Size 10!!!!!!!

 I have entered the long forgotten land of size ten.  I am down about 15 pounds from my starting weight.  It seems that dropping a size has been a LONG time coming.  I suspect that perhaps I really was not in a size 12 despite the fact that the tag on my jeans sported that number.  I was in denial.  When I would try on a size 12 that did not fit, I foolishly convinced my self that those pants were sized poorly. In actuality, I think it was that my jeans were either sized on the larger end of twelve and/or I had stretched them to a fourteen.  

Although it is pathetic that I was lying to myself, (not consciously), I am thrilled to be in a size that I have not seen since 2003.  On one hand, I feel like I have dropped only one size, but really I have dropped two.  Next stop, single digits, baby.

And, I am so close to the 130's, I can taste it.  Another half a pound or so and the first two numbers on my scale will be one and three.  I am planning on putting an updated picture as soon as I get there.

Almost 10 Percent

Weigh-in today:  141.2.  I am almost at the ten percent lost.  Almost 15 pounds.  So close.

My last post was about our purchasing a Wii Fit.  There are many heated debates out here in cyber land on the merits, or lack thereof, of owning a Fit.  Some say it is a great weight loss tool.  Others vehemently argue that a person would have to be out of his mind to think he could lose weight with a video game.

My take:  I lost a pound this last week.  I have "worked out" on the Fit everyday, minus one, since we bought it.  Perhaps, the pound lost had more to do with my eating habits.  However, I have not been counting calories. (laziness)  I have avoided junk, tried to eat lots of vegetables, etc.  But I have not measured or counted anything.  This usually means weight gain for me.

I really believe that going to the gym, running, walking, playing tennis, riding your bike, and various other forms of exercise are much better than a Wii Fit.  But, guess what?  If you are not going to do it consistently, it does not help.

The Wii Fit is the only exercise, that I look forward to doing.  Maybe after a month it will get old.  I like the challenge of perfecting the "exercises".  I like getting a score.  I LOVE being number one and watching my kids try to beat my score.  I like the fact that my least active child is having fun with this game, and wants to do it EVERYDAY.  I like talking smack to the trainer.

I try to burn as many calories as possible with the W.F.  There is downtime between games, so I jog in place while I wait.  I make a point of doing the harder exercises and the ones that get my heart rate going.

After a week and a half, I am definitely glad we bought it.  If you faithfully exercise on a regular basis then do not give it up and buy a Wii Fit, instead.  If you loathe exercise, and typically sit on the couch, knocking back Cokes, and watching Lost, maybe the Fit is for you.  If you live where there is inclement weather, and you are too big of a wimp to face it, get a Fit.  If you have a child who is just not physically active or co-ordinated, get a Fit.  If you have small kids and find it difficult to find time to go out to exercise, maybe a Fit is for you.  And, just maybe, the Fit will motivate you to get real exercise.  And, you might just lose a few pounds to boot.

Wii Finally Got One.

We finally found a Wii Fit.  I guess I was in worse shape than I thought, because my heart rate is getting up and my muscles are burning on some of those exercises.  The push-up/side plank exercise made me want my mama.  I foresee it taking me more than a week to master that one.

In order to burn more calories, I jog in place in between the exercises.  There is quite a bit of downtime from the time you end one exercise and you begin the next one.

My weight is steadily declining.  Slowly, but surely. I think I am a couple of pounds down from the ticker above, but I'll update that on Wednesday.

March 10 was my birthday.  I am determined that I will be in a healthy weight range before my next one.  As it is, I am ten pounds lighter this year than I was last year.  Ten pounds in one year is nothing to write a book about, but considering the move and all the family visits, I'll take it.  And, ten pounds lost is better than ten gained.  I am not proud of the fact, that I have sabotaged my own efforts, nor am I beating myself up over it.

Right now, I am on a mission to get this weight off for good.  I am abstaining from pop until I reach my goal.  I am also abstaining from desserts/junk food snacking unless it is a bona fide holiday or special occasion.  Weekends do not count, nor does National Boomerang Day.  Birthdays, those of close family or friends, our anniversary, Christmas, etc.

I do not consume a lot of pop and I doubt that alone will affect my weight.  It is merely an incentive.  Maybe if I stay off it long enough, I will no longer want it.  I also do not eat a large quantity of snack food and desserts, but those things are slippery slopes for me.  I say I'll have ONE scoop of ice cream ONE night and before I know it I have had two or three every night for a month.  I do not binge but I cannot have just one small serving on one occasion and be satisfied.

I am also endeavoring to get 20 minutes of some sort of physical exercise per day: walking, biking, Wii, something.  I find that if I set my goal at 20 minutes, I usually surpass it.  If I set my goal at 60 minutes, it does not happen.

Doing The Happy Dance

This morning's weight 143.8.  That is 1.4 pounds down from last Wednesday's weight.  Of course, last week my weight went up and I am not sure why, but I definitely regained lost ground this go round.  I am thrilled with 1.4 pounds in a week.  That is 5.2 pounds down this year.  

I would really like to lose 5 pounds a month, which considering my previously attempts is unlikely.  However, I am getting pretty close to that now.  

And, I may as well confess that I am doing very little in the way of exercise.  I am doing some, but not enough.  It seems that there is always something to distract me.  Not that getting distracting from exercise is very difficult.  Maybe this week. . .

Still Here, Still Dwindling

I am still here, folks.  And, I am still dwindling.  Slowly, but surely.  I haven't had much to blog about lately on the weight loss front.  Last week, I was up on my weight.  I do not know exactly why, but it seems to have come back down.  Right now, Wednesdays are my official weigh-in days.  I have all my crossable parts crossed in hopes that I will see 144 lbs.  

I continue entering my calories into Fitday.  I love seeing my BMI number go down.  And, I like seeing my weight change graph.  1500 calories seems to be the max that I can consume or I do not lose.  That number may change if I can get my rear back into gear and CONSISTENTLY exercise.  Hopefully, one day I will be able to eat the correct amount without logging everything, but for now if I do not I eat way too much even when I think I "cutting back".

Several pieces of clothing are fitting looser, including some awesome cords I got at Northern Reflections around Christmas time.  

In addition to the calorie counting, I am finding that grains and starches really slow down the weight loss.  So, I avoid them at breakfast and lunch, with very few exceptions.  I have almost gotten use to not eating cereal, oats, grits, toast, bagels, muffins, pancakes, etc. for breakfast.  Never thought I would say that.  But, in addition to them sabotaging my scale readings, I feel awful when I start the day off them.

Goodbye 146

145.0 today,  boys and girls.  And, hopefully, never again will I see that number.  I am embarrass to say that I did very little in the realm of exercise this past week.   It seems that way, but I am going to try to do better this week.  I must confess, that I am having a hard time forcing myself to exercise when the scale does better without it.  I know in the long run that is not true, but I am human.  I like seeing those numbers drop.   I am also seeing my measurements drop which is gratifying to say the least.

Stalled

Well, I was clipping along at a brilliant pace.  Since January 3, I have been on plan.  I have been counting calories.  I was losing over a pound of week.  I was pleased, amazed, yes, even shocked.  

BUT . . .

I started exercising and my weight loss stalled.  About ten days ago I hit 146.  I was thrilled.  Enter more regular exercise.  I am now at 145.8.  

Does anyone know why this happens?  This does not make sense to me at all.  I'll post my measurements at the end of the month.  Maybe, just maybe, the tape will be showing results.