What a Week!! 3 pound loss!!

Well, I learned a lot this past week and I am really happy to report a 3 pound loss!!

#1 - Carbs and sugar are a BIG downfall for me - and probably what is keeping me from losing weight!!

#2 - TOO low of carbs are NOT good for me either!!  After 5 days on the diet, my muscles were achy and weak.  Once I ate some carbs, it all went away...

So, I have added a fruit a day, a dark chocolate mini bar (or two), and an occasional bread or a small sweet dessert every few days.

I am a little behind on posting from a busy week, but this morning my weight was still the same.  The only problem I have right now is, I ate a piece of Becca's birthday cake - it was awesome, but I am so sugar sick now. Since being off of most sugar and carbs, I definitely can't handle much sugar!!  I will need to be really good for supper tonight!  :)

I have had a lot of people come to me and talk to me about this blog. Many people are where I have been for so long and privately losing their weight.  After struggling for 9 months and reading Ruth's blog, I felt I really needed more accountability.  I thank many of you who said you were going to help me, and also those who are wanting to quietly work along with me...  I will be checking up on you to also give you accountability!!

See ya next week!!

Low Carb with A Focus on VEGGIES!!

A lot of people cringe when they hear about the low-carb diet.  We tend to think it is a lot of meat and little vegetation and nutrition.  But, when I am on a low carb diet, I focus on the veggies and even have a small fruit or small piece of fruit when I am needing it.  I drink one cup of milk a day and a little cheese too.  Nuts are my favorite snack in between meals, which all of this together makes a pretty balanced diet.  It is also a good way to start a diet, because it is really hard for me to get off of sugar.  The transition to a regular diet just takes a little meat out, and adds some bread.  The hope is, and has been done in the past, to stay off of sweets after I get off of the low-carb diet.  In this picture you can see my salad from lunch today. It is Artisian lettuce, both red and green and it was sooo good with a few carrots, tomatoes, and cheese. 

Second Week Report

I was really discouraged this week... every day I did cardio with the exception of Sunday and was careful with my diet.  Every day my weight stayed the same and after talking to my husband Saturday, we decided that maybe I should try a low carb diet for just a few weeks and see what happens.  I have always done well on low carb diets, and it would be really good to help me get off sugar and maybe give me a boost!   Sunday morning I started, although I did forget once when the kids and I were sitting around the kitchen and some were eating Chicken Enchiladas, and I took a few bites.  Evidently it did not hurt though, because on Tuesday morning I did have a weight loss of 1.2 pounds!  I was still pretty discouraged Tuesday, but then I thought, if I lost 1 pound each week I will lose 52 pounds at the end of my 52 weeks.  

I know that a lot of changes are happening in my body as a result of peri-menapause.  I started several years ago and had quite a few tests run to make sure everything was okay.  Since June 2011 though, I have gained 30 pounds and have struggled with a lot of mood swings. I am usually a happy-go-lucky person that always enjoys life and people, but every day began to be a struggle from around June and on.  Some time in October I tried to explain to my husband how I felt, we went to a natural food store one day and asked what they had available for peri-menapause.  They showed us a simple progesterone cream and I must say it REALLY works, although at times it almost makes me a little TOO happy!  HA!   I am grateful for a family that loves to laugh and can find humor in this and help me from time to time.  The biggest joke at our house is, "Did Mom put on her happy cream today?"  :)  Which reminds me... I forgot this morning... I better go!!   Have a GREAT WEEK!!

First Week Complete!

Tuesdays are going to be my official weigh-in day.... and today is my first weigh-in day!!   I had hoped for a better result, but I only lost one pound.  Usually the first week after getting back on track shows big numbers. I have to remind myself that the scale does not always show true weight lost and all the benefits of eating in moderation and exercise!

I am excited about getting my exercise routine back on track.  It has not been easy at all... but I can already start to feel the benefits and exhilaration from a good walk or workout!  Last week I worked out on the weight machine 3 days (Tues, Thurs, Sat.) and I walked every day planned, except one. 

A quick unexpected road trip was probably another part of the problem this week.  I didn't have time to go to the store and plan what to eat on the road.  I had about 20 minutes to pack, throw stuff together and head out! I did not have a lot of healthy food stocked up on yet, so I ended up with not-so-good snacks!   The exciting thing for me, was to have a set back like this and yet not fall apart completely! 

I am gearing up for week two and wanting to work more on food choices this week! 

“Fall seven times. Stand up eight.”

“Fall seven times. Stand up eight.” is a great quote to start off my blog, because that is how I feel at the moment!  Three years ago I joined Spark People and it took me 10 months to get to my first goal of losing 25 pounds.  I was quite fired up and set a new goal and was on my way with another 10 pounds lost.  But after the sudden death of a brother-in-law and sister-in-law a year and a half ago, there have been SO many things come into my life to throw me off the tracks time and time again, including the weird changes that are a part of being over 45 years of age!   I have almost gained back all the weight and feel like I am starting completely over!

I read a quote the other day on Spark People about excuses. ""If you want something bad enough, you'll find a way, if you don't you will find an excuse"  I always plan to start 'next' week, but then the excuses come up:  it's Thanksgiving, it's Christmas, it's New Year's, it's the super bowl, I am sick this week, It's so-and-so's birthday, it's a potluck week at church, etc.  These excuses keep me waiting for that 'perfect' week that just never seems to happen!!  There will always be plenty of excuses and I will never get started if I don't just jump in and do it! 

My goals start this week and include:
Monday:  Start drinking my water and logging my food on Spark People (7 days a week)
Tuesday:  Start my strength training schedule  (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
Wednesday: Start my cardio training schedule  (20 minutes or more every day, but Sunday)

As I start back, there are a lot of emotions running through me:  excitement, dread, and a fear of failure again...  I know I cannot do it alone and am thankful for a heavenly Father who loves me and will help me though this!  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Ephesians 4:13