Week 17 Weigh In: Falling off the wagon

  by  WKeown 

Previous Weight =166 lbs
Today's Weight = 171.8 lbs
Weight Gained = 5.8 lbs
Total Lost = 8.2 lbs

Wow! I definitely fell off the wagon. I gained 5.8 lbs in the last 3 weeks. I thought I had it all figured out, I was losing weight at a steady rate, eating mostly healthy, and exercising. For the past 3 weeks I've been traveling quite a bit for work and for some family stuff, and when I wasn't following my normal routine I did terribly. I still got a reasonable amount of exercise (although less than normal), but I found myself eating too much junk food and huge portions. It definitely showed on the scale.

What I learned: keeping my normal routine is essential for me to stay on track right now. Now that my life has calmed down a bit, I'm back to it. I obviously have to work on strategies to stay on track when I'm not at home. But, I'm back at it now. I'm recommitting to eating healthy, and I just joined a weight training class to keep me on track with my lifting. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for major weight loss next week.

This week's goals:

• Track my food and exercise daily
• Don't exceed 2,000 calories per day
• Exercise at least 4 days

What are your goals this week? Do you have strategies to stay on track when you're traveling or super busy?

Week 14 Weigh In

Previous Week's Weight =166 lbs
Today's Weight = 166 lbs
Lost This Week= 0 lbs
Total Lost = 14 lbs

by  o5com 

Bummer. I didn't lose any weight this week, but at least I didn't gain any weight either. Hopefully next week will be better. I got back on track with logging my food intake, and counting calories. However, I didn't do a great job sticking to my 2,000 calorie limit. I was closer to 2,200 calories this week. I definitely need to work on that.

Exercise was good this week, and I finally managed to lift weights twice. Here's what I did.

• Saturday: Weights
• Sunday: Tennis
• Monday: Kickball
• Tuesday: Tennis
• Wednesday: Ballet Class
• Thursday: Weights
• Friday: Rest

Last week's goals: I achieved both!

• Lift weights at least twice- I've been trying to get in twice weekly weight lifting sessions for the past couple months, but it's been kind of hit or miss. I'm glad I got it in this week, but I need to really focus on this to make it a habit.
• Log my daily food intake- I logged my food every day- good. But, I went over my calorie limit most days- not so good.

This week's goals:

• Lift weights at least twice
• Don't exceed 2,000 calories per day

What are your goals this week?

October Goals

by  Wildcat Dunny 

 

October is here. Now that fall has arrived I can enjoy all things pumpkin! I LOVE pumpkin! And, it's time to set some new goals. Here's how I did with my September goals, and the plan for October.

September Goals

• Swim at least 10 miles- Done! I got in an extra 1.5 miles for a total of 11.5 miles. Awesome!
• Lose 2 lbs (bringing from overweight to healthy)- Done! I lost 3.6 lbs this month. I exceeded my 2 lb goal, and am now well within the healthy weight range. Super!

October goals

• Lift weights at least 2x per week
• Keep logging my daily calories (I've been a little bit lax with this the last couple weeks)
• Lose at least 2 lbs

I'm very happy with how I did in September. Hopefully October will be just as successful. I haven't been doing a good job of logging my calories for the past week or so. I really need to get back on track with that so that I'll keep losing weight.

What are your October goals? Did you meet your September goals? What is your favorite thing about fall?

Week 13 Weigh In

Previous Week's Weight =168.2 lbs
Today's Weight = 166 lbs
Lost This Week= 2.2 lbs
Total Lost = 14 lbs

by  o5com 

Woohoo! I'm down 2.2 lbs. I'm super happy with that, and honestly, a bit surprised. I usually stick to 2,000 calories per day, but I didn't track my calories this week. I tried to make healthy choices and eat intuitively. And, apparently I did better with it than I though (or I just got lucky this week). It's funny how some weeks when I think I've done terribly I lose a lot of weight. But, other weeks when I working super hard and doing everything right the scale doesn't budge. That's life I guess.

Exercise was great last week. Here's what I did.

• Saturday: Swim- 2 miles
• Sunday: Swim- 2 miles
• Monday: Kickball
• Tuesday: Tennis
• Wednesday: Ballet Class
• Thursday: Swim- 1 miles, lift weights
• Friday: Rest

I'm beginning to think it might be a good idea to schedule my exercise the week before, so that I make sure I get everything in. My ballet classes, tennis matches, and kickball games are usually scheduled in advance. And, I like being able to throw in a swim or lift weights whenever I feel like it. But, I haven't been doing a great job getting them in regularly. I usually have a tentative mental exercise plan, but it may be time to write it down (once it's written down it's harder to cheat). I'm thinking I need a giant whiteboard with a weekly exercise schedule.

Last week's goals: I achieved 1/3- I need to work a bit harder this week.

• Lift weights at least twice- I only went once again this week. I really need to work harder to make this happen at least 2X per week consistently.
• Continue logging my daily food intake- This week was crazy. Many unplanned things came up which made it impossible for me to plan my meals in advance which is what I usually do to hit my calorie target. So, I ended up only tracking my calories one day this week. But, I tried to make healthy choices, and practice intuitive eating. I was expecting this to show on the scale this week, but instead I lost 2.2 lbs. Awesome! I'm going to go back to logging calories this week, but it gives me hope that I will eventually be able to maintain without counting calories.
• Swim at least two times- I did great with swimming this week. I went for 3 swims this week (2- 2 mile swims, and 1 1-mile swim). I feel really good about this one.

This week's goals:

• Lift weights at least twice
• Log my daily food intake

What are your goals this week? Do you plan your exercise for the week in advance? What do you use to plan your exercise schedule (i.e. a whiteboard, calendar, in your head, an app, nothing)?

Week 12 Weigh In

Previous Week's Weight =168.6 lbs
Today's Weight = 168.2 lbs
Lost This Week= 0.4 lbs
Total Lost = 11.8 lbs

by  o5com 

I'm 0.4 lbs down this week. I'm pretty happy with that. The weight is coming off slowly (averaging just under a pound a week), but as long as it keeps coming off I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing. I'm actually a bit surprised I lost weight at all. I was just ravenous all week, and while I was eating pretty healthy, I was eating around 2,300 calories a day instead of my usual 2,000. I must have been working harder with all that tennis than I thought.

My exercise was pretty good this week. I only got in one weight training session instead of 2. But, I played 3 days of tennis, one kickball game, and while I only swam one day it was a solid 3 mile swim.

Last week's goals: I achieved 2/3- better luck this week.

• Lift weights at least twice- Oops! I only went once. We'll try this again this week.
• Continue logging my daily food intake- I did a good job with this.
• Swim at least 3 miles- I got this in. I did it in one monster swim, but it worked.

This week's goals:

• Lift weights at least twice
• Continue logging my daily food intake
• Swim at least two times

What are your goals this week?

Week 11 Weigh In

Previous Week's Weight =168.6 lbs
Today's Weight = 168.6 lbs
Lost This Week= 0 lbs
Total Lost = 11.4 lbs

by  o5com 

I didn't lose any weight this week. I'm OK with that. I rocked it with exercise this week, and ate pretty well too. The weight isn't coming of quickly, but it is coming off. I was super excited this week to find that I'm down one pants size. My formerly too small jeans fit again. Yay!

And, I'm doing great with exercise. I'm staying super active. This week included two swims, a day of canoeing, a kickball game (yeah, it's awesome), a ballet class, a tennis match, and weightlifting (only once- it should have been at least twice).

This week's goals:

• Lift weights at least twice
• Continue logging my daily food intake
• Swim at least 3 miles

What are your goals this week?

Week 10 Weigh In: A Healthy BMI

Previous Week's Weight =169.6 lbs
Today's Weight = 168.6 lbs
Lost This Week= 1.0 lbs
Total Lost = 11.4 lbs

by  o5com 

I'm down 1 lb this week. Awesome! Even better than that, I am now at a healthy BMI. I'm never going back to overweight. Woohoo! But, I do want to lose a bit more. I'm glad I managed to lose weight even with labor day weekend this week and the barbecues that went with it. I'm getting better at eating healthy foods at events like that, and allowing myself to really enjoy a reasonable amount of junk food (without going over my calorie limit). This week was definitely a success!

I got plenty of exercise this week too. Two tennis matches, two ballet classes, two days of lifting, and 1 swim. Just 11.4 lbs down, and I'm already feeling better, faster, and stronger. It's fantastic. I do need to kick up my swimming a bit. September's goal is to swim at least 10 miles. So, I need to swim more often or make my weekly swim longer (~3 miles). I'm off to the pool now. I'm planning a 2 mile swim, so I'm getting closer to my 10 mile goal.

Happy Saturday Everyone! Enjoy the weekend!

Are you meeting your September goals? Do you need to make any adjustments so you can reach them?

Week 9 Weigh In

Previous Week's Weight =169.8 lbs
Today's Weight = 169.6 lbs
Lost This Week= 0.2 lbs
Total Lost = 10.4 lbs

by  o5com 

I didn't lose much weight this week, but I'm down 0.2 lbs, so I'm going in the right direction. I'll take it, and hope for more next week. I did OK with my eating and calorie counting this week, but there were a few major exceptions. I spent last Saturday at the State Fair eating junk. Less than I normally would have, but more than I  needed. Sometimes you just have to enjoy yourself, and I did (If you haven't had it before, chocolate covered bacon is delicious). I also had two work dinners at restaurants this week (who don't have nutrition information available). The food was wonderful, and the restaurants were much nicer than where I can typically eat on my grad school budget. I tried to make healthier selections from the menu, but I probably went a bit over my 2,000 calorie limit because I didn't know what was in the food. This week's goal: stay under my calorie limit every day (even with the labor day weekend BBQ coming up today).

Exercise was great this week. The weather has been perfect here. It's cooled down just a bit, and is now perfect for being outside. I got in 3 tennis matches, 1 kickball game, and 2 weight training sessions. I'm really starting to enjoy strength training, and I think I'm starting to see some triceps. If I keep this going I'll be super buff in no time. And, ballet classes start again this week after a break. It will be really nice to dance again, I was really starting to miss it.

It's a new month, so it's time to set some September goals.  I haven't spent as much time in the pool lately as I would like. So, September's goal is to swim at least 10 miles this month. Also, I'm only 0.3 lbs away from a healthy BMI. By the end of the month I will no longer be overweight. My goal is to lose at least 2 lbs this month.

Happy Saturday everyone! And, enjoy the long weekend (if your in the States)!

What are you September fitness and weigh loss goals?

Week 7 Weigh In

Previous Week's Weight =169.4 lbs
Today's Weight = 170.4 lbs
Gained This Week= 1 lbs
Total Lost = 9.6 lbs

by  o5com 

Oops! I'm going the wrong direction this week. I gained 1 pound. Time to get back on track. I haven't been tracking my calories, and it's obviously not working for me. So, I start counting calories again tomorrow.

At least I did well with exercise this week. Four tennis matches, and 3 days of strength training. I think I'm even beginning to see some new muscle definition from my new strength training routine. So, that's awesome. I'll be looking super strong and toned in no time. ;-)

I need to recommit myself to losing the weight.

This week I will:

1. Eat less than 2,000 calories per day
2. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day.
3. Exercise at least 5 days.

 Hopefully this will show on the scale. Check back here next week to see weight lost.

Friend Makin' Monday

Happy Monday Everyone! On Monday Kenlie over at All the Weigh hosts Friend Makin' Monday. How does it work? She posts questions on her blog. You answer them on your own blog, and then post a link at on All the Weigh. So, here are my answers. If you want to participate answer these questions on your own blog, and post the link in the comments of Kenlie's blog.

Goals and More

1. Brag about some of your daily, healthy habits.  I stopped drinking soda, and juice. And, I work hard to eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day of at least 3 different colors.

2. Do you track your daily food intake? If so, how? Yes, I count calories using the free tools at Fitday. I stay under 2,000 calories a day (most of the time). I also try to get 100% of the recommended amount of calcium and iron (they tend to be a bit low if I don't pay attention to it).

3. What do you want to change most about your daily routine?  I want to start doing morning workouts, especially morning swims. I'm a night owl, and I really don't like to get up earlier than I have to in the morning. But, I think it would be easier to get my workouts in if I got them out of the way in the morning. And, I feel great all day after a morning workout.

4. How often do you exercise?  At least 4 days a week. I usually try to do 6.

5. How do you stay on track when you’re on the go? I cook a bunch of huge meals on the weekend and freeze them in individual portions. Then when I'm headed out the door in the morning I can just grab a couple meals out of the freezer and go.

6. What’s one excuse you use that prevents you from reaching your goals?  That since getting adequate sleep is so important for weight loss, on busy days I can skip my workout to mace sure I get adequate rest. While sleep is important, I need to prioritize exercise to be successful. And, once I skip a workout it's hard to get back into the routine.

7. What scares your most about your journey? That I  will become one of those lifelong yo-yo dieters. I just hope I don't forget how important it is to keep up this healthy lifestyle.

8. What do you think will change most when you reach your goal? (If you have reached it, what’s different?)  I will feel better about my body, and confidently wear a bikini to the beach. And, I will be setting myself up for a healthy life with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases.

9. What motivates you to reach your goals?  I want to be as healthy as I can be, and more confident. It is much easier to be active and enjoy sports and outdoor events without carrying around extra pounds. Also, I'm worried that if I don't get my weight under control now it will just continue to climb.

10. Share a few of your goals. 

• Lose weight in a healthy way and reach my goal weight by 6-30-2013
• Track daily food intake and exercise
• Stay under 2,000 calories per day
• Do exercise I enjoy at least 4 days per week
• Don't eat vending machine food
• Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies each day
• No soda or sweetened beverages (except hot cocoa)