Here are some accomplishments for February:
- I worked out on the elliptical machine sixteen times. It would have been a few more, but I opted to skip that and do some intensive yard work several days, so I can safely say that I worked out at least eighteen times.
- I had a few treats of baked goods, but I have been very careful in that department and feel like I've made great strides.
- I had a fast food break through. I'm not a fast food junkie or anything, but I do enjoy a Big Mac and my bank is right next to a McDonald's and the smell of those fries just tempts me every time (though I should clarify that I almost never stop there after the bank). Fast food is something that I've had a hard time giving up completely. Logically, it's poison. I know all about the crap in the meat and the fake cheese, but I think it's completely emotion and comfort based. My husband pretty much gave up fast food a couple of years ago because he wants to vomit for about half an hour after he eats it. I couldn't really imagine that because it hadn't ever happened to me. That is until my stop at McDonald's about a week and a half ago. I ate there and driving back home, I started to get nauseous. It was as if my body was rejecting what my comfort-craving emotions couldn't. I could finally understand my hubby now. And I also think that I can finally break the fast food hold. I can't really explain why that happened at this point. We have an very good diet at home and don't typically eat out but maybe it's because I have cut way down on fast food eating in the past six months or so and my body just got to the point that it won't accept it? I don't know, but I'm relieved.
Since I started this effort in earnest on January 6, 2008, I've lost 6.5 pounds. I think I'm trailing the rest of the group in weight lost so far, but I feel really good about my progress and my changing habits.
Here are some goals for March:
- Continue working out at least four times per week. I'm not going to increase my exercise time per session at this point because sometimes I feel like it's an enormous effort just to get on the elliptical machine and do my sixteen minutes. I want to continue making it habit and if I know myself, what I might end up doing is increasing the time and then one day when I don't feel like doing it, I will think to myself, "I'm doing more each time, so I will just skip today and it won't be a big deal." But it will be a big deal because if I do that it will net the same results I have now, but without the regularity of routine and that makes it far easier to justify skipping more and more frequently.
- Try to improve my water consumption. I'm still bad at it. I think I'm going to try to keep a half gallon jar in the fridge with some lemon or lime slices to make it more enticing.
- Keep up my my restrictions on baked goods. Some treats are okay, but moderation is the key.
Continuing with all the improvements I have made in the last two months through March will be a great personal accomplishment, because all of my previous serious weight loss efforts have usually fizzled out around two months. I really think that having my fellow fat asses to commiserate with will help make a difference this time around and the contest with my mom and sister is icing on the cake.
9 comments:
Oh dearest, dearest Lisa...you have so much to crow about! You worked out SIXTEEN TIMES!!! That's way more than I did last month AND gardening season has just begun. There's no stopping you now!!!
I think that just sticking to the resolution of giving it a go is something to proud be proud of, believe me. I once started a healthy habit because I read somewhere that if you repeat the same behavior for 28 days in a row, you'll have established a habit...well, guess what? By the 29th day I could've cared less and there went my motivation, right out the window. SO pat yourself on the back for what you've accomplished so far. You've done great!
As far as slipping up and eating baked treats, what are you going to do, give up on your weight loss goals? NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Every month there's a reason to eat a special treat, New Years, Valentine's Day, ST. Patrick's Day (I make a killer Irish Soda Bread), not to mention Easter and birthdays. Are you prepared for peeps, cadbury eggs and jelly beans?? I mean come on, we're all challenged in that area, we all have problems with treats of some kind of another. Go ahead, have a cookie or some cake, just make sure you work out an extra day on the elliptical for 15 minutes. There, problem solved.
As for the water consumption, I just read in this month's Women's Health, that demanding that every person drinks 8-10 8oz is like, ridiculous. I mean, if you're me, do you know how many times I pee a day??? Way too many. I pee about 7 to 8 time a day, just before 1:30!!! ANd let me tell you how INCONVENIENT that is as a returning AGED student!!! It's fuckin' embarrassing!!! Anyway, the article went on to say that if your urine is clear to light yellow (disregarding any discoloration from vitamins, etc), don't sweat it. You're obviously very hydrated, so why cramp your style by pissing away your day in the bathroom? I think if you guys are drinking coffee and tea, especially herbal teas or iced tea and no too much juice or soda, than it all counts as water. Maybe you come from a long line of Bedouins, who knows?
As for the fast food, I share your pain. I, too, don't eat fast food very often, but when you get a wiff of those fries, it's seriously difficult to resist. Why, I'm salivating right now just THINKING of eating them. But it's not the Big Mac that motivates me; it's the Fish Filet. God, I LOVE those. And I know that most people think they're gross, but they are not!! Fresh from the trans fat fryer with a glob of mayo tartar sauce, a slice of processed cheese and a fresh, soft, highly refined white bun is HEAVEN!!! But I can't go there any more because I watched "Super Size Me" last year and I'm very concerned about my liver. You'll have to watch it to know what I mean...
Anyway, congrats on your goals for February and good luck with March. And remember, slow and steady most often wins the race.
Oh Chelsea. Thank you for always being a cheerleader.
Absolutely, I agree with you on the need to have treats. If I can't work it into my regular life, I will fail because I'm not about self-denial! I am ready for peeps, jelly beans and cadbury eggs, because those don't do anything for me, but Irish Soda Bread? I can eat a ton of that!
About the water consumption. I do need to improve. I don't even drink any until the afternoon most days, so I think there is room for improvement.
And Fish Filet sandwiches. Yum. I don't think they are gross at all! I don't like them better than Big Macs, but they are surely tasty.
I started Super Size Me a couple years back, but didn't ever finish it for some reason. I think it was because the DVD was overdue or maybe it was too gross for my weak-stomached husband. One of those reasons.
Lisa, I think you are doing great! So far you are in the lead of weight loss with Laura and me. I don't have a problem with fast food, because I never really was a fast food person. I only got it when I really didn't want to cook but I don't feel good when I eat it. So I solved the problem. I keep things on hand to make sandwiches and Mike and I love my sandwiches. They are healhty and very tasty. Maybe the lunchmeat isn't the healthiest, but I use good cheese, banana peppers, alfalfa sprouts, red onions and avocado. I make his with organic whole wheat and mine with an 8 gr tortilla. Also, I use dijon mustard. Boy they are so much better than any fast food from a drive thru. And it takes less time than going to get fast food anyway. So it has become a win, win deal for us. Keep up the good work. You are doing great and I am soooooooo proud of you. Mom
Thanks Mom!
You're doing great! I keep reminding myself that this is about changing my habits for life, not to just drop a few pounds.
And I'm all for the sweets. You know, in moderation (saying that for myself not you. ;) I can't imagine living my whole life without chocolate or cinnamon rolls so I won't. I also know that cutting them out totally just makes you obsess even more and then binge guiltily.
Congrats on making such positive changes in your life! And here's a wonderful spring for all of us!
I think you should be ridiculously proud of yourself. It took us something like five years to completely give up fast food (it was very hard on the husband). Now, I can't remember the last time we got any (while I can't remember the date, I do remember thinking it was just terrible). Changing your palate takes time. But, boy, is it worth it.
Cheers!
i blew it...all this talk about Big Macs and Fish Filets made me go buy one last night.
It was SOO good!! But the diet coke and french fries smelled a lot better than they tasted.
Ergo: will not buy french fries and diet coke. Will buy (maybe twice a year) a Fish Filet.
There, I feel better!
Isn't that the truth? It does always smell better than it tastes. I always opt for a regular coke, because that is the only time I drink soda.
I am very proud of you because I know that you always have a lot on your plate and it's tough to keep on track with your own goals when you are caring for three kids.
Your goals seem very reasonable to me. I think everyone here has done a great job of not biting off more than they can chew in this adventure.
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