So since my friends and I have committed to doing Jillian’s 30-day shred, I decided I was only going to weigh myself on April 1st (which I did last night) and take my measurements, and not weigh or measure myself until May 1st.
I am sure at some point or another, everyone has had a weight loss journal. I have had a few! But this particular one started the day I started taking insulin – September 6, 2006:
But last night was the first time I did the math from THEN until NOW. Pretty big eye opener!
|
Before Insulin |
2.5 Years After Insulin – TODAY |
|
Weight: 145 |
Weight: 167 |
|
Body Fat Percentage: 27% |
Body Fat Percentage: 41% |
|
Chest: 39” |
Chest: 41” |
|
Waist: 36” |
Waist: 40” |
|
Hips: 38” |
Hips: 42” |
|
Thigh: 22” |
Thigh: 24” |
|
Bicep: 11 ¼” |
Bicep: 12.5” |
|
Gained: 22 pounds |
Gained: 13.5 inches! |
My highest weight was back in 1999 when I weighed in at 210 pounds. Turns out that doesn’t look too good on someone who is only 5’2″! So at least I can say I’ve “caught” myself before the scale creeps back up!
Now I guess I can blame part of my weight gain to insulin – my magic little friend that lets me eat ANYTHING I want! And I am over 40 now (only 41) so I know losing weight will be slower this go round.
But because I CAN eat whatever I want, as long as I know how many carbs it has, it is very easy to eat that extra piece of pizza, order bacon and cheddar cheese on my fries because it was only .99 cents extra (okay, I was on vacation last summer when that happened!).
But for whatever reason, seeing those stats has flipped the Switch as my brother so eloquently puts it in this post. And for the first time I feel that I am doing this for ME and not to fit into a dress to go to a wedding, or for my husband, who thankfully, loves me no matter what.
But what kind of roll model am I to my daughter if one week I am gung ho about working out, only to say the next week “you know we really should go to Friday’s and get those fried green beans, I mean, it counts as a veggie, right?
But my main nemesis which rarely gets featured (or pictured!) on this blog is my wine. I am not a wine snob by any means, I have bought two buck chuck at Trader Joe’s and usually am partial to box wines, because you really can’t tell how much you are actually drinking, right?
The problem is that I’ll pour myself a glass while making dinner, have another one with dinner, maybe do a few loads of laundry and grab another. It’s just delicious empty calories.
So while I am not going to say “I am not going to have wine the whole month of April” I am saying that I am going to be more mindful. And last night I did just that – I drank water while making dinner, had water with dinner and made hot tea while Tony and I watched t.v. last night.
And I believe I will banish the boxed wines for a while too – while ecomonical, you just can’t see how much you are actually drinking. So I will actually take a picture when I have a glass, just to keep me accountable!
I haven’t had lunch yet, but this is the only time I can post, so lunch pics will be with dinner tonight. Come back tonight for Crockpot Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots and Low Fat Buttermilk Cheese Biscuits!
I’m a little late to the love-fest, but this is a great post! I know you can do it, Biz!!! I like the Jillian 30-day shred video, too. I haven’t tried level 2 or 3 yet–I tend to mix up my workouts, so I don’t do this one all the time. I’ve found that strength training can make a big difference. (For example, the scale wasn’t impressed by me in February, but my tape measure sure was!)
I’m not much of a wine drinker, but boy-oh-boy, do I hear ya! I feel like I’m often thwarted a bit by those little things that don’t affect my blood glucose yet don’t help with weight loss: nuts, sugar-free candies, half-and-half in my coffee. And now that I can tolerate a little regular dark chocolate in my food plan, it’s hard to resist making it a habit instead of a once-in-awhile treat. Seems like there’s always something, doesn’t it?
This is a great post of reflection. We all need to do this more, I think! From what I read of your blog you show tremendous dedication to watching what you eat but still enjoying your food. There will be setbacks and progress but your mindset is what is important, and you are in the right place! So much discipline with calculating!
Oh man, the wine. That is a killer. It adds up so quick, and once you start, it gets easier and easier to pour another glass! I am trying to only have it on special occasions…but then Friday night comes around and I think, “well THIS is a special occasion!”
I know you can do it B! I’m right there with you!
What a shocker, eh? Glad for your sake that you caught yourself now, rather than much heavier (like when I finally did). I’ll bet that cutting out the wine will make a big difference on the scale, and that scary 30 day shred will make a big difference with the measurements.
Good luck – I’m rooting for you!
You’re a great role model and I love you no matter what 🙂 I think you’re gorgeous, and I know people would agree.
xo
Best of luck!! Jillian’s 30 day shred is a great workout for losing inches!! I love it myself.
I also like getting on the scale monthly. I think weekly weigh ins discourage me sometimes!
Good luck!
Did someone say cheese biscuits? Better make extra, you’re going to have an unexpected guest popping by 😉
I love that you are doing the 30 day shred, it’s such a great dvd. And this: “And for the first time I feel that I am doing this for ME and not to fit into a dress to go to a wedding, or for my husband, who thankfully, loves me no matter what.” just REALLY spoke to me. So empowering.
I like the boxed wine too. That’s pretty much the only thing I get. Hurray for the student life! But I limit myself to only drinking a couple nights a week (ie. weekends. Okay, weekends starting on Thursday night… haha)
I used to be a beanpole and could eat anything, but as the years have progressed, I’ve had to cut out many things I love because I just can’t eat them and stay thin. Since I started blogging and contesting, I’ve gained at least 7 lbs, which for my small frame (5’1″) is a lot. And it looks like a lot, too. I keep saying I’m going to give up both blogging and contesting so I won’t be baking and eating all the desserts which I certainly don’t need. Even though I work to cut fat and sugar in the desserts, they’re still full of carbs. What a dilemma, huh? And I’m like you, with blood-sugar issues.
Wow! How inciteful and motivating, and honest! Thanks for sharing with all of us.
My weight has been creeping slowly up, but I just keep ignoring it and thinking “I’ll get around to fixing it when I’m more motivated.”
Problem is, motivation hasn’t hit me yet, and my clothes are not fitting me in alarming numbers.
I used to keep a food journal, much like yours – where I weighed myself and measured all key parts of my body. I probably have an old one floating around, so it might be just “the switch” I need to find that and compare side by side, just like you did. That way, I can’t trick myself that it hasn’t gotten that bad. Numbers don’t lie!
I’ve just restarted my diet and exercise plan again. Good luck to both of us!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh you rock!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you please e-mail me your address so I can send you a thank you card?
Yea!! – you got it!!!!! From one Tabasco lover to another!!!
😀 😀 😀 😀
Good luck!
NAOmni
good luck biz! I love all of your reasons and motivation, and with your amazing cooking skills you will have no problem cooking great healthy meals 😀
just posted another giveaway!!!!
http://nhershoes.blogspot.com/2009/04/she-says-time-for-another-giveaway.html
Good luck!! It sounds like you’ve got a great plan set for yourself – you can do it!
keep us updated on the plan!
that sounds a great plan! We’re all be with you on this challenge! You can do it! 🙂
ohhh this is tough! i dont usually drink- but i do know that people who cut out booze first- notice a big difference in their weight loss efforts.. good luck biz !!! ill be rooting for you!
the photo taking will definitely make a difference im sure. i am often tempted by a nice glass or two of wine with dinner but then remember wait…how many calories is this?!? taking the photo sometimes keeps me from taking out the bottle, i swear!
GOOD LUCK!!!!!
I love jillian’s workouts! I did level 2 and 3 this morning =)
And don’t forget to stock up on pomegranate juice!
Good luck, B!
Sometimes getting it all down on paper is the only thing to help me. When I see the numbers and see how much I have gained when comparing to old numbers I want to crawl in a hole. I have to try that shred thing but I am afraid of failure! Great excuse huh?
Good luck this month you are going to do awesome!
I’m pulling for you Biz. The first step in getting back in shape is the desire to be there and a plan of action. Recording all items is a great start and using your daughter as a motivating factor will only help some more.
Go back to my blog to check out the video a few days ago “Women’s deadly health issues” to see what that wine may also be doing to you.
I think your plan sounds like a good one – being mindful is hard sometimes!