April 2006, Weight Loss Journal
Updated on July 28, 2007
3 Apr 2006
Weight: 182 (lost 18 lbs.)
BMI: 33.3
Lost 3 lbs. this last week, the one pound that crept back on and two new ones. I'm so happy. I can't believe I'll be back in the 170s soon. The last time I was in the 170s, I was telling myself, "Hey, I'm not bad. I can lose 20 lbs. in a few months easily. No big deal. Nothing to worry about. I'm sure this will be the heaviest I'll ever get." Was I in denial or what? That was back in 2000, and my weight actually reached it's peak at 230 lbs. when I was pregnant (same for both pregnancies). It took 6 years for me to figure out that I needed to get off my butt and exercise if I wanted to drop those pounds. I just kept putting it off, so I could focus on my sedentary activities. Then I just kept eating far more than I should have because I felt like I deserved to eat that food to make me feel better. I'm amazed at how I've changed just at a psychological level. Exercise is something I look forward to now. I still believe that food should be enjoyed like a work of art for your mouth, but I only eat for nutrition now, not for stress reduction. That "I deserve to eat this" attitude has been replaced with, "I deserve to be healthy and look good." Then there's the amazing increase in energy and that general feeling of well-being.
Another bit of ego boosting came yesterday when I went to Multnomah Falls. I go there at least once a year because it's just so beautiful, but I was always so out of shape that I could barely walk up to the bridge over the bottom falls, and sometimes I couldn't even do that. This time, my husband and I decided to take the kids all the way to the top via hiking a trail that went up 400 ft. in one mile. I could have made it, but the kids tired out this time. We were half way up, and I wasn't even breathing hard. Actually, it didn't feel like I was exerting myself at all. It actually felt so good to see other people huffing and puffing, sweating, complaining, and taking their rests because I wasn't one of them anymore. I was enjoying every bit of it without a single complaint. I didn't realize how much more enjoyable activities are when you're not struggling to do them.
I want to go hiking or do some other activity with the family every weekend. It's cheap entertainment, it will burn some calories for me, and it will teach my kids to be more active.
Today, I get to start weight lifting again. I'm so happy, but I'm apprehensive at the same time. I don't want to hurt myself again, so I'll be taking things very slowly. I'm sure I've learned my lesson, though.
10 Apr 2006
Weight: 182 (lost 18 lbs.)
BMI: 33.3
I've actually not been very motivated this week. I've had a serious case of the munchies, and I'm tired. I even hit the chocolate a few times (chocolate milk, chocolate chips, and a candy bar). It wasn't much chocolate, but the idea that I was craving it was making me wonder if I was falling back into old patterns. I just don't feel very motivated to do anything lately, not just stuff related to weight loss. Since it's getting close to "that time of the month" and the "arrrgghh, I don't feel like exercising this week" syndrome seems to keep happening during PMS week, I'm going to assume that this is all just another PMS thing. I'm sure I'll be back to normal soon.
My lack of motivation shows on the scale. No weight lost, but at least no weight was gained either.
I thought with all the munchies that I was surely going to go up a pound or two, but I guess my even my munchies are healthier these days. In the past, I would have sat down with a bag of cookies, chips, crackers, ice cream, or whatever else I was craving and just eat until I was tired of eating. This week, I indulged my munchies by eating just a couple of bites, a couple of chips, one cookie, etc. I would eat only enough to satisfy my craving, making sure that I was mindful of my eating experience, savoring every flavor and texture, and appreciating what I ate rather than going for another serving.
I've also decided to do some research about the nutritional values of menu items at my favorite restaurants. I'm certainly inspired to just eat 1/2 of a meal now. Most out-to-eat meals are 1,000 calories or more.
I'm also going to start incorporating new international menus into my family's home cooked meals. We've been eating healthy, most of the time, but I'm getting rather bored with the same ol' things, and some ethnic flare should make things more interesting.
I was looking at the diet supplements in the drug store. I don't plan on buying any, but I was just curious what was in them. One thing that stuck out for me was green tea extract. I drink 2 to 6 cups of green tea a day, so I wondered what link green tea had with weight loss. I did a little research and found some studies that indicated that drinking green tea every day could actually boost your metabolism, even more than just caffeine alone. I'm quite happy to hear that because I'm an avid green tea drinker. Maybe it has been helping me with my weight loss, and I haven't even been aware of it.
17 Apr 2006
Weight: 179 (lost 21 lbs.)
BMI: 32.7
I can't believe I'm in the 170s now. Wow, I haven't seen that number in a long time. I still feel fat, but I feel much better than I did at 200 lbs. At least now, my face doesn't look so fat, and being a size 16 feels great.
I am 27% of the way to my goal. I'm so happy. My husband said that he would do something to celebrate with me every 25% mark that I reached. This time, it was a fashionable bag that I wanted. I'm tired of being frumpy and carrying around a huge backpack. I want to look more stylish and put together, so a new bag seemed like something I could indulge in and wouldn't shrink out of as I lost weight. My 25% goal was 180 lbs. Today, I surpassed it.
I also wanted to take a photo of myself in just my underwear after every 20 lbs. lost (because 20 lbs. would show a significant difference). I took a before photo, and today I get to take my first progress photo. Happy time!
I think I would like to add a reward at every 10 lbs. lost as well.
- Every 10 lbs. lost = small reward
- Every 20 lbs. lost = medium reward
- Reach Goal Weight = HUGE reward
Even with the Easter candy around, I've been able to eat quite healthy. I did eat the candy, but I only ate enough to satisfy my craving. I've also been eating much more fiber. I think that does wonders for controlling your appetite.
I'm exercising every day. I'm mostly walking at least 30 minutes a day, but I also have been trying to use my bike trainer more, and I'm weight lifting, of course. Even if I don't feel like doing the whole routine, I still try to walk for 30 minutes.
I love feeling healthy. I love having more energy. I love not groaning when I stand up after sitting for awhile. I wish I had started this whole weight loss thing sooner. I wish I had started exercising years ago. It's really not as difficult as I thought it would be.
21 Apr 2006
I haven't done my cardio during the last two days, but I did work in the yard yesterday, and I woke up too late to go jogging this morning, so I did 30 minutes of aerobic dance instead. I still plan on doing some time on my bike trainer, and I'm hoping to go for a job/walk this evening. I just feel like I need to catch up. I love seeing the numbers on the scale and that line on my weight and BMI progress chart go down, so I don't want to slip up. Plus, when I don't exercise, I feel so groggy as if I didn't get enough sleep or as if I'm coming down with an infection.
Several days ago, a friend of mind commented that my face is looking much thinner, less round and pudgy. Then yesterday, my neighbor commented that I look like I'm losing weight because I wasn't wearing frumpy fat clothes. I loved hearing those things. Losing 20 lbs. makes such a huge difference, and it wasn't hard to lose the weight.
I'm hoping it will be just as easy to lose the next 20 lbs. I just need to keep paying attention to what I'm eating and get my exercise everyday. It does take a lot of mental energy to remind myself to not eat when I'm bored or stressed out or just because I want to taste something and end up eating a whole bowl. It takes mental energy to remind myself to get away from the computer (I love my computer; the world at my fingertips).
As motivation to get to my next big 20 lb. goal (160 lbs.) I'm looking into laser treatments for hair removal and rosacea (it runs in the family and I see it starting on me; I want to catch it before it gets bad). I doubt I would be able to afford doing everything that I'd like to do, but I'm going in for a consultation and figuring out what I want to do first. I think I might do the cheapest procedure first and work my way up as I accomplish new goals. I'm hoping we can afford it (but hey, with all the money I'm saving by not joining a gym and not buying weight loss products or programs, I think we might be able to scrape up the cash). When I finally reach my goal weight, I'm going to reward myself by getting a breast lift (or at least I'll start making a plan to get it done rather than just wish I could do it).
I'm not quite sure what I want to do for my 170 lbs. goal. It has to be a small one, something I want but don't necessarily need. Ahh, the big rewards are easy to come up with, but the little ones stump me.
I actually had to go clothes shopping again (oh shucks). My size 18 and XL clothes were just falling off of me. I hit GoodWill and got a couple of shirts, then it was off to Walmart for a pair of jeans (couldn't find a pair to fit me at GoodWill). It feels so good to get rid of my size 18 clothes. Just a few weeks ago I was saying good-bye to the size 20 and XXL, and now I'm already getting rid of the next set. The idea of getting down to a size 14 and saying good-bye to the size 16 stuff makes me so excited. I can't wait to get there. Size 12/14 is what I wore when I was dating my husband. I'm almost back to it, and I'm sure I'll go past it. I'm planning on looking even better than when my husband met me. I'm trying to just buy a few outfits at a time and wear whatever I can for as long as I can just because getting a new wardrobe every couple of months is expensive. When I get to my goal weight, I'll start investing in clothes that are a bit better quality. At least watching "What Not to Wear" has helped me find clothes that look good on me even though they are used or inexpensive. Plus, I'm thinking that I need to start working on some of my sewing skills to act as my own tailor.
24 Apr 2006
Weight: 180 (lost 20 lbs.)
BMI: 32.9
I'm a bit disappointed that I gained a pound since last week, but I'm keeping my chin up for a couple of reasons. First of all, I had lots of salty foods this weekend, so it could be water weight. Second, and most importantly, I'm still on track. I was 182 two weeks ago, which means last week I should have been 181 and this week I should be 180. The dip to 179 could have been dehydration. It was certainly a boost in my motivation, though. Seeing 170's on the scale made me so happy. I'm certain I'll see it again next week.
My strength is certainly increasing. I'm surprised by how much I can lift now and how much more I can do without getting muscle fatigue.
I'm still taking it easy on cardio that impacts my joints. I'm still too heavy to do too much jogging and jumping without hurting my knees. However, the little bit of jogging that I do is getting easier for my lungs. I want to do more of it, but my knees just don't like it. I can't wait until I'm able to jog 1k (yup, my first goal is just 1 little kilometer). It'll happen. I just need patience and persistence.
27 Apr 2006
It's another happy day. The scale went back down (so I guess it was all the salt that was making me retain water and weigh more), and last night I went shopping for more clothes only to discover that I can squeeze into a size 14. I was so excited I almost started jumping up and down in the dressing room. I thought for sure a 14 would be at least 20 lbs. down the road.
My XL stretch pants are now my baggy pants (not big enough to stretch them anymore). I officially have to wear L if I want anything to stretch now.
Then tonight, when I was going out for a walk (down one of the country roads near my house) a greasy farm guy "woo"ed at me while he drove by (ok, so it was just a greasy farm guy, but it's been years since even greasy guys yelled "woo" in my direction), and that was a nice ego boost.
Last night, I went jogging, and I jogged for 4 minutes and 30 seconds straight. This is a major improvement for me, the girl who could only jog for 10 seconds at the beginning of the year. I probably could have kept going, but I tend to stop the moment I start to feel discomfort, and my legs were starting to hurt, so I went back to walking for the next 30 minutes. I'm thinking it won't be long before I'll be able to do that 1k.
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