Three Week Progress Report

In three weeks, I've lost an average of 1.2 pounds per week.  It doesn't sound like much, it honestly doesn't feel like much, but looking at the long term of it, if I continue on this path, I'll be at 185 by my wedding, and that is something I can be happy with.

Could I have done better these past three weeks?  Sure.  If I had been 100% strict with myself, and let's face it, I do that, and I go crazy and go completely off the wagon.

So what's worked?  My daily check off box for one.  I just mark of each day, write how many steps I've gotten in per day, and how I've felt I've done with food.  Good, bad, okay, can I do better.  And then I do it all over again the next day.  One day at a time seems to keep me in check.

I've also only weighed myself once a week, before I was doing it several times a week, and when I lost well it was great, but if I had gained back some of that I'd be disappointed in my smaller weight loss.  Once a week seems to be helping.

What I'm worried about is that the other day in the city, while trying to run to Union Station to catch my express train back to the suburbs, I twisted my already sore ankle.  So I'm not sure how well I'll do at walking this week, not to mention it's supposed to rain a ton this coming week anyway.

The more I walk, the more my left ankle hurts even before I twisted it.  I have severely pronated feet and so of course there's not much I can do other than a good orthodic.  I may just have to get up at 6 am and get on the bike at the clubhouse.  I dunno.

Anyway, that's my progress so far.

The little engine that could...

Week one done of my 25 week wedding countdown.

Day 167.

There is something to be said about the power of positive thinking.  As someone who nearly failed all science classes in high school I was terrified of the anatomy class I was going to have to take to pass massage therapy school.  But I was determined that I had to pass it, and I had to pass it at 100%.  That's right.  I told myself that I would get 100% on every test.  And guess what?  I did.  Well, in truth I missed two test dates so one was automatically docked 10% and I ended up with a 98% in the class but still.  I call that success.  I aimed high and far exceeded my true expectations of myself.

And yet this weight loss thing is a killer.  I never last tracking more than a week and half, and get derailed, only to put myself right back on plan after I've gained some of the hard earned weight loss back.  I'm more or less torturing myself.  Or it could be self sabotage.  I'm honestly not sure anymore.

That being said, I have 167 days until my wedding.  Which also means I'm not far off from my honeymoon in Hawaii, and I'll be damned if I'm going to be uncomfortable in my body by then.

So...I made a countdown calendar.  I truly am trying to take this one day at a time.  My food choices haven't been 100% but I haven't been horrible and I'm getting better.  I'm tracking everything so that's good.  I've done this for a week, I'm going to do it for the next 20 something weeks.  I am going to succeed.  I will reach my goal weight (174 for the wedding, I don't expect to get down to 151 in six months).

I am walking more (at least an hour a day on my horrendously long lunch break), and have worked out a few times this week too.

Keep me positive people.  If I can do this, albeit slowly, anyone can do this.  Let's do it together!

~Shannah, Current weight: 214.6 at last Monday's weigh in.  Size 16.

PS
Does ANYONE ever read this???  What can I do better?  I know I haven't posted pictures or anything.  Someone let me know if they're reading.  I'd love to know that I'm not just talking to myself.

When the horse knocks you off, you just keep getting back on...

I've been "dieting" on and off for over a year now...close to a year and a half, and I've been blogging for just as long.  I've tried a few things, had ups, and downs, but I keep trying.

That has to say something for me and my determination, even if I'm not always good about keeping food out of my mouth.

Lately, I've had a few people either tell me I'm looking skinnier, or ask if I've lost weight.  I in fact, have gained weight, and my engagement ring proves it by fitting a little tight.  I'm honestly not sure what to think.  When I was down 40 pounds and nobody had noticed it made me sad.  I had worked so hard, and nobody could tell?  I know it shouldn't be about what other people think, but we all want that reassurance that what we're doing is working.

I have 173 days starting tomorrow until my wedding.  I want to go on my honeymoon feeling accomplished, and just maybe a tad bit less cramped on that plane!

I made and printed a countdown calendar.  One day at a time, just stay on my points (weight watchers) and get some exercise, one day at a time.

Getting it done!!!!

This week, I weighed in at 206.8, so that means I'm back on track!  Yay for Weight Watchers.  There's something I dislike about having to pay to lose weight, but clearly this method works for me when I don't abandon it.

There are a few things I want to address as far as Weight Watchers is concerned and how to eat healthy properly.  While it's a good program and it works, some of the pre-packaged things have a TON of salt, and only 2500 mg of salt is recommended daily.  I know not everyone is readily concerned with things like that, but you honestly should be.  High blood pressure is a dangerous, silent killer.  Many people have high blood pressure and don't even know it!  Or, they're on medicine for it, and STILL have high blood pressure but they think because they're on the medicine, it's fine.  It's not.  Watch your salt as you go on your Weight Watchers journey because I've seen too many people in the various offices I've worked at that have high blood pressure and ignore it or didn't even know it.

I DO like that it counts fat and carbs.  This helps keep sugar at a low which is good!  We all love a little sugar and that's fine, moderation is key, and with Weight Watchers moderation is how you get through the day.  YES you can eat whatever you want, but that whatever you want may cost you all your daily points.

They have revised the website since I was on it last, which I love.  It has more helpful hints and ways to track healthy activity and choices.  It has tips on how to survive at home, work, and eating out even!  And you can customize it to what helps you most.

Anyway, while I may not be 198 like I was in July, I'm getting closer, and quicker!  I mean just a few weeks ago I was 213 pounds.  I feel like all my goals are in reach, if I can JUST stick to this.  The willpower to stick to a healthy eating ISN'T easy, but I find that after a year and a half I'm getting tired of going back and forth.  The best thing I can say, is that I'm reading more labels, and realizing what triggers my stomach issues, what doesn't, and I'm looking at foods for nutritional value more often that not.  What does this food provide MY  body?

What does your food give you?

Dealing with not knowing how to go about this anymore.

Over a year ago, I started this journey.  I've made some progress, but not like I was hoping for, and I still have a long way to go.  My problem now is that I have NO CLUE where to go from here.

When I started, I was on weight watchers, it stopped working for me, and it's not the most 100% healthy weightloss program.  You can eat a lot of processed, sugar-free, fat-free foods, and those have A LOT of chemicals in them.

So I started calorie counting, and that's great, if I could keep myself to my calories every day.  But if someone offers me something, I can say no once, but when it's sitting there, or someone keeps asking, I can only say no so much, and then I say YES.  And my mouth loves me (because let's face it I DO prefer sweets, chippies, and fried foods over grilled and veggies.  I LIKE veggies, but just not as much!)

I've stopped drinking soda, and will occasionally drink a diet, even though it's got nasty artificial sweeteners in it, I don't like to drink my calories.

So at this point, I've tried a lot of different things, and I'm just having a really hard time sticking to any one system, and now I've tried so much, I have NO idea what works for me and what doesn't anymore.  I've lost a little weight on each thing I've tried, and I have tried going back to Weight Watchers, but it is expensive, and if you read my last post, you know I just don't have the money for that program right now, I'm trying to figure out how to buy normal groceries.

What works for you?  What helped you stick with it?  And how did you know you were on the path to success?

Help for my wedding...

So, Nick and have been engaged since June, and we had some money for the wedding, but we moved to Illinois at the end of October, and because I was waiting for my Illinois Massage Therapy License, I had to spend some of what I had saved up.  I've seen people who had done fundraising online, so I'm taking a shot.      If any of you feel compelled to donate, we'll mention you in our speech at the wedding!  I'm not expecting to raise my goal, but any little bit helps.

http://gogetfunding.com/project/halloween-wedding-fund

Thank you so much!

Shannah S. Goss

Herbal Supplements and YOU! Part One.

Let's take a lesson in herbal supplements, shall we?

There are MANY different supplements on the market out there, and since they are "natural" people assume they are safe to take whatever they want.  This, my friends, is just not true.  Not only can certain herbs, or essential oils, interact poorly with each other, they can also cause serious issues with other medications you may be taking, or conditions that you have.

Take echinacea for example.  A power plant that's in everything these days.  I have an immune boost supplement that has it in it.  But did you know, that if you're allergic to ragweed, it can cause you issues?  Or that it may counteract with immunosuppressive drugs?

Okay, so....this was going to be longer....but I'm out of time....gotta get back to work....so I guess this is just PART ONE!  Stick around for PART TWO tomorrow!

DVD REVIEW: Women's Health: The Wedding Workout

For Christmas, my future sister-in-law gave me Women's Health: The Wedding Workout.  She knew that I had been wanting to get back on track with my exercise and diet and thought it would be some motivation for me.

The DVD has several features.  It has two Pre-Built Workouts: The Strapless Dress Workout - focuses on the upper body, and Short or Hip-Hugging Dress Workout - focuses on the lower body.

Also, you can make your own custom workout.  It gives you 10 slots to put the segments any way you want.  You have a few choices: 4 minute Warm-up, 11 minute Power Cardio, 12 minute Upper-Body, 11 minute Lower-body, 11 minute abs & core, and a 3 minute cool-down.

I attempted the Power Cardio right after Christmas and, as I had guessed, was incapable of doing it due to the quick movements that required co-ordination.

Today, I did the warm-up, upper-body, lower-body, and cool-down.  I skipped over the abs and core, though I probably should do that, I'm not quite ready for it.

I LOVED all the segments!  For the upper body all you need are 3-5 pound dumbbells.  The instructor is very clear, and the workout is not incredibly fast paced so that you can easily follow along with the movements.   I had a little more trouble with the lower-body but again just because it does require some co-ordination.

As I type this, I'm watching the abs & core portion of the DVD, and honestly, it looks pretty easy as far as me being able to follow along.  I will probably add this in to my workout very soon.

I would totally recommend this DVD to anyone and as a reminder:  If you can't do everything in a DVD, do what you can.  And if the movement HURTS in a non-exercise pain way, DO NOT DO IT!

This battle is never-ending, and I am no warrior...

Last week, my first week back to committed calorie counting and exercise, I lost four pounds.  This week, even with proper calorie counting and exercise, it has started to go up.

This is why I eventually give up.  I do not expect the fat to just melt away, but as I continue to work on it, I at least expect it to stay the same not go back up.  I understand muscle weighs more than fat, but there is no way I am gaining this much muscle.

I am 27.  I am 211 pounds.  My father is dropping tons of weight, and is only 12 pounds more than me...soon I will weigh more than my father.  In just over nine months, I am getting married, and am taking a 14 hour flight to Hawaii.  I do not want to sit in a seat, where I can't put the armrest down, where my thigh rubs against the neighbor next to me no matter how hard I try to sit closer to Nick, four 14 hours.

WHY is it so hard for my body to accept weight loss?  Why when I try so hard, does my body fight back.  I am SO TIRED of this.  I have been fighting with this for over a year now.  And I am so tired...and I hate my body.

When Nick puts his arm around me in bed, I suck in my stomach, when he touches my thigh, I think about how fat it is....I hate my body.  I am 27 and I have NEVER in my life, except early youth, loved my body, or how I looked.

I will NEVER forget the first time someone called me fat, or said my thighs were fat.  I was in 4th or 5th grade...and you know what?  Karma doesn't hit those people, she is now the girlfriend and mother of the child of a GREEN BAY PACKER!!!!!  That my friends, just proves that karma doesn't exist.  That girl will be set up for life.  And when I was young, she made me look at my body in a horrible way.  And I've never stopped looking at it that way since.

Apple? Why yes I WOULD like one please!

I have Tuesdays off and I tend to eat more when I'm just sitting around.  However, I found myself craving an apple.  That's right, the first time I'm craving healthy food!  YAY!

I haven't had any soda (I've been drinking diet soda for a year) for a week.  And I've worked out the past five days spending an average of an hour a day, which is awesome for me.  I've actually lost about three pounds already.  Which, if you don't think that's a lot, or when I don't think it's enough, one pound of fat is about the size of a fist.  Here's a visual:

I got this off the internet and I've seen it in numerous places so if you know the original poster let me know so I can give credit!

Hoping this will keep it in perspective for myself and others!

Up and down, up again...and working myself down.

It has been a little while.  I know.  I'm back up to 213 which is really disappointing since I was down to 198.  But it happens, the good news is, Nick and I are BOTH exercising, and when he does, it makes it easier for me to keep going.  I've done well.  I was actually at 215!

Eating healthier is getting easier, though portions are not.  Moving made it difficult and everyone always wants to go out to dinner to be social, and I'm sorry, but there is NOTHING healthy when you eat out.  The "healthy" options are usually at least 500 calories and when you're on a 1600 calorie diet, that's a LOT to waste on a meal.

Anyway, so I'm trying again.  And I will do this.  I have to.  I just have to.

Day Two of Challenge Week: Meat Free!!!

For some reason I decided this week (on Sunday) that I wanted to try going "meat free".  No reason in particular, I love meat, but when I do eat it, I make poor choices of how it's prepared.  You know, like fried.

Day One did not go so well.  I didn't eat meat, but I used it as an excuse to eat a lot of sugar and junk and ended up with a pretty bad stomach ache.

Today went better.  I went grocery shopping and bought fruit for snacks and came up with some interesting dinner plans (homemade bean burritos anyone?).  So I've ate better.

That said, it's been awhile since I've written an entry and a lot of that is that we've moved states, had a lot of other changes going on too.

Yes I did get down to 198.  But I'm back up to about 212.  So, I'm really trying to continue to plug through, eat better, and learn to be healthy.  A year down and I haven't gotten too far, but at least I'm farther ahead than I was last year!

I feel like a failure!

I should be happy.  I'm engaged much sooner than I thought.  But I'm not happy.  Not with myself anyway.

I had two weeks of bad eating and went from 202.4 to 211.  I'm back down to 207.6 but if I had just stuck with the damn diet, and let's face it that IS what it is because I am not eating what I want to, I would be under 200 pounds.  Which meant so much to me!

Instead on Saturday when we get our engagement photos done I will still be a fat cow.

I'm on Myfitnesspal, and there is a girl on there that has lost 37 pounds in 4 months.  37 in FOUR MONTHS!  I can't even lose 30 in 7 MONTHS!  And so many people have great weightloss like that.  But I just can't stick to eating healthy.  It gets old, it gets boring.  I like cake.   I LOVE McDonalds.  We like to go out to eat.  It's EASY to go out to eat.

I'm so tired of trying so hard most of the time, only to let myself down.  What sort of psychological crap is going on that makes me love food so much?  And all of the BAD food.  And how come some people who aren't active can eat and eat and eat, and never gain an ounce, but I exercise and watch and it takes so much CONTROL to lose just a few pounds?

I'm going to hate my engagement photos, because they will always be a reminder of what I couldn't accomplish....

When you can't sleep, get productive!

I woke up at 3 am today.  I went pee, then went back to bed...and laid there.  For an hour.  So I got up. I had not intended to workout today as I wasn't going to have time. I work from 9-12, and then around 2:30 Nick's parents and sister will arrive, and around 5 we're going out to dinner with some of my family as well, and then coming back to have drinks.

But I was bad last night, and didn't cook, and when I went to go pee I saw that my nails, which I had so carefully painted, had not cured when I went to bed and had those lovely little fabric lines in them.  Ladies, you know what I'm talking about.  So, I drank some Chocolate Silk (I love that stuff surprisingly!) took the nail polish off, and worked out.  The hardest I ever have.

Not only did I set the resistance and the highest I've gone (not for the whole time I up and down it), but I went 3.5 miles all at once, and in only 65 mins.  The first time I worked out for an hour I went one mile.  In one month I have vastly improved and I am feeling good.  I also burned the most calories I ever have in a day.  I'm very impressed with myself.

And that folks, is why you stick with it, you DO improve, but it's gradual.  But in just one month you see drastic changes in your fitness level, and the more fit, the more muscle, and muscle burns calories more efficiently thus less fat.  So STICK WITH IT, and when you can't sleep, get productive!

~Shannah

I'm engaged! AND lost more weight! Happy Day!

Nick proposed last night!  It was unexpected, in a lovely manner, and I cried.  And told him I loved him a billion times but I'm not sure if I ever really said yes!  Lol!

And, to top off that great news, I got on the scale and was down to 206.4!  Since I weighed 210.6 last Monday, I know my calorie counting and workout effort is working!  That's 4.2 pounds in a week and a half!  Not even!  More than I want to be honest because I want my skin to stay tight, but on the other hand it means I'm back to being as close to under 200 as I thought I was before I bought the new, more accurate scale.  I bought a cute maxi dress at wal-mart today to wear out Saturday for our engagement dinner with both sides of the family!  It was 16 and I don't feel like a wale in it.  Lovely!

Thanks everyone and I hope your week is as good as mine is!

~Shannah

Changing The Plan

So, by Wed of last week after not losing any more weight, I decided to start tracking calories too.  And by Thursday I was just tracking calories.  As a result, as of this morning, I lost 2.2 pounds last week!  So, calorie counting it is.  Number one this is tried and true, and number two Myfitnesspal.com allows me to track food just as easily as Weight Watchers, and it still holds me accountable as it shows me when I go under/over/right on my calorie goal.  It also tracks exercise and you can tailor it all to your needs.  It also counts my fat, protien, and carbs, just like WW did.  Only I can see how much of all that I'm eating and what changes I should make!

So, we'll see how well this works.  I think it's the best method just because it's teaching me how much to eat and of what.  It's also opened up more options to me, while closing the doors on some other, poorer options in the sense that I feel some foods just aren't worth it.

Also, I've been on the elliptical like crazy!  I upped my resistance and am improving my time and distance quite a bit.  Which ALSO burns more calroies!  I bought a heart rate monitor today to more accurately track that.  But the calorie counter is weird and attached to the pedometer so we'll see how it goes???

Can you do it today?

A few days ago I read an inspirational blog from someone who had lost an incredible amount of weight.  She had been afraid she wouldn't make it, didn't know if she could live without all of the food she loves ever again, and I feel much the same way.

However, something she asked herself, which I think we should all ask ourselves, is "But can we do just today?"  Can you go without that McDonalds today?  YES!  Can you eat just one dessert today?  YES!  Can you drink more water today?  YES!

And this, my friends, makes the journey MUCH easier.  Look at just today, and things will be different tomorrow.  :)

Making More Changes

So, my WW weigh in was today, since on Friday I was 206 and I have worked out and ate within points I was really surprised to see it at 207.2.  And very upset.   I've also worked out the past three days.

So, I decided that I MUST not be doing something right.

Number One: I've been eating high point dinners. This may be effecting it.  Also had a bit of sodium in there.  So I'm going to try and balance my points throughout the day.

Number two: No more guessing points!  As in, guessing that's 1/4 pound burger and not weighing it, so I bought a food scale.  And realized I have been guessing a bit.

Number three: I will eat all my points!  I have been weighing myself every day, and if I don't lose, I don't eat all my points the next day.  After reading a few blogs, and remembering my sister said you need to use them all to lose, I am going to eat them all.

Number four:  I bought a new scale that also calculates BMI and Body Fat%.  That way, if I'm gaining muscle from workouts, I will know.

Number Five: Weigh myself ONCE A WEEK.  I have been weighing myself daily to hold myself accountable, but I don't hold myself accountable.  Last week I ate McDonalds twice in one day and at Applebee's the next.  Granted I was within points the Applebee's day and manage to somehow not have McDonalds effect my weight, it's not good food.  It's bad food.  Very bad food.

Here is my problem with buying a new scale, it says I'm 210.  Not 207.2.  So I can't imagine I'll have a good WI next week.  It will say I have gained weight.  This is not going to be good for my self esteem.  I was so excited to get o 206, to have lost 26 pounds, 8% of my bodyweight, etc.  And to have that ripped from you SUCKS.  So, now I have to go on that journey all over again.

I still want to be 192 by September 8.  I am hoping I can get there.  That's 11.5 weeks.  That's 1.5 pounds a week.  It'd be nice to do more.  Now that I am exercising more maybe that's what I need.  I was on the elliptical for 2 miles today.  Took forever because I'm slow but that's about 400 calories according to the elliptical (it said it was more but I don't quite trust it 100%)

I will get there!

It's been about a month since Disney and I haven't really gotten any farther in my journey.  I didn't realize that vacation would set me back a whole moth, but it pretty much has.  It was a lot harder to get back into the good eating habit than I thought and in fact this past Friday I actually finished unpacking.  I've been lazy.

I did get my elliptical about a week and a half ago and have been very good about using it.  My work schedule makes it a little difficult (10-6 is a horrible shift to try and get anything done ever), but today I stayed on it for a whole hour.  It was very slow going, I only went 1.5 miles.  Which is sad that my half mile takes 20 minutes of my time but that's the truth!

I also have to say that Fat Free Cool whip is a godsend!  It's 0 points for 2 tbsp and if you go over it's not that many points.  I put it on some strawberries and bananas and it makes for a very delicious treat.  If only fruit lasted longer!  I tend to gobble it up!

I'm slacking I know...

So Disney World was awesome, the weight gain from it, not so much, and then a week later there was Memorial Day Weekend.  Nick and I haven't really gone grocery shopping since before Disney so I'm totally off track on Weight Watchers.  I did manage to get back down to before Disney weight (208), but after the past few days it's gone up to 211. Nick's birthday.  He doesn't realize eating out at wherever he wants doesn't work for me or my diet, but I didn't fight it that much and indulged.  I think once in a while I have to take a few and revert to the old ways.  It reminds me that I give myself heartburn and tummy aches.  Lol.

My dad finally got my elliptical here, but forgot the adapter, so we had to go buy a universal one, and I've done a half mile today and yesterday.  It took 17 minutes for me to do a half mile and I was dripping sweat.  Out of shape much?  Yeah.  And totally more intense than walking.  So no I have no excuses to not push myself.  YAY!  I wanted to be to my goal weight by the end of the year, not sure if that will happen.  I want to be at 192 by September 8.  Nick and I are going to a Cardinals game (his birthday present from me), and I would like to have lost all that.  That's just over five pounds a month.  It IS doable, but can I do it?