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!

Weigh-In

Sitting at 187.6 lbs

That's a loss of 4.4 lbs from the end of September.

Rejoining the gym this weekend. Yep, probably shouldn't have left, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.

I've been having a really tough time personally with my relationships- everyone is in turmoil and all I want to do is save the day. I can't and it feels terrible, some even blame me for making them feel worse when all I do is try to help.

It is time for me to focus on myself. Losing some more pounds will make me feel better about myself. I'm hoping that working out not only shapes my body, but will help get my mind in shape as well.