In the News

Today I watched a program on Fox News that talked about obesity, http://video.foxnews.com/#/v/4350860/fatter-future-for-america/?playlist_id=86892



This makes me think yet again about this thing that I am doing. I guess over the past few weeks I have mentally checked out. I have thought to myself, I have gotten to my goal I can take a break....

Well, I have realized that I can't. I am not where I should be. I am still part of those overweight numbers they talked about in the video. I also don't want my kids to be that way. Since, I buy the food, prepare the food and encourage everyone to eat the food, I better do a good job, because it will be my fault if they are unhealthy as kids.

Lastly, I think that even though I made it to my goal, if I don't watch out what I eat, I will be right back up to where I was before....

So now.... IT'S ON!

It's been a while

I figured I would follow the advice given and write a new post, because there has been some progress.

I HAVE MADE IT TO MY FIRST GOAL!

I am the same weight as I was before I got pregnant. This is exciting.

Now on to conquer my next one. 150 lbs. This might actually be harder than the past goal, because I really have to make some permanent changes, such as really making exercise a hight priority.

Priorities are funny things. They seem to change often in my life, but the one thing I have noticed is that the people I look up to in terms of fitness, always have it in their top things to do each day (if not the top thing to get done). There are many things that take time and energy, and I hope that I can balance all the demands on my time so that I can accomplish all of my goals.

Women's Health

I found myself at the library yesterday looking for a calorie catalog (a book that lists the nutritional value for food, e.g. black beans, banana, peach, etc) and I happened to find a book on women's health, The Active Woman's health and Fitness Handbook by Nayda Swedan MD



I would like to quote a bit from it....

"Body image is a term used to describe how you see your body. It is a state of mind that can affect confidence, not only in regard to how you look, but also how you feel about yourself, which can affect your physical and mental health.

Unfortunately, many women have poor body image; even those who are beautiful, thin, fit bodies can look in a mirror and criticize themselves for their imperfections (that are often out of proportion to how they look) rather than their strengths. In contrast, women who have positive body image are confident in knowing that, no matter what the weight on the scale, they are fit, strong, healthy, and beautiful.

....

The best way to have a positive body image is to feel positive about yourself as a person. Stay active, exercise regularly, and feel strong and fit. Nurture your muscles, feed them healthy food, and maintain goals for your life and achievements. Wear clothes that flatter you; have friends who flatter you also."

She goes on to talk about other women's issues with weight and fitness, but I felt that is section was very nice. I generally have a positive body image, but as I go through this process I have to remember that it isn't just being skinny that is important (if it were my body image would be really bad right now :) but it is to be healthy and active. With that in mind any step closer, every workout, every veggie I eat.. helps me be a fit, strong, healthy, and beautiful wife and mother.

I am getting really interested in learning more about women's health, and the specific needs women have physically. If anyone knows of some good books... pass them along. I would love to read them.

Soon, I will hopefully meet with a dietitian just to make sure I am eating the right stuff. I believe that I am, but it is always nice to hear it from someone else too.

p.s. Right now I am eating a delicious slice of garlic & herb Laughing Cow light cheese with (instead of crackers or pretzel thins) slices of cucumber. It is tasty. Total calorie count... 50 kcal YAY!

p.s.s. My calves are looking spectacular :)

Remembering Reasons

There are just those days that seem like this quest is just so silly.... Why would I want to lose weight when I know I am going to get pregnant right after... It doesn't seem to make any sense, at least it didn't today.

Luckily, I have a telephone. I called up a few of my friendly support club members (aka friends) that might also understand this "family way" difficulty. And they reminded me that this journey is so much more than just being thin. They reminded me of all the other reasons I am doing this.
- to be a good mom, who helps her children be active and healthy
- to have healthy future pregnancies
- to be a spectacularly beautiful wife
- to live the commandments and abide by the teachings of the prophets
- to be the best me I can be

Plus, I have heard that it is doubly hard to lose the weight of the first baby after you have had a second.... Well I am 10 pounds away from where I was when I got pregnant with Ginger, so that is almost accomplished.

Downside of today:
Overeating on cantaloupe and cheese with crackers.

Upside of today:
I realized what good supportive friends I have. Thanks you guys for listening.

Only One Dessert per Day

I worked out hard this morning, so I am very satisfied with that aspect of the day. The only trouble part is keeping my calorie count. I didn't do it 4 of July because I ate at someone else's house and it is hard to know how they made the food, and then we went off camping which also made it hard to keep track. I don't think I have been too far off, but it is important to keep track. I don't know if I told you, but I am trying to keep my calories between 1500 and 1800 a day. According to the program I am doing you multiply your weight by 7 and that is how many calories you are suppose to eat to lose weight. Since I am nursing I add between 300-500 calories.

I made a rule in the beginning of this that I would only eat one serving of dessert per day, and I have to admit, today I was very tempted to break that rule. I thought to myself... why not just exercise twice and then I could justify that second treat. BUT NO! there is a reason I set that rule, and if I break it once, I will want to break it again. So those few marshmallows that I ate this afternoon will have to be it for today even though I have new skinny cow ice cream bars in the freezer.

I AM IN CONTROL OF MY BODY! Mind over Matter, Baby!

You are my inspiration.....hiker babe

I woke up this morning with out the inkling of desire to exercise. I was thinking that I have worked out everyday this week, whats one day? Well, then I looked at my inspiration pictures.
Thanks to www.divavillage.com

Thanks to www.hubpages.com - which has a great article about hiking as a woman.

and the third picture, thanks to www.alaskainpicture.com

If you hadn't noticed, I would like to be a hiker babe. I want to be the mom at 60 who hikes the whole AT or something (it probably won't happen), but I loved growing up experiencing the outdoors, and I want to pass that on to my kids. At least I can give them the opportunity to love it. So I look at these pictures to give me a goal of what it will be like to do a hiking tour of Alaska or the Alps.

With my motivation in hand, I decided this morning to change things up a bit. I wanted to go swimming. With my baby around, it doesn't happen very often. I called someone to see if they would watch her, and as my back up plan I figured I could always go get a "trial membership" at the YMCA :) In the end, my friend babysat and I got a fun excursion to the pool, what great refreshing exercise.

As far as progress is concerned, you will all be proud :) I have lost two inches off my waist :) It is probably just that my stomach is not stuffed, but none the less, IT COUNTS! Whahoo! I think I have lost about 2 pounds, which is fine by me. I will weigh myself on Sunday to give you the loss for the week. I just have to keep looking at those pictures......

The First Step

I have decided to start my journey of weight-loss. I am starting on June 27, 2010 at 191 lbs, or a size 16. On October 1, 2010, I will be 150 lbs and/or a size 10.

As I was calling around to tell some people of my new goals, my sister thought of the idea of this blog. It is an easier way to stay accountable for my progress, and it doesn't matter if people actually care this way :) I am at least accountable for posting.

I have set a few goals which you can watch me fulfill as the days go by.

Big Goals:
August 21, 2010 - The A.V. Fair 5k
October 1, 2010 - I will weigh 150 lbs or fit into a size 10.

Small Goals:
- Cardio workout (running, swimming, dancing, etc.) at least 3x a week.
- Strength workout (20 sets of 6-12 reps = 45mins) at least 2x a week.
- Only 1 serving of dessert per day (1/2 cup)
- Eat a low-fat, low carb healthy diet

I have been put-zing around this weight loss thing since a few months after Ginger was born. I got really intrigued with the Biggest Loser and a few other things I had seen, but really what was the kicker was seeing a woman sweat from walking down the hallway. I just decided that I can't continue to putz around. So Starting at 191 pounds and a size 16 I am on my way to a healthier me.