Today: I'm at 1250. Will probably eat a grapefruit and/or broccoli, making it 1300-1350. And I'm not starving! Yay!

I think posting on this jinxes me.

Nevertheless:

I'm a total fatty. I weigh more than I ever have before. But I'm back doing really well with changing my diet, and I'm joining the gym down the street. Woo!

Today: 222.6
Two weeks ago: 226.4

Four pounds down.

Yesterday I had 1300 calories
Today I had 1400

I have awesomeness planned for my foods in the next few weeks. Woo!

Goal: run/jog/walk 100 miles before Sept. 8th.
Calculated # of calories walking/jogging an average of 4mph for 100 miles will be: 15,000.
Number of pounds 15,000 equals: 4.3.
That seems like too few. But I guess I'm doing 1 hour of exercise five days a week, which is about right.
Tomorrow I will walk it, my muscles hurt. Even mighty pickles cannot soothe my aching bones.
Also: dieting. I'm trying to eat 1500 calories a day, which would mean (averaging the calories I burn exercising per week) a deficit of 930 calories a day. Really I splurge with food so let's round that down to 900. So, on a weekly basis, that means a 6300 calorie deficit, which equates to 1.8 lbs a week. With four weeks before school starts, that means I can lose 7.2 lbs before going back. I'll still weigh more than I did when school got out. Grr. Maybe I'll up my exercising.

Also not figuring that I'm gaining muscles, which burns more calories.

If I go an hour and a half, that would mean about 700 calories, and if I go 5 days a week, that means:
7000 cal deficit per week
2 pounds a week

Maybe 1 hour in the morning and a 30 minute evening walk? Trying to be sustainable and realistic but also trying to get in shape asap.
I need to eat more veggies.

Let's see...

If I average 1.5 pounds per week, it would take me about 33 weeks to lose 50 pounds. It would be mid-March and I would weigh 168 pounds.
I would be happy with 168 pounds. By my birthday, I'd weigh 160.

But we all know that won't happen. However, if I can get down to 175 by my birthday I'll be more than happy. I think that's manageable.

This week: 19 miles.
Total: 25 miles.

*Have relaxed a bit in the diet and paid the price: not doing so well. Just as I finished getting over a cold, I got another one - after pulling a 52 hour week at school, NOT counting the time spent at home working. Ugh.

Very belated update

Um, yeah. I've been a bit discouraged/worn out lately so I haven't felt like writing. However, I haven't given up the diet, and although I had one bad week, I've more or less stuck to it - even though I haven't been writing down all my calories. I HAVE been adding them up daily, though, so the habit isn't lost.

Weight last Sunday: 207.4
Weight today: 203.8
Average Calories per day: n/a (probably 1450ish)
Number of days I went over 1500 calories: ?
Number of days I had caffeine: multiple. Like, every day. Ish.
Number of days with fast food: 0
Number of days I had a carbonated drink: 2
Number of days exercised: 1
Hours exercised: 1ish (I've had a terribly bad cold!)

Not sure what caused the jump down in pounds. I weighed myself several times in the week and it was pretty consistent, so today isn't a total fluke (yesterday it was 202.8). Maybe it's been all the water weight with being sick, and as I got better I lost it? Dunno. I DO know I've been less physically active (James even grounded me) - Actually, I've been kind of a lump. Wednesday I even went home before school ended, just to be a lump. But without the sense of taste food has been less appetizing so I haven't eaten much but soup and half peanut butter sandwiches. Kind of pathetic really. Today's our free day and I'm just glad I have a little bit of taste back. Yay!

mmm! Dinner tonight:

Saute cauliflower, green onions, zucchini, asparagus, carrots, and two chopped-up slices of turkey bacon in a little olive oil (I used my trusty Misto), sprinkle with sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle with mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan, and voila! 220 calories of filling goodness.

Sunday Check-In #3

Great things:
*clothes fitting better
*honey-mustard dressing
*soup
*AWESOME support from Hubby
*single-serving Crystal Light packets
*more energy!
*enjoying preparing and planning my food

I had a totally busy week:

Monday was fah-bulous - Liz and I went to Indian Beach, hiked a few hours, and took hundreds of pictures. The hike kicked my butt, too.

Tuesday was a weird PBL (project-based learning) day at school and then I stayed until 5:30 for Homework Help (Liz and I tag-team it every Tuesday).

Wednesday was MACA's Exhibition of Student Work, which kept me busy from 7:30 AM until almost 9:30 PM. That's the only day I went over 1500 calories (that I can accurately count), and it was still under 1600. Woot.

Thursday I was exhausted by the time I got home (still recovering from Exhibition) but didn't want to fall asleep at 7, so while Hubby was at class I went shopping and got a couple shirts from Old Navy, and the most comfortable bra I've ever had in my life at Lane Bryant. A $50 bra for $17, and I know this is TMI but dangit, it made me happy.

Friday I was just glad to be home, and Hubby and Liz and I went to my new favorite sushi place, Fuji's. Hubby tricked me into eating a roll with eel in it, which was way better than the first time I had eel. Liz promised a shower of awesome gifts if I ate one piece of her roll with tuna in it, which I did. I couldn't resist a shower of awesome gifts. But overall, still not an eel or tuna or any raw fish fan. Sushi = yes, raw fish = no.

Saturday I slept in while Hubby went to class. I then trekked to school at 11 to finish up some grading so I didn't have to worry about it this week - it's the last day of the semester on Thursday and I figured it would be nice to not scramble to figure grades out at the last minute. Then I went shopping again for more awesomeness at Old Navy/Lane Bryant. I made Hubby wild rice and mushroom soup for dinner while we lounged on the couch. mmmm...

And now, Sunday!

Weight last Sunday: 210.4
Weight today: 208.8
Average Calories per day: 1496
Number of days I went over 1500 calories: 1
Number of days I had caffeine: 3
Number of days with fast food: 0
Number of days I had a carbonated drink: 3
Number of days exercised: 2.5 (I count Exhibition as 0.5... I DID work a 14 hour day!)
Hours exercised: 3
Not as big a loss as I was hoping, but I need to step up with the exercise thing. Still, at this rate, in two weeks I'll be halfway to my goal!

Sunday Check-In #2

Weight last Sunday: 213.4
Weight today: 210.5
Average Calories per day: 1438
Number of days I went over 1500 calories: 0
Number of days I had caffeine: 2
Number of days with fast food: 0
Number of days I had a carbonated drink: 1
Number of days exercised: 2 (illness, plus evening staff meeting hindered my efforts somewhat.)
Hours exercised: 2.5

Goal for this week: Lose another two pounds, cut days with caffeine down to 1, keep soda down to 1, and exercise four days (3 hours total).

I met about half my goals last week. Not bad, but could be better. Still, the scale's telling me I'm doing something right so I won't beat myself up about it. :)

great walk

I'm beginning to enjoy my walks more and more. Liz and her pug, Mushu, joined me this afternoon in the country for a walk/picture-taking excursion. Three things I got from this time: great company, good exercise, and time with my camera. Yay!

Some photos from today:

On Rick Astley and Nannies.

Today:

Ate cake for breakfast: 400 calories, I'm guessing. It was delicious, and I managed to skip my mid-morning snack to make up for it. Now, it's almost 9 and I've still got 150 calories!

Went on an hour-long walk after work. It was sunny and beautiful, even though it was pretty cold. I still feel good.

Stocked up on fresh veggies again (new favorite: Honeycrisp apples), and got Hubby some of those disgusting chalky Valentine's hearts. How could I resist? "Call me" in pink is just too irresistible. Also, splurged on a shirt, but when I came home and tried it on it didn't fit quite right - at least it's something to look forward to when I can wear it next month.

Laughed when I read that Nancy Pelosi Rickrolled everybody on her website. Also, a bit disturbed.

Watched Nanny 911 - just to feel better about myself. I know I'm not a parent myself, but I DO teach high school, and man, those parents are idiots.

My new favorite: Sauteing chicken, cauliflower, green beans and corn, then adding turkey gravy and serving with herb mashed potatoes. Oh man, I made a huge pan of it (just throwing stuff in there, hoping its edible) and the whole pan (including potatoes on the side) was only 1000 calories! I still had about 600 calories left for the day, so I allotted myself half of it but felt stuffed after only about a third. Woo!

Sunday Check-In #1

Weight last Sunday: 215
Weight today: 213
Average Calories per day: 1513
Number of days I went over 1500 calories: 1
Number of days I had caffeine: 3
Number of days with fast food: 0
Number of days I had a carbonated drink: 3
Number of days exercised: 4
Hours exercised: 2.25

Goal for this week: Lose another two pounds, cut days with caffeine down to 1, cut soda down to 1, and exercise five days (3 hours total).

Reward me!

Okay, so I need some help brainstorming ways I can reward myself when I'm a good girl. Rewards that don't involve food - which, generally, have been my rewards in the past. Keep in mind that my day from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM is 100% off limits, unless it's something that can work during school hours. Rewards budget per month is about $20. Any suggestions?

New program

So I've started a new diet/exercise program and I'm really feeling good about it. I officially started it Monday and already I can feel a difference in my energy level, etc. My white binder that I made with food diary and four months worth of meal calendars goes with me everywhere, and I've been religious about putting stuff in there. This morning's breakfast: "yogurt with blueberries, 130 cal. Two carrot sticks, 20 cal."

One of the best things about eating better, besides the obvious health benefits, is that things taste better now. Those carrot sticks that I grabbed for breakfast were pretty sweet-tasting, but if I'd been eating sugar in the last four days they wouldn't have been. So, it doesn't seem like horrific punishment to eat vegetables anymore.

Also, with my food menu calendars, I've included exercise. I didn't go on a walk yesterday because it was raining, but I've got both other days and that also does not seem like punishment. I guess it might be attitude, but also that I think I'm in a better place as a person now. And this year is going super well so I'm riding that karma for as long as I can!

So, the official starting weight: 215. Blood pressure: 140/80 (as of three weeks ago).

Two years ago...

I realized today that I'm 35 pounds lighter than I was the day I got married!

35 pounds is a lot. Of course, I kinda cheated. But that was the suckiest way to lose 15 pounds ever.

So, now the clothes that I bought because I was going to GAIN weight is now WAY too big, as clothing that was tight a month ago is now fitting perfectly. And actually, I feel a little awkward. I didn't think that I'd end up with body-image issues from LOSING weight, but I am struggling a little to accept the fact that I went from 197 to 183 seemingly overnight. And my body is shaped a little differently, and I have a big scar.

Prednisone woes

I've only been on it for a few weeks, but my doctor upped my dosage by 50% yesterday. I've got the "moon-face," swollen hands, appetite, flushed cheeks, dizziness, and nausea. Of course, those side effects may also be due to the Flagyl or Cipro as well, but I've been on those before and not experienced these side effects. My one consolation is that it hasn't made me totally break out yet--but the Cipro is fighting that battle, and I've only got three days left on it. So I have that to look forward to. So not only is my face BIGGER, but it will be pimply too. The kids will wonder what strange ailment makes me look like a freak... especially when the weight really starts packing on. I've got to buy fat pants today.

On the agenda today: pick up the rest of my medications, buy one of those ginormous pill boxes (this time I really can't keep the dosages straight without referring to the doctor's sheet), and check a couple stores for some clothes that I can actually fit into right now. I'm down to just one or two pairs of pants, and a dress. Unfortunately, this isn't the right time of year, so my choices are few. Wish me luck.

Feeling better

Well, I've been good and I've lost two of the pounds that I gained back! Only 3 to go. (I'm at about 195 now.) It seems that my metabolism had been used to processing 2000 calories for so long (since I've been bad) that once I started back on the diet I'm losing weight like I did when I first started the whole thing. That makes me feel hopeful!
This whole thing just sucks because I love love love food. And I'm getting more into cooking lately (I think it's the summer/farmer's market thing) so I think all day long of all the scrumptious things I could be cooking up but then I count up the calories and I wouldn't be able to stuff my face with the deliciousness like I like to do when I make something new and tasty. But then, my jeans are starting to fit again, so that keeps me in line.

Too long, bad news.

Yikes! I've been neglecting this blog lately, and I really need to start writing it on a weekly basis. I think it will help keep me dedicated.

Speaking of dedication--I gained 5 lbs back. grr. I was so close to my second goal (191) I could almost taste it--but instead, I tasted delicious pizzas and chocolates and ice creams.

Today, though, I was good. I'm at exactly 1500 calories, and I walked a mile. This morning I drove down to the Farmer's Market and parked a good half-mile away on purpose. It's funny how something so little as that can make you feel better. Anyway, I got some cherries and strawberries and a zucchini and walla wallas. And purple flowers for the kitchen table.

I'm hoping that after our upcoming move (in two weeks), and especially once school starts, a regular schedule will help me keep focused. At least, it did last year, when I lost the 20 lbs. Oh, and you know how the doctor's scale always seems to be on the heavy side? Well, I went to the doctor last week, and the scale 1) seemed accurate, and 2) showed a 21-lb weight loss since the last time I'd been in. Well, that's a first!

I'm Edumacated!

Last Saturday, the 5th, I walked in Graduate Commencement. Now, I sorta have a Master's Degree! (the diploma says differently)




















Claire and Noah playing in the background. Mom, Ginny, Claire, Noah, and James came to cheer me on. I'm certain that the more advanced degrees a person earns, the sillier he/she looks on graduation day.
















I spent the previous Wednesday with Mom and Dad. We went all over the place! Cannon Beach (ate at Mo's), the cheese factory, the Spruce Goose, MACA's open house, and out to eat with Hubby. It was a really great day.

It's time again

All right, my rediculousness has gone on long enough.
Not only have I not lost any weight in FOREVER, but I've gained a pound or two. Or three, maybe. And I was only ONE pound away from my first target weight. Gah!
So, here I go again...
I pledge to keep track of each and every single thing that I eat every day on my calorie counter.
I pledge to exercise at least two hours every week (for starters). This will happen, in part, by my pledge to wake up at 6 AM to hike or jog or what have you.
I pledge to not eat anything past 8 PM, unless I'm on a date.
I pledge to not eat more than an average of 1500 calories a day (that is, if I eat 1400 calories one day, I can eat 1600 calories the next. Yadda, yadda.).
I pledge to weigh myself every morning, and keep a list of my daily weigh-ins.