Back from the Dark side....

Hi there! I've been MIA from my blog for a few weeks now, mostly because between sprains, resprains, and 4th of July I completely fell off the wagon for awhile there :) 
For the past several days I've been back at it, but because of non-stop summer activities I'm going to be focusing on developing a healthy relationship with food, rather than continuing low carb. My goal is to slowly lose or maintain until school starts and then re-evaluate. 
Thanks for all the support!!!

Week 24 Results...

Week 23 Results...

Week 22 weight: 171.2

Current weight: 171.9

Weekly total: .7 pounds gained :(

All time total: 26.4 pounds lost

I 'm thinking the slight gain was a combo of "that time of the month" and cheating on my diet over Father's Day because suddenly mac and cheese was irresistible (probably because it was "that time of the month" lol). 

I've back on track since then, but today I re-sprained my ankle (this is how it always goes for me) so I'm probably going to have to cheat a bit until I can get around a little easier. My goal is to eat to lose .5 pounds at a sedentary level for half the week, then back up to losing 1 pound and strict with carbs/allergy food after Saturday. 

I struggled with working out last week until I realized that with the new business I don't have the time or energy to workout for 45+ minutes. Once I broke it down into smaller chunks I made a lot of progress. Obviously working out just got harder, but I'd like to do at least 2 days this week. 

Food Goals: My goal is to eat to lose .5 pounds at a sedentary level for half the week, then back up to losing 1 pound and strict with carbs/allergy food after Saturday 

Exercise Goals:  Abs and arms on separate days.

Week 23 Results

Week 23 Results...

Week 22 weight: 174

Current weight: 171.2!

Weekly total: 2.9 pound lost!

All time total: 27.1 lost

I beat the tired this week! Turns out getting adequate sleep and taking the occasional break during the day makes a big difference! The low-carb diet will continue.

I didn't technically hit my exercise goal this week (only 2 of four planned workouts), but I was extremely active. Starting my new furniture business this week had me running all day long (except the aforementioned planned breaks), plus we spent the entire weekend cleaning/organizing our garage to use as my workshop, and cleaning out our back shed (which had seriously not been cleaned out since 1993 according to the dates on paint cans we found inside!). Part way through the week I decided that although my workout goals were worthy, I had to listen to my body telling me that I was already pushing it. And judging by my weight lost, it was the right choice!

I'm going to continue to eat 40g or less carbs and restrict calories this week to the "sedentary" level. My body is used to it now and I really like seeing the scale drop so much! Don't be worried though, when I feel like I need it I add in a low-carb snack, even if it puts me over on calories- carb count trumps calorie intake on this diet. One cheat meal, same parameters. I think I can actually hit 4 days of exercise this week.  

Food Goals: Sticking to my allergy food diet (no dairy, eggs, or wheat) and eating 40g carbs per day or less. One cheat meal.

Exercise Goals: 2 days cardio for 20 minutes, 2 days strength training 20 minutes 

Week 22 Results

Week 20 weight (before injury): 175

Current weight: 174

Weekly total:1 pound lost

All time total: 24.2 lost

I think I'm just changing my check-in day to Tuesday, since I can't seem to get it together on Mondays!

I met all my goals this week (that's $5 in the pot), and am happy about the weight I lost despite lack of exercise. The only problem is that I am EXHAUSTED! This could be due to our crazy busy last week with little sleep, lack of exercise, or that my body is waving the white flag at the low-carb diet. I am giving myself one more week of low-carb before changing course. 

This week I am allowing myself one cheat meal. For the sake of my weaselly mind that wants to go nuts on the bag of Cheetos sitting in our cupboard, I will specify: One meal while on a much needed date with my husband. This does not include dessert or any snacks leading up to said meal. 

Food Goals: Sticking to my allergy food diet (no dairy, eggs, or wheat) and eating 40g carbs per day or less. One cheat meal.

Exercise Goals: 2 days cardio for 20 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 21 Results and Photo?!

Yes I am late in posting and yes, again, I don't have a real progress photo. I actually don't even have a current weight to post. But no, I'm not going to penalize myself for it!

After rocking my food goals for 5 days last week, and completing 4 of my 5 days of exercise, I tripped down some stairs and sprained my ankle on Friday. I also undid about 2 months of knee physical therapy during the fall and with hopping to get help, so my knees are actually more painful than the sprain. Thankfully nothing was broken (a big concern because I have some structural problems with the bones in my feet making them very vulnerable to breakage), but today is the first day I'm able to move around the house without too much pain. I figured I'd spare you the nasty bruises and swelling and let the three braces I currently need communicate the extent of my injuries!

Because of those injuries I was not able to stick to my eating goals. Having to ask my husband and children to do everything for me was bad enough without requesting special food as well. We basically lived off take-out all weekend, but I think I did a pretty good job having self-control with foods that generally trigger binge eating for me. 

I also can't do much in the way of working out. I think abs and arms are all I can do (and not even all of those) for at least the next week. 

Obviously, I need to make some changes to my goals for this next week. I've lowered my activity level to sedentary on My Fitness Pal and I'm going to stick to my allergy food diet and 40 carbs or less. I'm aiming for 2 workouts. Same $5 penalty/reward.

I'm back! Week 20 Result and New Goals

Week 20 Results... 

Week 16 weight (after vacation): 184.4 

Current weight (after 3 week faceboook challenge): 175

Weekly total: 9.4 pounds lost!!

All time total: 23.2 lost

Apparently super-focused accountability pays off!

(I couldn't get my act together enough to get a photo this week, so I'm aiming for next week :)

So, aside from stronger accountability my Facebook challenge used money as a motivator. Every week we didn't meet our goals we owed $5. That seemed to work really well for me so I'm going to adapt it for myself. 

Losing my family's money (even a little bit of it) makes me feel really guilty. I'm going to up the ante by saying that instead of weekly, every single time I break a goal I have to drop a $5 bill on the ground somewhere. This may seem silly or extreme but wonton waste of money really bothers me, making this a great motivator! 

On the flip side, for every week I perfectly complete my goals I will put $5 in an envelope toward a dress by Shop Stevie. A friend of mine just became a Rep and I've been drooling over the dresses ever since she announced her shop! It will take me around 10 weeks to earn a dress, and that is also around how long it will take me to reach my goal weight. 

I think celebrating reaching my ideal size with a new dress sounds fantastic! :D

Food Goals: Sticking to my allergy food diet (no dairy, eggs, or wheat) and eating 50g carbs per day or less. 

Exercise Goals: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Temporary Tracking Relocation...

I've joined a Facebook weight-loss challenge for the next 3 weeks, so during that time I'll be reporting on there instead of my blog. I will be back with progress photos in June!

Week 15

Week 15 Results... 

Week 13 weight: 178.9 

Current weight: 179

Weekly total: .1 pounds gained

All time total: 16.5 lost

I forgot to post last week. Oops. 
I don't think this weigh-in is a true reflection of my weight because on Saturday I was at 177. Last night was Easter dinner and when Grandma Betty makes lemon bars because she knows you love them and goes the extra mile to make them gluten-free, you eat the lemon bars. All to say, I'm not overly concerned by my lack of loss.

Aside from Easter, I'm back to carefully counting carbs to keep myself in ketosis. I noticed that over the last month of not being as careful I haven't had nearly as much success. 

I will not be checking in next Monday because we will be on vacation. My plan there is to eat as well as each situation allows, knowing that I can't stay gluten/dairy/egg and carb free while traveling. My #1 goal for myself is to avoid binge-type eating, despite the fact that I know I won't have cheese again for who-knows-how-long. If I accomplish that I will be proud of myself, no matter what the scale say when we get back :)

See you on week 17! 

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and low carb goals.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Month 3 Results and Progress Photos

Month 3 Results... 

Week 12 weight: 181.6 

Current weight: 178.9

Weekly total: 2.7 pounds lost

All time total: 19.3 lost

I've broken the 180's barrier and am half-way to my goal weight! Wahooo!!!!

Inches lost since Month 2:

Hips: 0.8 

Waist: 0.5

Arms: 0.5

Thighs: 0.5 

3 Month Progress 

Beginning 

It always feels like magic when I break from one set of numbers to another (180's - 170's). For some reason those pounds seem less possible to lose, but then they aren't! 

This month I've really felt the difference in my wardrobe, wearing clothes that haven't fit for over a year! Looking at the photos, I feel good about my progress and much happier with my reflection than in a long time. The crazy thing is, the difference between my before and after photos is going to happen over again before I'm done!

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and low carb goals.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 12 Results

Week 12 Results... 

Week 11 weight: 184.4 (weighed on Tuesday)

Current weight: 181.6

Weekly total: 2.8 pounds lost

All time total: 16.6 lost

(Sorry for the late post, we were running all day yesterday)

I mentioned on Facebook that going back on carbs was WAY harder than I expected. I immediately put on a few pounds of water weight, Week 10 (before going back on carbs) I was at 180.5. My blood sugar also went back to  it's previous yo-yoing (less fat/protein to steady it), and I was not ready for feeling so HUNGRY all the time! That combined with my "I deserve a break" attitude lead to bing-eating pretty much every day, each time thinking "this will be the last time, then I'll get back on track". I also felt really bloated all the time, pants that had fit the week before felt tight around the waist.

 I've lost two pounds since posting about going back on low-carb on Friday, so obviously most of the weight gain was just water. I'm glad I did this (even though over the course of two weeks I actually gained a pound) because it reset my priorities. I had started buying into the lie that I deserved treats, pasta, and bread because I wanted them. The truth is, people for thousands of years went without eclairs, and people all over the world are going hungry today. I have plenty of food to make my body strong and healthy, even if it's not as entertaining as it once was. I don't "deserve" even that. 

Since switching back I feel SO much better. I hadn't realized how crummy I felt before. With my new mindset and not feeling so hungry, it's been easy to stick to my goals, and I am now more prepared to make the shift back to "normal life" more successful after I hit my goal weight. 

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and low carb goals.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 11 Results

For the sake of my mental health I'm not weighing-in or measuring this week. The fates conspired to guarantee temporarily bad results and I think I'm better off not knowing.

The week started with a stomach bug that left me so weak I couldn't prepare my special foods and had to go off my low-carb diet in favor of toast and applesauce. After I finished with that and tried to go back on my diet I began having a different sort of stomach issue (the kind that leaves you heavier and bloated, if you know what I mean), I hit my period, and was given bad info about a meal that resulted in eating about 800 calories over my allotment... the night before weighing in. I just don't need to know. 

I'm also taking a bit of a break from my super-strict low-carb diet. I'm finding I have to keep close to 20 net carbs (carbs minus fiber) to stay in ketosis, which is really low even by low-carb standards. I've developed a bit of an aversion to my protein shakes (my only "easy" food choice). That, combined with my food allergies leaves my food choices very limited, and I'm burning out on a chunk of meat and veggies for every meal. I'll still be low-carb, but I'm adding fruit back in and more veggies, with the occasional gluten-free grain (1-2 a week). If I'm not getting great results this way, I'll switch back.

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and a lower-carb/low-sugar diet.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 10 Results

Week 10 Results... 

Week 9 weight: 183

Current weight: 180.5

Weekly total: 2.5 pounds lost

All time total: 17.7 lost

Not much movement in the inches department, but things are otherwise going well. 

I was short one cardio workout this week, but hit all my food goals.

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and low carb goals.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 9 Results

Week 9 Results... 

1 Month weight: 185.1

Current weight: 183

Weekly total: 2.1 pounds lost

All time total: 15.2 lost

Inches Lost

Waist: .5 inches this week/ 2.25 inches total

Hips: .25 inches this week/ 2.5 inches total

I was short one cardio workout this week, but hit all my food goals.
I've lost enough weight that my allotted calories have gone down, but on this diet I'm hungry less often so hopefully it won't be too hard! Still thankful to have been pointed towards a ketogenic diet! Dieting has always felt like a gamble for me so there's a lot of security in finding something I know will work for any weight-gain in the future. 

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and low carb goals.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Month 2 Results and Progress Photos

Month 2 Results... 

I've been on this diet for a week now with some pretty exciting results!

Waist: down 1.75 inches down from last month- and .5 inches in the last week!
Hips: down 1.5 inches from last month- .75 in the last week!

Week 7 weight: 186.7

Current weight: 185.1

Weekly total: 1.6 pounds lost

All time total: 13.1 lost

Current

Beginning

I forgot to have the hubs snap a new photo of me yesterday morning, so I'm a day late in posting. All stats are from yesterday.

This was the first week I could really see the results I've been working so hard for! On Sunday I was able to wear a shirt that hasn't fit me for over 8 months :)

I crushed my goals this week!!!! The biggest and best part of this diet is the lack of hunger! Fat keeps you full far longer than carbs- in fact there have a been a few days when I'm not hungry enough for meals (usually I'm ravenous) allowing me to spread out my eating in a way that cuts snacking. It's been over a week since I craved carbs and I'm extending my tentative 3 week low-carb goal to as long as it takes to hit my goal weight- this is that much easier that conventional dieting!

My doctor warned me that although the number of pounds lost each week might not skyrocket, on this diet my body is continually burning fat and the inches lost will show the real progress being made (I'll be checking that weekly from now on). The way she explained it, as the fat cells so quickly empty of fat the body fills them with water (which weighs more than fat) until it is ready to let that water go. There may be weeks with big drops and weeks with none, but as long as my morning ketone test shows positive I'm burning fat. 

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and low carb goals.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 7

Week 7 Results... 

Week 6 weight: 188.4

Current weight: 186.7

Weekly total: 1.7 pounds lost

All time total: 11.5 lost

A lot has changed since last week! I met with my doctor for weight loss tips and she encouraged me to try a ketogenic diet. It's similar to Atkins (but safer and healthier). Basically I'm cutting almost all carbs (except veggies) and eating moderate levels of protein and high levels of fat to put my body in a "ketogenic state" where it switches from carbs as it's preferred energy source to burning fat as energy. 

My doctor said after having kids she did this diet and burned between 4 and 7 pounds per week! And since you aren't starving yourself the pounds don't pack back on the minute you switch back, as long as you stick with a healthy diet. With results like that, it was worth is for me to turn life upside down for a little while to try it!(Especially since its was a doctor who recommended it)

I started Thursday (it takes several days for your body to switch modes) and it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. By Saturday my carb cravings were way down (even at a waffle breakfast!) and noticed I didn't get hungry as often. I have had a few headaches, and times when my energy was quite low (especially during the first few days) but apparently that is part of the carb/fat switch my body is making. Or it could be that I'm supposed to start my period today :)

Anyhow, I volunteer myself as the group guinea pig and if the results are great I'll post more info for those who are interested! Alternately, if you want to try it with me I can shoot you a few good websites I've found explaining the whole thing (one that is tailored for MFP, which is nice). 

I mostly stuck with my goals this week, but broke the allergy diet to eat the milk-chocolate covered strawberries my husband brought me for Valentines Day :) I also missed one workout day with how crummy I felt when I first switched. 

Food goal: Sticking to my allergy food diet and low carb goals.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 6

Week 6 Results...

Week 5 weight: 191.9

Current weight: 188.4!!!

Weekly total: 3.5 pounds lost!!!

All time total: 9.8 lost

It felt really good to look down at the scale this morning! I changed a few things up this week that might have contributed to such a difference, the biggest of which was sticking perfectly to my allergy food diet. My doctor explained awhile back that my body can't properly digest foods I'm allergic to, something about them being processed as sugar and getting stored as fat. I think I believe her now ;)

I also changed the order in which I ate things. In the past I'd eat fairly lightly in the morning/ afternoon in order to save enough calories to eat whatever I wanted for dinner. I've been forcing myself to eat more "real food" in the morning (as opposed to protein bars or shakes) and save the protein shake for a late afternoon snack. This way I'm not starving by dinner which gives me better self-control, and calories to burn overnight when my body isn't using many calories. 

Last, I set My Fitness Pal from "lightly active" to "not very active". I did this mostly out of desperation to see some results because the last few weeks were pretty discouraging. I'm going to return the settings to their more accurate "lightly active" so I don't lose too quickly and end up yo-yoing :)

I had planned to allow myself a non-allergy food treat tonight, but getting such good results makes me want to stick with it, so gluten-free yakisoba it is :)

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, having only 3 "sweets" this week, and sticking to my allergy food diet. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 5

Week 5 Results...

1 Month weight: 192.2

Current weight: 191.9

Weekly total: .3 pounds lost

All time total: 6.3 lost

Last week we were on vacation, so I was only eating to lose .5 pounds. I stuck to it almost every day, with the exception of one glorious day at the beach where I gave myself permission to stop tracking and enjoy myself. For me, fudging only one day on vacation is a big step :) I also did cardio 4 days and strength training 3, going over and above my goals in that department. All told, my weight results were about what I would have expected. 

This week I am feeling refreshed by my bit of freedom (and the fact that I had some results despite that freedom) and plan on sticking to my goals with gusto! I am also committing to maintaining my allergy food diet 100% and cutting out coffee. The last few weeks I got a bit lax on that, and it seems to make a big difference both in how I feel and in weight loss. 

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, having only 3 "sweets" this week, and sticking to my allergy food diet. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

1 Month Progress Photo

1 Month Results...

Week 3 weight: 190

Current weight: 192.2

Weekly total: 2.2 pounds gained (or maintained, see below)

All time total: 6.1 lost

Before

After

I said last week I didn't trust the sudden drop in weight after my stomach bug, and I was right: 2 days later I was back up to 192.4. That meant I had lost nothing during the previous week, and made me ultra-determined to lose this week. Although I went over one day, I exercised two extra days, and cut my calories by an additional 150-200 the remaining half-week, I still lost virtually nothing this week. 

I'm not going to lie, there were a few tears this morning. 

To add insult to injury, when I measured this morning I had lost nothing on my waist. After a month of diet, exercise, and ab workouts. I did loose almost an inch on both my hips and bust, so at least there was progress. 

Although this wasn't the progress report I was hoping for, I am glad I'm blogging it. I'd say my body must not be well yet, and quit. Instead I feel like I can see a little difference in the photos (mostly in my face) and I'm choosing to hold onto hope that the lack of inches lost may be due to where I'm at in my monthly cycle, and lack of weight lost may be that and gaining muscle. I'm also seeing a doctor soon that specializes in streamlining weight loss, so hopefully that will help. 

Paul is on vacation this week, so I'm going to be realistic and alter my goals a bit:

Calorie goal: Eating to lose .5 lbs, and sweets are ok as long as they are within my goal

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 3

Week three results...

Week 2 weight: 192.1

Current weight: 190

Weekly total: 2.1 pounds lost!!

All time total: 8.2 lost

This week was a weird one. I spent three days painting our bedroom 3-4 hours a day. According to several online sources, painting walls should burn approximately 400 cals an hour. I stayed within my calories all week (although I did loose track and ended up having one more dessert than my 3 a week goal), but because of the long days painting only did one day cardio, and one day strength training. I thought it should balance out, but by Friday I had actually gained weight! I'm thinking it may have been water weight from being on my feet without really "moving" for so long each day. Then I got hit with the stomach flu and viola! Down two pounds in a day. All to say, I don't know how "real" my weight fluctuations will prove to be from this week. 

I'm feeling a bit better today, so I'm tentatively sticking to my goals:

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 2

Week two result...

Week 1 weight: 196.7

Current weight: 192.1

Weekly total: 4.6 pounds lost!!

All time total: 6.1 lost

I'm kind of amazed at how much came off this week! I ate too many calories one day, but made up for it over the course of the three following days (so I didn't have to deprive myself too much one day). I also exercised one extra day. 

Same goals for next week:

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Week 1

Week one results {dum da da da!}....

Starting weight: 198.2

Current weight: 196.7

Total lost: 1.5 pounds

This week was good! I stuck to my eating goals, worked out 5 days, and I'm feeling great! Progress always helps :)

Calorie goal: Eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. 

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training 30 minutes 

Here We Go Again...

We've been here before. 

Me, deciding it's time to get serious about weight loss.

You, privy to my most embarrassing stats and journey to change them.  

Our first go-round was fantastically successful. 

We meet again.

Over the past year I've run into several compounding health issues that together caused me to put on about 30 pounds, all while dieting and exercising. My doctor explained that this was due to factors outside of my control and I was not to blame, but it was still infuriating, discouraging, and embarrassing.  She told me I had to wait 8-12 months to begin trying to lose it, because the main contributing factor was a problem with my adrenal glands and hard-core weight loss programs put a lot of stress on them. I have not always been very accepting of that recommendation. Eight months feels like a long time to fit in almost nothing I own and hate seeing myself in photos. 

It took took me about six of those eight months to make nice with this season God has given me. What felt like a curse I can view as a blessing because of how it's forced me to grow personally. I'm at peace with how I view myself, and I think that is key to weight loss success. Whenever my dieting attempts have been motivated by desperation I've quickly flamed out. The NEED for instant success does not produce staying power. 

I am now eight months into my health journey, and although I'm not quite 100%, I feel well enough to begin inching my way back into my favorite wardrobe items. 

Also, the Christmas cookies are gone ;)

Here's the drill:

Today I'm going to give you my current and goal weight (yes, I am about to post my body weight on the internet *gasp*), my exercise and calorie goals for the week, and a "beginning" photo of myself. 

Every Monday from here until I reach my goal I will update my weight, post my success or failure at that week's goals, and give a new weekly goal. Each month I will post a progress photo and repost on inches lost. 

So {deep breath} my starting weight is: 198.2

Goal weight: 160

"Before" Photo

Calorie goal: I'm going start by eating to lose 1lb, and having only 3 "sweets" this week. I'm going to have to watch my other health issues, so this goal may fluctuate according to how my body responds.

Exercise Goal: 3 days cardio for 30 minutes, 2 days strength training. 

So there it is! Wish me luck, I'll see you next week :)