My weight loss journey

Today was a great day. Worked with a group of high school teachers and they were very receptive to the training and I think I can actually help them better manage their caseloads, etc. This is typically not a group I’m good with so it was great. I’m also seeing great progress with a kid I’m working with. I know what the trajectory is for a kid like him so it’s nice to be able to intervene early.

PLUS this morning when I weighed myself I was sure that the scale was broken, but when I tried again this evening it was way back on track. I typically weigh less in the morning too, so I’m hoping tomorrow is a good weigh-in. I also did some preliminary measurements and I’m pretty much back where I was this summer. It’s frustrating because I lost ground and really should have maintained what progress I had made, but at least I’m back where I was. I almost have 3 full months until the wedding so hopefully I’ll get the results I’m shooting for.

Food
Little light on calories (I think), but still within my goals. I had lunch out so estimated as best I could. I went a little light on calories just in case I was off.

Exercise
Worked out late, but still got in a good one. I lifted heavy and kept my energy up during cardio. I’m starving now, but it’s way to late to eat:)

CLX BC 2 & TJ Cardio Party 3 - 667 calories

Yesterday was my long day. I really tried to stay up for a while when I got home, and to workout, but it just didn’t happen. I was so exhausted, but I had a good day. The students are really coming around and they are making the connections I want them to be making.

Food
Met my calorie goal for the day

Exercise
Unintended rest day:(

Had a good day today (despite the rain). The student that I am doing some extra work with is really making some progress. I was off a bit during class, but things turned out OK. We’re trying to get ready for new student interviews, etc. so things have been a bit more stressful than usual. On a very positive note I’ve felt strong and am actually looking forward to my workouts every day.

Food
Had a decent eating day. Was a little light on calories, and I was a bit hungry during the day - need to do better planning.

Exercise
Went back to CLX. The CLW weight videos are different than P90X - I still feel challenged, but I’d forgotten how much quicker they move…which is a good thing. I’ll give it a month and see what the progress looks like.

CLX BC 1 & TJ Cardio Party 2 - 533 calories

So I’ve started shopping for my wedding dress. I had put it off ‘until I lost more weight’, but I really can’t do that any longer. I’ve also had to buy some new clothes (especially pants and shirts). For a total clothes-alholic like myself this should be a welcome treat…but it is bittersweet.

First off it’s nice to have lost 2 sizes. People are surprised when I tell them close to 40 pounds lost only equaled 2 sizes, but I guess it’s my height. I’m still shopping at all the same stores so I know it’s not sizing differences. On the other hand I wish it was more (of course). When I start wishing that though I remind myself that the ball has been in my court the entire time. When I decide to eat something bad or skip a workout that is hurting the bottom line. I am definitely coming to a point where ‘cheating’ just isn’t worth it. I REALLY want a trim and healthy body. I don’t want to be embarrassed to wear a bathing suit anymore. So I guess that’s the bittersweet. I’m finally starting to look good in clothes, but now I’m more focused on looking good out of them. I realize this might sound silly, but it is how I feel. This feeling was not helped by my progress pictures that I took this weekend. I haven’t made much progress since the end of last summer. I know this is my fault and I guess the pro side of this is that I have maintained without too much effort.

The other ‘issue’ I’ve been dealing with is body image in general. Sometimes I look in the mirror (something I’ve avoided all of my life, regardless of my weight) and I’m pleasantly surprised at what I see. Then other times it seems like the ‘fat me’ is still there. Being a psychologist I’m mildly concerned that I have a somewhat fractured self image. For example, a friend told me this weekend that she now sees me as a thin person - I for the life of me cannot see myself the way she does. I think most of this is just a product of being ‘chunky’ for close to 10 years and finally doing something about it. In my teens I never really paid attention to how much I weighed. I was an athlete, and while never skinny, my body was trim and toned. This is definitely the look I would like to get back to. That being said, my mind doesn’t seem to be keeping up with the actual changes in my body. Overall, I just want to be happy with how I look. I’m more than satisfied in nearly every other aspect of my life and I want to achieve in this area as well.

Spent pretty much the entire day catching up on laundry and ironing. It is truly embarrassing to admit that, but the ironing had gotten out of control. I feel like I just went shopping though…clothes that I had actually forgotten about. What’s even better is that there are a few pairs of pants in the mix that don’t even fit me anymore. I’m still using my blue stripped pants and the ‘true test’. I know someday those pants will fit:)

Food
Really a struggle to eat right today. I just wasn’t that hungry - I think my body is still reeling from eating crap over the weekend. I’m glad that my body reacts negatively to bad food and too much of anything, but it wasn’t fun having a tummy ache. I met my calorie goals, but it was difficult.

Exercise
Took a rest day. I had sort of planned on it, sort of hadn’t but my body was sore (not in the good way) and I felt like I needed the break.

Well, I did a better job of meeting my goals last week. I tracked my food and worked out 6 days. I actually did my Insanity workouts 4 days (burned a total of 2,951 calories last week). I’m switching back to CLX and am going to continue with TJ and Insanity. I like CLX better than P90X and I think I’m going to have a better shot and fidelity. My body is definitely into working out mode. I can get through the Insanity workouts better and am feeling stronger. It’s also not so hard to get my motivation up to push play.

Today is superbowl day - I am really going to make every effort to watch what I eat. Especially, after my fat fest yesterday. I had 2 or 3 cookies last night and my stomach hurt so bad this morning.

Goals

1. Work out 6 days a week - going back to CLX, for at least a month rotation.
2. Meet my calorie/nutrition goals.
3. Blog and log and my food.

Food
Not good eating at all Superbowl Sunday. It is really hard when I go to my cousin’s house - all the food is so good!!

Exercise
Had a good workout this morning.

Insanity Max Cardio Conditioning - 550 calories

Today is girls night and I’ve been trying to get stuff done around the house before we leave (not being very successful).

Food
I ate breakfast and am going to have a light snack before we leave. I am not going to pay too much attention to what I eat tonight.

Exercise
I am glad that I worked out today. I worked out 6 days this week - feels good.

Insanity Max Intervals - 661 calories

Today was a disappointing weigh-in day. I only lost about a pound. I have been working so hard all week to eat right and exercise (I’ve been focusing in cardio this week) and I really did expect to see the scale reflect that. On the other hand, my clothes are fitting better and I am starting to see more definition in key areas. Trying to be optimistic and I know that the scale is not the only measurement tool, but I still can’t help but wish that I would lose actual weight.

Food
Pretty good eating day. I was at home today so it’s a lot easier to get in more frequent meals. Tonight is pizza night, and I made sure to budget for that. Making at home with fresh ingredients is so much healthier and it satisfies my snack urge.

Exercise
I think I have figured out what it is I like and don’t like about Insanity. I love the intensity, but it’s the repetition that drives me crazy. I really like the cardio ones, but the intervals that repeat 3x are hard to keep my interest. I’m going to get over that, but it’s also the reason that I really like the TJ videos. I can tell that I’m getting stronger and my cardio is getting stronger. Today I was able to do the suicides without spreading my legs much. Basically when I’m in a plan position I can bring my knees into my chest without spreading my knees too much. It’s the small successes.

Insanity Max Cardio Conditioning - 540 calories

Today was a pretty good day. Was able to catch up on some stuff, but I never manage to get everything done. I picked up keys for the new training room - it is very nice and it will be great to have such a nice space. I can’t wait until the smart board arrives. I was definitely tired today, but I think it’s just coming down off several very busy weeks. It feels like I’ve been running around like a crazy person for the last month.

Food
Not the best eating day - I have expanded my desired caloric intake to range between 1,400 and 1,600. I don’t think the extra 100 calories is going to have a detrimental effect and sometimes in the evenings I choose not to eat something because it would put me over by about 20-30 calories even though it was probably a better choice.

Exercise
Really didn’t want to work out today…AT ALL!! However, I put the video in and pushed play and was instantly glad I did. Turbo Jam is always good for getting me motivated to work out even when I really don’t want to. It is the only workout that does that for me.

TJ Cardio Party 3 - 400 calories.

Today was my long day, but I got everything done and had a good class. I know that I need to eat more during the day though because I’ve been getting really bad headaches towards the end of the day. That and I am pretty sure that my 8 cups of coffee a day is probably not the best thing.

Food
Right at 1,400 calories. I need to spread out my eating better during the day. I am getting better on not going over on my fat though and balancing out my carbs and protein.

Exercise
I was pretty beat after class, but I managed to find the inner motivation to work out. With the wedding quickly approaching that is really the added motivation I need. I can feel the muscles in my legs really starting to get defined and I truly think that I’m starting to see more definition in my abs (this could of course be in my head though).

TJ Cardio Party 3 - 361 calories