Weekly Weigh in, and measurements

I lost 4 pounds last week.  Not a huge surprise.  I was up a bit thanks to the holidays.  I am guessing it won't be a 4 pound loss every week, but I liked it last week. :)

In other news, I measured and it was pretty sad.  I'd gained about 2 inches around my entire body.  I was looking at my other measurements and noticed they were exactly the same as the last time I weighed this weight.  funny how that happens, no?


Last week I did Lindsay Brin's Postnatal bootcamp, total body workout yoga and Lindsay Brin's High Intensity Interval training (which was insane and super painful).  I also walked 3 times and I did a dance jam and I worked in the yard a bit, I plan to work in the yard even more coming up, and that's always great, productive fitness fun.

If only I lost as many calories napping.

And did I mention I just took on the school carnival?  I am dumb.

Willpower

I was watching the Today Show this morning and they had an interesting author on talking about willpower.  It's something that I really wonder about.  How do I find the strength to lose weight, when other people don't?  Mostly, I think it's because it was super important to me.  Everyone has different things that are important to them.  Honestly, I'm not 100% sure that it's STILL as important to me as it was 2 years ago when I actually started losing weight pretty well -- with a plan (because I was 30-40 pounds heavier back then).  I'm still overweight though, so I do want to stick with it.

These were the thoughts I gleaned from the segment...

1.  Willpower is refreshed with sleep.  The woman on the show said willpower is like your gas tank that is refilled each night with sleep.  For those of you who know me, know my sleep is SUPER important to me, especially night sleep (I don't do well with naps, most of the time, I wake up super ornery and not refilled at all).  I go to bed around 9 pm every night (falling asleep somewhere between 9:30 and 10 usually.  And I get up between 5:15 and 6:15, depending on what's in store, and if it's an early workout day.  I can't stress it enough, lack of sleep is how I gained the weight (thanks to P and my other kids) and getting enough rest will make it more possible.

2.  You can "catch" willpower -- by having good friends you see things they do, and you want to do them yourselves.  I must say that i have great friends, but also by reading blogs and seeing things that other people have done (especially people who have similar stressors to myself, like kids and jobs, etc.) has been a huge motivator.  I like how said you can "catch" it though -- like it rubs off on people.

3.  Re-frame your goal so it's something you WANT to do.  No one wants to count calories.  That's not a fun goal.  But losing weight is a fun goal.  And counting calories is just how you're going to get there.  However, my first goal in 2010 was to "follow weight watchers this year" and while it wasn't fun, it worked and it was measurable.  It was also a relief when that year was over. :)

Anyway, some good topics that I enjoyed listening to.  Let's see if I can find the segment somewhere....
Ok, I couldn't find it, but NPR has a show with her on it -- I might try and listen to it in some spare time.  Interesting stuff.

What do you guys think about the 3 things I "learned" on the show?  Truths?

Weekly Weigh In.

This week's weigh in was 170.  My personal low was 158, achieved last spring right before we moved.  I was at least 160 before we got here and the weight just came up.  I also didn't workout for most of December because of my arm (I'm pretty sure I tore my rotator cuff, but after a month of Alieve and rest it's doing much better).

My goal is to be a size 8, and I figure that means I need to lose 20-30 pounds.  Honestly, for once I do think that exercise at least makes your body a bit more trim.  I've noticed that jeans aren't fitting as well, even though I am the same weight I was when I bought them.  I'm just not working out, things are sagging.

There was a point in my life that I would've called myself super fit.  I was doing hour routines and really busting a move in the AM and continuing it all day long.

I'm not there anymore, not even close.

I'm actually looking for some easier routines.  I'm not doing much weights with my arm yet, just movement.  I need to take a peek onto Netflix, but please let me know what you'd recommend.  My plan is 2 days/week of weights and cardio (workout videos) and 1 day a week of Yoga (I hate it  but it's so good for us, isn't that the way?).  Plus at least one nice long walk/week with a friend and then one dance party with the wii/week.  I'd also like to just be more active with my family, besides the things I'm just doing myself.  this area has a ton of great hikes.  I need to get on those.

Plus weight watchers.  Starting tomorrow. :)

Won't you come with me?  I'd love to do a weekly weigh in post where you can either link to your own blogs with weigh ins, or just comment here.  I'd thought of doing a WW email chain where we can weigh in together, but that's a lot of effort and I always worry people feel like they're getting spammed by my inadequacies.

One thing I do know, writing on a blog has helped me lose weight.  I feel some minuscule of obligation by having it.  I feel like I need to report.

So, if you want to lose weight, come write with me.  It's cathartic and it's nice to have people applaud you.  Anyone who wants to write on the blog is welcome.  Just email me. :)  Link's on the side.

Time to get it on...

Do you feel it?  the new year, right at your doorstep?

You know it's going to be on your resolutions at some point, be it "get healthy" or "lose weight"...

I'm giving up all pretense of health in my particular resolution this year.  I mean, I'm still overweight, and I want to weigh less.  With it will come many health and lifestyle benefits. Blah, blah, blah...

I want to be a size 8.

I get weight watchers magazine.


I got it really cheap for about 5 years, I think.  Is it an amazing magazine?  No.

But it does do a LOT of before and after stories.  I'm always looking at people who are about my height and who I think look really healthy and fit.  and it turns out when I think that, they are almost always a size 8.  I really think much less is unattainable.  After all, I am the mother of 3.  I am currently a size 12, and I just want to be less.  In fact, I bought a goal skirt yesterday at the mall.  It's just a super casual one I can wear in the summer but it didn't quite zip up... but I'll need it this summer because, I don't know if you've heard, Arizona is hot, hot, hot and I really wanted a cute casual skirt I could throw on for a little "increased air flow." :)

Anyway, that's my goal.  I will attack it in a few ways.

1.  Weight watchers, it totally works.  Eating out is my arch nemesis... so that needs to remain at a minumum.  I'll be counting points starting the 3rd.

2.  Working out -- I have fallen off this train... with my arm hurting and weird female issues I have given myself a break, but it's time to get fit.  I haven't really gained all that much weight, but my pants are tighter just because there's a lack of... um, "firmness". :)  Plan of attack is 2 days of cardio/weights and 1 day of yoga.  Plus a dance party and at least one walk/week.

3.  Not worrying about it.  I have plenty of time to lose weight.  It will happen.  I just need to follow the rules.

So, what's your plan of attack?  Is weigh loss not on your list?  I doubt something about weight or health will ever not be at mine, because it's something you can always improve upon.

Let's do this.  Wanna join me?  I will say that regardless of the whole new year thing, the new year is just a great time to lose weight.  You feel yucky from the crap of the holidays and it's not a time you indulge in a lot of over-eating.  Anyway, it's natural.  Come on, it'll be fun. :)

Recipe Du Yesterday

Made some yummy dinner yesterday.  I LOVE buffalo wings, but not the nice calorie count that goes with the traditional kind.

Made this for dinner.  It hit all the right spots. :)

Treading Water

I'm just treading healthy waters right now.  Just trying to eat healthy on the days I can, and trying not to splurge too much on the days I am splurging.

And that's where I'm at, til' the beginning of the year.

My weight's alright, and I'm alright, and thanks to my stupid shoulder problems I think working out is out of the picture for a bit (I can still walk/run, but anything with upper body I think needs to be bid adieu for a bit).  Anyway, life goes on and 2012 is just around the corner and it IS the year that I will see my BMI reach "normal".

Are you treading the healthy waters right now?

Weigh In, or don't.

Uh, we went to Legoland and had a LOT Of fun and doughnuts.  All totally worth it.
And I know why the scale says what it does.  I'm just trying to remind myself that each day I make a good choices with eating is a day closer to my goals.

The day I eat 4 doughnuts...
well, that's another day. :)

It is kind of insane to think I can lose weight this kind of year, but trying is being healthy, right?

I've got nothin' but time....