The Bad News is... for the first time since moving to Powell River 7 1/2 years ago I am sick. Very sick. This flu has kept me from exercising since February 9th, and the end is not in sight.
The Good News is... I have started to lose weight and see results. I am 5.8 pounds lighter than I was on January 4th, and the clothes I have been wearing are starting to hang on me, necessitating a shift to smaller clothes in my closet, which houses a wide range of sizes.
The Bad News is... fellow blogger Bethany is also sick with the flu. I tried to offer words of encouragement and tell her to hang in there, but my comment would not post.
The Good News is... Bethany seems to be self-motivated.
The Bad News is... if this disease doesn't kill me, boredom may. When my brain wasn't functioning at a level high enough to read or write, I spent my time thinking about my bucket list... the things I would like to do before I get too old to enjoy them (at which point I may as well have kicked the bucket.) Sadly, I will not fully enjoy any of those things unless I am able to feel good about the way I look, even if I just look good "for my age."
The Good News is... this is something over which I can exercise control. So I went online and found a calorie counter that I can post on the desk top of all my computers (both jobs, home, laptop) and keep track of what I eat. More importanly, as I went through the list to delete food I will NEVER eat (some meat and vegetables are too nasty to ingest), I became very aware of what I should and should not consider eating. I also had a paradigm shift. Rather than focusing on staying within a certain calorie intake limit, I decided to eat the least number of calories possible, while eating 5 or 6 times a day, and enjoying a balanced diet.
The Bad News is... good intentions are useless unless they are translated into good actions. Time will tell.
The Good News is... I am determined to keep fighting until I have won the battle of the bulge, so I might as well get it over with sooner than later , and start on that bucket list.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
First month of Donate the Weight
After 1 month I have lost a total of 2.6 pounds. Not exactly what weight loss-dreams are made of! My clothes fit me better, so I know there have been some changes to my body, but the process is painfully slow. If it's due to the fact that I've been building muscle to burn fat, and muscle weighs more than fat, I am totally ready to see the muscle start doing its thing!
Shirley said it took her 6 weeks to start seeing results, after which she sometimes lost 10 pounds a month. So I'm hangin' in there. Actually, I'm committed to this process no matter how long it takes, as I am determined to win this battle. In the meantime, exercise and a proper diet can only make me healthier.
Zee pointed out that Shirley was not hampered by motion sickness, and she did more than just work out three times a week. So I guess I have to step it up (no pun intended). I will walk/run the three kilometers to work and back on those days that I don't need my car to go to the gym, and on the days I have my car I will take a lunch break and walk to the bank, post-office etc. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'll do it.
I've been drinking 8 glasses of water (most) days, and am eating 5 or 6 times a day, consuming only whole grains, lean protein, fruit, vegetables and healthy fats, with nothing after 6:30 (even though I can barely drag myself off the sofa by 6:30 after returning from the gym on the days I work out). But perhaps I am eating too much of those good things. So I'll start tracking everything I eat and see exactly how many calories I'm actually consuming on a daily basis. Zee suggested I take CLA, and since there is not a weight loss aid available that I have not tried at one time or another, I'll check my abandoned stock of remedies to find some CLA.
Yesterday I found and purchased a proper size exercise ball for my height. The balls at the gym are bigger than I am, and trying to use them is difficult at best. I inflated and tried the new ball, and it is a vast improvement. It will be a welcome relief not to be floundering around the exercise floor like a beached whale as the ball escapes my grasp or wobbles around the room while I teeter on the edge. Sometimes I catch a gimpse of myself and am grateful for the fact I am of an age where looking ridiculous no longer inhibits me the way it once did.
Shirley said it took her 6 weeks to start seeing results, after which she sometimes lost 10 pounds a month. So I'm hangin' in there. Actually, I'm committed to this process no matter how long it takes, as I am determined to win this battle. In the meantime, exercise and a proper diet can only make me healthier.
Zee pointed out that Shirley was not hampered by motion sickness, and she did more than just work out three times a week. So I guess I have to step it up (no pun intended). I will walk/run the three kilometers to work and back on those days that I don't need my car to go to the gym, and on the days I have my car I will take a lunch break and walk to the bank, post-office etc. I'm not looking forward to it, but I'll do it.
I've been drinking 8 glasses of water (most) days, and am eating 5 or 6 times a day, consuming only whole grains, lean protein, fruit, vegetables and healthy fats, with nothing after 6:30 (even though I can barely drag myself off the sofa by 6:30 after returning from the gym on the days I work out). But perhaps I am eating too much of those good things. So I'll start tracking everything I eat and see exactly how many calories I'm actually consuming on a daily basis. Zee suggested I take CLA, and since there is not a weight loss aid available that I have not tried at one time or another, I'll check my abandoned stock of remedies to find some CLA.
Yesterday I found and purchased a proper size exercise ball for my height. The balls at the gym are bigger than I am, and trying to use them is difficult at best. I inflated and tried the new ball, and it is a vast improvement. It will be a welcome relief not to be floundering around the exercise floor like a beached whale as the ball escapes my grasp or wobbles around the room while I teeter on the edge. Sometimes I catch a gimpse of myself and am grateful for the fact I am of an age where looking ridiculous no longer inhibits me the way it once did.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
How to Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day
Shirley came to the office yesterday and offered me some encouragement. I told her I was struggling with the need to drink 8 glasses of water a day. She suggested I set my alarm to ring every hour throughout the day, at which time I should drink a glass of water. Works like a charm.
Of course, instead of using the washroom two or three times a day I am running to it every couple of hours. But I just think about the fact that the water is flushing out my system. (No pun intended.)
The one thing I hate about getting older is the need to get up in the middle of the night to use the washroom. But this way I don't have to drink any water in the evening, so my sleep won't be interrupted any more than usual. :))
Of course, instead of using the washroom two or three times a day I am running to it every couple of hours. But I just think about the fact that the water is flushing out my system. (No pun intended.)
The one thing I hate about getting older is the need to get up in the middle of the night to use the washroom. But this way I don't have to drink any water in the evening, so my sleep won't be interrupted any more than usual. :))
Saturday, January 22, 2011
First Optional Weigh-in
Today I learned that since my initial weigh-in I have lost 2.2 pounds, or .01% of my starting body weight on January 4th. Based on Shirley's experience I wasn't expecting any weight loss. The fact that I am building muscle, which weighs more than fat, is something my aching body reminds me of on a daily basis. :))
Last weekend I met Kim and Tony Leach, who were part of the winning team in 2009. They still look terrific! Tony said he too worked out with Zee, and is now able to do things he could never have done before he started his weight-loss journey.
Last night while running on the treadmill. the sides of my back started to ache horribly. Zee said that's where my kidneys are located. He asked how much water I drank that day, and I had to confess it had only been about l cup. He said my kidneys need water. I think I learned my lesson. I collapsed on the sofa when I got home and was unable to do much of anything for the rest of the evening.
I had found myself moaning, "Oh God" as Zee led me through 18 different exercises, 20 repetitions each. I pointed out to Zee that I was appealing to the Deity for help while being tortured. Zee said he knows the Deity well, to which I responded, "Yes, I believe you're the one he threw out of heaven." Zee was unapologetic. lol
Some of the people weighing in have done incredibly well. It's a joy to watch their enthusiasm.
Last weekend I met Kim and Tony Leach, who were part of the winning team in 2009. They still look terrific! Tony said he too worked out with Zee, and is now able to do things he could never have done before he started his weight-loss journey.
Last night while running on the treadmill. the sides of my back started to ache horribly. Zee said that's where my kidneys are located. He asked how much water I drank that day, and I had to confess it had only been about l cup. He said my kidneys need water. I think I learned my lesson. I collapsed on the sofa when I got home and was unable to do much of anything for the rest of the evening.
I had found myself moaning, "Oh God" as Zee led me through 18 different exercises, 20 repetitions each. I pointed out to Zee that I was appealing to the Deity for help while being tortured. Zee said he knows the Deity well, to which I responded, "Yes, I believe you're the one he threw out of heaven." Zee was unapologetic. lol
Some of the people weighing in have done incredibly well. It's a joy to watch their enthusiasm.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
End of Week Two of Donate the Weight
Week two flew by, as I was consumed with major events in both my full-time and part-time jobs. The accounting course I am taking was totally neglected, and when it is over at the beginning of March I am going to take a break from my studies for three months so I can concentrate more on my weight loss. When I resume studies toward the end of June, I plan to be at or close to my ideal weight.
The last week was a blur, but some things stand out in my memory. Shirley visited me and offered encouragement. We talked about diet, and she pointed out that since this is the last time I want to have to lose weight, it must be achieved in a sustainable manner. That means I have to adopt a diet I can follow for the rest of my life, rather than one that brings rapid weight loss but is unstainable for long periods of time, and is followed by rapid weight gain when I go off it. Basically that means I should eat a healthy breakfast as soon as I get up, and then eat something every 3 hours thereafter, consuming 5 or 6 small meals or snacks each day, made up of whole grains, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy oils and low fat dairy products. Processed and fast foods are out, as are things that are white: white flour, white rice, white potatoes, etc. None of this is new to me, and I have adhered to such a diet for much of the last 3 years. However, it was not combined with exercise, so served only to maintain my weight rather than reduce it. I would get discouraged and go on a binge for several weeks or months, then have to go back to the gym and a severly restricted diet in order to lose most of what I had gained. A rather foolish pattern. So now that I am being guided through a more effective exercise regime in combination with eating right, I will be motivated to continue eating properly as I experience sustained weight loss. As Zee puts it, "You'll soon be able to trade in that keg for a six-pack."
I am staying off the scale until the weigh-in on Saturday, January 22nd. I don't expect to see a miracle, as I have definitely been building muscle, which weighs more than fat. I will admit I don't see much of a change in my body yet, but am much stronger and constantly aware of the muscles that are being worked on. Sometime Brian McCullough works out with Zee at the same time I do, and last night he told me he thinks of pain as weakness leaving his body. What a good quote!
The last week was a blur, but some things stand out in my memory. Shirley visited me and offered encouragement. We talked about diet, and she pointed out that since this is the last time I want to have to lose weight, it must be achieved in a sustainable manner. That means I have to adopt a diet I can follow for the rest of my life, rather than one that brings rapid weight loss but is unstainable for long periods of time, and is followed by rapid weight gain when I go off it. Basically that means I should eat a healthy breakfast as soon as I get up, and then eat something every 3 hours thereafter, consuming 5 or 6 small meals or snacks each day, made up of whole grains, fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, lean protein, healthy oils and low fat dairy products. Processed and fast foods are out, as are things that are white: white flour, white rice, white potatoes, etc. None of this is new to me, and I have adhered to such a diet for much of the last 3 years. However, it was not combined with exercise, so served only to maintain my weight rather than reduce it. I would get discouraged and go on a binge for several weeks or months, then have to go back to the gym and a severly restricted diet in order to lose most of what I had gained. A rather foolish pattern. So now that I am being guided through a more effective exercise regime in combination with eating right, I will be motivated to continue eating properly as I experience sustained weight loss. As Zee puts it, "You'll soon be able to trade in that keg for a six-pack."
I am staying off the scale until the weigh-in on Saturday, January 22nd. I don't expect to see a miracle, as I have definitely been building muscle, which weighs more than fat. I will admit I don't see much of a change in my body yet, but am much stronger and constantly aware of the muscles that are being worked on. Sometime Brian McCullough works out with Zee at the same time I do, and last night he told me he thinks of pain as weakness leaving his body. What a good quote!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
End of Week One of Donate the Weight
People sometimes suggest I should just forget about my weight and accept my body as it is. That is so wrong, on so many levels.
First, it suggests I adopt a defeatist attitude. "This is too much work, so no matter how much I want or need to lose weight, I'm going to take the easy way out and simply give up." Believe me, I often think about doing just that, and at times it appears as though I have, but ultimately I can't. It doesn't mean I don't like myself as a person, and don't recognize that my appearance is just a small part of who I am, but I simply can't decide to be less than I can be. I am not able to change my height or my age, but I can control other aspects of the way I look.
Second, even if I could accept my body, others won't and that makes it nearly impossible to pretend I'm fine with it. I was having a conversation with someone who was talking about his disappointment when he finally met someone face to face that he had been communicating with over the internet. Turns out her face was pretty, (which was all he had seen in her photographs)but her body was not. As he described her flabby arms and rolls of fat I pointed out the he is not exactly svelte. To which he replied, "No I'm not. But would you be attracted to a fat man?" He has a point. Just because I'm short and round doesn't mean I don't want to be with someone who is tall and slim. (My husband and I resemble the comic-strip characters Mutt and Jeff.)
Thirdly, it's not all about appearances. Being overweight is very hard on your body, and it will take its toll sooner or later. Since "later" is fast approaching, the time to act is now.
Today I weighed myself to see how far I've come. I lost 5.4 pounds while on RESET, 2.8 pounds of which were lost since my official weigh-in on January 4th. Given Shirley's experience, I was prepared not to lose any weight for the first couple of weeks, so I'm happy with this. I've not yet received diet guidelines from Zee, but had to start eating something before my work-outs so I have strength to complete those seemingly endless repetitions, and don't pass out. Zee never pushes me past my limits, but neither does he let me quit. I don't have to finish at warp speed, but he never lowers the required time I must spend on the equipment, or the number of repetitions I must complete.
So we'll see where this journey takes me over the remaining weeks of the campaign. Making myself a priority has been difficult, but I have done everything possible to paint myself into a corner so I can't back out. :))
First, it suggests I adopt a defeatist attitude. "This is too much work, so no matter how much I want or need to lose weight, I'm going to take the easy way out and simply give up." Believe me, I often think about doing just that, and at times it appears as though I have, but ultimately I can't. It doesn't mean I don't like myself as a person, and don't recognize that my appearance is just a small part of who I am, but I simply can't decide to be less than I can be. I am not able to change my height or my age, but I can control other aspects of the way I look.
Second, even if I could accept my body, others won't and that makes it nearly impossible to pretend I'm fine with it. I was having a conversation with someone who was talking about his disappointment when he finally met someone face to face that he had been communicating with over the internet. Turns out her face was pretty, (which was all he had seen in her photographs)but her body was not. As he described her flabby arms and rolls of fat I pointed out the he is not exactly svelte. To which he replied, "No I'm not. But would you be attracted to a fat man?" He has a point. Just because I'm short and round doesn't mean I don't want to be with someone who is tall and slim. (My husband and I resemble the comic-strip characters Mutt and Jeff.)
Thirdly, it's not all about appearances. Being overweight is very hard on your body, and it will take its toll sooner or later. Since "later" is fast approaching, the time to act is now.
Today I weighed myself to see how far I've come. I lost 5.4 pounds while on RESET, 2.8 pounds of which were lost since my official weigh-in on January 4th. Given Shirley's experience, I was prepared not to lose any weight for the first couple of weeks, so I'm happy with this. I've not yet received diet guidelines from Zee, but had to start eating something before my work-outs so I have strength to complete those seemingly endless repetitions, and don't pass out. Zee never pushes me past my limits, but neither does he let me quit. I don't have to finish at warp speed, but he never lowers the required time I must spend on the equipment, or the number of repetitions I must complete.
So we'll see where this journey takes me over the remaining weeks of the campaign. Making myself a priority has been difficult, but I have done everything possible to paint myself into a corner so I can't back out. :))
Monday, January 10, 2011
Day Six of Donate the Weight
Something many overweight people have in common is the belief we don't deserve to pamper ourselves or wear nice things. Why waste the time and money? We won't look good or feel good about ourselves anyway! So we spend our time and money on other things, that we think are more worthwhile.
It's a vicious cycle. The bigger we get, the more we reinforce our belief that there's "no point." In turn, the worse we look because we're not engaging in self care, the more we comfort ourselves with food. I often ask myself why it is that even though I want to be slim and fit, I obviously want to gobble down sweets even more! It's baffling.
I think the problem is exacerbated in our small, relaxed, informal community. When I lived and worked in a large city I felt I had no choice but to be properly goroomed, put on make-up each morning and dress in a professional manner. But I soon learned that is not necessary in Powell River. It was easy to stop caring how I look. Spending an extra 45 minutes being productive at the computer each morning took precedence over putting on make-up and doing something with my hair. What I wore became unimportant to me. But it takes a toll. People's response to your appearance greatly affects the way you see yourself, which affects the way you treat yourself.
So I started making a point of paying more attention to the way I look. And guess what! People began commenting on my weight loss... even when there had been no weight loss! I just smiled and said, "I'm trying."
It's a vicious cycle. The bigger we get, the more we reinforce our belief that there's "no point." In turn, the worse we look because we're not engaging in self care, the more we comfort ourselves with food. I often ask myself why it is that even though I want to be slim and fit, I obviously want to gobble down sweets even more! It's baffling.
I think the problem is exacerbated in our small, relaxed, informal community. When I lived and worked in a large city I felt I had no choice but to be properly goroomed, put on make-up each morning and dress in a professional manner. But I soon learned that is not necessary in Powell River. It was easy to stop caring how I look. Spending an extra 45 minutes being productive at the computer each morning took precedence over putting on make-up and doing something with my hair. What I wore became unimportant to me. But it takes a toll. People's response to your appearance greatly affects the way you see yourself, which affects the way you treat yourself.
So I started making a point of paying more attention to the way I look. And guess what! People began commenting on my weight loss... even when there had been no weight loss! I just smiled and said, "I'm trying."
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