Weigh-in, umm, Thursday?!

A day late and a dollar short, am I right?  I have been a day off all week, since having the holiday off of work on Monday.  So, I completely forgot to weigh-in yesterday.  But, I wanted to stay accountable, so here I am.  On a Thursday.  But, before we get into things, can we just take a moment to discuss this?

Umm, yeah.  That's the actual temperature when I got to work this morning.  There was a wind chill of -17.  Old man winter is bi-polar this year!  I am done with the cold and snow already.  DONE!

Any, who.  Back to the weigh-in.  I finally remembered to do this at home this morning.  Drumroll, please...

Starting weight:  155.9,  Last weeks weight:  156.2,  Today's weight: 155.2

See that, guys.  I lost a pound!  Finally!  I was elated to see this number this morning.  It's not even close to where I want to be, but after gaining weight during the holidays, I will take a loss that's a whole pound.  Squee!

I am still chugging along on my C25K.  Last week, I repeated week 4.  I was having a hard time building up the speed and stamina, so I gave myself some extra time.  I started on week 5 today, and so far so good!  I have also been saving some workout videos to add to my routine.  Some core strengthening and kettle bell workouts.  Joel gave me some kettle bells for Christmas, so I might as well put them to use.  I also bought a little stand thing for my tablet so that I can do these in the basement.  I plan on implementing them next week.

This week, I've been a little under the weather.  Not sick, but pretty sluggish and, well, just "off."  I took yesterday off from running, but I don't feel a whole lot better today.  Hopefully as the day goes on I'll perk up a bit.

Weigh-in Wednesday

 

 Starting weight:  155.9,  Last weeks weight:  157-ish,  Today's weight: 156.2 

So, this weight thing is really becoming a thorn in my side.  For the past four weeks, I have done the C25K program and consistently ran three times a week.  I am running farther and longer, and am really proud of myself there.  I am even down a pound from all of my holiday weight, but still not down more than where I started before the holidays.

I don't know what my issue is, but I have been having some pain near my Achilles.  I bought a silicon sleeve that has helped, but this week I have limping around a bit.  Hopefully that ends, pronto.

This week I was supposed to start week 5of C25K, but due to the pain in my Achilles and the fact that week 4 was super tough on me, I am repeating it.  I was hoping to be father along, because I have a 5K on the books for next weekend.  I knew I wouldn't be able to run the whole thing yet, but I wanted to be farther along.  Oh, well.

I am also going to try and stay at the gym to work on weights.  I know the combo of weights and cardio are best, and I haven't been doing anything besides the run.  We have a cruise booked for March (more on that later), so I want to be a lot more fit and in shape, not to mention skinnier.

Weigh-in Wednesday - Week 2(ish)

So, I forgot to take a picture of my scale this morning, but imagine something like this:

The good news?  I have actually been running (ish) two to three times (usually three) per week.  I successfully finished week three of the C25K plan, and will be starting week four this week.  The bad news?  I gained weight!  I know my eating hasn't been spectacular, but it hasn't been that terrible, either (or so I thought).

This week, I logged into my old SparkPeople account and am going to start tracking my food intake.  Since the snowpocalypse has taken over, I know that I haven't been too active other than my run workout/work.  Apparently, I need to exercise more, and will try to throw in some weights or a class of some sort at the gym.

Being a weight and a size I'm uncomfortable with really affects all aspects of my life.  I find myself being more sluggish both at home and at work, I'm not sleeping that great, and I have the mantra that "one more _______ (insert delicious food here) won't hurt."  But you know what?  It does.  If I am just putting the calories I burn (or more) back into my body, then guess what?  I'm not going to be losing any weight.  A simple thought, for sure, but one I am struggling with.  I love to eat!  Cutting back is so hard for me.  I feel almost addicted to food, and it makes me happy.  I need to realize, though, that being healthy is going to make me happier, and focus on that.

Starting Over - Week 1

With my weight, that is.  My weight is always an up and down roller coaster.  When Joel is gone, I eat better and exercise more, which means that my weight goes down.  When he was deployed, I lost nearly 20 pounds.  He's been home a little more than a year now, and I put all of that weight back on.  I feel like I constantly have an excuse.  Some are legitimate, such as not having the energy when I was student teaching.  I could have done better, but I really couldn't stick to a schedule, because my work/school load was so unpredictable week to week.  But now?  No excuses.  Work is predictable and school is over.  Starting now, I am getting back into a routine.  I got into running last summer, and the weight dropped pretty fast.  So, I am going back to the basics.

Day one, completed on Monday.  Day two?  As soon as I get off of work.  I will stick to this.  I have to.  I feel fat, and that affects so many things in my life.  The way I feel, how confident I am, how I dress, and my energy.  I will be doing a weigh-in Wednesday in hopes that I can use this little ole blog of mine to keep me accountable.  So here is my first weigh-in.  I am hoping to lose at least 20 pounds.  Wish me luck!  And please ignore how badly I need a pedicure...

Carrie Underwood - Blown Away

First of all, thank to all for your kind words of support.  Things have settled down back in Indiana, but they're not "fixed" yet.  Hopefully things will work out.

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you some pictures from when I saw Carrie Underwood in concert.  The photos came out pretty well, and I know I love to see sneak peeks of shows that I am going to see.  Hunter Hayes opened up for her, and they we're both exciting to watch.  The last song Carrie sang was "Blown Away," and she actually had a tornado-ish on stage.  Crazy!

Weigh-in Wednesday - Week five!

Link up with Erin and Alex!

Ok, I am not going to pretend I had a good week.  I battled headaches for five days, felt under the weather, and I can never seem to get full when it is cold out, so I know my calorie intake wasn't too great.  I mostly kept up at the start of the week, but kind of lost track.  So, bad fitness week and bad Lenten week.

But, every day is a new day, and I am starting fresh.  I had a great workout with my trainer yesterday, and am charting my caloric intake.  But, since I didn't weigh-in this morning, and I have been in the snacking mood lately, I thought I would just highlight some of my recent snacking/food finds.

Perfect little snack!  The Raspberry with dark chocolate is my fave.

These are great to grab and go for breakfast.  And so much protein!

One word...yummers!

These are fab when a sweet craving hits.

Weigh-in Wednesday - Week four!

Follow along with Erin and Alex!

Ok, so, I didn't come up with this fancy button, but I did find a few other people doing a Weigh-in Wednesday feature, so I thought I'd just tag along!

Weigh in Wednesday!

 FEB 7 - 13, 2013

Starting Weight (Jan 1, 2013): 155

Last Week's Weight: 151

 

Current Weight: 151.8

 

 

Well, well.  That isn't exactly what I wanted to see, but I can't say that I didn't expect it.  While I did well and worked out three times during the week, I also ate hellaciously over the weekend.  French fries, not one but two cupcakes, a few slices of king cake, and pizza.  Not my finest weekend.  I'm learning that diet and exercise go hand in hand, and if I cheat, I better be prepared to face the consequences. 

 

But, I haven't completely fallen off of the wagon.  Today is the official start of Lent.  I'm not sure exactly how I can explain this, but I am basically giving up "cheat" meals during Lent.  I am still doing well with tracking my food, so I am making a plan to stick within the allowable calories each day.  And I am going to try to make it to where on days that I don't have class I do some form of physical activity, even if it is just walking the pups.  That bring my activity schedule from three to five days.  A lofty goal, but I am going to try.  The real test will be when we get to Ecuador.  I probably won't have access to reliable internet to track my calories in my online journal, so I need to take the time until then to really learn what I am putting in my body so I can make healthy choices while I am away.

Weigh-in Wednesday - Week three!

Weigh in Wednesday!

 

JAN 31 - FEB 6, 2013

Starting Weight (Jan 1, 2013): 155

 Last Week's Weight: 152.2

Current weight: 151

 

 

I am so happy to see that I made progress this week.  And if I can keep up with losing a pound per week, I will be around 145 when we go to the Galapagos, and I will be able to fit back into some of my summery clothes.  Oh, how I want to be able to wear cute (and functional) shorts by then.  I've been working hard, and rying to get in at least 2-3 workouts a week.  And if they keep looking like this (see below), I know I'll be able to be more comfortable with my body on vacation.

 

Holy mother of personal training!


 

I'm glad I finally decided to get a personal trainer.  Right now, the biggest issue I have is finding the time to workout.  But, keeping a schedule with her holds me accountable, and, well...right now that's what I need.  I know I can't keep her (or be able to afford her) forever, but I thrive on routine, and if I can just keep scheduling time in with her, eventually I will be able to keep that schedule up on my own.

I feel all of this and more.  But I know it's all worth it.

 

Weigh-in Wednesday - Week two!

Weigh in Wednesday!

 JAN 24-30, 2013

 Starting Weight (Jan 1, 2013): 155

 

Last Week's Weight: 153

 Current weight: 152.2

 

 

Welp, looks like I finally lost some weight!  I've been working hard this week.  I worked out three different times, which was my goal, and charted my food throughout the week.  The weekends, I am learning, are where it's tough.  I can't seem to stick to a set number of calories.  I didn't gorge or anything like that, but I could have done better.

 

The balance of weight and yummy food is so hard for me.  For so much of my life, food has been such a huge part of my social existence.  Fairs, football games, BBQs, date nights...  I just love food, but obviously I can't eat like I used to, and I am finding it hard to balance good food I want to eat and still maintain a healthier diet.  My momma's southern cooking was delicious, but definitely not healthy.

 

That's the struggle though, I think.  The balance.  Plus balancing work, school, homework, our pets, Joel, all while trying to maintain a healthy and spiritually strong existence.  Guess this will be my big challenge.

 

Found here.

 

Weigh-in Wednesday

Brrr...I said it's cold out there!  It has been lower than the teens the past couple of days on my drive into work, and I have been none too happy about it.  We also got a dusting of snow, and if you know me, you know I loathe the snow.  Sure, it looks pretty and all.  But, I hate shoveling it and dealing with stupid drivers when it snows.  Snow is definitely on my s***list this week.

I am going to try something new for Wednesdays, so here goes.  I am also going to try and make a little button for it, but I'm not sure how to, so we'll see when (if?) that gets done.

In order to keep me accountable for my new health resolutions, I am going to start a weekly update chronicling my ups, downs, weight, and healthy actions for the week.  I need to keep myself accountable, and I'd really like to see how far I've come.  Well, at least how far I hope to come.  So here goes nothing!

Image found here.

 

 

Weigh in Wednesday!

 

JAN 17-23, 2013

 

Starting Weight (Jan 1, 2013): 155

 

Current weight: 153

 

Non-Scale Victory of the Week (NSV): Tracking my food intake during the work week.

 

Work-outs during the week: Big Fail!  I felt pretty craptastic last week, so I only got one quick jog in.  I did meet with my trainer Monday, and she gave me a physical assessment test, but the real fun starts on Tuesday with our first work-out.

 

Things I need to work on:  Lots.  While I charted my food during the week, I totally bombed over the weekend.  I pretty much snacked way too much, and even went out for cupcakes.  I have a crazy bad sweet tooth, so I need to try and get that under control.  I also need to get my workouts on the schedule and stick to them.