Amber's Journal

[amhouse36]

Weight
215

Yay- I'm now officially down 25 pounds.....one quarter of the way to my goal I actually got down to 215 about a week and a half ago...but I ate sugar and it screwed me up of course!

Exercise
3 miles in one hour on treadmill!!! I pretty much stayed above 3 mph for the entire hour and finished 3 miles in under the hour- woohoo! Getting stronger- I can feel it Also did about 30 minutes of weights....did a couple of machines that I never tried before.

So I'm excited about the weight loss- I'm determined to get out of my size 22's soon....I have one pair of jeans that I wear all the time....and there are holes where my thighs rub together....I have to sew them up until I get down another size....size 20's are still too tight...maybe I should just officially retire them, but they're so dang comfortable!

Maybe I'll be at 214 tomorrow....

[amhouse36]

Weight
213 I posted here yesterday that I was 214...but the server went down- hate it when that happens....anyhoo, today was pretty much the same as yesterday...except I lost another pound....oh so close to 199 now!!!

Exercise
Walked a little over 3 miles in one hour on the treadmill....same as yesterday....I stayed at 3.0mph most of the time...toward the end I was up to 3.5....working my caboose off to stay at that speed- but hey, maybe one day I'll be jogging for an hour like I see the skinny spandex people do

I share an apartment with my sister, who also has recently started Atkins....I opened up the freezer today and found low carb ice cream....now you're thinking 'Big Deal?', right? Well for me....any dessert, even if it's low carb, is bad for me cuz I'll eat the whole thing!....I have no moderation when it comes to sweet stuff...I had to stop buying l.c. popcicles cuz I kept eating over 10 a day...I'm really bad about it. So I had a small portion of the ice cream, but it's just sitting there waiting for me to eat it...hopefully I won't!

Maybe, just maybe I'll be at 212...although lightning doesn't usually strike twice in one week....here's hoping!

[amhouse36]

Weight
212! I'm trying not to get too attached to the number cuz it was barely on it this morning....Lord willing it'll stay there tomorrow!

Exercise
3.05 miles in one hour on the treadmill. Now that 0.05 may not seem like much...but for me it was all I could muster to speed my progress to pack in as much distance in one hour....I stayed steady at 3.0mph for 50 minutes...then eased my way up to 3.5mph....So I'm not ready to be jogging just yet obviously- but I'm proud of myself to be walking at that speed for an hour...trust me, for me, it's an accomplishment!
Also did about 30 minutes of weights....my sis says she can see a slight muscle line on the back of my arms- yay!

Well the low carb ice cream didn't do me in- but I can't make a habit of keeping that stuff around....it really slows down my progress...and now I have a new goal of making 199 before Thanksgiving instead of Christmas...if I don't plateau, it may be possible

[amhouse36]

Weight
211.5 I am so thrilled that I am almost to the 30 pound mark....that has been the most I've ever lost on a diet. It's scary coming up on that number because I never got beyond it...but this time-I WILL!

Exercise
3.04 miles in 1 hour on treadmill. 30 minutes of weights. Speeding up my time on the treadmill has REALLY made a difference....I've been losing almost a pound a day since I started doing 3 mi in an hour....and now the 3 miles is getting easier and I have more stamina...around the 50 minute mark I 'up' the speed....maybe at the 45 minute mark tomorrow I'll 'up' it.

Yesterday (Sunday) I didn't work out and I maintained 212....I wasn't quite fully on 211...but I was slightly below 212 today....so that makes it 211.5. I really feel that it is possible to make the 199 goal maybe even before November...if the weight loss keeps up....I know I have to level off sometime...but I really don't eat a lot anymore....I have 1 to 2 meals a day and snack on sunflower seeds. I do drink a lot of sugar free lemonade...more so than water....but my appetite just isn't what it use to be...no longer tortured by food. Now I did split of piece of l.c. cheesecake at Famous Anthony's last night....but I'm not consuming like a pound of sugar a week like I use to...it would be interesting to find out exactly how much sugar I was eating. Yesterday they had back to back obesity shows on TLC...I'm always facinated with those shows...I guess because I want to see how other people handle obesity...and what they're doing, if anything, to lose the weight....and also to see what I do not want to become...one was a man who was bedridden for years and weight over 1000pounds...another man 750 pounds....makes me realize that, yeah, I do have a challange of losing 100 pounds just to be a normal size again...but I don't have to lose 1,000....and even that guy is losing it...so there is always hope

[amhouse36]

Weight
211 Woohoo- lost half a pound

Exercise
3.05 miles in one hour on the treadmill. 30 minutes of weights

So I did bump up my speed at the 45 minute mark to 3.1....then made my way up to 3.5 toward the end....and I'm STILL only at 0.05 extra distance! Geesh-it's tough to add distance in a one hour walk!

Oooh, something cool has happened....I was trying on clothes at the store and I fit into a size 18 pant....but they did give a lot....even more exciting, I was trying on my sister's capris last night that looked impossibly small to fit my big fat girth....but they did...very tightly- and they were a size 16!!! 16 Now thats a size I have seen since....hmmm, maybe when I was 19 or 20? It's time to get back down there again

[amhouse36]

Weight
210 YES YES YES! I am finally at that almighty 30 pound mark...the number that I have never gone past....magic number 30! Whats even more exciting...sometimes the scale read 209...that means the curse of the 30 pound mark will be broken soon

Exercise
3.06 miles in one hour on the treadmill; 30 minutes of weights. So I went up one-onehundreth in distance....and man, it was hard to do just that measily 0.01 point!!!! Some of the weight machines I'm doing more weight...there is two thigh machines that I went from 35 pounds to 40 pounds.

So I'm very excited today...from losing 30 pounds....most of the weight gone in under 3 months....I lost 5 pounds from May 15th to July 27th.....with out regular exercise...but once I joined the gym....the weight has really been coming off, and I'm grateful for my discounted membership....so 25 pounds in about 2 months and one week....not too shabby! Expecially since I didn't go to the gym much after my eye surgery.

199 Here I come

[amhouse36]

Weight
209! Hey, if I could keep losing a pound a day- that would rock!!

Exercise
4.08 miles. Yep, ya heard me- 4 miles today. Now that wasn't all in an hour....I did 3.08 miles in an hour...and I'm really proud of that extra 0.02 I added to my distance. Then I did weights for about half an hour. Then I decided, what the heck- lets do another mile on the treadmill...and that was about 21 minutes or so...I went slower. So I'm proud of myself I think watching 'The Biggest Loser' kinda revved me up today cuz sometimes I would think of how they pushed themselves when they were tired, and then they lost like 10 pounds in a week- very inspiring

So I went shopping yesterday in honor of my 30 pound loss...got some makeup at Victoria secret and a hair cut and an eyebrow waxing...spent too much money! I didn't buy clothes because I'm basically still a 22. I went to Lane Bryant to see how I was in their clothes because they tend to have 'real sizes' that don't lie... meaning if I'm a size 22 in Lane Bryant- then thats what I really am. Well...I'm a comfortable 22....I remember trying on jeans there at my highest and even the 24's were uncomfortable....the 20's barely button...I COULD wear them if I had to, but I would look like a stuffed pig in them So I guess you could say I'm down from a size 24- but I'll never really know. I probably won't be a size 20 until I'm about 190...my hips and gut really don't wanna go away.

So I'm thinking of making a new goal...why not aim for 199 before November 1st? Chances are I won't keep losing like I have been cuz TOM probably will interfere- but I could try....and that way I'll be well below 200 by Christmas...maybe even at the halfway mark of 190!!! Wouldn't that rock??

[mtsofmercy]

I just wanted to say you are doing a great job! I graduated in '97 too AND my name is Amber! Anyway, you're doing a great job, so keep it up!!

[amhouse36]

Originally Posted by mtsofmercy

I just wanted to say you are doing a great job! I graduated in '97 too AND my name is Amber! Anyway, you're doing a great job, so keep it up!!

Hello my twin! It's funny that your nickname is Ambie...cuz my Mom nicknamed me Ambie-Bambi! weird huh? Anyhoo, thanks for stopping by to say hello, and thanks for the encouragement

[amhouse36]

Weight
208 My journal entry from yesterday isn't here!!! My weight was the same yesterday too.

Exercise
Yesterday was a day of rest....today 3.12 miles in one hour on the treadmill... my speed has gotten better I maintained a speed of 3.1 through most of the walk and then up'd in at the end....the highest speed, a 3.6! It's funny cuz I always go into the gym thinking 'I'm tired, I think I'll just take it easy today' and then I go a little faster, a little longer, a little better Also did about 30 minutes of weights.

Well I got low carb ice cream and cake yesterday...actually my sister (who is also my roommate) practically demanded it at 2am this morning- so we went out in the pouring rain to get the fix....I'm trying not to let myself go nuts and eat it all...I have a real problem with gluttony when it comes to sweets- I have to keep eating it until its gone.

Come on 199!!!

[amhouse36]

Weight
210 No need to say what happened with the low carb ice cream and cake. My sister went off Atkins and now has Orange Juice in the fridge and pizza and popcicles in the freezer. I am soooo angry cuz we had a deal that if she went off Atkins she'd keep that crap out of the house so I wouldn't be tempted. I gotta 'up' my willpower a bit

Exercise
Sunday-none. Monday- 3.21 miles in one hour on the treadmill. Yep I was power walking today and actually broke the 0.2 mark beyond the 3 miles just outta sheer anger! I'm so angry that I gained back two pounds....and it wasn't that I even had a lot of ice cream or cake- but nope, doesn't matter- still gained. You'd think with the exercise I would have just leveled off! My body is just so unforgiving! So I walked real fast today- and I know I'll be in pain tomorrow- I did take some aspirin- hopefully that will help

So part of my 'life makeover' along with weight loss is to get right with God again. I was raised Baptist and went to a Christian college here in Virginia (Liberty University) but ever since I was a teenager I've been bitter at God for things basically not going the way I thought they should go! I've been disappointed many times in every aspect- spiritually, career-wise, financially and I've just become more and more bitter- even to the point that I didn't want people to refer to me as a 'Christian' anymore. So I thought that along with losing weight I should get back to church again and start praying regularly....I went to a local non-denominational church yesterday and was bored to tears! I've always had a tough time enjoying church...really some of the best sermons I've heard were not in a church but actually at school. Anyhoo- the point is that I'm trying- I'm going back to Liberty for grad school next Fall where you're around 'God-talk' 24-7 and thats not a bad thing- but when you're angry at God it can be a nightmare. So I'm just working on that stuff- which also in turn helps me to deal with emotional eating.

[amhouse36]

Weight
210- stayed the same!

Exercise
3.24 miles in one hour on the treadmill So I'm happy that I'm getting faster! I'm averaging an 18.5 minute mile...although I tend to up the speed toward the end of the hour....got up to 3.7 at the very end.

I didn't do weights yesterday or today....I get bored on the weights- even though I know they're a good thing to do. Need to start doing them again. Maybe I could swim some days or something.

I tell ya what- I'm never gonna be one of those 'sexy workout girls' cuz I sweat like a fat pig! Lol- by the time I'm done walking my entire head is soaked and my pony tail is dripping with sweat- I'm sure I look gross! Oh well- I wipe down the treadmill- what more can I do? It would be a lot worse to walk outside- at least inside I have air conditioning.

So I didn't cheat yesterday although I did have junk food in the house so I'm proud about that

Maybe I can still make my 199 goal by November- but realistically I better aim for December 1st

[amhouse36]

Weight
210 So I'm bummed that I stayed the same- even after my hard workout yesterday...but I guess I shouldn't whine cuz I lost 10 pounds last month and that is fast for my body....so far this month I've lost 2 pounds....well actually 4 pounds but I gained back 2. I think I lost those 2 pounds so quickly cuz I didn't eat much those couple of days- now I'm eating normally.

Exercise
None- still sore from yesterday.

So my 'fat show' comes on tonight (aka The Biggest Loser)! Now that Celebrity Fit Club is over- this is the only fat entertainment I have You know whats weird- I'm already fantasizing about Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner...Sweet Potatoes and rolls....I keep thinking about it. Also I watch the Food Network and when they show a dessert I try to think of a way to make it low carb...but some of those desserts really can't translate low carb...one called for caramel- I don't think there is such a thing as sugar free caramel (it was similar to an ice cream cake) I don't know how I stayed thin as a teenager...I only exercised in gym class and I ate junk all the time!

Maybe 209 tomorrow- won't hold my breath- but I'll try not to eat late tonight so I'll have a shot at it.

[amhouse36]

Weight
????? My scale broke! I actually got a digital scale but I broke that one too! I literally broke 2 scales in one day! So I bought the old fashioned kind again yesterday but I don't like it cuz I can barely see what the number says...I'd like to know exactly if I lost a pound or not....so gotta get another scale so I can obsess once more!

Exercise
Friday- 1.5 miles
Saturday- 2 miles

Yeah I didn't walk for an hour cuz TOM is in town and I'm grumpy and mad at the world! I cheated 2 days ago...had a small mcflurry and went out to eat...had rolls and some 'smashed' potatoes at O'Charleys. Yesterday I wanted to keep cheating, but I didn't I was good.

I'm just discouraged cuz I feel like I'm spinning my wheels- it is so hard for me to get beyond that dang 30 pound mark. I know I shouldn't complain cuz I lost a lot last month- but it's half way through the month and I keep gaining and losing the say 3 or 4 pounds- grrrr!

Gotta keep trucking along- what am I gonna do- quit and gain it all back? Come on 199!!!! Hurry up and get here!

[amhouse36]

Weight
?215? I bought 2 more scales...one digital that LIES and tells me 3 different weights....and then I bought a regular one today that says I'm 215...which I'll agree with cuz I went off plan this week and didn't exercise much. At least I'm going back on plan right away instead of waiting till I've gained all the weight back, right?

Exercise
2 miles on treadmill. Its nuts how lethagic you get once you stop exercising and eating sugar...it seemed like way too much work to walk for a whole hour...it's like I'm starting from square one! I might swim tomorrow, just to mix things up in my routine.

So I've been cheating with pizza and ice cream...and I've been grumpy and tired- it's so noticable how my mood changes and how my body reacts to sugar...I feel horrible...and now I'm 5 pounds farther away from my goal...and I work HARD to lose those dang five pounds....7 pounds if you count the time I was down to 208 pounds...but I was only there for like 2 days.
So I'm back on the low carb wagon again....

[amhouse36]

Weight
215? My scale broke and I haven't been keeping track of my weight

Exercise
Not for weeks and weeks! I'm so naughty...never get to 200 before 2007 now!

Well I haven't written in here in a while....mostly I've maintained between 212-215 on the days that I have weighed myself....it was only in the last few days that I've gained up to close to 220...must be that darn Haagen Daz!

So I've been trying to decide what to do about Atkins...like should I stay on it or try something else cuz I'm having a hard time staying on it. I might try South Beach diet which is similar to Atkins but allows fruit. For now I'm allowing fruit back into the diet and whole grain bread....like a slice a day or something like that. I might just let it go just do the fruit cuz I have gotten bored of the Atkins food. I have also heard that eating Almonds after everytime you eat helps to block carbs so I'm doing that too.

Gotta get back to the gym and start walking again- part of the reason I quit cuz my shoes were starting to hurt again...I bought new ones last week. But mainly I just didn't wanna. Ever since the time change I've been all screwed up...hate it when it gets dark early. But I'm excited about the holidays ; )

Talk to ya later! Wish me luck on my job interview in about 2 hours!

[chakwaina37]

Hey amber, just wanted to say hi and tell ya Im back and hope to see you back soon as well we can do this together one day at a time. Have missed ya while i was gone. Im gonna work harder on this this time and Im here for you as well . You have worked hard and You need to give yourself credit for that you are gonna make it thru this and Im gonna be right here with ya threw it. (((hugs)))

[amhouse36]

Weight
216

Exercise
One hour on the track

Yep...its a new year and I'm back! I see the last time I posted was back in October...well I'd love to say that I'm below 200 by NOW but nope! I'm not...in fact I had shot up to 225 during Christmas but quickly lost it...now I'm at about 216 I believe. So I guess I should be happy that I didn't gain ALL of my weight back (my high weight was 240) and yet, I could have lost so much in that amount of time.
I've let my Ymca membership expire...not that I don't like the Ymca, but its so crowded the last few times I went that I couldnt even get a parking space! Thats not for me!
Well I have motivation now to lose weight...I'm seeing my old boyfriend from high school in exactly 6 months from now in Las Vegas. He invited me to be a guest at his friends wedding and we haven't seen each other in about 10 years....he lives in Florida and I live in Virginia. So I was about 125 when he saw me last! I've gained 100 pounds since high school! Wow- that sucks! Anyhoo, I know I won't get down to goal in 6 months...but I can defintely get out of the stupid 200's!!!! So I'm back on plan and ready to lose ; )

[amhouse36]

Weight
217

Exercise
01/07 2.25 miles on track
01/08 2 miles on track

So I'm bummed cuz yesterday I got down to 215...today I shot back up to 217...what gives? Well I think what happened is that I have been eating after 7pm....lots of diet soda and snacks...and that causes me to gain or stay the same....so I gotta have more self control and just drink water. In fact I'm thinking of not even buying diet soda anymore cuz if its in the fridge I'll just drink that instead of water....I gotta become more strict with myself. Gotta lose weight for Vegas!

[amhouse36]

Weight
215....yay...well at least I got those 2 pounds off...back to a clean slate- so to speak

Exercise
1 hour of walking on the street. I'm guessing it was 2.75-3 miles.
I wasn't walking really fast and usually I have to walk pretty fast to fit 3 miles in an hour...I was walking moderately fast so I think I did get over 2.5 miles...just not exactly sure how far. All I know is that it felt like work today cuz it was blustery and cold and it was lightly raining or snowing...it was like between rain and snow...it was miserable out and I didn't really wanna be outside but I'm proud of myself for walking even when its not pretty outside...I hope to keep it up...maybe see the underside of 200 very soon...and STAY under 200...seems like I haven't been there since I was I think 20 or 21...over 5 years now. I think getting under 200 will feel like a major accomplishment...like 'hey I can actually lose this weight' accomplishment ; ) The problem is no one else is doing this diet with me so there is junk food everywheres...those Little Debbie cakes are just calling out to me...its horrible. But I'm determined! And I'm gonna try to not eat after 6:30pm or 7pm...I think thats why I lost the two pounds last night...just water for the rest of the night! Maybe I'll be at 214 or dare I hope...213...tomorrow

[amhouse36]

Weight
214.5 It was really too close...but I do feel I did get below 215...but maybe not solidly at 214

Exercise
50 minutes of walking on the sidewalk in front of my house....it was beautiful out today...in the 70's...not bad for Virginia in January, eh?

Well I'm still cheating and I have a real problem with there being junk food in my house...no one else is doing Atkins with me so they're all eating yummy food and I'm eating the non sugar stuff.....oh well. And I'm trying to not eat after 7pm...which is tough for me cuz I'm a late night snacker, but it really makes a difference on my weight loss to have a cut off time...I might bump it up to 6pm...we'll see. Gotta look good for my boyfriend in Vegas! lol....And I'm trying to make a conscious effort to drink water...and to do so instead of diet soda.
Wish me luck!

[amhouse36]

Weight
217 Geesh I cannot get stay below 215!! Why Why Why???

Exercise
None

So I'm off from work tomorrow and I'll exersize...I still hope to have made some progress before February!!

[amhouse36]

Weight
212 Trying to get below that all important 210 mark...I got below it this summer for about 2 days then bounced right back up there!

Exercise
For the last 3 or 4 days I've been walking on the sidewalk in front of my house for an hour each day....I think its close to 3 miles

So I'm happy I'm finally losing and got below 215. I've been trying to drink more water, cut out soda that has aspartame and drinking diet 7up that has splenda, and no eating after 7pm. I think its making all the difference I hope to be 199 very soon!