Bye Bye Chicken Biscuit

So, today has NOT been a good day.  I've been trying to read on this site and comment to everyone all day because I'm trying to keep myself busy at work.  (plus if I think skinny then i'll be skinny... right?!)  SO... guess what horrific news I just found out?!

My beloved Chicken Biscuit and Large Dr. Pepper breakfast at Chick-Fil-A (don't knock it till you try it... YUM) well... what only costs $3.66 is costing me 680 calories and 19 grams of fat.  NO BUENO PEOPLE!  Ugh... talk about a reality check.

So I decided to find out exactly how bad my day has been... I added it all up thanks to nutritiondata.com and guess what?!  So far, at 3:33 this afternoon, I have had 1667 calories.  That's it, it's mowing the yard and go to the gym evening for me. 

1667... and I want to lose weight?  BLAH!

A thought on Personal Training...

So, since I'm a new member at my gym, I was offered my free "Goal Assessment".  Fancy wording for "Sales Pitch".  I use to do sales at a gym, I should have realized it was going to be this way, and I did, I just didn't realize it was going to be 45 minutes focused around it.  I miss my old gym in Ohio... no pressure.  If you have a World Gym near you, I highly recommend it for that reason alone.

So anyways, I went in there and they said that my BMI was about 38%, which ofcourse puts me in the clincally "obese" range.  I don't feel obese, but apparently my body does.  Ofcourse, guess what they recommended for me..."Professional Assistance".  I won't lie, I've thought about it many times and I know it could do amazing things for you. I was actually thinking about dropping 600 or so out of an upcoming student loan that I'm getting, in order to get some personal training sessions.  But when she said for my goal to be reached, it'll be about 28 weeks, twice a week means that I would have to purchase 56 personal training sessions.  And the grand total?

$3,000

Sorry mama, but I don't have that kind of money!  Ahhh... I was so disappointed to find out that it would be that expensive! Thankfully though I do have a lot of training and knowledge as to what I should do.  I am VERY smart when it comes to this stuff.  The only thing I lack is the motivation.  But I'm not willing to pay $3,000 dollars for motivation.

"Well how about this... if you put half down we can make payment plans for the rest."

Apparently I just look rich or something.  Anyways I told her right now I couldn't really afford it.  She said that in a couple of weeks she's going to call me and we're going to take my measurements again and see where I stand.  She admitted that if I do good on my own that it may not be necessary to purchase those many sessions... hmm... i was thinking it wouldn't be necessary to purchase ANY!  I'm already paying monthly dues! guess I didn't know I joined a country club!

Just an update, nothing too exciting.

Well I'm coming off my high of everything being wonderfully great. Truth be told I fell off the bandwagon this morning.  It was chicken biscuit for me.  I'm really not happy. 

I'm having a lot of "life" coming at me all at once a couple of sick family members, one of which terminally so, going back to school in a couple of weeks and worrying about getting my student loans processed on time before I have to front the money for tuition, there's alot of stress in my relationship.  Though I realize that I'm a terribly lucky person for having such a wonderful boyfriend, it isn't to say that we don't have our share of stresses.  I feel like I'm trying to do too much at once...

BUT, that is not to say that I am giving up!  I am commited to at least one physically demanding thing per day!  I didn't make it to the gym this morning.  Last night I could barely keep my eyes open when I went to bed FINALLY (at 9:30pm... I swear, I'm getting old.)  This mornings alarm came around way too early.  The great thing is that I didn't wake up at all last night, which has rarely happened since I moved into my new apartment.  But I was still tired this morning BOO!  The great thing is that I'm down 2 pounds from yesterday... and just a note on that...

Though I appreciate everyones advice on her regarding not weighing yourself everyday, I just wanted to take a moment to tell you why I do.  I realize it can discouraging, one day you're down two pounds and the next day you're up three.  It's a discouraging thing to just not see a straight path.  I feel, however, that simplying knowing that it's going to fluctuate, based on how much water I drank before I went to bed and various other factors, is enough to keep me motivated.  I've been at this weightloss thing for a very long time now.  I know what works for me, and I know what doesn't.  I feel that seeing it go up three pounds will in fact MOTIVATE me to work harder at it that day no matter the cause, versus not knowing that I'm doing something wrong for an entire week.  I like watching it go up and down and I'm satisfied as long as it's a steady climb in the downwards motion.  Don't worry, I'm not beating myself up too much... (except over this chicken biscuit... but what I love about breakfast is that it's so early in the day I can work this off by tonight.)

Tonight we're going to mow and trip Kyle's grandfathers lawn.  And in Texas heat, that's no fun.  So I'm going to call that my physical activity.  Then it's off to ToysRUs for birthday gifts for my two little cousins.  Tomorrow we're going out of town for their birthday party and you know I can't show up empty handed!  Tomorrow morning the plan is to wakeup early, yes even on a Saturday, wake up, work out, shower and leave!  I think it's a great way to start the day!

I hope everyones goals are getting closer and *hugs* to all for your support!!

sorry I'm so damn long winded sometimes! :0)

Talk about a mood change...

Okay, so I must be bipolar... that or "eating right" is no fun.

Seriously... Right now all I want is a big greasy cheeseburger... but it looks like a salad for me.

I think I'm an emotional eater.

Lance Armstrong is a Greek God

    Holy Moly...

This morning my dear readers, I attended my first ever Spin Class.  For those of you who don't know what that is, let me give you a brief glimpse into the world of "serve my ass to me on a platter".  If you've ridden a stationary bike before, add about 500 times more resistance, a drill instructor telling you to "stand up out of the saddle" "sit down into the saddle, a wee bit of  (alot) of pain in your hiney (and other closely related regions), sweat dripping into your eyes... oh and don't forget the dash of numb footed-ness. 

IT WAS FRIGGIN AMAZING!

I am a believer.  If spinning can't whip my hiney into shape then God has intended me to be 250 lbs for the rest of my life, haha!  The music was upbeat, the instructor was helpful, the people in the class nice and talk about a wake up!  holy wow... I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a work out.  The great thing is that you can take the resistance off when you need to, you don't necessarily have to stand up if you can't (which I couldn't today...) and you can peddle with the instructor or at your own pace if you can't do it.  About ten minutes into the hour long class I realized that it was going to take an act of God for me to be able to get through it, and thankfully He was right there with me.  I did try to stand a few times, but it was unfortunately too difficult for me... but guess what I MADE IT! Someone after the class told me that we did good for our first time (Kyle went with me).  I was wondering why she said that until she shared that she walked out of her first spin class about half way through.  I at least didn't do that! :-)


Okay, other updates.  Last nights dinner out went well, I had an antipasta salad at the Italian Restaurant, about half of it at that.  Dressing on the side.  I feel I'm blessed with the fact that I prefer my salad with very VERY little (if any) dressing.  I actually LIKE the taste of veggies.  Oh yes, and water. I stayed away from the wine last night.

I used the scale at the gym, and since I'm planning on working out every morning before work, I'll just start using that one scale all the time... Better to keep it consistent.  However, the downside of that is that it told me I was 5 lbs heavier today.  I'm sure it's due to the amount of water I drank yesterday, but it sure did motivate me to keep peddling in the class this morning.

Day one is over, and I'm on to day two.  Before I go, I'll leave you with a quote.

The gym I work out in, is a Lance Armstrong Gym (designed by him.) There's a picture of him on the wall and below it says...

"People ask me what I'm on.  I'll tell you what I'm on,.  I'm on my bike busting my ass six hours a day.  What are you on?"

Food for thought I think...

Day One... Continued

Are you allowed to post more than once in a day?  I don't think there are rules against that, but I'm sure it's a bit excessive.  But excessive is what got me here, so hopefully excessive is what will get me out!!

I know a lot of people say "this time is different."  Truth be told, I've thought that many times.  In the end, I only end up weighing more.  But I think I know why, at least I HOPE I know why.  I think I limit myself too much.  Let's face it people, I LOVE FOOD.  You love food, we all love food.  Mexican food is the BEST! I live in Texas, I should know.  Then you pile on barbeque and all the great food that Austin, TX has to offer and this is a recipe for disaster!  But it's a recipe that puts a smile on my face!  So how can I limit myself to just shakes in the morning, or nasty cardboard tasting bars in the evening?  I can't!  that's a ridiculous plan!  That is why I've got nothing but fat around my midsection... (I know there are abs in there somewhere... come out come out wherever you are!!)

So I'm not going to limit WHAT I eat.  Because I love food.  But I can limit how much I eat or when I eat it.  There is no reason why I shouldn't be able to enjoy a Dr. Pepper!  I love the little brown/maroonish can with 23 different flavors packed in.  It brings a certain ease to my existance! But there is NO reason why I can't opt for a diet every once in a while and drink a little less!  There's no reason why I can't replace some of my DP binges with a nice tall glass of ice water.  I guess you could call my lack of doing so ignorance, but that would imply that I don't know better.  I know better, I just chose to act like I don't.

I will admit, even though my scale read 247.6 lbs this morning, I still stopped by McDonalds for a #5 with a large Dr. Pepper.  Sausage biscuits from McDonalds and Chicken Busciuts from Chik-Fil-A is my downfall.  There is nothing better to eat on the way to work.  I know disgusting.  But it's true in my case, I LOVE it!  I'm not going to stop.  But there's no reason why I can't say once a week or once every other week.  Last week, I ate out every single day... Disgusting, I know.  But disgusting tastes so good. 

BUT IT MUST STOP!

It has to stop now.

Okay, since I'm not willing to give up all the great things in life, because I am smart enough to know that binge dieting won't do anything but make me lose then gain it all back... I also have to incorporate working out.  Which will help with the ol' blood pressure thing too!  So, what's the plan stan?  I joined 24 hour fitness, and I live smack dab between two.  I tend to like a buddy or a partner to work out with, so it's great that both locations offer a plethora (big word...) of classes!  They offer everything from your typical step class to aqua aerobics to STRIP classes.  Yes... Strip... Carmen Electra style.  Gotta get ready for my new body ya know?  haha.  But seriously, I'm very excited.  I've commited to taking spin classes twice a week starting tomorrow morning at 5:30 am.  I know that's ooberly early, but it'll be good for me! :-)  It'll wake me up, get me to class and if ANYTHING, make me feel REALLY guilty for stopping by McDonalds afterwards.  Sorry Sausage Biscuit... my love affair with you has got to stop!

I feel like I have one thing on my side... the smarts.  I use to work at Bally Total Fitness and I've taken numerous nutrional classes and such, so I KNOW what the right thing to do is.  I KNOW what has to be done.  There's no easy way out of this, it's going to take hard work and encouragement.  All of which I feel I'm ready to accept.

Alright, I'm done for the day.  Hopefully tomorrow I can log in a smaller number than today! :-)  (If not, it's because I've got dinner tonight with some friends... salad salad salad... ugh... I give up... j/k!)

Day One

Hello world of "we want to lose weight and feel great too" people.  My name is Stefanie.  Just to get the basics out of the way, I am 23 and live in Austin, TX.  I have a boyfriend who loves me for me, two cats and a fish named fish.  But the point of all of this is to tell you that I am overweight.

For my height and build, my max weight should be 176 pounds.  I do not weigh that, or else why would I be here right?  I, instead, weigh 247.6 lbs, according to my last weigh in this morning.  247.6... that baffles me.  Why?  Because I remember when I was in high school, (back when I THOUGHT I was fat) and I saw myself inch towards the 200 mark.  I told myself I would slit my wrists if I ever let it get that out of hand.  Well guess what ladies and gents I did... let it get out of hand that is.  I would never slit my wrists because life is NEVER that bad.

And here I am, 5 years after highschool with about 75lbs on me that I shouldn't have and high blood pressure.  You would think that those facts alone would wake me up... but they didn't.  But I'll tell you what did.

It was a couple of weeks ago.  I had just moved into my new apartment and my beautiful friend Lara was over and we were going out for dinner and drinks with a small group of friends.  What better way to rewards ourselves for working so hard, right?  Being the jealous girl that I am, I saw how easy it was for Lara to get ready.  She didn't have to try on 15 different shirts only to wind up in a t-shirt, her clothes FIT her.  Frustrated, I stood in my closet and realized that more than half my clothes didn't fit me... and after a few tears fell I realized that in fact 95% of the clothes I own no longer fit me.

95%

I stood there, crying.  I knew I would end up in a T-shirt, probably one of my boyfriends at that, because nothing I owned fit.  But who could I really blame?  My boyfriend?  NO! It's not his fault I LOVE food.  Lara?  NO! She works hard for her body.  What do I do?  Nothing, I am doing absolutely nothing about my weight.

One of my main pet peeves is when people complain about things they can control.  I looked in the mirror and realized that I was my ultimate pet peeve.  And I wasn't going to take it anymore.  The highest I've actually seen my scale is 249.6.  And guess what people... that was with an empty stomach, so I know my average is well over 250.  People joke about 250lb women.

I don't want to be a joke anymore. I want to feel comfortable going out without having to bring my purse because it hides my stomach.  I don't want to feel self conscious ordering enchiladas at a Mexican food restaurant instead of a salad.  I don't want to dread going to Six Flags because the last time I was there I barely fit into the roller coaster seats and that was 20 pounds ago... NO.  I do not want to live this life anymore.  I am a beautiful person.  I have a great personality and to boot I've even modeled in my past.  So I KNOW I have it in me to look like a rock star. 

So instead of whining about it, I'm doing something about it.  I joined a gym with my best friend and boyfriend Kyle.  I want to try spinning classes though I know I'll feel like a spinning virgin retard walking in.  But I've got to feel like the retard for a while.  I've got to make this work.  No more excuses.

Everyone's support will be a great help. I don't care if you live in Houston, New York, or the UK.  I don't care if you weigh 105 lbs or 405 lbs, I NEED support.  I also need to be realistic.  I have a goal of 3 lbs a week.  I'll go into details later as to how I plan to do this... but I know it's possible.  I've also given myself a couple weeks of cushion for the upcoming pit falls... Thanksgiving and Christmas.  So given that, my goal is to be 176 lbs by February 1st. 

Now, let's make it happen!