A Diary of a Big Girl

I'm Baaa-aaack!

2006-05-22T21:11:00.000-04:00

A great deal of time has elasped since my last post. What can I say? Life happens. However, I do have good news to report. Since the last time I posted, I have begun an exercise routine. I started out walking and then I joined a 6-week exercise bootcamp. Me....in bootcamp. I can't quite belive it myself. I am also happy to report that I as of tonight, I am down to 218.5 pounds. When I started I believe I was somewhere in the 240's. I can see where my abs are supposed to be. They should be moving in by the end of the year...I hope. I still have about 35 more pounds to lose but I feel great about the progress I have made so far. So, to all of you that are still contemplating a fitness plan, I say get to it....the time is now!

Get the Lead Out and Get Moving!

2006-02-08T21:38:00.000-05:00

Exercise. Ugghh!!!! I know it's one of the best things for me, but I'll make every excuse not to do it. I don't have time. I don't have access to a gym. Yadda yadda yadda, blah blah blah. This week I am proud to say that it has been different. On Tuesday, I went for a brisk, 30-minute walk with two of my co-workers. Today I walked for just over 30 minutes (I even jogged almost 2 of my laps....that's a major accomplishment for me). I also did 10 minutes on my bike....that's better than nothing! My point is, exercise is an important component to losing weight. For those of you (like me) who are dragging your heels, get the lead out, and get moving!

Nothing Lost...Nothing Gained

2006-02-03T09:14:00.000-05:00

Hello. Today is my weigh-in day for Weight Watchers. ® The trip to the scale yielded a disappointing return. I didn't lose any weight. It's disheartening when your efforts don't bring you the desired results. However, on the bright side, I didn't gain anything either. This coming week I will focus on making it better than this past week. That's all anyone can do. So, when the scale remains at equilibrium, don't be discouraged. This is a journey and it shouldn't be evaluated on one day on the scale. Look at the long-term. How have your eating habits changed? What changes do you see in the way your clothes fit? How do you feel?

Next week, I'm looking forward to more improvements. And maybe, just maybe...in the process I'll shed a pound or two.

Lead Us Not, Into Temptation

2006-02-01T19:31:00.000-05:00

Temptation. We've all faced it, especially those of who are striving live a healthier lifestyle and rid ourselves of a excess pounds. Last week my mom made a two-layer lemon cake. It was just sitting on the table. Okay, so I ate a slice...maybe two, but not on the same day. I am proud to say that this past weekend I went to dinner with my boss, and while she ordered what looked to be the best of cheesecake ever, I refrained from doing so. Instead, I had grilled salmon, green beans and carrots, and a plain baked potato. I am proud of myself for making a good dining decision. The next day I passed up carrot cake and chocolate mousse pie. They both looked delicious.

There are times when I am tempted to go out for a huge dessert. But then I remember my goal and what I have accomplished so far. There are also times when I'm not so successful in resisting that piece of cake or ice cream. Giving in to these things does not mean the end of everything you're trying to accomplish. Each day is an opportunity for beginning anew.

Here's to making better choices!

A Brand New Year

2006-01-02T19:26:00.000-05:00

By this time, all of the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, cakes, pies, etc. should be put away. This is the New Year. A time for a new start, making new commitments, blowing the dust off of old commitments. At this time of year many people resolve to lose weight. I find the best way to view it is striving to lead a healthier lifestyle. Millions will flock to fitness clubs, buy thousands of dollars in new equipment, and flood the membership rosters at weightloss clinics. The reality is that after a few months, the fitness clubs become less crowded, exercise equipment doubles as a rack for clothes (I know, I've done it), and memberships at weightloss clinics are cancelled. I'm not writing this to discourage those who want to lose weight, I'm writing this to offer a few suggestions to stay motivated.

Set goals that are reasonable and measurable. The average weightloss is about 2 lbs per week. I would suggest setting several mini goals rather than looking at your total weight loss goal.
Write your goals and put them in a place so that you can see them everyday.
Use the buddy system. Losing weight can be difficult, but it makes it easier when you have someone in your corner to support you.
Reward yourself for meeting your goals (but avoid using food as a reward).
Most of all, stay focused and encouraged!

I Can't Believe I Ate the Whole Thing!

2005-12-25T20:55:00.000-05:00

Ahhhh.....the holidays. A time of reflection, family, fun....FOOD. It's easy to become overwhelmed by the variety and quantity of food that is at your fingertips. Today, I didn't do as well as I had planned. I am not due to get on the scale this week, but I know I will step on and take a peak. What to do now? Start from where I am and do better. If this holiday season you feel as if you've overdone it, don't beat yourself up. Vow to do better, and then do it. Be encouraged!

Small Change

2005-12-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

To have a million dollars, you must first have a penny. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Now, I have no desire to eat an elephant (a million dollars would be nice though), but my point here is to start small. What I have come to realize is that I did not put on the weight overnight, nor should I expect to lose it overnight. However, what I (and you) can do is implement small changes that will lead to positive, lasting results. For instance, when ordering a salad you could get your dressing on the side....or if you decide to go out for pizza, choose a thinner crust. If you start small, before you know it you will have saved yourself lots of calories and on your way to a healthier you.

The Bible mentions several instances where small things are used to achieve big results. David killed Goliath (a giant) with a sling and a stone. Jesus says that although the mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, it grows to be the largest of all garden plants (Matthew 13:31-21). Yet another example is when Jesus uses two fish and five loaves of bread to feed thousands. So today I challenge you to use small things in your life to achieve big results.

Be encouraged!

2005-12-21T18:23:00.000-05:00

Welcome: The Beginning (Again)

The Battle of the Bulge. Fighting the Scale. Or simply put, trying to lose weight. Who can ignore the reports of how overweight America is? Okay, I'm stepping forward. I'm throwing away my black, vertical striped pants (they say they make you look slimmer) and I am admitting that I am overweight. I know it, and every scale on this side of the Mississippi knows it as well. I am going public and inviting all who care to join me in making a change to lead a healthier life. Two friends and I are in the midst of challenge to lose weight. The challenge began just before Thanksgiving (November 19th I think) and ends March 4, 2006. We each have put up $100, winner takes all. My starting weight was 243, and 236 at the last weigh-in.

Here's a piece that I wrote last year (Oct. 2, 2004)
Two forty-five. That's not such a bad thing if it's 2:45 PM on a Friday and you're scheduled to leave work at 3:00, or if you've received a check for $245. In my case it wasn't Friday and there was definitely no check in the mail. It was Saturday morning and I was standing unclothed on my bathroom scale (hey, a sista's gotta get as much lead way as possible). I watched as the numbers danced across the digital display, hoping against hope that maybe, just maybe this would be the day that the scale would tip in my favor. Those few seconds of waiting felt like an eternity. It's as if the scale had a secret and I was waiting on edge for the details. When it stopped, it told me a truth I didn't want to believe. But there it was in bold numbers--245.0. So I did what many of us have probably done before. I got off and got back on--three times actually--and each time it was as if the scale screamed, "I SAID you weigh 245 pounds!"

Next I went to the mirror to put a picture with the number. I extended my arms and observed the way they jiggled when I moved them back and forth. Next I turned my attention to my mid-section where I was greeted by a set of "love handles." Love handles. What a name. Looking at them, well, let's just say I couldn't see the love.

I got dressed and pushed the scale back into its place--out of my view. I sat down and began to think, "Something's gotta give." And I wasn't talking about the elastic in my pants or the jeans that USED to fit a couple of months ago. I have to lose weight.

I had been successful before in losing weight, but like a lot of people I've also been successful in gaining it back. And when you're trying to lose weight, your weight gain doesn't go unnoticed. People deem it necessary to point out your gain, as if it's a form of flattery. Or better yet, as if I didn't know. "Hey girl," they would say, "Look how much weight you've gained!" Who asked you? But I digress.

I have tried just about everything from bariatric centers to counting. I've been on the blue plan, the yellow plan, the orange plan. I've eaten this combination of food with that combination of food. I've met three times per week with a weight-loss coach, who each time would ask me, "So, when was your last bowel movement?" Excuse me? I don't know you like that.

So, here I am, not exactly back where I started (258), but not at the goal I had set almost two years ago. Looking down at my thighs confirmed what I already knew. The journey must continue. I invite you to join me in my quest to lose 60 pounds. Welcome to A Diary of a Big Girl.