100 Days to WDW....Accountability Journal

[PoppyGirl]

Hello to anyone who might read this besides myself. (Comments are welcomed. )

I've never done anything like this with sharing my thoughts/journey in terms of weight but I actually searched out this forum thinking maybe the dis had something that might help me. Yesterday was our 100 day mark to our Christmas Dream Vacation. In Janaury I had decided that 2010 was the year I was going to get in shape and lose weight. (but...it hasn't happened!) I have about 30 pounds to lose. According to those dumb charts I should lose about 50, but my doctor and I agree that I would look completely anorexic if I lost 50 pounds, so 30 it is. To be exact, 29 pounds to my goal.

My current weight (as of yesterday morning) was 194 pounds. The highest I have ever been was 197 when I was pregnant for the second time. Earlier this year I was walking regularly and making an attempt at the Eat Clean way of eating and lost about 10 pounds but I've gained it back.

My goal weight is 165. I'm 5'8" and fairly large framed. People never believe me when I tell them how much I weigh.

I need some support, some accountability, somewhere that I have to be honest and look at what I'm doing. So, I'm going to try posting on the disboards.

I had my kids take "before" pictures of me yesterday. And hopefully I can take photos along the way to track my progress.

I'd like to lose 20 pounds before our December trip and the remaining 10 by February. (Another potential WDW trip). I decided that I needed a plan. I have a goal, but I needed a plan. Not rules...a PLAN. (I rebel against rules!)

Here's my motivations (not necessarily in this order):
1. Look and feel better
2. Fit into my clothes better
3. Improve my health
4. Be able to wear my wedding ring again (I haven't worn it since my pregnancy in 1999)
5. Increase seratonin & dopamine to help with depressive issues
6. Have energy to be active with my children
7. Look nice for WDW photos
8. DD's comment to me: "Mom, you always SAY you are going to lose weight but you never do." (not said in a mean way but in a totally observational way)


Here's what I have committed to thus far (the PLAN):
1. daily exercise (currently using my treadmill and WiiFit, walking the dog 1 mile at the park and DH has agreed to let me purchase an elliptical machine)
2. choosing healthy, low calorie foods (working at Eating Clean)
3. giving up sweets (desserts)
4. Drink lots and lots of water, especially before meals
5. Give up soda (I've mostly already done this)
6. Get enough rest (go to bed by 11 at the latest)

Goals:
1. Lose an average of 1.5 pounds/week until December 8
2. Lose an average of 1 pound/week until Feb. 12
3. Maintain weight loss at 165

Here are the things I know I will struggle with:
1. I hate being hungry (that's why Eat Clean worked so well for me--I didn't ever have to be hungry!)
2. Being tired--when I'm tired I tend to eat for energy.
3. The candy jar at my office. DANGER! DANGER!
4. Going out to eat. I LOVE going out to eat. In fact I totally plan my Disney vacations around where I want to eat! ACK!
5. Cooking healthy for the whole family. It doesn't help that DS hates chicken!

So, DH seems to be very supportive and the kids are on board and now I just need to DO IT! (insert Nike logo here)

 

[PoppyGirl]

How am I doing?

Day 1 (yesterday)
Food: did well--was hungry but drank water and was able to choose healthy foods to eat

Exercise: about 2 miles on the treadmill

Water: excellent!


Day 2: (today)
Food: Breakfast--good.
Lunch--plan for a salad from California Tortilla
Dinner--

Exercise: walked the dog at the park (1 mile) and plan to do WiiFit after work

Water: 16 oz already this morning

 

[lolakat]

Hi Poppygirl,

Welcome to WISH Journaling. I just started this as well and I find it really does help with accountability. Plus there are so many wonderful stories from people who are "Just Doing It" here on WISH. Best of Luck as you get started with your plan!! You can do it!!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Hi Poppygirl,

Welcome to WISH Journaling. I just started this as well and I find it really does help with accountability. Plus there are so many wonderful stories from people who are "Just Doing It" here on WISH. Best of Luck as you get started with your plan!! You can do it!!

Thank you very much for your kind and encouraging words! My DSIL had surgery last year (lap band) and lost about 80 pounds. When I finally saw her again, she told me that she hadn't told anyone that she had the surgery because she was "so afraid that she would fail." I find myself understanding her position and not wanting to tell anyone my plan in case I'm not able to stick with it...so taking this step of accountability hopefully will help with that.

 

[redlight]

Hi. Good luck to you.

I have a friend who is 5'8" or so and large frame, and she looks good around 165-170 too.

 

[PoppyGirl]

Hi. Good luck to you.

I have a friend who is 5'8" or so and large frame, and she looks good around 165-170 too.

I KNEW I couldn't be the only one for whom those charts a completely nutty! I think they must have been normed on stick people!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Let's see...what day am I on now?

Day 2: I didn't get to do Wii fit after work because DH and I wen to look at an elliptical machine. We decided not to get it even though it was a very nice machine because it didn't have the arm poles. I want one that has the arm poles. (I don't know if that is what they are called or not, but that's what I call them! )

Day 3:
Food: did well--smaller portion sizes, healthy choices, no sweets

Exercise: treadmill for 2 miles--less needing to rest--more consistent

Water: did well--although I also drank unsweetened iced tea because it was so darn hot here!

I went grocery shopping today and purchased some nice healthy options for meals and snacks (lots of fruits and vegetables) so I feel optimistic about the rest of the week.

Day 4:
Food: breakfast was good, low calorie, healthy
lunch: plan for a nice salad
dinner: I have no idea yet! DS has guitar lessons tonight and then it's Back to School night so I'll be in meetings. Not a lot of time to prepare dinner.

Exercise: I walked the dog 1 mile at the park today. That may be all I can fit in today.

I weighed myself this morning. According to the scale I've lost 2.5 pounds. Hmmmmm...could that be for real?? I haven't been starving myself at all!

I'm feeling very determined and keep picturing myself thin.
DD said to me, "Mommy, I can't picture you thin, but when you are, will you grow your hair long? I think you would look pretty and I want to see you with your hair long."

 

[redlight]

2.5 pounds is a really good start!

Your daughter sounds precious. Have you had your hair long before?

 

[PoppyGirl]

2.5 pounds is a really good start!

Your daughter sounds precious. Have you had your hair long before?

Thanks! Yes, she is precious! (most of the time!) I tell people that one of the reasons I do scrapbooking is because then I remember how much I love my kids!


I had long hair when I was pregnant with my son. It was pretty boring! DD sees pictures of me before I was married and my hair was longer, permed and blonde. It was great then, but totally NOT me now!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Official Week One Results:

Lost 2.5 pounds.
I'm happy with that. But I also find myself struggling and wishing it was more! I just want the weight to disappear. I also started working on my vacation photos, organizing and editing them on the computer and I am NOT happy with how I look! Ack!

I missed exercising on Sunday. I took a day off because I felt exhausted. We didn't go to church even.

And yesterday....well, I was just lazy.

I have felt like my eating has been under control though, so that part is good. DH and I went and looked at some more elliptical machines and today I ordered one from Amazon. It was a little more than we had planned to spend, but I didn't have to pay tax or shipping so I figure we came out about even cost-wise...and I got a better machine. I could feel it in my muscles just from trying them out in the stores!

So I'm about to go and get on the treadmill for today. Tomorrow: walk the dog at the park.

And wait impatiently for my elliptical to arrive!!!

 

[lolakat]

Congrats on your 2.5 lb loss

Try not to get impatient with yourself. I try to remind myself that it takes time to put on weight and time to take it off. Of course the putting it on is so much more "fun"

You must be excited about your elipical machine. I used to really love them. They are great for higher intensity but low impact excercise. Enjoy it!!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Congrats on your 2.5 lb loss

Try not to get impatient with yourself. I try to remind myself that it takes time to put on weight and time to take it off. Of course the putting it on is so much more "fun"

You must be excited about your elipical machine. I used to really love them. They are great for higher intensity but low impact excercise. Enjoy it!!

Thanks lolakat! Yes--I can't WAIT for it it arrive. I got an e-mail yesterday that it had shipped. I'm not sure how long the shipping will take though.

I have been having a very stressful week this week and have really struggled to not eat junk. It hasn't been too bad, and I've tried to not be hard on myself about it. I'm still not eating sweets as a general rule which is a big change for me so I'm happy that I've been able to keep up with that. I weighed myself this morning and had lost another .5 so that's good. I missed 2 days of exercise, but I walked the dog at the park this morning and will use the treadmill when I get home tonight. DH has been in a very cranky mood the last few days (VERY unusual for him and I'm not sure what's going on) and I have 2 new responsibilities that I'm taking on this weekend that will be every week until the end of February. I'm sure my stress will be better after the first week of doing them.

 

[lolakat]

Cutting out sweets sounds like a great place to start. I know once I get my mouth on one treat it usually turns in to (way too) many more.

Good luck with your new responsibilities this weekend.

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Looks like we will be at Disney during the same time! I'll be at AKL with my mom December 8-11. Short trip, but that's all she can tolerate. Still haven't convinced her to love Disney, but she didn't protest the idea of going back - so that's a start!

Anyways, good luck and congrats on your progress so far. I'm starting my plan tomorrow and am thinking of making a journal on here to help!!

Look forward to following along!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Cutting out sweets sounds like a great place to start. I know once I get my mouth on one treat it usually turns in to (way too) many more.

Good luck with your new responsibilities this weekend.

That is EXACTLY what happens to me! I made the mistake of making cookies for my family over the weekend. Not. A. Good. Plan.

Looks like we will be at Disney during the same time! I'll be at AKL with my mom December 8-11. Short trip, but that's all she can tolerate. Still haven't convinced her to love Disney, but she didn't protest the idea of going back - so that's a start!

Anyways, good luck and congrats on your progress so far. I'm starting my plan tomorrow and am thinking of making a journal on here to help!!

Look forward to following along!

Cool! Maybe we'll run into you! I have a link to my PTR in my signature. Hopefully there will be less of me to run in to!

I think that being on here is helping. It's a reminder that someone else knows what I'm doing!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Well, week 2 was a horribly stressful week. The kids were off school for 2 days and I took on 2 brand new responsibilities at church and I was very stressed. My friend would not take "no" for an answer about me keeping her boys over the weekend....and I babysat my other friend's dog! (What was I thinking????) I could tell it was making a difference in my resolve to eat well and exercise.

But I did lose 1 lb. this week too so that is good news. And...(drumroll please) my elliptical was delivered today! (that's sort of what I look like exercising-- )

It's all in pieces in my living room right now but DH is going to help me put it together tonight and maybe I'll even be able to try it out!

So far this week is going a little better with the eating. I know I was not drinking enough water last week so I'm focusing on that this week.

PoppyGirl

 

[PoppyGirl]

DH spent all evening last night putting my elliptical together. He stayed up late doing it too!

So as soon as I got home from work today I tried it out. What a great workout! I think I'm going to like it. I would have stayed on it longer, but DS had a guitar lesson and we almost didn't make it!

Today has been a good day for eating and for drinking water and now for exercising too. I plan to get on tomorrow morning before I head out for some Disney shopping for my upcoming trip.

I did read online today that one pound = 3,500 calories! How many hours will I have to be on that machine to burn that many calories???

 

[PoppyGirl]

Oh NO! I stepped on the scale this morning...not my official "weigh-in" but just for my own information and I had gained .5 lbs! No, no no! This is not how it's supposed to go!

I've been working on the elliptical and I really like it. I can feel it all over--I'm not sore, but I can just feel that I've actually worked out. I'm glad. I guess I haven't been working as hard at eating well though.

This has been a consistent issue for me as I've tried to lose weight in the past. I lose a little and get over-confident and then I eat and gain. Or I freak out about eating and every meal becomes full of anxiety. I'm really trying this time to not freak out but just eat better (as I planned).

I'm feeling frumpy and "thick"--not really fat but just "thick." Blech! DD keeps telling me that she thinks I look "skinnier". I love her!

PoppyGirl

 

[nolanboys]

Hey Poppygirl. Just some words of encouragement. You can do it. I have always struggled with my weight. I am 5'9" tall and at my heaviest weighed 178 lbs. I am smaller framed so I had quite a bit if extra weight. I started slow after the birth of my third son. I saw a picture of myself and let's just say, I wasn't happy with it. I started off slow on the treadmill and watched what I ate. The weight started to come off and I actually began to run on the treadmill - and let me tell you I was never a runner. I tried to run cross country in high school and it lasted 3 days!I kept it up and kept it up and the weight came off. I plateaued many times, but I ended up loosing over 40 lbs and have been at that weight for over 4 years. It can be done!!!! The big thing is exercise and making yourself a priority. Your ellipitical will help you with that. Just say 30 min a day, 5 days a week. I still only work out 5 days a week. I run and go to spin class. Find something you enjoy and stick with it. I have 4 boys, but make sure to fit in my workouts. It makes me happy and a better mother. I added in weights about 5 years ago and that has also helped. Once you see what you are capable of, it's so empowering. And, by the way I love food!!! But I find by cooking, I can have delicious food that isn't bad for me. For example, DH and I often have date night in Saurday at home. We put the kids to bed, open a bottle of wine and cook a delicious meal together at home. A lot cheaper than eating out and a lot better for us. DH and I are running the F&W 1/2 Oct 2. I would have never thought I could do that. Sorry for my rambling, I just want you to know that I've been there and it can be done. Keep up you hard work. It will pay off!

 

[PoppyGirl]

Hey Poppygirl. Just some words of encouragement. You can do it. I have always struggled with my weight. I am 5'9" tall and at my heaviest weighed 178 lbs. I am smaller framed so I had quite a bit if extra weight. I started slow after the birth of my third son. I saw a picture of myself and let's just say, I wasn't happy with it. I started off slow on the treadmill and watched what I ate. The weight started to come off and I actually began to run on the treadmill - and let me tell you I was never a runner. I tried to run cross country in high school and it lasted 3 days!I kept it up and kept it up and the weight came off. I plateaued many times, but I ended up loosing over 40 lbs and have been at that weight for over 4 years. It can be done!!!! The big thing is exercise and making yourself a priority. Your ellipitical will help you with that. Just say 30 min a day, 5 days a week. I still only work out 5 days a week. I run and go to spin class. Find something you enjoy and stick with it. I have 4 boys, but make sure to fit in my workouts. It makes me happy and a better mother. I added in weights about 5 years ago and that has also helped. Once you see what you are capable of, it's so empowering. And, by the way I love food!!! But I find by cooking, I can have delicious food that isn't bad for me. For example, DH and I often have date night in Saurday at home. We put the kids to bed, open a bottle of wine and cook a delicious meal together at home. A lot cheaper than eating out and a lot better for us. DH and I are running the F&W 1/2 Oct 2. I would have never thought I could do that. Sorry for my rambling, I just want you to know that I've been there and it can be done. Keep up you hard work. It will pay off!

Thank you for the encouragement. It does help a lot to hear from other people.

I really blew it yesterday with my eating. So today I decided that I need to make myself write down what I eat. It's just another way of being accountable to myself. Am I going to do this or WHAT??? Today has started out much better.