I know that exercise is an integral part of any weight loss program, but why can't I make myself begin? I have a basement full of exercise equipment including a treadmill, elliptical machine, recumbent bike, full weight set and a Total Gym. You would think that having my own personal gym in my basement would make it easy to exercise, but that has not been the case. The equipment just sits there collecting dust while I come up with excuse after excuse of why I can't exercise today. Here are all of the excuses that I come up with and why they aren't viable excuses:
1- I'm too tired = Of course I'm tired, I am 70+ pounds overweight and carrying that extra weight around everyday is making me more tired than I should be, but exercise would help me lose the weight faster and give me more energy.
2- I'm too busy = I'm not too busy, I'm just bad at prioritizing my schedule. I know plenty of people with busier lives than me, but they always find time to exercise.
3- My back hurts = Again, that 70+ extra pounds are to blame. My back will start feeling better once I lose weight, and I need to exercise to make that happen.
4- I really want to watch this television show = I have a television right next to all of the exercise equipment and watching the show while I exercise would make the time go by faster.
5- I would rather spend time with my husband = He really could benefit from exercise too, so we should go for a walk together.
6- I'll start exercising once I lose more weight = I'd lose weight faster if I would start exercising right now.
7- I'll start exercising once I purchase that new piece of equipment or that new exercise video = I already have an arsenal of exercise equipment to use.
8- I can't exercise in the morning because I'm not a morning person = This one is easy, I need to exercise at night.
9- I can't exercise after I get home from work because I need to cook dinner = I need to prepare my meals in advance and make dinner preparation much easier and faster.
As you can see, I am great at coming up with excuses to prevent me from exercising, but it's time to get real. No more excuses! Exercise, here I come!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Super Bowl = Super Yucky
Ok, so I fell of the wagon today. Actually, it was more like I fell of the wagon, the wagon rolled over me, and then I was hit by another passing wagon. I just didn't have the willpower to resist all of the yummy Super Bowl food, and in the end I ate WAY too much junk food.
Now last Super Bowl I also ate way too much, but that was just the beginning of the binge that I went on. I used it as an excuse to eat crap for the next few weeks, but this year is going to be different. I think that my body might be getting used to eating better food because I feel miserable after eating all of that junk food. I can feel a layer of grease on my tongue and my stomach is churning, and you know what? I don't want to feel like this anymore! My body deserves better!
Tomorrow morning I am going to wait for the wagon, and I am going to jump on with full force. This time I am find a seat and going to buckle myself in, so I don't fall off again.
Now last Super Bowl I also ate way too much, but that was just the beginning of the binge that I went on. I used it as an excuse to eat crap for the next few weeks, but this year is going to be different. I think that my body might be getting used to eating better food because I feel miserable after eating all of that junk food. I can feel a layer of grease on my tongue and my stomach is churning, and you know what? I don't want to feel like this anymore! My body deserves better!
Tomorrow morning I am going to wait for the wagon, and I am going to jump on with full force. This time I am find a seat and going to buckle myself in, so I don't fall off again.
Friday, February 1, 2008
The Window Doesn't Lie
Each morning I endure a barbaric process which I have dubbed the “Morning Mirror Ritual,” and today was going to be no exception. I began the ritual by choosing my daily wardrobe from my dwindling selection of pants—currently 2 pair that fit without fear of busting a seam. I then carefully selected a shirt, that if draped properly, would hopefully camouflage the portion of my stomach that insists on hanging over the top of my pants.
Once I was outfitted in my clothes, I proceeded to the bathroom to present my newly outfitted body to the mirror and hopefully gain acceptance. Some mornings it takes me twenty minutes to pick out an outfit that doesn't leave me wanting to cry. As I stepped in front of the mirror, I stood up straight and turned slightly to the side to catch a glimpse of my rear. The reflection that appeared in the mirror did not look too bad, and at that moment I thought that I sure don't look like I weight 214 pounds. I must carry it well. As I left for work, I was feeling pretty good about myself.
Fast forward to lunch. I left the office to run a couple of errands and also to take a break from the monotony of the job. As I exited the bank and strolled down the street to the bookstore, I caught a glimpse of a “plump” woman in the window of a local clothing store. The woman was slightly hunched over and her shirt had ridden up revealing a large, jolly belly protruding from her pants. It took me a few moments to realize that the overweight woman was my reflection, and I could no longer deny that I had the body shape of PacMan.
Boy, did I catch myself off guard. Had I have known that I would be viewing myself in that window, I would have stood up straight, sucked in my stomach and pulled my shirt down, but then I wouldn't have seen the real me. In the past, I would have been depressed by such an image, but now I am actually inspired by the reflection of myself. The image will remain etched in my memory as a reminder and a motivation to stay with this journey.
Once I was outfitted in my clothes, I proceeded to the bathroom to present my newly outfitted body to the mirror and hopefully gain acceptance. Some mornings it takes me twenty minutes to pick out an outfit that doesn't leave me wanting to cry. As I stepped in front of the mirror, I stood up straight and turned slightly to the side to catch a glimpse of my rear. The reflection that appeared in the mirror did not look too bad, and at that moment I thought that I sure don't look like I weight 214 pounds. I must carry it well. As I left for work, I was feeling pretty good about myself.
Fast forward to lunch. I left the office to run a couple of errands and also to take a break from the monotony of the job. As I exited the bank and strolled down the street to the bookstore, I caught a glimpse of a “plump” woman in the window of a local clothing store. The woman was slightly hunched over and her shirt had ridden up revealing a large, jolly belly protruding from her pants. It took me a few moments to realize that the overweight woman was my reflection, and I could no longer deny that I had the body shape of PacMan.
Boy, did I catch myself off guard. Had I have known that I would be viewing myself in that window, I would have stood up straight, sucked in my stomach and pulled my shirt down, but then I wouldn't have seen the real me. In the past, I would have been depressed by such an image, but now I am actually inspired by the reflection of myself. The image will remain etched in my memory as a reminder and a motivation to stay with this journey.
Monday, January 28, 2008
The State of My Body Address
Dear Readers:
It is with humble gratitude that I write for you tonight. Although I have faced a setback in my life with the gaining of this weight, I promise you that with courage, dedication and detailed planning that I will reach my weight loss goal.
I think back to only ten years ago, before the weight was gained, and I remember a vital, young woman who was ready to conquer the world. That energy and optimism were soon met with the rigor of everyday life, endless fast food and a slowly growing waistline. Soon thereafter, the young vital woman was replaced with the overweight woman that types before you tonight.
The state of my body is overweight, but my attitude and willpower are strong. I vow to you that this burdening weight will not remain on my body, and I will triumph in this battle.
It is with humble gratitude that I write for you tonight. Although I have faced a setback in my life with the gaining of this weight, I promise you that with courage, dedication and detailed planning that I will reach my weight loss goal.
I think back to only ten years ago, before the weight was gained, and I remember a vital, young woman who was ready to conquer the world. That energy and optimism were soon met with the rigor of everyday life, endless fast food and a slowly growing waistline. Soon thereafter, the young vital woman was replaced with the overweight woman that types before you tonight.
The state of my body is overweight, but my attitude and willpower are strong. I vow to you that this burdening weight will not remain on my body, and I will triumph in this battle.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Update - Day 4
Well, here I am on day four of my journey, and I am still hanging in there. I won't lie, I have been feeling quite hungry, but that is probably normal when you start restricting your calories after being used to eating everything in sight. I have this horrible habit of eating until I feel stuffed and that is one of the issues that I need to tackle with myself. Actually, I have quite a few food and eating issues that I need to tackle, but right now I am just focusing on getting my caloric intake within the correct range. I am afraid that if I jump head first into this new lifestyle and change all of my bad habits at once that it will only result in failure. Failure is something that I am not ready for, nor willing to accept, this time around. I am trying to take things one day at a time and slowly transform my eating and exercise habits.
I do not have any idea if I have lost any weight because I am boycotting the scale until Valentine's Day (February 14th). I will admit that it has been quite hard to stay off of the scale, but it seems to be getting easier every day, at least that is what I keep telling myself.
I do not have any idea if I have lost any weight because I am boycotting the scale until Valentine's Day (February 14th). I will admit that it has been quite hard to stay off of the scale, but it seems to be getting easier every day, at least that is what I keep telling myself.
Friday, January 25, 2008
214.2 - Holy @!#%
Do you know what 214.20 is? No, it’s not the amount of my last paycheck. It’s my current weight!!!! How did I come to weigh over 200 pounds? It’s all a blur. It seems like only yesterday that I weighed 180 pounds and I was upset with myself at that weight. What part of me thought that it would be a good idea to gain an additional 34 pounds? Well, I can’t believe that I just posted my weight on a website for the whole world to see. Then again, that was the point of this blog, to keep me accountable.
According to height/weight tables, the ideal weight for a woman of my height (5’5”) is 127-141 pounds assuming that I have a medium-sized frame. I am currently setting my weight loss goal for 140 pounds, but we may need to adjust that up or down in the future. Heck, I would be thrilled to death to currently weigh the 180 pounds that upset me so many years ago. Gee, I only need to lose 74.2 pounds and I will be to my goal weight. This journey may take longer than I thought, but as is the case with most journeys, getting there is half the fun.
My Body Mass Index is currently 35.7 which is considered obese. OBESE, what a horrible word. How about we use the term pleasantly plump or excessively chubby? I like those words much better than obese. I knew that I was overweight, but I wouldn’t have ever thought of myself as obese. Well, now I know.
I have chosen calorie counting as my method of achieving my weight loss. I pondered many other diets, but I decided that in the end it all comes down to calories in vs. calories out, so I might as well cut out the middle man. I have been using a site called Spark People to track the calories that I consume each day. According to their site, I should be consuming between 1240-1590 calories per day to experience moderate weight loss (1-2 pounds) each week. I think back on all of the 1000 calorie breakfasts that I have consumed in the past, and I must bid them farewell. I know for a fact that on many days I would have consumed the entire 1590 calories by lunchtime. After you add a substantial dinner and a couple of snacks to that calorie count, it’s no wonder that I am over weight.
Bye-Bye Mr. Scale...We'll Meet Again on Valentine's Day
I am one of those people that is a slave to their scale. I weigh myself the first thing every morning as I prepare to enter the shower. I don’t know why I have made the scale part of my morning ritual as it only causes me grief. My bodyweight can fluctuate greatly from one day to the next, and when the weight is down I feel great, but when it’s up I feel discouraged.
I have decided that for the first 3 weeks of my weight loss journey that I will not step on the scale once. Boy was that a hard habit to break this morning. I caught myself with one foot on the scale and had to talk myself off of the beast. After all, what harm can one peek at the scale do? A lot of harm, actually. Depending on the outcome of that number, my mood will be set for the day. So for the next 3 weeks, my mood will be set by ME and not the dreaded scale.
What happens after the 3 week weigh in you ask. I have decided that if I don’t see a dramatic change in my weight by then (I am calling 5 pounds dramatic), I may have to take my sister’s advice and try the medically supervised diet that she has done which I call the bouillon diet.
The 3 week weigh in happens to fall on Valentine’s Day. Actually, there could not be a more fitting day for the first weigh in because I am hoping to LOVE what I see on the scale.
I have decided that for the first 3 weeks of my weight loss journey that I will not step on the scale once. Boy was that a hard habit to break this morning. I caught myself with one foot on the scale and had to talk myself off of the beast. After all, what harm can one peek at the scale do? A lot of harm, actually. Depending on the outcome of that number, my mood will be set for the day. So for the next 3 weeks, my mood will be set by ME and not the dreaded scale.
What happens after the 3 week weigh in you ask. I have decided that if I don’t see a dramatic change in my weight by then (I am calling 5 pounds dramatic), I may have to take my sister’s advice and try the medically supervised diet that she has done which I call the bouillon diet.
The 3 week weigh in happens to fall on Valentine’s Day. Actually, there could not be a more fitting day for the first weigh in because I am hoping to LOVE what I see on the scale.
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