losing weight without losing my mind

vacation is over.

2011-10-11T06:44:00.000-05:00

Hey, y’all, I’m back! I decided to take a few months off of WW, in order to focus on bigger things in my life. We recently bought a house, so all of my brainpower—including point counting—needed to be put there.

It’s been quite a journey. Stressful, joyful, exciting... We’ve run the gamut of emotions over the past three months. I think we’ve finally settled in enough that I can focus on myself and my weight loss. Wahoo!

My last weigh in was at 185. I’ve been waffling between 187 and 189. (not too shabby, considering the amount of take out we consumed!) I don’t want to see it climb any higher. It’s time I take charge of my eating habits and push the scale numbers DOWN (where they belong).

The next WW series I can join starts in a month. Between now and then, I plan on managing my points myself (well, with eTools) and attempting to up my exercise.

I’m also going to start twittering my journey. Many of you have been kind enough to follow my progress, and have sent lovely notes about your own WW experiences. I felt this would be a great way to keep everyone in the loop of my successes (and failures). I will post recipe ideas, daily struggles, and thoughts on my progress. Feel free to jump in on the discussion; follow me @jen_on_WW.

(week 29). two pounds away from being overweight!

2011-06-09T15:49:00.006-05:00

I am celebrating today. I am a mere TWO POUNDS from being classified as “overweight”. Why is that awesome? Well, for the past several years, I’ve been considered “obese”, and I’m VERY excited to change that very soon.

*sigh* I can’t even remember the last time I was one-eighty-something! Maybe when I got engaged, back in 2005? Wow. 6 years...

I had made a rule very early on in this process to not become obsessive about weighing in; there would be no daily scale-stepping for me. So that thinking eventually evolved into just not weighing in at all until Thursdays.

Of course, I was tempted by my mother-in-law’s scale this past Tuesday. I’ve had a rough few weeks, to be honest. I really didn’t expect much from this week’s weight loss, so I was beside myself when I saw 188 flash on the scale. In fact, I screamed! LOL.

I took particular care to not wear weighty clothes (hello, summer dress!) this morning. I was DETERMINED to at least maintain Tuesday’s results. As I stepped on the scale, 187.6 flashed! I LOST 4 POUNDS THIS WEEK! That’s almost 33 pounds since starting this, and about 50 since having Noah. That’s a lot to lose.

What does that look like? A little something like this:

I’d like to leave you with a quote I heard in my WW meeting today, as it is not only completely true, but giggle-worthy:

“Diet helps you look good in clothes. Exercise helps you look good naked.”

(week 28). losing again...

2011-06-02T11:19:00.001-05:00

Not going to go into a long post about this, but I lost 1.6 pounds this week. Very happy that I’m getting back on track.

(week 27). eating my feelings (a setback).

2011-05-27T17:45:00.000-05:00

I’ve temporarily lost my positivity. At least, I hope it’s a temporary loss. It’s weird how it seemingly came out of nowhere. (Or did it?)

A few weeks ago, my hair started coming out. Not in small amounts, either.

Oy. Of course it didn’t stop there. The ordinary (and not so ordinary) stresses started piling up, and before I knew it, I felt like I couldn’t handle anything.

When I started to stress out, I found myself reaching for a snack. Of course I didn’t count the points… it was a Red Vine here, or a few Doritos there… before I knew it, a small stash had formed in my bedside table.

I finally went to the doctor last week, and we ran a battery of tests. Anemia, thyroid, you name it, we looked into it.

Those tests came back today, and everything was “normal”. Of course, I was re-diagnosed with post-partem depression and anxiety. I’ve had bouts with both in the past, and neither has ever been as intense or as seemingly hopeless as it is now. It’s as if there are two parts to me; one that is overseeing things, trying to tell me how to make it through, while the other is actually living it, unable to hear what’s being said. It’s just such a disconnected feeling.

The doctor said that because I’m a naturally happy person, I feel the need to be “on” for everyone else, all the time, and I don’t let myself have bad days. I’ve now reached the point where I can’t turn myself back “on”.

I’m listless and tired, which is no good when you’re trying to motivate yourself to work out. (Wait, what’s motivation?!)

I don’t want to weigh in tomorrow, I’ll be honest. I don’t want to know what the scale says. I don’t want to see how the snuck snacks affect my scale numbers. But I need to. It may bring me down, but hopefully it helps wake me up. There are so many reasons that I started losing weight, and I can’t lose sight of it. I can’t let myself continue down the path of depression.

Not to make light of this, but I’m reminded of something from How I Met Your Mother: “I’m never sick. When I feel myself getting sick, I just become awesome instead.” That’s what I need to do. I need to find my “awesome”.

Oh, and about the hair thing: because the tests came back normal, it’s likely that it’s stress-related. According to Dr. D, if you count back about 3 months, you’ll find your stressor. For me, it was my son going into the hospital. Makes total sense…

Have you dealt with anxiety or depression? How did you get through it?

(week 26). Best. Lunch. EVER.

2011-05-12T13:11:00.000-05:00

I am very lucky to work at a place that has not one, but two cafeterias. True, it could work against me (a pizza bar? Hamburgers and fries and gravy-covered goodness?! NOM.) but I have learned to find the better Points Plus values to maximize my food intake.

While I occasionally stop by the salad bar, THIS is what I usually feast on, for 5 POINTS PLUS:

Grilled chicken breast (5), broccoli (0) and mushrooms (0). Add in some A1 sauce (0) and a diet soda (0), and I’m set! Fortunately, this only takes up 1/6th of my daily Points Plus allotment, leaving many PPs left to splurge on dinner and snacks. (Oh, the broccoli gets switched out for a sweet potato occasionally, but the few additional PPs are worth it.)

(week 25). the voyage was very bon…

2011-05-05T06:37:00.000-05:00

enjoying our first trip away at sea.

Wow, y’all, the cruise was amazing! We had a very lovely five days aboard the Carnival Ecstasy relaxing, resting, and of course... EATING! To truly celebrate my weight loss, I didn’t count a single point all week. I kept good eating choices in the back of my mind, but this was MY TIME to indulge, if I chose.

biggest indulgence: chocolate melting cake.

To offset that, I was going to use the on-board gym. Honestly—other than the initial tour—I never made it. (I got as far as the spa and then stopped, LOL!) BUT, we used the stairs A LOT (thanks mostly to annoying kids who pushed EVERY BUTTON) and walked the length of the ship often. During our excursion, we traipsed the grounds of Mayan ruins in 100 degrees, or plowed through sandy beaches (a workout in itself!). I more than got my 30 minutes of exercise each day, I think.

That’s probably a good thing, though, because the food could have really set me back. As our cruise director pointed out, you could have 14 meals a day, and it’d all be FREE! The buffet was always open, including a 24-hour pizzeria, the dining room had extended hours, and room service was always included! We tried it all.

lobster and shrimp. ooh la la.

Oh, and the drinks?! Wow. Very fruity, very fun, and very full of alcohol. I can see why Carnival calls themselves the party ships.

resting on the beach. in a bathing suit. GOAL!

Seriously, Alex and I had a fantastic vacation, and were so grateful for the break from it all. (Though we missed our little Noah terribly!)

the bares enjoying the last night of their vacation.

As soon as we hit Galveston, it was back to business as usual. I prepared myself for a gain this week, and was pleasantly surprised when I stepped on the WW scale: I lost 3.2 pounds! Hello, 190!

The numbers are encouraging for sure, but the fact that people around me are noticing my shrinking self is awesome. I’ve really appreciated everyone’s kind words… THANK YOU!

(week 23). the truth about numbers.

2011-04-21T20:52:00.005-05:00

A few days ago, I promised to post my actual weight. (You can read the backstory here)

I'm a woman of my word. I'm proud to announce...

I'm 193!

Let's look beyond the number, though.

At my highest weight (pregnancy), I was 234. I lost 14 pounds before joining WW. I've since gone on a 27-pound journey, totaling over 40 in the past year.

Other fun facts about my weight loss: As a 5'6" female, I had a 35.5 BMI. Today, I'm a 31. Every day I lose weight, I am regaining a part of my life. I'm getting HEALTHY. I find myself with more stamina (perfect for keeping up with a toddler!), and of course, self-confidence. My clothes don't fit (which you'd THINK would be awesome, but it's fairly frustrating) and my feet seem to have shrunk about a half-size. Hah.

It's because of my success that I'm able to be so open with you all. Hell, even if I didn't lose another pound, I could look back on what I've accomplished so far, and have one heck of a smile on my face. But it's definitely not been without it's ups and downs.

For example, getting to weigh in this morning was a bit of a pain. I consider WW the ONE thing I treat myself to during my work week. I get up from my desk, go downstairs and for one hour, I surround myself with people venturing on a very similar journey. It's strangely cathartic to discuss your problems and progress. I love it.

Even still, other things get in the way. I flew in and flew out without even processing what the scale said. I just checked my sheet; I lost almost a pound. :happy:

I'm thrilled to be at 193, but am striving for lower numbers on the scale. I was 150 when I went to college in Texas, and 135 in Kansas. That may be a little low for me now, so 145-150 is what I'm shooting for, broken into smaller increments. I can do that!

Now, who's brave enough to share THEIR numbers?

(week 22.5). pizza pardners

2011-04-19T20:25:00.004-05:00

The thing I love the most about blogging is the interaction with my readers. While comments don't always get left on blogspot, I have many of you commenting on my facebook page, emailing me and the like.

Yes, I started this blog for myself, to keep me on track and motivated. I can look back months (and even years) to see how far I've come. But more than that, others are getting something from my journey.

I received a particularly touching note today from an old friend. Alison and I worked together at Pizza Hut FOREVER ago. (almost 10 years ago, by now...) She was—and still is—an amazing person, and I am so proud to call her a friend. These days, she's a Notre Dame graduate, studying law and is engaged to an awesome man. ...I could go on, but let's get to her note:

Alison: Hey Jen! I just wanted to say I've read your blog, and it inspired me to get serious about my own health and weight loss in anticipation of my wedding and just to be more healthy in general. Anyway, I joined WW online eight weeks ago at the highest weight I've ever been, and I've lost almost 17 pounds in that time!! I'm really, really excited, and I feel so much better, and I wanted to share it with you because I feel like I have you partially to thank :)

That means so much to me! I am so glad that my journey is helping others start on theirs. That doesn't take away from all the hard work that she put in. ALISON lost 17 pounds. SUCCESS!

Does anyone else have any successes to share? I don't care if it's because of this blog or not, we just need to CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES!

Share them with me. jen826@gmail.com

(week 21). CHARMING.

2011-04-19T20:06:00.004-05:00

note: I know this is a little late (read: 12 days), but it's better late than never. I would normally skip straight to the present, but this was such a huge milestone, I couldn't NOT add it to the blog.

I. LOST. 25+. POUNDS.

I remember when I first joined WW, a friend told me to expect stickers and charms as incentives for weight loss. I giggled, but she warned that I would come to COVET these trinkets. And when I received my first five pound sticker, I was over the moon. My weight loss was tangible; my success wrapped up in a 1/2" sticker. So now, to get my 25-lb. charm... well, you could imagine my elation!

My leader announced my success to the group, and I couldn't have felt happier. Normally, I shy away from being recognized, but when it comes to WW, I just feel... proud. I did this. 25 pounds. WOW.

It immediately went on my key chain, and serves as a daily reminder that I can make my big goals happen out of my smaller milestones.

My leader, through celebrating my milestone, brought up my blog (hi Linda!). She asked if I had posted my actual weight here. "Not exactly," I answered. I had to wonder why, though. It's not that I hadn't shared my beginning weight SOMEWHERE in this blog, and anyone capable of basic math could figure out where I'm at now. There is just a stigma behind the higher numbers, one that I still seem to avoid.

But no more. This week will be my 23rd week on WW. And lose or gain, I will not only post my pound status, but I will put my actual weight out there. In black and white. Those of you who have ever struggled with weight understand why this is such a big deal. Even still, my new number is SUCH a celebration. Let's celebrate together on Thursday! See you then!

(week 20). workin' my way down.

2011-04-01T08:16:00.004-05:00

I wanted to be in a 12/14 by the end of April, and I MADE IT! Here I am in a size 14 pair of jeans... my NEW "skinny me" jeans!

It's crazy to believe that I was an 18/20 just a few months ago. It's not a place I ever wanted to be, and one I don't plan on revisiting any time soon.

Now, I've got my eye on a pair of size 10s for June...

(week 20). i'm not gonna lie...

2011-03-31T13:44:00.006-05:00

I gained .06 over the past two weeks. No excuses here, I went on vacation to see my dad, only to come back and be icky sick for a week. Workouts have temporarily been halted, as I continue to cough a lung up (at least it feels that way!). While trying to stick to eating well, there were a few days that I allowed myself a “free pass”. Man, STL has some great food!

Mommy and Noah enjoying our vacation!

But I didn’t totally stray from it all (if I had, I can only IMAGINE the weight I’d have gained). For the most part, I chose sensible meal choices (I won’t mention the cream soda float with a mountain of ice cream, or the awesome ribs I had—TWICE!), opted for water or diet soda and made sure to keep active.

We took Noah to the zoo (he loved) and the Children’s museum (he L-O-V-E-D!), and chased him around the airport, of course.

Noah on his first carousel ride.

Now, being sick for a week now, I’ve really had to just bite the bullet and allow myself to get better. That means a lot of sitting/resting when I get home. No workouts, no over-doing it... Nothing but rest. I used to make fun of people who would complain when they couldn’t work out, but MAN, I’ve been feeling weird and achy without exercise!

I had also been getting super-comfortable with the WW program. So much so, that my food tracking became sporadic. With starting a new WW series today, I’m going back to basics—if it goes in my mouth, it gets jotted down! Here’s what the day has looked like so far:

I’ve been at this almost 5 months, and have lost ALMOST 25 pounds. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come, but am even more excited of where I can take this.

As my WW leader reminds us, we shouldn’t always look at what this week’s scale says, but at what you’ve accomplished so far. She’s so right. Big picture, people!

(NOTE: .06 is NOT bad!)

(week 17). I’m WINNING, DUH!

2011-03-10T16:22:00.004-06:00

Yes, I took a page from Charlie Sheen, but if he’s taught me anything this week, it’s that you should be proud of your awesomeness.

And I’m super-proud of MY awesomeness; I’m down over 23 pounds! I’ve got another pound and change to go before I hit my “St. Louis” goal, and I think I can totally do it by next week!

Oh, and I almost forgot! With me not having blogged in a few weeks, I haven’t been able to mention I hit a MAJOR milestone a week or two ago: I hit my 10% goal! That is HUGE for me! It not only shows I’ve been able to stick with something, but that THIS IS WORKING!

I ran into an old co-worker earlier this week. She hadn’t seen me since I had just had the baby, and she was completely taken aback by how I looked. LOL, she said she didn’t even recognize me! I can’t always tell that I’ve lost weight... Sure, my face looks thinner, and my arms and legs aren’t as puffy, but I still look like the me I have in my head. Make sense? Maybe my brain never adjusted to “bigger Jen”. Sure, we’ll go with that.

This whole experience has been so positive; I just need to keep moving forward with it.

Now, what are YOU doing to WIN?!

This key chain is one of my most prized material possessions at the moment.
It represents the 10% I worked so hard to lose, and holds the promise of more to come. WORD.

(week 15.75). why I’m an open book.

2011-02-22T12:35:00.002-06:00

For a woman my size, some may find it bizarre that I’m as open as I am about my weight loss journey. So why am I doing it?

For one, I am the kind of person that needs to be held accountable—really accoutable—when it comes to things like this. I am a great self-starter and motivator when it comes to everything EXCEPT food.

When I started weight watchers, I told myself that I needed to be totally honest with myself about eating, portions, exercising... whatever. If I cheated, I was only cheating myself. But really, by getting my friends and family involved, they have served as fellow motivators, keeping me going when I didn’t want to.

Plus, people are naturally curious about life changes. You know it’s true. Look at shows like “Biggest Loser” or “I Used To Be Fat”. So, instead of occasionally posting pictures of a shrinking me, why not keep you all in the loop with WHAT I’m doing?! It’s not that I mind questions from y’all (I love them, and have gotten quite a few of you to commit to losing weight for yourself!), but why not keep it honest?

I think it would be interesting to look back on this experience, and see that it didn’t come easy. I can see my struggles, or my successes. I can see the changes in myself and know WHY I’m doing this. It’s a fascinating thing to have that kind of insight.

And at the end of the day, it’s just my personality to document, document, document. I love writing; it’s my release, my passion and (while not this topic) MY CAREER. I just can’t shut it off, so why fight it?!

(week 15.5). workin' (out) woman.

2011-02-19T09:42:00.000-06:00

I took the next step! Instead of just talking about it, I joined the FMCAC (community center) and started working out today.

I was unsure about what types of exercises I'd be up to doing, though. It's been YEARS since I'd worked out last (not counting chasing the baby), and didn't want to get overwhelmed. I learned about a really cool app a month or so ago--Couch to 5K--and am trying that out.

What is Couch to 5K(C25K)? Essentially, it gets lazy bums like me conditioned to do a 5K, in 9 short weeks. It alternates between walking and running commands, and over time, challenges and pushes you to endure the long trek. Plus, you can listen to iPod music and post results to FB, so why WOULDN'T I do it?! LOL

Today was hard to get through, but at least I went, and more importantly, followed through.

I CAN DO THIS!

Want to read more? SUBSCRIBE to my blog!

(week 15). keepin’ it real... keepin’ it flat...

2011-02-17T04:46:00.000-06:00

I weighed in today. Leading up to it, I was so nervous! With Noah’s birthday last weekend (happy birthday, baby boy!), I pigged OUT on cake. I mean, did I honestly expect my tiny 1-year-old to eat the massive cake by himself? The leftovers looked too good, and I couldn’t resist. So yes, I had (at least) one piece of cake every single day for the past WEEK! EEK!

I tried to watch portions otherwise, but I felt my plan slipping away. I stepped on the scale and *gasp * I hadn’t gained! ...I didn’t lose, either, but really, I did good to maintain!

I’m buckling down, though. With just three pounds from my next BIG goal, I need to step it up. And that is why I am taking some time tonight to go sign up for the gym. Nothing fancy, just the basics, but I need something to keep me moving toward my ultimate goal. I’d like to lose about 17 more pounds before the cruise, and that’s in just over two months. I can’t sit around just HOPING it will happen, right? So off my butt I go...

(week 13). make progress or make excuses.

2011-01-27T12:42:00.003-06:00

The title of my blog is a quote we were left with in today’s WW meeting. According to my leader, she heard it from a Real Estate guru (who’s name escaped her, sorry), but felt that it applies to weight loss. I absolutely agree. I find it encapsulates my journey. Basically, “put up or shut up”... “try or fail”. I’m in this to make progress, and I need to work on not making excuses about my faults. BUT, without an excuse or two, I wouldn’t have a blog, so…

After the past two weeks I’ve had, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was down another 2.6 pounds! (Please know, I did NOT weigh in last week)

After the last weigh-in, I was very focused on the plan. Then Noah got sick. It happened so fast, that it was hard to focus on anything else BUT him (as it should be). He was diagnosed with RSV and pneumonia, and we were admitted to the hospital for a few days (read about it here: http://mamabare.blogspot.com/2011/01/week-from-hell.html).

Now, kids, for what you SHOULDN’T DO on WW. NOTE: while I ultimately had a very successful weigh in, don’t follow this. Basically, “do what I say, not what I do”, got it?

I didn’t count at all. I tried to keep track of SOME things in my head, but for the most part, I said eff it. I managed my portions by sight, and I can tell you now that some were waaaaay off. There was a day or two where I just couldn’t eat, then I found myself wanting to snack on everything! Swedish Fish, Doritos, Crackers, Popcorn, Cookies… if it was in front of me, I wanted it in. my. belly.

I’m sure the stress of it all did a number on me, and I need to work harder on doing this the right way ALL THE TIME.

*end of the bad junk. time to tune back in*

Alex and I are talking about joining a gym, and have it narrowed down to two. We are looking for CHEAP, with child care and exercise equipment, of course… other than that, we don’t really care. Otherwise, I’ll step up my activity level with more walking and the wii. It sounds silly, but playing the wii for even 15 minutes a day can really get you moving!

I love getting messages from all of you, talking about your own experiences with weight loss or WW, so keep them coming! We can all learn from one another! That’s why I’m blogging about this now; it is not only keeping myself accountable, but it’s sharing tips with all of you, and hopefully motivating you to get healthy!

(week 11). nom nom.

2011-01-13T13:33:00.004-06:00

This past week, my WW leader challenged us all to track our food. Of course, this is essential to helping the program work, but some get comfortable with the daily routine.

Even I skip tracking a snack or two... But this week, I was diligent with it, and it looks like it paid off: another pound (well, it was almost 1-1/2, but whatever) down!

It’s amazing to see what I end up consuming each day, especially when I compare my eating habits from a year ago. My biggest change, of course, was exchanging Dr. Pepper for his diet counterpart. That saves me up to 16 points each day! (Yes, I was ending up consuming up to 48-oz. each day) I’ve always been into fruit and vegetables, but now, I’m making a conscious effort to pile them on at (almost) every meal! Instead of running out for a hamburger or happy meal, I’m stopping for a salad, or filling up on power foods and packed lunches.

I think the key to my success has been snacking. Whether it’s popcorn, a piece of fruit or drinking a glass of water, I keep myself fueled with bits of food. I even keep point-conscious snacks at my desk, so I’m never without something to munch on.

I have been working on my self-control (one cookie, not two), and I’m succeeding more often than not. Some days get the best of me (last night’s shepard’s pie was calling my name!), but I’m working on it.

But no matter what, if it goes in my mouth, it gets tracked.

I had mentioned to someone my next over-arching goal is to lose 20 pounds in the next three months. Does that sound reasonable to you all? That’s an average of 1-1/2 pounds per week, which is something I think I can do... Thoughts?

WW is a tool I use to help me change my life. Without my drive and motivation to make it work, it wouldn’t. That’s the ultimate key here. If you don’t want it and WORK for it, it simply won’t happen. Work for it with me, people.

(week 10). do a little dance...

2011-01-06T14:29:00.002-06:00

In my WW meetings before the holidays, I’d listen as my fellow WWers waxed on about how hard the Christmas season would be. Parties, food, alcohol... All the vices that got us here would come back to haunt in force.

Armed with tactics to get us through, we abandoned our meetings for TWO WEEKS! I promised myself that, while I would eat sensibly and maintain awareness, I would not track points or weigh myself until meetings resumed.

I think there were some moments of doing more than I should (steak and a margarita, and Christmas goodies to boot), but for the most part, I think I did well!

And the scale proved it... I lost 4.6 pounds over the few weeks away! For a girl who’s goal was to simply maintain, that is PHENOMENAL! That puts me at just about 14 pounds down in the 10 weeks, with my next goal—10%—a mere 8 pounds away!

But that’s not the only goal I’m shooting for. In three months, husband and I are going on a cruise. I’d like to see myself lose another 20 by then. Hopefully that’s a decent weight to feel comfortable in a bathing suit again. I haven’t been that size since I got engaged, I think. It’s crazy to think it’s actually attainable, as long as I stay on track!

Also, I’m happy to let you all know that the pedometer is really working out for me. The first two days, I walked an average of 9,000 steps, with me reaching about 11,000 steps yesterday! The number on the screen excites me, pushing me to (legitimately) get it higher. I hope to do 15,000 over the weekend. I can sense a long walk in Noah and mommy’s future...

I have been getting a lot of messages from friends, asking about my experience with WW. All in all, WW has been a super positive thing for me to get into. I’m learning about what I should and shouldn’t eat, all while not depriving myself (like actual diets do). I’m becoming more aware of activity, and pushing the little things I already do in my day to step it up. Most of all, I’m learning to love and appreciate who I am, all while working toward the best, most healthy me possible!

If you find yourself interested in not only losing weight, but becoming a more healthy person, consider joining. It may be hard to get used to tracking your food, but believe me, it’s so worth it. You’ll be amazed at how second nature it will start becoming. I’m not saying I’m there yet, but I’m on my way. Join me.

(week 9.5). particularly pedantic: pedometers

2011-01-03T09:28:00.002-06:00

With the start of a new year, I’m trying to step up (pardon the pun, though I’m sure it won’t be the last) my daily activities. My ultimate goal is to reach 10,000 steps each day, and I believe I’m well on my way. Not only do I park fairly far out in the parking garage at work, I am on the third floor. I traipse through the compound from meeting to meeting, then find myself running after a toddler at home... When he runs out of steam, so do I.

Over the weekend, I purchased a pedometer. Nothing fancy—it’s enough to enter my step goal, and count steps and miles trekked—but it’s interesting to see the numbers. Yesterday afternoon, for spending a good amount of time playing with Noah (fairly sedentary), then chasing him around the house and more active playing, I walked 4700 steps. That was about 2.5 miles of walking according to my pedometer.

This morning, in the almost two hours I’ve had it on, I’ve gone 2800 steps, or 1.3 miles. Not too shabby, eh?

I really feel the basis for good health is being being active, so I’m starting with the basics. Make it a point to just get up and move more! Don’t try to carry to much; instead, walk smaller loads back and forth. (This is something I’m particularly living by, thanks to having to tote a baby along) Get out and stroll around! Use the time to breathe and de-stress. Every weekend, Noah and I walk around at least one store. Not only am I able to restock on the few things we need, but it gives us time to get out, change scenery and stretch our legs.

Have you used a pedometer before? What was your experience with it?

(week 7). the aftermath.

2010-12-20T14:44:00.000-06:00

It’s been a few days since weigh-in, but I’m happy to announce that I’ve lost another 1.8 pounds! That brings my overall total in 42 days to 10.4 pounds (about 4 ounces a day)!

I’ve been sick for a few days, so it’s been hard to tune in to my body. I don’t know when I’m hungry, or full, or even able to eat at all! I feel like I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit since Thursday, but I’ve got two weeks until my next weigh-in (unless I go to a WW center), so I can focus on staying on track.

It helps that Noah is an active baby; he keeps me moving all day! In fact, he started WALKING last week! Oh my goodness, it seems like only yesterday that we brought him home, and now he’s practically running.

Over the holidays, I really plan to try to stick to what I should be eating. TRY is the key word. I don’t want to feel deprived or left out, but I also know that food won’t make me happy, so why over-do it?! I’ll focus on my son’s super-awesome first Christmas, and the family I will be surrounded by.

The positive train keeps on moving...

(week 6). I didn’t lose, I gained.

2010-12-09T15:32:00.001-06:00

... and that’s a positive! Yes, I lost 2 pounds today. That’s 32 ounces of CRAP that just burned off of me. While I “lost” the weight, it’s such a gain for me. A gain of life, of self, of further motivation... I gained today by losing!

I control my own destiny in this. I pick the foods. I choose how active I am. It’s up to me how “in it” I become. I can’t blame anyone else but myself if I stop succeeding.

Here’s something I’m finding I need to work on: holiday time snacking! There is so much just lying around, waiting to be gobbled up. Today, bagels, brownies, donuts and more were part of the workplace spread. Of course, I couldn’t resist my favorite: wheat bagel and shmear. (8 PointsPLUS) ...that’s not so horrible when I pair it with a well-stocked salad for lunch, but it doesn’t help to munch on another half bagel (5 more PP!) and some Swedish Fish (4 PP for an OUNCE!). Ugh. I’m down 24 points for the day, and I still have dinner to go. Soup it shall be for me...

I can do this, I can do this, I can do this...

I got a few WW books today that can tell me the PP values of food... I counted it up, and the typical Olive Garden meal I’d have would be worth more than my daily point allowance! O. M. G. No wonder I gained the weight that I did. The chicken parm alone was 15, and that didn’t include the spaghetti side ... add in a few breadsticks and the salad (one serving of the salad is 8 PP, thanks to the dressing and the cheese), and you’re screwed.

I get that WW is not a program to deprive yourself of the things you love, but it’s definitely making me rethink the things I used to eat. And that’s not a bad thing, I’ve got to say. 50 years ago, we didn’t have the obesity problem America has now. Candy and junky snacks were treats, and fruits and veggies were staples (not the other way around, like it seems to be today). People didn’t gorge on ginormous portions—they ate until they were satisfied, and moved on. Food was social, but in a very different way. Kids were more active than they are now, too! We need to go back to that. We may not have our parents around to force us to “eat our vegetables” or “go play outside”, but we should listen to the smart, healthy voice in our head, prodding us in that direction.

Who’s with me?

Now, someone pass me the green beans...

week (almost 6). one pound down, hungry for more...

2010-12-07T12:53:00.003-06:00

In all honesty, weigh in last week was a bit disappointing. It had been two weeks since I had weighed last, and I had only lost a pound. The positive in that, I know, is that I lost SOMETHING (especially over the holiday week), but I felt like I had done more than just a pound’s worth of work.

Sure, I had a few bad days. Without the baby there, I wasn’t moving as much, and quite honestly, I was mildly depressed. All that changed last week, though. I re-focused myself, and have been doing great ever since.

I had promised myself that I wouldn’t step on a scale unless it was for weigh in, but I couldn’t resist this morning. And as I stepped on the hallway scale WITH MY BOOTS AND EVERYTHING on, I found that I was down almost 7 pounds from last week!

A few things to note: it’s not calibrated the same as the WW scale, I’m sure. There’s got to be a few pound fluctuation. I was wearing shoes and a sweater, which are things I normally shed for weigh in. I have been moving and exercising this past week, as well as eating EXTREMELY well (even with four pieces of thin pizza last night—my weekly indulgence—I still had 3 points left over!)

Now, I just need to get through the holidays. I’m not taking much vacation time, so I’ll be busy with work. I’ve got a teething baby (he got FOUR teeth last Friday! At once!) and Christmas to sort out as well, but for now, I’m taking it in stride.

Fingers crossed Thursday’s weigh in goes well (and that I don’t get yelled at by my WW leader for losing TOO much in a week!).

week (almost) 5. ready for the scale?

2010-11-30T16:07:00.003-06:00

It’s been almost two weeks since I weighed in last. I’m nervous—especially since I didn’t deprive myself of Thanksgiving goodness—but excited. Despite not being AS hardcore over the weekend, I think that I’ve been doing well. As long as the number decreases some, I’ll be happy. Even if it doesn’t, I’ll just keep trying until next time!

Like I said previously, the baby is with my mom for the week. It’s been harder on me than I thought it’d be. I find myself occasionally bored, listless and feeling without purpose. What happens when Jen gets that way? She eats. I didn’t go overboard, but I did more than I probably should have. Steak! Sweet Potatoes! Cheesecake! That’s right, I had it all. Delicious, yes, but I felt awful afterward. I thought about all the points I just ate, or how much I’d have to compensate for to make it balance out.

I’m finding myself more conscious of what other people eat around me. Eating with friends at lunch, I watch them down multiple servings of butter-drenched, fat-laden foods. Do they realize what they’re doing? It’s not even about the points—the caloric intake that some people consume is just INSANE! Last night, husband ate an Oreo dipped in (lite) Cool Whip, and I just about died. I probably annoyed him with my gasps and “ick faces”—I need to just focus on what I’m eating instead of what everyone else chooses to put in their tummy.

In other news ... my MIL joined WW again yesterday! This is going to help us both stay accountable. Plus, it’s pretty nice that the two cooks in the house can be point conscious!

WW also announced a new “PointsPlus” system yesterday. I’ll learn more about it Thursday at my meeting, but from what I’m reading, fruit and (most) vegetables are free! This should definitely encourage all WWers to make healthy decisions and choose more of what we SHOULD be eating. Plus, my point allowance has gone up, thanks to their new formula. Sweet!

In regard to my “I LEARNED A...” two weeks ago: the soup and popcorn trick is working out so well! Yummy soups fill me up for just a couple points, and the popcorn serves as an all-afternoon snack! Yum!

I LEARNED A ...
SNACK TIP: “Fiber One” bars are amazing for your 2pm hunger pangs. They’re chewy, tasty and only a few points! Plus, the fiber helps keep you fuller longer. Making it to dinner is even easier!

week 4. no scale allowed!

2010-11-25T07:47:00.000-06:00

today is thanksgiving. we just left the baby at my mom's, and we are driving home through freezing rain. fun, right?

because of the holiday, I don't have a WW meeting this week. that doesn't mean I'm dropping my guard, though! I've been very good about monitoring my points, saving the "extra" for a dinner out with my parents yesterday. even still, I didn't go overboard or anything. whew!

WW mates had expressed the challenges with thanksgiving, and how to not feel pressured, but I'm finding my biggest challenge today has been the long-standing habits I created with road trips. we tend to eat fast food, candy, and plenty of other snacks, most likely out of boredom.

this time, I drank water or diet dr. pepper (0 points), had a few PIECES of low-fat candy, and ate sensibly when we stopped (even insisting on cracker barrel instead of mcdonalds).

did I do 100%? no, but making life changes take baby steps.

here's hoping next week still shows a loss! goodness knows I'm working for
it!

week 3. first milestone celebration!

2010-11-18T12:39:00.005-06:00

I celebrated my first WW milestone today—over five pounds lost! It's a big deal for me, because this is one of the first times I've absolutely focused on weight loss fully.

I am...

exercising (or at least amping up my activity)
watching my food intake
thinking about WHAT I'm eating
conscious about WHEN I'm eating
evaluating whether I'm hungry, thirsty, or just bored

With being sick, I think I'm doing pretty darn well.

I was recognized in today's meeting for my milestone, and my leader asked what it was like to lose the first five. I said—much to the chagrin of my WW mates, I'm sure—that it wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be... and I wasn't lying! All it takes is a bit of focus and determination, willpower and strength ... with that, you can do anything!

Next week, I am taking a road trip instead of eating Thanksgiving dinner. (No, I'm not intentionally missing T-day!) I think that being on a road that only featured McDonalds is going to be a challenge, but if I eat before we leave, and pack some decent snacks, I'll be able to stay on plan.

I'm super-excited that I can actually make this happen. According to WW, my 5% goal is 11 pounds; 10% is 22. I have the 10% in my sights for Christmas ... 16 more to go ...

I LEARNED A ...
LUNCH TIP: Add Progresso soups and popcorn to your lunch menu. The soup is only 2 points (for a whole can full of veggie goodness!) and a bag of fat-free popcorn is 1. I plan on entering that into my lunch rotation next week, which should help fill me up and slim me down.

week 2. a positive loss.

2010-11-14T05:23:00.000-06:00

weigh in was Thursday, and I was pleasantly surprised to find I lost three pounds. it was definitely a motivator for me.

I don't think I had expectations going into it really--I knew that I had stuck to my points and exercised some, but I didn't have a number or anything in mind.

going in to week three, I am really focused on doing well. I'm tired and sore, but I'm still pushing myself to be active. this morning, I was playing with Noah and doing sit-ups in between--such the multi-tasker!

if I can keep on 2-3 pounds lost per week, I could be down almost 20 by Christmas. THAT would be a lovely gift indeed.

week 1. weight loss while sick.

2010-11-07T09:54:00.000-06:00

I went to my first WW meeting last Thursday. The teacher got me really excited about doing the program, but my body had other ideas. I've been sick for almost a week now, so getting my head around this whole thing has been a bit of a challenge.

With that said, I've really TRIED to stick to my points. I'm not giving up Dr. Pepper just yet, but I've built it into my points each day. I've also picked up Smart Ones meals to make eating, counting and portion control easier.

Today, I was able to get a break from the baby, and did housework for over an hour. I broke a sweat running up and down the stairs, but man, did I get a work out!

I'm planning on waking up early each morning before work to work out to a DVD. it's my only time alone, with no distractions, so hopefully I can stick to it.

Goal for the week: two pounds.

The Time Is Now.

2010-11-01T14:29:00.001-05:00

I’ve come up with a list of reasons why I NEED to lose weight:

I must make myself—and my health—a priority.
I wake up aching.
I am unhappy with how I look in pictures.
I have an unrealistic view of what I look like, and find myself disappointed every time I realize it.
I have a 9 month old that needs to keep me around.
I am not on any sort of schedule or routine, and I could benefit from it.
I don’t exercise much, and need to.
I want to feel happy about accomplishing something.
I want to make a difference in my own life.
I don’t want to be squishy.
I want to be healthy.
I want to LIVE.

THIS is why I’m going to lose weight. This is why I’m going to be successful. This is my motivation.

I can do this.

Here's the deal.

2010-11-01T09:05:00.004-05:00

Okay, we are starting again. I don't expect anyone to read this, so I can be perfectly candid here.

I had a baby nine months ago. He is the BEST thing I could have ever asked for. But with the baby came the weight. In my case, I was no longer able to hover at a particular number. My stomach has the post-baby rolls, with skin that just kind of hangs. I'm sluggish, sore and miserable, all while chasing my baby around the house!

My body can feel it. It's time for a change.

I've decided, with the support of my family, to join Weight Watchers. I may not each much each day (which isn't good), but I also know I'm not always eating the best things for me. I need to work on that.

I also need to figure out a way to become more active in my life. Not sure how to do that yet, but it's going to happen. It HAS to.

I'm hoping that WW goes well. My goal is to lose 70 pounds. I can definitely conquer half of that by March, so we'll start there. Hell, if I can lose 15 by Christmas, I'll be a happy girl!

I will try to post here with my thoughts on my progress; hopefully it will be a great motivator for me over time.

Wish me luck. I can do this!!!

taking the first step, again.

2008-07-21T19:35:00.003-05:00

i know, i know ... it's been two months since my last post.

i'm ashamed to say that i've completely slacked off since then. my anxiety (and stress) was at an all-time high, and i was unsure of how to deal with it all. so essentially, i just shut down. it was easier to not have to think about weight loss and all that in entails.

as i've gotten bigger over the years, the more i'm uncomfortable around other people. i hate being the "fat" girl in the room, but i'm not doing anything to change it.

well, with any luck, that stops now ... for good.

i think i'm ready to do this for me.

let's see if i can see it through to the end.

didn't weigh in today ...

2008-05-15T16:46:00.003-05:00

i'm trying to keep my work-out momentum going, so i am avoiding the scale until next week.

in the mean time ...

eight more miles to go by sunday!

ridiculous ways to lose weight (or: things that just won't work)

2008-05-14T20:21:00.001-05:00

ready to "shed 10 pounds in 2 weeks"? how about getting your "bod beach-ready"?

with just weeks to go before summer starts, women are becoming desperate to see results, ready to believe just about everything they read.

my advice, don't.

here are a few examples (note: these specific headlines have not been in print anywhere — that i know of — but the gist of it has)

slather on the skinny: wow, this cream promises to eat my cellulite while i sleep ... it's only $60 an ounce. what a deal!?

eat-in-the-dark diet — savor the flavor and shed pounds: quite frankly, i eat even more in the dark. if i don't have to see it, it doesn't exist.

trim belly fat by reducing air intake: note to self, stop swallowing air. oxygen is the newest enemy.

don't eat your food, smell it: i think i feel like chicken for dinner ... yummy lotion.

slim your thighs with lip gloss, guaranteed: how can this even be possible? curbing cravings through your lips? crazy.

my suggestion? research, research, research. ask your doctor before you try anything that sounds too good to be true. more than likely, it probably is.

treadmill, again.

2008-05-14T20:20:00.001-05:00

i did another four miles today! :)

only eight more to go ...

treadmill.

2008-05-13T21:02:00.002-05:00

i told you all my goal was 20 miles a week on the bike, and i'm happy to say that i'm eight miles down!

it was a struggle to get me to the gym today, but i made it. hooray!

let them eat cake.

2008-05-13T17:49:00.002-05:00

my wedding anniversary (the big 0-1) is in two weeks.

alex and i aren't doing much to celebrate, since we're both working that weekend.

the one thing we ARE doing, however, is eating cake. yummy, delicious cake.

you see, we had picked out the most scrumptious cake last year — chef's white with cream cheese icing and raspberry mousse filling — and only had a few bites of it. shameful, i know.

despite my overhaul program, i'm determined to allow the cake a repeat performance.

turns out, the place we ordered the cake at offers a COMPLIMENTARY (yes, folks, that means free) 6" round cake for your anniversary, in the flavor of your choice.

and here we were, completely prepared to pay for the scrumptiousness.

i guess the best things in life ARE free.

(don't worry, i'll ride a few extra miles to make up for it.)

the fabulous cake comes from the appropriately-named delicious cakes. check out their website for more information, and tell them jen sent you!

want to join the "less is more" team?

2008-05-12T16:36:00.002-05:00

i'm looking for a few good women to join my blogging team.

if you're interested in:

• sharing your overhaul details
• writing thoughtful, on-topic posts
• finding buddies to keep you on-track
• motivating others to become healthy
• losing weight without losing your mind
• gaining writing experience

... then this is for you!

sorry, ladies, there's no money involved ... the payoff will be in your decreased pant size. : )

i think it's a really cool idea to have multiple stories of motivation presented ...

if so, send me an email (jenbare@mac.com) with the basic info:

• name
• age
• location
• weight loss goal
• writing experience (if any)
• overhaul plan
• why you want to do this

i can't wait to hear from you!

hello again. remember me?

2008-05-12T16:33:00.001-05:00

first of all, i'm back! it's been a crazy few weeks, but things have finally settled down enough for me to drop you all a line.

where did we leave off? oh yes — riley.

she has been settling in well. we're all still adjusting to our new schedule, but overall, we're doing great. alex and i are so proud of how far she's come in the past six weeks!

and when i'm not spending my time watching/continuing to train her, i'm working. a lot.

with that said, it's been really difficult to find the time to work out (or blog). i made it to the gym a couple of times (seriously, just two) since signing off.

my logic? well, i walk the dog every day, so that counts, right?

apparently not. i'm back up to 201.

in retrospect, i didn't watch what i ate as well as i thought i did. with alex's birthday and traveling, we ate out more than normal. (and did i mention cake? there was an abundance of cake!) i didn't shy away from pastas (although i'm still avoiding red meat and pork, for the most part) ... i drank caffeine. if there was one "let down," it would be that.

now that i'm back, it's time to get on track with things.

my new goal? work out EVERY morning before work. (fallback plan: if i miss my morning workout, i can make it up when i get off work)

and given my "type A" personality, i've decided to multitask during my 30-minute workout. instead of just listening to music, counting down the seconds until i'm done, i'll be reading all the books i want to read, but don't have time for. HAH, two birds with one stone!

(i did this for "the last lecture" — it really helped to pass the time!)

i am ready to feel better. i am ready to look better. i am ready to lose weight.

i'm not dead.

2008-04-29T20:25:00.004-05:00

hi everyone,

sorry for the slight hiatus. it may continue for the next few days.

where have i been? well, we ended up taking a last-minute trip up to kansas to get riley a week early. (alex's work had some scheduling screw-ups)

needless to say, we're thrilled to have her back, but we're taking the next few days to get back on a decent schedule. (rather, getting US on a decent schedule; mom did an excellent job on riley while she was there)

oh, lol, the highlight of my week came when i finally got her to go to the bathroom outside ... i'm so sad. : )

with all of the craziness, i'm still finding time to eat decent, and even though i'm not making it to the gym, i'm more than making up with it on my puppy walks.

so again, i apologize for my absence, but i really need to do this.

(and no worries, i'll be back in a day or two!)

thanks for understanding,
--jen

week seven weigh-in: results

2008-04-24T16:57:00.002-05:00

well, the time has come to step on the scale. again.

and mr. scale says: i've lost a big, fat zero! AGAIN!

despite my discouragement, the doctor told me it was normal to level out for a few weeks.

it's just time to kick it all into high gear ...

starting next week, i'm going to get SERIOUS about the workouts.

seriously.

you want to see my WHAT?

2008-04-24T16:49:00.003-05:00

i can count on less than one hand how many people have seen my nether-regions, and dr. jodie is one of them.

(now that i think about it, the realistic number is probably much higher, given the number of people that changed my diapers back in the day. we’re not going to get THAT technical.)

today, i went in for my yearly “women’s wellness” exam.

(the waiting room)

i have been obsessing over this visit all week.

“i need to shave my legs!”

(i may not be trying to impress the woman, but who wants to see the forest on my gams?)

“what should i wear?!”

this was a particular concern for me. i knew i definitely needed something with short sleeves (for the blood pressure cuff and bloodwork; one year i wore a sweater. BIG mistake) … something lightweight (after all, i WAS getting weighed today) … and of course, nothing too intricate to take off or put on.

i settled on a simple cotton dress.

this morning, though, i only thought about one thing: food.

fasting is not a particularly fun thing to do, but it’s necessary to get a decent bloodwork sample. it was doubly painful for me since i had finally put myself on a fairly regimented eating schedule. (by the end of it all, i was RUNNING for my yogurt and banana!)

what do they test for?

since i’m overweight, the doctor is monitoring my glucose — i’m hypoglycemic, a condition that could turn into diabetes if i’m not careful — but they also test cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. needless to say, it’s kind of important that they’re accurate.

i was weighed (i lost 9 pounds since she last saw me a few months ago, go me!), had my temperature and blood pressure taken. all normal.

one thing i always seem to forget: doctors are pee-happy. they will almost always ask you for a sample. it just never fails. be sure to arrive with a full bladder … otherwise, you’ll have to hang around until you can produce the “goods.”

being naked on a table (save for the half-gown they give you to maintain some shred of dignity) and having your feet in little pink stirrups is surreal. i mean, what do you say in situations like this, with your hoo-hoo hanging out? i tried to play it cool, but i couldn’t bring myself to look at her. i trust dr. jodie implicitly, but it’s still just WEIRD.

i had the “full-service” done. pap, breast exam, pelvic exam and skin check (apparently, i have great skin — an awesome complement given at a weird time). it’s good to get it all out of the way at once.

(the tools.)

i won’t go into specifics on procedures — i may be brave enough to write about the visit, but i’m definitely not in the mood to blush with every keystroke.

now for the facts: a pap test (aka: pap smear … although that just sounds messy and gross) checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. the cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina. the test can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer.

it is important for all women to have pap tests, along with pelvic exams, as part of their routine health care. you need a pap test if you are:
• 21 years or older
• under 21 years old and have been sexually active for three years or more

lastly, they took two viles of blood. i was relieved they found the vein on the first try; something we’ve had a hard time with in the past.

(the aftermath.)

i was there thirty minutes, from start to finish. despite my quirks and apprehensions about it all, the yearly exam is one of the best things i can do for my health. if you haven’t gone lately (or at all), GO!

... and this goes for guys, too! go in for your yearly exams. doctors can really help catch maladies early, so take advantage of that.

happy earth day.

2008-04-22T15:50:00.003-05:00

in honor of Earth day, i've decided to blog about the health of our planet.

here are 10 ideas for saving energy and otherwise cutting down on your impact on the planet.

1. change light bulbs. seriously. a highly efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) lasts for years, use a quarter of the energy of regular bulbs and actually produce more light.

2. drive differently, drive less, or drive a different vehicle. self-explanatory, really.

3. control your temperature. add two degrees to the AC thermostat in summer, and two degrees in winter. if everyone did this, the cumulative impact is significant. other ideas? clean your vents and change the filters regularly. and if you're really brave, avoid the AC altogether.

4. tame the refrigerator monster. turn on your "energy saver" switch near the thermostat. clean the condenser coil. this one, very simple thing can improve the efficiency of your refrigerator by a third!

5. twist some knobs. some other household "energy sucker uppers" include your hot water heater, your washer and dryer, and your dishwasher. some common sense ideas (wait until you have a full load, don't use the pre-rinse setting in the dishwasher, don't use HOT water — use warm — when washing clothes) will help you conserve a lot.

6. plant smartly. do everything you can in your yard and garden to create ways in which plants use less water. choose hardier plants, plant things in groups that need more water and put in mulch to help keep moisture in.

7. invest in green energy. the future is in renewable sources — solar panels, geothermal and wind power sources. also, if you invest, invest in green stocks and renewable energy companies through socially responsible funds. they perform just as well (if not better) than all of the unfiltered funds.

8. go organic. just remember this next time you eat your veggies: most American farmers still spray a billion pounds of pesticides to protect crops each year. do you really want to ingest that?!

9. buy recycled (and recycle). it takes less energy to manufacture a recycled product than a brand new one. wow. PLUS, recycled is often considerably cheaper than non-recycled, so it's cost-effective as well as conservation-minded. just look for the recyclable logo!

10. be a minimalist. essentially, the less you buy, the more you save energy-wise. no-brainer concept, but sometimes difficult to follow.

good luck going green!

swollen knees slow you down.

2008-04-21T20:35:00.003-05:00

well, my knee has been the size of a grapefruit since saturday. haven't been able to do much of anything since then.

that's discouraging me more than anything. i want to use the treadmill and bike already!

oh, what setbacks!

week six weigh-in: results

2008-04-18T16:41:00.002-05:00

well, the time has come to step on the scale. again.

and mr. scale says: i've gained a half pound (up to 199, for those who couldn't tell).

i'm glad that's all i've gained.

i didn't work out at all. (mostly because i couldn't see straight for a few days)

i had those yummy caramel eggs.

i've been in a weird funk.

oh, and i've been super-busy at work!

(enough excuses yet?)

i just have to try better next week.

now, i just have to find my motivation again.

i can't see.

2008-04-15T21:19:00.003-05:00

thanks to the power of allergies, my eyes were swollen and icky today.

i had to stay home.

the swelling is down, but the burning dry feeling remains.

hence, no real post. sorry friends!

p.s. i cheated so bad today. you know those really tiny cadburry eggs? throughout the day, i had 12. (yes, i know! it's horrible! i didn't even realize!!!)

not too much to say ...

2008-04-14T19:16:00.004-05:00

we did discover the fundamental difference between instant rice, and regular rice ... the amount of water used.

we've cooked rice several times since switching over. it used to be one cup of rice to one cup of water.

normal rice, not so much.

for one cup of rice, it takes 2-1/2 cups of water.

no WONDER it's been so crunchy.

lol, alex has always been in charge of rice (the rice cooker is so darn fun!) and i guess he didn't really realize there was a difference (neither did i, really).

we're always learning!

other random thoughts:

"the eating every few hours" thing is beginning to taper off. not sure if that's a good thing or not. i don't want to force things in me "just because."

plus, the past few days i've been feeling really bloated, so why add to that?!

i'm craving wha?!

2008-04-13T19:58:00.006-05:00

so, i was just sitting there, and i felt a rum-bly in my tum-bly.

"time to eat again," i thought.

what did my body tell me to eat?

SALAD!

all weekend, SALAD!

not because i had to, but because it is GOOD!

not to worry, i'm not turning into a rabbit.

alex and i decided to extend our menu to fish.

it looks good, doesn't it?

and here's our fresh green beans and fresh mushrooms ... mmmm ...

lastly, we got some raw almonds to snack on, but decided it was a bit too plain for us. so we roasted them in our homemade granola sauce.

btw, i gave ground turkey another shot last week (via our spaghetti). it was the BEST ever!

eating is fun again!

eat this, not that

2008-04-10T19:56:00.006-05:00

i just picked up a copy of "eat this, not that" by david zinczenko.

it's got lots of pretty pictures.

more importantly, it's got awesome information (what to eat at the mall, what dressings are best for salads, etc.) that helps you through the day in a sea of potential cheats.

i'll share some of the highlights in the days to come, i'm sure!

week five weigh-in: results

2008-04-10T19:51:00.002-05:00

well, the time has come to step on the scale. again.

and mr. scale says: i've lost a big, fat zero!

yeah, i kind of expected that to happen.

i picked up the pace the last half of the week, but i guess that just helped keep me from gaining.

oh well. i did my best.

let's go, week number six!

totally off the overhaul topic, but ...

2008-04-10T18:25:00.002-05:00

i wanted to share randy pausch with you all.

(even though i'm sure most of you have already heard of him)

profound. inspiring.

things that i've noticed over the past five weeks.

2008-04-09T17:48:00.005-05:00

my skin is clearer.

my arms are smaller.

my ankles aren't swollen.

my thighs are shrinking.

i have a collarbone again.

my chins are going away.

oh! i have cheekbones again!

my nails aren't chipping as much.

my feet are shrinking.

my small pants fit!

(lastly, alex swears that my boobs are getting bigger ... truth is, my waist is getting smaller!)

i'm finally starting to see some small changes ... what a motivator!

do i really want to wake up to THIS?

2008-04-08T17:25:00.004-05:00

i signed up for boot camp yesterday.

technically, i guess, i signed up to be called about the possibility of joining the gym's new boot camp program ... when they figure out how to pull it all together.

(details, details)

i digress.

i keep going back and forth with it in my head.

first of all, let's explain exactly what boot camp is.

"boot camp workouts are efficient because you work your entire body — heart and muscles — by going from one exercise to another with no rest. the workouts involve calisthenics like push-ups, jumping jacks, crunches and other body weight exercises...the difference lies in the intensity. In boot camp, your challenge is to take your body to its limit. you work, you sweat and, best of all, you burn calories like crazy." —about.com

i've had friends do boot camp-style workouts and they tell me it's just plain grueling, especially if you're not already in half-way decent shape.

i ache already. can you imagine how much pain i'd be in if i went through with it?

at the same time, can i imagine working through the pain to find my happy "pain-free" place?

i decided to make a pros and cons list, to help me decide.

pros:
challenging (and who doesn't like a challenge sometimes?)
definite calorie burner (yay)
increases energy, strength and endurance (yay, yay, yay)
decreases body fat and inches (they tell me an average of 3-5% fat lost ... i'm down with that)

cons:
really early (an insomniac needs her sleep!)
tons of people (anxiety kicks in)
(overly) intense (just plain scares me)
someone yelling at me lots (duh)

... as of this moment, the pros have won me over.

tomorrow may be a different story, though.

hah, i'm such a scared-y cat!

finding my way in a sea of temptation.

2008-04-07T19:11:00.003-05:00

i didn't do too well this weekend, but i'm getting back on-track today.

i ended up eating things that i shouldn't have.

and yes, i even drank a few fruity cocktails.

my "excuse" is that our friend came into town, and we celebrated.

and despite the tone of this post, i have no regrets for anything i consumed. : )

i'm working through this life change ... it just gets harder as you go on.

OH! i made it to work out this evening, and even signed up for boot camp.

they couldn't tell me much yet (as they're still developing the classes), but it would be for eight weeks. and it would kick my butt. i'm kinda excited about it ... but even more terrified.

lol, i'm off to make more granola. (i truly believe that my overhaul depends on that crunchy goodness!)

week four weigh-in: results

2008-04-03T16:54:00.003-05:00

well, the time has come to step on the scale. again.

and mr. scale says: i've lost 1.5 pounds!

that's right, folks, i'm BELOW 200 POUNDS!

yay me! 198.5!!

(the side view wasn't really working out for any of us, so enjoy incredibly shrinking face shots!)

i think my gym goal should remain ... three days this week.

equipment to try? elliptical. the thing intimidates me (not to mention feels so weird to do), but i'm going to try to use it.

i'm not really noticing a difference in how my clothes fit, but i'm sure that'll come in time.

i DO notice that the weight is shifting, and stretch marks are starting to appear. i'm all jiggly now.

overall, a really good week. let's go number five!

relapse.

2008-04-03T16:47:00.001-05:00

you know how most job sites have those "accident free since ..." signs? well, this site needs one, too.

"binge-free since april 2nd."

i was doing so well with everything ... until yesterday.

first of all, i didn't make it to the gym (my mouth was in serious pain, and i just couldn't make it. totally understandable, but personally disappointing)

secondly, my mom had made alex and i some DELICIOUS little muffins to bring home last week. in my favorite flavor: cranberry.

throughout the day, i had seven. SEVEN!

oh, emotional eating, you got me again!

*NOTE: i only ate two fat-free yogurts, a small salad and a fresco burrito, but that doesn't matter. it was the act of eating without knowing or recognizing my limits.*

why?!

i miss my dog. i'm tired. i'm overwhelmed by our messy apartment. i had to go to the dentist. i was in pain.

i'm not excusing my behavior, but recognizing it so i can move on. i had a fabulously delicious cheat, and despite how mad i am at myself, i just need to move on.

i can fail. i can succeed. the choice is my own.

today, i continue to choose success, even in the midst of my stumbles.

i can't let this get me down!

the gym, day two.

2008-04-01T17:56:00.005-05:00

bleh.

i've been a virtual zombie most of the day — doing my job, but dead to the world.

the whole way home, the devilish half of myself kept saying to spend the evening on the couch.

thankfully, the smarter side (i won't say angelic) won.

her argument? screw getting exercise! [you] can't let myself or my readers down, and cheating and lying about it is out of the question ...

so i went for day two this week!

here's me walking in, still unsure about the decision ...

and me walking my butt off. i'll never get a good picture while actively moving — sorry!

despite having to coerce myself in during the hard times, this whole thing is really working for me.

p.s. yes, sara, i'm wearing a tank top. i know! i'm branching out! (it's definitely better than the hoodie!)

me, then and now.

2008-04-01T14:40:00.003-05:00

first of all, forgive the bad hair.

here is me in at 18. i was about 132-135 (my lowest "adult" weight).

sometimes, this body is what i think i look like — until i catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

i don't think 132 is a good place for my body to be, but this look is my goal (sans the hair). this is what i picture in my mind when i want to get healthy and thin.

here i am today at 25 (and-a-half, thank you very much). there's about 65 pounds of difference.

when you think about it, i've gained 75 pounds in 8 years. not to mention all the fluctuations i've experienced ...

i want to have my perception of myself match the true vision of myself.

this journey may be long, but at least i'm traveling it.

the gym, day one.

2008-03-31T20:55:00.004-05:00

i went, i saw, i conquered!

i was super proud of myself. not only did i go by myself, i bumped up the speed on the treadmill by .5 mph, rode the bike twice as long, and did 60 sit-ups with 20 pounds on the machine.

oh! a GUY at work asked me if i was losing weight (and meant it in a complementing way) ... how often does that happen (especially since most men are afraid to comment on weight at all)!?

happy monday to me!

emotional eating: an epidemic

2008-03-31T20:38:00.005-05:00

i’ve said it before, and i’ll say it again:

“my name is jen, and i’m an emotional eater.”

thinking back now, i’ve been dealing with emotional eating for almost ten years. life transitions like moving, my parent’s divorce (hi mom and dad, this is not me blaming you for anything, it’s just something i’ve dealt with), going off to college, getting a job, and yes, even getting married (love you, sweetie) have impacted my thoughts toward food (or lack thereof).

we fill the void whenever we’re depressed, bored, lonely, angry, anxious, frustrated or stressed. we eat just because we can, not necessarily because we need to.

experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by emotions.

lol, i’m a statistic.

according to theotherjournal.com, “emotional eating is a very distressing and common problem in America. it affects far more Americans than the more extensively researched eating disorders of anorexia and bulimia. because of the social stigma Americans attach to being overweight and the highly-prized super-thin body, many are ashamed of their emotional eating behaviors and keep them secret. others have engaged in such behaviors for so long that it begins to feel normal.”

a month ago, my erratic eating habits DID feel normal. now, it takes everything i have to NOT succumb to to the pangs.

here are a few tips that have helped me, courtesy of mayoclinic.com:

• learn to recognize true hunger. is your hunger physical or emotional? if you ate just a few hours ago and don't have a rumbling stomach, you're probably not really hungry. give the craving a few minutes to pass.

•know your triggers. for the next several days, write down what you eat, how much you eat, when you eat, how you're feeling when you eat and how hungry you are. over time, you may see patterns emerge that reveal negative eating patterns and triggers to avoid.

• look elsewhere for comfort. instead of unwrapping a candy bar, take a walk, treat yourself to a movie, listen to music, read or call a friend. if you think that stress relating to a particular event is nudging you toward the refrigerator, try talking to someone about it to distract yourself. plan enjoyable events for yourself.

• don't keep unhealthy foods around. avoid having an abundance of high-calorie comfort foods in the house. if you feel hungry or blue, postpone the shopping trip for a few hours so that these feelings don't influence your decisions at the store.

• snack healthy. if you feel the urge to eat between meals, choose a low-fat, low-calorie food, such as fresh fruit, vegetables with fat-free dip or unbuttered popcorn. or test low-fat, lower calorie versions of your favorite foods to see if they satisfy your craving.

• eat a balanced diet. if you're not getting enough calories to meet your energy needs, you may be more likely to give in to emotional eating. try to eat at fairly regular times and don't skip breakfast. include foods from the basic groups in your meals. emphasize whole grains, vegetables and fruits, as well as low-fat dairy products and lean protein sources. when you fill up on the basics, you're more likely to feel fuller, longer.

exercise regularly and get adequate rest. your mood is more manageable and your body can more effectively fight stress when it's fit and well rested.

innerself.com has a great chart discerning the difference between emotional and physical hunger.

and here’s a really great quiz via psychologytoday.com that assesses your eating habits. i was pleasantly surprised about my results:

i wonder what it would have been a month ago?

what should you take from this? re-evaluate your eating habits; you may be surprised what you find. you could be one of the many swept up in this eating epidemic.

i've promised complete honesty ...

2008-03-28T08:36:00.004-05:00

so here it is.

sticking to this overhaul has been one of the hardest things i've done, especially in the face of personal hardships.

as most of you know, we have a beautiful dog named riley.

we've gone through so much with her ... training, surgeries, emergency room visits, medicines, separation anxiety, chewing ... you name it, we've gone through it with her.

for the past week or two, it's really been too much for us to handle.

we've been discussing our options, including selling the dog.

let's face it, we live in an apartment, and she deserves a yard.

we work all day, and she deserves even more attention than what we can give.

what we DO give her, in abundance, is our love. that's what makes this hard.

last night, i broke down. we thought we had decided (thanks to our pros and cons list), to definitely sell her. then she came and snuggled up next to me, like she always does.

i cried. i shook. i wanted to have fistfuls of chocolate, and about a gallon of dr. pepper. i wanted to not only break my progress, but smash it to little pieces.

i was mad at myself for even considering the thought of selling her.

why couldn't i handle this?

thankfully, we called my mom, and she's going to take her for a few weeks, to allow us the chance to step back and really think about it. she's also going to try her hand at better training her (and giving her a place to run around).

i didn't break the overhaul—i think i would have really regretted it this morning—but settled for sitting by myself and allowing for some "calm down" time instead.

every day is a challenge, but it just goes to show you can make it through. tonight's challenge? driving the six hours to mom's house when alex gets off work (at 7 p.m.) and not having any caffeine.

keep us in your thoughts; more posts to come on monday.

good eats.

2008-03-27T17:44:00.004-05:00

last night, i passed the ultimate test.

alex and i went to red lobster.

you know the place ... cheese biscuits, creamy pasta, and butter galore.

my mouth waters just thinking about it.

i wanted nothing more than to sit down with a plate of coconut shrimp, shrimp pasta, and a basket of cheesy, biscuit-y goodness, but i settled for steamed lobster, a few bites of the pasta, and half a biscuit.

top it off with yummy salad and a water, and i was set. i set boundaries for myself, and i surprisingly kept to them. yay me!

here's our lobster and crab mess:

yummy.

(best part? i didn't feel like i deprived myself!)

i wasn't surprised by the weigh-in, especially since i hadn't made it to the gym in a few days, but i'm still very pleased with my results. things are getting smaller. tighter. lovelier.

in the three weeks since starting this whole thing, i've lost six pounds. that equates to this:

wow. all in all, the burger weighs in around nine pounds, but the patty is six. that used to be in my thighs. eww.

btw, i've established a new goal for this week: actually make it to the gym three times this week (at least). oh, and remove the white pasta from my life.

here are a few goals i've already woven into my day-to-day ... try them! (but be prepared to lose, lose, lose!)

1. choose 1 cup skim milk (90 calories) instead of 1 cup whole milk (150 calories).
you save 60 calories a day. do this once a day and save 21,900 calories per year, which is equivalent to 6.25 pounds of weight.

2. choose 6-oz. light, fat-free yogurt (80 calories) instead of 6-oz. full-fat yogurt (double calories, at 190).
do this 4 times a week and save: 22,880 calories per year, or 6.5 pounds of weight.

3. eat three cups of air-popped popcorn (90 calories) instead of 3 cups microwaved caramel popcorn (a whopping 280 calories!)
you will save 190 calories per serving; do this 4 times a week and save 39,520 calories per year. this simple change is equal to losing 11.3 pounds of weight! (i don't really eat popcorn, but if i did, it'd totally be the air-popped kind)

4. take 1 teaspoon of Splenda® (< 5 calories) in your coffee/tea, instead of 1 teaspoon of sugar (16 calories).
you save 11 calories each time. do this 4 times a day and save 16,060 calories per year - the equivalent of 4.5 pounds of weight.

5. also, if you take a brisk 15-minute walk (equivalent to one mile) each day, you'll burn between 100-130 calories each time. over the course of a year, this burns a total of 36,500-47,450 calories, equal to 9.5-12 pounds of weight.

i'm on a mission, and i won't stop until i get there.

week three weigh-in: results

2008-03-27T17:42:00.003-05:00

well, the time has come to step on the scale. again.

and mr. scale says: i've lost 2 pounds!

sorry there's no picture this week; i'm having some technical difficulties.
: (

that brings me down to 200 ... i can't wait to see it go under the terrible twos ...

my apologies ...

2008-03-26T16:36:00.002-05:00

i don't think i'll be making much of a post today guys, sorry about that.

we have to take the car to the shop, and i'm not sure how long it'll take.

lol, with all the run-around, at least i'll be getting in some exercise!

tomorrow's the big week three weigh-in ... wish me luck!

i've been linked!

2008-03-25T17:05:00.002-05:00

one of my favorite blogs, blog fabulous, LINKED me!

check it out here.

and check her out! tracee is fab.

one step forward, two steps ...

2008-03-25T15:49:00.001-05:00

i hate having a desk job.

sit, sit, sit all day with no movement from the waist down.

and other than walking (very minimally) from point a to point b, i don't utilize the greatest exercise opportunity that i have within myself.

i'm working on changing that.

simply increasing the steps you take per day can really have a drastic affect on your life.

according to wendy bumgardner, walking blogger extraordinaire, you should begin by increasing "your pedometer steps by 2000 per day, up to a goal first of 6000 steps per day and eventually to 10,000 steps per day."

be sure to warm up before you walk. you need to wake up your muscles and let them know you'll be needing to use them for awhile. go at an easy pace for 5-10 minutes or so. about.com says "this will tell your muscles they can't just sit back and burn up the available sugars in your body; they need to call on the fat reserves." consider this an exercise primer.

for the next 30-60 minutes, you should walk at a "determined" pace.

(you remember that one time you were late for that one thing, and how you walked as fast as you could to get there? the sense of urgency in your step? yeah, kinda like that.)

i like to use the talk test.

taken from the center for disease control and prevention, the talk test is a simple method of measuring activity intensity. "a person who is active at a light intensity level should be able to sing while doing the activity. one who is active at a moderate intensity level should be able to carry on a conversation comfortably while engaging in the activity. if a person becomes winded or too out of breath to carry on a conversation, the activity can be considered vigorous."

be sure to give your body a cool down time by walking at a slower pace for five minutes. (it's also recommended to finish off your walking excursion with some stretching. i'm not there yet.)

something new i learned today: it is not recommended to add outside weight to your body while walking. if you do, you should add no more than 10 pounds and wear it in a backpack or at your hips so your body can remain balanced and your posture is not thrown off. walking with poor posture or adding weight to your arms or legs can lead to injury.

oops. i occasionally use ankle and wrist weights to add intensity ... this is a no-no now.

even if you don't have time for a regimented exercise plan, try implementing a few of these in your life:

• park your car farther from the store, work, etc.
• use part of your lunch break as a chance to walk around the block (or building)
• take the dog around the block a few times
• (for those in apartments) walk to get your mail or visit the front office
• use a push lawnmower instead of a riding one!
• use the stairs instead of the elevator

and finally, what would an informational post be without calculators?

walking calories calculator

walking calories and distance calculator

pedometer walking calories and distance calculator

go, my friends! take the world by storm!

we can do it, one step at a time.

all pooped out.

2008-03-25T15:02:00.003-05:00

it was finally riley's turn on the exercise mat ...

hey! that's not what we use it for!

( it feels like it'd make a good nap mat, though)

now that we've mastered "sit" and "lay", we're moving on to sit-ups.

i've been a bad, bad girl.

2008-03-25T08:10:00.002-05:00

i got a couple of suggestions (to help curb some of the stress and anxiety that i've been experiencing through the overhaul) to try slimquick.

stupidly, i did.

i read up on it, and it seemed ok for me to take ...

i had a nifty burst of energy that lasted through part of the day, but around 2, i started to crash. by the time i got home at 4:30, i was miserable.

my head was pounding, i was dizzy, and i felt like throwing up. that feeling got worse as the evening wore on, and is still with me this morning.

i re-read the label last night. fine print: "one serving of this product contains the amount of caffeine equivalent to 2 cups of coffee."

nooooooooooooooooooooo! i had caffeine!!

bad jen, bad.

i knew better. don't depend on pills to help you lose weight. the side effects are just not worth it, no matter how much they're supposed to help you through it.

basket full of temptation.

2008-03-24T10:13:00.004-05:00

Easter was a fruitful one, but it wasn't fruit-filled.

it was, however, full of chocolate, peanut butter and krabby patties.

i'm not going to lie. i ate candy.

BUT I DIDN'T OVER-DO IT.

i ate my few pieces, and moved on.

at the rate i'm going, i'll finish the few pieces i have in july sometime.

(isn't my longaberger Easter basket cute?)

oh, and my Easter dress looked fabulous, btw. i'll try to post pictures later.

things that i did this weekend that weren't the best: • not really exercising (other than minor dog walking and some sit-ups)
• eating at steak and shake saturday (and not watching what i ate)
• not eating on my schedule all weekend

things i did this weekend that were the best: • ate my vegetables (especially water-rich salads)
• drank plenty of water
• stayed active (walked around mall, chased little cousin, etc.)

i'm planning on making an appearance at a gym near me this evening. let's hope i make it there.

yes.

i.

can.

:)

i can't believe i'm saying this, but ...

2008-03-24T10:12:00.002-05:00

i've decided to participate in a 5K in june!

my overhaul buddy does them (in fact, she has one in a week or two!) and she inspired me to do one, one day.

"should the opportunity present itself," i thought, "i would totally do it."

this morning, opportunity arrived in my weekly work updates.

they created team for the komen north texas race for the cure.

it's in june.

i can't say no.

not only is this a fabulous opportunity for my overhaul, but it's for a cause that i truly believe in. back in 2002 and 2003, i did A LOT of work for breast cancer awareness, and it'll be good to get back to that philanthropy. i'm very excited.

if anyone is interested in sponsoring me (or my team), please visit here.

i've never been an avid walker (much less a runner!), so this will be an interesting challenge for me.

bring it on!!

the pain of beauty ...

2008-03-21T13:15:00.004-05:00

... is the beauty that comes from the pain.

i can't even express how sore my tummy is this morning.

i did 250 sit-ups last night.

and 50 push-ups.

and countless stretches.

AND, i did it all while watch LOST.

what can i say? i'm a multi-tasker.

:)

week two weigh-in: results

2008-03-20T16:48:00.003-05:00

well, the time has come to step on the scale.

and mr. scale says: i've lost 1 pound.

i know that's really good, but i still feel kinda like a failure.

there's always next week ...

and of course, the side view (i look thinner, don't i?)

results almost in.

2008-03-20T08:01:00.002-05:00

i can tell you're all waiting with baited breath for the results. stay tuned ...

i DID go Easter dress shopping last night. big mistake.

i'm adding this to the rules: do NOT go shopping for new clothes, no matter what the reason, two weeks into the overhaul. you're just going to get discouraged and depressed.

my criteria for the dress was simple: no black. what did i come out with? a black dress. it was the only one that fit/covered me properly.

the problem is my boobs. seriously. it's rare to find anything that actually fits the way it's supposed to on my body.

i'm seriously contemplating a reduction. except it would hurt, and it'd cost money, and i'd look different ... so, maybe not.

there are so many pretty dresses out there, but they're made for women with C cups, regardless of being a size 6 or 16.

maybe the problem isn't me ... it's the stupid designers who make no allowances for women to be DIFFERENT.

yeah, that's it. it's not me, it's them.

either way, don't go shopping yet.

it's evil.

my exercise buddy.

2008-03-19T09:58:00.002-05:00

my little girl loves snuggling with me.

apparently, doing sit-ups is no exception.

i was resting between sets when she climbed up and hunkered down for the long haul.

i did my next two sets with an 11-pound dog on my chest.

talk about resistance!

reader reminders

2008-03-19T09:31:00.002-05:00

hey everyone,

get my blog updates sent directly to your email, thanks to the nifty "subscribe" box on the left-hand side.

you'll be informed each time i update, making it easier to keep up with it all.

also, please feel free to comment. your words have really been helping me stay motivated, especially knowing i'm not alone on this journey.

discouraged?!

2008-03-19T08:52:00.003-05:00

i'm concerned about tomorrow's weigh in. i've done all i can do, but i'm scared it won't be enough.

i just have to get through it, and push myself to keep going.

i can do this.

things i've noticed so far about myself:

• i have sexy ankles
• my not puffy legs are pretty
• my skin glows
• my tummy has gotten (a little) smaller
• i carry myself better

even if i don't lose another pound (which is really not an option, but here's my pep-talk to self), i've made several positive changes that make this whole thing worth it.

... and the motivation is back ...

bring on the scale!

water-logged.

2008-03-18T16:44:00.003-05:00

there's been someone new in my life. we do practically everything together. some say we're inseparable.

friends, meet mr. bottle.

this rubbermaid® container brings me milk in the morning, and water the rest of the day.

the measure marks on the side helps mix the perfect flavored water concoction.

the fact that it's reusable really appeals to my "green" side.

mostly, though, i love it because it keeps me hydrated and healthy.

i can't say this enough: that bottle (and more importantly, what's in it) is one of the most important things i'm committed to during my overhaul.

water makes up more than two-thirds of the weight of the human body. basically, without water, humans would die in a few days—all the cells and organs need water to function.

of course, not everyone likes water. most people prefer sodas, fruit juices, sports drinks, coffee and others. according to nutritionist andrea dunn, all these drinks can help quench your body’s thirst for fluids to an extent, but they typically contain 100 calories or more per serving.

"the best alternatives to water are diluted fruit juices, non-fat or skim milk and diet soft drinks," dunn explains. "but these drinks shouldn’t supplant water. take note of how much sugar is in these alternatives. sugar slows down the rate at which fluid is absorbed into the body. If you have trouble drinking water because you don’t like the taste, try adding a twist of lemon or lime or a splash of fruit juice. and cold water tastes better."

according to this diet wiki,
"all people should consume a minimum of 64 ounces a day, and many people drink as much as two gallons daily with no ill effects. a person who is overweight should drink an additional 8 ounces for every 25 pounds over his ideal weight. intake should be spread over the course of a day ... drinking too much of any liquid at one time will make a person very ill."

another way to figure how much h2o to consume: take your current weight, and divide it by two. in my case, i'm supposed to consume about 100-oz. of water a day.

here's a hydration calculator that'll help you figure it out, based on various health conditions.

an interesting tidbit i picked up from the calculator: when eating a healthy diet (which i am), up to 20% of your water intake may come from the foods eaten. that puts me down to an average intake of 82-oz. a day.

TIP: eat water-rich fruits and veggies, like watermelon, oranges and leafy vegetables.

surprisingly, it hasn't been hard to meet or exceed that.

each morning, i drink 16-20-oz. of skim milk, followed by 20-oz. from mr. bottle, times three.

in the evening, i drink another two 16-oz. glass-fulls of flavored water, and i'm set.

i also try to incorporate a few servings of water-rich foods into my diet as well.

you do the math.

PLEASE NOTE: in very rare cases, people who consume too much water may develop hyponatremia. essentially, your kidneys become overwhelmed at the amount of water it's trying to process while your natural salt levels drop below normal. it's commonly seen among long-range athletes who don't replenish other nutrients. get more information on that here.

sure, i feel bloated a bit more than i had before, but i don't look it. my ankles are actually skinny again. my skin looks amazing.

if you can do nothing else in your own overhaul, do water.

trust me.

liquid courage. nature's nectar. pint. cold one.

2008-03-17T17:57:00.008-05:00

in honor of st. patrick's day, i bring you a story about beer.

note: i don't drink. that's not to say that i haven't or won't, but i've found that most drinks taste like old feet or bitter grossness. (plus, why pay for a slight buzz that is inevitably followed by a headache?)

however, i know that most of you (including my husband) indulge in a "tip back" every now and then, so this is for you.

there are honest-to-goodness benefits to drinking beer! studies have revealed that beer can produce the same benefits as drinking wine. whether you prefer ales, lagers, stout, bitter or wheat beers, studies show that one drink a day for women or up to two drinks a day for men will reduce your chances of strokes, heart and vascular disease.

alcohol has also been attributed of its ability to increase the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) into the bloodstream as well as help to decrease blood clots.

fabulous, no?

here are some more facts on the brew: (courtesy of essortment.com)

• it is nutritious if consumed in moderation
• it's s fat-free and cholesterol free
• beer has a relaxing effect on the body thereby reducing stress
• it helps you sleep better
• alcohol helps prevent heart disease and improves the blood circulation
• it's proven to have positive effects on elderly people.
• lastly, it helps to promote blood vessel dilation, sleep, and urination

even thomas jefferson believed in the power of swill: "beer, if drank in moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, and promotes health."

some interesting reads:

eight reasons to drink beer

not all diets are the same; the author of this one lost 114 pounds of fat, while still enjoying his drink.

respect beer.

how many calories are in your favorite brewskie?

sure, i pointed out some of the positives to slamming back a drink or two a day, but that doesn't mean you should go out and get "boozed up!" moderation is key. something more to think about: excess drinking has been associated with an increased risk of several serious health ailments, such as cancer, high blood pressure and liver disease.

also, for all you under-agers out there, please don't drink until you're of age. alcohol may have it's health benefits, but partaking prematurely could lead to stunted growth or other health conditions that you don't need to deal with yet.

drink responsibly, today and always! happy st. patty's day!

clawing my way through ...

2008-03-17T17:57:00.006-05:00

i think i'm at a critical point in the overhaul. i've been doing this just long enough to see a difference in myself, as well as really getting used to the "new" foods and exercise.

the downside is that i find part of me trying to persuade the other part of me to cheat.

"it's just one soda, it won't hurt," i say. "no one's home, and no one would know..."

"and what about those cookies? you know you want one."

the rational side of me knows that one could turn into many, if i'm not careful. thankfully, that side of me won. operation: cheat thwarted.

lol, i feel like i'm in an overeater anonymous meeting:

"hi, my name is jen, and i'm an emotional eater.

it's a hard thing to admit, but i'm slowly coming to terms with that. i'm also working on curbing my anxious tendencies to reach for food when i get sad/mad/overwhelmed.

today, i just wanted to sit down with a bag of apple-os (or cookies, or soda, or ice cream ...) and make my frustrations go away. so far, i've downed about 50-oz. of lipton's white tea to go instead.

it's getting harder, you guys. these are the bad days i told you about.

the dog is in for another surgery, it's costing hundreds more than we were told, and to top it all off, i lost my keys.

(thankfully, alex found them under a stack of mail this afternoon, but still.)

anyone else have these kinds of struggles? any words of wisdom you can impart?

walking outside + bitey bugs = no fun

2008-03-14T20:54:00.004-05:00

i love walking. it's a very calming experience that, done in the right setting, can take all your cares away.

just stop, and breathe in the air ... mmmmmmm ... *OUCH!*

i guess my love of nature stops at the pretty trees and beautiful sky. i HATE the little bugs that delight in a feast of my flesh.

we ended up walking almost three miles, and i did the whole thing in shorts and a t-shirt.

bite me once, shame on me. bite me twice ... well, you know.

i've already got my wardrobe picked out: turtleneck, long pants and a hoodie.

did i mention it's supposed to be in the high 80s this weekend?

this is going to be an interesting weekend.

... as a side note ...

i am super proud of myself: i was faced with a soda machine (the first time since i quit) and i DIDN'T take any. at all. and i was tempted. a lot. (i swear i heard dr. pepper call for me ... i'm probably just hallucinating.)

jen's willpower is coming back!

eat on time!

2008-03-14T09:44:00.005-05:00

over the years, i've really struggled with what weight loss plans would work for me.

most of the time, it would deal with me focusing on a particular food group or type (the salad diet, the slim fast diet, the protein diet) or just eating once or twice a day.

looking back, i know that those were bad decisions for my body. even if i lost a few pounds, it was almost always short-lived. my body would begin to crave the things i cut out, and before i knew it, i was binge-eating. not to mention, i was depriving myself of the needed nutrients to function!

this time around, i decided to eat on a schedule—every two hours or so—without fail.

when you schedule your meals (and follow it), you're providing your body with an ongoing supply of nutrient-dense calories, keeping yourself on an even-keel.

"A steady supply of glucose is your body and brain's primary source of fuel," says Ellie Krieger, M.S., R.D., author of Small Changes, Big Results. "If stores get too low, you might get that foggy feeling before you even feel hungry."

the trick is to eat five or six mini meals each day.

i eat at 8, 10, 12, 2, 4, and 6.

sure, it varies slightly due to my schedule, but i really try to stick to that.

and after dinner, i cut off the food intake. i try to not eat after 7 p.m., if i can help it.

NOTE: i'm not giving into the "food turns into fat after X p.m." hype, but i do find that i do most of my "bored binging" then. by setting a limit for myself, i can consciously tell myself no, and have a reason why.

each night (begrudgingly—i'm so lazy) i make the next day's meals, except for dinner. a sample day goes something like this:

• 8 a.m.: 4-oz. fat free yogurt, homemade granola and 16-20-oz. skim milk
• 10 a.m.: granola bar
• 12 p.m.: two chicken sandwiches, yogurt, fruit slices
• 2 p.m.: 100 calorie snack pack
• 4 p.m.: granola bar
• 6 p.m.: speghetti with salad
• all day: 60-80-oz. of water or crystal light

i really try to focus on the uber-healthy meals during the day, and have a "normal" meal at night.

strange how virtually starving myself had no results, but practically gorging myself does!

what a lovely overhaul this is ....

are we there yet?

2008-03-13T08:52:00.000-05:00

dear caffeine,

i'm breaking up with you. i'm sorry to do it so suddenly, but it's for our own good. please believe me when i say this: it's not you, it's me. i just couldn't handle your yummy-ness for another day.

i will always remember the good times, like the delectable cherry dr. pepper from sonic, or cherry cokes at my 8th birthday party. remember those root beer floats at parties, or diet pepsi at lunch? i know i do.

you'll go on without me. there are so many other people out there, waiting for everything you have to offer.

love,
me

p.s. WHY am i doing this again?

... oh yeah. it turns out that a lot of my health issues could be stemming from my daily "inhalation" of these tasty beverages (and chocolate).

according to health.org, while many people feel that caffeine increases their mental alertness, higher doses of caffeine can cause anxiety, dizziness, headaches, heart palpitations, ulcers, acid reflux, muscle twitching and the jitters. it can also interfere with normal sleep.

i'm particularly concerned about this little tidbit: "caffeine may also cause the body to lose calcium, and that can lead to bone loss over time. drinking caffeine-containing soft drinks and coffee instead of milk can have an even greater impact on bone density and the risk of developing osteoporosis. if you are stressed or anxious, caffeine can make these feelings worse."

well, it's a good thing i'm stopping, right?

maybe the anxiety will finally come down a few notches?!

it doesn't feel like it.

five full days "sober", and i feel like crap. i'm still waiting for my body to reset.

i quit cold turkey. i really don't recommend that method. every day is a crash for me.

according to wikipedia, a "caffeine crash" will cause headaches, nausea, fatigue and drowsiness. it will also cause anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate and diminished motivation to initiate or complete daily tasks. in extreme cases it may cause mild depression." seriously? i should have just stayed on the wagon!

you know what? even with all that, i'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. we're going to get there after all.

week one weigh-in: results

2008-03-13T08:36:00.001-05:00

well, the time has come to step on the scale.

and mr. scale says: i've lost 3 pounds!!

for my first week, i think i did pretty well.

here's a picture of the side view. we have a lot to lose.

... and we're off!

2008-03-12T13:21:00.000-05:00

i hate the word "diet." when the first three letters are telling you you're going to meet your death, how are you supposed to stay positive about doing it?

i'm doing so much more than dieting; i'm doing is an entire lifestyle overhaul.

i started six days ago with my friends by my side. i have an online overhaul buddy that keeps me in check each day (and vice versa). my best friend is working out with me again. my husband is eating healthier with me.

so far, so good.

i'm not expecting huge numbers on the scale tomorrow, but i'm hoping to see some movement in the downward direction.

fingers crossed, everyone.

at the starting line.

2008-03-12T13:05:00.001-05:00

being thin is something i always was, until i wasn't. looking back, it feels like it happened overnight, but i know it didn't. it took years of creeping up on me.

it really started five years ago. i was coming down off of an impressively busy year at college, while gearing up for going away to another college in texas. i went to school and worked, but never thought about working out. i ate quick meals whenever i could catch them, mostly really late at night.

i drank dr. pepper like it was going out of style. i had a love affair with chocolate.

my first year in texas saw way more than the "freshman 15" advertises. ... and it hasn't stopped.

while i tried to eat well and exercise some, i couldn't get myself on a schedule. i would eat at midnight, because that's the only time i had. i would get sad or stressed, and snacked away.

through the years, i've tried weight loss programs, diet pills, gyms, personal trainers and a plethora of diets. some worked, some didn't. when i succeeded, however, it was always short-lived. i would have a "bad day"—whether it was getting a cold, have a flat tire, etc.—and quit.

i can't quit anymore. that's not an option.

suddenly, i'm the fat girl. i'm THAT girl. i was never her.

it's taking a toll on my health, my social skills and my anxiety.

i say NO MORE!

i will take charge of my life. i will embrace all that i am, and make who i know i can be a reality.

here's how:
• cut out caffeine.
• cut out most sugary treats (although i won't say i'll do it completely)
• eat healthy
• eat on a schedule!
• more milk
• more water
• more exercise!
• constant motivation

i will elaborate on each of these in the days to come, and provide some helpful tips on how you can implement them into YOUR life as well.

i will always be honest with you, so please be honest with me. if you read, please leave feedback. i am starting this blog to get the added motivation i need to stay on track. i can't do this without you!

i leave you with the specs:
height: 5'6"
last week's weigh-in: 206
bmi: 33.1

that's not good, people. i've never been above 200. let the journey begin...