Time to Get Serious

**AmyBoz** · 07-20-2008, 07:33 AM

Okay, so here's the deal.

I've posted before about my struggle with fitness. I'm not overweight...in fact, I appear to be in the upper part of the right range for my height. As of this morning I'm 5'5" and weigh 131 pounds. However, I'm small boned and for me, this weight isn't working. I'm not really big on numbers and scales. It's more about how I feel than anything else.

Well, yesterday morning, I went to put on a pair of shorts that I wore in June. COULDN'T GET THEM BUTTONED. I was upset...more than upset. So, I pulled out another pair of shorts that I haven't worn since June. Guess what? COULDN'T GET THEM BUTTONED EITHER!!!

What I seem to be accumulating is belly fat and I'm not sure where it is coming from. According to my pedometer, I have been walking between 15,000-19,000 steps a day, which is more than I do during the school year. My legs and feet have been feeling that, as well. I eat well. For breakfast, I have Special K or Honey Nut Cheerios (to keep my cholesterol in check...family history of high cholesterol...so far mine is okay). For lunch I have a Breakstone's cottage double, a sugar free jello, a banana or an apple. For dinner, I'm having meatloaf or pork chops or chicken or beef, etc. For snacks, I have popcorn or yogurt or a piece of fruit.

So, something's up. I actually just had bloodwork done last weekend and my doctor said everything is clean, so that's good news. My grandma had thyroid issues, so I'm happy to know that isn't it. What concerns me is that my Mom was a size 0 her whole life until she hit 35. Then, she began to...spread. She's currently 175 pounds and is 5'3". Well, I'm 36 now and seem to be...spreading.

So, it's time for me to stop the talk and start the action. However, I'm so busy, it's easy for me to make rationalizations about why I can't do some serious exercise. So, I'm going to post about my progress as well as reward myself.

My goal is 5 pounds by August 8th. We have a wedding that day and I need to fit into the dress that I wear to weddings, as it's currently too tight. If I meet that goal, dh and I have agreed to reward me with Guitar Hero for our Wii. (I know...it's like I'm 13...but it's a lot of fun and would be a nice unwinder) My next goal after that is 5 more pounds by September 20th, as we have one of my best friends wedding that weekend. The first goal is a short time, which I realize may be difficult, but I'm hopeful that the first few pounds will come off quickly. The second goal is longer in time frame because after the first five, I'm realistic that the second 5 may take more time. Also, by then school will have started and I'll need to come up with a new routine.

So, to start, this morning I woke up early and did my first power walk through the neighborhood. We live on top of a road called Mountain Way and believe me when I tell you it is appropriately named. I didn't do the full 50 minute walk that I used to do, as I wanted to be sure of success and to remember feeling good afterward...not exhaustion. I sweated and was tired, but I'm excited to do it again. I did 30 minutes and will work my way back to the 50 minutes. When I got home, I had my Honey Nut Cheerios.

So, I'm on my way. Wish me luck and feel free to needle me with a public, "Hey Amy...how's that weight loss going?" Nothing like being accountable to an entire village to keep you on the straight and narrow!!!

**staciah** · 07-20-2008, 07:42 AM

Good Luck Amy. I know how frustrating weight gain can be. I have gained a considerable amount sense we have moved here to NJ. I keep bouncing between 115 and 120 and I hate it. When we moved here I was 110 so I am quite disappointed in myself because I was religious about my work out and now I have put on the back burner. Too far back

Anyway, I hope you can make your goals. Good Luck.

**Greebo** · 07-20-2008, 07:44 AM

Amy,

We've been doing SouthBeach now for about a month. It's been working well for both of us, if you're looking at dietary changes.

**nuisance26** · 07-20-2008, 10:12 AM

~I lost 17 lbs from Thanksgiving to Spring by counting calories. If you're not counting, you should be. It's very possible that you are eating too few calories and it's causing you to retain body fat. Something that worked really well for me was starting my day right. I would have my coffee and breakfast while reading something inspirational. It kept me motivated and excited to do my routine every morning. Best wishes on your new fitness routine!~

**Jamauk** · 07-20-2008, 10:30 AM

Amy ~ Good Luck to you (although I know you don't need it). You are a very determined woman and I get the feeling that if you set your mind to do something, it gets done - EARLY

I agree with Constance in that you may not be eating enough calories. Also, you didn't mention water. I know everone except our little corner of the world is going through an unbelievable heat wave. Could you be retaining water?

I have been reading a book called "Intuitive Eating" (I actually found the recommendation here, but can't remember where or when) and its a great read. The whole thing makes sense to me. I have considerably more weight to lose than you do, but I'm only half way through the book and five pounds have come off without me even noticing.....I found the book at the library.

Good Luck to you and I'm looking forward to reading about your journey.

**Tamerama** · 07-20-2008, 10:52 AM

Good luck to you!! I need to get on the wagon with you.

I am about 10 pound over where I feel comfortable. I have never had a pudgy stomache and I feel pudgy! YUCK!

**britbunny** · 07-24-2008, 05:44 AM

Hi Amy,

Just wanted to wish you well and all that good stuff. Look forward to hearing about your progress - it's always really great motivation to keep me going when I hear about changes everyone else is making. Good luck!

**Mom23boys** · 07-24-2008, 09:32 AM

Amy, I was also going to mention that you might be eating too few calories. You can go to fitday.com and input all your food intake and it will keep up with your calories for the day. Did I mention it is free?!?
:goodluck:

**MACMOM6** · 07-30-2008, 09:19 PM

Good Luck!!!! I know how you feel, except I am not in good shape and I need to lose BIGTIME!!! I have a lot of friends who have lost alot of weight lately. I just cannot seem to get on board.

Good Luck & Keep Walking

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-30-2008, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mom23boys

Amy, I was also going to mention that you might be eating too few calories. You can go to fitday.com and input all your food intake and it will keep up with your calories for the day. Did I mention it is free?!?
:goodluck:

I second the fitday motion! I have been using fitday for about 2 years, off and on. I don't need to constantly calculate my calories & weight loss...but it's nice when I need it!

I started jogging, and the weight is dropping off quickly (and to top it off, I quit smoking and I'm still losing it). And I am a person who hates exercise, but found my niche in jogging! I started out slowly, jog a block, walk a blog and vice versa. You'd be surprised how quickly your body adjusts to it!

Good luck to you! You'll have to keep us posted on how you are doing!

**grneyegrl** · 07-30-2008, 10:38 PM

amy ditch the special k its garbage.. try eating more whole wheat..add eggwhites to your lunch.. and get rid of all white flour, white potatoes, white pasta ect.. it may help

**AmyBoz** · 07-31-2008, 06:41 AM

I have ditched the Special K. We're eating Cheerios, because both Dh and I were concerned about our cholesterol, but as it turns out, mine is 155 and his is 164, so we needn't have worried. However, so far, no one is complaining. I'm not the BIGGEST fan of Cheerios, but they're working nicely for now.

As for the walking, I'm back at camp this week, so I'm walking, but I've been making sure to bring enough food so that I am not hungry, but not overeating either.

And, instead of Fitday, I'm using My Plate at the LiveStrong website. It's the same concept (I used to use Fitday) as long as I stick with it. Imagine my surprise and disgust yesterday when I found out that the Dunkin' Donuts sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich a friend treated me to was 35 grams of fat.

Good to know what I'm putting in my mouth!!!

**Michelle** · 07-31-2008, 07:02 AM

Good for you Amy.

Have you seen any results yet? How about your mini goal to lose 5lb by Aug. 8th?

I have just started counting calories again and really need to get back on the exercise bandwagon. I stopped when I hurt my back several months ago and have never really gotten back into it like I was before. And it shows!