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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 27 August 2007 08:08 pm |
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I'm new to the site, but not new to journaling. I've tended to keep all of this kind of stuff together in my main journal, but I like the idea of getting feedback from others who are in the same boat. Whereas my online friends have been great and some are dieting, I think that changing one's lifestyle is a huge undertaking and one has to be really committed to the process, which as much as I love my friends, they just don't have the time to focus on this kind of stuff.
A little background is in order, I suppose. I'm almost-30 (as in I am staring down the barrel at my next decade and I've promised myself I will not begin it above 200 pounds). I have about three months to make that happen, and I'm a little more than 10 pounds away from the mini goal. My ideal goal is to be between 21-24% body fat, not sure of the weight goal yet.
I work full-time in a really stressful not-for-profit job. I'm also a part-time online student, still completing my B.A. I'm also pretty stressed because I don't really know what direction I want to go when that's over and deadlines are tight. So I'm studying for the GMAT and the LSAT, just in case. ::whew!:: In the little bit of spare time I have, I write and edit screenplays, novels and poetry. I also paint (poorly) and do photography (not so poorly).
In March I started limiting white flour, sugar, stopped drinking soda, added more fruit and veggies to my diet, and limited red meat. In May, I added exercise to the equation. I've lost about 29 pounds so far. I feel SO much better. My self-esteem has sky-rocketed, my skin and hair look better, I'm experiencing less PCOS symptoms, and am much happier in general. Because of the changes I am experiencing, my relationship (I've been dating my boyfriend for almost 3 years!) has really improved. When weekends roll around, he doesn't have to drag me out of bed, crying about how I'm too fat to go out and do anything (I really used to do and say this). It almost feels like a lifetime ago. Now I'm the one saying things like 'It's a gorgeous day, let's go for a bike ride" or "let's hit the pedal boats on the lake!"
Anyway, I think this is a long enough intro. I look forward to getting to know everyone here. So far, the advice I've gotten on the forums has been extremely helpful!
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Storm
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 27 August 2007 09:28 pm |
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GASPETH! A JOURNAL! :D
Glad to see you've had SO much progress on your own! that's great! :D Gives me a chance to see it can be done X3 I admit, I'm not do great at doing this on my own deal. Your lucky you've had so much good come of it :3 and more support and encouragement can only add excuses not to stop till your at your goal! XD
Best of luck!
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 27 August 2007 09:35 pm |
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Thanks, Storm. I know, that didn't take long, huh?
I needed a lot of encouragement in the beginning. I was embarrassed to go to the gym and wouldn't go unless some of my friends/co-workers were there with me. I would make excuses about why I didn't have time to grab something healthy for breakfast and HAD to have the blueberry muffin with the crumb topping. I'm fallible. I make mistakes too, but I just try not to be so hard on myself. I tend to be very extreme, so this whole "moderation" thing is difficult.
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Storm
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 27 August 2007 09:41 pm |
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You'll get used to it, it's not hard to get used to after a while.
And I know what you mean about the gym thing. It's like a horror movie that's come to life 
You'll do fine. :3
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 27 August 2007 09:55 pm |
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So, the group that runs our company gym announced a "Biggest Winner" contest scheduled to begin on 19 September and will run for 8 weeks. This overlaps a challenge I'm doing here on CPH that runs from 1 September through Halloween. I'm actually pretty excited about this stuff. I don't think I necessarily have a good chance of winning the company-sponsored challenge, but still, it'll be interesting to see what the results are.
I spoke to one of the trainers up there today and he clarified that rather than body fat percentage, they'll be tracking the percentage of weight lost throughout the 8 weeks. Well, that's a little more reassuring, but I'd have to lose at least 20 pounds to hit the 10% mark and I just don't know if that's going to happen. But there are cash prizes between $100-200 at stake, so I figure I owe it to myself to at least try.
I've been slacking off on exercise lately. I need to get out of that rut. Last night I tried to use the Yourself Fitness game on PS2, but I wanted to do a floor core workout and most of what it was giving me was cardio. I wasn't about to start bouncing around my tiny living room with my boyfriend sitting 3 feet away at the computer (still embarrassed about such things).
Instead, I did 25 push-ups (propped up against the couch), 100 crunches (upper abs), 50 crunches (lower abs, bringing legs from straight out to as close to the chest as possible), 25 leg lifts (per leg, inner and outer thighs and glutes). Then I discovered that the steel mace he bought me for Xmas one year (don't ask) weighs about 5 pounds, so I did some upper arm exercises with it (tricipes, bicep curls, shoulder press). It felt great at the time, but I'm hurting today...like, more than I do when I use the machines at the gym.
Food has been okay today, so far. I'm hovering at about 819 calories through lunch, with another 725 to go for the day. I'm not sure how that'll happen as I have a dentist appt tonight so I probably won't want to eat anything. I don't know...maybe I'll eat something on the way over there instead. No workout today.
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 28 August 2007 03:49 pm |
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I did fine throughout most of the day, but by the evening I was really depressed about some test results that came back for my boyfriend. So while I did fine through dinner, I went on to have a piece of cake (320 calories), a pb&j sandwich (260) and a bag of wheat thins (100) between 9-11:30 PM...that's a ridiculous amount of calories to eat just because I was bored and upset. I still had a deficit for the day--just about 600 calories.
Last night I watched an episode of "Fat March." I hated it. I think it just gives more fuel to thin people who've never struggled with weight issues to perpetuate myths that all fat people do is whine and complain about exercising and that really we're all just too lazy to do anything to fix ourselves. I know some people really need the encouragement to keep going and if they didn't have something like this, they might not ever make changes to their lifestyle, but at the same time, walking from Boston to DC isn't a life-change and isn't something that most people can implement in their own lives, so I don't really see the benefit for those of us watching at home. Bah. Maybe I'm just grumpy.
In other news, I'm going swimming tonight, so I know that will help to bulk up the deficits for the week. I'll probably try to get to the gym in the afternoon for a strength training workout. My abs are still pretty sore from Sunday night's workout, much more so than when I work out in the gym. I guess I'll have to just keep doing what I'm doing.
I leave for the Cape early on Saturday morning. I'm a little worried about being away from my usual routine. This is the first time I'm going away since I started "dieting". I won't have my laptop and no easy way to track what I eat and how much exercise I do over the 4 days I'll be away. I'm going to try to rent a bike while I'm there, but I have no idea how I'll do when I'm surrounded by Portugese bakeries and tons of delicious restaurants.
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Storm
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 August 2007 07:24 pm |
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I've found that, when I'm on the go with friends and family, be it close to home or a few states away, a little notebook I can jot stuff down in helps keep me on track.
Like... say we go bike riding for an hour, I'll write that down, then we have a snack, saaay.... turkey subs. I'll write out what I think is on my sub as far as ammounts (handful of lettuce = 1/2 - 1 cup, three slices tomatoes, ect ect) and then fill in the blanks when I get the chance, like before bed when there's not much doing.
Dosn't have to be a journal, just one of those mini pocket spiral notebooks. Maybe that'll help you on your trip :3
hope you have fun on your trip!
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 28 August 2007 08:42 pm |
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Thanks, Storm. I've given that some thought, but it'll be hard for me to gauge the calories as I use an online calculator for that (and I'll be in a wi-fi free zone and sans laptop). Maybe I'll track it and then just calculate everything when I get back.
I don't know what's wrong with me today, but I just ate 2 lunches. The first was a chicken quesadilla and the second was some pasta with the inside of a chicken and corn wrap and a mini (like 1" diameter) cheesecake. WTH?!?!?! Even with swimming, I may end with no deficit for the day.
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Storm
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 August 2007 08:56 pm |
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| Hmm.... Have you tried drinking more water? I found that, when drinking water constiantly throughout the day, I was less likely to eat. Maybe that'll help the rest of today?
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 28 August 2007 11:40 pm |
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| This is going to sound wayyyyy stupid, but I just realized I haven't had anything to drink today. Not a drop of anything. Zip. Zilch. I'm grabbing a bottle of water as I head out the door tonight. Geeeez.
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Peter
Founder, caloriesperhour.com
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Posted: 30 August 2007 08:16 am |
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 30 August 2007 06:58 pm |
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Official weigh-in this morning revealed a 1.75 pound loss. This means I've officially lost (just over) 30 pounds in the last 22 weeks. I am so stoked!
My first "mini goal" was to be less than 200 pounds for my party on 1 December. Right now I am only 10 pounds away from meeting that. I also joined the Halloween Challenge here on CPH and that goal I've set to lose 15 pounds, so if I can pull off that challenge, I'll be ahead of where I hoped I'd be about a month before the party.
******************************************
Mile-markers:
This is the thinnest my boyfriend has ever seen me.
My "skinniest" jeans fit me. (Four sizes smaller than my largest pair, btw).
I'm wearing an above-the-knee dress for the first time in years.
******************************************
Last night I did 30 minutes on the elliptical and I'm noticing that I have to work significantly harder to burn the same 300 calories that used to come so easily. I may try increasing the crossramp to make it a little more difficult so I don't need to increase the time or speed that significantly for now.
I also did a full strength workout--doing two sets on the full circuit. I increased the weight, but kept my reps at 10. I also decided to get off the exercise ball for my ab routine and get on the floor. I did 100 crunches for my upper abs, and 50 for my lower (some with a 2# medicine ball). I also fit in some planks, cobras and push-ups. I feel like a train wreck today, but it's worth it.
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Storm
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 30 August 2007 07:02 pm |
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Awesome! You're doing great! :D
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 30 August 2007 08:56 pm |
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Wow I have to say I am impressed. 30 pounds in 22 weeks seems like a very responsible rate of weight loss. Some people get impatient and want it to go faster... but you seem to be in it for the long-term. That's exactly the right attitude, in my opinion!
Congrats!
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 31 August 2007 01:19 am |
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WOW!
That is so exciting  You are doing great............doesn't it feel good???
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 31 August 2007 04:51 am |
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trimB wrote: Wow I have to say I am impressed. 30 pounds in 22 weeks seems like a very responsible rate of weight loss. Some people get impatient and want it to go faster... but you seem to be in it for the long-term. That's exactly the right attitude, in my opinion!
Congrats!
Trust me, I get impatient! But I also know that I've tried pretty much everything out there except "slow and steady" and this way seems to finally be working.
And Hisgal, YES! It feels amazing!!!
I had a dinner with my family tonight, including some cousins from CA who I haven't seen in at least 3 years. I was wearing my littlest black dress (almost felt too bare, honestly). Everyone had so many compliments, it felt wonderful. I may not see most of these cousins until my party in December, so I can't wait to see how much I can lose between now and then to really see the shock on their faces.
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 31 August 2007 08:24 pm |
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Family affairs are always the most difficult for me. I am an emotional eater, really. I don't stop eating when I'm "full" but rather when I'm "satiated" which has more to do with my mental than physical state.
With that said, though I had a small apple before leaving the house, the service was so slow at dinner last night that I was absolutely ravenous by the time appetizers came out, and I had three thin slices of Italian bread at the table to hold me over. Eek! For appetizers, I had one beef teriyaki skewer, 2 slices thin-crust pizza (about 3 oz each) and one piece of nuvo spedini (which is essentially grilled bread with a layer of cheese and one of prosciutto (but a very small portion, so maybe the whole thing was 100 calories or so).
I was much better with dinner. I ordered a mixed grill with a spice rub rather than a heavy sauce. Of what was served I had the filet mignon (2 oz) and piece of sausage (4 oz). I asked them to not give me rice or potato and instead to double the portion of grilled veggies. I still had half my dinner left - 5 oz of chicken breast and a 3 oz portion of lean pork chop, plus half the veggies. I had that for lunch today.
When dessert came around, I split a tiramisu with my mother rather than eating the entire thing (which believe me, I wanted to!). Overall, I stayed within my calorie limits for the day, so that made me really happy.
But I was rushed this morning when leaving the house and I didn't have any more fruit anyway, so I'm feeling a bit anxious about how the rest of the day will go. We anticipate getting to leave early, but I have to go to Westchester to pick up a rental car, then get all the way back to Brooklyn to pick up a friend and get some pre-vacation shopping done. If I'm really going to hike to the lighthouse, I'll need a decent pair of sport sandals. I also want to pick up at least one more pair of shorts. I need to get a small cooler and stop at the fruit store so I can pick up some things to bring with me. Since everything (except fish, which I'm allergic to) has to be carted into Ptown, it's all so much more expensive there. I'd rather bring what I can with me so at least I'm prepared.
I haven't packed either. Oh, and I promised my boyfriend I'd pick him up at work tonight--which means heading back to the city by 11:00 PM when his shift ends (which is what I am most looking forward to, in case that came off as a complaint). I am nothing if not a masochist. In fact, I should probably change the name of this journal to Masochistic Tendencies.
Last edited on 31 August 2007 08:27 pm by abnormalapathy
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 6 September 2007 04:05 pm |
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I am back from vacation and wow(!!!) is it difficult to get back to my routine. Just because of everything that's going on now with school beginning and running my love to some doctor's appointments and returning the rental car, etc. I found it difficult to stay on track yesterday. I didn't eat much, but I had quite a long span where I had nothing to eat, which left me so hungry that I was ravenous by the time we met up for dinner. Fortunately, we had to be up much earlier than usual today so my saving grace was that I was asleep by 10 PM last night.
While I was away, I didn't eat very well. Breakfast was my usual Special K Red Berries, lunch was typically low sodium turkey or PB&J on whole wheat, but by the time dinner came around, I was like "I'm on vacation, I can enjoy myself." And I did. I had dessert every night - creme brulee one night, then one and a half scoops of vanilla ice cream another night, pistachio gelato one afternoon followed by 0.25 pound of peanut butter fudge the next. Yes, really.
To offset this, however, I did a lot of walking. It's a 3-mile walk from one end of Provincetown to the other, and I probably did anywhere from 5-7 miles per day, plus a few hours of dancing on Monday night. On Sunday, I decided to definitely do the hike I wanted to do, though I had to cut it short, so instead of doing all 9 miles and seeing both lighthouses, I only did 3 miles and saw one. Two of those miles were over the rough, jagged terrain of the jetty that extends out through the marshes, the final mile on soft sand. My calves screamed in pain for the next three days, but I still say it was worth it.
When it was all said and done, I ended the week with a half pound loss. This puts me at 209.5 as my new weight. Considering the way I ate (and drank, for that matter), I am incredibly surprised. I expected to see at least a 2-lb. gain, so I'm happy I was able to stave that off.
I got to the office at 6:45 AM this morning and worked out at the gym for about a half hour. I was hungry and didn't have much energy, but I burned off 200 calories I wouldn't have otherwise. I have a long day ahead of me and a student government meeting at school tonight, so I expect that will be all the working out I'll be doing for the day.
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DeterminedGal
Senior Member
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Posted: 7 September 2007 04:16 pm |
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When it was all said and done, I ended the week with a half pound loss.
Go girl go!!! Keep up the great work!
DG
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Storm
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 September 2007 04:38 pm |
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| Way to go, apathy! :D
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 7 September 2007 08:06 pm |
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DG and Storm, thank you so much for the encouragement - It's very helpful!!!
Yesterday was a pretty low cal day. I was a bit stressed about the meeting at school, and I generally get embarrassed about eating in front of strangers, so I only had one mini roast beef sandwich and a 12 oz bottle of water. I thought I'd go home and eat dinner, but by the time I got home and checked email and followed up on some assignments, I was too tired to think about cooking. So, I hovered at just over 1,000 calories for the day which is way low for me.
I'm trying to eat more today, but again, I just can't. Usually when I'm depressed I binge eat, but this whole not-wanting-to-eat thing is new for me. I'm sure I'll make up for it tomorrow after the memorial mass I have to attend, but I am a bit concerned about my calories dipping too low and messing with my metabolism. I can't afford another half-pound week if I want to meet my rather ambitious goals.
Breakfast was my usual workday fare - one egg with cheese on an English muffin, a medium apple and a lemon tea. No snack. Lunch was 5 oz chicken parmiagiana with 1 cup linguine. I'm at just under 900 calories for the day, which leaves a lot of room for dinner tonight - though I have no idea I'll have. I have more than enough calories to polish off the one or two slices of pizza that are left over from the other night.
Thankfully we're going grocery shopping tomorrow which means I can get back on track. Also, sugar-free raspberry jello made with raspberry seltzer instead of cold water is wicked cute and tasty.
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DeterminedGal
Senior Member
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Posted: 8 September 2007 04:18 am |
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wicked cute and tasty.
I love that! I'm going to say that at least three times this weekend. I can already see my kids (13 &16) rolling their eyes and saying, "Oh Mom, where did you hear that?"
DG
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 8 September 2007 03:09 pm |
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| Yes, I have picked up some "bad" habits from traveling to Boston so often. Using the word "wicked" as an adjective to describe just about everything is definitely one of them!
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 8 September 2007 04:09 pm |
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A little frustrated today
I probably shouldn't even write about this here as I don't think I can lock or hide the entry, but here goes....
We have a memorial mass to attend this afternoon and afterwards, everyone is going back to my grandmother's house. She does this all the time. Either she takes us all out to eat, or she cooks and we all go back there. No big deal, right?
Except that things really are different now. I don't want to show up starving, depressed and completely blindsided. So I just called her to ask what she made for dinner tonight and she got a bit defensive, "Why are you asking me this at 9:00 AM?" So I explained that I just wanted to have an idea so I could plan my food for the rest of the day. Knowing my Italian grandmother, everything will be fried and covered in cheese.
So, here's the menu she gave me:
- baked ziti
- chicken cordon bleu
- eggplant parmiagiana
- rice balls
- potato croquettes
- quite possibly a full dessert table
And then she blurts out, "Well, I guess you're really sticking to this, that you have to call me in the morning to ask what you're going to eat tonight." Don't get me wrong, I love my grandmother dearly, but this just made me really mad. This is honestly the first time in my life that I am fully committed to this and it's a struggle every single day. I know they don't understand this. My grandmother was thin her entire life until she hit about 70 and now she's only "chubby", but I would expect the rest of them - mostly diabetics and almost all are overweight - to understand, at least somewhat. But they really don't.
Anyway, I did what I could. At least now I have an idea of what's going to be there. The plan is to remove the breading and cheese from the chicken, have a very small piece of eggplant and only the inside of 1 potato croquette.
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 10 September 2007 04:12 am |
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It was exactly like I knew it would be. As soon as I walked into church, my brother laughed and asked me if I saved enough calories for dinner. This whole thing just tees me off.
When we were at the house, we were looking at photos from a big party 7 years ago and everyone kept telling me that I look so much better now. Even my boyfriend agreed, which made me feel really great. As soon as I came home, I tried on all of my formal gowns which I've kept over the years (including the one I'd worn in the photos we were looking at) and discovered that they're all too big. My project for the week is to get them up on ebay. I might as well try to make some of the money back and buy myself a few new things in a smaller size. ;)
Today was okay, but I'm PMS'ing which means that I am craving sweets and have an endless appetite. I had a grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast, leftovers from last night for lunch, a cannoli and some italian cookies as a snack (bad me, it made my sugar spike, then crash and I was wrecked in the late afternoon). Dinner was pork chops, rice and a cabbage and apple recipe I found on the food network website. I modified it a bit, and it was really delicious. Then the boy and I shared raspberry jello with lite cool whip. Seriously, the cravings for sweets are driving me mad.
I've got a fridge full of veggies and no junk food in the house, so the plan for the week is to seriously get back on track. Workout plan is as follows:
- Monday - Lunch workout: 30 min elliptical, abs
- Tuesday - open
- Wednesday - Evening workout: 30 min elliptical, abs, full strength circuit
- Thursday - Lunch workout: 30 min elliptical, abs
- Friday - Evening workout: 30 min elliptical, abs, full strength circuit
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DeterminedGal
Senior Member
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Posted: 10 September 2007 04:33 am |
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Hey. I read what your brother said and thought, "Typical brother!" If your brother is anything like mine, he was born thinking it's his job to harass me. I would have smiled and said, "I have saved enough calories to cut your tongue out, saute it with some veggies and EAT it!" Wouldn't that have been worth it to see the look of horror on his face? LOLOL. Don't let him get to you! He's just doing his job and doing what most brothers do.......
Now, to those men out there who are brothers who behave and don't harass their sweet sisters, please disregard this post.
You are doing great! Keep up the good work. Get some big bucks for those gowns and treat yourself to something nice.
DG
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 10 September 2007 03:03 pm |
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DeterminedGal wrote: Hey. I read what your brother said and thought, "Typical brother!" If your brother is anything like mine, he was born thinking it's his job to harass me.
Thanks, DG, but it's a far more complicated relationship with my family than I can get into in this rather public forum. Let's suffice it to say that this yet another example of my family not respecting my wishes and mocking something that is quite important to me, in a long list of other things they've said and done that fall into the same category.
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 10 September 2007 03:19 pm |
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8:19 AM
Well, the good news (if there must be good news following a sugary binge) is that it either did not or has not (yet) affected my weight. I just stepped off the scale at exactly what I weighed on Thursday. But I am starting to stagnate and I don't want to have another half pound kind of week.
Last edited on 10 September 2007 11:23 pm by abnormalapathy
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 10 September 2007 11:24 pm |
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OMG, PMS SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
As a woman with PCOS and a host of other health issues who had gotten used to not having to deal with a monthly cycle, let me tell you ladies, HATS OFF TO YOU who've dealt with this every month of your childbearing years. I don't know if I'm going to be able to keep this up. This is month #4 now and I am ready to jump off the Empire State Building.
Last night I laid in bed crying to my boyfriend about how I want to be the best girl he's ever dated and he's like "you are" and I'm like "No I'm not the prettiest" and like no matter how much reassurance he gave these stupid demonic hormones just wouldn't let it go.
And not for nothing, but my saving grace has always been that I do not like chocolate. So how is it that I've spent the day craving it?!?!??! And why was I not satisfied by one of those single serving mini Twix bars (a whopping 80 cal for a piece of candy about the size of my thumb)? No, I want to jump face first into a chocolate fondue fountain and do the backstroke.
I'm freezing, then sweating within a matter of minutes. I'm bloated, crampy and uncomfortable. And screw what the pharmacist says, Aleve Liquid Gels have done zilch.
I keep reminding myself that it's just PMS and that in a few days I will feel relatively normal again. I keep telling myself that my boyfriend is with ME, not his exes, and so it doesn't matter who is prettier or smarter or "better." I have logical explanations for everything, but of course none of them are working.
Last edited on 10 September 2007 11:25 pm by abnormalapathy
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gauloises
New Member
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Posted: 11 September 2007 11:54 am |
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Hey, you have PCOS too! First person I've ever (virtually) met. *waves*
Yes, last week I got my first period in about a year. I was thrilled because it would seem to indicate that my healthy eating regimen is at least having some good effect upon my body and my hormonal balance, even if I can't see any difference to my appearance yet.
That sensation of thrill lasted about 5 minutes before the searing pain kicked in.
Being female sucks.
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 11 September 2007 01:15 pm |
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gauloises wrote: Hey, you have PCOS too! First person I've ever (virtually) met. *waves*
Yes, last week I got my first period in about a year. I was thrilled because it would seem to indicate that my healthy eating regimen is at least having some good effect upon my body and my hormonal balance, even if I can't see any difference to my appearance yet.
That sensation of thrill lasted about 5 minutes before the searing pain kicked in.
Being female sucks.
::waves back::
I've run the gamut of doctors and have fought with them and put off doing the birth control thing for years, so I finally gave up on it a few months ago and decided to give the NuvaRing a try. In all honesty, I've noticed a lot of relief of the PCOS symptoms, but with that comes the nightmare of a monthly cycle. So, I suppose I'll just have to take the good with the bad, huh?
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 12 September 2007 02:42 am |
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So while today was a horribly emotional day for me, I managed to do okay food-wise. Of course it's early yet. The later I stay up, the more likely it is that I'll have to snack. It's not feasible to have dinner at 6:00 PM and not eat anything again if I don't go to bed until 1 AM-ish, but we'll see how late I manage to stay up.
Food for the day was (~1600 cal):
-1 Back to Nature Banana Walnut Bakery Square (130)
-English muffin, 1 egg, 1 slice cheese (284)
-1 South Beach High Protein PB Bar (140)
-4 See's hard candies (60 cal)
-1 cup carrots (52)
-corned beef sandwich w/saurkraut on rye bread (450)
-1 medium apple (72)
-1 Veggie Patch portabella burger (120)
-2 cups cabbage (60)
-1/2 cup white rice (115)
-1 single serving ice cream (90 cal)
-3 tsp lite cool whip (30)
I haven't exercised at all this week, so I really need to get on that pronto.
Also, I took my monthly measurements today. I probably should have picked a better week to do them since this is seriously the worst week of the month being all bloated, etc. But here goes...I've lost a total of 22.4 inches since March 2007.
March 15/September 11/(Difference)
Neck: 17.5 / 15.5 / (-2.0)
Wrist: 7.75 / 6.4 / (-1.35)
Upper Arm: 18 / 15 / (-3.0)
Bust: 49 / 47 / (-2.0)
Waist: 49.5 / 43 / (-6.5)
Hips: 52.5 / 49 / (-3.5)
Thigh: 29.25 / 24.5 / (-4.75)
Calf: 16.25 / 16.4 / (0.15)
Ankle: 8.25 / 8.75 / (0.50)
Official weigh-in is on Thursday, but according to my calculations, I should be down at least 1.5 pounds. But, I haven't been drinking enough water and what I am drinking I'm retaining, so who knows? I don't want to get my hopes up. I'm very pleased about the inches though.
Last edited on 12 September 2007 02:43 am by abnormalapathy
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 12 September 2007 09:00 pm |
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I'm running at about 1,200 calories for the day and that's just after lunch. Yikes!!! The worst part is that I'm going to dinner at a friend's house, I don't know what they're going to serve and then we're off to a concert. I won't get home til after midnight, which means I'll be looking for something to eat between dinner and bedtime. I'm really going to try hanging on to the carrots I brought. Hopefully lunch was heavy enough to carry me to dinner so I won't have to dip into it.
Since I haven't exercised at all leading up to tomorrow morning's weigh-in, I decided I wasn't going to stress myself by fitting it in. I want to see what the scale does without it. I may not be fatter, but thanks to my hormones, I feel it. But who knows? I might've gained too.
The stress is definitely not helping.
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 12 September 2007 10:06 pm |
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Abnormalapathy wrote:
As a woman with PCOS and a host of other health issues who had gotten used to not having to deal with a monthly cycle, let me tell you ladies, HATS OFF TO YOU who've dealt with this every month of your childbearing years. I don't know if I'm going to be able to keep this up. This is month #4 now and I am ready to jump off the Empire State Building.
Hun, I just had to chuckle ...........I used to think the same thing about PMS and the monthly cycle...........until now that I still have the monthly thing going on, but it's much longer and more intense, and have started other pre-menopause symptoms Roasting like a pig over a wood fire, if it gets over 65 degrees, waking up on soaking wet sheets about 3-4 times a night is no picnic...........and the memory struggles aren't fun either.......not to mention how the weight just is not coming off! Aaaaaah.........age and hormones!
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 12 September 2007 11:35 pm |
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Hisgal wrote: Hun, I just had to chuckle ...........I used to think the same thing about PMS and the monthly cycle...........until now that I still have the monthly thing going on, but it's much longer and more intense, and have started other pre-menopause symptoms Roasting like a pig over a wood fire, if it gets over 65 degrees, waking up on soaking wet sheets about 3-4 times a night is no picnic...........and the memory struggles aren't fun either.......not to mention how the weight just is not coming off! Aaaaaah.........age and hormones!
Wonderful! Sounds like exactly what I need to look forward to.
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 13 September 2007 04:08 pm |
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I am totally wrecked today. I spent my evening in the second row at Jones Beach screaming my fool head off with Joan Jett (even caught a guitar pick, cause I'm a dork like that) and Aerosmith - simply amazing. So, when I said I wasn't going to get any exercise this week, I guess I just exaggerated. I'd say that standing (in heels), dancing and singing along for three hours, then spending another hour standing on a train platform waiting for a train at midnight constitutes some calorie burning.
Anyway, today is my official weigh in...:::drum roll:::
Without exercise, I lost one pound this week. So, obviously I'm going back to my routine next week. This brings my total weight loss to 31.7 pounds in 24 weeks. So much for letting my emotions get the best of me. I've felt fatter all week, but obviously that's not the case. This is a good example for me to remember when things get tough, not to give in to the emotions and keep plugging away at what I know works.
I get paid this week (thankfully!) and one of my top priorities (after getting my regular bills paid, of course) is to finally stop talking about joining the Rec Center, and do it. This way I can get back to swimming, which was burning almost a half pound a week alone. Access to the Rec Center means I'll also have access to classes, which I don't have at my company gym.
I need all the help I can get with the challenge starting on Monday. I've got my eyes on the prize (cash ranging from $100-200 for the top 3 "biggest losers").
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DeterminedGal
Senior Member
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Posted: 13 September 2007 04:14 pm |
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Aerosmith???? Are you kidding? They are one of my absolute favorites. I'm so jealous....
Congrats on the one pound this week and the incredible 31.7 pounds!!!! Go girl go!
Good luck in the work challenge. You can do it!
DG
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 13 September 2007 06:21 pm |
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DeterminedGal wrote: Aerosmith???? Are you kidding? They are one of my absolute favorites. I'm so jealous....
Congrats on the one pound this week and the incredible 31.7 pounds!!!! Go girl go!
Good luck in the work challenge. You can do it!
DG
Hey DG,
I have to admit that I wasn't a big Aerosmith fan prior to the show. I really love the song "Dream On" and some of their top hits from the 90's but I don't own an Aerosmith CD or follow the band at all. Last night changed everything. Steven Tyler and Joe Perry are amazing performers. The pit guy was telling us that Tyler wasn't feeling well and we were so close that we could see him sneezing and stuff, but people 5 rows back wouldn't have even noticed it. He gave one of the most awesome live performances I've ever seen.
Also, we had this girl right behind us who played it totally cool and Tyler came over to her at least three times in the show, giving her the mic and whatnot, so we were sweat-drippingly close. It was insane. With all of that, though, the highlight of my night really was the Joan Jett guitar pick because I just adore her. I am fittingly hoarse today and loving every minute of it.
I'm so happy that I lost anything this week. Tuesday was very emotional for me, yesterday was a long day and I haven't worked out all week. When I get out of the 200's (which should be soon!) I'll weigh less than I did when I was 18. I can't wait!!!
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 14 September 2007 08:02 pm |
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One of my assignments for my research and statistics class involved M&Ms. Now I have to give props to the professor for thinking outside the box, but really, I didn't need two bags of M&Ms in my house. Fortunately, I knew I wanted to start the assignment last night, so I saved enough calories so I could have a bag of them (250). I left the other one for my boyfriend, which is a huge feat cause it took all of my willpower to not go ahead and eat those too.
Today has been better, foodwise. We went for Japanese at lunch and rather than getting a big entree with rice, I just ordered a side salad (and only drizzled 4 tsp of dressing on the whole salad instead of using the 0.25 cup they provided) and an appetizer of teriyaki chicken. I know I'll be hungry soon, but I also know that I haven't had enough water today (only 6 oz!), so I need to go get some. I still have some carrots and a small apple with me too, so I should be okay through the rest of the afternoon.
I completely lost track of time so I have to rush home tonight and write a paper that's due at midnight.
Oh, and we have a health fair at work today, so I'm scheduled to get a cholesterol screening in about a half hour. I hope it's okay. The last time I had it checked, I was heavier and didn't ever exercise or watch what I ate, so maybe I've managed to get it back down to normal ranges. I really hope so but I have to be realistic. It's a problem in my family so I'm more prone to high levels.
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DeterminedGal
Senior Member
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Posted: 16 September 2007 01:26 am |
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AA,
With all your diligence, I'm sure you will be below 200 before you know it. My goal is 10 pounds a month so that will put me at 200 in January. It seems a long way away but I'm taking it in little steps. Then next year at this time....I'll be thin. Woot! Woot!
Have a great weekend, you party girl. I'm still thinking about Steven Tyler being so close to you. Lucky, lucky girl.
DG
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 17 September 2007 04:16 pm |
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I've been having a tough time getting enough water down. I've only managed about 30 oz across the last three days. Here's to hoping for change: I've got a 17 oz bottle on my desk and my goal is to finish it in the next hour.
I had my initial weigh-in for our challenge at work- and I'm at a steady 208.5, so that means that the rich Italian food and the cherry/apple/crumb pie I had over the weekend hasn't affected me (yet). I'm waiting for the trainer to email me my other measurements so I can track those too. I'm hoping there's been even minor changes since my last fitness test in August. Part of the overall challenge includes these weekly exercise challenges. The one for this week is to do as many pushups as your age in 1.5 minutes. I think I can do that. I was able to do 51 with unlimited time in August.
My cholesterol was great - 100. But I'm going to have that double checked with my primary doctor since I don't really trust that reading. It just seems extremely low.
In other, more exciting news: I discovered that I can wear a size 16 again. I had this pair of jeans I bought and never wore, because well I couldn't...but I held on to them and this weekend I could easily get them on. It wasn't even one of those struggles where you're jumping up and down or laying across the bed to zip them up. I haven't fit into this size since I was about 18 years old, so I'm ecstatic.
P.S. - Forgot to mention that last season's boots which I bought and couldn't zip up also now fit me and look amazing.
Last edited on 17 September 2007 04:20 pm by abnormalapathy
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gauloises
New Member
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Posted: 17 September 2007 04:59 pm |
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| Hey that's fantastic about the jeans and boots, you must feel amazing, congratulations!
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 17 September 2007 08:39 pm |
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gauloises wrote: Hey that's fantastic about the jeans and boots, you must feel amazing, congratulations!
It feels AMAZING!
With that said, I still have my good and bad days in terms of my self-esteem. Though I was really "up" on Saturday, yesterday I was pretty depressed about it all. It comes and goes...but in general is much better than it used to be.
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abnormalapathy
Senior Member
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Posted: 17 September 2007 09:00 pm |
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Exercise
Okay, I felt like I was going to die at the gym today. Let me back up. I promised myself that I would complete a 5K this year. I've blown off a couple of them, but there is one coming up towards the end of October that is so convenient (about 10 blocks from my house) that I just...can't. And I won't. So now that the challenge at work has officially started, I decided I might as well use my exercise time to train for the 5K.
I am not a runner. I'm not built to run. In addition to being a big girl, I've got big boobs, a knee that required ACL surgery in February this year, and arthritis (thanks to 2 breaks!) in my right ankle. But with all of that said, I am nothing if not determined. So, I get on the treadmill (which I H-A-T-E anyway) and I'm walking at about 3.3 mph, then I start to jog at about 4.0 and realize after about 90 seconds that I can't do it anymore. I drop it back down to 3.3 and repeat this process every 2 minutes or so.
I feel kind of pathetic. I can kick serious behind on the elliptical machine and I can hold my own (in the easy lane) at the pool. But running? Yeah, not so much. I managed a mile in a measly 17:29 (on a 0.5 incline). Now, granted...the first goal I set was to do the 5K, then it was to be able to finish it, then it was to finish it in 60 minutes...now I'm thinking, well if I did that pace on my first try, I can do better if I train for a month and a half, right? I'll set a more realistic goal as we get nearer.
I also did two rounds on the upper body circuit. Weights 30-60 pounds; 10 reps. I somehow managed to do 12 leg lifts in the captain's chair. I couldn't do a single one back in March, and this is only the 2nd time I've been on it.
Challenge
The work challenge kicked off today, which meant it was time for a weigh-in, waist and hip measurements, BMI and body fat scan. I just had this done in August, so I wasn't expecting much of a change. My actual weight loss has only been 3.75 pounds since 8/16/07 when I did the fitness test (which includes all of these measurements and then some). Needless to say, I wasn't expecting any miracles.
I discovered that in the last month:
- I've lost another 0.8 on my BMI (bringing it to 38, a total loss of 4 points)
- I've lost another 0.8 on my body fat % (bringing it to 41.3, a total loss of 3%)
- I've lost a 0.5 inch on my waist (a total loss of 5.5 inches)
- I've lost 3.5 inches on my hips (a total of 5 inches)
Food
I've been eating really clean today. Lunch was a salad (chicken, lettuce, chickpeas, 1 oz cheese, carrots, FF Honey Dijon dressing) and about 1.5 cups of alphabet minestrone soup. This is a huge milestone for me because I am NOT a soup per |
