Tiny Step in the Right Direction is STILL a Step in the Right Direction

PHEW! Another week of weight loss - somehow!


I stepped on the scale to see a 1.5lb loss which brings me to an even 163.  When I look back at all the indulgences with food, I'm almost shocked that I was able to post a loss at all.


I want to keep this blog about weight, but I have to let you in to my personal life for just a moment, so you can see how one day can shape the entire week.


The most critical day of my week... THURSDAY.


So, I had a date - a pretty important date.  It was THE date that I cooked for him for the first time.  I don't cook for just anyone, so Thursday was a big deal.  Of course, like any accommodating woman, I wanted to cook his favourite meal.  What does a man in his late 20's want? 


Shrimp and Pasta in a cream sauce.... Shoot me right in the scale - right now....


Not only did he request a calorie king for dinner, but since I'd be preparing on a week-night I had zero time before dinner to get out for a run.  Yes, Thursday is my run day.  So instead of burning 750cals and a sensible dinner (which is my Thursday norm), I did NOT run, and ate my fair share of shrimp and pasta instead (I'm a damn good cook, what can I say?!).


Thursday easily ended up with a 2,000 calorie swing (instead of being down 750 cals, I easily consumed 1200 cals with dinner - pasta, caesar salad, wine...).


It was worth it though, because dinner was a hit!


I have to remember, there is a big difference between an indulgence and a habit.  I enjoyed the dinner I had, but am well aware of the affect it had on my week as a whole.  


For me, this awareness is critical to my success in fighting my fat war. 


Every action has a consequence.  WE ARE WORTH IT to figure out what those consequences are, and how to effectively manage them.

WEIGHT CHANGE 

Down 1.5lbs - now an even 163

HOW MANY LBS TO GO

13lbs

GREAT HEALTHY FIND OF THE WEEK

This may sound juvenile, but you'll thank me if you're ever in this spot... After dancing all night Saturday downtown, ALL I WANTED WAS FAST FOOD but I talked myself into going home to eat... once there I grabbed a Fibre One bar (140 cals).  I felt SO GOOD about my decision the next morning!

INDULGENCE OF THE WEEK

Shrimp and Linguine pasta in a cream sauce.... but you knew that already lol...

Also, I took a coworker out for lunch for his bday, and I had a Gyro and Sweet Potato fries... BAHHHH it is SO EASY to forget the additional calories I had already indulged in when I don't write them down properly!!

COMMENTS ON ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE PREVIOUS POSTING

More of you are sending comments on your weight loss!! I LOVE IT!!! It is so inspiring to see that we can all do this!! I've also gotten a few messages on new workout DVDs and ideas, so please keep the comments coming! An ounce of information goes a long way! We'll all be in bathing suit bodies before we know it!! 

When you let go, your body does too...

Its a scary scary proposition to think that you could eat right, exercise, and STILL not see progress.  I'm glad I remained committed to my success, even after a rough first week on the scale.


This week I took my time.  I ate SENSIBLY... and I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend runs - even though the second one was in the middle of DeathStorm 2011.


I learned something else very valuable this week.  Well, I always knew in theory, but this week I experienced it: 


Stress has the ability to shut down your whole life.  


They say stress will cause you to not lose weight.... it also caused me to not do housework, not workout properly, and overall feel like a bag of crap.  But that's life right? We can try to manage stress, and try to stay "up and happy" all the time, but its just not possible.  Life is hard.  It is meant to provide us with challenges that will ultimately make us better people while we're here.  I'm not assuming that I'm sending out groundbreaking information, but reminders may be of help for anyone who is feeling particularly stressed. :-)


It took till midweek for me to truly let go of the stress, and get back to focusing on ME and MY FAMILY, which is when the weight must have just melted.... because I LOST 3 LBS THIS WEEK!!! WOOOT WOOOT!!!

WEIGHT CHANGE

- 3 lbs

HOW MANY LBS TO GO

14

GREAT HEALTHY FIND OF THE WEEK

Walmart has these GREAT tortilla chips as salad-toppers, a great salty flavourful addition to a salad for only 30cals per serving (serving size 2tbsp)

INDULGENCE OF THE WEEK

 I did have a gyro and fries for dinner once this week... It was yummy!

COMMENTS ON ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE PREVIOUS POSTING

I've started getting feedback on YOUR weight loss! I LOVE IT!! We can do this together!!! PLEASE feel free to add your own "healthy finds" in the comments of this blog.  We can do this!!!

IN MY OPINION....

Also, I attended the "Fit Expo" in Windsor this past weekend and was sorely disappointed.  For every decent informative booth, there was a "get slim with no hard work" scam booth.  I understand that they are paying to see the health conscious attendees, but if Windsor-Essex truly wants to create a GET HEALTHY expo, they should fill a hall with true long term health solutions.... 

The Scale Don't Lie!!!

You need to know I'm a sports fanatic, so this title is homage to Rasheed Wallace circa 2004.


I digress...


I had a rollercoaster week to say the least.  I started off (like most dieters do) all 'gung-ho' and ready to do this. I counted all my calories and worked out quite a bit.  I'm embarrassed to say (but I promised honesty), that by the weekend I felt the most ridiculous sense of self-entitlement that ultimately was the demise of my week.


I also learned one valuable lesson for my success.  If I don't have proper healthy groceries in my house, I WILL FAIL.  


On Saturday, I ordered food at 3 - COUNT 'EM THREE - different (unhealthy) places.  I promised full disclosure so as much as it pains me to face this, I'm posting it.  Mentally I have a LOT of work to do.  


So what's different THIS time? Well, in recent years I would have said "To hell with it - I tried" and just give up. 


Not this time.  


I'm taking every experience as a learning experience, in life and in weight loss.  This is my chance to let anyone else know it is very important to acknowledge your conduct.  This is the best and maybe the only way to truly learn from it and ultimately overcome it.  I have a million "reasons" why I acted the way I did with my nutrition this weekend, but none of them matter because at the end of the day I know I sabotaged my own success this week. 


Thankfully I did walk a total of 12km on lunch this week and ran/walked a total of 17miles this week. Imagine if I didn't... 


BUT THIS IS A NEW WEEK.


Ok enough babble, here's the guts of my week health-wise:

WEIGHT CHANGE 

Zero Change.  Still 167.  So its a damn good thing I did work out otherwise this could have been very bad for me.

HOW MANY LBS TO GO

17.

GREAT HEALTHY FIND OF THE WEEK

I was ecstatic to know that my sushi order is only approx. 600 cals! 

2 avocado rolls (140 cals each)

1 philly roll (approx. 330 cals)

I also tried Mahi Mahi, and at Casey's its only 570 cals for the dinner which includes rice and veggies (if you hold the mango jelly goop)!!

INDULGENCE OF THE WEEK

The whole weekend.... and not only did I eat horribly, it also made me feel like garbage so I got zero housework done... ugh! Its NOT WORTH IT to be unhealthy!

COMMENTS ON ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE PREVIOUS POSTING

Last week I got a few facebook inbox messages saying I was an inspiration and people enjoyed reading my story.  This is all the more reason why I need to be completely honest in my postings.   

The Scale

So, I knew I wasn't going to touch that scale.... until of course I could run.  Last Saturday, I ran.... I probably ran 4 miles out of a 6.5 mile outing.  All day Sunday I had no pain which meant Monday would be the "day".

I woke up Monday morning and stepped on the scale.  167.

July 2010 I reached my lowest weight of 154.  October 2010 I was 157 and was ok with gaining some over the holidays... but 167?

Ah well, I knew what to do next - find my BMR calculator and plan my success strategy.  Here's what the BMR calculator does for you...

"This weight loss calculator is a great way to determine your daily calorie intake as well as find out how long will it take for you to lose the weight. 

This weight loss tool lets you pick the number of pounds you want to lose in a month. Just plug in your gender, age, current weight, goal weight and activity level. Then use the slider to pick the number of pounds you want to lose each month. "

Here's what my BMR calculator said:

If you want to see what the calculator can say for you, follow this link:

BMR Calculator - Calorie Counter

So, I decided to round down a bit... my calorie goal per day is 1550.  Also, I will be running at least 3x per week, and will be doing my workout DVDs twice a week.  Every Monday will be my weigh-in, and from here on out, I'll be posting my results on Mondays.  Here's what you'll expect from me:

WEIGHT CHANGE

HOW MANY LBS TO GO

GREAT HEALTHY FIND OF THE WEEK

INDULGENCE OF THE WEEK

COMMENTS ON ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE PREVIOUS POSTING

There will be challenges along the way.  I am committed to giving you an honest representation of what its like for a single mom with a full time career on a tight budget to lose weight and train... because oh ya, I'm registered for the Free Press Half Marathon which is just over 8 months away EEEEK! 

Just another new year's resolution - right?

I've done this all before.... had a plan, achieved a goal... LAST YEAR I LOST 50+LBS AND RAN A HALF MARATHON.

Over the holidays this year I decided I would allow myself to enjoy and over indulge just a bit.  I never stopped working out, so really, why would it be so bad to have a few extra treats between halloween and new years?  I enjoyed all the amazing food the holidays had to offer.  I felt my clothes getting tight but I was confident in my workout regiment.  I knew I could "work it off" after January 1 so what's the big deal right?  What I didn't know, is that on new year's eve I would break my metatarsal on my left foot simply slipping down five stairs at home.  Yes, I was sober.

I could not believe what had happened.  I have had an obsession with my weight for over a year, and juuuust when I let myself "not worry about it", here I am on crutches.  Unable to carry my own son up the stairs to bed at night, let alone work off those extra pounds that now feel like sandbags as my right leg carried my entire body.

What would ensue over the next 4 weeks would make me mentally stronger and more steadfast in my convictions than ever before.  Relationships were gained and lost; including a lifelong 'friend' and a whirlwind 'romance'. Not to mention, I turned the big 3-0.

I vowed to use nutrition as my secret weapon during recovery.  I was trying to slow the inevitable weight gain since I couldn't even walk let alone work up a sweat.  I promised myself I wouldn't touch the scale until I was able to run again, because I would drive myself crazy with a weight number that I can't really do much to combat at the moment.

On Saturday February 5th I was able to get out and run.  I probably made it 4 miles running during my 6.5 mile outing.  A full month in a walking boot was over.  I was able to run again.  Next up - THE SCALE.