Imagine my surprise to see I was the biggest loser for my team last week! I did have a great week 3 of BLBE and I'm so happy to have such great results.
Last week (week 4) however was pretty tough for me all around. Anxiety (see my previous post) was at an all time high. I also found out Saturday that my aunt had died. Aunt Sherry was actually my dad's brother's ex-wife and was estranged from our family. We had not been in touch in several years, but it was still a shock and there is a lot of sadness that she has passed away. Most of all, my heart goes out to my young cousin (23) who has lost her mom. In some ways though, this weekend may have helped put things in perspective for me.
After my post last week, I saw my family doctor and got checked out. I had a really tough few days last week, but everything appears to be fine physically and he did some bloodwork that I should get back this week, for 'reassurance'. I do think those results will help put my mind at ease. He also agreed that it will likely be beneficial for me to see a therapist and I've got an appointment scheduled for tomorrow. While medication is still an option for me, I'm going to try to do this with therapy for now.
The last few days have actually been really good mentally. Even with the news about my aunt and attending her funeral yesterday, I haven't experienced much anxiety. This is probably the best time to try to get this under control and learn the right techniques for dealing with and managing the anxiety. It's not that it will never come back, I just need to be in a better position to deal with it.
I had another loss last week (week 4) of 3.2 lbs (down to 154.4). It was an unusual week though and my appetite was definitely not normal. I ate less than usual and it really wasn't on purpose. I'm feeling back in the game this week and I plan to get back to my mini-goals and tracking food here on my blog. My real goal for this week is to maintain and get back on program.
Thanks for the support and comments, they have really helped keep me going!
Monday, February 02, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
a rough week
Last week was really rough for me. I don't mean diet-wise, I was actually down 3.2 pounds to 157.8. I'm very excited to be back in the 150s!
I've been dealing with something else, much more personal and harder to write about. I've actually only really discussed this with a few people over the last few years - my husband, my mom and my doctor. I struggle with anxiety.
Almost 4 years ago I had my first panic attack. I remember it really well, I was at work and suddenly, out of the blue, I started to feel weird. My heart started racing, I was finding it hard to breathe, my arms were tingly and I felt nauseous. I remember thinking that I really thought I was dying. That I seriously felt like I could die. I had never felt like that before. I ended up leaving work and heading home and by the time I got home I felt much better, really kind of silly that I had had those thoughts.
A few weeks after that my grandmother died unexpectedly. It was really odd timing, but after that I had a few more panic attacks and finally realized what they were. I thought it was weird, but once I knew what it was, I wasn't so worried. I'm a very logical/analytical person and since I knew what was happening to me, I felt like I could handle it. I did pretty well for almost a year. I would still have those attacks, fairly regularly, but I dealt with it. I couldn't really determine what was causing them or if I had any 'triggers', but they only lasted a few minutes and then I would feel fine.
Eventually though, it caught up with me. I was out of town in New York for work and I had an attack that I just couldn't shake. It lasted for days and was just horrible. I almost went to the hospital because I thought I was truly sick. When I got home I knew that I had to do something. I went to see my doctor, who is also a friend of the family. I told him about my 'self-diagnosis' and after doing a few different tests to make sure I wasn't really suffering from something else, he prescribed the anti-depressant (and anti-anxiety) medication Lexapro. It helped really quickly, I literally stopped having attacks and just felt better in general. Over the next 2 and a half years, I took Lexapro and while I had a few panic attacks during that time, they were really infrequent.
I knew however that I didn't want to be on medication for the long term. It was easy to just keep taking it, because it was helping, but I wanted to be able to handle it on my own, as well as get rid of some of the side effects that I was feeling (mostly being really tired all the time). And most importantly, I wanted to be off the medication by the time I became pregnant (although from what I read there is no evidence that Lexapro is dangerous during pregnancy, and both my doctor and ob/gyn were okay with taking it - they actually say it could be worse for a baby to have anxiety during pregnancy). I did some research and gradually stopped taking the Lexapro (I did a step down approach, where I reduced how much I was taking until finally I stopped taking any).
I did well last fall. I had maybe 2 attacks, but overall felt good. I was eating well, exercising often and just felt really healthy in general. A few weeks ago, I seemed to start having a relapse. It's different than before. I haven't really had 'attacks', more like a generalized feeling of anxiety that just won't go away for more than a few hours. And it's not just that I feel nervous, it's really a feeling like something is really wrong, like I'm going to die, although I have no real physical symptoms (I do think I might have a sinus infection, I've had a headache and my sinuses feel stopped up, but that's the only thing spurring this feeling of doom). I have had a stressful few weeks at work, since I've been back from the half-marathon, but nothing really crazy. Nothing to explain this.
So, this last week has been really tough. I'm just trying to get by right now. I've made an appointment to see my doctor Wednesday and my plan is to ask him for a recommendation for a therapist. Medication is a last resort for me right now (although it's an option). My husband (who has been absolutely amazing about this) and I have done some research and it seems like the most promising ways to treat this are medication and/or therapy (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy). I have to do something, right now I'm just making it through the days. I'm a healthy woman with a wonderful life and I just want to enjoy it.
I didn't really plan on sharing this part of my life through this blog, but I feel like I need to get it out. I'm ready to take the next steps.
I've been dealing with something else, much more personal and harder to write about. I've actually only really discussed this with a few people over the last few years - my husband, my mom and my doctor. I struggle with anxiety.
Almost 4 years ago I had my first panic attack. I remember it really well, I was at work and suddenly, out of the blue, I started to feel weird. My heart started racing, I was finding it hard to breathe, my arms were tingly and I felt nauseous. I remember thinking that I really thought I was dying. That I seriously felt like I could die. I had never felt like that before. I ended up leaving work and heading home and by the time I got home I felt much better, really kind of silly that I had had those thoughts.
A few weeks after that my grandmother died unexpectedly. It was really odd timing, but after that I had a few more panic attacks and finally realized what they were. I thought it was weird, but once I knew what it was, I wasn't so worried. I'm a very logical/analytical person and since I knew what was happening to me, I felt like I could handle it. I did pretty well for almost a year. I would still have those attacks, fairly regularly, but I dealt with it. I couldn't really determine what was causing them or if I had any 'triggers', but they only lasted a few minutes and then I would feel fine.
Eventually though, it caught up with me. I was out of town in New York for work and I had an attack that I just couldn't shake. It lasted for days and was just horrible. I almost went to the hospital because I thought I was truly sick. When I got home I knew that I had to do something. I went to see my doctor, who is also a friend of the family. I told him about my 'self-diagnosis' and after doing a few different tests to make sure I wasn't really suffering from something else, he prescribed the anti-depressant (and anti-anxiety) medication Lexapro. It helped really quickly, I literally stopped having attacks and just felt better in general. Over the next 2 and a half years, I took Lexapro and while I had a few panic attacks during that time, they were really infrequent.
I knew however that I didn't want to be on medication for the long term. It was easy to just keep taking it, because it was helping, but I wanted to be able to handle it on my own, as well as get rid of some of the side effects that I was feeling (mostly being really tired all the time). And most importantly, I wanted to be off the medication by the time I became pregnant (although from what I read there is no evidence that Lexapro is dangerous during pregnancy, and both my doctor and ob/gyn were okay with taking it - they actually say it could be worse for a baby to have anxiety during pregnancy). I did some research and gradually stopped taking the Lexapro (I did a step down approach, where I reduced how much I was taking until finally I stopped taking any).
I did well last fall. I had maybe 2 attacks, but overall felt good. I was eating well, exercising often and just felt really healthy in general. A few weeks ago, I seemed to start having a relapse. It's different than before. I haven't really had 'attacks', more like a generalized feeling of anxiety that just won't go away for more than a few hours. And it's not just that I feel nervous, it's really a feeling like something is really wrong, like I'm going to die, although I have no real physical symptoms (I do think I might have a sinus infection, I've had a headache and my sinuses feel stopped up, but that's the only thing spurring this feeling of doom). I have had a stressful few weeks at work, since I've been back from the half-marathon, but nothing really crazy. Nothing to explain this.
So, this last week has been really tough. I'm just trying to get by right now. I've made an appointment to see my doctor Wednesday and my plan is to ask him for a recommendation for a therapist. Medication is a last resort for me right now (although it's an option). My husband (who has been absolutely amazing about this) and I have done some research and it seems like the most promising ways to treat this are medication and/or therapy (particularly cognitive behavioral therapy). I have to do something, right now I'm just making it through the days. I'm a healthy woman with a wonderful life and I just want to enjoy it.
I didn't really plan on sharing this part of my life through this blog, but I feel like I need to get it out. I'm ready to take the next steps.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Week 3 BLBE Mini-Goals
1. Continue to track food and calories on blog.
2. Exercise 4 days.
3. Sign up for 2010 Disney half marathon.
4. Create Week 4 meal plan.
2. Exercise 4 days.
3. Sign up for 2010 Disney half marathon.
4. Create Week 4 meal plan.
Week 3, Day 2
Breakfast: coffee w/2 T peppermint mocha creamer (70), strawberry 0% chobani yogurt (140), 1/2 c. oat bran cereal (70)
Lunch: chili (350), 1/2 slice asiago cheese bread (70), 1 c. fruit - strawberries/pineapple/mango (70)
Snack: 1 c. veggies - cucumbers/red & green bell peppers (50), black bean hummus (100) Dinner: ancho chile beef fajitas (450), refried beans w/salsa & cheddar cheese (150)
Snack: 1 c. 1% milk (100), dark chocolate (90)
Total: 1,710
Lunch: chili (350), 1/2 slice asiago cheese bread (70), 1 c. fruit - strawberries/pineapple/mango (70)
Snack: 1 c. veggies - cucumbers/red & green bell peppers (50), black bean hummus (100) Dinner: ancho chile beef fajitas (450), refried beans w/salsa & cheddar cheese (150)
Snack: 1 c. 1% milk (100), dark chocolate (90)
Total: 1,710
Monday, January 19, 2009
Week 3, Day 1
Breakfast: coffee w/2 T peppermint mocha creamer (70), strawberry 0% chobani yogurt (140), 1/2 c. oat bran cereal (70)
Lunch: chili (350), 1/2 slice asiago cheese bread (70), 1 c. fruit - strawberries/pineapple/mango (70)
Snack: 1 c. veggies - cucumbers/red & green bell peppers (50), black bean hummus (100)
Dinner: cornmeal crusted tilapia w/tomatillo salsa (250), baked sweet potato (100), snow peas (30), 1 T. olive oil (120)
Total: 1,420
Exercise: 10 minutes running (1 mile), weights
Lunch: chili (350), 1/2 slice asiago cheese bread (70), 1 c. fruit - strawberries/pineapple/mango (70)
Snack: 1 c. veggies - cucumbers/red & green bell peppers (50), black bean hummus (100)
Dinner: cornmeal crusted tilapia w/tomatillo salsa (250), baked sweet potato (100), snow peas (30), 1 T. olive oil (120)
Total: 1,420
Exercise: 10 minutes running (1 mile), weights
Week 2 Results
Week 2 Weigh-In:
A short week due to vacation last week, but I'm down 1.6 lbs since Wednesday, to 161.0. I'm really hoping to see the 150's this week!
1. Track all food in blog and estimate calorie counts. Done!
2. Work out in some way at least twice. I'm still recovering from last weekend and the 50 miles we walked over the 4 days we were at Disney (it was fun keeping track with our pedometer!), but I want to ge some additional workouts in this week. Maybe strength training or yoga. Done! 20 minutes running Saturday and 20 minutes yoga Sunday from yogadownload.com
3. Register for Disney half-marathon (or maybe marathon?) for 2010. Not yet. We're still trying to decide which race to register for. We definitely plan to do one, just indecisive.
4. Create meal plan for next week. Done! Created a plan for the week (mainly from this month's Cooking Light) and did all the shopping yesterday. I also made chili for lunches, cut up fruit and veggies for snacks, and made black bean hummus! I feel good knowing my week is all planned out with yummy, healthy meals.
A short week due to vacation last week, but I'm down 1.6 lbs since Wednesday, to 161.0. I'm really hoping to see the 150's this week!
1. Track all food in blog and estimate calorie counts. Done!
2. Work out in some way at least twice. I'm still recovering from last weekend and the 50 miles we walked over the 4 days we were at Disney (it was fun keeping track with our pedometer!), but I want to ge some additional workouts in this week. Maybe strength training or yoga. Done! 20 minutes running Saturday and 20 minutes yoga Sunday from yogadownload.com
3. Register for Disney half-marathon (or maybe marathon?) for 2010. Not yet. We're still trying to decide which race to register for. We definitely plan to do one, just indecisive.
4. Create meal plan for next week. Done! Created a plan for the week (mainly from this month's Cooking Light) and did all the shopping yesterday. I also made chili for lunches, cut up fruit and veggies for snacks, and made black bean hummus! I feel good knowing my week is all planned out with yummy, healthy meals.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Week 2, Day 5
Breakfast: coffee w/2 T peppermint mocha creamer (70), 1 1/2 c. cornflakes (150), 1 c. 2% milk (130)
Lunch: 6 in. Subway club w/ lettuce, vinegar, pepperjack cheese, honey mustard on whole wheat (500), 1/2 serving cheese-its (80)
Dinner: Moe's burrito in a bowl - rice, black beans, chicken, cheese, salsa (600), chips (200)
Snack: dark chocolate (180)
Lunch: 6 in. Subway club w/ lettuce, vinegar, pepperjack cheese, honey mustard on whole wheat (500), 1/2 serving cheese-its (80)
Dinner: Moe's burrito in a bowl - rice, black beans, chicken, cheese, salsa (600), chips (200)
Snack: dark chocolate (180)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Week 2, Day 4
Breakfast: coffee w/ 2 T. peppermint mocha creamer (70), omelet - 2 eggs (180), 1/4 c. cheese (110), 1 c. potatoes (100), 2.5 slices bacon (100), 1.5 tsp olive oil (60)
Lunch: mashed potatoes (250), dark chocolate (180)
Dinner: shared w/husband: cheeseburger, french fries, mac&cheese and 2 beers (a lot!)
Dinner was out with friends and obviously I didn't make the best choices. What I did do though was share dinner with my husband, since after a huge breakfast I wasn't too hungry.
Lunch: mashed potatoes (250), dark chocolate (180)
Dinner: shared w/husband: cheeseburger, french fries, mac&cheese and 2 beers (a lot!)
Dinner was out with friends and obviously I didn't make the best choices. What I did do though was share dinner with my husband, since after a huge breakfast I wasn't too hungry.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Week 2, Day 3
Breakfast: 1 c. Corn Chex (120), 1/2 c. Rice Chex (50), coffee w/2 T. peppermint mocha creamer (70), banana (100)
Lunch: 2 c. Amy's Lentil soup (300), apple (70)
Snack: peanut butter ball (100?), handful of pretzels (50)
Dinner: grilled pork chop (250), 1 c. mashed potatoes (250), 1/2 c. green beans (20)
Snack: popcorn (100), hot chocolate (70)
Total: 1,550
Lunch: 2 c. Amy's Lentil soup (300), apple (70)
Snack: peanut butter ball (100?), handful of pretzels (50)
Dinner: grilled pork chop (250), 1 c. mashed potatoes (250), 1/2 c. green beans (20)
Snack: popcorn (100), hot chocolate (70)
Total: 1,550
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Week 2, Day 2
Breakfast: 1 1/2 c. of Corn Chex (180), coffee w/ 2 Tbsp peppermint mocha creamer (70)
Lunch: 1 c. Pacific corn soup (120), banana (100)
Snack: 3 hershey kisses (75), 1 ferrero rocher (75)
Dinner: sushi - 2 pieces each of 3 different rolls (800?), 2 pieces veggie tempura (200)
Total: 1,620
Lunch: 1 c. Pacific corn soup (120), banana (100)
Snack: 3 hershey kisses (75), 1 ferrero rocher (75)
Dinner: sushi - 2 pieces each of 3 different rolls (800?), 2 pieces veggie tempura (200)
Total: 1,620
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Week 2, Day 1
Breakfast: 1 1/2 c. of Corn Chex (180), coffee w/ 2 Tbsp peppermint mocha creamer (70)
Lunch: 2 c. of Wolfgang Puck's Organic Spicy Bean soup (320)
Snack: banana (100)
Dinner: grilled pork chop (250), 1 c. mashed potatoes (250), 1/2 c. green beans (20)
Snack: chocolate covered gingerbread (140)
Total: 1,330
Lunch: 2 c. of Wolfgang Puck's Organic Spicy Bean soup (320)
Snack: banana (100)
Dinner: grilled pork chop (250), 1 c. mashed potatoes (250), 1/2 c. green beans (20)
Snack: chocolate covered gingerbread (140)
Total: 1,330
Week 2 BLBE Mini-Goals
I only have a few days left until my regular weigh-in next Monday. With that in mind, I need to give it my all the next few days. My goals for the next few days...
1. Track all food in blog and estimate calorie counts.
2. Work out in some way at least twice. I'm still recovering from last weekend and the 50 miles we walked over the 4 days we were at Disney (it was fun keeping track with our pedometer!), but I want to ge some additional workouts in this week. Maybe strength training or yoga.
3. Register for Disney half-marathon (or maybe marathon?) for 2010.
4. Create meal plan for next week.
1. Track all food in blog and estimate calorie counts.
2. Work out in some way at least twice. I'm still recovering from last weekend and the 50 miles we walked over the 4 days we were at Disney (it was fun keeping track with our pedometer!), but I want to ge some additional workouts in this week. Maybe strength training or yoga.
3. Register for Disney half-marathon (or maybe marathon?) for 2010.
4. Create meal plan for next week.
Week 1 Results
Week 1 Weigh In:
A few days late due to a lack of scale on vacation, but this morning I weighed in at 162.6. Down 0.4. Not outstanding, but considering I spent 5+ days at Disney/travelling, I'm pleased with the results. I'm definitely motivated to get back to normal though and I'm excited for this next week!
Week 1 Mini- Goals:
1. Track diet Monday-Thursday and post on blog. Done!
2. Participate in and finish(!) the Disney half marathon! Done!
3. Enjoy myself at Disney but avoid feeling uncomfortably full at any point. Done! Well mostly. Even with all the buffets, I don't really remember feeling like I went way overboard.
4. Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. Done! I think. it was actually kind of hard to tell at Disney, I'm used to having a water bottle that I constantly refill throughout the day. I mostly drank water at meals to help with this goal.
A few days late due to a lack of scale on vacation, but this morning I weighed in at 162.6. Down 0.4. Not outstanding, but considering I spent 5+ days at Disney/travelling, I'm pleased with the results. I'm definitely motivated to get back to normal though and I'm excited for this next week!
Week 1 Mini- Goals:
1. Track diet Monday-Thursday and post on blog. Done!
2. Participate in and finish(!) the Disney half marathon! Done!
3. Enjoy myself at Disney but avoid feeling uncomfortably full at any point. Done! Well mostly. Even with all the buffets, I don't really remember feeling like I went way overboard.
4. Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. Done! I think. it was actually kind of hard to tell at Disney, I'm used to having a water bottle that I constantly refill throughout the day. I mostly drank water at meals to help with this goal.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Results Are In
I just couldn't wait until we got back to post this.
We accomplished our goal of finishing the 2009 half marathon in the time alloted (3:30). We actually finished in 3:18. I'll share my story later, but I had to go ahead and get this up! It was amazing and gratifying and humbling.
My husband and I at mile 5.5 in the Magic Kingdom.
We accomplished our goal of finishing the 2009 half marathon in the time alloted (3:30). We actually finished in 3:18. I'll share my story later, but I had to go ahead and get this up! It was amazing and gratifying and humbling.
My husband and I at mile 5.5 in the Magic Kingdom.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Out of Commision
This blog that is. Until I return next Tuesday night with a recap of the half marathon and the resulting celebration at Disney! I'll also have to face the music when I get back, with my first weigh-in, so I'm going to mindful of that over the weekend.
Best of luck to all the BLBE participants, I'll be checking in next week!
Best of luck to all the BLBE participants, I'll be checking in next week!
Week 1, Day 4
Breakfast: coffee with 3 T. peppermint mocha, banana
Lunch: 3 squares flatbread w/cheese/artichoke hearts/peppers/pizza sauce
Snack: 100 calorie popcorn
That's it - this afternoon we leave for Disney!
Meals will resume when I'm back next Tuesday!
Lunch: 3 squares flatbread w/cheese/artichoke hearts/peppers/pizza sauce
Snack: 100 calorie popcorn
That's it - this afternoon we leave for Disney!
Meals will resume when I'm back next Tuesday!
Week 1, Day 3
Breakfast: Coffee w/2.5 T peppermint mocha creamer, apple oatmeal
Lunch: 3 small pieces of flatbread pizza, pineapple yoplait light yogurt
Dinner: cheeseburger, sweet potato fries from Canyons
Another dinner out. My parents are taking care of our puppy while we're out of town. Because my husband and I have been crazy busy this week, they drove the hour drive to our house to pick her up. In exchange, we took them out to dinner. Again, I ate lighter earlier in the day in preparation.
Lunch: 3 small pieces of flatbread pizza, pineapple yoplait light yogurt
Dinner: cheeseburger, sweet potato fries from Canyons
Another dinner out. My parents are taking care of our puppy while we're out of town. Because my husband and I have been crazy busy this week, they drove the hour drive to our house to pick her up. In exchange, we took them out to dinner. Again, I ate lighter earlier in the day in preparation.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Week 1, Day 2
Breakfast: Coffee w/2.5 T peppermint mocha creamer, apple oatmeal
Lunch: Amy's frozen cheddar cheese burrito, pear
Dinner: Sushi!
Snack: small birthday cake ice cream from brusters
Tonight we took our oldest nephew out for sushi and ice cream. He's moving to North Carolina over the weekend while we're gone, so we wanted to spend some time with him while he's gone. I knew I was going to have this meal out, so I tried to make the rest of the day lighter. I did pretty well. I stopped eatting when I was full, but I could have skipped the ice cream.
Lunch: Amy's frozen cheddar cheese burrito, pear
Dinner: Sushi!
Snack: small birthday cake ice cream from brusters
Tonight we took our oldest nephew out for sushi and ice cream. He's moving to North Carolina over the weekend while we're gone, so we wanted to spend some time with him while he's gone. I knew I was going to have this meal out, so I tried to make the rest of the day lighter. I did pretty well. I stopped eatting when I was full, but I could have skipped the ice cream.
Week 1, Day 1
Breakfast: Coffee w/2.5 T peppermint mocha creamer, 1 1/2 c. corn chex
Lunch: Amy's frozen cheddar cheese burrito, 1 c. pineapple
Snack: Pop Secret 100 calorie kettle corn
Dinner: omelet - 2 eggs, 1/2 c. hashbrowns, 1/4 c. cheddar cheese, 1/4 c. diced ham in 1 tsp olive oil and 1 slice whole wheat toast
Snack: brownie, w/whipped cream, hot chocolate
Lunch: Amy's frozen cheddar cheese burrito, 1 c. pineapple
Snack: Pop Secret 100 calorie kettle corn
Dinner: omelet - 2 eggs, 1/2 c. hashbrowns, 1/4 c. cheddar cheese, 1/4 c. diced ham in 1 tsp olive oil and 1 slice whole wheat toast
Snack: brownie, w/whipped cream, hot chocolate
Week 1 BLBE Mini-Goals
This is an unusual week in that I will be going out of town (to Disney!) at the end of the week and I'll be participating in a half marathon. While I plan to eat mindfully while I'm at Disney, I will not be keeping track of specifics while I'm there. This is a reward for 6 months of half marathon training and between the half marathon itself and then navigating the parks over the next 2 days, I should get in pleny of exercise!
So, my goals are:
1. Track diet Monday-Thursday and post on blog.
2. Participate in and finish(!) the Disney half marathon! I'm still nursing a 2 month old injury, but I feel confident I will be able to finish.
3. Enjoy myself at Disney but avoid feeling uncomfortably full at any point.
4. Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day - this should be easy on Saturday!
So, my goals are:
1. Track diet Monday-Thursday and post on blog.
2. Participate in and finish(!) the Disney half marathon! I'm still nursing a 2 month old injury, but I feel confident I will be able to finish.
3. Enjoy myself at Disney but avoid feeling uncomfortably full at any point.
4. Drink at least 64 ounces of water every day - this should be easy on Saturday!
Monday, January 05, 2009
The Plan
Plan is used loosely here. My goal is to eat healthy foods, in the right portions, and to move more.
In addition, I've been successful with setting weekly 'mini-goals' in the past, that are more specific and then evaluating each week on how I did meeting them. I like this approach because it lets me plan ahead, but adjust if I know I have certain things going on (like the half marathon coming up this weekend!) or if I need to focus in certain areas (like getting in water). I also like looking at it in smaller blocks of time, because really, there's nothing I can't do for 7 days at a time. So, at the start of each week, you'll see 3-6 healthy mini-goals that I will work to accomplish over the next 7 days and then I'll report on the results the following week along with my weigh-in.
In addition, I've been successful with setting weekly 'mini-goals' in the past, that are more specific and then evaluating each week on how I did meeting them. I like this approach because it lets me plan ahead, but adjust if I know I have certain things going on (like the half marathon coming up this weekend!) or if I need to focus in certain areas (like getting in water). I also like looking at it in smaller blocks of time, because really, there's nothing I can't do for 7 days at a time. So, at the start of each week, you'll see 3-6 healthy mini-goals that I will work to accomplish over the next 7 days and then I'll report on the results the following week along with my weigh-in.
Recent Progress
In the first few months of 2008, I put on about 10 pounds and was maintaining a weight of about 177-178. My husband and I both decided that we wanted to eat healthier and we began training for a half marathon around that same time, in July. While my husband lost about 20 pounds over the next several months, I continued to maintain my weight. I think that although I was eating healthier food, I was simply eating too much of them. In the beginning of October, as our half marathon training was stepping up, I came across a meal plan in Self magazine. We followed this plan for about 2 weeks and I saw the weight start to drop. After those 2 weeks, I continued eating healthier foods, this time in the right portions, and continued to drop weight. Early in November I injured myself running and my exercise scaled back, but I still saw weight drop, to about 164 right before Thanksgiving. Once the holidays started, I got a little sidetracked, but did not gain any weight, I lost about a pound in December.
A Recap
With the start of this new Biggest Loser Blog Edition (BLBE) challenge, I thought I would post a little recap about myself and why I've joined the BLBE.
The basics:
I'm 31 years old.
I've been happily married just over 3 years to an amazing man.
I live in Atlanta, GA.
I have a dog that I adore (Sage, she's a rescue dog that we got as a puppy 1 1/2 years ago).
We have a loving, supportive family and great friends.
I have a challenging job that I enjoy.
I've struggled with my weight basically all my life, generally being about 15-30 pounds overweight since I was a teenager. My motivation to 'diet' has always been to be healthier and feel better about myself. This time around, however, I do have a stronger motivation in addition to those others. I hope to become pregnant within the next year and I really want to be in the best shape that I can be in order to have a healthy pregnancy and to help as I become a new mom. I want to have a lifelong healthy relationship with food and exercise that I can teach my children. That motivation is stronger than any I've had before and I feel really positive that I can achieve that. BLBE promises to provide motivation and inspiration and encouragement and that will help me achieve my goals, while hopefully I can help others do the same.
The basics:
I'm 31 years old.
I've been happily married just over 3 years to an amazing man.
I live in Atlanta, GA.
I have a dog that I adore (Sage, she's a rescue dog that we got as a puppy 1 1/2 years ago).
We have a loving, supportive family and great friends.
I have a challenging job that I enjoy.
I've struggled with my weight basically all my life, generally being about 15-30 pounds overweight since I was a teenager. My motivation to 'diet' has always been to be healthier and feel better about myself. This time around, however, I do have a stronger motivation in addition to those others. I hope to become pregnant within the next year and I really want to be in the best shape that I can be in order to have a healthy pregnancy and to help as I become a new mom. I want to have a lifelong healthy relationship with food and exercise that I can teach my children. That motivation is stronger than any I've had before and I feel really positive that I can achieve that. BLBE promises to provide motivation and inspiration and encouragement and that will help me achieve my goals, while hopefully I can help others do the same.
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Biggest Loser, Blog Edition
I'm dusting off this old blog, having been inspired by a blogger that I frequently read, angiealltheway. Angie has started an online community, called Biggest Loser Blog Edition to motivate, encourage, and support each other to reach healthy goals. I started this blog over 2 and a half years ago and have used it on and off as I've tried to lose weight, I've been the most successful when I have kept track of my diet and exercise on this blog, but, it's been over a year since I've used the blog. I'm committed to losing 15 pounds and think this challenge, along with accountability on the blog, will help me do that.
I've been a pretty consistent yo-yo dieter over the last 10 years. I fluctuate from about 155-170 pounds. I think the 'right' weight for me would be about 15o. After gaining weight over the last year, I got up to about 177 pounds and became serious about losing it in October. So far I've lost about 14 pounds, I'm currently at 163, and I would like to use 13 more.
Thanks Angie, for being the inspiration to get blogging again and for getting us all together to start or continue on this journey. I wish all the fellow Biggest Loser Blog Edition members the best!
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