241.4
So yesterday I had a fight with my husband - nothing major or mariage threatening, just one of our occasional spats. So I left the house angry, and went to a bar to meet friends. But! I had already eaten a small but reasonable dinner and this bar doesn't serve food. So I'm safe right? I can have a few beers, commiserate with friends, and go home having not done too much damage to the scale.. um. no. I have NO control when I drink (food craving wise) and totally hit the taco bell drive through on the way home. Was I hungry? Sure felt like I was at the time. Did I choose to go home and pop some popcorn or have a handful of cashews? Nope. Bad cindy.
The scale did not punish me too badly this morning, but I fear tomorrow. It was a late night binge so maybe it will take a day for the punishment to hit. We shall see. So far today - good choices made, now to get through the next 8 hours...
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Still kicking
241.8 (not bad)
It's been a busy week so only time for a quick note to prove that I have not, once again, giving up and gained 20 lbs. I'm up a pound or so from last week, but it was a crazy stressful week and I'm thankful that's where I am. I'm really busy a work this month, so I think I'll be thankful to see under 240 by the end of the month. That's the plan. My brother, of course, is kicking my ass on the weightloss challenge, but I'm the tortiose, not the hare...so I tell myself. :0)
More to come, hopefully.
It's been a busy week so only time for a quick note to prove that I have not, once again, giving up and gained 20 lbs. I'm up a pound or so from last week, but it was a crazy stressful week and I'm thankful that's where I am. I'm really busy a work this month, so I think I'll be thankful to see under 240 by the end of the month. That's the plan. My brother, of course, is kicking my ass on the weightloss challenge, but I'm the tortiose, not the hare...so I tell myself. :0)
More to come, hopefully.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Week 1: Down 4.4lbs!
240.4
Yeah! Good scale day today. I'm so pleased. I kicked butt yesterday on the treadmill and did 85 minutes. Most of it walking, yes, but hell that's still a huge victory. Haven't climbed on that machine in too long. I did 20 minutes first, running as much as I could (about 10 mins of it) then was getting tired and bored. I'd been listing to my music, but was getting bored anyway, so I decided to let myself "walk" and try to get through a tv episode on my Ipod. I've never watched the show Grey's anatomy, but a few weeks ago decided I'd like to give it a try, so I'd downloaded the first season (9 episodes) to my ipod. So I clicked on episode 1. And walked through the whole darn thing. I mean it was great. I got totally absorbed for about 50 minutes. I'd continue to check myself and be sure I was still walking fast, keeping the heart rate up, and every 10 mins or so I'd make myself run for a minute or two to get the heart rate going, but it worked. I ended up burning 870 calories, which is awesome and likely the reason for this morning's good weigh in.
So this week is going to be something of a challenge just because I'm really busy at work. I have 2 depositions scheduled -Tuesday and Wednesday- that I'm not yet totally prepared for. But I'll get through them, I'm sure. Today I'll get everything finalized, but then I have a lot to do before the next week when I have my client coming in to prep for her deposition the following week. Basically I'm about 4 weeks from the end of discovery in a relatively big case, so lots going on.
That's ok though. I still plan to make my gym workouts. I didn't get there this morning like I'd planned, in part because I didn't sleep well last night. I couldn't get to sleep for some reason. But that's ok. I have my bag in the car and essentially have to drive by the gym to get home and I have my assignment, so I will go. I only have to put in about 50 mins, so there's no good excuse to dodge it.
So week one down of my challenge with my brother and I'm down 4.4 lbs. Not bad. Of course he lost 10.5, but that's a guy for you. My only hope in winning this challenge is that he'll slack after a month or two. I'm the tortoise, he's the hare. Besides, if I end up losing 40lbs over 4 months, I'll happily pay my brother $100 for the motivation. I need to lose 70 total, which is just daunting, but for now, I'm taking it one month, one week, and one day at a time. Today I will track everything I eat, stay within my points, and it the gym for an hour or so. That will be a successful day.
Yeah! Good scale day today. I'm so pleased. I kicked butt yesterday on the treadmill and did 85 minutes. Most of it walking, yes, but hell that's still a huge victory. Haven't climbed on that machine in too long. I did 20 minutes first, running as much as I could (about 10 mins of it) then was getting tired and bored. I'd been listing to my music, but was getting bored anyway, so I decided to let myself "walk" and try to get through a tv episode on my Ipod. I've never watched the show Grey's anatomy, but a few weeks ago decided I'd like to give it a try, so I'd downloaded the first season (9 episodes) to my ipod. So I clicked on episode 1. And walked through the whole darn thing. I mean it was great. I got totally absorbed for about 50 minutes. I'd continue to check myself and be sure I was still walking fast, keeping the heart rate up, and every 10 mins or so I'd make myself run for a minute or two to get the heart rate going, but it worked. I ended up burning 870 calories, which is awesome and likely the reason for this morning's good weigh in.
So this week is going to be something of a challenge just because I'm really busy at work. I have 2 depositions scheduled -Tuesday and Wednesday- that I'm not yet totally prepared for. But I'll get through them, I'm sure. Today I'll get everything finalized, but then I have a lot to do before the next week when I have my client coming in to prep for her deposition the following week. Basically I'm about 4 weeks from the end of discovery in a relatively big case, so lots going on.
That's ok though. I still plan to make my gym workouts. I didn't get there this morning like I'd planned, in part because I didn't sleep well last night. I couldn't get to sleep for some reason. But that's ok. I have my bag in the car and essentially have to drive by the gym to get home and I have my assignment, so I will go. I only have to put in about 50 mins, so there's no good excuse to dodge it.
So week one down of my challenge with my brother and I'm down 4.4 lbs. Not bad. Of course he lost 10.5, but that's a guy for you. My only hope in winning this challenge is that he'll slack after a month or two. I'm the tortoise, he's the hare. Besides, if I end up losing 40lbs over 4 months, I'll happily pay my brother $100 for the motivation. I need to lose 70 total, which is just daunting, but for now, I'm taking it one month, one week, and one day at a time. Today I will track everything I eat, stay within my points, and it the gym for an hour or so. That will be a successful day.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Homework Completed!
242.6
Well I did my homework - not as initially planned, but I did it, which is what counts. I've had a couple non-scale victories (NSV) in the last 24 hours that I'm very happy about. The first one was last night. I didn't end up going to the gym like I was supposed to (that is not the NSV obviously). I have not good excuse. My bad excuse is that I wanted to watch the national championship game with friends and didn't get out of work in time to hit the gym first. But I promised myself I'd go this morning before work. And I did! More on that later.
So anyway, last night I went out to my favorite bar - Y-Knots and watched the game with friends. Going in I had 14 points left for the day (and none earned due to the bailout on the gym). So I had the cheese quesadillas for 7 points and had 7 left. AND..... then I had only 3 beers (6pts). Yes, sireebob, I went to the bar and didn't go over on points. That's right. Normally I'd have some wings, or chicken fingers and tater tots and about 5 beers (a bucket- but over many hours..). Not last night. I stopped at 3 beers and switched to diet coke. And amazingly? When I got home not drunk, I didn't have the urge to binge like so many other nights when I drink to much. Yeah me!
Then this morning NSV #2 is actually GOING to the gym. Yes, I promised, but how many times have I gone to bed without exercising "promising" to get up and do it in the morning. Rarely does it happen. But this morning it did. I did 20 mins on the treadmill and about 30 mins doing the weight training program I had been assigned.
This is actually good. Not good that I skipped yesterday but good that I did my weight training on a Friday. Since my gym is near my work (30 miles from my house) it's less convenient to do weight training on the weekend, and it's important to take a "rest" day between weight training days, so by doing it today I've gotten myself on a M-W-F schedule. Had I done it yesterday I'd have had to fit it in sometime this weekend. That said - I don't plan to be a total bum this weekend. I do have a treadmill at my house, so there's no good excuse there. I know I'll be sore tomorrow and Sunday from the first weight training in a long while, but that doesn't prevent me from at least WALKING for 20-30 mins Sat. and Sun. so that's the plan. I will be happy if I just "walk" for 20 mins both Saturday and Sunday. In reality, once I get on the darn thing I won't be satisfied with walking the whole time so I will likely kick in some running. But to get my butt on there, I'm telling myself all I have to do is walk. That should work.
Tonight is going to be a challenege. My best friend is in from Hawaii and we're going out. Which definitely means drinking - no way around that. But I need to plan out my day food wise so I still have some points left and don't go over. I'd be so proud if I woke up tomorrow, having a great night out, and didn't feel guilty about going over in points. That's the plan.
Well I did my homework - not as initially planned, but I did it, which is what counts. I've had a couple non-scale victories (NSV) in the last 24 hours that I'm very happy about. The first one was last night. I didn't end up going to the gym like I was supposed to (that is not the NSV obviously). I have not good excuse. My bad excuse is that I wanted to watch the national championship game with friends and didn't get out of work in time to hit the gym first. But I promised myself I'd go this morning before work. And I did! More on that later.
So anyway, last night I went out to my favorite bar - Y-Knots and watched the game with friends. Going in I had 14 points left for the day (and none earned due to the bailout on the gym). So I had the cheese quesadillas for 7 points and had 7 left. AND..... then I had only 3 beers (6pts). Yes, sireebob, I went to the bar and didn't go over on points. That's right. Normally I'd have some wings, or chicken fingers and tater tots and about 5 beers (a bucket- but over many hours..). Not last night. I stopped at 3 beers and switched to diet coke. And amazingly? When I got home not drunk, I didn't have the urge to binge like so many other nights when I drink to much. Yeah me!
Then this morning NSV #2 is actually GOING to the gym. Yes, I promised, but how many times have I gone to bed without exercising "promising" to get up and do it in the morning. Rarely does it happen. But this morning it did. I did 20 mins on the treadmill and about 30 mins doing the weight training program I had been assigned.
This is actually good. Not good that I skipped yesterday but good that I did my weight training on a Friday. Since my gym is near my work (30 miles from my house) it's less convenient to do weight training on the weekend, and it's important to take a "rest" day between weight training days, so by doing it today I've gotten myself on a M-W-F schedule. Had I done it yesterday I'd have had to fit it in sometime this weekend. That said - I don't plan to be a total bum this weekend. I do have a treadmill at my house, so there's no good excuse there. I know I'll be sore tomorrow and Sunday from the first weight training in a long while, but that doesn't prevent me from at least WALKING for 20-30 mins Sat. and Sun. so that's the plan. I will be happy if I just "walk" for 20 mins both Saturday and Sunday. In reality, once I get on the darn thing I won't be satisfied with walking the whole time so I will likely kick in some running. But to get my butt on there, I'm telling myself all I have to do is walk. That should work.
Tonight is going to be a challenege. My best friend is in from Hawaii and we're going out. Which definitely means drinking - no way around that. But I need to plan out my day food wise so I still have some points left and don't go over. I'd be so proud if I woke up tomorrow, having a great night out, and didn't feel guilty about going over in points. That's the plan.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Take me back to school!
242.8 (small increase yes, but hey, I did have a few beers last night...)
Is it odd how when you have a plan for your health, a weightloss plan, a work out plan, an overall plan with goals and steps to get there, you feel better already. I mean I've only been back on track 3 days and I know there's no physical evidence yet, but I already feel slimmer, more confident, more motivated, more energized. Funny.
Today I took a new step in my plan to beat my brother's butt - I signed up for a new gym. Well actually it's an old gym - one I used to belong to when I worked at a firm four blocks away, before my days as a prosecutor, but new now, nonetheless. There's a gym in my building but I went in there the other day and realized that it's so small, neglected, etc., that I never go and never feel motivated to go. It's independently owned, so understandably they can't do a lot of renovations or keep the equipment super current. This "new" gym is one I used to go to - it's a chain (LAFitness) and there are like 3 billion locations around Atlanta, actually a brand new one near my office that I didn't even know exsited, that has a pool (very cool). And it's actually cheaper than the independant, in-my-building gym (which I guess shouldn't surprise me).
So I signed up. And I have my gym bag with me. And I'm going to work out tonight on the way home. I asked about personal training prices, and man they're just so damn expensive. I mean $240 a month to get a guy for 30 minutes once a week? And it goes up from there as you can imagine. Ridiculous. The only reason I wanted a personal trainer is to have someone develop a program for me, and keep me motivated. Well I decided to do the next best thing. Right after I signed up for the gym, I headed two blocks down to the Barnes & Noble and bought 2 things -The Body Sculpting Bible for Women and "The Ultimate Workout Logbook". For $40 I get most of what I wanted an instructor for. The bodysculpting book has a program that has me lifting weights 3 days a week, telling me exactly what exercise to do, changing the program every day, and then cycling to a new program every 2 weeks. Ok - so I have my program.
The "logbook" is, believe it or not a good part of my motivation. Let me explain. I've realized that if you want to be successful at something you have to figure out how to utilize your strengths to get it down. Self motivation is not a strength of mine. I'm a lazy bum. If I had the metabolism of my huband or best friend I don't think I'd even know what a "dumb bell" looked like. I'd totally be lazy and live off the benefits of my body's ability to burn the food I ate.
Alas, I don't so I need to find the "strength" that can get me what I want. In yesterday's post I found one - competition. I hate to lose, particularly to my brother, so that will keep me going to some extent. For a while at least. But I need more.
I thought about it today and realized that I need to tie my love for school into this journey. Yes, I do need to keep learning about fitness and nutrition, but what I really mean is I need the structure. One of the things I LOVE about school is its structure. You have a definite beginning - the first day of class - and a definite end - finals, and everything in between is planned out. For many classes you know the first day the assignments you'll have for every subsequent class. You have a plan - a road map.
I like assignments. And I like finite end points and goals.
So this log book and "program" gives me that. I have an assignment. I have to complete a very specific routine three days a week. And my "grade" is based upon my writing it down in my log book.
So where's the definite end? Of course there's not really an END end - I'll be doing this my entire life - but there are mini-ends. First is the first 2 weeks - the "program" has me doing a set routine for 2 weeks, then it changes. Then it's the first 6 weeks - the program gradually intensifies for 6 weeks then you cycle back to the first week's intensity, but with a different routine.
Then there's the running portion. Part of my assignment 3 times a week is to get on the treadmill and do the cardio. The program in the book just calls for 20 mins of cardio - no program for that. That's not good enough for me. For me, I've always measured my success cardiovascularly based upon my running. I've done a marathon, for goodness sake. But today when I jump on that treadmill, honestly I'll be lucky to be able to run a half mile straight without walking. So I need to build that back up. Slowly.
So I'm using the Couchto5K program to get me back in running shape - thus - giving me an assignment for each day. Today I've already written it down on a post-it to take with me to the treadmill. Along with my post-it outlining exactly which weight training exercises to do.
Today is Day 1. And I will get my homework done.
Is it odd how when you have a plan for your health, a weightloss plan, a work out plan, an overall plan with goals and steps to get there, you feel better already. I mean I've only been back on track 3 days and I know there's no physical evidence yet, but I already feel slimmer, more confident, more motivated, more energized. Funny.
Today I took a new step in my plan to beat my brother's butt - I signed up for a new gym. Well actually it's an old gym - one I used to belong to when I worked at a firm four blocks away, before my days as a prosecutor, but new now, nonetheless. There's a gym in my building but I went in there the other day and realized that it's so small, neglected, etc., that I never go and never feel motivated to go. It's independently owned, so understandably they can't do a lot of renovations or keep the equipment super current. This "new" gym is one I used to go to - it's a chain (LAFitness) and there are like 3 billion locations around Atlanta, actually a brand new one near my office that I didn't even know exsited, that has a pool (very cool). And it's actually cheaper than the independant, in-my-building gym (which I guess shouldn't surprise me).
So I signed up. And I have my gym bag with me. And I'm going to work out tonight on the way home. I asked about personal training prices, and man they're just so damn expensive. I mean $240 a month to get a guy for 30 minutes once a week? And it goes up from there as you can imagine. Ridiculous. The only reason I wanted a personal trainer is to have someone develop a program for me, and keep me motivated. Well I decided to do the next best thing. Right after I signed up for the gym, I headed two blocks down to the Barnes & Noble and bought 2 things -The Body Sculpting Bible for Women and "The Ultimate Workout Logbook". For $40 I get most of what I wanted an instructor for. The bodysculpting book has a program that has me lifting weights 3 days a week, telling me exactly what exercise to do, changing the program every day, and then cycling to a new program every 2 weeks. Ok - so I have my program.
The "logbook" is, believe it or not a good part of my motivation. Let me explain. I've realized that if you want to be successful at something you have to figure out how to utilize your strengths to get it down. Self motivation is not a strength of mine. I'm a lazy bum. If I had the metabolism of my huband or best friend I don't think I'd even know what a "dumb bell" looked like. I'd totally be lazy and live off the benefits of my body's ability to burn the food I ate.
Alas, I don't so I need to find the "strength" that can get me what I want. In yesterday's post I found one - competition. I hate to lose, particularly to my brother, so that will keep me going to some extent. For a while at least. But I need more.
I thought about it today and realized that I need to tie my love for school into this journey. Yes, I do need to keep learning about fitness and nutrition, but what I really mean is I need the structure. One of the things I LOVE about school is its structure. You have a definite beginning - the first day of class - and a definite end - finals, and everything in between is planned out. For many classes you know the first day the assignments you'll have for every subsequent class. You have a plan - a road map.
I like assignments. And I like finite end points and goals.
So this log book and "program" gives me that. I have an assignment. I have to complete a very specific routine three days a week. And my "grade" is based upon my writing it down in my log book.
So where's the definite end? Of course there's not really an END end - I'll be doing this my entire life - but there are mini-ends. First is the first 2 weeks - the "program" has me doing a set routine for 2 weeks, then it changes. Then it's the first 6 weeks - the program gradually intensifies for 6 weeks then you cycle back to the first week's intensity, but with a different routine.
Then there's the running portion. Part of my assignment 3 times a week is to get on the treadmill and do the cardio. The program in the book just calls for 20 mins of cardio - no program for that. That's not good enough for me. For me, I've always measured my success cardiovascularly based upon my running. I've done a marathon, for goodness sake. But today when I jump on that treadmill, honestly I'll be lucky to be able to run a half mile straight without walking. So I need to build that back up. Slowly.
So I'm using the Couchto5K program to get me back in running shape - thus - giving me an assignment for each day. Today I've already written it down on a post-it to take with me to the treadmill. Along with my post-it outlining exactly which weight training exercises to do.
Today is Day 1. And I will get my homework done.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
New Year, New Chances, Same old Goals...
Morning WI: 242.4
Well, I'm back. And I had a "holiday gain" like some many other people. Then I had a "resolution" like so many other people. But this time, I'm trying something a little different, in the hopes that it works. I'm having a CHALLENGE. Not just a personal goal, blah blah, that I can ignore and say "oh darn, I didn't do it". But a BET. With my brother - probably the person I love the most and am the most competitive with (it's a close call between him and my husband).
So, here's how it all went down. Over Christmas my cute but rotund brother stated that he and his wifey are going to start a serious diet on Jan. 5. I agreed I should join up and that maybe we should keep up with each other.
Then, this weekend I had a brilliant idea. Why not make it a game? Why not make it a challenge to see who can do the best on their weight loss goals? So - I bet my brother $100 that I can lose more weight (percentage wise) than he can in the next 4 months. If neither of us loses at least 10% of our body weight by then (May 4) the bets off, but if one or both of us does, the highest percentage gets $100. We weigh in and report weekly on Mondays.
My first weigh in was 244.8 lbs. (blah!) His was 300 flat. Unfortunately we live 3 states apart so we'll have to trust each other on the numbers, but he's got a wife there to keep him in check, and I have a husband so hopefully no cheating will ensue.
I don't konw if it will work. And I don't know how much I can lose in 4 months. I realistically shooting for 25 lbs, but I'd be thrilled with 30-40. We'll see. It has been fun teasing each other and threating to send a pizza to each other's houses. Today I posted a big picture of a Krystal chili-cheese pup on his facebook site to taunt him. I only do this because I know it will really motivate him more (we're both HIGHLY competitive.)
So that's where we are. I'm down a couple pounds since Monday but as we all know the first few days are easy. I'm still going to weigh in at Weight Watchers weekly on Thursdays to keep up with the new plan which I'm using to do this, and have some mid-week accountability. I hopefully with 2 weigh-in days a week I'll not go on crazy 3 day binges like I have in the past.
Here's hoping it works. Me and the other billion resolutioners...
Well, I'm back. And I had a "holiday gain" like some many other people. Then I had a "resolution" like so many other people. But this time, I'm trying something a little different, in the hopes that it works. I'm having a CHALLENGE. Not just a personal goal, blah blah, that I can ignore and say "oh darn, I didn't do it". But a BET. With my brother - probably the person I love the most and am the most competitive with (it's a close call between him and my husband).
So, here's how it all went down. Over Christmas my cute but rotund brother stated that he and his wifey are going to start a serious diet on Jan. 5. I agreed I should join up and that maybe we should keep up with each other.
Then, this weekend I had a brilliant idea. Why not make it a game? Why not make it a challenge to see who can do the best on their weight loss goals? So - I bet my brother $100 that I can lose more weight (percentage wise) than he can in the next 4 months. If neither of us loses at least 10% of our body weight by then (May 4) the bets off, but if one or both of us does, the highest percentage gets $100. We weigh in and report weekly on Mondays.
My first weigh in was 244.8 lbs. (blah!) His was 300 flat. Unfortunately we live 3 states apart so we'll have to trust each other on the numbers, but he's got a wife there to keep him in check, and I have a husband so hopefully no cheating will ensue.
I don't konw if it will work. And I don't know how much I can lose in 4 months. I realistically shooting for 25 lbs, but I'd be thrilled with 30-40. We'll see. It has been fun teasing each other and threating to send a pizza to each other's houses. Today I posted a big picture of a Krystal chili-cheese pup on his facebook site to taunt him. I only do this because I know it will really motivate him more (we're both HIGHLY competitive.)
So that's where we are. I'm down a couple pounds since Monday but as we all know the first few days are easy. I'm still going to weigh in at Weight Watchers weekly on Thursdays to keep up with the new plan which I'm using to do this, and have some mid-week accountability. I hopefully with 2 weigh-in days a week I'll not go on crazy 3 day binges like I have in the past.
Here's hoping it works. Me and the other billion resolutioners...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Feels Good
Official WI: 243.2
Morning WI: 237.8
Yesterday was good. I ate exactly what was allowed in my new "points range". Today I'm doing well so far. I've logged everything into weight watchers site and plan to keep up with it all week. I tried a new meeting last night that I won't be going back to, which is too bad because it's about 2 miles from my house. I just didn't like the vibe at all or the leader. There were only about 10 people there and I was the youngest by about 20 years. That would be ok, but the leader fancied herself a comedian but wasn't. She tried to get group participating and what she got was a lot of joking commentary. Like, when she asked what do you do when you need to find the motivation to continue- the response was: go eat a big meal then you'll feel really guilty. Um, no?
It almost felt like the people there weren't taking it seriously, which may have had to do a lot with the leader's style. Overall, it's just not for me.
That's ok, though because there is a WW center about 8 miles further from my house that has a lot of meetings to choose from, including a variety of leaders. I think I'm going to try the Thursday night at 7:00 meeting next week with the Friday morning at 8:30 being my fall back if I have to work late. I definitely need to go to meetings, I just need to find one that fits with me, my needs and my personality.
Morning WI: 237.8
Yesterday was good. I ate exactly what was allowed in my new "points range". Today I'm doing well so far. I've logged everything into weight watchers site and plan to keep up with it all week. I tried a new meeting last night that I won't be going back to, which is too bad because it's about 2 miles from my house. I just didn't like the vibe at all or the leader. There were only about 10 people there and I was the youngest by about 20 years. That would be ok, but the leader fancied herself a comedian but wasn't. She tried to get group participating and what she got was a lot of joking commentary. Like, when she asked what do you do when you need to find the motivation to continue- the response was: go eat a big meal then you'll feel really guilty. Um, no?
It almost felt like the people there weren't taking it seriously, which may have had to do a lot with the leader's style. Overall, it's just not for me.
That's ok, though because there is a WW center about 8 miles further from my house that has a lot of meetings to choose from, including a variety of leaders. I think I'm going to try the Thursday night at 7:00 meeting next week with the Friday morning at 8:30 being my fall back if I have to work late. I definitely need to go to meetings, I just need to find one that fits with me, my needs and my personality.
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