Friends and Weightloss

I have a friend named Kristin that has been my friend since 4th grade. I know, how crazy is that, I didn't know we could still have friends that long. She posted this on her blog the other day and I thought you all should read it.

http://whereverthere.com/2011/07/28/confessions-of-food-obsessions/

I find it very applicable to how I feel right now. I would like to lose anywhere between 15-20 more lbs and I am at a complete loss of how to get it done.

The kids are back in school and a routine is slowly being put into place. My toddler, Sicily, has preschool twice a week for 2 hours, to which I am dedicating to exercise: Zumba, Running and Weight Training. I am currently training for a Marathon which I will run in Baton Rouge, LA on December 3rd. So I feel that I am heading in the right direction exercise wise, but I am clueless, it feels like, when it comes to healthy eating and loving it.

I do NOT want to diet. I want to BE healthy. I want to EAT healthy always, and be able to stick to that for the rest of my life. Any of us can diet and lose, but how many can stick with it and keep it off.

That's the ultimate goal.

Food and Exercise

For dinner last night we had a healthy fair of homemade chili and cornbread. It was all so good and healthy and filling. But then we had some desert of not so good for you chocolate cake with ice cream and hot chocolate sauce.

After a few hours I got the kids to bed then went for a run. I know it's humid in Houston, Texas, where I live, but I think my feelings were due more to the food that I ate than to the humidity. I felt like junk. I only ran 3 miles but the last mile, heading for home, all I could think about was that chocolate cake and how much better I would feel about this run if I could just throw it up. Yuck! You should never feel that way about your food.

Food should be a source of fuel. Something that makes your body want to go further and longer.

I'm training for a Marathon and I'm realizing if I'm going to do this right, food has to be a part of my training. I can't be eating 3 slices of pepperoni pizza or a big ol' hunk of cheesecake right before I head out for a run. That being said, it's ok to eat that pizza, just not 3 slices. 1 slice is more than enough to fuel your body for a run. 3 slices will just run you down, just like my chocolate cake did.

If you want to perform to your optimal level, whether training for a race or just making it through a day with your kids, you have to give your body what IT NEEDS not what YOU WANT. Because, I don't care what you say, you can't tell me your body WANTS that 3rd slice of pizza. Your body knows what it NEEDS so listen to it and you'll be much better for it.

Exercise

There are times when exercise is the last thing I want to do. I'm finding if I don't get it done first thing in the morning I have a huge struggle of finding the time to do it during the rest of the day. There's something to be said for "early to bed, early to rise." If you get up early enough, get that exercise done and out of the way you can just move on with the rest of your day and not even have to worry about anything. More sleep means more energy means more exercise and desire to do so.

What to Eat

I do have a very intense sweet tooth. But I've learned a few things over the past few days. You really can eat whatever you want. Have that Chocolate Chip Cookie with some Ice Cream. Have that buttery syrup all over your pancakes.

But there's one rule: 1 serving

You may look at that one serving and think, "Man! That's nothing, I should take more now and just be done with it." But wait!

Eat that one small serving, and then wait. Wait 10-30 mins if you have to. Drink water in between and find something to occupy your time. And I guarantee after that 10-30 mins you really won't want a second helping. You'll be happy and satisfied by what you had. AND you'll be happy and satisfied with yourself for making the right choice.

Fasting Sunday

I've read that fasting periodically is good for your body. You're able to stop the junk and your body can focus it's energy on the important nutrients. I like to fast for my body. I'm able to focus on my body and what it really needs.

The most interesting part of fasting to me is what my body craves at the end of the day.

1. Water
2. Bread
3. Fruit (usually apples)

I've always said I'm a sugar addict. But I think the things you crave after you fast is really what your body wants/needs. Your body knows what is in food so it naturally craves certain things. I'm trying to focus more of my daily cravings to be the things I crave after I fast.

Water being #1 on my list every time I fast says a lot to me. When I'm done fasting the first thing I do is drink 2-3 12 oz glasses of ice cold water. It's so satisfying to me. I can literally feel it run through my veins. It's the coolest thing. I could probably go a few more hours of fasting after I've had that water, because I literally don't crave anything after that.

Fasting is good for you in many levels. Physically and Spiritually.

In the Spiritual sense I am grateful for Fast Sundays. Once a month I focus my energy on the Lord and do my best to receive revelation from him. When you fast with a purpose it's always easier. And when you have a purpose you focus your energy and thoughts not on food and your hungry belly, but instead on the tasks/problems/solutions at hand. I never fail to be spiritually filled and my questions answers or my burdens lighter when I fast with a purpose.

It Still Works

Exercise and good eating really does work. I mean who do you know that eats junk for almost 4 weeks strait, gains 5 lbs, then in 2 days time can loose 3 1/2 of those lbs. And yes, I am eating enough calories for my body.

Good healthy exercise and good healthy food really do work.

Back on the Wagon

Back to work as my Graph will show you. We just spent 3 1/2 wonderful weeks visiting family. Had such a great time. But I seriously gained 5 lbs! Not a good thing.

So to start things off right my first day back I went to an hour long class of Zumba. Loved every minute of it. For my second day back I did a 4 mile run in 36 mins. Looking good so far. And from just eating correctly for 1 day, yesterday, I lost 2 of the 5 lbs I'd gained.

I've been charting my calories at www.myfitnesspal.com It is an excellent website that has really made me aware of what I should be eating. I can still have whatever I want, but you have to watch those calories. 5 cups of watermelon will always have less calories than that slice of cheesecake. It's just math. Calories in, calories out.

Weight Loss?

The weight has not come off for quite some time now. But I've started to notice when I don't exercise I get rather soft, especially around the middle, but my arms too. So EXERCISE is key! Obviously I need to eat healthy just for healths sake. But I know I can and will look and feel stronger the more I challenge myself and exercise EVERY day.

3 Months and Counting

I have 3 months to go. 3 months until I see my in-laws. I dread that the most. Those are the ones I want saying, "Wow, You look awesome!" Even still I don't think they'll say it. They all have a heck of a time giving compliments. But I'll see it in their eyes. I'll see that I can prove it, and show them.

I know that sounds prideful and whatever. But it's how I feel. Jared and I have been struggling in our marriage, struggling with our weight and all the issues that go with that. And I'm ready to show that it can be fixed, it all can be fixed.

I really do hate spending extended periods of time with Jared's family. We always fight more when we're with them. It's like we have to conform to their way of life, and be the same kind of family that they are. Which to be honest is kind of messed up. And Jared changes a lot when we're around them. I hate it.

I love when we leave though. I love getting my real husband back, not having the fake one that has to put on some face for his family. Man, I hate that!

3 months though, I'm treating it like I'm training for a Marathon. If I do all I can do EVERY DAY, in the end it will be enough. I know it will.

Eating Right

My weight loss has been at a stand still for about 4 months now. I didn't realize it had been that long. So I've started to really watch what I eat again. I love to exercise, yes, it makes me stronger but it doesn't seem to make me loose weight. My eating habits do though. I loose weight when I eat less and eat right. Why waste calories on a chocolate cookie when you can have over 5 slices of watermelon for the same calories and be WAY more satisfied and not feel guilty in the least.

If you eat right, you loose weight! Simple as that.

I love Exercise

I really do love working out. I feel like I'm reaching my goals. I'm happier because I feel healthier. I love looking in the mirror as I lift weights and watching my muscles work. I feel I'm accomplishing more than I have in a long time.

It's Working

A few months back I went through a traumatic experience and lost a lot of weight because if it. I was not eating, literally. I've thought since Christmas that the only way I can lose weight is to do that again. Not eat. That is not good. That is not healthy.

I've joined a new website. www.myfitnesspal.com It's great! It tracks my calories in and calories out in order for me to loose weight. And it's working. In the 7 day's I've been tracking and counting calories I've lost 3 lbs. 3!!!

I've decided this is just what Weight Watchers does. It helps you become aware of what you eat. You can still eat what ever you want you just have to factor that in to your daily calories. 1 cookie, not 10.

It's just math.
220 calories for a bowl of Multi Grain Cheerios with Milk
370 calories for a Glazed Donut with Hot Chocolate.

It's all about making healthier choices.