I've been reading a weight loss blog sponsored by our local paper, The Charlotte Observer. You can read it here. It was actually part of the reason I started blogging on my weight loss journey instead of day to day activites or stories. The blog profiles 3 wanna be healthy people and they each blog twice a week. One of the bloggers is having a really tough time keeping her promises to herself, exercising and just being healthy in general. Her readers comments are constantly full of ridicule and judgement. I typically root for the underdog, but I don't think this blogger gets it. She dines out at places such as Chima (Brazilian steakhouse), has ice cream and then boasts about gorging herself at Easter dinner and how amazing it was.
I can't root for her anymore, I can't leave her encouraging comments. I think of all that I have done and am doing to achieve my goal of a forever healthy lifestyle and she just makes me angry. She still says she is trying but is obviously not. I don't know why I'm so mad at someone I don't know or why her lack of willpower bothers me. I really want to see her succeed like the other two bloggers. I really wanted her to get on track and do it. Now I just don't know if she can or if she even wanted to in the first place. She's cut her blogging down to once per week and I don't want to read her excuses anymore. However, I really hope she surprises all of the readers for the sake of her health and emotional well-being.
I also feel sorry for her, I think of my amazing support system and how my family has changed things for me so that I am able to still sit down and enjoy a meal with them. I know I could do it without them, but it's much easier with them. I think of my husband, who was used to getting pizza at least 3 times a month and hasn't had any since I started on my journey. He was also used to other fun foods that no longer exist in our home, I know myself and if I get tempted by one thing it will lead to another (I do make dinner for him nightly, he gets sides that I don't, steamed carrots, potatoes, whole grain pasta, etc...). Some people will say that my family shouldn't have to change because of me. To those people, I say try to overcome something without full support and see where you go.
Getting closer to 30 lbs gone and its worth every green gunk drink in the world.
Nothing can taste as good as skinny and healthy is going to feel.
And I have my family to thank in helping me get there.
Monday, April 25, 2011
I survived my first holiday!
Usually my family does the typical Easter dinner, ham, mashed potatoes, carrot casserole, crescent rolls, and of course veggies followed by my Mom's delicious carrot cake... this year was different. My ENTIRE family is behind me in my goals and they switched the typical high calorie and tempting Easter dinner for an Easter brunch. While my family feasted on my dad's famous pancakes, a sausage breakfast casserole and fruit salad, my mom and dad made me a delicious roasted chicken salad with almonds and balsamic. Delicious and it was so nice and supportive of them to make a change for me this year. Seeing results and having an awesome family led to me wearing a pencil skirt to see the Blue Man Group (hilarious!) yesterday and to work today. I feel sexy and sassy for the first time in a long time... that's freaking awesome.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
My exercise heaven
I've never loved exercise, growing up I was on the swim team from the age of 8 to the age of 18, managed pools, life guarded, coached and taught swim lessons until I was 25 and I loved all of that. So all I've ever known was swimming, I never got comfortable with an actual gym and I honestly do not want to wear a swim suit right now. My wonderful older brother is a huge gym buff, he's been in great shape for as long as I can remember and I've always envied him for that and his love for the gym. He hasn't struggled with weight like I have, I like to think he got the skinny genes. I do envy him but I've never wanted to spend hours everyday in the gym like he has (Yes, I know you have to put in the effort to take away results... ), I just never found my exercise heaven like he has.
But, what I've realized is that exercise can be fun and I don't have to even go to the gym! I just had to find my own exercise heaven. The 30 minutes of Zumba everyday get my heart going, the sweat dripping and my hips swinging. I find myself singing along in Spanish and I have no idea what the heck I am even saying. I'm hip thrusting, booty popping, clapping along and it's perfect for me! I constantly dance in the kitchen, I'm a seat dancer in the car and I love music. It's not the same routine every time and you use EVERY part of your body, even my arms are sore after some sessions. And guess what... I do it right upstairs in the bonus room. I don't have to go to the gym and wait for a stinking human hamster wheel to open up. Sure, you still have to make yourself do it when you don't want to, but the plus side is if you love it, it is easier to get off your butt and do it. I've found my exercise heaven and it's fabulous.
Everyone deserves to find their exercise heaven. If you love to dance and you haven't found yours, TRY it! I don't hit every step and I'm sure I look like a big fool, but who cares! And besides, the cool down belly dance might even come in handy some day (wink wink)...
But, what I've realized is that exercise can be fun and I don't have to even go to the gym! I just had to find my own exercise heaven. The 30 minutes of Zumba everyday get my heart going, the sweat dripping and my hips swinging. I find myself singing along in Spanish and I have no idea what the heck I am even saying. I'm hip thrusting, booty popping, clapping along and it's perfect for me! I constantly dance in the kitchen, I'm a seat dancer in the car and I love music. It's not the same routine every time and you use EVERY part of your body, even my arms are sore after some sessions. And guess what... I do it right upstairs in the bonus room. I don't have to go to the gym and wait for a stinking human hamster wheel to open up. Sure, you still have to make yourself do it when you don't want to, but the plus side is if you love it, it is easier to get off your butt and do it. I've found my exercise heaven and it's fabulous.
Everyone deserves to find their exercise heaven. If you love to dance and you haven't found yours, TRY it! I don't hit every step and I'm sure I look like a big fool, but who cares! And besides, the cool down belly dance might even come in handy some day (wink wink)...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Motivation...
Start Where You Stand
By Berton Braley
By Berton Braley
Start where you stand and never mind the past,
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don't give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.
The past won't help you in beginning new,
If you have left it all behind at last
Why, that's enough, you're done with it, you're through;
This is another chapter in the book,
This is another race that you have planned,
Don't give the vanished days a backward look,
Start where you stand.
The world won't care about your old defeats
If you can start anew and win success;
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand-new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.
If you can start anew and win success;
The future is your time, and time is fleet
And there is much of work and strain and stress;
Forget the buried woes and dead despairs,
Here is a brand-new trial right at hand,
The future is for him who does and dares,
Start where you stand.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
It takes a lot to lose a lot...
For those who don't want to read me whine for a bit... you might want to scroll down...
I never realized how hard this was going to be --- correction, I knew how hard it was going to be however, I didn't anticipate it being THIS hard, I've dieted before, worked with weight loss clinics, been on prescriptions and OTC's to help me with the problem. I'm a mindless eater, a food addict and an over eater, it's taken me a long time to admit that I have a problem. Food is my drug, it's my vice and I have to control it. America has a problem with obesity and I don't want to be part of a statistic anymore, I'm better than that.
I've talked to counselors and been to group sessions. I've been there and done that. This time is going to be different because this plan has been hard as hell. While the weight may be coming off pretty fast, I'm having a hard time. Tears, frustration and disgust with myself have been a pretty daily thing this past week. Maybe it's just female hormones, who knows. Daniel has been there and helped me, but its still not easy. I just want to be normal, I want to win this fight and not EVER do it again. I don't want to shop at Lane Bryant anymore!!! I'm drinking this green disgusting crap and I never want to do it again. I'm eating the same salad every night and the same cereal every morning. Routine doesn't make it easy, but it's what I need.
It takes a lot to lose a lot. It takes willpower that you have to pull from the deepest part of you, it takes family and friends that are completely supportive and that will push you through when all you really want is a bag of pretzels, cake and a diet coke. It's having a husband that understands I have a problem and helps me by helping keep bad foods out of the house. It takes the tears and the frustration, because if it were easy, it wouldn't mean enough. It takes self disgust, so that I know where I am and that I cannot stay here. I have a lot to lose and I have what it takes to lose it and keep it off.
Now for the positives!!
I've been doing Zumba and it's wonderful! I'm in love with the music, the moves and the fact that I "level up" with every routine. I get "Zumba Jammer" status when my 30 minute workout is done and that's pretty cool. I'm definitely not the most graceful or coordinated person around, but the workout is kick butt and a ton of fun. I've been doing the workouts on beginner since last week and tomorrow is my first day on intermediate. I have a feeling it's going to be hard doing steps I haven't done before, but change is good in a workout.
I'm also now down 20 pounds, Daniel and I went out with our really great friends, Michael and Erika on Sunday to dinner and I treated myself to a glass of wine. I so deserved it!! I'm not treating myself at all, so the glass of wine was a real treat. However, it was NOT very good (yes, I still finished it... who wastes wine!?!) but, it was still not water or plain green tea or my green gunk... such a treat!
It's been so nice having steak and chicken again! My boring same day everyday morning cereal (Fiber One original) is actually realllllly good with Vanilla Almond Milk and my Fiber One Cereal Bar as a snack is just enough chocolate to satisfy some cravings (not all though). This 4 week plan is a little easier than the 2 week plan!
On a side note...
A lot of people (skinny and non) have told me that they could never do what I'm doing and that makes me feel really good. I'm choosing to do it now before it's forced on me later. I'm doing it to have a better feeling about myself and to feel comfortable on a day to day basis. I want to be healthy and to never deal with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, or any other weight related issues. I want to feel sexy and young! I want to wear a bikini again and I WILL! And yes, I want to have a healthy pregnancy when we decide to start our family and actually have a baby bump!! I'm excited about these changes and if that means I can never have bad food again, that's perfectly fine with me!
What do you do to keep yourself motivated when something gets hard?
I never realized how hard this was going to be --- correction, I knew how hard it was going to be however, I didn't anticipate it being THIS hard, I've dieted before, worked with weight loss clinics, been on prescriptions and OTC's to help me with the problem. I'm a mindless eater, a food addict and an over eater, it's taken me a long time to admit that I have a problem. Food is my drug, it's my vice and I have to control it. America has a problem with obesity and I don't want to be part of a statistic anymore, I'm better than that.
I've talked to counselors and been to group sessions. I've been there and done that. This time is going to be different because this plan has been hard as hell. While the weight may be coming off pretty fast, I'm having a hard time. Tears, frustration and disgust with myself have been a pretty daily thing this past week. Maybe it's just female hormones, who knows. Daniel has been there and helped me, but its still not easy. I just want to be normal, I want to win this fight and not EVER do it again. I don't want to shop at Lane Bryant anymore!!! I'm drinking this green disgusting crap and I never want to do it again. I'm eating the same salad every night and the same cereal every morning. Routine doesn't make it easy, but it's what I need.
It takes a lot to lose a lot. It takes willpower that you have to pull from the deepest part of you, it takes family and friends that are completely supportive and that will push you through when all you really want is a bag of pretzels, cake and a diet coke. It's having a husband that understands I have a problem and helps me by helping keep bad foods out of the house. It takes the tears and the frustration, because if it were easy, it wouldn't mean enough. It takes self disgust, so that I know where I am and that I cannot stay here. I have a lot to lose and I have what it takes to lose it and keep it off.
Now for the positives!!
I've been doing Zumba and it's wonderful! I'm in love with the music, the moves and the fact that I "level up" with every routine. I get "Zumba Jammer" status when my 30 minute workout is done and that's pretty cool. I'm definitely not the most graceful or coordinated person around, but the workout is kick butt and a ton of fun. I've been doing the workouts on beginner since last week and tomorrow is my first day on intermediate. I have a feeling it's going to be hard doing steps I haven't done before, but change is good in a workout.
I'm also now down 20 pounds, Daniel and I went out with our really great friends, Michael and Erika on Sunday to dinner and I treated myself to a glass of wine. I so deserved it!! I'm not treating myself at all, so the glass of wine was a real treat. However, it was NOT very good (yes, I still finished it... who wastes wine!?!) but, it was still not water or plain green tea or my green gunk... such a treat!
It's been so nice having steak and chicken again! My boring same day everyday morning cereal (Fiber One original) is actually realllllly good with Vanilla Almond Milk and my Fiber One Cereal Bar as a snack is just enough chocolate to satisfy some cravings (not all though). This 4 week plan is a little easier than the 2 week plan!
On a side note...
A lot of people (skinny and non) have told me that they could never do what I'm doing and that makes me feel really good. I'm choosing to do it now before it's forced on me later. I'm doing it to have a better feeling about myself and to feel comfortable on a day to day basis. I want to be healthy and to never deal with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, or any other weight related issues. I want to feel sexy and young! I want to wear a bikini again and I WILL! And yes, I want to have a healthy pregnancy when we decide to start our family and actually have a baby bump!! I'm excited about these changes and if that means I can never have bad food again, that's perfectly fine with me!
What do you do to keep yourself motivated when something gets hard?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
I finished my first two weeks!
This morning was my two week follow up with Dr. Bauer and it was WONDERFUL! As you already know I have lost 15 pounds in the past two weeks, he said that was a great average. And... I got my 4 week plan! I get to switch out my breakfast Organic Frog for Fiber One Cereal, have a Fiber One cereal bar for a snack, still drinking my Organic Frog for lunch and I get to add some chicken or steak in with my salad for dinner! HEAVEN! He also said I could switch up lunch and dinner if I chose. So, today for lunch I definitely had a piece of chicken with steamed veggies. YUM! I missed chewing, I missed flavor, it was amazing. I still have to have my protein and eggs at night, but I get CHICKEN or STEAK! So wonderful.
I've also upped my physical activity, I've started doing Zumba every night for 30 minutes this week, I'm going to up it to 45 for 5 days out of the week. Zumba is awesome, I love dancing and I love how I don't really feel like I'm working out (but, it is a serious calorie burner). I'm doing it on the Wii for now and will eventually move to the beginner classes at the Y. I also plan on starting to go to the Y after work 3 days a week for 30 minutes before heading home for dinner and Zumba just to get some strength training in as well.
A few people have been wondering what exactly I have been consuming for breakfast and lunch. Organic Frog aka Greens Today is an OTC superfood, your doctor does not need to prescribe it and anyone can get it. I order it here, Greens Today is certified organic and they even offer a vegan option for those with a vegan diet. They also offer a TON of vitamins for children and adults alike. All of the ingredients are listed as well, so if anyone is wondering what's in it or the other products that Greens Today offers... check out this link.
I'm also drinking 1/2 of my body weight in ounces of water. And I am not consuming sugar, white flour based products, carrots, rice, potatoes, or beans. I'm sticking to what he's telling me and not venturing outside of that. Another thing that has been prescribed to me that helps is Apidex (Phentermine), it's an appetite suppressant. There is a lot of controversy about the medication if you search the internet, but if used correctly and as prescribed, it's a BIG help.
I go back to Dr. Bauer in 4 weeks, but I will definitely keep weighing myself and sticking to his plan. I'll keep you all updated of course! I'm just relieved that the first 2 weeks are over...
And to ALL of my girlfriends that are working on themselves... it feels darn good to make some real progress, and that's enough motivation in itself. Nothing tastes as good as losing weight feels!
I've also upped my physical activity, I've started doing Zumba every night for 30 minutes this week, I'm going to up it to 45 for 5 days out of the week. Zumba is awesome, I love dancing and I love how I don't really feel like I'm working out (but, it is a serious calorie burner). I'm doing it on the Wii for now and will eventually move to the beginner classes at the Y. I also plan on starting to go to the Y after work 3 days a week for 30 minutes before heading home for dinner and Zumba just to get some strength training in as well.
A few people have been wondering what exactly I have been consuming for breakfast and lunch. Organic Frog aka Greens Today is an OTC superfood, your doctor does not need to prescribe it and anyone can get it. I order it here, Greens Today is certified organic and they even offer a vegan option for those with a vegan diet. They also offer a TON of vitamins for children and adults alike. All of the ingredients are listed as well, so if anyone is wondering what's in it or the other products that Greens Today offers... check out this link.
I'm also drinking 1/2 of my body weight in ounces of water. And I am not consuming sugar, white flour based products, carrots, rice, potatoes, or beans. I'm sticking to what he's telling me and not venturing outside of that. Another thing that has been prescribed to me that helps is Apidex (Phentermine), it's an appetite suppressant. There is a lot of controversy about the medication if you search the internet, but if used correctly and as prescribed, it's a BIG help.
I go back to Dr. Bauer in 4 weeks, but I will definitely keep weighing myself and sticking to his plan. I'll keep you all updated of course! I'm just relieved that the first 2 weeks are over...
And to ALL of my girlfriends that are working on themselves... it feels darn good to make some real progress, and that's enough motivation in itself. Nothing tastes as good as losing weight feels!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Besides fat talk...
Saturday, Daniel and I were going to host a BBQ at our house (which we had to cancel because of hail, lightning, rain) with 25 of our friends. I was sooo excited to celebrate the fact that winter was over and have everyone over. Daniel had to head to REI for his last day of work and before he left, I asked him to put the table umbrella back up. When he picked it up, out came a freaking baby COPPERHEAD!! Daniel is all male, not afraid of snakes at all. He trapped it under his foot and was trying to pick it up with tongs when it slid its nasty self in between the slats on our back deck. Now, we do live in the country and I have seen mice in our backyard, so I kinda expected there to be snakes out there but I hadn't seen one yet. Now that I've seen one, I am SERIOUSLY afraid of our backyard. I am actually kind of glad that the weather came, because my scaredy butt would have been inside playing hostess while everyone else hung out in the backyard. We used something called "Snake Away", has anyone tried this and if so, did it work?? We can't get under our deck because it has wood down to the ground, but really. How do you get rid of snakes? Our neighbors on one side have two children and on the other side they rescue animals, I don't want the snakes to go in either of their yards, but I don't want them in mine either. I know they should be killed, but I can't get to them! Okay, I wouldn't do it anyways, Daniel would have to.
Anyone have any snake advice??
Anyone have any snake advice??
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