Week Recap - Shocking WI

So, I pretty much went off the deep end this week. And as soon as I did - I stopped getting on the scale. I'm sure this is a huge metaphor for denial and how I handle things in real life - but I'm a busy mom who doesn't want to think too hard about these things. Shocking, right? ;)

Anyways - I was very overwhelmed with the busy week we had and the kids were especially frustrating and I turned to my good friend sugar and carbs to help me along the way. At times I would try to turn things around - but then there would be a perfect excuse to just eat "normal" and I would take it.

I'm still not on track - hopefully tomorrow. But tonight there too many goodies in the house.

I did weigh in this morning - because it's the first of the month, the start of my week. It was shocking.

Truly shocking.

Well, I thought so. I was 201.0 lbs. What?!?! That doesn't make sense!!! I'm thrilled, I'm not at the lowest ever - but pretty darn low for me!!! I don't understand how over eating - and switching back to carbs and I lost weight???

So today - I should have just jumped right back on track - and I did do breakfast right. But alas - I've eaten very poorly. I'm over stressed this week with my husband out of town... and I don't know what up with my kids - but super drama whiny all over the place! UGH!!!

So I had a wine cooler with dinner. Actually - as soon as we were home... I think it helped. My daughter was hysterically crying for about an hour... calming down just enough because I couldn't understand her otherwise.

So looking at next week - I really want to kick up the exercise. I have easy dinners planned, so at least I can avoid eating out. I also have a new low carb plan for lunches which should help ALOT.

Making Strides

So I've been kicking butt getting exercise and pushing myself further. Very happy about this. For the first time in a while, I can feel sore muscles. This was mostly due to Monday. I meant to get to the gym, but there were other obligations I needed to get to for the family. So that evening, still dressed to workout yet never having done it - I went into the basement. I didn't want to, so I picked a short workout but one that gives great results. Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I don't plan on devoting the next 30 days to this, but it was a nice change and I'll probably work it into the routine.

Today I went to the gym early and got my run in. It's the first time since last week, since I hurt my knee. I meant to have my knee brace, but I was in such a rush it didn't make it! Anyway, I headed to some hidden machines that will allow you to choose up to 60 minutes of exercise. I like this idea, because when most machines are limited to 30 minutes, it's just too tempting to stop at 30. or 28 + cool down...

So I ran for 45 minutes and completed my first 5K in about 41 minutes!!! WHOO HOOO!!! That was my goal, to do a 5K. I know I can do it on the treadmill - I know I can keep active for that length of time... I need to work up my stamina a bit more before I try it on the road... but I'm pretty pleased with myself!

I'm not sure what a "good" time is for a 5K, and it's really personal, I think - but I would like to complete it under 40 minutes. 18 days until the big race!

In the mean time, I'm still attempting to recover from the carb overload on Sunday. It's coming off slowly, but yesterday got away from me, unintentionally. I had no plan or resources for lunch... so it was grazing... dinner slipped away as well and we had pizza - full of carbs. So today I'm trying to be especially good - I want to see the scale go below 200 this week. IT WILL!!!

Official Weigh In

My official weight for the week is 200.2 lbs. SO CLOSE to getting below 200 lbs. This week.

Today, Easter dinner - was amazing. I haven't eaten so much in a long time. I also snacked alot this evening on all the chocolate and candy I won't be eating the rest of the week. I gave away all the cookies, except maybe half a dozen for the family. I'm ready to get back on track tomorrow, although I probably won't check the scale!

Happy Easter!

Week Recap

This week has been amazing. I'm still going strong low carb. I don't always hit my goal of 100 carbs, but I usually am below 1600 calories. Which is amazing for me. I've done pretty well avoiding carbs in the evening, and in general not eating at night. I could have done even better last week, but I lost a good solid 2 pounds. So the beginning of this week was gaining control and getting back on track. I've certainly done that. I am so amazed that I'm sticking to this diet and am seeing results. I'm going to use tomorrow as my official WI for the week instead of Monday - because let's face it, Easter is going not going to go well for me.

I've been planning for Easter all week. I have low carb snacks, whole low carb foods, and I think if I just take a moment, I can plan my carbs in advance. But I don't think I can resist lemon cake or the homemade dinner rolls. And I should be polite and eat the jello salad and corn casserole.

My exercise for the week has been fairly good. I injured my knee Monday when I ran 2.5 miles. I didn't know it at the time, but it's gotten worse throughout the week. Friday I put a knee brace on and that made a huge difference. I wish I had thought of it sooner... Today's weather was amazing - I wish I could have gone for a run. We've had two and half times as much rain this season - so it's hard to believe the weather is going to get better... but it has to eventually. I still made it to the gym most every day, although I skipped today to clean. It all evens out.

So I'll let you know how tomorrow goes with the WI, I'm so excited! Although my carbs today are high - 160. But I'm still under 1600 calories. It was a good day. Darn those cookies I made.

Summary of the Week

Well, this week I went low carb. My aim was 100 carbs per day and to stay around 1600 calories. I think I did fairly well - especially considering I was on my monthly - in which case, I did AWESOME!!!

So I waited until today to summarize the week because Monday was the first true day I went low carb. I lost 2.6 lbs!!! It could have been better - earlier in the week I was down about another pound, but I just couldn't keep it up. I don't know if it was hormones or cravings from a different diet.. but I just caved for about two days. I did start to pull it back together - but I realized I need a way to satisfy my sweet tooth. There has to be something.

Well, when you're low carb, the best alternative is not fruit - it's a sugar free snack. Sugar free is not "whole foods" friendly. So I've been very torn about it all. Which also explains the binging. I resist any sweets because they aren't low carb and eventually I cave and eat sugar until there isn't any! Sugar isn't exactly "whole foods" friendly either. Especially the kind I'm eating - processed junk from the stores. OR donuts.

Anyways, last night I went to the store, stocked up on some meats and some sugar free pudding. I figure if the processed sugar I'm eating isn't healthy for me(in a whole foods sense...) then I might as well have the sugar free - if just for a season. I'm still going to go low carb and count my calories. I'm aiming to run at least three times per week and exercise more beyond that as well. I think I can manage that.

I know last week could have been better, but yah know what? It shows me that it works, and if I can solve this sugar problem, then I think I'll have alot more success in my future. It's so depressing to know that I've been "eatign healthy" and making "healthy choices" and trying really hard and have not lost more than 5 pounds since the new year. I know I should have cut my calories back long before... that was a big problem of mine. But sometimes it's just too much and you're just not ready to devote the time to counting calories. But I am now. I want to make a difference on the scale.

Losing Steam

Okay - I've had a pretty good week. Alot of resolve and dedication, more than I normally ever have. Last night was a struggle. Here it was only 6 pm and I was out of carbs and pretty much out of calories for the night. Dinner was over - and I was so desperate for dinner, it was gone pretty fast.

So what did I do?

I avoided snacking because there were no good alternatives. Well, at least until the kids went to bed at 8:30pm. I was pretty proud I didn't just stuff my face with just anything. I did search the fridge and found some carb free snacks. Crustless quiche from earlier that day. Then I realized my breakfast is pretty much carb free. So after my husband came home, I made him and me a serving of that as well.

It was late. I was eating too many calories. Well - lets see what the scale says. What are my limits?

Well, I did go up a bit, but less than a pound. Unfortunately, today's schedule wasn't agreeable for exercise. And I didn't want to eat low carb either. So what did I do?

I caved. I had cereal for breakfast(a healthy choice, but not a low carb choice) and for lunch: Chick-fil-a, a very unhealthy choice. I think I have almost kicked these cravings. Tonight we're having a game night. I'm planning on bringing a veggie tray and some cookies. I've been craving but avoiding sweets fairly well. Right now, that doesn't appeal to me, but tonight I might feel differently.I don't want to totally kill my progress this week, so my main goal is to not snack into the night. I won't lie, I'll probably have a sweet treat... but I'll have it early and be done.

Tomorrow I have a small opportunity to hit the gym. I really need to get my run in, and it should really be longer - at least 2 miles strait. Hopefully between the run and getting all these carb cravings out of the way - I'll be back on track. I can handle 1 poor eating day.

Oh - on a related note, I'm officially signed up for the 5K!!! It's happening one way or another!!! WHOO HOO!!! Go me!

Is it only Wednesday??

This week has been great. I've kept up with my running schedule of every other day plus did a fair amount of cardio on the off day. I've totally crushed the eating thing. I've been between 1500-1700 calories every day. I've also decided to limit my carbs to 100 a day. It takes a slight bit of planning - but I've done it. I've also lost 2.6 lbs and counting. And - to impress myself all the more, it's TOM again... I've been crazy disciplined - I don't know what's wrong with me, but I'll take it!!!

I'm able to handle the low carb thing, but I don't always like it. If I wasn't able to see results the next day - I wouldn't be able to do it. But I can work with it too. I can still have a cookie or candy - but then a lower carb dinner. It's actually forcing me to make healthier choices. I'm just excited to see results. I'm at my lowest weight(well, this year at least) at 202.0 lbs. I can't wait to see what it is by the end of the week.