HYC Check In

My last check in for 2008. In honor of the last check in (and the fact that I'm menstrual and have been eating like cheese is going out of style), I'm off the scale this week. Since this is the last check in I've been thinking about all I've learned in 2008 while participating in the Healthy You Challenge:

• I like shopping for clothing when I have lost weight
• I won't lose weight without exercise - and vigorous exercise at that
• Weighing every day is helpful
• I love finding new and creative ways to cook healthful and tasty food
• I love doing Pilates - and how strong it makes me feel
• I love looking at the muscles in my body
• I enjoy the support and friendship blogging brings me
• I need to focus on cutting down on my sugar intake (I'm sweet enough, right?)
• Journaling my food keeps me honest, strict, and leaner
• I am inspired by all the Healthy You Challenge members and their honesty, humor, discoveries and determination
• I am capable of getting to my goal weight. It's not an impossible dream.

So with that, I venture into the Healthy You Challenge 2009 - determined and inspired and ready to kick some butt! Thank you to everyone who has offered their support here - I look forward to another successful year!

HYC Check In

Here is what happens when I stop exercising, and still allow myself to eat sweets. I will gain about 1.4 pounds a week, on average. My clothes still fit, but I feel squishier, softer. I dread posting my weight here. And it’s my party, so I can make the rules and say “No weigh in today!” which I seriously considered today, but I know that no one cares how much I weigh more than I do. Not writing down the number will not change the fact that it is there. I am on the border of beating myself up and throwing up my hands and saying “Screw it. Put on 10 pounds in December. Who cares?” But I do care. I can’t pretend that it doesn’t matter. So, today I’m 224. The world has not ended, I have not turned into a sloth, and I have not given up the dream or goal of continuing to lose weight. I am just not able to focus on it right now. The week of December 29-January 2, I can exercise. And I will.

HYC Check In

I'm a day late for weigh in! 222.6 – I’m up 2.6 pounds since my vacation and Thanksgiving. It could have been a lot worse, so I’ll take this and remind myself that cookies do not make the world go round, nor the scale go down. Do you know what happens to your body when you stop exercising? You don’t need as much food. I always have a stash of fruit and peanut butter and nuts to sustain me throughout my work day. And I find myself looking at the clock thinking – its time to eat! Then I realize that I am not hungry. What a concept - food as fuel. Less movement, less fuel. I guess that whole thing about exercise speeding up your metabolism is true.

My last panicky post was me thinking (screaming?) out loud. And since then, I’ve recalled my Mom’s rule. You can only feel sorry for yourself for 2 days, then you have to make a list of what to change or do next. This applies to just about any situation in life, but especially weight loss. I have to accept that for the next 6 weeks, exercise will be low, so my calories have to be even lower. Bor-ing - eating is way more fun. But not gaining weight is even more fun than that. The next two weeks are jam-packed for me, so please excuse my absence from the HYC blogger's comment sections. I hope everyone had a great week!

HYC Check In

Well, shoot. I am up .6 this week – just barely, barely holding on to my 70 pound status at 220 even. I’m not too surprised, as I missed two days of exercise. Oh, and there was that trip to the bakery on Sunday – where I had 5-cheese Sicilian style pizza and a chocolate brioche. Divine – wouldn’t go back and change that, even if it puffed me up a bit.

Get back! Back on Track! Last night I walked the Ding, and even jogged a little. I will never understand runners. Bobbing along, feeling the weight of my hips and feet as I try to propel myself down the path – I did not receive an endorphin packed rush, nor the thrill of challenging myself. I felt only the drag of my 220 pounds and the sense that this is not the exercise for me, so I should stop being an imposter. Back to the gymnasium for me!

Hope everyone had a successful week.

HYC Check In

Here in the Trisaratops Lounge I’m grateful to see 219.4 on the scale this morning. That means new 70 pound loss bling! Hooray! I did pretty well this week, eating wise and exercise wise. How nice to feel as though I have been rewarded for that.

Last night I returned home from rehearsal and felt hungry. Not bored, what can I eat, but tummy growling hungry. So I ate. Today I logged my calories into FitDay, and I only went over my calorie goal by 150 or so. That’s a relief. My director is not going to be helping my weight loss efforts much; she’s a mean baker and brought Apple Cranberry Crisp to rehearsal. With diced candied ginger. Oh, it was heaven. I took the smallest portion possible.

Forget getting yourself to the gym. Forget counting calories. Forget writing down what you eat. The hardest part about losing weight is choosing when to say no. As a baker myself, I know how nice it is to make something, feel proud about it, and then have people refuse to eat it because it has sugar and fat in it. So there’s the social side of me that wants to be kind, at war with the sensible side of me that wants to be healthier. And it’s apple crisp for chrissakes, not a Twinkie, it practically counts as a serving of fruit, covered in oats, cinnamon and sugar. This will be a test for me. How to get past wanting to say yes to every delicious thing that comes my way.

Good luck to everyone – hope you are having a delicious and healthy week!

HYC Check In

How can I think of weight at a time like this? It’s Election Day! I voted bright and early at the polls this morning – and it was sort of exciting. There’s a buzz and camaraderie from seeing that my neighbors care as much as I do. I hope Barack Obama is our next president. I did my part! Get out and vote today!

In health-related news, this past week, I would like a do-over, please. I was plagued by the most vicious cramps I have had in years. And I could not bear going to the gym, and challenging myself. Even though exercise is recommended for pain relief, I was just not feeling it. The most I could do was walk the dog, which I figure is better than sitting at home eating chips. I forced myself to go this weekend, and last evening. I felt a little like I was clicking the “undo” button on my body, hoping that those two work outs make up for a week of not exercising to my full capability, and indulging in leftover Halloween candy (foolish!). There’s no sense in beating myself up, it was a not so hot week, and I can’t go back, so I’m going forward. The scale greeted me with my old pal, 224 this morning. I equate that to my swollen womb, and probably a little candy. Here’s to a week candy-free, and work-out full!

HYC Check In

Happy Tuesday! I was surprised that the scale read 220.4 again this week. I’m glad that number wasn’t a fluke last week, but bummed that I didn’t make it to 219. I saw 219 a couple of times last week, after the Official Tuesday Weigh-In, but I guess it was not meant to be this week. Come on 70 pounds!

I really did well at my calorie counting last week. I was staying within the range I set (1750-1900) and wasn’t feeling deprived. Yay! However, my period is coming, and already the sugar is calling my name. So far, the bowl of Halloween candy in the office has beaten me today. But tomorrow is another day, and I can be stronger then.

Wishing everyone a successful week (and me too!)

HYC Check In

220.4! Finally!! It has taken 3 months for me to lose the 8 pounds I put on in June and July. Well, 7.6 pounds. This was a total surprise, because I was hovering around 223 all weekend. I didn't make it to my 5th day of exercise this week, but no matter - this is another week to try and try again.

I think I probably sweated out those 2.5 pounds last night. I tried to complete the 30 Day Shred workout number 1, by Jillian Michaels. I stuck it out through the whole thing, but had to stop a few times for some complaining and to steady myself to not fall over. It was a pleasure that all the ab work was a snap, thanks to Pilates. But don't tell Jillian I said that, she'd easily kick my ass. I was inspired that she said change doesn't come easily. You can't do something half way and expect results. Amen to that.

I hope everyone had a successful week!

HYC Check In

Do you know what 224 is? It is an area code in Illinois, how many electoral college votes Obama had on September 9th, and my current weight. Even though I was 220.2 on Saturday, and last week I was smiling fondly at the scale as the number went down, here I am again, on official weigh in day with good old 224. All I can say is that I think the weekends with their boozy evenings are messing me up on Tuesday. I hope that I'm right, and that later in the week, I'll get back to where I was before.

I've learned that there is a mind set about losing weight. I think that I want the freedom to eat and drink what I like, and then expect it to not count. I am exercising, I am eating well, but then splurging with the attitude that it will not affect me, since I've stayed on plan for the days prior to weigh in. I wasn't that disappointed this morning, it was more of a confirmation that I can't stray, or that when I do, I have to accept the consequences. And remember that in the big picture, I'm doing well.

Hope everyone else had a great week!

HYC Check In

Arrgh! 224. Again. Still. No gain is a good thing, but no loss is a bummer. How to change that? I've made myself a pot of black bean soup for lunch this week. It has served me well in the past and Elise's recipe is delicious – despite my forgetting the sweet potato and skipping the ham. The lime juice and cilantro garnish seals the deal for me. I'm hoping that it will quell the snacky lady that lives within me. I guess that old adage that the last 10 pounds are the hardest is true- although in my case, it's the last 34, but who's counting?

I really was feeling encouraged and invigorated a couple of weeks ago, and I so easily allow myself to get deflated by a setback. My sugar intake was way better than it has been, but it is still there. A list of goals this week – making them public usually makes me way more compliant.

• 5 days of exercise
• Only 2 days with sugar (baby steps)
• Calories at 1,750 - with wiggle room for heavy exercise days

I must list one yahoo for the week – I went into the ladies’ section at Macy’s – the ladies who are size 14 and under mind you, and was able to put on an XL shirt and XL exercise pant. I felt furtive and like I was going to be kicked out based on the size of my lovely self, (because I am ridiculous) but I didn’t. And I fit into the clothes. By the way – who is buying $30 silk screened work out clothes? I have a problem paying more than $15 for something I’m going to sweat in. But I digress, there’s a hurrah for me to put under my pillow on days like to today when I feel frustrated. I gotta keep on keeping on.

HYC Check In

Aaack! (apparently I'm channeling Cathy today - need chocolate!) I missed Tuesday's check in. In its continuing efforts to befuddle me, the scale showed gain of 1 pound this week at 224. My body never ceases to amaze me. I was as diligent this week as I was the week prior, spinning, calorie counting and all, and yet, a gain. Ah well, you win some, you lose some. I do know that I did allow that bugger sugar into my life, and even though I was in my calorie range, I think 100 calories of sugar is very different from 100 calories of apple, ya know? Note to self, less sugar.

Moving on! I can't let the scale dictate my moods - even though it is very easy to do so. I made it to all of my workouts this week, and rocked them! I feel proud and strong and healthy. Hooray.

Hope everyone else had a fabulous week too!

HYC Check In

I am so happy to report that today the scale was 223 - on the nose, baby. That's a 3 pound loss - (not counting last week's menstrual swelling) and I couldn't be more thrilled. This week I focused on keeping my calories between 1700 and 1900 - I was over on some days, but I kept my protein and fiber up. I definitely owe some of this to the spinning class, and the fact that I kept my energy up during my work outs. Determination! The best part was that I was able to have two social events that involved eating not so great food, and I emerged unscathed, satisfied and without guilt.

I also had a shining moment in Pilates this week. I've been taking that class once a week since February, and every week, I try to do a jack knife. And every week I heave and push and my legs go up, but my tush stays on the mat, and that's that. Last Thursday, I did it!! It was so exhilirating and I got a high five and a genuine "Good job, Sara. All right!" from the instructor. Yippee!

I feel like I'm starting over. I see that I've been sort of mamby-pamby since March, and this week has proved that I really have to watch my calories, and today makes it feel as though the effort was worth it. Why I can't remember this all the time, I'll never know. Today I'm wearing a skirt that is one size too small, (it was only $6 at the Goodwill!) and I don't need a slimming undergarment to do so. That's a rock star kind of feeling. Let's hope that this forthcoming week is successful as well! I wish everyone else good eats, good movement and good feelings.

HYC Check In

Oh period power. You are amazing. You transform the scale, my self-esteem and my handy Excel weight loss chart in the blink of an eye! My womb is apparently very full; coupled with last night’s big family dinner Mom – style and this morning the scale reported a hefty 231.5 pounds this morning. That’s 5.5 pounds up in one week. Impressive, no? I’m letting this one roll off my back…

This week I experimented with reduced carbohydrate intake – that lasted about 2 days. I read too many horror stories, and have decided that I will focus on building muscle, and taking in low-fat, low-cholesterol protein. Hello, beans! Another discovery this week, I think I need to count calories again. FitDay has become new and improved, and they now make a recommendation on how many calories to eat each day based on your weight loss goal. So, I’m aiming for that. Calories: 1722 per day, fiber a minimum of 25 grams a day, protein, trying to hit 85 grams a day, and 5 days of cardio. Overall, I’m feeling pretty good about my efforts this past week. I did ride the sugar roller coaster for a few spins, but promptly got off. I'm continuing on, hopefully with some results!

HYC Check In

This week's weigh-in brought to you by regret. Today the scale saw 226 even. No change from last week. I am grateful for no gain, but realize that I could have had a loss if I had avoided the salt-water taffy (thanks, SWF - it was so good!), ice cream and black licorice that was in my house. Sometimes I have candy-craving weeks, and that was this week. I was also feeling dejected and frustrated about the state of my weight. I wasn't consciously seeking out sugar as a way to console myself, but I was using want versus should to direct my food choices.

A group of ladies in my office are lately all fired up about Peter Walsh's It's All Too Much book on clearing the clutter from your home and life. He makes a point with one client's home that they had a play room for the kids that was full of kid's artwork, toys and clothes leaving no room for the kids to actually play in. The Mom was dismayed on how to part with any of it. He pointed out to her that she was placing more importance on storing old things rather than giving her kids a place to play. And I realize that over the past week, I was putting more importance on sugar than nutrition. It has been a long time since I have had a week where I ate sweets with abandon. So this week I am placing the emphasis on protein - UP, exercise - UP, journaling - UP. It's a shame that my journey is taking the trajectory of a roller coaster, but better to realize it rather than throw in the towel.

Here's to a great week of great choices - I'll meet you back here with a positive result in 7 days.

HYC Check In

Grumbling and grousing I type this entry. Today the scale greeted me with 226 exactly. That is almost a pound, but no cigar - a .8 loss. Pbbtht! Last Friday, I was down to 224.6 - I guess I should have posted it then to celebrate it. Someday it will come back to me!


I'm tired of thinking, okay, seriously - you've got to do something about this. My eating is great - I am eating my beans and greens and fruits and doing it up right. However, my exercise is not challenging enough. That's got to be it. I am being rewarded with a full body sweat each time I visit the gym, but it must not be enough. This evening I incorporated some of my new "On Demand" exercise moves into my routine at the YMCA, and it felt good. I regret to inform myself that I will most likely need to add an extra day to my 4-day a week routine. But I will gladly go to get this extra weight moving off.

I hope everyone else had a stellar week!

HYC Check In

This week starts with techno tragedy – the internets are not working at my house! My cell phone died, and the home phone was out for a day. I then became That Guy who had to go to the Sprint store, post haste. It is frustrating to feel sort of impotent when technology is failing me, how did that happen when I was the girl who resisted cell phones? Having no internet is not improving the plague of boring here in the Trisaratops Lounge, but our technicians are working as best as they can. Today's post is of the Secretive Blogging at Work variety. Sneaky!

My weight loss efforts were not unrewarded this week. Finally, a loss. 1.2 this week – which I have to admit I was secretly hoping that one week of dedicated effort would magically yield an 8 pound loss, but weird, that didn’t happen. I gave in to TOM temptation a bit, but exercised solidly. I went to the company baseball game, and ate a lot of peanuts and fruit, one sausage, no bun and skipped the booze. Free booze at that! How's that for dedication. This week’s challenge will be to exercise despite that my favorite YMCA location is closed for the its yearly maintenance week. Tonight my friend and I are going to try an Urban work out. Downtown Seattle is full of steep hills and stairs and should prove to be a kick in the tush that I need. We can do a little window shopping here, too. I don’t think anything there comes in size 16, but it shore is purty in there.

Keep on keeping on, everyone! This isn’t going to be easy, but it is worth it. I think I need to get this tattooed on my forehead.

HYC Check In

It is a sad thing when one finds one's own blog boring. Only posting once a week? Boring! Only wallowing in their failure to ramp up? Boring! So on to the boring news. My husband and I went away for the weekend to a beach cabin with some friends and had a rollicking good time. But we returned on Monday, and since Tuesday was my first day of work and I stumbled bleary-eyed into the bathroom, I didn't weigh myself, thinking it was Monday. Not that I'd like to see that number anyway, methinks.

My exercise was on target last week - and boy howdy, Pilates was very challenging since I hadn't been there for 2 weeks, which made me think that I need to do it more than once a week.

Goals for next week:

• Prepare breakfasts and lunches this weekend
• Journal
• Portions, portions, portions
• Create a new exercise routine that involves using my own body weight because believe you me, there's plenty to challenge myself with
• Write more than one blog entry a week
• Visit the challengers

Does anyone know if plyometrics are as painful as they look? They look both scary and effective to me. Maybe I'll introduce them to myself! Off to check in with everyone else!

HYC Check In

Well Tuesday morning has greeted me in a significant way. Today is literally the 2 year anniversary of my first weigh-in. July 27, 2006, I was 285.5 pounds. I had decided the week before that I would commit to putting my weight on the Internet with Mel and her Diet Naked Team. 2 years later, I'm down 62 pounds. Not where I thought I would be, of course. I thought I would be one of those gals on the cover of People magazine touting "I lost over 100 pounds with diet and exercise, look at me now!" It is obviously not the fastest weight loss on record, but I'm proud of the permanent changes I have made in my life.

Seeing this number on the scale hurt this morning. 228.2. Ouch. I was only 223.8 on Friday, so my indulgent weekend had quite an effect. Now I have 8.2 pounds worth of motivation to get back to my 70 pound mark. It is really hard to be back here, to be positive and not throw in the towel. But I am being honest here, and that's what the scale saw today, ugly as it is. Thanks for the reminder, universe, that I gain weight instantly if I go off plan. I hear you. I'm back to strict portioning!

So for this week, my meals are planned, exercise is back on the menu, and dedication is off the charts. I swear.

HYC Check In

Time to check in again! This week was a little wonky, eating wise. I think it started with spending the weekend at my Mom’s house and then eating out Sunday evening, then returning to my regular schedule, but without having had the time to prepare my meals for lunch as I prefer. I’m learning that I crave the security of planning my meals. Which is odd, I think, because what is the big deal of going to the salad bar at lunch time, you know? I think I like knowing exactly what I’m eating and making the right choice. Then I had an additional two nights of eating out – and I had drinks at both. At least I made my exercise schedule, well, with the exception of the racquetball debacle. I’m staying off the scale until mid-July. A couple weeks after TOM is over and done with, and then I’ll be ready. I’m digging this weigh in schedule.

In other news, I went on a shopping trip this weekend and found 2 lovely dresses – both in a size 16! This is significant, being a former 26. Hooray for summer and smaller sizes!

My goal this next week is to not over-do the eating, prep my lunches and plan my dinners, and push my physical limits at the gym. Have a great week!

HYC Check In

Week 25 already? Happy Tuesday! I’ve had Big Doins around here, as they say. My Mom retired, and we had a big fat party for her this weekend, with old friends and tons of family. Nothing makes me want to hop on the scale faster than a family-filled event. One must have exact pounds to report, should someone ask about your progress.

This is a large preamble to say, I weighed myself for the first time in 4 weeks or so on Saturday, and I was relieved to see 220! I have finally hit the 70 pound mark, and that puts me down 3.6 pounds since my last weigh in. I think I could get used to this weighing in every 3 weeks or so. I really am just focusing on doing the right things and feeling great and hoping that the weight will come off too. Just Do It June seems to be working! Exercise was great this past week as well.

My Mom’s party consisted of a lot of finger foods, and a devilishly tempting torta of pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and cream cheese. I did succumb to the torta a bit but I also loaded up on fruits, veggies, and had a few shrimp. All in all, I think I did well. I love summer time for losing weight, because it is warm (make that warm-ish here in Seattle) so I naturally drink more water, and I could eat bowls of nectarines and blueberries all day – and it is good for you too, what a bonus.

So I’ll continue to just do it, and maybe hop on the scale again sometime in July, methinks. Hope everyone else’s week was grand!