Well, we finally have our TV back which means I can exercise and weigh in with my Wii again. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear I've made the best time of my two weeks without television.
Actually, I was very active. The weather's been nicer lately and I'm back to working in the yard, spring cleaning, playing with the boys, etc. Plus, I've continued to walk to work and swim regularly. I've been getting in a lot of exercise!
I've also noticed that many of my favorite clothes are falling off of me. Particularly, my pants. If I didn't have a yucky pooch on my lower abdomen, I'd really be in style with the low rise look, as all my jeans and shorts are hanging down around my hips.
So, I know, despite my weigh in this week, that I am losing. It must be muscle? I know...I've said that virtually every week since this thing began. I don't know what else to say. The results are becoming obvious but the scale quite moving six weeks ago. I'm just not sure what's going on. I'm loathe to make any further predictions, like: soon, the plateau will end; eventually you can only build so much muscle and the fat will start melting off; soon the scale will began a dramatic decline again...
I'm not going to voice any of those opinions again. I'm just going to tell you that I'm obviously losing weight and I'm meeting one of the other main goals of this lose-a-thon: I'm gaining a healthy lifestyle full of activity. I go, go, go now and I've really noticed a difference in my stamina.
As an example of just how much I've been exercising, let me tell you about our Team Trek challenge at work that ended last week. Beginning in mid February, teams of co-worker at the city, set out to walk. We could also do other activities (like swim!) and we had a chart that showed us the activity, duration, exertion and how that translated to mileage. Each week we reported how many miles we walked (or exercised). Our goal was the follow the Oregon trail from the border of Idaho and Oregon all the way to the end at Oregon City. My team made the trek. We were very proud of ourselves. At the end of the journey, I added up my personal miles and noted I had worked out the equivalent of walking 128 miles in the last two months. That's no small feat!
So, I will continue on my journey and keeping posting my progress. Thanks!
Week 15 = 173 lbs (-17)
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Week 14 - Avoiding?
I'm really not trying to avoid anyone or the question of my current weight. For those of you who actually read this blog and have been keeping up on my progress, I have a confession to make and some explanation...
I admit to avoiding the scale one week and posting the article "Imagine" to bring home the point of what living with PWS is like. I wanted the focus to be on the condition and what Cainan goes through on a daily basis, not how much weight I've lost--because this is not about me. I hope each of you got to read it an ponder it a bit. I think about the life Cainan leads and his inescapable hunger on a daily basis.
I did not post anything the following week at all. That, I can truly explain, was not avoidance. As you know (if you've been reading the posts) I use my Wii Fit to track my weight, BMI and to do regular exercises. I've only been weighing in once a week to avoid the trauma of watching the scale bounce up and down daily. Well, last week our TV broke and I have been unable to use my Wii. That means, no weigh in and no tracking. We have a part on order and it's my hope that it's back up and running by this weekend. But that also means, no weigh for this week.
I admit to owning a bathroom scale, but it's worthless. I compared weights on it to the Wii when I first started this process an noted immediately, it weight me several pounds heavier than the Wii. As I test, I re-weighed my several three more times within a few minutes and each time it gave me a different weight by one to two pounds. So, I'm not even setting foot on it right now.
I apologize that I haven't posted my progress but I promise, by next week's post, I'll have something to put down. I have really been stepping up the workouts and I'm finding that they're easier than they were a few months ago. At the very, very least, I'm getting fitter and that's exciting.
So, for those of you loyal readers out there. Thank you for continuing to read and please don't give up on me. I'm still in the race and still working hard toward my goal: 50 lbs and $1,000.00. Thanks!
I admit to avoiding the scale one week and posting the article "Imagine" to bring home the point of what living with PWS is like. I wanted the focus to be on the condition and what Cainan goes through on a daily basis, not how much weight I've lost--because this is not about me. I hope each of you got to read it an ponder it a bit. I think about the life Cainan leads and his inescapable hunger on a daily basis.
I did not post anything the following week at all. That, I can truly explain, was not avoidance. As you know (if you've been reading the posts) I use my Wii Fit to track my weight, BMI and to do regular exercises. I've only been weighing in once a week to avoid the trauma of watching the scale bounce up and down daily. Well, last week our TV broke and I have been unable to use my Wii. That means, no weigh in and no tracking. We have a part on order and it's my hope that it's back up and running by this weekend. But that also means, no weigh for this week.
I admit to owning a bathroom scale, but it's worthless. I compared weights on it to the Wii when I first started this process an noted immediately, it weight me several pounds heavier than the Wii. As I test, I re-weighed my several three more times within a few minutes and each time it gave me a different weight by one to two pounds. So, I'm not even setting foot on it right now.
I apologize that I haven't posted my progress but I promise, by next week's post, I'll have something to put down. I have really been stepping up the workouts and I'm finding that they're easier than they were a few months ago. At the very, very least, I'm getting fitter and that's exciting.
So, for those of you loyal readers out there. Thank you for continuing to read and please don't give up on me. I'm still in the race and still working hard toward my goal: 50 lbs and $1,000.00. Thanks!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Half Way Through the Lose-a-Thon
This week marks the half-way point. Instead of my usual entry, I'd like to imagine what it would be like to live with Prader Willi Syndrome and please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
IMAGINE…
IMAGINE…
What it would be like if you were born with Prader-Willi syndromeBy Teresa Kellerman of Tuscon, Arizona
Imagine that your desire to get food is so strong that you would do ANYTHING to get it, even crawl out of your bedroom window in the middle of the night to walk to the store several miles away.
Imagine that you are hungry all the time, and that you are on a diet, all the time, and that you can only eat about half as much as everybody else, not to lose weight, but just so you don’t gain weight.
Imagine that if you do gain weight, you will have to go on an even stricter diet, getting about asmany calories in one day as there are in just one cheeseburger and fries. Boy, would you like to have a cheeseburger and fries! But that’s not in your diet. You are told that your diet is very important, because if you gain weight you could get really sick and die, because your heart can’t handle the burden of obesity.
Imagine that everybody in your group is going on a hike, and you want to go, but you know you will get tired easily, because your muscle tone is not really good, but you don’t want to be left behind, so you go along, and it’s really hard for you to keep up with everybody. And when you stop for lunch, the person next to you has a big sandwich with mayonnaise and cheese and roast beef and five cookies and potato chips, and the person sitting on the other side of you has three granola bars and trail mix with nuts and a candy bar. And you have two skinny slices of diet bread with mustard and a thin slice of ham, and a rice cake, and a teeny apple. You think that candy bar looks really good, and you watch that candy bar, because maybe it will get set down, and maybe you can get your hands on it, and maybe it would taste so good, and you can’t think about anything else but that candy bar.
Imagine that you find a $20 bill laying on the ground, and you pick it up and put it in your pocketand don’t tell anybody, because maybe you can buy some candy bars with it some time when no one is looking. But you get found out and you are accused of stealing, and nobody believes that you just found it.
Imagine that when you see a little scab on your arm, you just have to scratch it, you can’t help it, you just have to! And when it bleeds, you get in trouble. And you try really hard to leave it alone, but you can’t! And sometimes it takes over a year for sores to heal.
Imagine that when you want something to eat you have to ASK, and then you usually get told NO or you get carrot sticks, and you can’t eat what you want because there is a lock on the refrigerator and on the pantry, too. But you know if there were no locks, you would get more food, and gain weight and get sick. So you really don’t mind if the food is locked up. At least you don’t have to worry about getting food like you used to before there were locks, and you would wait until the middle of the night to get up and go get food without anyone knowing. You feel safe with the food locked up.
Imagine that there’s something you like to do and you’re really good at it, like working jigsawpuzzles. And you have one that is a THOUSAND pieces, and you’ve been working on it for days, and you want to put it together all by yourself, because it’s YOUR puzzle and you know where all the pieces go, and then someone else puts pieces in for you, and you take it all apart to start over, and you get yelled at, and you are told you are STUBBORN, but it’s YOUR puzzle, and you just want to work it yourself.
Imagine that you are going to the movies, and everybody else is getting popcorn and candy, but you can only have a diet pop, but you have to sit there and smell everybody else’s popcorn and chocolate, and watch them eat, and hear them munch. You really wish you could have a giant tub of popcorn like that guy over there! And you see a piece of popcorn that someone dropped and you pick it up and someone tries to grab it from you but you are faster than they are and you eat it, and they get mad at you, but it was worth it because that one little piece tasted so good. Better than the air-popped stuff.
Imagine that you have a hard time expressing your feelings and you get mad easily, but only when things aren’t fair. Only when someone breaks a promise. Only when you’re not getting what you think you need or deserve. Imagine that when you can’t say what you want to say you scream and hit. You wonder why you get in trouble for hollering when everybody else is hollering too! Or sometimes you just sit and REFUSE, and nobody can make you move. You know you feel better when you take your medicine, but you don’t want to take your medicine. You don’t know why, you just don’t want to take it. When you refuse to take your medicine, you get in trouble. But when someone in charge forgets to give you your medicine and you lose control, then you are the one who gets in trouble.
Imagine that you have family and friends who understand you. Imagine that your teacher, your case manager, your care provider, your doctor, all understand PWS. They know you are different, but they know you are special, too. Imagine how lucky you would be!
Note: Teresa Kellerman is the mother of Karie, who has PWS.
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a birth defect first identified in 1956 by Swiss doctors A Prader, H. Willi, and A. Labhart. There are no known reasons for the genetic accident that causes this lifelong condition which affects appetite, growth, metabolism, cognitive functioning, and behavior. The Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) was organized in 1975 to provide a resource for education and information about PWS and support for families and caregivers. PWSA(USA) is supported solely by memberships and tax-deductible contributions.
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING AT WWW.FIRSTGIVING.COM/MOLZER
PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING AT WWW.FIRSTGIVING.COM/MOLZER
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Week 10 - A Quick Update
I don't really have much to say this week. I'm keeping up with my routine (minus a minor melt down last weekend) and I'm grateful I lost a pound this week! Next week marks the halfway way point in the lose-a-thon and I haven't lost half the weight I planned to. I know I'm doing the right things and I will continue to. I'm dedicated to this cause, as I've explained, for many reasons.
I want to take a moment and thank those of you who have sent me comments and who have made donations already. I know there are some of you who would prefer to sponsor me on a per pound basis; thank you to those of you who have made those pledges to me. If you'd like, I can post your pledge on my website, so you too can receive recognition for your donation. I'm grateful to each of you who are following my journey and who have made or will be making donations to the Prader Willi Syndrome Association. Remember, it's easy to donate via firstgiving.com. You can use your debit or credit card and the donation is completely tax deductible.
I'll leave it at that for this week. I'm continuing to increase my workouts and hopefully, I'll have even more pounds to report next week--I'd like to be bit closer to the halfway point. Thanks again!
Week 10 = 173 (-17 total)
I want to take a moment and thank those of you who have sent me comments and who have made donations already. I know there are some of you who would prefer to sponsor me on a per pound basis; thank you to those of you who have made those pledges to me. If you'd like, I can post your pledge on my website, so you too can receive recognition for your donation. I'm grateful to each of you who are following my journey and who have made or will be making donations to the Prader Willi Syndrome Association. Remember, it's easy to donate via firstgiving.com. You can use your debit or credit card and the donation is completely tax deductible.
I'll leave it at that for this week. I'm continuing to increase my workouts and hopefully, I'll have even more pounds to report next week--I'd like to be bit closer to the halfway point. Thanks again!
Week 10 = 173 (-17 total)
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Week 9 - What Else Can I Do?
I don’t know what to say…last week was a success on several levels. I worked harder than I have to date. I worked out every day but one. I walked, I swam, I dug a giant tree stump out of the ground, I leveled earth with a shovel and hoe, I did housework, I played with my sons. I was very active. That was great!
I also kept to my commitment of honoring Cainan and sticking to a regimented eating plan. There were times when I was hungry, times when I did not want the things I had already prepared for myself, but I did not give myself the option of going out and buying something else. I ate what I prepared. I accepted the hunger, knowing Cainan lives with it every day. I stayed on course until Sunday evening, when we both splurged on some pizza and a big salad.
Even so, with all that activity and reduced calories, I didn’t lose an ounce. I’m really perplexed. I know there are plateaus in weight loss—I’ve been on one for the last month now—but I always thought there were reasons for them; not enough exercise, not eating right, etc. I though if I changed up my routine and restructured my eating I would be able to kick this weight loss back into gear. I don’t know why it hasn’t happened.
I know I’m more active now than I have been in a year and I also know I’m not eating more than I did when I was sedentary (in fact, I’m eating considerably less calories)—so doesn’t it make sense that increased calorie burning and decreased calorie intake would equal weight loss? I don’t know how it’s possible that it doesn’t.
I’m going to keep at it. The only, only thing I can think of is that I am still building muscle, since a lot of the activity this week was not as aerobic and more strength training. Even so, hacking a tree stump and the earth for two and half hours straight should have burned a considerable amount of calories. But at some point, the muscle has got to help me start burning fat. I should be able to get to the other side of this plateau and started climbing down again in weight. I can’t keep expending this much energy and not see results—it’s not mathematically possible!
So this week, if you’re keeping up with this blog, please say a prayer for me. I need some encouragement. I know I’m doing the right things but it’s daunting to see the scale hover over the same numbers week after week. Thanks for your support!
Week 9 = 174 lbs (-16 total)
I also kept to my commitment of honoring Cainan and sticking to a regimented eating plan. There were times when I was hungry, times when I did not want the things I had already prepared for myself, but I did not give myself the option of going out and buying something else. I ate what I prepared. I accepted the hunger, knowing Cainan lives with it every day. I stayed on course until Sunday evening, when we both splurged on some pizza and a big salad.
Even so, with all that activity and reduced calories, I didn’t lose an ounce. I’m really perplexed. I know there are plateaus in weight loss—I’ve been on one for the last month now—but I always thought there were reasons for them; not enough exercise, not eating right, etc. I though if I changed up my routine and restructured my eating I would be able to kick this weight loss back into gear. I don’t know why it hasn’t happened.
I know I’m more active now than I have been in a year and I also know I’m not eating more than I did when I was sedentary (in fact, I’m eating considerably less calories)—so doesn’t it make sense that increased calorie burning and decreased calorie intake would equal weight loss? I don’t know how it’s possible that it doesn’t.
I’m going to keep at it. The only, only thing I can think of is that I am still building muscle, since a lot of the activity this week was not as aerobic and more strength training. Even so, hacking a tree stump and the earth for two and half hours straight should have burned a considerable amount of calories. But at some point, the muscle has got to help me start burning fat. I should be able to get to the other side of this plateau and started climbing down again in weight. I can’t keep expending this much energy and not see results—it’s not mathematically possible!
So this week, if you’re keeping up with this blog, please say a prayer for me. I need some encouragement. I know I’m doing the right things but it’s daunting to see the scale hover over the same numbers week after week. Thanks for your support!
Week 9 = 174 lbs (-16 total)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Week 8 - A New Commitment
Well, I feel like I’ve just wasted the last three weeks. Okay, not wasted, per se, but that I’ve just been spinning my wheels. I know I’ve drastically increased my activity. And as the weather continues to get better, that will only continue. I have a gazillion outdoor projects to work on and they all required copious amounts of physical labor. However, here I am, three weeks later, at the same weight I was three weeks ago.
Albeit, I did have to report a two pound gain last week, so it goes to say, that I have actually lost two pounds this week, but I’d be even further ahead if I hadn’t been spinning my wheels for those two weeks in between. Of course, Disneyland had a lot to do with that—but I can’t blame my indulgences at Disneyland for all of it. After all, my weight gain came the week after Disneyland.
I really am taking this seriously. I want to be healthier, slimmer and more fit. I want to have an intimate connection to Cainan’s struggle. While I am slowly getting slimmer and more fit, I don’t feel I’ve really committed to the lifestyle I need to meet my other two goals: I’m not eating as healthy as I should be, and I certainly can’t commiserate with Cainan. I’m still giving myself the option to eat what I want when I want, whenever I’m hungry.
So, this week I’m dedicating to Cainan. I’m laying out a meal plan for myself and I’m sticking to it. It’s very much like Cainan’s lifestyle. I prepare all his meals, with strict calorie content. He eats at regular intervals: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. He gets nothing else in between and he has very little choices when it comes to making the decisions about what he’s going to eat. As a result, Cainan continues to thrive and maintain a healthy weight.
Obviously, I know how to do it, I’m just not doing it for myself. That feels hypocritical since the major part of this lose-a-thon is to raise awareness for Prader Willi Syndrome and for me to understand on a personal level what Cainan goes through. Not to mention the fact that I’m setting a poor example for both my boys.
It’s not like I’m talking about a life of total depravation. I’ve really been blessed with the ability to cook and I take pride in the fact that while Cainan’s restricted to just 800-900 calories a day, he does not feel deprived. I prepared well-rounded, tasty meals, his snacks are often special treats like cookies, pudding, fruit, popcorn (thank goodness for 100 calorie packs). He really eats very well. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be eating just like him—of course I know I require a few hundred more calories than that.
So, this week’s to Cainan. No over-indulgences. Planned meals with limited calories. Regular physical activity. I should have an even better report next week when it comes to weigh in and I’ll certainly feel better about myself for my efforts to do the right thing!
Week 8 = 174 pounds (-16 total)
Albeit, I did have to report a two pound gain last week, so it goes to say, that I have actually lost two pounds this week, but I’d be even further ahead if I hadn’t been spinning my wheels for those two weeks in between. Of course, Disneyland had a lot to do with that—but I can’t blame my indulgences at Disneyland for all of it. After all, my weight gain came the week after Disneyland.
I really am taking this seriously. I want to be healthier, slimmer and more fit. I want to have an intimate connection to Cainan’s struggle. While I am slowly getting slimmer and more fit, I don’t feel I’ve really committed to the lifestyle I need to meet my other two goals: I’m not eating as healthy as I should be, and I certainly can’t commiserate with Cainan. I’m still giving myself the option to eat what I want when I want, whenever I’m hungry.
So, this week I’m dedicating to Cainan. I’m laying out a meal plan for myself and I’m sticking to it. It’s very much like Cainan’s lifestyle. I prepare all his meals, with strict calorie content. He eats at regular intervals: breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack. He gets nothing else in between and he has very little choices when it comes to making the decisions about what he’s going to eat. As a result, Cainan continues to thrive and maintain a healthy weight.
Obviously, I know how to do it, I’m just not doing it for myself. That feels hypocritical since the major part of this lose-a-thon is to raise awareness for Prader Willi Syndrome and for me to understand on a personal level what Cainan goes through. Not to mention the fact that I’m setting a poor example for both my boys.
It’s not like I’m talking about a life of total depravation. I’ve really been blessed with the ability to cook and I take pride in the fact that while Cainan’s restricted to just 800-900 calories a day, he does not feel deprived. I prepared well-rounded, tasty meals, his snacks are often special treats like cookies, pudding, fruit, popcorn (thank goodness for 100 calorie packs). He really eats very well. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be eating just like him—of course I know I require a few hundred more calories than that.
So, this week’s to Cainan. No over-indulgences. Planned meals with limited calories. Regular physical activity. I should have an even better report next week when it comes to weigh in and I’ll certainly feel better about myself for my efforts to do the right thing!
Week 8 = 174 pounds (-16 total)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I know I’m a day late in posting. Monday’s are always busy, and frankly I was hesitant to post my results. I exercised so much more last week than I have since I started this project. Not only did I walk the four mile round trip to work and back but I put in a couple sessions of swimming, a rigorous step routine and two sessions of various activity on my Wii Fit. I thought for sure I would be able to report a loss for the week. You can imagine my dismay on Monday morning when I weighed in and found myself to be two pounds heavier.
It’s bad enough to be in a plateau, but to actually be moving backwards is extremely demoralizing. I’m trying to tell myself that it’s muscle weight. My whole body hurt this weekend from all the extra activity and I can tell that my strength is increasing. Still, it’s difficult to see the scale going up when I’m putting in the extra effort.
I’m trying not to let it get me down. I’m determined this week to make progress and push past this plateau/backslide. Not only am I increasing my aerobic activity, but I’m adamant about no splurges this week. I know I ate a bit more than usual last week, but I contributed it to my increased activity level and figured I was hungrier because I was expending more energy. That may be the case, but I’m going to make sure I supply myself with only things that are good for me. There’s a time and place for occasional indulgences, but the midst of an aggressive lifestyle change is not one of those times.
I just have to remember that I’m not entitled to indulgence. Like so many things in my life, I am blessed to have extravagant choices (as most of us in America are). The responsible thing to do is make wise choices about what I put into my body and not behave like a glutton just because I can. How can I teach my sons, especially Cainan, responsibility and self-control when they don’t even see it exemplified in the basic part of my life. I owe it to them and myself to maintain healthy eating habits, an active lifestyle and exhibit basic self-discipline.
So, I’ll get off my soap box for now, though I could go on and on and on about the extravagance of the American lifestyle, and instead, be thankful for all the choices I have. I’ll get back on track and hopefully, I’ll have a much better report for next Monday.
Thanks, again, for those of you following the blog and keeping me accountable with your comments. It really helps knowing someone is following what I’m doing and I have to report my results each week. It just makes me think twice before I eat something I shouldn’t, knowing I’m not the only one who’s going to see the results on the scale.
Week 7 = 176 pounds (-14 total)
It’s bad enough to be in a plateau, but to actually be moving backwards is extremely demoralizing. I’m trying to tell myself that it’s muscle weight. My whole body hurt this weekend from all the extra activity and I can tell that my strength is increasing. Still, it’s difficult to see the scale going up when I’m putting in the extra effort.
I’m trying not to let it get me down. I’m determined this week to make progress and push past this plateau/backslide. Not only am I increasing my aerobic activity, but I’m adamant about no splurges this week. I know I ate a bit more than usual last week, but I contributed it to my increased activity level and figured I was hungrier because I was expending more energy. That may be the case, but I’m going to make sure I supply myself with only things that are good for me. There’s a time and place for occasional indulgences, but the midst of an aggressive lifestyle change is not one of those times.
I just have to remember that I’m not entitled to indulgence. Like so many things in my life, I am blessed to have extravagant choices (as most of us in America are). The responsible thing to do is make wise choices about what I put into my body and not behave like a glutton just because I can. How can I teach my sons, especially Cainan, responsibility and self-control when they don’t even see it exemplified in the basic part of my life. I owe it to them and myself to maintain healthy eating habits, an active lifestyle and exhibit basic self-discipline.
So, I’ll get off my soap box for now, though I could go on and on and on about the extravagance of the American lifestyle, and instead, be thankful for all the choices I have. I’ll get back on track and hopefully, I’ll have a much better report for next Monday.
Thanks, again, for those of you following the blog and keeping me accountable with your comments. It really helps knowing someone is following what I’m doing and I have to report my results each week. It just makes me think twice before I eat something I shouldn’t, knowing I’m not the only one who’s going to see the results on the scale.
Week 7 = 176 pounds (-14 total)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Week Six
So, if anyone's reading the blog, you would have noticed that I did not post an entry last week. After my indulgent weekend at Disneyland, I didn't want to step on a scale and report any possible gain. So, I decided to give myself a week off as far as the scale went, and get back to a better routine this last week. I was doing well, too, until Joe convinced me to go back to Disneyland for Asher's birthday.
Since I had my splurge the weekend before for my birthday, I was better this weekend. But still, it's not real easy to eat healthy at Disneyland, and I know had more calories than I should have. At least, with Asher, I was also busy the whole time too. I probably walked five miles that day, between the two parks, going non-stop, pushing him in a stroller most of the way. That had to count for something.
Even with that taken into account, I was still very nervous to stand on the scale this week. I am relieved to weigh in at 174. I have indeed lost some weight these last two weeks!
I'm trying to be consistent, and barring the Disneyland trips, I've been doing a good job. I've also learned the valuable role water plays in my efforts. I've noticed on the days I'm more distracted that I tend to not drink as much water as I should. I've also noticed, after a couple days of that, I have head aches and I feel rotten. Once the realization hits me that I haven't been drinking as much as I should, I start pounding down the water by the bottle full. Low and behold, I feel better, I have more energy, and I really notice the weight loss. Being hydrated helps so much!
So, that's my important lesson for the last two weeks. I'm also realizing I need to pay strict attention to what I put in my body. It's so easy to eat out of habit or not put any thought into what I put in my body. When I'm in those modes, I eat way too much and always the wrong things. Just being conscious of my food and taking stock of each meal/snack before I consume it makes a huge difference. If I stop and ask myself, "Is this really what's good for me? Should I really eat this?", it gives me the time to make a good decision and not act on impulse. The key is to make sure I'm eating every few hours. If I'm too hungry, then the answer to the first question is still no, but invariably, I will answer yes to the second.
So, to re-cap: water, frequent eating and thinking before I take part in a meal. Maybe these are obvious to everyone, but until I actually decided to make this life change, I really didn't get it on a personal level. I could probably recite this stuff to someone if they asked for advice, but I didn't practice it. Now I see what a difference it makes.
Please, send me encouragements and kudos. Just drop me a line to let me know you're reading this blog and holding me accountable for my weight loss. It means a lot! Thanks!
Week 6 = 174 lbs (-16 Total)
Since I had my splurge the weekend before for my birthday, I was better this weekend. But still, it's not real easy to eat healthy at Disneyland, and I know had more calories than I should have. At least, with Asher, I was also busy the whole time too. I probably walked five miles that day, between the two parks, going non-stop, pushing him in a stroller most of the way. That had to count for something.
Even with that taken into account, I was still very nervous to stand on the scale this week. I am relieved to weigh in at 174. I have indeed lost some weight these last two weeks!
I'm trying to be consistent, and barring the Disneyland trips, I've been doing a good job. I've also learned the valuable role water plays in my efforts. I've noticed on the days I'm more distracted that I tend to not drink as much water as I should. I've also noticed, after a couple days of that, I have head aches and I feel rotten. Once the realization hits me that I haven't been drinking as much as I should, I start pounding down the water by the bottle full. Low and behold, I feel better, I have more energy, and I really notice the weight loss. Being hydrated helps so much!
So, that's my important lesson for the last two weeks. I'm also realizing I need to pay strict attention to what I put in my body. It's so easy to eat out of habit or not put any thought into what I put in my body. When I'm in those modes, I eat way too much and always the wrong things. Just being conscious of my food and taking stock of each meal/snack before I consume it makes a huge difference. If I stop and ask myself, "Is this really what's good for me? Should I really eat this?", it gives me the time to make a good decision and not act on impulse. The key is to make sure I'm eating every few hours. If I'm too hungry, then the answer to the first question is still no, but invariably, I will answer yes to the second.
So, to re-cap: water, frequent eating and thinking before I take part in a meal. Maybe these are obvious to everyone, but until I actually decided to make this life change, I really didn't get it on a personal level. I could probably recite this stuff to someone if they asked for advice, but I didn't practice it. Now I see what a difference it makes.
Please, send me encouragements and kudos. Just drop me a line to let me know you're reading this blog and holding me accountable for my weight loss. It means a lot! Thanks!
Week 6 = 174 lbs (-16 Total)
Monday, February 2, 2009
Week Four--A Plateau
I've made through yet another week and hit a stand still. It's to be expected. I'm not exercising as vigorously as I should be and I've been too lax with my "splurges". I spurge once a week is one thing--every couple days is completely different.
So there's not much to report on this post. I know I didn't work out enough and I took in too many calories. I know I need to change that this week and from here on out. At the end of this week I'm off to Disneyland where I know I will be walking non-stop for two days straight. I also know I'm going to have a Monte Christo and some garlic fries at the very least. It's something you gotta have when you're in Disneyland.
Knowing that is my splurge this week, I will make sure I'm prepared the rest of the week to set the bar high. I plan to work out more and not let my temptations overcome me. With that being said, I'll leave you at my totals for week four.
Week 4 = 176 lbs (-14 Total)
So there's not much to report on this post. I know I didn't work out enough and I took in too many calories. I know I need to change that this week and from here on out. At the end of this week I'm off to Disneyland where I know I will be walking non-stop for two days straight. I also know I'm going to have a Monte Christo and some garlic fries at the very least. It's something you gotta have when you're in Disneyland.
Knowing that is my splurge this week, I will make sure I'm prepared the rest of the week to set the bar high. I plan to work out more and not let my temptations overcome me. With that being said, I'll leave you at my totals for week four.
Week 4 = 176 lbs (-14 Total)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Week Three All Done!
I'm done with week three and well on my way into this week with grand plans to stay on track. I thought for sure this last week was going to be a disappointment. I've been working out quite a bit but I also went a little overboard this weekend with eating. It's official--I absolutely am addicted to cheese. Who knew? Chocolate? No problem. Coke? I quite cold turkey three weeks ago and haven't looked back. Cheese? I can't get enough of it. I'm craving Mexican food with tons of melted cheddar and jack over a spicy burrito, or a thick grilled cheese sandwich with lots of American and cheddar. It's a definite weakness.
I was doing alright until I went away for the weekend to relax, all alone. I was staying at a mountain resort and I didn't bring much besides my protein bars to sustain me. That meant eating out at the nearby town for a lot of meals. I wouldn't have been as tempted if I had prepared and brought snacks to satisfy me throughout the day. However, I didn't and by the time mealtime rolled around I was starving and my will-power was nil. I succumbed to pizza and fattening Mexican food three times!
Now, I did walk to work this week, and I swam vigorously for 30 minutes a the resort, and I probably walked a couple miles while I was there too, not to mention my workouts with the Wii. Even so, I knew it wasn't going to make up for all that cheese! Despite the cheese, I'm still down a pound this week and I'm thrilled! I thought for sure I was going to have to disappoint my followers (and myself) with a weight gain.
Plus, Saturday evening, as I was packing up to go--and regretting my chili colorado burrito--I checked my e-mail. I noticed some friends had made a donation to FirstGiving. I checked the page and was overwhelmed by their generosity. I have to give a special thanks to Ryan and Emily for donating $240.00 to my lose-a-thon efforts. I am so grateful for the donation and that puts me about a 1/3 of the way toward raising the $1000.00 goal I've set. Wow! It also really helps me with accountability. I know I want to lose this weight for myself and my family, but knowing other out there are reading this blog, following along and putting their money behind me, really helps me stay committed to my goal. Thanks again, Ryan and Emily.
That reminds me...some of you have expressed interest in sponsoring my weight loss on a "per pound" basis, rather than a flat donation. That's great! If you'd like to do that, just shoot me and e-mail and let me know whether or not you'd like to remain anonymous. I will post your name and sponsorship on my website. The last week of May, when the lose-a-thon ends, you can make your donation through FirstGiving based on the total number of pounds I've lost.
This week will be better. I spent most of the day preparing my meals and snacks for the week. That makes a huge difference. It's getting caught off guard or not having little low cal snacks to tide me over throughout the day that end up in overindulgences. This week I'm prepared so that won't happen.
Thanks again to everyone who is sponsoring, donating and following me on this journey. I really, really appreciate your comments and support. It helps me know someone is reading this blog and paying attention to whether I lose the weight or not. Please keep the comments and encouragements coming.
Week 3 = 176 lbs (-14 lbs total)
I was doing alright until I went away for the weekend to relax, all alone. I was staying at a mountain resort and I didn't bring much besides my protein bars to sustain me. That meant eating out at the nearby town for a lot of meals. I wouldn't have been as tempted if I had prepared and brought snacks to satisfy me throughout the day. However, I didn't and by the time mealtime rolled around I was starving and my will-power was nil. I succumbed to pizza and fattening Mexican food three times!
Now, I did walk to work this week, and I swam vigorously for 30 minutes a the resort, and I probably walked a couple miles while I was there too, not to mention my workouts with the Wii. Even so, I knew it wasn't going to make up for all that cheese! Despite the cheese, I'm still down a pound this week and I'm thrilled! I thought for sure I was going to have to disappoint my followers (and myself) with a weight gain.
Plus, Saturday evening, as I was packing up to go--and regretting my chili colorado burrito--I checked my e-mail. I noticed some friends had made a donation to FirstGiving. I checked the page and was overwhelmed by their generosity. I have to give a special thanks to Ryan and Emily for donating $240.00 to my lose-a-thon efforts. I am so grateful for the donation and that puts me about a 1/3 of the way toward raising the $1000.00 goal I've set. Wow! It also really helps me with accountability. I know I want to lose this weight for myself and my family, but knowing other out there are reading this blog, following along and putting their money behind me, really helps me stay committed to my goal. Thanks again, Ryan and Emily.
That reminds me...some of you have expressed interest in sponsoring my weight loss on a "per pound" basis, rather than a flat donation. That's great! If you'd like to do that, just shoot me and e-mail and let me know whether or not you'd like to remain anonymous. I will post your name and sponsorship on my website. The last week of May, when the lose-a-thon ends, you can make your donation through FirstGiving based on the total number of pounds I've lost.
This week will be better. I spent most of the day preparing my meals and snacks for the week. That makes a huge difference. It's getting caught off guard or not having little low cal snacks to tide me over throughout the day that end up in overindulgences. This week I'm prepared so that won't happen.
Thanks again to everyone who is sponsoring, donating and following me on this journey. I really, really appreciate your comments and support. It helps me know someone is reading this blog and paying attention to whether I lose the weight or not. Please keep the comments and encouragements coming.
Week 3 = 176 lbs (-14 lbs total)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Week Two Over and Out!
So, I've made it through another week. I have to admit, there's been some ups and downs. I kicked up my exercise, which is a good thing. On Thursday, I walked to work with a friend--it's two miles from my house. We were going to catch a ride home but decided we'd walk home too. It was a lot for someone who: one, doesn't exercise much; and two, has horrific feet. I've never been able to walk or stand much. In the last two years I've developed terrible plantar fascitis--for those of you who aren't familiar, let me explain it as severe and chronic pain in the heal and bottom of the foot. The only way for it to get better...rest your feet.
Well, I've had enough of not being able to do the easiest and most efficient exercise for losing weight. So, I said the heck with it and decided I'm going to walk as much as possible. Yes, I'm back on my Naprosin, fish oil, icing my feet and sleeping with a special splint for plantar fascitits, but as long as I can take it, I'm going to include walking in my routine.
I've also been using my Wii Fit almost daily. It's so much fun and I'm really enjoying the yoga. I always knew I was pretty flexible, but the yoga moves really add a strength element to it. Also, it feels like I'm doing something constructive with my flexibility. Yes, I know my muscles will extend and my joints can hyper-extend but now there are structured stretches/poses that feel so good to hold and move into. It's like my weird loose joints have finally found their calling, and it's yoga!
So, those are the good parts...then there were the less than good parts. I had a couple oopses with food. I've really been doing pretty well, but I found when temptation was placed within my grasp, I grasped. Part of the reason I decided to walk home on Thursday was due to the giant chicken quesadilla I ate for lunch. All that cheese and tortilla just sounded so encredibly good! I really have a cheese weakness. I've been doing well with my light string cheese for snacks but all that melty goodness on a toasted tortilla just got to me and I ate it all up.
If that were my one oops for the week, I'd feel okay, but that wasn't the end of it. Sunday I was sick and I felt really, really yucky. And somehow that justified eating a Sonic cheeseburger for lunch and an Arby's toasted sub for dinner. Those two meals alone exceeded the recommended daily calories I should have been eating. But on the bright side, I learned an important lesson--food is definitely a comfort issue for me. The thought of salad to go with my soar throat and headache was just unbearable. I wanted grease and cheese and bread. I felt better, momentarily, then my stomach hurt.
Like I said, it's been a week of ups and downs. But the biggest down that I'm proud of is the three pounds I'm down this week. I'm not sure how it happened in light of my multiple splurges, but I'm glad they didn't set me back too far. I can only assume the extra activity is kicking in. I know there will be a pateau coming soon. There always is. Especially, as I continue to work out and build up muscle. But for now, I'm celebrating my three pounds and continuing, undeterred on my path toward May 31st.
Thanks for keeping up with me. Please send me comments and e-mails for encouragement. They really help. Thanks!
Week 2 = 177 lbs (-13 pounds total)
Well, I've had enough of not being able to do the easiest and most efficient exercise for losing weight. So, I said the heck with it and decided I'm going to walk as much as possible. Yes, I'm back on my Naprosin, fish oil, icing my feet and sleeping with a special splint for plantar fascitits, but as long as I can take it, I'm going to include walking in my routine.
I've also been using my Wii Fit almost daily. It's so much fun and I'm really enjoying the yoga. I always knew I was pretty flexible, but the yoga moves really add a strength element to it. Also, it feels like I'm doing something constructive with my flexibility. Yes, I know my muscles will extend and my joints can hyper-extend but now there are structured stretches/poses that feel so good to hold and move into. It's like my weird loose joints have finally found their calling, and it's yoga!
So, those are the good parts...then there were the less than good parts. I had a couple oopses with food. I've really been doing pretty well, but I found when temptation was placed within my grasp, I grasped. Part of the reason I decided to walk home on Thursday was due to the giant chicken quesadilla I ate for lunch. All that cheese and tortilla just sounded so encredibly good! I really have a cheese weakness. I've been doing well with my light string cheese for snacks but all that melty goodness on a toasted tortilla just got to me and I ate it all up.
If that were my one oops for the week, I'd feel okay, but that wasn't the end of it. Sunday I was sick and I felt really, really yucky. And somehow that justified eating a Sonic cheeseburger for lunch and an Arby's toasted sub for dinner. Those two meals alone exceeded the recommended daily calories I should have been eating. But on the bright side, I learned an important lesson--food is definitely a comfort issue for me. The thought of salad to go with my soar throat and headache was just unbearable. I wanted grease and cheese and bread. I felt better, momentarily, then my stomach hurt.
Like I said, it's been a week of ups and downs. But the biggest down that I'm proud of is the three pounds I'm down this week. I'm not sure how it happened in light of my multiple splurges, but I'm glad they didn't set me back too far. I can only assume the extra activity is kicking in. I know there will be a pateau coming soon. There always is. Especially, as I continue to work out and build up muscle. But for now, I'm celebrating my three pounds and continuing, undeterred on my path toward May 31st.
Thanks for keeping up with me. Please send me comments and e-mails for encouragement. They really help. Thanks!
Week 2 = 177 lbs (-13 pounds total)
Monday, January 12, 2009
Post for January 12, 2009
So, while I was tapping away at the keyboard, writing my last post to this blog both of my sons were up to no good.
As I was trying to catch up on the blog, Asher was standing next to me with one of the necklaces he and Cainan refer to as their "treasure" (it makes me feel better about letting them wear jewelry if they pretend they're pirates). Anyway, Asher was showing me how it went on his head, or around his neck or on his arm. He stretched the necklace across his mouth and said, "In my mouth." I immediately stopped typing and told him, "No, you know we don't put that in our mouths. That's not where it goes. It never goes in your mouth." He smiled at me and made it clear he was teasing me. "Yah, that would be silly," he said.
I left it at that and he went off in the other room to play. I went back to my busy little tapping on the keyboard, when a few minutes later I heard a cough. It wasn't a normal little throat-clearing cough. It was more of a I'm-gagging-and-choking-on-something-cough. "Asher, are you okay?" I jumped up from the keyboard to see what was going on. He met me in the hall with tears in his eyes. "I swallowed it." He said, looking bewildered and on the verge of hysteria. "What did you swallow? The necklace?" His giant teary eyes and slow nod affirmed what I had just guessed.
I asked him to take a deep breathe and he did. He was not choking. There was nothing more I could do for him at the moment. I went to head further into the living room so I could tell Joe to contact the doctor and ask for advice; that's when I saw Cainan.
Cainan was casually standing in the kitchen, his hand extended toward the counter where an angel food cake was sitting. Only now, there was only 2/3 of an angel food cake sitting there. He immediately straightened up and also took on the bewildered, huge-eyed, dear in the headlights gaze as he realized he'd been caught.
Again, what could I do? The cake was in his stomach. I sent him to his room for time out. Asher followed and put himself in time out even though I hadn't said a word to him after, "Why did you eat the necklace?!".
I poked my head into our bedroom and told Joe, "Asher just ate a necklace and Cainan ate half an angel food cake." Then I closed the door and walked back to their bedroom. I started with Cainain. I told him what he already knew, that he wasn't allowed to get food off the counter or eat anything without asking permission first. I kept him in time out for three more minutes and told him he'd lost his kitchen privileges for a week. The kitchen is now completely off limits to him.
Then I talked to Asher, once again, about the dangers of putting things in his mouth and how only food goes in his mouth. He was very serious and morose. He asked where the necklace was and I told him it was in his belly. I thought his eyes might pop out of his head.
Joe called the doctor and we learned that there was not much to do for the immediate future. We were to give him lots of "roughage" and plenty of fluids and bring him in on Monday. I mostly gave him fruit all day Sunday and pumped him full of juice. He's been pooping a lot, but so far, no necklace.
Today I took three hours off work. We went to the doctor, then to the lab so he could have blood work done to make sure the necklace did not have lead in it, then off for x-rays to make sure the necklace was passing through his gut. What did we find? Nothing. Nothing showed on the x-ray, which means there is no metal in his bowels. That means he either ate something else, non metallic or he choked on the necklace but coughed it out somewhere before I got to him and didn't know how else to explain it other than to say, "I swallowed it."
Either way, I hoped he learned his lesson. I know I certainly did. I wish I could say that I found half the angel food cake somewhere else, but I know that all went into Cainan's belly. I could have been worse, but I don't even want to think about that. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that he's not an average, everyday kid and I can't ever let my guard down. He goes into the kitchen numerous times a day to put away his plate, throw away trash, walk through it to find me in my room--whatever--and he never bothers a thing. Then, one evening he just decides an angel food cake sounds good. If it were any other kid, they'd still get in trouble but I wouldn't beat myself up about it too much. But I know how bad that is for Cainan.
So, I'm just going to have to try harder, for both of them. And that's probably why I'm typing away now that they're both in bed and I should be too. But I know my time with them needs to be spent with them and not blogging while they're doing untold things in the other room.
The lessons we have to learn over and over and over...
As I was trying to catch up on the blog, Asher was standing next to me with one of the necklaces he and Cainan refer to as their "treasure" (it makes me feel better about letting them wear jewelry if they pretend they're pirates). Anyway, Asher was showing me how it went on his head, or around his neck or on his arm. He stretched the necklace across his mouth and said, "In my mouth." I immediately stopped typing and told him, "No, you know we don't put that in our mouths. That's not where it goes. It never goes in your mouth." He smiled at me and made it clear he was teasing me. "Yah, that would be silly," he said.
I left it at that and he went off in the other room to play. I went back to my busy little tapping on the keyboard, when a few minutes later I heard a cough. It wasn't a normal little throat-clearing cough. It was more of a I'm-gagging-and-choking-on-something-cough. "Asher, are you okay?" I jumped up from the keyboard to see what was going on. He met me in the hall with tears in his eyes. "I swallowed it." He said, looking bewildered and on the verge of hysteria. "What did you swallow? The necklace?" His giant teary eyes and slow nod affirmed what I had just guessed.
I asked him to take a deep breathe and he did. He was not choking. There was nothing more I could do for him at the moment. I went to head further into the living room so I could tell Joe to contact the doctor and ask for advice; that's when I saw Cainan.
Cainan was casually standing in the kitchen, his hand extended toward the counter where an angel food cake was sitting. Only now, there was only 2/3 of an angel food cake sitting there. He immediately straightened up and also took on the bewildered, huge-eyed, dear in the headlights gaze as he realized he'd been caught.
Again, what could I do? The cake was in his stomach. I sent him to his room for time out. Asher followed and put himself in time out even though I hadn't said a word to him after, "Why did you eat the necklace?!".
I poked my head into our bedroom and told Joe, "Asher just ate a necklace and Cainan ate half an angel food cake." Then I closed the door and walked back to their bedroom. I started with Cainain. I told him what he already knew, that he wasn't allowed to get food off the counter or eat anything without asking permission first. I kept him in time out for three more minutes and told him he'd lost his kitchen privileges for a week. The kitchen is now completely off limits to him.
Then I talked to Asher, once again, about the dangers of putting things in his mouth and how only food goes in his mouth. He was very serious and morose. He asked where the necklace was and I told him it was in his belly. I thought his eyes might pop out of his head.
Joe called the doctor and we learned that there was not much to do for the immediate future. We were to give him lots of "roughage" and plenty of fluids and bring him in on Monday. I mostly gave him fruit all day Sunday and pumped him full of juice. He's been pooping a lot, but so far, no necklace.
Today I took three hours off work. We went to the doctor, then to the lab so he could have blood work done to make sure the necklace did not have lead in it, then off for x-rays to make sure the necklace was passing through his gut. What did we find? Nothing. Nothing showed on the x-ray, which means there is no metal in his bowels. That means he either ate something else, non metallic or he choked on the necklace but coughed it out somewhere before I got to him and didn't know how else to explain it other than to say, "I swallowed it."
Either way, I hoped he learned his lesson. I know I certainly did. I wish I could say that I found half the angel food cake somewhere else, but I know that all went into Cainan's belly. I could have been worse, but I don't even want to think about that. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that he's not an average, everyday kid and I can't ever let my guard down. He goes into the kitchen numerous times a day to put away his plate, throw away trash, walk through it to find me in my room--whatever--and he never bothers a thing. Then, one evening he just decides an angel food cake sounds good. If it were any other kid, they'd still get in trouble but I wouldn't beat myself up about it too much. But I know how bad that is for Cainan.
So, I'm just going to have to try harder, for both of them. And that's probably why I'm typing away now that they're both in bed and I should be too. But I know my time with them needs to be spent with them and not blogging while they're doing untold things in the other room.
The lessons we have to learn over and over and over...
Post for January 12, 2009
So, while I was tapping away at the keyboard, writing my last post to this blog both of my sons were up to no good.
As I was trying to catch up on the blog, Asher was standing next to me with one of the necklaces he and Cainan refer to as their "treasure" (it makes me feel better about letting them wear jewelry if they pretend they're pirates). Anyway, Asher was showing me how it went on his head, or around his neck or on his arm. He stretched the necklace across his mouth and said, "In my mouth." I immediately stopped typing and told him, "No, you know we don't put that in our mouths. That's not where it goes. It never goes in your mouth." He smiled at me and made it clear he was teasing me. "Yah, that would be silly," he said.
I left it at that and he went off in the other room to play. I went back to my busy little tapping on the keyboard, when a few minutes later I heard a cough. It wasn't a normal little throat-clearing cough. It was more of a I'm-gagging-and-choking-on-something-cough. "Asher, are you okay?" I jumped up from the keyboard to see what was going on. He met me in the hall with tears in his eyes. "I swallowed it." He said, looking bewildered and on the verge of hysteria. "What did you swallow? The necklace?" His giant teary eyes and slow nod affirmed what I had just guessed.
I asked him to take a deep breathe and he did. He was not choking. There was nothing more I could do for him at the moment. I went to head further into the living room so I could tell Joe to contact the doctor and ask for advice; that's when I saw Cainan.
Cainan was casually standing in the kitchen, his hand extended toward the counter where an angel food cake was sitting. Only now, there was only 2/3 of an angel food cake sitting there. He immediately straightened up and also took on the bewildered, huge-eyed, dear in the headlights gaze as he realized he'd been caught.
Again, what could I do? The cake was in his stomach. I sent him to his room for time out. Asher followed and put himself in time out even though I hadn't said a word to him after, "Why did you eat the necklace?!".
I poked my head into our bedroom and told Joe, "Asher just ate a necklace and Cainan ate half an angel food cake." Then I closed the door and walked back to their bedroom. I started with Cainain. I told him what he already knew, that he wasn't allowed to get food off the counter or eat anything without asking permission first. I kept him in time out for three more minutes and told him he'd lost his kitchen privileges for a week. The kitchen is now completely off limits to him.
Then I talked to Asher, once again, about the dangers of putting things in his mouth and how only food goes in his mouth. He was very serious and morose. He asked where the necklace was and I told him it was in his belly. I thought his eyes might pop out of his head.
Joe called the doctor and we learned that there was not much to do for the immediate future. We were to give him lots of "roughage" and plenty of fluids and bring him in on Monday. I mostly gave him fruit all day Sunday and pumped him full of juice. He's been pooping a lot, but so far, no necklace.
Today I took three hours off work. We went to the doctor, then to the lab so he could have blood work done to make sure the necklace did not have lead in it, then off for x-rays to make sure the necklace was passing through his gut. What did we find? Nothing. Nothing showed on the x-ray, which means there is no metal in his bowels. That means he either ate something else, non metallic or he choked on the necklace but coughed it out somewhere before I got to him and didn't know how else to explain it other than to say, "I swallowed it."
Either way, I hoped he learned his lesson. I know I certainly did. I wish I could say that I found half the angel food cake somewhere else, but I know that all went into Cainan's belly. I could have been worse, but I don't even want to think about that. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that he's not an average, everyday kid and I can't ever let my guard down. He goes into the kitchen numerous times a day to put away his plate, throw away trash, walk through it to find me in my room--whatever--and he never bothers a thing. Then, one evening he just decides an angel food cake sounds good. If it were any other kid, they'd still get in trouble but I wouldn't beat myself up about it too much. But I know how bad that is for Cainan.
So, I'm just going to have to try harder, for both of them. And that's probably why I'm typing away now that they're both in bed and I should be too. But I know my time with them needs to be spent with them and not blogging while they're doing untold things in the other room.
The lessons we have to learn over and over and over...
As I was trying to catch up on the blog, Asher was standing next to me with one of the necklaces he and Cainan refer to as their "treasure" (it makes me feel better about letting them wear jewelry if they pretend they're pirates). Anyway, Asher was showing me how it went on his head, or around his neck or on his arm. He stretched the necklace across his mouth and said, "In my mouth." I immediately stopped typing and told him, "No, you know we don't put that in our mouths. That's not where it goes. It never goes in your mouth." He smiled at me and made it clear he was teasing me. "Yah, that would be silly," he said.
I left it at that and he went off in the other room to play. I went back to my busy little tapping on the keyboard, when a few minutes later I heard a cough. It wasn't a normal little throat-clearing cough. It was more of a I'm-gagging-and-choking-on-something-cough. "Asher, are you okay?" I jumped up from the keyboard to see what was going on. He met me in the hall with tears in his eyes. "I swallowed it." He said, looking bewildered and on the verge of hysteria. "What did you swallow? The necklace?" His giant teary eyes and slow nod affirmed what I had just guessed.
I asked him to take a deep breathe and he did. He was not choking. There was nothing more I could do for him at the moment. I went to head further into the living room so I could tell Joe to contact the doctor and ask for advice; that's when I saw Cainan.
Cainan was casually standing in the kitchen, his hand extended toward the counter where an angel food cake was sitting. Only now, there was only 2/3 of an angel food cake sitting there. He immediately straightened up and also took on the bewildered, huge-eyed, dear in the headlights gaze as he realized he'd been caught.
Again, what could I do? The cake was in his stomach. I sent him to his room for time out. Asher followed and put himself in time out even though I hadn't said a word to him after, "Why did you eat the necklace?!".
I poked my head into our bedroom and told Joe, "Asher just ate a necklace and Cainan ate half an angel food cake." Then I closed the door and walked back to their bedroom. I started with Cainain. I told him what he already knew, that he wasn't allowed to get food off the counter or eat anything without asking permission first. I kept him in time out for three more minutes and told him he'd lost his kitchen privileges for a week. The kitchen is now completely off limits to him.
Then I talked to Asher, once again, about the dangers of putting things in his mouth and how only food goes in his mouth. He was very serious and morose. He asked where the necklace was and I told him it was in his belly. I thought his eyes might pop out of his head.
Joe called the doctor and we learned that there was not much to do for the immediate future. We were to give him lots of "roughage" and plenty of fluids and bring him in on Monday. I mostly gave him fruit all day Sunday and pumped him full of juice. He's been pooping a lot, but so far, no necklace.
Today I took three hours off work. We went to the doctor, then to the lab so he could have blood work done to make sure the necklace did not have lead in it, then off for x-rays to make sure the necklace was passing through his gut. What did we find? Nothing. Nothing showed on the x-ray, which means there is no metal in his bowels. That means he either ate something else, non metallic or he choked on the necklace but coughed it out somewhere before I got to him and didn't know how else to explain it other than to say, "I swallowed it."
Either way, I hoped he learned his lesson. I know I certainly did. I wish I could say that I found half the angel food cake somewhere else, but I know that all went into Cainan's belly. I could have been worse, but I don't even want to think about that. Sometimes, it's hard to remember that he's not an average, everyday kid and I can't ever let my guard down. He goes into the kitchen numerous times a day to put away his plate, throw away trash, walk through it to find me in my room--whatever--and he never bothers a thing. Then, one evening he just decides an angel food cake sounds good. If it were any other kid, they'd still get in trouble but I wouldn't beat myself up about it too much. But I know how bad that is for Cainan.
So, I'm just going to have to try harder, for both of them. And that's probably why I'm typing away now that they're both in bed and I should be too. But I know my time with them needs to be spent with them and not blogging while they're doing untold things in the other room.
The lessons we have to learn over and over and over...
One Week Down!
Okay, so I've officially begun a new week with the PWS Lose-a-thon. That means I've completed my first week already.
I have to say, the first week was not bad at all. I haven't done anything that I can't keep up for the next five months. I simply cut out some bad stuff, starting eating like I should be and began a moderate exercise program. I would like to kick it up to a more advanced exercise program but I know my limitations and know starting out at a livable pace is key. It really helps having my Wii Fit to track everything. I'm enjoying the workouts because they're fun, the system is motivating (even if it just a computer cheering me on) and it's rewarding to play/exercise. I like earning higher scores, unlocking new exercises and being able to visually track my progress.
I will post my new weight at the end of the post, but I feel I may have to clarify some things first to explain the shocking results. First, let me say that from the week of Thanksgiving, through New Years, I threw my hands up in the air and said, "The heck with it!" I decided I was going to eat whatever I wanted and pretend like I didn't have to care about weight, health or general well being. I ate like a teenager. And I paid for it. I noticed my clothes were tighter and I didn't feel good, but I just decided, for that month, I wasn't going to think about it--I'd already decided things would change after New Year's.
In late December I heard about the lose-a-thon and was really excited to get involved. It matched perfectly with my plan to pick myself up out of the depression I had been wallowing in for the last six months and start living my life healthy again. The last month of 2008 was kind of an adolescent fit of overeating to celebrate/mourn all that I had been through in the past few months.
Well, I must have really overdone it that last week or so. We had a blast at our annual New Year's extravaganza at Running Y. I cooked lots and lots of food. I did include many healthy choices this year, but there was plenty of junk food too and I must have partaken of a bit too much, especially of the salty stuff...
See, I haven't been a scale in several months. I was too afraid to confirm the fact that I had gained back to 20 pounds I lost in the spring. So, after decadently partaking at New Year's, I stepped on the scale last Sunday night and confirmed my weight at 190 pounds. I used my Wii Fit and calculated my BMI and fitness age. It was all pretty bad. But I also made a choice that I was only going to weigh in once a week so those little fluctuations each day wouldn't be so demotivating.
Well, this morning I stepped on the scale again and guess what? I'm at 180. I know, I know. It seems riduculous that I could lose 10 pounds in one week. Especially, when I just explained that I didn't do anything extreme. And I promise, I didn't! Here's my best guess.
Those overindulges all month long, to include the extra salty chips and nuts at New Year's must have really packed on some water weight. This week, I've most eaten freshly prepared foods from home without the high sodium content, plus no sodas, plus I drank ample amounts of water. I'm assuming this 10 pounds is mostly water weight that I was retaining. I can't think of any other explanation.
So, in one week, I'm a fifth of the way to my goal. Yea! But I know there's a long way to go and there won't me anymore 10 pounds weeks. I was setting a pace of 10 pounds a month. I'm hoping to lose 2 - 2 1/2 pounds per week to stay on track. This set me ahead, and I'm grateful, but I'm not going to let it go to my head and start eating crappy or backing off on exercise. In fact, I'm going to steadily increase my efforts until I'm living the healthy lifestyle I should be living. I want to set the example for the rest of my family.
Thanks, to all of you who have responded so far and encouraged me with your words and/or donations. I am very grateful. I'd love it if anyone else wishes to take up the gauntlet and join Team Molzer. It would be great to have a partner or more in all this. Though, I'm reaching my goal with the weight loss, I still have a long way to go for my fundraising goal, so please consider a donation or a sponsorship. It all goes toward a great cause and your donation is tax decutible.
Week 1 = 180 pounds (-10 lbs)
I have to say, the first week was not bad at all. I haven't done anything that I can't keep up for the next five months. I simply cut out some bad stuff, starting eating like I should be and began a moderate exercise program. I would like to kick it up to a more advanced exercise program but I know my limitations and know starting out at a livable pace is key. It really helps having my Wii Fit to track everything. I'm enjoying the workouts because they're fun, the system is motivating (even if it just a computer cheering me on) and it's rewarding to play/exercise. I like earning higher scores, unlocking new exercises and being able to visually track my progress.
I will post my new weight at the end of the post, but I feel I may have to clarify some things first to explain the shocking results. First, let me say that from the week of Thanksgiving, through New Years, I threw my hands up in the air and said, "The heck with it!" I decided I was going to eat whatever I wanted and pretend like I didn't have to care about weight, health or general well being. I ate like a teenager. And I paid for it. I noticed my clothes were tighter and I didn't feel good, but I just decided, for that month, I wasn't going to think about it--I'd already decided things would change after New Year's.
In late December I heard about the lose-a-thon and was really excited to get involved. It matched perfectly with my plan to pick myself up out of the depression I had been wallowing in for the last six months and start living my life healthy again. The last month of 2008 was kind of an adolescent fit of overeating to celebrate/mourn all that I had been through in the past few months.
Well, I must have really overdone it that last week or so. We had a blast at our annual New Year's extravaganza at Running Y. I cooked lots and lots of food. I did include many healthy choices this year, but there was plenty of junk food too and I must have partaken of a bit too much, especially of the salty stuff...
See, I haven't been a scale in several months. I was too afraid to confirm the fact that I had gained back to 20 pounds I lost in the spring. So, after decadently partaking at New Year's, I stepped on the scale last Sunday night and confirmed my weight at 190 pounds. I used my Wii Fit and calculated my BMI and fitness age. It was all pretty bad. But I also made a choice that I was only going to weigh in once a week so those little fluctuations each day wouldn't be so demotivating.
Well, this morning I stepped on the scale again and guess what? I'm at 180. I know, I know. It seems riduculous that I could lose 10 pounds in one week. Especially, when I just explained that I didn't do anything extreme. And I promise, I didn't! Here's my best guess.
Those overindulges all month long, to include the extra salty chips and nuts at New Year's must have really packed on some water weight. This week, I've most eaten freshly prepared foods from home without the high sodium content, plus no sodas, plus I drank ample amounts of water. I'm assuming this 10 pounds is mostly water weight that I was retaining. I can't think of any other explanation.
So, in one week, I'm a fifth of the way to my goal. Yea! But I know there's a long way to go and there won't me anymore 10 pounds weeks. I was setting a pace of 10 pounds a month. I'm hoping to lose 2 - 2 1/2 pounds per week to stay on track. This set me ahead, and I'm grateful, but I'm not going to let it go to my head and start eating crappy or backing off on exercise. In fact, I'm going to steadily increase my efforts until I'm living the healthy lifestyle I should be living. I want to set the example for the rest of my family.
Thanks, to all of you who have responded so far and encouraged me with your words and/or donations. I am very grateful. I'd love it if anyone else wishes to take up the gauntlet and join Team Molzer. It would be great to have a partner or more in all this. Though, I'm reaching my goal with the weight loss, I still have a long way to go for my fundraising goal, so please consider a donation or a sponsorship. It all goes toward a great cause and your donation is tax decutible.
Week 1 = 180 pounds (-10 lbs)
Friday, January 9, 2009
January 9, 2009
Happy New Year!Well, I did it again. I let three weeks pass since posting another blog. On my behalf, we have been extraordinarily busy. I was super sick the few days before Christmas. During that time, I had to take two extra days off work, pack and prepare our family for a Christmas trip to Omaha and prepare as much as possible for our New Year's extravaganza, since I would only have a day between coming home from Omaha and leaving for Running Y.
We were divinely meant to go to Omaha. Due to the outrageous snow storms in Portland and Seattle, flights out of Medford were pretty much at a stand still. Our initial plan was to drive to Klamath Falls on Christmas Eve, after Joe got off work, take a flight to San Francisco and from there take a red-eye to Chicago or Denver. Our hope was to arrive from one of those destination to Omaha some time Christmas morning.
As I prepared for our trip Christmas Eve morning, Joe called me from work and told me we may not have to drive to Klamath Falls, but would need to be at the Medford airport by noon if we were going to get out. I put myself into overdrive and we made it there, packed up and ready to go. We actually decided to go through Portland instead of San Fran because Joe saw that a flew flights were making it out and they miraculously had seats on them. We flew to Portland and arrived with 20 minutes until our next flight to Denver. There was no problem getting us on in 1st class--it was half empty.
We arrived in Denver and knew we were going to have to run for the Omaha flight as it was boarding, pretty much at the same time we were supposed to land. Also, it was pretty full. We got off at gate 47 and ran to the reader board. The Omaha flight was at gate 45...literally right next to us. I ran up to the counter as they were just beginning to board and asked if there were seats for us. The gate agent said he was just about to call our names. There were exactly five seats left and they were in 1st class once again (Ron flew with us if you're wondering about the "five"--no we have not added another Molzer since my last post). We immediately boarded and were in Omaha by 9:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Only God could have allowed that to happen.
We had a spectacular time with Ron's family and Laura's family. I learned how to make leftse and was a natural as it turns out. We did a Nativity pageant with all the kids at Judy's house--our boys were the cutest shepherds. And we sang/acted out the 12 days of Christmas. The white elephant gift exchange topped it all off. Unfortunately, our presents were of a size and nature that they could not be brought home--we donated them back for next year's exchange.
The trip home went less smoothly. After getting up at 3:00 AM central time, we tried for the first two flights out of Omaha and quickly found out our chances of getting our were not good--not for the entire day. We made a quick decision to drive to Denver (546 miles). We rented a car and got on our way. 11 hours later we arrived at the Denver airport. We blessedly made a flight to Portland where Joe's aunt Barb picked us up. We didn't get to her house until 1:00 Am (or 3:00 am central time). Yes, we were up for 24 hours straight trying to get back home. We got to sleep in wonderful warm beds at Barb's and she made us the best scrambled eggs ever that morning. Then we hopped a flight to Medford and got home around noon on Monday. We were exhausted, to say the least.
But alas, Joe had to work 15 hours on Tuesday and I had to prepare our New Year's trip for us and 16 other people. We took two vehicles, his Montero and my new mini-van, packed to the gills with food, games and gear. I cooked my rear-end off for five days and had a great time playing games, watching movies and talking with friends. New Year's is always a great time and worth the effort.
We got back Sunday afternoon and, once again, had virtually no time to prepare for the week ahead. I had taken two weeks off work, but really felt like a still needed a vacation. We started back to work bright and early Monday morning.
Our holiday season was very busy but we really did have a lot fun. I'm glad this week is over and I can start to play catch up. I'm also glad that we can get back to our normal routines. I am starting a weight loss regimen and participating in the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association's Lose-a-thon. You can check it all out, keep track of my progress and donate to the cause by going to my official page at our website: www.molzerfamily.com/lose.
That's it, as concisely as I can get in for the last three weeks. I'll keep up better with posting now that we're not going a million miles an hour.
January 9, 2009
Happy New Year!Well, I did it again. I let three weeks pass since posting another blog. On my behalf, we have been extraordinarily busy. I was super sick the few days before Christmas. During that time, I had to take two extra days off work, pack and prepare our family for a Christmas trip to Omaha and prepare as much as possible for our New Year's extravaganza, since I would only have a day between coming home from Omaha and leaving for Running Y.
We were divinely meant to go to Omaha. Due to the outrageous snow storms in Portland and Seattle, flights out of Medford were pretty much at a stand still. Our initial plan was to drive to Klamath Falls on Christmas Eve, after Joe got off work, take a flight to San Francisco and from there take a red-eye to Chicago or Denver. Our hope was to arrive from one of those destination to Omaha some time Christmas morning.
As I prepared for our trip Christmas Eve morning, Joe called me from work and told me we may not have to drive to Klamath Falls, but would need to be at the Medford airport by noon if we were going to get out. I put myself into overdrive and we made it there, packed up and ready to go. We actually decided to go through Portland instead of San Fran because Joe saw that a flew flights were making it out and they miraculously had seats on them. We flew to Portland and arrived with 20 minutes until our next flight to Denver. There was no problem getting us on in 1st class--it was half empty.
We arrived in Denver and knew we were going to have to run for the Omaha flight as it was boarding, pretty much at the same time we were supposed to land. Also, it was pretty full. We got off at gate 47 and ran to the reader board. The Omaha flight was at gate 45...literally right next to us. I ran up to the counter as they were just beginning to board and asked if there were seats for us. The gate agent said he was just about to call our names. There were exactly five seats left and they were in 1st class once again (Ron flew with us if you're wondering about the "five"--no we have not added another Molzer since my last post). We immediately boarded and were in Omaha by 9:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Only God could have allowed that to happen.
We had a spectacular time with Ron's family and Laura's family. I learned how to make leftse and was a natural as it turns out. We did a Nativity pageant with all the kids at Judy's house--our boys were the cutest shepherds. And we sang/acted out the 12 days of Christmas. The white elephant gift exchange topped it all off. Unfortunately, our presents were of a size and nature that they could not be brought home--we donated them back for next year's exchange.
The trip home went less smoothly. After getting up at 3:00 AM central time, we tried for the first two flights out of Omaha and quickly found out our chances of getting our were not good--not for the entire day. We made a quick decision to drive to Denver (546 miles). We rented a car and got on our way. 11 hours later we arrived at the Denver airport. We blessedly made a flight to Portland where Joe's aunt Barb picked us up. We didn't get to her house until 1:00 Am (or 3:00 am central time). Yes, we were up for 24 hours straight trying to get back home. We got to sleep in wonderful warm beds at Barb's and she made us the best scrambled eggs ever that morning. Then we hopped a flight to Medford and got home around noon on Monday. We were exhausted, to say the least.
But alas, Joe had to work 15 hours on Tuesday and I had to prepare our New Year's trip for us and 16 other people. We took two vehicles, his Montero and my new mini-van, packed to the gills with food, games and gear. I cooked my rear-end off for five days and had a great time playing games, watching movies and talking with friends. New Year's is always a great time and worth the effort.
We got back Sunday afternoon and, once again, had virtually no time to prepare for the week ahead. I had taken two weeks off work, but really felt like a still needed a vacation. We started back to work bright and early Monday morning.
Our holiday season was very busy but we really did have a lot fun. I'm glad this week is over and I can start to play catch up. I'm also glad that we can get back to our normal routines. I am starting a weight loss regimen and participating in the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association's Lose-a-thon. You can check it all out, keep track of my progress and donate to the cause by going to my official page at our website: www.molzerfamily.com/lose.
That's it, as concisely as I can get in for the last three weeks. I'll keep up better with posting now that we're not going a million miles an hour.
January 9, 2009
Happy New Year!
Well, I did it again. I let three weeks pass since posting another blog. On my behalf, we have been extraordinarily busy. I was super sick the few days before Christmas. During that time, I had to take two extra days off work, pack and prepare our family for a Christmas trip to Omaha and prepare as much as possible for our New Year's extravaganza, since I would only have a day between coming home from Omaha and leaving for Running Y.
We were divinely meant to go to Omaha. Due to the outrageous snow storms in Portland and Seattle, flights out of Medford were pretty much at a stand still. Our initial plan was to drive to Klamath Falls on Christmas Eve, after Joe got off work, take a flight to San Francisco and from there take a red-eye to Chicago or Denver. Our hope was to arrive from one of those destination to Omaha some time Christmas morning.
As I prepared for our trip Christmas Eve morning, Joe called me from work and told me we may not have to drive to Klamath Falls, but would need to be at the Medford airport by noon if we were going to get out. I put myself into overdrive and we made it there, packed up and ready to go. We actually decided to go through Portland instead of San Fran because Joe saw that a flew flights were making it out and they miraculously had seats on them. We flew to Portland and arrived with 20 minutes until our next flight to Denver. There was no problem getting us on in 1st class--it was half empty.
We arrived in Denver and knew we were going to have to run for the Omaha flight as it was boarding, pretty much at the same time we were supposed to land. Also, it was pretty full. We got off at gat 47 and ran to the reader board. The Omaha flight was at gate 45...literally right next to us. I ran up to the counter as they were just beginning to board and asked if there were seats for us. The gate agent said he was just about to call our names. There were exactly five seats left and they were in 1st class once again (Ron flew with us if you're wondering about the "five"--no we have not added another Molzer since my last post). We immediately boarded and were in Omaha by 9:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Only God could have allowed that to happen.
We had a spectacular time with Ron's family and Laura's family. I learned how to make leftse and was a natural as it turns out. We did a Nativity pageant with all the kids at Judy's house--our boys were the cutest shepherds. And we sang/acted out the 12 days of Christmas. The white elephant gift exchange topped it all off. Unfortunately, our presents were of a size and nature that they could not be brought home--we donated them back for next year's exchange.
The trip home went less smooth. After getting up at 3:00 AM central time, we tried for the first two flights out of Omaha and quickly found out our chances of getting our were not good--not for the entire day. We made a quick decision to drive to Denver (546 miles). We rented a car and got on our way. 11 hours later we arrived at the Denver airport. We blessedly made a flight to Portland where Joe's aunt Barb picked us up. We didn't get to her house until 1:00 Am (or 3:00 am central time
Well, I did it again. I let three weeks pass since posting another blog. On my behalf, we have been extraordinarily busy. I was super sick the few days before Christmas. During that time, I had to take two extra days off work, pack and prepare our family for a Christmas trip to Omaha and prepare as much as possible for our New Year's extravaganza, since I would only have a day between coming home from Omaha and leaving for Running Y.
We were divinely meant to go to Omaha. Due to the outrageous snow storms in Portland and Seattle, flights out of Medford were pretty much at a stand still. Our initial plan was to drive to Klamath Falls on Christmas Eve, after Joe got off work, take a flight to San Francisco and from there take a red-eye to Chicago or Denver. Our hope was to arrive from one of those destination to Omaha some time Christmas morning.
As I prepared for our trip Christmas Eve morning, Joe called me from work and told me we may not have to drive to Klamath Falls, but would need to be at the Medford airport by noon if we were going to get out. I put myself into overdrive and we made it there, packed up and ready to go. We actually decided to go through Portland instead of San Fran because Joe saw that a flew flights were making it out and they miraculously had seats on them. We flew to Portland and arrived with 20 minutes until our next flight to Denver. There was no problem getting us on in 1st class--it was half empty.
We arrived in Denver and knew we were going to have to run for the Omaha flight as it was boarding, pretty much at the same time we were supposed to land. Also, it was pretty full. We got off at gat 47 and ran to the reader board. The Omaha flight was at gate 45...literally right next to us. I ran up to the counter as they were just beginning to board and asked if there were seats for us. The gate agent said he was just about to call our names. There were exactly five seats left and they were in 1st class once again (Ron flew with us if you're wondering about the "five"--no we have not added another Molzer since my last post). We immediately boarded and were in Omaha by 9:00 PM on Christmas Eve. Only God could have allowed that to happen.
We had a spectacular time with Ron's family and Laura's family. I learned how to make leftse and was a natural as it turns out. We did a Nativity pageant with all the kids at Judy's house--our boys were the cutest shepherds. And we sang/acted out the 12 days of Christmas. The white elephant gift exchange topped it all off. Unfortunately, our presents were of a size and nature that they could not be brought home--we donated them back for next year's exchange.
The trip home went less smooth. After getting up at 3:00 AM central time, we tried for the first two flights out of Omaha and quickly found out our chances of getting our were not good--not for the entire day. We made a quick decision to drive to Denver (546 miles). We rented a car and got on our way. 11 hours later we arrived at the Denver airport. We blessedly made a flight to Portland where Joe's aunt Barb picked us up. We didn't get to her house until 1:00 Am (or 3:00 am central time
Starting Out
I can't believe I'm actually starting a new blog when I have trouble keeping up with our regular family blog. I'm hoping this one will be easier, as I will always have updates to post on my weight, BMI and general progress during this Lose-a-thon.
If you're reading this, I want to thank you. That means you took the time to read my page, decided you wanted to know more and care enough to see how I'm doing. Thanks again!
Right now I'm very optimistic. I know 50 pounds in five months is a very aggressive goal, but I believe I can do it. It's only two or so pounds a week. More importantly, though, I want to be healthier. That's why I included the "and/or BMI of 22". I realize that my percentage of body fat is really high right now. I know I could starve off the fat and lose the weight, but that wouldn't do me a tremendous amount of good. I need to be healthier, and that mean gaining more muscle and losing fat. I also know that muscle weighs more than fat. So, that means, if I continue to get in shape and build muscle, I might not reach my 50 pound goal, but I may get my BMI down to 22, which is just as (if not more so) important as getting the weight off.
I've decided I will only weigh myself once a week. I think it's easier psychologically that way. The last time I was trying to lose weight, I weighed myself every day. It was not a good idea.
Also, my mom got me a Wii Fit for Christmas. I'm so excited. I just got it all set up and began using it today. This will be a great tool for me. It already measured my weight, BMI and "fitness age". I'm ashamed to say I'm as fit as a 44 year old; so, that's something that will improve too. The Wii Fit will keep track of my progress and is a fun tool to utilize for working out. I can do yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance excercises with it.
So...here's to the begining! 50 pounds in five months! Thanks again for your support.
If you're reading this, I want to thank you. That means you took the time to read my page, decided you wanted to know more and care enough to see how I'm doing. Thanks again!
Right now I'm very optimistic. I know 50 pounds in five months is a very aggressive goal, but I believe I can do it. It's only two or so pounds a week. More importantly, though, I want to be healthier. That's why I included the "and/or BMI of 22". I realize that my percentage of body fat is really high right now. I know I could starve off the fat and lose the weight, but that wouldn't do me a tremendous amount of good. I need to be healthier, and that mean gaining more muscle and losing fat. I also know that muscle weighs more than fat. So, that means, if I continue to get in shape and build muscle, I might not reach my 50 pound goal, but I may get my BMI down to 22, which is just as (if not more so) important as getting the weight off.
I've decided I will only weigh myself once a week. I think it's easier psychologically that way. The last time I was trying to lose weight, I weighed myself every day. It was not a good idea.
Also, my mom got me a Wii Fit for Christmas. I'm so excited. I just got it all set up and began using it today. This will be a great tool for me. It already measured my weight, BMI and "fitness age". I'm ashamed to say I'm as fit as a 44 year old; so, that's something that will improve too. The Wii Fit will keep track of my progress and is a fun tool to utilize for working out. I can do yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance excercises with it.
So...here's to the begining! 50 pounds in five months! Thanks again for your support.
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