And I was right.....

Not only did I not LOSE weight over the past 2 weeks, I actually gained. And significantly. According to the scale this morning, I gained 5 pounds in the past 2 weeks. I am so disappointed in myself. I'm not going to beat myself up over it because it's done already, but I am seriously disappointed in myself.

How did I manage to gain 5 pounds in 2 weeks while supposedly on a diet? Very simply. I didn't pay one bit of attention to anything I was eating. I had days when I ate things that were IN NO WAY health. Fried chicken, pizza, cookies, and all sorts of other things that a "good" dieter wouldn't touch. Then I had days where the foods I ate were not really that bad, I just didn't pay attention to my quantity.

So basically, my slip-up is all about quality and quantity of my food. Lack of one and too much of the other. I could also blame it on my lack of tracking. The biggest thing I noticed was that when I stopped tracking my food, it got easier to ignore what I was eating. At first, my lack of tracking was not on purpose. Between my two jobs and social obligations, I just kept forgetting. When my schedule calmed down, I was just out of the habit. So today I am making sure to track everything. I am also going to work on more crafting. Keeping my hands busy keeps the snacking down.

Alright, enough moaning. Let me set a realistic goal this time... I want to lose 3 pounds in the next 2 weeks. I also want to make it to the gym at least 3 days each week. I went to Centergy and Ride on Saturday for the first time in probably 2 months and I am still paying dearly for it. My legs and abs are still sore. That's just proof that I need to get back to work. Wish me luck!

Hmmm

So... I'm really thinking I'm not going to meet that crazy goal I set for myself. I might have even gained weight overall. We shall see in the morning....

Thirty One Point Six!

So, I have been trying to write this update for like 5 days now. But life being what it is, I have had a hard time sitting down with collected thoughts. Just ask my co-blogger, over the weekend my thoughts were spastic at best. I have no real reason for my thoughts being so scattered. I'm blaming a cold and subsequent medications, though. :-D

Anyway, I'm down 31.6 pounds (in case you were confused by the entry title). It's finally starting to sink in that I'm actually losing weight and becoming healthier. A few weeks ago I was able to fit into a dress I haven't worn in almost 3 years, and Friday I comfortably wore a pair of jeans that used to feel like they were cutting me in half. It feels good to know that I am finally making visible progress.

Knowing where I am now weight-wise (218.2) and where I was when I started this blog in January (249.8), I am somewhat dissappointed in my overall health for the past few years. When G and I started dating, I weighed right around 210 lbs. I'm not exactly sure since I hadn't really stepped on a scale 2-3 years at that point. When I joined the gym 2 months later I was 214. I accounted that to the holidays (we started dating in November and I joined the gym in January), and the fact that most of our dates involved going out to dinner. But I was going to the gym now! and I was going to workout! Except that isn't how it happened. Instead, I was paying for a gym membership that I didn't use how I should and I ended up gaining 4o pounds in 2 years. How ridiculous! Now, yes, I can blame it on depression, emotional eating, and other factors, but really... 40 pounds in 2 years? What was I doing? Nothing.

I'm not trying to beat myself up about anything. It's just kind of interesting to see what carelessness can do to your waistline. It also reminds me how my way of thinking about food has changed. I have learned how to make smarter choices when dining out, and I try to think aobut the overall health benefits of my food when I'm cooking at home. I'm proud of my progress, but I also recognize I have a long way to go.

Ok, this is all philisophical and stuff. I guess I should let you get back to your day. I hope it's a good one! Oh, and for my goal this week... I would like to lose 4 pounds in the next 2 weeks. Here's hoping!

Well Then: or Yes Then No

So, yay! When I weighed myself Friday morning, I was down to 219.8. That means I had lost exactly 30 pounds. Whoo hoo!!! Except that then I went to a burial service (for a wonderful lady who will be missed very much) and in true southern fashion we ate afterwards. Fried chicken, mac and cheese, corn bread, pasta salad.... Are you seeing any vegetables? And then of course there were cookies, cakes, and brownies. Yeah.... Then to make matters even better, I took Tony to a roller derby that night and we split a chicken tenders basket and a popcorn. At that point I was just too tired to care.

So when I woke up this morning and weighed myself, I was at 220.4. I gained back 0.6 lb over the weekend. Not good, but I've already done my damage. Now to start again. That's the wonderful thing about this time around. I'm not going to give up because I didn't make my goal. It's life. I mess up, and then I try again. And I can only be so upset. My pants are practically falling off. And I was able to fit into a dress that I haven't worn in almost 3 years. Obviously I'm doing something right, even if I get a few things wrong.

Ok... I need to get off here and do... something! I hope you have a good week!

- Jen

On my way

So today's weigh in was 220.4. I forgot to take a picture, but I promise that's what it said lol. So I lost 1.8 pounds in a week. Not bad. I'm only 0.6 away from losing 30 pounds! I'm really happy with that. I need to lose 2.2 this week to reach my goal. But I'm on my way to my goal.

I picked up a new cookbook the other day. I haven't been able to try any of the recipes, but they look delicious. It's not just recipes, but it's also got a brief narrative about how she got to the point of where she needed to live like this, and in turn write the cookbook. I like those. Don't just tell me I need to lose weight. I know that or I wouldn't have picked up your darn book! Tell me why I should listen to your version of why I should lose weight. Which she did, because I bought the book. :-)

This of course reminds me that I haven't uploaded a new recipe to the recipe blog in forever. I need to get on that. I've had a couple of good, low-cal recipes lately. I'll just need to sit down and decide what I want to put out there. Unfortunately, finding the time to do so is probably going to be a challenge. Eh, enough excuses, I'll find the time. Just for you!

Alright, I need to go find something to eat and then run errands before work. Have a good week!

- J

Hi ho, hi ho

It's off to work I go... There are several pros and cons to working multiple jobs. The biggest con I am feeling is the fact that I really want a nap. The biggest pro I am noticing is the fact that it cuts down on my boredom snacking! I would say my bank account, but I haven't drawn a check from the second job yet. Soon. :-)

It's been a good week so far. I'm working a lot (as I said). I haven't made it to the gym though. :-( One of the guys from my spin class came into the pet store last night. That made me miss the class even more. I'm hoping I'll be able to go to class this coming Tuesday. I'm sure my legs and rear are going to love me, but that my fault for missing class. Of course, I didn't do it on purpose, but whatever. I neeeeeed to start strength training again. Haven't I said that recently? I actually have the stuff at home, so not making it to the gym is not actually an excuse. I'm lame, I know. But tomorrow I'm working stock, so that will definitely count as my strength training for tomorrow.

Hmm, not much else in the health department. I'm just working towards my goal. I'm hoping I can make it with my lack of training the past few days. I think I'm making pretty good progress. I've been watching what I'm eating, and at least I move around a lot at the store. Maybe I'll try to do some reps of something between school and the store today... we'll see. I'm not making promises knowing what's in store for me tomorrow morning lol.

I'm looking forward to moving down the next level. The last time I weighed less than 220 was when Greg and I first started dating, almost 3 years ago. And I'm sure I was less than 200 when we met over 4 years ago. That was back when I was a restaurant manager and spent 8 hour shifts walking the dinning room or running through the kitchen. I was miserable in that job, but I was definitely healthier!

Alright, I guess I've rambled enough for today. I'll check in again on Monday if not before!

- J

Splurges and Consequences

So I gained half a pound since I last posted a weight. I know exactly why, it's not that hard to figure out. Last night we may or may not have gone out to the Olive Garden...it's never ending pasta bowl and while I only had one bowl and a bite of the second bowl I still had a breadstick and salad and a glass of wine. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal but lets face it, it was probably equivalent to an entire day of calories. But you know what, things like this are OK, so I set myself back I understand what I did and I understand what I need to do. Sometimes you need a little comfort food ;).

That being said, I am nearly into the 170's I would LIKE to get to 179 in the next two weeks. I'll be braving the mosquitos and heat this week to make it happen!