Tuesday, May 01, 2007

 

40 WEEKS


Today is 40 Weeks and I weighed in at 181.5 lbs. I had made my goal, truth be told I had reached my goal weeks ago and have managed to maintain my weight. There was no big parade, no marching band, and no big celebration. Of course it was not really needed either. I did this mainly for myself – to prove that I had the will power to do it. The bet it seems I have won, the others I hear through the grape vine have not been so successful.

There was no top secret method; I did what people have been doing for decades I counted my calories. Pretty simple stuff the diet part, but the will power now that is something else. I still desire two beers and the large desert at the restaurant, but I have learned a bit more control. Of course it helps now that my stomach has shrunk a little; the previous choices will give me indigestion for the next day or two. Judy, the enabling secretary, still asks if there is any candy I want from Sam’s Club the next time she goes.

But all is relatively good, I no longer buy orange juice, a former staple, replaced by more water and Diet Coke (I do not want to hear anything on how that will give me brain cancer). A few brand changes have been made to shave a few hundred calories here and there (No more Jacks pizza ~ 750 calories in favor of Bernatello’s ~ 560).

I do not feel like my life style is cramped that much. Especially considering:
I have lost nearly as much weight as the combination of my daughter and dog.
Nearly every one I know has mentioned how much better I look (though it did take quite a few a long time to notice – and did I look that bad before J)
I like the new clothes I am buying better then the ones they are replacing.

I do not think I will complete all my goals for the year except exceed 40 lbs weight loss. I definitely have not been posting more to the blog, and have found no time to train for the triathlon. I think I might start working towards running a 5K by the end of the summer. I will attempt to drop a note hear and there on this blog to let everyone no if I am still keeping the weight off. I appreciate everyone’s support.


Sunday, March 18, 2007

 

Update

I decided to update Rob's blog as a guest blogger. I wanted to make sure everyone knew Rob's still on track and hasn't fallen off the wagon.

Here's Rob in Aruba during a break on our Jeep excursion. I guess you can call this the "after" picture, after losing 40 pounds. Even on our trip and all the cruise food, Rob has been able to maintain his weight.

This week while we were doing his errands - he donated all his "big" clothes to Goodwill. I thought I would spare you all the picture of him in the big pants, falling off after the weight loss.

I am pretty proud of him and impressed he could loose that much weight with diet alone.

I'll bug him to update this occasionally. Maybe we can take another picture when I have the big pregnant belly - just to prove he didn't gain the weight back with my second pregnancy.

- Beth

Sunday, January 21, 2007

 

184 Pounds


This week I tipped the scale for the first time at 184 pounds (MY Goal Weight). I bounced up and down to the weight a few times – So I know I am not out of the woods yet. The weight loss is now noticeable – my favorite pair of shorts literally will fall to the ground without a belt. My winter coat is now ridiculously large. So it is time to do some cloths shopping.

I am hoping to drop below 180 lbs so that I have a little but of a buffer on being in the Over Weight range of the BMI. Hopefully, my motivation will continue, as I know it would still be easy to slip back into bad eating habits.

Monday, January 01, 2007

 

2006 In Review

2006 has now come to an end. All and all, I would have to say this year was a successful weight loss year. The last time I measured myself, I weighed in at 187 pounds (on Christmas Eve Night). I am sure I have gained since then as I decided to not drive myself crazy over counting calories between Christmas and New Years. Though, I did find myself in my subconscious looking at every piece of pie and thinking – is that a 250 calorie slice or a 450 calorie piece?

I have learned a lot about weight loss over the last year. The most important thing I learned was weight loss is achievable. It did not take any magic pills or new wave schemes. It boiled down to self control in portion size and having less sugary and fatty foods.

This next year I have a few goals:
1. Surpass 40 pounds weight loss (I have now decided that I would like to get below 180 pounds and maintain that weight)
2. Complete the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon (It is amazing that even when I was training in years past for triathlons I never lost as much weight as I have now)
3. Post more to the blog

I have been really surprised at the number of people who have commented to me personally that they read my blog - I appreciate all of your support. I hope that I am inspiring some you to work to your own weight loss goals, I know I could not have gotten this far without the support of those around me.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

 

189.5

Despite a small bounce back, I fell below 190 pounds (to 189.5) for the first time in years last week. It puts my weight loss goal definitely in sight. I am hoping that being able to see the finish line will allow me to “sprint through the finish line”, and avoid all the holiday junk food provided at our office. It has been difficult lately though as weight loss has definitely slowed.

I want to venture a guess that literally hundreds dollars are spent on gift baskets for the lab by suppliers full of cheese, crackers, chocolates and the like. To make it even more difficult during the holiday season, Cardinal’s own candy dish expands into a Santa shaped think that is literally 4 times the volume of the standard bowl. Additionally, Judy (the enabling secretary) has added an additional bottomless candy bowl to the center of conference room. All of this holiday food has been heaven up to this year – but now it is a type of hell being tempted at every turn.

I am starting to turn my thoughts as well as to next year’s Lifetime Fitness Triathlon. Hopefully, with the added weight loss I will be in a better position to compete. But, that training will start in the New Year, and hopefully the added activity will bring me through to a healthy BMI.



Sunday, November 19, 2006

 

10 POUNDS TO GO


It has been a couple of weeks since my last blog entry. The weight still is coming off though definitely at a slower rate. I am nervous about the coming holidays. I have seen all the food that goes through our business and I am sure it is going to difficult resist. Not to mention Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Years.

At my lowest I was at 193lbs this week. I am sure that is the lowest I have been in years – including after running my triathlons. I am still finding it amazing that I am able to lose weight by controlling my diet. If you were to believe everything you hear – I should be spending hours in the gym to achieve weight loss. Maybe America’s “Super Size” mentality really is causing us to get fat.

At this point, I am hoping to reach my ultimate weight loss goal by the end of the year. I think that it will be possible as long as I am able to control myself over the next few weeks.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

 

THE PLATEAU

The Past 10 days saw a plateau in my weight loss. It was for a few obvious reasons:

Two weekends ago - again another visit by an old friend from high school and a trip to Chino Latinos drinks, appetizers, and desert – I am sure that meal alone was 2500 calories.

Last week – a trip to the lovely Greenfield Iowa for three days. I have made an observation that most small towns are not big on including healthy choices at the only restaurant in town. I have noticed most small towns have a Subway – but convincing co-workers (who are eating out on their expense account) to eat at Subway is harder than loosing weight.

Last weekend – Gopher Football vs. NDSU. The stress of the Big 10’s Golden Gophers almost loosing to AA NDSU is enough to drive a man to drink and overeat.

But I am back on the strait and narrow now. Beth is working nights this week, so it is even easier to stay on course as there is very little temptation to go out to eat by myself with our little Alley. Then again this weekend is my Birthday so temptation is right around the corner.

This morning I was at 198 pounds – 25 pounds down and counting.



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