Weekly Weigh-In: Stalled!

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Nothing gained or lost this week, yet I'm OK with that outcome. Turns out my carb counts are way off and things could've been much worse.

Nothing gained or lost this week, yet I’m OK with that outcome. Turns out my carb counts are way off and things would’ve been much worse.

After a nice little drop last week, the scale went back to her old ways. My weight is officially stalled. I’ve been stuck around 185 lbs. since the end of March, and I think I figured out why.

About a week ago I decided to lower my net carbs back down to 20g a day. I’d been eating around 40g-50g a day (or so I thought!) and figured dropping back down to 20g would kick-start the weight loss.

It’s always the little things that screw you up!
The last few days I’ve played detective and took a hard look my food log and the net carb counts of not just my food, but drinks, spices/seasonings, and recipes. Man did I screw up. Everything from my favorite seasonings to rubs to vegetable quantities was off the last few months. Read More

Weekly Weigh-In: The Scale Finally Moves!

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Yay! I'm down 1.5 lbs. this week. But don't expect numbers like this each week. I'm nearing the end of my weight loss journey and those last few pounds won't come off easily.

Yay! I’m down 1.5 lbs. this week. But don’t expect numbers like this each week. I’m nearing the end of my weight loss journey and those last few pounds won’t come off easily.

After more than 3 weeks that stubborn scale finally moved. I’m down 1.5 lbs. Why now? Who knows. The body is such a mystery at times. Truth is I’m starting one of the most challenging parts of my weight loss journey. I’m within 25 lbs. of my goal weight. For my final push to goal, my body won’t give up the fat very easily.

As for the big drop this week (yep, 1.5 lbs in a week is big at this point), I noticed 2 changes I inadvertently made this past week:

  1. I reduced the amount of cream in my coffee from 1/2 tablespoon to 1 teaspoon.
  2. I only worked out 3 days this past week, down from my usual 6 days.

As I’ve said before, exercise has nothing to do with weight loss — it’s about inches — but clearly the amount of dairy I consume may hold the key. So now its time for a new science experiment. This week I’m limiting the amount of creams, yogurt and cheese I eat. Read More

Weekly Weigh-In: Stubborn Scale, Loose Clothes

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Sure my weight's the same for 3 weeks running. But my waist continues it's downward trend.

Sure my weight’s the same for 3 weeks running. But my waist continues its downward trend.

For the third week my weight is exactly the same while an item of clothing — my running belt — is definitely looser than normal. How loose? While running on Saturday I noticed I had to keep adjusting it. First the belt started falling, so I quickly pulled it up. After a 1/4 mile, I noticed it about 1 inch higher than where I pulled it. About a 1/2 mile later when I went to adjust the volume on my phone, I noticed that my phone was no longer in front of me…it was on my back.

Sweet!

Before yesterday’s walk, I adjusted the buckle to tighten the belt to prevent my phone from floating around my body. Turns out the next time this happens, I’ll need a new belt. Yep, the belt is officially at its smallest size.  Double sweet!

Sooner or later the scale will follow my shrinking waistline.

For now, it’s time for another run.

Weekly Weigh-In: No Change, New Challenges

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Nothing happening with the scale at the moment, but I'm losing around my waist.

Nothing happening with the scale at the moment, but I’m losing around my waist.

No change in my weight from last week, but I noticed that I’m down another notch on my belt. So the scale maybe stubborn, but my waist is shrinking…and that is always a good thing.

It’s also another reason you can’t rely on the scale for success. Little things like how loose your clothes fit or being able to cross your legs are far more important.

New Month, New Challenges
My trainer wants me to build up my upper body strength. I can’t argue with her. It seems like any upper body workout is a struggle since my month off in April.

In fact, it seems like my whole workout routine isn’t as routine as I’d like. Consistency is so important. Not only to build muscle and improve cardio, but it’s a great reminder to eat better. Read More

Weekly Weigh-In: Lost 1 Pound

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I lost 1 lbs., putting my weight at 186.6. My total weight loss stands at 139 pounds. Time for the final push to lose those last 40 pounds!

I lost 1 lbs., putting my weight at 186.6. My total weight loss stands at 139 pounds. Time for the final push to lose those last 40 pounds!

Wow, nearly a month’s gone by since my last official weigh-in. I never really thought about weighing myself during that time while in Texas. I was just too busy. The good news is that I made more right than wrong food choices during my trip. When I weighed in on Saturday I was down a pound. That tells me I pretty much maintained my weight while visiting mom.

Well now that I’m back home, those maintenance weeks are over. It’s time to get busy working off those last 40 pounds.

Weekly Weigh In: Shed 3 Pounds To Close Out Great Week

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I capped off an awesome week with a weight loss of 3 pounds. That pushes me into the 180s! The march to the 170s begins now!

I capped off an awesome week with a weight loss of 3 pounds. That pushes me into the 180s! The march to the 170s begins now!

When I stepped on my doctor’s scale mid-week, I was so happy I entered the 180s. But the next day I started worrying about my weekend weigh-in.  Ah…I hate the fact that damn scale still can do this to me. Since I talked with my doctor about setting a goal weight, I’ve got numbers on my mind. So it is understandable, but I can’t let it dominate (i.e., derail) me.

Anyway, I worried about today’s weigh-in. At 189 pounds I barely snuck into my new weight range. I could easily go back into the 190s if I didn’t keep my focus.

Well thanks to a lot of running, walking (the weather gods were kind to me), and listening to motivational podcasts this week, I kept that focus and tracked everything.  Thanks to that constant vigilance, I did some course correcting before potential problems hit (man, I love cream in my coffee). The result, I lost 3 pounds this week.

At 187 lbs., I am firmly in the 180s now…but don’t intent to stay their very long. My new mini-target is 179 lbs. Why? When my weight reaches 179, that means I’ve lost 45% of my total weight since this journey began. Just 8 more pounds then onto the next mini-target. Yay!

The last time I took an “after” photo, I was 30 pounds heavier. So I think it’s time to take new measurements and a new “after” photo. Nothing takes away the power of the scale like photography and a good old fashion tape measure.

Weekly Weigh In: Holding Steady Thanks To Workout

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Thanks to doing a mess of calf raises and a long distance walk, my legs retained lots of fluid and kept my weight steady for the week.

Thanks to doing a mess of calf raises and a long distance walk, my legs retained lots of fluid and kept my weight steady for the week.

Note to self: Next time I try impressing my trainer and walking 7 miles in the same day, I don’t do it 24 hours before weigh in. My legs were horribly sore Saturday morning its a wonder the scale didn’t show a gain. Turns out my muscles were packing just enough water to keep my weight steady — 190.4 pounds.

Since I’m sort of a glass half full type of gal, that means next Saturday’s weigh in should show a nice loss (provided I keep eating right this week).

Calf Raises & Upping My Walking Distance
The day before weigh in, I met with my trainer for a lower body workout. Nothing out of the ordinary until the end. She had me do calf raises up the stairs. Ten calf raises (both legs at the same time) per step. My trainer said she expected after the 6th step (60 raises) and I’d quit.

I smiled and told her, “I’m going to the top of the stairs.” Read More

Weekly Weigh-In: Down 2; Total Loss 135 Pounds

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I'm down 2 lbs. this week and 135 pounds overall.

I’m down 2 lbs. this week and 135 pounds overall.

After a great week of intermittent fasting and running (finally), I saw continued progress on the scale. I’m down 2 pounds this week, putting my total weight loss at 135 pounds. I set a mini goal of getting out of the 190s before I meet with my doctor for my physical at the end of March. With just 0.4 lbs. to go it looks like I’ve got a shot.

The sun finally came out this week, melting much ice and snow. That meant the walking trails and sidewalks were clear, allowing me to restart my 5k training. I’ve got a month before my first race.

Right now I can run 1.5 to 2 miles. Occasionally I can hit 3 miles. If the weather holds for the next 4 weeks, I should be able to run 3 miles consistently by race day.

If you told me I’d get to a point in my life where I was itching to go out for a run, I’d laugh at you.

I guess under all that weight an athlete was itching to get out.

 

Weekly Weigh-In: Fat Loss Continues; Down 1.4 Lbs.

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I ended February on a high note, losing 1.4 pounds. For the first time this year I feel like I'm mentally in the weight loss game.

I ended February on a high note, losing 1.4 pounds. For the first time this year I feel like I’m mentally in the weight loss game.

I end February strong. Not only did I lose 1.4 lbs. this week, but my intermittent fast is going great. As of January I’m down 5.8 lbs. which brings my total weight loss to 133 pounds. My weight loss may be off to a slower start than expected this year, but I finally feel as if I’m once again firing on all cylinders.

I’m tracking and measuring everything. My daily activity is high. I just need to remember to wear that blasted Fitbit to track my steps.

Each Saturday, I refrain from eating and drinking anything until after my Weight Watchers weigh-in and meeting. This week I worried a little, because water and coffee are the only things I can consume until noon, due to the semi-fast I’m now doing. Despite the lack of liquids, my stomach didn’t make a peep during the meeting. No hunger pains after, and no growling. Just a general feeling of awesomeness. Read More

Weekly Weigh-In: Down 1.8 Pounds!

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I've got the scale moving in the right direction for 2 weeks in a row now. My recent changes to my diet are working!

I’ve got the scale moving in the right direction for 2 weeks in a row now. My recent changes to my diet are working!

Clearly the changes I made this week — reducing the cream in my coffee and my fasting for lent — helped me work off the weight I imagined I gained over Valentine’s Weekend (lots of wine!) and then some. I’m down 1.8 lbs. this week for total weight loss of 131.2. Yay!!!!

So How’s That Fast Going?
I’m three days into my Intermittent Fast. So far so good. I haven’t dipped under 1200 calories/day and I’m averaging 12-18 net carbs/day.

The most important thing is I don’t feel like I’m starving. However, when it is time for me to eat, I am hungry.

Well duh, right? Read More