Hi friends! As it is Saturday, it is time for my weekly update.

Weight: 288.0 (+.2)
Exercise: 40 mins (!!!:()

Ok, so clearly not my most productive week. I am recovering from a nasty head cold, so I am trying to keep the exercise light…but I definitely dropped the ball with my tracking this week. Sat-Tues were fine, and I stayed within my weekly allotted points. However Wednesday night I slipped into overeating mode when confronted with some fresh salsa and restaurant tortilla chips. Well, things weren’t much better on Thursday, but I recovered control of myself by Friday.

The good news: I didn’t want to attend my meeting today, but I knew I needed it more than ever…so I went! The damage was minimal, and I received some fantastic words of wisdom from my leader, Casey!
“Face your stuff, don’t stuff your face”
The pressures of school, and some personal things really put me on edge this week and I returned to some old ugly habits. However, I know I can face my issues head-on this week, because stuffing my face certainly only made things worse:)

Weekly Goals:)

1. Stay On-Plan Every Day
2. Exercise at least 3 days this week

I am hoping to get my first 5-pound star soon!

Kate:

I’m having a serious problem.  I’m going to be honest here: I weighed myself this morning and it said 317 lbs.  That’s about 18 lbs. higher than my lowest weight this time around.  I want to cry.

Something is so wrong with me, and I don’t know how to fix it.  Every day I start out with healthy food choices and an exercise plan.  By the end of the day I’ve completely blown it all.  Even if I stick to my gym plans, I feel ravenous after and don’t stop myself from eating whatever I want.  That is my chief problem.

I don’t stop myself.

Where did I lose my restraint over the last few months???  I’m tempted to blame it on some medication I started taking in October, but part of me thinks I’m just searching for an excuse.  Deep down I’m sure it’s just my own fault.  I’m being lazy; I’m losing sight of my goals; I’m forgetting my motivation.

I make good choices.  I don’t put anything in my kitchen that isn’t healthy (in moderation). I’ve been getting out of the house more.  I’ve started going back to the gym (though not as frequently as I should). But,

I don’t stop myself.

So, here’s where I take a stand.  One day at a time so I don’t get overwhelmed.

Tomorrow I will stick to 1400-1600 calories.  I will properly keep track of all the foods I eat.  I will go to the gym and do the elliptical for 45 minutes and do weights on my arms.  If I’m feeling good, I’ll hop on the rowing machine or stair stepper.  I will call and make an appointment with Kirsten at CLM.

I will stop myself.

Ok…week one on Weight Watchers complete!

Official Weight: 287.8 (-1.6)

Brief update on me:)

I attended a Weight Watcher meeting on Saturday…and that scale weighs me at 289.4! Big difference from my wii scale, and today I weighed in at 282. Oh well, I am not stressing over that, because I have been a rockstar this week.

On Plan: Every Day!
Exercise: 175 minutes!! (About 70 walking, 105 Wii Cardio)

*I will just start posting my weight/goals on Saturday, since that is my WW weigh-in day.

Ok, so I used to have this set idea of what working out should look like: 30-40 minutes elliptical, maybe some treadmill. However, recently I have discovered some other great workouts I can do at home! So I bought this Wii a while ago, and bought the “Wii Fit” that goes with it, and while fun I never really felt it gave me a solid workout. Well, after some quick research through Amazon.com reviews…I found that Wii has all kinds of workout games available now. So, to the point, I got the “EA Sports Active”, and I have been using that for some of my workouts. It is awesome!! I love the 30-day challenge option, because it motivates me to keep up with my workout regime. Also, it has pre-made workouts that combine upper and lower body strengthening with cardio. My only complaints are the lack of core strengthening, and the leg strap can be annoying. I still definitely recommend this game if you are in the market. Next I want to try the “Biggest Loser” Wii game that just came out:) Let me know if it is any good.

Kate:

I just printed off 5 more sheets of my weight loss calendar.  Each sheet is six weeks, so that brings me to the beginning of August.  It’s kind of weird to think that far ahead, and it’s dangerous to dream about how much more weight I’ll have lost.  Dangerous because I’ll be disappointed (even though I should be happy with any weight loss) if I don’t make the number in my head.

When I first started keeping the calendar, I set a goal for a loss of 6 pounds every 3 weeks.  That worked out well in the beginning, but things are slowing down, and I don’t want my calendar to be a deterrent.  So, I’ve modified it so my goal is 4.5 pounds every three weeks.  That’s 1.5 pounds a week.  I think that’s far more attainable for me, even if the numbers don’t look as pretty or as high.

My calendar is posted on the side of my refrigerator, and I update it at least every Saturday (my weigh-in day).  I have issues with my scale mostly because all of the floors in my apartment are uneven.  Hey, it has character!  I never know the exact right spot to get the lowest number.  Regardless, my scale is never far off from the one at CLM.

Anyway, here’s a template of my calendar if you’d like to use it.

Weight loss

So it has been my first week back to school, and the structure has really been great! I find that I thrive with a daily structure that I can rely on. I was able to exercise four days this week, and I am feeling great! It is amazing how exercise can affect everything from posture to mood. My absolute fitness dream would to be able to run again. There was a short time in high school when I was able to run and I really enjoyed it. However, I feel I need to take off about 20-30 lbs before I can run without misery.

Weekly Results:
Weight: 283.5 (-1.5)
Fitness: 153 mins/ 4 days!!
Food: Under 2000 cals 6/7 days

Goals for this week:
130 mins exercise/ Under 2000 cals EVERY DAY

Kate:

Last summer I signed up as a control subject in a medical study to make a little extra money.  I’ve done two tests for them, and it’s been pretty simple.  Now they’re asking if I want to do a study next month that’s a little more involved, but it pays a lot more.

The catch is that I can’t lose weight between now and then.  Weight loss or gain would affect their test results.  When they called in November to see if I’d be interested, I’d lost too much weight in the previous two months.  The woman asked if I wanted her to call me after the new year to see if my weight had leveled off.  I told her she could but that I hoped I would keep losing weight.  I don’t think she fully comprehended that my weight loss was a good thing.  I guess she’d rather have study subjects.

Two months later, and my weight loss has leveled off.  However, I feel a renewed commitment to my weight loss goals, and I need to take that into account.  Do I want to maintain for about 3 weeks and potentially lose the momentum or do I want to fatten my bank account?  It’s a tough decision, but I’m really leaning toward embracing my newfound energy and turning down the study.  As my friend said, I better lose enough weight to make it worth giving up the money!

I love New Years!! I have always enjoyed the “start-over” aspect of this time of year…but rather than set some weight loss or fitness goal this year, I am making a very simple resolution. Stay Positive! I have found that when I am able to maintain a positive attitude, I find success in many unexpected areas of my life. So that is it for me, stay positive:)

Progress Update:

Ok, as it is Thursday, this is my weigh-in date…and I need to just bite the bullet and post my current weight.
…285…! Ok ok ok…I have a ways to go, but I can do it.

My plan for the week: Calories- 1700-2000
Fitness- 120 mins:)

eta: Last week went pretty well… considering I had a whole week of snow days! I always have more trouble with eating when I am home all day. However,  I stayed under 2000 cals 6/7 days AND I worked out on the Wii 3 times:) I had not weighed since before the holiday, so I am not sure about weight progress.

Kate:

Whew, the holidays are over.  Things did not go well, but I’m excited to get back on track.  I’ve been lax about keeping track of my foods, so that’s where I’m going to begin.  Plus, I’ve spent almost three weeks at my parents’ house, so when I get back to Chicago this week, it’ll be good to have complete control over what food is available in my kitchen.

New Year’s is a tough time of year because it’s a time of reflection.  It doesn’t help that my birthday is right before New Year’s.  That’s a whole lot of reflection.  I always think about the things I want to achieve for my next birthday followed by more thoughts about what I want to happen in the following year.  That’s a lot of pressure.

I’m trying to take it easy this year and make no resolutions.  I want to keep doing what I’ve been doing, that’s all.  Guilt doesn’t work for me.  I feel guilty a lot, so it doesn’t help to heap more on myself.  I know I’d feel guilty if I made resolutions and then didn’t follow through.  Besides, I made my resolution back in May when I decided to improve my health, and that’s coming along pretty nicely overall.  I’ll just stick with that one.