So a lot has happened in the last two weeks. I'll start with my visit to the dietitian. I decided that having a rough guide to the number of carbs I should eat wasn't enough. After a month of gaining weight for no reason (AGAIN) I decided I needed to do something. I called my endocrinologist and got a recommendation for a dietitian that focuses on Diabetes/Endocrine Issues. Awesome!
Let me tell you, it was an amazing experience. She knew that I was knowledgeable on nutrition, exercise, good carbs vs. bad carbs, how to read NI, etc. So she focused on the carbs, calories, fats and proteins my body needs to function like a "normal" person. I need less carbs, broken out throughout the day evenly - 30g at each meal, 15g for each snack - totaling 135g. I need more fat and protein eaten with the carbs AND I need to EAT MORE CALORIES...gasp! Prior to this meeting, I was eating anywhere between 1300-1400 calories on a good day...I need to be eating at least 1550, but preferably 1600. WOW...what a difference.
After just over a week following the dietitian's advice, I feel awesome! I didn't realize you weren't supposed to wake up hungry...no joke. Every morning my stomach would be growling. What was I thinking!?!
This week...I lost 2.4 pounds!!!
Something else I realized is that getting a toned, healthy body isn't going to be easy. It's going to take more than going to the gym and doing cardio and *some* weights. It's going to take some hard core, painful workouts. Will they be fun...heck no! Will they be worth it...heck YES! When I can look in the mirror and see some definition in my abs, or my legs, or my arms and be proud of how I look, every drop of sweat, every thought of "I can't do another rep", will be worth it.
I went to the trainer two weeks ago to get a new routine of all free weights and body weight exercises. I've only done one day of arms. It scared me to feel weak after spending months on the weight machines. Well, it's time to suck it up and just do it (Nike really has something with that slogan)!
I know I won't feel this positive every day, and life will get in the way of gym workouts and eating right. The difference is not letting one day away from the gym/working out effect the next day, or the day after. If I *only* make it to the gym or workout from home 3 days a week...I WORKED OUT 3 DAYS!!!
So many times I think we focus on the negative, what we didn't accomplish or didn't do. I think we all need to start looking at what we have accomplished, no matter how small! Did you get ONE workout in this week, did you track ONE day? Well, awesome job! Now work on making it TWO days.
We can do it!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
My light bulb a-ha moment
It's been a while since I've posted! Sheesh where is the time going.
I did really well and lost 5.8 lbs and was 0.6 away from being in the 150's...then I gained...and gained...and now I'm at 163.
The issue with this is that I've been working out 3-6 times per week. I've been eating pretty darn well, though as always there is some room for improvement, specifically around the number of carbs I've been eating. (Due to PCOS I have to limit them each day).
So, what is important. Is it the number on the scale? Does it really matter if I weigh 159.8 or 162.2? Or is it more important that I am now working out consistently, I've lost 3 inches in my waist and almost 2 inches every where else! Isn't that what matters? My clothes are fitting better and I feel great!
I started in January wanting to be healthier, and you know what...I am! I enjoy working out again, I love cooking new and healthy things, and when I do go out to eat, I try to be healthier.
I have not tracked a single point this week. I have tracked calories for yesterday/today to make sure I wasn't going crazy, I wasn't! I'm learning what my body needs to be fueled, and what it doesn't (hello chocolate chips).
I will go back to counting calories next week, as I do need to make sure I am sticking within my calorie range (I was eating less than 1200 cals for a while...NOT GOOD), and to make sure I am sticking to my carb range as given to me by my doctor.
I think I needed that light bulb to come on in my head. The one that said the weight on the scale isn't everything. That it's not the only way to measure how healthy I am, or how well I'm doing. I will post my exact measurements from 1/1 and 3/1 when I get home and show you how I know whatever I am doing is working. I may never lose another pound, but I will continue to work out and eat right.
A number on the scale will no longer control my happiness nor my desire to be healthy again.
I did really well and lost 5.8 lbs and was 0.6 away from being in the 150's...then I gained...and gained...and now I'm at 163.
The issue with this is that I've been working out 3-6 times per week. I've been eating pretty darn well, though as always there is some room for improvement, specifically around the number of carbs I've been eating. (Due to PCOS I have to limit them each day).
So, what is important. Is it the number on the scale? Does it really matter if I weigh 159.8 or 162.2? Or is it more important that I am now working out consistently, I've lost 3 inches in my waist and almost 2 inches every where else! Isn't that what matters? My clothes are fitting better and I feel great!
I started in January wanting to be healthier, and you know what...I am! I enjoy working out again, I love cooking new and healthy things, and when I do go out to eat, I try to be healthier.
I have not tracked a single point this week. I have tracked calories for yesterday/today to make sure I wasn't going crazy, I wasn't! I'm learning what my body needs to be fueled, and what it doesn't (hello chocolate chips).
I will go back to counting calories next week, as I do need to make sure I am sticking within my calorie range (I was eating less than 1200 cals for a while...NOT GOOD), and to make sure I am sticking to my carb range as given to me by my doctor.
I think I needed that light bulb to come on in my head. The one that said the weight on the scale isn't everything. That it's not the only way to measure how healthy I am, or how well I'm doing. I will post my exact measurements from 1/1 and 3/1 when I get home and show you how I know whatever I am doing is working. I may never lose another pound, but I will continue to work out and eat right.
A number on the scale will no longer control my happiness nor my desire to be healthy again.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
"Who Has Time to Slim Slowly"
This is the new Slim Fast campaign. And to answer that question I do! Losing weight slowly is the most effective way of keeping it off. Sure I could eat one real meal a day and lose a lot of weight in a few weeks, but hello...I LOVE FOOD!!
This week I am happy to say I lost 0.6 pounds. I worked out for at least 30 minutes four times this week and tracked all seven. I'd say I was successful! I am still trying to figure out the best way to get my workouts in on days I don't have time for a full workout. I've also come to the conclusion that 20-40 minutes will probably be the length of workout that I can stick to for good. Occasionally throwing in a long workout or two will happen, and of course I am OK with that.
This recipe was my new recipe of the week. It is the Asian Glazed Drumsticks from skinnytaste.com. They were amazing! Very easy to make, and the taste of the sauce was to die for. I will definitely be making them again.
Tonight I am trying another new recipe, also from skinnytaste.com. The Garlic Lover's Roast Beef looks awesome and I can't wait to try it out!
One thing I knew was going to be a challenge for me was going out to eat. My fiance and I do this often, once a week or more. I do not like getting salads or baked chicken every time I go out! This week we went out twice. Once was for pizza, beer, and wings. Wow. Well I had 3 wings, 2 slices of thin crust ham & black olive pizza and 2 light beers. OK, not the best but guess what...I had the points. The second time we went out I got fajitas (no rice) at one small tortilla and then just the chicken, bell peppers, and onions with a few fork fulls of sour cream, guacamole, and cheese (the first time I didn't finish them all!).
Today has been a rough day emotionally, I feel broken. There are certain days where PCOS and IBS and the issues they cause really get to me. I don't always feel like myself and it's very difficult to talk to anyone who has not experienced what I have. DF, as much as he loves me and tells me I am sexy, just doesn't get it. It's not his fault, half of the time I keep my struggles to myself...believe it or not, he's not a mind reader! I am happy to report that although I spent the morning in tears, I picked myself up, had an awesome breakfast then went upstairs and did the 30 Day Shred. I have plans to ride the bike later, I just wasn't feeling the back to back workout. I then make homemade chicken salad with a little light mayo and some teryaki thrown in and had that on carb style bread with avocado and lettuce. A banana was my side. I will not let an emotionally exhausting day undo all of my hard work. It's not worth it!
My next challenge is heading to the Eagles game tomorrow in Philly. I will have a healthy low point breakfast and work out, but we will have bar food when we get there and I am sure, some beer :) We will have leftovers for dinner, so I just have to get through one meal and beer. I did it last weekend, I can do it again!
Hope you have all stuck to your goals this week! What are your goals for next week? Are they the same as this week, or different? You can do it!
This week I am happy to say I lost 0.6 pounds. I worked out for at least 30 minutes four times this week and tracked all seven. I'd say I was successful! I am still trying to figure out the best way to get my workouts in on days I don't have time for a full workout. I've also come to the conclusion that 20-40 minutes will probably be the length of workout that I can stick to for good. Occasionally throwing in a long workout or two will happen, and of course I am OK with that.
This recipe was my new recipe of the week. It is the Asian Glazed Drumsticks from skinnytaste.com. They were amazing! Very easy to make, and the taste of the sauce was to die for. I will definitely be making them again.
Tonight I am trying another new recipe, also from skinnytaste.com. The Garlic Lover's Roast Beef looks awesome and I can't wait to try it out!
One thing I knew was going to be a challenge for me was going out to eat. My fiance and I do this often, once a week or more. I do not like getting salads or baked chicken every time I go out! This week we went out twice. Once was for pizza, beer, and wings. Wow. Well I had 3 wings, 2 slices of thin crust ham & black olive pizza and 2 light beers. OK, not the best but guess what...I had the points. The second time we went out I got fajitas (no rice) at one small tortilla and then just the chicken, bell peppers, and onions with a few fork fulls of sour cream, guacamole, and cheese (the first time I didn't finish them all!).
Today has been a rough day emotionally, I feel broken. There are certain days where PCOS and IBS and the issues they cause really get to me. I don't always feel like myself and it's very difficult to talk to anyone who has not experienced what I have. DF, as much as he loves me and tells me I am sexy, just doesn't get it. It's not his fault, half of the time I keep my struggles to myself...believe it or not, he's not a mind reader! I am happy to report that although I spent the morning in tears, I picked myself up, had an awesome breakfast then went upstairs and did the 30 Day Shred. I have plans to ride the bike later, I just wasn't feeling the back to back workout. I then make homemade chicken salad with a little light mayo and some teryaki thrown in and had that on carb style bread with avocado and lettuce. A banana was my side. I will not let an emotionally exhausting day undo all of my hard work. It's not worth it!
My next challenge is heading to the Eagles game tomorrow in Philly. I will have a healthy low point breakfast and work out, but we will have bar food when we get there and I am sure, some beer :) We will have leftovers for dinner, so I just have to get through one meal and beer. I did it last weekend, I can do it again!
Hope you have all stuck to your goals this week! What are your goals for next week? Are they the same as this week, or different? You can do it!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Year, New Resolutions?
The truth is, if I made New Year's resolutions, this years would look eerily similar to the last. Lose weight, exercise more, cook healthier meals, etc. This year is different though. I have started this blog as part of this "new year, new me". This year I realize that I want a healthier me, this is true, but I need to make it fit into my life, I need to change the way I eat and the way I work out so it works for me.
This blog is meant to allow me to write about my journey, about making healthier choices and learning to work exercise into my DAILY routine. I have been told by doctors that I need to limit carbs to 100-120 grams per day due to a diagnosis of PCOS. I need to stop looking at this as a low carb diet to help me lose weight (that I can cheat on) and view it as a low carb diet because otherwise my body will not function properly (no cheating allowed).
PCOS was a hard diagnosis for me. It came after years of not feeling healthy and of constantly feeling exhausted and run down. I knew something was really wrong when I gained 15 pounds in 6 weeks while following Weight Watchers and exercising. Something had to give, so I went back to the doctor and broke down. I was sent to an Endocrinologist and 7 months later I feel exponentially better. Unfortunately the weight is still clinging to my bones and even with meds, it refuses to let go.
I just want to feel good about myself again, going on a "diet" and working out every single day for an hour is not sustainable for me. It is not something I could stick to for the rest of my life, so why try it now. Here is my plan, it is simple, yet will be a challenge for me:
- Cook one meal a week from a brand new recipe
- Concentrate on whole, fresh foods and clean eating
- Limit my carbs, especially at dinner, per doctor's orders
- Work out at least 3 days a week for 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Get some kind of exercise the rest of the week (15 minute walk, 15 minute exercise bike, something small)
These things will not happen overnight, I don't think that next week I will be getting in some kind of activity every.single.day. I think I will slowly work up to it. I will start with one new recipe a week and I hope to build that to 2 or 3. These things are sustainable for me. They are things I can do to make this a lifestyle and not just a "diet"
I will continue to follow the new Points Plus program on Weight Watchers and I truly hope thinking about creating a healthier me rather than me on a diet will make a difference in my success.
I hope this blog will allow me to write about my awesome recipe finds, my daily struggles, and my successes. A way to keep me accountable to the Internet gods and my readers. I also hope that this will help those people who may feel overwhelmed with the idea of a diet, or trying to lose weight in a short period of time.
This blog is meant to allow me to write about my journey, about making healthier choices and learning to work exercise into my DAILY routine. I have been told by doctors that I need to limit carbs to 100-120 grams per day due to a diagnosis of PCOS. I need to stop looking at this as a low carb diet to help me lose weight (that I can cheat on) and view it as a low carb diet because otherwise my body will not function properly (no cheating allowed).
PCOS was a hard diagnosis for me. It came after years of not feeling healthy and of constantly feeling exhausted and run down. I knew something was really wrong when I gained 15 pounds in 6 weeks while following Weight Watchers and exercising. Something had to give, so I went back to the doctor and broke down. I was sent to an Endocrinologist and 7 months later I feel exponentially better. Unfortunately the weight is still clinging to my bones and even with meds, it refuses to let go.
I just want to feel good about myself again, going on a "diet" and working out every single day for an hour is not sustainable for me. It is not something I could stick to for the rest of my life, so why try it now. Here is my plan, it is simple, yet will be a challenge for me:
- Cook one meal a week from a brand new recipe
- Concentrate on whole, fresh foods and clean eating
- Limit my carbs, especially at dinner, per doctor's orders
- Work out at least 3 days a week for 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Get some kind of exercise the rest of the week (15 minute walk, 15 minute exercise bike, something small)
These things will not happen overnight, I don't think that next week I will be getting in some kind of activity every.single.day. I think I will slowly work up to it. I will start with one new recipe a week and I hope to build that to 2 or 3. These things are sustainable for me. They are things I can do to make this a lifestyle and not just a "diet"
I will continue to follow the new Points Plus program on Weight Watchers and I truly hope thinking about creating a healthier me rather than me on a diet will make a difference in my success.
I hope this blog will allow me to write about my awesome recipe finds, my daily struggles, and my successes. A way to keep me accountable to the Internet gods and my readers. I also hope that this will help those people who may feel overwhelmed with the idea of a diet, or trying to lose weight in a short period of time.
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