This week has been fantastic when it comes to exercise. I went to Body Pump on Friday evening, I jogged on the treadmill on Sunday, I went to a Pilates class on Monday, and I worked out on the elliptical last night. While all of this activity is great, it definitely has made me hungrier this week. Let's just say, I've gone over my daily points nearly every day (although I'm still OP because I've only used about 30 of my 35 weekly points).
I discovered (through the WW message boards) a site called SparkPeople.com that helps you track your nutrition and activity. The site is very similar to WW E-tools. You enter your information (age, height, weight) and it tells you how much you should be eating. Unlike WW, however, this site gives you more specific guidelines in terms of calories, fat, cholesterol, protein, sodium, calcium, iron, carbs, etc...It's a great resource. Even if you don't end up using it, I'd recommend entering in a sample day and seeing how well you are meeting the guidelines.
So, according to SparkPeople, I should be eating 1200-1550 calories per day. When I eat just my DPs, I usually hit 1200 calories, which is on the low end of the spectrum. That was news to me. I guess that's why they are called your MINIMUM daily points. Anyway, yesterday I had a good OP day + two glasses of wine and ended up using 1388 calories and going over my DPs by 2 points. At first, I was kind of upset with myself for once again going over my DPs. But on the other hand, I was well within my range of calories to lose weight. In addition, I met all of my other good health guidelines, except for potassium.
So, in the end, it looks like it's good to use your additional weekly points because the daily points are the minimum of what one should be eating. I'll definitely keep this in mind as I go through this WLJ.
I really hope that I still see a loss this week, despite eating most of my WPs!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Pilates
Despite being pretty sore yesterday, I forced myself to try out the Pilates class at Gold's gym. I'm so glad that I did, because it wasn't too intense and it definitely helped me to stretch out my sore muscles.
The last time I tried Pilates was before I started losing weight. I remember doing a tape with my mom and struggling quite a bit to reach/ maintain the poses. I could barely squeeze my legs together, much less use my stomach muscles to lift myself up.
I was surprised by how much easier the class was this time around. My thighs fit together with no problem, and I had no trouble getting into the majority of the positions. My only problem occurred when we had to balance on the huge rubber balls. I kept tipping over ;)
It's amazing how much I have changed over the past six months. Before losing weight, I was afraid to try any new activities because I figured I would fail or that the activity would be too strenuous. These days, I feel fairly confident trying new exercise classes, from Body Pump to Pilates. I know that I'm not in great shape, by any means, but I am capable of doing a lot more than before I started WW.
Anyway, I have to get back to work. Happy Tuesday everyone.
The last time I tried Pilates was before I started losing weight. I remember doing a tape with my mom and struggling quite a bit to reach/ maintain the poses. I could barely squeeze my legs together, much less use my stomach muscles to lift myself up.
I was surprised by how much easier the class was this time around. My thighs fit together with no problem, and I had no trouble getting into the majority of the positions. My only problem occurred when we had to balance on the huge rubber balls. I kept tipping over ;)
It's amazing how much I have changed over the past six months. Before losing weight, I was afraid to try any new activities because I figured I would fail or that the activity would be too strenuous. These days, I feel fairly confident trying new exercise classes, from Body Pump to Pilates. I know that I'm not in great shape, by any means, but I am capable of doing a lot more than before I started WW.
Anyway, I have to get back to work. Happy Tuesday everyone.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Weekend Fun
I worked out twice over the weekend, but I also managed to use just about all my 35 weeklies on alcohol and snacks. So, I guess that evens out, right? I hope so.
I had a great time this weekend. After work on Friday I tried a new class at Gold's Gym, Body Pump. I'd been meaning to try some resistance training in addition to cardio. Randomly, on Friday afternoon I met this girl in the locker room and she convinced me to give Body Pump a chance, despite the scary name. The class was definitely a challenge for me. It consisted of an hour of doing arm weights, lunges, squats and sit-ups. I could barely move the next day, and I'm still sore three days later!
Friday night was full of drunken debauchery, so I won't go into much detail there, haha. Needless to say, I had a good time. Then on Saturday, I went to an old friend's surprise birthday party, which was awesome. I hadn't seen her in several months and she definitely noticed my weight loss. And then on Sunday I went to the Folk Life Festival in Richmond. It was an amazing time, and yes, I splurged and got the funnel cake ;)
All in all, it was a great weekend, and I'm a little sad to be back at work today. I forced myself to jog for 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday and now my legs hurt more than ever. I also plan on going to a Pilate's class tonight, so wish me luck!
I had a great time this weekend. After work on Friday I tried a new class at Gold's Gym, Body Pump. I'd been meaning to try some resistance training in addition to cardio. Randomly, on Friday afternoon I met this girl in the locker room and she convinced me to give Body Pump a chance, despite the scary name. The class was definitely a challenge for me. It consisted of an hour of doing arm weights, lunges, squats and sit-ups. I could barely move the next day, and I'm still sore three days later!
Friday night was full of drunken debauchery, so I won't go into much detail there, haha. Needless to say, I had a good time. Then on Saturday, I went to an old friend's surprise birthday party, which was awesome. I hadn't seen her in several months and she definitely noticed my weight loss. And then on Sunday I went to the Folk Life Festival in Richmond. It was an amazing time, and yes, I splurged and got the funnel cake ;)
All in all, it was a great weekend, and I'm a little sad to be back at work today. I forced myself to jog for 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday and now my legs hurt more than ever. I also plan on going to a Pilate's class tonight, so wish me luck!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Recap of the Week
First things first, I want to wish my mom a very happy birthday. It's a gorgeous day to celebrate turning 53 :)
I feel like I can barely write today, given how exhausted I am with work. I am a technical editor, and my job involves editing proposals that my company submits to the government/ private companies. My job is either super slow or crazy intense. This week I've been swamped with editing a 100 page technical document that has needed A LOT of work. I can barely see straight at this point, much less write coherently. So, forgive me if this post seems scattered.
Anyway, I'd like to touch base with my goals this week. I exercised four times (thereby hitting my goal of 3 times) and I stayed within my points. To be honest, there were a few days when I may have gone a bit under my points, but there were also days when I used my 35 extra points. So, as a result, I had my first BIG loss in months: 4.8 pounds!! It feels really good to make some significant progress on my goal.
Last night it hit me: I am only 35 pounds from a BMI healthy weight. While 35 pounds is a significant amount that will, likely, take me several months to lose, it's not that much weight. I mean, a lot of people need to lose 20-30 pounds...it's not a crazy amount of weight. And that means that I'm not that seriously overweight anymore.
Everyone has been telling me this. My parents, siblings, friends, guys that I date have all said/ implied that I'm not that big. But for some reason it's hard for me to believe. It's strange--when I was bigger I saw myself as smaller and was often shocked by photographs/ clothing sizes. And now that I'm smaller, I still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I mean, I'm not crazy, I know that I fit into smaller sizes and weigh less, but I still FEEL huge. I can't wait until this feeling goes away and I can just feel confident with my body.
But the sad truth is that these insecurities will not disappear as I lose weight. The weight loss helps, but I think it might take time, and possibly some therapy, to shed my insecurities once and for all.
I'd appreciate any feedback/ advice you guys can give me. It's a long road to becoming both physically and mentally healthy.
I feel like I can barely write today, given how exhausted I am with work. I am a technical editor, and my job involves editing proposals that my company submits to the government/ private companies. My job is either super slow or crazy intense. This week I've been swamped with editing a 100 page technical document that has needed A LOT of work. I can barely see straight at this point, much less write coherently. So, forgive me if this post seems scattered.
Anyway, I'd like to touch base with my goals this week. I exercised four times (thereby hitting my goal of 3 times) and I stayed within my points. To be honest, there were a few days when I may have gone a bit under my points, but there were also days when I used my 35 extra points. So, as a result, I had my first BIG loss in months: 4.8 pounds!! It feels really good to make some significant progress on my goal.
Last night it hit me: I am only 35 pounds from a BMI healthy weight. While 35 pounds is a significant amount that will, likely, take me several months to lose, it's not that much weight. I mean, a lot of people need to lose 20-30 pounds...it's not a crazy amount of weight. And that means that I'm not that seriously overweight anymore.
Everyone has been telling me this. My parents, siblings, friends, guys that I date have all said/ implied that I'm not that big. But for some reason it's hard for me to believe. It's strange--when I was bigger I saw myself as smaller and was often shocked by photographs/ clothing sizes. And now that I'm smaller, I still feel like the biggest girl in the room. I mean, I'm not crazy, I know that I fit into smaller sizes and weigh less, but I still FEEL huge. I can't wait until this feeling goes away and I can just feel confident with my body.
But the sad truth is that these insecurities will not disappear as I lose weight. The weight loss helps, but I think it might take time, and possibly some therapy, to shed my insecurities once and for all.
I'd appreciate any feedback/ advice you guys can give me. It's a long road to becoming both physically and mentally healthy.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
And the Verdict is..
Down 4.8 :)
Work has been crazy busy these last few days, so I don't have much time to post. But I wanted to let you all know about my good news. I'm pretty excited!
Work has been crazy busy these last few days, so I don't have much time to post. But I wanted to let you all know about my good news. I'm pretty excited!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Apple-Shaped
I did the measurements and the verdict is in. Apparently, I have an apple-shaped figure, which means that I have broader shoulders, a bigger bust and stomach, and narrower hips and thighs. Or in other words, I look like the Superman cartoon.
According to Look Fabulous.com,
"The apple is a wonderful fruit. However, apple-shaped women don’t always feel as wonderful. You see, an apple shaped body tends to have a softer fuller middle with slim thighs and upper shapely legs. She often has fuller breasts, thinner hips and thighs and a flatter rear end than most. A protruding tummy is also common among the Apples and is a source of much frustration and low self esteem for many of them.
When Apples gain weight, they have a tendency to gain in the midsection, they usually grow thick around the middle down to the thighs. So not all apples are curvy and overweight but generally, all have larger upper body and wider shoulder. This is down to the fact that Apple shaped women have higher androgen levels compared to women with other body types. The high androgen level leads to the skeleton developing in a more masculine pattern and fat is mainly distributed in the chest, face and abdomen."
So, apparently, I am cursed with the worst female figure ever. Not only do I have the big belly, but apparently I'm more manly than other types of women. Grrr...
I found this [the fact that I'm apple shaped] out the hard way when I decided to go pants shopping yesterday. I had one pair of dress pants that fit, so I decided to go and buy another pair. Not as simple as it sounds.
I went to three stores and struggled to find pants that fit both my waist and thighs. Several of the pairs I tried on fit my waist, but then ballooned around my thighs and butt, which made me look dumpy. And to make matters worse, I am in between a size 12 and a size 14, so the 14s were a bit too big and the 12s were too snug. Last but not least, I'm relatively short, so all the pants were way too long. Let me just say, this shopping expedition was not fun. Eventually, I found a pair of pants that fit my belly and thighs and were the right length, but I must have tried on 30 pairs.
The only consolation is that, according to other random websites, there are some pretty gorgeous skinny "apple-shaped" women, including Angelina Jolie and Catherine Zeta-Jones. So, I guess there may be hope for apple-shaped women after all.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Back on Track
I am proud to report that I am back on the exercising/ eating healthy wagon. Since my weigh in on Thursday when I gained 1.4 pounds, I have worked out twice and stayed within my daily and weekly points. I know that it's only Monday, but I feel really pleased that I have managed to get back on track after my two week relapse.
On Friday night I went to the gym after work and jogged on the treadmill. I jogged at alternating two minute increments of 4.2 and 4.4 for 32 minutes. While that may not sound fast to you, it's the fastest I've ever gone on the treadmill. When I first started WW in March, I could only manage 3.5, so I feel like I've definitely gotten into better shape in the past six months.
After going to the gym, I went to see The Social Network with a new guy E. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, I don't want to spoil it for you, but I was not impressed. I love Aaron Sorkin and I was really excited to see the movie, but I felt like the dialogue was kind of flat. Anyway, after the movie, we went to hear my favorite swing band play at the neighborhood bar, which was awesome. And then I ended up going to two more bars and stayed up until 4am. Good times ;)
On Saturday, I drove up to Nova to visit my parents and see my best friend Michael. Michael and I cooked up an awesome dinner of sausage and peppers and tater tots. Yum.
And on Sunday, I went for a jog in my parents' incredibly hilly neighborhood. The jog was much tougher than the treadmill, but it felt really good. It was really nice spending the day with my family yesterday. We went out for breakfast. I went for a walk with my brother Nick (and ended up with muddy clothing thanks to an unfortunate dare!), made white bean chili with family friends, Ann and Mike, and ate a delicious dinner of roasted chicken and collard greens .
Unfortunately, I got back to Richmond pretty late (around 10pm) so I'm a bit tired this morning. Oh well. It's worth it because I had an awesome weekend. Anyway, gotta get back to work. I hope that everyone has a great Monday.
On Friday night I went to the gym after work and jogged on the treadmill. I jogged at alternating two minute increments of 4.2 and 4.4 for 32 minutes. While that may not sound fast to you, it's the fastest I've ever gone on the treadmill. When I first started WW in March, I could only manage 3.5, so I feel like I've definitely gotten into better shape in the past six months.
After going to the gym, I went to see The Social Network with a new guy E. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, I don't want to spoil it for you, but I was not impressed. I love Aaron Sorkin and I was really excited to see the movie, but I felt like the dialogue was kind of flat. Anyway, after the movie, we went to hear my favorite swing band play at the neighborhood bar, which was awesome. And then I ended up going to two more bars and stayed up until 4am. Good times ;)
On Saturday, I drove up to Nova to visit my parents and see my best friend Michael. Michael and I cooked up an awesome dinner of sausage and peppers and tater tots. Yum.
And on Sunday, I went for a jog in my parents' incredibly hilly neighborhood. The jog was much tougher than the treadmill, but it felt really good. It was really nice spending the day with my family yesterday. We went out for breakfast. I went for a walk with my brother Nick (and ended up with muddy clothing thanks to an unfortunate dare!), made white bean chili with family friends, Ann and Mike, and ate a delicious dinner of roasted chicken and collard greens .
Unfortunately, I got back to Richmond pretty late (around 10pm) so I'm a bit tired this morning. Oh well. It's worth it because I had an awesome weekend. Anyway, gotta get back to work. I hope that everyone has a great Monday.
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