100 Push-up Callenge

I started the 100 Push-up Challenge. This app trains you to do 100 push-ups in a row. It's a fun, quick workout but you can really feel it working.

I did 12 today, no girlie style either!

Weigh-In

Start Weight: 221.2
Last Week: 211.6
Current Weight: 209.2
Loss:  - 2.4 lbs
Total Loss: -12 lbs

I didn't weigh-in last week. But here it is. Down another 2.4 from 2 weeks ago. That is a pretty standard loss.

I didn't make my November challenge goal which was to be down to 204 by the 30th. I was close, but I would have been even closer had I not vacationed and eaten a bunch of garbage. Oh well.

I'm going to keep going hard even though it is holiday season. We all gain around this time and I expect that. There is no way I am not enjoying my mother's cheesecake or some glasses of wine at this time of year.

My goal for this month is going to be moderation and to maintain my weight under 210 lbs. I don't want to lose a bunch of the hard work I have done in the last month or 2.

What is your goal for December?

Weigh-In

Start Weight: 221.2
Last Week: 215.8
Current Weight: 211.6
Loss:  -4.2 lbs
Total Loss: -9.6 lbs

YEAH!

I'm doing good. Eating has been mostly on track and I have been keeping up with the exercise at 4-5 days per week. I won't make my hope of 15 lbs by the end of November, but I will get close and I want to get as close as possible.

A friend of mine made a Weight Loss support group on Facebook and it has been really fun. Kind of like blogging!

Weigh-In

Back to regular scheduled programming now that the Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge is over.

I'll be doing Friday weigh-ins each week like I used to and adding in a review of the week of sorts. Hopefully, I can blog consistently.

Start Weight: 221.2
Current Weight: 215.8
Loss: -5.4 lbs

Not bad. Getting somewhere.

But get this! Last Friday, the scale read 211.6 lbs. What the heck? I did go away for the weekend and ate terribly. Also haven't been that great at getting my water in most days. But, I have been keeping up on my exercise, so I'm sure it will come. I was getting sooo close to my 15 lbs by the end of November challenge :(

Final Fall Challenge Weigh-In

Took this on Tuesday. Posting now.

I'm getting there :)

For the challenge, that is a total loss of 6.4lbs. Considering I only started being serious about this in the last 3 weeks, I think that pretty good!

This challenge was good for me. A little push to get me going and now I'm in a groove and on my way to where I want to be.

I think this is the last week...?

Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge

Week 7 Mini Challenge:

Challenge Yourself to try a new activity/push yourself harder in your current activity.

--> I have been challenging myself by going to the gym 5 days a week for the last 2 or 3 weeks. This week, I was there for an hour each day- mostly on the elliptical or the arc trainer. I love those things. I will burn between 500 and 700 calories per workout.
--> Also, I've been trying to stick to around 1500 calories at least 5 out of 7 days. Doing really well with that too. Been working on this for about the last 2 weeks. Also, not eating all the calories I burn.
--> If I do the above, I am working on a 1200-1400 calorie deficit for 5/7 days, An average of 6500 calorie deficit for 5/7 days and a 1400 calorie deficit for the other 2 days... Total of 7900 calories per week or over 2 lbs.

I feel good about the effort I am putting into this It is being reflected in the scale, but not at the rate it should be. Does anyone have any ideas why or some tips for me? Sometimes, I feel like I am working so hard on this plan and that the numbers just don't add up. I know I complain about this a lot, but why is it so easy for some others to drop 3+ lbs per week? Or drop 7 lbs in their first week of diet/exercise? I'm jealous of all of you!

I'm going to keep trying for my 15 lbs by the end of November. I have a little post-it note on my computer monitor that just says 15 on it to remind me. I also painted my thumb nail with a 15 to ALWAYS remind me what my goal is.

What is your plan? How much weight do you lose per week?

Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge- Last Week?

I think it is the last week of the challenge.

I weighed in this morning... And....

216.2

That's a loss of 1.2lbs this week.

For a total of 5 lbs! Hurray!

Last week's challenge was to push a bit harder. Challenge ourselves. I think I succeeded. I was very diligent with my exercise and diet. I worked out 5/7 days and hour each burning between 500-700 calories each time. I ate under 1500 calories for 5/7 days. 

This has really made me buckle down and get back to this being healthy thing. It's a lot of work, but worth it.

Week 7 Fall Challenge

I really put my nose to the grind this week. I went to the gym 5/7 days and was below 1500 calories 5/7 days. The other 2 days I was only over by max 200 calories.

Start Weight: 221.2
Current Weight: 217.4
Total Loss: 3.8 lbs

It's slow going. But I lost 1.4 lbs this week. I was hoping for more... C'est la vie.

But! My first go on the scale this morning, the scale said 214! I was sooo shocked, so I stepped on again and it changed its tune. Scumbag Scale.

Have a good Tuesday!

Things I Like About Me Challenge

This is a very difficult task, and I bet it will be for all the Challenge participants.

1. I'm generous, sometimes to a fault.
2. I'm genuine.
3. I'm a good cook.
4. I support my friends any way I can.
5. I'm good at sports.
6. I have nice eyes- probably one of my best features.
7. I'm adventurous.
8. I'm not afraid to travel alone.
9. I'm super easy to talk to.
10. I'm at a good space in my life- career-wise.

I'm feeling pretty good this week. I decided to go the gym a lot this week. I've gone for the past 4 days now. Working out for between 30mins and 1 hour each day pretty vigorously. Also, been eating well and drinking all my water in the past 4 days!

I'm hoping I'm on this good track to stay. I'm going to try really hard.

I've made myself a goal to lose 15 lbs by the end of November. I started this Monday and my start weight for that goal is 219lbs. I think it is a lofty goal, at around 2 lbs/week to lose.

There is only 2 weeks left in the Fabulous Fit & Fall Challenge. I didn't commit as much as I would like to have. But I'm getting there. There is no way I will win, but I got to meet a few new bloggers with fun blogs to read.

Do you have a current, short-term goal?

Week 6

I'm actually going to weigh in today. It's nothing special really. Nothing compared to some of you amazing lady losers out there. But, mine will come in time and I have to accept that :) trying to be more positive and get out of this funk. I think my mood has a lot to do with the scale not moving much.

Week 5 & Goals

I realize that  forgot to set 3 goals for the remaining weeks of the Fit & Fabulous Challenge.

Here goes:

1. Find my motivation- I thought this challenge would help me get motivated. It has helped me consistently go to the gym, but not to stick to a hardcore plan. My eating is pretty good, but not prefect. The scale doesn't move and I get down on myself and the work that I put in.

2. Start treating myself better than I have been- We all do this. We are so hard on ourselves and we forget to congratulate ourselves on the good things we have done. We only focus on the negative.

3. Blog more regularly about other things rather than the challenge every week- The Challenge has helped me get back into blogging and reconnect with so many lovely people. I really miss that. I hope I can get this blog back up to snuff with some fun and helpful content again!

Now... this week's task is to talk about something I am grateful for.

At the beginning of the year I had a messy breakup with a long time partner. I was sad and angry at the time about it all. But, I realize that it was one of the best things that could have happened to me. That relationship was bad news for me and I had been trying to get out for years, but just couldn't.

I am grateful that I got out and didn't waste anymore of my years being miserable and unhappy.

I am also grateful for a wonderful and supportive new boyfriend who makes me laugh and enjoy life.

Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge Week 4/5

Week 4- Write about your progress thus far...

Well, there isn't much to report really. I am not really losing or gaining. I've been working out pretty consistently over the last 4 weeks, but nothing is changing.

It's frustrating. I've been in this place before and I get really angry at myself. I know that my feelings are not helping the cause. I get down on myself and I'm not sure how to get motivated to the point I was before.

I want to take care of myself and I want to be healthy and happy. I know what I need to do, but it's like I don't care enough about myself to make it happen. I hate to think that, but why can't I just get into the mindset I need to be in?

On the plus side, I have been doing well at the gym. I even did a run on the treadmill and it was not bad. Been doing mostly cardio, including a fitness class.

I went grocery shopping last week and only allowed myself to buy healthy foods. That made me happy and proud of my restraint.

Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge

Week 3

Our challenge for this week was to try a new activity or push ourselves. I definitely did both.

My gym offers a variety of workout classes at no cost to members. I have never tried one in my 2 years of being a member. I didn't want everyone to see how bad I would be at the steps or how red in the face I would get (something that has always happened to me no matter what shape I'm in). So, when this challenge came up I figured this would be the perfect time to finally do it.

I scoped out the classes from the door a few times. Seeing what they would be like. I decided on a new class called Newbody. It is "a low impact cardio conditioning class that is easy to follow for all fitness levels. It will re-define your body and empower you to achieve your goals. Enhance your workout with the use of optional hand weights."

Low impact? Good. Easy to follow? Good. All fitness levels? Awesome! So I went after work and went to the class.

It was fun and a good workout. I definitely was sweating and red. I was about 50 minutes and the average calorie burn is 450 (I think). Mine would be higher because I am bigger.

Here is a video of what the class is like:

As for this week's weigh-in. I am skipping. It has not been a great week food wise. I'll talk about it in my review challenge this week.

Toodles!

Week 3

Hello Lovelies!

The Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge is still going strong. We are coming up on Week 3 and it is time for a weigh-in!

Start Weight: 221.2
Last Week: 220.2
Today: 219.2 (-1 lbs)

Losing pretty steady at a pound a week so far. I sure wish it was faster,  but you know what they say. It took longer to put it on, it will take a while to take it off. 

However, I am hoping to ramp up my activity this coming week. Especially since our weekly challenge is to try a new activity or challenge ourselves.

How is everyone else doing out there? Leave a comment telling me about your blog! Looking for new ones to read.

Thai Inspired Pumpkin Soup

Week Two Challenge for Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge

Try a new healthy recipe.

I love to cook. I really do. I find it very relaxing after a long day of work to just focus on chopping and cooking dinner. It takes my mind off the day.

I have always cooked ever since I was a kid. I would help my mom at the stove. I would cook dinner for my dad when my mom was at work. Then I started cooking for my boyfriend and myself when I got older.

Now, I tend to cook only for myself. I seldom use recipes and tend to just create something in a pot or pan. I'm not usually disappointed.

Some friends think I missed my calling as a chef. Sometimes I think they might be right and that I would rather be cooking all day that do what I am currently doing.

Anyway, I decided to make a Thai inspired pumpkin soup.

Ingredients: Roasted Pumpkin, Cilantro, Lime, Red Onion, Coconut Milk, Sriracha, Garlic, Chicken Stock, Peanut Butter, S&P to taste.

Why can't these be the right way? Jeepers!

Voila! It is sweet, but with a real kick to it! It will be great for those cool months to clear the sinuses and warm up the hands.

Fall Challenge Week 2

I finished Week 1 of the Fit and Fabulous Fall Challenge over at Lady Thunder Thighs blog. I can't believe I actually stuck to it! I'm really happy about it. I have been so scattered and unfocused with getting back on track. So, even thought it is not a big revolution, I am proud of myself.

Weekly Weigh-In
Start: 221.2
This week....

 I lost a pound! That is great news for me :)











This week's mini challenge is to try a new healthy recipe and blog about it. I'll probably choose something out of the "Cook This, Not That" series.

Stay tuned for that!

The Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge

 

Alright! Here we go! I'm doing a challenge to kickstart my weight-loss!

It is called the Fit & Fabulous Fall Challenge by my girl Thunder Thighs. I'm excited to start and I am going to commit to the full 8 weeks.

Here is my official weigh-in picture. I'm up a bit from last time, but I'm going to blame it on being a lady. haha.

Ok, so this is upside down. I realize that! But, I will read you the numbers- 221.2lbs.

I'll take better pictures next time, I swear!

Along with a scale picture, I have a task to complete this week. I have to visit all the challenge participants to encourage them. I like that challenge because I will get some new blogs to read and hopefully make some new friends!

Good luck all!

Figuring it all out...

Hello Everyone!

I haven't figured out how I want to do this blog yet. I used to post a weigh-in every Friday and a review every Sunday with other little posts sprinkled in between.

I still haven't figured out how I really want to approach this weight-loss thing again either. Last time around, I was in a very different place. I was working part time, in a long term and unhappy relationship. I was working out by doing the Couch to 5K, cardio machines, and circuit weights. Going to the gym about 3 times/week. I was also counting calories and had lots of time to plan meals.

Switch to the present... I am single (with a new bf), with a full-time job. I'm still calorie counting. And I'm unsure of myself in the gym. I've been doing solely cardio such as the elliptical and some steep incline walking on the treadmill. I go to the gym about 2x/week right now and do a lot of walking to and from work.

It's coming along... but slowly. I haven't been weighing myself regularly either.

To all those who are getting back on the wagon... How did you get back on?

And... What do you like to see in blogs?

In a low...

The past week has found me feeling very low and somewhat depressed. I think a big part of that feeling is how I let myself slip all the way back to where I was. Back to the 200s. I wasn't happy then and the food didn't make me happy either.

I'm feeling just... bleck! about myself. My clothes aren't fitting properly or I can't wear my newer clothes. I'm feeling self-concious when I go out or go to the gym.

I've been trying to pull myself out of this and get motivated, but I just haven't been able to.

-----------------------------------------

On the brighter side, I have been keeping up with my routine of gym 2x per week, walking to work 3x per week. My calories have been pretty good on at least 80% of days. I make lunches to take to work and haven't been eating out that often.

I went kayaking last week and plan to go again this week. We go for an hour and it takes quite a bit of core strength to steer and paddle. It is super fun and I suggest you try it out if you have access!


How do you beat a low mood?

First Official Weigh-In

I bought a new scale this week. As I mentioned I lost mine in the move that I recently had.

Since January, I had stopped weighing myself. I could see the slow steady climb and just wanted to ignore it. Be oblivious to how I was sabotaging all that hard work I did last year. There were tell-tale signs that I was gaining. Pants getting tight. Bras bulging. More difficulty getting up the 4 flights of stairs to my apartment. Foot pain from plantar fasciitis.Even my doctor noticed!

I knew I was getting up there, so I returned to the gym one evening to work out. I decided to use the scale there. I don't usually weigh myself at night, but I had the opportunity.

I DID NOT like what I saw. The scale jumped to about 230 lbs. I was so disappointed in myself. All that hard work. I really let things get to me and forgot to care about myself.

I have learned something about myself in this ordeal. I cannot NOT weigh myself. I need to keep myself in check. Just because I know I have gained doesn't mean I can stop being accountable for myself. When I gain, I need to get on that scale and check-in with myself and take responsibility.

So... now that I have a scale, I feel I can record an accurate weight.

Start Weight: 220.2
That's a gain of 37.2 lbs.

Not as bad as originally thought, but in no way am I proud of it.

Here we go again guys!

My less than triumphant return...

Well, I bet you thought you'd never hear from me again. Believe me. I thought about just disappearing into the darkness. But something has really made me want to get back to writing about this crazy life of gain and loss.

That's right... I said GAIN.

My last weigh-in on this blog was around 188 lbs in November. My last weigh-in that I recorded on my own was 183 lbs in mid-December. That was my lowest in a very long time. 

So, what am I weighing in at today? I'm weighing in at a shocking and embarrassing 230 lbs. It's is as close to my highest weight I want to get. I'm very disappointed in myself that I stopped weighing every week. I stopped exercising. I stopped caring about myself. That's why I am shaking myself out of this obliviousness and getting back on track.

What happened you may ask? Well, it was a hurricane of a lot of things. Since January I have gone through a horrible and humiliating break-up, moved into a new apartment, diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, began taking prescription meds, started dating a new man, got a job promotion, been dealing with the illness of a dear friend, among other everyday things.

Life is mostly on track now. I like where I am at and I'm trying to control my anxiety and eating.

I started off slowly by eating better (but not severely strict) and walking to work most days (about 35 minutes). That lasted about a week or more. Then, last week, I returned to the gym and still starting off slowly with 30 mins of cardio. I will work my way up to 1 hour. I have been on track with my calories for the last 4 days using the app and website LoseIt. Also trying to drink lots of water and green tea.

I do not have a scale at the moment as it was lost in the move. I plan to get one tonight. I am a person who can not be without a scale or go long stretches without weighing. I realize this now. I let myself get out of control.

Thanks to those of you who are still around to give me encouragement. I really appreciate your kind words and know that you know my pain of yo-yoing.

Here I am. Getting back on the horse. Wish me luck!