Weight Tracker

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Weekend Ups and Downs

Hummmmmmm... This weekend was interesting eating-wise!

Friday I did a GREAT job!  I ate a little heavier for lunch than usual but in order to balance everything out, I decided to eat a salad with seared tuna! :D  I was so proud of myself especially because I ate this salad at Cheesecake Bistro and didn't even get any cheesecake.  I also gave away the Oreos I mentioned earlier because my mom said that I was just torturing myself lol  Maybe that was for the best because I can guarantee they would be gone by now.  If they weren't gone by today, I'd definitely be finishing them right now.

     Saturday I did well UNTIL after dinner when I found myself eating empty calories.  I had a little dessert and then had some unnecessary snacks and 2 drinks.  Desert + snacks + alcohol = not good for losing weight.  The dessert was reasonable but the stuff after it was not good =(.  BUT on a brighter note, I did work out so maybe something was burned off!  At least that's my hope!

     Today, I woke up craving SUGAR!  I don't know why but I did.  And I did break into the candy canes I bought on sale after the holidays.  In order to not TOTALLY ruin this day, I'm going to go to the grocery today.  I know the reason why I even resorted to the candy canes is because I just got back to my place after being away for a month and I have no healthy snack options.

I promise I won't buy any Oreos!  It's going to be hard but I can do it!

Love,
Elizabeth

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Why Oh Why??

Old habits really do die hard!  I keep checking the scale.  The first week I was really bad--checking it every day.  I've improved and have only checked it once since my weigh-in on Monday.  I was pretty happy with the results but I don't want to even mention the number just in case I jinx myself for my weigh-in this coming Monday.  My hope is that weighing myself once a week will prevent this endeavor from becoming an obsession!

And why do I insist on purchasing things I know I have zero will-power against???  Elizabeth...buying Oreos??? If anybody knows me, they know Oreos are just as bad as candy for me and I can easily finish one and a half rows in a day.  One and a half rows, mind you, is pretty much enough calories to sustain you in a day lol  I guess I'll just be testing my will-power while these things are hanging around.  Maybe I can challenge myself and see how many days (within reason) I can keep this one package!  I mean I am going to eat them eventually but so far I haven't finished them off and it's been 2 days.  Self-control will be a key player in this task!

I hope all three of you reading have a great day!

Elizabeth

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Same Old Same Old!

Nothing new happening so far.  Yesterday was a pretty good day with my eating, but I did have more sweets than I anticipated.  I am a candy-addict so that habit is a HARD one to break.  It's also the food I have the most difficulty moderating.  I think I made up for it with my pretty healthy lunch and my Lean Cuisine for dinner though.  I'm also making sure I get plenty of water!  Water is great for you and a great way to fill you up!  Candy tastes better though lol

My friend, Megan, is working on eating right too after she found out some of her cholesterol was high so she's joining me on this journey. 

One day at a time!  That's only way you can do this successfully! 

Love,
Elizabeth

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Darned Gummy Worms!

I'm kind of mad at myself.  Those gummy worms that I mentioned in the last post and said that I had on Sunday.... well, I indulged and ate more yesterday.  I didn't moderate like I my goal was and to top it all off, I looked at the package and realized that only 4 (yes 4) were a serving and those four little things that made up a serving were 140 calories.  I wanted to spit out the one that was already in my mouth, but just used that as a lesson.  When you're trying to eat in moderation you can't pick and choose which things to moderate.  I did so well last week with moderating everything, but those gummy worms threw me off track.   It's okay though.  I can overcome the gummy worm horror I inflicted upon myself the last 2 days and just start over again. 

I also decided, instead of thinking about this massive amount of 70 lbs I intend on shedding off of my body, I need short term goals.  Every week I lose weight, that's my new baseline and I'm only trying to lose weight from that new number.  I mean this weight is staying off for good so that's reasonable!  I started yesterday thinking, "this week I'm going to conquer 2 more pounds" instead of, "wow I lost 2 lbs last week, I only have 68 more to go."  Yes, I realize these are small steps most people have already established, but I must say when you have really high ambitions, it's easier to preach than practice.

Alrighty, off I go into the world that awaits me! 

Be safe and beware of the gummy worms,
Elizabeth

Monday, January 25, 2010

213!

Yeah buddy!  I can't lie I weighed myself on Friday and I was 211 but you know what?? I'm happier with 213!  It would be nice to see a 4 lb drop but I'm cool with healthy weight loss :)  It's exciting and keeping me motivated to keep pushing. 2 freaking pounds! lol

I did a bad thing and ate a bunch of [not even good] gummy worms yesterday =/  maybe it was the stress of driving or knowing I had to be at work again today but no excuse =( 

This post is short because I'm short on time!  Woke up late because of my Saints celebration hehe  WHO DAT??!!

I'm going to have to work on the scale later because it's going to take me a second to upload it lol

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Mama Mia!

Wowzers! My mom is great!  She made a wonderful and quite filling salad for me to eat yesterday before I ate dinner.  Then I ate chicken breast and spinach with mushrooms she also fixed.  Nothing wrong with a little protein and some extra veggies!  The initial salad kept me away from the mashed potatoes she fixed!  Looks like that goal of eating as many fruits and vegetables as I want is paying off for more than one reason:  veggies are great for me AND they're keeping me away from foods that I ordinarily would jump on!  Potatoes aren't bad for you per se but that's something I could easily overdo it on because I love them so much.  I'd rather overdo it on salad!



I really hope this is all paying off! I have two more days in Texas to exhibit some self control.  And the test continues...

I'll see that scale on Monday whether I like it or not and *fingers crossed* I can move my weight slider at the top of the blog over to the right a smidge :)


Salad Love,
Elizabeth

P.S. The salad I had looked waaaaay better than that lol

Friday, January 22, 2010

Just a little side note about the last post:
My mom just informed me that it sounded weird that I'm talking about eating all these pretty unhealthy things AND saying I want to lose a drastic amount of weight in a years time.  She said drastic weight loss is about sacrifice.  As a serial "attempted weight loser" I can say that that is definitely true depending on WHY you want to lose the weight.  If you want to lose it temporarily or fast then YES, by all means cut out all of the good things that may cause you to gain weight or hold on to weight.  But what I'm doing is a lifestyle change.  I know that cutting out foods that I love will not work for me and will make this transition 10x harder than it has to be.  I've done it before and it doesn't work FOR ME.  I'm not speaking for everyone trying to lose weight.


The reason why I say "moderation" so much is because you can eat WHATEVER you want and still lose weight as long as it's in moderation.  If I ate 1,000 calories worth of chocolate a day and that's all I ate, I'd be extremely malnourished, but you're darn skippy I will still lose weight.  It's simple:  if you burn more calories than you consume in a day you're going to lose weight.


I am making a lifestyle change, I'm not dieting.  I'm not giving up the foods I love but learning and training myself not to overdo it.  To enjoy food and not be consumed by it!  Or over-consume it lol


I hope this clears up any questions you 3 people reading may have lol


Love,
Elizabeth

Dark Chocolate, Banana Chips, & Strawberry Frozen Yogurt, Oh My!

Yummy chocolate!  Yeah I know, I shouldn't have had chocolate but yesterday I most definitely indulged.  I went to Walgreens to pick up some water (I don't trust the faucet water around here) and a movie from Red Box and I somehow talked myself into buying some Lindt smooth dark chocolate, banana chips (mistake!), and Blue Bell's Strawberry NONFAT frozen yogurt:

  • I'm not the biggest fan of dark chocolate but it's been a few days since I've had sweets and OMG that chocolate was AMAZING.  Very smooth just like the label says.  I went with the dark chocolate, because if I eat sweets I might as well go with one that has some benefits.  
  • I ate the banana chips because I saw somebody eating them yesterday and then the cravings proceded.  I've decided to indulge on my cravings as long as I eat them in moderation so I went for it.
  • The frozen yogurt was amazing!  180 calories for a cup (where most icecreams are about 180 for a 1/2 cup) and the flavor was great!  Now, that may be coming from a person who will drool over anything sweet since I haven't had any goodies in a while, but the fact remains, it was very satisfying and didn't have a diet taste.  Go Blue Bell!! 
I guess yesterday was a day of laxity, but I've gotten to points in the past where I felt like I was sacrificing and that feeling is what makes me rebound. I'd like to avoid that thank-you very much!

Still working on that whole working out thing.  I think I might just resign to the fact that it's way too difficult to exercise away from home.  It's only another week right?  It wouldn't hurt to get some exercise in but it won't kill me. 

I'm also drinking as much water as possible.  Not that I'm avoiding diet drinks, but it's gotten to the point where I drink so much water, I don't have the space in my stomach to get the diet drink in lol

*WARNING* Do NOT eat a multi-vitamin on an empty stomach.  It will make you nauseated and want to puke.

Going to Texas today to visit my parents for the weekend so hopefully I can stay true to my goals and plan.  I know my parents use my visit as an excuse to make goodies (which I never pass on by the way), but as long as I exhibit some self control, it shouldn't be a problem.

Love & Dark Chocolate,
Elizabeth

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Look at all the Greens!

Greens please!  I ate so many greens today for lunch (no rice)!  They were delightful but definitely not as delightful as my moms!  Shout out to mommy! :D  Also worked on a big chunk of chicken breast (topped off with pickles and tomatoes) that was pretty flavorful and topped it off with fruit for dessert.

My breakfast was a little heavier than I planned, mainly because I got a biscuit from the cafeteria that was a lot greasier than it appeared.  It was divine with those eggs but not what I needed. 

Yesterday I did REALLY well but mainly because I slept a good chunk of the afternoon/night away after work.  Had a surprisingly very filling salad.  There was a LOT of lettuce in there so I don't know how it couldn't have filled me up!  I guess the only thing I did badly was have chips and salsa for dinner.  I think I just had a craving for salt but boy did it hit the spot!  Luckily, I'm working on replacing my diet cokes with water so *hopefully* I don't retain too much water. 

My second shout out this post goes to my BFF Some Girl.  She just started her own blog about her goal to lose weight as well.  It's kind of weird because we both came up with the idea to do it at the same time.  I decided when I saw "Julie and Julia" and she decided to start, because she thought it would be a good way to get her thoughts out.  Great minds think alike!  Check her blog out to keep up with her progress.

I need to work on the fiber intake (but take it easy on those fiber bars) AND work on exercising more.  Exercising is easy when I'm in town, but I'll be out of town working for the next 2 weeks so it's a tad more challenging.  I guess I'll have to do some indoor stuff that won't bother my neighbors lol

Love,
Elizabeth

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

I should have known

I should have known better than to check the scale this morning but I did anyway.  I kind of wanted to give myself a boost especially after waking up in a foul mood this morning and knowing that I had done so well the last 2 days.  Alas, same weight.  At least it wasn't MORE though!  I guess there really always is a silver lining to every cloud.  I guess...

Scrambled eggs and yogurt for breakfast.  God willing, I'll do well today as well but I'll keep you posted.

Remember your multivitamin and beware of the fiber bars!  They're so good for your digestive system but can easily cause your intestines to do backflips!  Trust me lol

Love,
Elizabeth

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Day 1 & 215 pounds!

Yes unfortunately it's true. I double checked on the scale to be certain. I wouldn't be so upset about it had I not lost close to 15 lbs last year. I started out last year at about 220 and got down to 205ish and I guess after becoming more lax about my eating habits, those 10 lbs snuck back up on me =/ It's okay though because, I'm starting fresh with a new state of mind!

It might not be the best to say I have "skinny dreams," because in actuality I really just want to be healthy! I definitely wouldn't mind being on the slender side for a change, which would also make sure I didn't end up with some chronic disease that I don't want to manage for the rest of my life. I have enough things to be concerned with and I'm tired of obesity being one of them!

I did pretty well with my eating habits yesterday (just to get the ball rolling since my first official day is today) and today! Skipped the chips at Subway for a yogurt ;) It's all about the small steps because they add up. I'm excited about how this will all turn out!

Since I'm too chicken to show a picture of my real body, I decided to create a before and after on My Virtual Model so that I can see what exactly my goal looks like. Just a little extra motivation for myself. As the weight comes off, I'll post updated pictures :)




By the way, special thanks to one of my BFF's, Megan, for helping me with this blog. [You can check her blog out through the link on my blog roll.] I can truly see how blogging could be a full time job if you let it be.


Love,
Elizabeth

Monday, January 18, 2010

Welcome!

Welcome to Skinny Dreams!

I’m a 20 something grad student that’s been struggling with what I’d preferably like to call “slow metabolism” for most of my life, hehe. I was really small when I was younger, and sometime during elementary school, my eating habits changed for the worse. I’m 5’7” and currently weigh 215 lbs (darn holidays ruined my 210 lb baseline) but I am determined to get to my goal weight!

Goal WEIGHT: 145 lbs Timeframe: 365 days

I picked the arbitrary goal weight of 145 lb because it’s a nice number pretty much smack in the middle of what a healthy BMI is for my height. I picked 1 year to make this happen because I always seem to use the excuse of doing better with my eating habits “tomorrow”. Well there have been plenty of tomorrows and I have yet to get to the weight I want to be. If I set a deadline (and put this journey on the net), I’ll be held more accountable for my progress!

The way we treat our bodies today will set the foundation for our health in the future! Although that philosophy is a lot easier to preach than live by, I’m going to put my money where my mouth is… as long as it’s in moderation!

Here are my goals:

* Eat as many raw vegetables and fruit as I want during the day
* Serving size for EVERYTHING: anything is fair game as long as it’s in moderation!
*Minimal, if any, candy/ice cream/cookies/treats but if indulged, always serving size [this has to be reiterated because I love sweets so much]
* Exercise at LEAST 5 times a week even if not intense
* Become best friends with 2 lb hand weights

I hope you enjoy the transformation! I know I sure will :D

Love,

Elizabeth