I am currently of the mindset where I feel that I need to lose weight before going to the gym. I know it sounds ridiculous because gyms are meant to be the place for you to go and get fit. Who would judge you for trying get in better shape? Well, I don't know. I am not really sure if people at the gym take time to notice the fat girl trying to run on the elliptical or not because I don't go. I don't think I would feel comfortable until I lost a little more weight. Regardless of whether or not I would actually be judged it is my perception and I just don't think I would feel comfortable there. So until then my plan is to exercise on my own. Then today I came across a video about a Dallas gym that is only open to fat people. I am far from Dallas, but it is an interesting concept. The owners have tried to create a space where overweight members can feel comfortable and want to attend.
Here is the video:
What are your thoughts?
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
When you have 100+ pounds to lose...
This morning I posted my current stats and discussed my long-term goals (yes reaching that special number of at least 174 on the scale). But, i am so far from reaching that goal. It could be years! Weight doesn't magically disappear and thinking of having to lose more than 100 lbs is overwhelming. It is probably one of the reasons why I've never been able to stick with it before. Instead of thinking of such a large goal (one that quite frankly seems impossible at times), I need to stay motivated, have a series of little goals and celebrate them each along the way.
I've recently started reading the book "Finally Thin" by Kim Bensen. it was recommended at my last meeting and so I am not even half-way through it, but I wish I had read it sooner. The author, (you can visit her website here), lost a total of 212 lbs...212 LBS!!! Yes, not a typo, she lost a person, an overweight person at that! As luck would have it, I got to her discussion of goal setting during my lunch break today. Here is what she recommends:
The SIMPLE Goal Setting Plan-
Specific
In writing
Possible
Limited in time
Enticing
She notes that it is important to put all your goals in writing because "goals that aren't in writing are just dreams or hopes for the future. But once you put them to paper they become a contract, a binding agreement with yourself." For us here in the blog world we are doing just that! I am writing this all down and accountable to myself, but by putting it all out here I am even more accountable. Makes me want even more to follow through on my personal promises.
Also, I recognize that I fall for a goal setting trap that is discussed and I do it over and over (lol I even posted one this morning!) and that trap is telling myself I will lose x pounds in x days. Apparently those goals do not typically work long-term, from personal experience one hasn't worked for me yet. Instead goals (according to "Finally Thin") should be limited in time, but it is different from I originally was thinking. Instead of x pounds in x days a good goal would be to run on the treadmill 3 times a week.
The last part of her goal setting tips really made me laugh to myself. She says to make your goals "enticing." Yes, that means give yourself a reward for achieving your goals. Funny enough she notes that you need to make sure that your goals are not counterproductive. The example she uses is not to reward yourself for losing 10 lbs by eating an a whole pizza. Her example is what made me laugh because I am totally a counterproductive goal setter! This time around I rejoined weight watchers with my younger sister and we told each other that when we reached our 5% goals we would get a slice each of cheesecake from the cheesecake Factory (we have issues, huh?). We said it would be a reward for eating so good and would come out of our 49 extra points for the week. And when we reached our 5% goals that is what we did. That was several weeks ago now and now I have been on a plateau of sorts (at only 18 lbs lost) and why I am seriously reevaluating my plan. Especially when my sister who joined at the same time has lost almost 50 lbs. In fact, my sister just told me the other day that she was going to get that piece of cheesecake to reward herself for her loss. Now she is doing an amazing job, as evidenced by her weight loss, and maybe she is the exception and not the rule for this example, but I will be showing her the goal chapter and I am interested in her thoughts.
Ok, now that I have reviewed and thought about some goal making tips, I've though of some of my own. I only started with some very simple ones off the top of my head so I'm starting small.
So here they are:
Ok, so that is my short, simple list off the top of my head. I need to think of some non counterproductive rewards. The big reward at the moment is to go on a nice vacation with my sister the summer of 2014, but I have some thinking to do to determine what would most entice me to stay motivated for all the little goals along the way.
Have you thought of any goals? What rewards will you give yourself?
I've recently started reading the book "Finally Thin" by Kim Bensen. it was recommended at my last meeting and so I am not even half-way through it, but I wish I had read it sooner. The author, (you can visit her website here), lost a total of 212 lbs...212 LBS!!! Yes, not a typo, she lost a person, an overweight person at that! As luck would have it, I got to her discussion of goal setting during my lunch break today. Here is what she recommends:
The SIMPLE Goal Setting Plan-
Specific
In writing
Possible
Limited in time
Enticing
She notes that it is important to put all your goals in writing because "goals that aren't in writing are just dreams or hopes for the future. But once you put them to paper they become a contract, a binding agreement with yourself." For us here in the blog world we are doing just that! I am writing this all down and accountable to myself, but by putting it all out here I am even more accountable. Makes me want even more to follow through on my personal promises.
Also, I recognize that I fall for a goal setting trap that is discussed and I do it over and over (lol I even posted one this morning!) and that trap is telling myself I will lose x pounds in x days. Apparently those goals do not typically work long-term, from personal experience one hasn't worked for me yet. Instead goals (according to "Finally Thin") should be limited in time, but it is different from I originally was thinking. Instead of x pounds in x days a good goal would be to run on the treadmill 3 times a week.
The last part of her goal setting tips really made me laugh to myself. She says to make your goals "enticing." Yes, that means give yourself a reward for achieving your goals. Funny enough she notes that you need to make sure that your goals are not counterproductive. The example she uses is not to reward yourself for losing 10 lbs by eating an a whole pizza. Her example is what made me laugh because I am totally a counterproductive goal setter! This time around I rejoined weight watchers with my younger sister and we told each other that when we reached our 5% goals we would get a slice each of cheesecake from the cheesecake Factory (we have issues, huh?). We said it would be a reward for eating so good and would come out of our 49 extra points for the week. And when we reached our 5% goals that is what we did. That was several weeks ago now and now I have been on a plateau of sorts (at only 18 lbs lost) and why I am seriously reevaluating my plan. Especially when my sister who joined at the same time has lost almost 50 lbs. In fact, my sister just told me the other day that she was going to get that piece of cheesecake to reward herself for her loss. Now she is doing an amazing job, as evidenced by her weight loss, and maybe she is the exception and not the rule for this example, but I will be showing her the goal chapter and I am interested in her thoughts.
Ok, now that I have reviewed and thought about some goal making tips, I've though of some of my own. I only started with some very simple ones off the top of my head so I'm starting small.
"If you always do what you did, you'll always get what you got."
So here they are:
- Drink less Diet Coke! Really, I have an addiction...it is bad. Yes, it is delicious and 0 calories, but it is packed with sodium and that is probably part of my problem. The sodium makes you retain water. So I need to replace my Diet Coke with water.
- Use my elliptical for at least 20 minutes/3x a week. Yes, you know that elliptical QVC convinced my to purchase 2 years ago. Sure I used it in the beginning and even probably lost some weight, but since then it has been a glorified coat rack! So it is back to the main floor of the house in an open area where it can be used so no more excuses, it is time to get some more exercise!
- Track everything...everyday! I can't be adding it together in my head. I need to write it all down and make sure that I am always staying within my points so I don't forget that snack I grabbed in the middle of the afternoon. Plus, if I have a good week I will have a better idea of what foods work for me.
- This month I will try new recipes. I am more of a picky eater and it is time I found more healthy options of the foods I enjoy to avoid ordering out when I'm tired and nothing sounds good. I need to learn a pizza recipe that is good to eat and low in calories, for example.
- Attend a weight watchers meeting each Sunday and weigh in, even if I think I've gained weight.
Ok, so that is my short, simple list off the top of my head. I need to think of some non counterproductive rewards. The big reward at the moment is to go on a nice vacation with my sister the summer of 2014, but I have some thinking to do to determine what would most entice me to stay motivated for all the little goals along the way.
Have you thought of any goals? What rewards will you give yourself?
Setting Goals
I joined Weight Watchers on August 5th and the weight has been very slow to come off. I know a lot of this has been related to me not finding the right balance of what I am eating and exercise. I stay within my point range, but still am not losing significantly. Reviewing my eating habits, I am finding that it is not how much I'm eating, but what I am eating. I am carbohydrate sensitive and my body does not do as well with them and so I am not losing the weight I need. Knowing this now and reflecting, I know I need to make some big changes. However, Rome was not built in a day. Little by little, that is what I need to remember. This isn't just another diet, I am attempting to change my life and how I live.
We all need to start somewhere. The important thing is that we start. By writing and posting here I will be fully accountable for my progress and I think that is really important. I admit that this week has not been the best eating/tracking week. I feel like I am in that period of re-evaluation. I am in the planning stages of what I need to be doing, what steps I should be taking. I have been reviewing my tracker for what I was eating in the past weeks and determining what I need to cut out, what changes really need to be made.
First, let's start with the stats:
Height- 5'10''
Current Total Loss= 18lbs
I think the important thing to remind myself is that I have still lost 18lbs. It is better to be going in that direction, even if it has been really slow. The program says that on average a healthy weight loss is between .5-2lbs per week. I am below that and therefore I need to make adjustments. I need to better "on program" and I need to focus more on my goals!
So, what is my goal?
Weight Watchers says the maximum I should weight for my height is 174lbs. That obviously is my long term goal, to be a lifetime member and to weight 174lbs. I do not know how long it will take...but this is what I need to do! .
My short term goal was to lose 50lbs by the time I am a Maid of Honor in a Wedding on April 20th. My weight loss has been slower than I originally planned and I worry that I will not reach that goal, but I am going to keep trying and get off as much as I can! I have about 3.5 months until the wedding and need to lose an additional 32lbs. It is not impossible, but I will need to have some big weeks and losing an average of .2lbs (what I am currently averaging) isn't going to do it.
It is clear that I need to be in for the long haul. It may take over a year from this point to reach 174lbs but the key is to not give up. To stick with it, to try, to committ, to know that I am worth it and a change needs to be made. There isn't a shortcut, it takes hard work. I am recommitting myself to the program, what about you?
Happy losing!
<3 ktj
We all need to start somewhere. The important thing is that we start. By writing and posting here I will be fully accountable for my progress and I think that is really important. I admit that this week has not been the best eating/tracking week. I feel like I am in that period of re-evaluation. I am in the planning stages of what I need to be doing, what steps I should be taking. I have been reviewing my tracker for what I was eating in the past weeks and determining what I need to cut out, what changes really need to be made.
First, let's start with the stats:
Height- 5'10''
Current Total Loss= 18lbs
I think the important thing to remind myself is that I have still lost 18lbs. It is better to be going in that direction, even if it has been really slow. The program says that on average a healthy weight loss is between .5-2lbs per week. I am below that and therefore I need to make adjustments. I need to better "on program" and I need to focus more on my goals!
So, what is my goal?
Weight Watchers says the maximum I should weight for my height is 174lbs. That obviously is my long term goal, to be a lifetime member and to weight 174lbs. I do not know how long it will take...but this is what I need to do! .
My short term goal was to lose 50lbs by the time I am a Maid of Honor in a Wedding on April 20th. My weight loss has been slower than I originally planned and I worry that I will not reach that goal, but I am going to keep trying and get off as much as I can! I have about 3.5 months until the wedding and need to lose an additional 32lbs. It is not impossible, but I will need to have some big weeks and losing an average of .2lbs (what I am currently averaging) isn't going to do it.
It is clear that I need to be in for the long haul. It may take over a year from this point to reach 174lbs but the key is to not give up. To stick with it, to try, to committ, to know that I am worth it and a change needs to be made. There isn't a shortcut, it takes hard work. I am recommitting myself to the program, what about you?
Happy losing!
<3 ktj
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
"I'll start tomorrow."
How many times have I said that? How many times have you?
Often I find myself ready to lose weight (hell I think we all wish we could snap our fingers and suddenly be our ideal weight), but first I always tell myself that I need a "last hurrah!" Often this would consist of Olive Garden take out, usually chicken fettuccine alfredo with chicken and gnocchi soup and extra bread sticks. The whole meal is probably more points than I am supposed to eat in an entire day!
Does eating that food make me feel better? What do I get out of it?
This is what I struggle with. I am not 100% sure. It tastes good, it satisfies me, it fills me up. I don't know why I am a compulsive eater or how it started. When I think about compulsive eating the scene from Austin Powers comes to mind where "Fat Bastard" is talking about His weight and he says: "I can't stop eating. I eat because I'm unhappy an I'm unhappy because I eat. It is a vicious cycle." Is this me? It feels like it. It feels like I have been trapped for my entire life in this cycle of "fat." It is like a bad ride at an amusement park and I can't get off.
What is different this time?
Well, I finally finished school and passed all my exams. Now, I am a professional. It seems like I should now be in charge of my own life. I need to break the cycle. I need to learn how to eat right. And don't I deserve to someday look in a mirror and like what I see back? To go shopping and it be a fun experience and not a painful one where nothing fits?
To do this, for this to work this time, I new to know why I want to lose weight. In the beginning, I told myself it was finally time to get serious and lose this weight because I was asked to be the Maid of Honor in a wedding this Spring. But really, I have always wanted to be thin. It seemed like I needed this big event as a timeline for some goals.
Really there have been so many embarrassments or defeats due to my weight. I remember being so embarrassed my senior year of college when I went to an amusement park with some friends. During senior week we decided to go to the park as when we got to the roller coaster the harness was one you had to pull down over your head and it would lock in place and your feet dangle as you sit for the ride. Well, the harness wouldn't lock. Apparently there was one row for "big" people and my friends and I were moved to that row and we went on the ride. My friends didn't say anything then and it has never been discussed around me again, but I was mortified.
Since graduating from college a few years ago, and this past August, when I rejoined, I had signed up for weight watchers with my mother. We followed for awhile, but never filled a full book with all of our weigh in stickers. I don't remember why we quit that time, but it was the same old, same old like her and I had joined and quit so many times before.
Well, this Sunday, I weigh in and attend a meeting each Sunday, the last available space in my weight booklet will be filled, a first ever accomplishment!
I rejoined in August with my younger sister and mother and right now my weight loss has not been great. I know I need to make changes before I see the results I want and need. I am not quitting. At least I am still going to the meetings. I need a kick to help me, maybe mor support, or more accountability, or maybe I will work out some only internal weight struggles by writing it out. Well, no matter the reason, I will chronically my journey here. I hope that I find others who can relate and we can motivate one another. Feel free to comment and share your experiences!
Until then, happy losing!
<3 ktj
Often I find myself ready to lose weight (hell I think we all wish we could snap our fingers and suddenly be our ideal weight), but first I always tell myself that I need a "last hurrah!" Often this would consist of Olive Garden take out, usually chicken fettuccine alfredo with chicken and gnocchi soup and extra bread sticks. The whole meal is probably more points than I am supposed to eat in an entire day!
Does eating that food make me feel better? What do I get out of it?
This is what I struggle with. I am not 100% sure. It tastes good, it satisfies me, it fills me up. I don't know why I am a compulsive eater or how it started. When I think about compulsive eating the scene from Austin Powers comes to mind where "Fat Bastard" is talking about His weight and he says: "I can't stop eating. I eat because I'm unhappy an I'm unhappy because I eat. It is a vicious cycle." Is this me? It feels like it. It feels like I have been trapped for my entire life in this cycle of "fat." It is like a bad ride at an amusement park and I can't get off.
What is different this time?
Well, I finally finished school and passed all my exams. Now, I am a professional. It seems like I should now be in charge of my own life. I need to break the cycle. I need to learn how to eat right. And don't I deserve to someday look in a mirror and like what I see back? To go shopping and it be a fun experience and not a painful one where nothing fits?
To do this, for this to work this time, I new to know why I want to lose weight. In the beginning, I told myself it was finally time to get serious and lose this weight because I was asked to be the Maid of Honor in a wedding this Spring. But really, I have always wanted to be thin. It seemed like I needed this big event as a timeline for some goals.
Really there have been so many embarrassments or defeats due to my weight. I remember being so embarrassed my senior year of college when I went to an amusement park with some friends. During senior week we decided to go to the park as when we got to the roller coaster the harness was one you had to pull down over your head and it would lock in place and your feet dangle as you sit for the ride. Well, the harness wouldn't lock. Apparently there was one row for "big" people and my friends and I were moved to that row and we went on the ride. My friends didn't say anything then and it has never been discussed around me again, but I was mortified.
Since graduating from college a few years ago, and this past August, when I rejoined, I had signed up for weight watchers with my mother. We followed for awhile, but never filled a full book with all of our weigh in stickers. I don't remember why we quit that time, but it was the same old, same old like her and I had joined and quit so many times before.
Well, this Sunday, I weigh in and attend a meeting each Sunday, the last available space in my weight booklet will be filled, a first ever accomplishment!
I rejoined in August with my younger sister and mother and right now my weight loss has not been great. I know I need to make changes before I see the results I want and need. I am not quitting. At least I am still going to the meetings. I need a kick to help me, maybe mor support, or more accountability, or maybe I will work out some only internal weight struggles by writing it out. Well, no matter the reason, I will chronically my journey here. I hope that I find others who can relate and we can motivate one another. Feel free to comment and share your experiences!
Until then, happy losing!
<3 ktj
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
A Change is Gonna Come...
So here I am. I have never had a blog before, but I enjoy writing and reading and thought I would give it a try! What will I write about? Well, I have struggled with weight and losing weight my whole life. I have tried different diets, the whole been there done that routine. Now I am an adult, work full-time, and the excuses need to end. I need to lose this weight and lose for good. I think posting a blog will make me accountable. I will be honest here, but intend to stay anonymous, at least for now. I hope to post often and I hope to find others that can relate to this journey.
I will post more after I explore this site a little more.
Until then, happy losing!
<3 ktj
I will post more after I explore this site a little more.
Until then, happy losing!
<3 ktj
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