Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Day 157 - Official weight 164.8 (home weight 163.4)

Hit another goal-- below 165 "officially." I knew I'd be close at weigh in today, because the home scale showed 163.4 this morning. As of today, I am less than 20 pounds from goal. Hot damn!

I ran a fast run yesterday, according to my training plan. 1.5 miles @ 6.0 mph. I walked a quarter mile to recover, than ran another mile @ 5.4 mph. Total of 3.1 miles in 35ish minutes (I couldn't recall the seconds, for the life of me).

I was at the mall at lunch buying some hair care products, and detoured to Penney's to see what they have now. Lots of sales, and I tried on a size 8 straight skirt that was too tight, but I could zip it. It would fit in another 5 pounds. Didn't buy it, though, because I already have a straight business skirt waiting to fit me in the back of my closet. A pair of size 10 Worthington black pants fit beautifully. I didn't buy them either, because in 10 more pounds they'll be too big and I don't need a pair of black pants now in the middle of the summer. I almost bought a Medium short sleeved black sweater because it looked really cute on, but then noticed the stitching was poorly done at the V neck and didn't want to end up with a $20 rag.

Even though I didn't buy anything, it was fun trying a few things on. Kind of gave me some non-scale progress. I'm guessing I'll end up a size 6 at 145 pounds, if 10 pounds lost equals a size down. When I started this weight loss in February, I was hoping for a size 8 - 10. And I'm there now, with 20 pounds more to lose. I will be flying on a cloud the day I can wear a size 6 comfortably.

On the bad news front, I have a tooth that has finally cracked to the nerve, I guess, because drinking room temperature water shoots pain up through my gums. So I get to visit the dentist on Thursday and pray he can at least fix it temporarily so I can enjoy our weekend vacation in Cincinnati.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Day 156 - 164.4 Weekend review, HP Book 7

Thanks for all the nice comments, guys. I really appreciate it.

I did do my three miles, YES! And added .1 just to call it a 5K. I ran it in 34:24, which was 5.4 MPH. Not too shabby for my first virtual 5K. I stayed on the treadmill for a full 60 minutes since I had plenty of time and no kids in the Kids Club to pick up, for a total of 4.8 miles. I felt great afterwards, like I had climbed a mountain.

We had a lovely date. I wore a form fitting black dress (I had DH take a picture, which I'll eventually get around to posting) and felt really confident in it. Dinner was delicious (I'll spare you the food porn) and I stayed on plan. We walked down to Borders to gawk at the Harry Potter fans lined up to buy tickets for Book 7, and had fun watching the kids dressed up as HP with lightening bolts on their foreheads.

HP in IMAX was amazing. It's 3D at the end during the action sequence, and that was quite an incredible movie experience.

Saturday and Sunday, I got zero workouts in. We had a lot of family time, I got some laundry done, I'm 200 pages into HP Book 7, but didn't make it to the gym. Truly, to have gone, I would have had to make a big production of it with the rest of the plans we had, and I just thought it *healthier* to let my exercise go. So that's what I did.

But I'm feeling it mentally today. I just feel OFF, like things aren't quite right. Of course, staying up late reading and sleeping late this morning and getting to work late contributes to all that, but I can tell I haven't had that mental release that a good workout is giving me.

And that, my friends, is a huge revelation. To realize that 2 back-to-back days of no physical activity is NOT NORMAL for me. My brain doesn't like it, my body doesn't like it, and I don't like it. Thankfully, this afternoon I'll be on the treadmill, so all will right itself in about 3 hours.

And HP book 7 is awesome. I wish I could take a full day and do nothing but read. Since I can't, I'm torn about how to read it--savoring it slowly, or staying up late and ploughing through. I tend to plough, but life isn't really conducive to 1 a.m. nights for me now, so I need for force myself to slow down and savor.

That's not bad advice for the rest of my life right now-- slow down and savor.

Friday, July 20, 2007

Day 153 - 164.2 Date Night & Thoughts on Running

My daughter got an invitation for a sleep over tonight with a friend of hers from school, so I asked my mom to take the boy overnight so hubby and I can have a date.

I'm quite excited. We go out just the two of us on a fairly regular basis, probably every other month or so, but it's still a treat every time. Dinner is almost always at Bonefish Grill, and I've saved up 3 veggies, a protein, a starch, and a dairy, which is plenty for a nice dinner.

Then, Harry Potter at the IMAX. I saw HP on Monday, when I played hookie for half a day at work and took a mental health day, which included living vicariously through teenaged wizards. On Monday I specifically chose the "regular" theater because I knew DH would want to see it in IMAX, and it will still be a treat for me tonight. I can't wait to see it again. I know he's jail bait and I'm an old married lady, but Daniel Radcliffe makes my toes curl, esp. with his new haircut.

After work I'm going for a run, which I would so love to blow off and not have to shower and get ready again for our date, but I've got a race to train for and 22ish more pounds to lose so I'm going running. Today starts week 5 of my training, and I'm scheduled to run 3 miles. If I make it, it will be the first time I've run 3 miles straight through. I hope it goes well.

I have a feeling I'm going to have to always be training for some kind of race. Or have some kind of list to check off to keep me motivated and feeling like I'm accomplishing something. I need goals. I need lists. I need direction. Otherwise, I'm directionless and tend to let things go. I've got 8 more weeks to train for this 5K, and then I'll have to find something else.

There's a half marathon in Indianapolis in May that my niece-in-law (she's my age) is going to run, and I might train for that. It may be too soon to run 13 miles, so I'm not sure yet. Truly, I won't know what my body can do until I get to goal. An extra 22 pounds is a lot to carry around, and when it's gone and after I've had more weeks of consistent running in, I might be ready. We'll see.

What I do know is this-- Running is helping my weight move down. Running is keeping me in the gym. Running makes me feel like I can do anything. It's even making my arms look good--who knew I wouldn't have to lift weights to get a little definition in my shoulders and biceps and just had to run?! I sure had no idea.

I'm remember reading somewhere that a runner hits their peak after 6 or 7 years of training. That means, when I'm 43ish I'll be in the best running shape of my life. And I could deal with that. Running marathons in my 40s sounds like an impossible dream. But I'm on the path to making it a reality.

Maybe someday my kiddos will be at the finish line, waving signs and cheering me on. And proud of their fit Mom who runs marathons. Or they will be running beside me. Either way, that's a dream I want to come true.

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Game ON Baby!

Fat Bloke Thin is having a weight loss throw down. Wanna join? Go leave him a comment. I'm totally in, and even if I don't win at least I played for fun (which sounds quite like my jr. high school volleyball efforts, by the way).

I love his blog. He's got T-shirts and everything!

Day 152 - 165.0 That's what 4 months of working out will do

So yesterday was nuts. I didn't get to the gym before picking up the kids like I try to do most nights, and I was fried from a long work day, and I forgot to bring the toddler's diaper bag with me, and I didn't change into my workout clothes before leaving work to get the kids, and I really needed to do a Target and grocery store run because the cupboards are bare. And you'd think all this combined would keep me from my workout.

Well, think again!

I went anyway. I asked Luke's sitter for two diapers, picked up Sophie from day camp, swung through McDonald's drive thru (I know, I know--I'm ruining their health with nuggets and fries; I'm sure they'll tell Oprah someday), and I was on that treadmill at 6:30 p.m.

I did 3.26 miles in 40 minutes, including my 2 mile run, and got home by 7:30. It was a late night for us all, but I felt great afterwards and so glad I didn't let the excuses get in the way of taking care of myself.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Day 150 - 165.8

Anytime you count up days or months or years, a "5" and a "0" in the total usually mean something significant.

And, truly, 150 days on plan is a big deal. I'm not throwing a party or anything, and I've pretty much treated myself to clothes that fit and expensive bras. No one will send me Congratulations! cards, because nobody knows. So in reality, it's not that big a deal.

Except here. This is the only place I can shout to the roof tops that I'VE BEEN ON PLAN FOR 150 DAYS! And if feels great! And it has paid off! And it's a FIRST!

I am proud of myself. I like myself so much more with food no longer as my (primary) source of comfort. My husband called me skinny this morning while I was in my undies getting ready for work. The rewards of consistency aren't just smaller clothes and a thinner body. It's all this intangible stuff, too.
*****

Work is so busy right now, I've had no time to read my favorite blogs and I feel like I'm cut off from my friends! Evenings just don't allow me time for me, so if I don't get some time during the day, I just don't get the time. It's good that work is busy--we are self employed and busy means we're earning money, so I really shouldn't complain.
*****

Running went fabulously yesterday. I ended up doing 5K in 34:50. I warmed up, as usual, with a .25 mile walk, then ran 2.25 miles @ 5.5 mph, then walked for about 2 minutes, and I was only .5 miles away from 3.1 miles. So I just kicked it up to 5.8 mph and finished a 5K on the treadmill. First time for that, and I was thrilled to be able to run 2.85 miles in one session, and at decent speeds.

Saturday, I ran outside for the first time. Holy cow, what a difference. First, it was 4 p.m. and even though the humidity was low and there was a breeze, the sun was beating down on me and I was hot hot hot. Second, I couldn't figure out my pace, so I'd run too fast, then have to slow down and walk, then I'd try to run slower but end up being too fast again. So it was a lot of walk/running. Last, the concrete doesn't give back like the treadmill. The treadmill, miraculously I see now, gives a bit of energy back to my feet, whereas the concrete just sucks it right down into the ground and gives nothing back. I'm glad I have until September to prepare for this 5K race, because after I've got the distance built on the treadmill, I've got to do a whole new round of training to just get used to hard surface running.

To all of you I check in with on a regular basis, I miss you and hope you are doing fabulously well, and I'll be seeing you again soon.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Day 146 - 40 POUNDS LOST

Weigh in today was a momentous event. My official weight is 167.0, which is a 40.2 pounds total loss.

Yippee!

22 pounds left until I reach goal.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

DAy 145 - 166.4 - Run, Pants, Plan

Yesterday's run sucked.

I guess, in reality, it wasn't that bad. It was a 2 mile fartlek, and my average speed was 5.5 mph, but I just wasn't feeling it. It wasn't hot in the gym and I had a fan on me, so it wasn't that. I had eaten a good lunch and drank lots of water during the day and before my run, so fueling wasn't the problem. I was just off.

The good thing, I suppose, is that I went, I stuck it out, and finished the 2 miles. I only had enough time for 33 minutes total, so it was a short workout which was probably for the best.

That run is the end of week 3 of my 5K training. 3 weeks with 4 days each running. First time I've done that--ever. Last year when I started C25K, I weighed 200 pounds. It's no wonder running is easier. I doubt that I could run very well now with my toddler hanging on my body, and that's how much I've lost since last summer.
****
Today I am wearing the Size 8 khaki pants from Dress Barn that I bought a couple months ago. They fit perfectly. The waist band lies flat, they aren't too tight in the bottom or legs, and they look so cute with the wide leg cuffs. I'm wearing the same blue & white picnic check shirt that I've got on in the pic on this site, and it fits loosely now, the buttons lay completely flat and the cap sleeves are loose around my arms. I can pinch about 1/2 inch of fabric on each side of my waist. I love seeing progress in my clothes.
****
I got my new food plan at LA WL yesterday. In some ways, it's worse. I lost a fruit--only 2 per day now. Two fruits a day is plenty, you say. Well, yes, except I count my Starbucks latte as a milk and a fruit, so there's one. And if I have a NutriGrain bar for breakfast or as a snack, that's a starch and a fruit, so there's two. This morning I was exhausted but hungry and had no time to cook, so I ate a cereal bar. I've had my latte, of course--can't live without that. Now, I have no fruits left but have a delicious fresh peach that I brought for lunch sitting on my desk.

You bet, I'm gonna eat that peach.

They added 1/2 a protein, a starch, a dairy, and a fat. I love the idea of more dairy so I can have more than just my latte each day, and who couldn't eat an extra starch without effort? But the fat--that one's got me. Butter is supposed to be "infrequent." I hate margarine, and it's on the allowed list. Usually I eat 15 pistachios (now, though, it's 12) or use a tsp of butter on my eggs, and that's my fat for the day. I get headaches from almost all other nuts, so I can't eat those. And do there even exist salt free sunflower seeds? Cause I could have a Tbsp of those if they do--guess I'm gonna have to look for them. I don't like avocados or olives, and I have to actually cook to use olive oil. So, this extra fat has me in a quandary.

Maybe my peach can be a fat?

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Day 144 - Food Addiction

The Shrinking Knitter had a great post today on food addiction, and my comment was ridiculously long, so I thought I'd spare her readers my "all about me" missive and put the voluminous response over here.

Before I started LA Weight Loss in February, I was addicted to sugar/flour/fat combination foods. I really just could not stop myself from buying donuts and/or ice cream on a daily basis. I would walk through Target, tell myself I would NOT buy the powdered donettes, and yet they'd be in my cart anyway. Like someone else was operating my body and I had no choice in the matter. That box would be gone in a day.

Even when I was on Weight Watchers, I would overeat the WW snack cakes, sometimes the whole box in one day (ONLY 12 points, and I still had 10 points for healthy food! What a deal!). And don't forget Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, only 2 points each. I played the same points game with those.

When I started my current plan this year, I went through 2 days of cleansing, basically--proteins and veggies only. It sucked, and I did go through withdrawal. It got easier after that, and since I'm on a food exchange program (3 veggies, 2 fruits, 3 starches, etc), I'm free to choose what I eat but within boundaries.

I am not sugar free, I am not carb free, I am not caffeine free. I am, however, very balanced and have set limits of the types of food I can eat.

It's these prescribed limits and the accountability of meeting with a weight counselor (and weighing in) 3 times a week that finally clicked for me. I can't buy donuts, you see, because they aren't on the plan. I can have ice cream, if it's low fat and SF and 1/2 cup, and it counts as a starch (just this past weekend I had ice cream for the first time in 20 weeks; haven't had a donut since February).

So, I haven't gotten rid of the substances that might cause my brain to be addicted to food, but I have gotten rid of the *combination* of substances (fat/sugar/flour) and also of the learned helplessness (or whatever fancy psycho term I should use here) that made me act like a robot around those addictive foods.

I still have cravings once a month for starchy/sugary/chocolatey foods, and obviously those are hormonal/brain induced cravings. I usually eat too much for a couple days a month, but my "too much" now is 300 or 400 calories in one sitting and it's with on-plan foods.

Ultimately, I think every one has to overcome their addictions differently, and no matter what science comes up with, there will never be a one size fits all solution.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Day 143 - 167.2

Ahhhh, that's better. Bye bye water weight.

Tonight-- our second Ballrooom Dancing class at our church. We had so much fun last week at the first class. It was surprising how many dance steps we learned, and actually were dancing--real dancing--by the end of the hour. There were 2 other couples in our group of friends who attended, and 11 couples all together. They provide child care, too, so the kids are taken care of.

Since we have that tonight, I'm planning on working out at lunch, which I don't really want to do because I actually do get sweaty when I run and getting ready for work twice in one day is not my idea of fun. But, I have a running plan that I must stick to and a goal to reach, so if I have to take two showers in one day, that's just the way it is. =)

EDITED AFTER LUNCH TO ADD:
There's a reason I work out at the end of the day. I am so stinking tired right now, after 45 minutes in a hot and humid gym (I don't know what the problem is with the air conditioning in that place. WS, I have no idea how you run in the Florida heat and humidity!). I still have 2 hours of work, ballroom dance lessons, and 2 kids to entertain and put to bed tonight. I hope I find some energy somewhere soon.

On the "official weight" front, I was at 169.0 at LA WL today (I weighed in before working out). They didn't have the new program stuff together yet, so I'm going back tomorrow to find out how much more food I get. Can't wait.

Monday, July 09, 2007

Day 142 - 168.6

Today was so busy at work I had no time to read any blogs, no time to go to LA WL to weigh in and get my new plan, and no time to eat lunch until almost 4 p.m. Busy in our business is good, but this is crazy.

I'm in my water-retention portion of my monthly cycle, so the scale is up a bit. It's good that I track things closely so I realize this upward movement is what it is, or else I'd be easily discouraged.

My runs on Friday and Saturday were awesome. Speed training and the mere fact that I'm running on a regular basis are helping me improve already. Check it out-- 2 continuous miles at 5.5 mph. That's 11 minute miles. And my fastest mile to date on Saturday--a 10 minute mile. The best part is--I didn't feel like I was going to die on either run. The 10 min mile was NOT easy by any means, but my breathing was reasonable and after walking for a bit, I wanted to run another mile and did.

Today was a rest day, because yesterday was a killer cardio class followed by 45 minutes of pilates, and my legs are dying and need the rest. I hate not going to the gym, but know it's better not to push it and injure myself.

By the end of this week, I'll have been working out on a regular basis for four months. Four months, in the scheme of things, is nothing. But it's four months of good work that's gotten me results. And it's a good foundation for the rest of my active, fit life.

Friday, July 06, 2007

Day 139 - 167.8

No time to post the past few days. My daughter was sick yesterday so I was home with her. Man, I did NOT like being stuck in my house in the middle of hormonal cravings. It was a tough food day for me. Plus, no gym.

Today is back to normal. I've got a run planned for this afternoon--an easy 2 miles. And back on track food wise. My official weight at LA is now 169.8. I'm 24.8 pounds from goal.

LA is rolling out a new food plan on Monday. They are upping the quantities of food we can eat, which is awesome. I don't know much yet, but know it's all good. For example: 1 veggie used to be 1 c. lettuce. Now it's 3 c. lettuce=1 veggie. And a dairy serving will go from 8 oz to 10 oz. And I'll get 3 starches instead of 2. They tested it for 6 months and people lost MORE weight on this plan. So, more food and still losing weight... sounds like a winner to me. And just in time to keep me from going into a plateau. That P words scares the dickens out of me. Not even going there right now!

I probably won't be around much until next week. It's a busy summer weekend ahead that I plan to enjoy in the real world with my family. But I'll be thinking of you all!

Hugs and kisses to you, my cyber friends. Have a healthy, happy weekend.

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Day 136 - 168.0 My Favorite Things

Something a little different today. I wanted to share some finds that have made life more enjoyable.

Rimmel Sweet Stuff Lipstick-- I am a lipstick/lip gloss junkie. I bought this one last week when I couldn't find my favorite Maybelline color. Oh my. Lipstick that tastes and smells like berries. If I could, I'd eat it. It feels great, too, very soft. It's more of a gloss than a stick, and so the coverage is light (it wears off quickly, but that just gives me more opportunity to enjoy the luscious smell). I have two colors now--Be First and Intimate.

Fiber Gourmet Pasta-- I ordered this after a review by Pasta Queen. SO glad I did. It tastes great and I don't feel guilty about eating pasta. I eat mine topped with 1/2 c. Classico Pasta Sauce (currently their Fire Roasted Tomato) and 1/2 c. steamed chopped zucchini. Yummy. DH loves it too.

Laura Geller Balance & Brighten-- I've had this product since last Fall, but couldn't wear it because it was too yellow/tan for my skin. Now that I have a light tan, my regular foundation (Mineral Essence) is too light. I've been putting this on top of my foundation, but was looking too cake-y. This morning I dotted some concealer on my zits and only used the Balance & Brighten. My skin looks plenty covered, nicely tanned, and not cake-y. I am pleasantly pleased with the results, and thrilled I don't have to go buy another foundation color that I'll only use for a few more months.

iPod Shuffle-- Not that Apple needs my approval of anything, but I absolutely could NOT run without this baby. It is so light weight and clips onto my shorts easily. I can change songs while running, no sweat. It's plenty roomy enough for hours of songs, so I don't get bored with my song selections. Love. It.

I need a New Favorite Thing which I can't find-- the perfect water bottle. I'm currently just refilling my Evian bottle with the red flip top, but the flip top thingy keeps breaking and I have to spend $1.19 to buy a new one every other week or so. Any suggestions?

Monday, July 02, 2007

Day 135 - 168.0 Slowing Down

Down 1.8 pounds since last Monday, and 4.2 pounds in 2 weeks.

But only 4.6 pounds in 3 weeks. And 4.8 pounds in 4 weeks.

The loss continues, but it's slowing down. I really do feel lucky that my body continues to cooperate with me. Because, I know, it could rebel any day.

I've been averaging "official" losses at LAWL of 1.6 pounds a week for the past month. Which is fabulous, but I had been averaging 2+ pounds a week. And that's my PLAN, after all.

2 pounds a week = reach goal weight by September 21.

So in my screwed up way of looking at my weight, I've been kind of hard on myself about it. A little disappointed even. Wondering what I'm doing wrong and what I need to change.

Well that nonsense stops TODAY.

2 pounds a week consistently over 31 weeks is unreasonable. Frankly, it's bullsh!t. Who is LA Weight Loss to tell me what my body is going to do for me? All I can do is the best I can do, follow the plan the best I can, and my body is going to do what it wants.

Clearly, it still wants to lose weight. It likes movement and healthy food and it's being lovingly cooperative.

At some point in the near future, I know it will rebel. Not wanna go any further. Make me squeeze out every last ounce of loss so each .2 pounds will be a victory. So I'll have to push it and tug it along, like I do my almost-2 year old when I want him to leave the playground.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying my lifestyle. It's not a burden, this new way of life-- turning down junk food and getting to the gym 5 or 6 days a week. I like putting myself first, making my health a priority. Thankfully I've got results now--smaller clothes, faster and longer miles--so the going is easier. And the rewards continue.

And when I start to whine in the future about not losing fast enough? Someone please knock some sense into me and tell me to snap out of it. Thank God you're all there to keep me sane.