That's right! I'm bringing sassy back. I got to thinking today about how I felt when I was at 180 pounds, two short years ago when I had initially lost a whole whack of weight. I remember being a more confident, sexy and incredibly sassy person. I want my sass back! Trading in my ass for sass!
I'm still seeing 215 on the scale! I'm really pushing to get to 213 by my next weigh-in. I want to officially lose 20 pounds as of the end of this week. I can do this! However, my goal of getting to 200 by the end of April is getting further and further out of reach. I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. Just nervous because we're 1/3 of the way into April and I've only dropped 4 pounds! Boo! Hiss!
On a more positive note: i've been really pushing it at the gym (especially today) - with help of distracting myself by watching the Biggest Loser. I picked an elliptical machine facing the pool tonight to remind myself that I want to get back into swimming very soon. Man I miss being a swimmer. It's really the one sport I am really good at, and unfortunatley can't do it until I feel comfortable in a bathing suit. Again I say Boo! Hiss! I did push it 90 minutes on the elliptical tonight and burned a whopping 1000 calories - go me! I'm the nerd who sweats bullets on the elliptical while watching the BL on my ipod. I must look like such a dork - but luckily I have no pride, so I really could care less what others must assume when they see me on that machine. It's a funny thought though!
Tomorrow I will be 214 - I am banking on it!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Redefining "Spoiling Myself"
I did a lot of thinking today about my eating habits and compared my old eating habits with my new eating habits and noticed one specific difference. I have learned, growing up as a French-Canadian with parents who have instilled very french-like characteristics into my development as a person, to always have a strong value of "work hard, play harder". Everyone in my family is incredibly hard-working and rewards themselves at the end of a long working day or on the weekend with a few glasses of fine wine, french cheese, fancy desserts, fine liquors, and well... I think you get my point here. I have grown up with the notion that I should reward myself by "spoiling myself" after a hard days or weeks work.
See this form of "spoiling" is OK for my family members and most of them are not overweight as a result of this cultural characteristic, however, they have the ability to eat just 1 or 2 pieces of brie and french bread or just 2 or 3 glasses of fine wine. I, on the other hand, consume 10 - 12 pieces of brie and bread, or 6 - 7 glasses of fine wine. I really have no ability to control my portions.
Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that, while I still think it is very, very important to work hard and play harder, I need to re-define my idea of what it means to reward myself. A one-hour yoga class can feel just as good as a glass of red wine and a cup of green tea can be just as soothing as ice cream - can't it? I certainly need to start believing this if I don't want to feel deprived on and after my weight-loss journey.
That is where my food efforts will be for the next little while.
On the workout front: I have to say that I am one brilliant individual. I downloaded the entire Biggest Loser Season 8 (all episodes) and began watching it today on the bus on the way home and at the gym. First off, my commute home after work is 1.5 hours on the bus - and I watched the first episode (and shed some tears) which worked out perfectly because the episodes are each 1 hour and 20 minutes each. After watching episode one on the bus I was totally motivated to get my butt to the gym and when I got there this evening I watched episode 2 while given'r on the elliptical and was able to burn 700 calories in a mere 60 minutes. It was so awesome, watching the BL totaly distracted me and kept me from getting board! I was swimming in sweat and keeping up a pace of 140 - 150. I totally rocked it. This new BL/ ipod/ elliptical system I have going on is going to help me get to 200 pounds, and I'm going to enjoy losing every one of those little buggars!
Lastly, I just wanted to comment that my stress level is quite high right now as this weekend I have to finish a 25-page paper that is due for school (and I've only written about 8 pages. This paper has been hanging over my head all term and I am just dreading it. It my absolute final paper to hand in for the program I am in, and have been in this program for the last 3 years! I just want it over and done with. I want to focus on my exercising this weekend, but am afraid this is going to consume all my time. I really hope this doesn't prevent me from dropping some serious poundage this week - when I weighed in today, I was still at 215... YIKES!
See this form of "spoiling" is OK for my family members and most of them are not overweight as a result of this cultural characteristic, however, they have the ability to eat just 1 or 2 pieces of brie and french bread or just 2 or 3 glasses of fine wine. I, on the other hand, consume 10 - 12 pieces of brie and bread, or 6 - 7 glasses of fine wine. I really have no ability to control my portions.
Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that, while I still think it is very, very important to work hard and play harder, I need to re-define my idea of what it means to reward myself. A one-hour yoga class can feel just as good as a glass of red wine and a cup of green tea can be just as soothing as ice cream - can't it? I certainly need to start believing this if I don't want to feel deprived on and after my weight-loss journey.
That is where my food efforts will be for the next little while.
On the workout front: I have to say that I am one brilliant individual. I downloaded the entire Biggest Loser Season 8 (all episodes) and began watching it today on the bus on the way home and at the gym. First off, my commute home after work is 1.5 hours on the bus - and I watched the first episode (and shed some tears) which worked out perfectly because the episodes are each 1 hour and 20 minutes each. After watching episode one on the bus I was totally motivated to get my butt to the gym and when I got there this evening I watched episode 2 while given'r on the elliptical and was able to burn 700 calories in a mere 60 minutes. It was so awesome, watching the BL totaly distracted me and kept me from getting board! I was swimming in sweat and keeping up a pace of 140 - 150. I totally rocked it. This new BL/ ipod/ elliptical system I have going on is going to help me get to 200 pounds, and I'm going to enjoy losing every one of those little buggars!
Lastly, I just wanted to comment that my stress level is quite high right now as this weekend I have to finish a 25-page paper that is due for school (and I've only written about 8 pages. This paper has been hanging over my head all term and I am just dreading it. It my absolute final paper to hand in for the program I am in, and have been in this program for the last 3 years! I just want it over and done with. I want to focus on my exercising this weekend, but am afraid this is going to consume all my time. I really hope this doesn't prevent me from dropping some serious poundage this week - when I weighed in today, I was still at 215... YIKES!
Taking Frozen Dinners to A Whole New Level
I had the best frozen dinner for lunch today - it was Amy's Organic Tofu Bowl (see photo). At only 5 Weight watchers points a serving, I can see many more of them in my future. Perhaps I will attempt to make a batch of brown rice, tofu and veggies at home and make a homemade Amy's bowl. So inspired!
This is what it looked like in reality:
nom nom nom
Thank you Amy!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Inspiration: BIGGEST LOSER!
Every week - watching the Biggest Loser on TV at the gym, I always have an incredible amount of motivation to keep going on the cardio machines. Today was no exception. I stayed on that elliptical for 100 minutes. At the end of it I was dripping with sweat and my legs felt like rubber. It was awesome. As the contestants did a swimming challange this week, it motivated me to get to that 200 pound mark, which will allow me to step into that bathing suit and get back into swimming.
So, I had a thought in the shower after the gym tonight - if only the BL was on EVERYDAY, I would be inspired to work out like a mother every night. Then it occured to me that I haven't seen the BL seasons 2 - 8. So, my new plan: start with Season 2 and download the episodes onto my ipod so I CAN watch the BL every night while I'm at the gym. I am brilliant. This starts tomorrow, so I'll update you on whether or not it works. I am very excited to test this new plan of action tomorrow.
I want to make some specific goals that I wish to accomplish for the month of April, they are:
1.) Fit comfortably in my size 16 black work pants.
2.) Shrink bra size to a DD (currently at E)
3.) Increase the resistance on the Elliptical machine to 6 by April 30th (just increased the resistance from 4 to 5)
Lastly, I just wanted to update ya'll that today, being busy at work, I didn't get to eat lunch until 2pm! This screwed up my entire day and made me want to binge all night. As I type this it is taking every fibre in my body not go go to the kitchen and make myself a bag of popcorn. It is super important to eat lunch at noon for me otherwise my day becomes a challenge.
So, I had a thought in the shower after the gym tonight - if only the BL was on EVERYDAY, I would be inspired to work out like a mother every night. Then it occured to me that I haven't seen the BL seasons 2 - 8. So, my new plan: start with Season 2 and download the episodes onto my ipod so I CAN watch the BL every night while I'm at the gym. I am brilliant. This starts tomorrow, so I'll update you on whether or not it works. I am very excited to test this new plan of action tomorrow.
I want to make some specific goals that I wish to accomplish for the month of April, they are:
1.) Fit comfortably in my size 16 black work pants.
2.) Shrink bra size to a DD (currently at E)
3.) Increase the resistance on the Elliptical machine to 6 by April 30th (just increased the resistance from 4 to 5)
Lastly, I just wanted to update ya'll that today, being busy at work, I didn't get to eat lunch until 2pm! This screwed up my entire day and made me want to binge all night. As I type this it is taking every fibre in my body not go go to the kitchen and make myself a bag of popcorn. It is super important to eat lunch at noon for me otherwise my day becomes a challenge.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Last Week Must Have Missed the Memo!
I am thinking that last week must have missed the memo - this week I lost another 4 pounds! Last week I only lost 1 pound... 1 POUND! Thank goodness this week I returned to my average and lost 4!
It was a particularily interesting week as my family came to visit me. I love my family very much - but the only reason we get along is because there is lots of distance between us. My mom was very excited that I had lost a whole wack of weight - but was going overboard with the support. Everywhere we went she would be talking about points, when we were shopping in the grocery store - she would point to an item and ask how many points were in it. One night I went to have popcorn and my mom commented, asking how many points I had had that day and "encouraged" me not to eat the popcorn. It was more than annoying. I repetidly told her that my points were under control and that I could handle it (after all - look how far I've come this far). My mom does this because she cares and really wants me to succeed and I love her for that. But, I am a very, very independant person and like to do things (like weight watchers) alone. I found myself biting my tongue many times. What's worse is that her behaviour is rubbing off on my litle sister - who - when I picked up a babybel cheese said, "Lisa - you shouldn't be eating that". I am so sick of everyone monitoring my food consumption - it makes me so angry. My mom would even be commenting on my exercise program - saying things like - "are you doing weights at the gym as well?" or "you should focus on your mid-section when your at the gym, not just your legs". Even when we would pass by a dairy queen I would say something like, "I love blizzards" and she would go off on a rant about how I need to stop idolizing foods like Blizzards.
I am very excited that I was able to lose 4 pounds on this weigh-in, with my family visiting, the stess and all the eating out I did this last week. I did make very good choices this last week though (and not just because I had my mom and sister narking me out). I managed to stay on plan and get most of my exercise in. We went shopping in Seattle on Sunday and I was fitting into XL clothes again - which was awesome. I even bought a pair of jeans from the Gap in a size 14 and was able to get them on AND zip them up (so I bought them). I thought my mom was going to cry, she also said that me fitting into size 14 jeans was the highlight of her trip. It was ridiculous!
On a positive note, I am at 215, but on a negative note, I am at 215. I have a long way to go and am going to have to find a way to tell my family to "butt out". Good thing I have a while until I see them next. Maybe by then I'll be skinny enough that they won't be down my neck so much *sigh*. I am very happy that my life is back to normal - back to reality. I can now continue to focus on myself and my weight loss.
This week - the goal is to lose another 4 pounds, continue to stay on the weight watchers plan and go to the gym 6 days this week. Last week I managed to eat little to none prepackaged foods and will plan to continue on that path this week.
So far - April rocks!
It was a particularily interesting week as my family came to visit me. I love my family very much - but the only reason we get along is because there is lots of distance between us. My mom was very excited that I had lost a whole wack of weight - but was going overboard with the support. Everywhere we went she would be talking about points, when we were shopping in the grocery store - she would point to an item and ask how many points were in it. One night I went to have popcorn and my mom commented, asking how many points I had had that day and "encouraged" me not to eat the popcorn. It was more than annoying. I repetidly told her that my points were under control and that I could handle it (after all - look how far I've come this far). My mom does this because she cares and really wants me to succeed and I love her for that. But, I am a very, very independant person and like to do things (like weight watchers) alone. I found myself biting my tongue many times. What's worse is that her behaviour is rubbing off on my litle sister - who - when I picked up a babybel cheese said, "Lisa - you shouldn't be eating that". I am so sick of everyone monitoring my food consumption - it makes me so angry. My mom would even be commenting on my exercise program - saying things like - "are you doing weights at the gym as well?" or "you should focus on your mid-section when your at the gym, not just your legs". Even when we would pass by a dairy queen I would say something like, "I love blizzards" and she would go off on a rant about how I need to stop idolizing foods like Blizzards.
I am very excited that I was able to lose 4 pounds on this weigh-in, with my family visiting, the stess and all the eating out I did this last week. I did make very good choices this last week though (and not just because I had my mom and sister narking me out). I managed to stay on plan and get most of my exercise in. We went shopping in Seattle on Sunday and I was fitting into XL clothes again - which was awesome. I even bought a pair of jeans from the Gap in a size 14 and was able to get them on AND zip them up (so I bought them). I thought my mom was going to cry, she also said that me fitting into size 14 jeans was the highlight of her trip. It was ridiculous!
On a positive note, I am at 215, but on a negative note, I am at 215. I have a long way to go and am going to have to find a way to tell my family to "butt out". Good thing I have a while until I see them next. Maybe by then I'll be skinny enough that they won't be down my neck so much *sigh*. I am very happy that my life is back to normal - back to reality. I can now continue to focus on myself and my weight loss.
This week - the goal is to lose another 4 pounds, continue to stay on the weight watchers plan and go to the gym 6 days this week. Last week I managed to eat little to none prepackaged foods and will plan to continue on that path this week.
So far - April rocks!
Friday, April 2, 2010
Struggling
Well, I knew it - having my folks in town staying with me is hazardous to my weight loss journey.
Went out for breakfast this morning and had eggs, salsa and hashbrowns and then a spinach salad for dinner. It's hard because I am not tracking my points, for some reason my computer isn't letting me login to the online weight watchers site - and I don't have time with family here to fix it.
I *think* I was able to stay on plan though. I've also been dragging my sister out to the gym for the past two nights too, which is fun because she is incredibly out of shape (but somehow manages to weigh 125 pounds). She ate 6 pieces of bacon pizza beside me while I nibbled on my spinach salad like a rabbit. It's times like those where I just think life isn't fair!
The good news - my mom, who triggered me to start this whole journey in the first place said that I am looking great (she hasn't seen me in about a month) and said that I am "starting to look like myself again". When I told her that I wanted to lose 100 pounds, she was a little shocked. I carry weight on my body very well - so when I am "overweight" - most of the time I don't look it. I don't think she realizes how heavy I actually am.
Scale still says 216 - even though I broke up with that number a couple days ago - *sigh*
Two more days of company, then I can get back to reality!
Went out for breakfast this morning and had eggs, salsa and hashbrowns and then a spinach salad for dinner. It's hard because I am not tracking my points, for some reason my computer isn't letting me login to the online weight watchers site - and I don't have time with family here to fix it.
I *think* I was able to stay on plan though. I've also been dragging my sister out to the gym for the past two nights too, which is fun because she is incredibly out of shape (but somehow manages to weigh 125 pounds). She ate 6 pieces of bacon pizza beside me while I nibbled on my spinach salad like a rabbit. It's times like those where I just think life isn't fair!
The good news - my mom, who triggered me to start this whole journey in the first place said that I am looking great (she hasn't seen me in about a month) and said that I am "starting to look like myself again". When I told her that I wanted to lose 100 pounds, she was a little shocked. I carry weight on my body very well - so when I am "overweight" - most of the time I don't look it. I don't think she realizes how heavy I actually am.
Scale still says 216 - even though I broke up with that number a couple days ago - *sigh*
Two more days of company, then I can get back to reality!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Hello April
I month down, 9 to go.
This April I plan on dropping the remaining 16 pounds currently living on my butt and thighs!
To accomplish this, I will continue my daily gym workouts (cardio) and continue to stay on the Weight Watchers plan.
I'm a little nervous as my family is visiting me this Easter long weekend - but I'm going to stick to it every day and resist the wine, pizza, beer, chocolate and anything else they insist on bringing into my house.
Goal: April 30th - meet 200 pounds
I have found that drinking two large cups of green tea every morning really helps with the weight loss. The one week in March when I didn't stick to drinking green tea every morning, I only lost 1 pound that week. This week I picked up the morning tea ritual again, and found myself at 216 last night - 3 pounds down from my Monday weigh in (and I still have the entire weekend to go before my next weigh in).
God bless Green Tea.
This April I plan on dropping the remaining 16 pounds currently living on my butt and thighs!
To accomplish this, I will continue my daily gym workouts (cardio) and continue to stay on the Weight Watchers plan.
I'm a little nervous as my family is visiting me this Easter long weekend - but I'm going to stick to it every day and resist the wine, pizza, beer, chocolate and anything else they insist on bringing into my house.
Goal: April 30th - meet 200 pounds
I have found that drinking two large cups of green tea every morning really helps with the weight loss. The one week in March when I didn't stick to drinking green tea every morning, I only lost 1 pound that week. This week I picked up the morning tea ritual again, and found myself at 216 last night - 3 pounds down from my Monday weigh in (and I still have the entire weekend to go before my next weigh in).
God bless Green Tea.
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