There is a reason why I haven't been blogging about my weight loss journey lately: because my journey took a pit stop. I could list all the excuses but thats all they would be, excuses. It doesn't change the fact that I am trying to have a healthier lifestyle.
Although Haley is the greatest motivation I could ask for, having the support of my husband is key. He is the most supportive guy and I am lucky to have him, but he was not ready yet to commit to this journey with me when I began two months ago. So when weeks are rough (like the past 2 weeks) and he has bought frozen pizza, mac and cheese, etc, I indulge.
Yesterday, he said he looked into Haley's eyes and all of a sudden knew he had to change. And when he wants to do it, he can be such a strict dieter! That is just what I needed to get my butt in gear.
Last week I weighed in at 146. This morning it was 147. Not terrible numbers (in the past month I think I've steadily put on a pound a week) but I'm also trying to not only look at numbers. My body shape is changing back to its pre-pregnancy shape. Yesterday I was able to wear an old, nonmaternity pair of pants to work! It was an amazing feeling when I \zipped them up and could actually get them to button.
I'm thinking that when school is out (4 more weeks!) I will try the Petite Advantage Diet again. It is such a great program and will help kick my weight loss back into gear. It requires a lot of time to put into it, which I just don't have right now. Another change I will try to make is to continue drinking water and to STOP drinking as many carbonated drinks. I have been drinking lots of Fresca and other caffeine free diet drinks because they fill me up during snack times and they make my brain think I'm getting caffeine (Haley doesn't do well with too much caffeine so I've cut back). I can tell a big difference in how those drinks make me bloated and increase my weight gain. So no more of that!
Even though the past 2 weeks have not been great on the scale, I feel SO motivated now. And with summer right around the corner, I know I will reach my goal by the end of the summer. I can't wait to step on the scale in August and see a number in the 120's!
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motivation. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Weigh in Wednesday Week 5
Wow - its been five weeks since I began this journey! I still haven't had fast food, I still haven't been snacking as much (4-5 pm is my weak hour!), and I'm trying to stay as active as I can. It's been tough with work, although I do work on my feet which helps me burn a few extra calories. I wonder if dealing with wild and crazy teenagers burns calories? My students all have "spring fever" and have totally checked out. When I told them that they have been infected with spring fever and its going around the 8th grade BAD, they asked what it was and if everyone was going to be okay. Cute!
So anyways, stepping on the scale yesterday, I actually felt very confident. I have been too busy to eat too horribly. I usually pack a deli sandwich for lunch which satisfies me but is very low calorie (about 200 calories, plus a 100 calorie snack like an apple or cheez its). But I was still shocked when I saw that the scale read 143.2! In 5 weeks I have lost 8 pounds!
I now weigh around what I weighed when I found out I was pregnant. My weight has always fluctuated around a 4lb grayscale, and at that time I was between 138-142. Almost down to my pre-pregnancy weight!
I have re-worked my goals a bit for over the summer. We decided to keep our nanny for the summer, since I will be teaching summer school (hopefully) and going to a lot of trainings. I'm going to use the free time I have while we have child care to get some serious exercise in. I want to be able to run 3 miles again without feeling like my chest is going to explode. Running is one part of my goal. The other is to lose a pound a week. I have about 9 weeks till the end of summer (geez it hasn't even started yet, I do NOT want to start a count down). That would put me at 134 at the start of the school year. I think I can do it. No, I KNOW i can do it!
... and so can you!
So anyways, stepping on the scale yesterday, I actually felt very confident. I have been too busy to eat too horribly. I usually pack a deli sandwich for lunch which satisfies me but is very low calorie (about 200 calories, plus a 100 calorie snack like an apple or cheez its). But I was still shocked when I saw that the scale read 143.2! In 5 weeks I have lost 8 pounds!
I now weigh around what I weighed when I found out I was pregnant. My weight has always fluctuated around a 4lb grayscale, and at that time I was between 138-142. Almost down to my pre-pregnancy weight!
I have re-worked my goals a bit for over the summer. We decided to keep our nanny for the summer, since I will be teaching summer school (hopefully) and going to a lot of trainings. I'm going to use the free time I have while we have child care to get some serious exercise in. I want to be able to run 3 miles again without feeling like my chest is going to explode. Running is one part of my goal. The other is to lose a pound a week. I have about 9 weeks till the end of summer (geez it hasn't even started yet, I do NOT want to start a count down). That would put me at 134 at the start of the school year. I think I can do it. No, I KNOW i can do it!
... and so can you!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Weigh In Wednesday - Week 3
This week my weigh in was not so great. I knew that going into it. It wasn't like last week where I knew it wasn't ideal, but I had done some working out and ate well enough to lose maybe a pound (but instead I lost two pounds!). I hadn't gone to the gym since Saturday and started snacking again. On a related note, why do we have potato chips in the house??
There is a reason why I didn't do so well this week, and its not because of the potato chips. I went back to work. It was so hard getting back into the routine of getting up at five in the morning - oh the joy of teaching! It is kind of nice going to work because I love what I do. If I hated my job it would be so much harder. But it was very difficult to be away from Haley. I knew she was in good hands (we found a nanny on care.com who we really trust) so that made it easier. And its the best feeling in the world when I come home and she recognizes me, giving me that beautiful smile
Finding time to pump was very difficult, especially in a middle school with teenagers who don't have any respect for privacy. My options for pumping were to do it in the book room (which is hardly used, stuffy, and doesn't have much room to even sit in), in my car (but who has time to go out to the parking lot when you only get 25 minutes for lunch?), or in my classroom where all my fellow teachers have a key, AND I have one of the few printers on my hall so many people come and go to pick up what they have printed. I decided to try my room since it is the most comfortable, and it left the most time to eat lunch and possibly get some work done. It has worked fine so far - I just put a "do not come in" sign on my door. I hope that any of you readers who have to pump at work don't have this issue, and have a designated room for nursing moms at your place of work!
Anyways, I'm getting off topic on purpose so that I can avoid telling my weight...
When I stepped on the scale this Wednesday morning, the digital scale did that thing where it shows a few other weights before it settles on the actual number. It stopped at 146.0 (which is over a pound less than last week!) but after a second, tricked me and switched to its final destination. 147.5. That's less than half a pound more than last weeks 147.2 Its not bad for not going to the gym but once. But its not where I wanted to be with my goal of losing .5 - 2 pounds a week. That means this next week I will have to work extra hard.
My best friend wants me to do a 4K with her this weekend. I'm thinking after this weeks adventure on the scale, I should bite the bullet and do it. I might not be able to run without stopping, but I am willing to challenge myself and try!
There is a reason why I didn't do so well this week, and its not because of the potato chips. I went back to work. It was so hard getting back into the routine of getting up at five in the morning - oh the joy of teaching! It is kind of nice going to work because I love what I do. If I hated my job it would be so much harder. But it was very difficult to be away from Haley. I knew she was in good hands (we found a nanny on care.com who we really trust) so that made it easier. And its the best feeling in the world when I come home and she recognizes me, giving me that beautiful smile
Finding time to pump was very difficult, especially in a middle school with teenagers who don't have any respect for privacy. My options for pumping were to do it in the book room (which is hardly used, stuffy, and doesn't have much room to even sit in), in my car (but who has time to go out to the parking lot when you only get 25 minutes for lunch?), or in my classroom where all my fellow teachers have a key, AND I have one of the few printers on my hall so many people come and go to pick up what they have printed. I decided to try my room since it is the most comfortable, and it left the most time to eat lunch and possibly get some work done. It has worked fine so far - I just put a "do not come in" sign on my door. I hope that any of you readers who have to pump at work don't have this issue, and have a designated room for nursing moms at your place of work!
Anyways, I'm getting off topic on purpose so that I can avoid telling my weight...
When I stepped on the scale this Wednesday morning, the digital scale did that thing where it shows a few other weights before it settles on the actual number. It stopped at 146.0 (which is over a pound less than last week!) but after a second, tricked me and switched to its final destination. 147.5. That's less than half a pound more than last weeks 147.2 Its not bad for not going to the gym but once. But its not where I wanted to be with my goal of losing .5 - 2 pounds a week. That means this next week I will have to work extra hard.
My best friend wants me to do a 4K with her this weekend. I'm thinking after this weeks adventure on the scale, I should bite the bullet and do it. I might not be able to run without stopping, but I am willing to challenge myself and try!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
A Challenging Workout
I found a workout plan online that seemed really tough, but I wanted to see if I could meet the challenge. The original routine called for 5 sets of 10 reps of each of these exercises. I challenged myself to try to do as many sets as I could. After the first set, I was so exhausted and thought I was going to pass out. After reminding myself I need to eat more protein before an intense workout, I made it through one more set before I REALLY thought I was going to pass out - I even had to put my head between my legs when the room started spinning.
Not to scare you guys out of trying this challenge! Just know your limits. I really wanted to do at least half of the sets in the challenge, but I knew I needed to slow down. Plus, I had to walk home from the gym. Remember in a previous post where I said my goal for today would be to jog at least a .25 of a mile to the gym? I have no idea how far in miles the distance was, but I did make it pretty far down the street - farther than I've made it before! I'll try to remember to chart the distance when I make the drive next time.
Anyways, here is the 10 rep challenge that I did. If you are competitive (like me), try to beat my number of sets! Can you do three sets of these?
Not to scare you guys out of trying this challenge! Just know your limits. I really wanted to do at least half of the sets in the challenge, but I knew I needed to slow down. Plus, I had to walk home from the gym. Remember in a previous post where I said my goal for today would be to jog at least a .25 of a mile to the gym? I have no idea how far in miles the distance was, but I did make it pretty far down the street - farther than I've made it before! I'll try to remember to chart the distance when I make the drive next time.
Anyways, here is the 10 rep challenge that I did. If you are competitive (like me), try to beat my number of sets! Can you do three sets of these?
Sunday, March 31, 2013
My Favorite Playlist
When I exercise, I have to have music playing. Otherwise, I get bored and don't tend to workout as long or as hard. Since getting back into my workout routine, I have added roughly 200 songs to my phone. I found an awesome app (and its free!) called Music Paradise. I have been adding songs to my workout playlist through this app and it has totally reshaped how I workout.
There are many different types of music I like to workout to. Some are fast paced to keep me energized. Some have a great beat to run to so I can set my pace to the music. My favorite songs to listen to, however, are those that motivate and inspire me. I'm so excited to share this playlist with you all!
What are some of your favorite songs to workout to?
There are many different types of music I like to workout to. Some are fast paced to keep me energized. Some have a great beat to run to so I can set my pace to the music. My favorite songs to listen to, however, are those that motivate and inspire me. I'm so excited to share this playlist with you all!
What are some of your favorite songs to workout to?
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Weigh In Wednesdays - Week 2
This was a tough weigh in day for me. We had family and friends visiting for the past six days. Guess how many times I went to the gym during those 6 days? ONE. I'm disappointed in myself. There were a few moments this past week where I started to feel myself slip out of this healthy lifestyle and into the person of my past who sits on the couch eating an entire family size bag of chex mix (yes this really happened).
So when I stepped on the scale this morning, I had all kinds of mixed emotions. There was a voice in my head saying, "Just skip this weeks weigh in! You had so much going on, that's definitely a valid excuse." There was another voice saying, "Week two is always the hardest - you'll just work out extra hard this week!" In truth, I didn't eat horribly. When we ate out, which we did for at least one meal a day, I tried to order healthy and avoided eating all the bread on the table. I kept pretty busy keeping the house clean, and we went for walks a few times which is a little exercise!
After a few minutes of this inner conversation with myself, my feet somehow picked themselves up and placed themselves on the scale. When I saw the number, I actually stepped off and back on to try again - I couldn't believe it!
147.2! I lost another 2 pounds!
Yes, I had that nagging voice in my head immediately after ("if you had gone to the gym or ate better, just imagine how much you would've lost!") but I'm trying ignore it. Two pounds is something to be proud of, so for today, I am going to pat myself on the back and take it one day at a time.
Good job, me!
So when I stepped on the scale this morning, I had all kinds of mixed emotions. There was a voice in my head saying, "Just skip this weeks weigh in! You had so much going on, that's definitely a valid excuse." There was another voice saying, "Week two is always the hardest - you'll just work out extra hard this week!" In truth, I didn't eat horribly. When we ate out, which we did for at least one meal a day, I tried to order healthy and avoided eating all the bread on the table. I kept pretty busy keeping the house clean, and we went for walks a few times which is a little exercise!
After a few minutes of this inner conversation with myself, my feet somehow picked themselves up and placed themselves on the scale. When I saw the number, I actually stepped off and back on to try again - I couldn't believe it!
147.2! I lost another 2 pounds!
Yes, I had that nagging voice in my head immediately after ("if you had gone to the gym or ate better, just imagine how much you would've lost!") but I'm trying ignore it. Two pounds is something to be proud of, so for today, I am going to pat myself on the back and take it one day at a time.
Good job, me!
Monday, March 25, 2013
Working out With a Buddy
I am a huge advocate of the buddy system while working out. Having a friend exercise with you is not only motivating and encouraging, it keeps you from getting bored! I love going for runs with friends as opposed to by myself. My competitive nature kicks into high gear as I struggle to keep up the pace. Or, if there is something I happen to be good at, its a lot of fun to show my workout buddy what I know.
One of my best friends was in town this past week, and we were able to go to the gym together. While doing our cardio warm up, she told me that her arms are something she wants to work on. My arms are actually one of my strongest points due to all the heavy lifting I've had to do in the restaurant business. My core/abs are my weakest point that I need to work on. Keeping in mind what we both wanted to work on, I created a super intense arms and abs workout for us to do at the gym. It was tough and we are so sore now, but the difference in my work out ethic was incredible when having someone to go to the gym with. I can't believe how much I was able to do!
Here is the plan:
My arms were jello when we finished this workout! My friend has plans to come visit again this summer, and we made a promise to each other that we will be a couple of confident, fit girls ready for bathing suit season next time we're together!
Do you have a workout buddy? I'd love to hear what you and your friends do to encourage each other to workout!
One of my best friends was in town this past week, and we were able to go to the gym together. While doing our cardio warm up, she told me that her arms are something she wants to work on. My arms are actually one of my strongest points due to all the heavy lifting I've had to do in the restaurant business. My core/abs are my weakest point that I need to work on. Keeping in mind what we both wanted to work on, I created a super intense arms and abs workout for us to do at the gym. It was tough and we are so sore now, but the difference in my work out ethic was incredible when having someone to go to the gym with. I can't believe how much I was able to do!
Here is the plan:
My arms were jello when we finished this workout! My friend has plans to come visit again this summer, and we made a promise to each other that we will be a couple of confident, fit girls ready for bathing suit season next time we're together!
Do you have a workout buddy? I'd love to hear what you and your friends do to encourage each other to workout!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Weigh In Day - Week 1
Today was my first official weigh in day! I haven't yet posted what exactly my goals are so I'll explain that a bit before I reveal how the scale fared this morning.
I'd say that I'm trying to get back to my "high school weight" but even in high school I was constantly trying (unsuccessfully) to lose weight. In fact, when I was a senior in high school I was told by my doctor that I was 15 pounds overweight - and I only weighed 120! Those of you who are short like me understand the pressure I feel to fit into that ideal weight range for women under 5'4", which is 95-110 pounds.
I was so upset about being overweight when I went off to college, but little did I know that I would spend the next ten years trying to get back to that size. By the time I graduated college in 2005, I weighed 140 pounds - but man, it was fun putting that weight on! More importantly though, I was extremely out of shape and hardly ever got any exercise.
I got a job in a restaurant where the fast pace and heavy lifting caused me to stay in better shape. I took up running and ended up running in my first 10k! I was down to 128 pounds but still felt I wasn't as fit as I could be.
Then I went through a whole bunch at once - a career change, my parents got divorced, I got engaged - and put the weight back on. I gained 10 pounds in one month, and this time around it wasn't so fun putting that weight on.
After the wedding, I stayed at a constant 140. I tried losing weight before getting pregnant (doing the Petite Advantage plan) and went down to 130 two weeks before finding out I was pregnant with beautiful Haley! Then came the cravings... I ended my pregnancy at 170 pounds 8 weeks ago, and started my weight loss journey a week ago at 151.4 pounds.
That brings me to this morning. Stepping on the dreaded scale. I had hoped to lose about a pound a week, which is a reasonable weight loss goal. My ultimate goal is to be fit, but my number goal is 120 pounds (and all muscle)!
Wait... what? the scale says 149.3! Down two pounds! And I feel like I could've pushed myself even harder, I just didn't want to start off too strong and lose my stamina.
So I am putting two dollars in my Tip Jar for the two pounds I've lost and am $2 closer to a rewarding massage! If you haven't started a tip jar yet for yourself, you should. Its a great rewards system for working out and dieting and exercising regularly.
So imagine my shock when I saw I had lost 2 pounds this week! Go me!
I encourage you all to take this weight loss journey with me. Please follow my meal plans and workouts, and post comments with how much you have lost as well! Anyone have a success story this week?
I'd say that I'm trying to get back to my "high school weight" but even in high school I was constantly trying (unsuccessfully) to lose weight. In fact, when I was a senior in high school I was told by my doctor that I was 15 pounds overweight - and I only weighed 120! Those of you who are short like me understand the pressure I feel to fit into that ideal weight range for women under 5'4", which is 95-110 pounds.
I was so upset about being overweight when I went off to college, but little did I know that I would spend the next ten years trying to get back to that size. By the time I graduated college in 2005, I weighed 140 pounds - but man, it was fun putting that weight on! More importantly though, I was extremely out of shape and hardly ever got any exercise.
I got a job in a restaurant where the fast pace and heavy lifting caused me to stay in better shape. I took up running and ended up running in my first 10k! I was down to 128 pounds but still felt I wasn't as fit as I could be.
Then I went through a whole bunch at once - a career change, my parents got divorced, I got engaged - and put the weight back on. I gained 10 pounds in one month, and this time around it wasn't so fun putting that weight on.
After the wedding, I stayed at a constant 140. I tried losing weight before getting pregnant (doing the Petite Advantage plan) and went down to 130 two weeks before finding out I was pregnant with beautiful Haley! Then came the cravings... I ended my pregnancy at 170 pounds 8 weeks ago, and started my weight loss journey a week ago at 151.4 pounds.
That brings me to this morning. Stepping on the dreaded scale. I had hoped to lose about a pound a week, which is a reasonable weight loss goal. My ultimate goal is to be fit, but my number goal is 120 pounds (and all muscle)!
Wait... what? the scale says 149.3! Down two pounds! And I feel like I could've pushed myself even harder, I just didn't want to start off too strong and lose my stamina.
So I am putting two dollars in my Tip Jar for the two pounds I've lost and am $2 closer to a rewarding massage! If you haven't started a tip jar yet for yourself, you should. Its a great rewards system for working out and dieting and exercising regularly.
So imagine my shock when I saw I had lost 2 pounds this week! Go me!
I encourage you all to take this weight loss journey with me. Please follow my meal plans and workouts, and post comments with how much you have lost as well! Anyone have a success story this week?
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The Beginning...
I'm beginning this blog in hopes of using it as a motivating tool. I figure if I have something keeping me accountable, I'm more likely to stick with a lifestyle change than in the past. In the past, I'd call it "dieting" or "starting to workout until... (insert excuse to stop exercising here)" but as of eight weeks ago today, it is definitely going to be a lifestyle change. On that special day, I was given the best gift in the world - a beautiful, healthy baby girl.
I made a promise to her that I would stop my unhealthy lifestyle and exchange it for one that would ensure that I would be around for a long, long time.
This doesn't mean I will never eat a cookie or slice of pie again. That would be crazy talk! It means I will be able to run around the park with my daughter Haley and not get winded. It means I'll be able to keep up with her when I help her practice for her big soccer game. It means I'll set a good example by not finishing off an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies - before they even hit the oven (yes this has, unfortunately happened).
I'm asking you to help keep me accountable by following along with me on my weight loss, get fit journey. In return, I will post healthy recipes, workout routines, and offer endless support to anyone wanting to hop aboard the fit carousel with me.
I originally named this blog "Fit Carousel" after how it feels every time I decide to get healthy. I hop aboard with so much energy in the beginning, but I never seem to get anywhere. Eventually, I hope off, gain back whatever weight I happened to lose - plus some - and later I end up hopping right back on. I never meet my goals, I just go in circles and become frustrated.
That is not going to happen this time. This time I have the ultimate motivator and reason to be fit.
So keep checking in for tons of great posts, not only for recipes and workouts, but for other interesting topics like home organization tips. crafts, lesson plans for teachers, cool DIY projects and more!
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| My Daughter Haley |
I made a promise to her that I would stop my unhealthy lifestyle and exchange it for one that would ensure that I would be around for a long, long time.
This doesn't mean I will never eat a cookie or slice of pie again. That would be crazy talk! It means I will be able to run around the park with my daughter Haley and not get winded. It means I'll be able to keep up with her when I help her practice for her big soccer game. It means I'll set a good example by not finishing off an entire batch of chocolate chip cookies - before they even hit the oven (yes this has, unfortunately happened).
I'm asking you to help keep me accountable by following along with me on my weight loss, get fit journey. In return, I will post healthy recipes, workout routines, and offer endless support to anyone wanting to hop aboard the fit carousel with me.
I originally named this blog "Fit Carousel" after how it feels every time I decide to get healthy. I hop aboard with so much energy in the beginning, but I never seem to get anywhere. Eventually, I hope off, gain back whatever weight I happened to lose - plus some - and later I end up hopping right back on. I never meet my goals, I just go in circles and become frustrated.
That is not going to happen this time. This time I have the ultimate motivator and reason to be fit.
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| First Time Seeing Each other |
So keep checking in for tons of great posts, not only for recipes and workouts, but for other interesting topics like home organization tips. crafts, lesson plans for teachers, cool DIY projects and more!
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| At my goal weight in 2008 of 120 pounds |
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| At my current weight of 151 pounds |
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