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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

April 2013 Stats & May Goals

Starting weight : 181.6 lb

Ending weight : 177.8 lb

Change : 3.8 lb lost (average 0.9lb lost per week)

This time last year : 164.6 lb



My goal for April was to lose about 1lb per week.  I came pretty darn close to that, so I'm happy with the progress that I've made.  I'm less than 10lbs away from pre-pregnancy weight, so that's pretty great in my mind.  Since I've been back in the gym for the last two weeks and will be the entire month of May, I will have a slightly higher goal.  I'm going to aim for 5lbs during the whole month, so about 1.2lbs lost each week average.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Weigh-in for 4/27/2013

Last weigh-in (4/20/2013) : 179 lb

This weigh-in (4/27/2013) : 177.8 lb

Change : 1.2 lb lost


Total loss postpartum : 22.6lb of 32.4lb gained 

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 22.8 lbs


I am more than pleased with this week!  I literally ate out at least once every day except two days this past week, due to being home and other circumstances.  I only made it to the gym once this week, but I made sure to make it count.  I finally made it through the full 33 minute cycle on the elliptical, at 75% of my normal (pre-Europe) capacity, but making it to the end was important.  In that one workout, which included elliptical, stationary bike, and weight machines, I burned over 450 calories, when I normally on burn about 300.  So in one trip, I did enough for half my normal weekly burn.

A small accomplishment this week was fitting into some of my fat clothes that weren't maternity.  I downsized my undies from XLs (yikes) to larges and was able to fit into my "fat" pants that I wore the fall after Brady was born.  It really helps your mindset to start getting into smaller clothes (albeit still large) so you know your hard work is paying off.  I almost can't wait for two more weeks so I can see where my measurements are.  The last set I took was the day before I went back to the gym, so I'm sure I'll see some improvement.

I can't tell you how glad I am that I didn't gain as much with Izzie that I did with Brady.  I started 5lbs heavier, but gained 20lbs less, putting me at 15lbs less than Brady on delivery day.  Comparing where I am now with how long it took me to get here after Brady makes me feel pretty good about myself. I'm 8 weeks postpartum today and I was 6 months postpartum when I got to this weight with Brady.  That's almost four months difference!

As for Andy, he has made zero change in the last two weeks.  His problem is that he isn't tracking what he eats.  He's been to the gym twice a week since we joined, but I know from experience, you can work out all you like and if you still eat badly, nothing happens.  If he still has no change next week, I'll be reviewing his tracking at the end of each day.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Weigh-in for 4/20/2013

Last weigh-in (4/13/2013) : 179.4 lb

This weigh-in (4/20/2013) : 179 lb

Change : 0.4 lb lost


Total loss postpartum : 21.4lb of 32.4lb gained 

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 24 lbs 


This week's weigh-in is a little late because we decided to make a last-minute trip home and only got back last night.  I did take it upon myself to weigh-in instead of skip it because of being on the road.  I was down lower earlier in the week, but being in the car for 4.5 hours and eating fast food the night before weigh-in always take a toll.

My big accomplishment of the week was going to the gym three times!  I definitely have a way to go to get back to where I was pre-Germany in terms of endurance, but it's a step in the right direction.  It certainly felt fantastic though.  My biggest challenge of the week was eating all of my points.  Exercise makes it even harder, as I feel like I should eat at least half of what I earn in order not to lose my milk supply.  I typically plot out what I'll eat for my three main meals the night before so I can piece the day together based on dinner.  I found that many days, I'd plan out all three meals and still have 17 points plus to have to eat (before having to eat any activity points earned).  It's difficult to find things to eat for that many points as most of our snacks are low in points and I'd be eating all day long to reach that goal.  It's a totally different mindset than I'm used to and I don't know if it will get easier as time goes on.  I guess I should enjoy it now, because when I'm done breastfeeding, my daily target will go back to 26 points plus (it's at 43 now) and I'm sure I'll be whining about not having enough points to eat.

This week will be a bit more of a challenge and I don't know how it's going to turn out.  We were out of town for 3.5 days and ate out at least once each day.  I didn't track past Saturday, so I'm sure I've used all my weekly extra points.  Also, being out of town means I'm not going to get in as much gym time.  Andy's schedule this week will limit it even more, to the point where I will likely only get to the gym once between this past weigh-in and this coming weigh-in.  All I can do is track now and look forward.

Monday, April 15, 2013

April 2013 Measurements

Hips
  •  Last month (3/23/2013) - 48 inches
  •  This month (4/13/2013) - 47 inches

Waist
  •  Last month (3/23/2013) - 37.5 inches
  •  This month (4/13/2013) - 36 inches 
 
Thighs
  •   This month (4/13/2013) - 24.5 inches each


Taking measurements is just as important as weighing yourself because results tend to show differently based on activity level and diet.  In my mind, the measurements matter more than the weight because I'd rather fit in smaller clothes than see a super low number.

I've often mentioned that measurements and weight don't go hand in hand as you can put on weight differently each time you gain.  I am seeing this with my most recent gains via Germany and pregnancy.  The last time I was at these measurements was when I weighed 189.6lbs, almost exactly 10lbs higher than where I am now.  The last time I was at my current weight (179.4), my hips were 45.5 inches and my waist was 34 inches. 

Since my hope is to be below pre-pregnancy weight before the beach (where I was also comfortable in my bikinis), I not only have to hit the weight but the inches to be completely comfortable.  The summer I was at that weight and wearing my bikinis, my hips were 42.5 inches and my waist was 30.5 inches.  In order to get to those stats, I need to lose 4.5 inches off my hips and 5.5 inches off my waist in the next three months.  Hopefully, being back in the gym will help me meet that goal.
 

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Weigh-in for 4/13/2013 ~ Back in the 170s!!!

Last weigh-in (4/6/2013) : 181 lb

This weigh-in (4/13/2013) : 179.4 lb

Change : 1.6 lb lost


Total loss postpartum : 21lb of 32.4lb gained 

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 24.4 lbs 


I tracked every single day this week and the weight loss shows it.  I'm very happy with the number I'm seeing this week, especially since I'm back into the 170s.  I am at the same weight 6 weeks after having Izzie that I was 5 months after having Brady.  This gives me hope of making it not only to my pre-pregnancy weight sooner, but getting back to my WW lifetime weight in a timely fashion.  

I get a three month grace period to get back to lifetime weight, which I saw as completely impossible due to the 20lbs gained in Germany.  I was pleased to learn that the ladies at the front desk today decided to start my grace period as my first weigh-in, which was last week.  I now have until July 6, instead of June 3.  Losing 22.4 (I can be back at lifetime 2lbs above my goal weight) in 12 weeks is much more reasonable.  I won't expect myself to reach it by July 6, but hopefully be as close as possible.

Andy decided to cancel his WW membership and track on a $0.99 iPhone app.  I was fine with that, but decided he needed a level of accountability to make him track and stay on track.  I suggested posting his weights here along with mine each week so that it was there for the world to see and he agreed.  This was the first week he weighed himself (after tracking all week).  His weight was 225lbs.  It's stayed pretty stable since returning home from Europe and he's eager to get back where he was when we left (around 190lbs).

Andy has been bothering me to join a gym since we moved to Michigan (he also gained weight in Germany).  I worked out until I hit 6 weeks pregnant at my old YMCA in Pittsburgh, but that's when I started to feel pretty yucky and became glued to the couch.  Joining a gym while pregnant seemed like a waste of money, so we agreed to wait until I was 6 weeks postpartum and cleared for physical activity by my doctor.  That appointment was yesterday and I'm good to go.

We had already set up the appointment to tour the Lifetime Fitness two blocks from our house.  It was much nicer than any other gym we've been to (and a bit pricier as well).  The huge draw to this gym as opposed to others was that they offer child care.  That's something we had down South and it led to us going much more often.  It's great for me because I can go in the middle of the day and get me time while the kids get to play, so we all win.  Izzie will be able to go to the daycare as soon as she turns 3 months old (which will be here before we know it).  Their child care center was AMAZING!!!  We got to drop Brady off there while we did our tour and paperwork and we were shocked at how large and extensive it was.  They had a small area for the babies, the toddlers, and the older kids (2 and up) could go anywhere, including using the computers or playing in the indoor basketball court.

It's such an amazing facility that it has its own spa and cafe.  It also has indoor and outdoor pools.  Being open 24 hours a day makes it easy for us to get in a workout whenever we have the time.  We had a hard time finding a parking space and figured the place would be packed (as most gyms are on a Saturday).  When we got up to the cardio floor, there were more machines than people and the consultant told us you never have to wait for a machine.  Part of our enrollment included a health assessment with a personal trainer (which we take tomorrow) and $200 to spend on programs.  We are using all of that for Brady to take swim lessons all summer and also a karate class.  We are thrilled to get back in shape and are eagerly anticipating our first workout to be a doozy.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Weigh-in for 4/6/2013

Last weigh-in (3/30/2013) : 181.6 lb

This weigh-in (4/6/2013) : 181 lb

Change : 0.6 lb lost


Total loss postpartum : 19.4lb of 32.4lb gained 

Amount needed to get back to WW lifetime weight : 26 lbs


Today was my first day actually going into a meeting room and getting weighed.  It adds a layer of accountability that I didn't have until now.  I was glad to have lost anything over the last week, especially with Easter.  I didn't really track or get down to business until Thursday, so two days of tracking are when I lost the weight for the whole week. This week I will be tracking every day (even if I'm bad) and hopefully that will give me even better results.

Friday, April 5, 2013

Pierogi Casserole

Ingredients:

16oz frozen pierogies (about 12 individual pierogies)
1/3 cup light cream cheese
1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
2-3 strips of cooked bacon, crumbled


Step 1:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a 9x13 baking dish with Pam.  Arrange frozen pierogies in the baking dish.

Step 2:

In a saucepan, mix cream cheese and chicken broth.  Stir frequently until cheese is melted and smoothPour cheese mixture over pierogies.  Sprinkle cheddar cheese evenly over the pierogies.

Step 3:

Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbling and pierogies are warm throughout.  Sprinkle cooked bacon over the top.


Makes about 4 servings (3 pierogies); 8 points plus each