I hate being awake at this ungodly hour... now before you laugh at me calling 7am an ungodly hour you should probably know I've been up for about an hour already. Not that 6am is much...ungodlier (?) but I had minimal sleep due to the annoying allergies I seem to have developed in the last week or so. I am a unpleasantly sneezy, itchy eyed, and generally irritated. A great way to start my weekday weekend.
That's enough bitching. Can't help the weather and allergy inducing contents in the air.
Alrighty so I said last post I was going to maybe go back to posting weigh ins. In happy news, I lost 2.2lbs this week! Go me! I kept myself in check at Bunco on Friday and it really paid off.
Now, lets recap a bit since it's been a while since weights were posted. (yay. honest accountability.)
My lowest weight on record is the 2/16/13 weigh in : 238.8 (-45.5lbs)
I'd like to pretend I didn't gain exactly 10lbs back but I did, in fact, do that. On 5/11/13 I went back to weigh in after much awful terribleness and found my weight to be 248.8. How nice of my body to really stick it to me by gaining exactly 10lbs. On the bright side, I only gained 10lbs. I'd obviously prefer not to gain at all but at least it wasn't anything crazy like all the weight I lost or something horrific like that.
So here's the new stats:
May 18th Weigh In: -2.2 lbs.
Total Weight loss: 37.6 lbs
Weight: 246.6 lbs
I just want to say that my home scale is annoyingly and optimistically inaccurate and when I pre-weighed myself before heading to my meeting (yes I do that, don't judge me - I don't want any surprises) my scale said 243. I much prefer that number but I'll be back to it soon so I'm not worried.
That's enough with numbers and weights for now. Let's talk about the important stuff like fitness and training. I'm starting my multi sport rotation training today. I've included some strength training because I am terribly weak, especially upper body wise. Seriously, you should watch me try to do a push up, it's pathetic. I'm excited to get back in the pool and I always love hopping on my bike so I just have to muddle through the run and I'll be fine come August.
I'm also not taking any summer classes because I decided to (once and for all) switch schools. I'll be starting at Trinity in September for the Dual Special/Regular Education program. I'm super nervous and really excited. I'm also taking a couple classes at Moraine so I decided I'd give myself the summer before I get sucked into accelerated schooling for 2 solid years. The best part of the summer, is the fact that we are switching to twelve hour shifts at work to cover someone on leave. It's wonderful because I'm getting a few more hours a pay period and working less days. I am literally working 12 days in June.
Best. Summer. Ever. (Hopefully).
Now I really want to go back to bed because I am finally tired and ungunky in my sinuses but what kind of in-training behavior would that be? Time to strap into my armor-like sports bra and start pumping iron! It's arms day!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Hey There 2013
Well Hello There.
It's sure been a while since I've blogged. It's be a long Spring semester and now that it's over and I have the summer to myself I decided I would try to blog about the road to my second triathlon.
YES! I am doing another! Honestly, I've talked about being able to call myself a triathlete before and even though I have completed one, I don't feel like a "triathlete". So perhaps if I make this a yearly thing I'll feel comfortable telling folks I'm a triathlete. Until then, it's training time!
As you may remember, I have a nemesis and it's name is THE RUN. I've been making strides (haha) in that department though I'm still terrified. This year the run is a complete 5k, 3.1 miles. That's 1.1 miles more than last year. (AHHHH!) I should also remind you that I walked most of the 2 miles last year. In March I started the Couch to 5k program up again and got 4 weeks in. At that point I was jogging almost 5 minutes at a time. I even got close to getting a 13 minute mile. Unfortunately, I got real lazy for a week or two around my birthday and lost all the ground I had gained. I also made all the progress on the treadmill which is convenient but not practical for road race purposes. Evergreen HS has a nice track that's open to the public and I have been jogging there. I like that it is gentle on my knees and I can keep track of my mileage. I also have spent some time at Yukich Field. They have a .5 mile loop that is good for distance tracking purposes. I also enjoy lapping the old ladies who faithfully truck along, it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I pass them a few times in my travels. Woo Hoo! I'm faster than old ladies!
I started training officially when I signed up for the Tri back in April. I've been focusing on the run and the bike and I haven't actually been in the pool yet. The swim was my strongest sport in August but, of course, I need to practice. So starting next week I'm hopping back in the pool and creating a good multisport rotation for training. That extra 1/2 mile isn't gonna swim itself.
As I said, I started training in April but I didn't get serious until this month. In May, I decided that it would be NO SODA, NO CANDY, NO FRENCH FRIES month. It has been insanely hard. I also decided it was WORK OUT EVERYDAY month. At the halfway mark, I think I've been mostly successful. I only took one day off of working out. I did have sprite accidentally in a small limeade (which I wasn't aware of until I noticed the carbonation- isn't limeade supposed to not have soda in it?) and had a two mint melt aways on Mothers Day. BUT! I haven't had a single french fry and more importantly I only been to McDonald's twice and that was on the day of my finals and Mothers Day for the new Egg White McMuffin which is pretty good and not so terrible for you WW points wise.
Ahh yes, Weight Watchers. Well after a few month long absence I returned towards the end of March and discovered that I had gained back some of the pounds I had tried so hard to lose. Then I was stupid and didn't go back for a while because I was upset about gaining. The school stress certainly played into my gain but I can't make excuses, I just need to move on and fix my behaviors and eating habits. So with my Tri training I decided that I definitely need to go to meetings to make sure I don't gain back all the weight I've lost. I went back to my regular Saturday meeting last week and I have every intention to go back this Saturday. I'll start posting weigh in results next week... maybe.
There you have it. For the most part I've tried to keep my fitness level up and my weight down. I've had some set backs but I'm not gonna let it get me down. I am trying really hard to build up my run endurance and feel confident by the time August rolls around. So stay tuned because this year I am going to kick ass and take names on August 11th when I complete the Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon.
It's sure been a while since I've blogged. It's be a long Spring semester and now that it's over and I have the summer to myself I decided I would try to blog about the road to my second triathlon.
YES! I am doing another! Honestly, I've talked about being able to call myself a triathlete before and even though I have completed one, I don't feel like a "triathlete". So perhaps if I make this a yearly thing I'll feel comfortable telling folks I'm a triathlete. Until then, it's training time!
As you may remember, I have a nemesis and it's name is THE RUN. I've been making strides (haha) in that department though I'm still terrified. This year the run is a complete 5k, 3.1 miles. That's 1.1 miles more than last year. (AHHHH!) I should also remind you that I walked most of the 2 miles last year. In March I started the Couch to 5k program up again and got 4 weeks in. At that point I was jogging almost 5 minutes at a time. I even got close to getting a 13 minute mile. Unfortunately, I got real lazy for a week or two around my birthday and lost all the ground I had gained. I also made all the progress on the treadmill which is convenient but not practical for road race purposes. Evergreen HS has a nice track that's open to the public and I have been jogging there. I like that it is gentle on my knees and I can keep track of my mileage. I also have spent some time at Yukich Field. They have a .5 mile loop that is good for distance tracking purposes. I also enjoy lapping the old ladies who faithfully truck along, it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I pass them a few times in my travels. Woo Hoo! I'm faster than old ladies!
I started training officially when I signed up for the Tri back in April. I've been focusing on the run and the bike and I haven't actually been in the pool yet. The swim was my strongest sport in August but, of course, I need to practice. So starting next week I'm hopping back in the pool and creating a good multisport rotation for training. That extra 1/2 mile isn't gonna swim itself.
As I said, I started training in April but I didn't get serious until this month. In May, I decided that it would be NO SODA, NO CANDY, NO FRENCH FRIES month. It has been insanely hard. I also decided it was WORK OUT EVERYDAY month. At the halfway mark, I think I've been mostly successful. I only took one day off of working out. I did have sprite accidentally in a small limeade (which I wasn't aware of until I noticed the carbonation- isn't limeade supposed to not have soda in it?) and had a two mint melt aways on Mothers Day. BUT! I haven't had a single french fry and more importantly I only been to McDonald's twice and that was on the day of my finals and Mothers Day for the new Egg White McMuffin which is pretty good and not so terrible for you WW points wise.
Ahh yes, Weight Watchers. Well after a few month long absence I returned towards the end of March and discovered that I had gained back some of the pounds I had tried so hard to lose. Then I was stupid and didn't go back for a while because I was upset about gaining. The school stress certainly played into my gain but I can't make excuses, I just need to move on and fix my behaviors and eating habits. So with my Tri training I decided that I definitely need to go to meetings to make sure I don't gain back all the weight I've lost. I went back to my regular Saturday meeting last week and I have every intention to go back this Saturday. I'll start posting weigh in results next week... maybe.
There you have it. For the most part I've tried to keep my fitness level up and my weight down. I've had some set backs but I'm not gonna let it get me down. I am trying really hard to build up my run endurance and feel confident by the time August rolls around. So stay tuned because this year I am going to kick ass and take names on August 11th when I complete the Iron Girl Sprint Triathlon.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Good News Everyone!
I really hope you read the title like Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth from Futurama...
If not, that's okay. The news is still good. I weighed in Saturday (last weigh in of the year) and I knew I had lost a bit. I didn't weigh in on the 22nd (I had to work 12hrs) so I had certain hopes for the 29th.
December 29nd Weigh In: -9.2 lbs
Total Weight loss: 38 lbs
Weight: 246.2 lbs
Yes. You read that right. In two weeks I lost 9.2 pounds! Suck it! Be gone stupid plateau!! Haha!
Sorry, I'm very elated. I know its not the solid 40lbs I was hoping for but I'm pretty confident I'll smash that goal on my Jan. 5th weigh in. I'm really happy with the progress I've made this year. I know it's not some crazy number, but damn it, it's my number and it's a good one for me. I can tell you about all the weeks I was lazy and ate terribly but that won't change anything. It's also not constructive. My loss hasn't been lightning fast and I've had some slip ups and some discouraging plateau action, but in 9 months I have lost 38 pounds. That's roughly 4 pounds a month and I'm pretty proud of myself. Oh, I also biked 30 miles in one day and completed a freaking triathlon...no big deal.
I was talking to a friend about my blog the other day and they told me that they don't like to read it because I'm negative and basically I'm not very nice to myself. I understand that a lot of my writing is not exactly positive and it got me thinking. As the year comes to an end and most people are declaring weight loss as their new year's resolution, I think mine will be simple and too the point:
Be Kind.
I need to be kinder. To myself (and to others).
I am hard on myself. I think everyone is hardest on themselves, ya know that whole "your own worst critic" thing. I think that being hard on myself sometimes is the only thing that gets my ass out the door and to the gym some days but it's also a source of unnecessary guilt when I don't exactly follow the plan I made for the day.
So I will be kind to myself. I will accept that my weight loss journey is different from anyone else's and I can't compare my results. I will understand that even though I may be giving 100%, my week's won't always give me amazing results. I am human. I am going to struggle but I am also going to have great successes. I am 12 pounds away from losing 50! How awesome is that? I've never lost that much, ever. I already blasted past the 24lbs I have lost previously. I am waiting (impatiently) for sign up to open for the Danskin Tri 2013, and I will being completing the regular Sprint this year, three miles of jogging and all. I also am terrifiedly looking forward to venturing to Swallow Cliff for the first time. I can't wait to do Bike the Drive in May again and actually running the Firefly Run with Kait in September.
I can't wait to see what I am able to accomplish in 2013.
So here's the deal. I'm going to start training for August...tomorrow. I'm going to go to the gym in the morning and then everyday thereafter. I'm not going to beat myself if I miss a day. I'm just going to press on and go the next day. I'm going to stick with weight watchers because it works for me. I'm going to make good food choices, but I'm also going to enjoy the hell out of cheat meals.
It's been a long, stressful, crazy, awesome year and as 2013 begins, I'm going to try to love myself enough to accept that I am doing everything to the best of my ability and that one day I'll hit my goals.
I got this.
 |
| Good News! |
December 29nd Weigh In: -9.2 lbs
Total Weight loss: 38 lbs
Weight: 246.2 lbs
Yes. You read that right. In two weeks I lost 9.2 pounds! Suck it! Be gone stupid plateau!! Haha!
Sorry, I'm very elated. I know its not the solid 40lbs I was hoping for but I'm pretty confident I'll smash that goal on my Jan. 5th weigh in. I'm really happy with the progress I've made this year. I know it's not some crazy number, but damn it, it's my number and it's a good one for me. I can tell you about all the weeks I was lazy and ate terribly but that won't change anything. It's also not constructive. My loss hasn't been lightning fast and I've had some slip ups and some discouraging plateau action, but in 9 months I have lost 38 pounds. That's roughly 4 pounds a month and I'm pretty proud of myself. Oh, I also biked 30 miles in one day and completed a freaking triathlon...no big deal.
I was talking to a friend about my blog the other day and they told me that they don't like to read it because I'm negative and basically I'm not very nice to myself. I understand that a lot of my writing is not exactly positive and it got me thinking. As the year comes to an end and most people are declaring weight loss as their new year's resolution, I think mine will be simple and too the point:
Be Kind.
I need to be kinder. To myself (and to others).
I am hard on myself. I think everyone is hardest on themselves, ya know that whole "your own worst critic" thing. I think that being hard on myself sometimes is the only thing that gets my ass out the door and to the gym some days but it's also a source of unnecessary guilt when I don't exactly follow the plan I made for the day.
So I will be kind to myself. I will accept that my weight loss journey is different from anyone else's and I can't compare my results. I will understand that even though I may be giving 100%, my week's won't always give me amazing results. I am human. I am going to struggle but I am also going to have great successes. I am 12 pounds away from losing 50! How awesome is that? I've never lost that much, ever. I already blasted past the 24lbs I have lost previously. I am waiting (impatiently) for sign up to open for the Danskin Tri 2013, and I will being completing the regular Sprint this year, three miles of jogging and all. I also am terrifiedly looking forward to venturing to Swallow Cliff for the first time. I can't wait to do Bike the Drive in May again and actually running the Firefly Run with Kait in September.
I can't wait to see what I am able to accomplish in 2013.
So here's the deal. I'm going to start training for August...tomorrow. I'm going to go to the gym in the morning and then everyday thereafter. I'm not going to beat myself if I miss a day. I'm just going to press on and go the next day. I'm going to stick with weight watchers because it works for me. I'm going to make good food choices, but I'm also going to enjoy the hell out of cheat meals.
It's been a long, stressful, crazy, awesome year and as 2013 begins, I'm going to try to love myself enough to accept that I am doing everything to the best of my ability and that one day I'll hit my goals.
I got this.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Damage Control
December 8th Weigh In: -0.4 lbs.
Total Weight loss: 35.2 lbs
Weight: 249.0 lbs
I've been at this plateau for some time now. I would say that I've stayed at the same weight for almost two whole months...until now...
December 15th Weigh In: +6.4 lbs.
Total Weight loss: 28.8 lbs
Weight: 255.4 lbs
Yes. You read that correctly. I gained almost 10 pounds in one week.
I have plenty of excuses: It was that time of the month. I had McDonald's (large fries included) twice that week. I went to an awesome cookie party. I made a lot of cookies for this party and sampled many of them. I went to the Christmas party for work at Bourbon and drank many sugary pineapple and Malibu's as well as roughly 3 shots/bombs. (If we are facebook friends there is a nice photo of me carrying a drink in an unorthodox place, check it out) I think a lot of the gain is water/bloating weight because I had way too much salt that week.
I kept telling myself this is the last day. I'll eat like shit and then hop right back on the wagon. Then I'd made another bad choice and say the same thing, I'll only be bad today, and it kept happening each day. So instead of just letting a bad day be one day and moving on, I let a bad day become a bad week. I know I haven't posted since Nov. 28th but before last week I was at least maintaining my losses.
I think a big problems is that lately I've just been powerless to the deliciously stick in your teeth wonderfulness that is Milk Duds. Hot damn do I love me some Milk Duds.
So thanks to some tough love (my sister reminding me, daily and not so subtly, that I haven't been to the gym in quite some time) I realized that I can not let this slip up ruin the progress I've made so far.
I've let a lot of things that shouldn't matter change my point of view. I thought that if I changed programs I would find faster and better results. I saw a co worker lose a lot in a small amount of time and it was discouraging. In a month they lost what it has taken me 8 months to lose. It wasn't fair and the plateau wasn't helping my state of mind. So I stopped working my plan. I stopped going to meetings, stopped tracking, continued to not go to the gym, and spent time researching what worked for them. I gradually started to eat like I used to, before April, before Tri training, and kept telling myself that it didn't matter because when I start this new awesome plan it won't matter because the weight will just melt off.
Well, the plan was a bit too hard for me to follow. I didn't even start it actually. I knew I wouldn't be able to sustain the plan anyway, not realistically.
I like to have the flexibility that Weight Watchers offers and if I'm totally honest after a few weeks of plateauing my discouragement turned into me not really following the plan 100% and tracking faithfully.
So here's the deal: I would really like to be at -40lbs by year's end. I know -50lbs is just plain impossible. Really, -40lbs might be unrealistic too, but it's a goal nonetheless. Ah hell, I'd be happy just to end the year making up the 6.4 gain I've had. Regardless of goals and numbers I've made a bit of progress that I'm really happy about, slip up and all...
-I went down a size in jeans (I'm trying to be okay with it only being one size for a 30 pound loss)
-In Old Navy sizes I am officially no longer a XXL. I actually put a pair of XL pj pants on OVER my jeans.
-I bought and wore a smoking hot Red Dress from Old Navy (Size:XL) to the Xmas party at work. I think wearing that dress was the first time I ever looked at myself and thought, 'Wow this actually looks pretty great on me'. I got a lot of very flattering comments on it. If anyone wants to take me out, I'm looking for any reason to wear it again!
-I have gotten back into the gym and it feels great. I don't know why I stopped going. I really need to get over my chronic laziness.
I really have a great support system of friends and family and I'm going to utilize them more for the rest of this year and for the rest of my weight loss journey. I'm also going to try to blog more and not let my laziness/ashamed of gainsness keep me from updating. I've had a lot of restarts and "new plans" so I'm just gonna start real basic and work my way up. No crazy plans that involve multiple workouts per day or weird food plans. Just me, following my WW plan/tracking, and being active for at least 35 minutes a day and working my way up to bigger and better things.
I can do this and in August I will be doing the Sprint Triathlon and I will be jogging the whole 3 miles and I will be kicking ass and taking names.
For now, I'm just doing a bit of damage control.
Total Weight loss: 35.2 lbs
Weight: 249.0 lbs
I've been at this plateau for some time now. I would say that I've stayed at the same weight for almost two whole months...until now...
December 15th Weigh In: +6.4 lbs.
Total Weight loss: 28.8 lbs
Weight: 255.4 lbs
Yes. You read that correctly. I gained almost 10 pounds in one week.
I have plenty of excuses: It was that time of the month. I had McDonald's (large fries included) twice that week. I went to an awesome cookie party. I made a lot of cookies for this party and sampled many of them. I went to the Christmas party for work at Bourbon and drank many sugary pineapple and Malibu's as well as roughly 3 shots/bombs. (If we are facebook friends there is a nice photo of me carrying a drink in an unorthodox place, check it out) I think a lot of the gain is water/bloating weight because I had way too much salt that week.
I kept telling myself this is the last day. I'll eat like shit and then hop right back on the wagon. Then I'd made another bad choice and say the same thing, I'll only be bad today, and it kept happening each day. So instead of just letting a bad day be one day and moving on, I let a bad day become a bad week. I know I haven't posted since Nov. 28th but before last week I was at least maintaining my losses.
I think a big problems is that lately I've just been powerless to the deliciously stick in your teeth wonderfulness that is Milk Duds. Hot damn do I love me some Milk Duds.
 |
| I wish this picture wasn't eerily similar to the amount I have actually consumed |
I've let a lot of things that shouldn't matter change my point of view. I thought that if I changed programs I would find faster and better results. I saw a co worker lose a lot in a small amount of time and it was discouraging. In a month they lost what it has taken me 8 months to lose. It wasn't fair and the plateau wasn't helping my state of mind. So I stopped working my plan. I stopped going to meetings, stopped tracking, continued to not go to the gym, and spent time researching what worked for them. I gradually started to eat like I used to, before April, before Tri training, and kept telling myself that it didn't matter because when I start this new awesome plan it won't matter because the weight will just melt off.
Well, the plan was a bit too hard for me to follow. I didn't even start it actually. I knew I wouldn't be able to sustain the plan anyway, not realistically.
I like to have the flexibility that Weight Watchers offers and if I'm totally honest after a few weeks of plateauing my discouragement turned into me not really following the plan 100% and tracking faithfully.
So here's the deal: I would really like to be at -40lbs by year's end. I know -50lbs is just plain impossible. Really, -40lbs might be unrealistic too, but it's a goal nonetheless. Ah hell, I'd be happy just to end the year making up the 6.4 gain I've had. Regardless of goals and numbers I've made a bit of progress that I'm really happy about, slip up and all...
-I went down a size in jeans (I'm trying to be okay with it only being one size for a 30 pound loss)
-In Old Navy sizes I am officially no longer a XXL. I actually put a pair of XL pj pants on OVER my jeans.
-I bought and wore a smoking hot Red Dress from Old Navy (Size:XL) to the Xmas party at work. I think wearing that dress was the first time I ever looked at myself and thought, 'Wow this actually looks pretty great on me'. I got a lot of very flattering comments on it. If anyone wants to take me out, I'm looking for any reason to wear it again!
I really have a great support system of friends and family and I'm going to utilize them more for the rest of this year and for the rest of my weight loss journey. I'm also going to try to blog more and not let my laziness/ashamed of gainsness keep me from updating. I've had a lot of restarts and "new plans" so I'm just gonna start real basic and work my way up. No crazy plans that involve multiple workouts per day or weird food plans. Just me, following my WW plan/tracking, and being active for at least 35 minutes a day and working my way up to bigger and better things.
I can do this and in August I will be doing the Sprint Triathlon and I will be jogging the whole 3 miles and I will be kicking ass and taking names.
For now, I'm just doing a bit of damage control.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Feelin' Thankful
**Written on Thanksgiving last week - Forgot to post**
So I totally forgot to post my results this week...
November 10th Weigh In: -1.2 lbs.
Total Weight loss: 34.8 lbs
Weight: 249.4 lbs
Finally, a loss. Thank goodness. I was beginning to think I was stuck at 250 forever! I am not officially closer to 200lbs than 300lbs. Wooooo!
So today, on this day of thanks, I want to take a few minutes to really appreciate some people who have made this year's challenges a bit easier to handle.
I am thankful for my friends and family who have supported me unconditionally this year. It's been rough and the journey to a healthier me is far from over, but I couldn't have done it without them.
I am thankful for my bestest friend, Julie. I don't think I could have made it to the triathlon without her. Her kind words of support and love made me feel like I could do anything and her thoughtfulness always made my roughest days bearable. I am so lucky to have met her all those years ago and no matter how many states, oceans, countries, or continents are between us we still have one hell of an awesome friendship. If you do not have a friend like her you are surely missing out.
I am thankful for my sister. I have no idea how people can go through life and never talk to their siblings. I have don't know what I would do with out Kait. She is my ever sarcastic and honest sounding board. Sometimes I think she knows me better than I know myself and I am thankful for all the times I was going to make a bad food choice or skip a workout and Kait was there to push me to be better. I'm so glad and grateful she (and Danny) were there when I crossed the finish line.
I am thankful for my parents. They also made sure to be there for me when I was crossing the finish line. My toe clips for my bike (a gift from them) made a huge difference in my bike time. They also were patient with me when I would be trying some new weird eating pattern or food and adjust accordingly. They also allow me to live in their house even though a normal 25 year old should be functioning as an adult in the world...I promise I'm working on it. They have always supported me through every thing in my life, be it T Ball or Triathlon training, and they certainly don't get thanked enough.
I am thankful for Don. He also supported me while I was training. More importantly, though, he was there for all my terrible tearful breakdowns and would let me cry on his shoulder until I was done sobbing about my crappy bike time or my inability to run (Yes I did cry about it...frequently). He would wait patiently as I would (repeatedly) freak out about the triathlon and then offer unfailing support. He always had more faith in me than I had in myself...still does actually, and for that I will always be thankful.
I am thankful for the re founding of an old friendship this year. Rachael is so inspiring and it's nice to be able to commiserate with someone over weight loss woes. I know my family supports me but when I talk to Rachael she knows exactly what I'm saying because she's been there too. I hope that one day I can be as strong and successful as she is.
I am also thankful for the strong group of Rader women I call my Aunts. They are the craziest, kickassist, funniest group of ladies I know. Their support and love made my crummiest days better. I also had some of the best times relaxing and hanging around with them this summer. My only hope is that next year we'll be able to find more time to spend with each other because they really are the best.
I am also thankful for you. Yes you dear reader. I appreciate that you read my crazy babble. Just knowing that I have readers out there sometimes gets my ass out of bed for a workout. I try new things and workouts because of you. I think, 'Hmm I should do something interesting so I can have something to write about'. So thank you so much for your support!
I know there are so many other people who have supported and loved me throughout this process. I also know that there's still a lot left to go and I'm sure I'll find heaps more people to thank and appreciate for their awesomeness. So on this Thanksgiving I'm really thankful for all my friends and family and I can only hope to love and support all of them in return.
Happy Turkey Day Everyone!
So I totally forgot to post my results this week...
November 10th Weigh In: -1.2 lbs.
Total Weight loss: 34.8 lbs
Weight: 249.4 lbs
Finally, a loss. Thank goodness. I was beginning to think I was stuck at 250 forever! I am not officially closer to 200lbs than 300lbs. Wooooo!
So today, on this day of thanks, I want to take a few minutes to really appreciate some people who have made this year's challenges a bit easier to handle.
I am thankful for my friends and family who have supported me unconditionally this year. It's been rough and the journey to a healthier me is far from over, but I couldn't have done it without them.
I am thankful for my bestest friend, Julie. I don't think I could have made it to the triathlon without her. Her kind words of support and love made me feel like I could do anything and her thoughtfulness always made my roughest days bearable. I am so lucky to have met her all those years ago and no matter how many states, oceans, countries, or continents are between us we still have one hell of an awesome friendship. If you do not have a friend like her you are surely missing out.
I am thankful for my sister. I have no idea how people can go through life and never talk to their siblings. I have don't know what I would do with out Kait. She is my ever sarcastic and honest sounding board. Sometimes I think she knows me better than I know myself and I am thankful for all the times I was going to make a bad food choice or skip a workout and Kait was there to push me to be better. I'm so glad and grateful she (and Danny) were there when I crossed the finish line.
I am thankful for my parents. They also made sure to be there for me when I was crossing the finish line. My toe clips for my bike (a gift from them) made a huge difference in my bike time. They also were patient with me when I would be trying some new weird eating pattern or food and adjust accordingly. They also allow me to live in their house even though a normal 25 year old should be functioning as an adult in the world...I promise I'm working on it. They have always supported me through every thing in my life, be it T Ball or Triathlon training, and they certainly don't get thanked enough.
I am thankful for Don. He also supported me while I was training. More importantly, though, he was there for all my terrible tearful breakdowns and would let me cry on his shoulder until I was done sobbing about my crappy bike time or my inability to run (Yes I did cry about it...frequently). He would wait patiently as I would (repeatedly) freak out about the triathlon and then offer unfailing support. He always had more faith in me than I had in myself...still does actually, and for that I will always be thankful.
I am thankful for the re founding of an old friendship this year. Rachael is so inspiring and it's nice to be able to commiserate with someone over weight loss woes. I know my family supports me but when I talk to Rachael she knows exactly what I'm saying because she's been there too. I hope that one day I can be as strong and successful as she is.
I am also thankful for the strong group of Rader women I call my Aunts. They are the craziest, kickassist, funniest group of ladies I know. Their support and love made my crummiest days better. I also had some of the best times relaxing and hanging around with them this summer. My only hope is that next year we'll be able to find more time to spend with each other because they really are the best.
I am also thankful for you. Yes you dear reader. I appreciate that you read my crazy babble. Just knowing that I have readers out there sometimes gets my ass out of bed for a workout. I try new things and workouts because of you. I think, 'Hmm I should do something interesting so I can have something to write about'. So thank you so much for your support!
I know there are so many other people who have supported and loved me throughout this process. I also know that there's still a lot left to go and I'm sure I'll find heaps more people to thank and appreciate for their awesomeness. So on this Thanksgiving I'm really thankful for all my friends and family and I can only hope to love and support all of them in return.
Happy Turkey Day Everyone!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Halfway to 100
Don't get excited. I didn't magically lose 16 pounds. I still have 47 days, 7 weeks, and 7 weigh ins to meet my goal for the year...not that I'm counting or anything...
This is my 50th post!
I wish I could be writing some deep wonderful words about how my life just synced up perfectly and so poetically that as I write my 50th post I am excitedly telling you that I had lost 50 pounds and the universe just made sense.
November 10th Weigh In: +/- 0lbs.
Total Weight loss: 33.6 lbs
Weight: 250.6 lbs
Not the case. This is what we call a plateau folks. Your progress flat lines even though you are still making good choices and exercising and it sucks big time.
But let's focus on some non weight related things shall we?
I put on my winter coat today. It's a nice black pea coat, with buttons on the front instead of a zipper. Well, when I got the coat I could barely button the top one. (Mostly because my chest was much bigger when I got the coat, but I couldn't button it over my stomach either) Without even thinking about it today, I put the coat as I was leaving for work and I buttoned up all four buttons and didn't even realize it until I was walking work. It hit me...holy crap I completely buttoned this coat AND I'm wearing my scrubs AND a hoodie under it! It was a good feeling.
I also recently bought a cover up/light sweater type thing and it was a size 14/16!! When you haven't seen the underside of size 20 in years it's sort of unbelievable.
Obviously, my chest is smaller and that's a mixed bag. I'm grateful to be able to sleep on my back without smothering myself, but sometimes I miss the girls.
I know this is gonna sound super crazy, but I've noticed that my thumbs look smaller. Less sausagey and more fingery. Does that make sense?
I take the stairs at work (to the 6th floor) and while I'm still a bit out of breath by the time I get to my floor, I take them everyday. It's almost become a habit. Sometimes I still hit the elevator button but usually I realize I should be taking the stairs and walk away.
One of the nurses at work mentioned that I'm going to need new scrubs soon. I'm not exactly swimming in them, but they are kind of big. It's not that I like wearing baggy scrubs, I just hate the color (poo brown) and I really don't want to by a size smaller, (hopefully) kick some ass and lose more and then have to buy another size smaller. I'd rather lose a few sizes before I spend another 60 bucks on more scrubs. I also have a hard time finding scrubs that fit me right and clothes shopping still isn't high on my list of stuff I enjoy doing.
I'm really behind on my Tivo shows. This may not seem like it has anything to do with my weight at all but being behind means I've been, A. Going to bed at a reasonable time (good for weight loss), B. Moving more (exercising instead of tv watching), and C. Doing more productive things than spending days at a time in front of the Tv.
So there you have it. I'm still the same weight but I guess I'm less wide and that's pretty cool. I should have been taking my measurements and keeping track of inches lost as well, but I never really thought about it until I put my coat on today. Perhaps I'll start doing that next week. I wish I had something exciting to write about but another non loss, missing spin this week (had to work Tuesday), and getting 4 paper cuts yesterday really doesn't make for an exciting read.
I'm going to see if I can find another spin class this week and I'm trying to do some things different this week (like getting up and eating breakfast) and hope for better results on Saturday.
This is my 50th post!
I wish I could be writing some deep wonderful words about how my life just synced up perfectly and so poetically that as I write my 50th post I am excitedly telling you that I had lost 50 pounds and the universe just made sense.
November 10th Weigh In: +/- 0lbs.
Total Weight loss: 33.6 lbs
Weight: 250.6 lbs
Not the case. This is what we call a plateau folks. Your progress flat lines even though you are still making good choices and exercising and it sucks big time.
But let's focus on some non weight related things shall we?
I put on my winter coat today. It's a nice black pea coat, with buttons on the front instead of a zipper. Well, when I got the coat I could barely button the top one. (Mostly because my chest was much bigger when I got the coat, but I couldn't button it over my stomach either) Without even thinking about it today, I put the coat as I was leaving for work and I buttoned up all four buttons and didn't even realize it until I was walking work. It hit me...holy crap I completely buttoned this coat AND I'm wearing my scrubs AND a hoodie under it! It was a good feeling.
I also recently bought a cover up/light sweater type thing and it was a size 14/16!! When you haven't seen the underside of size 20 in years it's sort of unbelievable.
Obviously, my chest is smaller and that's a mixed bag. I'm grateful to be able to sleep on my back without smothering myself, but sometimes I miss the girls.
I know this is gonna sound super crazy, but I've noticed that my thumbs look smaller. Less sausagey and more fingery. Does that make sense?
I take the stairs at work (to the 6th floor) and while I'm still a bit out of breath by the time I get to my floor, I take them everyday. It's almost become a habit. Sometimes I still hit the elevator button but usually I realize I should be taking the stairs and walk away.
One of the nurses at work mentioned that I'm going to need new scrubs soon. I'm not exactly swimming in them, but they are kind of big. It's not that I like wearing baggy scrubs, I just hate the color (poo brown) and I really don't want to by a size smaller, (hopefully) kick some ass and lose more and then have to buy another size smaller. I'd rather lose a few sizes before I spend another 60 bucks on more scrubs. I also have a hard time finding scrubs that fit me right and clothes shopping still isn't high on my list of stuff I enjoy doing.
I'm really behind on my Tivo shows. This may not seem like it has anything to do with my weight at all but being behind means I've been, A. Going to bed at a reasonable time (good for weight loss), B. Moving more (exercising instead of tv watching), and C. Doing more productive things than spending days at a time in front of the Tv.
So there you have it. I'm still the same weight but I guess I'm less wide and that's pretty cool. I should have been taking my measurements and keeping track of inches lost as well, but I never really thought about it until I put my coat on today. Perhaps I'll start doing that next week. I wish I had something exciting to write about but another non loss, missing spin this week (had to work Tuesday), and getting 4 paper cuts yesterday really doesn't make for an exciting read.
I'm going to see if I can find another spin class this week and I'm trying to do some things different this week (like getting up and eating breakfast) and hope for better results on Saturday.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Spin, or How I'm Learning to Enjoy Sweating Like a Pig
Than being said, I really LOVE spin class.
I FREAKING LOVE SPIN CLASS!
For those of you who do not know what spin is, it's basically a group of people pedaling small stationary bikes, listening to (usually) fast paced music which serves as a tempo for pedaling, while alternating positions on the bike like sitting, standing, and bent over the handlebars. The bikes are sturdy little suckers with the only wheel, the flywheel as it's called, being about 50 some odd pounds which is controlled by a little knobber thing that is your brake as well as your tension adjuster. Though on some bikes the tension knobber and the brake are two different things. (Aren't I super good at describing sports equipment?)
You adjust tension based on the instructors calls and that makes pedaling harder or easier. It's forty five minutes worth of hard work and insane amounts of sweat (sweat is just fat crying anyway) and I smile through every minute of it. I feel powerful and happy when I'm finished and when we are stretching out after class it the best feeling ever. I would totally recommend finding a nonthreatening spin class to try. Definitely do not, I repeat, DO NOT try an advanced class if you've never been on a spin bike. You could get really discouraged, or worse hurt yourself by not properly using the bike. A beginner class, or at least the one I'm taking, will (hopefully) have a nice instructor who will help you adjust your bike, show you all the important parts, and make you comfortable so you can have a good experience.
The first class I took was hard, but I felt great after. Completely sore, but great. Actually, I was sore for days because my bike had a very small saddle and every time I would go from standing while pedaling to sitting while pedaling, the large amount of ass I have would hit the small saddle rather painfully. Needless to say, my first spin class wasn't as great as my second.
I went to my second spin class Tuesday at Beverly Ride On (they share the studio space with Core Fitness, where I do my Pilates -Yes, I'm aware I haven't posted about Pilates yet-) and Christine is the instructor (Also my pilates instructor). It was an Intro to Spin class so obviously it's not as crazy hard as most spin classes are, but it's one hell of a workout anyway. I guess the average calories burned in one 40 minute spin session is 620, which is pretty impressive. Christine kept saying, "If you get tired just remember the number 620!".
So everyone talks about that elusive "runner's high" and I laugh at them because there is no love lost between me and running, but I swear I felt something that was pretty similar while spinning. It was hard work and I felt every bit of it in my muscles. I felt strong. I felt powerful. I felt healthy. I felt like I had found that something special I was looking for. Remember when I said I was hoping that finishing my Tri would be something that change me to the core? That when I finished I was elated, but not really different? Well I don't know if it was the music or the endorphins or a mix of the two but I was so happy when we finished Tuesday, I honestly felt like crying, a good soul cleansing wonderful cry. I felt light and floaty and I know at this point I'm sounding crazy town, but I don't really care.
I think the fact that I am easing into spinning is helpful. I always wanted to try the spin class at the gym, but those people are so hard core and serious about it that I knew I wouldn't be comfortable trying it for the first time there. I mean, you have to get there a half hour early just to sign up for the class and I was always scared that some regular would try to kill me for taking their bike. Which now I can understand because the bike I rode Tuesday made all the difference in the world and I will be searching for it every time I go. Also, the classes are small. There were 5 of us on Tuesday and maybe like 8 people the first time I went. It really takes the pressure off and makes the experience better for me because that way Christine can really let you know if your doing stuff right and can instruct you on proper bike position and tension.
I don't think I'll ever be a runner in the sense that I want to/have to run everyday. Walking is another story. I could take a nice walk, and try to, everyday. As I trained for the Tri I definitely avoided running but I never missed a bike workout. Yeah, bike workouts were easier and they were low impact on my knees which was nice because I still have quite a bit of weight slamming down on them, but despite being easier I really enjoyed them. I loved doing Bike the Drive. I really love Spinning. Maybe I am a cyclist at heart? Who knows. I have almost a whole year to train for next year's Tri (It's Aug 11th by the way, I had the date wrong before) so I guess I'll use that time to find out my true strengths and weaknesses (a.k.a. running).
I know it's early to declare love of spin. I'm not running out to by a spin bike or anything, even though I really want to. I'm not going crazy and trying to take 5 classes a week. I am easing into it and trying to go every week but sometimes I work on Tuesdays and, for now, that's okay. I'm going to care for this little flame of passion and slowly let it build into a blaring fire that really fuels my losses. I've only taken two classes, but I promise that every Tuesday I'm off you will be able to find me at spin class at 6:30pm. Just don't peak into the window and watch us like the creeper guy on Tuesday. That would be real weird.
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