365 Days to a Better Looking Me

Getting Back on Track

2012-09-01T17:10:00.002-07:00

Current Weight: 207

Sadly, I accidently deleted one of my previous posts! Sorry! So, since my last post, my weight loss challenge has become a little more difficult. I was still unable to workout after my surgery, but had a full appetite back and increased tolerence to fat. Of couse, rather than enjoying a couple indulgant moments, I went a little crazy with the foods that got me to this weight in the first place (potato chips, pizza, etc.). I have gained 2 pounds. In the grand scheme of things, I guess 2 pounds isn't that bad, but it's not the direction that I want (and need) those numbers on the scale to be going. Fortunately, I have been able to start working out again. I really need to get back on track again. I'm trying to start the same way I did before. Beginning this week, the major challenge that I'm going to try to take on is keeping ALL nutrients within my healthy limits. I know that this is going to be a BIG challenge, but I think it will really make me think twice while I'm planning my meals or what I'm putting in my mouth! Myfitnesspal.com calculates these limits based on your height and weight. Based on other things I've been rearching, I think they might be a little off, but they're good guidelines to try to follow. The week, my biggest goals are to stay within my fat and sugar goals. Obviously fat and sugar are 2 of the biggest factors in weight gain/loss. Sugar converts to fat, and we all know that fat is what we're trying to lose! Now that I'm feeling almost 100% again, I will be back updating on new strategies, successes, and set-backs every week. Thanks for reading & happy weight loss!

Week 3 & Counting

2012-08-08T12:23:00.003-07:00

Current Weight - 205
Total Weight Loss - 15 lbs.

Well, the good news is that I have lost about 15 pounds! The bad news is that it was because of an unfortunate medical situation. I was hospitalized for almost 2 weeks! I suppose that if I had to go through it, I at least deserve for something good to come out of it :) The reason for my prolonged hospitalization was gallstones and and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). I don't wish either on ANYONE, they're both awful! Both have special diets, and they are both low fat diets. I also can't eat quickly (not that I did before), and my portions have to be very small. At first, this wasn't a problem because I didn't have much of an appetite, but now that my appetite has returned a little, it has changed my eating habits significantly. My actual meals need to be very low fat and small. Well, I'm still a big girl and am hungry like, all the time. So, I end up having quite a few snacks. I obviously need to keep those really low-fat as well. Low-fat snacks are typically recommended for good weight loss plans anyway, so this is a lifestyle change that will be good for me. Because I have been out of commission, I don't have much to update, but hopefully in the next couple weeks with the lifestyle changes and adding a tiny little bit of exercise (only as I'm able), I'll have more to update and weight to lose!

Week 1

2012-07-10T20:37:00.004-07:00

Weight - 220 lbs.
Waist - 39 inches
Hips - 49 inches
Left Arm - 13 inches
Right Arm - 14 inches
Left Thigh - 30.5 inches
Right Thigh - 30.5

Well, I have attempted to lose a significant amount of weight in the past, did wel for a while, and then immediately went back to my old ways only to gain it back or to gain MORE back. Today, I was on Pinterest (how was it that I didn't jump on the Pinterest train until last week? It's SO AWESOME!) and I ended up on a site with beautiful bodies, but inspiring thoughts/motivations. Usually, when I see women with amazing bods say "You can do it too" I want to cut a bitch, but for some reason, I was cool with this one. It is my hope that once I start blogging about my weight loss "journey" (I really hate that word, but it's appropriate) and TONS of lovely people start looking to me for inspiration (that will happen, RIGHT?!) and I am mortified that I have let myself get to this point and will now be sharing it for the world, I will feel like I really have to stick with it. I know that once I get to where I want to be, I will maintain it, but getting there is a shitty process. But I digress...Here is a list of the resources I am or will be using:

* MyFitnessPal - a FREE online calorie tracker with tons of built in foods and restaurant dishes. Also, the app (also free) has a fantastic option to scan a barcode. It's really great!

* iHeartRate app - I think this was like $2.99 or something like that. I like this because it estimates your calories burned based on your heart rate, which is way more effective and accurate than a random estimate you find online (they can vary DRASTICALLY)

* Jillian Michaels' Online Workout & Meal Planner (http://www.jillianmichaels.com/) - This has a meal and fitness plan based on your current fitness levels and estimated metabolism type - I think this comes out to about $16/month and there's a 1 week free trial.

Because it will not be all that interesting to hear what I eat or don't eat on any given day, I will be updating once a week with new weight, measurements, awesome recipes, workouts, etc. that I find. I saw a terrific saying from a Nike watertower that said "You said tomorrow yesterday" - Not anymore. I will look and feel the way I want to look and feel starting TODAY!