NWPrincess' "Lifestyle" Journal

[NWPrincess]

First, the title:

I wanted to call this a "Lifestyle," instead of a diet. Yes, I want to lose some weight, but I also want to make sure that I am healthy and happy. I want to make good choices in my life so I can have no regrets!

I know I will make mistakes along the way, but I also know that if I learn from them, they are not mistakes.

Some Background Info on Me:

I was an overweight teenager and I was miserable. Unfortunately, my weight affected how I saw myself and the world and put a wall up between me and the people I cared about. At my worst, I weighed 200 pounds. Then, in college, I started to exercise, change my diet and take more control.

I also discovered the low carb lifestyle. My body reacted very well to it (SO much better than the low fat, calorie counting other things I tried) and that gave me hope. Soon, I was down to 135 pounds. I had never been that small and could not remember a time when I was a size 4, but I did it. I kept at that weight for about 4 years...then, law school.

My first year of law school was stressful for me (to say the least!) and it showed up in the way I ate. I stopped exercising and started eating carby-sugary foods. This is bad because (1) my body just sucks that stuff up into fat and (2) diabetes runs in both sides of my family so I have to be careful with the sugary stuff and the carbs.

This year, I decided to take a stand and try to get back down to 135 pounds and a size 4. I was really happy and healthy at that weight and it is something I just want to do for myself. I hit rock bottom (or top ) after Christmas (typical) when I weighed 174 pounds. I tried the South Beach Diet for a while, but just could not follow it. I was exercising, etc. but not losing weight. It was at that point that my DBF said, "why don't you go back to the Atkins diet? You did really well on it last time and you could just try it again?" Why not? Because I heard bad things about it, etc. Then, I decided that I felt good on it and it works really well for me.

I started the diet on May 3rd. I weighed 172 pounds at that time (even though I was exercising). I also decided to up my 30 minutes of exercise a day to 60 minutes of exercise to prepare for ski season next year (I did terrible endurance and strength wise trying to ski this year). It's been a month and I've had ups and downs (on my birthday weekend, it took exactly three days to undo almost three weeks of work--172 to 165 back to 172).

I've worked hard after that even though I couldn't work out for almost the last two weeks because I've been sick, but I've also be watching what I eat.

I got back on the scale this morning and I was back down to 165! I've just gotten to the point where I have to think, "Is this worth it?" Lately, I've been answering "No."

 

[NWPrincess]

I think that quantifying the abstract thoughts I've had on refocusing my life, changing my lifestyle, etc. is only possible with some goals to put them in context--so here are my goals:

NWPrincess' Goals:

1. To weigh 135 pounds (my old weight) by September 12 (when we leave for Disneyland). Right now that is 30 pounds. It will be tough, but I'm aiming high here!

2. To exercise 60 minutes, 7 days a week so next year when my DBF and I buy our ski pass, I can actually get out there and ski for more than two hours.

3. To continue my low carb lifestyle. It's not for everyone, but it works for me and my body. This is partially to keep my weight down, but partially to stop me from getting the diabetes that runs on both sides of my family. I am taking it slow and will slowly add back all these healthful and beneficial foods--but no white sugar and white flour--there's no reason to.

4. I will allow myself some cheats, but I will allow them carefully. I do not plan on eating low carb at Disneyland--however, I am sharing every food item I order with my mom by splitting it in half. I will also be eating low carb the weekend before and after I go. I know that this may hault my weightloss. I may even gain some of the weight back, but there are some food items at Disneyland I really, really want to try and if I reach my goal of 135--as long as I get right back on the wagon, I'll be fine.

5. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. This is a problem for me. I don't like the taste (or lack of) for water and its hard for me to get all that from it. I'm working on it.

6. To get at least 8 hours a day of sleep. This is also hard with my busy schedule, but it is a must and comes before all else or I feel like crap the next day!

7. To not stress. I know this is something many people struggle with. I also know the damage this can do to a life. I know this is not typical for the diet/exercise, etc. forum but since this is a lifestyle journal, I want to get this down. I'm a law student right now and next year I graduate. I don't want my world to be filled with stress and I know right now that if I don't learn ways to cope with the outside stress, then that environmental stress will become internal. I also know people who are great at not letting the outside stress become their stress. I am studying those people and will update you with my progress.

Well that's about it for the goals. Next time I'll probably talk about my progress. I do want this to be more of a blog or journal and less of a food and exercise counter though I'll probably mention food and exercise occasionally.

 

[NWPrincess]

I. Weight Loss Buddy:

I think I have a weight loss buddy now! Or at least an exercise buddy! My DBF has been thinking more and more about healthy lifestyles, etc. I was surprised when I asked him if he wanted to work out with me yesterday and he said, "yes!" We did the Biggest Loser Cardio Blast workout. Now, this is not an easy workout. AND he has made fun of me for doing it in the living room in the past. I don't think he realized the hard work it was until he couldn't quite get through the entire thing and saw me going and going. He thought I was crazy when I wanted to exercise on the elliptical machine after that.

I asked him after what he thought and he said that it is just too hard on his hip (he had surgery when he was a teen on his hip and it gives him problems), so I suggested he try the elliptical while I go on the treadmill.

Today I did the Biggest Loser Cardio Sculpt and he sat out. We ate a healthy dinner (Taco Salad, yum! ) and waited our obligatory 20 min and then hit the gym. I did my treadmill workout while he did the elliptical. I asked him after if he felt better and he said he did. Then I asked if he'd do this each day with me and he says he will. I hope this keeps up because it's fun to have a workout buddy and studies have shown that couples that exercise together have an easier time communicating and solving problems.

II. My Disneyland Dilemma:

As many of you may already know, I'm going to Disneyland in September. And this trip, I want to take advantage of trying all the foods I discovered on the DIS.

What many of you also know is that I'm trying to reach my goal weight FOR Disneyland. This presents a dilemma--I'm usually willing to give up eating "high carb/sugar" foods for my health, but I feel like part of my vacation is trying all the Disney dining. So I came up with a few ideas that I hope will help (input would be appreciated too! ):

1. For the sugary treats, take a bit and pass it on to another in my party.

2. For the carb-loaded entrees, split it with my mom (or DBF or dad)

3. Walk! This is impossible NOT to do at DL (and if I have the stamina exercise at the hotel).

What do you all think? On one hand, I would not mind gaining a few pounds to try the treats at DL, but on the other, I don't want all this hard work to be for nothing?!

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi NWPrincess,
Your DL plan sounds good to me.You may even get to the point where you would rather pass up the treats because of all your hard work.It is totally a mind set to be in.

That is great your DBF works out with you,that is a great motivator.

Keep up the great work and keep us posted,By the way what is your first name?
Linda

 

[NWPrincess]

Hi NWPrincess,
Your DL plan sounds good to me.You may even get to the point where you would rather pass up the treats because of all your hard work.It is totally a mind set to be in.

That is great your DBF works out with you,that is a great motivator.

Keep up the great work and keep us posted,By the way what is your first name?
Linda

Thanks for the comments. My first name is Denise.

 

[NWPrincess]

Today I feel a little discouraged. For the last few days I have been at 165 pounds. I got down to the weight and wasn't even exercising. Now, I've started exercising 60 minutes everyday and I am still eating the right food and I was 167 pounds this morning! That's crazy, two pounds in one day, right?

 

[momof2minnies]

I did that ping-ponging and plateau thing for a while.Keep it up and switch it up so your body doesn't get used to what you are doing.The weight will start to fall off.Just don't get discouraged.I bet you feel better too.

I know you said you don't like water but in able to flush out everything that makes you retain fluids you have to drink lots,it makes a huge difference.

Have a good one,
Linda