2011 Resolutions

Ok. I read about something in an article in the paper recently that I am going to begin modeling. For nearly 3.5 years (note that is roughly the age of my one and only child) I have been attempting to lose weight. More accurately, this began BEFORE I had Little Ms. C and I just gave up when I got pregnant.

The article shared the story of a woman who turned her life around by committing to exercise and blogging about it. A la an amiga of mine who shall remain linkless (you know who you are Triathalon Mama)and my rockin' chica Kate, you may find more exercise posts than I have had in the past. I need something, SOMETHING, to keep me on track. I have tried a number of things and just can't seem to keep the pounds off. So, we'll try this.

Resolution #1: My intention is to exercise 5 days a week at minimum. I have been given the approval to begin a return to run program from my PT and I swear I am going to get back on that horse.

Resolution #2: Stop stepping on the damn scale. A number of articles I have read recently tell me not to focus on a weight goal. That is very hard for me as I have the "magic number" constantly floating around in my head. I am, what you may call, an obsessive weigher. Those numbers keep me moving. But they also depress me. A lot.

Resolution #3: Stop buying clothing. (this, btw also relates to another resolution I have to stop spending so much darn $$) I get depressed when I buy clothing. Yet I shop and shop and shop. Maybe if I stopped buying the clothing and went shopping after I lost the weight I wouldn't feel like such a fat ass. And let me tell you, my ass is getting fat.

Resolution #4: Track calories. This will be the one that flies out the window first, folks. (How's that for dedication?) I just find it a pain in the ass to measure out my food and jot it down somewhere. I don't eat out of boxes as I am blessed with a husband who cooks. Therefore, most of what I eat isn't in a convenient drop down list on Spark.com. So I guess. And I get pissed and I drop it b/c for heaven's sake this is a pain in the rear. If anyone has any ideas on a better way to do this - I'd love to hear them.

I'd love to hear if anyone has any success stories to share with either a)sticking with new year resolutions or b)losing weight. I'm all ears (and flab).

A new goal = lose 10-15 lbs

I went to meet a nutritionist yesterday. I've been off the wagon for quite some time and my continued hip issues haven't helped much. I find excuses to not exercise. Which all leads to weight gain, which furrther exacerbates the hip issue.

So I took the first step and decided that I needed some guidance on how to eat better. Really, I know what I should and shouldn't eat. What I need is accountability. I'm blessed that my company contracts with a nutritionist and my visit to her was at no cost. I return to her in two weeks and in the meantime I am logging everything I eat.

We spent 30 minutes chatting about my eating habits and where I need to make adjustments. Overall, she wasn't disappointed in me, but I need to make some pretty definite changes - like upping the fiber intake by another 5-10 grams a day. You'd think that would be easy... but I've also been put on a 1400/day calorie goal. So I've obviously got to cut a bunch of other non-helpful stuff out of my diet. In addition, I need to change my snacking from a single carb or single protein to a combo. And I have to drop a snack unless I am working out that day.

Yesterday didn't go as well as I would have liked - I ended up over 1400 but hopefully not by too much. My dear hubby already went grocery shopping and stocked me up with dried fruits, nuts, string cheese and fresh veggies from the farmer's market. I packed myself some snacks for the week and hope that having them readily available will stop me from choosing less healthy alternatives.

Typically, it takes my body roughly a week to adjust. And I get a bit hangry (hungry+angry). The next several days are going to be tough as I am giving blood tomorrow (need more than 1400 calories so I don't faint when I get off the chair), I am getting together with some pals on Saturday and have a graduation party on Friday. I just need to stay focused and not go overboard.

This whole weight thing

I'm debating... join WeightWatchers or not? I've picked up the pamphlet at work as there is a group that meets on campus and I've checked out the online option. I just can't seem to pull out my wallet and actually pay for it. Seems like I should be able to freaking do this on my own. I'm only looking to lose 10-15 lbs. For crying out loud, I know what I should and shouldn't be eating. Yet somehow it all goes down the tube into my ever-expanding tummy (and hips).

Interestingly, after my hip/back injury (fyi, jury is still out on what that whole thing might be) I seemed to lose weight. Funny. My guess.... muscle weighs more than fat and all that lovely toning I was doing while running 20-25 miles a week went to hell in a handbasket. While the scale may say one thing, my mind says another. It is only a matter of time before that number climbs its way back up. At least I still qualify to give blood, eh?

This whole only-recumbant-bike-or-swimming thing is just not working, despite my enjoyment of being able to read while working out (on the bike, not in the pool). You won't catch me at the pool unless I am toting around my toddler with other moms. At least most of us are carrying the same fat tire around our hips.

And the holidays are coming. And I like to bake. And I have ZERO willpower. Damn it.

938

This is how many calories I can take in during the day if I want to lose 2 lbs a week. Crap. I think I might have already taken that in today. 938. WTF?

I have been 'trying' to lose weight and seriously need to do something before I learn we have been given the green light for the TC 10. I do not want to be carrying around this extra 10 lbs while running. My knees took enough of a beating last spring with the extra 25 lbs from the pregnancy.

Today I go run with a coworker and am not all that excited. Ms. C did not have a good night and was restless, meaning mom did not sleep and was equally restless. When I got up at 4am to tell Pete to come to bed, the cat puked. I mean really. Can't a girl just get some sleep.

How this turned into a post about sleep I don't know....

Anyway. My point is, I will have to figure out what I can to do get back on track. No more sweets after dinner. Smaller portion sizes and I'm seriously considering dropping my weight training and adding back in the cardio. I hate to stop lifting, as I do enjoy that activity, but with only running 2, sometimes 3 days a week, I will not be prepared for any race. Urgh. This getting old thing sucks.