Crystal's (Honest) Journal what a journey.

[crystalcml]

Hi everyone.
My name is Crystal and I am a 24 yr old full time worker and part time college student. I like to go out a lot so we bar hop and we eat dinner out quite a bit. I also tend to skip out on exercise. I have a lot of studying to do so I find myself making up excuses like I was too busy studying to workout or I am too tired to work out. This has not been good for me as I have packed on a lot of pounds over the last 8-9 years or so. For the 1st time in my life I am going to be honest with myself about my weight and the fact that it is dangerously high. I am hoping to accomplish my weight loss goal by November 30, 2008.

I told myself a few years ago that I needed to quit smoking and once I did that I would start to loose the weight. Well here I am 2 1/2 years later smoke free but I still haven't started my weight loss journey.

I plan on updating my journal once a week on Friday's and I welcome any comments, feedback, etc. from all of you. Thanks for the support in advance.



Here are some of the goals I set for myself:

1. Quit eating junkfood (Already prepared dinners, packaged foods, salty snacks, etc.) I rarely eat sweets but I do have a salty tooth.

2. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise, Exercise (I find myself skipping this part a lot and I don't know why. I always feel so much better after I have worked out.)

3. No alcohol, not even on special occasions. (Tooooo many calories.)

4. Positive thinking. (I want to think positively about all my feats whether it be a loss that week or even a gain.)

5. Support from family and friends. (I need to be open with them and let them know what I am doing so they are able to support me on my journey)

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there Crystal.

Welcome to WISH...this is a great place for support.

Congrats on quitting smoking....it's a hard thing to do, but well worth it. I quit a few years ago.

Your goals look great....stick to them. I agree with having friends and family around, just don't let them push you to do something you don't want. My mother in law is great, but she had a problem when I tell her no thanks, she keeps pushing that at me. Especially with food. I even work with the chocolate chip cookie lady that tells me one bite won't hurt. She does not get it!

Anyway, welcome!!!

You are off to a great start!

Have a great day

 

[crystalcml]

Well today is day 1 of the new me. I can't be more excited. Everything has been going well so far!

I do have to say that I am a little nervous about going back to old eating habits soon. I have finals coming up and I tend to get really stressed out during that time. Here is where my positive thinking goal should come in to play right? Right!

Hope all is well! Have a wonderful day.

Edit:
I did set a short term weight loss goal of 40lbs. I hope to have this accomplished by 9/21/2007.

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Crystal,

Don't worry about finals, just keep your eye on your goal and you can do it. Just keep healthy snacks around so you are not tempted to go out and eat bad.

Keep up the good work!

Have a great day

 

[crystalcml]

Hi there,
I did my first weigh in today even though it was a bit shy of a full week. I lost 3lbs this week YAY! I am soooo excited!

I cut out the icky foods from my diet and have been doing really well.

I bought in to this work out system called Hip Hop Abs from beachbody. It is the best workout ever! I actually like to do it (which is a first for me!). I recommend it to anyone that wants to try something new!

I hope all is well! Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Crystal,

That is great you lost 3 pounds!!! Keep it up!!!

You're doing great!

Have a good day

 

[crystalcml]

Hi Crystal,

That is great you lost 3 pounds!!! Keep it up!!!

You're doing great!

Have a good day

Ahh thank you so much for your support! It is greatly appreciated!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Crystal,

Just wanted to pop in and say hi

Hope you are doing well.

Have a great day

 

[crystalcml]

Hello guys,
Today officially marks the 2 week zone. I have been working out like crazy and watching my food intake. I did loose 1 lb this week bringing my total to 4lbs. I am not going to get discouraged with that, more like inspired. It's a change!

I did find sugarfree freeze pops are a great snack thing to have around. I love popsicles especially when it's warm out. I do need to incorperate more fruits and vegies into my diet. I am having a bit of a problem with fruits simply because I don't like them (any suggestions?).
Vegies I like almost all of them I just need to add more to my diet.

I have noticed that my energy level is up and I am happier which makes me want to continue more than before. I worked out almost everyday this week except I skipped 1 day. I walk M-F on my lunch break at work and I do cardio/strength training every night. I have been averaging about 65min of exercise a day! YAY!

I hope to reach my 1st goal of 40lbs by Sept 1 as I am going to be part of my best friends wedding party. My new or 2nd goal is going to be 10 lbs and I am hoping to reach that goal by Sept 21 (for my upcoming trip to WDW). So in all I am hoping to loose 50lbs by Sept 21st and I am just going to continue to tell myself that I can do it!

I can't thank you enough for the support (especially from someone like me that truly needs it!)

I hope all is well with everyone and look forward to your comments and suggestions!

 

[C_leen]

Hi Crystal!

You are doing great!

Here are some things I have done to increase my fruit & veggie eating.

Frozen blueberries
Frozen grapes
carrot chips with hummus
Mix 1/3 cup V-8 Fusion with diet sprite or diet flavored tonic water

V-8 Fusion is about 120 calories per 8 oz serving, and I think it claims to have a full serving of fruits and vegetables. It is pretty gross on its own, but it jazzes up diet sprite or tonic water. I try to drink fluids all day while I am working, and it's nice to have some flavored drinks here and there. I like the blueberry pomegranite best.

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Crystal,

Great attitude to have!!! Your one pound loss is great...it will get better!!

Keep up the good work! You are doing great!

Have a good day

 

[hockeygirl]

Hi Crystal!

Welcome to the boards!

Looks like you have a great plan in place to loose the weight. You have already done a great job in the first couple of weeks! Keep up the good work. You will definetely see a difference in your energy level, just by eating healthier and exercising!

Keep up the good work! Looking forward to reading your progress!

 

[mabenoab]

Hi Crystal!

I'm enjoying your journal, you've set some terrific goals for yourself. Just want to say that 4lbs in 2 weeks is terrific. Just think how it adds up!

Good luck to you!!

 

[crystalcml]

Hi everyone.
It is week 3 for me and things have been going really well. I lost a total of 3 lbs this week bringing my total to 7lbs. I am so excited. I feel better and I feel like I am finally starting to become myself again. I just finished school this week so finals are done and I don't have to worry about school until next semester (and I couldn't be happier!).

I went to a couple of Twins games this month with my little bro and we had a ball. He is going to be 10 on Wednesday so I think we are going to Chuck E Cheese's. I will have to limit my greasy pizza intake that day but I know I can handle it!

I decided that I was going to eat some bananas this week so I have been trying to choke them down. It wasn't easy but I did eat one everyday.

I have been working out like a mad woman and I have reached my exercise goal of 900 minutes this month on 5/17/07. I was really surprised but happy at the same time. It feels good to set a goal and accomplish it!

Hope all is well with everyone. Have a wonderful weekend!

 

[hockeygirl]

Crystal--Great job on the weight loss, and reaching your exercise goal! That is awesome. keep up the good work!

 

[crystalcml]

Hi all,
Sorry this post is so tardy. I had a horrible week last week. I learned last Tuesday that a dear friend of mine lost her 14 month battle with luekemia late Monday night . It was a very difficult day. I learned so much from her. She just turned 60 this year and she befriended me when I was 19. She was the type of person that was always doing things for others, the type of person that makes you want to do something good for others as well. She will be greatly missed. I attended her funeral services on Saturday morning. The rest of last week was pretty somber. I was extremely busy so I only worked out like 2 days last week aside from my daily walks. I did not weigh myself last week and I am not going to. I am going to move forward and weigh again this Friday. I hope everyone had a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend.

Crystal

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Crystal,

I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Hope you are doing well.

Have a great day

 

[crystalcml]

Hi Guys,
I just want to say that this past month has been trying. I turned the big 25 in June and have made a vow to better myself. I did regain all of the 7 lbs that I lost so I am on a new mission . I did get fed up about 2 weeks ago and decided to join Weight Watchers. I went in there sort of uneasy and embarrassed I figured that everyone would be old and not be able to relate to me, boy was I wrong. The people were so friendly and they to are going through similar things so I really lucked out. I have gone to 2 meetings so far and I anxiously await my next one on Saturday. I also joined my local YMCA last wednesday. I have gone and worked out 6 days out of the last 8 so I am really proud of myself. I will update as soon as I weigh in on Saturday. I hope all is well with everyone!

 

[crystalcml]

Well I went to my 3rd Weight Watchers meeting this morning. I did better than I thought this week. I lost 6.8 over the last 7 days. I couldn't believe it when she told me. I was so stoked. I know that's a lot to lose in 1 week but I really worked my tail off and followed the plan to a T. They said that you will lose more in your first 3 weeks on the plan, then anywhere from 1-2 lbs a week after that. Seeing that number today made me realize that I can do this and I will accomplish my goal.

I had an 8am yoga class this morning (agh who wants to get up early on a Saturday morning?) I enjoyed the class. It was very relaxing and well worth the early rising. The class went for an hour. Then I walked/jogged on the treadmill well I walked more than I jogged but I went for 30 min. I can't tell you the last time I jogged or ran anywhere. I went in intervals so it wasn't so overwhelming but I did it and I am going to try switching it up next time jogging more than walking. I really enjoy getting out of the house and doing something active. I think that might have been a problem in the past for me. I always said why pay for a gym membership when I can exercise at home. Well I never really exercised at home for more than 2-3 weeks then I would give up. I am coming to realize that I like to exercise and I am a much happier person when I do so.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Remember: "You CAN do it and you WILL accomplish your goals!"

~Crystal

 

[mabenoab]

Crystal: good for you! Congratulations on a 6+ lb loss this week! How motivating is that!! Motivating enough to get up early on a Saturday morning for yoga...with determination like that, you will definitely meet your goal.

Congrats again, and keep up the great work!

Beth