Weight: 225
Loss to date: 59 pounds
Ok, another pound gone....I'm getting there! This one will be a rather abbreviated post, as I am really going to make a concerted effort to get in bed before midnight tonight. Can she do it???? I swear, I am really just a night owl. All my life I've been this way. I remember being a little girl in Bierer House, the help house/commune in which I was raised in Chelsea, on the lower west side of NYC. Usually we were around 20 in number -- a couple stayed but most lighted upon the house for a short while and then moved on. Libby calculated that by the time I was 10, I'd lived with over 4000 people.) Anyway, I remember that some of my very favorite people had night jobs, so I'd stay up and wait for them to come home. Holly, a dancer whom I loved, and I would bead necklaces at 3:00 in the morning; I think I must have been about nine at the time. That pretty much set the tone for my sleeping habits going forward.
So I'm going to try to turn in "early." Poor Gretchen, though -- I couldn't leave her hanging out to dry tomorrow morning also!
There's some stuff to report, but it's all unrelated, disjointed. No update has a thing to do with another. So, in no particular order, here goes -- and I'll still aim for delivering the abbreviated version, although -- and you might have guessed this -- that's rather difficult for me.
I did my HIIT biking for 20 minutes after I got back from walking Louie (my gorgeous 3/4 Italian Greyhound, 1/4 pug rescue princess boy) when I got home from work.
I joined the Halloween challenge at the 100 forum at 3FC, committing to the following achievements by Halloween: (1) Reach 208 pounds; (2) Wear a size 16; and (3) Accomplish the creation of a habit of 5 workouts per week.
I broke down, succumbing to peer pressure, and ordered Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds DVD 3-pack set. (3 workouts of graduating intensity, going 1 mile, 2 miles, and 3 miles consecutively.) All the cool kids are doing it. It was only like 17 bucks including shipping, so I think it will be worth it. I've heard about them for a long time now, but Gretchen has raved so much, I figured, "alright, alright, what the hell." I predict I'll be annoyed by Leslie's inane banter with "the other gals" about straight blah blah blah.....but if she gets me sweating and it feels good and yields results, then I'll forgive her. (Gretchen, that is, not Leslie! Just kiddin' Gretch....)
Lorraine's still gone and I don't much like it, although she's really enjoying her training and is getting well set up for success. I'm so happy and relieved about that. It's a big deal to leave the company you've worked for 16 years and what amounts to almost all of your adult working life. So to go into another leadership position (District Manager) for a new company in a new industry, with new challenges -- well, you'd pray for good training, no matter how smart and clever you are. (And she's both, in addition to having lovely lips.) Well, we spoke about paying a third of her ex's daughter's $450 monthly car payment, and I am just not down with that. It's uninsured, we just took out a second mortgage to pay off our own car because the interest was lower, and Lorraine's ex -- who hasn't worked in 3 months because she can't find a job that she "likes" is only going to pay a third.......and we pay more towards C's college costs than she does! Ok, I'm getting pissed off again, so I'm going to shelve the topic for now and revisit if I feel like it later. It's just messed up; when C (the daughter) was talking to her mom about it, the mom (Lorraine's ex) said, "Have Lorraine pay it; she'll pay." Nice. So Lorraine didn't commit yet, said she would need to talk it over with me, but of course she wants to bail the kid out. I'm just not so sure it's all such a good idea....the car -- and C -- are completely without insurance. In New Jersey. Anyone reading understand the significance of that? I just really need to think about it some more, and talk it over with Lorraine when she comes home. For the record, C says she does already work 40 hours a week, but since her mother doesn't pay for her books or food or clothes, she needs to spend her money on that. It's hard. As long as we continue to bail out C, her mother will make that happen and be very happy with that arrangement. However, we don't want to hurt C just to spite the mother........any comments and suggestions are welcome. If you think I'm being a bitch, you can tell me so. I just see it as fraught. See, even lesbian relationships have this kid-related drama, so noone is immune!
This weekend, Labor Day weekend, is going to be a 4-day weekend for me. That is so much more exciting than I can adequately convey here. I smile, for I am off!
Getting lots of compliments on the bod and the loss these days, and it sure does feel good! Yesterday like 6 people at work approached me separately to talk to me about it...did I miss that email? I was like, "Either I need to LIVE in these pants, or there's a conspiracy afoot!" No matter, it felt great. One lovely man (I love him, my buddy the Director of Sales) said, "Every time I see you, I see less of you." I could have kissed him on the lips and I told him so! So now you KNOW I'm in HR!
I know I keep mentioning it, but we really MUST get a new digital camera. Everyone I know at 3FC is clamboring for pic's, and I would like to share my progress. The before pic's are still horrific to me -- I guess I haven't yet adequately distanced myself from that body to feel like it was "so long ago" or "another body ago." I look so much better and feel so much better.......but it's still too fresh for those before pic's not to be a little ouchie for me to behold. The key will be to get a decent current progress picture, so I can concentrate on the now and the future rather than the past. I'm sure everyone feels the same way, so I'll suck it up like they do.....just gotta (1) get a new camera, and (2) hook up the printer/scanner, and (3) find a before pic that's post-worthy. I'll post it here too, once I get it all sorted out.
I'm loving the comments activity -- I feel like the hostess at a successful house party! Ya'll come back now, y'hear? Mwah - kiss, kiss!
And I suppose this didn't end up being very "abbreviated." Old habits die hard.
Tuesday, August 31
Monday, August 30
No harm, small foul
Weight: 226
Loss to date: 58 pounds
I'm back in the saddle, dear reader! The debauchery of Friday and Saturday well behind me, I'm moving forward with singularity of mind, a steady hand, and strong purpose in my stride. I have been having some difficulty sending my DietPower information from my work computer to my home computer, so until I sort that out I'm forced to log all my food at work. Now that you know that, you will understand when I say that I was just dying to get in to work today to find out what the real damage was in terms of calories! Well, the fat lady has sung, and the song ain't bad by half! Here's the caloric tally -- including the prior days, just for kicks and comparison:
So for the week, I've got an overall average of 1354! Not bad, not shameful, not deleterious! I am SO relieved!! Now if the scale would just move I'd be thrilled! But I know that it's water, and this too shall pass.
I'll share more later, just wanted to give this update.
Loss to date: 58 pounds
I'm back in the saddle, dear reader! The debauchery of Friday and Saturday well behind me, I'm moving forward with singularity of mind, a steady hand, and strong purpose in my stride. I have been having some difficulty sending my DietPower information from my work computer to my home computer, so until I sort that out I'm forced to log all my food at work. Now that you know that, you will understand when I say that I was just dying to get in to work today to find out what the real damage was in terms of calories! Well, the fat lady has sung, and the song ain't bad by half! Here's the caloric tally -- including the prior days, just for kicks and comparison:
- MON 8/23 - 1076
- TUE 8/24 - 1110
- WED 8/25 - 1524
- THU 8/26 - 1293
- FRI 8/27 - 1825
- SAT 8/28 - 1557
- SUN 8/29 - 1096
So for the week, I've got an overall average of 1354! Not bad, not shameful, not deleterious! I am SO relieved!! Now if the scale would just move I'd be thrilled! But I know that it's water, and this too shall pass.
I'll share more later, just wanted to give this update.
Sunday, August 29
Eats, Blogs, and Leaves - and Biz! - Oh My!
In the process of ignoring the fact that I have to vacuum and do laundry, I happened upon Biz Stone's blog (since added to my blog link list;) he's the BloggerGod over at Google, and a pretty amusing and clever guy! In his blog, he shares this article by Jennifer Garrett; as a fellow grammar bitch - flawed, but obsessive nonetheless - I found it hilarious and on point. If you opt to visit her own blog, reachable through the above link, you'll see her current entry on grammar in blogs, and the comments (37 in number at the time of my visit) are fabulous! Great stuff.
My eats today are stellar, although I'm rather hungry at present, as I've consciously cut way back on cal's in an attempt to compensate somewhat for the excesses of Friday and Saturday. (Fried spinach ravioli, indeed!)
I'm off now to do that HIIT. My goal is 6 1/2 miles in 22 minutes. Sorta random, I know, but then so's life, right? I'm a coloring outside the lines kinda gal.......call me living large.
My eats today are stellar, although I'm rather hungry at present, as I've consciously cut way back on cal's in an attempt to compensate somewhat for the excesses of Friday and Saturday. (Fried spinach ravioli, indeed!)
I'm off now to do that HIIT. My goal is 6 1/2 miles in 22 minutes. Sorta random, I know, but then so's life, right? I'm a coloring outside the lines kinda gal.......call me living large.
Saturday, August 28
love and hunger, exercise and technology
Weight: 226
Loss to date: 58 pounds
Love: She's home! She's home! She came home last night, and Wow! I sure do like her. What a gift love is, eh? We're enjoying one another during this busy, errand-filled weekend...and I must say, we do make a handsome couple, if I do say so myself! (Horribly overgrown haircuts and too-round tummies notwithstanding!)
Hunger: I'm insatiable. Ravenous. Simply not to be stopped. And seemingly stubbornly indifferent to a new theme of poor judgement. What the hell?!? My eating has honestly been above reproach lo these past almost 6 months -- exercise has been the struggle, not diet -- and somehow I managed to survive 6 other bouts of ongoing, raging pre-menstrual hunger. So what gives? Please God tell me it's not complacency! Perhaps an acting out after so much self-denial? I don't know.
I guess it really isn't all that bad -- I don't think there will be any permanent damage, lol, and I'm still completely focused on maintaining momentum as well as building upon my newly developing exercise habits. But damn, I have made some crazy food choices! I've had 5 off plan things in the last 2 days......on the upside, I only really went off on one of them! Oh, that's not really such a positive? Hm....well I was thinking it could have been worse. I had one of those little bags of Cheetos, a Kit Kat bar, pizza, some fried spinach ravioli, and a chocolate mousse roll. God, I really feel like shit seeing it all laid out there. Well, I'll just consider this my sort of "kissing it up to God" act, and then move on. It was tasty, and that was then, and this is now. I really want to make it clear that I am not concerned....I'm not feeling fearful or in need of self-flagellation, just a "CRIKEY! Rein yourself in, girl! And get on that exercise bike, for the love of God!"
I'll eat 110% on plan tomorrow, go extra low on the calories and slam the water. I normally drink 120-140 oz. of water on the weekdays, but considerably less on the weekends. Not tomorrow, I'll really slam the stuff. Of course I'll work out also. And maybe I'll start posting my calories consumed per day going forward. I'm not sure. I track all my eats and exercise using my fabulous DietPower software, so I'm always very well aware of my caloric and nutritional intake and much more.....I'm religious about it. But maybe there would be some benefit to tracking my daily calories here as well. I'll have to think about it.
Exercise: Aside from the plan to sweat my ass off tomorrow doing some intense HIIT followed by some extra steady rate biking, I'm thinking of breaking down and purchasing that Leslie Sansome Walk away the Pounds tape I've been hearing so much about since I started. I really had privately thought that it was pretty lame to need a tape to tell you how to walk in place (um, ok) but I'm finally getting that it's more than that, and she really takes you through the paces and wears your ass out in 30 minutes! I have a lovely treadmill that doesn't see much foot traffic from me, so who's the lame one here?? I've consciously chosen the bike more often than not because it burns more calories, and my hips would hurt me sometimes when I walked on the treadmill. (Bursitis is a cruel mistress.) But it's been a while, and I'm probably 20-30 pounds lighter than the last time I used it, so it might not be so wearing now. Anyhoo, I'm thinking that after some regular Leslie action I'll perhaps feel more inclined to set that puppy on a nice incline and go!
Technology: After perhaps 2 hours on the phone with a lovely women from Alabama who works for Dell, my brand new Inspiron 8600 laptop is now able to connect wirelessly! It's been a real battle getting my D-Link router configured properly -- as it turns out, there were too many hands in the pot -- one of the internal IT guys from the IT solutions company that I work for flubbed it up in an attempt to help me........crazy! I, who had literally no clue whatsoever, installed the router correctly, and then when I mistakenly thought it wasn't working, this well-meaning coworker with like 20 years' experience in programming and systems administration loused it all up! Ah well, all's well that ends well. I must say, cable high speed beats the hell out of dial up, and wireless is the BOMB! Sometimes -- although not always -- you get what you pay for.....even several weeks after you've paid for it. Thank you, Tina in Alabama, loyal Dell employee. Snaps to you, dude!
Loss to date: 58 pounds
Love: She's home! She's home! She came home last night, and Wow! I sure do like her. What a gift love is, eh? We're enjoying one another during this busy, errand-filled weekend...and I must say, we do make a handsome couple, if I do say so myself! (Horribly overgrown haircuts and too-round tummies notwithstanding!)
Hunger: I'm insatiable. Ravenous. Simply not to be stopped. And seemingly stubbornly indifferent to a new theme of poor judgement. What the hell?!? My eating has honestly been above reproach lo these past almost 6 months -- exercise has been the struggle, not diet -- and somehow I managed to survive 6 other bouts of ongoing, raging pre-menstrual hunger. So what gives? Please God tell me it's not complacency! Perhaps an acting out after so much self-denial? I don't know.
I guess it really isn't all that bad -- I don't think there will be any permanent damage, lol, and I'm still completely focused on maintaining momentum as well as building upon my newly developing exercise habits. But damn, I have made some crazy food choices! I've had 5 off plan things in the last 2 days......on the upside, I only really went off on one of them! Oh, that's not really such a positive? Hm....well I was thinking it could have been worse. I had one of those little bags of Cheetos, a Kit Kat bar, pizza, some fried spinach ravioli, and a chocolate mousse roll. God, I really feel like shit seeing it all laid out there. Well, I'll just consider this my sort of "kissing it up to God" act, and then move on. It was tasty, and that was then, and this is now. I really want to make it clear that I am not concerned....I'm not feeling fearful or in need of self-flagellation, just a "CRIKEY! Rein yourself in, girl! And get on that exercise bike, for the love of God!"
I'll eat 110% on plan tomorrow, go extra low on the calories and slam the water. I normally drink 120-140 oz. of water on the weekdays, but considerably less on the weekends. Not tomorrow, I'll really slam the stuff. Of course I'll work out also. And maybe I'll start posting my calories consumed per day going forward. I'm not sure. I track all my eats and exercise using my fabulous DietPower software, so I'm always very well aware of my caloric and nutritional intake and much more.....I'm religious about it. But maybe there would be some benefit to tracking my daily calories here as well. I'll have to think about it.
Exercise: Aside from the plan to sweat my ass off tomorrow doing some intense HIIT followed by some extra steady rate biking, I'm thinking of breaking down and purchasing that Leslie Sansome Walk away the Pounds tape I've been hearing so much about since I started. I really had privately thought that it was pretty lame to need a tape to tell you how to walk in place (um, ok) but I'm finally getting that it's more than that, and she really takes you through the paces and wears your ass out in 30 minutes! I have a lovely treadmill that doesn't see much foot traffic from me, so who's the lame one here?? I've consciously chosen the bike more often than not because it burns more calories, and my hips would hurt me sometimes when I walked on the treadmill. (Bursitis is a cruel mistress.) But it's been a while, and I'm probably 20-30 pounds lighter than the last time I used it, so it might not be so wearing now. Anyhoo, I'm thinking that after some regular Leslie action I'll perhaps feel more inclined to set that puppy on a nice incline and go!
Technology: After perhaps 2 hours on the phone with a lovely women from Alabama who works for Dell, my brand new Inspiron 8600 laptop is now able to connect wirelessly! It's been a real battle getting my D-Link router configured properly -- as it turns out, there were too many hands in the pot -- one of the internal IT guys from the IT solutions company that I work for flubbed it up in an attempt to help me........crazy! I, who had literally no clue whatsoever, installed the router correctly, and then when I mistakenly thought it wasn't working, this well-meaning coworker with like 20 years' experience in programming and systems administration loused it all up! Ah well, all's well that ends well. I must say, cable high speed beats the hell out of dial up, and wireless is the BOMB! Sometimes -- although not always -- you get what you pay for.....even several weeks after you've paid for it. Thank you, Tina in Alabama, loyal Dell employee. Snaps to you, dude!
Friday, August 27
Ok that sucks
Well, in adding HaloScan comments to the blog, I lost all my comments! Damn. I really like the program, so I'm not going to delete it, but I really wish that the old comments could have been migrated.
Did I say this was a work in progress?
Did I say this was a work in progress?
Under Construction
Weight: 226
Loss to date: 58 pounds
So how do you like the new look? I need a hair cut and some new smaller clothes, so in keeping with this recurring theme of "lightening," I thought I'd shop around for a new blogskin, and EUREKA, I found this lovely thing! In the process of installing it, I managed to add to my quite basic HTML knowledge, as there were a few hiccups along the way. I'm actually feeling rather smug and self-satisfied about it, as I really was quite clueless but exercised some common sense and persistence and managed to do some effective troubleshooting!
It's not completed; I'm still working on tweaking a few things to make it a bit easier to read, but I invite your comments during this process and after it's completion. Come to think of it, I doubt it will ever be completed -- I'm sure I'll continue to try to improve it for as long as I keep it!
I'm down another pound....no small feat considering Satan is approaching. I'm impatient, moody, self-absorbed, and -- mentally, at least -- whiny. Out loud, I'm silent. Now what do YOU think is going on here? Oh shut up. You think you're so smart.
Anyway, what with the PMS-related greater state of bloat, I'm thrilled to see a pound loss, and hold high hopes for further good news a bit later. Later being after I leave my body, morph into a schizophrenic, irritating bitch, and then return about a week later to the accompaniment of chirping birds, warm sunshine, and blooming flowers.
Me love you next week.
Loss to date: 58 pounds
So how do you like the new look? I need a hair cut and some new smaller clothes, so in keeping with this recurring theme of "lightening," I thought I'd shop around for a new blogskin, and EUREKA, I found this lovely thing! In the process of installing it, I managed to add to my quite basic HTML knowledge, as there were a few hiccups along the way. I'm actually feeling rather smug and self-satisfied about it, as I really was quite clueless but exercised some common sense and persistence and managed to do some effective troubleshooting!
It's not completed; I'm still working on tweaking a few things to make it a bit easier to read, but I invite your comments during this process and after it's completion. Come to think of it, I doubt it will ever be completed -- I'm sure I'll continue to try to improve it for as long as I keep it!
I'm down another pound....no small feat considering Satan is approaching. I'm impatient, moody, self-absorbed, and -- mentally, at least -- whiny. Out loud, I'm silent. Now what do YOU think is going on here? Oh shut up. You think you're so smart.
Anyway, what with the PMS-related greater state of bloat, I'm thrilled to see a pound loss, and hold high hopes for further good news a bit later. Later being after I leave my body, morph into a schizophrenic, irritating bitch, and then return about a week later to the accompaniment of chirping birds, warm sunshine, and blooming flowers.
Me love you next week.
Wednesday, August 25
blogs I love from women who are much so smarter than I. see?
Weight: 227
Loss to date: 57 pounds
Hello, my name is Sarah, and I am a blog addict. This is a new thing. My whole world has expanded, and my life is enriched! Two new faves are by two totally kickass women: Mo, love you, love your oints. And Julie, you crazy kid, you are simply fabulous. These chicks are whip-smart, belly laugh-funny, sassy-assed, and gratifyingly unorthodox. Their blogs are engaging and relevant, and I wish these two lived near me so we could all be best girlfriends.
I am exhausted, and will soon put my head to pillow and lay my body next to those of probably six furry warm creatures. (Two others are more independent sleepers.) Notice the absence of my partner's warm solid body. I miss her.
Alas, I have nothing pithy or amusing to offer; I'm spent. This daily HIIT in the morning kicks a body's ass! Or maybe it's just this body, and this ass. Or maybe I'm just PMS girl. Damn, I am toast and without intelligent thought.
More tomorrow, when I am better able to complete sentences.
Loss to date: 57 pounds
Hello, my name is Sarah, and I am a blog addict. This is a new thing. My whole world has expanded, and my life is enriched! Two new faves are by two totally kickass women: Mo, love you, love your oints. And Julie, you crazy kid, you are simply fabulous. These chicks are whip-smart, belly laugh-funny, sassy-assed, and gratifyingly unorthodox. Their blogs are engaging and relevant, and I wish these two lived near me so we could all be best girlfriends.
I am exhausted, and will soon put my head to pillow and lay my body next to those of probably six furry warm creatures. (Two others are more independent sleepers.) Notice the absence of my partner's warm solid body. I miss her.
Alas, I have nothing pithy or amusing to offer; I'm spent. This daily HIIT in the morning kicks a body's ass! Or maybe it's just this body, and this ass. Or maybe I'm just PMS girl. Damn, I am toast and without intelligent thought.
More tomorrow, when I am better able to complete sentences.
Tuesday, August 24
Solitude and Progress
Weight: 227
Loss to date: 57
I am a single girl. A bachelorette. A girl on her own. And I don't like it one bit. Alright, maybe just a little bit -- but I want my girlfriend back!! Lorraine's out of town for training in her new job, and I am not looking forward to these two weeks alone. It's so quiet, aside from a couple of chronically pissed off, mouthy felines screaming their heads off. I spent years living alone, and coveted my aloneness. I loved the quiet, the time alone, the control. It was hard to adjust to sharing all space and time with Lorraine when we first moved in together -- a time I fondly refer to as our "shacking up" time. She patiently (mostly) taught me to share, to be more considerate, to yield and compromise. I've learned a lot in our coupledom. She's done some good work with me.
Anyway, the bed is too big, even with all the animals piled on it and huddled next to me for warmth and community. We all miss Daddy. I tossed and turned all night without her there.
I'm still working out daily -- this morning I did 6.75 miles in 23 minutes!! I thought the exercise bike was going to take off! I'm sure hoping to see some more movement on the scale soon, but I find a fixed number easier to deal with if I'm exercising as hard as I currently am than if I'm not -- because I know that I'm building muscle or something else positive. There's no way that NOTHING is happening in the way of progress, so I will just try to be patient and stay positive about it.
I am a work in progress. Emphasis on the "progress."
Dana, if you're out there, I miss you man........come back and give me an update, damn it!
Loss to date: 57
I am a single girl. A bachelorette. A girl on her own. And I don't like it one bit. Alright, maybe just a little bit -- but I want my girlfriend back!! Lorraine's out of town for training in her new job, and I am not looking forward to these two weeks alone. It's so quiet, aside from a couple of chronically pissed off, mouthy felines screaming their heads off. I spent years living alone, and coveted my aloneness. I loved the quiet, the time alone, the control. It was hard to adjust to sharing all space and time with Lorraine when we first moved in together -- a time I fondly refer to as our "shacking up" time. She patiently (mostly) taught me to share, to be more considerate, to yield and compromise. I've learned a lot in our coupledom. She's done some good work with me.
Anyway, the bed is too big, even with all the animals piled on it and huddled next to me for warmth and community. We all miss Daddy. I tossed and turned all night without her there.
I'm still working out daily -- this morning I did 6.75 miles in 23 minutes!! I thought the exercise bike was going to take off! I'm sure hoping to see some more movement on the scale soon, but I find a fixed number easier to deal with if I'm exercising as hard as I currently am than if I'm not -- because I know that I'm building muscle or something else positive. There's no way that NOTHING is happening in the way of progress, so I will just try to be patient and stay positive about it.
I am a work in progress. Emphasis on the "progress."
Dana, if you're out there, I miss you man........come back and give me an update, damn it!
Sunday, August 22
Stream of Conciousness Sunday
Weight: 227
Loss to date: 57 pounds
Another pound gone, putting me at 3 down for the week. The exercise continues -- I'm finding that I'm just ravenous now! I'm eating pretty much on plan.....calories are in line, but I've had a nibble here and there of the chicken cutlets I've been making for Lorraine. I think I might just increase some of the portion sizes of the good on-plan foods that are part of my daily regimen, so I'm not as hungry and vulnerable to temptation during this time of increased exercise every day. I'm talking about an extra 1/2 cup of brown rice, or an extra serving of nonfat plain yogurt, that sort of thing.
Speaking of my love, she's going out of town for training in her new job tomorrow morning, bright and early. She'll be away for a week, return for the weekend, and then leave for another week. I am NOT happy about it! I am really glad they have such a great training program, as I totally want her to be well set up for success -- this is her first (DM) job after quitting her last one after 16 years, so training is especially important for her. I'm just really going to miss her. And so will the animals. It's a major change in our household, so I fully expect some acting out behavior, unfortunately. I see a lot of cleaning up and breaking up of fights in my immediate future. They really are like little kids, I swear.
I love my wife, I really do. By the way, she's losing weight too, by default. She's down to 224, apparently, so we think she's lost around 15-18 pounds -- great news! Her whole life was pretty much turned upside down by my decisions to eat right and exercise......so as a result, she's eating a lot less at home. There's also the fact that she's seeing my loss, and that has definitely influenced the decisions she's making outside of our home as well. I'm so happy that she's losing, too. She's been unwaveringly loving and supportive throughout this process -- she just praises me and loves me through every single pound lost. She's such a gift. She struggles a bit with the food end on her part; she's miserable if I make tilapia, she longs always for chicken cutlet, and she loudly bemoans the absence of the cream-based dishes we both once enjoyed. So she misses the good food, because she doesn't always enjoy the healthy good food I'm making now.
I learned to cook in Florence, Italy, and then later went on to get my degree from a culinary college, so I'm very into cooking! I love it, I love it, I love it! And I'm pretty good at it. It's hard for Lorraine because, unlike me, she didn't grow up eating healthy food, she grew up eating heavy Italian-American fare and other American staples -- so I have to really put in some effort to trick her into liking the simple, cleanly made, healthy stuff that I make now. And some really good food is utterly disinteresting to her -- soybeans, tilapia, brown rice, anything with tuna added, and more. She's come a long way though. It's a learning process for both of us, and we'll get there together. I do thank God for the support she gives....don't even get me started on the love! That is a topic for another post altogether.
Loss to date: 57 pounds
Another pound gone, putting me at 3 down for the week. The exercise continues -- I'm finding that I'm just ravenous now! I'm eating pretty much on plan.....calories are in line, but I've had a nibble here and there of the chicken cutlets I've been making for Lorraine. I think I might just increase some of the portion sizes of the good on-plan foods that are part of my daily regimen, so I'm not as hungry and vulnerable to temptation during this time of increased exercise every day. I'm talking about an extra 1/2 cup of brown rice, or an extra serving of nonfat plain yogurt, that sort of thing.
Speaking of my love, she's going out of town for training in her new job tomorrow morning, bright and early. She'll be away for a week, return for the weekend, and then leave for another week. I am NOT happy about it! I am really glad they have such a great training program, as I totally want her to be well set up for success -- this is her first (DM) job after quitting her last one after 16 years, so training is especially important for her. I'm just really going to miss her. And so will the animals. It's a major change in our household, so I fully expect some acting out behavior, unfortunately. I see a lot of cleaning up and breaking up of fights in my immediate future. They really are like little kids, I swear.
I love my wife, I really do. By the way, she's losing weight too, by default. She's down to 224, apparently, so we think she's lost around 15-18 pounds -- great news! Her whole life was pretty much turned upside down by my decisions to eat right and exercise......so as a result, she's eating a lot less at home. There's also the fact that she's seeing my loss, and that has definitely influenced the decisions she's making outside of our home as well. I'm so happy that she's losing, too. She's been unwaveringly loving and supportive throughout this process -- she just praises me and loves me through every single pound lost. She's such a gift. She struggles a bit with the food end on her part; she's miserable if I make tilapia, she longs always for chicken cutlet, and she loudly bemoans the absence of the cream-based dishes we both once enjoyed. So she misses the good food, because she doesn't always enjoy the healthy good food I'm making now.
I learned to cook in Florence, Italy, and then later went on to get my degree from a culinary college, so I'm very into cooking! I love it, I love it, I love it! And I'm pretty good at it. It's hard for Lorraine because, unlike me, she didn't grow up eating healthy food, she grew up eating heavy Italian-American fare and other American staples -- so I have to really put in some effort to trick her into liking the simple, cleanly made, healthy stuff that I make now. And some really good food is utterly disinteresting to her -- soybeans, tilapia, brown rice, anything with tuna added, and more. She's come a long way though. It's a learning process for both of us, and we'll get there together. I do thank God for the support she gives....don't even get me started on the love! That is a topic for another post altogether.
Friday, August 20
This Just In! Lazy Girl Wants to Lose Weight!
Weight: 228
Loss to date: 56 pounds
Nothing much to report, except that I'm a lazyass. I am the Supreme Ass of Laziness. I reign over all other asses in the darkest realm of laziness. *sigh* Has anyone seen my motivation? I seem to have misplaced it. Today I am motivated solely by weight loss. Weight loss, and nothing else. Well, that's what my boss gets for going on vacation, apparently. And that's why she's the boss. Bah. I am most decidedly not loving my own lazyass attitude today. Or maybe I am.... I am prone to saying (like the annoying wench that I am,) "Show me your choices and I'll tell you your priorities." Well, today I choose to look for ways to occupy my mind and attention that have nothing whatsoever to do with human resource and recruitment functions for a technology solutions company. Weight loss, and all topics related to it -- now THESE are my priorities. And so that should indicate that I'm enjoying this most ultimately achieved excellence in the lazyass arena. God, what a wanker I am!
I worked out this morning......so I'm not entirely a lazyass. I'm feeling pretty good about myself overall, aside from the aforementioned work-related motivational challenges. (Methinks I simply need a wee vacation, but that's another rant altogether and you SO don't want me to take you there.) At this morning's weighing, I was at 228.00.......and that was before my morning doodles, if you'll forgive the indiscreet reference. So I'm feeling rather smug, as the upcoming achievement of 227 will put me at 3 pounds down for the week, with 3 days yet to go to progress further. I'm hoping for 4......with a secret dream of 5. Ssshhh, don't tell anybody, it's a dream that will remain secret until I hit it. It's been a long time since I hit those numbers. It's actually not my goal to consistently lose that quickly, because I have not yet hit my stride in building muscle, and I'd rather not lose the lean mass that I currently have, thank you very much.
Speaking of lean mass, I read an interesting article today about the decided advantage obese or previously obese folks have over our perrenially slender counterparts. As a result of having lugged around so much added weight all the time, we are stronger and have greater bone density than if our bodies had not been forced to do so. So if you take care as you're losing to not lose too much muscle -- and the only really effective way to accomplish both feats simultaneously is to weight train -- you will end up with a larger percentage of lean mass, and, therefore, a lower body fat percentage pound for pound.
I really should post my body fat percentage up there with my poundage, but I am just not there yet, psychologically. Bear with me. This too shall pass. I am a work in progress, as promised.
I suppose I'll work a bit now. Since I'm here, and all that.
Loss to date: 56 pounds
Nothing much to report, except that I'm a lazyass. I am the Supreme Ass of Laziness. I reign over all other asses in the darkest realm of laziness. *sigh* Has anyone seen my motivation? I seem to have misplaced it. Today I am motivated solely by weight loss. Weight loss, and nothing else. Well, that's what my boss gets for going on vacation, apparently. And that's why she's the boss. Bah. I am most decidedly not loving my own lazyass attitude today. Or maybe I am.... I am prone to saying (like the annoying wench that I am,) "Show me your choices and I'll tell you your priorities." Well, today I choose to look for ways to occupy my mind and attention that have nothing whatsoever to do with human resource and recruitment functions for a technology solutions company. Weight loss, and all topics related to it -- now THESE are my priorities. And so that should indicate that I'm enjoying this most ultimately achieved excellence in the lazyass arena. God, what a wanker I am!
I worked out this morning......so I'm not entirely a lazyass. I'm feeling pretty good about myself overall, aside from the aforementioned work-related motivational challenges. (Methinks I simply need a wee vacation, but that's another rant altogether and you SO don't want me to take you there.) At this morning's weighing, I was at 228.00.......and that was before my morning doodles, if you'll forgive the indiscreet reference. So I'm feeling rather smug, as the upcoming achievement of 227 will put me at 3 pounds down for the week, with 3 days yet to go to progress further. I'm hoping for 4......with a secret dream of 5. Ssshhh, don't tell anybody, it's a dream that will remain secret until I hit it. It's been a long time since I hit those numbers. It's actually not my goal to consistently lose that quickly, because I have not yet hit my stride in building muscle, and I'd rather not lose the lean mass that I currently have, thank you very much.
Speaking of lean mass, I read an interesting article today about the decided advantage obese or previously obese folks have over our perrenially slender counterparts. As a result of having lugged around so much added weight all the time, we are stronger and have greater bone density than if our bodies had not been forced to do so. So if you take care as you're losing to not lose too much muscle -- and the only really effective way to accomplish both feats simultaneously is to weight train -- you will end up with a larger percentage of lean mass, and, therefore, a lower body fat percentage pound for pound.
I really should post my body fat percentage up there with my poundage, but I am just not there yet, psychologically. Bear with me. This too shall pass. I am a work in progress, as promised.
I suppose I'll work a bit now. Since I'm here, and all that.
Thursday, August 19
I am an animal!
Weight: 228
Loss to date: 56 pounds
And ANOTHER one down! I am an animal!! I think it's actually 3 so far this week, because 5 out of 6 times this morning the scale read 227 -- but I'll hold off on announcing the 227 till I see it on another day as well. (Prolonguing the pleasure!) I'm definitely feeling better about my rate of loss. I've lowered my calories from around 1500 to around 1400. My BMR at my current level of activity is somewhere around 2450 I think, so I should be able to count on a weekly 2-pound loss on caloric deficit alone. I'm hoping the exercise will get me to 3 at least half the time.
I've totally upped my exercise, as I mentioned yesterday. I'm now doing the intensive morning cardio, and that should definitely amp up my weight loss. (It's biking over 5 miles in 20 minutes, and burning around 400 calories at my current weight) Next week I'll return to my weight training at least 2 sessions/week. That's going to prove critical to my overall success. It's not just about a number on the scale, for more than one reason. Obviously I want to look good -- not that "skinnyfat" small-sized-but-mushy look that some slender people have. I want to have muscles, definition, a shapely physique........and what about the SKIN! Lifting is supposed to help invaluably in supporting skin buoyancy and elasticity during weight loss. With my goal of 150 pounds, I seriously doubt that it's going to be able to save me from the dreaded "loose skin" syndrome, but it should help with that and so much more. It's fabulous for assisting with bone density, which, as a woman, I'm concerned with, and it's also a huge booster of the metabolism! Gimme that boost, baby! That's why men can lose more quickly than women; they have more muscle mass, so their metabolisms (both at rest and during exercise) are faster. Well, they don't have the market on muscles, nosireebob! Thank God! (Serious, appraising nod to all the beefalicious, babealicious, muscleicious butch girls out there... Woopsie, I'm married, not supposed to think that about anyone but my precious own personal babealicious beefcake.)
I love lifting, it's just a matter of time management. I was doing a 3 day routine of full-body workouts using the CrossBow and dumbbells. I was lifting to failure, and I loved it. My favorites were squats and stiff-legged deadlifts, interestingly enough. At first I thought that was unusual, but when I think about it it makes sense, since my lower body is so much stronger than my upper. (Like most women.) So, doing those heavier lifts is satisfying; I feel strong, I don't struggle as much. The upper body stuff -- particularly those exercises involving the shoulders -- are a killer for me. But then that proves they must be done. I fell off for a couple of reasons: I didn't have time for the 3 sessions, my bronchial problems worsened, and I just fell out of my routine. I'm going to start with 2 sessions/week, since I'm doing a lot all at once, with my ultimate intention to ramp up to 3.
So, it's back to my routine I go. Here's the plan:
The primary obstacle I see to sticking with this schedule is Lorraine -- her desire to be with me, and my desire to be with her. When I come home from work, if she's there it's time to get dinner started, spend time with Louie (our Italian Greyhound) and the cats (7 of 'em), and then head upstairs to hang out after dinner. If she's not there, there's lots to be done in terms of cleaning, cooking meals in advance for the week, taking care of all the animals, etc. On the weekends it's easier. It's really just doing it.
No excuses though. This is an ambitious routine, but it's doable. The bulk of the time investment in the evening occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings are free. Also, if I went into work earlier, it would help a lot, and probably allow me to add another evening session. I could go to bed at 11:00, get up at 5:45, exercise till 6:15, leave at 7:30 to get to work at 8:00-8:15, and get off at 4:30-4:45. I'd have to clear that with my boss, but I'm sure she'd agree with it. That would help enormously -- provided I could manage to shut the light out at 11:00....and then turn it back on at 5:45! I've been working the 9:00-5:30 gig for a while now, so that extra time in the afternoon would totally buy me my time to workout. Hmmm....food for thought.
For now, I'm going to see how it goes with my current schedule. If it becomes too much of a challenge, I'll adjust accordingly.
Failure is not an option.........and neither is staying fat.
Loss to date: 56 pounds
And ANOTHER one down! I am an animal!! I think it's actually 3 so far this week, because 5 out of 6 times this morning the scale read 227 -- but I'll hold off on announcing the 227 till I see it on another day as well. (Prolonguing the pleasure!) I'm definitely feeling better about my rate of loss. I've lowered my calories from around 1500 to around 1400. My BMR at my current level of activity is somewhere around 2450 I think, so I should be able to count on a weekly 2-pound loss on caloric deficit alone. I'm hoping the exercise will get me to 3 at least half the time.
I've totally upped my exercise, as I mentioned yesterday. I'm now doing the intensive morning cardio, and that should definitely amp up my weight loss. (It's biking over 5 miles in 20 minutes, and burning around 400 calories at my current weight) Next week I'll return to my weight training at least 2 sessions/week. That's going to prove critical to my overall success. It's not just about a number on the scale, for more than one reason. Obviously I want to look good -- not that "skinnyfat" small-sized-but-mushy look that some slender people have. I want to have muscles, definition, a shapely physique........and what about the SKIN! Lifting is supposed to help invaluably in supporting skin buoyancy and elasticity during weight loss. With my goal of 150 pounds, I seriously doubt that it's going to be able to save me from the dreaded "loose skin" syndrome, but it should help with that and so much more. It's fabulous for assisting with bone density, which, as a woman, I'm concerned with, and it's also a huge booster of the metabolism! Gimme that boost, baby! That's why men can lose more quickly than women; they have more muscle mass, so their metabolisms (both at rest and during exercise) are faster. Well, they don't have the market on muscles, nosireebob! Thank God! (Serious, appraising nod to all the beefalicious, babealicious, muscleicious butch girls out there... Woopsie, I'm married, not supposed to think that about anyone but my precious own personal babealicious beefcake.)
I love lifting, it's just a matter of time management. I was doing a 3 day routine of full-body workouts using the CrossBow and dumbbells. I was lifting to failure, and I loved it. My favorites were squats and stiff-legged deadlifts, interestingly enough. At first I thought that was unusual, but when I think about it it makes sense, since my lower body is so much stronger than my upper. (Like most women.) So, doing those heavier lifts is satisfying; I feel strong, I don't struggle as much. The upper body stuff -- particularly those exercises involving the shoulders -- are a killer for me. But then that proves they must be done. I fell off for a couple of reasons: I didn't have time for the 3 sessions, my bronchial problems worsened, and I just fell out of my routine. I'm going to start with 2 sessions/week, since I'm doing a lot all at once, with my ultimate intention to ramp up to 3.
So, it's back to my routine I go. Here's the plan:
- M-F: HIIT biking; 20 min.; first thing in A.M.; on an empty stomach
- T, SA: Weights; 40-50 min.; protein and simple carb immediately afterwards
- W, SU: Steady rate cardio; treadmill and/or exercise bike; 40-60 min.
The primary obstacle I see to sticking with this schedule is Lorraine -- her desire to be with me, and my desire to be with her. When I come home from work, if she's there it's time to get dinner started, spend time with Louie (our Italian Greyhound) and the cats (7 of 'em), and then head upstairs to hang out after dinner. If she's not there, there's lots to be done in terms of cleaning, cooking meals in advance for the week, taking care of all the animals, etc. On the weekends it's easier. It's really just doing it.
No excuses though. This is an ambitious routine, but it's doable. The bulk of the time investment in the evening occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Monday, Thursday and Friday evenings are free. Also, if I went into work earlier, it would help a lot, and probably allow me to add another evening session. I could go to bed at 11:00, get up at 5:45, exercise till 6:15, leave at 7:30 to get to work at 8:00-8:15, and get off at 4:30-4:45. I'd have to clear that with my boss, but I'm sure she'd agree with it. That would help enormously -- provided I could manage to shut the light out at 11:00....and then turn it back on at 5:45! I've been working the 9:00-5:30 gig for a while now, so that extra time in the afternoon would totally buy me my time to workout. Hmmm....food for thought.
For now, I'm going to see how it goes with my current schedule. If it becomes too much of a challenge, I'll adjust accordingly.
Failure is not an option.........and neither is staying fat.
Wednesday, August 18
two twenties - or fifty five pounds down
Weight: 229
Loss to date: 55 pounds
OK! NOW we're talking! I'm down to 229 now, so I've entered the realm of the 220's. Praise be. I wish I could spell that Marines exclamation, "Hoooah!" I suppose you've got the general idea. (Bet you never thought you'd hear a military exclamation springing eagerly from the lips of a liberal dyke who was raised in a commune, now did you?! This world is indeed a wacky, complicated place.)
I worked out this morning -- HIIT biking for 20 minutes first thing -- got up early to do it before work, and that's the plan for every single day for at least a week. I have committed to doing it daily for 7 days without exception, but really my intention is to continue this practice at least 6 days a week going forward. Either bike or treadmill. I feel great! (And I'm not just talking about my conscience.) I am uber-motivated to speed up my rate of loss. (See previous post.)
More later, kids.
Loss to date: 55 pounds
OK! NOW we're talking! I'm down to 229 now, so I've entered the realm of the 220's. Praise be. I wish I could spell that Marines exclamation, "Hoooah!" I suppose you've got the general idea. (Bet you never thought you'd hear a military exclamation springing eagerly from the lips of a liberal dyke who was raised in a commune, now did you?! This world is indeed a wacky, complicated place.)
I worked out this morning -- HIIT biking for 20 minutes first thing -- got up early to do it before work, and that's the plan for every single day for at least a week. I have committed to doing it daily for 7 days without exception, but really my intention is to continue this practice at least 6 days a week going forward. Either bike or treadmill. I feel great! (And I'm not just talking about my conscience.) I am uber-motivated to speed up my rate of loss. (See previous post.)
More later, kids.
Tuesday, August 17
The Second Leg
Weight: 230
Loss to date: 54 pounds
I'm doing sort of an assessment of my progress thus far. At 54 pounds down, I'm just over a third of the way to my goal, and I don't want to become complacent or stagnant. I am determined to continue to learn and grow in this process. So I decided to look at how my loss has occurred over these 24 weeks. Here it is:
Start: 284
4 weeks: 16 pounds lost
8 weeks: 10 pounds lost
12 weeks: 7 pounds lost
16 weeks: 7 pounds lost
20 weeks: 7 pounds lost
24 weeks: 7 pounds lost
Currently: 54 pounds lost total, in 24 weeks (an overall average of 2.25 pounds/week)
I wrote elsewhere that I'm not unhappy with my loss so far - to the contrary, I'm proud of what I've accomplished. 54 pounds in 24 weeks is just fine! However, when I take out the huge bump of the first 8 weeks, I'm left with 16 weeks of 7 pounds/4 weeks, or 1.75 pounds/week. And THAT'S what I want to change. I am not looking backwards, I'm looking forward, with the knowledge gained from where I've been. I'm excited about this second leg of my journey, and I'm determined to be proactive in how I approach this second third of the road.
I know now that my current level of exercise is not supporting my goals. The numbers don't lie. I'm down from a size 26/28 to an 18/20 -- HUGE progress! (No bad pun intended.) But I know what I still need to do. And it definitely involves some more up close and personal time with my exercise bike, treadmill, and CrossBow.
So there we are.
Loss to date: 54 pounds
I'm doing sort of an assessment of my progress thus far. At 54 pounds down, I'm just over a third of the way to my goal, and I don't want to become complacent or stagnant. I am determined to continue to learn and grow in this process. So I decided to look at how my loss has occurred over these 24 weeks. Here it is:
Start: 284
4 weeks: 16 pounds lost
8 weeks: 10 pounds lost
12 weeks: 7 pounds lost
16 weeks: 7 pounds lost
20 weeks: 7 pounds lost
24 weeks: 7 pounds lost
Currently: 54 pounds lost total, in 24 weeks (an overall average of 2.25 pounds/week)
I wrote elsewhere that I'm not unhappy with my loss so far - to the contrary, I'm proud of what I've accomplished. 54 pounds in 24 weeks is just fine! However, when I take out the huge bump of the first 8 weeks, I'm left with 16 weeks of 7 pounds/4 weeks, or 1.75 pounds/week. And THAT'S what I want to change. I am not looking backwards, I'm looking forward, with the knowledge gained from where I've been. I'm excited about this second leg of my journey, and I'm determined to be proactive in how I approach this second third of the road.
I know now that my current level of exercise is not supporting my goals. The numbers don't lie. I'm down from a size 26/28 to an 18/20 -- HUGE progress! (No bad pun intended.) But I know what I still need to do. And it definitely involves some more up close and personal time with my exercise bike, treadmill, and CrossBow.
So there we are.
Saturday, August 14
Another one bites the dust!
Weight: 230
Loss to date: 54 pounds
Another pound gone forever. I have no time to elaborate, or to give an update on my weekend with the sister-in-law and her kids. It's all ok. More anon....just wanted to post the most recent poundage status.
Loss to date: 54 pounds
Another pound gone forever. I have no time to elaborate, or to give an update on my weekend with the sister-in-law and her kids. It's all ok. More anon....just wanted to post the most recent poundage status.
Wednesday, August 11
Queer as Folk
Weight: 231
Loss to date: 53 pounds
Alas, I didn't make my goal of losing three pounds last week. I ended up down 2. And. That's. O.K. Truly it's all good. In every sense of the word. I have shaken off the funk, I'm rejuvenated by my steady loss, I am enjoying the support and motivation of friends, and I'm skipping forward gaily with a song in my heart and a spring in my step. And I've lost another pound since then!
Speaking of skipping forward gaily, Lorraine's *previously* homophobic sister and her two kids are coming to town! This will mark her first visit to us since we got together almost 6 years ago, and with our agreement that we never act like we're actually *together* in her home, this visit should prove interesting, to say the least. The kids are now 12 (or 13?) and 16, in case you're wondering. I think we can safely assume that they've already heard plenty of negative references to homosexuality, so in visiting our home, I'm hoping they can see it within a more positive, everyday context. The plan is not to actually copulate in front of them, but merely to go about our daily lives in our normal, loving, rather mundane way. There will be no change in sleeping habits, no hiding of pictures of us together, gay/les history books or gay pride paraphernalia, and if she doesn't like how we really are with one another, well then it's going to be a big, fat "Oh well." How are we with one another? We are like any normal, loving, married couple after 6 years together. Nothing hot and heavy in front of other people, but there is some normal G-rated affection which feels perfectly natural and makes us both happy. I have high hopes, because while this sister and I may not agree on how to communicate about gay stuff or how one sister should support another, in other respects I've found her to be an intelligent, rational, fairly open-minded and thinking person. So we'll see. I'm going into it with positive expectations, a desire to be fair and sensitive to all parties' sensibilities, and a certain degree of resolve. What I really want is for them to see Lorraine happy and comfortable, see evidence of love and peace, and think our home is pretty and welcoming.
Hey, saw a cool blog earlier today, written by my charming and esteemed colleague, Dana, at 3FC. Check out her cool self at http://fatgrrrlslim.blogspot.com . Dana, you go on with your bad self, you badmamajama!
Loss to date: 53 pounds
Alas, I didn't make my goal of losing three pounds last week. I ended up down 2. And. That's. O.K. Truly it's all good. In every sense of the word. I have shaken off the funk, I'm rejuvenated by my steady loss, I am enjoying the support and motivation of friends, and I'm skipping forward gaily with a song in my heart and a spring in my step. And I've lost another pound since then!
Speaking of skipping forward gaily, Lorraine's *previously* homophobic sister and her two kids are coming to town! This will mark her first visit to us since we got together almost 6 years ago, and with our agreement that we never act like we're actually *together* in her home, this visit should prove interesting, to say the least. The kids are now 12 (or 13?) and 16, in case you're wondering. I think we can safely assume that they've already heard plenty of negative references to homosexuality, so in visiting our home, I'm hoping they can see it within a more positive, everyday context. The plan is not to actually copulate in front of them, but merely to go about our daily lives in our normal, loving, rather mundane way. There will be no change in sleeping habits, no hiding of pictures of us together, gay/les history books or gay pride paraphernalia, and if she doesn't like how we really are with one another, well then it's going to be a big, fat "Oh well." How are we with one another? We are like any normal, loving, married couple after 6 years together. Nothing hot and heavy in front of other people, but there is some normal G-rated affection which feels perfectly natural and makes us both happy. I have high hopes, because while this sister and I may not agree on how to communicate about gay stuff or how one sister should support another, in other respects I've found her to be an intelligent, rational, fairly open-minded and thinking person. So we'll see. I'm going into it with positive expectations, a desire to be fair and sensitive to all parties' sensibilities, and a certain degree of resolve. What I really want is for them to see Lorraine happy and comfortable, see evidence of love and peace, and think our home is pretty and welcoming.
Hey, saw a cool blog earlier today, written by my charming and esteemed colleague, Dana, at 3FC. Check out her cool self at http://fatgrrrlslim.blogspot.com . Dana, you go on with your bad self, you badmamajama!
Saturday, August 7
Fair to partly cloudy
Weight: 232
Loss to date: 52 pounds
Two down, one to go! By George, I think I might just do it! At this point, I've got10 pounds to go to make my September 6 goal of 222, so losing another pound to make it 3 down going into next week would really help.
I'm feeling blue. I have to say I don't get negativity. I don't get being so focused on self that you can't try to understand someone else's outlook or approach. I don't get letting a desire to be right override an ability to listen or take ownership of one's mistakes. I don't get still going after someone when you know that you've made them feel badly -- even if you're absolutely convinced you're right and they're feelings are unfounded. And I just don't get rudeness and arrogance in general.
Moving from the ridiculous to the sublime, my partner Lorraine and I got our new computer, router, and scanner yesterday, and still it remains unassembled. Alas, the aforementioned negativity knocked me off-kilter last night, and I fell behind in my efforts to set it up. Oh, who do I think I'm kidding -- as if I have a CLUE how to commence with that project. Do I install the cable high speed in the laptop first or hook up the router first? Do I set up the printer/scanner before setting up the router and networking both of our laptops? Did I mention that I worked for a technology company? Alright, well at least I know I have a strong resource in the members of our IT department, or any one of the 50 or so computer engineers I've hired as the company's Human Resources Generalist. I'll at least have sorted out a plan Monday at the latest, after having received some sound and patient guidance from the experts.
Did you note that I've now introduced my partner, Lorraine? She's a sweetheart, she's a hottie, and I love her.
Loss to date: 52 pounds
Two down, one to go! By George, I think I might just do it! At this point, I've got10 pounds to go to make my September 6 goal of 222, so losing another pound to make it 3 down going into next week would really help.
I'm feeling blue. I have to say I don't get negativity. I don't get being so focused on self that you can't try to understand someone else's outlook or approach. I don't get letting a desire to be right override an ability to listen or take ownership of one's mistakes. I don't get still going after someone when you know that you've made them feel badly -- even if you're absolutely convinced you're right and they're feelings are unfounded. And I just don't get rudeness and arrogance in general.
Moving from the ridiculous to the sublime, my partner Lorraine and I got our new computer, router, and scanner yesterday, and still it remains unassembled. Alas, the aforementioned negativity knocked me off-kilter last night, and I fell behind in my efforts to set it up. Oh, who do I think I'm kidding -- as if I have a CLUE how to commence with that project. Do I install the cable high speed in the laptop first or hook up the router first? Do I set up the printer/scanner before setting up the router and networking both of our laptops? Did I mention that I worked for a technology company? Alright, well at least I know I have a strong resource in the members of our IT department, or any one of the 50 or so computer engineers I've hired as the company's Human Resources Generalist. I'll at least have sorted out a plan Monday at the latest, after having received some sound and patient guidance from the experts.
Did you note that I've now introduced my partner, Lorraine? She's a sweetheart, she's a hottie, and I love her.
Thursday, August 5
A woodchuck could chuck, and more.
Weight: 233
Loss to date: 51 pounds
Is it just me, or does anyone else hear the sound of a train in the distance? I'm your little choo choo. I'm the little woodchuck that could. I'm -- oh never mind, I don't have kids, so why am I striving for greatness in nursery rhyme allegory?
Alright, so I'm past the 50-pound mark. This is a good thing. And I'm one pound closer to my short-term goal of losing 3 pounds this week. Over at http://www.3fatchicks.com I joined a Labor Day Challenge, and committed a while back to reaching 222 pounds by Labor Day, September 6. Sometime between establishing that goal for myself and today, I straddled a wide and cushiony plateau; now that I have broken through it, I find myself with a formidable -- but completely achievable -- challenge. 11 pounds in 4 1/2 weeks. That's 2.44 pounds/week. NOW do you see why I said I wanted to lose 3 pounds this week? *insert serious nod here*
I'm all over it. 2 pounds to go before Monday -- watch the eats, move the ass, drink the water, avoid the sodium. No problem.
For those of you who haven't visited 3 Fat Chicks -- or 3FC, as we insiders call it -- I highly recommend it. It's an information and support site created by 3 sisters (get it?) and there are like 60,000 members or something, all of whom post in their forums. I have found so much support there, and it helps me to stay focused and motivated. So there's no possibility of any, "Oh shit, I totally forgot that I intended to lose 150 pounds. Jeez, I don't know how that slipped my mind! I better remember that for tomorrow -- hey, could you pass me a cookie?" 3 Fat Chicks. Fabulous place.
Loss to date: 51 pounds
Is it just me, or does anyone else hear the sound of a train in the distance? I'm your little choo choo. I'm the little woodchuck that could. I'm -- oh never mind, I don't have kids, so why am I striving for greatness in nursery rhyme allegory?
Alright, so I'm past the 50-pound mark. This is a good thing. And I'm one pound closer to my short-term goal of losing 3 pounds this week. Over at http://www.3fatchicks.com I joined a Labor Day Challenge, and committed a while back to reaching 222 pounds by Labor Day, September 6. Sometime between establishing that goal for myself and today, I straddled a wide and cushiony plateau; now that I have broken through it, I find myself with a formidable -- but completely achievable -- challenge. 11 pounds in 4 1/2 weeks. That's 2.44 pounds/week. NOW do you see why I said I wanted to lose 3 pounds this week? *insert serious nod here*
I'm all over it. 2 pounds to go before Monday -- watch the eats, move the ass, drink the water, avoid the sodium. No problem.
For those of you who haven't visited 3 Fat Chicks -- or 3FC, as we insiders call it -- I highly recommend it. It's an information and support site created by 3 sisters (get it?) and there are like 60,000 members or something, all of whom post in their forums. I have found so much support there, and it helps me to stay focused and motivated. So there's no possibility of any, "Oh shit, I totally forgot that I intended to lose 150 pounds. Jeez, I don't know how that slipped my mind! I better remember that for tomorrow -- hey, could you pass me a cookie?" 3 Fat Chicks. Fabulous place.
Monday, August 2
50 pounds!
Weight: 234
Loss to date: 50 pounds
Well, I must say, milestones are very, very motivating. I'm very pleased to be at this point, with a nice stretch of land behind me to prove I can cover the ground before me. I am steel, I am determination, I am resolve. Achievement, thy name is Sarah. I'm going to work my ass off tonight doing HIIT on that exercise bike.
My goal is to lose another 3 pounds this week, and that's not going to happen by happenstance....just as those 50 pounds didn't come off in 5 months by chance. I have proven to myself that I'm capable of hard work, discipline, and persistence. I think I'm on the right track with my mini-goal "strategy;" I give myself 20 pound loss goals, so I've got carrots that are dangling just out of reach but not so far out of reach as to be forgettable. They are near and ever-present. And I simply love myself when I achieve them. I read the blog recently of someone who intended to lose 100 pounds in 5 months. Whut the &%$@! ?? They wanted to prove to all the fatties out there that it could be done. Meanwhile, they found themselves making self-defeating choices in food and activity, and then they felt badly about their lack of motivation and results. Crazy. And sad, needlessly setting yourself up for pain and disappointment. It's hard enough to lose any weight at all, making lasting behavioral changes, much less telling yourself you must lose 25 pounds a month in order to reach your goal. R E A S O N A B L E E X P E C T A T I O N S. Set yourself for success, my friend! The other way lies madness. 'Nuff said.
My ultimate goal is to weigh somewhere around 135-140 (I'm 5' 6") with some easily discernable muscles. I'm thinking I will probably end up there sometime in July of 2005, but we shall see what we shall see. Of course I want to get there tomorrow, but truly, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Balance in everything. I didn't get to 284 as a result of one isolated action or choice, and now I must, through a series of actions and choices just as extensive, just as repeated, and just as consistent, get myself back down to where I want to live. You just can't argue with Newton, know what I'm sayin'?
Anyhoo, it's a good day, weight-wise. 50 pounds isn't enough, but damn sure it's progress, and I am feeling so much more comfortable, not only in my own skin but moving through the world.
God bless us, everyone!
Loss to date: 50 pounds
Well, I must say, milestones are very, very motivating. I'm very pleased to be at this point, with a nice stretch of land behind me to prove I can cover the ground before me. I am steel, I am determination, I am resolve. Achievement, thy name is Sarah. I'm going to work my ass off tonight doing HIIT on that exercise bike.
My goal is to lose another 3 pounds this week, and that's not going to happen by happenstance....just as those 50 pounds didn't come off in 5 months by chance. I have proven to myself that I'm capable of hard work, discipline, and persistence. I think I'm on the right track with my mini-goal "strategy;" I give myself 20 pound loss goals, so I've got carrots that are dangling just out of reach but not so far out of reach as to be forgettable. They are near and ever-present. And I simply love myself when I achieve them. I read the blog recently of someone who intended to lose 100 pounds in 5 months. Whut the &%$@! ?? They wanted to prove to all the fatties out there that it could be done. Meanwhile, they found themselves making self-defeating choices in food and activity, and then they felt badly about their lack of motivation and results. Crazy. And sad, needlessly setting yourself up for pain and disappointment. It's hard enough to lose any weight at all, making lasting behavioral changes, much less telling yourself you must lose 25 pounds a month in order to reach your goal. R E A S O N A B L E E X P E C T A T I O N S. Set yourself for success, my friend! The other way lies madness. 'Nuff said.
My ultimate goal is to weigh somewhere around 135-140 (I'm 5' 6") with some easily discernable muscles. I'm thinking I will probably end up there sometime in July of 2005, but we shall see what we shall see. Of course I want to get there tomorrow, but truly, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Balance in everything. I didn't get to 284 as a result of one isolated action or choice, and now I must, through a series of actions and choices just as extensive, just as repeated, and just as consistent, get myself back down to where I want to live. You just can't argue with Newton, know what I'm sayin'?
Anyhoo, it's a good day, weight-wise. 50 pounds isn't enough, but damn sure it's progress, and I am feeling so much more comfortable, not only in my own skin but moving through the world.
God bless us, everyone!
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