Super Trouper!

I would like to dedicate this post to ABBA, and the Black Eyed Peas. They have gotten me through many a workout, and with a smile on my face!

Updates on the past week and goals:

I loved the Indian food! Okay, maybe not as exciting for you as for me, but it was delicious and I didn’t over eat, and I spent the lunch with a fantastic friend:) So a definite success. (Except for the green sauce that I thought was some sort of Indian pesto. Definitely not. Very spicy. Especially on my iceberg lettuce.)

So I not only tried the Stair Master this week (sweat central), I also tried a Latin Rhythms class. It was basically a room of women following a leader in dance moves, shimmies, shakes, and jumps. Great fun, except for the jumping part…not fun for my chest. That’s all I’m saying about that. Goal #1=achieved!

My dog and I went on a hour and a half hike in the woods on Saturday. She was so excited and energetic the whole time, and that helps me climb the continuous hills and stomp on lesser-walked paths. I like going to the gym and pushing myself, but something about outdoor exercise makes me feel more alive. The fresh air, forest/water sounds, and twisting and turning….ahhhh. Good times. The picture below is of my dog on a hike we went on last year, in the same spot (with another golden and a friend). She is the cutest inspiration I’ve got! Goal #2=achieved!

I wish I had mastered the stairs...

...but the stairs mastered me!

One of my goals for the week was to try something new at the gym, so instead of veering towards the treadmill this afternoon, I hopped on the StairMaster. Before this afternoon, I had been on the StairMaster once before…at the peak of my health, my sophomore year of college. That was when I was working out for 45 minutes a day, running, and generally kicking my own butt with activity. I could handle the StairMaster then. But now?

Ouch.

I was on there for 25 minutes, at Level 2, and I actually had to stop 5 minutes before I finished, so that I could catch my breath. I am glad no one was working out right next to the heavy-breathing, sweating girl climbing 58 stories! But seriously, I did some intense glistening this afternoon.

And then, just for funsies, I went to a tone and firm class. Where our warm-ups were squats and lunges. And we did about 100 crunches. I like the big mirrors in that group exercise room, because then I can see my face turning different shades of red!

I also like the wisdom our instructor passed on as we were clenching our butts and pulling in the abs, “If you don’t squeeze it, who will?” Harsh, but good motivation:)

Touché Gym…touché..

Sucked into the telly

I was flipping through channels tonight, and I came across a documentary on the Style network, called "Too Fat for 15." It was about Britain's biggest teenager, 15 year old Georgia. She weighed 462lbs, until she went to a special weight-loss academy/boarding school in North Carolina, where she lost 200lbs.

I love before and after stories. When I read fitness magazines, I flip through most of it just so I can see the before and after article. I like seeing how other women have lost the weight, and kept it off, and the pictures give me inspiration. Especially the ones where the person has one thier old pants, and are pulling out the waist! Just air, where there once was fat...*sigh*

There are so many shows nowdays that focus on before and after, like Biggest Loser, Ruby, or Dance Your Ass Off. I think I am going to start watching some of them, as a steady before-turning-into-an-after (which is what I am aiming to be!) It helps to know that you are not alone. That there are other people just like you who are struggling and, more importantly, succeeding!

Whoops-a-daisy

Here are my corrections to the previous post: I meant to say "the picture above and to the right." Obviously. I also forgot to actualy post the calorie counters I was talking about. My bad! Here you go:

• http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
• http://www.myfooddiary.com/default_b.asp
• http://www.fitwatch.com/caloriecounter.html
  

Weekly Goals

Every week I am setting one or two goals. Last week my goals were to get to the gym three times (I got there twice), and to do some random calorie counting. I don't to focus on calories, but I would like to be more aware of what I am eating. For instance, did you know that a poached egg is about 68 calories? Or that a peach is about 31, but a nectarine averages at 57? I've looked at three different websites for calorie counting, and I have listed them below. Since I haven't used them extensively, I can't guarantee that they are the best out there, but they are what I have right now.

This week, my goal is to take a picture like the one to the right.

Just kidding! My goals this week are to, 1)try a new machine or class at the gym, 2)go on a hike. Even with the fall weather rolling in, it would be nice to visit mother nature, instead of just working it out on the treadmill. Also, I get to go to an Indian food buffet this week! What good foods await, and will I be able to eat with stuffing myself?

Learning to deal with the real world...

So the first week of my time-to-get-my-weight-under-control-plan flew by, and I was excited when the scale said 236...236...236!!! I knew that I hadn't eaten before the second weigh-in, and that my body was experiencing an exercise surprise, but it was still awesome to see an 8lb difference.

But this past week I faced some challenges. I got to visit with some friends that I have not seen in a long time, went on a mini-road trip, and went to a birthday party. All of these wonderful events tend to be centered around food, and it is hard to resist delicious bean dip and chips, or fatty restaurant food...(or fresh baked snicker doodle cookies!)

With all of these gatherings, I also had a hard time fitting in time to work out. So I was scared today as I stepped on the scale...

only to find my weight at 234.5!

I am so proud of myself. I controlled myself a lot better than I have previously, and I much prefer having lost a pound and a half, to having a full piece of Costco chocolate cake (I did have a half piece, it was delicious, festive, and I hadn't indulged like that since beginning my road to health).

It's nice to know that I don't have to avoid social settings or going out to dinner with people for fear of slipping into old habits. Because while I want to lose the weight, I want to KEEP my friends!

My Weight-loss Tool Box

A little history: I have been over-weight since I was ten, though I was not obese until the past year and a half. There have been fluctuations in weight, and at one point during my sophomore year of college, I was down to 174lbs, a number that I hadn't seen for a while. But then life threw me some curve-balls and I ate my stress/emotions/fear until I reached 244lbs a week and a half ago. As I am starting this self-designed weight-loss program, I feel confident that I will have long-term success. Mostly because I have, what I am dubbing, a:

Weight-loss Tool Box!! (okay, it's not a real tool box, but I like symbolism and cheesy themes, so stick with on this.)

In my tool box are all the things I need to rebuild myself a healthier life. So, without further ado....

My Weight-loss Tool Box

1. Support of family and friends (and anyone reading this blog!). They say the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I've made my problem public, because I know that I need people to have my back as I struggle and achieve and rock socks.
2. A Routine. It's important to make room and time in your life for working out, planning meals, blogging/journaling, and learning. I finally have a schedule that keeps me busy, but allows me enought time to focus on being Loser Girl!
3. Charts. Okay, maybe this is just me, but I love having calendars and charts and food journals because it makes me feel official, and helps me track my progress. I know how much I have worked out, what my goals are for the coming week, and what food I have consumed.
4. Self-Confidence. If I didn't think I could do this, I wouldn't be here. The name "Loser Girl" means that I am ready to lose weight, but I don't think I am a loser. I am comfortable with myself, and simply ready to push myself to be the healthiest I can be.
5. Clear Goals. I want to weigh 154lbs in 90 weeks. I want to achieve this without starving myself or becoming bored with exercise.
6. A Good Gym. I like my gym. It's not too intense or intimidating, but it has good equipment and fun classes (I cannot wait to try Zumba!).
7. Desire. I want this. I want a healthy body for myself, for my future. I want to put down the cookie so I can be comfortable on an airplane in the middle seat. I can walk that extra .5 mile to but a Large T-shirt, instead of an XLarge.
   

So that's my tool box! (woot woot!)