Loss to date: 49 pounds
Woo hoo! Might as well kick this thing off on a positive note, right? This morning, I recognized that I had achieved my second mini-goal in this journey, 235. March 1st of this year, I weighed an astonishing 284 pounds. Mini-Goal Number One was 255 - achieved May 9th. I'm down from a size 26 (sometimes 28, but don't tell -- it was a mighty big secret back in the day) to an 18/20. I hope you're nodding approvingly, because I've worked my ass off.
You may be wondering what I'm doing......"what's her plan?" Well, it's not really any commercial program per se. It's a more organically developed plan devised through the appropriation of some of the (to me) best practices of a number of plans. And here it is:
- Calories usually around 1400-1500
- Very little saturated fat (like 10 grams max)
- Overall average of 25% primarily unsaturated fat
- Low glycemic carbs totalling about 35% of my total macro breakdown
- Protein (primarily lean) totalling around 40% of my total macro breakdown
- Low sugar intake (like 10-12 grams/day)
- Low sodium intake (1800 mg average)
- High fiber (used to be higher, at around 35-40 grams/day; since increasing my protein and reducing my carbs, it's dropped to more of a 25-30 gram average
- Average of 120-140 oz. water
- I rarely eat processed foods, I supplement with protein powder, I try to eat 5-6 small meals/day, I almost never consume carbs without protein, and I make a point of seeking out soybeans, omega-6 oils, and non-fat yogurt
Ok, that's the food. The exercise is where I struggle. I have in my home a Crossbow, some free weights (dumbbells,) a treadmill, and an exercise bike. I had a hard time getting into a routine, but once I did, I was so insufferably proud of myself -- and I felt great! The routine was this:
- Steady brisk walking on the treadmill 2-3 days/week
- HIIT on the exercise bike 3-4 days/week
- Crossbow and free weights 3 days/week
Nice plan, huh? I am currently under doctor's orders to take it easy in the exertion department until we get rid of some kind of agro bronchial nastiness I've got going. But then it's back in the saddle, with this routine the ultimate goal. I'll work my way up to it, because for me this has been a harder component for me to control than the food. I'm praying to the Discipline God (what's his name again? "Whoopass, God of Discipline" or something along those lines, wasn't it?)
So those are the bones of the plan. I use this amazing software called DietPower ( http://dietpower.com ) to log my eats and exercise, and I am religious about staying on top of that every day.
I'm sure you're aching to ask, "What's your next goal, Sarah?" Well, the first priority is to move this body more in regular, daily exercise. The secondary, and in some ways more quantifiable goal is Mini-Goal Three: 215. I'm shooting for the end of August, but don't tell -- it's a secret.
As for this blogging adventure, well this is my first time doing it......so you'll have to bear with me. Be kind.
