I’ve decided I need to lose a few pounds.
I know, blog posts about weight-loss and dieting aren’t exactly exciting. It always feels a little bit touchy and I’ll admit that I’m a little concerned that I’ll be viewed as vain and silly when this post is published. You might think I look just fine, but damn, you have not seen me naked.
The truth is I know I’m not in horrible shape, but I weighed myself yesterday morning and that number was higher than it’s been since I graduated from university in early 2001. Generally speaking, I try not to pay too much attention to the number on the scale. I think a lot of women are much too concerned with that number. My philosophy is that, if I feel okay about myself when I look in the mirror, and I like how my clothes fit, and my husband thinks I look okay and still wants to engage in “business time” then the number on the scale doesn’t matter.
Well, lately, I don’t feel like my clothes are fitting very nicely (lots of hoodies these days, and not just due to the weather) and I’ve been staying away from the mirrors in our house. (Graham has apparently barely noticed.)
Lately I’ve been eating really lazily. We eat potato chips by the bag and I’ve had fast food for breakfast or lunch about once a week. Cookies for snacks, that kind of thing. Although I plan our evening meals ahead of time, this only means that we’re eating some really yummy dinners…so yummy that I’ll keep eating even if I’m full just because the food tastes good. And with the onset of spring and summer weather, Strongbow cider has been featured prominently in our refrigerator. That’s bad. Combine all of this with little to no exercise and I’m a little lumpier in places than I’d like to be. My energy levels are down. My mood is “meh.” I’m not terribly excited by life. I procrastinate. This is also bad.
I’ve decided to take action. With all kinds of amazing people out there who are working toward their own fitness goals, there is absolutely no excuse for taking this lying down. I want to lose a certain number of pounds by the end of June. That means:
- No fast food.
- No cider (sob).
- No potato chips.
- Watch portion sizes.
- Exercise!
We brought the elliptical trainer upstairs into the office over the weekend so now it’s here, a mere four or five feet away, flirting with me. I wanted to eliminate the excuses I’ve become adept at creating.
“It’s dark down there!”
“There’s nothing to listen to or watch!”
“Blah, blah, blah.”
Yesterday I did a 20-minute cardio hill program that burned 256 calories. When I was done i felt great. I showered, changed, and thought about how awesome it is to have the machine in our very own house, which in my opinion, kicks the ass of going to the gym. I intend to do this every day.
I’m also using a website called FitDay to record my eating and manage my weight loss goal.
My hope is that I’ll be back to the self I admire most by the end of June.
I feel like I am reading my own thoughts…
Anyway, I have recently had the same epiphany. On Saturday, I got my new Real Simple magazine and they had a section where readers wrote in about how they motivate themselves to exercise. One woman wrote, “I remind myself of the healthful benefits of eating right and exercising. And if that doesn’t work, I get naked and jump up and down in front of a full-length mirror.”
Well, let me tell you, that worked for me like nothing else! I ran for 20 minutes yesterday – after 2 years of not running at all. I have been either pregnant or busy with two small kids since 2004. And also lazy.
Way to go!!! Changing habits is hard! I needed an upcoming wedding to get me back off my butt. I know you’ll probably not want any advice, but I have two words for you: weight training. It’s the KEY. Or at least it was for me…
Good luck!!!
Melamalie’s last blog post..Garrison Creek Park Community Garden: A new beginning
Twas a long hard winter and I think everyone is packing a few extra, how to get rid of them is the yucky part
Funny you should reference Flight of the Conchords, we watched a bunch of episodes on the weekend and just love it – especially ‘business time.’ Todd downloaded the soundtrack, it’s a hoot
That’s awesome – WHATEVER WORKS! I sure wish I had a treadmill or elliptical at home – lucky girl!
Karen Sugarpants’s last blog post..Sucking Out the Demon
Good for you! I have done something similar, and have lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks, nothing crazy just a couple of pounds a week. Remember…”nothing tastes as good as thin feels” lol
Kolleen Brunton’s last blog post..Lacrosse Warrior
You’re my hero! Someone offered me their fat clothes last month. Yeah, I should start doing Yoga again. The clothes were too big but I was in such shock I just said “thank you.” Then two days later I donated them! That felt great!! My hardest time of the year is after Halloween. I can gain 5 to 10 lbs. every Winter. It gets harder to get if off every Spring. Just be glad that you’re so young!! And, I think you look great!! Hugs!
Traceytreasure’s last blog post..Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian
I would kill to have one of those at home because I hate the freakin’ gym so much. Now I get this post because I’m like you – not out of shape, just not happy and who needs to be happy – WE NEED TO BE HAPPY. So I’m hear to support you and I’ll eat any potato chips that try to get into your mouth. Naughty potato chips.
motherbumper’s last blog post..Oh Vicky you’re so fine
darling. I am the queen of allegedly boring fitness posts.
Eliminate all carbs gained from pasta bread etc.
Do TWO. Yes two, you don’t have children and you are not going TOO a gym so you have no excuse.
Do two sets of intense interval training per day.
Set your elliptical to the MAX you can do for one minute, then one minute at a comfortable. Then one minute almost impossible.
back and forth.
My trainer makes me do it. It works.
Wow, I could have written basically that whole entire post … except for the part where I get off my arse and do something. Good on ya, seriously.
Missy’s last blog post..Dude, find another topic
This seems to be the time of year when we all re-evaluate our shape.
I admire your sensible approach. I’m going to have to cut out the peanut M&M’s.
blackbird’s last blog post..educational television
Good for you, Amy!!
I’ve been trying to weave exercise back into my life too. It feels good, hey?
Keep up the good work!
Angella’s last blog post..24 Hrs
Good for you! I’ve started and stopped trying to lose weight for 3 years now but 2 weeks ago I started again eating healthy and it’s the longest I’ve lasted!
I am so hoping to lose some extra weight in the year after baby is born, not just the baby weight. But I also know that I’ve been indulging more than I need to these last couple of weeks, so I have to even while pregnant, pay attention to eating more healthily. Snacks should be carrots, not chocolate, kittenpie! Because if I gain too much, it will only be that much harder. Then afterwards, I’m coming to you for tips!
kittenpie’s last blog post..Gone
Yep, feeling exactly the same way. It’s that downtime between indoor and outdoor soccer that gets me.
Ainse’s last blog post..Six Random Things
Here are two rules that are serving me alright.
1) If you have a beer, or glass of wine, or soda with dinner: Don’t refill it. Refills are what getcha.
2) When you eat out: Never eat everything on the plate. Unless you’re running marathons you don’t need that much food.
Backpacking Dad’s last blog post..Tired now…where’s the wine?