We are finally home from five months in Europe and it's finally time to take off the weight that's been gained over there. It's only been three days and already my eating habits have changed. I'm hardly eating between meals and am full much faster (thanks to more protein and much less carbs).
The jet lag is still bothering us and we have been up before 6AM every day (with 3AM on some days). The only upside to that is that I was able to hit the gym by 8AM yesterday, allowing the higher metabolic rate to work for me the rest of the day. I'm not a morning person by any means, but getting in the gym early rather than late is much better.
I went shopping yesterday to buy some new summer bermuda shorts because the size 8 pairs I bought in January don't fit. I have a size 12 in storage, but was fortunate to get into a few size 10 pairs. They're not perfect, but if I work hard, I feel that I'll be comfortable in them in a few weeks. For the time being, I'm hanging out in knit shorts and dresses because they're comfortable and non-restrictive.
I still haven't been on a scale since early May when I was 166.6lb. I plan to go to a meeting and weigh-in during the first week in July, so that gives me another week to work out and eat right. Hopefully, I'll be able to shock my body into a big loss and see a number smaller than 166.6lb. I have no illusions that I'll be under 160lbs, but the summer is still young.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
A Light at the End of the Tunnel
In 20 days we will be on a plane headed back to the States and although I've enjoyed our travels, it won't be one minute too soon.
I haven't been on the scale since early May and at that point I was 166lb. I haven't dared to step on since, but I know that things are bad since I have about four pairs of pants that actually fit me now. On our most recent trip, I caught an image of myself in the full-length mirror in the hotel. I really didn't like what I saw and was forever grateful that our apartment only has mirrors that show us from the shoulders up or I'd feel even worse about myself every day.
I hate feeling uncomfortable every minute of every day and I know that I only have myself to blame. There are some factors that are beyond my control here (such as the minimum fat content on meat here being 13%), but I'm sure the brunt of the blame falls to me.
As if I didn't feel bad enough about myself, I know that going home, everyone who hasn't seen me since Christmas when I was at my lowest is going to be commenting on how I look now (whether to my face or behind my back). To top things off, all my "fat" clothes are in a storage unit that I won't have access to until we have a permanent residence, so I'll have to buy new clothes as soon as we get home. There's nothing I hate more than buying clothes in a bigger size when I know that I have them already. I'll even have to buy new bathing suits for the beach, since I doubt that I'll be bikini ready only six weeks from our return.
Although it's super convenient when it comes to feeding Brady, I will not miss the easy access to street food. In the States, you have to consciously make the effort to eat out, whereas here food is everywhere. I'm hoping that the instant decrease in fat content and carbs in my diet will help give me a jump start when I get back and the number isn't as bad as I think it's going to be when I step on a scale in a meeting during the first week in July.
When we touch down in the States, I'll be starting at square one, but I know from past upswings that I can take the weight off, it's just a matter of hard work and will power. I can guarantee I'll be in the gym within 24 hours of our return because I just hate the way that I feel. In the meantime, I'll be rocking out to "Fat Bottomed Girls" (either original of Glee version) and "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson.
I haven't been on the scale since early May and at that point I was 166lb. I haven't dared to step on since, but I know that things are bad since I have about four pairs of pants that actually fit me now. On our most recent trip, I caught an image of myself in the full-length mirror in the hotel. I really didn't like what I saw and was forever grateful that our apartment only has mirrors that show us from the shoulders up or I'd feel even worse about myself every day.
I hate feeling uncomfortable every minute of every day and I know that I only have myself to blame. There are some factors that are beyond my control here (such as the minimum fat content on meat here being 13%), but I'm sure the brunt of the blame falls to me.
As if I didn't feel bad enough about myself, I know that going home, everyone who hasn't seen me since Christmas when I was at my lowest is going to be commenting on how I look now (whether to my face or behind my back). To top things off, all my "fat" clothes are in a storage unit that I won't have access to until we have a permanent residence, so I'll have to buy new clothes as soon as we get home. There's nothing I hate more than buying clothes in a bigger size when I know that I have them already. I'll even have to buy new bathing suits for the beach, since I doubt that I'll be bikini ready only six weeks from our return.
Although it's super convenient when it comes to feeding Brady, I will not miss the easy access to street food. In the States, you have to consciously make the effort to eat out, whereas here food is everywhere. I'm hoping that the instant decrease in fat content and carbs in my diet will help give me a jump start when I get back and the number isn't as bad as I think it's going to be when I step on a scale in a meeting during the first week in July.
When we touch down in the States, I'll be starting at square one, but I know from past upswings that I can take the weight off, it's just a matter of hard work and will power. I can guarantee I'll be in the gym within 24 hours of our return because I just hate the way that I feel. In the meantime, I'll be rocking out to "Fat Bottomed Girls" (either original of Glee version) and "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
6 Year Anniversary!
Six years ago today, I walked through the doors of weight watchers and changed my life forever. I had just finished my sophomore year of college and was seriously unhappy with how I looked and felt in my clothes (gosh doesn't sound too different from now). My mom was overweight too, so we went together. I can still remember how shocked I was to see my starting weight : 197.2lb. I had only weighed 183 the last time I'd weighed myself only 6 weeks before, so I wasn't expecting a number so close to 200lb.
That first summer, away from college food and classes, helped to spark my weight loss. My mom and I were so very serious about our new lifestyle and that first summer, that I lost 25.6lb, which was 13% of my starting weight.
There have been a lot of ups and downs since that first day in May 2006. In that span of six years, I met Andy, graduated college and grad school, got married, had Brady, became a lifetime member, and finally moved to Germany. We've gone through our fair share of program changes as well. I've gotten as high as 215lb (the day before Brady was born) and gotten down as low as 148.2lb (right before this last Christmas). I've had periods of gaining where I've had to take the weight off over again, and other times where I've been stuck in a maintain for six months or more. Right now, I'm in a difficult position of gaining weight, but I know as soon as I get home and have more control, I'll take it back off again, just like I've always done in the past. No matter what has happened, up or down, I don't regret walking into that meeting room and changing my life for the better!
Here's how I've weighed-in at the anniversary point each year, since I started.
May 2, 2006 : 197.2 lb
May 2, 2007 : 165.2 lb (down 32lb from previous year)
May 2, 2008 : 172.4 lb (up 7.2lb from previous year)
May 2, 2009 : 164.2 lb (down 8.2lb from previous year)
May 2, 2010 : 187.0 lb (up 22.8lb from previous year)
May 2, 2011 : 168.6lb (down 18.4lb from previous year)
May 2, 2012 : 164.4lb (down 4.2lb from previous year)
Overall, in exactly six years, I've netted a loss of 32.8lb. Even though I'm in an upswing, I'm nowhere near where I started on day 1 and I'll be happy to never see that starting number ever again! Thanks weight watchers!
That first summer, away from college food and classes, helped to spark my weight loss. My mom and I were so very serious about our new lifestyle and that first summer, that I lost 25.6lb, which was 13% of my starting weight.
There have been a lot of ups and downs since that first day in May 2006. In that span of six years, I met Andy, graduated college and grad school, got married, had Brady, became a lifetime member, and finally moved to Germany. We've gone through our fair share of program changes as well. I've gotten as high as 215lb (the day before Brady was born) and gotten down as low as 148.2lb (right before this last Christmas). I've had periods of gaining where I've had to take the weight off over again, and other times where I've been stuck in a maintain for six months or more. Right now, I'm in a difficult position of gaining weight, but I know as soon as I get home and have more control, I'll take it back off again, just like I've always done in the past. No matter what has happened, up or down, I don't regret walking into that meeting room and changing my life for the better!
Here's how I've weighed-in at the anniversary point each year, since I started.
May 2, 2006 : 197.2 lb
May 2, 2007 : 165.2 lb (down 32lb from previous year)
May 2, 2008 : 172.4 lb (up 7.2lb from previous year)
May 2, 2009 : 164.2 lb (down 8.2lb from previous year)
May 2, 2010 : 187.0 lb (up 22.8lb from previous year)
May 2, 2011 : 168.6lb (down 18.4lb from previous year)
May 2, 2012 : 164.4lb (down 4.2lb from previous year)
Overall, in exactly six years, I've netted a loss of 32.8lb. Even though I'm in an upswing, I'm nowhere near where I started on day 1 and I'll be happy to never see that starting number ever again! Thanks weight watchers!
Monday, April 30, 2012
April 2012 Stats
Starting weight : 158.2 lb
Ending weight : 164.4 lb
Change : 6.2 lb gained (average 1.5 lb gained per week)
This time last year : 168.6 lb
It really sucks that I'm almost even with where I was last year. I really don't want to see my weight this year be higher than it was a year ago. I hate that a lot of my clothes don't fit and I didn't have the foresight to bring my clothes from last summer, instead of buying new smaller ones. I've never really seen the numbers go up this fast except that one summer between 8th and 9th grades where I went up 30lb. I feel helpless and just want to be home so I can turn this around. I constantly feel uncomfortable and am always thinking about what others must be thinking of me. I know that these past few months have shown that I'm human. I know that when I started this blog, I was working really hard and losing almost every week and now I'm gaining beyond control. May is full of so many trips and celebrations, I just hope the numbers don't get too far out of control. At this point, there's no way I can take off the weight as fast as I've been putting it on.
Ending weight : 164.4 lb
Change : 6.2 lb gained (average 1.5 lb gained per week)
This time last year : 168.6 lb
It really sucks that I'm almost even with where I was last year. I really don't want to see my weight this year be higher than it was a year ago. I hate that a lot of my clothes don't fit and I didn't have the foresight to bring my clothes from last summer, instead of buying new smaller ones. I've never really seen the numbers go up this fast except that one summer between 8th and 9th grades where I went up 30lb. I feel helpless and just want to be home so I can turn this around. I constantly feel uncomfortable and am always thinking about what others must be thinking of me. I know that these past few months have shown that I'm human. I know that when I started this blog, I was working really hard and losing almost every week and now I'm gaining beyond control. May is full of so many trips and celebrations, I just hope the numbers don't get too far out of control. At this point, there's no way I can take off the weight as fast as I've been putting it on.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Weigh-in for 4/27/2012
Last weigh-in (3/31/2011) : 158.2 lb
This weigh-in (4/27/2012) : 164.4 lb
Change : 6.2 lb gained
I am beyond tired of watching these numbers creep up and can't wait to get home so I can take it off. At this rate, I will easily be 170lb by the time we get home and that's a number I haven't seen in almost exactly a year. I'm so discouraged that I spent the last year working my butt off (literally) and it's back. I felt so good about myself and now I feel like a complete slob.
This weigh-in (4/27/2012) : 164.4 lb
Change : 6.2 lb gained
I am beyond tired of watching these numbers creep up and can't wait to get home so I can take it off. At this rate, I will easily be 170lb by the time we get home and that's a number I haven't seen in almost exactly a year. I'm so discouraged that I spent the last year working my butt off (literally) and it's back. I felt so good about myself and now I feel like a complete slob.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Feta & Veggie Stuffed Zuchinni
Ingredients:
4 medium uncooked zucchini
4 large fresh tomatoes, cored and finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cups mushrooms, finely chopped (we used carrots instead because I don't like mushrooms)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat Feta cheese
8 tbsp fat-free Ranch dressing
Step 1:
Heat a pot of water. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and cook in boiling water for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Scoop out and discard pulp in the center of the zucchini.
Step 2:
Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and coat with Pam. Add tomatoes, onion, and mushrooms. Cook until pulpy (about 5 minutes), then add salt and pepper.
Step 3:
Scoop filling equally into the 8 zucchini halves.
Step 4:
In a bowl, stir together feta cheese and salad dressing. Drizzle over stuffed zucchini.
Makes 4 servings (2 halves per serving); 3 Points Plus each
This is a great light, but very filling dinner for nights when you've had a large lunch. The saltiness of the feta mixes perfectly with the sweetness of the cooked zucchini.
4 medium uncooked zucchini
4 large fresh tomatoes, cored and finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cups mushrooms, finely chopped (we used carrots instead because I don't like mushrooms)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat Feta cheese
8 tbsp fat-free Ranch dressing
Step 1:
Heat a pot of water. Slice zucchini in half lengthwise and cook in boiling water for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until tender. Scoop out and discard pulp in the center of the zucchini.
Step 2:
Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and coat with Pam. Add tomatoes, onion, and mushrooms. Cook until pulpy (about 5 minutes), then add salt and pepper.
Step 3:
Scoop filling equally into the 8 zucchini halves.
Step 4:
In a bowl, stir together feta cheese and salad dressing. Drizzle over stuffed zucchini.
Makes 4 servings (2 halves per serving); 3 Points Plus each
This is a great light, but very filling dinner for nights when you've had a large lunch. The saltiness of the feta mixes perfectly with the sweetness of the cooked zucchini.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
March 2012 Stats
Starting weight : 154.0 lb
Ending weight : 158.2 lb
Change : 4.2 lb gained (average 0.7 lb gained per week since last weigh-in on 2/18/2012)
This time last year : 172.6 lb
Sure, I'm not happy seeing two months straight where I've gained about 4lb each, but I've finally taken control of my weight gain and made the effort to change. The past two weeks have been much better and I've made better choices. Even if I'm unable to lose anymore here, I can feel confident in the knowledge, that when I put my mind to it, I can at least maintain. If I can get home with this number, I know I can take it off quickly when I get there. I'll have more food choices and way less stress on myself. I'll have access to a gym and more help during the day with Brady. I just have to keep telling myself, that if I can make it through the next 16 weeks, I'll be home and it's so much worse it could be. Here's to a much better April!
Ending weight : 158.2 lb
Change : 4.2 lb gained (average 0.7 lb gained per week since last weigh-in on 2/18/2012)
This time last year : 172.6 lb
Sure, I'm not happy seeing two months straight where I've gained about 4lb each, but I've finally taken control of my weight gain and made the effort to change. The past two weeks have been much better and I've made better choices. Even if I'm unable to lose anymore here, I can feel confident in the knowledge, that when I put my mind to it, I can at least maintain. If I can get home with this number, I know I can take it off quickly when I get there. I'll have more food choices and way less stress on myself. I'll have access to a gym and more help during the day with Brady. I just have to keep telling myself, that if I can make it through the next 16 weeks, I'll be home and it's so much worse it could be. Here's to a much better April!
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