Burgh, bleh, meh, sheesh...
These are the words escaping my mouth as I have once again lost the three pounds I have gained from my last "day off."
This morning, as I was walking to my classroom, I really had to dig down deep. What is causing me to stay rooted firmly in the 147-150 range. It's not so much the weight anymore, as I am "normal" (whatever that means) now. What's concerning me is lapsing back into bad, bad habits. The stress eating, the mindless eating, the lack of exercsise. All the stuff that got me overweight and to this blog in the first place!
I am stressed out. We are going through a lot in my school district right now, and I am facing some difficult personal choices because of it. I am working more for less, and it is taking its toll. I think, subconsciously, I am soothing myself with food. Maybe you are in the same boat--facing layoffs or friends getting laid off. Maybe you are facing another pay cut and have realized that the cheapest food you can buy is also fattening (which is depressing). I know it sounds strange, but the tough times we are facing can affect your waistline.
For example, I no longer buy things at full price at the grocery store. My shopping list is entirely dictated by what's on sale. Well, guess what? My favorite fruits and veggies are not on sale a whole lot! I have sucked it up and tried new stuff, but it means that I eat more calories of other things when I don't like them. Also, have you noticed that the sale items for carbohydrate heavy foods such as pasta, bread, and rice are always the stuff with the most sugar and salt added? Sigh. Why is it the most fattening meat is always the cheapest? Double and triple sigh. It sucks that I only get to eat 2 oz of pork shoulder but 3 oz of tenderloin.
So, this is what I have done. I make a "sacred" list of staples. Sale or not, I know I need that food. If it is not on sale, stuff not on that list does not get bought. For example, if the cottage cheese and yogurt is not on sale, I do not buy Skinny Cow ice cream treats. EVEN IF THE SKINNY COWS ARE ON SALE. That kind of thing. Also, I now look in the frozen section for my non-seasonal fruits and veggies (great for you berry lovers!).
Also, have "go to" foods does help when I have to serve my family something inexpensive but WAY off my food plan. I can make an omelet or a tofu dish and know that I am okay. For example, I made pulled pork last night. Um...I could eat five pounds of that! So, I had my portion, but then ate some Greek yogurt with blueberries for dessert. The protein from the Greek yogurt made up for the small portion of pork, and it filled me up. Yay! Yes, I would have liked to eat the rest of the leftovers (I'll be honest, I did munch on two ounces before I put them away), but it does help to have something I can eat in lieu of something I can't really eat. All in all, I stayed well within my calorie count for the day.
I think the hardest part about dieting during the recession is all the stress. You are anxious and worried, yet there is no going shopping or getting your nails done or whatever to have fun. You have to find fun at home. You may also have to find an inexpensive way to exercise, as a gym membership is out of reach for many. I am lucky, I have a free gym at my apartment building. I also walk my local lake every Saturday and walk with friends on Sundays. However, there are many things you can do inside, if the weather is bad, for free.
To wit. Did you you know that you can rent exercise videos from the library for free? Yep! Did you know if you do a plank (which is the position you start a push up in) for three minutes you burn an AMAZING amount of calories? Did you know if you sit up straight in a chair and do bicep curls and pull downs with two bottles of water you are burning calories? You can Google tons of exercises online that you can do while watching television!
What about support? I have joined a non-profit weight loss support group (TOPS), but you can do a meet up, join SparkPeople, whatever. There are so many free/inexpensive weight loss support groups out there. You don't need to pay a lot of money to lose weight.
At any rate, I am weathering the recession storm as best that I can. I think my waistline is too. If you have any great suggestions, please email me, and I will pass them on!
Hang tough everyone!
The numbers:
Starting Weight: 235
Current Weight: 149
Goal Weight:140
The Goals:
Outer Goal: Be at my goal weight for State Recognition Days for TOPS!
Inner Goal: To be the woman everyone else thinks I am!
See you soon!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Reflections on A Year of Weight Loss
Next Wednesday marks my one year anniversary with the Kaiser Medical Weight Loss Program. To say that I am reflecting on "all I've gained and lost" is an understatement. I am still hovering around 147, and, truthfully, I am disappointed with not reaching my goal weight. I know it is wrong to compare myself to others, but it is difficult seeing people on television doing what I cannot seem to do.
Lately, I have also been struggling with getting exercise and with eating too much. It's as if part of me is just unwilling to let these last few pounds go, what goes with it if they are gone? I am grappling with figuring out a new identity as a "thin" person (though I am not very thin, truth be told--just average). My entire life from the age of ten has been dictated by my weight. My weight has never been good enough. I have striven to excel to overcome the disadvantages my excess weight caused (believe me--it sucks to be fat in our society!).
On the flip side of these worried musings are the achievements I have made. Now exercise is fun for me; I want to do it. This morning, I threw on a pair of size 8 jeans without having to suck in my belly. I made a delicious egg white and veggie omelet with cheese and toast for breakfast; knowing that it was a breakfast that would fuel my body and brain. Most importantly--okay don't laugh--I BENT OVER AND PICKED SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR WITHOUT PAIN OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH!
However, my most important achievement, in my mind, is the impact I have made on others. There is no denying it, as much as I would like to, that my weight loss has been a motivating for other people. My husband directly credits me for his 80 pound weight loss, my mom and mother-in-law have both said that my support has helped them. My friends, strangers, and acquaintances have all asked me "what did you do?" When I tell them, I tell them they can do it too. I helped train people for a marathon, for Pete's sake! The truth of the matter is that these people have all made their own changes and are responsible for their own success, my achievement is that I supported them in their goals. Of that, I am very, very proud.
As a new weight loss year begins, it is entirely possible that it will take a year for me to lose this next seven pounds. One of things I have gained this past year is the knowledge that good health and well being is a life long pursuit. If it takes me a year, fine, because it will take the rest of my life to keep it off.
I am looking forward to the challenge.
Okay...the numbers:
Starting Weight December 2008: 236
Starting Weight MWL March 2010: 224
Current Weight: 147
Goal Weight 140
Outward Goal: To wear a bikini this summer
Inner Goal: To find the strength to be a strength to others....and of course, WORLD PEACE!
Hugs to you all! See you soon!
Lately, I have also been struggling with getting exercise and with eating too much. It's as if part of me is just unwilling to let these last few pounds go, what goes with it if they are gone? I am grappling with figuring out a new identity as a "thin" person (though I am not very thin, truth be told--just average). My entire life from the age of ten has been dictated by my weight. My weight has never been good enough. I have striven to excel to overcome the disadvantages my excess weight caused (believe me--it sucks to be fat in our society!).
On the flip side of these worried musings are the achievements I have made. Now exercise is fun for me; I want to do it. This morning, I threw on a pair of size 8 jeans without having to suck in my belly. I made a delicious egg white and veggie omelet with cheese and toast for breakfast; knowing that it was a breakfast that would fuel my body and brain. Most importantly--okay don't laugh--I BENT OVER AND PICKED SOMETHING OFF THE FLOOR WITHOUT PAIN OR SHORTNESS OF BREATH!
However, my most important achievement, in my mind, is the impact I have made on others. There is no denying it, as much as I would like to, that my weight loss has been a motivating for other people. My husband directly credits me for his 80 pound weight loss, my mom and mother-in-law have both said that my support has helped them. My friends, strangers, and acquaintances have all asked me "what did you do?" When I tell them, I tell them they can do it too. I helped train people for a marathon, for Pete's sake! The truth of the matter is that these people have all made their own changes and are responsible for their own success, my achievement is that I supported them in their goals. Of that, I am very, very proud.
As a new weight loss year begins, it is entirely possible that it will take a year for me to lose this next seven pounds. One of things I have gained this past year is the knowledge that good health and well being is a life long pursuit. If it takes me a year, fine, because it will take the rest of my life to keep it off.
I am looking forward to the challenge.
Okay...the numbers:
Starting Weight December 2008: 236
Starting Weight MWL March 2010: 224
Current Weight: 147
Goal Weight 140
Outward Goal: To wear a bikini this summer
Inner Goal: To find the strength to be a strength to others....and of course, WORLD PEACE!
Hugs to you all! See you soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)