Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas is Coming, the Goose Is Getting Fat...
Happy holidays, everyone!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
'Tis the Season to Get Really Stressed
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Quick Update (Because I'm Tired) and Christmas Cookies
Christmas in my family is a pretty low-key affair. We used to have anywhere between 12 and 20 people at our house for dinner, but the past few years it's just been my immediate family. Since all 5 of us are now dieting, we're not going to do much baking this year, but I was able to get a virtual cookie fix by watching a bunch of holiday cooking specials on the Food Network. I'm not going to completely give up cookies this Christmas, but I'll try to be more sensible about them.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Getting Back on Track and Rethinking Motivation
Waist: tl 1.5 inches
Abdomen: tl 1.5 inches
Hips: tl 1.5 inches
Thigh: tl 0.25 inches (this measurement has gone up since last month because the staff at Curves has started measuring at a higher, and therefore wider, part of the thigh.)
Upper Arm: tl 0.5 inches
BMI: tl 2.9 points (this is also up since last month, simply because my weight went back up as well.)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thanksgiving Dietbusters and Better Choices
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Lost Week (or Two)
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Two-Month Update
Monthly Weight and Mesasurements
9/2/2008 11/4/2008 Difference
Weight 405 380 25
Bust 60.5 59 1.5
Waist 60.5 59.5 1
Abdomen 64.5 63 1.5
Hips 64.5 63.5 1
Thigh 32.5 32 0.5
Upper Arm 18 18 0
BMI 61.6 57.8 3.8
So as you can see, I am still making progress, although there are a couple measurements which are not progressing as much as others. My weight, for example: I've been bouncing around the 25-pound mark for the past few weeks. In addition, I regained the half-inch this month that I had lost from my arms and thighs last month. But as you can see, my BMI (Body Mass Index) has gone sown a total of 3.8 points in 2 months. This means that my body is made up of more muscle and less fat than it was 2 months ago, which can help to explain the increased arm and thigh measurements and "stalled" weight loss.
I'm trying to still make good choices, although I am also allowing myself a treat now and then. When I do allow myself a treat, I try to be as sensible as possible about it. For example, my mom and I started a water aerobics class last week at the local Y. During the first class, the instructor told us that there would be a potluck party after the next class, and that we were welcome to come. We made roll-up sandwiches using whole-grain lavash bread, Thin&Trim ham and turkey, low-fat cheese, and greens. Someone brought sweet'n'sour meatballs, someone else brought barbecued chicken wings, and everyone else brought some form of dessert. I had some of the non-dessert items first, and then I thought very carefully about which dessert items I wanted. I had a mini-cupcake, a mini cheesecake, a toffee bar, and a small piece of cinnamon crumbcake (which I liked so much that I had another little piece.) I counted this as my mid-day meal, and had a light dinner, so I really didn't set myself back very much. And I was very good on Halloween, I only had one Reese's cup, and then we brought all the leftover candy to the neighbor's house. I'm hoping that I can continue to be sensible through the upcoming holidays, as I'd like to reach my first mini-goal of 40 lbs. before the end of the year.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The Honeymoon's Over
Tune in next week for another measurement update, and don't forget to vote!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Step in the Right Direction
Next week I'll be starting a water aerobics class that will last until the week before Christmas. The class is Mon-Wed-Fri, and I'll go to Curves on Tues-Thurs, so I'll be exercising at least 5 times a week for the next 2 months. This will not only help to jumpstart the weightloss for the next 2 months, it will help me stay on track for most of the holiday season and help me recover easier from splurges.
Only 2 more weeks until my next measurement update!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Slight Stumble
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Triumphs of the Past Week
Triumph #2: After lunch, we went to the movies. I used to get popcorn smothered in butter, spicy curly fries, and a large blue raspberry slushie. Not very healthy. This time I had absolutely nothing. Of course, we had just eaten a nice, healthy lunch, so I wasn't hungry, and that certainly helped me to avoid giving in to the temptation of the concession stand.
Triumph #3: I've dropped a pant size!
Triumph #4: I lost another 5 lbs. this week, putting my current weight at 380.5 lbs. and my total weight loss so far at 24.5 lbs. That's 10% of what I want to lose. Only 220.5 lbs to go!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
First Month Results
So, it's been a month since I started my new, healthy lifestyle. Here's where I stand now:
9/2/2008 10/2/2008 Difference
Weight 405 385.5 19.5
Bust 60.5 60.5 0
Waist 60.5 60.5 0
Abdomen 64.5 62.75 1.75
Hips 64.5 64 0.5
Thigh 32.5 31.5 1
Upper Arm 18 17.5 0.5
BMI 61.6 58.6 3
I'm not yet seeing much of a difference, either when I look in the mirror or when I compare this picture with my start picture, but I am starting to feel a difference. It's getting easier to move around, and my clothes are fitting better, especially my pants. The best thing so far is the effect losing weight and exercising is having on my knees. Being so heavy for so long, and working many jobs that had me on my feet, has put a great deal of stress on my knees, and I started getting arthritic symptoms in my left knee a couple years ago. But over the past month, my knees have been feeling better and better and have regained some of their strength and flexibility. I can actually walk up the stairs like a normal person now!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Birthday Repercussions
Thursday will be a month since I started, and I'll be getting measured again. I'll post my updated measurements then.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Quick Update
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Second Weigh-In and Starting Phase 2
Sunday, September 14, 2008
How to Eat Well While Dieting (Recipes Included)
Seasoned Grilled Veggies
2 large or 3 small zucchini
2 large or 3 small summer squash
1 lb whole mushrooms (button or baby bella)
1 large sweet onion
olive oil
garlic powder
mixed Italian herb seasoning
Wash and cut up the zucchini and summer squash into 1-inch pieces. Clean the mushrooms and halve or quarter them, depending on size. Peel the onion and cut into chunks. Put the cut vegetables into a large plastic container. Add just enough olive oil to coat the veggies and season to taste with the garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Heat a grill wok over a gas or charcoal grill. Spray the wok with non-stick spray, add the veggies, and allow them to cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender but not mushy. NOTE: if you do not have a grill wok or some other way of cooking cut veggies on the grill, you could saute the veggies on the stove or roast them in the oven under the broiler.
Chickpea and Artichoke Salad
1 large can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (Cannelini beans could also be used)
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
1 red or orange sweet pepper, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup wine vinegar (red or white)
mixed Italian herb seasoning
salt (optional)
honey (optional)
Combine chickpeas (or Cannelini beans) and veggies. Mix together the oil and vinegar and season to taste with the Italian seasoning and salt (I usually use about 1/2 tsp of the seasoning and a dash of salt); if the dressing is too sharp, add a little honey to mellow the flavor (no more than 1/4 tsp.) Pour the dressing over the beans and veggies and mix well (you may not need all the dressing -- store any unused dressing in a container in the fridge.) Salad may be eaten as is, but for a real taste treat, try this: Rinse and dry a large, crisp, Romaine leaf. Spread 1 wedge of Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb cheese on the Romaine and top with 1/2 cup of the salad.
Quick Spinach Egg-Drop Soup
1 can light chicken or vegetable broth
1 generous handful of fresh spinach, washed & trimmed (chop it if you feel the need to do so)
1 or 2 eggs, beaten, or an equivalent amount of egg substitute
Combine the broth and spinach in a saucepan and cook until the broth is heated through. Just before serving, stir in the beaten egg and cook for approximately 30 seconds. NOTE: For a heartier version, break up 1 package of Ramen noodles and cook them in the broth with the spinach (throw away the seasoning packet from the noodles -- Ramen noodle seasonings are loaded with sodium!) Add the eggs once the noodles are done. This version is not South Beach friendly, but it's very nice when you have a cold.
Roasted Garlic Beans
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 can Great Northern beans (or any other small white beans), drained but not rinsed
1 cup light chicken or vegetable broth
1-2 tbsp roasted garlic puree
mixed Italian herb seasoning
salt (optional)
red pepper flakes (optional)
In a heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and saute the onion until soft. Add the beans, broth, and roasted garlic puree. Allow the liquid to boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the liquid is reduced. Season to taste with the Italian herbs and salt; for a little kick, add red pepper flakes.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
First Weigh-In (Drumroll Please!)
I feel like I've eaten very well this first week and I haven't really felt deprived at all. That's one of the reasons I like the South Beach diet -- even though the list of "allowed" foods is relatively small (especially on Phase 1), you can pretty much eat your fill of them, especially vegetables and legumes. I've been trying to find new and interesting ways to prepare these foods, whether it's seasoning summer squash with garlic and grilling it, or sauteing eggplant and onions in curry powder, or cooking lentils and spinach together with cumin. I even made a salad of chickpeas, artichoke hearts, red pepper, and green onions which I ate in lettuce leaves with some garlic & herb soft cheese. Yum! I really love food (how else could I have reached 405 lbs?) and being able to eat well while dieting will definitely help me stick with it longer and NOT CHEAT (cheating is one of the two main things that has sidetracked all my previous diets; lack of willpower was the other. Wait, aren't they pretty much the same thing?) Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming that I will be a saint. Nobody could deny themselves indefinitely. I will splurge from time to time, but this time when I splurge I will plan my splurges and then get right back on the eating plan. For example, my birthday is coming up at the end of the month, and I am going to have cake on my birthday. I will eat right for the rest of the day, I will have my cake, I will send any leftover cake home with my sister and brother-in-law so it won't be in the house (very important detail), and the next day I will go back on Phase 1 for a week to counteract any damage. See? I can totally do this. ;-)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Water, Water Everywhere
As most of you probably know, one of the basics tenets of any weight-loss program is to drink lots of water. The general rule for good health is to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses a day. That works out to between 48 and 64 ounces. That's just for a normal, healthy person to stay properly hydrated. For weight loss purposes, you need to increase your water intake. I've seen different recommendations in different books, including one book which said that you should drink as many ounces of water each day as half your weight in pounds. So let's see, I currently weigh 405 lbs, so I should be drinking 202.5 ounces of water daily? I don't think so. Over the past couple of days I've averaged 140 ounces a day, which means I'm peeing at least once an hour, if not more often (this morning I peed five times in the first four hours I was awake.) It also means that I can't sleep through the night as I'm getting up to pee every two to three hours. The fact that my blood pressure medication contains a diuretic doesn't help matters any. If I'm peeing this much on 140 ounces a day, I can only imagine what would happen if I was drinking 200 ounces -- I'd probably never get out of the bathroom! Well, that's all for now -- I have to go pee again!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
We Have Liftoff!
To the left you see my lovely "before" picture. (To those of you who think I should be smiling: I smiled in the picture that was taken before this one. It looked really goofy.) Here are my current stats:
Weight: 405 lbs; Bust: 60.5 inches; Waist: 60.5 inches; Abdomen: 64.5 inches; Hips: 64.5 inches; Thigh: 32.5 inches; Upper Arm: 18 inches; Body Mass Index (BMI): 61.6.
Weight will be updated every Tuesday, body measurements and BMI will be updated on a monthly basis.
Where I Want To Be
According to those charts that tell you what your ideal weight should be based on your height and gender, my ideal weight is 130 lbs. Highly unlikely. I think the last time I weighed 130 was when I was in 6th grade. So I'm setting my ultimate goal weight at 160 lbs, which is definitely doable. So that means I have to lose 245 lbs all told. However, I'm going to set mini-goals for myself (after all, 245 lbs is a very big number) of 40 lbs at a time -- 10% of my current weight.
How I'm Going To Get There
I am following the South Beach Diet eating plan and will be adding some of the nutritional and lifestyle concepts of the Fiber35 Diet (supplements, metabolism boosts, detoxing.) I am also following the Curves Smart fitness plan. This week I am also doing an herbal cleansing detox to give me a bit of a boost.
Why I Am Doing This
This section is as much for myself as for everyone else: at some point in every diet, there comes a time when I'll get frustrated and will need a reminder of why I'm working so hard at losing weight when it's so much easier, and usually more pleasurable, to dive face-first into a chocolate cake. At that point, I can come back here and read this list.
I am trying to lose weight because:
- I want to get healthy
- I want to travel more, but it's difficult to fit in an airplane at this size; also, when I do travel, I want to be able to walk around and explore the sights
- I want to be able to go to the movies, a show, or a concert without worrying whether I'll fit in the theater seat
- clothes shopping will be much easier when I'm a smaller size
- if I don't do it now, it will just keep getting harder to do
So I guess that's it for now. Check back for regular updates, and keep me in your thoughts!