I am a teacher. I am now back to work for the year. I took the summer off. I had plans of working my weight-loss plan HARD over the summer, and returning a lean, mean, fighting machine! However, I took the summer off of that plan too. (sigh!). So, here I go again. For anyone reading this also struggling with weight loss and going nowhere, I'm the mascot!
But I started a running program called "Couch To 5K". The info is here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml
So, in 9 weeks, I'll be running a 5K! How the heck is it possible for me to NOT lose weight while training for this?
And I know, it is a chuckle for those runners out there, hearing someone say "I'm in training for a 5K". Really? Well in fact, yes. The program is called "COUCH To 5K" for a reason. I got the "couch" part down. I just need to work on the rest.
So I have successfully completed week one. It's not that bad. I think I can do this!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Week 18: 180 pounds
...but I feel much fatter than that. In fact, I put on a shirt that used to fit me pretty well after my previous 50 pound weight loss, and it was tight. I looked back a few posts ago when I was saying something about feeling thinner despite the number on the scale, but that certainly is not today. And surely not right at this moment. Let me explain...
This morning I was a bit more rushed than I usually allow myself to be, and as such I didn't have my usual bowl of cereal. No biggie, I told myself, I'll just pick something up on the way in to work. I stopped at Burger King for a croisanwich (good LORD those things are good!), and a diet coke. The kind lady at the window accidentally put two in the bag (I checked the receipt; one was "free"), and I told myself I wasn't going to eat the second one, since I wasn't planning on eating two anyway and who in the world needs two of them? So, after I finished the second one, I was berating myself for being so weak in the face of temptation, and bracing myself for the inevitable discomfort that comes from eating so much grease-laden, fat-injected paradise. I knew I would feel miserable, and now, I do. So, I decided to come here and share it. I got my money's worth, that's for sure!
So, having skipped a week in posting here, and having no good news to share, and basically wallowing in regret, this all should be a nice awakening for me. I hope so.
This morning I was a bit more rushed than I usually allow myself to be, and as such I didn't have my usual bowl of cereal. No biggie, I told myself, I'll just pick something up on the way in to work. I stopped at Burger King for a croisanwich (good LORD those things are good!), and a diet coke. The kind lady at the window accidentally put two in the bag (I checked the receipt; one was "free"), and I told myself I wasn't going to eat the second one, since I wasn't planning on eating two anyway and who in the world needs two of them? So, after I finished the second one, I was berating myself for being so weak in the face of temptation, and bracing myself for the inevitable discomfort that comes from eating so much grease-laden, fat-injected paradise. I knew I would feel miserable, and now, I do. So, I decided to come here and share it. I got my money's worth, that's for sure!
So, having skipped a week in posting here, and having no good news to share, and basically wallowing in regret, this all should be a nice awakening for me. I hope so.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Week 16: 180 pounds
...And I am only kind of surprised it is that low! I was away for the weekend at a workshop where they fed us so well, in portions so large, it was not uncommon for all of us to push ourselves away from the table with the same "post-Thanksgiving groan," and proclaim to ourselves and each other that we won't eat the next meal like that.
And then, after several more hours of workshops and a renewed hunger, we were all back in the dining hall, repeating the process. Between meals, there were copious amounts of snacks, goodies, and various temptations all laid out, all free, and all begging to be consumed. I did my part. I am still detoxing from the food experience.
Tons of eating, coupled with tons of sitting around, results in gained weight. Who'd of thunk it?
And then, after several more hours of workshops and a renewed hunger, we were all back in the dining hall, repeating the process. Between meals, there were copious amounts of snacks, goodies, and various temptations all laid out, all free, and all begging to be consumed. I did my part. I am still detoxing from the food experience.
Tons of eating, coupled with tons of sitting around, results in gained weight. Who'd of thunk it?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Week 15: 178 lbs
Ok, so that whole "do it for 14 days to become a habit" thing must be true, because I haven't, and it isn't.
But I am far more active than I have been lately, and to my thinking "active" is almost as good as "exercising," right? I mean, it's better than the butt-shaped indentation on my couch deepening. And I am constantly aware of my activity level, and trying to keep it up. When given the choice of the closest parking spot, or the elevator, I park farther away and take the stairs. Small things, I know, but things.
I took a walk around the U of M campus yesterday, because the weather was so nice and I was there anyway. It was great. I was on my feet for the majority of time between 10:30 am and 8:30 pm, walking and carrying stuff, or standing. Not cardio, but at least calorie-burning. And I was very tired afterward, so I call that a victory.
The thing is, I feel thinner, in that my pants are looser, my shirts hang better, and I am able to move up another notch in my belt. To hell with the scale, I'm getting thinner!
But I am far more active than I have been lately, and to my thinking "active" is almost as good as "exercising," right? I mean, it's better than the butt-shaped indentation on my couch deepening. And I am constantly aware of my activity level, and trying to keep it up. When given the choice of the closest parking spot, or the elevator, I park farther away and take the stairs. Small things, I know, but things.
I took a walk around the U of M campus yesterday, because the weather was so nice and I was there anyway. It was great. I was on my feet for the majority of time between 10:30 am and 8:30 pm, walking and carrying stuff, or standing. Not cardio, but at least calorie-burning. And I was very tired afterward, so I call that a victory.
The thing is, I feel thinner, in that my pants are looser, my shirts hang better, and I am able to move up another notch in my belt. To hell with the scale, I'm getting thinner!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Week 14: 178 pounds
Spring break was last week, thus the lack of posting. In fact, a general lack of doing anything. I can't afford to do much right now anyway, so I just stayed around home and hung out.
Conveniently enough, home is where my exercise equipment is, so I devoted time every day of spring break to working out. I missed one day, but I'm still doing much better than any of my previous efforts. I was pretty proud of myself for seeing it through despite my desire to just sit around, and I have to admit I felt better after each workout.
So what the Hell is up with my weight? One pound?? ONE lousy pound!? I didn't change my diet at all from my already fairly meager meals, and I stepped up the physical contribution. Perhaps, it is that whole "muscle weighs more than fat" thing, but it's not like I'm bulking up!
Whatever. I guess at least I am still heading in the right direction. They say you have to do a thing for 14 days in a row for it to become a habit. I'm working on it...
Conveniently enough, home is where my exercise equipment is, so I devoted time every day of spring break to working out. I missed one day, but I'm still doing much better than any of my previous efforts. I was pretty proud of myself for seeing it through despite my desire to just sit around, and I have to admit I felt better after each workout.
So what the Hell is up with my weight? One pound?? ONE lousy pound!? I didn't change my diet at all from my already fairly meager meals, and I stepped up the physical contribution. Perhaps, it is that whole "muscle weighs more than fat" thing, but it's not like I'm bulking up!
Whatever. I guess at least I am still heading in the right direction. They say you have to do a thing for 14 days in a row for it to become a habit. I'm working on it...
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Week 12: 179 pounds
I'm out of the 180's, which is nice! And I'm out of sync with my dates too. Since my last post was on a Friday instead of a Monday, and today is Wednesday, it's just the way it'll have to be. But I wanted to be able to post something in the 170's, and I can, so I did, and there you go.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Week 11: 180 pounds
Math is not my strong suit, but I know the "week" number keeps going up, and the "pounds" number is staying the same. (Yes, I also see the gap in dates, no need to go there...)
But now that it is getting nice outside, the inevitable truth that I knew already is before me: I wish I had done it back when I started it. That said, I am proud to report that I am once again off the couch and onto the treadmill. I am a little sore, but it is that familiar, good kind of sore.
I reflected a bit on motivation in general, and determined the short-range problem for me, which I have to think is universal: No immediate results.
It's not like going to the barber with long hair, and emerging with shorter hair and a different look. Or a trip to the eyeglasses store to get different frames. Or even a shopping spree for new clothes. The hard fact is that I take a flabby body to the machines, abuse it for a bit, and leave with the same flabby body, now sore and sweaty. No fun, no results, why keep going?
But that's the key in all this. Persistance above all else. It's not freakin' rocket science, but I guess I needed to take a look at the fact that 11 weeks of my life are gone, and I have nothing to show for it. If only I had listened to myself back then, I would be in a better place today.
The kind of change I am going for is not going to just happen because I wish it to, or because I put forth a half-ass effort. And I can make all the excuses for my lack of advancement that I want to, but it doesn't matter. I know better. Now I have to prove it.
And not to you, whoever is reading this. To me. I already know all the self-defeating demotivators that lounge about in my head, and I have to battle them.
But now that it is getting nice outside, the inevitable truth that I knew already is before me: I wish I had done it back when I started it. That said, I am proud to report that I am once again off the couch and onto the treadmill. I am a little sore, but it is that familiar, good kind of sore.
I reflected a bit on motivation in general, and determined the short-range problem for me, which I have to think is universal: No immediate results.
It's not like going to the barber with long hair, and emerging with shorter hair and a different look. Or a trip to the eyeglasses store to get different frames. Or even a shopping spree for new clothes. The hard fact is that I take a flabby body to the machines, abuse it for a bit, and leave with the same flabby body, now sore and sweaty. No fun, no results, why keep going?
But that's the key in all this. Persistance above all else. It's not freakin' rocket science, but I guess I needed to take a look at the fact that 11 weeks of my life are gone, and I have nothing to show for it. If only I had listened to myself back then, I would be in a better place today.
The kind of change I am going for is not going to just happen because I wish it to, or because I put forth a half-ass effort. And I can make all the excuses for my lack of advancement that I want to, but it doesn't matter. I know better. Now I have to prove it.
And not to you, whoever is reading this. To me. I already know all the self-defeating demotivators that lounge about in my head, and I have to battle them.
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