Well today is the day I've been waiting for all week; weigh-in day. I do actually weigh myself every day during the week at the gym, but that's with clothes and shoes on. On my official weigh-in day at home, I wear considerably less clothing and just use the digital bathroom scale. I'll also go on the Wii Fit in about an hour.
I'm happy to report that this week I've lost 4lbs! Since I am living in Ireland, I'll convert that. 4lbs = about 3lbs shy of half a stone = about 2 kg.
I also lost a couple of inches around my waist which I'm very pleased about. I am pretty well motivated to keep going. I don't have too much longer to go now to get to my goal weight. It will still take a few months, but at this stage, I feel like I am willing to put in the effort.
My mom, aunt and brother are coming to visit at the end of September and we'll be taking a trip to Italy so I am hoping to be near my goal weight then so I'll have an excuse to get some new clothes for the trip!
I think I'll post up some before/after pictures soon. I definitely have a lot of "befores" but will need to take some "after" photos.
On another note, my husband did promise to take me shopping today. I've already chosen my present; wrist weights for the treadmill so I can add a little more to my workout.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Treat Yourself
There's nothing I like more than presents or little treats. It doesn' t take much to make me happy. For instance, today I got a good haircut and I'm nearly manic with happiness. Plus it's Saturday and I'm listening to 80s music so for me, it just doesn't get better than that!
When I first wanted to seriously focus on losing weight, I was denying myself everything. I'd tell myself I wouldn't get my hair cut until I lost enough weight (never defining "enough") or I wouldn't buy any new clothes. I learned quickly that this is not the way to go. The breaking point was one day when I looked at myself in the mirror and saw snarly, dry hair that was starting to fall out in alarmingly large clumps and jeans that were far too big on me and actually made me look fatter. I looked like I didn't care about my appearance at all.
What I do now is celebrate small victories and go get something for myself. Today I fit into a pair of jeans that hadn't fit me in a long time so I got my hair cut. Well, ok - I did make the appointment yesterday because I really needed it cut but still...
Tomorrow, I plan to try to get my husband to take me shopping for new shampoo and other nice things; maybe some more bath stuff and lotions.
Those jeans are still a tiny bit snug in the thighs so I'll probably be trying them on every single day until I feel comfortable wearing them out in public, at which time I'll probably buy something else for myself.
I'm also thinking it's about time to get a massage. Weigh-in day is tomorrow for me so we'll see how much weight I've lost and how big a treat I deserve for it!
When I first wanted to seriously focus on losing weight, I was denying myself everything. I'd tell myself I wouldn't get my hair cut until I lost enough weight (never defining "enough") or I wouldn't buy any new clothes. I learned quickly that this is not the way to go. The breaking point was one day when I looked at myself in the mirror and saw snarly, dry hair that was starting to fall out in alarmingly large clumps and jeans that were far too big on me and actually made me look fatter. I looked like I didn't care about my appearance at all.
What I do now is celebrate small victories and go get something for myself. Today I fit into a pair of jeans that hadn't fit me in a long time so I got my hair cut. Well, ok - I did make the appointment yesterday because I really needed it cut but still...
Tomorrow, I plan to try to get my husband to take me shopping for new shampoo and other nice things; maybe some more bath stuff and lotions.
Those jeans are still a tiny bit snug in the thighs so I'll probably be trying them on every single day until I feel comfortable wearing them out in public, at which time I'll probably buy something else for myself.
I'm also thinking it's about time to get a massage. Weigh-in day is tomorrow for me so we'll see how much weight I've lost and how big a treat I deserve for it!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Snacks!
I don't know about you, but I love snacks. I'm not into sweets; I prefer savoury snacks like popcorn or tortilla chips and salsa. My mom is a champion snack food maker - she does lovely stuff like guacamole, cheese dip, and chicken wings. I've inherited this from her and love to make all kinds of dips and things like that.
Cutting out snacks was very difficult for me. I love crunchy snacks so I tried eating rice cakes. Three medium rice cakes are only 1 Weight Watchers point which is great, but I usually would start eating them and not stop until the entire pack was gone. I know they're relatively low in fat but a whole pack of them is about 500 calories! I had to nip that in the bud.
One of the easiest ways I found to do this was firstly, to only take about 4 out of a pack and take only those 4 to work. I was guaranteed not to overeat. I eventually just stopped buying them. I get small 35 gram packs of popcorn which is low in fat and calories and satisfies my salt craving. I allow myself one per day in the afternoon before I go to the gym.
I recently got some advice on snacking as well that has helped me immensely and I hope it will help you too. Firstly, you should know that I am an emotional eater. When I'm feeling stressed or upset I feel like I need to eat something. I was told that if I ever feel that way that I should tell myself, "Ok, I'll wait 30 minutes and if after 30 minutes I still really want that snack, I'll just go and get it." This worked very well for me. I almost always found that after 30 minutes, I didn't want whatever it was I was craving anymore.
I still make guacamole as well but use low-fat sour cream. My mom actually suggested low fat natural yogurt as well which I will try next. Instead of dipping tortilla chips in it, I make myself a nice salad and use it as a topping. It's wonderful!
Of course, you're not always going to find a suitable substitute for something you really crave. My advice is, if you want it, just have it! Once in a while it's ok to have something you want. I have found that by doing this, it helps keep me on the right track because I don't feel so deprived. I know I can have what I want, even if it's just a smaller amount. If I go completely off track, I know that I have a chance to start over again tomorrow and I don't obsess about it.
Some nice snack options -
Rice cakes with low fat cream cheese
Pickles
Carrot sticks
Veggies with low fat hummus
Popcorn (in moderation - you can get light versions of microwave popcorn, about 6 WW pts)
Fruit
Feel free to send on any more suggestions or comments!
Cutting out snacks was very difficult for me. I love crunchy snacks so I tried eating rice cakes. Three medium rice cakes are only 1 Weight Watchers point which is great, but I usually would start eating them and not stop until the entire pack was gone. I know they're relatively low in fat but a whole pack of them is about 500 calories! I had to nip that in the bud.
One of the easiest ways I found to do this was firstly, to only take about 4 out of a pack and take only those 4 to work. I was guaranteed not to overeat. I eventually just stopped buying them. I get small 35 gram packs of popcorn which is low in fat and calories and satisfies my salt craving. I allow myself one per day in the afternoon before I go to the gym.
I recently got some advice on snacking as well that has helped me immensely and I hope it will help you too. Firstly, you should know that I am an emotional eater. When I'm feeling stressed or upset I feel like I need to eat something. I was told that if I ever feel that way that I should tell myself, "Ok, I'll wait 30 minutes and if after 30 minutes I still really want that snack, I'll just go and get it." This worked very well for me. I almost always found that after 30 minutes, I didn't want whatever it was I was craving anymore.
I still make guacamole as well but use low-fat sour cream. My mom actually suggested low fat natural yogurt as well which I will try next. Instead of dipping tortilla chips in it, I make myself a nice salad and use it as a topping. It's wonderful!
Of course, you're not always going to find a suitable substitute for something you really crave. My advice is, if you want it, just have it! Once in a while it's ok to have something you want. I have found that by doing this, it helps keep me on the right track because I don't feel so deprived. I know I can have what I want, even if it's just a smaller amount. If I go completely off track, I know that I have a chance to start over again tomorrow and I don't obsess about it.
Some nice snack options -
Rice cakes with low fat cream cheese
Pickles
Carrot sticks
Veggies with low fat hummus
Popcorn (in moderation - you can get light versions of microwave popcorn, about 6 WW pts)
Fruit
Feel free to send on any more suggestions or comments!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Hard Way
I'm a woman in her 30s trying to lose weight. I think those of you in my position will agree that this is no easy task.
I've never been thin, but I was ok until I got married and let myself go!
I've tried many diets and I have to say that the one I like the best and the one I am sticking to (for the most part) is Weight Watchers. I say "for the most part" because I don't rigidly count points anymore. After a couple of years of doing it, I know how many points I can take in daily.
Anyway, I've started losing weight and have gone down a couple of sizes in clothes. When people ask me what I'm doing or what my secret is, I tell them I'm doing it "the hard way". I tell them I am eating less and exercising; I do three days a week at the gym and most weekends I am on my Wii Fit. Their faces fall and they say that they don't have time for that.
It seems everyone wants a quick way to lose weight. There certainly are quick ways; I know that firsthand; the problem with those diets is that you put the weight back on just as quickly as you lost it.
The best way is the hard way. Watch what you eat and get active! I currently have software that I use to track what I eat and how much I've exercised. It's very comprehensive and it tells me how many calories I'm eating as opposed to how much I'm burning. I'm proud to say that currently I burn more than I eat! I will weigh and measure myself this weekend to see how I've done for the week - the software tracks all of that as well.
I'll be updating this blog as often as I can. I'll be talking about challenges I face and how I've overcome them and I won't always talk about trying to lose weight!
Stay tuned!
I've never been thin, but I was ok until I got married and let myself go!
I've tried many diets and I have to say that the one I like the best and the one I am sticking to (for the most part) is Weight Watchers. I say "for the most part" because I don't rigidly count points anymore. After a couple of years of doing it, I know how many points I can take in daily.
Anyway, I've started losing weight and have gone down a couple of sizes in clothes. When people ask me what I'm doing or what my secret is, I tell them I'm doing it "the hard way". I tell them I am eating less and exercising; I do three days a week at the gym and most weekends I am on my Wii Fit. Their faces fall and they say that they don't have time for that.
It seems everyone wants a quick way to lose weight. There certainly are quick ways; I know that firsthand; the problem with those diets is that you put the weight back on just as quickly as you lost it.
The best way is the hard way. Watch what you eat and get active! I currently have software that I use to track what I eat and how much I've exercised. It's very comprehensive and it tells me how many calories I'm eating as opposed to how much I'm burning. I'm proud to say that currently I burn more than I eat! I will weigh and measure myself this weekend to see how I've done for the week - the software tracks all of that as well.
I'll be updating this blog as often as I can. I'll be talking about challenges I face and how I've overcome them and I won't always talk about trying to lose weight!
Stay tuned!
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