gymcoach79's Journal

I'm only overweight!!
Apr 12 2009 20:31

Goal achieved!

According to the Wii Fit guy, I am now officially overweight instead of obese! Woo hoo! The plan was to lose 2 1/2lbs in 2 weeks to hit this milestone and, instead, I lost 4lbs this week! BMI has dropped from almost 33 to below 30. Total weight loss to date is 27lbs.  This has been tremendous motivation for me this week....ust what I needed to stay strong on the treadmill.

Personal updates....my 30 in 30 challenge is going well. Today is the 12th and I have 14.25 miles logged.  Unfortunately I have to take the next 2 days off as my husband is out of town, but I got miles done in advance so I would still be "even" when he came home. I ran for 4 miles today, the furthest I have ever run, so I was whipped, but getting stronger. Some of my personal best  times have been bettered:

2 miles - 27:40

3 miles - 43:27

4 miles - 61:32

By no means a speed demon, but we are working on it. 4 months ago I couldn't get 30 seconds of straight running in and it was a tremendous chore to get 1/2 mile done, so going for 4 miles and over an hour is awesome! I can also run several minutes at a time, depending at the speed, and I am hoping to break the 10 minute mile sometime this week.  Maybe the 2 days off will be a blessing in disguise for my body.

Hope everyone is having a good week. Stay strong on your personal goals and remember why this is important to you....everytime I question it, I just look at my 2 year old running around and remind myself that I need to stay up with him.

Getting close....
Apr 09 2009 16:07

Smashed my personal best in a 1 mile run......almost a minute! Last night I managed a mile in 10 minutes and 38 seconds.  The last time I ran a mile in under 10 minutes was in 6th grade!!! Have I mentioned I'm not a runner?!?!?

Look for the next update Sunday with my mileage for the week towards my 30 in 30 goal and hopefully a weight drop.....when I got on the Wii Fit last week, I learned I am only 2.4lbs away from the little Wii guy telling me I am overweight instead of obese....so my goal was to lose those 2 1/2lbs in the next 2 weeks....

Aah, the little things in life that will make you happy and chuckle...

Another quick update
Apr 06 2009 21:23

April 6th and I have my 6 miles logged.....I skipped one day, so 2 days I did 1 1/2 miles, so I'm all caught up now.  Personal bests so far...

1 mile - 11:35

1 1/2 mile - 17:47

2 miles (done about 2 months ago) - 29:48

3 days dow 3 miles logged
Apr 04 2009 14:04

Quick update....goal is going well! Three days in April are over and I have 3 miles logged....yeah! Two 15 minute miles logged and 1 12 minute mile even.  Hoping to get through the challenge of the weekend when I am out and about for various reasons...just need to make sure I squeeze my run in! I WILL do this, only 27 miles left to go....

What will it take? 30 in 30 is the goal!
Apr 02 2009 11:27

What will it take? In my first 2 months of this journey, I lose 20lbs by not drinking pop anymore, by watching my calorie intake (hence cutting down on my snacking and making healthy choices for meals instead of fast food) and walking/running on my treadmill. One would think this would be enough motivation to continue to do what was working and keep dropping the weight.  Somehow, it wasn't.  The month of March (lets be honest with myself, the whole month of March and really the last week of Feb) were horrible. I don't think I got on the treadmill more then half a dozen times, if that.  I ate out when I felt like it, but felt okay about it because I ate less. I drank pop when I was thirsty instead of water. How ridiculous!!

I can say the food didn't taste as good, the portions weren't as big because I physically couldn't eat that much and the pop burned going down. The time I spent in the bathroom reminded me of just how crappy that stuff is (LOL I know, TMI, but I'm being honest here....) Fortunately, I can say that I didn't gain weight this month.  Really, I got a lot more active at work, which I have a physical job anyway, so I think that traded out my treadmill time.  I also didn't eat like crap all the time, it was isolated incidents that happened once a week with the rest of the time being more portion controlled, so I think I found my "maintenance mode", even though it's not exactly what I was striving for at this point.  I didn't really do as bad as the journal entry started, but the point was that I strayed entirely too easily from something I worked hard for 8 weeks at. I changed habits and it was working.  And yet it wasn't enough. What will it take for me to honestly lose the weight I say I "want" to lose? Even when I find what works, it's not enough....

So at last I have come up with my new gimmick to try and remotivate myself.  I weighed myself this morning. My goal is not to get on the scale more then once a week.  No more pop, my stomach just can't take it. And I want to run 30 miles in 30 days on my treadmill. That's a mile a day.  Or 2 every other. It doesn't matter how I do it. The fact is that I now have a tangible goal, something to chip away at. I have a large board on my fridge that says "30 in 30" so I remind myself everyday.  I did 1 mile yesterday. Not much, but it was a 15 minute "warmup" that I needed to jumpstart myself this month.  The first tally mark to put on my board and remind myself that I have 29 more to go.  So I challenge you guys too, to give yourself a fresh goal for April, to help jumpstart your plans and to maybe shake it up a little.  I welcome you to share in my goal of 30 in 30. And for those of you more advanced workout junkies, make it 60 in 30 or 100 in 30...whatever it takes to be an obtainable challenge for the month. I think that's what I need.  Something that's obtainable so I feel good and not get overwhelmed, but something big enough that I have to do a little everyday because I'm not physically capable of doing a lot every couple of days.  :)

I hope to be back in 30 days with a smile and some confidence. And I hope to see the same from you!

Slowing down
Mar 10 2009 12:40

The weight loss has slowed somewhat, but thats okay.....my working out has slowed a little too....even recognizing the 2 are related still hasn't insipired me too much, so that's my own fault.  I have been a little tired lately. The Daylight Savings thing just throws me for a loop, and more so my kids, so my whole schedule has been off since then still.  I also have a 2 year old that I'm trying to potty-train, so running to the bathroom every 30 minutes to "try" isnt helping much either. LOL

I am down to my pre pregnancy weight...that is where I was almost 4 years ago before I got pregnant with my first of 2 munchkins.  Thats a great first step for me, very exciting!  My next goal is to try and lose around another 15lbs before the end of June and I have a wedding that I will be attending.  That gives me a couple of months, 3 exactly, to lose a little less then what I lost in my first 2 months....should be doable!!!

Thanks to those that have commented on my entries or sent me personal messages. I appreciate your support and during hard days, its nice to have these things to look at.

Took a break
Feb 17 2009 11:28

Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do.  But with work taking me away for long weekends a couple weeks in a row, I didn't get to continue with the effort that I had started here. I was counting every calorie, I was checking in every day, several times a day with every morsel being accounted for and every extra effort recorded...and I just couldn't do that.  It was beginning to get to me and I was obsessing.

So for the last 2 weeks, I didn't do the treadmill. I couldn't get on everyday and tell myself I had to go faster, go longer or burn more calories.  A person can't do that every single day, especially when they are coming from nothing and going to over an hour daily in a months time. And especially not on top of work, kids, chores, etc. I realized the compulsion and had to step away.

I couldn't take eating 5 300 calorie meals a day.  I was only eating salad, the same foods everyday, and obsessing over every single calorie. I was going cold turkey, cutting everything out immediately, and realized this was not healthy either and was setting myself up for a very long night with several pizzas and beers in only a matter of time.  So I stopped coming to the site to record every bite of every meal.

Instead, I switched to 3 big meals of around 500 calories. If I wanted a treat, I had a small bite of a piece of chocolate and didn't worry that I would have to run an extra day to burn it off.  Instead, I guessed what calories were in what foods, I guessed what my best options were insteading of running to look it up first, watched my portions without taking seconds and ate only until I was full. I "blew" my diet and had pasta for dinner one night.  I decided to have a piece of bread with another meal. I even broke down and had half a glass of pop with a piece of pizza for dinner one night.

You know what? It's okay.  I realized I would normally have 3 cans of soda with my 6 or 7 pieces of pizza for dinner and now I am stopping at 2 slices tops and maybe the occassional half glass (short glass, maybe half a can) of pop.  I realized I would eat 3 pieces of lasagna and 6 breadsticks for a meal and now I realize by eating slower, 1 piece was enough and 1 breadstick was okay too.

Maybe my choices weren't great, but they were reduced and isn't that really what matters afterall? No limitations on food selections, just on portion sizes.

I'm going to start running again this week, but I am limiting myself to 3-4 times a week, 20 minutes tops now.  Maybe I will run, maybe I will walk, but I only have 20 minutes. No more doing 45 minutes tonight, 50 minutes tomorrow, 55 the day after, etc.  I would eventually hit a wall and it would frustrate me.  Or I would be running around the clock and thats not good either.

In light of my 2 week "hiatus", I managed to drop a couple more lbs, further showing myself that the crazy effort is needed nor any healthier. Did I lose as much weight as before? No. I was losing 4 or 5 lbs a week and this time, I lost 3 or 4 lbs in two weeks.  But thats okay. Its a healthier mindset that I will need in order for this whole effort to sustain and not be a fad.

Besides, first goal met...I am now under 200lbs regardless of the time of day.  :)  A couple more pounds will get me to my starting weight of where I was before having kids.  I can do this.  It won't be tomorrow, but it will be when its right.

Frustrated
Feb 04 2009 14:44

Well, I knew it was coming....at some point, I knew my weight loss would slow and even plataeu, but I'm frustrated that it's hitting now.

I am stuck at just around the 200lbs mark and have been for a week.  You know, the one where you are 199 in the morning, but 201 at night? Its frustrating because this is a milestone marker for me and I just want to know I am under 200 at any time of day on any scale wearing anything....you know?

So how long is it normal to be stuck at a weight? At what point do I change up my exercise plan or eating plan vs. sticking with it and knowing its a "hump" I'll get over?  Because I'm working out 3  times a week now, sometimes 4, should I change my calorie intake?

I'm so mad that its happened at this point! LOL  I am pleased with my success, 12lbs in one month is huge and I acknowledge that, I just wish I had gotten that 1 or 2 more pounds first before stalling out. I guess in the meantime I will continue to watch what I eat and stay on that treadmill.  Not super exciting, but its the piece of equipment I have in the house and its what I'm doing right now.

I did go on a website and got a more structured HIIT workout that I plan on attempting next week. I would like to do that Mon, Weds and Fri and maybe on Saturday stick with running (just because I am so excited I can finally run a mile! I don't want to lose that and I would like to keep working on shortening the time).

Other then that, I'm pleased so far.  I have learned to default to water for a drink, although I will splurge and flavor it occassionally.  I am eating breakfast everyday, I meal I generally skipped before, and am beginning to understand its importance.  I have cut my snacking out tremendously.  Being a stay at home mom, I think I mistook my occassional boredom for hunger and recognizing that has been huge. Finally, I am learning to listen to my body. 1 chicken breast for dinner is enough, I don't need 3.  Ice cream is an occassional treat, not a daily right.  Eating large pizzas in one sitting is for the frat boys, not me (okay, so thats a LITTLE exaggerated, but you get my point...). I think I am making the right corrections and eventually, I will start dropping again.

For now, I am enjoying when people comment that I look like I am losing weight...not an easy thing to notice on an overweight woman, so I must be doing something right! Patience is a virtue and slow and steady will win this race....

More milestones
Jan 28 2009 10:58

First, my weight is getting there....I am hovering between that 200/199lbs and I'm pretty excited.  I want to not be in the 200's, regardless of the time of day or clothes I am wearing, so I feel close! I have updated my weight with the 200 number confident that in the next week or 2 I will positively be rid of starting my weight with a "2" for the rest of my life! Since starting CC this month, I am down 11 or 12 lbs and I'm so happy!  I realize thats a lot of weight somewhat fast and I don't expect those results everytime, but I also realize I went cold turkey with soda and replaced it with water, so that may explain some of the big loss.

Additionally, I went for 2 miles on the treadmill for the first time ever last night.  I did 1 minute at 3 (20 min mile pace) and then 1 minute at 6 (10 min mile pace) and alternated for about 15 minutes.  Then I was feeling pretty winded, so I had to take some 2 minute walks in there with only a minute run, but I figure its a good start.  Doing this, I have dropped my mile time again to 13 minutes and 33 seconds, 17 seconds faster then my time a couple days ago where I jogged about a 4 for most of the time, and I think I got a little better workout....it sure felt like it!  Additionally, I kept pushing myself to go further and towards the end, I even ran a 7 and an 8 on the treadmill, which is huge for me! I ended up doing 2 miles in 29 minutes and 46 seconds....by luck too, not design. I don't know when I'll have the energy to do 2 miles again, and certainly not under 30 minutes, so I wanted to make sure I recorded it so I would remember it later.  My final time for the evening, with a cool down walk, was 32 minutes for 2.09 miles (and almost a 300 calorie burn to boot!)

I will be out of town for business the next 2 weekends and I have no control what food I will be served (as most of the meals will be brought in for us).  I am scared that it will throw me off track, however I know to stick with water and I know to watch portions. I won't be able to measure or count calories extremely close, like I have been doing, or even log into the computer to visually see my progress throughout the day, but I am going to have to trust myself....I don't really have any other option. Being close to that 200 barrier is good incentive too and I'm glad I have hit that milestone just before this trips in order to "keep my eye on the prize" so to speak.

On the plus side, I have to take advantage of being in hotels for 2 long weekends with (hopefully) a fitness room and no children to worry about, so maybe that can help offset my food intake too. When I'm without kids, I usually enjoy lounging and sleeping, which I am sure I will do some of, but I should also be able to find the 30 minutes to hop on the treadmill once, if not twice.

Here's to hoping that February continues this successful march and that the wedding I have this summer will have me in a heavily altered dress.  :)

Changes in my son
Jan 26 2009 11:58

I realized the craziest thing today......

My son and I always have a bowl of cereal for breakfast (sometimes, yogurt, fruit, eggs or whatever) and he always eats what is served for dinner (I am a firm believer that the kids will eat what is served, I am not a short order cook who will make 3 different meals for 4 people...), but for lunch I like to let him choose.  Some of his favorites are hot dogs, mac and cheese, Spaghetti-O's, etc

Don't get me wrong, I consider my son very healthy, oftening picking yogurt or fruit to eat with lunch and having milk with breakfast and whatnot.  He doesn't seem to care for ice cream (but he does like eating the sprinkles off the top) and candy isn't too popular (although he does go for M&M's) and hes pretty tall and skinny for his age.

But today for lunch, he choose some leftover pizza and I had some deli meat and cheese with cucumber slices and dip.  About halfway through his pizza, he made his way to me and, for the first time, went for the cucumbers and dip! I guess I always offered fruit, as my husband and I love that, but never really pushed vegetables like that (mainly because my husband and I havent been big fans before these last couple weeks).  I guess the realization is to offer him salad and whatnot too....pretty common sense I guess, I'm just amazed that the toddler likes it so much!

Pretty silly realization....point being I guess what I thought was a pretty healthy boy can still surprise me in voluntary choices too.

Anyway, still going with the treadmill.  Actually ran a mile again the other day and did so in under 14 minutes.....13:50 to be exact!  After that, I went about 10 more minutes of 1 minute walk, 1 minute run. Its amazing after running so far and then walking, just how "slow" and "short" a minute of jogging can be. I think I will stick with a workout like that, I enjoy and am proud of the fact that I can run a mile now, so I don't want to lose that, but I think I understand the importance of 1 min walk/1 min run too, so I think this is a good combination.  My next major goal with this is to hit a 12 minute mile.....it will take me awhile to get there I think, but it should keep me busy for awhile. I'll keep running 1 step at a time....