Weight Loss Challenge Update

Last week I wrote about a few weight loss goals that I wanted to start working towards. Although there were many areas that I did not do well in this past week, I still managed to lose 5 pounds!!!

My two biggest downfalls were not exercising very much and eating sweets.

I had been doing extremely well with staying away from sweets - until the weekend. We went over to my parent's home for dinner on Friday evening and my mom laid out an array of desserts that were just too tempting! I took a small portion and was satisfied since that was my only dessert of the entire week. But then, on Saturday evening I made cookies for church on Sunday and it was hard not to sample at least one tiny one. = )

Then came Sunday. It is amazing I don't gain 10 pounds every Sunday with the way our church eats. We have rolls and coffee/juice for when people arrive, then eat lunch together afterward. We always have healthy options, but we also have ended up with a dessert buffet the last two weeks. Everything from cake to cookies to pies. I took a small portion, but then a few cookies ended up in our to-go box as well. It is so hard to be disciplined when there are so many delicious things!

Despite my downfalls, I think that the one area I did succeed in really made the difference. I feel like I lost the weight that I did because I disciplined myself to eat smaller portions. A few days we at dinner on a salad plate instead of a regular sized plate. This is a great way to exercise portion control but you still feel like you are eating a good amount because your plate is full. = )

So, my goals for this next week are:

• Graduate from walking to aerobic exercises. Do aerobics three times this week and walk the other four days.
• Indulge in only one portion of sweets all week. 
• Continue eating smaller serving portions of food. 
• Have a plan for what to eat at church on Sunday - and stick with it. = )
• Lose another five pounds by the end of April.

Anyone else on a weight loss journey? If so, how is it going? Any tips that you can share?  I'm open to anything!

Kathryne

Weight Loss Challenge

Awhile ago I wrote about exercising and losing weight - and this blog keeping me accountable. Sad to say, but I have completely dropped off with the exercising for about the last month. We took a few days off and just couldn't seem to get back into the workout groove. We had really been feeling the difference and felt great, but we just didn't stay on track.

One of the reasons I think we stopped (in theory) is because we don't have a scale. I know - shameful. We never got one when we got married, even though we talked about it and looked at them several times. We could never justify spending the money.

But, after starting to use swagbucks, we had earned enough amazon.com gift cards to be able to buy a decent one. Plus, with the prime shipping account that gives you free two-day shipping, it ended up costing us only $3 out of pocket. We could have waited until later this month to get the whole thing free with swagbuck amazon gift cards, but I was getting antsy to get the show back on the road.

We picked out this scale from Amazon.com:
It was definitely a shocking moment to get on the scale and see how much I weigh, but it was also very motivating. Now if I am tempted to take another serving or throw some chocolate chips in my yogurt or snack on chips, I just think of that number staring back at me on the scale and deny the craving.

One thing that we are really learning is that our mind and our stomachs think independently. I think that I need more food, but my stomach doesn't really need it. If I do need a snack, why not pick raisins or fruit instead of chips or crackers.

So, we are starting back on the weight loss journey again today.

My goals are:

• To exercise 4 times this week.
• To avoid sweets and desserts like the plague.
• To drink plenty of water.
• To lose ten pounds this month.

I'll be sure to keep you updated!

Kathryne

Exercise Update

I am trying to keep myself somewhat accountable on exercising and weight loss. Nothing too big to report this week. We only exercised two times last week. I was excited because I was starting to feel a difference, but after not exercising very much last week, I am feeling just as flabby as before.

We have had a busy week this week, which has made it hard to exercise. But, we were able to exercise on Wednesday right after work. It felt good to get at it again, but I could definitely tell that I wasn't where I was last week in my endurance.

We went over to my parent's house earlier this week for dinner. Over dinner they were sharing with us that their employer is doing a health and wellness program where employees get points for doing different things (i.e. taking so many steps a day, drinking so much water, exercising for so long, etc.). They have only been doing it a few weeks and we can already tell that they are slimming down (NOT like my parents need to, they are already thin). My mom was sharing that if the employees are not at the "healthy weight" for their height and bone type, then they have to lose 2% of their body weight by the next weigh in.

Ugh. I was very discouraged to hear how far above the "healthy weight" I am. I was at the top of the healthy weight range when we got married and my goal was to get close to that. I'll be honest, right now that seems like a big feat. I guess I'll just have to take one step at a time - literally!

Happy exercising!

Kathryne

Weight Gain

Does anyone else out there struggle with gaining weight? This is never something that I really battled until getting married. Then, OH MY!!! My hubby and I both gained "just a few" pounds very quickly. It is horrendous!!

So, for a few excuses:

I think part of it is because I was used to eating with a family of boys. Yes, I am one of six children and there were only two girls. My mom would make a certain amount of food that was plenty to feed everyone. But, I had to eat quickly if I wanted to get seconds or the boys would eat it all. Sounds vicious, but that is really how it was (in a tame way). It really was a blessing though because I just ate what I needed and didn't eat anything extra.

But, now that I am married and there are just two of us, and because my husband is a great cook, and because we both love to be in the kitchen, and because I now work at home and barely move around, and, and, and. . . I know, all excuses for why I've gained weight.

It started back on the honeymoon eating all of those yummy meals. Then when we got home, we loved cooking dinner together and would end up with feasts on the table (we seriously had to make our table bigger because all of the food that we prepared wouldn't fit on the table!). I was also a much faster eater than my husband, so I would finish my plate when he had barely started, so I would take another helping, and another. . .

So, now, after being married for about 18 months, we have decided that this has to stop. We will NOT be gaining any more weight. We will NOT be making feasts and desserts anymore. We WILL be exercising on a regular basis and we WILL be eating healthy.

Check back with me in a week and see how it is going. You'll have to help keep us accountable.