December 2006, Weight Loss Journal
Updated July 28, 2007
4 December 2006
Weight: 172 (lost 28 lbs.)
BMI: 31.46
Wow! I expected to drop the 2 lbs. from Thanksgiving, but I certainly didn't expect to drop 3 more. This is the lowest weight I've been since 1999!
I haven't exactly been exercising as much as I should have, but I've been very busy doing projects around the house, which require lots of movement. Housecleaning alone can burn more calories than walking if you clean with gusto. Plus, keeping busy distracts me from eating.
It has also been quite cold lately, mostly just above freezing temperature. It has snowed several times. I've certainly developed my winter blood, though, because I've gone out in freezing temperatures with just a sweater and felt fine. I truly think this cold weather increases my body's metabolism by spending extra energy trying to keep me warm. I've purposely set my home's thermostat low to save energy, but I think it also has a weight loss effect. In addition to forcing my body to burn those extra calories to maintain body temperature, it also encourages me to get up and move around to keep myself warm. If I sit too long, I start shivering.
I'm getting my eating under control, too. I've thrown out all the chips, since I find myself nibbling on them here and there, and those calories add up. I've significantly cut down on the cheese in my diet. I've also been forcing myself to drink a cup of tea (usually decaf with stevia) before I reach for a snack. By the time I finish my tea, I'm busy working on some project, so I'm not thinking about food anymore. I use a bowl of fruit for my centerpiece on my table, and it certainly has encouraged me (and my kids) to eat more whole, fresh fruit. I'm making a point to eat mostly brown rice instead of white rice and whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta. I added more vegetables to dinner, and for lunch I'm eating low fat soups with whole grain crackers. I also stopped eating hash browns during my weekly brunch. The restaurant we go to each week has huge portion sizes and cooks everything in butter, so cutting out the hash browns probably saves me at least 300 calories. I'm certainly not deprived, though. I ate two slices of birthday cake this week, but I made sure to use the dessert as a replacement for other foods rather than being in addition to those foods. As long as I don't do it all the time, I doubt it will hurt.
I surely hope I keep going like this.
11 December 2006
Weight: 171 (lost 29 lbs.)
BMI: 31.28
I must say I'm amazing myself. My habitual eating is completely under control lately. I'm so proud of myself for finding new ways to deal with stress. I no longer reach for food to comfort myself. I hope I stay that way, but I'm sure it will take lots of reminding myself that food is for nutrition, not therapy.
I went on a trip this weekend to visit my family. I was surrounded by snacks and temptation everywhere I went, but I didn't overeat. I brought my decaf tea with me along with a travel mug and packets of stevia; hot water was easy to find. Every time I felt the need to nibble I drank my tea. My husband lovingly packed some healthy munchies (e.g. fat-free pretzels, nuts, raisins, low-fat popcorn, etc.), so those satisfied any need for something crunchy. When I needed a meal, I strictly avoided typical fast food restaurants. Instead, I went to sandwich shops, coffee houses, and any other place where I was able to customize my vegetarian orders to make them as healthy as possible. I also went to local grocery stores and bought small fruit and veggie platters and whole grain breads. For breakfast, I bought instant oatmeal (not the sugary stuff), and had a quick, healthy start to my day just by adding water. With a quick meal in my room, I could avoid all those pastries in the hotel lobby, and it was much cheaper than going to a restaurant. I did indulge in a mini-pizza at the airport and ginger-ale on the plane, and I still lost weight, proving that I don't have to give up my favorite foods completely to lose weight.
I'm so close to getting into the 160's. I'm so excited!
18 December 2006
Weight: 173 (lost 27 lbs.)
BMI: 31.64
I gained a couple of pounds, but I certainly know why. I'm sick! I'm sure it's just some sort of virus, but it has knocked me out. I've spent most of the week on the couch, and without anything to keep me busy, I've caught myself trying to comfort myself with food.
I'm still sick, but I'm determined to not spend another week on the couch. I've had a taste of reaching 170 and I refuse to slip back up to 175 because of a little virus. I'm getting up and working on more projects around the house. Plus, I'm ensuring that I do 30 minutes of exercise every day. If I'm not feeling energetic enough to huff and puff in a high energy cardio workout, then I'll just focus more on weight lifting.
Another reason I'm dedicated to getting strong and healthy is to protect my family. This weekend, a man tried to break into our house just after my husband and I went to bed. We were fortunate that he never got in, and the police caught him soon after. Nevertheless, it was a reminder to me how important it is to be strong. If I'm weak, I can't fight back. If I don't have a strong cardio system, I won't have the endurance to keep fighting. If my body can't handle stress, I won't be focused enough to use my wits to save myself and my family.
Losing weight isn't just about looking good and having energy to do more adventurous things. It's not just about avoiding heart disease or diabetes. It's also about being able to defend yourself and your loved ones by being strong and fit.
To help me get more fit and lose the pounds, I've also decided to start taking calcium supplements. Increased calcium has been shown in some studies to increase fat burning and reduce your body's ability to hold onto fat, so today I'm starting to test this theory for myself. I'll be sure to let everybody know how it goes.
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