Saturday, November 14, 2009

Things to get into

Wow. What a week this has been! down four pounds and feeling so fantastic! Now, I haven't weighed myself since Friday. I made a promise to myself that the weekends will be relaxed. It's actually more of a way to avoid chronic stress headaches. Slow and low.
BUT! I hope that when I weigh in again on Monday it's still a lowish number.
Yoga in the morning is doing so much for me, I can't believe it!
Woo!
Anyway, I hope you're doing well! :)

Sarah

Thursday, November 12, 2009

DAY 3 & 4: COMPLETED (3 pounds gone already)

Weight: 234.8 lbs
Pounds left to lose: 68.8 lbs
Days left: 7 Months, 26 Days
Mantra: "I'm not depriving myself, I'm giving my body only what it needs."
WEDNESDAY/ DAY THREE: COMPLETED

Weight: 233.2 lbs.
Pounds left to lose: 67.6 lbs.
Days left: 7 Months, 25 Days

7:13 AM--
I'll begin my workout in 7 minutes, and wanted to say before I start and forget, Wednesday was completed except that I wasn't able to have a vegetarian lunch and I ate dessert at Dinner. :( But, I'm still focused, so that's good.

9:39 AM--
Finished breakfast and exercising. Yum and Aah. Feeling good as I've already lost 3 pounds on this program. Yay!

4:49 PM --
For lunch I ate this soup from "Subway", it was good but, it only had 80 calories and 0.2 grams of fat. So, about 2 o'clock I WAS STARVING! but we had nothing I could eat so I stuck it out until 4:20 PM when I wanted to eat the table. Instead I had half of a sandwich with 2 slices of lunch meat and 1/2 teaspoon of mayo. It was on double fiber bread, too. It was roughly 200 calories. Breakfast was about 400. So, today I've consumed roughly 680 calories. Not Acceptable. I need to fuel the tool. Besides, I've drank nothing but water and Diet Coke. Oi. Not even 900 calories. We'll see how dinner goes.

9:34 PM--
Well, if dinner didn't bring my caloric intake up, nothing can. We had pizza. It was yummy but, I felt greasy and gross while I was eating it. Not to mention, I ate dessert again. I need to learn to have some willpower against these sugary foods!!!

Sarah

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Day Two: COMPLETED

Weight: 235.8 lbs.
Pounds left to lose: 69.8 lbs.
Days left: 7 Months, 27 Days

8:41 AM --
Finished yoga workout. Got up late though. My alarm went off at 6:15 AM as planned but, I turned it off, turned on the light, stretched, and next thing I knew It was 7:09 AM. I'm still pretty tired from not going to sleep until eleven. Breakfast time.

10:38 AM--
Had my breakfast and got to eat what was on my menu! peanut butter toast. It was good and filling, I ate it on double fiber bread and the peanut butter is all natural, oo la la. Anyway, soup for lunch again today. I like that soup. Glad to have realized that I lost half a pound today.

1:19 PM--
Ate my soup for lunch with cheese crackers and a piece of lightly buttered bread. Not bad, not bad. I ate a piece of pizza. Really regretting that. But! I've been drinking nothing but water and boy, do I feel weirdly clean!

8:14 PM---
Dinner was chicken rings and cheese fries. I didn't eat all my fries though, and I drank diet soda but, I feel bad about eating all the 'Rings. We'll see what Mr. Scale says tomorrow. Hopefully it's not a bad rap, hopefully it's only a few ounces. Can't believe I've already lost half a pound! Yay yay yay! :O)
Bedtime will be early tonight due to being tired circumstances.

Sarah

Monday, November 9, 2009

Day One: COMPLETED

Today's weight: 236.0 lbs.
Pounds needed to lose: 66.0 lbs.
Days left: 7 Months, 28 days

7:35 am --
Just finished my workout not even 10 minutes ago. I feel good, save for the fact that I didn't do all the ab workouts. I had a hard time doing the "Punch Crunches" and instead did "Knees up Crunches" to substitute. I'm going to make it my focus next week to work on being able to complete at least 10 "Punch Crunches". This week I'm focusing on making it through without cheating my way through. I'm off to go make breakfast.
Todays menu says: Eggs, toast and protein shake.

8:05 am --
Really? already? Sheesh! I just finished breakfast and guess what? I'm already getting heckled. "Tsk tsk! a shake for breakfast? well this won't last long!" from my mother. And "Hm. That's a small portion of bran." from my father. Yeah, they already said I have to "Eat with the family" because my dad's on vacation and it'd be nice to be together at the table. Bah! We'll see how lunch goes. I'm having my soup no matter what.

2:00 pm--
Ate my soup, drank my water, had my choice of sides. My lunch was delicious! the vegetable soup is filling AND low-cal and low-fat. It's a heart healthy recipe, I it got from Taste of Home magazine. I can already tell a difference in my mood and energy levels. Can't "weight" to check the scale tomorrow! ha ha ha ha!

9:32 pm--
Okay, for dinner I had half of a cheeseburger. Awesome. Only place I screwed up was dessert, I had the whole little cup of custard. Oh well. I did really well today. Time to go to sleep and get up at 6:30 am tomorrow and do my Tuesday workout which is a lot of Yoga. *yawn* Nightie night!

Sarah

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Here we go! Monday is just a few hours away...

Okie Dokie everybody, tomorrow is the big day!! :) I'm soo excited! And I just can't hide it!
But, I should confess that I'm also scared. Of what? a weight loss program? No. I'm scared of the future. What if I DON'T lose this weight? What if I end up failing and giving up?
Nope. Not gonna do it. I'm NOT going to think this way. You know why? because that's just the part of me that doesn't want to succeed. The part of me that told me I was "healthy" at 250. I'm not that part of me anymore. We'll call that part of me "Grendol". Grendol doesn't want me to be happy, or to be healthy. Grendol hates it when I recieve compliments for doing something I've always wanted to do like getting a freelance writer job. Grendol above all HATES CHANGE. When I eat a carrot, Grendol gets mad because I would've usually gone for the carrot cake. In order to survive this weight battle and ultimately win, I must be like Beowulf.
I MUST KILL GRENDOL!!!

Yeah, I compared myself to Beowulf. Grendol's freaking out because that's something I've always wanted to do. It keeps telling me to "Erase! Erase! Erase!" but, I'm not gonna. I'm too hyped up on my excitement about tomorrow and my knowing that by July 7th, 2010 I WILL BE 170 LBS! I WILL BE THE REAL ME!!
For soo many years I've been depriving myself of the life and body I've always wanted, I've been hiding in the layers of fat but no more.

Tomorrow is a new day, a new week, and the start of a new life. If I can make it through this week, I can make it through this month, and this year.

Monday is a whole chance to try again.

Sarah

Thursday, November 5, 2009

70 pounds slimmer by my 18th birthday! 170 here I come!

"The opposite of action is not inaction: it is presence." A Yoga Mantra

So, today I'm spending some time really hashing out my workout routine for the next two months. I'd like to quickly clear up an error, November 7, is not a Monday. Therefore, I will be starting on November 9, which is. Thank you for your time.
Anyway, for the next two months I'll be doing a "20 pounds blast off!" routine. I know, I know. I always declare I'm going to start another routine, then something is thrown in the way, then I announce I'm starting a DIFFERENT routine, and etc. etc. so on and so forth.
Not today, Readers. No, this time I'm doing it. I've got only a few more months before my 18th birthday and if I'm gonna be legal, I wanna look illegal! I will be 66.6 pounds smaller. I will be sexier than ever before. I can do it, I will do it, and I will love it. I will work through every obstacle, I will ignore my want for 5 more minutes sleep, I will prepare healthy meals, I WILL NO LONGER DEPRIVE MYSELF OF THE LIFE AND BODY I DESERVE!!
If I am not 170 pounds by my 18th birthday, I will DELETE THIS BLOG. No sense having a blog about weight loss if you're not losing weight.
No more excuses. No more denial. No fatness.


Stay Fit,

Sarah



Birthday countdown: 8 months, 2 days
Weight: 236.6
Mantra for today: To begin is the victory

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Medical Mystery Tour!!

Sorry, another entry.

I have a mystery I'd like someone to solve. I have tried to find out some information on it but, unfortunately, I've been given very few clues.

About a week ago, I was doing yoga at 7 am, when I decided to jog a little bit. I jogged for maybe 2 minutes when my left leg became so stiff I couldn't move it. It caused tears of pain to roll down my cheek as well. As I was laying on my bed, the cramp began to travel up my left side. It stopped when it reached my neck, and only lasted past my leg for 4 or 5 minutes. Whereas, it was well after 7:45 am before my leg cramp went away.

Any ideas?

Sarah

Some goals and rants

There's a sweater in my closet that I'd like to fit into before my 18th birthday.
It's not that attractive but, it holds sentimental value to me. I received it from my oldest sister, A, before she left to live in Virginia. I don't know what size it is because, she cut off the tag so her husband wouldn't know what size she wore. I'm estimating it's a size medium or small. Hopefully, I'll be able to lose 70 pounds in 6 months like Kerri and Casey. My birthday is in July, that's 8 months from now. Let's see, if I lost 70 pounds I'd be....166. 4 pounds off of my weight goal.
Of course, my goal weight isn't based on BMI or my doctor's medical opinion. If it were so, I'd be aiming for 130. Instead, I chose a weight I remember feeling sexy and healthy at.
Golly, I haven't been 170 since I was 11 or 12.
My hot doctor informed me last visit that I was "heart healthy" and only needed to "Shed some excess fat." I also asked him if 130 was where I HAD to be, and informed him of my 40 pounds heavier goal. He told me I was healthy right now and that 170 wouldn't be too overweight.
Good to hear, I must say it was relieving to hear I was going to be okay the way I am.
Man, recently I've been dealing with a load of stress. My sister, M, gave birth to her second child today and well, it's just been hectic. Everyone wants to come see her and the people closest to her. That means my mother, father, brothers, sisters, and ME. "Congratulations! Congratulations!" they echo into my ear, as if this phenomenon has never happened before. I welcome my new niece into the family with open arms and never ending love in my heart but, at some point it all gets a little old. My mother who has been through six births of her own and three births of her six grandchildren acts so stir crazy. "Is that him? is that him? Excuse me, nurse! How is the pregnant woman in room 555 doing? really? I asked this same question not even 5 minutes ago?"
OI CAVAH!!
So, needless to say, I haven't found the time nor the energy t workout in 3 days. And I can feel it. The baby was to be born at 11 am and we arrived at 7:30 am because WE WERE NOT GOING TO MISS THE BIRTH!!! and we didn't.
Holding urine for 6 hours once seemed impossible to me but, today I found out I could do it. We were not allowed to leave the waiting room until my brother-in-law came out and informed us if the baby had been born or not.
Pain in the brain, y'all.
Anyway, sorry about the explosion rant you just witnessed there. On Monday, November 7, I WILL START MY NEW EXERCISE REGIMEN!!
THIS I SWEAR!!!

Stay Fit,

Sarah

Monday, November 2, 2009

Interview with two sisters who've lost a combined total of 140 pounds!!

Kerri and Casey are twin sisters who've -combined- lost 140 lbs. Truly amazing! I met them at my counselor's office while they were waiting to see her and give her 'before' and 'after' photos. I luckily had my notepad and pen and asked them if it was okay to interview them for my blog. They agreed under the promise that I not use their last names.
So, I won't. BUT, I will tell you their story. It's one you might be familiar with, as Kerri and Casey began their tale.
In 1997, they both turned 13 (they're twins) and were weighing in around 200 lbs. Their Mom and Dad said that if they lost 20 pounds each by Christmas they'd get to pick out one BIG gift costing $250 dollars or less. Eager to get the prize money, they started dieting. They did their own diet which was basically anorexia and bulimia combined. They consumed only 900 calories and if they over ate, they'd vomit the contents back up. "Stupid idea, I admit now. But back then we didn't know any better." says Casey, showing me the picture of them in December 1997. They looked like two Nicole Richie's, having lost 45 pounds each in 4 months. They exercised from 3 in the afternoon until 7 in the evening, consumed most of their calories from fruit and bread, and cut out all drinks that weren't water. Then, finally, Christmas 1997 they weighed in that morning. Kerri was 156 lbs. and Casey was 157 lbs. They'd met their goal, exceeded it, and were off to buy everything they wanted with their reward money. Bu, On January 12the, 1998 they gained 10 pounds in what seemed like overnight. "In one week, we packed on 10 pounds. It's unbelievable." says Kerri.
Not knowing what to do, they just went with the flow. By age 15, they were 250 lbs. Now, at age 24 they're both 180.

Q: So, what were all the exercises and diet plans you tried to lose the weight?

Casey: Well, at first we tried to pick a celebrity and do their diet plan and workout regimen but, that didn't last for long. J.LO's diet is just too weird for me. Who drinks eggs?

Kerri: Yeah, at 15 I wanted to look like Halle Berry because everyone thought she was hot. I can't do cardio for 2 hours, gulp down a protein and carbohydrate shake, then do strength training for another 2 hours. I have a job!

Q: What was your wake up call?

Kerri: My clothing options. Floral, stretchy pants, and sandals just don't go together.

Casey: Probably when I couldn't sit down in a regular movie theater seat. I had to use two of them.

Q: Did you ever get harassed for being so big?

Kerri: Not much, no. I mainly got alot of "pity friends". They actually would encourage me to be chubby.

Casey: Ditto. They'd always give me big portions if I ever ate over at their house.

Q: How long did it take you to lose the weight?

Casey: A little over 6 months. Of course, I wasn't an avid exerciser! ha ha ha! my aerobic satisfaction was Pilate's and that's about it.

Kerri: 6 to 7 months. I'm an exercise lover! I lost the biggest amount I think, after I started running.

Casey: Yeah, she likes to sweat.

Q: Have you noticed any changes besides the obvious? i.e. the way people treat you?

Casey: Yes. Before it seemed I was judged before I even spoke. Now, people actually listen to what I have to say.

Kerri: My biggest difference was confidence. Before I would barely talk to anyone at work, now I'm going to parties that I've would've said 'no' to.

Q: What was your diet plan?

Kerri: We had different views on this one. I like alot of carbs and protein in the morning, a real heavy filling breakfast. I did the "Idiot Proof" diet. High protein and fiber. It's really easy to follow.

Casey: I'm a South Beach kind of girl. I like alot of light food. The only thing I didn't like about the plan was no carbs for a while. I like toast and English muffins. Serious withdrawal!

Q: Do you still follow these plans?

Kerri: Yeah. It's easy to.

Casey: When I start to gain some pounds I'll go all out, but for the most part I just follow the basic guidelines.

Kerri: Sometimes I switch to the same plan when I'm having diet fatigue.

Q: So, last question, any final advice you would give to my readers?

Casey: Don't ever give giving up a thought! YOU CAN DO IT!! I'm a snail and I lost 70 pounds, you can sure as heck do it!

Kerri: If you really want it, DON'T YOU DARE THINK NEGATIVE! look in the mirror everyday and applaud what you've accomplished, even if it's a 1 pound loss. That's what weight loss is all about, baby steps.

Q: Thank you very much for your time!

Kerri: No problem! and goo luck to you and your readers on The Journey.

Casey: Yeah, you're gonna have to host a "lose your pants" party when you finish.


Stay fit,

Sarah


REFERENCES:

The Idiot Proof Diet by Neris Thomas and India Knight

South Beach Diet By Arthur Agatston

Everything! Pilate's book by Amy Taylor Alpers and Rachel Taylor Segel

The complete book of running by Amby Burfoot

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Trials and Tribulations

"Hey, um, are you really buying that stuff?" asked my gay friend, T. I shrugged my shoulders trying to look non-chalant about my purchase of Whey Protein Breakfast Shake Powder. "I thought I'dgive it a try." I said, placing it in my basket. T gave me a look of pity. "You know, I don't think you're putting any real effort into this whole losing weight thing." he said as he placed B12 vitamins in the basket, "How much do you workout anymore?"
I counted on my fingers, 6 am to 8 am is two hours, then 2pm to 3 pm is one hour, and finally 5 pm to 7 pm, two more hours.
"Five hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Two hours on Tuesday and Thursday." I replied expecting him to be shocked with amazement.
"HOLY SH**!" he said, staring at me with wide eyes, "That is WAAAAYY too much exercising time! nobody exercises that much! That's just not healthy! Madonna doesn't even spend five hours a day on her body!" I looked at him, he was thin and frail. He's never been two pounds overweight, heck! He's probably UNDERweight! he'll never understand this struggle I'm going through. "You know, T, I'm really overweight. One hundred plus pounds overweight. I just want to lose this flab! How is that soo wrong?" I asked.
"Yeah, well, apparently you also want to kill yourself! You're never going to get skinny working out like that!" T and I were obviously at different ends of the Earth.
We walked up t the cash register, all the shiny and pretty wrappers on the candy bars caught my eye. "Why don't you eat one?" asked T, holding out a Twix. "I can't. I'll gain weight from those empty calories. I'll get some trail mix." I reached for the bag and placed it on the belt. When my items reached the cashier he grinned, "Looks like someone's on a diet." I chuckled "Actually.." I began to say before T cut me off, "She an exercise-aholic. She's like, anorexic." the cashier examined my physique, "I wouldn't say 'anorexic'. " Wow. Two people ragging on me at once! what am I? A-Rod? leave me alone! I wanted to scream at them really bad, "YOU'RE BOTH SCUM SUCKING WASTES OF SPACE!!" But istead I said "Okay, enough about me.." I paid for my things and headed to the car where my Mom was waiting. I got in and she looked through my bag. "Whey protein? what's that? It's not a diet pill, IS IT?"
"No, mom. It's just a shake powder. Like SlimFast."
My mom shook her head, "You girls are just alike! always obsessed with what your little bodies look like. Like anyone cares!"
I thought to myself, "Obviously, people care otherwise we wouldn't think Halle Berry was the sexiest woman, it'd be Kristie Alley."
My mom and I drove off in the opposite direction of T. Our ride was silent. Nothing said between each other. Finally she sighed.
"So, are you interested in getting a boyfriend soon?"
I rolled my eyes. I couldn't believe she says no one cares then she starts the 'If you just.." speech on me.
"A lot of guys would be interested in you, if you just lost a few more pounds."
I rolled my eyes again.
"And, I you just were a little more outgoing you'd meet a few more nice guys for potential suitors."
"I guess I need to lose some weight, then." I said, staring out the window.
"No, no, no! that's not at all what I'm saying!"
she said, pulling into our driveway, "You just need to be yourself!"
Really? well, this fat is not me, therefore, I'm not being myself. Every piece of her advice contradicts it's self.
I'm not that attractive to boys beyond a friend. I'm not worried about changing that status for a while. I am, however, worried about living long enough to be able to change that someday. I just need to do one thing right now.

I need to lose weight.


Sarah