Sunday, June 10, 2012

Updates and Exhaustion

so to start my weigh in results for this week:

-1.2 199.4

Not too shabby! Honestly it felt good to see that kind of results, I had a really lazy weekend last weekend, but didn't overeat, and I got a solid workout in on Tuesday, and stayed within my calories for the week (for the most part), and focus on healthy eating. Two weeks in a row, which is pretty damn close to a record with my effort lately.

This week so far has been positive as well. I got out of work early on Friday for a Dr. appointment, and while it took me ages to get home,  I came home and did the 30 day shred, and then went out to the Red Sox game. Saturday I used a groupon I had bought to bring Matt and I kayaking. In addition to it being a ton of fun, it was a great strength workout and I burnt 250 calories. It was a gorgeous day outside, clear, crisp, and the sun was warm. It was "matt day" since we were celebrating his birthday officially, so we went home, showered, relaxed for a few minutes and then headed right back out.

We had a real date night, starting out with Dinner at Penguin Pizza, this cute little bar near Mission Hill, with awesome pizza, and a great beer selection. They also have a rewards program, where you can buy a  "passport" which lists all the beer they have from around the world (and America), and every time you go in you can select a different beer and have them sign off on it. If you try everything on the list, you get a 22oz mug from them to keep there, and get twice the beer for the same price, for life. We don't go there enough for it to actually happen haha but it's still pretty cool :)

We ended up getting jalapeno poppers, and  Large pizza that was half bbq chicken and half goat cheese, peppers and onions, and broccoli. It was perfect :)

We went to another bar up the street from us, to watch the Celtics lose,which was a downer, but overall it was a really nice night.

Today was filled with lots of family time, laundry, and hiking :) I also am proud that while there was a lot of food floating around this weekend, I kept myself within a safe range.

So plan for this week? I'll post my food plan tomorrow, but my workout schedule will hopefully stay like this:

Monday: rest (well needed)
Tuesday: gym
Wednesday rest (no time)
Thursday: gym/ video
Friday- gym/class

I really want to find a class to drop in on this week, try something new. So far I've managed 3 workouts, and am on path for four, which would just be fabulous :) my goal is also to walk to the train in the morning and at night, no more of this bus business, only on rainy days :)

But so far, I'm feeling that "good sore", and am happy that I've stayed on track so far! Fingers crossed!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Finding a Happy Place

So the good news is that besides friday, I actually had a pretty good weekend.

My weigh in Friday was a maintain, which was whatever, I was sore from working out. I ran for a little bit on Thursday night (1 minute running, 90 seconds walking). It felt good, but I was sore afterwards, really sore. By Sunday though my hip pain had gone away, which is good. I'm going to try to run once a week and see if that makes a difference, and lets me get back into running. I'll tell you what, it felt good.  I felt strong and sweaty and happy for the first time in a long time.

When I first went on the pill (yea, full disclosure here haha), I kind of had a crazy 6 months. It made me feel crazed and unstable. One second I was totally fine, and the next I was crying uncontrollably over something not worthy of those tears. I eventually went to see someone about it, because it wasn't normal, or okay. She helped me sort through my emotions and frustrations, and instead of suggesting medicine, or more therapy, she asked me an important question.

"Think about it. When do you feel happy"

And after I thought about it, I realized that the time when I'm my happiest was when I left the gym. This was back in 2008, I was still in college, and still teetering around 240-250, obviously working out wasn't a huge part of my life. But that one day a week when I actually made it to the gym, I would always leave in a more content, balanced mood.

So I started working out more consistently. My eating still wasn't fully there, so I didn't lose a ton of weight, maybe 5-10 pounds, but it helped "even" me out a bit.

So obviously, since I didn't really start my weight loss journey till 2010, This wasn't the "start". While this woman helped me immensely, she didn't get me to lose weight. She taught me ways to express my emotions without letting them build up, and taught me that the gym is more than just a weight loss tool, but is so much more for your mental and overall health as well.

So what does this have to do with anything really?

Since February, I've been dealing with bursitis, and not being able to work out like I did. Because of that, my consistency has fallen- 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off because guess what? My hip acted up again. There is such a fine line between recognizing serious pain and babying a minor injury. I really can't tell what I've been doing, besides getting tired of just walking, and not having that motivation I used to have.

 Anyways, because of this, for the first time in two years, I lack a workout schedule, and that consistency that became such a huge part of my life, and most importantly my well being. As a result, I've become, for lack of a better word depressed. How's that for irony? I couldn't work out for awhile, which affected me mentally, and then I became all sad and gloomy, and didn't want to do anything after work/ in my downtime, it's just a vicious cycle.

So my point? Recognizing this was half the battle. I'm not saying it's any easier to get out there and get back into a routine, but at the same time, My last two workouts (Thursday and Sunday) I did the same thing I have been doing:
"ugh I don't know, I don't feel 100%"
"maybe I should just leave it till tomorrow, I'll feel better then"
etc etc.. The difference? Is these two workouts, I ended it with this:
"I know I'll feel better afterwards, it's just a half hour, I can finish early if I really want to still"

3 months I've been battling with this. And that simple recognition was enough to get me 3 workouts in a week. It's not perfect, and it's definitely not close to where I was. But it's a start.  

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

There is a Direct Correlation

Between my frequent postings, and my success in weight loss. So I'm making a conscious effort to post more, and hopefully, lose better, so I'll have more to talk about :-)


I'm happy to report that I did the Biggest Loser Cardio Max tonight for the first time in months. And It felt great to get a quick workout in when I really did not want to work out at all. Lately I've had every excuse in the world, and it's been working. So hopefully this is the start of me sticking to a schedule, no matter what.

I also stuck to my meal plan. Buffalo chicken bites (which we did make with buffalo, haha), 1/2 C rice and roasted brussel sprouts. It. Was. Delicious. Coupled with 2.5 jojos, I am feeling good about my efforts so far :-) Hopefully Day 2+  of keeping on track goes as well as day one :-)

Also, some pictures I've been meaning to post :-)
Look Closely. just walking down the street, NBD

The perfect Friday night drink at my favorite new bar :)

please ignore the blur, and the sneakers. Commuting kills my feet, but it was a skinny pic, so I had to :)

The best salad place of my life is right around the corner from work.  8 bucks, 2 proteins, and as many toppings as you want. It's fantastic

I'm loving working in downtown Boston :-) Expect more shots to come
Happy Tuesday!

Monday, May 28, 2012

200!

Before I update, I want to commemorate the fact that this is my 200th post! I haven't posted much lately, partially because I've been  overwhelmed with starting a new job, and working every day since like February(thanks to babysitting), so when I get home from work, I'm just so drained all I want to do is lie on my couch, not update here or god forbid go for a walk or something, heaven forbid.

I also haven't wanted to sound like a broken record. My weight loss efforts the past few weeks have been plagued by drinks and chocolates brought home from Ireland, and stuff like that. And my lack of working out hasn't helped. But I hit a high 2 weeks ago of 202 (gah. Not so okay), and last week weighed in at 200.4. This week I maintained, but was okay with it.

And this weekend? Well I tracked everything, so thats good. Friday night I planned to go out for a drink or two. Which turned into 6, with no dinner in my stomach. I ate right when I got home at 9, but it was too late haha. The positive of Friday, is I joined the gym up the street from me. Technically , it's a community center, not a gym. But it's literally a 2 minute walk, and has a giant pool. The gym is small, like 6-8 machines and a weights room, but it's workable, and has what I need. Which is good :) I'm hoping to really get into swimming, and signing up for groupon deals I see around for classes, to supplement my workouts. But, I have a decent gym to work out in, that is so close and convienent, I hopefully can stop with the excuses :)

The rest of the weekend was ok as far as my efforts went. Saturday I hiked with Matt and my sisters. It was really hot, and I wanted to die at a few parts. Matt almost did die on the way home, we're thinking he may have had the beginnings of heat stroke. So next time we might not hike when it's that humid outside :) But I burnt 765 calories, and felt good about it all afterwards :)

Last night I went out with Matt and his parents, and then later on with  two of our friends. It was a lot of fun, and during the day I made decent choices, and was just within my calorie limit. With the drinking, I went way over, but kept my wits about me :)

Today was more of the same. Matt got good burgers from the deli and we split one, with some chips on the side :) I may have had some sangria which I probably could have done without, but still ok :-)

So thankfully we have a short week ahead. My plan is to work out tomorrow, and Thursday night.

And also, my meal plan for the (shortened) week. We are using a groupon deal for a date night on Thursday, and then going to a beer fest friday so I'm going out for lunch to this place called Al's. Its a great deal, and I'm getting a large sub and splitting it between lunch and dinner. Otherwise, It should be a good week, and I'm excited to get back into a workout routine :)






Thursday, May 10, 2012

Self Image

When I first started my weight loss journey, the thing that really lit a fire under my ass was pictures from my trip to Florida. I couldn't believe how huge I was, and it was enough to make me start to change my life.

I did really well, I'm proud of my success. But, like anything that's hard and takes work, I got really tired, and used a long weekend away last June as an excuse to give myself a weekend off. I even remember posing it as a question on the boards, and getting back "Well, when I take a break, I find it hard to get back on track", or "I always track, even if its 1000 points. You can give yourself a break on vacation, but I wouldn't completely not track"

I didn't listen, and loved not tracking, drinking and eating without abandon, and not working out. I tracked when  I came back, but fell into old patterns.

And then my stomach cramps started with running. Which made me not want to work out, and I started getting lax on my strength training as well.

I'm honestly amazed I still weigh 199 today, and not 20 pounds heavier or something. Maybe my scale is broken? I kid, I know I haven't been that bad, but I need to not be shocked when I don't do well, and when the scale won't move.

So anyways, you all know this, this is nothing new. What is new? Late last week I had to have my ID picture taken. I was kind of shocked at how chubby my face looked in the picture. And instead of saying "Ok Marie this is your moment, get back on", instead I drank thursday night, and excessively on Friday night as well. Oh, and I was too hungover to workout on Saturday.

And that my friends was my final moment. I decided I'm not drinking more than a few every once and awhile, and no more than 2X a week. I am pre-tracking my food, and trying not to overdo it. And honestly? I feel pretty good about my efforts.

I went for a walk on Monday, and Wednesday night had a really hard workout (in the 40 minutes of cardio I did was really hard. It's amazing how fast my ability wanes)at the Planet Fitness downtown. Which sucks, by the way. It's dirty, over crowded, and the machines are so old. You get what you pay for I guess, but I'm switching to the gym near my house as soon as I get off early (the office is only open from 9-5 to sign up)

Basically, I'm making an effort. I want to be at 189 by the time California comes around in the Fall. I know the past year has been stressful, with work changes, jobs lost, moving out, and just life in general. But I need to relearn self control, and how to only have a serving, or one beer (and yes I relate the fact that I've had zero self control with drinks to my no self control with food).

So I'm back, and hopefully it sticks

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Because It's Friday Night, and I just, just just just just

Got. Paid. :-) That may be old school,  haha. I'm sitting here, tired on a friday night, but not so tired I want to stop drinking and go to bed. So instead I'm here. Watching Going the Distance (which I've just decided someone needs to buy me, because I think this is one of my favorite girlie movies).

Anyy ways, I'm watching this, drinking wine, (Alamos Malbec, which is, in my humble opinion one of the best cheap Malbecs. Its so flavorful!!) And I have three confessions to make:

1.I drank 3 times this week Tuesday night, Thursday night, and tonight. Not so great, instead:
2. I ate. White chocolate Chips, and light Dessert
3. On the positive side, I recognize I could have done AT LEAST  75% better. Seriously. I didn't work out at all, I ate more than I shoulda, and I'm sitting here at 12:59. on a Friday, and starting tomorrow, its going to be 10 times better.

So Starting tomorrow(because I'm tired and sleepy)

We're back on plan!