Sunday, April 15, 2012

READY FOR SUMMER Challenge Week 3 Check-In

Here it is the 15th of April and I feel like I have wasted 1/2 a month. Sure I've continued to exercise 4-6x a week, but not at the pace I had been. I've attempted to count calories, but I've caved way too many times. I do not want to gain my weight back. I do not want to cave. I want to exercise every.single.day.  I want to be accountable with my calories. Why is this not as easy for me as it was at the first of January? Why am I not as motivated? Why do I keep caving into crap foods?!!

Don't get me wrong... I am thrilled with what success I have had in the past few months, but this is not where I want to be and I most certainly don't want to gain it back. I want to see 275, 250 and then 225. Eventually maybe even Onderland.. I do NOT want to be stuck in the 280s-290s. I do not want to see 300+. Someday I want to easily slide into a pair of jeans that the size isn't double digits starting with a 2! I want to be in a shirt that doesn't have an X before the size. I'm not asking for too much. I know I'm not. I don't want to be stick thin. I'm not asking for that at all. Just healthy. Its not that I would just like to be healthy. I NEED to be healthy for me and for my Mom. If I am a match to donate her a kidney and I am not healthy enough to do so, I will never be able to forgive myself. Ever. If I end up with diabetes because I am fat, I couldn't forgive myself for that either.

I have to find it within myself to get back on track 100%!! I have to! I can do this! I can. Please, God! Let me get back on track!

OK, enough drama.. back to the challenge..

My goals for this past week were:

Weight loss :: Lose at least 2 lbs. More would be great, but I really want to lose at least 2 lbs this week.

My low weight this week was 288.0 which was on Thursday. This morning I was 292.0 and I am sure that is because I've ate crap for three days at the campground with my family. This takes me right back to where I was last Sunday and leaves me with a whopping goose egg this week. A big fat 0 lbs lost!!!

 SW: 293.8
W1: 292.8 (-1)
W2: 292.0 (-0.8)
CW: 292.0 (-0)


In total I have lost 1.8 lbs while this challenge has been going on. This is very disappointing. Since January I've been dropping around 10 lbs or more a month. Ugh. Looks like I'll be lucky to drop 5 this time. But at least that will be 5 lbs lost, right?

NSV (Non-Scale Victory) :: See a change in my measurements. Even a tiny change. You can see my progress so far, HERE.

My current measurements:
Neck: 16 (-0.25)
Right Wrist: 6.75
Bust: 54
Band: 47 (-2)
Waist: 54(-0.5)
Hips: 58
Right Arm: 17
Right Thigh: 28 (-1)
Right Calf: 18.5 (+0.5)
Right Ankle: 10
Total inches lost this week : 2.75 inches 
At least this was a victory!!!! 

Exercise :: Work out at least 5x.

This was a complete success! I made a deliberate attempt to work out 6 days this week. Even on the days that sucked royally food wise!  Wednesday, I made it past the record I set last week. I walked 4.25 miles. The furthest yet. I was able to do some walking outside at the camp ground where my sister is staying. I like being outside so much better than being on the treadmill. We climb a very steep hill 2x. My legs were fairly sore the next morning and I had a cramp in my butt cheek that night, but I didn't stop once on either trip up the hill. My heart didn't feel like it was going to blow out of my chest, my lungs weren't on fire, and I didn't feel like my legs were going to collapse out from under me. This was MUCH better than last year when I only made it up 1x, had to stop several times on the way up, and had all the fore-mentioned going on.

Nutrition :: No eating out, count my calories everyday, and stay within my pre-set goals on My Fitness Pal.

OK, so this one didn't go so well. I did sign in to My Fitness Pal every day, but I caved on crap food and didn't track everything of the afternoons. However, I didn't eat out anywhere... not that my choices at home and at the camp ground were any better than I would have had at a restaurant. I'm so aggravated with myself.

I'm ready for WEEK 4. My goals for this week will be...

Weight Loss :: Lose at least 1 lb. 2 lbs just hasn't been happening.. so I'll lower my expectations. 
NSV :: No Nutella! No chips! No sweets! No candy! AND Try for 3 days without Diet Coke.
Exercise :: Work out at least 5x. Try to make one of those involve strength training. 
Nutrition :: Track every single calorie. Even if I eat out, even if I eat crap, even if I go over.. track it! Be accountable for my actions!


 It is going to be... better.. at least I hope. Good luck everyone!!

36 comments:

  1. OMG Alana is that the same tank in your before picture as the tank in your 40 lbs lost picture? If so.....holy toledo!!! You look fantastic!

    I totally know what you mean about the lack of motivation and how that can begin to sabotage the efforts and cause a landslide.

    As far as the crap food -- I have a little mini challenge for you this week. Eat ingredients - not foods with a lot of ingredients. Does that make any sense? If you have to tear open a package out of the pantry then it's most likely something that will not digest well in your system. Will only cause more cravings and most likely a set back. I've been working towards clean eating during this challenge. I used to love to "grab and go" with protein bars or pre made protein shakes. I honestly believe that the junk in those was clogging up my system and making digestion a nightmare. I learned the eat ingredients - not things made with ingredients from Annie the Amazing Shrinking Girl. Try it this week - I bet you'll get over the crap food desires... :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep. It is the very same outfit. Shorts and all. The colors are just off because one was taken in winter and one in spring. Oh and thank you! You are too kind.

      I really need to get out to the grocery store and pick up cleaner foods. I totally get what you are saying about eating ingredients and I am going to try. :)

      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Best of luck to you!!

      Delete
  2. Being stuck sucks!!! Just before Thanksgiving I found myself giving into sweets and treats. I challenged myself to no cookies, cakes, and candies for 6 weeks. AND I survivied!!! Everytime I wanted to give in, I would tell myself that the taste only lasts for 1 minute, but the damage lasts for several weeks. At Christmas time I had a peice of fudge and it was SO SWEET!! I was amazed at how only 6 weeks, was enough time for me to taste the difference!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Way to get back on track!

      I'm going to do my best to do the very same. I know I can do it. I went for nearly 3 months without cheating. So it can be done. I just have to have the willpower.

      Best of luck to you this week!

      Delete
  3. Diabetes runs in my family and it is one of the things that scares me most. It's one of my biggest motivations to lose weight - I do not want to suffer from that illness.

    Everything that you wrote at the beginning of this post is a reminder and motivation for you to stay away from eating junk food. It's just temporary satisfaction. The goals you have for yourself are important ones. You've been doing well with getting some exercise, and you're even seeing changes in your measurements - big victories there!

    You can get through this obstacle! Good luck with week 4!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Diabetes runs in my Dad's family really bad. It is a very scary disease. It also doesn't help knowing that kidney disease runs in my Mom's family. Diabetes is horrible on a person's kidneys.. so I am getting it from both sides without me adding to it by being overweight.

      Delete
  4. I think the other comments pretty much sum up what I wanted to say. Just keep going, never give up, look forward.. You know what to do, what works, "just do it". :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I understand how you are feeling, the best way to get past that is to make new goals and strive hard to meet them, it totally changes your motivation.
    I admit, I can't have Nutella in my house, even though my children love it, I just can't bring it inside my front door, I have no self control. It's best just to steer clear completely of the things that throw us off the wagon. I really hope this week is better for you. Good luck.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been avoiding Buffalo Doritos for that very same reason. I know I can NOT have them in my house or I will eat the whole darn bag... I guess I'll be adding Nutella to the list.

      Thank you for your support! Best of luck to you this week too!

      Delete
  6. Last week is over so put it behind you and move forward!

    Maybe you should spend some time taking inventory of what is in your kitchen and get rid of any junk that will tempt you. I know for me, if it's not in the house, I'm not going to eat it.

    You've already gotten some great comments & feedback. You know what to do this week, so just do it! You have some great reasons to get and stay healthy - so dig deep and get the work done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Jenn. We can't financially afford to toss out anything just because I want to eat it.. but I can have DH put it up somewhere and I will have him do so. Also, I will talk to him about bringing home my trigger foods. When I shop, I will NOT buy them.

      Delete
    2. Oh, I've had my husband hide food from me!! Up high and somewhere dangerous! LOL.

      Delete
  7. When we get off track, sometimes it's hard to get restarted. Here's to consistency and healthy living in week 4. We know you can do it because we see the pictures that prove it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. You can do this!!! All it takes is 2 words... DON'T QUIT!!!
    When you have a bad day.... Don't quit
    When you are feeling overwhelmed.... Don't quit
    Make it your mantra..... Don't quit!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You didn't gain, so you're not backtracking. And you achieved your exercise goal. So keep going - you're moving in the right direction, and there's no need whatsoever to get discouraged by that! Life goes on, and you're going to need to know how to brush off bad days without it changing the direction you're moving in. You're in control!

    Have a great 4th week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the support! I hope you have a great week 4 as well!

      Delete
  10. Think of it day by day. You can do anything for one day. Those one days add up so quickly. Want some chips - just think, not today maybe another day.

    Motivation is so difficult, vary up what you are eating, discover some new tasty recipes. Feel a high when you do a good day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Great advice. I'm definitely going to try this from now on. I CAN do anything for just one day!

      Delete
  11. just because you didn't lose doesn't mean you're not making progress. remember that the scale only tells you half the story. it won't tell you that you've lost double digit inches. it won't tell you that you gained some muscle and still lost fat. it won't tell you that you've improved your quality of life.

    even with slip ups, remember why you're doing this and check out your progress pictures to keep you motivated... cause girl, your before and afters look amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so kind and you are right.. even if the scale hates me, I am making changes in my life. Thanks for the reminder!

      Delete
  12. Oh, I know exactly how you feel. It's so frustrating. What I just did this last week was set myself some bounderies. I went drastic and said, no sugar, no flour, no starch. So I'm going low carb right now, but it has really helped to keep focused. You have a lot of great comments coming in. I've learned a lot from them! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have set some boundaries too. For one thing Nutella is now banned from my sight along with Buffalo Doritos!

      Delete
  13. It seems complacency is taking root in lots of us. Fight it! :) Your photos to the side are looking great. I can see such a difference in your face... and the rest of you, but the difference in your face is so striking. You're beautiful, lady!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Weight loss is mentally exhausting, isn't it? I have struggled and struggled for the past few months. From the end of May through the middle of October, I did great. I've been just sitting here stagnant for the past five months or so, and I'm only just now starting to lose again. It's a process, and SO MUCH of it is about will power. You want to lose the weight, you have to be able to conquer your mental cravings. When you figure that out, fill me in on how to do it too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is so mentally exhausting. If I figure it out, I'll be sure to fill you in. If you figure it out before me, don't leave me hangin' either.

      Have a great week 4!!

      Delete
  15. I feel like we are kindred spirits when it comes to the first part of your blog here! I too have done really well up until recently and while I link it to stress... I do so because I just don't know why else. I can't even really say stress cause the stress has been much worse in the past. Eh, blaming it on something really won't help I guess so we just have to forge ahead and make it work if we want to get to our goals right?? We can do this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, you are right. Just keep on keeping on! Good luck this week!!!

      Delete
  16. It's very difficult to maintain motivation for the long haul, which is why we all need strategies. I had crazy motivation for nearly a year, then it slowly started decreasing. 18 months in, I was seriously feeling complacency. And so close to goal...happens.

    YOu don't need to be 100%...you just need to be 90%. If you control the calories, you will see a big drop at your size, even if you exercise 3 to 4 days a week. So, just focus on eating really good food in your limit...just for THIS week, just for THIS day...and you will see a happy number. The only good thing about being in that weight range (and yes, I was there for a long time), is that any caloric restriction yields losses. So, you can remotivate with the loss.

    You can do this. It's a lifelong thing. Remember that--this is not just for this week, this challenge. It's for life. So, find the meals and strategies that you can live with...and these changes will become habits and you will see that size of jeans without the "2". It will happen.

    God bless...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for the pep-talk. I really needed it today! :)

      Delete
  17. You can do this! It is hard when you get off track. We have all been there. Just think about this question: if you don't do it now: when will you?. You are worth the efforts. Really.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I've been back on track all week. Thankfully. I hope to see a great number tomorrow.

      Delete