Running From Time (comments/advice appreciated!)

[lovinaz]

Good luck sticking to your plan this week! I just wanted to emphasize the importance of healthy eating. It's a huge part of the equation. You can eat 1500 calories a day of fattening, fried or sugary foods and not lose anything. Or you can eat 1500 calories of lean protein, veggies and complex carbs and will most likely start to see some results. Exercise plays an important part too, but food is the key.

Have a great time on your splurge night out!

 

[Penguin23]

Thanks ladies for your comments. It helps me to read advice and supportive comments! I definitely agree about the difference in eating bad and good foods, regardless of caloric count.
I did great yesterday on my first day of my five-day plan! I had a special K cereal bar for lunch (90 calories), for lunch I had a healthy choice meal of fish, rice, and broccoli (300 calories) along with a slice and a half of pineapple (45 calories), applesauce (80 calories), and a light lemonade (5 calories). I had water for most of the rest of the day, and then had crackers with cheese and peanut butter for dinner (total of around 450 calories), with popcorn as a snack later on.
It was a work day, so I got some exercise, but I didn't run when I got home. I was really tired and fell asleep soon after getting home. Today I have a day off (it was switched from Thursday), and I already got up and did one of the Biggest Loser DVD workouts. I also plan on running 5k later, plus a ten minute ab workout video. I have so many plans for today, and I want to fit everything in and take advantage of the extra time for exercise! This morning I weighed 138.2 at first, which is the lightest I've been, and then I did the workout and weighed myself again, and I hit 137.8! That's the first time I've hit 137!!! Yay, another pound, after just one day! I realize that it's been two weeks since I hit 138, but hopefully now I'll lose a little faster with a good plan. I'm hoping to get down to 136 by the end of these five days. Here goes day two!

 

[Penguin23]

So day two went well except that I didn't run a 5k. I haven't been running at all, which is unfortunate, but hopefully I'll be able to get back on track. Apparently we're going to start running in the morning at work and strength training, whenever we're scheduled for 8:30am, so that should help a bit. So after day one I was down to 137.8, then after day two I was at the same weight, which is great news because usually when I hit a new low, I go back up for the next several days before I see it again, but I stayed there. This morning, after day three, I weighed 138.0, so just about the same. Yesterday I didn't do a great job with what I ate, but I didn't eat a whole lot, so it worked out okay. This is day four, so I just have two more days to do a good job, and hopefully lose a little bit more. Then I'll have a splurge day, a fasting weekend, and then I'll see what I want to plan for next week. Now it's off to work. Today is my first payday!!!

 

[Penguin23]

So the last two days of my plan weren't great, but not terrible either. On Thursday night I went out to eat with some friends, so that was not part of the plan. Friday was okay, and then Saturday was great when I ate out again before fasting. I actually was so busy at work on Saturday that I didn't even get to take a lunch break, so my splurge at dinner probably didn't even put me over my regular daily calories. Saturday morning at work we had a stunt rehearsal, which basically meant I got beat up and did some strength training stuff, along with some actual stunts. It was hardcore, and I'm still sore from all that activity. This is probably TMI, but I actually got my period (inbetween periods, and I'm never irregular) from being punched in the gut repeatedly. So then I fasted until Sunday evening, and then ate a bunch of food Sunday night. Yesterday was normal, and now today (Tuesday) I'm going to work on another plan for this week. I'm working Wednesday, and then Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and probably Monday as well. Next week I should have Tuesday or Thursday and Sunday off, but I don't know yet.
The good news is that I have stayed very consistent while not specifically dieting or exercising (other than work). Each morning for the past 4-5 days, I have weighed 138, so I'm just happy to not be gaining anything back. I really feel like I've solidified some healthy lifestyle habits, so I'm optimistic for the future. At the same time, I want to lose some major weight now!

I've come up with a new life plan that my husband likes, and I'm excited about. I think things should work out really well this way. So right now I'm working full time at a performance job that is moderately strenuous. It pays very well, though, so I'm sticking with it at least until we're out of debt. I have to stay there at least until the end of March. At the end of March, if we feel ready to start trying for kids, then I will quit working there (because the stunt work is dangerous if I was pregnant). If we don't feel ready yet, then I will probably work another four weeks to get some extra money, and then quit working there and start trying for kids at the end of April. My family is also visiting in April, so it might be cool for them to come and see me, if I still work there. Either way, when I stop working there, I will be looking for a new, less strenuous job to work and make money at while we're trying for a baby. I'm also hoping to find something nearby, as right now I drive an hour both ways to my job. There is a new gym opening up soon nearby, and I'm hoping to get a job there, if it pays decently, so I can get a free membership! Also part of the plan is that, since we're waiting a little bit longer to start trying for kids, I'm going to go ahead and take that gymnastics class I wanted to take, and then once I stop working at the park, I might take a dance class or two that I wanted to take (in between the time I start trying to get pregnant and find out that I am pregnant). There is also a show that I want to be in that has auditions in March, so I may go for that. Since we're waiting a little longer, I think this will give me enough time to do all the things I want to do before getting pregnant. I feel like this is a really good plan, and I'm really excited for it! I hope everything works out, timewise.

As for my weight loss plan, now I have more time for that as well (since I won't be trying to lose weight once I'm pregnant), but I need to get on top of that! I think that the slimmer I get before getting pregnant, the easier it will be to lose weight after having a baby. I have about another 12 pounds to lose, and I should be able to do that in six weeks, healthily, if I really try hard! I think the two keys will be eating the right foods, lots of vegetables, and running! I guess from now on at work, whenever we are scheduled at 8:30, we are going to be running and doing some strength training, so that will help me fit it in on more days. Whenever I don't do that, I'm going to try my hardest to run at least a mile everyday. On my days off I'm going to try to run a 5k. I've said this before, but I've done a terrible job of it. Today is a day off, so tonight I WILL RUN A 5K. If you see from a later post that I didn't do it, please leave me angry messages, because there should be NO excuses! We will not start trying for children for another 6-10 weeks, so I have the time if I work hard enough. I CAN get down to 125! And I WILL!

 

[Penguin23]

I ran a 5k two nights ago, and it was a BREEZE! I don't know what it is about running at night, but it is so much easier for me. This morning I ran 1 mile and it was hard. I weighed 137 two mornings in a row, and then this morning I got down to 136.6! I'm very excited about that, because that is how much I weighed last summer before I went home for a month and gained 8 pounds. Now I'm back down that 8 pounds and ready to lose more. I want to lose 11 more pounds, and I have to hurry, because we will most likely start trying for children by the end of March. I have six weeks to do what I can to lose the weight! Once we start trying for kids, I will try to continue to eat well, and until I do get pregnant, I should continue to lose weight naturally, but I don't want to try to lose weight if there is a possibility I could be pregnant. Anyway, I think I can do it, or at least make a dent. I'm going to run again tonight, and I am usually a pound lighter the morning after running, so maybe I'll see 135 tomorrow. Here's wishing...!

 

[CaroleD]

I just dropped in to read your journal and I was getting very intrigued as to whether you would get down to 136. And there it was!!!!!!!
Good for you. You've really been working hard.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

You are doing great! congrats on 136!

 

[Penguin23]

Thanks for the nice comments, ladies!

I have to work 6 days in a row this week (starting today- one down, five to go), and so I'm kind of hoping that that will help me lose some weight this week. I tend to eat less on a workday, just because I'm busier, and I get plenty of exercise from dancing and walking around the park. On the other hand, on those days I don't have time for a serious workout, so it can be bad too. Anyway, I'm hoping to see 135 within the week, so we'll see about that. I was 135 when I got married, so it would be nice to be there again. I have to say though, I'm more toned now than I was then, because of the working out I've been doing. Then I was just naturally at that weight without much dieting or exercise at all, so now I'm back to that weight but toned as well, and that feels good. I'm still a little stuck in the trap of comparing myself to other girls, but I'm definitely happy with the way I'm looking these days, and I know that I'll be able to keep losing weight, even if I don't make it down to 125 (but I will!).

I'm going to keep bringing my lunch this week at work, because I always bring good food and then just eat what I bring. Sometimes I get a snack from the vending machine, but only once a day at most, and not everyday. And with all that exercise, I need a little chocolate every once in awhile. I think when I finally reach my day off, I will probably take a day-long bubble bath. On Tuesday I have to work from 10-9... I hate this job... Anyway, I'm counting down the days, because I'm only planning on working at this job until we can get out of debt. After I quit, I will look for something different, closer to my house, so that I can keep making some money, but so that we can also start trying for kids. The job I have now is incredibly physical, and would not be good once we start trying for kids. So, I only have to work there through March 24th. If that date rolls around and I think I can withstand another four weeks, then I will stay that long, but for right now, March 24th is sounding pretty good! If that is when I leave, then I have 15 more work days before I go on vacation for 6 days, and then 15 after I come back. Totally doable, right?! I just hope I can find something decent afterward. I have a degree and a teaching certificate, but since there are no available theatre teaching jobs, I'm being forced to take these jobs that I'm overqualified for, and I have to deal with being told what to do by people who have been there longer who don't have the education that I have. I don't mean to be prideful, but it's belittling, and I feel like I'm better than that! It's also a weird situation, because I could work my way up from a lower to a higher position in any of these companies if I was willing to stay long enough, but I'm not, because I'm going to be having kids! I do foresee one possibility, though. I want to work at the gym that's opening soon nearby, so that I can get a free membership, but also because I'm thinking of getting a physical fitness certification some day, and a part-time job at the gym would be a totally doable job with small children, especially with the child care availability. So I'd love to get a full-time job there now, as long as there is something available that is a step up a from minimum wage, wiping down the machines kind of job. Just one step! And that's the kind of job I could potentially stay at for a long time, through trying for kids, being pregnant, and having little ones. Anyway, I will definitely update here on my job situation when it changes! Enough rambling for tonight!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Way to go at hitting 136!!

You have been working very hard on your healthy eating and exercising! I think you are doing great!

I see that you have been putting a lot of thought into the pregnancy planning and work planning too! I know it is hard feeling like your life is in limbo, but you are getting a plan in place and that helps a lot! I think we are putting off trying until at least late April also. I am changing worksites and want to get a little more settled in first. Anyway, I think that your plan sounds really good! I am really glad to see that you guys are going to get out of debt before trying. You will have one less thing to worry about when starting your family which will be SO nice.

Just hang in there for a little longer on the job and I'm sure a job that is better suited for you will come along! Here's some PD that the new gym will have the perfect job! I think that sounds like a good fit for you!

Take care and have a great week!!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Where are you this week? Hope things are going well!

 

[Penguin23]

Hi, I'm still alive! Just way overworked! It's been a very busy week, but I made it through and now finally have a day off. I work tomorrow and Saturday, and then I'll have Sunday off as well. The bad news is that I've been getting a lot of fast food this week, because I've been so busy and driving everywhere, and I haven't lost any weight. The good news is that I've been very consistent, weighing in at 137.2-137.6 each morning. Every time I lose a pound, I usually don't see that weight again for a week, and I'm staying very consistent with that as well. I weighed 136 last week, and now I've been 137 every morning. So if I follow the pattern I've been following, I should see 135 soon and then start weighing in at 136 for another week. Kind of random the way my body works, but that's the pattern I've been following for a long time.
However, the day when we start trying for children is coming FAST! So I need to step it up a lot! I'm at the end of a pill pack and getting a new one today, and I think that it will be my last. So I have four short weeks to step it up big time. After that, I will still try to eat well and exercise a lot, but I won't be overdoing it. Still, I don't eat so well right now, so making good eating choices would probably help me lose weight fast...now if I could only commit to that now!
So I think I need a new plan for the next week or so. Actually we'll do two weeks, because two weeks from today, I will be on a plane to Maine. I would love to lose two pounds each week, for a total of four pounds, and weighing 132 when I go home. According to the BMI scale, 132 is the highest weight I can be at my height without being overweight, so if you believe that, I am only four pounds overweight right now. Not bad! And I'm just 11 pounds from my goal! That's not a lot!

Okay so my plan... This week I would like to run every day, at least a mile. It takes less than ten minutes to run a mile, so I have no excuse. And I will probably be running in the mornings at work a few times this week, so those days I won't even have to try to fit it in. In addition to that, I want to do some strength training, especially arms and abs, along with stretching every day. I have fewer rehearsals this week and next week, so I should have more time in the morning to get this done. BUT, I think eating will be the biggest factor in my weight loss these two weeks. I am going to try to count calories again (it's been awhile since I've kept up my food journal) and limit myself to 1200-1500 a day. And I will try to eat vegetables and fruit every day, and I will limit intake of bread and sugar. My plan starts today and finishes on Wednesday the 28th, because I'm leaving for Maine on the 1st. Four pounds, here we go! I think I can do it, but not without hard work and commitment. If I do lose the four pounds and get down to 132, I will only be 7 pounds away from my goal. I'll try to update as often as possible!

 

[Penguin23]

I got 135.8 this morning! It's so weird how I work, but it's so consistent. I weighed 136.8 and 136.6 about a week ago, then I weighed 137 for a full week, and this morning I got on the scale and it said 136.0, and I managed to get it down a notch after dancing for a while. So only 10 more pounds to go! I'm halfway there! Hooray!

 

[Penguin23]

Well so much for being consistent! Two days ago I weighed 135.8, then yesterday I was back up to 136.4, as expected, but this morning I was 135.6! A new low for me! It's probably because I have a cold and so I didn't eat very much yesterday, but that's okay. It makes me think that maybe I won't have to wait a full week before I see 134! I definitely need to work harder on finding time to exercise. I'm usually so tired when I get home that I've been going to bed by 9pm. Luckily I do get a lot of exercise at work, and that's probably what's helping me to keep the weight off, but it would probably speed up the process if I exercised on my own as well.
So I'm going to take it easy for the next few days because I am feeling sick, but I'm not taking a day off work. Next week is when I take my 6 day vacation to Maine, and two of those days are "leave without pay" from work, so I'm going to be taking a paycut on my check, so I don't want to lose any money on this pay period.
My goal is to be 132 by the time I go home, and I still have five days to get down to 134, to be on track. Then I'll need to have a really good week in order to lose two more pounds and be 132. When I'm at home, I will probably still try to not overdo it with food or underdo it with exercise, but I'm definitely going to be relaxing and enjoying myself! So the lighter I am when I leave, the better it will be for me, in case I gain a pound or two on vacation.
Anyway, I'm feeling very good about the way I look, and I'm excited to see the numbers keep dropping. I'm starting my last pack of pills today, so in four weeks I will officially be trying to get pregnant. I think we'll be pretty casual about it at first, not necessary "trying" as much as "not not trying." Follow? Anyway, we'll see what happens. I don't know why, but for some reason I think I will get pregnant right away. Regardless, during these four last weeks, I'm going to try to get my eating habits in order, so that I can be a healthy eater for any babies that happen to come along and need nourishment.
I just realized that once I see 134 on the scale, I'm more than halfway to my goal. I needed to lose 19 pounds, and so far I've lost 9. I just hope the second half of my weight loss journey is a little faster than the first! We'll see!

 

[Penguin23]

Today is such a great day! It's Monday, and I have the day off. I just found that out last night, because our scheduling is usually a last minute kind of deal... Anyway, this is the first time since I started there that I've had two days off in a row, and the first time that my husband and I have been off together other than Sundays. I've been able to get a lot done today, and it was nice to have an extra day off to rest, since I've been sick. My voice is coming back, and it's much better than it has been the past few days.
I've been consistent at 135 for the past few days, so that's really great. I'm hoping for 134 by Thursday, so I have to be good the next two days. Hopefully I'll go running tonight, and then two days at work will get me plenty of exercise. I also went shopping today so I have lots of good foods to eat.
I thought I'd measure myself today. It's been six weeks since my last measurements, so let's see if I've lost any inches.

upper arm- 11.5
bicep- 11
bust- 37
waist- 30
abdomen- 35
hips- 37.5
thigh- 22
calf- 14

Pretty good! I lost in almost every area with a total loss of 3.5 inches. That's not so bad, but I'd like to see a bigger loss in the next six weeks!

When I went grocery shopping this morning, I felt so good about myself. My size 9/10 pants are pretty loose, and my youth XL t-shirt is baggy. I felt small for the first time in awhile! I'm still hoping to lose another three pounds before going home in 11 days, so we'll see how that goes.

 

[lovinaz]

You are doing great, keep it up!

 

[Penguin23]

Well, it's been awhile since I've updated. I've been working so much, and I'm so tired when I get home that I don't spend much time doing anything else but work. Anyway, no new weight loss, though I've maintained. I wonder if 135 will be my new road block. Anyway, I'm going home in three days, and I'm committed to making these three days really good ones. I should be working out at work in the mornings, but if not, hopefully I will when I get home. And I will try to eat really well these three days. Then maybe I'll see 134 before I go home, but if not, that's okay. I'm feeling really good about myself lately, even though I'd still love to lose some more weight. I have less than three weeks left of birth control, and then it's get pregnant time! So I need to make these three weeks count, hardcore! I am going on vacation for 6 days, so I will allow myself to indulge a little bit then, but I will also being exercising, and I don't plan to GAIN any weight! Once I'm off birth control, I won't be dieting, but you better believe I can still exercise all I want and making healthier eating choices. That will only help me get pregnant and help the baby once it happens! Plus, I might be going from full time to part time at work, so that will give me more time to exercise more frequently.
Well I'm off, I will report back on the next three days and let you know how I did, and what my weight will be when I go home! Regardless, I will be at least 5 pounds lighter than the last time I went home (about two months ago), and I'm a little bit tan now, so I'll be looking good!

 

[Penguin23]

I'm back, as the title says! Well, I managed to keep up this journal about 6 weeks into my full time job, but then I just got so busy with work that I couldn't think about anything else. Well, I worked there for four months and now I'm finished and ready to get back on track! My job did have me moving every day, but I also spent two hours in the car each day, and I was not eating very well. Now that I have more free time I'm ready to start eating well and exercising again. I just got back from my first run in I don't know how long!
Anyway, I've managed to maintain my weight for the past four months, weighing in around 137 fairly consistently (never under 136, never over 138), but two days after stopping work I'm back down to 135! I'm not sure how that happened, but I like it! I was thinking that I'd have to get back down to 135 and then work on losing more, but now that I'm back to my lowest, I can focus on losing more weight and reaching my goal.
My ultimate goal is 125, but I'm focusing on 130 for right now. My husband and I are trying to get pregnant, so I don't know how long I have before I'll start gaining weight (could be a few months, could be a much longer period of time).
Anyway, my plan is record my food and calories each day and shoot for about 1500 calories, and also to do at least 30 minutes of cardio each day, plus strength training three times a week. I'm also trying to cook more and stay away from fast food! I will try to keep this as updated as possible!

 

[Penguin23]

Well I've started the Self magazine program, which I'm not following exactly, but I'm using their strength program plus some of my own exercises, and I'm using their chart to keep track of my cardio, good eating, and strength workouts. The chart is for four weeks, though I'll only be around for three and a half. Then I'll be in Korea for a week, though I hope I'll be able to still exercise there, and I'll continue when I get back of course!
I have yet to see 134, but I hope that I will soon. According to the BMI scale, 132 is the highest healthy weight for me, so I'm very close to not even being overweight. Truthfully, I don't feel fat and I don't think I look fat. I would just like to be fit and look better in my clothes. I think ten pounds would make a huge difference, because I remember what I looked like ten pounds heavier than I am now, and there is a big difference. 145 was too heavy for me, 135 is okay, but I think 125 will look amazing!
So, I did a strength workout and no cardio yesterday (though I did spend some time cleaning), so today I need to do some serious cardio and then continue doing cardio almost every day.
Hopefully this will work for me! Last time I started trying to lose weight, I did a Self chart and program, so hopefully this will jumpstart me again! I can't wait to see the 120s, and I know I can!!! No excuses now, because even if I get pregnant this month, I should have a few months worth of time to get fit, and I should be able to lose weight healthily.

 

[C_leen]

Hi Megan!

Keep up the activity level! You are going to hit your goal & maintain it!

 

[Penguin23]

As far as exercise is concerned, I had a pretty good week this week. As far as food...well...exercise went well! I didn't do horribly with food, but I snacked a lot and ate out too much! I'm considering doing the 5 days on, 2 days off diet, but I'm not sure if that would work for me. We don't eat out at all on Sundays, so that's almost always a good day for me, but the rest of the week is temptation city!
The good thing is that we don't have tons of money, and eating out is one place we need to cut back on, so that gives me an extra excuse to curb my cravings. This next week we'll be eating out Wednesday night for my birthday, so hopefully with that to look forward to I will be able to do well the other days. My appetite is waning, though, due to the heat, and I find myself craving cold or watery foods, like fruits, which is great. I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow and I plan on making a very healthy shopping list before I go, with lots of berries and fruit bars. I have been drinking a lot more water than I usually do, so that is one huge change that is for the better. I normally crave soda and hate drinking water, but the heat is making me drink water, and we haven't had soda in our house, so I haven't been drinking it. One thing we do drink a lot of is juice, however, but I allow that, as long as I drink water during the day as well and not just all juice. I should also be buying 100% juice and not just sugared up lemonade.
As for exercise, I did cardio four days this week and strength training two days. If I can up that to 5-6 cardio days and 3 strength days, I think I'll be on the right track. One day I did DDR as my cardio, and that worked up a sweat better than most other things I've done! I think this week I'll mix up DDR, running, and dancing for my cardio, and make up my own strength routine (the SELF one didn't do much for me). I have two weeks and two days before I go to Korea, and I'm expecting to get plenty of cardio there (by walking around and maybe running in the mornings with my brother-in-law), and I expect to eat much less because I'm so picky, so maybe I'll actually lose a few pounds by the time I get back, three weeks from now.
From the 9 pounds I lost this year, I went from looking noticeably overweight and a size 10 to feeling like I look pretty good and a size 4/6. If I can lose another 10 or even 5 pounds, I think I will be doing really good. Three more pounds and I'm not even overweight, according to the BMI scale, and a few more after that and I'll be thin and fit!
I'm feeling great about the way I look, and I think I'd be happy even if I didn't lose another pound, but I do want to work hard and maintain my weight and maybe lose some more while I'm at it!
Here goes another week- let's hope it's better than the first! By the end of it I'll be another year older!