Week 16 and 17: Slowing Down While Speeding Up

I'll start first with the slow down.  Weight-loss is at a crawl right now, but I am content and okay with that.  I haven't quit, but now that I am in my normal weight range for my height, weight loss is getting more difficult unless I create a large enough deficit and that is difficult to do while in school and facing the Holidays, but I am still working at it.

The past two weigh-ins have been bi-weekly, and I don't want to make a habit out of that.  Weighing in weekly keeps me accountable to making progress.  So this will be the last time I will combine weeks.

Between Week 16 and 17 I only lost 1.4 lbs.  I am down 25 lbs overall, though, and that is freaking fantastic. 

Milestones:

140 lbs = Pre-Brendan weight.

137.8 lbs = -15 lb mark

133 lbs = Pre-Avery weight.

132.8 lbs = -20 lbs mark

127.8 lbs  =  down 25 lbs and The lowest weight I have been since having babies.

122.8 = Pre-Lindsey weight and -30 lb mark.

 

So, I am nearing my initial weight goal.  I'm so close.  Only 5 more lbs.  and then I will be the weight that I was when I found out I was pregnant with Lindsey...

 

Thinking about the future: After I reach 122.8 lbs, I can either stay there and maintain, or I could shoot for my recommended weight for my height which varies according to the source you consult... I think what I will do is keep doing what I am doing until I either plateau, or I reach my lowest goal weight of 105 lbs.  If I plateau I will just maintain by keeping on the same calorie limitations and exercise routine.  If I keep losing to 105 lbs I will begin a weight maintenance program with my calories and exercise so that I don't gain or lose... So that is the plan.

 

ANYWAY, onto the "while speeding up" part.  I hate running.  I mean... I used to envy runners because I just didn't have what it took to set a pace in jogging/running and keep it for any extended periods of time.  I have been putting an hour in on the elliptical for the past 17 weeks which translates into a little over 6 miles, and I feel like I am getting cardiovascular-ly healthy (I made up a word). Well, last Sunday, I decided to run in the morning instead of doing my workout at the gym.  I didn't do anything amazing, but I did jog for 4 miles and only stopped to walk a couple times.  I was terribly sore afterward though.  I liked it though, and I developed this desire to get better at it, so I went again a few days later, and I jogged for 4 miles straight NO WALKING.  I was stoked.  After that I decided to do a 6 mile jog.  I am not going to lie, it was rough.  I only walked for probably 1/10 of a mile, but I had to fight through a stomach ache, nausea/dizziness that developed after having to stop abruptly while my heart rate was about 170 bpm, and strong wind resistance.  I did it though.  6 miles in 1 hour and 8 minutes.  Not excellent, but I was just thrilled that I did it.

So there you have it.  I'm still keeping at it.  Recording every single calorie, exercising, and committing to the process. 

The Music that Burns my Calories.

If you are doing cardio workouts and wonder how to maximize that burn, I am going to tell you how I went from burning 520 calories an hour to burning anywhere from 620-680 calories a workout.

The trick isn't anything spectacular.
I started out easy.  I work out strictly on the elliptical.  Some will tell you that this isn't the best way to work out, but the proof is in the pudding or so they say, and I am losing weight, so... elliptical it is.

I began working out on the elliptical with a 10 incline and 1 resistance.  Nothing difficult at all.  I enter my weight and age.  I monitor my heart rate nearly the entire workout.  I would do this while watching TV shows on the TV connected to the gym equipment.  For the first 15 lbs or so of my weight loss journey I have to thank my guilty pleasure General Hospital, Superman, Lord of the Rings, Taken, Jumper... among other shows that I watched. Doing this would burn me about 480-500 calories.

After about 3 weeks I began adding resistance.  I would start out at 10 incline - 1 resistance then after 10 minutes I would move to 8-3 then 9-2 then 10-1 again.  Doing this I would burn about 520 calories.

When I really hit my stride was the day that I decided I was getting fit enough to up my resistance and instead of watching TV I found the magical calorie burning awesomeness of music...

Right now, my workout consists of a 5 minute warm up at 10 incline - 1 resistance, then I switch it to 6-5 and keep it there unless I hit a slower paced song, then I switch it to 6-8.  Doing this I burn anywhere from 620-680 calories.

Now for the music that makes my workouts AWESOME.
1. Muse... any Muse really, but the only Muse album I have on my iPod right now is The 2nd Law.

Often I will repeat the last song for cool down since the album doesn't quite take up 60 minutes plus a 5 minute cool down.  I usually burn about 678 calories keeping up to the pace of the songs on this album.

2. Hillsong United - Zion.  This album is very ambient.  It's got good steady beats.  It is a worship music album so I don't know that you will want to work out to this album if you don't particularly care for worship or Christian music.

This album is 70 minutes so it will last your full workout and cool down... The songs have steady rhythms to keep pace to and the music is really uplifting.  I burn about 645-660 calories to this album.

3. PANDORA station: Phoenix

I found these guys by accident (yes, I live under a rock).  I was listening to Muse Pandora station and a song from this album called "1901" came on and I loved it, so this introduced me to a wonderful Pandora station full of indie pop.  All of the music has a good steady pace to set your workout to and the music is fun.  I burned 642 calories today working out to this station.

4. PANDORA station: Muse (of course)

This station has it's really awesome days and then some days the songs can be slower and not a good workout pace.  I usually burn about 620 - 675 calories with this station.

Finding great music with a good pace you can set your rhythm to is what took my workouts to the next level.  And that is all.  The music that burns my calories.  Happy exercising.  Find your niche.

Week 14 and 15: Don't Worry, I Got This.

Week 14 was a no loss.  I actually put on .4 of a lb.  Rather than post about that, I just waited for the following weigh in to post.

Week 15 was much more successful :)
-3.4 lbs for between week 13 and 15, and -23.6 overall.  I'm feeling so great, and slowly starting to get more comfortable in my body.  I have 7.2 lbs to go before I am FINALLY pre-pregancy weight... and by pre-pregnancy I mean what I weighed the day that I found out I was pregnant with Lindsey, my oldest daughter.  I haven't weighed 122 lbs in over 10 years nearly 11!  I never thought I would ever lose the weight, but now it's right there within reach!

The secret to my success so far is still the same:
1. My Fitness Pal app... calorie counting.
2. Working out to be able to have more freedom to eat things I like and avoid deprivation.
3. Commitment to the process of losing weight.

If you are on a weight loss journey, seriously, you can so do it!  Keep at it.

Week 13: Slow But Steady.

This week wasn't a spectacular loss, but I did mark off another milestone.  EXACTLY 20 lbs down.
Week 13: -0.6 lb since last week and -20 lb total.
Pretty fantastic.

Note to self:  Find some fingernail polish and paint toe nails... Your feet look disgusting.

Milestones:

140 lbs = Pre-Brendan weight.

137.8 lbs = -15 lb mark

133 lbs = Pre-Avery weight.

132.8 lbs = -20 lbs mark

128 lbs = The lowest weight I have been since having babies.

122.8 = Pre-Lindsey weight and -30 lb mark.

I promise I will post some progress pictures soon.  I have to locate a good example.  I have a poor self body image, so most of my pictures of myself are from the shoulders up.  

Weeks like these are definitely a good example of why there needs to be a commitment to the PROCESS and not the results.  If I were just relying on results for my motivation, I would definitely give up.  Some weeks the results are awesome, and some weeks I am lucky to lose 1/2 a lb, but I do know that by January, I will be one happy fit girl, and I will be super glad that I committed to this LONG and involved process of losing weight and getting healthy.

Please see my Week 12 post if you want details on how I have lost 20 lbs in 13 weeks.

Week 12: The Milestones Are Getting Marked Off

My weigh in Sunday was nothing spectacular but still, a loss is a loss, and still have the finish line in site.  I got to mark off another milestone, and I am so happy about that... So here we are...
Week 12: -0.8 lb since the previous week, and -19.4 lbs overall.  That's almost 20 lbs people!

Yuck, my toe nails need painted, but I can't find my polish.

Milestones:

140 lbs = Pre-Brendan weight.

137.8 lbs = -15 lb mark

133 lbs = Pre-Avery weight.

132.8 lbs = -20 lbs mark

128 lbs = The lowest weight I have been since having babies.

122.8 = Pre-Lindsey weight and -30 lb mark.

So I am officially pre-pregnancy Avery :)   Win.  I am fitting in all of my pre-Avery jeans and I'm super glad I kept them around! 

It's been a few posts since I have outlined what I am doing to mark off these milestones... I wanted to also outline some psychological things that really help me to keep going.

1.COUNT YOUR CALORIES: I am using My Fitness Pal EVERY STINKING DAY.  There isn't a day that I don't use it to keep track of my calories and exercise.  The most important key to losing weight is calories in v. calories out.  If you don't know what is going in your body and what you are taking out of your body, then there is no way you can be sure you are creating that deficit that you need to lose weight.  Use some form of calorie counting, whether it be a points system like weight watcher, or actual calorie counting.  This is VITAL to weight loss success and also weight maintenance.

2.WORK IT OUT!: I am working out 5-6 days out of the week.  I used to work out everyday of the week, but this has gone down since I have started school.  Some days I just can't fit a workout into my schedule, but on the days that I do not work out, I adjust my diet accordingly.  I don't have the freedom to eat like I do on days when I work out... and that is okay.

3.FIGURE OUT FAST FOOD: Figure out your best fast-food options. For all you busy people who every now and then have to consume a fast food meal for your calories, I am going to give you some tips... tacos (crunchy shell, believe it or not, the soft tortilla is higher in calories) are your friend.  They are a good option over hamburgers and french fires.  At least for me... I can always fit two into my my calorie budget.  Also Hunan Chicken or any other non-fried vegetable dish at a chinese restaurant is better than eating a hamburger and french fries.  If you have to eat at Sonic or the like, then choose Chicken Strips and a drink like Sonic's peach iced tea made with splenda (I am not a huge consumer of diet or artificial sweeteners, so don't make this a big habit) and skip the fries/tatertots or other sides like that.  Or even a grilled chicken sandwich... skip the fries and soda and drink water with lemon...  Anyway, those are my fast food loopholes.

4.WEIGH DAY: Do NOT weigh everyday.  Pick one day a week to weigh in.  Your body fluctuates a lot during the day, and if you weigh everyday, odds are you will see these normal fluctuations and it will discourage you... Don't fall into that trap.  Choose a day, weigh first thing in the morning after you have used the bathroom,and before you have consumed anything.  Record your weight once a week.  I promise it's so much better to see your progress weekly than to watch your weight go up and down everyday of the week.  When I first started this process, I was weighing everyday, and changing that has been a big key to me still making progress today.  I think I would have given up a long time ago.

5.COMMIT TO THE PROCESS: because it is a process.  It's going to take trial and error for you to figure out what your body and mind needs for you to find success in losing weight.  This isn't an overnight transformation, and it isn't something that will happen in a day, and this leads to the next point...

6.REALITY CHECK: Keep a realistic perspective.  A healthy weight loss is anywhere from 1-2 lbs a week, so approach your weight loss with that in mind.  I have been averaging 1.6 lbs of weight loss a week, and I am happy with that progress.  You have to keep focused on the goals, on the big picture, and your overall progress.  Don't focus on a bad week or a bad weekend, or a bad day.  It took a long time to put it on (even though it doesn't seem like it, it did... for instance, it took me 40 weeks to put on 39 lbs of pregnancy weight - it has taken me 12 weeks so far to lose 19.4 lbs... So really, it seems that it takes the same amount of time to take it off as it takes to put it on, and actually a little less seeing as I have lost half of the weight that I put on in 40 weeks in 12).

7.EARN YOUR TREATS: Instead of having a list of foods you can't eat, think about what your diet will be during the day and if you want to consume something like Andy's Frozen Custard or a candy bar or a soda, then work for it.  Add those calories to your work out so that you aren't living by a list of restrictions, but rather, you are earning your treats.

8.Ummmm YES YOU CAN: Know you can do this!  Your body is full of billions of cells and all of those cells need nutrients to function, and as long as that is the case (and if you are alive, it is), then you can lose weight.  So take "I can't" out of your vocabulary.  You can.  So do.

And that's all I have for now.  This is a mental process as much as it is a biological process, so don't let your mind keep you from reaching goals that are definitely reachable.  KEEP GOING!  :)

Week 11: A Surprising Loss

I was super shocked with some amazing progress this week.  I had such a busy week and weekend that I wasn't sure how accurate I was with my tracking, but obviously I did well enough.

Week 11: -2 lbs since last weigh in and -18.6 overall.

I didn't bother with the socks this time so you get to see my horrible chipping finger nail polish on my toes and my ugly knobby feet.  :)

If you need a run down on what I am doing, then visit my post from a couple weeks ago.

If you are on a weight loss journey then leave me a link to your blog or update me on your progress here in the comments.  I love to hear about people on this same journey and your success stories fuel me to keep going.

Have a great week everyone.

Week 10: Clothes are getting looser!

I have gone from a size 10 to a size 6. :) I can still wear a size 8 but they are nice and loose and that makes me smile.  I am fitting into my pre-Avery jeans which are snug, but not uncomfortably so.  I only have 3 lbs to go until I am pre-Avery weight.  Yippeeeee!

So here it is... the scale.
I am down 16.6 lbs total and down 1 lb from last week. 

I am super happy with the rate at which I am losing.  I have always been told that a realistic loss is about 1 - 1.5 lbs per week.  I am averaging a 1.6 per week loss.

I finally remembered to weigh with socks on for all of you feet phobic people ha.

I am still doing everything the same, so if you want to know details like that, check out last week's post.

This is the lowest weight I have been since having Avery.  I haven't weighed 136 lbs since probably March of 2011.

My recommended weight range is 105 - 132 lbs.  I am almost in that recommended range.

My mom accused me of obsessing because I spent 2 hours in the gym yesterday so that I could enjoy an 832 calorie treat... Honestly, I don't see it as obsession as much as I see it as dedication.  I am dedicated to losing this weight.  Call it obsession if you want, it's a healthy obsession, and I'm not going to stop.

Week 8 and 9: Another Milestone is TOAST!

Week 8: 

I missed posting for Week 8, but I will just tell you, it wasn't pretty.  I gained.  My weigh in weight for Week 8 was 140.4, which was up .8 of a lb from the previous week of 139.6

Week 9: 

I weighed Sunday and here is what it looked like...

Top picture is from 9 weeks ago, and bottom is from Sunday the 22nd.

 Okay, my feet look AWFUL!  I promise to start weighing with socks on.  

That is a loss of 3.2 lbs since the last weigh in, and a total loss of 15.6 lbs!!!  I have reached my 2nd milestone and I couldn't be happier! 

I was having a "skinny day" today so I weighed this morning too and the scale had me 136.4!  I am pretty sure that will fluctuate between now and Sunday, but Still, it's so encouraging to think that I will hopefully never see 140 lbs or higher on the scale again.  

So the big pictures looks like this:

4 (or 3 if you go by weight this morning) more lbs until I am pre-pregnancy Avery.

5 more lbs until I am down 20 lbs.

15 more lbs until I am pre-pregnancy Lindsey weight.

Those numbers are not daunting and if it took me 9 weeks to lose 15 lbs then I should be pre-pregnancy Lindsey by Thanksgiving!  What a tough time of year to maintain weight loss though!  I am going to be putting in extra workouts believe you me, I can't say no to my mom's sweet potato pie... or other pumpkin treats!

So, here is what is going on with me to lose weight.

I am using My Fitness Pal DAILY!  Every meal, I record as best as I can to keep track of calories in and out.  I would be lying if I said that I was eating organic whole foods 24/7... I'm not.  Seriously, weight loss comes down to energy balance.  Calories in vs. Calories out.  

Truth be told, you could lose weight eating junk, you would just have to put in the time at the gym to burn off all of the calories, so it's easier to just watch what you eat.  While I do try to eat the healthiest options possible, sometimes it's not easy to make good eating choices because of time and money constraints. If I know that I am going to have to eat out, I will research my lowest calorie choice while not depriving myself of something that is desirable for me to eat. Example, we ate Taco Bell yesterday (horrible MSG awful, I know, but really, we had no choice).  I had 2 crunchy tacos totaling 340 calories.  When we eat chinese food, I get Hunan Chicken and instead of egg roll, I order 3 wontons.  That is a better calorie choice than Cashew Chicken, fried rice, and an egg roll.

The way of thinking that I have adopted is that if I cannot keep my calories at 1200 or slightly below that, then I make up for it in the gym.  That is the way it has to be.  That is Human Physiology.  There are gimmicks for miles out there for quick weight loss, or weight loss without watching what you eat and without exercise, and I am telling you, they are a temporary fix.  In order to lose weight and keep it off for good, you have to manage your calories and exercise, you have to.  Record everything.  Everything you put in your body is used by your body to FUEL YOUR BODY!  Anything over what your body uses is STORED!  FOOD IS FUEL!  Too much does you no good, and too little will keep you from running properly.  Find that balance.

Last I will say that I do not deprive myself.  If I want a treat, I work for it... I earn it.  Example.  Andy's Frozen Custard is going to be bringing out their pumpkin pie concrete... (the heavens just opened) and I will be budgeting in 923 frivolous calories, so that means I am going to put in 2 hours at the gym and make sure the rest of my meals that day are low calorie.  It's just what I have to do in order to enjoy junk food once in a while.

LONG STORY SHORT: I am working out at least 5 days a week, and try to aim for the full 7 days a week.  I am staying hydrated, and I am FREAKING COUNTING MY CALORIES LIKE A MAD WOMAN! ha.  

Milestones:

140 lbs = Pre-Brendan weight.

137.8 lbs = -15 lb mark

133 lbs = Pre-Avery weight.

132.8 lbs = -20 lbs mark

122.8 = Pre-Lindsey weight and -30 lb mark.

Milestone celebration: I am DOWN 15 LBS!

If you are on your own weight loss journey, High freaking five.  I'm in your corner!

Week 7: Moving Right Along

I am finally getting into a groove with this weight loss thing.  I am slowly figuring out what will mean success as far as exercise and calories.  I am hitting a stride and I feel really great.

Week 7: - 0.8 lb and -13.2 lbs total.

I know you have to all be tired of my disgusting feet.  I really should put socks on when I weigh.  Maybe I will invest in some cute fancy socks to weigh in. :)

Alright.  So here is how it is going for me.

- I am doing pretty much everything the same.  I keep a tight record of any calories that go in my body, so much so that I think the error would only be 50 calories at the most.  I HIGHLY recommend My Fitness Pal app for this.  This app is used EVERYDAY to keep track of my calories in and calories out.  I have used 3 different apps and this one is my favorite.

- I am exercising almost daily.  Last week I came down with an infection so I missed two days, so I was really happy to see a loss of any kind on the scale.

- When I exercise I do 1 hour on the elliptical switching the incline and resistance between 10/1 and 5/6.  I burn anywhere from 500 - 550 calories.  I'm sure that number is off in some way since it is the machine's numbers.  I need to get me one of those really accurate doo dads to get a better idea.  I do think the machine has to be mostly accurate since I enter in my weight and age at every work out. 

-When I know that I am going to eat out I make up for it in exercise, for example, yesterday for lunch we went to Nasty Villa (Mexican Villa), I had 2 tacos and about a serving and a half of chips.  So I busted my butt on the elliptical for 2 hours and burnt 1,081 calories.

-I drink a LOT of water.

Success in weight loss is a psychological tug of war.  The following mindsets have helped me battle a few of them.

- I have let go of any inclination that weight loss is something that can happen quickly for lasting results.  It has to be a life commitment.  I am taking this one week at a time.

- I only weigh once a week.  Sunday is my weigh-in day and I do not even look at the scale until then.  The thing is if you are weighing multiple times a day and week, you are going to see the normal fluctuations in your weight that come from eating, drinking, and water balance in your body.  That can be so discouraging, so if I could give advice to anyone attempting to lose a substantial amount of weight... pick a weigh-in day and ban yourself from setting foot on the scale until that day.

- If I don't lose as much as I was hoping, I have learned to not stress about it.  I just pick up with the new week and keep my eye on the ultimate prize.

- Think of food as fuel in your car.  Just as you wouldn't gas up a car if it already has a full tank, you shouldn't pump your body full of calories that it doesn't need.  Food is singularly and only to power our cells.  We have to make the emotional disconnnect and see food for what it is.  Does that mean we shouldn't eat things that taste good? No, but too many of us see food as recreational.  Just as too much fuel doesn't do a car any good, Too much food doesn't do our body any good.  It may satisfy our tastbuds for a few seconds, but after that, it's off to storage and then we are left feeling bloated, sluggish, and useless.  Give your body what it needs, and if you put more into it, then use it through exercise. :)

Well, that's all for me.  Onto another week.  My hope is that I will reach my next milestone by next Sunday.  That will be my -15 lb marker. :)

Happy week you all, see ya at my next weigh in.

Week 6: Slowly but Surely

Another good week.
Week 6: -1.4 lbs for the week -12.4 lbs total.

I've detailed in the past what all I am doing, so if you are curious, just read last week's post.
In Summary:
Using My Fitness Pal to keep track of calories in and out.
Working out for 1 hour daily
Drinking plenty of water

Milestones:

140 lbs = Pre-Brendan weight.

137.8 lbs = -15 lb mark

133 lbs = Pre-Avery weight.

132.8 lbs = -20 lbs mark

122.8 = Pre-Lindsey weight and -30 lb mark.

Milestone celebration: I am officially pre-Brendan weight. WOO HOO!

See you next week for my next weigh-in.

Week 5: Losing Weight

     First, I feel I need to explain something.  I am not writing these blogs for judgement.  I write these for encouragement and advice, because I believe that those things help me keep at it.  This is a very personal mission I am on, to cut my weight and get to a weight that I will be happy maintaining.  I think everyone of us girls can identify with low self image.  I think every girl can also say that they have felt ugly and fat at times.  Some women have always been heavy and love their body.  Some of us get comfortable with weight put on for this reason or the next.  Some women can learn to love a heavier version of themselves, and to that I say AWESOME!  There is a lot of importance to being comfortable with who you are on the outside, because that has a direct effect on who you are on the inside.  However, there are a lot of women who can never get happy in their own skin with added weight on.  That's me.  I am not happy with my outer self.  That is why I am changing things.  Weight-loss has just as much to do with my mental health as my physical health.

     No matter what I decide to strive toward, if I begin working toward a goal, I obsess over it.  That is a personality trait/flaw whatever you want to call it, but you know what?  It gets the job done.  So what if I calorie count down to the last calorie, so what if I get upset over a small loss week or a no loss week, and so what if I have frustrations trying to figure out the whole mathematical complication of trying to lose a lb of fat, yet keeping my body out of starvation.  At least I am striving toward a goal and doing it in a healthy way.  At least I am proactive.  At least I am keeping at it.  At least I am determined.  Why would ANYONE want to crap on someone's efforts toward something good.  Why do people on the internet seem to love to kick someone while they are down?

     Let it be known from here on out:  If you do not like what you read... Move along!   If you think I am obsessing over weight-loss, you are dang right, and I will not be made to feel guilty about it.  If you do not read my entire post then you should keep your thoughts to yourself. Finally, if I read any comments crapping on me and my efforts, it will get deleted.  Losing weight is difficult enough without black souled people trying to crap on my efforts.  - Amy Martin

With that out of the way, I'd like to say that I had a great week of weight-loss, and I am optimistic that I am figuring this thing out.  

Week 4: Top picture is weight from 4 weeks ago -11 lbs total (-3 lbs since last Sunday)

Here is what I am doing:

Using My Fitness Pal app to track calories in from food and calories out for exercise.

Eating as many whole foods as possible.  

Trying to limit eating out and when I do eat out I will work at staying within my calories.

I am sticking to a 1200 calorie intake as best as I can. 

I work out everyday and burn approximately 500 calories.

Drinking anywhere from 64-72 oz. water a day.

I have dropped 1 pant size and my clothes are feeling a lot looser :) YAY!  My first milestone is coming up.  

Milestones:

140 lbs = Pre-Brendan weight.

137.8 lbs = -15 lb mark

133 lbs = Pre-Avery weight.

132.8 lbs = -20 lbs mark

122.8 = Pre-Lindsey weight and -30 lb mark.

When looking at my numbers, keep in mind that I am a medium framed, short girl.  I stand 60.75 inches tall.

I am going to mark off my milestones as they happen.  I am really excited about this.  I can visualize them all happening.  If you have some weight-loss goals, go for them; it is never too late to start and there is no weight loss goal that can't be accomplished.  Determination and a little obsession is all it takes ;)

Love, Amy  

See ya next week with my weigh-in.

Week 4: Struggling... This Weight Loss Thing Sucks.

Maybe I put my body into starvation by adhering to the Lose It app's calorie allowance of 880 base calories for 3 weeks, and maybe my body needs to kick back into gear, but I weighed for the first time in 6 days since switching to the My Fitness Pal app with a 1200 base calorie allowance and I only lost .4 lbs.  I guess that is better than nothing, but I would like to see 1 - 2 lbs of loss rather than a measley .4.

Everyone has scolded me for not having my calorie base at 1200, but seriously guys, it is HARD to consume those 1200 calories plus what I burn in exercise.  I guess I could decrease my exercise, but I don't want to.  I really enjoy my 1 hour workout everyday.  I feel like I am forcing myself to eat when I am not really hungry at times.  Grant it, some days I have no problem consuming the allotted calories and actually struggle to keep under... like yesterday was a good example, but most days I am struggling to be within 300 calories of achieving my calorie intake goal.

Here is a daily scenario for me since starting the My Fitness Pal App:

I wake up, eat a 250-400 calorie breakfast that can include anything from grits, cheese, banana, yogurt, kashi bar, pancakes with peanut butter, or oatmeal... not all of those at once, but not one of those things at a time either... confusing I bet.  All of those things are all natural or organic, I am not using mixes or anything artificial.  I also drink 1 cup of coffee with a tbsp of half and half and 1 tsp sugar.

Lunch can vary between 300 - 400 calories... occasionally I get about 500 calories in at lunch, but those are the days that I have no problem getting my calorie allowance met.  I sometimes eat lunch before my workout which will be a piece of fruit and half a peanut butter sandwich, a salad, or something along those lines.

My workout is 1 hour where I burn 500+ calories on the elliptical.  On the weekends I do my workout around noon or a little after; on weekdays I do my workout at 6am.  I change the intensity throughout the workout at 10 minute intervals.

I sometimes eat a piece of fruit as a snack.

Dinner will be a lot of my calories.  I can consume anywhere from 400 - 700 calories at dinner.  I choose meals that are high in protein and usually incorporate a good amount of produce.

And that's it... OH! And throughout all of that I am making sure I take in 64 - 72 oz. of water a day.

Today is not typically my weigh in day, so I will weigh again tomorrow and hopefully not have a gain.  I will be sad for sure.  I wonder... I am also due to have my monthly womanly punishment any day now... I think that has an effect on weight.

The thing is, I have noticed that my big belly roll when I sit down has shrunk considerably.  My jammie pants that used to be snug are very roomy and more comfortable now.  Those are good encouraging changes that keep me going even when the scale spits in my face, so to speak.

I am going to keep at it for sure, but I needed to get my frustrations out.  Official weigh in post is tomorrow.  I also start classes tomorrow!  YIKES.   I am really nervous because I have 2 online courses as well as 2 seated courses.  I have never done an online course and I am concerned that I won't be self disciplined enough to keep up with it.

STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS STRESS.
That's not good for weight loss either.

Oh well, I will just keep at it. One day at a time for school and one week at a time for weight loss.

New Direction: Update

I am taking a new direction with my weight loss/health journey after some input from friends on facebook and instagram.

Here is the plan:

I am switching from the Lose It app to My Fitness Pal.  Lose It had my base calorie intake at 880 calories and when I exercised the calories would be added to that amount.  A reliable source told me to never let my base calories go below 1200 and then any exercise I do would go on top of that 1200.  It makes sense that there would be a point where your body figures it's starving so it starts to store and conserve instead of burn.  MFP will not start you out any lower than 1200 as a calorie base, so even though my natural instinct is to believe that more calories will equal weight gain, I am going to trust my sources and do this 1200 calorie thing.

My next change is going to be how I work out. Currently I am simply doing cardio for 1 hour a day.  I think that was good for a start, but several people suggested I add weights.  My problem is I don't even know where to start with weights.  I am not a great multi-tasker so I don't want to use them while I do my cardio... that can get dangerous, but I would like to get a routine to start using them.  If anyone has any suggestions please leave them in a comment... Links to websites that have a weight workout routine will be most helpful.

Hopefully this plan will show me results.  If not, I am going to keep tweaking things until I start getting results.  I want to take a supplement to boost my metabolism as well. Losing weight the right way takes a lot of research and trial and error I'm finding.

Week 3: Amyschmamey Got Stuck

The past week's weight loss wasn't as impressive as last weeks, but I am keeping at it, never fear.  This past week I lost nothing.  I mean 0 lbs and 0 oz.  I stayed the EXACT same weight as last week!  Maybe I should consider that impressive.  ha.

NUTRITION WISE: I am still using the Lose It app.  I am tracking my calorie intake the best that I can.  I am entering in everything I eat.  Sometimes this is a challenge if the particular food isn't in the database or if it is a recipe, which is often the case.  I will usually get online and do the best I can to calculate the calories in my recipe through calorie calculators online. Last week I had to eat a couple meals out, which always packs in the calories, but I tried to offset it in the gym. I haven't gone over my daily budget of calories but once and that was at the beginning.  I am being diligent, borderline obsessive, in tracking this stuff.  Oh, and I'm still using the Water Your Body app to keep track if my 76 ounces a day.

ACTIVITY WISE:  I am busting my butt in the gym everyday.  EVERYDAY.  I work out for 1 hour plus a 5 minute cool down on the elliptical machine.  I vary the resistance and the incline everyday so that my muscles are having to work differently every time.  In my dream of dreams, I would be able to participate in a Les Mills Body Combat class.  I really wish the gym that I have a membership to had a class.  This used to be my workout of choice before I had babies.  I would work out at Ozark Fitness 5 days a week and do the body combat class.  I was super fit back then.  I found out recently that they have a new "at home" DVD set called simply "Combat"... I am not normally one to do at home work outs but I would so do this if I had the money.  It's 50% off right now too.  It sucks having no wiggle room in your finances.  Until I am able to afford the workout I want, it's the elliptical.

MIND SET:  I would love to say that this is easy and that motivation is getting me through, but motivation takes a hit on weeks like last week.  I often think, hey, I was doing good to stay the same weight without putting in an hour at the gym everyday.  What am I working this hard for?  However, I know that I will have weeks like this and that if I don't keep at it, I'll never get anywhere with this weight.  I will end up with diabetes and other diseases if I don't change and make being a healthy a priority.  I can't make this all about weight loss or I will fail.  This is about health and future health.  Losing weight should just be an added bonus.

So.  I keep on keeping on.  How is your quest for health going?

Week 1&2: Isn't Everyone Trying to Lose Weight?

A couple weeks ago, my mom posted a Someecard on facebook that made me giggle.  Sometimes those cards are annoying always popping up in my feed, but other times I am rather entertained by them.  I found this one to be quite witty...

Anyway.  You may have guessed, that I am on a weight-loss journey, ha... again.  It has 100% to do with the fact that I am really unhappy with my body.  When I am unhappy with my body this dissatisfaction bleeds into other parts of my life.  I want to be happy in my own skin.  It's been a while. 

Here are the details in case you are a detail oriented person like myself.  I started a weight loss challenge with my mom.  The first person to reach a 15 lb weight loss gets a pedicure paid for by the 2nd placer. I also have a challenge going on with a good friend of mine who also wants to get down to her pre-baby weight... even though she looks amazing now... she has health goals she wants to achieve.  Challenge aside, I just want us to lose the weight.  So far I am into week 2.  Here is a picture progression of how I am doing.
WEEK ONE: -4.2 lbs

WEEK TWO: -3.4 lbs

That's a loss of 7.6 lbs in 2 weeks.  I think that is a healthy and encouraging start.  Here is what I am doing:   I am eating as clean and healthy as possible.  I am working out to burn 400-500 calories a day.  I am keeping track of calories in and calories out, and I am sticking to the calorie plan provided to me on the Lose It app.

I had this huge long post prepared with numbers and dates and weights, but I realized that I sound freakishly obsessed with my weight.  I don't want this to be something that I am judged for as much as I want it to be something that actually gets me to achieve my weight goals.

PRIMARY WEIGHT LOSS GOALS.
ONE: 140 lbs which will be Pre-Pregnancy Brendan weight.
TWO: 133 lbs which will be Pre-Pregnancy Avery weight.
THREE: 122/21 lbs which will be Pre-Pregnancy Lindsey weight.

BONUS WEIGHT LOSS GOALS.
1. To reach 110 lbs which will be my marriage weight.
2. To reach 105 lbs which is my happiest and healthiest weight.  (keep in mind I am short... not even 5'1").

If anyone wants to join me I would love it.  Get on the Lose It app and the email address I use is martin.amyrenee@gmail.com add me!