get fit

weigh to stay: 8 months in

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

Click HERE for previous updates.

I know I just posted my August update but it was late and I’m trying to get ahead of the game here, since I actually have a game plan for once.  Waaay back at the beginning of January, I said I was going to make my health a priority this year.  I wanted to do it for myself and for my family.  I wanted to feel better, be better, do better, and be an example to my kids.  I wanted to have the energy I needed to keep up with them and play with them for as long as they wanted me to.  All that being said, I had the goal of our vacation in mind.  I knew I had 9 months to lose enough weight to feel comfortable in shorts and to build up to having the energy needed for successfully surviving the theme parks.

I have maintained the weight loss thus far.  However, I’ve been tired these last couple of weeks.  I’ve noticed that the metabolism tanks and the exhaustion creeps in way faster than the pounds come back.  But I know that the pounds are not far behind once I start slacking in other areas. There are a lot of excuses for not exercising much this summer, but none of them can justify my laziness, which is what it boils down to.  I say I don’t have time, but I made time before when it was top priority.  I have as much time now as I did 6 months ago.  The only difference is that I’m now at a comfortable weight so I don’t feel the same urgency and drive that I did before.

I’m ready to get back to it, for real.  I ran outside yesterday with a goal of running a 1.6 mile loop in 17 minutes.  Well, I made it 15 minutes (not sure of the distance) and thought I was going to die.  I mean, DIE. First run in about two months and I chose 3:30pm and 86 degrees – maybe not my best choice for getting back into the groove. I’m not sure of the distance, but maybe 1.2 miles.  Determined to do better, I went to the gym today and guess what?  AGAIN.  I thought I was going to die at 15 minutes.  But I didn’t.  I pushed myself to make it another minute. Then another quarter mile. Then til the end of this song. Over and over until I made it 3.1 miles – a whole 5k! On a treadmill, I know, but I did it.  And only for the second time in my life.  I’m ready to get back to it.  Nothing like that sense of accomplishment for doing something you didn’t believe you could do. We’ve got about four weeks until our vacation and my goal is 12 runs in 4 weeks.  2 down, 10 to go. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Since it’s been a long time, here are some then and now shots.  In the same clothes.

Then (Jan 2013) & Now (Sept 2013)

Now (Sept 2013) & Then (Jan 2013)
Hold me accountable!
xo,
~C~

weigh to stay: 7 months in

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

See previous posts about my weight loss and maintenance by clicking HERE.

I have been at my goal weight (a loss of 24-27 lbs, depending on the day) since about May? June?  It’s been a couple of months and I am still maintaining.  I’m very grateful for this, which makes it sound like it’s something given to me and not something I’m working for.  Sometimes I feel that way though, some days it’s easier than others to follow the rules and do what I’m supposed to do.  One thing I’ve always said though, is that I cannot and will not diet in a way that I can’t maintain.  That’s why I don’t do trendy fad diets.  For me, there’s only one path to success. Diet and exercise. And when I say diet, I don’t mean South Beach or Adkins (see, I don’t even know what the current fads are). I mean the foods that I choose to eat, that’s my “diet.” Or eating lifestyle.  Some days are smarter and better than others.

Some days I totally indulge and throw the plan out the window, but I always make up for it and I always get back on track. That’s one thing I’m learning to do, finally, after all this time of having my weight go up and down. And up and down again.  I have to get back on track when I fall off of the wagon.  Just because I know there is an event coming up where I know I will go overboard, the most important thing to remember is to live in moderation leading up to and following that event. Wedding Cake. Birthday Cake. Mom’s in town so we’re having cookies. It’s okay to enjoy food and life!  I certainly don’t have to be miserable to eat right.  It’s fun and a challenge, even, to find healthy foods I enjoy.  The Hungry Girl cookbooks are great for this.  While I do feel like I’m experiencing some success, I’m very well aware of the fact that I’ve only actually maintained my goal weight/size for a couple of months and that it doesn’t take long to put it back on.  What are some tips you have for sustained weight loss?

Here I am with my BFF on 8/17/2013.
xo,
~C~

weigh to stay: 6 months in

Posted on by mommyinthemidwest

I’m behind on my monthly weight loss update, I guess because there’s not much to say.  Not a whole lot has changed, and that’s a good thing.

I started out in January with a goal of losing 20-24 pounds.  As of today, I’ve lost 27.  I’m very happy where I’m at as far as weight is concerned.  I’m staying in a 24-27 pound weight loss range.  What I’m not as happy about is that lately I’ve gotten lazy, so I know I will not be able to maintain my success if I don’t start doing something differently.

I’m still logging EVERY THING I eat in  My Fitness Pal, and that’s probably kept me on the wagon for the most part.  The problem is excuses. Lots of excuses.  It’s been unbelievably hot and muggy.  I’m addicted to watching an episode of Dexter every night after the boys go to bed. Work is crazy right now so I’ve been working from home at night.  I like ice cream in the summertime. Truth is, I was busy before and found, no MADE, time to exercise.  I’m still doing some, but nothing like before.

I did purchase Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  I think I’ve done it four times in a month…not exactly gonna get shredded like that.  It was hard as hell and I could see why it works and gets such great reviews (from people that actually do it).  The last two times I ran, I was not able to run as long as I had planned, so that was disappointing.  Use it or lose it, I suppose.

So, I’m happy to be staying within my weight goal by managing my calorie intake appropriately, but it’s not really what I pictured starting out. I’ve not given up, it’s not over. I still have the desire and drive to keep going. I just need to get past this slump.  I still have our vacation in sight and am looking forward to wearing shorts and feeling good about it.  I look forward to not feeling fatigued from long days of walking.

I’m very much looking forward to continuing towards my goal.

I haven’t taken any progress photos and LORD KNOWS no one (ahem, husband) ever stops to take a photo of me, so here’s a recent pic of Ryan and I on our way to the Luke Bryan concert with some friends last Sunday night!  (P.S. SO FUN!)

xo,
~C~