Fitness Friday
What I've Been Doing:
For a few weeks I've been doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred workout and counting my calorie intake (1500/day). While doing this I've come to find that I can't stand Jillian. Just don't like her. I hate it when she calls the girls who are helping her workout- "Buddy." I also hate it when she says, "Just 5 more...buddy, you can make it." YOU don't want to know how I respond back to Jillian. Thank God, it's just me around while I'm torturing myself. The 1500 calorie intake left me hungry!!!!!!!!! On top of that I wasn't paying attention to the fat nor the fiber. So last week I weighed in and did not make any progress.
What I'm Doing Now:
I'm back to doing Weight Watchers. I did this several years ago and lost 40 pounds. Now I know why I gained it back. I didn't equip myself with the right tools to keep it off. I am now armed with a WW calculator so that I can figure out how many points something is before I decide to eat it. There's a big difference between looking at calories and using the WW system which takes into account fat and fiber. I have 25 points daily with an additional 5 (I guess you get 35 extra points for the week)....at the end of the day yesterday I had 2 points left and I went to bed feeling full and satisfied. The other thing that I changed is how I exercise. I honestly don't buy into the Biggest Loser only because they lose the weight so fast and I have read that this isn't the ideal way to drop pounds. Since my son is staying after school every night for track, I've been strapping on my tennie boppers, attaching my ipod to my arm, putting on my shades (Yes, we have had sun this past week in Michigan!!) and I've been walking between 1.5-2 miles every day! I feel good about what I'm doing now. On top of that, I have a HUGE support base where I work. Several of the gals go to WW's and we're all there to keep the other honest!
Current Weight: 171
3/19/10 Today's Weigh In: 168
Goal Weight: 140-145
Height: 5'6"
I really want to lose weight. Last summer I worked out with a trainer and lost 35 pounds in preparation for my wedding in December. Since then I put 25 back on. It is super frustrating and I know I haven't been good about what I eat.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I need to give WW a try!
Love this feature!!
ReplyDeleteI did WW 10 years ago and lost 20 pounds, but now it's back so I'm thinking about going back, too! Have never heard of the WW calculator though...
I also started doing 1.5 - 2 mile walk each day (still on the treadmill, but should be outside today) and feeling good about that
Good luck, Staci!
Good for U Staci!!!! I know for us women...it is a constant struggle! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're on the right track! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThree pounds in one week --- yea for you!!!
ReplyDeleteI started a walking routine in January and did fairly well until two weeks ago. I now have to re-motivate myself to do it again once school starts.
How brave to put your weight right on the blog! I need to start up again too. Why is it so hard?!!! And with Easter coming! ugh!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I'm trying to shed a few pounds before summer doing Denise's Daily Dozen exercises (haven't managed to get the 12 miles of cardio per week in, though) and really watching what I eat.
ReplyDeleteSo, I'm in the same boat and I'm here to cheer you on. Go, Staci, Go!
Best wishes as you work towards better health!
ReplyDeleteI love walking outside listening to a book on tape. Just about finished with The Fiery Cross.
Staci...congrats at your commitment to weight loss. I wouldn't want anyone calling me "buddy", when I'm in a bad mood trying to lose weight...LOL
ReplyDeleteI'm walking 2 miles a day (15 min mile), but need to work on portion control.
Great progress! I tried 30 day shred and I believe you about not liking Jillian. I had some choice words for her too.
ReplyDeleteI've been going to Zumba 2 times a week. I've noticed a looseness in my pants :)
Ok, so I've come across a few people that are doing some sort of program and its an inspiration. I think I'm going to start something too. I love Jillian Michael's workouts! I'll have to dig them out and get started! Good luck with it!
ReplyDeleteI also gave you a virtual Easter basket :0)
http://www.thebookinn.net/2010/03/join-hersheys-better-basket-blog-hop.html
Natalie
Best of luck with WW, Staci! And hooray for having a support base. That can make all the difference.
ReplyDeleteI lost a pile of weight on WW before too and would like to get back on it once everything settles down. I find it the easiest to work with. I agree about the Biggest Loser. They lose that weight so fast that once they're done and go back to normal life, of course they're going to gain some back. Good luck - I'm sure you'll do great!
ReplyDeleteWW really does work. I lost 20 pounds last year and all I did was count points and walk about a mile a day too. Good luck! The weight comes off slow but after a month or so it adds up :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, 3 pounds is ALOT for one week. Remember you are not on the biggest loser campus (if you watch that show). Do you have access to a trendmill? I download TBL every week and watch it on my ipod while walking/cardio on equipment. 1H23M of cardio! Hold 3 pound dumb bells in each hand and your calorie burn will go up!
ReplyDeleteHearty congratulations!!!! Today as I realized I did not have any spring clothing that would not make me look like an egg I realized that I have to do something. And did I mention that my high school reunion is in August.
ReplyDeleteWeight Watchers is the best. I am going to start pointing and walking. I hope, i hope, i hope!!!
Oh, I can so relate to your experiences!
ReplyDeleteIn 2006, I signed up at a Curves gym and did their food plan. I lost 60 lbs. in about nine months and felt really good. The plan was about making good choices and making a lifestyle change.
But slowly some of the weight crept back on until I had regained 20 of the lbs. I joined Jenny Craig, and very slowly started losing again...but then I stopped buying their complete food plan, since I had to go the supermarket anyway for dairy products, fruits, vegetables...so gradually, I moved away from the plan.
I regained most of what I lost on this program!
Now I'm taking a break, but sort of watching my intake by keeping a food diary. That worked for me before, and even though most days when I put down what I eat, I've gone over the amount of calories I should eat...well, at least I'm not completely mindless about what I'm doing!
I haven't been going to the gym as much as I should either.
It's hard. What's really tough is that when I was younger, I was always on some kind of diet and I wasn't really overweight! I'd love to weigh now what I weighed then...over even 20 lbs more than that.
I have never done weight watchers.
Good luck and I wish you well.
I tried the 30 day shred...did it once. Hated it. I really like the Prevention exercise dvd's. They are a nice workout, one that doesn't kill me, and I can still do it after a crappy day at work.
ReplyDeleteHey, I enjoyed your posting on your journey back to fitness.
ReplyDeleteI'm on a similar journey..... that is to say, I've actually started exercising on a regular basis at the gym and finding I really enjoy it. I knew it was time or I'd start to permanently lose out.... if you know what I mean.
I'll be cheering you from this part of the world --- here's to all that is truly good for us!
Good for you, Staci! WW is great and I wish you all success. It's just really a lifetime process isn't it? I've been working with a trainer for several weeks now and am improving in how much I can do with her. I'm making changes in how I eat as well. Not huge things, but things I can stick with. I've decided that's the key. Behavior you can keep up forever. Again, congrats!
ReplyDeleteyou go girl! I'm cheering for you :)
ReplyDeleteOh, if I only had your commitment. I'm sunk in such a rut, it isn't even funny. I did weight watchers years ago and it is a wonderful program and walking is a great way to exercise.
ReplyDeleteI think listening to a trainer calling people "buddy" all the time would annoy me too. It's like going to a restaurant and the server asks if you "guys" have decided yet. Huh, me and The Big Guy is not "you guys" nor are me friends out for an all girls lunch you "guys". Irks the hell out of me. Sorry for the rant.
I am cheering on you because I am doing the same thing, trying to lose about 15 pounds for the summer. I'm cutting back all my guilty snacks and carbohydrates, and going to the gym 5 times a week (cardio and resistance). It's tough now since I'm on vacation at home with all the yummy food but I try to eat moderately.
ReplyDeleteYour determination is wonderful Stacy! Thanks for sharing your life with us on this journey. It takes determination and strength to make changes turn into a lifestyle. I've found that the most successful way to loose weight is through WW for me as it fits into my daily life and I don't feel deprived. I need to get back on track and your post inspired me! You are fortunate to have so much support from your coworkers as well. Keep us posted on your journey!
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I've done WW several times and they are the best program around. You are inspiring me to go back again. Good luck. I'm pulling for you.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've got the right attitude and tools to stay on the right track, Staci. I did WW several years ago and lost 75 lbs. Unfortunately, like you mentioned when you tried it before, I wasn't prepared for the long haul and gained it all back. My health has kept me from getting back into a regular exercise routine, unfortunately (I start, but then have to stop--so I haven't been able to be consistent about it). It's a constant battle, but I'm determined to become healthy again.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you're posting about getting fit! I'm in the same boat. The weight came off a few years ago thanks to South Beach Diet, but we went back to our normal way of eating (plus, I love to cook--and bake bread, which was our downfall!) and the weight came back. I joined a health club in January and have been devoted to going every day after work for almost 12 weeks. I meet with a trainer once a week and she kicks my butt!! I'm finally seeing some muscle definition and weight loss, which is so exciting. We eat so much better, but we're not "dieting" and we don't deprive ourselves of the things we enjoy. We follow the "moderation in all things" attitude and watch our portions. My husband has lost about 20 lbs. and I've lost 8. My goal is to lose 8 more. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.
ReplyDeleteKeep posting! You'll keep me motivated!! :)
Congrats on the weight loss and work so far.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Jillian is not the way to go for me either. I'm not 400 lbs, but my knees can't take jumping jacks. Sorry! and it doesn't make me lazy. Comcast On Demand has plenty of other work outs I like. 6 Round Slim down is a good one and so are some of the walking ones.
I kind of do WW, I've done it in the past. I'm just not as strict as I should be. Keep up the good work and any time you want to chat about things or ideas, drop me a line :)
YOu can do it!
Wow! You said you wanted to write more about your life, not just books, and you're doing it here for sure! What honesty, Staci, really! I don't know many who would put their weight on their blog! :<) I did WW myself almost over eight years ago, and did great, but I've gained it back because, well, because why? There are no excuses. I don't think there is a better program anywhere because it is all about portions rather than excluding certain foods. They are concerned with getting one's fruits/veg, whole grains, and good oil each day. I'm so proud of you! The support really does help. I think I miss it, but I don't seem to want to go back to meetings. I know what to do. I'm just not doing it.
ReplyDelete