Blarg!

Damn.  I really was hoping to reach Goal #2 this week- 10 lbs down for the year.  Instead, I gained .8 lbs.  Certainly not the end of the world, but maybe a little frustrating.  I was over on calories this week, but only by about 1,000 for the entire week- and considering that I'm eating at a deficit of 750 calories per day as to what would sustain my current weight- I shouldn't have actually gained.  But I guess it's not always just what you ate yesterday or last Sunday, sometimes, it's what you ate 2 weeks ago.  Sometimes stuff just takes a while to catch up.  Whatever.  Back on track, on the wagon, on whatever it is that takes me to the weight loss zone.

I never took measurements, and haven't been doing so- I totally should be- so I don't know what's changed there.  I can tell something has, espicially since January 1- clothes are fitting me much better now.

I'm still happy.  I'm getting healthier, day by day.  I worked out with 5 lb weights yesterday and they felt so... light.  That wasn't the case, not even two months ago.  Fitter, happier, more productive.

Here's to not being a robot about weight loss.

This week: +.8 lbs
Total 2013: -8.8 lbs

And Another One Down

The best portrait ever drawn of me.  "Aunt Heather Outside"

I'm really on a roll this year!  And losing some of my rolls in the process!  I'm feeling so good right now.  The weight loss certainly helps- I'm actually looking forward to Thursdays.  I still am weighing myself every day, but I keep in mind that day to day fluctuations don't matter as much as a steady downward trend with my weight. I am aware the it's not coming off as rapidly, but that's to be expected.  At my weight, I would actually be concerned if I was consistently losing 4 lbs a week- I'd probably go get myself checked for worms or something if I was.  At this point, I'm really happy losing half a pound a week.  Losing anything is a win.

I was thinking last night about struggles I had with weight gain towards the end of last year- I couldn't wrap my head around it- I was eating healthy and exercising, or so I told myself.  Looking back at my (very incomplete) food journals, I really wasn't.  I was consistently eating too much and not getting in much activity.  That is a surefire way to gain weight.  A sedentary lifestyle paired with eating out a lot and not really paying attention to my food.

This year, I feel like I'm on the right track.  I don't feel deprived at all- but I am definitely keeping an eye on the food that's going into my body.  I had a really healthy day yesterday, yet I still ate out for lunch, had a small cannoli for dessert, and a beer to end the day.  However, I still stayed in a healthy range of calories.  Maybe TallBoy had a full size cannoli and I just had a mini, but it only really takes a few bites of sugar to satisfy you- sugar is a very powerful food- something to keep in mind.

Just a great week.  Here's to another one!

This week: -1.0 lb
Total 2013: -9.6 lbs
So close to Goal #2!

Putting In The Work

My basement workout space.  I think it needs motivational posters.

I had my midterm assessment for the wellness class I'm currently taking about a week ago.  With the exception of a few days here and there that were clearly not in the 'thinking/acting healthy' category (i.e. spending a weekend in Athens, OH, or in NYC)- my instructor told me I'm on the right path.  I've had really good results this year, mostly from really watching my carbohydrate intake, so I'm going to continue on.  My motivational problem is working out.  So far this year, I've been consistent in getting in at least two workouts a week- one at my Wednesday wellness class, and the other is usually on Saturday afternoon in my basement.  I've just been doing cross training exercises- two or three sets of weights, followed by a few minutes of high intensity cardio, switching it up for about an hour.  As it usually happens, about 7 weeks in, I'm getting a little bored of my current routine. 

Tallboy and I were fortunate to have been gifted a really nice at home gym from his dad- we just got it set up and put to use about two weeks ago.  I'm still a bigger fan of free weights, but it's nice to have an alternative, plus Tallboy will do reps on the machine, since my weights are too light for him. 

I discovered (a little late to the game, apparently, this app has been around for a while) the Nike Training Club app yesterday.  It's almost as good as having a personal trainer.  It's amazing.  Like I said, I only got it yesterday, but I'm already in love.  It has over 85 different (!) workouts, videos of every exercise, and talks you through the movements.  I've only done one of the intermediate workouts so far, but let me tell you, it was challenging and exciting.  It felt good to still be switching up my cardio and strength training, and having some new moves.  It was also nice to have it planned out for you.  The best part?  It's FREE.  Yep.  FREE.  There are no words.

My goal for this week is to get at least one extra workout in with my new app- I think I'm in love.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you have someone you love as much as Buster loves Arnie.  Or as much as I love Tallboy.  Happy Valentine's Day!  FYI, speaking of LOVE, Buster is feeling much better. He's back to the snack begging snuggle monster we all know and love.

It's not only Valentine's Day, it's weigh-in day!  I was a little aprehensive, since we went to Ohio University over the weekend and I had beer, pizza and french fries for dinner on Saturday night.  (In that order.)  We came back, and I literally weighed 5.5 lbs MORE on Monday morning than I did on Saturday morning.  Impressive, no?  I knew it was mostly water weight (plus the entire Chipotle burrito I consumed on Sunday!) due to a lot of salty food and very little water, but it was shocking.  Anyways, that came off within two days, and then getting right back to eating well on Monday helped me shed a few additional lbs.  I lost what I gained last week, plus .6 more.

A few things- I have decided to drop Weight Watchers, once again.  It really hasn't been the oomph I've needed- I've found it uninspiring this time around, and haven't seen much success.  Since I started this Wellness Tracks Masters Class, I've seen more improvement in 1.5 months than I did in 6 months in Weight Watchers.  At WW, I know I could've found a more inspiring leader, but I am going to take the $40/month I was spending at WW and join the gym my class is through- that way I can continue to meet with my nutritionist and go over my food journals with him. 

Here's to progress- however you get there, if you're successful with it, continue.  If not, find something that works. 

This week: -2.0 lbs
Total 2013: -8.6 lbs

The First Backslide of the Year

I knew it would happen eventually, but here we are, one week into February, and I backslid already.  I am GOING to be okay with this, and keep on going.  What can I say.  It happened, I've acknowledged it, and I'm moving on.

Tough weeks, be damned!  I have an amazing life, and rough spots happen to everyone.  So, short story short, I gained this week.  1.4 lbs.  So boo, that sucks, now I'll start paying a little more attention.  I also only worked out like once last week.  So, that's that.  What a crappy blog post!

Weekly goal: To really think about the food I'm about to eat- not just decide in the moment.  Have healthy foods on hand to combat unhealthy snacking.

This week: +1.4 lbs
Total 2013: -6.6 lbs