I had picked up two different pairs. One from the juniors and one from womens. Neither one really fit right. I had picked up two pairs of jeans. First my normal size 16's. They fit comfortable and look okay but a little long. There is no way I will fit the other pair they are a size 14 short. I step one leg in and then the next. The legs feel a little tight but not too bad. Length is perfect. I button them... wait I can button them. I zip them. Can this be? I fit into a size 14. What a feeling. I been in a 14 since my little brother graduation which was on goodness almost 4 summers ago. I had really been working hard on losing weight and was about the same weight as I am today. School got in the way and I put on the freshmen 15 a couple times.


XL top, 14 bottoms @ 175 pounds

 So here is what I looked like. I know not the best photo but it's a photo. I stood there for a couple minutes debating do I buy or don't I buy. After sending a text to my not much help husband I decided I coule buy the flannel. I would look for a size smaller in the top and I would pass on the jeans. I didn't want to pass on them since they were a size smaller but I really don't need jeans right now, I need capri's. I figured also that I have 4 more weeks and maybe another 3-4 pounds would make them feel even better. I headed back out (personal assistant had the day off so I had to get dressed again so that I could find smaller sizes and come back in and get undressed again) to find a smaller top. I love the color and it works perfectly. I headed back to the plus size where I found the top before and guess what 1X is the smallest size they have. I CAN NOT FIT PLUS SIZE ANYMORE!!!! I checked out juniors they had one close to this same color in an XL and in the womens department they had another one close to this same one in an XL. So I picked up those ones plus a L just incase. Headed back into the dressing because I was feeling pretty good I thought I would try the L on first. Fits but not the right look. A little tight in the chest. I tried on the Juniors XL and no way - it hugs all the wrong places. I tried on the XL women's top and it looked the best.

It was a long trip and had some emotional ups and downs but in the end I got two tops and a braclets. I also left the store knowing that even though I am still in an XL that Plus is too big and I can fit a 14 again. Overall I would say it was a good trip. I am still in need of a couple pairs of capri's and a couple more tops but that will have to wait for another day - and maybe 3-4 more pounds down.