I've been a bit slack in the last few weeks, but I'm still here! Still working on banishing Lazy Lisa!
I've learnt alot in the last few weeks, especially about stress and what it does to me.
When I moved to Sydney I decided to live on campus at uni initially, especially as I was able to have a studio appartment to myself. I was good to have my own place but it was a bit on the small side and students are a noisy bunch! I decided I wasn't going to stay on in the student accomodation next year so needed to find a new place to live. Knowing that Christmas was coming I thought I'd better start looking for a new place in November so I could be in before Christmas (had to be out of the studio by 14th Jan). I didn't count on how stressful it would be finding a place! It took a few weeks of looking but finally found a great place and moved in last week.
During this time, I started eating out more and exercising less. Apparently, when I get stressed, I spend all my time thinking about whatever it is that is stressing me out and forget to do simple things like make lunch, go to the supermarket, get to the gym. Consequently I ended up eating out alot and not exercising much. Not helpful when you're trying to lose weight!
On the positive side, I didn't turn to sugary treats like I would have in the past and I did try to choose the healthier options for takeaways. I also made an effort to walk as much as I could (until I dropped a dive cylinder on my little toe while moving stuff that is...kinda made walking a little less comfortable!).
In the past two weeks I have gained a mere 200grams. I'm sure it would've been more in the past, I think not eating chocolate and lollies makes a huge difference. That and knowing that I will make it to my goal.
Just knowing that I will make it, regardless of how long it takes me makes a difference too. I've said to a few friends and family now that I know I will do it this time and that this will be the last time I need to lose this much weight. And I really do know that I will and I feel more confident because of it.
Now that the stress of moving is gone I'm more organised and am back eating as I should. Now that my little toe is not quite so sore, I'm back at the gym - even yesterday when I really didn't want to go, I was there and managed to get through a pump class.
Since joining the 12WBT I have lost 11.2kg, now fit a size 16 and can run non-stop on a treadmill for 10mins!
It was fun unpacking all my small clothes that were in storage - I was so excited when I tried a dress on to see how much I needed to lose till it fit to find that I fit it now! I was like a little girl on xmas morning! I was just so excited. I had bought the dress a couple of years ago a size smaller than I needed hoping it would help motivate me to lose some weight - I never did - until now!
Most of my favourite clothes that don't fit are size 12-14, another 5-10kg and they should fit again - it's great motivation to continue!
I wasn't sure if I should sign up for another 12WBT round, but I know I have a lot to learn and Michelle is a great teacher - she really knows how to get into your head - and I have proven to myself I still need that!
My goal will be to lose another 5kg before the next round starts - with a little hard work I might even make it to the 80's before xmas!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
It's been a while...
It's been a tough couple of weeks, hence the lack of posts. I just haven't been feeling that excited about this whole weight loss journey and I've been trying to work out what's up with that.
A recent 12WBT task was to create a video blog about your extraordinary life since 12WBT. I've spent the last couple of weeks trying to work out how my life is extraordinary and I just can't see it. The best I can come up with is that I don't see this as a journey to a healthy weight - I see it as just getting on with a health life - nothing extraordinary there. Nothing much to get excited about really.
In my previous weight loss journey I was excited as I reached each little goal or milestone, for me many of them were firsts such as being able to buy clothes in the 'normal' size clothes stores, being able to run 1km, then 5km non-stop, completing my first triathlon, running a half marathon, getting into the magic size 12 that I always thought was impossible. These achievements gave me a regular dose of excitment and satisfaction and really helped keep me motivated.
This time around, I'm having a lot more trouble with the whole excitement thing. I'm motivated in that I am not having trouble eating right and am not having too much trouble getting motivated to exercise. But I'm just not excited about losing weight and getting fit. For me, this time it's more about just getting on with what I know I need to do.
That said, I did have a little chuckle at myself this morning. Being a Friday, the wardrobe is looking a little less full and I have limited options for uni appropriate clothes. I selected some grey pants I bought recently while in The Philippines and a black top I've had for about a year. After dressing, I checked myself out in the mirror - and had to smile. My clothes look so baggy they're almost comical! My pants feel like they're going to fall off any minute, the crutch feels like it's hanging around my knees. The top doesn't look much better.
I also had a little moment of excitement after completing the 28km Seven Bridges walk on Sunday with a friend. The last three km's were a nightmere, but it was a great feeling to have managed the whole thing.
I might not be that excited about losing weight (down to 97.3kg and managing a fairly consistant 1kg per week loss) but I'm really starting to feel like this will be the last time I have to take this journey.
Here's to just getting on with doing what we need to do!
A recent 12WBT task was to create a video blog about your extraordinary life since 12WBT. I've spent the last couple of weeks trying to work out how my life is extraordinary and I just can't see it. The best I can come up with is that I don't see this as a journey to a healthy weight - I see it as just getting on with a health life - nothing extraordinary there. Nothing much to get excited about really.
In my previous weight loss journey I was excited as I reached each little goal or milestone, for me many of them were firsts such as being able to buy clothes in the 'normal' size clothes stores, being able to run 1km, then 5km non-stop, completing my first triathlon, running a half marathon, getting into the magic size 12 that I always thought was impossible. These achievements gave me a regular dose of excitment and satisfaction and really helped keep me motivated.
This time around, I'm having a lot more trouble with the whole excitement thing. I'm motivated in that I am not having trouble eating right and am not having too much trouble getting motivated to exercise. But I'm just not excited about losing weight and getting fit. For me, this time it's more about just getting on with what I know I need to do.
That said, I did have a little chuckle at myself this morning. Being a Friday, the wardrobe is looking a little less full and I have limited options for uni appropriate clothes. I selected some grey pants I bought recently while in The Philippines and a black top I've had for about a year. After dressing, I checked myself out in the mirror - and had to smile. My clothes look so baggy they're almost comical! My pants feel like they're going to fall off any minute, the crutch feels like it's hanging around my knees. The top doesn't look much better.
I also had a little moment of excitement after completing the 28km Seven Bridges walk on Sunday with a friend. The last three km's were a nightmere, but it was a great feeling to have managed the whole thing.
I might not be that excited about losing weight (down to 97.3kg and managing a fairly consistant 1kg per week loss) but I'm really starting to feel like this will be the last time I have to take this journey.
Here's to just getting on with doing what we need to do!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Colour of Confidence
This morning, faced with the end of week slim pickings in the wardrobe department, I got dressed and noticed that it was all black. With no other options but to wear what I had left, I added some red heels and a red and gold necklace - for some reason today I just didn't want to wear all black.
I often wear all black, I mean, it is a good option for larger sized people. In fact, hardly a day goes by when I don't wear at least black pants or a black top.
But I haven't always been into wearing black...
As a teenager, I really didn't like wearing black. I loved wearing colourful clothes, especially my bright coloured dresses. My school uniform included black pants but that was pretty much the limit of my tolerance for black.
I'm not sure exactly when, but there came I time when I discovered that black hid a multitude of sins, and consequently my wardrobe became peppered with black items - a tops, pants, skirts etc. At first I would never wear all black, but over time (probably as I felt the need to hide more and more) I found that I would increasingly find myself in a black top, black pants with black shoes. Gone were the days of brightly coloured dresses.
When I lost weight last time, I started to wear lots more colour - there would even be days that I didn't wear any black at all! My wardrobe was awash in colour - lots of pink, red, purple and blue in a variety of shades. I bought this lovely dress which was tan/light brown with splashes of bright colours and wore it with a pink cropped cardie - it was my favourite outfit for a while.
As I put on weight and the pretty colourful clothes didn't fit anymore, they were replaced with more black items, and without realising it I was once again back to wearing all black again.
So what was up today? Why didn't I want to wear all black - why did I even notice! It's not that I don't still need the slimming effect of black - I'm still a size 18 after all!
I think, for me anyway, colour means confidence. It seems that when I am feeling more like myself I automatically reach for the colours. I am happy and confident and comfortable being me. It doesn't really have anything to do with size, it's a reflection of my state of mind.
Black = unhappy, want to hide.
Colour = confidant, happy, not wanting to hide from the world.
After writing this, it all seems pretty obvious - that the clothes I choose to wear would reflect my mood/state of mind, but it was a bit of a revelation for me today.
So here's to colour and confidence! I'll be making an effort to wear less black from now on - it's time I started being me again!
I often wear all black, I mean, it is a good option for larger sized people. In fact, hardly a day goes by when I don't wear at least black pants or a black top.
But I haven't always been into wearing black...
As a teenager, I really didn't like wearing black. I loved wearing colourful clothes, especially my bright coloured dresses. My school uniform included black pants but that was pretty much the limit of my tolerance for black.
I'm not sure exactly when, but there came I time when I discovered that black hid a multitude of sins, and consequently my wardrobe became peppered with black items - a tops, pants, skirts etc. At first I would never wear all black, but over time (probably as I felt the need to hide more and more) I found that I would increasingly find myself in a black top, black pants with black shoes. Gone were the days of brightly coloured dresses.
When I lost weight last time, I started to wear lots more colour - there would even be days that I didn't wear any black at all! My wardrobe was awash in colour - lots of pink, red, purple and blue in a variety of shades. I bought this lovely dress which was tan/light brown with splashes of bright colours and wore it with a pink cropped cardie - it was my favourite outfit for a while.
As I put on weight and the pretty colourful clothes didn't fit anymore, they were replaced with more black items, and without realising it I was once again back to wearing all black again.
So what was up today? Why didn't I want to wear all black - why did I even notice! It's not that I don't still need the slimming effect of black - I'm still a size 18 after all!
I think, for me anyway, colour means confidence. It seems that when I am feeling more like myself I automatically reach for the colours. I am happy and confident and comfortable being me. It doesn't really have anything to do with size, it's a reflection of my state of mind.
Black = unhappy, want to hide.
Colour = confidant, happy, not wanting to hide from the world.
After writing this, it all seems pretty obvious - that the clothes I choose to wear would reflect my mood/state of mind, but it was a bit of a revelation for me today.
So here's to colour and confidence! I'll be making an effort to wear less black from now on - it's time I started being me again!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Calories in vs calories out
Losing weight is supposed to be all about calories in vs calories out. A numbers game in other words - my kinda thing!
So for the last four weeks while doing the 12WBT I've been counting my calories in and my calories out (thanks to my HRM, and calculated BMR) and have been keeping track of how things are going, this is how it looks to date:
See that nasty -0.4! What's up with that! Did someone forget to tell my scales about calories in vs calories out? I was expecting to lose another 1 - 1.5kg this week, based on the previous three weeks so was a little disappointed with only 0.4. I'm sure it's just water or something, but I really don't like it when the numbers don't add up though!
Mish says consistancy is key - well, as you can see from above, I've been pretty consistant - and improving on the exercise as well -I now manage to burn 500cals in most gym sessions.
I was thinking maybe I'm not eating enough, I'm generally eating when hungry and just enough to feel satisfied so don't think that's the problem. I did decide one day to aim to eat 1200 cals in the day but found that I ended up eating just to make up the calories and not because I needed it or even really wanted it so decided that probably wasn't such a good idea. I might have a hungry day or two during the week so I eat a bit more then (usually up to 1300cals) but then at other times during the week I'm just not that hungry so only eat ~900cals (over the last four weeks my daily cals in has ranged from 859 to 1324).
I'm pretty sure my calorie intake is reasonably accurate as I do weigh or measure most things (especially high cal foods, not so much low cal food like greens) and I tend to round up calories from food and round down calories from exercise.
Anyway - on the tidiness front - not going so well, still haven't sorted out the pile of stuff next to the couch, and the couch is accumulating stuff that needs to be put away. Will continue to try and get on top of it this week :-)
Overall I'm still feeling ok about everything - still haven't had any sugar :-) Have a red flag day coming up next monday as we have a morning tea for a collegue who is getting married soon. I'm planning on taking some strawberries to share so we have at least one healthy option!
Fitness test this week and measurements - fingers crossed for some good numbers there! Clothes are starting to feel somewhat looser so should be all good.
So for the last four weeks while doing the 12WBT I've been counting my calories in and my calories out (thanks to my HRM, and calculated BMR) and have been keeping track of how things are going, this is how it looks to date:
Week Beginning | Calories IN | Calories OUT | BMR | Calculated Loss (kg) | Actual loss (Kg) |
| 15/09/2010 | 1029 | 398 | 1818 | -1.1 | -2.1 |
| 22/09/2010 | 1071 | 418 | 1798 | -1.0 | -1.4 |
| 29/09/2010 | 1003 | 431 | 1785 | -1.1 | -1.5 |
| 6/10/2010 | 1005 | 492 | 1770 | -1.1 | -0.4 |
See that nasty -0.4! What's up with that! Did someone forget to tell my scales about calories in vs calories out? I was expecting to lose another 1 - 1.5kg this week, based on the previous three weeks so was a little disappointed with only 0.4. I'm sure it's just water or something, but I really don't like it when the numbers don't add up though!
Mish says consistancy is key - well, as you can see from above, I've been pretty consistant - and improving on the exercise as well -I now manage to burn 500cals in most gym sessions.
I was thinking maybe I'm not eating enough, I'm generally eating when hungry and just enough to feel satisfied so don't think that's the problem. I did decide one day to aim to eat 1200 cals in the day but found that I ended up eating just to make up the calories and not because I needed it or even really wanted it so decided that probably wasn't such a good idea. I might have a hungry day or two during the week so I eat a bit more then (usually up to 1300cals) but then at other times during the week I'm just not that hungry so only eat ~900cals (over the last four weeks my daily cals in has ranged from 859 to 1324).
I'm pretty sure my calorie intake is reasonably accurate as I do weigh or measure most things (especially high cal foods, not so much low cal food like greens) and I tend to round up calories from food and round down calories from exercise.
Anyway - on the tidiness front - not going so well, still haven't sorted out the pile of stuff next to the couch, and the couch is accumulating stuff that needs to be put away. Will continue to try and get on top of it this week :-)
Overall I'm still feeling ok about everything - still haven't had any sugar :-) Have a red flag day coming up next monday as we have a morning tea for a collegue who is getting married soon. I'm planning on taking some strawberries to share so we have at least one healthy option!
Fitness test this week and measurements - fingers crossed for some good numbers there! Clothes are starting to feel somewhat looser so should be all good.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Another win, another battle still raging
Weigh in day today - and as expected/planned/hoped I lost 1.5kg! Wahoo - this gives me a total loss to date of 5.8kg (5kg since start of 12WBT) - and takes me over the magic 5kg mark! Wahoo! Very excited about that!
The battle still continues on the 'tidy up the appartment' front. Didn't manage to get it tidied up in the weekend, despite having three whole days to do it :-)
Never mind, that battle will continue - progress has been made - I can now sit on the couch...there is just the pile of stuff next to it I need to sort out.
On a more positive note; it's been three weeks without sugary treats, and I have to say I've coped remarkably well. Even managing getting through "that time of the month". This has to be a first! Apparently, the other day when I felt so crap and unmotivated - that was PMS minus sugar! In the past I would have thought it was a lack of sugar making me feel crap and would fix it with a chocolate bar or some lollies (and occasionally both!). This time I just had to suck it up and get on with life - and you know what - the crap feeling did disappear - without the need for sugar! Wow - who knew!
The battle still continues on the 'tidy up the appartment' front. Didn't manage to get it tidied up in the weekend, despite having three whole days to do it :-)
Never mind, that battle will continue - progress has been made - I can now sit on the couch...there is just the pile of stuff next to it I need to sort out.
On a more positive note; it's been three weeks without sugary treats, and I have to say I've coped remarkably well. Even managing getting through "that time of the month". This has to be a first! Apparently, the other day when I felt so crap and unmotivated - that was PMS minus sugar! In the past I would have thought it was a lack of sugar making me feel crap and would fix it with a chocolate bar or some lollies (and occasionally both!). This time I just had to suck it up and get on with life - and you know what - the crap feeling did disappear - without the need for sugar! Wow - who knew!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Having a bad day - BUT I DID IT - Wahoo!
I’m having a feeling sorry for myself day today. I woke up feeling completely uninspired to do my spin class at 8:15 so stayed in bed. Thought I might make the 9:30 combat class, but to be honnest just couldn’t be bothered. Had breakfast hoping it might cheer me up a bit, but to no avail. Decided to give up and go back to bed and watch a few episodes of the biggest loser online. Probably the best thing I could do really - seeing how inspiring the contestants are - seeing how much they have changed, especially shannon, he smiles all the time now (i’m up to week 10). Anyway.
Thanks in part to the biggest loser and in part to my sheer determination to get rid of this Lazy Lisa, I got my gear on and headed out for a jog! And jog I did - all the way to the to the first uphill part - a total of 935m (thanks to google maps) in a mere 6mins 45!!! This is I who completed her 1km time trial in 8mins 58 just two weeks ago!
I never realised how much anger I have in me that I really need to let go of, some of it definately got left on the road today! In total I ran/jogged/walked about 4km in 44 mins - even stopped twice to do 10 push ups on a log bench and 10 tricep dips!! Wahoo - I’m soooo doing it!
At the end is a reasonably steep hill, good reason to walk I was thinking - but no - just because it is uphill doesn’t mean I have to walk - so I ran up as far as I could - I thought I’d maybe make it to the first lamp post - but I made it to the 4th!! About 1/3 of the way up - Wahoo - I’m really doing it!! My body continues to amaze me!!
The stats: 4km, 44mins, Max HR 176; Average HR 150; cal 427
I can’t say I’m feeling 100% ok, but I did it - and that’s a huge thing for me - no rushing off to the supermarket to buy lollies and chippies so I can ignore how crap I feel. I’m going to make some lunch of leftovers, tidy up, maybe plan my meals for the week and then go to the supermarket armed with a list!
I've decided it is high time I sorted out my apartment too - that's this weekends mission. I've got stuff everywhere - that Lazy Lisa has been at it again! Time for Lt. Lisa to take charge and get some disciple into this life! More on that later....
Thanks in part to the biggest loser and in part to my sheer determination to get rid of this Lazy Lisa, I got my gear on and headed out for a jog! And jog I did - all the way to the to the first uphill part - a total of 935m (thanks to google maps) in a mere 6mins 45!!! This is I who completed her 1km time trial in 8mins 58 just two weeks ago!
I never realised how much anger I have in me that I really need to let go of, some of it definately got left on the road today! In total I ran/jogged/walked about 4km in 44 mins - even stopped twice to do 10 push ups on a log bench and 10 tricep dips!! Wahoo - I’m soooo doing it!
At the end is a reasonably steep hill, good reason to walk I was thinking - but no - just because it is uphill doesn’t mean I have to walk - so I ran up as far as I could - I thought I’d maybe make it to the first lamp post - but I made it to the 4th!! About 1/3 of the way up - Wahoo - I’m really doing it!! My body continues to amaze me!!
The stats: 4km, 44mins, Max HR 176; Average HR 150; cal 427
I can’t say I’m feeling 100% ok, but I did it - and that’s a huge thing for me - no rushing off to the supermarket to buy lollies and chippies so I can ignore how crap I feel. I’m going to make some lunch of leftovers, tidy up, maybe plan my meals for the week and then go to the supermarket armed with a list!
I've decided it is high time I sorted out my apartment too - that's this weekends mission. I've got stuff everywhere - that Lazy Lisa has been at it again! Time for Lt. Lisa to take charge and get some disciple into this life! More on that later....
Friday, October 1, 2010
Two weeks no sugar - I'm doing it!!
Well, what can I say - two whole weeks without sugar! It's amazing. I never thought I could do it.
I've had a couple of challenges in the last week or so, the most testing was a catered full day meeting - lots of yummy looking treats available for morning tea. I resisted. I took a couple of strawberry halves from the plate and left all those sugary treat right where they were. "Wow - you must have extraordinary will power" I hear you say... well, I've been thinking about that.
When it comes down to long term weight loss - not just the long time it's going to take to get to my goal weight, but the years and years and years to come after (I intend on living a very long and healthy life :-) then I think that will power alone is not going to cut it. It might be easy turn your back on the sweets table for a couple of weeks, maybe even a few months - but at some stage - you'll crack, your motivation will disappear through a black hole and your will power will fail in your time of need...next thing you know you're standing at the start of another long road to a healthy weight. I can see this happening to me - actually, it has happened. But not this time. This time, I looked at those treats and saw them as something I just don't need.
For most of my childhood we never put salt on the dinner table, we might if we had guests - but usually we'd have to be reminded. As a result, I just don't think about putting salt on my food, it's something I know I don't need. Even when I go out for a meal and the salt is just sitting there, I know that I don't need it so I just don't have it. No will power required. This is where I need to get to with the whole sugary treats thing. They can be there, but I know I don't need them so I just don't have them. No will power needed! I've had one success so far, I think if I can just get through each temptation one at a time, eventually I will not need any willpower to avoid that nasty sugar!
My tastes are already changing, I usually have canned SPC lite peaches on my porridge every morning, however the last few days I've found them a little too sweet so have opted for fresh banana instead! I think it's very much a matter of the less sugar you eat the less you want/need.
I'm still feeling a little flat most days: Wednesday I skipped my prescribed training session as I was too tired. I had done about 80mins of walking - mostly briskly and half of it uphill so I figured it was OK. However, yesterday (Thursday) I did still feel a little guilty (me? Feeling guilty for not exercising? That's new!) so, even though I was just as tired as Wednesday I took myself off to the gym to do my strength training session. To make up for Wednesday (or at least get rid of the guilt!) I started with an extra 10 mins on the treadmill, then did the rest of my program is directed. I totally smashed it up!! 585 cals in 1hr 8mins! Wicked! Got the whole endorphin rush going on - felt absolutely fantastic!
What I need to remember is that even when I'm really tired and the exercise is a major struggle, it's likely I'll feel fab afterwards. This is the next lesson for me to learn I think - Stop being so darn lazy Lisa and get out there and JFDI no matter how "tired" you feel!!
The scales told me that I've done what I should - another 1.4kg down (3.5kg lost since beginning 12WBT), only 2.8kg to go to be in double digits!! Wahoo! Can't wait!
I've had a couple of challenges in the last week or so, the most testing was a catered full day meeting - lots of yummy looking treats available for morning tea. I resisted. I took a couple of strawberry halves from the plate and left all those sugary treat right where they were. "Wow - you must have extraordinary will power" I hear you say... well, I've been thinking about that.
When it comes down to long term weight loss - not just the long time it's going to take to get to my goal weight, but the years and years and years to come after (I intend on living a very long and healthy life :-) then I think that will power alone is not going to cut it. It might be easy turn your back on the sweets table for a couple of weeks, maybe even a few months - but at some stage - you'll crack, your motivation will disappear through a black hole and your will power will fail in your time of need...next thing you know you're standing at the start of another long road to a healthy weight. I can see this happening to me - actually, it has happened. But not this time. This time, I looked at those treats and saw them as something I just don't need.
For most of my childhood we never put salt on the dinner table, we might if we had guests - but usually we'd have to be reminded. As a result, I just don't think about putting salt on my food, it's something I know I don't need. Even when I go out for a meal and the salt is just sitting there, I know that I don't need it so I just don't have it. No will power required. This is where I need to get to with the whole sugary treats thing. They can be there, but I know I don't need them so I just don't have them. No will power needed! I've had one success so far, I think if I can just get through each temptation one at a time, eventually I will not need any willpower to avoid that nasty sugar!
My tastes are already changing, I usually have canned SPC lite peaches on my porridge every morning, however the last few days I've found them a little too sweet so have opted for fresh banana instead! I think it's very much a matter of the less sugar you eat the less you want/need.
I'm still feeling a little flat most days: Wednesday I skipped my prescribed training session as I was too tired. I had done about 80mins of walking - mostly briskly and half of it uphill so I figured it was OK. However, yesterday (Thursday) I did still feel a little guilty (me? Feeling guilty for not exercising? That's new!) so, even though I was just as tired as Wednesday I took myself off to the gym to do my strength training session. To make up for Wednesday (or at least get rid of the guilt!) I started with an extra 10 mins on the treadmill, then did the rest of my program is directed. I totally smashed it up!! 585 cals in 1hr 8mins! Wicked! Got the whole endorphin rush going on - felt absolutely fantastic!
What I need to remember is that even when I'm really tired and the exercise is a major struggle, it's likely I'll feel fab afterwards. This is the next lesson for me to learn I think - Stop being so darn lazy Lisa and get out there and JFDI no matter how "tired" you feel!!
The scales told me that I've done what I should - another 1.4kg down (3.5kg lost since beginning 12WBT), only 2.8kg to go to be in double digits!! Wahoo! Can't wait!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Sugar free for a whole week! Wahoo
Well, I've managed to stay away from the junk food and sugar for a whole week now! I'm so proud of myself. There were a couple of times where it would have been so easy to pop a couple of chocies but no - not when Lt Lisa is in charge.
I've also managed to get some extra exercise in 6 out of the last 7 days (more than just the usual walk to uni and back).
On Sunday I was awake early so check out what classes were on at the gym - there was supposed to be a 9:30am fat burner class so decided to check it out. When I got there I found out it was actually going to be a boxing class - I was there and keen for a class so that was what I did.
OMG it nearly killed me! At one point my heart rate was 181 - highest it's been in a while I think (used to manage 180 occasionally during RPM classes - but that was about 2yrs ago). We did this reverse pyramid thing which involved boxing with a partner and squats - in total I worked out we did 400 squats and boy did my thighs know about it the next day...and the next day!!
Another milestone this week was that I sucked it up and ran on a treadmill, I was very scared especially cos no one else was running on the treadmills, but I just imagined what Michelle Bridges would say if she was there, again I was so proud of myself!
It seems that I'm scared of doing physical things, my PT told me to jump up on a step as part of an exercise and again I was so scared but had to suck it up and JFDI - this was my first session with a new PT so didn't want to look bad! I kept talking myself out of doing my fitness test which involved at 1km time trial as I'd be running outside and people might see me, thanks to the support of fellow 12WBT's I managed to get out there and JFDI - even managed to do better than I did during the training session with Mish.
And the reward for getting over these silly fears and JFDI - 2.1kg gone off the scales! Wahoo! So worth it - it's more than I've lost in over 8 months of gym membership and half hearted attempts to lose weight. I think a lot of it is the getting my head right through the pre-season tasks (especially the sugar revelation!). Thanks Mish, my fellow 12WBT's and my friends who have all contributed to this weeks success!
This journey might just be fun!
I've also managed to get some extra exercise in 6 out of the last 7 days (more than just the usual walk to uni and back).
On Sunday I was awake early so check out what classes were on at the gym - there was supposed to be a 9:30am fat burner class so decided to check it out. When I got there I found out it was actually going to be a boxing class - I was there and keen for a class so that was what I did.
OMG it nearly killed me! At one point my heart rate was 181 - highest it's been in a while I think (used to manage 180 occasionally during RPM classes - but that was about 2yrs ago). We did this reverse pyramid thing which involved boxing with a partner and squats - in total I worked out we did 400 squats and boy did my thighs know about it the next day...and the next day!!
Another milestone this week was that I sucked it up and ran on a treadmill, I was very scared especially cos no one else was running on the treadmills, but I just imagined what Michelle Bridges would say if she was there, again I was so proud of myself!
It seems that I'm scared of doing physical things, my PT told me to jump up on a step as part of an exercise and again I was so scared but had to suck it up and JFDI - this was my first session with a new PT so didn't want to look bad! I kept talking myself out of doing my fitness test which involved at 1km time trial as I'd be running outside and people might see me, thanks to the support of fellow 12WBT's I managed to get out there and JFDI - even managed to do better than I did during the training session with Mish.
And the reward for getting over these silly fears and JFDI - 2.1kg gone off the scales! Wahoo! So worth it - it's more than I've lost in over 8 months of gym membership and half hearted attempts to lose weight. I think a lot of it is the getting my head right through the pre-season tasks (especially the sugar revelation!). Thanks Mish, my fellow 12WBT's and my friends who have all contributed to this weeks success!
This journey might just be fun!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Major battle #1 Identified - Sweet snacks
OK, so I've been trying to keep a food diary for a few weeks now. Of the past 18 days, I've managed to record what I ate on 11 days (likely to be "good" days). I showed my diary to my slim coach at fernwood and she pointed out that I have a lot of junk food snacks. I didn't really believe her as I thought I'd been pretty good for many of the days in my diary. When I got home, I had a look and sure enough I had at least one sugary snack on 17 out of 18 days (I definitely had at least one sugary snack on the days I didn't write down)!!!
I've worked out the calories (for the days I've written down) and they range from 70 - 887 per day. Cos I'm a bit of a numbers person I also worked out that I eat an average of 485 calories in sweet snacks a day 94% of the time. Over a year, that is 166,060 calories and assuming that 1kg = 7700 calories - that a whopping 21.5kg!! I guess these snacks might be the reason I've put on about 33kg in the last 3 years!
I truly never knew that my sweet snacks were holding me back! Seems a bit obvious now that I've worked it out properly! I know I shouldn't be, but I really am surprised at this revelation, and the fact that I'm so surprised about it!
When I previously lost weight, I did weight watchers and found that counting points was a good way to keep track of things - if I ate a bit much I just made sure I exercised more. It worked and I lost the weight. Once I thought I was doing well I stopped going to weight watchers and stopped counting points as often. Looking back now, I think I started to include more sweet treats and started exercising a bit less and what do you know...33kg's came back!!
So, battle #1 is to remove the sweet treats/snacks I seem to have everyday. They need to be banished for good. I am a sugar addict and can't be trusted with sweets. They need to go!! I've done it before:
1.5L coke per day --> 1.5L diet coke per day --> 1.5L water per day
2 tsp sugar in coffee --> 1 tsp sugar in coffee --> 1/2 tsp sugar --> 1/4 tsp sugar --> a few grains of sugar --> no sugar! (this one was tough so had to take it slow!!)
Now I've just got to make it from ~500cal sweet snacks per day to 0 cal sweet snacks!!
I don't know how I'm going to do this one, I don't know that I can be trusted to gradually wean myself off them as it would be too easy to simply think a little is OK... guess it's going to have to be cold turkey for this one.
I've worked out the calories (for the days I've written down) and they range from 70 - 887 per day. Cos I'm a bit of a numbers person I also worked out that I eat an average of 485 calories in sweet snacks a day 94% of the time. Over a year, that is 166,060 calories and assuming that 1kg = 7700 calories - that a whopping 21.5kg!! I guess these snacks might be the reason I've put on about 33kg in the last 3 years!
I truly never knew that my sweet snacks were holding me back! Seems a bit obvious now that I've worked it out properly! I know I shouldn't be, but I really am surprised at this revelation, and the fact that I'm so surprised about it!
When I previously lost weight, I did weight watchers and found that counting points was a good way to keep track of things - if I ate a bit much I just made sure I exercised more. It worked and I lost the weight. Once I thought I was doing well I stopped going to weight watchers and stopped counting points as often. Looking back now, I think I started to include more sweet treats and started exercising a bit less and what do you know...33kg's came back!!
So, battle #1 is to remove the sweet treats/snacks I seem to have everyday. They need to be banished for good. I am a sugar addict and can't be trusted with sweets. They need to go!! I've done it before:
1.5L coke per day --> 1.5L diet coke per day --> 1.5L water per day
2 tsp sugar in coffee --> 1 tsp sugar in coffee --> 1/2 tsp sugar --> 1/4 tsp sugar --> a few grains of sugar --> no sugar! (this one was tough so had to take it slow!!)
Now I've just got to make it from ~500cal sweet snacks per day to 0 cal sweet snacks!!
I don't know how I'm going to do this one, I don't know that I can be trusted to gradually wean myself off them as it would be too easy to simply think a little is OK... guess it's going to have to be cold turkey for this one.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Setting realistic goals
I've been having a little trouble working out what a realistic weight loss goal would be. From my previous weight loss journey, I know can sustain 0.7 - 1.2kg weight loss per week for a substantial period of time (about 12-18 months). I've worked out that if I lose 1% body weight per week (starting the week beginning 30/8/10 - i.e. this week) I will be at goal in 12 months time (current weight 107kg, goal weight 64kg). I was thinking this is a perfectly realistic, achievable goal. The problem is, I know I can do it - it wouldn't be much of a challenge for me once I kick Lazy Lisa out and just eat right and get more exercise (once I got focussed last time, I found it relatively easy to lose the weight).
I also think of the following quote: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo. I think we often underestimate what we can do - I regularly surprise myself by what I can achieve, especially when I set tough goals. I really thrive on a challenge - particularly when I don't know if I can do it. For me, there is nothing less motivating than thinking something will be (relatively) easy to achieve. So now I'm thinking that maybe, it might not be best for me to have such a realistic achievable goal.
Based on a reaching my goal weight in 12months, I've got my weight loss journey all planned out with a log of the week to week expected weight loss and space to record my actual weight. There is also a chart which plots my progress. I have included rewards in the plan, with a manicure/pedicure as a reward for losing 5kg and a dive trip for losing 10kg, another manicure/pedicure when I get to 15kg lost and another dive trip when I get to 20kg etc. I am looking forward to a trip to a tropical island to go diving when I reach my goal weight! These rewards are going to require saving some $$ which should be easier as I won't be spending so much on takeaway meals and junk food!
I also think of the following quote: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo. I think we often underestimate what we can do - I regularly surprise myself by what I can achieve, especially when I set tough goals. I really thrive on a challenge - particularly when I don't know if I can do it. For me, there is nothing less motivating than thinking something will be (relatively) easy to achieve. So now I'm thinking that maybe, it might not be best for me to have such a realistic achievable goal.
Based on a reaching my goal weight in 12months, I've got my weight loss journey all planned out with a log of the week to week expected weight loss and space to record my actual weight. There is also a chart which plots my progress. I have included rewards in the plan, with a manicure/pedicure as a reward for losing 5kg and a dive trip for losing 10kg, another manicure/pedicure when I get to 15kg lost and another dive trip when I get to 20kg etc. I am looking forward to a trip to a tropical island to go diving when I reach my goal weight! These rewards are going to require saving some $$ which should be easier as I won't be spending so much on takeaway meals and junk food!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Introductions, background and statistics
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Feb 2007 Weight: 75kgSize 10 jeans Size 12 top |
War has been declared on Lazy Lisa...Lieutenant Lisa will lead her troops into battle and rid this world of Lazy Lisa.
A few vital statistics and a bit of history is provided below for reference. To the right you will see some pics of Lisa, somewhat leaner (though technically still overweight) in 2007 and very recent pic from 2010.
Statistics
Age: 31
Sex: Female
Occupation: Student
Marital Status: Single
Height: 161cm
Weight: 107kg
BMI: 41
Background
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Aug 2010 Weight: 107kgSize 18/20 dress |
I've pretty much always been on the large size, gradually put on weight through my teens and into my 20's. When I was 18 I was size 18, 20 size 20, 22 size 22....until I was approaching 26 and quickly running out of shops to buy clothes from!
Thankfully, not long after my 25th birthday I had a car accident that wrote off my car (I escaped unscathed). I was put off driving so used the insurance money to pay off my credit card and buy a bicycle. I started cycling to the train station and back most days of the week and lost about 10kg.
Finally it hit me that if I sorted out what I ate I would lose weight quicker so I joined weight watchers and over the next 18months or so lost 35kg. Things were going great, I was happier than I'd ever been and enjoying my healthy, active lifestyle. That is, until Lazy Lisa began to take over!
I have now put on almost all the weight I originally lost, though am currently 11kg below my highest recorded weight (120kg - I might have been heavier than this at time, but I didn't often get weighed).
To lose the weight in the first place I changed many of my bad habits. Some of those habits have come back, but some had been banished for good! The last time I weighed 107kg or so I wore size 22 clothes, so I think I must have more muscle now than I did then.
I used to never exercise, drive everywhere (even very short distances). I drank about 1.5-2L coke or diet coke every day. I never ate breakfast, I'd have a coke and a chocolate bar at about 10am. Very rarely cook dinner, would usually snack on chips, chocolate, lollies etc after work and be too full for dinner.
I'm a little better now, I eat breakfast every morning (usually porridge, peaches and a splash of skim milk), drink at least 1L water every day and don't drink coke. I don't often have chips, chocolate and lollies for dinner. Though I have a car now I often walk or catch public transport. I have a gym membership and usually go at least once a week (for my personal training session). I actually enjoy exercise!
Action
This week Lieutenant Lisa will be observing the enemy and will start to gather the troops for what is likely to be a tough battle ahead!
- Signed up for Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation
- Have calorie counter, recipe books and a diary
- Started this blog!
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