Bonus points for you if you caught the Naughty by Nature reference in the title.
Well, another Weight Loss Wednesday is upon us! Where does the week go?
This week has definitely been very eventful in my life, and it is directly related to my blog. New and exciting things are happening due to my "A Letter to My Doctor" Post. That news will be shared at another time, but let me just say it is BIG and I am amazed!
So, what are my STGs this week?
Setbacks: I did not excercise. Not once. I am super ashamed of this. I really need to get on it. Even though it's really hard to work it in with watching Piper and Mike not getting home until 10:30pm, I realize I am just using those things as excuses. I'm being lazy and I need to stop it. When I got myself healthy a few years ago, I bought myself new running shoes and I made a committment to my shoes. That may sound weird, but it worked. I told my shoes I would put them on and use them every day, and I did. I dropped 30 pounds in six months. So, I think that is what I need to do again. I guess it's time to go shoe shopping. Darn!!
Triumphs: I have been really good with my food choices. I have been working on eating healthy foods that also fill me up. Breakfasts and lunches have been great successes. I've been making sure I focus on getting enough protein. Breakfast might be a multi-grain waffle with peanut butter or greek yogurt with berries. Lunch is often a salad with berries, turkey, and cheese, and some crackers on the side. Sometimes, I pack a low calorie soup. Dinner is harder, and that brings me to my goals for this week.
Goals: Obviously, my goal is to excercise. I need to get myself in a routine that gets me out and moving. I will get my four days in before next Wednesday. Another goal I have is to actually get myself in gear to meal plan. I already organized my pantry so I know exactly what I have. I need to organize a list of healthy meals for the week, shop for what's needed, and actually make those meals. No more, "I'm tired, let's order Chinese." I have a cache of recipes to use, I just need to use them. I am always open to more meal ideas, though, so if you have any, feel free to share!
How did you do this week? Have you joined our Facebook group yet? We are up 8 members from last week! It's great for daily support. My Ipad is not letting me link to the group, but you can search for One Pink Balloon: Blogging Away the Boody!
Showing posts with label Weight Loss Wednesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Weight Loss Wednesday. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
STG
It's Weight Loss Wednesday!
One of the reasons I am incorporating my weight loss journey into my blog is because I need to begin holding myself accountable. If I force myself to write about what I have been doing each week, then maybe it will motivate me to make sure I have something good to write about.
I am not proud of this fact, but I occasionally watched the Jersey Shore. Ok, I binge watched Season One when it was on Netflix two summers ago, and the only reason I didn't continue with Season Two is that Mike couldn't handle anymore tangarine colored people swapping one-night stands and fighting over beer. What can I say? I enjoy trainwrecks. Anyway, the boys on the show had a routine before going out on the town. GTL...Gym, Tan, Laundry. A bro has got to look his best, right? So, why mention this at all? To explain the topic of this post in a very weird, roundabout way. I am going to structure my posts by giving you my Setbacks, my Triumphs, and my Goals. My STG. (That's kind of like GTL, right? Welcome to my brain!)
Setbacks. We all have them, especially in something as difficult as getting healthier. We have bad habits that are tough to break and new habits that are tough to keep up with. I have been struggling finding time to work out since Mike is at work until 10:30 most nights, leaving me to get dinner and Piper organized on my own. I do sometimes try to get her into the jogging stroller, but she isn't always cooperative, and I can't get the full 40 minutes in. l suppose some time is better than no time, but I would like to try to figure out a better way. I am also struggling with drinking enough water. I have been having trouble getting through the jug. I'm so busy teaching all day, I forget to take sips. It's something I need to work on. Plus, I ate two donuts on Sunday. I dropped Mike's lunch off at the station and on the way home, my car just stopped at Dunkin Donuts. I think there's something wrong with it or something....I don't know. It just kind of drifted into the parking lot over there. And then through the drive through. And then it forced me to order donuts. Stupid car. I should get a new one.
Triumphs. It's important to remember the things we are doing right! I have been ordering water instead of soda and haven't had soda at home or school in two weeks. I've been making and eating healthy lunches and breakfasts and have increased my intake of fruits and vegetables. I did have to stop at Wendy's the other day after Grief Group due to time, but I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, which was hard to do because the bacon burger on a pretzel bun was screaming my name like those goats in that Youtube video. As a result of these good choices, I have lost two pounds in the last two weeks, so that's something.
Goals. I am going to continue to meet the goals I am already meeting and work in more exercising time somehow. I would also like to try to do some yoga at least once this week and find a class if I can. I don't exactly live in a bustling metropolis, so finding a yoga class that doesn't meet on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 is a serious task.
So, that's my week. If you're trying to get healthy too, what were some of your triumphs and setbacks? What are some of your goals to improve?
Our Facebook Group is getting off the ground. If you haven't already joined and would like to, feel free. We have 17 members so far and are welcoming more. We post meal ideas, motivational quotes, exercise encouragement, etc. If you know me, you know that I will also randomly post a meme or two. Come on over. We're pretty great!
One of the reasons I am incorporating my weight loss journey into my blog is because I need to begin holding myself accountable. If I force myself to write about what I have been doing each week, then maybe it will motivate me to make sure I have something good to write about.
I am not proud of this fact, but I occasionally watched the Jersey Shore. Ok, I binge watched Season One when it was on Netflix two summers ago, and the only reason I didn't continue with Season Two is that Mike couldn't handle anymore tangarine colored people swapping one-night stands and fighting over beer. What can I say? I enjoy trainwrecks. Anyway, the boys on the show had a routine before going out on the town. GTL...Gym, Tan, Laundry. A bro has got to look his best, right? So, why mention this at all? To explain the topic of this post in a very weird, roundabout way. I am going to structure my posts by giving you my Setbacks, my Triumphs, and my Goals. My STG. (That's kind of like GTL, right? Welcome to my brain!)
Setbacks. We all have them, especially in something as difficult as getting healthier. We have bad habits that are tough to break and new habits that are tough to keep up with. I have been struggling finding time to work out since Mike is at work until 10:30 most nights, leaving me to get dinner and Piper organized on my own. I do sometimes try to get her into the jogging stroller, but she isn't always cooperative, and I can't get the full 40 minutes in. l suppose some time is better than no time, but I would like to try to figure out a better way. I am also struggling with drinking enough water. I have been having trouble getting through the jug. I'm so busy teaching all day, I forget to take sips. It's something I need to work on. Plus, I ate two donuts on Sunday. I dropped Mike's lunch off at the station and on the way home, my car just stopped at Dunkin Donuts. I think there's something wrong with it or something....I don't know. It just kind of drifted into the parking lot over there. And then through the drive through. And then it forced me to order donuts. Stupid car. I should get a new one.
Triumphs. It's important to remember the things we are doing right! I have been ordering water instead of soda and haven't had soda at home or school in two weeks. I've been making and eating healthy lunches and breakfasts and have increased my intake of fruits and vegetables. I did have to stop at Wendy's the other day after Grief Group due to time, but I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich, which was hard to do because the bacon burger on a pretzel bun was screaming my name like those goats in that Youtube video. As a result of these good choices, I have lost two pounds in the last two weeks, so that's something.
Goals. I am going to continue to meet the goals I am already meeting and work in more exercising time somehow. I would also like to try to do some yoga at least once this week and find a class if I can. I don't exactly live in a bustling metropolis, so finding a yoga class that doesn't meet on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 is a serious task.
So, that's my week. If you're trying to get healthy too, what were some of your triumphs and setbacks? What are some of your goals to improve?
Our Facebook Group is getting off the ground. If you haven't already joined and would like to, feel free. We have 17 members so far and are welcoming more. We post meal ideas, motivational quotes, exercise encouragement, etc. If you know me, you know that I will also randomly post a meme or two. Come on over. We're pretty great!
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Getting My Goals On
Often, when people decide to lose weight, they set all kinds of goals for themselves. That's fine and dandy, but the problem often lies with the fact that these goals aren't realistic with their every day lives. I mean, I could set a goal to go to the gym for an hour every day and completely eliminate sugar and carbs. But, honestly, that will NEVER happen. Gyms are expensive, I don't have an hour every single day, and I'm pretty sure my blood is 90% mocha.
Lofty goals don't work for me. If I don't feel successful, I quit. I have tried to take online ESOL certification courses no less than six times. Each time, I start out doing all the assignments on time and I feel good. But then, life happens, I slip behind, and then I just give up and drop the course. It's not the noblest of attitudes, but it's the way I am. I need to have goals that I can easily achieve. Several small, easily achievable goals will work far better for me than huge, sweeping aspirtations. For example, if I say to myself, "Self, you will lose 20 pounds by April", and I don't start seeing results fairly quickly, I will assume it can't be done and I will just settle into bad habits. So, I have created a list of small changes I can make in my daily life that won't overwhelm me and will make me feel successful as I carry them out.
Here they are:
1. I will work out (In any form...most likely Couch 2 5K) for 40 minutes a day, 4 days a week.
2. I will fill my Parrish Medical Center giant water jug every morning and drink its contents throughout the day. I will gradually increase my water intake to two jugs.
3. I will stop buying soda for my home. I will allow myself a soda only when I am out to eat and only every other time. If I finish that soda, I will drink water for the remainder of the meal. (Eliminating things entirely just makes me want it more. I'm stubborn like that)
4. When ordering coffee at my favorite coffee house, I will request 2% instead of whole and will not order larger than a "tall".
5. I will not eat Fast Food. If time or lack of planning requires me to visit one of these establishments, I will choose the healthiest option available, such as a grilled chicken sandwich.
6. To avoid the "Fast Food Trap", I will work each week to plan meals ahead of time. I will choose meal recipes that are healthy and easy to make. I will actually make these meals instead of being lazy and I will remember to defrost the meat in time!
7. I will eat a healthy breakfast. (This is actually the hardest one for me. I usually run out the door and end up shoving in a pop tart about two hours later if I eat anything at all. I'm going to need help with this one because I need quick, easy, and healthy alternatives)
8. I will make sure I have healthy snack choices in my house and I will not buy any Oatmeal Creme Pies. (Sorry Mike!)
9. When I bake, I will bake for others. I can eat one serving, but then must give away the rest. (You're welcome, Fairglen!)
10. I will understand that life is crazy, and that as long as I continue to try my best and get back on the wagon if I slip off, I will see changes eventually. I've done this before, I can do it again.
So, those are my small changes I am going to make to help myself on this journey to better health.
Also, instead of rewarding a job well done with food, as I tend to do, I will reward myself with a new wardrobe. When old clothes are too small, I will donate those clothes and then purchase a new item. I do not plan to replace item for item either. Another aspect of change in my life is going to deal with paring down and living with less. I do not need a mountain of clothes.
If you are joining me on this adventure, I have created a Facebook Group for it. It is a closed group, so if you join, you don't have to worry about posts showing up in other people's newsfeeds. "One Pink Balloon: Blogging Away the Boody" Come on over! We can do this together!
Lofty goals don't work for me. If I don't feel successful, I quit. I have tried to take online ESOL certification courses no less than six times. Each time, I start out doing all the assignments on time and I feel good. But then, life happens, I slip behind, and then I just give up and drop the course. It's not the noblest of attitudes, but it's the way I am. I need to have goals that I can easily achieve. Several small, easily achievable goals will work far better for me than huge, sweeping aspirtations. For example, if I say to myself, "Self, you will lose 20 pounds by April", and I don't start seeing results fairly quickly, I will assume it can't be done and I will just settle into bad habits. So, I have created a list of small changes I can make in my daily life that won't overwhelm me and will make me feel successful as I carry them out.
Here they are:
1. I will work out (In any form...most likely Couch 2 5K) for 40 minutes a day, 4 days a week.
2. I will fill my Parrish Medical Center giant water jug every morning and drink its contents throughout the day. I will gradually increase my water intake to two jugs.
3. I will stop buying soda for my home. I will allow myself a soda only when I am out to eat and only every other time. If I finish that soda, I will drink water for the remainder of the meal. (Eliminating things entirely just makes me want it more. I'm stubborn like that)
4. When ordering coffee at my favorite coffee house, I will request 2% instead of whole and will not order larger than a "tall".
5. I will not eat Fast Food. If time or lack of planning requires me to visit one of these establishments, I will choose the healthiest option available, such as a grilled chicken sandwich.
6. To avoid the "Fast Food Trap", I will work each week to plan meals ahead of time. I will choose meal recipes that are healthy and easy to make. I will actually make these meals instead of being lazy and I will remember to defrost the meat in time!
7. I will eat a healthy breakfast. (This is actually the hardest one for me. I usually run out the door and end up shoving in a pop tart about two hours later if I eat anything at all. I'm going to need help with this one because I need quick, easy, and healthy alternatives)
8. I will make sure I have healthy snack choices in my house and I will not buy any Oatmeal Creme Pies. (Sorry Mike!)
9. When I bake, I will bake for others. I can eat one serving, but then must give away the rest. (You're welcome, Fairglen!)
10. I will understand that life is crazy, and that as long as I continue to try my best and get back on the wagon if I slip off, I will see changes eventually. I've done this before, I can do it again.
So, those are my small changes I am going to make to help myself on this journey to better health.
Also, instead of rewarding a job well done with food, as I tend to do, I will reward myself with a new wardrobe. When old clothes are too small, I will donate those clothes and then purchase a new item. I do not plan to replace item for item either. Another aspect of change in my life is going to deal with paring down and living with less. I do not need a mountain of clothes.
If you are joining me on this adventure, I have created a Facebook Group for it. It is a closed group, so if you join, you don't have to worry about posts showing up in other people's newsfeeds. "One Pink Balloon: Blogging Away the Boody" Come on over! We can do this together!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Usually, when I talk about my body and how I am unhappy with the size it is, someone will inevitably say, "Well, you just had a baby." Wrong. I just had TWO babies. Back to back.
I was pregnant for half of 2012, half of 2013, and 1/4 of 2014, for a total of 18 out of 24 months. I had two babies, two C-sections, one memorial service, and one happy homecoming. I'm also an emotional eater. So, when Kenley died, I ate. I didn't care....I had just had a baby and that baby had died. I know I hung onto some of that weight because part of me felt like it was all I physically had left of her.
Then, I got pregnant again, and I ate some more. I mean, come on...I'm pregnant, plus I'm scared and excited at the same time. After I had Piper, Mike got a new job, I went back to work, and we didn't have time to plan healthy meals. A new baby and a new schedule made me stressed, so I continued to eat poorly, which leads me to where I am today. 50 pounds heavier than I should be. 20 pounds heavier than my previous record high of an undisclosed number. Not cool. Something must be done.
So, what am I going to do, you ask? Great Question. Here's your answer: The 3 R's. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
I am going to REDUCE the amount of bad foods going into my body.
I am going to REUSE my old workout clothes and Couch 2 5K app.
I am going to RECYCLE the defeatist attitude I have towards losing weight and turn it into a bright, shiny new outlook that expects results.
So...why put this on the blog? Well, for a couple of reasons. For starters, I am refocusing the blog to talk more about motherhood after loss, and losing baby weight is definitely part of motherhood. Secondly, and probably most importantly, I am not very good with intrinsic motivation. I need external parameters. I need to know that I have not just committed to myself, but to something else as well. So, I will blog about this too. I know this isn't as emotional as other blog posts of mine. It's not as juicy or insightful...but this blog is ultimately for me, so that's what's happening.
When I started the blog, I had Saturday Spotlights to highlight positive projects I was working on. I am going to continue to do something like that with my weightloss journey. I'm thinking "Weight Loss Wednesdays". (Oh, hey...isn't today Wednesday?) I will write a weekly post about what I have been doing and how I have been progressing. Maybe photos will accompany said blog post, we will see.
If you are looking to get healthier as well, feel free to comment on the blog posts and we can swap support sentiments with each other. Trade recipes? Encourage workouts? Whatever. I'm thinking of creating a Facebook Group for anyone who wants to join in for some support. If I do, I'll also post that link.
Let me also make this clear, this is NOT related to the New Year or a Resolution of any kind. New Year Resolutions are not for me. I never do something because it is expected or tradition. We all know that by now. I do things because I feel they need to be done. My Rainbow is 8 months old and none of my pants fit me. This needs to be done.
Tomorrow, I plan on walking/ jogging (mostly walking) around the block. My goal is to excercise for no less than 40 minutes 4 times a week. I think this is a realistic goal for my life, and if I exceed it, then yay for me. I also have a list of goals and changes to make, but I will save that for another post.
I was pregnant for half of 2012, half of 2013, and 1/4 of 2014, for a total of 18 out of 24 months. I had two babies, two C-sections, one memorial service, and one happy homecoming. I'm also an emotional eater. So, when Kenley died, I ate. I didn't care....I had just had a baby and that baby had died. I know I hung onto some of that weight because part of me felt like it was all I physically had left of her.
Then, I got pregnant again, and I ate some more. I mean, come on...I'm pregnant, plus I'm scared and excited at the same time. After I had Piper, Mike got a new job, I went back to work, and we didn't have time to plan healthy meals. A new baby and a new schedule made me stressed, so I continued to eat poorly, which leads me to where I am today. 50 pounds heavier than I should be. 20 pounds heavier than my previous record high of an undisclosed number. Not cool. Something must be done.
So, what am I going to do, you ask? Great Question. Here's your answer: The 3 R's. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
I am going to REDUCE the amount of bad foods going into my body.
I am going to REUSE my old workout clothes and Couch 2 5K app.
I am going to RECYCLE the defeatist attitude I have towards losing weight and turn it into a bright, shiny new outlook that expects results.
So...why put this on the blog? Well, for a couple of reasons. For starters, I am refocusing the blog to talk more about motherhood after loss, and losing baby weight is definitely part of motherhood. Secondly, and probably most importantly, I am not very good with intrinsic motivation. I need external parameters. I need to know that I have not just committed to myself, but to something else as well. So, I will blog about this too. I know this isn't as emotional as other blog posts of mine. It's not as juicy or insightful...but this blog is ultimately for me, so that's what's happening.
When I started the blog, I had Saturday Spotlights to highlight positive projects I was working on. I am going to continue to do something like that with my weightloss journey. I'm thinking "Weight Loss Wednesdays". (Oh, hey...isn't today Wednesday?) I will write a weekly post about what I have been doing and how I have been progressing. Maybe photos will accompany said blog post, we will see.
If you are looking to get healthier as well, feel free to comment on the blog posts and we can swap support sentiments with each other. Trade recipes? Encourage workouts? Whatever. I'm thinking of creating a Facebook Group for anyone who wants to join in for some support. If I do, I'll also post that link.
Let me also make this clear, this is NOT related to the New Year or a Resolution of any kind. New Year Resolutions are not for me. I never do something because it is expected or tradition. We all know that by now. I do things because I feel they need to be done. My Rainbow is 8 months old and none of my pants fit me. This needs to be done.
Tomorrow, I plan on walking/ jogging (mostly walking) around the block. My goal is to excercise for no less than 40 minutes 4 times a week. I think this is a realistic goal for my life, and if I exceed it, then yay for me. I also have a list of goals and changes to make, but I will save that for another post.
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| Six years ago at a healthy weight for me. This is my goal. |
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