About me - I am 39 years old and a physical therapist working in geriatrics. I am married and have 2 dogs. I came across this site by following Paula's log from O2 quite awhile ago and have appreciated the depth of knowledge here and the honesty and support members show each other here. And thankfully I did find this place because Leigh and the Fat-Loss Troubleshoot have helped me change my life!! I have lost 66# unofficially (via my home scale) and 63.6# officially at WW since Oct. 20, 2008! Yay me!! I have more fat to lose, but am so proud of the work I've done so far.
I started my journey at (gulp) 251# (I actually gained weight being hyperthyroid - how does that work?!!) and hope to get down to somewhere between 120# and 150#. It's been awhile since I was small, but in high school, I weighed around 130# and wore a size 11-13. After college, when I started lifting and running, I weighed 145#, but wore a size 8. So, I really have no goal weight, more of a goal size - size 8 was pretty comfortable, so I'll see once I get there what the goal number is. What I am really looking for is to get back to an active lifestyle - running in 10K's for fun, doing a triathalon, being able to complete a half-marathon, hiking and long distance walks, etc.
Initially, I was counting points with WW because I had done it before and was comfortable with that system. I was trying to eat lean proteins with every meal and trying to get my healthy fats in as well. I started counting calories at the beginning of March because I found myself eating fewer and fewer points with the weight loss slowing down. When I took the time to figure out the calories, I was eating 1000 -1200 calories a day and for me, that was slowing things down. So, I started counting on SparkPeople (anyone have pros or cons for this vs. FitDay, etc?) and eating 1500 -1650 calories a day and have continued to lose (10.4# in March!) I've been trying really hard to increase my NEAT and walking at relatively slow paces for longer periods of time has been my only exercise (well, that and trying to take the time to stretch and foam roll and do some core work - very easy stuff). I have a GoWear Fit and love it as it's really opened my eyes.
So, my goals for this log are:
1. Track calories daily
2. Work on getting my macros closer to 40/30/30 (I tend to be low in fats and higher in carbs)
3. Track my GoWear Fit numbers daily
I'd like to participate in a challenge and am thinking about July's already! But I am committed to sticking with the fat loss and what's working now, so we'll see where I am at that time - I feel like the 'get in, get out' approach has been working so well and am so very glad I found something that makes sense for me!
This weekend has been a re-feed weekend and I had planned on doing a maintenece week this coming week, but I am feeling really good after 2 higher calorie days and jumping back in to the deficit tomorrow. Tracking starts Monday!
Oops - almost forgot - the title of my log - it's what really started this whole journey: I re-connected with my best friend from college last summer after we'd lost touch/feuded for a few years and my dream for the past few years has been to do The Amazing Race, but I didn't have anyone in my life who was willing to do it with me. After my friend and I reconnected, I'd posted something on my FB about wanting to do TAR and she volunteered to be my partner! We've had a lot of fun applying for the Race and just hanging out and being together again and we're waiting to hear back from TAR. While I know our chances are slim, it still inspired me to get in shape just in case. So, I'm not in a race to get to a certain number by a certain time, it is just what is inspiring me to get there. And even if we never get on the show, I have my best friend back and I am committed to making the rest of my life amazing and living without fear because life is too short to sit around and wait for things to happen!
If anyone has any ideas on increasing healthy fats - I am out of almonds and should try to get some fats that way - and I'd appreciate any constructive criticisms on my diet as well. I probably won't post my entire days food every day, but I am looking for ideas - I tend to eat the same all the time!
I'd drop the potato and the bread (most days) if I needed to in order to make caloric room for some avocado or nuts or olives and make sure to label read for good oil in that dressing or make your own O&V dressing on that salad so you can control what the oil is (not bottled dressing that is likely 99+% canola). You could consider some fish oil supplements (unless your other days contain more cold water fish for the n-3 FA).
Haven't been feeling well this week (my first illness of the winter, thankfully), so while I've been tracking, I haven't been posting. I'll put it all together here in the next day or so when I feel better!
Back amongst the living! Just a bad cold, but it cut into my computer time, which is probably a good thing!
Eats were good to low during the illness and I've managed to drop to 180.8# today (179 yesterday - oh well, it'll get there!). I also have kept up on the walking and have had some pretty good burns despite not feeling well cuz once I get out there, it feels so good, I just keep on going! But I've been smart and haven't overdone and am feeling good, especially after a re-feed of pancakes and bacon!
It's amazing to me, now that I am tracking and noticing what I am eating, how much what I eat affects my energy and exercise ability. 2 weeks ago, I had a re-feed day of guacomole and chips and could have walked for hours and hours afterwards. This past Fri., after a low calorie week with a good balance of macros, I barely made 3 miles. Granted, it was the first warm day we've had (I was actually sweating) and I should have had a little snack before I left, but I forgot, but nevertheless, I understand things a little bit better.
I am sad that it's taken me so long to get to this point, and that I've wasted so much time being fat and unhealthy and stresing out about it, but I am happy that I have made strides towards getting it and plan on continuing down this road forever. I don't know if it's age or just more knowledge and understanding or what, but this time around, I am willing to give myself time and enjoy the process and can see that this is the way it can be forever - I can eat this way and feel happy and satisfied and don't feel deprived. I can give myself permission to have a Reeses Peanut Butter Bunny (...drool...) and not have it ruin all the work I've done by bingeing and going back to the old eating habits and winding up heavier than ever. And, I finally realize that I can't drop 50# in 2 months and that it's going to take time and I'm OK with it. Whatever it is, I am so thankful and I don't ever want to go back to the place I was at 70# ago.
Feeling the 7-8 miles I walked on Sunday today of all days. i actually took the last 2 days off of walking and went back out today and could definitely feel the hip ER's and hip flexors. So I came home and stretched and foam rolled and it's a little better, but my SI joint is sore and I can still feel the rest of it. I may try to get an appointment with the chiro/ART guy tomorrow and see if I can get loosened up. I have a hard time with the muscle energy stuff working for me for my SI, but usually the chiro can pop it back in place!
Planning on 1500 calories/day through Friday then a higher/maintenance level of cals. for the weekend, maybe with a DQ Chocolate Truffle Blizzard - it's a limited edition flavor and I want one! I am trying very hard to not reward myself with treats - since I began this journey in October, I have had chocolate (my poison) only 6 times (this coming from the girl who could eat chocolate morning, noon and night and often times did!). I am planning ahead for an occassion or a day and trying not to connect it with a reward for myself - maybe as part of a celebration, but not as reward for losing weight or sticking to my diet. In the past, I think that was one of the things that hurt me - tying a food reward to certain actions and behaviors - and of course that always backfired because I always felt like I should have a reward for doing well with eating or losing so many pounds, etc. So, live and learn and hopefully continue to be smarter and reach my goals!
Kirstin's Amazing Race
Linear Mode
