weightfighter

Well, I had a funny schedule this past week so I did not get a chance to post a blog until today. I had my monthly check up - I have lost 3 more pounds total for my official weight to be 226. It was not a bad month (I still lost), but it was not as good of a month as it had been. We believe there is a combination of reasons why because I did loose significant number of inches. First, I did managed to work out much more this month which most likely meant I put on more muscle (and muscle weighs more then fat). But secondly, I tended to eat up the higher spectrum of my diet order then the lower level. I was on average at calories of 1500 -1600 verses 1400 -1500. One of my problems is still my issues with empty calories - 200 or 300 calories from ice cream or what not.

As a result, my plan is to maintain calories between 1350 and 1450 each day (and adjusting for workouts). Also, I am going to try to keep my “empty” calories down to between 100 - 150 calories.

On another note - I have made an awesome recipe for pumpkin pie that is low in calories (it uses pumpkin pie tarts). The link for the recipe is below. The recipe serving size is for two tarts at 40 calories per two tarts.
—-  http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/recipe/1277216/2

Well, my four month check up was today. I have lost a total of 5 pounds for this month (which is good, it is not as fast as I had been loosing). My new weight is 229. Woohoo - 43 pounds less. I made myself a promise, when I get to my mini goal which is 224, I am going to get the new Dan Brown book as a reward for myself.

Other good news - this new drug combination seems to be working. My top number is down where it is ranging from 125-135. My bottom number is a little high, it typically hoovers around 90, but considering where it was, that is a massive difference.

On a funny note, my size 18 jeans are starting to fall off of me (yay!). I was playing with our dog last night and they just slipped down. SO I need a belt. Because I was curious, I took my old jeans (my size 24s) and held them up to me - it was like one of those shows where you could fit 2 of you into the jeans. It looked like a clown outfit, lol.

I am sorry I have been a little “away”. Opening went smoothly, but August is always a tough month as we just have so much going on. Anyway, things finally seem to be slowing down, so without further ado - here are my updates….

I had my three month check up with the weight loss today. I lost another 9 pounds, so I am now down to 234. Yay!!!!! Bad news, my blood pressure spiked. I am on meds to begin with, but we are not sure why there was such a high spike (about 20 points).

On other issues - I have had to get new cloths at this point. It is a great thing, but it is a situation of trying to decide what is the most important - underwear that fits, pants that fit, bras that fit….. .

Work has been kicking my you-know-what. The halls open for our residents/students tomorrow morning at 7 am. This was after a week of training for GHDs, RAs, and other hall staff. All of stress, I have not made it to the gym, I have been eating on the go, and ….. *GASP* ate to satisfy emotions verses hunger. At least 4 of the last 6 days I ate over my calorie count. The good news, I have walked my building so many times that I do burn some of that off (each floor is roughly a quarter of a mile). We have four more days where the students check in - looking at 12 hour days….. then I will focus back on me.

Well - today was the check up. I weighed in at 243. That is 5 pounds since my mini check last week, 10 pounds for the month, and a total of 29 pounds gone, which, for the record is officially 10% of my starting weight :-). On a side note with that, I have lost a total of 4 inches in my chest and waist, 5.5 inches in my hips, 1.75 inches in my right arm arm, 1 inch in my left arm, and 1.75 inches in both legs since I started in May. My mini goal was for 240, which I chose because it was a nice rounded number… I am going to leave that be for now, but when I hit that goal, I will change my subsequent goals to 10% of my current body weight starting with 243. SO, my next real mini goal is to loose 25 pounds or hit 218.

Well, tomorrow is my two month check up since starting this program, keep your fingers crossed. At my one month check up I was at 253, last weight check at the gym was 248… so we shall see.

While I have been away handling the family stuff, I have found some fairly decent websites. The website listed below has a wide variety of recipes that are supposed to be low calorie, but heart healthy. It organizes it through prep time. I have not had a chance to try them, but as I do, I will let you all know.

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/healthieryou/html/recipes.html

We have had an interesting week. My husband’s aunt died on Wednesday, so we have been dealing with that and those arraignments most of this week and weekend. I have watched my calories, but I have not been able to work on my other goals - exercising 3 times in the week and cooking three new dishes. Oh well - I will set those goals for next week. I have done some more research while I have been away. I am shifting through the information. As I finish my shifting, I will post useful info.

Well today I was supposed to go to the amusement park, but it was raining so we pushed our adventure off until Wednesday. Instead, I made it to the water aerobics class (and go my butt kicked!). I did a mini weigh in, and only lost 1 pound. Considering how much I over did it last week, the one pound is good.

I stayed within my calorie count today and yesterday, so 2 days down, 5 to go of achieving one of my weekly goals. Also, I worked out today, so I just need to include two more workouts this week to meet one of my other goals.  I have found some low calorie recipes (including desserts). I am going to try them over the other next couple of days.

Yesterday I came to a realization, I was not as “in control” of this lifestyle change as I thought. The last week, while I have not blown my calorie count (I Have not eaten more then 1700 calories), I have not stayed at my 1400 mark on 6 of the seven days. One common thread - I was eating at restaurants that did not offer nutritional information. My thought process - “I can indulge this once” and that one time ends up being four or five times in the week. Last night, as I sat looking at my calorie count, I actually had to stop myself from putting down exercise that I know does not count (like walking five minutes around a store). I need to limit my “indulgences” to once or at most twice a week.

One good thing, I did keep my goal from last week. I only went to Yum-Yum’s once this week. This week’s goal is to actuall exercise three times this week AND stay at or below my calorie count. Tomorrow I am going to the amusement park which is about 1.5 miles long so I know I will stay within my count because I do not typically eat any food there so that is one activity down … two more to go.

It has been an interesting end of the week (as in crazy at work). Wednesday and Friday I ate a little over my calorie count, but not be too much so I am not terribly upset about it. I have stayed within my count today. When I got home, I saw an article on MSNBC.com about “8 Ways the Food Instustry Tricks You”. It is interesting. The article also led me to an article from Women’s Health about cravings.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31832558/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/?pg=8#Health_Rodale_Hijackbrain

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/stop-cravings?cm_mmc=MSNBC-_-End%20Of%20Overeating%20Top%2010-_-Slideshow-_-Why%20You%20Cant%20Stop%20At%20One%20Fry%201%3Cbr%3E