Friday, May 13, 2011

Week #3...

Week #3:  Lost 2.4 lbs. 


Woohoo!! It felt good to have that kind of number again. I began to doubt this new program, but I'll still give it time to prove all of its hype. 


I also ran my first post-pregnancy race! I did a 5k on Saturday (May 7). I wanted to finish (that was my main goal), but also finish in less than an hour and around 50 minutes would be great for me. 


My last race was at Halloween when I was 6-months preggo...that was the last time I did any running. The only other exercise between then and now has been walking and of course, Zumba. I did keep Zumba up until I was 36-weeks then I stopped only because I spent more time going to the bathroom than exercising and it got really hard to move. If you saw my enormous belly, then you knew why it was hard to move! 


I didn't know how I would do with this run. I found a target and tried to beat her, but I couldn't. It did keep me focused and working hard. I always find some person in the crowd that I want to aim to beat. Sometimes I do and I gloat, sometimes I don't and I say, Oh well-- next time!! 


I finished this race in 50:29. I was so excited! Of course, it really helped having my racing buddy with me to push me along. It's always better to run with a friend-- someone who's as competitive as you! (Thanks, Lestie!!)


So, I am officially 6 lbs. slimmer than I was a month ago which gives me the encouragement to keep on truckin. 


Look out skinny jeans, here I come!!

Week #2...

Week #2:  Lost .4 lbs.


I was disappointed with the small loss, but I was even more determined to make the next week a great one. It wasn't easy. Honestly, there were many times I wanted to throw in the towel and say "not now." With a new baby and going back to work-- didn't I have a good excuse to take one thing off my list of things to make sure are done and accounted for daily?


However, I couldn't give up. What really helped is getting my husband started on Weight Watchers with me. I taught him how to track points and how to measure his portions as well as calculating the points per servings. As I taught him these things, I remembered, this isn't some quick fix. It didn't take two weeks for the 40 lbs. to come back on. I need to have patience-- the one thing I struggle the most with in life. (Well, one of many things....)


If I set a realistic goal, then I have more to work towards. For me, it is getting back into my cute "skinny jeans" (skinny for me, at least) by Aug. 1. I'm not so much concerned about the number of pounds as I am looking and feeling good in clothes again. That's my goal-- then, when that's reached, new goals will come.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Week #1-- harder than I thought.

Week #1-- Going at it alone

This start of my weight-loss journey is much different from the start with the Big Loser contest. I had a support system built in and a trainer and frankly, more time and flexibility than this go-round. 

I have two months left of my Weight Watchers membership and I wanted to get back as soon as I felt comfortable and confident I could do this again. 

Last week, I packed my baby and headed back to Weight Watchers. I loved going back, didn't love learning what I had gained during the pregnancy, but my little baby is TOTALLY worth it. 

I had some fears going into this meeting:

1. Weight Watchers was on a new system...would I like it or should I even learn it since the old way worked perfectly for me. It's like learning a language and having it be voided and told to learn a new language. 

2. I wouldn't have my same friends there in class with me.

3. I wasn't sure my crazy life and schedule would allow me the opportunity to be successful with Weight Watchers because I would have actually eat when I'm used to not eating and not eating well. With a newborn, Mom comes last and I didn't know how tracking, planning, making extra things for me would work in when I am doing good just to get two meals in a day. (If that, and sometimes dinner isn't done until 9 p.m.)


My first mistake was not planning in advance that I was going to start last week. I should have prepared my pantry better--not that there wasn't good things, it was just lacking all the way around. Going to the store has not been one thing I've really done a lot of over the past month or so. So, I was feeling like I was having a rough start. 

My exercise regimen is also different because of my schedule and that I am also still recovering from the C-section. I can exercise, but just not like I used to because if I over-due it, I pay the price and my tummy hurts. 

However, I am still determined to get it right again, even if it's a bad first start. I returned to Zumba, which is much mental therapy as it is for my physical well-being. I also registered for a 5k in a couple of weeks to keep me working towards my goals. 

So, my first week, I didn't know what to expect. I lost 3.2 lbs. which was a pleasant surprise for me. I did my best, though could've been better, but, I was so grateful to see my efforts pay off and give me a boost that I can do this again, even if I am alone.  

Where have I been???

I can't believe it's been about 10 months or so since my last post. I have a lot to catch up on...but, I won't take long to do it because sleep is precious to me now and I need to get to bed soon. 

Last July, I was at 63.2 lbs. gone in my journey to lose weight and get healthy. I had become very aware of my body and feeling so good. I was also into clothes and sizes I hadn't been in in a very long time. 
I had experienced my first gain--although it was only half a pound, it still sent shockwaves through me since I hadn't gained anything since I started the change in Jan. I worked even harder the next week and was feeling good about my efforts, but also feeling "different." The next week I weighed in just half a pound under. 

I was stunned. I first thought I had finally hit a plateau, but still feeling something else was going on I pressed on. I thought about readjusting my exercise routine. However, on the way home from the gym I was talking to my best friend back home and told her that perhaps I should take a pregnancy test just in case. The next morning I did and....
I was pregnant!! I was in complete SHOCK. We've been trying for three years to get pregnant and a goal of mine to lose weight and get healthy was to see if it would help me get pregnant again. It worked! 

So, I didn't stop eating well or exercising, but I did make adjustments. I was two months along by the time I found out. I stopped riding my bike, but I kept up with Zumba and some weights. I ran my last race at 6-months pregnant and kept attending Zumba until I was 36 weeks. I only quit because it was getting way to hard to move and way too many bathroom trips.
After my little miracle was born mid-March, I had put on 40 lbs. It has been really hard to put back on the clothes I worked so hard to get out of, but I can't complain for the priceless package I got in return. At least it wasn't the 70'ish pounds I put on with my son.

With a new healthy baby in tow and new weight to get rid of my weight-loss journey begins AGAIN...