gymcoach79's Journal

A couple more pounds...
Jan 23 2009 09:22

I wasn't going to weigh, I really wasn't...but I think I'm a little more obsessive then I care to admit.....I'm just hoping when I hit my first goal, 199, maybe I can lighten up a bit.  I'm hoping its just the sheer excitement of things.

In the meantime, I have dropped 2 more pounds....and that was with a night of crazy drinking, not as much treadmill as the week before and it being that time for me. Now I weighed first thing this morning and I usually weigh at night, but still....I had to.

Pretty pleased about the results. Todays goal is to get back on the treadmill and try to run another mile.  I had to take yesterday off because I was a little sore....of course, I really felt things this morning, but I guess I will have to deal with it. The other excuse (in my mind of course) was that I was at  work last night, which is somewhat physical, and I broke a sweat, so I counted that.

Anyway, short entry, just wanted to drop my weight in. I am hoping to look good this summer before a friends wedding and that I will have to do some major alterations to my dress. Keep walking!

My first mile
Jan 22 2009 09:02

I ran a mile last night for the first time without stopping to walk in between. It's amazing. I didn't do much (actually any really) treadmill workouts last week and honestly, I didn't even feel like getting on last night. We just ate dinner and I was tired, but I knew I hadn't been on and needed to get downstairs and do something.  After a couple minutes of walking to warm up, I increased my speed to 4, a comfortable jog/run pace for me, and started going.  Now normally I will run for 1-3 minutes before I slow it back down, but when I looked at my time, I realized the 3 minutes had passed and I really wasn't winded....so I kept going!

From there, it was just one more minute, then one more will make a half mile. After that, I figured keep going! Around the 3/4 mile mark I really started to sweat...I felt my face get red and I was breathing heavier....but I was close. My stupidity in the situation said, run faster and you will get done faster....so I did! I increased all the way up to 7! That didn't last long, but I kept running! And all of a sudden, dropping back down to 4 to catch my breath seemed a little slower.  In any event, 14 minutes and 20 seconds later, I managed to run my first mile since elementary school. I almost want to get up and do it again tonight. Almost.

My question to everyone would be this....is it better to keep running like this, trying to increase the amount of time I can actually run, or go for longer time periods and alternate walking and running/sprinting with it? I'm not so sure I am actually "training" for anything ( the thought of a race of 5k or marathon or soemthing along those lines seem daunting), so I'm not sure what direction I want to head with this.  We do have a several mile race in town this summer and I've thought about doing it (assuming its not a million degrees since it takes place in the middle of the summer), but I wouldn't even know what to do for it to be ready.  Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Also, I think I'm going to try and stay off the scale this week (I'm a little obsessive about it, thats why I say try) because its thats time for me and I'm sure it will effect my weight....I feel hungry and want a soda pop/greasy pizza/ice cream desperately, but I know I wouldn't be able to portion control it, so I will just avoid it this week.  I also feel extremely bloated and the jeans that I had finally got zipped (not fitting per say, but zipped up) are not zipping this week, so I just won't go through that on the scale.  That being said, I think by next month I will be able to burn the maternity jeans....the fact that I didn't need them the last 2 weeks is testament to that, I just need to make sure I don't need to hold on to them for once a month emergencies.

Weekend off
Jan 20 2009 08:45

I am back after a couple of days of not checking in. I was out of town this past weekend and unable to get to a computer.  Then yesterday....well....I was just lazy. So I am back today to get back on my accountability.

So what do you do when you are out of town? When you are out of control of what food is brought to you for meals? When you are amongst friends in a social situation? This weekend was my first challenge with this situation and I am mostly happy, but still frustrated.

As far as food, I made the right choices. I only had water (though I was desperately wanting a pop), I hit the salad and the veggie trays first to fill some voids and I completely avoided the desserts of cheesecakes, browines and more.  I even avoided the pasta selections and only had 1 small piece of bread with butter all weekend (another downfall food for me).  I put chicken breast on my salad for protein, when faced with no other choice only had 1 slice of pizza for lunch (instead of a couple) and had a dozen chips instead of a plate. I had a half enchilada for a meal with some salsa on it.

My selections were not perfect, but I did avoid the worst.  Some foods I could have done without, but all foods were done with control.  I watched my portions, I ate slow and I did my best. Overall, I'm pretty happy with how that went.

Then we went out.  And everyone had a drink.  And then a second. And even a third.  After watching my food intake so carefully, I didn't know how to say no to a good drink.  I have 2 kids under the age of 3 and I haven't really drank much the last couple of years.  The thought of a drink is still a novelty at this point and really, this is only about the 2nd time I was able to go out with friends and relax.  I'm mad, but I realize, there is nothing I can do about it now. I just have to grasp that that one night for a couple of hours is going to effect my goals this week and remember this situation for next time.  And maybe run a little extra this week.

I am happy I weighed myself Friday before I left. And for those of you asking, my husband did better this last week too.  Honestly, I don't think he was being honest with himself (or me) with how much he thought he was eating or working out. I noticed him paying attention more closely this week at dinner and really heard him up and running everyday last week and his results reflected it.....he had dropped 6lbs last week.  It sounds like a lot, but really it was 2 weeks worth of work and on a guy under 6ft who was a lot closer to 300lbs then 250lbs, so I think it was okay. So between the 2 of us, 14lbs have been left in the past never to be seen again.....here's to many more of their friends to join them!

3 more lbs!
Jan 16 2009 10:20

Unbelievable.  Simply unbelievable.

3 more lbs.  I am so stinking excited! I would like to weigh in every Sunday night so I have some consistency, but I will be out of town this weekend, so I thought I would just step on the scale while I was thinking about it and see how it went.  Honestly, I expected to maintain this week as I was not able to get on the treadmill, but maybe simply counting calories works too....who would have thunk it!

Now, do I expect to not ever exercise again? Gracious no! In fact, I am looking forward to my hotel this weekend hopefully having a fitness room and being able to do a little something different then the treadmill....maybe an elliptical or a stair stepper or even a rowing machine...who knows! At first when I saw the number I thought maybe I would want to indulge in a treat this weekend or skip the fitenss room (assuming they have one, I won't know until I get there), but instead it was quite the opposite.....my first thought was "Wait until I get walking/attempting running this week again!"  That thought process after less then 2 weeks is definately the most rewarding thing yet.

Now, I know your weight can fluctuate depending on the time of day you weigh and I don't know if its heavier daytime or night time, so I understand this may not be a true weight and I am already thinking I would be happy just maintaining this number next week, but the important thing is I am happy.  I haven't gained, I'm actively thinking about movement and I really am watching what I eat and trying to curb my cravings.  I don't eat the second I think about it.  I haven't had a pop in 2 weeks....huge for me!  I don't fill my plate and then just eat the extra my son leaves behind on his plate.  I am telling myself no and listening to myself about being full and not being hungry vs. being bored during the day.  I am getting up every morning and having breakfast to start my day off right.

I'm just so happy.....but now I am worried.  My husband is going on this weight loss journey with me and he has been trying hard too...I hear him most mornings waking earlier then usual just so he can get 30 minutes in on the treadmill.  He's dealing with dinner and having just one serving and not going back for seconds.  I see him drinking water.  Now what he does during the day at work I don't know.  Is he having pop? Is he running to the cafeteria for snacks? I don't know. He says he's not.  But last week he only lost 1 lbs......and I don't understand. He's a guy and hes bigger then me, so he should be able to take in more calories, so I don't understand why he didn't lose like I did.  I'm hoping this week he has a more rewarding number to keep him motivated.

If anyone can tell me how to find other peoples journals, that would be helpful. I know how to get to forums and browse categories, but I think I would like to see other peoples personal thoughts too. I know I can click on usernames to find things, but is there any other way?

Good luck this week everyone.  Keep up the good work!

Slower week
Jan 15 2009 08:58

This week I have not been able to get on the treadmill like I would have liked.  Various circumstances made it harder whether I was just more exhausted from long days or my husband had to get outside to handle snow and I can't run with 2 kids under 3 floating around.....it's not an excuse, but it's the reality of the first half of my week.  Therefore I have tried to find some extra walking in other parts of my day. I made a conscience effort to park a couple parking spots further out then usual, so it was a small extra walk. In the grocery store, instead of getting what I needed and getting out, I walked every aisle and did so twice.  My work place offers me the opprotunity to be as active as I need at times, so instead of sitting on my bottom, I got up and moved and tried to even break a sweat, which I did 2 days. (Don't worry, I'm not in a fancy office or anything, a sweat is acceptable where I am at!)

As far as food, I'm still doing good in that department, and I feel that is definately the harder of the two.  I am surprised at what I can find filling at 300 calories and feel ridiculous at the amounts of crappy food I would eat before that was way higher in calories and just not as filling.  Before I would sit down and have half a dozen small pieces of caramel.  It was nothing but a sweet that would taste good, but do nothing for my appetite. Last night, I made a homemade taco pizza with refried beans, hamburger, cheese, lettuce and more. Now I understand that this is not the best choice, but at 300 calories a slice, it was hot and very filling....way more productive then half a dozen Hershey Pot of Gold caramels, thats for sure!  I had actually rationed my calories for the day, knowing I was going to have this hearty meal, and had enough in my plan to have 2 slices of pizza last night and I skipped out on a dessert.  Definately worth it.

I'm still looking for some different recipes to mix things up a bit. If anyone has some websites or suggestions, I would love to hear them. Of course I realize portion size plays out as importantly, if not more so, then the actual food selection itself.

On that note, I would like to thank the people who have been reading my journal, commenting and sending me replies.  I appreciate your support and suggestions.  I am still new to this site and learning how to navigate around. I am sorry I have not taken the time to figure out how to thank you all personally, but in time I will learn all the wonderful features of the site and get around to you eventually. In the meantime, thank you. I look forward to sharing my weight loss journey with you.

Good start
Jan 12 2009 10:10

I'm happy with my first weeks progress.  I tracked all the food I ate, I drank only water and I managed to get on the treadmill everyday. 

Where my food selections perfect? No, but I became aware of what I was eating, how big my portion sizes were and when I was wanting to eat...which was a lot more then I thought!  I am now eating breakfast everyday, which is a healthy start and a good way to get my metabolism going.  I am attempting to have atleast 1 salad somewhere during the day.  It fills me and is getting some much needed vegetables into my system.  I am looking at what I am eating and becoming aware of when I'm full and stopping. I realize before I would just love food and the way it tasted and eat until things were gone, regardless of what my body was telling me.  I even treated myself with ice cream this week one night. Instead of getting a large shake, I just got 2 scoops.  Not putting limitations on myself is of help, I think the important thing for me right now is control and portions and saying no atleast occassionally.

The treadmill everyday was big too. Granted, some days were not very long at all, only 15 minutes, but its 15 minutes longer then I did before.  Somedays I got on with the intention of going 20 minutes and I did longer...once I actually doubled it! I only thought I could walk on there, which 99% of the time I do, but I found myself picking up the pace and trying to hold it for a minute. I am impressed that I did it when I didn't want to and that I tried to challenge myself. I still hate the treadmill, I hate sweating and I hate that I have a hard time doing it....but I'm doing it.

Because of that, this week was successful and I feel accomplished. I was crossing my fingers for 1 lbs, something in the right direction and an incentive to keep going....I got 3lbs.  Will it happen again next week? Maybe not.....but its enough to keep me going 7 more days and thats what its all about for me right now.....one day at a time.

Difficult
Jan 09 2009 00:02

This is hard.  Like no one else here understands.  To go from eating whenever and whatever you want to trying very hard to watch calories...it's amazing how often you find yourself thinking of food, realizing your portions are smaller and constantly thinking you are hungry.  I need to find healthy, filling snacks.  Any suggestions or ideas would be great!  I know it is mind over matter at this point and after a short period of time, it will be second hand and I won't even think about it.  It's just frustrating to think that everyone you know is having pizza right now. 

The treadmill is hard too, but mentally for me.  I never really did a treadmill before and I was never a "running" type of person.  Its frustrating to get on for 20 minutes and see you only burn 150 calories or whatever. My first thought is "Sheesh! Thats the dressing and a small pinch of cheese on my salad!" I need to have the patience to stick through it and take the time to build up a tolerance.  I WILL be able to go longer then 20 minutes soon. I WILL be able to hit a steep incline for extra calorie burning. I WILL be able to run and get a mile in faster then 20 minutes.

I set the treadmill up in front of a TV and I have been watching a movie while I walk. Its the only place I will watch movies and I obviously do it in pieces, but it does get my mind off the movement.  Someday, I will be able to watch a whole movie in one walk.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that by Sunday night, after my first full week of this, I will have lost a pound.  Thats all I need. Something to keep me motivated and feel this is worthwhile.  And if I haven't, keep your fingers crossed that I will have the patience to stick with it another week and see if something happens then...

Just starting
Jan 06 2009 19:18

Like many others, weight loss has become a New Years resolution. Although I have attempted this before, it is of significance importance to me this time because I have had 2 kids in as many years and it has definitely made a difference with me.

For starters, I work with youth in an athletic atmosphere and I feel ridiculous attempting to be a role model for them when I cannot control my own weight.  How can I stress the importance of exercise, good diets and staying fit when I myself am not doing so? I feel the importance of my goal within my workplace.

Hand in hand with this feeling, I realize that I have 2 small children that I want to run around with in the backyard for more then 5 minutes before I am "gassed". I need to set an example for them as well. I don't want to be that mom that the kids are embarrased of when they get older. I want to be the "cool and hip" mommy.

My husband is another part of this goal. We have both gained weight since our marriage several years ago and although hes never said it, I feel he is no longer attracted to me.  Maybe its just because we've been married for several years and we have grown "comfortable", maybe its because we have children and no longer have "our life" so to speak....I don't know. I feel getting back in shape will bring a spark back to our marriage that has been desperately missing for quite some time now.

Finally, I want to do this for me. I want to run in the yard, I want to jump on a trampoline, I want to shower with the lights on.....Maybe there are many people out there who's goal weight is my current weight, but I don't feel comfortable in my skin and thats whats most important. Although I have numbers on here for calculation purposes, for me its about the feeling and not the number.  I think I need 50lbs, but I willk now what I need when I see it in the mirror.

I hope to stay motivated this time around and feel accomplished and proud, as I hope many others here are able to do. This is definitely not an easy task and my thoughts and support go out to everyone who is struggling with it, whether it be 5lbs or 500lbs.  Here's to hoping the new year for me means finally getting out of my maternity jeans.