I suppose it's time for a confession. You know how you can let a little weight creep up on you gradually and then suddenly be shocked at how much bigger you are now than a year ago/6 months ago? That happened to me this weekend.
Buying a pair of pants, I had to go to a size 10.
Psychologically, that's huge -- it's a two-digit number instead of a one-digit number. Even if you wear designer/men's sizes, it means going from a svelte number in the 20's to... 30.
There are always tons of excuses. I'm always super busy between work, school and homework. Days that I have class, I'm busy from 7:30 in the morning until 10 at night - not very conducive to healthy eating. I haven't wanted to cook a lot, prompting us to buy more convenience foods, and when I do cook I've been trying to watch our budget - that means I'll probably trade in light seafood for ground beef on sale. All in all, not good practices.
It stops. Now.
Overall, my meals aren't that bad.
Breakfast is usually one cup of coffee, some instant oatmeal, and a small container of yogurt (like the Fiber One 4-packs). (Full disclosure: We get Eco-planet gluten free mix for my husband, but since I don't have to be gluten free I get the cheaper Quaker stuff for myself).
A typical lunch is an Amy's frozen meal (I'm partial to her teriyaki bowl) and a piece of fruit like an orange. Unless I go out, then it's usually Subway, Panera, or something along those lines. And of course, I have to battle the urge to snack around 3 PM, and resist all the office snacks that magically appear.
Dinner is whatever I end up making. We eat mostly chicken, shrimp, and meatless dishes with cheese. And then, of course, dessert. Snacking afterwards. Candy is my downfall. Especially Easter candy. And of course, all the gluten free baking doesn't help because everything's just here!
Finally -- I am notoriously lazy about going to the gym. Mostly because using the cardio equipment at the gym (or the Wii Fit for that matter) is completely and utterly boring. I can go an hour on the elliptical, but the Lady GaGa album can only get me so far, until I just want to quit from sheer boredom (And how can my gym constantly play the Food Network!?).
So -- conclusions:
- I need to find some new lunches that don't give me the 3 PM slump. And NOT go out as much.
- I need to find some EASY, QUICK, and HEALTHY meal options for dinner - that are husband friendly, and fill me up to the point where I don't crave something sweet afterwards.
- I need to find a way to make working out interesting.
- If I don't lose about 10 lbs. by April 1st, I'm joining WW. (That's my deadline!)
Anyone else out there dieting/trying to shed some pounds before summer capris-shorts-and-bathing suit season?
6 comments:
Hey Kat. What a great post. You and I are sharing the same struggle right now. Only I need to lose 15-20 lbs, just to be on the top end of my healthy weight range! Yikes!
Here's my suggestion. Don't wait to join WW. Don't let the pounds get out of control. I have tried to lose weight alone and believe me, it's much, much easier with the support you get at meetings. Not only do you get really motivated by a good leader, but the other people in the group have some great ideas to share. I always leave there feeling really inspired. (I sound like an add for WW...LOL!)
As far as making exercise enjoyable...well...I haven't really found a way to do that yet. Let's face it, exercise is boring and hard and hurts. It pushes you way out of your comfort zone. I would so rather be sitting on my couch with a bowl of popcorn, watching TV in my free time than sweating at the gym. But...you have to move. That's the bottom line. Walking, Swimming, Dancing..whatever you can stick to.
Also...do you have a crock pot? I find it really helps to put some meat and veggies in it in the morning and then come home to a healthy, cooked meal at night, when you are too tired to cook. There's some really good recipes out there. Also, I think you can get recipes on the WW website without being a member.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress!!! :)
Lisa
Thanks Lisa!
I actually did join WW a couple of years ago, before our wedding. It worked out OK - I dropped about 10 lbs. and got back into some clothes that hadn't fit well for a while.
The only problem was our leader wasn't very good at all. She was really obnoxious and seemed to take offense when people traded tips. For example, I mentioned something about the 0 point Progresso soups being 2 points if you ate the whole can for lunch and she lambasted me about portion control. (Sorry sweetie, but half a can of soup by itself may be 0 points, but if that was all I ate for lunch I'd be REALLY cranky).
I just tried going to the gym with a movie loaded on my iPod. Didn't work too well. I got motion sickness! I am trying audiobooks right now. Maybe they'll make running a little more enjoyable. ;-)
We do own a crock pot. I'll have to check that out, thanks for the tip!
Wow. I can't believe your WW leader did that! Our leader is wonderful. We share ideas all the time. Sometimes it seems like we just all get together to laugh and talk about food! :)
I have trouble reading on the treadmill, but I can watch tv ok, but there has to be something really good on or I get bored. When I use the track, I listen to my ipod.
If you would like some really great crock pot recipes, try Stephanie O'Dea's blog. The recipes are all gluten-free! You won't believe the stuff she can make in her crock pot! There are some really light, healthy ones in there. My husband bought her cookbook for me last Christmas. http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/
Also, I was a BJ's the other day and saw that WW has a 20 minute recipe cookbook. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it, but it looked pretty good.
Also, I started menu planning several months ago. I find it helps to have everything planned so that I don't have to think about what I'm making each night. There's some really good tips and a menu plan/grocery shopping template I use on "I'm and Organizing Junkie" blog. http://orgjunkie.com/menu-plan-monday
I hope this helps! :)
Lisa
Yup, you aren't alone in the battle with the scale - adding to my own desire to have at least ONE year before we start looking at having kids as "the hot wife" (childish? Yes. Honest though...) my husband kicked much booty at work and was awarded with a trip to the Bahamas in June.
Which means I have to put on a bathing suit. Oh.... shucks.
I've lost about 60 pounds in the last year (not really feeling it - I'm 6'2, so it takes a lot to be really noticeable to me) and have about 15-20 pounds to go before I brave the dressing rooms.
What's worked so far are a lot on the lines you spoke of - I've cut convenience food out 100% (my wallet is getting plumper as I get thinner!), HEALTHY snacks always at hand (portioned out and ready to roll as needed) and planning meals that I can roll around the next few days for my lunches and my husband's.
For exercise? Grab a friend if you can - either someone to do it with you (conversation can make the treadmill time go faster than music!) or at least someone you can share the load with. I have an online pal that works as an accountability buddy - we keep each other motivated, and commiserate when the going gets hard.
You CAN do it!
Lisa -- thanks for the sites! I have seen the menu plan monday site before, but I will definitely spend some time browsing the crock pot recipes!
I'll try to give WW an open mind if I end up re-joining. Have you ever tried the online version?
And Jenna, congrats on the weight loss, that's amazing! I feel your pain about being tall/weight not showing that well. I'm 5'8 and I've found that no one can tell when I put on/lose 5 lbs. or so. That can be good or bad depending on the direction of the scale!
I like using bathing suit season as a long term goal - I'll add another on there. Looking decent in bridesmaid dresses (that's one of mine!)
Thanks for all the support!!!
And, since I've already put my size out there, I may as well say, I did an 11:20 mile this weekend. Let's see if I can get that down as well as the pants size.
(And Sam, if you're reading this, NO I am not blowing out my knee again).
Hey Kat,
I haven't tried the online WW. I seem to need to go to the meetings. I have heard that online does work for some people though.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
Also...congrats on 11:20! That's awesome!
Lisa
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