Posts tagged weight loss
Top ten tuesday … weightloss tips
Jul 26th
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Top Ten Weight-loss Tips
Last Friday, I posted that I was 0.8lbs away from my goal weight. I am so close to seeing “that number” that I’ve wanted to see for a while now. I am by no means an expert and believe me, I have failed multiple times even with my own advice, but here’s the Top Ten Weigh-Loss Tips that have worked for me!
1. Drink Water – And lots and lots of water. I always knew it was important and of course it made sense that the more you drink the more your body will waste, but someone also just explained it to me that without enough water, your body will basically go into dehydration mode. When this happens it starts storing everything you eat because your body is afraid it’s starting to dehydrate. Our bodies are super smart!! God’s smart like that!
2. Eat Breakfast - I admit, I go through phases with this. I’m either really good or really bad. But it’s definitely important. And NO – “breakfast” should not involve a drive through every day of the week!! Or a candy bar, coke or left over pizza! I mean a real breakfast. I like egg-white omelets with mushrooms and a side of fruit. Or if I’m in a hurry then I at least have some whole wheat toast with fruit to get out the door quickly.
3. Keep a Food Journal - I was never a big believer in these. Not because they didn’t work but because I didn’t want to be “that” eye opening to myself. But it helps! The biggest thing for me is that I know what I’ve fed my body for the day and what I still need to feed it.
4. Keep a Mindless Eating Bag – I read this tip and thought it was brilliant. Most moms are constantly around food. If we’re not making a meal, then we’re cleaning one up, preparing a snack, packing a school lunch, or preparing for the next meal. We are constantly put in situations of “mindless eating”. You know, one handful of gold fish crackers here, a few chips there, an extra bite of this and an extra bite of that. Instead of eating it, throw the food into a zip lock bag. And then at the end of the day or week see how much extra calories you saved from resisting that urge!
5. Plan – Menu Meal Planning helps so much with this. Not just dinners, but plan your breakfast, lunch and even snacks. That way you’ll definitely have all ingredients on hand and you’ll be prepared!
6. Weigh Yourself Regularly – This will likely be different for every person, but I do think it’s important to own a scale and use it! Whether it’s every day, every other day, every week or every other week – just weigh in!
7. Take Measurements – There will be plenty of weeks when you were certain you’d lose weight and you weigh in to find out that the scale hasn’t budged! Take measurements at the beginning and then whenever needed thereafter. It’s very probable that on those weeks you didn’t lose weight, you did lose inches instead!
8. Allow for some Wiggle Room – Not everyone can be completely strict all the time. It’s just not right! So, give yourself a break … just get back on board!
9. Eat Real Food - You CAN lose weight without eating “diet” foods. I’ve eaten some protein bars and I’ve had some “diet” drinks along my journey, but everything else has been basically real. Lots of fruits, veggies, and proteins. Nothing else in a box labeled “diet”!
10. Get Help if Needed – I’ve been on my weightloss journey for over a year now. I lost thirty pounds all on my own (well with a nutritional book but nothing else) last year but started gaining some back this year. I did not want to go down that cycle again. And then I just couldn’t seem to kick start the loss again. I needed help. I needed a good kick start that I couldn’t give myself. So this year I got help! I weigh in regularly at a center, show them my food journals and they cheer me on or help me correct what I’ve messed up. It’s ok to ask for help!
So, what about you – do you have any Weigh-Loss Tips?
- Post linked to Top Ten Tuesday at ohAmanda.
- Post linked to Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family.
Losing it challenge
Jul 23rd
So close yet so far away!
Two weeks ago I was just two pounds away from my goal weight and seven pounds away from my dream weight.
After a vacation and several cheating sessions later, I am officially 0.8 lbs away.
So close. Yet so far away.
I know it’s not really “far away” & some of you are totally rolling your eyes at me. But I’ve fluctuated up and down and all around the 0.8 marker this entire week. And where do I stand the end of this week? The same exact place I stood the end of last week.
So close. Yet so far away.
I want the number!!!
And at the same time, as much as I want to see that “goal number” I’ve realized two very important things. My goal weight is completely possible. And maybe even more so, my dream weight is possible.
August is a big celebration month in the it’s come 2 this household. We celebrate Evan’s birthday, Megan’s birthday and our Wedding Anniversary within a period of 15 days. And with celebrations come cake and yummy food!
So I’m determined to get hit my goal before August 1st. Still eating my Proteins, Veggies, Fruits & Whole Wheat combined with lots & lots of water!!
And then after all this, I’m going to enjoy a slice of cake!!
- Post linked to Losing It! at House of Hills.
I’m still not a runner
Jul 8th
I’m still not a runner.
Several weeks ago I claimed “I want to be a runner”. Unfortunately you have to actually put forth effort and work at things for dreams to come true. Funny how that works, isn’t it?!
I downloaded the Couch to 5k program on my laptop. I loaded Pandora onto my phone to give me some tunes. I even got out and ran for two weeks. Ok about two weeks. Alright fine almost two weeks.
I was actually even doing pretty good. It was easier than I expected. I could see myself getting into it (yes habits can begin to form in less than two weeks). And then I missed a day. And then another. And sadly. I’m still not a runner.
In fact If that post was written two months and two weeks ago, then I haven’t run in two months.
I’ve been at the beach this week and I had dreams of being one of those that woke up before the sun to go for a morning run in the sand. But instead, I’ve just been watching others do it.
I am one to quit by nature. I’d prefer to call it “explore”, but quitting is really more accurate. Growing up, I danced, I cheered, I played basketball, piano & flute, but I never stuck with any of them. As an adult, I’ve wanted to learn how to sew, lose weight, save with coupons, be the perfect mom and wife. And sadly, I feel like I fail at all those things every day.
Any other ways I am anything but one to quit. I rarely back down from an argument, I’m the type to always work harder and more than I am being paid, and I will not stop until the kid’s birthday party or event is absolutely perfect.
So how do I use that drive to not quit on the things that I want to accomplish?
How do I not get too comfortable with my weight-loss and quit before I hit my goal? How do I become a runner or more active so that I can feel like I can stop “dieting”?
Day by day? I don’t know. But if you happen to that that one figured out, feel free to fill me in!
Before leaving for vacation I was just 2 pounds away from my goal weight. Seven pounds away from my “I’ll never be able to get there again” dream weight. We’ll see how the scales treat me (or rather how I’ve treated the scales) upon my return.
And then I’ll keep pushing through – trying not to quit on myself {again}.
- Post linked to Losing It at House of Hills.
The “i’m on vacation” trap
Jun 17th
Vacation & “Dieting”
Last weekend we took a quick weekend trip to the lake. It was a really fun get together with three other families. There was around twenty of us total.
I had to fight hard - really hard – not to fall into the “it’s vacation” mentality that I’m accustom to. Brownies, cake and ice-cream were flying by and bowls of chocolate, potato chips and soda was constantly out and available. I could have easily caved and said “it’s vacation” – and I really wanted to! But I’m proud to say that I was able to resist – I kept the bigger picture in mind.
I could have gained instant satisfaction with a slice of brownie or indulging throughout the day, but knowing me, I also would have gained a pound with that instant satisfaction!
In about three weeks I’ll be taking another family vacation. I need to find the balance of enjoying vacation - and all the yummy treats that come along with it – without over enjoying those yummy treats!
What are your tips or tricks for finding that balance? Do you indulge a little each day or just once or twice during your trip? Or do you resist all together.
This week, my main goals are to:
- Continue with my food journal – eating Two Proteins, Four Veggies, Three Fruits, and Two Starches per day.
- Get a minimum 64 oz of water each day – pushing to 72 if possible.
- Stay focused – I’m getting close (really close now) to my goal. You would think this would be crazy motivation but unfortunately sometimes it’s just the opposite for me!
Post linked to Losing It Challenge at House of Hills.
Losing it challenge … wants vs. needs
Jun 3rd
Wants vs. Needs
I haven’t posted about the “Losing It Challenge” in a while. Frankly because I wasn’t losing anything so I really didn’t have much to say. I’ve learned that in order to lose weight I must be strict – super strict. I don’t know if a lot of people are that way or if that’s unusual. It seems that even slightly cheating and I off sets a week of hard work. Totally not fair! Now maintaining is a different story – that I can do ok for a good while. But I don’t want to maintain right now. I want to finish what I started and actually lose!!
So my diet right now focuses on a balanced eating plan – Two Proteins, Four Vegetables, Three Fruits & Two Whole Grain Starches per day. Can I just stop right there & say that was an eye-opener! And hard! I thought I ate a lot of fruits & vegetables, but four & three servings – no! And FULL proteins? Definitely no more than one. And some days maybe not even a full protein!
These days I’m keeping a food journal (something I’ve never done or ever wanted to do before). But it’s helping me make sure I get what my body NEEDS not what it WANTS! Big difference. When I want something to snack on, my journal tells me that I still need a piece of fruit or veggie for the day. So the cookie loses out!
Eating out has been the biggest eye opener! Right now my eyes are trained to scan for what I need! We went to Waffle House this past weekend and what I really wanted was a Pecan Waffle – YUM! But what I really needed was an egg white omelet with veggies! So the yumminess lost out! And honestly that egg white omelet with mushrooms and tomatoes was actually pretty yummy too!
And then we went to another local restaurant, and what I really wanted was their delicious chicken fingers, home made mashed potatoes and melt in your mouth croissant rolls. But instead, I ordered what I needed – grilled chicken (hold the creamy sauce that makes it taste so good) with a double order of steamed vegetables.
The flip side of this plan is that it’s not real life either! Hot dogs don’t exactly fall into one of the food groups listed above … and for a Memorial Day Weekend full of grilling and being poolside, a hot dog would have been nice!! Oh, I look forward to enjoying in moderation again!
Do you have a “Losing It” story? Link up to House of Hills and share!
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