I've always always always been overweight. At least it seems that way. Technically according to my BMI I still am.
This morning I saw a headline about people thinking that President Obama's new pick for Surgeon General is a bad one because she's overweight. And it made me sad. If I was unhappy with myself for some reason when I carried more weight than I do currently, that was my own issue, not one for public consumption.
Those who care about me are allowed to be concerned because they love me and want me healthy, but I feel as though people pick out any person to target. In this case, yes, she's a doctor. But I worked for Jenny Craig, and I did Body 4 Life. I KNEW how to lose weight. However, I had other things in my life that needed more attention. This is common for MANY of us. We need to address other aspects of our health, or we have children that need our attention 24/7, or we're just not used to taking time for ourselves, or we're single parents who CAN'T take time for ourselves.
I'm thankful for the transition I've made, but it makes me angry when others posit that all overweight people are failures at controlling their health. Probably every other thought I have now centers around what to eat, when to eat, how to work out, etc. This is very self-centered, but as I've posted before it's okay because I'm still doing everything I can to take care of my kids and my family. Other's aren't able to make this choice for a plethora of reasons, and I'm certainly not going to be in line to cast any stones, seeing as how I live in the glass house, too.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The new plan
Okay, so I've been working on this project to change myself since October of 2007. By the end of October 2009 my goal and the new plan is to lose this last 15 pounds. I am at 163 right now. The high end of my Weight Watchers "healthy weight" is 148. That is my goal. I'm really happy where I'm at, which is clear because I've been here so long. Now it's time to get down to business and get to goal.
So, there are a few steps in my plan. Training is essential. I'm going to start with some weights, and I think I'm going to look up the Body 4 Life guidelines for weight training and follow that program where you do cardio one day, weights the next, taking one day off a week. This seems very feasible for me and having a specific guideline for working out would be helpful. I intend to have this research done to start Monday or Tuesday at the gym. That gives me a day or two which I think is good -- no time to dwell on it! ;)
I also submitted for something -- a local "extreme make over" and that offers personal training. I'm really hoping they find my story interesting, because I could use that soooo much! It also offers a life coach which I think could be a very cool thing for me right now.
BUT, even without this help, I'm gonna get it done! I know how to do this. I'm motivated, I'm encouraged, and I'm absolutley positive I CAN do this. It amounts to essentially 5 pounds a month, July, August and September. I will be using this forum to keep myself honest! ;)
So, there are a few steps in my plan. Training is essential. I'm going to start with some weights, and I think I'm going to look up the Body 4 Life guidelines for weight training and follow that program where you do cardio one day, weights the next, taking one day off a week. This seems very feasible for me and having a specific guideline for working out would be helpful. I intend to have this research done to start Monday or Tuesday at the gym. That gives me a day or two which I think is good -- no time to dwell on it! ;)
I also submitted for something -- a local "extreme make over" and that offers personal training. I'm really hoping they find my story interesting, because I could use that soooo much! It also offers a life coach which I think could be a very cool thing for me right now.
BUT, even without this help, I'm gonna get it done! I know how to do this. I'm motivated, I'm encouraged, and I'm absolutley positive I CAN do this. It amounts to essentially 5 pounds a month, July, August and September. I will be using this forum to keep myself honest! ;)
Friday, July 10, 2009
6.5 week follow up pics
Okay, I'm a bit swollen from being overly excited that I'm free of any limitations per both docs, so keep that in mind. Otherwise.... here are the 6.5 week follow up pics. The surgeon, Dr. Smith said everything looked great, and I was bouncing off the walls with happiness that I could workout as much as I want now. Oh, and I can sign the kidlets up for swim lessons since I have to take Kiera! ;)
So, there you have it. I'm exceedingly happy with results. I will take a shot with jeans on soon. My "before" picture jeans were attacked by a furry little animal and the button was removed.... Good thing said furry animal is adorable..... We'll figure out something comparable.
Here you go....
Clothed.... gym clothes to be exact. Yes, I'm lazy, I'm going to the gym at 8pm-ish, and this is what i'm wearing all day. Poor people having to see me out and about!
Pssst. My shirt is faded out and pixelated, but has two penguins on it, and says "Penguins. Lovely." Yes, I'm a closet Twilight fan (atic?).... Kiera named them Flowers and Bobos. Oddly Freudian, I think....
The formerly known "bad" side - note it's hard to tell a difference anymore. YAY!
The formerly known "good" side....
Front shot....
Front shot....So, there you have it. I'm exceedingly happy with results. I will take a shot with jeans on soon. My "before" picture jeans were attacked by a furry little animal and the button was removed.... Good thing said furry animal is adorable..... We'll figure out something comparable.
Okay, off to play Dora Checkers....
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
My tools and tricks
I've made a lot of noise with friends and family about how I have lots of little tools and tricks I use to keep me on track. I figured I'd put them all down (or at least as many as I can come up with right now) just to have it in writing somewhere.... this may be a long post LOL Oh, and I'm intending to do some 6.5 week post op pics later today or tomorrow. ;)
Without further ado, in no particular order:
1. Vitamuffins -- I buy the mixes at www.vitalicious.com. I also always click through DWLZ so Dotti gets the referral revenue if it exists, and she usually has a 10% off coupon available. I think they also participate in eBates, but I think I JUST figured that out before my last order. I'd rate these a B+ -- doing it this way is soooo cheap compared to buying them pre-made in the freezer section at your local grocery store, but like many healthy items they make me toot! My poor family ;)
2. Fiber One Bars -- I ate these all the time, then started discovering other bars in the 2-point range. They're still some of my faves. The Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Apple Streusel (I think) are all AMAZING flavors. I think the only one of the three that's not 2 points is the Peanut Butter but I could be wrong. I'd rate these a B -- they're convenient, good, but again, make me toot! My poor family ;)
3. PB2 -- I'd have to say this is one of my all time favorite items. Mix the peanut butter dust with water and watch it magically transform into a natural-pb consistency spread that tastes like the real deal only with 75% less fat if I'm remembering correctly. 2 tbsp clocks in at 54 calories. I mix it in Cool Whip and put it on ff sf chocolate pudding for a decadent treat, I put it on vitamuffins (the double chocolate kind -- YUM!), I dip my veggies and fruits into it, it's great. I buy it 12 jars at a time from www.bellplantation.com but got a lead on a cheaper place to get it online. I'll let you know once I use that spot if it's a good online transaction. Overall grade for PB2 has gotta be an A -- I haven't found a way I don't like this stuff....
4. Canned veggies -- some days I'll have half a can of peas and half a can of corn for lunch. I know -- it's weird, but I like 'em and it's convenient. It gets my veggies in, it's a starchy veggie so I feel satiated, and they're uber convenient. I stock up when they're on sale, or purchase at Costco. Grade of a B
5. Oatmeal with Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze -- I hated oatmeal for years, but after having my son I found out that if you eat it every morning for breakfast it's supposed to increase breast milk output. So, I ate it everyday and developed a taste for it/it's texture. I love it now. Then you mix it with UVAB mentioned above and it's freaking amazing! Couple packets of splenda and some cinnamon and you've got an amazing meal that works any time of day in my book -- A
6. All Bran Bars -- just tried these. Yummy but so much fiber my digestive tract could run the space station.... C+
7. Oroweat/Arnolds Select Sandwich Thins -- great for quick sandwich -- my son even likes these which is huge for him. Grade: B+ (buy them on sale only!, they can be uber pricey)
8. Western Bagel "Alternative" products: They have several flavors of bagels, and english muffins, all clocking in around 1 point (100 cals, low fat, uber fiber). These don't normally mess with my tooter too much. They're available at my local WalMart that has a grocery, and are cheaper there than if I mail order them direct from Western Bagel, oddly enough. Good bang for your buck, though the Sweet Wheat flavor needs something with it to off set the fiber factor in the taste. Overall grade: B+ if you can get them at WalMart prices
9. Soup! -- I have learned to embrace broth based soups. Love 'em. The progresso brand stuff endorsed and pointed out by Weight Watchers can make you tooty though.... beware. Overall grade -- A-
10. Fat Free Cool Whip -- Love this because it's a splurge but not a horrible one at all. The kids love it and have no idea they're eating "healthier" whipped cream. Put it on tons of stuff, mix it with PB2, etc. Overall grade of A- if you get it at WalMart prices.
That's all for now, I'm sure I'll have more later, and I'll post 'em when I come up with 'em. I'll be back later this week with more progress pics!
Without further ado, in no particular order:
1. Vitamuffins -- I buy the mixes at www.vitalicious.com. I also always click through DWLZ so Dotti gets the referral revenue if it exists, and she usually has a 10% off coupon available. I think they also participate in eBates, but I think I JUST figured that out before my last order. I'd rate these a B+ -- doing it this way is soooo cheap compared to buying them pre-made in the freezer section at your local grocery store, but like many healthy items they make me toot! My poor family ;)
2. Fiber One Bars -- I ate these all the time, then started discovering other bars in the 2-point range. They're still some of my faves. The Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Apple Streusel (I think) are all AMAZING flavors. I think the only one of the three that's not 2 points is the Peanut Butter but I could be wrong. I'd rate these a B -- they're convenient, good, but again, make me toot! My poor family ;)
3. PB2 -- I'd have to say this is one of my all time favorite items. Mix the peanut butter dust with water and watch it magically transform into a natural-pb consistency spread that tastes like the real deal only with 75% less fat if I'm remembering correctly. 2 tbsp clocks in at 54 calories. I mix it in Cool Whip and put it on ff sf chocolate pudding for a decadent treat, I put it on vitamuffins (the double chocolate kind -- YUM!), I dip my veggies and fruits into it, it's great. I buy it 12 jars at a time from www.bellplantation.com but got a lead on a cheaper place to get it online. I'll let you know once I use that spot if it's a good online transaction. Overall grade for PB2 has gotta be an A -- I haven't found a way I don't like this stuff....
4. Canned veggies -- some days I'll have half a can of peas and half a can of corn for lunch. I know -- it's weird, but I like 'em and it's convenient. It gets my veggies in, it's a starchy veggie so I feel satiated, and they're uber convenient. I stock up when they're on sale, or purchase at Costco. Grade of a B
5. Oatmeal with Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze -- I hated oatmeal for years, but after having my son I found out that if you eat it every morning for breakfast it's supposed to increase breast milk output. So, I ate it everyday and developed a taste for it/it's texture. I love it now. Then you mix it with UVAB mentioned above and it's freaking amazing! Couple packets of splenda and some cinnamon and you've got an amazing meal that works any time of day in my book -- A
6. All Bran Bars -- just tried these. Yummy but so much fiber my digestive tract could run the space station.... C+
7. Oroweat/Arnolds Select Sandwich Thins -- great for quick sandwich -- my son even likes these which is huge for him. Grade: B+ (buy them on sale only!, they can be uber pricey)
8. Western Bagel "Alternative" products: They have several flavors of bagels, and english muffins, all clocking in around 1 point (100 cals, low fat, uber fiber). These don't normally mess with my tooter too much. They're available at my local WalMart that has a grocery, and are cheaper there than if I mail order them direct from Western Bagel, oddly enough. Good bang for your buck, though the Sweet Wheat flavor needs something with it to off set the fiber factor in the taste. Overall grade: B+ if you can get them at WalMart prices
9. Soup! -- I have learned to embrace broth based soups. Love 'em. The progresso brand stuff endorsed and pointed out by Weight Watchers can make you tooty though.... beware. Overall grade -- A-
10. Fat Free Cool Whip -- Love this because it's a splurge but not a horrible one at all. The kids love it and have no idea they're eating "healthier" whipped cream. Put it on tons of stuff, mix it with PB2, etc. Overall grade of A- if you get it at WalMart prices.
That's all for now, I'm sure I'll have more later, and I'll post 'em when I come up with 'em. I'll be back later this week with more progress pics!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Me and my Addictive Personality....
Well, the high I got off of the endorphins from my first trip back to the gym today was immense. To be realistic I think it was the endorphins from a good workout as well as the fact that I got out of the house and did something uber-good for myself, but still.... I was really high, and have been floating a bit since. And it's like 8 hours later now!
I always kinda suspected I had an addictive personality. This is a major reason why I'm glad I never bothered to try smoking or any sort of illegal drugs. I have always thought that -- not just now. And I know I've had an issue with food, OBVIOUSLY.... DUH, for many years. That addiction was most likely a coping mechanism for me... though I did (and do start to, still) eat when I'm bored. The eating is most intense and unavoidable when I'm stressed. And the last couple days have been doozies. So this gym trip was so amazingly, unspeakably wonderful.
Plans for the holiday tomorrow changed a bit, and I can't hit the gym -- we'll be leaving too early to do that AND get the doggle out for a good wear-out worthy walk. And I'm bummed ROFL I'm so glad I know I'm going back Sunday though!!!
Also, the scale this morning was great -- I hadn't weighed in at least a week, I'm being rather informal with it until the swelling goes down. I was back at the 75 pounds down mark (low 160's) which is great, it's been a while since I've been there (probably five or six weeks prior to surgery) so it was a great landmark to see. Very motivating, especially pre-workout!
I think in a lot of ways the return to my happy place (aka, the gym!) really was just what the doctor ordered. To be bluntly honest, I didn't see the plastic surgeon this week like I was supposed to (babysitting issues led to rescheduling for next Thursday) so I decided I'd go back slowly, at half the intensity and time I did prior to surgery. I also told myself that if my abs hurt at all, I'd stop. They never hurt, not for one second. And I felt amazing. So great, that after 40 minutes and burning over 300 calories I came home and took the dog for a walk.
I'm so glad this is the new mentality I have, and I hope against all hope that it will stay this way for a lifetime. If I continue working out like I did pre-op (5-6 days a week) my work outs will end up being less than a $1 each. That's an investment I can be proud of!
I always kinda suspected I had an addictive personality. This is a major reason why I'm glad I never bothered to try smoking or any sort of illegal drugs. I have always thought that -- not just now. And I know I've had an issue with food, OBVIOUSLY.... DUH, for many years. That addiction was most likely a coping mechanism for me... though I did (and do start to, still) eat when I'm bored. The eating is most intense and unavoidable when I'm stressed. And the last couple days have been doozies. So this gym trip was so amazingly, unspeakably wonderful.
Plans for the holiday tomorrow changed a bit, and I can't hit the gym -- we'll be leaving too early to do that AND get the doggle out for a good wear-out worthy walk. And I'm bummed ROFL I'm so glad I know I'm going back Sunday though!!!
Also, the scale this morning was great -- I hadn't weighed in at least a week, I'm being rather informal with it until the swelling goes down. I was back at the 75 pounds down mark (low 160's) which is great, it's been a while since I've been there (probably five or six weeks prior to surgery) so it was a great landmark to see. Very motivating, especially pre-workout!
I think in a lot of ways the return to my happy place (aka, the gym!) really was just what the doctor ordered. To be bluntly honest, I didn't see the plastic surgeon this week like I was supposed to (babysitting issues led to rescheduling for next Thursday) so I decided I'd go back slowly, at half the intensity and time I did prior to surgery. I also told myself that if my abs hurt at all, I'd stop. They never hurt, not for one second. And I felt amazing. So great, that after 40 minutes and burning over 300 calories I came home and took the dog for a walk.
I'm so glad this is the new mentality I have, and I hope against all hope that it will stay this way for a lifetime. If I continue working out like I did pre-op (5-6 days a week) my work outs will end up being less than a $1 each. That's an investment I can be proud of!
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