Week 9 Day 1

Real life is kicking me in the pants right now. I have a pinched nerve that is disrupting daily functioning, we're trying to move, I've started a new job, and there are other stress and sadness in my family that are triggering some major emotional eating.

The main thing I've noticed is that I have been slacking on writing down what I'm eating. That needs to be a main focus this week. I really keeps me accoutable. That, and I'm going to try starting my day with a green smoothie drink. :)

Week 7 Day 1

Last week 190.2
This week 188.8
Change -1.4

First time I've seen the 180s in a couple of years. :)

For most of my adult life I've been in the range of 180-190. I expect to hit a plateau, but it will be fine. This number was actually the highest I've seen on the scale in the last 3 days. I am still enjoying weighing every day. It helps me start the day with a renewed focus. I know it is not for everyone, but I am liking it right now.

Week 6 Day 6

I am changing my life and making new healthy habits. Tonight I sat down to check the latest updates, and saw that my sister in law had posted about her c25k progress. There have been times in my life that would have bummed me out and I would have kicked myself for telling her about it, or told myself that it is something I can't do and should quit now, blah blah blah. Instead, it fired me up. And even though it was 10pm, and even though I went on a long walk today, I laced up my shoes and jogged around the parking lot. I looked up the training plan I've been following, and found I've been doing a more challenging protocol than it says. That boosted my confidence, and tonight I jogged 3 1/2 minutes then walked 1 min and repeated that 3 times. WOW! GO ME!
I can do this.
I'm realizing that I don't just want to be skinny. I don't want to run marathons. I just want to love myself. I want to be a good example to my children and raise them with healthy habits. I can do this, and I'm excited to see what's up next.

Week 6 Day 1

Last week 191.2
This week 190.2
Change -1

I KNOW my eating was not as good as it could have been this week. :)
This week my goal is to drink lots of pure water.

I am falling into a crystal light/diet soda trap that I don't want to be in. This week my goal is to drink the recommended 8-10 glasses of water each day. I am a nursing mom, so I should be on the high end of that. I am thirsty enough to drink that much, but I don't like the taste of the water in our town. If it takes me purchasing water and only drinking it is specific containers then so be it.

On a happy note, I went shopping to use a rebate check that was expiring. I purchased clothes from the misses section. The larges fit, but I went with XL because they are 100% cotton. My husband was proud because I chose to purchase 3 shirts for me. My size 16 pants are starting to bag. It is fun to see this progress.

Week 5 Day 6

Last night I went and completed week 1 day 1 of the 5K training program. I was able to complete the whole thing. It was a workout but I was able to complete it. I was quite excited and proud. It amazes me how much of a difference 16 pounds can make. That and the fact that we've been walking a lot so I have been conditioning my body. I'm excited to continue this challenge.

Week 5 Day 2

This week's post on the challenge blog:

Violet- Week 5
Last week: 192.8
This week: 191.2
Loss of 1.6

Woo hoo! A loss is a loss. And if I lose slow and steady by changing my diet and exercising consistently I am more likely to keep it off. :)

This is the last week of the team part of the challenge. I went out of town this weekend, and had a sugary splurge each day. I am not feeling like I "ruined my diet" which is different from how I've viewed occasions like this in the past. I am really just ready to get back to a good routine now that I'm home. We did lots of walking and moving in general while we were gone which was great.

Things I've noticed this week.

• Sugary soda is a trigger for me. I can't stop when I have even a sip. Must stay away from it.
• Really journaling/writing down what I'm eating makes a big difference in what I put in my mouth.
• It's been long enough since I started changing my eating habits that sweet treats don't taste as good as they used to. I was sick to my stomach after a couple of bites. It was kindof fun. :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

I so enjoy my birthday.

Here is the post from the challenge blog:

Week 4
Week 3 weight 194.2
Current weight 192.8
Change 1.4 pound loss

I can't believe it is the start of week 4.



I feel good about this loss. I ate more this week and I exercised more. Mainly walking, but that is where I want to start. I think it is important that I find a good balance of losing weight, but still living. I know I have a long way to go in my eating habits, but I have made great changes already. One day at a time. :)

Week 3 Day 3

I found out today that I was the week's winner in a mini challenge with the weight loss challenge I am doing. Pretty fun! Because I was the winner, I was able to trade places with 1 player on another team. I am not usually a competitive person, but today I did change places with someone on the team that's in the lead. Definitely a motivator.

But bigger motivators:
I'm fitting into pants I haven't worn in almost 2 years.
The shoes my husband bought me for Christmas now close over the tops of my feet.
My workout pants are starting to fall off.

Week 3 Day 1

Here is this week's post on my challenge:

This week was tough for me. More hunger, more cravings, etc. But the 2nd week of a change like this is always tough. I was pleasantly surprised at the change on the scale. :) This "peer pressure" to stay on track really works for me.
Week 2 weight 199.9
Current weight 194.2
Change 5.7 loss

I really do not think that fast is the best way to go when losing weight and changing lifestyles. However, I am enjoying the accountability of the challenge and plan to not be quite so hard on myself when the challenge is over. I really do want a lifestyle change, not just a "diet."

Nutritional Information

Tonight my parents were staying in a city about 2 hours away. Being one who LOVES to eat out, and LOVES to visit with my parents, we packed up the family and drove to see them. We ate at one of my favorite places and I looked up the nutritional information on their website before we left. That way I could figure the weight watchers points and know what I wanted to eat. HOLY COW. I did not realize the amount of fat everything has, especially the salads. It made me really glad that I have such control over our food at home.

This week I also made an effort to add more fiber to my diet. Do grown up things like pass on the Cap n Crunch and choose the fiber cereal instead. I can't believe what a difference it made in my hunger levels. Now, sugar cereals are not a daily thing in my life, and the fiber cereal has been a regular, but I have taken the time to document and pay attention to my hunger levels. The whole eating when I'm hungry thing instead of eating just to eat. It is sad that "eating only when hungry" isn't as easy as it sounds. I am really having to learn how to do that.

Week 2 Day 1

One week down. I was down 5 pounds, which is a good start. I am not expecting to have big losses every week, but it is fun to see the scale drop like that.
My husband and I have discussed doing P90X. I am not sure we are that motivated, but doing it together would help. We have a problem consistently reading our scriptures together. This is a bigger commitment than that. Hm. I really am anxious to start exercising and other than a little stretching I didn't ever have an opportunity to leave the kids this week. Not necessarily excited, but I'm anxious and ready.

I have appreciated the Weight Watchers points as a guide. I really do feel like I have control over what I eat, not that there is a "diet" controlling me.

Current weight: 199.9
change -5.0

Yawn

I am tired. I know that the first night my kids sleep in a strange place they are bound to sleep poorly. The 3 1/2 year old was awake until midnight, the 2 year old woke up at midnight and was awake crying until 2:3o, then the baby woke up to eat at 3, then wanted to play until 5.

This has made me realize how lacking sleep affects my attitude and willpower. I have not given in to the comfort foods I would love to eat today, but it would have been easy. It will also be more difficult to get my butt out the door for a walk tonight. I need to go to sleep earlier FOR ME. Everything I am staying awake for can wait.

Week 1 Day 2

I might become a daily weigher. I think it may give me a kick in the pants with motivation to do better/a pat on the back and encouragement to keep going. I know it is discouraged, but I may try and see if it helps me.

I started yesterday with a weigh in for the challenge. I am not sure whether or not I want this to be my start weight. I "started" weight watchers online a couple of weeks ago (meaning I paid the money and stepped on the scale) and have lost 4.7 pounds since then. I want to be .3 pounds away from my first reward! :)

This next week I will be at my parents house. Not sure how it will go, but since I'm doing the challenge, I should remain motivated. My biggest challenge will be the 9 hour drive without my husband and 3 children. This includes a 3 1/2 year old, a 2 year old wanting to potty train, and a 7 week old that still nurses every 2 hours. YIKES! Thank heavens we have a DVD player in the van.

Week 1 Day 1

Here is my beginning post on the challenge blog.

Weight- 204.9

I had my 3rd baby 7 weeks ago. I don't have a problem gaining too much weight during pregnancy. It is after I have the baby and while nursing that I gain and gain.
This challenge for me is to help break some bad habits (SODA) and start some new healthy habits. I am excited to have the accountability and support that will provide.

Anyone else trying to break a soda habit?

I need to take measurements and post them quick, but I don't know where a measuring tape might be...
Here's to a great start.

Day 0

I am at the beginning of my journey. Technically, I have 5 days to go before my journey begins. I had my 3rd baby six weeks ago, and I am not going to let myself stay big or get bigger.
In 5 days I'm starting a weight loss challenge. I'm pretty nervous, but I'm glad there will be something to keep me accountable. The challenge is 10 weeks. I'm hoping this is a good jumping off point. I have much a long way to go. More than 10 weeks for sure. But I've got to start somewhere. Today I heard someone say that NOW is the time to change. It's going to be hard, but it will only get harder to start.
A little introduction:
I'm a 30 year old stay at home mom. My kids are 3.75, 2, and 6weeks. My husband is a full time college student and we live on a very tight budget. This all causes stress and not much sleep in my life. I am 5 foot 3 inches and have hovered around 200 pounds for a couple of years.
My complaints right now are depression, fatigue, and lack of clothing that fit (and refusal to purchase new ones in the sizes that do.) I have also recently (after the baby was born) developed borderline hypertension. Yuck. DEFINITELY need to fix that.
At this point, I am going to be using Weight Watchers and the Couch to 5K training program. My BIGGEST challenge is going to be giving up soda.

5 days to go...