Lighten Up!

[Luvmykidz]

Well, this would be my first journal entry. Basically just subscribing so I will have a place to stick stray thoughts and strong opinions that might not be appreciated by others.

[Luvmykidz]

Hm, I need to budget my time better. I could be on this site all day and never get anything done around here. Lots of great stuff though.
I guess I should record my current stats.
height 5'4"
weight 156
bust42
waist 32 1/2
abdomen 37
thigh 21

Goal weight 140 works. 130 would be better. We shall see.
My hope is that interacting here will inspire me to stick with this commitment long term.
I would love to release the extra lard so I will be both more attractive and better equipped to care for my family.
Next Monday I officially start tracking my progress as the summer winds down toward Labor Day. 10 weeks seems like forever, but nobody can run a mile in just one or two steps. It takes perseverence and proper training. I really believe I can do this right, so I never have to do it again-unless I get pregnant again. But even at that , I don't have to gain nearly as much weight as I have in the past.
I have the tools to eat right, I just need to use them.

Since I've never journaled before, I feel kind of silly talking to myself. But I suppose I will eventually become comfortable with it.

Personal reminderon't take life so seriously. Enjoy and learn. A number on a scale does not determine my worth as a person, and I am not going to obsess over it.

[Luvmykidz]

Okay, lets see. Mini goals are:
154-June 26
150-July 10
146-July 24
142-Aug 7
140-Aug 14-Original goal
138-Aug 21
134 Sept.4 =20 pounds down by Labor Day.
Although I would like to be a size 8, I don't think it is realistic for me to go below a 10. This is okay, though. A toned 10 is attractive. I would like my measurements to be around 39-29-39. Exercise is a must in order to get my pregnancy flab back in place. I can't believe how much a belly can stretch and not pop!

Walking and weight training. Got to get those into my routine. Too bad the dog hurt his leg. I guess I can't use that as an excuse to not walk, though. I will have to get DH to watch the kids for half an hour so I can get out. If that doesn't work, it is me and Leslie Sansone, I guess.

It would be nice if the rain let up a few days so I don't have to slog through the mud.

[Luvmykidz]

Running around these boards, is really an eduction. A very common concern seems to be how much can I lose and how fast? Don't we all wish it was easy!
Oh, to wake up every morning 10 pounds slimmer!!!! It took me a long time to finally break out of La La Land. I wasted months chasing almost every promise and womens mag headline, looking for my easy "out". The truth is that life is not easy. Yes, some things are easier for some people. But overall, if it is worth having, it is worth working for.

I remember the story of the tortoise and the hare. They had a race. The hare had a great start, and, confident of his victory, he stopped short of the finish line to take a nap. The tortoise didn't have the luxury of wasting his time, and even though it looked like he didn't have a prayer, he kept pushing toward the finish line. The hare woke from his long, refreshing nap just in time to see the tortoise cross the finish line.

I see some relevant parallels to my weight loss.
Sometimes I have been the hare. I get a great start and then fall asleep in my effort because I think I have the wiggle room. When I finally wake up, I have gained back several pounds. "Close" is not the same as "Done" and it is foolish to throw myself a victory party when I haven't even finished the race. Don't fall asleep!!!
The tortoise illustration is perfect for me to follow. I need to look at the long road ahead and say: Others may be able to speed along, but I need to know for myself that I finished the course. It might take me weeks or months to get there, but I will NEVER get there if I don't start.

[Luvmykidz]

I guess I'm not very good at this yet.

This week was not a lot of fun. A family of 6 with the stomach 'flu' running wild. We survived, and after 3 days of laundromat, bleach, Pine-sol and hot water, I think we have the place sanitized and deodorized.

It didn't change anything in my diet, except I couldn't eat anything solid for about 36 hours. I was a little nervous, but after asking around the board, was reassured that little interruption would not cause problems with my induction progress.

Tomorrow starts us off on the 20 in 10 Labor Day Challenge. Ha, I hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew on that! I really believe it is possible, and now that I opened my big mouth, I do feel some pressure to meet my goals. Of course, that is the whole idea of a challenge. Accountability does add a dimension of discomfort for those who have no real intention of following through on a course.

So, I guess I just have to determine to stay on track. Wilbur's leg is better, so now I have a walking buddy. Now I just need to be sure to make the time! I did it before, I should be able to do this again. 20 pounds---It went on, it can come off!

Reminder: Monday morning, post starting stats.

[Luvmykidz]

Shouldn't have weighed this morning. I went back up a pound. But I think it is just my heavy dinner still hanging around, so I will not worry too much about it today. Maybe I will just stay off the scale until weigh-in on Monday.

Now that it finally feels like summer, I need to get serious about my walking plan. But I still feel tired from our sick week. Need to up my water, too, as the iced tea I had yesterday displaced some of my water intake. I woke up absolutely parched this morning. Well, at least my eating is still on track. One more week of super strict carb control. If weight edges down by Mon. I will see about adding back a little for long term.

Looked into the Callanetics board this morning. Very tempted to try it, so I got out my old Callanetics Countdown book to kind of break back into it. Like low carb, I know the method works, I just need to dredge up the discipline to do it. Really, I wouldn't care if I didn't lose an ounce of weight if I could just get the inches to disappear!

[Luvmykidz]

Okay, so yesterday I got on the elliptical (first time in months) and did 15 minutes at light resistance. I am out of shape!!!

Today, I did 20 minutes 10 at light, 5 on medium and then 5 back on light. Then some light stretching. Went better today. Maybe this won't hurt so much after all.

Really, I need to get back into my toning routine. The insides of my thighs are so disgustingly flabby. Abs are all loose, too from last pregnancy.

I look like Jell-o Girl. Hm, sounds like a superhero name--although not a very flattering one. The interview: "So, Jell-o Girl, what is your super power?"
Answer: "Well, I ripple"
Interview: "Excuse Me"
Answer: " I flash my thighs and paralyze my enemy with the sight of my sagging,
jiggling flesh. It has the temporary, harmless effect of causing the bad
guy to drop into the fetal position and begin sucking his thumb. Lasts
about 5 minutes, long enough to get the handcuffs on and call the
police. Would you like me to demonstrate?
Interview: "Uh, no thanks, I....AAAAHHHH! (suck, suck, suck...)"

Yes, I definitely need to get tightened up.

[Luvmykidz]

Jello-Girl checking in here.

Did 20 minutes light elliptical. My exercise experiment. Since I don't really enjoy it and have not a lot of time for it anyway, I thought I would try minimal exercise with deep breathing.

Oxygen levels are what we are trying to increase w/aerobic, for fat burning, so I am just taking really deep, slow breaths and controlling it better. Don't know yet if it works for fat burning, but I have noticed my stamina is better and I don't seem to get that lactic acid 'burn' in my calves. My heart rate goes up just as high as it normally does, but doesn't feel like it is going to explode out of my chest. And my lungs don't feel like they are on fire.

Guess I will try it for a week and see what happens. Even if it isn't some new miracle way to exercise, I am getting more movement than I was, so it is good.

I'll have to remember to measure on Monday, too. Probably just my imagination, but my legs already feel more toned. Got to be imagining it, though, cause I have never heard of anyone tightening up significantly with just 3 20 minute sessions.

[Luvmykidz]

Still sitting at 155 pounds, but my chest measure is down by 1/2 inch (41.5 from 42)
and my waist is down 1/4 inch (32.25 from 32.5)

Not anything to really write home about, but it is progress. A

Abdominal measure up by .5 inch but I am pretty sure it is just water retention, as I did not drink enough yesterday, had a very salty hot dog, and a couple of Atkins bars ( I'm thinking the soy in them doesn't agree with me) because we were gone all day.

I'll see if I can flush things out over the next couple of days. Maybe the stall in weight loss is just from water weight? (crosses fingers)

4th is coming. 14 years of marriage! I still feel like I am 20! I wonder if I will ever really feel like a grown up?

Not that feeling young is bad. And some days I am just plain tired. But I still feel like I belong at the kids table at family gatherings. Wonder why? Maybe its because I still have a little girl face.

[tm2chng]

hi heather !
I hope you dont mind me dropping in.
Your stats are good for 156 lbs.
Im at the same weight but bigger measurments ( except for the bust ) wouldnt ya know? lol
I can totally relate to alot of what your saying here !
How are you feeling on induction? What is your pp plan ?
Looks like your off to a good start !

~Lisa~

[Luvmykidz]

Originally Posted by tm2chng

hi heather !
I hope you dont mind me dropping in.
Your stats are good for 156 lbs.
Im at the same weight but bigger measurments ( except for the bust ) wouldnt ya know? lol
I can totally relate to alot of what your saying here !
How are you feeling on induction? What is your pp plan ?
Looks like your off to a good start !

~Lisa~

Thank you, Lisa. I don't mind input at all. Sometimes it really helps to get a new perspective. I think my biggest problem is not so much what I weigh, but where the fat sits. I am definitely one of those "apple" shapes that carries abdominal fat. My legs and arms are actually pretty thin in comparison to my torso. I need to get it off, because it puts me at higher risk of developing diabetes and heard disease.

In your avi, you actually appear to be a healthier shape with less ab fat, and carrying the weight lower on your body (I know, it is still not what you would like to see---just commenting that you probably run a bit less of a health risk, even when you are heavier)

My bust is huge, but I am sort of still breastfeeding my year old baby. She really isn't interested much except morining and bedtime, but it keeps me in production mode. Past experience says I will probably lose an inch or two when she gives it up completely. For some reason, my body seems to love to hold onto fat while breastfeeding. This is totally opposite of what all the literature seems to say. ***Warning to breastfeeders, not everyone will have the pounds peel off while breastfeeding. Some of us just can't seem to get the fat to budge during this time. That is okay, I guess, because baby needed the nourishment for a while. But there comes a point where it is time to reclaim your body!

[Luvmykidz]

Weekend went pretty well. Enjoyed, but not to excess. I refuse to get myself down over the choices I made.

This is my new beginning. I WILL be free of the unreasonable burdens I tend to put on myself.

Whether my body lightens up significantly or not, I finally realized my attitude needs to! A happy heart helps keep all situations in their proper perspective.

I guess I need to be more careful with my posts. It appears there are some pretty sensitive souls around here, and I seem to be able to step on toes pretty easily. I wonder why people tend to be so defensive sometimes when someone airs a different opinion?

I personally feel my opinions are pretty good, and try to be respectful and not act like I'm talking down to anyone. I have never said I think anyone else's WOE is wrong, just that I question the safety of some of the methods that are advocated around the boards. And that there is evidence that some of the methods are not the best way for most people.

So many of us want quick results today, I wonder if long term effects get overlooked. My posts are mainly made out of concern, not because I like dissing anyone or their personal choices.

Of course if I did have hard facts, I would probably feel obligated to share so people could have both sides of an issue. I like to be informed and just figure everyone else does, too. Maybe that is my problem. No-one likes to be told they are (or might be) wrong. It is embarrassing and can really shake some people up.

I am totally open to correction if someone has actual evidence rather than just say-so. Maybe my answer is as simple as not every one else is as receptive as me. I guess I need to work on this.

Did my elliptical today. 15 minutes light resistance, 5 moderate. Light to moderate effort, and deep breathing. It really feels good to fill my lungs.

[pooticus]

i think i u! u coco-nut u! don't worry about the other's toes. they might lose a pound or two by u stepping on em! and that's a good thing right?? lol. remember always: it's a dog eat dog world out there and we're all wearing milk bone underwear!" so keep on being u and being true to ur values and u'll be just fine. i for one am a huge fan of urs! and ur doin great. great attitude. great walk. ur in recovery girl!

[Luvmykidz]

Originally Posted by pooticus

i think i u! u coco-nut u! don't worry about the other's toes. they might lose a pound or two by u stepping on em! and that's a good thing right?? lol. remember always: it's a dog eat dog world out there and we're all wearing milk bone underwear!" so keep on being u and being true to ur values and u'll be just fine. i for one am a huge fan of urs! and ur doin great. great attitude. great walk. ur in recovery girl!

Actually, my undies are cotton. But that reminds me of something kind of funny. DH and I were discussing 'isms'-sayings people like to repeat (its raining cats and dogs etc) and I got to giggling, because I remembered hearing once someone had mis-quoted the one that goes "Nip it in the bud" (as in stop something before it grows out of control). This other guy's version was "You gotta nip it in the BUTT". I just got this mental picture that struck me as funny. It is hilarious how many people get those sayings mixed up!!!

Thanks, too for the encouraging words. Sometimes I have a hard time finding the line of propriety, so I don't step (too far) over it. I guess as long as I am being real, and not intending any harm, I will be okay.

[pooticus]

hell, even if u mean harm ... follow ur true self!

no seriously...just be urself and let it hang out. we all have opinions and like me, some of us r more offensive than others. sad but true. life isn't a popularity contest and although my ego would love for me to be a people pleaser, my belief system and value system is too structured to allow me to be anything other than myself. come hell or high water. people may not like me, but at least i'm consistently agravating kwim??

not that u want to be like me! god forbid and lock the doors!

lol i'm one of the terrible people who mix metaphors and sayings! denny (my dh) teases me terribly! lol and i always laugh when people say nip it in the butt!

so don't be so hard on urself. ur doing great and ur a wonderful person to know.

[Luvmykidz]

Ah, Pooticus, you definitely have a way of putting things!

Let's see-I guess I am just here plugging in my exercise before I forget.

20 min elliptical speed/resistance :3 min light/light, 3 min moderate/light, 3 min light/light, 3 min light/heavy, 8 min light/light. Still deep breathing, and I didn't get winded. Kind of sweaty, though. It is muggy, again and I hate to sweat

I'm wearing my splint again for back/ab support and it seems to help. Have been sleeping in it, to. I think it is helping retrain my abs. they look flatter, anyway. I will have to measure Monday and see if there is any difference.

Hopefully, I will be able to start my resistance training this coming week. Then I can alternate days (I hope) I sure am easing into exercise slowly this time

Oh well, even a little bit is better than nothing.

Oh, yes, confession time, too. Went out of town yesterday and ended up way too hungry because I didn't plan for it. Bought and ate several Atkins bars, and definitely am feeling the effects. I know better. They don't taste all that great and they don't like me anyway. Why do I do that?

Next time I'll have to get a big take out burger or salad or some baked chicken from the store deli. I know that works. I wasn't thinking about what I was doing, I guess.

[Luvmykidz]

Did pretty well today after all. I wasn't eating strictly on plan, but I didn't dive off into the Junk Food Jungle, either. I think I won't have too much trouble getting my act back together for tomorrow.

I actually got in a second 20 minutes on the elliptical.

Today was my third day of the Colonix program. I have been a little nauseated from the herbs, I think. Maybe it will help control my appetite. He he he. That tea is really doing a number on my guts, too. Seems like I am using the bathroom every two hours or so. That is A LOT, even for me. Even if I don't have parasites, the internal cleansing will be a good thing, I think, so I will stick it out as long as I can.

[Luvmykidz]

Morning measures- Previous/current

Bust 41.5/40.75

Waist 32.25/31.75

Abdomen 37.5/37

Weight 154.

Oops, just realized I posted weight wrong in the challenge. I am so used to typing in . something. Guess I will have to go back and ammend that.

Nothing else to say right now.

[Luvmykidz]

Okay, got in my 20 min elliptical. Tried changing up positions to get my legs and bum worked a little more. I think it will work, at least for a while.

Personal Reminder:

Recipe For Success.

Combine equal parts Inspiration and Determination.
Stir in a double measure of Perspiration.
Add a pinch of Forgiveness.
Season with Humor to taste.

Use Patience while heating as this burns easily.
Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally to keep ingredients well blended.

Remember, true success is more of a process than a destination.

[Luvmykidz]

I guess I haven't been keeping up with this very well.

Um-3, 20 min elliptical sessions plus two Callanetics stomach/toning sessions.

That isn't too bad for someone who, until a month ago was basically non-active.

I still need to get up to 30 min per session on cardio, but I expect in the next few weeks I will manage it.

Scale still isn't moving. Kind of irritating, but I wonder if I am just switching fat weight for new muscle right now. My legs especially feel like the muscles have firmed up in the last couple weeks, and I stopped losing "weight" when I started exercising. I cut way down on carbs and trimmed some fat for the remainder of the week. I will officially check Monday.

If that doesn't work, I guess I will have to start looking at total calorie count and see if I am eating too much. Doesn't feel like it, but I suppose it is possible.

Also, TOM is just around the corner, maybe I should wait til after to make any big changes. I sure don't feel bloated, though.

Oh, yes, this is my third day of 'skin brushing' and second week of Colonix as well. Too early to tell if either of these is really working, though.

[Luvmykidz]

I must be losing something somewhere, because I just realized that if I go down one more notch on my belt, I get to buy a smaller size!

And I just remembered I recently weaned my baby and am still a bit 'backed up'. Maybe in a week or so, that will stop (hopefully) and THE SCALE will show some progress.

[Luvmykidz]

Ate some chocolate over the weekend. Don't know why--I wasn't giving in to a craving, and didn't binge or anything. Actually, it was more of a mindless-there it is, so I will eat it sort of thing. I wish I hadn't because it made me feel kind of sick. I really didn't even enjoy it. I hope I remember that for the next time we cross paths.

Got sunburned today at a daylong picnic. Stupidly neglected to put on sunscreen. Now I have lobster red shoulders. And I think I am starting to get a cold. Please, no! This week does not seem to be starting out well.

On the up side, with the exception of the chocolate mistake, I did pretty well this week, and made mostly good food and exercise choices.

[Luvmykidz]

I am so not losing weight quickly!!

153 on the scale this morning.
original measure/last measure/current measure total loss so far.
42/40.75 /40.25bust 1.25" loss
32.5/31.75/31.25waist 1.25" loss
37/ 37 /36.75abdomen .25" loss

[Luvmykidz]

So, the 'cold' turned out to be flu. I was wiped out yesterday afternoon, but today I can concentrate, and the headache is gone. Now, I just need to wait out the coughing/sinus thing. Crummy feeling, though.

Tried to do elliptical today, but probably should have waited one more day before really trying to exercise. Lungs aren't 100% and I am still kind of tired.

Yesterday morning was rather traumatizing. Had to take the baby down for a blood sample. She is kind of small for her age and doesn't have much of that baby fat that the other three had at her age. I feel like she should be nice and plump with all the food she eats. Maybe she has some sort of metabolic problem. Hope she is okay.