One Year

It has been almost one year since we've started this blog. One year since our weight loss journey began.

Yesterday I weighed myself and was *gulp*...

192 pounds

(As though if I say it quietly, it won't be real.)

Let's try that again.

192 pounds!!!

Thanksgiving. It can be a killer and didn't help my already-up-again weight.

And it's time to start over.

Again....

I really like (and appreciate!) Janee's inspiring comment from last week.

"The Lord did not send you here to fail."

It struck a chord.

I know that I was feeling down last week. Overwhelmed by everything on my plate and underwhelmed by my own actions. It can be disappointing to know, deep down, that this didn't happen to me, but that I chose it for myself every day with a hundred little choices.

It was my fault.

My mistakes.

My weakness.

That knowledge simply fed into my feeling of despair.

But I'm starting to realize (and it's a life-long, continual realization) that just because I've been weak before doesn't mean that I can't turn around and be strong.

I've decided that I just need to take baby steps.

Making little, everyday choices that will add up to big life changes.

I was looking back at the posts from when we started last year and noticed that I had set goals every week. Real, tangible, written goals that I could measure myself against the following week. Goals based in actions, not results.

I think that is a habit that I ought to establish again.

My Goals for the Week:
1. Do 30 minutes of exercise at least 4 days this week.
2. Drink at least 3 glasses of water each day.
3. Limit myself to one small "treat" each day.

There, that's a start. I am also going to document and then clear the weigh-ins over on the left. Because it's a fresh start.

How about you? Do you want to join me? What are your 3 top goals for the week?

2011 Weigh-Ins

Sara:
Beginning BMI: 34.2

Dec 5: 197.8
Dec 12: 194.2
Dec 19: 195.2
Dec 26: 192.4
Jan 2: 193.8
Jan 9: 190.4
Jan 16: 188.6
Jan 23: 186.2
Jan 30: 185.4
Feb 6: 183.4
Feb 13: 181.6
Feb 20: 182
Feb 27: 180
Mar 6: 178
Mar 13: 176.4
Mar 20: 178.8
Mar 27: 172
Apr 3: 173.4
Apr 10: 172.6
Apr 17: 170.2
Jun 27: 179
Aug 27: 175
Sep 07: 189
Oct 16: 187
Oct 23: 187.8


Chelsey:
Beginning BMI: 30.6

Dec 5: 196.5
Dec 12: 193
Dec 19: 195
Dec 26: 194
Jan 9: 195.5
Jan 16: 190
Jan 23: 190
Jan 30: 189
Feb 20: 189
Feb 27: 187.5
Mar 6: 187.4
May 8: 179.4
Oct 23: 178.2

Chelsey - Weekly weigh In and update

First Off... I LOVE YOU SARA!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!

Second Off, my weight today was 182.0 So I have gained 4 lbs since my last post I believe. I am now almost 17 weeks, and feeling good. In a way I wish I was back to feeling sick and having everything sound unappetizing because now..i want to EAT! All of the time! And not apples, or oranges. NO, give me a big juicy bacon cheese burger baby! It's a really good thing we are broke and can't afford to go out to eat, or that is what I would be eating EVERY DAY!

In other news, I went to the doctor yesterday and she put me on a diet. WHAT?? I was shocked! I know a person who was 260 lbs and 5'3" and didn't get put on a diet while pregnant. I realize I might be 22 lbs more than I was before I had Brynlee...but I didn't think I was all that bad. But according to my BMI of 27, I am in the Overweight Category. But looking at the chart, I kinda think its a little crap. At my lowest I was 155, and I was pretty damn thin, and Im positive I couldnt have been any thinner without looking anorexic. And that barely qualified me as Healthy. I have pictures..I can prove it. I was moer prone to be around the 160-165 range before I had Brynlee...And that puts me in the OVERWEIGHT category. What?? I was a size 6. If a size six is overweight, just shoot me now! Anyways. I needed to rant that. So Im only supposed to eat 1800 calories a day and be counting. So I will try. But not this weekend. I do believe I will start on Monday. It's Thanksgiving for Goodness sake!

Giving Up?

I typically want to keep this blog up-beat. Not only helpful, but inspiring.

But it's hard on days like today.

Days when I step on the scale and see that I've gained another pound.

I want to weep. I want to hide under the covers and never go out in public again. Never have to deal with pants that don't fit right and muffin tops and uncomfortable squeezing and shame.

Oh, the shame.

How did I let this happen?

I let my vigilance down for a seeming moment and then I started spiraling.

And I can't seem to stop.

I can't seem to really get motivated for more than a few days.

I'm tired. Really tired. The energy has gone.

Where did my motivation go?

Already the days where I felt healthier and happier seem long ago.

I want to just admit defeat. Honestly, I do. Because then at least I can say "I'm this way because I just don't try at all." And as a bit of a perfectionist, that seems better than where I'm at now where I try, fail, and get nothing.

I want to say bah humbug on the whole thing.

I don't know what to do. I just...don't know.

Tuesday Tip - 50/10s

While reading through the many blogs that I follow daily, I came across this little gem.

50/10s by Moms With Cameras.

She was talking about how she finds herself most productive if she splits her work time into 50/10s per hour. In other words, she'll work for 50 minutes and then do 10 minutes of cleaning or playtime with her kids. Giving herself a bit of a break and refreshing her view.

Brilliant!

I know she was talking about work. But I found myself thinking, "Self, what if I put this into effect regarding exercise?"

And so I put it to the test. 50 minutes of everyday life, then 10 minutes of exercise.

I set specific guidelines for my 10 minutes. Writing them out. Because if I write them out, then they are real rules and less un-bendable (at least in my mind).

Guidelines:
- I will set a timer (so that I don't declare myself "close enough")
- I must move constantly for the 10 minutes.
- At least 3 of my 10 minute increments must be cardio based
- Complete at least 6 50/10s per day.


So far it seems to be going well. Many times I just include the my kids and they think it's a fun game of Simon Says.

Plus, 10 minutes of constant moving is a long time (especially for the cardio). I am always sweating and out of breath by the end of my 10 minutes.

Here's a quick list of exercises I've tried so far:

• dancing
• running in place
• mountain climbers
• burpees
• frog leaps
• high knees
• boxing punches (no...I would never let you watch me do these...)
• kicks
• walking lunges
• crunches
• push ups
• planks
• jumping jacks
• weight lifting
• squats
• reverse sit-ups

If you think of any great ones, add them in the comments. I could totally use a few new ideas.

Plus, I found this on Pinterest and thought I'd share. (No direct link, so I'm not sure where it came from.)

I should totally hang this on my fridge...