Weekly Weigh In

Current Weight: 255.2
Last Week: 257.2
Total Loss: -2 lbs

Who knows what the scale will say tomorrow, but this morning it liked me. It was the last day of my semester today and I celebrated with some alcohol and food. Not crazy overboard, but not in moderation either.

I'm so excited for the start of winter break. I can't wait to go to the gym tomorrow and start to feel my body grow stronger again. I bought new work out pants today in celebration of the end of the semester and I can't wait to break them in!

In the meantime, I'm cuddling with my dogs on the couch, recovering from a hard semester and even harder finals period. I'm so happy I'm done!

Re-new

Current Weight: 257.2

To return after so much weight gain is hard. There's not much I know how to say about my weight right now. Along with my loss of control, I've also lost my words. They're related, of course. Without reflection and mindfulness, I lose control, and gain an excessive amount of weight. I am now heavier than I have ever been before, and I don't like how my body feels when I move.

I've been an emotional mess lately. Law school is challenging. What is more challenging for me, though, is not having a clue of what I want to do after law school. Without a dream to strive for, I've felt lost and have acted accordingly - lazing around without willpower and not trying.

So, I hope to make a new goal for myself - not career related. I would like to lose weight and become a healthier me - for my wife, for my future children, and for myself.

My goal: lose 1.5 pounds a week through exercise & eating healthy food (& unhealthy foods in moderation). This goal will need to really wait until next week (after I'm done with my last final), but I can make strides before then.

Ugh

I haven't been posting because I've been struggling. Not just with weight loss, but with how I've been living my life. I've overbooked myself, which leaves me to be too busy (which I like) but also without time to make intentional choices regarding food, activities and internet use. I feel overwhelmed, but then spend my free time goofing off on Facebook.

I've been thinking a lot about priorities. I want to re-prioritize my life and move health up higher on the list.

This week's goal is to simply track everything I eat. I'm normally good at this until about 5:00 pm and I get home. But I tracked last night and all I want is a straight week of tracking. Let's get er done!

Weekly Weigh In: 238.4

Weekly Weigh In

Current Weight: 238.4

This week’s weight loss: 0.2

Total weight loss: 0.2

My minimal weight loss is not surprising.  I have not made as much of an effort as I should have to go to bed early so I can wake up early and exercise.  Nor have I tracked as much as I should.  Plus there was that holiday dinner with rich, delicious foods that I ate excessively. 

But there also was SOME weight loss and I did track – and make decisions about food, based on tracking.  There’s a lot of room for improvement and I’m grateful the number didn’t go up. 

I set up my Dance Dance Revolution pad and Wii this weekend and started playing again.  I want to make this week better and work out five days this week.  

Welcome back!

Weekly Weigh In

Current Weight: 238.6

It’s been so long and it’s been a joyous few years, but I’m ready to recommit to myself and my health. My body feels cumbersome and I can’t accomplish as much as I want to, physically speaking. I don’t want to live this way, nor do I want to (eventually) raise a child this way.

But it’s sure been fun to put on this weight. A wedding, two moves, a beautiful new house, and lots of nachas. I’m feeling very blessed, and excited to continue this journey onto healthy living.

Hello, again

Re-starting weight: 234.0

I don't really know what to say right now, but I'll start by saying this: I consist on carbs and fats and this must stop to help create a strong body.  I feel so weak right now, and I hate it.  My goal for this week is to eat at least three servings of fruits and vegetables a day.  So far I've gotten a banana.  I have some more work to go...

Where'd I go?

I get depressed sometimes.  My knowledge that I am totally and completely awesome battles the part of myself that knows I could do better.  Overwhelmed and unwilling to let the depressed part of me win, I got lost in the woodwork.  I am still lost in the woodwork, if I'm being honest, but I'm tired of feeling defeated, ugly, and frustrated.

But I'm still here, and inspired by Roni's tips.  I'm going to share them verbatim here, but you should check out her blog.

I know many of you are waiting for me the "Rules" I mentioned a few posts ago. I’ve been thinking of them for sometime but so much of what I do is intuitive now it’s hard for me to collect my overall approach. That being said these are my 5 back to basics tips. I plan on getting more into details about my specific food choices but in my experience most people know what to eat (or what not to,) it’s just a matter of making the right choices on a consistent basis. These tips may help.

1. Food Journal the WHY

Nothing goes in the mouth you aren’t willing to write in the journal, And you better know why you are eating it! That’s the philosophy. When you are actively trying to lose weight food journaling is invaluable. It helps me pause before finishing food from the toddlers plate or grabbing a handful of Dorritos from the husbands bag because if I do, I’m going to have to write it. And if I write it what will I put in the "why" column? "Because it was there" is not a good enough reason to sabotage my goals.

2. Breakfast. Always!

Breakfast sets the tone for the day. I’m not going to tell you it revs your metabolism or quote some study about how important it is. That’s not what it’s about for me. Eating breakfast is symbolic. It’s about taking a moment to remind myself that I’m worth an extra 10 minutes to make an egg or warm a bowl of oatmeal. Life is so go go go, take time in the morning to breath and nourish yourself before all the craziness starts. It helps to have go-tos. For me it’s eggs, oatmeal or a smoothie. Of course every now and then I get creative but having consistent go-tos takes the guess work out of it.

3. No Snacks out of a Box or Bag

That’s pretty broad but it’s my way of saying "avoid processed foods." My pantry is a death trap. With a husband and 2 boys I have lots of grab-able temptations that seduce me when hungry, but when I’m activity trying to lose weight I skip the pantry and go for fruit, carrots sticks, yogurt, leftovers or make something like english muffin pizza. I’ve learned the act of preparing or making something is ultimately more satisfying then grabbing a quick processed snack every time.

4. Go To Bed Hungry

I may get some flak on this one but it works for me. When I go to bed on an empty stomach I feel great the next day. Light, energetic, ready to "break my fast" with one of my healthy go-tos. Alternatively, the morning after a binge or late night mindless munch I feel bloated, sluggish and really hungry the next morning which usually results in me eating something I regret or skipping breakfast all together. Starting the negative cycle all over again. It comes down to momentum and one night of snack skipping tips the scales in a positive (or do I mean negative?) direction.

5. Make Moving a Conscious Decision Daily

It’s not how many miles you run or how many hours you spend at the gym. It’s about making the conscious decision every day to do SOMETHING active. That may mean a walk today and a game of touch football tomorrow. It may be a run in the morning or a hike on the weekend. How about a day with the kids at a skating rink or a swim at the local pool. Every day find some way to move. Make it a non-negotiable and you may be surprised where it takes you.