I'm A Shape Shifter!

It has been 2 months at the gym and guess what?!  There is no miracle happening here, I didn't drastically lose a bunch of weight and change my looks over night.  And this is fine with me, now...I may not have lost as much weight as I wanted to at this point,  but I have changed my shape!  And little by little the weight is starting to budge.  Thank God!  I will admit that I had my moments of "WTF" and pity party times, and I am sure I will have more! But for now, this is working.  Key reminder here is to NOT give up!

                                                                

I started this journey with a goal and a half ass plan of changing the way I live.  That included the food I ate.   Like I said before, I will not be a slave to a (dreaded word) diet.  I will not give up everything I deem good and yummy.  I just have to really make sure I am not indulging too much.   If you think you don't eat too much or that you don't indulge too much, keep track for a week, it will shock you!  I don't think I pig out, but I did realize I was eating more than I needed to.  Its been tough, I am changing things slowly...and slowly changing it with my family, too.  Some things they have gone along with, others...well, I tried! :)  

                                                        

                                                     

This will be my struggle for life, I am aware of this.  But at some point in time, I expect this to become easier.  By that I mean it won't be as hard to resist certain foods and it will be second nature to eat out of necessity and not for pleasure.  Cravings will be a faint memory and so will the size of my body now.   According to my husband, I am not a "large" kind of gal, but I sure do feel it and see it when I look into the mirror.  Maybe it is an image misconception, but when people tell me I am not big I honestly think they are lying.  I KNOW I am not a small lady by any means.  And I really have no desire to me tiny.  I just want to look good, in my own vision and not what the media says is good.

                                                                 

So that is my rant on getting in shape for now.  I am still working at it, and ready to kick it all up a notch.  I am still learning what exercise works best for what and so on.  I am slowly getting the diet healthier and wishing for a body to be proud of soon.  So, if you are doing the same as I, KEEP AT IT!  Do not give up.  This can be done and it is going to one of the hardest things ever, but sooooooooooooooooo worth it!  Until next time...stay active!

To Zumba or Not to Zumba...

...that is the question!  Zumba seems to be a huge hit right now and I have to say I am interested.  But I want to know the pros and cons of Zumba vs. a regular workout.  And not to mention, I cannot dance...so how big of an idiot will I look like during one of these classes.  Everyone boasts the benefits of Zumba, but taking this hour long class will burn about 200 calories less than running on a treadmill for an hour.  I know what you are thinking, most of us wouldn't "run" for an hour anyway...me included.  It's just a comparison. Someday I will be up to that one hour, I hope.  

If they could promise I would look like the women in the above picture, hell yeah I would be at Zumba...twice a day, 7 days a week.  But back to reality, I doubt any of those people were ever over weight.  And I doubt they have to put as much effort in to look the way they do.  I would like to think they huge and obese and this picture was ran through a great photo shop program!  There, now I feel better about myself. :)  

Gyms can be intimidating.  They are filled with buff, lean, fit and toned pretty people.  For me it is a HUGE ego downer at this time.  I am still new (5 weeks strong!), and I feel a bit inadequate at times when I see the others working out.  I know I cannot compare myself to them, but I can't help but to be jealous at times.  The Zumba classes are held in a room just down from the cardio machines in my gym.  I have walked passed there and have seen the classes in action.  There are people from every make and model!  The pro now seems to be that I would fit right in!  

So, pros again: Zumba is a form of interval training and is a good core workout.  It might seem redundant to "dance" every time, but it looks like fun! If you love to dance, (I didn't say can, I said love! lol), this seems like a good choice.  Be warned however, it does not provide fast weight loss and it does not give you strength training.  I think it would be a good option to change up your normal workout.  Add a little spice to you workout life!  I will keep it open as an option for a later date, but for now I will stick with the cardio and weight training.  Let's get this exercise figured out and the body under control and then...

:o)

                                                 

                                  

                                                      

I SEE the Change

                                                      






Well folks, at the end of my 4th week, I SEE a change!  It is not huge and nothing to really brag about in the world of health and fitness, but it is a change!  The weight has not moved much, which still bothers me.  Everyone keeps reminding me that muscle weights more than fat.  Well, I don't think I have done enough just yet to build up any major muscle.  I just think I am s-l-o-o-o-w-l-y losing weight, the way you are suppose to.  They recommend 1 pound a week, and that would be about right for me, (sometimes a pound or 2 more, depends on when I weigh).  

I do have a fear that I am not doing something right, and today my suspicions were confirmed.  I heard from 2 people that I look like I have lost weight in my face!  Damn, I was working out the wrong cheeks!  I knew something was not going right! LOL  OK, it sounded funnier in my head.  I was hoping the weight would just start to fall off, but that is not the case.  I am no longer a 20 something year old, and my metabolism is shot to craps.  But I guess slow and steady is the preferred method.  It looks like I have no choice but to accept it. 

We started weights and it is going OK.  I know it will get easier, and for the most part it is not bad.  There are just a few of them that really kill me right now.  We are only doing one set of 20 on each of the machines for now.  As it becomes easier we can start a second round.  I am anxious to get into the weight a little more.  It is suppose to be a big metabolism booster!  And I need some boosting!!!!

                                                    

The cardio is getting easier, but at the same time, I keep upping it slightly.  Very slightly, lol.  I am in no hurry to break records and I am slowly getting the thoughts out of my head that I need to keep up with others.  I have obviously changed a lot in a few years and it is not a race to get back that point.  I know I CAN do this and WILL do this, just in my own time.  The only thing I grow impatient with is the weight.  I just want to see a BIG change!  But speaking of change, there is some slight changed in my body.  It is in the abdominal area and it is noticeable! :)  

Nothing much else new to report here, just plugging away at this whole health and fitness and looking for the changes.  I have to add that I am so very proud of my family for sticking with this.  My oldest son is doing awesome!  17 and not once has he griped about going.  He just does what needs to be done and makes me so very proud!  My 19 year old daughter is doing good, she usually does well, but if it interferes with her social life, she sometimes slacks at the gym.  Its a process and we are all learning it.  Keep wishing us luck!  

Operation "Weight-Loss" Is Under Way!

We are to the point of my story where I should tell you my starting weight and my goal weight...but I am not going to do that. Let's just say when I step on the scale it begs me to step off.  Although my weight does scare me, it is just a number really.  What matters is how I feel and look.  So, instead of a weight I am picking a size.  I would love to be a size 8, and I will settle for size 10.  Size 10 is a very reachable goal and if by chance I get to the 8, well...GO ME!

So, all this week I have been good with sticking to the plan.  Smaller portions, trying to pick the healthier things and so forth.  I have been eating my favorite frozen lunch entrees, Lean Cuisine all week long.  They were on sale for $1.69!  I am not a big fan of the Weight Watchers meals and Healthy Choice may have one choice that tastes good!  I add some yogurt, piece of fruit, sometimes some carrots and a lot of salads.  Also, pretzels and flavored rice cakes have been good this week.  I know, I know...your mouth is drooling as you read this, please don't be jealous!

I try to take the stairs and hit some extra floors, but it is not happening on a daily basis.  Not due to laziness, there are just some days I do not have the time at work to do that, (and I have no stairs at home, lol).  I would love to have an elliptical...it is low impact, so easy on the joints and gives you are harder work out than a treadmill.  I know I will need more than that eventually, but I figured it would be a great start.  It's just not in the budget at the moment.  

I want to back track a little here...here's the "skinny" on my weight over the years.  I have never been called a rail, a tooth pick or even considered skinny and I never wanted to.  I have however been a healthy size.  Before I started having kids I had a flat tummy and now I have this stretched out, flabby layer of what seems to resemble my stomach.  Since then, I have dreamed of a body that could stop traffic, but not because I couldn't get my ass across the intersection before the light changes!  Ugh...I have gone up and down multiple times, but never once have I been back at my pre-pregnancy.  I would start to do good and  then I would revert to my bad habits.  Something had to give!

Not to make excuses, because I really hate excuses, but in my previous life, I had a very degrading and non-supportive husband.  That made my weight that much more of a challenge.  Well the past is the past and we shall leave that at that...I now have a WONDERFUL husband who compliments me all the time.  In fact, I sometimes have a hard time taking those compliments.  I am getting better at it, but it is also part of my driving force to keep at this and make it happen.  So, here we go...

Now back to the present:  It is tough eating right.  I mean, I know it is great for me and I know that the benefits out weigh the instant gratification we can get from food.  But let's face it, no matter how hard you work at being good  and making smart choice, sometimes you just have to eat the damn Oreo!  That is part of my "modified eating plan".  You can have these forbidden items!  If you deny yourself all the time it will eventually it will consume you.  Its back to the portion control and and not going over board, it does take will power.  If you have already added exercise into your daily routine, maybe some extra workout.  But you can have it.  

I joined Weight Watchers once, once...I did good.  I lost 13 pounds in about 4 weeks.  I followed the points system and went to their meetings, at first.  I worked nights at the time and I was unable to go to my regular meeting so I scheduled one at the meeting place at a mall.  I weighed in, they all clapped and so on.  Then the meeting started.  This lady was complaining that her kids always made brownies and the brownies were taunting her, (what mean brownies they were!)  She goes on to say that she resisted as long as she could.  Then in a moment of weakness after weeks and weeks, she lost it and ate half a pan!  Mind you now, I am thinking back then like I do now.  You cannot always deny yourself. Everyone is looking at her with deep sympathy and she is in tears.  Honestly, I wanted to laugh, how horrible am I?  I piped up and said, "Why didn't you just eat one or half or a bite, something like that?"  OMG!  I had every eye in the place on me and it was not a comfortable feeling.  

You would think telling someone at a WW meeting to eat a brownie was worse than any sin.  They actually booed me, (YES!  For real!)  and explained that you cannot give in, that was like giving up...Bull $h!t!  Whatever people.  At this point, I am plotting in my head the quickest escape route from the mall.  I feared these very hungry and very angry people were going to beat the hell out of me if they could catch me.  I couldn't wait for the meeting to be over!  I sat with my head hung down, not making eye contact with anyone.  At the end I bolted for the door and made to my car in a matter of a minute.  I never went back. 

So, here it is, nearing the end of the first week of taking this serious again.  Maybe I will be brave and post a pick this weekend, so you can see what I am working with here.  This is my record of obtaining my goal.  I hope that my perseverance can inspire some of you!  Until next time...

By the way, here I am before. I can't wait for the after!

                                                  

I Think I Found The Weight You Lost

Guess what!  According to government guidelines, I am overweight!  They are telling everyone to get in shape. Get in shape?  I am in a shape...round is a shape, right?  I'm not fat, I'm fluffy.  I'm just big boned is all.  I just had a baby, (10 years ago), my mommy says I'm perfect and she loves me just the way I am!   Yada yada yada...OK, so I am bigger than I should be and you know what...I am 100% to blame for it.  No one but me made me this way, (although I would like to argue a little about genetics).  I did it!  ME, ME, ME!  Yoohoo, over here!  


The closer I get to 40, the harder this gets.  I am 38 and I do get frustrated and angry with my weight, but not as much as I get with others who blame everyone and everything under the sun for them getting fat! I can say this about blame, when I stopped smoking over 5 months ago, I packed on the extra pounds very well if I do say so myself.  I didn't change the way I ate much, if at all...but by not smoking, my heart rate is lower and my metabolism slowed.  It is still my fault though, lol.  I obviously eat more than my body needs.  Now, the trick is to find that right amount and make it work for me.  


I have lost weight before.  I did a great job!  I lost about 50 pounds, and I am currently in the process of finding it again.  I do not like the word diet, I prefer modified eating plan.  I did most of it with changing my eating habits.  I did not restrict much, it was portion control for the most part.  I had been asking questions and researching all the different weight loss plans out there.  I increased the protein, (leaner protein), I drank water like a fish, I ate 3 meals a day and snacks in between.  I tried my best to increase the fiber, that is one I still have an issue with, lol.  I chose whole grains whenever possible and tried to have dinner gone before 7 or so at night.  I eventually started the add in exercise, and lost more weight, but then for some reason, I just stopped with it all together.  What a dumb ass move on behalf!


Well, here I am again...fluffy, frustrated and ready to make a change.  I want to look good for myself and I want to have a body my husband really wants to check out.  Of course he tells me all the time he thinks I look great, I don't think it would hurt anything to look even better!  Stayed tuned for my progress and see how long I keep my sanity intact!