Weigh-In Wednesday #6

Starting Weight: 225
Last Week's Weight: 214
Current Weight: 213 (-1 pound)
Total Weight Loss: 12

Goal Weight: 145
Weight Remaining: 68

Sing it with me now, "Another pound bites the dust!"  I was afraid that I wouldn't lose any weight this past week because I started using a weight-routine at the gym a couple times a week, which I heard can make you plateau.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that I still went down a pound! :)

However, as nice as it is to have lost weight, I do miss those first couple weeks where I was losing four pounds.  I know it's healthier to lose it slowly over a longer period of time, but I'm human enough to admit that I'm impatient.  I want to be thin now!

Buffet

Ugh, I ate at a Chinese buffet today.  My brother invited me to lunch, and he seriously had a craving for Chinese, so I agreed to go.  Which was probably mistake #1.  I behaved quite well, I think.  I googled calorie content for Chinese food before I went and everything.  I avoided anything deep fried, and stuck mainly to sushi.  I also had a few steamed dumplings, some zucchini and shrimp, and a the World's Smallest Serving of chicken and broccoli.  For dessert I had a couple of those little sesame ball things that have bean paste inside and a piece of watermelon.  So yeah... probably overate, but I definitely did waaaaay better compared to what I used to eat.  I'm still shocked that not a single noodle landed on my plate.

After eating, I came home and went to work in my little garden.  I put poles in the ground and tied up my tomato plants, and then I started to remove grass because I want to enlarge my garden for replanting my herbs.  Somewhere during this time, I became aware that I was exhausted.  And my head was throbbing.  The last few minutes of clearing the grass were beyond painful.  I quickly put my yard tools away and went inside.  I figured I just needed to rest a bit (grass removal is a bit taxing), so I grabbed a book and reclined on my couch to read.  But my head hurt way too much and the complete exhaustion I felt overwhelmed me.  I fell asleep for at least an hour and woke up still feeling pretty awful.

I'm not entirely sure what made this happen.  Since the Chinese food is the only change in my usual routine, I'm leaning towards giving it the blame.  I phoned my friend and told her about it, and she suggested that I was perhaps too long in the sun.  Perhaps.  But I honestly feel I wasn't in the sun all that much.  I put some poles in the ground and cleared grass from a very small patch of land before I had to come inside.  So, I'm still thinking it was the food. 

I know that MSG can give some people some pretty wicked headaches.  I'm also wondering if the white rice on the sushi made my sugar spike.  I haven't really had any refined grains since I started this healthy venture of mine, so perhaps my body just reacted poorly to the sudden influx.  (which is awful, because sushi is one of my favorite foods of all time).

After I woke up, I made myself a cup of green tea, which seemed to make me feel a bit better and then I forced myself to go to the gym.  My plan prior to my surprise nap was to finish in my garden and then go to the gym, and I didn't want to let anything stop me.  (plus, for what I paid for the stupid thing, I'm going to use it).  So I went to the gym and hopped on the elliptical first.  I ran 2 miles in 15 minutes on it, although they were some of the hardest 15 minutes I've had in awhile.  I then switched to the bikes, and pedaled my way through another 20 minutes, whereupon I changed it up and went to another machine that I have no idea what the name of is.  It's like a stair master and an elliptical had a baby.  I like it especially because it has a fan built into the front console that'll blow cool air on you while you use it.  I used this machine for another 10 minutes before calling it an evening. 

And guess what?  I felt so much better.  My headache was gone.  I wasn't exhausted, even after all that cardio.  I felt more energized and all-around better.  So.  Lesson learned.  Chinese buffets are out.

I caved...

I resisted for a good while, but in the end, I gave up.  Yesterday, I purchased a gym membership.  It hurt, the amount I had to pay.  It was nearly $100 for just a month's worth, because there was a $50 joining fee.  Now, I won't have to pay that again, but still.  I, unfortunately, do not get paid very much, so that's a lot of money to just shell out.

That being said, I'm pretty glad I have it.  Yesterday, the temperature reached 102 degrees, which is impossible to run in.  But with my handy-dandy new membership card, I was able to run on the elliptical in the comfort of an air conditioned room.  I also got to use the bikes, which I've always liked and use the weight machines.  I haven't done weights since I left college and the lovely free-gym I had access to.  Believe me, my body is reminding me it's been a year since it's had to stretch those muscles.  *ouch*

The gym was, however, very intimidating to me.  At college, it was no big deal, really.  I would go with one or two of my friends and we went during times when we knew it wasn't crowded.  But this is new, uncharted territory to me.  And I have to go alone.  I felt huge in my black work-out shorts and shirt, especially next to the thirty-ish woman in her skin-tight tank top and yoga pants.  And there were lots of men there, lifting weights, running for ridiculous amounts of time on the treadmills, and generally making me feel uncomfortable.

In college, the gym class I took was called Fitness Programs for Women, which I adored because I didn't have to be near the boys.  Now, I'm thrown in with them, and it's really intimidating.  I'm so proud of myself in that I didn't let it stop me from using the gym.  Sure, I used the elliptical that was in the furthest corner of the gym, and carefully plotted my weight machine use so that no one was near them, but I still worked out.  From the intense soreness in my muscles today, I'm guessing I definitely accomplished something.

Summer

To me, Summer has always been my least favorite season of the year.  Fat girls don't like to be hot, I guess, and seeing all the thin girls in their little shorts and tank tops make me jealous and upset.  I'm so embarassed about my body, I don't even own a pair of shorts.  It may be in the 90s, but I'm still in jeans. 

However.  I am coming to appreciate Summer, at least a little bit.  I don't know that I'll ever be a huge fan of sweating and steaming heat, but there are things about this season that are definitely growing on me.  For instance, I live in very small town, surrounded by farms, so going to Farmer's Markets has been a new, and exceedingly fun experience.  This week, I'd say about 90% of my fruits and vegetables came from the local Farmer's Market.  And it's super rewarding to know that you're helping support the local farms.  And since we're on the topic of fruits and vegetables, I am also grateful to Summer for giving such an abundance of fresh produce and for also driving down the price.  I'm coming to love fruits and vegetables more than I ever thought I would, and having such fresh variety easily available is certainly something to be thankful for.

Yet, there are still then things about Summer that drive me insane.  The heat.  Ooooh, how I hate to be hot.  My favorite season is actually Winter.  I know a lot of people who become very depressed in the Winter, but I have some freaky opposite reaction wherein I become way happier at that time.  Snow, fires, and Christmas?  Yes, please!  I'll pretend that the hot cocoa and homemade cookies have nothing to do with it.

Yesterday, it was 100 degrees outside.  100!  And today it's supposed to reach that temperature again.  Even the overnight low was in the high-seventies.  I couldn't let myself go out and run in that heat.  I ran in 90 degree weather just the other week and felt exceedingly dizzy towards the end.  I want to lose weight and be healthy, not fall over from sun stroke.  I can clearly see where I could reap the benefits of a gym membership right about now.  I'm seriously considering it.

Weigh-In Wednesday #5

Starting Weight: 225
Last Week's Weight: 216
Current Weight: 214 (-2 pounds)
Total Weight Loss: 11

Goal Weight: 145
Weight Remaining: 69

Yay!  Not only did I get rid of that mysterious pound I gained last week, but I also lost another!  It definitely feels better to have lost weight.  I don't know what I would have done if I had gained weight again.  It would have been such a disappointment.

I must say, it's really hard to believe that it's been five weeks already since I started my new healthy eating ways.  Three jobs'll keep you busy, so I guess my weeks are going by quicker than I even realize.  11 pounds in 5 weeks is pretty good, right?  I'm sad that it's going to take so long to shed all the weight that I let accumulate over the years, but I'm still so excited to experience life as a normal-sized girl.  I can't wait in that little kid "oh-my-god-is-it-Christmas-yet-even-though-it's-only-March-when-I'm-asking" kinda way.  And even though I recognize it's a little silly, I don't care.  Whatever it takes to keep me motivated :)

Special Occasions

Social events are hard in that they always seem to involve food, and a lot of it.  And it's hard to sit there while everyone else is nomming down their cookies and chips and either nibble a carrot or opt out if there aren't really any 'good' choices.

Yesterday was one of my best friend's graduation party.  I haven't seen that much food in a long time.  Entire racks of ribs, fajitas, two whole chickens, steak... and that's just the meat!  I did fairly well... until I saw the chocolate fountain.  I really love chocolate.  It's definitely a weakness of mine.  I let myself have two of the homemade tortillas with some meat, some grilled zucchini, corn and bean salad, rice and beans (did I mention she's Mexican?).  I let myself have a piece of strawberry cake and a few things from the chocolate fountain.

I could have done better, I know.  That damned chocolate fountain was just bubbling and gurgling decadently.  But on the other hand, I know I could have done far, far worse.  I got one plate of food and stopped after that.  I had dessert, yes, but only one serving.  I can tell you that I definitely wouldn't have stopped there before changing my eating habits.  I would have likely eaten a whole stack of tortillas, a mound of rice, lots of chips. 

I probably still gained weight.  I don't lose weight easily, and eating such rich food is not going to help.  (and it's wreaking havoc on my digestive system today).  But I can see how I'm changing.  My choices are more thought-out.  My focus was more on the conversation around me, than what was on my plate.

Weigh-In Wednesday #4

Starting Weight: 225
Last Week's Weight: 215
Current Weight: 216 (+1 pound O.o?)
Total Weight Loss: 9

Goal Weight: 145
Weight Remaining: 71

I... I gained a pound.   Maybe those two pieces of baklava were made of pure evil?  Bodies are dumb.  I don't understand them.  I've run two miles everyday since then, walked, and done an exercise video.  With the exception of the picnic I attended on Sunday, I have eaten very well.  Mainly vegetables, some fruit, a small amount of carbs that are always whole grain.  Maybe it's muscle?  Water weight?  I'm not sure what to blame it on, but I refuse to blame it myself this time.  I

I'm actually very good at blaming myself for things.  But I know in my heart that I've been doing my utmost best to lose weight.  And I know I have.  My pants are looser.  I can stretch with more ease.

So.  Minor setback.  Very minor, really.  Time to move on.

Social Functions

Yesterday, I was invited to a Summer picnic at my neighbor's house.  I have never seen so much food!  Meat of every shape and variety, three different pasta salads, two different potato salads, soup, homemade bread, fruits, and a slew of desserts.  Guys.  There was homemade baklava.  /swoon.  I ate two pieces.  I regret nothing.  Really, I actually don't.  I thought I would, but when I look back on things, I've been consistently exercising and eating well for nearly four weeks now.  One splurge in a month?  I'm okay with that.  I don't ever want to be that person who never eats anything 'bad' for them because they're afraid of gaining an ounce.  No, I want to enjoy food, but in moderation. 

I know I did better at this party.  Overall, I didn't eat very much.  A bit of the homemade bread (divine), the baklava, a small pieces of meat and roasted potato.  Had I been the girl I was prior to my new lifestyle change, I would have eaten way more and way worse.  I would have skipped the fruit altogether and gone right for the carbs.  I likely would have eaten most of the bread at the picnic, as well as the potato and pasta salads.  The desserts?  They wouldn't have stood a chance.  But instead I ate fruit, only a small amount of bread, a small amount of meat, and a bit of dessert.  So I'm patting myself on the back for this one.

I also made sure to exercise well yesterday, so I ran two miles, walked, and then did an exercise video.

Reasons

Having goals is an important thing, but the reasons behind reaching them are just important, in my opinion.  So, just to remind myself, I've made a little list to remind me (in no particular order) of why I want to lose weight.


Top 10 Reasons I Want To Be Thinner/Get In Shape

1.    Be in good health
2.    Better self-esteem
3.    Easier to buy clothes
4.    Fit into my 'wish clothes'
5.    Be able to run a 5K
6.    Go swimming**
7.    Feel more energetic
8.    Not fear mirrors
9.    Save money
10.  Stop limiting myself

**although swimming is one of my favorite activities, I'm too embarrassed to be seen in a swimsuit, so I haven't been to a pool in years**

Weigh-In Wednesday #3

I always close my eyes when I first step on the scale, as if somehow that will make the numbers magically go down a little bit more for me.  It's silly, I know, but I still do it.  This week, it looks like I didn't need magic!  My own hard-work has been paying off.

Starting Weight: 225
Last Week's Weight: 219
Current Weight: 215 (-4 pounds!)
Total Weight Loss: 10

Goal Weight: 145
Weight Remaining: 70

I'm only 15 pounds away from my mini-goal weight!  This, plus yesterday's compliment, are such good motivators :))

Compliments

Today, I was outside getting the mail and ran into my neighbor.  We made polite talk, and then she said that she could tell I had lost weight and she thought I looked really good.  SOMEONE NOTICED!!  I almost danced right there in the street.

Running

Today I ran 2 miles without stopping!!!!!!  This is so exciting, it gets copious amounts of exclamation points.  I almost feel as if I may have been able to run a little bit more, too.  It's amazing what your body can do, when you really try.  I haven't even been running in days now, because I've either been working all day or it's rained outside.  Somehow, I ran better than usual.  Was I fast?  No.  It probably took a good 1/2 hour to do that two miles, but I'm damned proud of those 30 minutes. 

What I'm secretly working up to is the ability to run a 5k.  Specifically, I want to participate in the Color Run.  ( http://thecolorrun.com/ ) Ever since I first heard about it, I've harbored the idea in the back of my mind that I'd try to participate one day.  It would be nice to also not finish dead last and looking like a dead rainbow. 

Time

I remember learning in school at some point, that back in the day, women used to spend something like 80% of their time cooking.  Now that I'm really trying to eat healthy all the time, I can kinda feel their pain. 

Currently, I work three jobs.  My main job's shifts are usually either 9 or 10 hours long.  Days off are very rare for me.  Finding time to put into exercising and making wholesome meals has been very difficult.  Yesterday, I let myself buy lunch instead of packing it.  I chose Subway, which seems like the best option as far as fast-food goes.  I stayed away from mayonnaise and cheese, and packed my sandwich full of veggies.

Still.  I miss the convenience of eating poorly.  I wonder if that's not the reason so much of America is overweight.  We are just so busy all the time, and really, eating unhealthy food is way faster, more convenient, and cheaper.  And it tastes soooo good.  So I'll freely own up to the fact that I miss all the 'bad' food.