Let’s Just Say I Didn’t Win

Stepped on the scale this morning - 166. Yes, I have GAINED a 1/2 lb in this fat fighting competition.

The most I’ve ever lost in the past two months was 3 lbs. Even though the contest ends for me, the fight continues.

Overcoming Yet Another Obstacle

I haven’t posted in a while because I haven’t been doing well in the fight against fat. Here’s what happened.

At the beginning of the month, my husband got new insurance at his new job. I knew we probably wouldn’t get the insurance cards right away, and started spacing out my Synthroid. Because I wasn’t taking my Synthroid every day, it made it all that much more difficult to not only keep the pounds off but lose more weight. In fact, I gained and also went up to 166.

I didn’t help myself any. I figured it was a lost cause, so I did things like get Wendy’s fries and dip them in my chocolate frosty.

And then I had some kind of digestive situation that wreaked havoc on my body, and left me pretty exhausted for a good week. The fatigue led to ordering out 4 nights in a row. (I guess my husband was having sympathy fatigue.)

But the insurance cards came in. I got back on my Synthroid, and while it will still be a while before I’m really back to “normal,” I’m glad the scale was at 164 today.

I won’t win the contest, but I think the contest has confirmed my need for exercise. I would like to boost my immune system, which has kind of been in shambles for years now, and exercise should help with that.

Hopefully I’ll still lose another pound or two before the end of the contest. Which will mean I’ll have to use extreme caution when my son’s birthday cake is cut tonight!

My Cat Loves Jennifer Galardi’s Ballet Strength Exercise Show!

It’s Going to Take More Than a Contest

So to be Captain Obvious for a moment - I’m not winning in this contest. In fact, today I weighed in at 164. I thought it would be different. I thought there would be some sort of accountability factor because I’m in a public contest.

But I find myself more than ever thinking that I’ll “just have this extra slice of cheesecake today because I can’t tomorrow.” Tomorrow, of course, never comes.

Being 5′8″ and 165 lbs isn’t a horrible thing. I’m not appalling. Dare I say I even get checked out sometimes. (Sorry, dudes, I’m married.)

But my frame is small. I’m carrying extra weight. I can only do the dishes for maybe 10-15 minutes before my back hurts. I always gain in the front (abs, breast) first and that’s where the bulk of my weight is. It’s a literal burden, and I imagine it’s unhealthy. At least one study in recent years suggests that women who are gain weight in their abdomen are more likely than those who gain in their butt to have heart disease. And my maternal grandmother did have heart disease.

Ironically, I get my gut gaining issues from my paternal side. My grandmother was a round woman. She also had diabetes. So did my dad. And my paternal grandfather.

So this weekend I had to take a hard look at myself. And realize that I’m going to have to dig deep and make some permanent changes. I think the biggest will have to be making exercise a priority. I really love what Jennifer Laycock wrote about calories because I do believe that your body needs fuel.

I’ve been struggling with fatigue for three years now. It started with some medical issues and has kept manifesting itself through personal issues. I started responding to my losses by trying to have it all - all the time. And when I’m not able to do that, I avoid instead of deal with my problems. And I’ve done it by sitting squarely on the couch, watching TV or playing the computer. Or doing both at the same time.

Over the weekend, mostly Sunday night, I realized I’m going to have to make different choices on a permanent basis. I’m happy to say that so far this week has been different.

I declined to eat the last piece of cheesecake on Monday when the hubby was at work and the kids were at school. Tonight at Steak and Shake, I didn’t order fries with my patty melt. I did have a few of my moms fries. Yes, the patty melt is 610 and the fries added some calories on top of that, but I’m only at around 1400 for the day.

The biggest change has been exercise. I’ve exercised every day since Sunday. I learned some easy exercises by watching Access Hollywood of all things. Did you know that just repeatedly sitting down in a chair and then standing up again is great for your legs and butt? When I tried this I wasn’t surprised because I was working the same muscles as when I used to bike a lot, which is a good workout.

I also learned about an exercise where you hold a ball or weights out in front of you and then move them (arms extended) to the left and then to the right - keeping your hips in place.

So, I’ve been doing those in five minute intervals during the day. Before you think this all sounds wimpy, try it for yourself. It’s a better workout than you might imagine.

Today I exercised for almost an hour! I did Jennifer Galardi’s Ballet Strength, part of the All Star Workouts series on Fit TV, in addition to the above exercises.

I feel a little discouraged that I haven’t lost more weight this week. But I did start the week off back at my starting weight, so I’ve already lost 1.5 lbs this week. I guess I should actually be encouraged.

Anyway, these are just my honest thoughts about the mental process behind really committing to a lifestyle that leads me to a better, healthier weight.

Printable Version of Low Cal Fast Foods

It has been requested that a printer-friendly version of the 158 Fast Food Meals for 500 Calories Or Less

So, I copied and pasted everything onto a Microsoft Word doc and ftp-ed it onto my social media blog, Social Media Butterfly.

Click here to download the printer-friendly version of 158 Fast Food Meals for 500 Calories or Less

Happy healthy fast food eating! By the way, one more tip - if you cave and order fries - try throwing 1/2 the fries away before you start your meal. Cut 1/2 the calories and half the guilt. If you end up digging them out of the trash can, get professional help.

Losing Weight Over the Internet

I thought my fellow Fat Fighters would appreciate this cartoon, which can be found here:

http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_apr2001/InternetWeightLoss.gif

February 27, 2008 - 162.0

I’m back down to my lowest weight so far this competition, despite 3 pieces of pizza (Yes, again!), a slice of cheesecake (yes, again), and no exercise yesterday.

Exercise Favorite: Pilates

I really love doing Pilates. It’s very relaxing and I don’t really sweat. It improves posture and helps to tone and shape your body.

It’s a great thing to try if you’re used to being a couch potato. It does require focus and the exercises are difficult, but it’s a great way to ease into exercising if you’re not used to it.

Personally, I own the Pilates Beginning Mat Workout by Ana Caban. Ana has a workout partner, Tara, that does easier versions of the exercise, which is nice. She also gives a good introduction to pilates. I think the workout is about 20 minutes - great for your body and your schedule!

February 26, 2008 - 162.5

I gained a 1/2 lb back, but I’m glad it was JUST 1/2 lb. I ate a lot of bread yesterday plus a slice of cheesecake.  And 3 pieces of pizza.

Did you know Walmart bakes REALLLY GOOD bread?

I also can confirm that the ready-made Philadelphia cheesecake filling is very yummy.

I did get some exercise in (kicking the soccer ball around with my daughter + pilates). But usually I don’t see the results of that for 2 days.

February 25, 2008 - 162.0

I lost another 1/2 lb. over the weekend! This is much better than last weekend.

I’m also finally starting to feel energetic again. I had the flu when this fat fight first started and I read you can feel fatigued for up to 2 weeks after. So I’m glad that the fatigue is finally waning.  I think it definitely helps the diet.

Also, I think it improves my chances of exercising.