I have not been very active blogging lately, but I'm still working on the weight. I go to the doctor's on Thursday, and I think he will be taking me off the phentermine then (I am coming up on being on it for 3 months.).
I have some fears of what will happen then, but am trying to keep a positive outlook. It would not be good to become psychologically dependent. I am keeping my plan of 3 active gym workouts a week (mostly doing 3 miles on the eliptical, or only 2 if my body - not my head - says don't push it). The food is more of a struggle - warmer weather = ice cream - my big waterloo. I am keeping the portion sizes to less than a cup, but eat it more days than I ideally should.
I'm ecstatic to have been able to post 20 pounds lost - more than I have ever lost since after my pregnancy 23 years ago. 14 pounds to go to hit Onederland!! Yippee! I still would like to hit it by July 1st, which is still do-able if I can hold down my calorie intake. Also, I have been getting at least 1 lunch-time walk in a week, which I should be able to improve if we can keep some rain away.
Wow, I went to the gym yesterday after a 6-day absence from it. I had been feeling some strain in my legs and rested them for the weekend. Sunday, I helped my son move some things and my thighs were KILLING me Monday & Tuesday. I had no idea I had over-done it at the time. Last night I did make it for my 3 miles in under 45 mins on the elliptical.
The best news is that I did not gain any weight during the "time off", and actually lost about 1/2 pound. Next gym date is on Friday, and I hope to keep it going strong - I have not forgotten my goal to reach Onederland by July 1st, and I need to get more aggressive in my exercise to reach that.
My husband had discovered the small single-servings of Ben & Jerry ice cream at the grocery store, and last night I had my favorite, chocolate chip cookie dough. There is 1 more in the freezer, and it was a battle not to eat it right after I finished the first one. If I had a 1/2 gallon, I definitely would have eaten at least twice of what was in the single serving.
Friday, I rewarded myself with NONFOOD for what I have accomplished so far - 2 new blouses which are more flattering to my figure - not the shapeless garment I have been hiding under.
Not feeling too great today - rough night, due to worries about my son (22 yrs old). Typical Mom worries... I'm sure he will make it thru his hurdles, but it's still hard to see your baby struggle.
Ate like a pig Sunday, old habits that should be gone re-surfaced. I didn't exercise since Thursday, due to a slight strain on my legs that night - this is not the time to get an injury that will need a week to heal, so I rested it - except for last night, when I was helping my son move some things. Feeling a little stiff, but not too bad.
It's a rainy, dreary day and I'm just TIRED. I even forgot my water for work today (water at work has terrible taste). I'm not even feeling any lift at all from the phentermine. Very hectic at work (I'm writing this during an abbreviated lunch). I just want to curl up in bed.
Thanks for checking in, MB... still going! My weight is the same since the last post, but I am actually celebrating it because TOM is here, and I did not gain a pound!
I got lots of chocolate from mom for Easter (she thinks I still need an Easter basket, even at age 44!). God bless her . I gave over 1/2 of it to some kids at church, but have saved some for myself, and am occasionally nibbling on it. The key is that I have it under control, so I'm not being hard on myself and totally depriving myself (which would just make me crave it more, or resent this new lifestyle). Also, I was able to pass up on some cinnamon coffeecake at work, so I'm proud of that too.
Yesterday at lunch, I was not hungry, so I only ate a banana. This is a good sign for me too, because rather than eating just because it was TIME to, I listened to my body. AND, more importantly, didn't over-eat at supper.
I went to the gym last night and did my 3 miles on the elliptical - actually hit 500 calories burned, according to the machine. That's a landmark for me on that. We are enjoying more spring-like temperatures than we have seen, so I'm planning to walk at lunchtime if it's not raining - I measured the mileage on my car, and the route I will walk is about 1.2 miles and includes some hills.
Well, today was my first trip back to the doctor's since he put me on the phentermine Feb 13th, and I am happy to report I have now lost 12 pounds . I asked him how long I would be on phentermine, and he said that it would only probably be for a total of 3 months. If I am continuing to lose weight, I think he may extend the time a little.
The biggest plus for me has been the confidence that is building that I CAN do this. After so many weight loss attempts that got me nowhere, I was convinced it couldn't happen. I am more hopeful now, especially since coming here and reading other on-going success stories - real people who are taking control of their lives and encouraging others. I thank anyone who has dropped a line, and especially MB for her unfailing encouragement.
I am VERY happy to report I finally officially weighed in with a 10# loss. It has taken longer than I thought it would, but it is happening in the right way - I am not starving myself, nor totally depriving myself of the occasional treat. I eat 3 meals a day. And, I have really worked hard for it too...after taking the weekend off of focused exercise (I had some chest pains that really scared me Fri night, while not even exercising), on Monday I did 2 miles on the treadmill and my country line dancing. Taking tonight off again, back to the gym tomorrow.
It helps to put it in perspective when I think about lifting a 10# dumbbell - WOW, it really IS a lot! And, it has to be FAT that was lost. Have you ever seen human fat in a jar? It is really GROSS!
Also, last Friday I wore a size 18 pair of jeans (not "loose" fit, and not 18W). I can't say it was comfortable, but I did wear them for work - Friday is our "casual day" at the office and we can wear jeans then. Hopefully soon those jeans will be loose .
I am happy to report the loss of another pound this week...hallelujah! The credit goes to increased exercise & more water. It's finally getting through my head to stop fighting what everyone else says, and just be willing to make the changes that have to be made, do what it takes, to get the weight off. My way has not worked for over 20 years.
Monday night, I did 2 miles on the elliptical in 28 minutes (wow, I remember some months ago when I couldn't get 1 mile done in 15 minutes...that was my first goal I set). Then, went home for a quick change & did an hour line-dancing. I took Tuesday off to recover, and Wed I did 3 miles on the elliptical in under 42 minutes. This was my second 3-mile accomplishment on it, and I am pleased . I have a little stiffness today, so will take another day off, I don't want an injury now.
I appreciate the encouragement found on this site!
Wow...was it 2 weeks ago that I was haunted by Girl Scout cookies I had ordered? I am proud to say that I still have half the box sitting in my desk drawer at work - unbelievable!
BUT...today I am haunted by another decision I made prior to my new committment to lose wait on Feb 13. A man that I work with goes to a church that makes KILLER home-made chocolate Easter eggs - I'm talking the size of your HAND here - and I ordered 1 peanut butter one and 1 coconut one. I don't have the willpower to just give them away, but I think I may be able to hold off to cutting them until we have company the Saturday before Easter. That is the goal, at least!
I think I finally lost another pound - I plan to get to the gym tonight for an official weigh-in. Also, I am proud to say that I made it 3 miles on the elliptical machine on Friday - that was a first. I usually do about 2.2 miles. Now I know I can do it, and plan to hit that again tonight. It took me 47 minutes, so my next goal will be to try and get that down to 45 minutes. I didn't get to the gym this weekend (hubby was feeling neglected), so I am skipping the country line-dancing tonight to get to the harder gym workout .
I've come to the conclusion that I need to stop focusing and obsessing with the scale. There are other positive changes happening! I am gaining in endurance, and my legs are getting more toned. I'm eating healthier, and drinking more water.
Today is just a day that I am taking to count my blessings. The news is so bleak...people losing homes or loved ones, rising gas/oil/food costs, lower stock prices, on and on and on. I have good health. My needs and some wants are met. My loved ones are safe. I'm not robbing Peter to pay Paul. I enjoy my job. I love my husband and have a secure relationship with him.
I have no room to spare for Discouragement and Hopelessness - they have been kicked out of my home and heart . Patience and Determination will rule. Can I have an "Amen"??
Well, I had to post the 1 pound back the other day, but I am attributing it directly to TOM! I probably won't be back to the gym until Thursday to weigh in on the scales. Maybe a little break from the scales is ok - I am watching on my home-scale, which is holding steady.
Thanks for your encouraging words to exercise, MB I am doing pretty well, and I try to vary things. Yesterday was a beautiful spring-like day and I took about a 1.5 mile walk at lunch time - and boy, does it include some steep hills! Also I do country-line dancing for an hour most Mondays at our church. Between that, DDR (dance, dance revolution, which I just got 2 weeks ago), and the gym, I am moving around much more.
My clothes are fitting a little more loosely, but no major changes. Patience, I know. I thought this Phentermine would really be a magic pill, but the pounds surely don't just melt off. I have to continue working at drinking more water. It's hard for me to get past 32 oz, I just never did drink too much.
- my big waterloo. I am keeping the portion sizes to less than a cup, but eat it more days than I ideally should.
. I gave over 1/2 of it to some kids at church, but have saved some for myself, and am occasionally nibbling on it. The key is that I have it under control, so I'm not being hard on myself and totally depriving myself (which would just make me crave it more, or resent this new lifestyle). Also, I was able to pass up on some cinnamon coffeecake at work, so I'm proud of that too.
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. I have a little stiffness today, so will take another day off, I don't want an injury now.
Well, I had to post the 1 pound back the other day, but I am attributing it directly to TOM! I probably won't be back to the gym until Thursday to weigh in on the scales. Maybe a little break from the scales is ok - I am watching on my home-scale, which is holding steady.