Discouraged again....

Yes, I am discouraged. I've been at 123.2 for almost a week - since Saturday. I could almost taste 122 lbs. Until today, that is. This morning I'm at 124.8. What???!! I upped my cardio! I've been good about eating and haven't gone over 1400 calories since I started tracking!! *sigh*

Sometimes it feels like a losing battle. I think it's my body's way of getting back at me for starting this 4 week challenge. Just because I committed to losing 8 lbs in 4 weeks (or doing my best to, at least) my body is refusing. Naughty body.

Last time I was discouraged was at the beginning of the month. Almost 4 weeks ago exactly. Maybe this is a pattern my body goes through. Maybe I gain every 4 weeks or so. I don't know. I'll pay attention next month and see if the same thing happens. But it's still frustrating. Grrrrrr.

I don't think it has anything to do with my cycle. I'm at CD 15 right now and haven't had a temperature rise yet, so I'm not even past O yet. Last time I was 12 days before AF. Right now I'm about 20 days before AF. So confused. I didn't track last cycle because it was right after the surgery and bound to be irregular. So I can't go back and see. But I can pay attention in the future.

Whew! Now that all of that is out of my system, I'm going down to the basement to finish the scrapbooking LO that I was working on this morning and I'm going to drink a bottle of water, then Ellie will probably be awake. If not I will tackle some cardio via aerobics or something. I can't do anything about today's weight, but I can be proactive and work for a better tomorrow.

Breakthrough

I had a breakthrough last night. I bought new bottoms for my tankini (the boy short kind) and when I was trying them on I had the bottom of the top rolled up and I realized something:

If I have swimsuit bottoms that cover my belly button, I am comfortable enough right now to wear a two piece.

Amazing. Maybe by the end of the summer I'll actually get a new top to go with the shorts bottoms, but it was an amazing breakthrough for me. Yeah.

Weigh Day - Week 6

I really, really, REALLY wanted to see the scale go down today. I've been at 123 since Saturday and I was SURE the scale would drop thanks to the extra calories I've been burning the last few days. Not so. Still at 123. *sigh*

4 week challenge

I joined a 4 week challenge today on SparkPeople. My aim is to lose 8 lbs (bringing me down to 115 lbs - my intermediate goal) in the next 4 weeks. That's about 2 lbs per week. I've been doing a good job eating, but I need to work on exercising regularly, more than just walking. So right now I'm going to do some step aerobics and get a jump on my exercise while Ellie's napping.

New clothes, new weight

Yep, 123 lbs this morning. Yesterday I was at 124.0 and today I am down to 123.2. That's a great jump if I do say so myself.

Yesterday I went shopping with Taylor. Ellie was pretty awful, but I did get 4 shirts for under $30 at Ross. I really liked all of them in the store, but when I got home and tried on combinations, there was one that I'd decided to return. When Leif came home I tried them on for him and he thought they were VERY 70's and didn't really like them. So I tried on the one I was planning on returning and he did like that. Go figure. There's only one that I'm not sure about now. It's black and red and white polka dot and very busy. I'm not sure it's "me." So I think I'm going to return it.

Tonight we went to the mall and I stopped by Victoria's Secret for their Semi-Annual Sale. I got a great sports bra (not only does it fit right, but it's comfortable and flattering, too! Amazing...) and a strapless bra. That means I can finally wear that cute halter top I got a while back! Yay! I also got another bra and 3 pairs of underwear... It was quite a splurge!

Before we went to the mall, Leif, Ellie, and I went for a hike. We hiked 3 miles (Middle Cottonwood Creek) in just over an hour and a half. I got a good workout in and even ran the end of the trail. I was proud of myself.

New Rule and "thisclose"

First, my new rule:

NO CANDY FESTS RIGHT BEFORE BEDTIME, NO MATTER HOW MANY CALORIES I HAVE LEFT FOR THE DAY.

Last night I had about 200 calories I needed to consume. I'd had plenty of healthy all day, and even had a non-diet pop. So while Leif and I were playing a game, I splurged on some candy and had a little candy fest. It was great.

Until 2:00 this morning when I woke up feeling awful. My tummy was mad at me and I was having CRAZY dreams. I wasn't sleeping well. I got up and did a couple things in the kitchen, then went back to sleep. But when I woke up this morning I was NOT rested.

Yeah... no more candy fests late at night. My body isn't used to that much sugar any more.

And I am "thisclose" to dropping another pound. In fact, I weighed myself this morning 3 times and go 123.8 once, but 124.0 twice. So I didn't cheat and count myself down a pound just yet, but I'm thinking by tomorrow I will be.

Taylor and I are going shopping today, so we should get some walking in, especially if the babies are happy and we get to head to the mall after Michaels and Ross. I'm hoping to find some cute clothes at Ross. Last time I shopped there was for maternity clothes.

My "Someday" Jeans....

... are a size 3. I just checked. I'm about a size 8 right now, so I've got a waaaaays to go.

Little Jeans

When I got dressed this morning, I was lamenting that I didn't have any exercise pants to wear today for our walk. I thought I had a pair of capri jeans in the dresser, so I checked. No capri jeans. I did have a pair of jeans in there, though, that I hadn't worn for a long time. They are girls' jeans, so I didn't think they'd fit, but I gave it a try. Amazingly, they fit perfectly! They're cute AND I don't have to wear a belt with them. My other pairs of jeans are too big and I've just been cinching them tight with a belt. I have to say that it feels great to be wearing smaller jeans again.

Weigh Day - Week 5

124 lbs.

I am 1/3 of the way to my goal of 110 and I've lost 7 lbs in 4 weeks.

Let's see... if I lose 7 lbs in the next 4 weeks, that puts me at 117 by July 18 and 110 by August 15. I'd be happy with that!

Still goin' down...

... even after eating out yesterday. For Father's Day we met Leif's family in Billings and ate a Red Lobster. Leif and I split a lunch and we didn't go over on calories for the day!! I had 1/2 a cheese biscuit, a baked potato with 2 T. sour cream, and 1 and 1/2 breaded chicken strips. It was the perfect amount of food for lunch and I didn't have to sacrifice eating what I wanted. I just ate smaller portions and savored every bite.

This morning I weighed myself and I am down another pound! I am also down another 1/2 inch in my waist. WOOOHOOOO! 124 lbs and 29.5 inches. I love seeing progress.

Today Ellie and I are going to Billings again to meet the Babyfit moms. We'll be going out to eat, so I'll need to choose carefully again, but after yesterday's success in eating out I am hopeful that I can do it responsibly. Here's to the challenge!

And here's a picture from the weekend... I'm starting to see a difference in how I look! I'm on the last hole in my belt, so I know there is a difference to be seen! It's exciting.

Another pound down....

Yes, today's weighing shows the scale at 125. I'm another pound down, another pound closer to my goal.

From here I want to lose 10 more pounds.

That's my intermediate goal.

Goal #1 Photo

Here's what I look like at 126 lbs. This is my prepregnancy weight.

5 lbs in 3 weeks

If I keep up the same rate of loss that I have over the last 3 weeks (which was 5 lbs), then in 3 more weeks I should weigh 121. That will be 4th of July. 3 weeks later is the 25th of July and I should be 116. 3 weeks after that is August 15 and I could potentially be down to 111. I am planning on leaving for TX the week after that, so I could possibly make it down to 110 by the time I go to Texas. That would be AWESOME!

Really, it would be pretty sweet if I could just get down to 115 by then. Yeah. I'd be stoked.

Weigh Day - Week 4

126 today. Same as yesterday and 5 lbs lighter than when I started!

So my pants felt loose the other day and I decided to take my measurements again yesterday. Another 1/2 inch gone from my waist. Woohoo! That means I've lost an inch total from my waist and a half inch from my hips.

I did strength training yesterday and today I am sooooore. And my throat hurts, but I don't think that has anything to do with exercising. I also led our first Mom and Me hiking group yesterday. There were 3 of us with our kiddos (Misun was supposed to show, too, but didn't) and we hiked at the Fish Technology Center. It's actually a really cool place and I hope I remember it when I want to take Ellie someplace as a toddler. It was cool.

Ugh. I so don't want to be awake right now. I've been awake for an hour, but I'm still in bed. I think I hear Ellie starting to stir, though, so I'd better hop in the shower before I get her up or there will be no shower for me today! The joys of Miss Busy! =D

We don't eat peanut butter.

... So why, then, when I went to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, did I find FOUR opened containers of peanut butter?

There was the Western Family brand creamy PB, the JIFF creamy PB (that my mom bought while she was here), the crunchy PB, and the all natural, organic, no hydrogenated oils PB that we keep in the fridge so it won't separate.

Seriously. Do we really need four different things of peanut butter? I ate some for the first time in months today. And I carefully measured out 1/2 a tablespoon. It's going to take forever to go through those jars.

First Goal Met!!

At 126 pounds, I am the same weight now that I was when I got pregnant with Eliana. YAY! My first goal was to lose the last 5 lbs of pregnancy weight. Mission accomplished.

Fat Free, Sugar Free Vegan Banana Bread

Sounds gross, doesn't it? Well, just for fun I tried it. I
made muffins from it. I don't know that I would make muffins
with it again, as it forms a hard crust, but I would definitely
try to make it into a loaf of bread. I might try sugar next
time, too, or half sugar (mmmm... brown sugar?) and half Splenda.
I thought it had sort of a weird after taste from the Splenda,
but Leif said he couldn't taste it. Anyway....


Here is a banana bread receipe from "Fat Free, Full Flavor"

6 ripe bananas
1 cup Splenda (or sugar)
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups (whole wheat) flour
1 tsp baking powder
.5 tsp baking soda

Mash the bananas, sugar/Splenda and vanilla together. 
Sift the flour, baking powder and soda together. 
Mix the liquid with the dry and pour into a loaf pan. 
Put into a preheated oven @ 350 F for one hour.

One inch smaller

I took my measurements today and am amazed to see that I actually have a bit of a loss in not only weight, but size as well! My original measurements (from when I started tracking weight loss) were:

Waist: 31.5
Hips: 37
Neck: 12.5

Now, my measurements are:

Waist: 31
Hips: 36.5
Neck: 12.5

So I lost an inch! Wooohoooo! Also, I am SOOOO close (.2 of a lb) to losing another pound. Hoping to see that progress tomorrow. I would love that.

*GASP*

I just entered my dinner information (1/4 Pickle Barrel Sandwich - Turkey and Provolone) and... *gasp* I went over on my calories for the day. This is the first time it's happened since I started tracking 2.5 weeks ago. I'm shocked. I was sure I could eat the sandwich and still be fine. Oops. So my total for the day is 1355 calories. It's only 55 calories over, but wow. I can't believe I misjudged.

Anyway- The good news is that I really enjoyed my sandwich (I ate half of it last night for dinner, and the other half as leftovers today.), even though I told them not to put the oil and vinegar on it. I LOOOOOVE The Pickle Barrel's oil and vinegar. Turns out they still put the herbs on it, even if not the oil. Score!! That makes me so happy. Mmmm.

I've been pretty moderate lately, I think, which is good. Especially in the face of temptation. Like the cake at the Museum of the Rockies reception last night. Leif had a piece. I had a glass of water. I had a half slice of pizza after my first instead of a full-blown second slice. And I didn't even eat any dressing on my salad - just the lettuce and tomatoes.

So, life is good. But I still think maybe I need to do some aerobics or something tonight to make up for that sandwich overage today. Who knew? Seriously... I'm baffled. Should have entered it first and then eaten it. Oh well. Lesson learned.

Body Clutter Mission #7

What habits have you already established in a normal morning and evening routine?

I have my flylady habits that I more or less follow for morning and evening. I'm not as consistent as I would like to be, but my routines are basically...

Morning:
Get Up
Shower
Swish and Swipe
Get Dressed
Make Bed
Breakfast

Evening:
Think About Tomorrow
Get Ready for Bed
Sleep

Now add a new babystep connected to it for you to practice.

If I'm looking for a health related babystep to add, I think the best one that I can do right now is to add exercise to the list. I think it's actually in my control journal already, but I haven't been using my CJ every day. I should.

Do you have a calendar and stickers that you can use to chart your success?

Yes. I have the flylady calendar and stickers. I also have this blog that I use to record successes and progress. I am using SparkPeople to track my calories and exercise, and I have a WLJ in which to record my successes. I think I'm set on this front.

Weigh Day - Week 3

Well, I weighed myself this morning and I'm at 128. It's a pound more than I was a few days ago, but a pound less than I was a week ago. 3 lbs in 2 weeks - still not too bad.

As for my discouragement, I realized that it's just my perfectionism rearing it's ugly head again. Did I really forget what I wrote for #3 on the last Body Clutter Mission? It's all about attitude and I let my stinkin' thinkin' get the better of me for a day. Well, I am here to say that losing weight is like putting money into stocks - you can't freak out the first time you see your stocks drop. Let the money sit for a while and things will even out and there will be an upward trend, if you've chosen well. So I'm going to keep plugging away at my calorie counting, exercising, and recording and hope to see a downward trend as time passes. There will be ups, there will be downs, but there will be progress. And that is what I'm looking for.

Discouragement

I am getting discouraged. I have been very careful about what I eat, making sure I do not go over 1300 calories daily. I've been going for a walk most days, and burning at least 950 calories per week. I was down to 127 last week. Then I weighed myself and I was at 128.4 for two days. Now this morning I'm at 129. What???! I didn't exercise over the weekend, but at most that should slow down my weight loss, not make me gain! I know this is probably just normal weight fluctuation, but it is discouraging.

I figure one of four things needs to happen:

1. I need to follow the food pyramid to make sure I'm getting a balanced diet.

2. I need to exercise more, and not just taking Ellie for stroller walks. I need to do aerobics, walk on the treadmill, hike, etc.

3. I need to limit my salt intake. Maybe that's causing me to retain water.

4. I need to make sure I get enough fiber in my diet so that I stay fuller longer and stay regular better.

Now... which to implement immediately.

Calorie Calculator

Leif found this calculator that will help you figure out what your basal metabolic rate is, how many calories you burn in a typical day's activities (excluding exercise), and how many calories you burn overall each day. I thought it was interesting, and was surprised to learn that I was right about this all along. I've always thought that 1200-1500 calories was right for me when I'm trying to lose weight and that 1700/1800 was about what I needed to maintain my weight. Sure enough, the calculator agrees with me.

Resting (basal) metabolic rate: 1239 calories per day
Typical daily activities: 619 calories per day
Total calories burned: 1858 per day

Now for a little math:

So... assuming I am not exercising at all, if I take in 1200 calories and am expending 1850, that gives me an excess of 650 calories a day. 1 pound of fat = 3500 calories. So if I don't exercise at all, just reduce my calorie intake to 1200, it should take me a little over 5 days to lose 1 pound. But if I do exercise and burn, say, 250 calories a day, four days a week, that adds another 1000 calories to my expenditure. For each week, then, I have an excess calorie expenditure of 5550 calories and should be able to lose a pound and a half each week. If I lose 1.5 lbs each week from now until I reach my goal, I will weigh 110 lbs by August 20th!

Weight Loss Journal

I've decided to make a weight loss mini album to track my progress as I try to lose weight this summer. Taylor gave me some coasters she got at a garage sale, so I'm using those to make my book. I used MME papers and lots of stamps - mostly Purple Onion stamps. I love those things!

I titled my WLJ (weight loss journal) "Lose It For Good" though in hindsight I wish I'd called it "Body Clutter." Oh well.
I started with a LO about my goals and plan. I have 3 goals going into this...

1. Lose the last 5 lbs of my pregnancy weight (I'm only 1 lb away from reaching this goal now!!)
2. Lose an additional 15-20 lbs by September 1st (I've got a class reunion coming up then!)
3. Lose the last 5-10 lbs to get down to my doctor prescribed "ideal" weight.

My plan to lose this weight consists of...

• Limiting my calorie intake to 1200-1300 calories daily.
• Drinking 64 oz of water daily.
• Doing 45 minutes of cardio at least 4 times a week.

I am including a LO for each week until September, or until I reach my goal. I will include different things for different weeks, but each week I will have the dates covered in that week, my starting weight for that week, and progress I've made or successes I've had during the week. This is the LO from week 1. I am in week 2 right now.