Pictures

I've decided to put pictures up.  The one one the left is when I very first started everything, and the one on the right is me today.

End of Round One

When I started in March I weighed 260.  I am now at 226.  Closer to 200 than 300!  I am starting to love my body.  It's far from the one I want, but now I can see the potential underneath the imperfections of fat. 

My chubby buddy has lost 22 pounds so far too.  It really helps to have someone who is on the same page as you. 

I have started my six week maintenance period.  On December 26th I will begin my second round of HcG.  I am getting closer to my goal. 

Below 230 and Hitting the 20-Pound Loss

I am under 230, 227 to be exact. 

Part of me had become resigned to the fact that I will always be obese. Now, however; as the pounds are coming off I am feeling better about myself.  It gives me the motivation to keep going.  While I have only lost twenty pounds in thirty days, I am encouraged with my progress.

No Cheating

So here's what happened this weekend.  I cheated.  I agreed to volunteer for the troopers to be a drinker for their FST training. 

When one cheats it takes three days to recover.  Thus the spike on Sunday.  It's a hard lesson to learn, and it won't happen again.  I am hoping from now on to average a pound a day.  I have 26 days left.

Goodbye 240s!

Forever, and ever.

Trying Something Different

I have been really good about eating only 1200-1500 calories a day.  My problem is having time to exercise.  It doesn't do a fatty much good to eat well, and sit around because one only loses a pound (if that a week).  In the last six months of doing just good eating I lost 18 pounds. 

My accountabilibuddy is in the same boat.  She went to her doctor to talk it out, and he suggested she try the HcG diet.  I read the information, and decided it was worth a shot.

HcG is the hormone a woman's body produces when she is pregnant.  It boosts your metabolism, and helps burn the fat.  One has to stick to a 500-calorie diet for x amount of time (depending on how much weight you have to lose.)  No dairy products, starches, or sugar of any kind. Meals typically include 100-grams of approved meat (beef, chicken, fish) a serving of salad, and a serving of strawberries, apples, or grapefruit.

I am doing the 42-day plan.  So far so good.  It's really a good thing I starting eating chicken before I started this plan otherwise it really would be torture!! I am done with my first week and have lost 8 1/2 pounds.  Pretty good.  After the 42-days I will take a 6-week break, as your body will grow immune to the HcG, and then start another 42-day round.  By then I should be within a range where doing it on my own will help lose the last twenty, if I hit my goal at the end of this.

Recipe Review

Chicken Cordon Bleu

This was a huge hit at my house. Jeremy loved it, and I actually found a chicken recipe I could stomach. It was 280 calories for the chicken. I served it with a slice of garlic bread, and salad with feta cheese. The meal came to 550 calories. It left us feeling satisfied, which is a huge deal for this whole life style change. :)

Wing Wraps
This recipe turned out to be a great lunch option, and quick dinner solution. They are vegetarian buffalo wings topped with low-fat Mexican cheese mix, and taco seasoned fat free sour cream. Served with vegetables it is a perfect solution for the nights when I don't want to cook. The dinner usually comes out to around 400 calories for 2 wraps, and carrots on the side.

Adios 250s!

I have reached the 240s weighing in yesterday at 249.
So far I have lost 14 pounds.

Recipe Review

I thought I would review the recipes as I go through them. I don't know who would read about it, but it sounds like a good idea to me. :o)

Fusilli with Italian Turkey Sausage and Arugula
This made a great dinner for a lighter calorie day.
It was a hit with both me and Jeremy, though he would like it if there were no tomatoes in it.
It took me about 40 minutes to prepare the dinner. 2 cups is 412 calories. I sided it with garlic bread (150 calories for 2 slices) and green salad topped with feta (about 80 calories). This made a perfect Sunday night dinner, and with it being Italian Turkey sausage, I couldn't tell it was poultry. :o)

Slowly Progessing

I put on a pair of jeans today straight from the dryer. They were loose. It's some kind of progress. A pair of jeans fits comfortably. Down 13 pounds from when I started in March. Not something to brag about, but at least I am closer to 200 than 300.

Healthy Eating

My accountabilla buddy and I have created meal plans for two weeks. This helps us with our calorie count, and our fat intake. If it's not on the plan don't eat it.

We are both very picky eaters, and we have been forced to broaden our horizons. To this end we went to the Food Network site and got a bunch of low-fat recipes. Even if we didn't like the ingredients we've decided to try it once. We went to Nick Jr to find picky eater healthy meals. Eventually we found 14 meals we were willing to try.

The hard thing is the chicken meals. I hate chicken. It makes me gag. Actually I hate anything with a beak, but so far the turkey meals have not been so bad. I have been trying to get over my chicken disgust.

Progress

Since July 1st I have lost five pounds. I am averaging 2-3 pounds a week.

Looking at this as a life-style change as opposed to a diet has really helped.
We went shopping last Saturday, and our cart was filled with poultry, vegetables, and fruits.
By the time my daughter eats real people food, we will be eating healthy and teach her how to be active and health conscious. I hope she will never remember me the way I am now.

First Day

I was able to talk my husband into going on a walk with me. We were out in the sunshine for about an hour discovering new parts of the west side of the city. It was a nice walk and I feel like I accomplished something.

Trying Again

It has not been a good first 3 months. Nothing more has been accomplished, but signing a gym contract.

I am a big talker, and a poor doer. I have dreams I want to accomplish, and have yet to even try to get them started.

So I am trying again this weekend to work on what seems like an unattainable goal (because I keep getting in my way) becoming a runner. I really want to participate in the Running With Angels and Seattle Rock and Roll marathons next year.

Of course I have set up another plan to achieve the goal (I am good at making plans, it's the follow through). I now have a fat buddy to help me with meal planning and someone who will hold me accountable. "This is a lifestyle change" she tells me. (Meaning I have to start eating poultry)

As far as conditioning I found an inspiring site to help. Step One: Get your toosh out the door and just move! I think on days I cannot get to the gym I will go for walks around our neighborhood, and may go down to the Jordan River.

Here's we go again...

May 8th

I have hit the ten pound mark! Only 130 more to go.

May 2nd: Progress

I have lost another two pounds. I am not quiet sure how this happened, as I still haven't gone to the gym.

I am still struggling. I look in the mirror, and hate what I see looking back at me. I have no one to blame but myself for the condition of my body. I keep hoping one day I will get home from work, and not be exhausted.

I am just wallowing now. Time to sign off.

Week Four: Struggling

Number: 255...still.

At least I am not putting weight back on. It is quiet obvious to me the weight will not come off without exercise. I need to find time, and the motivation to go after a long day.

I have to get up between 4:30 and 5 Am to get myself and Maddie ready. I have to leave the house between 5:45 and 6 depending on who is watching her. I have to be at work by 7 and work until 4 or 6 depending on who is watching Madelynn. I don't get home until 7 or 7:30 then I have to cook dinner and get her ready for bed. I am pretty tired when all is said and done.

I have tried, unsuccessfully, to get up at 4 to get to the gym. I try to go after work on my way to pick up Maddie, which only works if certain people are watching her.

I know I am to blame for not getting my act together. I should be down at least five more pounds by now.

I need to come up with a solution soon so that I may reach my goal.

Week Three

Monday
Breakfast
Cereal Bar 180
Lunch
Chef Salad 492
Dinner
Whole Wheat Bread 240
Reduced Fat Hot Dogs 180
Mac and Cheese 300
Low Fat Miracle Whip 20
Relish 20

Total: 1432

35 minutes on the elliptical: 567

Week Three Numbers

Still at 255. Didn't do anything this week except watching my diet, which clearly doesn't work without exercise.

I need to find the energy to go to the gym. My day starts at 4:30, and ends around 6:30. I either need to get up an extra 45 minutes early and just get it over with, or find the motivation to go after 14 hours of work and baby.

Week Three

I am feeling encouraged. I lost three pounds week one, and two pounds week two without hitting the gym. Don't get me wrong, not going to the gym is not an option when it is at all possible. Last week my child was sick, and all I did was take care of her and work, and I even missed a day of work.

Monday
Breakfast: Pre-packaged apple slices 35
Coffee with creamer 35
Snack: Breakfast bar 180
Lunch: Lunchable 340
Carrots 35
Emergen-C 25

The Numbers

Week 2: 255 lbs.

Week 2

I have had a sick child for the last week, so the gym has been out of the question.

I have been watching my caloric intake. I feel I at least had control over that with it being such an uncontrollable week.

Monday
Breakfast: Cereal Bar 180
Snack: Green Apple 90
Lunch: Reduced Fat Ritz Crackers 140
Ham 60
2% Cheese 90
Carrots 35
Dinner: Hot Dog 180
Relish 10
Low Fat Miracle Whip 20
Mustard 3
Whole Wheat Bun 90
1 cup mac and cheese 320

Total: 1218

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cereal Bar 180
Snack: Green Apple 90
Lunch: Reduced Fat Ritz Crackers 140
Ham 60
2% Cheese 90
Carrots 35
Dinner: Chicago Pizza 712

Total: 1307

Wednesday:
Breakfast: Cereal Bar 180
Snack: Carrots 35
Lunch: Cauliflower 10
2 ounces of Cheddar Sticks 229
2 T of reduced fat ranch 40
Snack: 2 slices of whole wheat 240
2 slices of American cheese 90
1 T margarine 50
Dinner: 1 Tortilla 210
1/4 c of refried beans 50
2 oz of ground beef 93
1 T of seasoning 20
2 T sour cream 20
2 T guacamole 50
2 oz of cheddar cheese 229
Tortilla Chips 120

Total: 1666 - Not amazing today especially since the only "exercise" I have been getting all week is carrying 25 pounds of baby and medical equipment up three flights of stairs over the last three days.

The Number

After week one my weight loss is 3 pounds dropping to 257. Just 142 more pounds to go.

Here Is My Reason

March 21

Breakfast: Poptarts 400
Coffee with creamer 21

Awesome. Just blew 1/4 of my calorie allowance on a super fattening pastery. I know it was wrong, and it's a process that needs to change. My goal is to be honest, and tell of everything. The good, and the bad.

Off to the gym...

At the gym I burned 495 calories.

Lunch:
Tuna 50
2% Cheddar 90
Reduced Fat Ritz 140
Reduced Fat Miracle Whip 20.
Relish 10

Dinner
Chef Salad
Lettuce 15
Cheese 228
Ham Bits 65
Onion 8
Egg 70
Cucumber 16
Cauliflower 20
Carrots 35
Ranch 120
Cresent Roll 110

Dessert
Granola Bar 160

Daily Total: 1598

March 20th

I skipped breakfast today, which is one of the worse things I could do. I know.

I went to the gym, and burned 619 calories during weight training and 248 during the 10 minutes of cardio to finish the work out.

Kind Of Breakfast
Coffee 19
Creamer 280

Lunch:
2 slices of whole wheat bread 220
Reduced fat peanut butter 90
Jam 40
American Cheese Slice 60

Dinner:
Red potato 123
2 Cups of Salad 20
Ranch 146
Smart Balance Sour Cream 40
Roll 83
Feta Cheese 45
Mango 18

Dessert
Cheesecake with Strawberries 520

Total Intake: 1704

So...Not a great day. Should have turned down the cheesecake and I need to use reduced-fat and sugar free cream in my coffee.

March 18th

Recovery day.
The plan of action is to go every other day during the week then go Saturday and Sunday.


Food Diary
Breakfast: Cereal Bar 180
Snack: Green Apple 95
Lunch: Cereal Bar 180
Snack: Tortilla Chips 140
American Cheese 80
Pepperoni 40
Dinner: Milk 110
2 Cresent Rolls 220
15 Little Smokies 262
Total: 1307

Tomorrow: More weight training with cardio!

March 17th

Breakfast Granny Apple 80 calories
Morning Snack Breakfast Bar 180
Lunch Wheat Thins and Carrots 270
Snack Tortilla Chips 140
Dinner Taco Salad and Milk 651

Daily total: 1321

I went cycling tonight. I debated about going all day. This is working because I didn't want to have to come on here and say I didn't go to the gym for the second day in a row.

The class was 50 minutes with an estimated calorie burn of 990.

So It Begins

I signed up for the gym yesterday. I did strength training with the trainer. I hurt today.

So far my caloric intake is at 725. Breaking it down:
Breakfast: Cereal bar 180
Snack: Green Apple 95
Lunch: Ritz Reduce Fat Crackers 140
Lean Ham 140
Cheese 80
Carrots 60

At the end of the day I had:
Subway Sandwich : 340
Baked Lays: 130
Tortilla Chips for Evening Snack: 300

Totaling 1495. Awesome.

The Hard Numbers And The Goals

Here is the most embarrassing part: The numbers. There is nothing that hits your self esteem more than those digits on the scale and the body fat meter.

Okay here it goes...
Weight: 260 (Holy bananas I am closer to 300 pounds than 200)
Body Fat: 45.6% ( At least it wasn't 50%...)
Pant Size: 22

At least I got the hard part out of the way, now on to the goals.
Weight: 110-125
Body Fat: 15%-20%
Pant Size: 6-8

A good weight loss is 2 pounds a week. My gym goal is 2-3 days of weight training with 5 days of cardio.

As far as calorie intake goes I am going with 1600 a day.

My two biggest goals of all:
1) Being active with my daughter. She fought to survive, I can too.
2)My biggest goal is to run in the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon in 2011.

It Started With Facebook

As I tend to do throughout the day I was scrolling through my FB friends statuses when one caught my eye:
"Whoever says employers don't have the right to discriminate against hiring obese people have it completely wrong...they constantly have health issues and are always asking other people to do their physical work for them. It's so ridiculous."
Followed by the comment:
"Even if an overweight person shares the work load, they take more sick days, and raise insurance premiums. It negatively affects every aspect of one's life."
It took me all day to decided whether or not I was offended by the comments made.

Eventually I decided I wasn't.

It's my fault I am fat. Sure I could try and blame it on the environment or my genes, but the truth is I choose to sit my ass on the couch everyday, and stuff my face with Doritos.

After my self evaluation that night I decided the time was now to get fit, and stay healthy.

So I started this blog to help in my recovery process. I am accountable to the world, or more like the two people who may read it. My hopes with this site is to post my daily diary entries about what I ate, and what I did for a work out. It can be the creative outlet portion of the process.