Let me start by saying even with two birthdays, a mini bout of the flu (thanks to a flu vaccination), and ill relatives I still managed to bring it down to 253.4!!!!!! So that's another 3 pounds for a total of 13 lbs and 2 oz!!!!!
On to the details. Firstly I should start with the ill relatives, my uncle Chris had to have his gallbladder removed. Typically this would not be a big deal. Typically it is a lapriscopic procedure with a quick recuperation time, but my uncle has AIDS, and his health has been failing for sometime now. It is not so hard for me to accept because I know he has had a long and amazing life, but my mom is crushed and anything that breaks my mom's heart breaks mine. It is starting to look as though he may pull through now, so that is good. The other ill relative is my fiance's grandmother. She suffered a heart attack a few weeks back and she is not recovering as hoped. Again it is not so hard on me personally because do not know her very well, but it is very hard on Ryan. He just reconnected with her a couple of years ago, and so he not handling the prospect of losing her very well. Which in turn is hard on me.
Next on my list of events would be flu vaccinations. I received the flu shot which is the dead virus and I did have two yucky days afterward. My son on the other hand received the flu mist, on the recommendation of the nurse at the Health Department, which is the live virus. He was sick for four days! Never again. Next year he is getting the shot. I can't stand to see my baby sick! I don't know what that silly woman was thinking. She said it works faster. I'll say. Well hopefully he won't be sick all school year, like he was last year. I guess I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed.
Last but not least, birthdays! My mother and my step-father both had their birthdays this past week. I decided to try and cheer my mom up (even though she told me that she didn't want anything whatsoever done for her birthday, that it was "just another day"). So I made her homemade carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. By the way it work, if just a little. For my step-father we did the whole shebang! Chile rellenos, refried beans w/ cheese, Spanish rice, pico de gallo with chips, sweet tea, and polished it all off with a homemade cookies and cream layer cake and vanilla ice cream.
As mentioned in previous blogs, I am a stress eater and with everything going on, including all the yummy food, I was certain I was going to gain twenty pounds. Amazingly enough how ever I lost 3!!! I still can't believe it, but I will gladly accept it! I know though that I have no more blaring temptations until Halloween so I plan to be very, very good... until then, because we all have to be at least a little naughty on Halloween!
So that pretty much sums up this past week. Here's to hoping that this next week will be happy and productive for us all!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
2 weeks down only a hundred or so to go.
I lost another 3 lbs! I just wonder how much I would have lost if I hadn't cheated. My 14 year old cousin spent the night and we watched really bad movies and ate pizza and s'mores. She doesn't come visit often so it was worth it. I and found out that my appetite has decreased significantly. I could barely finish one slice of pizza, where as I used to be able to polish off at least three. And I controlled my sweet tooth instead of the other way around. I only ate one s'more. I wasn't even going to eat that but she made me watch this horribly depressing movie, Remember Me. It was awful. I told her that I had to eat the s'more because the movie had sucked out all of my happiness like one of J. K. Rowling's dementors. She thought it was hilarious, not the movie but my reaction. Apart from the one slip up day I was very good as evident from my results. Which proves to me that the occasional splurge isn't really going to have a tremendous effect.
It is amazing how easy it has been for me to break my unhealthy relationship with food. Instead of potato chips and cookies washed down with a Coke, I snack on an apple, a cheese stick, and some whole wheat crackers all washed down with skim milk or Crystal Light. The thing that really gets me is that I feel satisfied. In fact I feel down right full. It's great. Before I always felt hungry, but now I only occasionally feel that way.
I can't believe that it is this easy. Why didn't I do this before?
It is amazing how easy it has been for me to break my unhealthy relationship with food. Instead of potato chips and cookies washed down with a Coke, I snack on an apple, a cheese stick, and some whole wheat crackers all washed down with skim milk or Crystal Light. The thing that really gets me is that I feel satisfied. In fact I feel down right full. It's great. Before I always felt hungry, but now I only occasionally feel that way.
I can't believe that it is this easy. Why didn't I do this before?
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Every day isn't easy.
I decide that I should slow down on the postings. Believe it or not (which may be hard to do for those of you who actually know me) I don't have something new to say everyday. So I decided that it would be better to write fewer blogs that have more substance than writing a blog everyday and not having anything to say. You can expect a blog at least every week unless I am on vacation or something.
Some days its harder to stick to my guns than others. Yesterday was a very hard day. For some reason all day I was starving. No matter what I ate it didn't seem to stick for longer than an hour or so. But I am a firm believer in if you are truly hungry eat something. Do not under any circumstance starve yourself because I know from first hand experience that as soon as you eat something its going to turn into fat. Anyway all day yesterday I was stuffing my face but it was with good stuff, well mainly good stuff, I ate apples and oranges, salads and string cheese, but I also at ice cream and chips (Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and Baked Lay's). I was afraid of the damage I had done so, even though it is irrational, this morning I got on the scale and to my surprise I dropped another pound! Today on the other hand I couldn't even finish my lunch, which consisted a Turkey-ham and mozzarella cheese sandwich on a Nature's Own Whole Wheat Sandwich Round and 15 Baked Lay's chips, so Jared helped me.
A friend of mine wanted to know what my calorie intake was per day. Normally it is around 1000 calories ( I know that is below recommended levels but, like today, most days I just can't eat another bite). But there are days like yesterday where I can't stop eating and I consume closer to 1500 calories.
The keys are what you are eating and portion control. I know everyone hates that phrase, portion control, it just sounds so daunting and clinical but it really is important. Most people have a very poor sense of what a portion is and so like myself have to be retrained to be able to judge a true portion. Believe it or not most of the time when you go out to eat and you get an entry it is at least double the size of a true portion. Once you start controlling your portion size you will notice that it becomes easier to judge what a portion of something is.
Back to what you eat. Stay away from processed foods. Fresh is key, and when I say fresh I don't mean Pillsbury fresh from the oven, I mean fresh fruits and veggies. Eat them by themselves, in salads, steamed, baked, grilled, or stir-fried (try to stay away from boiling, you lose a lot of nutrients in the water when you do). Also if the skin of a fruit or veggie is editable then eat it because most of the time that is where the nutrients are. That goes for potatoes (of which your consumption should be limited), carrots, apples, cucumbers, zucchini and many more.
Another biggie is don't get stuck in a rut. Try something new be it some item you've never eaten before, a new style of cuisine, or even a new recipe. Since you are reading this I know that you have access to the internet look up a new recipe. A little trick of mine if you are not sure of how to make something, even with a recipe, look for a video of someone cooking it (there are a plethora of them on YouTube). Heck make themed meals, have a Lebanese, Thai, Indian, or French night. The point is keep it interesting because if it isn't interesting you will get bored and when something becomes boring you lose interest and ultimately you give up.
I hope this helps. Now everyone go out and try something new. The worst that can happen is that you find out that you don't like it.
Some days its harder to stick to my guns than others. Yesterday was a very hard day. For some reason all day I was starving. No matter what I ate it didn't seem to stick for longer than an hour or so. But I am a firm believer in if you are truly hungry eat something. Do not under any circumstance starve yourself because I know from first hand experience that as soon as you eat something its going to turn into fat. Anyway all day yesterday I was stuffing my face but it was with good stuff, well mainly good stuff, I ate apples and oranges, salads and string cheese, but I also at ice cream and chips (Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches and Baked Lay's). I was afraid of the damage I had done so, even though it is irrational, this morning I got on the scale and to my surprise I dropped another pound! Today on the other hand I couldn't even finish my lunch, which consisted a Turkey-ham and mozzarella cheese sandwich on a Nature's Own Whole Wheat Sandwich Round and 15 Baked Lay's chips, so Jared helped me.
A friend of mine wanted to know what my calorie intake was per day. Normally it is around 1000 calories ( I know that is below recommended levels but, like today, most days I just can't eat another bite). But there are days like yesterday where I can't stop eating and I consume closer to 1500 calories.
The keys are what you are eating and portion control. I know everyone hates that phrase, portion control, it just sounds so daunting and clinical but it really is important. Most people have a very poor sense of what a portion is and so like myself have to be retrained to be able to judge a true portion. Believe it or not most of the time when you go out to eat and you get an entry it is at least double the size of a true portion. Once you start controlling your portion size you will notice that it becomes easier to judge what a portion of something is.
Back to what you eat. Stay away from processed foods. Fresh is key, and when I say fresh I don't mean Pillsbury fresh from the oven, I mean fresh fruits and veggies. Eat them by themselves, in salads, steamed, baked, grilled, or stir-fried (try to stay away from boiling, you lose a lot of nutrients in the water when you do). Also if the skin of a fruit or veggie is editable then eat it because most of the time that is where the nutrients are. That goes for potatoes (of which your consumption should be limited), carrots, apples, cucumbers, zucchini and many more.
Another biggie is don't get stuck in a rut. Try something new be it some item you've never eaten before, a new style of cuisine, or even a new recipe. Since you are reading this I know that you have access to the internet look up a new recipe. A little trick of mine if you are not sure of how to make something, even with a recipe, look for a video of someone cooking it (there are a plethora of them on YouTube). Heck make themed meals, have a Lebanese, Thai, Indian, or French night. The point is keep it interesting because if it isn't interesting you will get bored and when something becomes boring you lose interest and ultimately you give up.
I hope this helps. Now everyone go out and try something new. The worst that can happen is that you find out that you don't like it.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
The truth revealed!
So today was day 8. This morning I got on the scale and the scale read 259.6 lbs!!! Remember that I started at 266.4 lbs so that is a total loss of 6 pounds and 6 ounces!!! Oh my gosh, I can't believe my eyes so I get on the scale again. Again 259.8!!! <Happy dance>
Now its time to break out the tape measure!
Beginning Measurement New Measurement
Waist- 52 inches 45 inches
Hips- 60 inches 57 inches
Neck- 16 inches 15 inches
Chest- 46 inches 42 inches
After just one week!!! What more can I say. I am so proud of myself. Now I just need to keep on trucking and I plan on it. So today is a great day and tomorrow will be too.
Now its time to break out the tape measure!
Beginning Measurement New Measurement
Waist- 52 inches 45 inches
Hips- 60 inches 57 inches
Neck- 16 inches 15 inches
Chest- 46 inches 42 inches
After just one week!!! What more can I say. I am so proud of myself. Now I just need to keep on trucking and I plan on it. So today is a great day and tomorrow will be too.
Day 7
Today was the seventh day that I have been working to become a healthier happier individual. I am so proud of myself. Today I went to my golf class. We were chipping (for those who don't know golf lingo that is when you hit the ball from the rough to the green). It was nice to get outside and it wasn't too hot, only about 102^F. Oh goodness I guess I'm becoming a desert rat. After golf I received a pleasant surprise, my camera came! I am so excited, now I just have to read the manual so I know how to use it. A while later it was time to go back to school shopping for my son. I took him too and he for the most part behaved rather well.
Tomorrow is weigh and measure day, and may I say that I think the results will be amazing. I have been working really hard for this and I have been seeing awesome results. And its only been one week!!! It is late and I am worn out from a long day, so until tomorrow.
Tomorrow is weigh and measure day, and may I say that I think the results will be amazing. I have been working really hard for this and I have been seeing awesome results. And its only been one week!!! It is late and I am worn out from a long day, so until tomorrow.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Day 6
Today was a very good day. Today I walked my son to the bus stop this morning and was not winded. YAY!!! I wore a shirt that I haven't worn in about two years. This is amazing. I have only been doing this for 6 days and already I feel wonderful. My clothes fit, I have more energy, I can play with my son without feeling like I can't breath. I don't know what took me so long to make this decision, but I suppose that it is better late than never.
I am a stress eater and a midnight muncher with a major sweet tooth, and today I had my first exam. I have been cramming like mad and I was not feeling very confident. Firstly this class is a distances ed class. When you have a distances ed class you never know what the work required is going to be like. Secondly your entire score is based on three exams. Thirdly the class is American Sign Language. All of this stress has been killing me and the only thing that has been saving my butt is Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Fudge Lite Bars. Thank God for sugar-free low-fat diet frozen treats. Then I found out that all the stress was for naught, the exam took me ten minutes to complete. But I guess it is better to over prepare than to under prepare and fail.
I feel so relaxed now, and Christmas is coming for me because I have a wonderful camera, camera kit, computer, and computer desk on the way and due to arrive next week. Thank you Pell grant! I am so stoked about getting this camera because it is added motivation to get out and go hiking or playing at the park with my son because I know I am going to get some awesome shots. And tomorrow I am going shopping to buy my son some school clothes and the rest of the stuff I need to finish out the semester.
So I am doing great and I am super motivated. I am banking that tomorrow is going to be just as great.
I am a stress eater and a midnight muncher with a major sweet tooth, and today I had my first exam. I have been cramming like mad and I was not feeling very confident. Firstly this class is a distances ed class. When you have a distances ed class you never know what the work required is going to be like. Secondly your entire score is based on three exams. Thirdly the class is American Sign Language. All of this stress has been killing me and the only thing that has been saving my butt is Blue Bunny Sweet Freedom Fudge Lite Bars. Thank God for sugar-free low-fat diet frozen treats. Then I found out that all the stress was for naught, the exam took me ten minutes to complete. But I guess it is better to over prepare than to under prepare and fail.
I feel so relaxed now, and Christmas is coming for me because I have a wonderful camera, camera kit, computer, and computer desk on the way and due to arrive next week. Thank you Pell grant! I am so stoked about getting this camera because it is added motivation to get out and go hiking or playing at the park with my son because I know I am going to get some awesome shots. And tomorrow I am going shopping to buy my son some school clothes and the rest of the stuff I need to finish out the semester.
So I am doing great and I am super motivated. I am banking that tomorrow is going to be just as great.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Day 5
Today is actually day six but I fell asleep yesterday while I was studying before I could get around to posting. Not sure if I mentioned it before but I am a full-time college student and mother of a 4 year old boy with autism. So sometimes burning the candle at both ends gets the best of me. As far as yesterday goes it was a normal day, nothing really exciting happened. I felt good yesterday. I have been noticing an increase in energy which is great because with a four year old you can never have too much energy.
Everyday seems to get better and better. When I wake up in the morning I feel energized and refreshed. At least I do on the days that when I actually slept the night before. Still having a lot of insomnia but that is just normal for me, its been that way since I was a kid. My mom says I was the worst baby ever when it came to sleeping.
I have noticed that all my clothes seem to be fitting better and it hasn't even been a week yet! I can't wait until I have to break out the sewing machine and start taking them in!!! I see a great future ahead of me and I know it won't always be easy but I am glad I have this blog to help keep me inspired and the support of all my friends, family, and readers! Thank you!
Everyday seems to get better and better. When I wake up in the morning I feel energized and refreshed. At least I do on the days that when I actually slept the night before. Still having a lot of insomnia but that is just normal for me, its been that way since I was a kid. My mom says I was the worst baby ever when it came to sleeping.
I have noticed that all my clothes seem to be fitting better and it hasn't even been a week yet! I can't wait until I have to break out the sewing machine and start taking them in!!! I see a great future ahead of me and I know it won't always be easy but I am glad I have this blog to help keep me inspired and the support of all my friends, family, and readers! Thank you!
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