One week in...

Well, I am one week in on this new fitness journey, and I can say, it is going well.  My doctor has me on a 1200 calorie a day diet restriction, and it is going well.  I thought I would be going out of my mind now laying in a corner dreaming about food.  However, that is not the case.  NO, instead I am sitting at my desk, researching foods and meal planning.  I love this new lifestyle, there are kinks yet to be worked out, but things are coming along fine.

I went to the doctor yesterday for my one week check in.  The doctor wanted to make sure I was doing what we had discussed and that I was not going to say one thing and the scale and body analysis another.  Well I am proud to report that the doctor was surprised with what she saw.  In the first week I lost 7.5 lbs!!!  Much more than just the pounds I lost, some other things changed, and I am happy about that as well.  Things that I have never thought about.  For instance, the number of calories my body needs a day to function at its peak dropped by 32, which is great, because it means that my weight also dropped.  Additionally, the amount of fat weight dropped more than the amount of water weight dropped, also a good thing.  It means I actually lost fat!!! (Celebrating inside)  The most universal piece of terminology is that my BMI (Body Mass Index) dropped an entire point as well.  All good news in my book.

The ends are greats, however the means to getting there was not as glorious.  Starting out I thought I would not be able to eat anything.  I mean I was at the store, thinking OMG, everything has SO many calories, something I have never given much consideration to before.  I had cravings, and wanted things I shouldn't have and didn't really know what to do about it.  There were days I was so concerned with not eating too many calories, that I did not eat enough.  Which I am sure contributed to the massive weight loss.  As the week went on, it became easier, but there are still daily struggles.  There was one day, I had eaten far less than my allotted 1200, so I thought I could "reward" myself with some ice cream.  I did, it tasted great!!! However, looking back I know it was not the best choice.  I used 260 calories on ice cream, that could have been used on fruit.  Its a learning process as well as a growth process.  I am in a place of transition.  Trying to help my body understand that just because I want it and can have it doesn't mean I should.

Trying new recipes has been fun.  I keep soup on hand either in the fridge or in single portions in the freezer.  I love soup!!! It also makes it easier if there were no leftover from dinner to take for lunch the next day.  I can grab soup and be on my way.  This way I am not tempted to cheat myself and hinder consistent progress.  I love chicken and veggie soup, its quick and easy to make and tastes great.  Additionally, you can have a large amount for not a large amount of calories.

My newest recipe is Fish Tacos!! Lets say YUM!!!

For my daughter and I alone we used the following:

1lb fish  (we used Swai/Basa)
2 tablespoons Blackening Seasoning (adjust to meet your tastes)
1 CanGreen Giant Southwestern Style Corn
Tortilla shells, hard or soft
Tomatoes

Lettuce

Cheese
Salsa
Sour Cream (Optional)

I seasoned the fish and cooked it stove top with a little non-stick cooking spray (0 calories), cook until done.  Depending on your fish this should only take 10-12 minutes.  Break the fish in pieces once removed from the pan.  Dice and cut veggies, serve as you would a regular taco.  

I am sure adding some cilantro, lime, and even jalapeno would make things even better!

I had my tacos on hard shells because they were 35 calories a shells versus the flour tortilla that was 100 calories per shell.  I still watched my portion size.  I was able to eat 4 tacos for a total of 340 calories.  I did not have cheese or sour cream on my tacos, and they were still delicious.  I think the next time instead of shredding the lettuce, I will use the lettuce as my shell.  That may afford me either cheese or sour cream...hmmm....

Exercising:

The exercising has been fun as well.  I have done a lot of walking, and will be hitting the gym tonight.  My commitment is to get exercise in at least 4 times a week.  I know for sure I will walk on Wednesday and go to the gym on Thursdays.  I am not sure what my other set two days will be, but I do know for sure, I will make it happen.

With one week down, and a lifetime to go, I think I am satisfied and will continue living to fine tune the treasure that I am...I will check in again next week!

Day 1

Today is day 1 for me, the beginning of something new.  For years I have been unhappy with my physical appearance, and have always said I would not get to this point.  Well I am here, and I do not want to be here for long, but am willing to stay here as long as it takes.

Yesterday was a big day for me.  I met with Dr. Woods, who work with the Center for Medical Wight Loss.  I have decided that my efforts alone, and the other gimmicks I was convinced would work, are not working and it is time to get serious about this thing. 

I failed at going to the gym, I failed using Sensa, and I am no longer willing to fail at this weight loss thing.

I went to see Dr. Woods, and after a consultation we have decided on a few things:

I will reduce my caloric intake to 1200 calories a day.
I will do at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 times a week.
I will drink at least 8 glasses of water.
I will take an appetite suppressant for a while, at least 3 months.
I will monitor progress and make a decision from there if I want to continue.

There were more option available to me, but this one seemed like it would allow me to be most successful.  Granted, I will not lose 20 pounds a month, I may just lose 4-10, and I am okay with that.

It was a hard thing to do, the morning of the consultation 11/28/12 I was almost convinced that I was not going to go.  I could reschedule, I didn't feel like making the drive, I didn't know how I would be emotionally, had I prayed on it enough, what was the point in doing all this really?  Above all the reasons I had not to do it, I have two bigger reasons to do it.  I am not ready to die or live with major health issues due to my size, and my family deserves a better me.  Not only my immediate family, but also the husband I am trusting God to send me.  While I want him to love me for me, I also want him to have the best me there is to have.

I want to do better for my daughter, she is young and image is important to her.  I never want her to be embarrassed with the way her mother looks.  After all, I believe that I am what she can look forward to "being" like when she gets older, and I was that to be a pleasant expectation for her.  Additionally, I want better for her.  My eating habits form hers.  If I eat fast good, so will she, if I eat baked chicken, so will she, or she will starve :) . 

Life is full of choices, and I chose to do better, be better, live better.  Today is day one and I am ready!  There are a few pictures below of what food looked like for me on this special day.


Breakfast: Vanilla Shake from CMWL

 

Lunch: 4oz Steamed Swai (Lemon Pepper), Salad (Romaine Lettuce, Celery, Bell Peppers, Cherry Tomatoes, and Mushrooms) With 6 sprays of Balsamic Vinaigrette, Sugar Free Cherry Jello and WATER!

 The remains of my salad that I could not convince my body to eat...

Sensa Beginning

So I have my Sensa and I've been shaking, but not consistently.  I can tell the difference already.  Not only in my appetite, but also in my mindset.  I want to eat less, and do better, and I can tell that I am.  I plan to hit it hard beginning Sunday, carrying a shaker with me at all times.  The biggest challenge I see lying ahead of me is camp.  I go to church camp this month, and am not looking forward to shaking while there because I know I will get blank stares, prayers, and many questions.  I am trying to prepare myself for it all.  At the end of the day, as long as I reach the goal, it wont matter what it took to get there.  July is month one.  I began weighing 243 we will see what the scale says at the end of the month.

The beginning is on the way...

So I ordered Sensa, but then it came on TV with a better offer, so instead of starting, I am returning the first shipment and will wait for the second one to arrive.  In the mean time, I have started bringing my lunch and snacks to work, instead of going crazy over sweets and what not.  I have been more attentive to labels and portions.  As silly as it sounds, I eat less when larger portions are available.  I think mentally, I have myself convinced that either I will look like a pig if I eat everything, or that there is plenty, and if I am a bit hungry later I can go back.  I think it also helps that when I am full there is more than a bite or two left.  This is good because I don't feel like I HAVE to eat it since it is such a small amount.  One step at a time, one step away from victory.

At a stand still again?

Well, I cannot even tell you the last time I went to the gym.  I was sick and then life got busy and and and...and I have not been there.  So I am ready to get back up on the horse.  I am trying a few new things to get my life in healthier order.

Weight Loss:
I am trying the sensa system.  I plan to give it my all, even with the possibility of embarrassment and ridicule to see if it will work for me.  Honestly, I would love to lose 50 pounds, but am at a point where 20 would send me screaming about.

Heart Health:
I plan to get more cardio in my life!  I will get in the gym no less than three times a week, and will work for at least one house.  If I can at least walk for an hour, I will feel like I have done well.  My goal with the cardio plan is to make the hour count for more each time.  Instead of only getting a half mile done in an hour, and to increase my ability to do more in less time.

Eating:
I have already starting working on this part. I will no longer shop for the whole month at one time, instead I will go to the store weekly.  my reasoning behind this is to incorporate more fresh produce and healthier meats.  I also believe this will help me reduce waste in the home.  Additionally, I will have to choose one weekly treat for my home.  I will not have both Oreos, Ice cream, and candy.  One item at a time to reduce the possibility of abuse.  I will increase my advance preparation.  I will cut and chop veggies on Sunday to get me through the week.

Drinking:
I am working to drink a TON more water daily.  I do not struggle with drinking too much juice and soda, but I struggle with drinking enough water.  My plan is to drink more water.

So far, these are my ideas that will lead me to a healthier me and a healthier lifestyle.

Long Time No Progress

So I haven't posted in a while, I have had a lot going on, everything you could imagine, except fitness.  So here I am trying to get back in the groove of things.  Today I ordered Sensa, I am going to give it a try in conjunction with the gym.  I will do weekly updates to let you know how it goes.

Fighting for the Feeling...

It has been a while since I last posted, and sadly enough, I must admit that I have not been doing so well.  I have decreased the number of days that I go to the gym.  I think it is a result of the newness wearing off, and the old mentality setting back in.

However, I have a counter weapon.  I have a 2 mile walk DVD that I use on days I do not feel like going to the gym.  I have not officially weighed myself (mixed feelings about doing so) I have been complimented several times for "slimming down".  It is always a nice compliment to hear.

So for now I will keep pushing myself...