Wednesday Weigh In

Today I weighed in. It was the same as last week. I'm kind of disappointed. I was sick this week and didn't much at all, so I was expecting to lose a pound at least. I know I would have gained that pound back, but it would have been nice to see a lower number on the scale two weeks in a row.

Nonetheless, I'm happy I didn't gain weight since I didn't exercise much considering I didn't get out of bed for three days.

This next week, I would like to lose. At least one pound. I will be very strict with my diet and workout hard. Sticking with my diet seems difficult right now because I just ate breakfast an hour ago and my stomach is growling. I will not snack. I swear. I want to lose a pound this week. I will ignore the hunger until lunch, I swear.

Pounds lost: 10
Pounds to lose:90

Loose Skin

As I have been losing weight, I have noticed that the skin around my stomach area has been looser and saggier.  I have stretch marks (or the reverse of stretch marks from losing weight?) all along my stomach and sides.  While this is a good problem to have (since it means I am losing weight), I was wondering how I can prevent them.  I don’t want to lose a bunch of weight and have saggy skin everywhere.  So, I researched some helpful tips to help tighten loose skin after weight loss.

1.       Don’t lose weight too quickly

Aim for 1-2 pounds a week.  Crash diets and losing a lot of weight quickly can lose fat as well as muscle causing skin to be looser than if a person lost weight slower.  To make sure that muscle is not lost during weight loss, include weight lifting into your exercise program.

2.       Stay Hydrated

Water maintains skin elasticity.  Make sure that you drink enough water every day.

3.       Eat properly

Protein rich foods contain collagen which help keeps skin plump.  Oils contain elastin which improves skin elasticity.   Protein is absorbed better if eaten after a workout.

4.       Take good care of your skin

This should go without saying.  Exfoliate daily to help remove dead skin cells and increase skin circulation.  Hot bath with minerals and sea salts can improve skin tone.  There are creams that promote skin tightening.  Keep your skin hydrated by using moisturizers and do not use harsh soaps.  Limit sun exposure since it decreases skin elasticity.

Motivation

I have been sick with a sinus infection for the last couple of days.  The last thing I want to do is workout.  I just want to sleep, but I know that if I don’t keep up with my workouts I won’t continue them when I get better. I was on Pinterest and a couple of workout motivational pins popped up.  I thought I would share them.

Wednesday weigh in

I am so excited today. I weighed and I have finally lost 10 pounds! I'm so happy. Now, I can get my 10 reward. I get a pedicure. I've never had one before, so in pretty excited about it.

Last week I worked my butt off. I exercised hard. I stuck to my diet. And the most exciting part of this week is that my old jeans fit again. They have been in my closet for over a year and a half. This weekend I wore them. I'm so happy.

This week I want to continue my momentum. I will keep eating right and keep exercising.

Pounds lost:10
Pounds to lose:90

Quick Tips to Lose Weight

I was reading an article from a pin on Pinterest entitled “What is the Quickest Way to Lose Weight?”  I try to do all of these things.  They are simple tips as well as interesting facts.  I will definitely have to remember these four tips while I am losing weight.  Check it out.

From the website:

1 .Avoid eating junk food: 90%of junk food is high in fat content. This is a major NO-NO if you want to lose weight quickly. If you keep eating food which is rich in calorie and fat content you can’t possible lose weight, leave alone losing it fast! The most common junk, or rather fast foods are French fries, fries chicken, etc. Avoid eating all this as these foods are high in fat and calories content and will make you gain weight. Most people often eat too much of fast foods because they are easy to get a hold of. If you are on a mission to lose weight, stop yourself every time you crave fast foods!

 2. Maintain a diet which consists of fiber-rich food: Reducing your carbohydrate intake and increasing your protein and fiber intake will help to lose weight quickly. Eating a lot of fruits and vegetables is important as they are high in fiber content and also contain nutrients which are essential to the body. The main advantages of eating fruits and vegetables is that they are high in fiber content and this helps you to feel full without you having to take in too many calories.

 3. Go for walks, exercise regularly: walking is the best exercise. If you want to lose weight quickly make sure to go for at least a twenty minutes’ walk every day. Even exercising regularly helps. Even something as simple as a few pull-ups and push-ups every day would do. Exercising helps to burn fat and calories as it increases your body’s metabolism.

 4. Stay active all the time: keeping yourself active all the time is important if you wish to burn calories quickly. When you are active your body’s metabolism rate doesn’t slow down and this helps you to lose weight quickly as your body will be constantly burning calories. Simple activities such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking to the store down the road instead of taking the car, etc. these little things contribute to your weight loss process as your metabolism rate will be high.

Wednesday Weigh In

It’s weigh in Wednesday! 

Well, I’m trying to look on the bright side today. I didn’t gain weight.  But, I also didn’t lose any. 

I don’t know why.  I just am stuck.  This is my third week in a row weighing in much.  I want to lose weight so badly.  I’m so close to the ten pound mark.  I want to hit that soon. 

I don’t know what I did wrong this week.  I followed my workout plan.  I followed my diet.  Yet, weight loss just didn’t happen.

This next week, I want to continue to follow my plans.  I don’t think I will allow myself to have S days this weekend.  I want to limit my sugar.  Maybe that will help me lose a pound or two.

Pounds lost: 8.5

Pounds to lose: 91.5

Celebrity Weight Loss

As I am trying to lose weight, I always find it interesting to read how celebrities do it.  Now, I know that most celebrity weight loss stories are made up.  It’s so much easier to lose weight when a doctor sucks it right out of you.  That being said, I do like when a celebrity obviously lost the weight on his or her own.

Jeff Dunham lost 25 pounds before his wedding according to People.com.  Of course, he married a fitness model who is a nutritionist and trainer.  I’m sure that helped. 

To prepare for their wedding, they followed her diet fro when she competes in bikini competitions.  It’s high in protein, low in carbs, and free of gluten, dairy, and alcohol.  Plus, he did an hour and twenty minutes of stair climbing each day. 

Let me tell you, he looks great.  I didn’t even recognize him.

I hope that I can do stairs for that long someday. 

A little update

I don't really have much to say this week.  I'm really happy with my new work out program.  It seems very doable. 

My only problem is that it takes over an hour a day.  45 minutes in the morning and about 15 at night.
I can't really find the time to do 45 minutes most mornings, so its usually 45 minutes in the afternoon with 15 minutes later in the night. 

I hope that doesn't effect my progress.

Also, my big toe won't stop popping out of the socket.  Is that weird?  It only hurts when it's out of the socket.  Should I see a doctor? 

Wednesday Weigh in

Another Wednesday, another weigh in.  This week was kind of disappointing. I thought that I was doing good, but the scale says otherwise. 

I didn’t lose any weight this week.  On the bright side, I didn’t gain any either.

What I did wrong this week:  I may have cheated on my diet.  Ok, I did.  I was on my period and craving chocolate.  I’m a stereotype, sue me.  I was hungry all the time.  I didn’t cheat much, but it was probably the reason for not losing any weight.

What I did right:  I exercised.  I really like this new program.  I feel good after working out.  Even when I didn’t want to work out, I still forced myself to.

What I will do this week differently:  I will not cheat on my diet. I repeat, I will not cheat on my diet. 

Weight lost: 8.5 lbs

Weight to lose: 91.5 lbs

Hypnosis for weight loss?

I was reading this article on losing weight from hypnosis.  I have heard of this and know people who stopped smoking after being hypnotized.  I don’t know it if really works, or if people are just convincing themselves that hypnosis cured them in a mind over matter type of way.  I think that the idea is fascinating. 

In the article, Judy Seward struggled with her weight. She was 100 pounds overweight in April when she decided to make a change.  While her doctor suggested gastric bypass, she opted for a session with hypnotherapist Rena Greenberg.

Greenberg believes that hypnosis is about replacing her obsessive eating habits with healthier ones and not controlling her mind.

According to the article, during “private sessions - which run from $297 to $1,099 - Greenberg also adds this twist: convincing Judy that she's had surgery to apply a band around her stomach that physically limits her food intake.”

 In three and a half months, Judy has lost 30pounds due to her newfound love of fruits and vegetables. 

She also exercises using dance programs and she listens to CDs with Greenberg’s messages. 

Dr. David Sarwer, who runs Penn Medicine's Weight Management Program, says  “30 years of research haven't turned up evidence that it's effective for many people, especially that simulated weight loss surgery.”

He believes that Judy’s lifestyle changes are the cause of her weight loss and not hypnosis. 

I don’t know if I really believe in hypnosis, but if it worked for Judy, maybe it does work.  I don’t know.  Maybe I’ll try it. Or maybe not.

Drinking more Water

My new exercise program recommends drinking a gallon of water a day.  I know that there is no way I could do that even though I should.  My job does not allow me to go to the bathroom whenever I want.  It’s just one of the benefits of being a substitute teacher.  I know that drinking a gallon of water is going to make me pee a lot.

So, I was looking around for a different system to motivate me to drink water- a lot less water than a gallon, but more than I do now.  I saw a pin on Pinterest about marking bottles of water with a time that you have to drink it by.  I like this idea.  It keeps me drinking water throughout the day.

I did change the times a little bit.  It fits into my schedule better.  I like that this I easy to modify to fit into anyone’s schedule.

I’m going to be so well hydrated.

Wednesday Weigh In

After weeks of my weight plateauing, I have lost weight again.  I’m so happy.  I weighed myself this morning twice just to make sure that it was right.  I lost 2.5 pounds this week.

I think that this new workout program is the reason for it.  I am so sore, but I feel so good.  It sounds weird, but I really like this workout plan I’m doing. 

Next week, I hope to lose 2 more pounds.  That’s my goal.  Then, I can get my 10 pound reward.  I really want to hit the 10 pound mark next week for me- to prove that I can do it. 

I will reach my goal by continuing my exercise plan and diet.  I will get enough sleep which has been a problem for me lately.  I know that not getting 8 hours a night can hinder weight loss and I need to strive to sleep that much. 

Anyways, I consider this week a big success.  I think next week will be great as well.

Weight lost: 8.5 lbs.

Weight to lose: 91.5 lbs.

Workout Day 1

Today, I did my first workout from my new workout plan. It seriously kicked my butt. 

In the morning, I was supposed to do 45 minutes of elliptical, treadmill, or stair climbing. I did 15 minutes of stair climbing and walked for 30 minutes.  I’m pretty happy with the 15 minutes of stair climbing.  It was hard.  I hope to work up to 45 minutes slowly. 

In the afternoon, I did:

Side Lateral Raise (3 sets of 8 reps)
Front Dumbbell Raise (3 sets of 8 reps)
Reverse Machine Flies (3 sets of 8 reps)
Crunches (3 sets of 50 reps)
Air Bike (3 sets of 20 reps)

Bent-Knee Hip Raise (3 sets of 20 reps)

It didn’t seem like much when I was doing it, but afterwards I was seriously sore.  I only used 3 pound weights because that’s all I have and that’s probably all I can lift now.  I want to work up to heavier weights over time.