At the starting line

A brief email exchange this Weigh Day (141.2!!!) has given me the inspiration to write a blog that's been on my list since I reached my first goal weight.

Many have asked me why I want to keep losing weight. In fact, some people have expressed concerns about me losing too much weight. Sure, when you look at my before and after, it's extreme. But that's only because of where I started.

The end of the healthy weight spectrum for me is 145. If I weigh an ounce more than that, technically (according to my BMI), I'm unhealthy. While that may or may not be set-in-stone truth, it's the guide I've chosen to follow. I never want to be an unhealthy weight again. In fact, I'm mad at myself for living with an unhealthy weight for so long. I should have started fighting to lose weight the moment I crossed into "overweight" not when I realized I was "obese."
There never should have been a day in my life when I got over 145 (or it's equivalent when I was growing up).  Weighing 145 pounds is only "skinny" to me because I started at 195. My start should have come when I first hit 146.

When I look in the mirror, I don't feel skinny because I'm not - yet. I am seeing a truth in myself. Sure, 145 is awesome and I'm thrilled to be healthy, but my perspective has always different than it should have been because I've always been overweight. I'm glad that 145 isn't satisfying to me. Because one day I will look at this size as the enemy, not the goal.

It isn't about how far I've come, though I am very proud of myself. It's all about the destination. I want to be physically fit, healthy, sexy, toned and energetic.  I want 145 to be my extreme. Weighing 145 should be too much for me. And from now on, it is.

No, going from 195 to 145 was just me getting into my healthy place. It was my walk from the parking lot to the starting line. Now, the gun has gone off and I'm really starting.

FINALLY!!!

Perhaps I should change the name of this blog to 50n60 ... because after 60 weeks

I DID IT!!!

That's right, Ladies (and Gentleman), when I stepped on the scale this morning it gave me one of the happiest sights of my life.

You know what this means, right? I'M "HEALTHY"!!!!

When I have more time, I'll write a wonderful recap blog (that will be after I finish the 20-page paper that is staring me down as I write even this little shorty - the paper is due tomorrow). Suffice it to say, I learned a lot about myself.

The career services dean commented on my weight loss a couple of weeks ago: “You aren't supposed to lose weight. You're in law school!” Then he sincerely congratulated me (he happens to lead the running club for the law school).

He's right, of course, law school is supposed to be your main concern when you're, you know, in law school. But I saw what the lifestyle was doing to those around me (everyone had gained weight in just 2 months of classes!) and I didn't want to risk it. So, I decided to add healthy living to the list of new skills I was learning and I'm happy to say that I've gotten pretty good at it. Now that I've reached one major goal in my life, it's time to look to another: Maintenance. Gulp.

But first, I have to finish this darn 20-page paper!!!

Because I can

There is a lot in my life that I find myself doing these days - because I can.

I needed coffee for breakfast the next day so I walked the mile up to World Market to buy a pound - because I can.
I went on a last minute hike in the Ozark Mountains this past weekend - because I can.
I ate three pieces of pizza following that 3-mile hike (burning 900 calories) in the Ozark Mountains - because I can.
And I'm looking into joining the military - because I can.

I have always been fascinated by those who serve in our armed forces. Their disciple, strength and sacrifice is awe-inspiring to me. I have a little experience with military life after several years as a journalist in military communities.

Joining the military was always a fleeting thought in the back of my head - a wistful dream that was quickly dismissed for obvious reasons: I was overweight, out of shape, etc. etc.

As I face a terrible job market, feel a strong desire to be a part of something much bigger than myself, and see the calendar quickly nearing my graduation date, I keep finding my thoughts falling on the idea of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps. (You're probably familiar with the tv show.) JAG officers are attorneys in the military and each branch has a JAG Corps.

I am most interested in the Air Force or the Navy, so far. I've talked with both (I've talked with all but the Coast Guard so far) and love what they offer. This isn't a decision that I am making lightly, but I'm thrilled it's a decision I can make at all. In the long run, I may choose not to join, but for the first time in my life I don't have to dismiss the thought as soon as I have it.  Losing this weight has truly opened my eyes to the new possibilities life is offering to me.

I plan on taking full advantage of these opportunities and become all I can be. Because I can.

Tuesdays with Kevin (not Morrie)

When I was training for the 3-Day, Tuesdays involved a 4-5 mile training walk. It just so happened that there was a route to a gorgeous park just 1.5 miles away and walking around the park was another 1.5 miles. Add in the walk home and I was getting my 4.5 miles (I would usually take a long route home to finish the 5 miles).

Kevin began walking with me on Tuesdays. He brought Chester and when we got to the park, they would go running one direction while I walked the other. We would meet back up and walk home. I loved walking with him and that time together was a great way to talk about things without the usual distractions.

Since the 3-Day, the walking has stopped. I am on a new training regimen that is short and the intervals make it hard for Kevin to join. He's come with me a couple of times, but it just didn't work. In fact, last Tuesday he went to the gym instead of holding off on his workout so we could go together. I was pretty upset, to say the least, because I really did look forward to Tuesdays with Kevin.

This Tuesday, lesson learned on his part, he didn't go to the gym after work so he could run with me. When he got to my house we decided to walk to a closer park. The training regimen didn't involve any intervals, just straight running (20 minutes this time - working up to running 30 minutes non-stop) so Kevin ran with me for a bit. We got to walk and talk on the way to and from the park, but it was when we started running together that I got a glimpse of my dream and I loved it!

I wish I could have taken a picture of our shadows, side-by-side, as we ran together. I don't know if it's silly, but ever since I started dating Kevin I wanted to be able to run with him. I want to be that couple who goes to the park, taking turns pushing their kids in a three-wheeled stroller, as they run together.

I think this dream started 20 years ago when my cousin Amber was born and her mom would take her out in a running stroller to jog around their neighborhood. I was 6, but instinctively seemed to know I was not a runner and I yearned to be one. Of course, I never told anyone about this so no one thought to teach me to run.

Fast forward into my teen years and you see me watching couples jogging together at the park. I was jealous. I was fat, awkward and out of shape. I had crooked knee caps and was told running just wouldn't be a good idea for me. (Stupid doctor!)

Then, lets fast forward about ten more years and we meet Kevin. A runner. No, no, a marathoner. He woke up early every morning just to run. I was secretly in awe. When he was in college, Kevin was part of a running group and a film student made a short documentary about them. Showing me this video, Kevin also jokingly commented on the girl he was running beside and said that he'd  had a big crush on her, but that she wasn't interested. I watched the two of them running side-by-side and I knew what I wanted.

So, two years ago I tried to learn to be a runner, but it was awful. It was painful and hurt and I hated every minute of it. Clearly, I just wasn't ready. I wouldn't let Kevin see me take a single step and even went so far as to hide from him once when he was heading my direction. But, after running all of that 20 minutes Tuesday - much of it with Kevin (who was painfully, lovingly trying to keep pace with me, no matter how slow I was going!!!), I feel completely different.

I feel healthy and happy and I feel like I really and truly can become a runner. I feel like I'm closer to my dream than ever!

P.S. I know I should be blogging about weighing in at 150 pounds for the fourth week in a row, but I wanted to blog about something happy instead.

Not a sprint

This week was a good week for us! In total we lost 5 pounds - and no one gained anything!

I know when you start a weight-loss routine, you want to see big numbers, fast. Biggest Loser seems to be all about that - but I'm not.

For most of us, we aren't talking about losing 5 pounds. Each of us wants to lose much more than that. When we embarked on this journey, we started a marathon. Not a sprint.

Studies (and those pesky doctors!) show that the key to life-long weight loss and maintenance is slow and steady loss - at 1-2 pounds a week.

Anything more than that, and I worry.

Remember the week I lost 3 pounds? Gained one back the following week - just sayin'!

Sure, I'd like to up my weight loss to two pounds a week for a bit - to get back on track with the overall goal, but I'm not stressing over it. A pound a week is healthy and maintainable - and that's what this is all about!

New motivation and inspiration

I have great news- my husabnd (Ben) has decided to jump on the weight loss wagon with me!! I am soo excited. He has been trying to loose weight for as long as he can remember, but I think this time he is totally committed. He is going to weigh in with me every week!! Yesterday we cooked a huge pot of zero point weight watchers soup so that we can grab a bowl of that when we feel peckish. We have little prizes that we will get if we actually accomplish our goals by April 2011 and maintain our new weight for at least one month (this was my husband’s idea, so I am going with it). He will get a knock off scooter (like a vespa, but not a vespa- too expensive) to get around Brisbane, and I will get a 3 day backpacking trip into the wilds of Australia and a new pack. When I stepped on the scale last week and the number was over 200 for the first time in my life and I was scared- I think maybe he saw this- and he knows that I am scared for his health as well as mine, so maybe that’s why he is joining me. Cheers to a healthier future for us all.

Wednesday's Weigh In

Jennifer and I both lost another pound this week!!!

And yes, Jennifer, you do deserve credit for it. If there was one time when you took the stairs instead of the elevator, or said no to an office cookie or chose the side salad over the fries - then you totally deserve credit for losing that pound!

I haven't gotten updates from anyone else in a couple weeks. Hope it's going well for y'all too!!!

Project: Good Gobble

I just had a thought. Since I'm all about small goals, I thought it might be interesting to focus our collective weight loss sights to the immediate future and concentrate on getting through the holidays.

We are all about to face the usual food challenges stuffed in the Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas cookies. However, this year is different for all us - we now have each other!

How about we each set a a goal to get us through the holidays? If we start now, we have 8 weeks of holiday wonders to endure. So, for Nov. 4-Jan. 6 I think we should each set up a plan to help us stick with our goals.


MY PLAN:
I don't want to miss out on the pleasures of pumpkin pie and egg nog, but I also don't want to negate the hard work I've put into the past 6 weeks. Since my overall goal is to lose one pound a week (duh), I think I can easily stick to it. That means I need to focus on losing only 8 pounds between now and New years - totally doable!

I will weigh 181 pounds on Jan. 6.

I'm going to continue with the calorie counting, but add in (some) more exercise to balance with the extra eating. I will also have to balance out my calories. Currently, I allow about 1300 calories Sunday-Thursday and 1500 on Friday and Saturday. However, for the holiday weeks, I am going to focus on the entire week, rather than each day. That gives me 9500 calories for the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years (how many calories are in champagne???). Again, totally doable!

So, what's your plan???

Interesting NYTimes blog from a couple of years ago that is somewhat encouraging ... sort of.


Totals: 1,390 calories 163.5 carbs 37 fat 109 protein

Hostess without the Mostest (calories, that is!)

At the risk of sounding like my mother, I can't believe it's already November!

With that comes the start of holiday dining. Yikes. Do you have a plan?

Luckily, I am hosting Thanksgiving for my boyfriend's parents this year (doesn't really feel like luck, but I'm trying not to freak out) and this gives me quite a bit of control over the menu. I'm not changing the name of any of the basics, but I will be cutting every calorie I can!

I am looking for recipes, so please, send 'em my way!!!

Wednesday's Weigh In

Well, I lost a pound - yay!

But I'm sick - again. It's like I've been sick since starting this endeavor - and that's not good. There is no room for sickness in law school.

I've never been a fan of vitamin pills because I think a healthy diet should give us the vitamins we need, but I'm thinking of adding a multivitamin to my day.

I've got to do something. I'm making a doctor's appointment for tomorrow, but I'm open for suggestions.

Tape measure and scale

I can take no credit whatsoever.

Yes, I didn't lose another pound, but I didn't gain any either! This, however, is only because I have been sick the past two days and haven't eaten much. Clearly it made up for my four days of BAD CHOICES.

I went ahead to tracked my measurements since it's been a month and feel pretty good after reading them.

Measurements taken September 21:
Weight: 195 lbs (sigh)
Waist: 40 inches (not sucking in)
Hips: 47.25 inches (junk in the trunk, much?)
Thigh: 28.5 inches
Upper Arm: 15.5 inches
Calf: 17.25 inches (a real target area for me ... I HATE my killer calves!)

Measurements taken today:
Weight: 191 lbs (on track is good, even if it's because I've been sick)
Waist: 37.5 inches (still not sucking in)
Hips: 46 inches (I've been playing catcher - lots of squatting)
Thigh: 28.5 inches (see above regarding the catcher gig)
Upper Arm: 14 inches
Calf: 16.5 inches (a real target area for me ... I HATE my killer calves!)

In guy world, losing 2.5 inches from your waist would mean you wear a smaller size ... but in girl world not losing anything in your thighs means you have to just tighten your belt.

I don't really know how they calculate overall inch loss. Do I get to say I lost 6 inches of body fat (if you add it up I did) in the past month?

Vacation for whom? My Diet?

I am hosting a couple of visitors from Big D (Dallas) and am thrown for what to do diet-wise.

Basically, Mom and a friend are in town and I am showing them around. Kansas City is known for barbecue, so I took them to Gates (very famous for it's meat), first. I ordered a turkey sandwich and didn't eat the bun. However, I am guilty of eating about 10 fries.

For dinner we went to Grinders, a dive that has been featured on Food Network for it's Bengal Tiger pizza (tandoori chicken and crab smothered in cheese). The boyfriend was never willing to try it with me, but my mom and her friend were, so we split a pizza.

I used napkins to soak up as much grease as I could ... after ten napkins I gave up. At least it was good. I can't even begin to guess the calorie count!

I weighed myself this morning and, yes, I gained that pound back.

Mom is in town for two more days - then I am headed to Dallas for a wedding. Heaven help me.

It all counts

So, I started this thing hoping I could stop counting calories a month or so into it ... but now, I'm changing my mind!

I will admit that I am slightly calorie obsessed and have instructed the boyfriend to bonk me on the head when it becomes too annoying. However, I can't argue with the results. I have been consistently keeping my caloric intake below 1300 calories for the past 8 days. On weekends I let myself go to 1500 calories a day.

I truly suggest everyone try it out for a month. You will be surprised by how much you learn, not only about yourself, but about your habits and ways to create new habits.

What I use to track my calories

It really keeps me conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth when I track it after each meal! Plus, when I've gone a few days that week at, say 1100 calories, I know I can splurge a bit on date night (just a bit, of course!).

This week's date night took us to a local Mexican restaurant. I talked with the server, who also happens to be on a diet, as Renee suggested I do. She helped me by telling me the different ways I could order. I surprised her by ordering my veggie burrito with no sauce. She seemed genuinely concerned. But I explained that I planned to douse it in salsa - and it was YUMMY!

Saturday was my non-fat, fat-girl day. This means I stayed in bed most of the day watching cheesy romantic comedies and snacked. Instead of ice cream, however, I ate grapes. Instead of pizza, I bought Lean Pockets (but I didn't end up eating them). And I had baked tortilla chips and salsa on hand in case I got a salt craving - didn't want much of those either. Basically, the trick is to be prepared ahead of time so that you don't succumb to temptation or laziness.

Finally, Sunday was tailgate day! Bless the boyfriend for buying turkey brats just for me. The beer took me up, as did the gas station hot chocolate (nutrition info conveniently unavailable!) in my numbers, but overall, I think I kept it pretty reasonable (sauerkraut on brat - only 5 calories for 2 tablespoons!!!) Because the tailgate was before a noon game, I just grabbed a banana for breakfast and enjoyed the early lunch. Also, I know I burned a lot of calories cheering on the Cowboys!

Bring on the 5k...

I have signed up for two 5k runs in November. Count that...1...2. They are both fundraisers for great causes. This is my first time running a 5k (that's 3.1 miles, in case you aren't a math whiz)...I've walked them before, but never ran. I think its a great motivator to get out and train. So far I've been running 3 miles at least 3 days a week. The idea that I have to do it in a big crowd with a lot of people watching will definitely keep me motivated to keep it up.

Weigh Day, week 3

Today is weigh day! I hope you had a great week. Mine was full of ups and downs, but it's all good because ....

I lost another pound!!!

I hope this endeavor is proving successful for y'all, too. I really can't tell you how excited I am that my friends from across the country are joining me in this. I really look forward to your blog posts and comments.

On that note, with the holiday season coming up wouldn't it be fun to share some recipes (diet friendly or not, I crave baking!)???


Here is yet another Hungry Girl recipe and I am dying to try it!!!!

Wayne's Pumpkin Smash

PER SERVING (1 piece, 1/9th of recipe): 65 calories, <0.5g fat, 81mg sodium, 12g carbs, 1g fiber, 7g sugars, 5g protein -- POINTS® value 1*


Ingredients:
One 15-oz. can pure pumpkin
One 12-oz. can evaporated fat-free milk
1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)
3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated)
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and mix thoroughly.

Place mixture in a baking dish (8" X 8" works well) sprayed lightly with nonstick spray, and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. (It will remain a little soft, like pie filling.)

Once ready to serve (it's delicious eaten hot or cold), cut into 9 pieces.

Serve and enjoy!

MAKES 9 SERVINGS

Signs of change

You can call me Droopy Drawers.

I noticed it as I was walking into school today. The crotch of my pants was hanging half way to my knees!

I'm not going to go so far as to say that I have already gone down a size, but maybe it's close! That is my first achievement: to fit into my cute size 14 jeans. I hate wearing my stupid Lane Bryant Plus Size Mom Jeans. Blech!

Looks like I'm on my way!!! Yay!

On a side note, the Laughing Cow cheese breakfast is not agreeing with me. I forget I'm lactose intolerant because I just naturally don't eat much dairy (save ice cream, of course). Well, eating cheese every day is proving a problem. Looks like it's time for another solution to the quick breakfast.

Bready, set, NO!

So, I made a mistake in my food today ... you'll laugh, but trust me, there was meaning to my madness.

I went to McAlister's Deli for lunch today and, before ordering, asked to see their nutrition information. Yeah, they directed me to their Website. So, I was on my own and, well, didn't make the greatest decision.

I know it sounds weird, but I chose the BLT, no dressing. Why? Because even though bacon is high in sodium and each slice has about 3 grams of fat, it isn't too bad, calorie-wise. Ok, so where did I go wrong? The bread! It was 500 calories all by itself. How crazy is that??? I honestly didn't even think about it. I just ate the bread that was written on the menu.

Maybe I should print out the nutrition info for my common eateries. Couldn't hurt right? Also, I need to be keeping track of my calories throughout the day. Had I known how bad that bread was, I wouldn't have opened the beer I am currently finishing.

At least tomorrow is a new day and yesterday wasn't so bad!

Totals: 1,800 calories 245 carbs 49 fat grams 79 protein

Do I or Don't I?

So, it's the end of the night .. I'm settled in after a loooong day of school and judging a high school debate tournament. I've had less than 1300 calories and I really want ice cream.

So, I'm at a fork (no pun intended) in the proverbial road. Do I get ice cream, knowing it will only put me at 1450 calories, still below 1500. Or don't I?

I had four cookies today, so really, I've had my sweets (there was a hospitality room at the debate tourney - full of cookies and such. I'm proud I only ate four!). But still, I want ice cream.

I'm in my pajamas ... snuggled in bed, but I can't get the idea of ice cream out of my head.

I have another day of debate tomorrow - more hospitality room ... but it's in the morning and if I make myself breakfast before leaving, I should be able to resist.

So, really ... do I or don't I?

My shirts are in!!!

The shirts are in!!! I am thrilled. Now, I have no excuse left regarding the workouts - except that pesky issue I have finding the time.

Speaking of time, I have been so busy with my drama that I forgot about the scheduled picnic dinner for my contracts class tonight - featuring fried chicken provided by the professor. Well, I didn't exactly plan lunch and breakfast around the idea of eating fried chicken. And, I didn't feel comfortable not eating the chicken because the prof sat right next to me! So, I just grabbed the smallest wing I could and went with it. Overall, it was ok - I kept the day below 1500 calories. However, I wasn't full after the dinner and had to have yogurt as a snack later in the evening.

Speaking of yogurt, I tried having yogurt with a splash of granola for breakfast yesterday and it just didn't cut it. I ate at 7 and was hungry by 10. Not to mention, it was almost 200 calories! No, no, no. Monday's breakfast was Laughing Cow cheese spread on toast. Much fewer calories and it kept me fairly full. Next time I might add a piece of meat or egg, but the granola yogurt is definitely not making the cut!


Speaking of breakfast, I tried Renee's Egg McMuffin idea today - sort of. I ordered it without the cheese and with a slice of tomatoes. It was super tasty!!! The tomato kept it from being dry. I was in a hurry so it was the perfect solution.


Totals: 1,486 calories 189 carbs 45 fat 77 protein

Abby's Start Date!

First off, let me say that I have done the big weight loss goal before.

My senior year of college I showed up (after a long fattening summer back east) tipping the scales at 198.5 lbs.  It was the biggest I had ever been. My face was round, my middle pudgy, and I couldn't fit in to a bridesmaids dress that I had been fitted for nearly 3 months prior. Something had to be done, and something had to be done quickly.

So I did the Weight Watchers point system with my roommate. And over the course of the next semester, I lost 35 lbs.  

Now, nearly 5 years later I've decided to keep going on my quest to lose some poundage. I was never completely happy being in the 160s range. I mean, I'm not huge like I used to be, but I could sure as hell be a lot fitter and leaner. With my boyfriend running marathons and having only 8% body fat, there comes a time when a girl has to say enough is enough... I need to be hotter.

Thus I begin my second quest to lose weight. And I start it the day before I turn 27. But instead of Nallie's broad stroke, I'm going to go 20lbs in 20 weeks. I even have the logo to prove it. :) My last weigh in: February 17, 2010.

So my official weight today is:

169.5lbs

That means since graduation from college I've only gained 6lbs... not too shabby. But it is time to be that lean runner that I want to be. I'll be keeping track of my pounds, inches, and miles as we go along... 

See you all at the finish line.