Jen's Journal: Recording it All to Lose it All

[jenanderson]

COW 9

5 - Drink 8 glasses of water each day. (1 point for each day)
5 - Do 20 minutes of exercise every day (1 point for each day)
5 - Do something for yourself each day (1 point for each day)
5 - Eat 2 veggies each day (1 point for each day)

The COW is sometimes my total lifesaver because it gives me very specific goals to work on and those goals often keep me on track in all areas of my new healthier lifestyle. Here is the quick update on how I earned my points yesterday...

Water - Yesterday was a good water day...10 glasses.

Exercise - That was a tough one. It was cold and rainy here which meant that I could not go outside to run and had to use my YUCKY TM! I did not run the whole time which is what I would have wanted to do but I did not give up either and got my whole 5K in. I ended up spending 1 hour on the TM where I ran for 30 minutes and walked for the other 30 minutes. I was so thirsty when I was done which is why I drank so much water.

Something for Me - Went to bed early. I still had things to do but I know if I am going to make it through this week, I need to take care of myself. I have been so exhausted and I think my whole week of something for me might be going to bed early.

2 Veggies - Easy! I had baby carrots for lunch. For supper, I decided I could not do the fries that everyone else in the family was doing. Instead, I made a big salad and had a large serving of broccoli as my sides.

WW Update: While I love so many things about WW, I was crabby with it today. I have now lost so much weight that I had to also lose points. I know that it has to happen but it was still depressing to lose those 2 little points. I have my days planned out with the higher point values so it is going to be a mental shift to give up the 2 points.

Thoughts for the Day:

This week is a week where I know I am not going to be in the best of moods. It had been sunny last week and this week we are expecting rain every day. It is cold and dreary here. The rain also means that all my running has to be done inside and that tends to make me crabby knowing I can't get out. It is report card and conference time for me so I am under tons of stress to complete all my correcting, assemble portfolios and prepare to talk with parents. This is always a stress eating time for me so I am battling it. I have PMS so I would give almost anything for some M&Ms at this point. I would have a few but there are none in the house! I might need to figure out how to get some this morning on my way to work so that I can get through the day. I like M&Ms because I am good at taking out just 10 and eating them slowly and putting the rest of the bag away.

I keep saying I am going to adjust my attitude but I think today I will think realistically and say that I am just going to learn how to deal with being in a bit of a funk. I know that it is okay to be that way once and a while and it is how I deal with the funk that counts.

Have a good day!
Jen

 

[jenanderson]

Didn't get a chance to post this morning so I am going to do a double update on how yesterday went and how today was. Here we go!

COW 9 - Wednesday

6 - Drink 8 glasses of water each day. (1 point for each day)
5 - Do 20 minutes of exercise every day (1 point for each day)
6 - Do something for yourself each day (1 point for each day)
6 - Eat 2 veggies each day (1 point for each day)

COW 9 - Thursday

7 - Drink 8 glasses of water each day. (1 point for each day)
6 - Do 20 minutes of exercise every day (1 point for each day)
7 - Do something for yourself each day (1 point for each day)
7 - Eat 2 veggies each day (1 point for each day)

So, I will get to send in 27 points for the COW this week. Pretty good!

Water - Doing great with that again and I think it is really helping. I had been struggling with the water but the COW makes me really think about it and make sure that I get it all in.

Exercise - On Wednesday I did nothing! It was a scheduled day of rest for me on my running schedule. Normally I have been doing at least 20 minutes of something light but on Wednesday I decided to just skip it. I was tired, I had a long day and I have been doing really good with the running and cross training. Tonight I ran - 5K in 33 minutes and then did a 1 mile cool down walk.

Something for Me - On Wednesday, I took time to write a friend I have in Italy. I have been really busy but decided to just make time and spend it writing a long enjoyable letter. Today I took a 5 minute break at work and had the can of Coca-Cola that I really wanted. I have not had Coca-Cola in such a long time - it was a total treat!

Veggies - Easy both days!

I have been paying really close attention to everything that goes in my mouth and my WW points. I have been trying really hard to be sure that my diet is very balance. I have been working hard all week despite the funk I was in at the beginning of the week. I am really hoping for a good weigh in tomorrow!

Gotta get to bed! Will check in tomorrow with weigh in results!

 

[jenanderson]

Weight
Today's Weight: 172.0
Weight Change for the Week: -4 pounds
Total Weight Change: -26.0

Reflection on the week:

1. I measured everything this week and used my scale to be sure I wasn't underestimating what I was really eating. I logged everything I ate and would not allow myself to put it in my mouth without putting it in my food journal. For me, not doing these things leads to me "forgetting" that I had that extra snack or thinking I have the right serving size but eating way more.

2. I had slacked on my cross-training but this week I got it in. I did take one of my days off rest as I was suppose to but all the other days I ran or did some other sort of major calorie burning workout.

3. I started with week out in a total funk. No more funks for me for a while! In a way it was good. It taught me how to work through the tough days again and think about how badly I really want this.

Alright, it is early and I have to head to work. I have conferences all day long and won't be able to really check in. I will come back to post how my day was tonight.

 

[lisah0711]

Just popping in to say congratulations on your 4 pound loss this week! Your hard work is paying off and I know it was a busy week for you.

 

[jenanderson]

Just popping in to say congratulations on your 4 pound loss this week! Your hard work is paying off and I know it was a busy week for you.

Thanks! I did work really hard this past week. I am also learning that I am probably going to have to work pretty hard every single day if I want to keep it going and then probably even into the future because I have been on this journey before and it didn't last because I did not pay attention once I reached my goal.

 

[jenanderson]

I took a day off from my journal - the week was so long and stressful with conferences that I just had 24 hours of "vegging out". That is done though and I am feeling like I can get going again. Since last week was so successful, I am going to try to journal every day again based on the COW. We'll see how it goes.

COW 10

2 = Drink 8 glasses of water each day. (1 point for each day)
2 = Do 20 minutes of exercise every day (1 point for each day)
2 = Do something for yourself each day (1 point for each day)
2 = Eat at least one grain a day and try a new one during the week (1 point for each day and 1 point for the new grain)

Water - Friday getting my water was a bit of a struggle but I made sure that I kept filling my glass during my conferences and it really helped out. Yesterday was easy because I ran. On the days I run, I tend to drink a whole lot. Goal for today: figure out how to bring water with me when I run. I know I will have to look around for something to buy for that goal but I will start researching today. I know that I get way too thirsty when I run and that is a sign that I should be drinking while I run.

Exercise - Friday again was a challenge but I did it in chunks of time. I did 10 minutes of work and 10 minutes at home. It is hard when work is so busy but I am glad that I got it in. Saturday was easy. DH and I ran 5K and then walked a bit over a mile more. We exercised for a total of 47 minutes. Goal for today: we are running again today. I would like to do at least 7K (maybe even 10K) but we will see. It is cold, cloudy, windy and dreary out there. It makes it hard to get out and stay motivated but we will do at least the 5K.

Something for Me - On Friday night the thing for me was...I ATE MOVIE THEATER POPCORN WITH BUTTER!!!! Alright, I knew I was going to do it and I thought long and hard about how to make this choice work. Decided that we would take zip lock baggies with us to the theater. I had DH put popcorn in my baggie and that is what I ate out of. I did not eat straight from the bucket and lose track of how much I was eating. I knew exact amounts and felt fine about my choice. Yesterday, I took a rest/nap in the afternoon. The long week had caught up with me and it was nice to just do nothing. My goal for today: Today for myself I plan on going and buying some funny cards to send out to friends. I love to be able to send out mail and I am out of stamps and running low on cards.

Grains - Friday my grain was in my bread and Saturday was my oatmeal. Today I have already had oatmeal. Grains are a difficult area for me. I tend to get at least the one and often 2, but I struggle with the whole well balanced diet thing at times. Since I have gotten my running log where I record all my runs, exercising, food, etc...I have been more aware of it all and working harder on eating healthy balanced meals.

Alright, goals are in place and I am ready for the day! There is so much to get done but I plan on still taking it pretty easy for the rest of the weekend so we will see.

Later!

 

[cclovesdis]

Congrats on the 4 pound loss!

 

[jenanderson]

Congrats on the 4 pound loss!

Thanks! I think I actually gained .5 over the weekend but that is pretty common for me. It is time to buckle down again today and get going with the week.

 

[jenanderson]

Ahh, the start of a new work week. I always seem to buckle down again on Mondays after I realize I was a bit too relaxed on the weekends.

COW 10

3 = Drink 8 glasses of water each day. (1 point for each day)
3 = Do 20 minutes of exercise every day (1 point for each day)
3 = Do something for yourself each day (1 point for each day)
3 = Eat at least one grain a day and try a new one during the week (1 point for each day and 1 point for the new grain)

Water = Just barely got it in yesterday and was drinking right up to the point I turned off the light to go to bed. I know that I need to get more water in when I run and that just didn't happen yesterday. My goal for today is to keep my cup with me all day and focus on drinking more water again. I know we only need 8 but I do better when I get 10 or more.

Exercise = My goal was to run 7K yesterday. It just did not happen. It was a beautiful day but it was not a beautiful run. I was WAY to hot, DH had set way to fast of a pace and I just could not find my rhythm. We ended up running a bit more than a 5K and then we walked over a mile more. I was disappointed because we have a 7K race next weekend and now I am not feeling real positive about my abilities to complete that. I am just trying to think that it was just a bad run day and all is fine. A bit later in the day, DH, DS and I went on a bike ride. We biked about 2 miles as we went to the library and the grocery store. So, I was able to get plenty of exercising in. My goal for today is going to be 20 minutes of very light, easy exercising in. I am a bit stiff today and I want to take it easy as we have our first running race on Saturday.

Time for Me = That was another thing I struggled with yesterday. I had wanted to do some shopping for me but in the end, I didn't get that done. I did take about 30 minutes of time to get caught up with some reading, some computer surfing and such all by myself. It was really nice to just take a bit of down time for that. My goal for today is easy...I am getting together with some girlfriends after work and I love when I make time to see them!

Grains = Still haven't tried anything new but I did eat my oatmeal yesterday. Goal for today: eat my grain at lunch. I am out of oatmeal and that is a bit of a problem for the start of my day.

Well, I am going to have to sign off. I have my plans in place for the day so it is best to get it going!

 

[cclovesdis]

I feel you. I have to have oatmeal. I was so excited when the hotel I stayed offered oatmeal as part of its free breakfast yesterday morning.

 

[jenanderson]

Weight
Today's Weight: 171.0
Weight Change for the Week: -1 pounds
Total Weight Change: -27.0

Reflection on the week:

1. It is hard to reflect when you don't journal! I meant to this week and really gave it a good effort but life just got in the way.

2. My journal is like a pendulum. One week I swing way to one side and everything goes great, I do everything I should, I lose extra pounds and life is good. The next week I swing the other way and things are such a challenge, I only lose a bit and I fall back into some of my old habits. I think I am on my way to swinging back to the good side but I really had many days on the bad side this past week.

3. Sometimes, even when you try really hard, all you can do is know you did your best. I always look for losing more than a pound but sometimes that all I can do. I am learning to be happier because a pound is still a loss and it is so much better than a gain.

 

[jenanderson]

Weight
Today's Weight: 170.0
Weight Change for the Week: -1 pounds
Total Weight Change: -28.0

7 - Drink 8 glasses of water each day.
5 - Do 20 minutes of exercise every day
7 - Do something for yourself each day
7 - 2 servings of calcium each day
26 points

I promise to come back and write more late because I have some thoughts about how bad I did this week. It is time to go running though and I have to stick to my schedule.

 

[jenanderson]

Weight
Today's Weight: 168.0
Weight Change for the Week: -2 pounds
Total Weight Change: -30.0

Well, I never did get back to posting last week and I am going to have to try to come back later for this week as well. Just got home from a crazy trip to WDW and have so much to catch up on.

I am THRILLED that I took a long road trip and spent 4 days at WDW and LOST weight! I had to make many smart choices and do a bit of sacrificing but it was all worth it and I don't feel like I ever really went hungry.

 

[DavidandDenise]

Jen! I just finished reading through your journal; you're doing a great job! You really are an inspiration. We have similar goals and starting points. I loved reading your 9-week progress post--all of those changes are amazing! Keep up the great work!

 

[jenanderson]

Jen! I just finished reading through your journal; you're doing a great job! You really are an inspiration. We have similar goals and starting points. I loved reading your 9-week progress post--all of those changes are amazing! Keep up the great work!

Thanks for the compliments! I really feel like there are so many days I struggle and coming back and reading through some of this makes me really see there have been great changes. It always helps me keep going and makes me want to work hard again.

 

[jenanderson]

I have really been neglecting the journal again. I think I have come to the point that I realize that I can't post as much as I want to but it is important for me to post here and there so that I can learn more about my struggles and successes. Here is what I have for today:

Struggles Today
1. Eating - I don't know why but I was actually hungry today. I guess if I would have recorded my points, I would have known if I really should be hungry right now at 10:45 PM as I sit in bed. I guess I will record it below and see what I have had. So, now I recorded it all and see that there are problems. First, I did not use all my points. Next, because I was craving sweets, I ate 7 points of food that was just CANDY! That was about 1/3 of my points for the day. This was a really bad choice and I need to find something else to help with this tomorrow.

Food Today:
1/2 c. oatmeal (2.5)
1/3 c. 2% milk (1)
Arnolds round (1)
Ham (1)
Orange (1)
Yogurt (2)
100 Cal. snack (2)
Dove Chocolate (2)
2 oz Chicken (2)
1/2 c. potatoes, canned (.5)
green beans (0)
salad w/no dressing (0)
licorice (5)
Total Points = 20

2. Exercise. I just did not want to do it...so I didn't. That was bad and I should have at least done something quick and simple. Tomorrow is a running night but on Wednesday I will promise myself to do some cross training and not skip it!

Success for the Day
Size 12 jeans are too big! This is huge because I can't remember when I last wore a size 10. I am not running out to by any just yet but it was exciting to see that I can put on my size 12 jeans without even undoing the button.

Alright, even though I am hungry, I am not going to eat. It is just too late and I have to go to bed. I will be sure to eat my oatmeal right away tomorrow and make better choices as well as eat all my points.

 

[jenanderson]

Weight

Today's Weight: 167.0
Weight Change for the Week: -1 pounds
Total Weight Change: -31.0

I have decided that the weight is coming off a bit slower and that I know most of the reasons why...I just don't want to deal with all those reasons all the time.

Here is what I struggled with this week:

Cravings - I swear that I had some major PMS going on and I thought I would just eat the whole house and then top it off with M&Ms! Seriously, I actually even ate a candy bar this week. I think the cravings have left and I am getting better, but it was a bad week.

Stress - I have been stressed with many things this week and when I get stressed, I eat. I have been working hard to break this habit but really learned this week that this is not a battle that I have won yet. I wish that stress did not lead to eating for me but it does. I have to really work to recognize when this is happening so that I don't eat too much before I even know that it has happened.

Exercise - I think I was still just so tired from my WDW trip that I did not feel like exercising and so I didn't. There was even a night where I just totally skipped my run and that is not normally something I do. Now at the end of the week, I am feeling much better and the runs have gotten better as well. This week I am going to try to really get my cross training done like I say I am going to. So often I say that I am going to do it and then I don't. To help, I am going to try some new exercising this week because I have been bored with it all.

COW - I did not do the COW last week and that was horrible for me. I really need to have some healthy things that I have to do every day to keep me on track. This week I tried to do the COW and still did not do all that great. Here are my results:

5 days of exercising for 30 minutes per day
7 days of calcium
7 days doing something for someone else
6 days of three fruits and/or veggies each day

25 points total