Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Wednesday Words of Weight Loss, 2

Patrice over at Everyday Ruralty began a new blog hop last week called Wednesday Words of Weight Loss.  Every week she posts 5 new questions for us to answer.  This week, I am following my responses with a re-posting of the first post I wrote telling how I lost my original 83 pounds.  I am now working on taking off the 17 I put back on as well as continuing the journey.


Here are the questions for this week:
1. What's your favorite vegetable? Squash--any kind of squash will do but I especially love yellow squash and zucchini.  

2. Is eating out a problem for you?  No, I LOVE to eat out!  Just kidding.  We don't eat out very much because I like to know exactly what's going into the food I prepare.  

3. How often do you weight yourself? Ugh...I HATE doing this but I do it every time I get on the Wii Fit Plus which is every to every other day.  And it AIN'T PRETTY.

4. What's the hardest time of day for you regarding snacking? Between meals, after meals, before meals...gesh, all day long and into the night.   Years ago (in college) I was a smoker...I often wonder if the snacking takes the place of that nasty habit? 

5. Please tell me something you will do this week to be nice to yourself.  Take some time every night (BEFORE I am too tired and fall asleep) to read a book regardless of what else needs to be done.


Getting in Shape (originally posted on 9/10/2010)

Ok, the house was clean and the scrapbooks filled--not decorated, but filled.  What next?  I decided that maybe it was time to get in shape.  I must admit that 25 years of child rearing had turned my figure into something very much resembling Jabba the Hutt.  A dear friend started a weight loss/how to live a healthier lifestyle program in November of 2008 (just after daughter M's wedding.).  Due to the busy lives we lead, friend L and I have learned how to go weeks, even months, without seeing each other even though we live in the same town.  HOWEVER, we cannot go long without talking to each other.  So, it was no surprise that I didn't actually see her from January until March 2009, at which time I did notice a change but thought little of it.  Then, in May, when she and her hubs stopped by I not only noticed that she looked like a Barbie doll (well, a short one anyway- L is all of 5' tall) but I also decided that I wanted to do whatever it was she was doing (and not just because of how great she looked, but because of the healthy glow she was sporting and the energy she seemed to have acquired.).  That very week, friend L started me on a healthier lifestyle consisting of healthy eating habits and exercise--AFTER she made me go to my doctor for permission that is.  I made a lot of changes in our diets (yep, I brought hubby along with me although he doesn't have 4 tons to lose) including switching from white bread to whole wheat (only one way of increasing fiber); cutting down on the portions of protein; cutting out sugar;changing the types of fats used; cutting out processed foods; adding fresh veggies and fruits daily; huge decrease in salt intake and so on.  There was little snacking and, if I did snack, I had nuts or fruit.  I also had to get off my Jabba behind and do the exercising.

My initial exercise consisted of walking on the treadmill that had been sitting idle for over a year (ok, it was idle for 2 years.).  At first I was lucky if I stayed on for twenty minutes at the incredible rate of 2 mph.  In a few months though, I had worked my way up to 3 miles every day at 3-3.5 mph.  For a month or so, I even walked an extra 2 miles in the afternoons (and this was because Dr Oz said you should take 10,000 steps every day-- that may have been close to the time I stopped watching his show...).  By the time I stopped using the treadmill and walking outside with Tucker, I was up to the occasional jog (which was not enjoyable--I didn't like running in college when I was slim and trim so I certainly was not loving it at this point in time).  Tucker and I do enjoy our daily combination bike ride/walks every single day (once you start walking your pet, he will NEVER let you miss a day).

They say that tracking your progress is extremely beneficial to losing weight so, to track my progress, friend L told me about Lance Armstrong's website www.livestrong.com and suggested I use it to record my daily intake of food and output of exercise.  This was a tremendous help for about seven months (up until the Christmas season when I stopped using it because I did not like how it added up the Christmas goodies I was ingesting.).  It really is an awesome website though.  You register for free and use the My Plate section where it actually breaks down your meals into categories for you (protein, fat, carbs, etc.) and then tells you how much more of each you have left for that day all based on how many calories it calculates you are allowed each day (you plug in how many pounds you want to lose each week and the site calculates how many calories you can have daily in order to achieve the loss.).  It also records your exercise and calculates remaining allowed calories adjusted accordingly.  If you eat out, no problem.  The site can calculate and break down those calories as well.  In those first seven months I lost 72 pounds and was feeling pretty darn good.  It's been 15 months now and I am down 83 pounds.  I have to confess here though that Christmas brought some temptations that I did not resist (my dad's homemade oatmeal raisin cookies for one) and I got myself right back on sugar--cookies, ice cream, cake = YUMMY!).  I have not gained the weight back but I have hit a self-induced plateau from all the sugar so I had to increase some exercise (and maybe I'll get back to the healthy eating habits--I HOPE so because it sure hasn't happened yet!).  Since we had been cutting down tree limbs and gathering the debris in our yard, I thought hauling all the cut limbs from the backyard to the street and such would be excellent for adding strength training to my exercise regimen (the easy part was getting hubby to leave all the limbs so I could haul them.).  It was during the first hauling, my dears, that I completely remembered why I don't like yard work.  Holy Cow!  I was convinced that my arms and legs might never speak to me again (although they would talk ABOUT me!).  In the end, it was fine.  Once the soreness went away, hauling those limbs actually did help and I continued in the direction of slimming down.  Of course, since the weather has been significantly out of control this summer (I am referring to the heat), hubby has not cut any limbs down in a while (yes, the trees are all still standing.).  So, the question became, what to do now for strength training (other than lifting the spoon from the bowl of ice cream to my mouth that is) and the answer was YOGA BOOTY BALLET.  The only problem I have with the program is that the girls who instruct the workout cannot count (when you are counting and you reach 6, the next number out of your mouth is NOT 4!).  PLUS they have a habit of saying things like, "Let's do eight more!" You know, in those perky little 'come-on-you-can-do-it' voices.  Yeah, I really don't like that.  But I have noticed some inches coming off even with continuing to to lift the spoon filled with delicious ice cream!  I even considered trying Yoga Booty Ballet and eating the ice cream at the same time.  That way, when the girls say, "Let's do eight more,"  I wouldn't mind so much.

A word of warning:  There is a down side to losing the weight when it comes to carrying several heavy items all at once like gallon jugs of spring water.  Before I lost the weight I could carry 4 or 5 gallons with the help of the rolls in my midsection to keep them from falling.  The jugs would rest on top of a roll creating a 'fat shelf' if you will, preventing the jugs from sliding down and hitting the ground.  This is no longer available.  Now, the jugs just hit the ground.     


18 comments:

  1. "I even considered trying Yoga Booty Ballet and eating the ice cream at the same time. That way, when the girls say, "Let's do eight more," I wouldn't mind so much. "- You are too funny!

    I am so glad you shared all of this with us. You're an inspiration. What an enjoyable "read" too!

    As far as the questions go, I really like all squash. I feel exactly the way you do about eating out. Even without the food allergies, I'd like to eat at home.

    Thank you for visiting my blogging daughters. Those of us who are moms to 4 girls have to stick together.

    Have a healthy week! Patrice

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  2. You are hilarious...I'm here from the Weight Loss Wednesday linky...and I'm following you!!! I posted my answers @ Wise Old Owl!!! :)

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  3. Good on you kiddo. I'm envious. I lost almost 100 then gained back 60 over the last two years.

    You know how easy it is- "I can have that." says the little voice in your head as you look at something you just know is dangerous for you. And you listen to it.

    Now I'm back on the way down and have lost 10 so far but as you know, it's no fun.

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  4. Patrice- thank you! And yes, we do have to stick together!

    Deb- I'm going to visit you in just a few!

    Michele- No, it's no fun at all. And I even got to the place, recently, where I told myself that I don't even care and should just eat whatever I want to eat. It's such a struggle! Dang it!

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  5. Oh I've got to go check out this blog hop, maybe not this week but next week....if I can remember. Can you help me remember...I'm sorta duh right now.
    I love you answers and all that you've done. You are amazing..REALLY!!!
    Take care and God Bless!!!

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  6. Wow that is so good to loose that like you did. I like squash too. I am going to loose the 30 I gained with my last baby who is almost 16. I am going to do that so I will be back to pre him before he gets his license. :)

    I enjoyed your weight loss post, glad you reposted.

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  7. What a great inspirational story! I really need to loose around 40lbs. I keep loosing and gaining which I know is not good. I will have to check out L. A.'s web site.
    Congratulations, and keep us posted.

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  8. You certainly did well to lose that amount of weight. I did laugh about the water jugs bit though!! I'm glad that you have blogging friends to support you along the way. Keep up the good work.

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  9. Julie- I think this hop is going to be good and I know it's going to be fun! I'll try to help you remember!

    FarmGirl-I gained most with the last two girls but after they were born I just kept eating I guess. Wish I had taken it off when it was 30 pounds instead of 100!

    Tote- livestrong.com helped me a great deal. I probably need to go back there!

    This-I'm glad you got a chuckle from the part about the water jugs! I just have to find the humor in this or it would be harder than it already is!

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  10. You're amazing - and very funny! Good for you for getting motivated and losing that weight. Sitting here in mid January leaves me very unmotivated for almost anything. You're an inspiration!

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  11. Fab post! Throughly entertaining. We are definitely twins in fact identical twins - I look like Jabba the Hutt too!
    Please come by today and collect the 'Awesome Blog Award from me and the 'LOL Award' which I have chosen to bestow only upon your worthy blog - does that sound English enough?

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  12. I love the pictures!! And since I am new I will also say what a beautiful family you have! You are very blessed! I am always trying to lose weight and you should be VERY proud of yourself for losing so much! That is great! I am dreading me elliptical as I write this!

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  13. Cranberry- Thank you so much! I'm not sure what level my motivation is pointing to at this time but I have lost some since starting with the Wii Fit...who would have ever thought???

    Carol, I got them and you are just way to kind! I plan to post about them tomorrow!

    JD- I tried the elliptical ONCE. And I wanted to hurt somebody once I finally got off--it nearly KILLED me! LOL

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  14. Girl! You lost 83 lbs? That is awesome! I am down 22. Today, my niece invited me over to play Just Dance on Wii. Oh my gosh! What fun! I didn't even feel as if I were working out!

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  15. Remember the good old days when it was sooooooo easy to lose that extra weight?! Well, when you're in your 40's it isn't nearly as easy. But yet, we keep on... I will succeed! Good luck to you though you seem it have it down pat!

    Hugs,
    Jacalyn

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  16. I enjoyed reading your answers, and your previous post. I'm right there with you, trying to stay motivated and moving! I'm at the beginning phase and moving at a snail's pace, but it's getting better--except I've gained a couple of pounds, so I need to step it up!
    You know what's sad? I've had a Wii Fit for over 2 years and have never used it. I need to figure out how to use the thing, don't I?
    Have a great day!

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  17. Carmie- I did and then gained 17 back...DARN IT! But, I have lost 11 of that so far!

    Jacalyn- Yes, I remember...and that time is LONG gone! 40s? Try waiting until the 50s!!!

    Kathy- Thank you! Motivation is STILL an issue but I move every day regardless of how I feel about it! And if Zumba doesn't kill me, I'll lose some major poundage from it! LOL YES- get the Wii Fit out. It really is fun!

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  18. Hooray for you! That is no small feat! Keep up the good work. (And if you've got some trick for getting off sugar, I'd love to hear it!)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! It makes me feel connected to everyone even though we may live far apart! Have a wonderful day!

 
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