This is a diary of my journey through weight loss. I hope it encourages you as it helps me through one of the hardest challenges of my lifetime so far.



Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Slow starting but starting.

Ok. So I have written in my food journal for 3 days. I have stayed (barely) in my calorie range but gone over on fat. Still have loads of improvement, but at least getting going again. Shared my blog address on facebook so now all will know.  Yikes. Much pressure now to put my money where my mouth is.  I have good support. I wish like crazy I would just get myself to the gym.  No more excuses. Just do it right? I got a couple of different job opps today and hope that they pan out and then my life will be much easier without the job I dont like right now.  What a sweet day that will be to say good bye to that.  I love mornings as I get older and I would love to be able to excercise in the am. Just not at 5 or 6 am. 8 would be good. Anyway. I'm starting again. So that is good.

Monday, December 27, 2010

EXCUSES

Disorganization. That is my middle name I think. When I get too much activity going I don't stay on track very well. My activity has been working 40-50 hours a week for the last 3 months. And that doesn't count the 45 minute commute or the weekends or evenings on call. Or the massages done in between. And throw in a little traveling, company, a couple of school concerts, a play, some football games, craft club, etc etc etc. You get the picture and that is my excuse. And that is just that. AN EXCUSE. You know the saying don't you? Excuses are like, (can I say Rectums), everybody's got 'em and they stink. So I am through with excuses and ready to get back at it. I knew this would be hard and I am not going to quit. I won't let my family and me down. I have regained 5 pounds and don't want anymore. So today I logged my food and exercise and posted to my blog.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Staying on Track

Staying on track is hard for me. I don't know why. Disorganized? Something in my childhood creeping up? Just don't really want to? Too hard? I don't know but it certainly is.  The last 3 weeks have found me back at work full time and because I am just pooped at the end of the day I just don't get it done.  I certainly don't have time during the day. And by the time the evening comes I am tired and don't want to. All excuses I know. And I also know I MUST change that about myself.  I have stuck to this long enough that I am still very aware of my food choices, but I will soon be back in old habits and gain back my lost weight if I don't MAKE time to do it.  I haven't lost anymore weight and I will not make goal if I don't get it together. Pray for me please. I do NOT want to return to former weight and I don't want to be 5 years at it either.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

FIRST GOAL ATTAINED!!!!!!

Today I am very happy to say I met my first 3 month goal.  I am currently 276 pounds. Down a total of 18 pounds from when I started.  Let's review the goal:

July 21-Oct. 21, 2010 starting weight: 294 check
Goal: 15-20 pound loss for weight of 274-279 check
I follow a 1500-1800 cal. per day diet plan. that has changed since I added some exercise and am following spark people's suggestion. It is usually  1700-2100 or so depending on amount of exercise.
I keep a food journal and I map out my meals before the day begins and stick to the plan. mostly check. Have missed some days, usually when I am busy.  I must watch it very closely or else I slip into old habits very easily. Sticking to plan is harder without writing it down.
I keep a written log of every single thing that goes in my mouth (in case I am human and mess up) see above.
I drink 1/2 my bodyweight in ounces per day. (and baby that is alot right now) have probably only done this 1/3 of the time.  I try, but that is alot of water.  I start everyday with that goal though, and I really think it is a very important part of the plan. 
I do not eat any more after the last meal of my day. 90% of the time. Still striving for 100%
I walk 3 times a week for 30 minutes. No check. Started out good first month, but have fallen off the wagon in this area.  Exercise seems to be a very hard challenge for me. A goal to continue to strive for.
I concentrate on eating slower. Needs improvement still. Takes a very concious effort for me.
I read stories that inspire of those who have conquered their weight. Have not done daily but have done alot. It is helpful.
I hang visible reminders in my view to remind me continually of my pledges and goals. This I have not done. I think it would help though.  Since I have had success I haven't been as motivated to do this, but I know a time will come that I may NEED this.
I share this plan with family and accept their support. I make a contract with them. check. Will you guys review as well and add or change or not?

My family and a few close friends have been so supportive of me and I am most grateful.  The journey is a long one and far from over, but I know you will all be there for me. Thank you so much.  I like the way the goals are divided into 3 month increments. I feel excited and motivated like a new beginning to stay on track and fix what needs fixed.  18 more pounds and I will surely be noticing a big difference. I am ready now to invite some of my other friends and family to join me in my journey now.  This feels great now, I can't even imagine what it will be like when I lose all the weight I want. I look so forward to that day. 

New Goals Review:
Oct. 21 - Jan. 21, 2011 current weight: 274-279 (now 276)

Goal: 15-20 pound loss for weight of 254-264 (256-261)
I continue all the above and review the contract, visible reminders and check in with support. Make any changes needed. work on
I keep a food journal and I map out my meals before the day begins and stick to the plan
I keep a written log of every single thing that goes in my mouth (in case I am human and mess up)
I drink 1/2 my bodyweight in ounces per day
I do not eat any more after the last meal of my day
I increase 30 minute walk to 6 days per week. Need to meet this goal first: I walk 3 times a week for 30  minutes

I work on possible emotional reasons for weight being out of control. I lose 20# by my 47th birthday.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Small Success

I lost another 2 pounds. Again. I am smiling. I am back to the lowest I have been in a long time. 3 more pounds and I will have reached the high end of my 15-20 pound weight loss goal.  And I have 8 more days to do it.  I am going to try. If I only lose 1 or 2 though I am still in the goal and will have succeeded.  I am so happy that I have stuck to the plan for the most part.  Some bad times, but mostly good.  I will have to improve some things if I want it to keep coming off I know.  But for now it is good.
The whole family was here last weekend. Loved it so much!!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

No Wonder

Well I have been avoiding this post.  Not doing so hot on the diet.  Been here before.  I just don't understand myself sometimes.  I have lost 25 pounds in the last year.  Could I just keep it up? I am going to try not to be hard on myself but I am a little unhappy with me today.  I gained 2 pounds since last weigh in.  I wanted to lose 3 more before my family came to visit this weekend. Not going to happen even if I starve myself. Literally. Anyway I fell off the wagon, ate peanuts and candy corn, ice cream cake, pizza, cookies, lots of snack crackers, some dips, some chips. Failed to write stuff down.  Why did I even buy some of that stuff? A Halloween tradition, a birthday, a trip out of town and unorganization.  Oh my how easy it is (even after nearly 3 months) to slip right back into terrible habits.  The difference this time is that I will reorganize myself and get back to it.  I can do this. I have been doing this.  Goal this week: Do NOT overeat or eat badly because family is here. This is no excuse.  Remember that I NEVER want to go back to previous weight.  No matter how many times I fall, I will pick myself up and keep going. 

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Never giving up

I love some of these quotes I get from SparkPeople. They are not only good for my dieting mind but also for life in general sometimes. I hope you are inspired as well.

Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.


- Chinese Proverb


Do you ever get frustrated because things are moving too slowly in your life? Many people don't realize that building a foundation for success does not happen overnight. It is a slow process in which you are constantly working and learning. After all, that foundation must remain strong, even in times of failure or crisis. This takes time! You may have to remind yourself that "failing" is only failure if you quit; otherwise it's a learning opportunity. So don't worry if your life seems to be moving in slow motion. Concentrate on building a solid foundation and learning from your back steps.