I'm 34. And I have high blood pressure.
When I was 24, and I thought forward to where I would be in 10 years, I didn't think I'd be:
a) overweight
b) dealing with high blood pressure
c) still clueless about how to have good hair
d) an awesome blogger
So, clearly my silver lining is still there. I'm coping.
But now that I'm on the meds (waaaahhhh) for the BP, we're buckling down and taking names. Of foods. And their caloric contents.
And you know what? It's not that hard. I know, I'm surprised too. Because if I counted up the number of times I tossed my hands in the air like a wilted salad and exclaimed "this is too hard!", well, I'd just have a mess of giving-up statements littered around me like brown lettuce.
It's kind of neat, this whole paying-attention-to-what-we-eat thing. I suppose it's a novelty. Like, the other day, we dined at Chick-Fil-A. Despite my Floridian friend, Vanessa, who recently guest blogged here and wrote her take of Chick-Fil-A, we eat there a lot. A Lot. For one, because it's so darn tasty. Another, because the kids can play in the Petri Dish Known As The Playground. And finally, because they have a pretty thorough nutritional guide, which is ever so helpful on this thing known as Weight Loss. Also, we don't get the poops.
And you know what I found? I discovered that previously, I was racking up like, 200-300 extra calories alone just by using this:
You know, you can throw a rock and hit a blog that is also talking about weight loss today. And that's good. Because it means that one more person in the world is paying attention to their health and fitness and might be hoping to live one more day longer, walk their kids down the aisle, hold their grandbabies, see them walk down the aisle. And we're all on this wagon together. And the ride is bumpy. And the road is long. But it's nice to have the company.
So my question today, sweet and precious reader, are you too on this journey? What is working for you?
26 comments:
Dude. You can totally do it. *shakes pom poms* rah! rah! rah! (I was a cheerleader in highschool, can you tell?)
After two kids, I was a size 16 and am now down to a small 6 AND look killer in a bikini, all thanks to Weight Watchers. I heart WW. But I never ever eat fast food, not even Chick-Fil-A, which is super yummy. So you win some, you lose some.
And good hair? Who has that? That would require a person to actually invest in expensive hair products, fry their hair with heated thingies and actually shower more than once a week. So boring. Good hair = overrated. Sloppy pony-tails = where its at.
And once more time *shakes pom poms* rah! rah! RAH!
I'm with Elegant Snobbery... except I'm going with Jazz Hands. You CAN do this. If I can, almost anyone can. It's hard, and you are going to want things. Sometimes you want stuff you wouldn't have ever even considered touching. Like Golden Corral, which looked totally amazing to me the other day. Also, resturant and/ or food commercials become like food porn.
Just take it one meal at a time, and don't beat yourself up. I totally ate BBQ yesterday, and that's ok. I'm going to have an extra salad today. Also your high BP is totally reversible and also, provides motivation.
And, my number one piece of advice? Please don't hate me for this..... give up soda. Even diet. It has too many chemicals and it messes up your brain signals. Also it messes with your body's pH and that's no bueno.
Best of luck. Everyone says the key to weight loss (and good health) is to prepare your own food so you know EXACTLY what you're eating--none of those 200-300 calorie surprises.
For me, it's just too bad bacon exists. Why do pigs gotta taste so good??? ;)
Unfortunately, BP is a problem in our family. My mom had it, your dad & I have it.
Avoid salt. This is my #1 crave. I don't eat fried foods all that often. I get Subway wraps, no mayo. Also, Carl's Jr. (Hardee's?), makes a lettuce wrapped hamburger, (no cheese), to save on carbs & fat.
Am I still heavy? Yes, but I'm working on it. Like you, I HATE the elliptical. I force myself to 5 minutes on the thing. I'd rather ride a bike, treadmill, or do aerobics, but that dang elliptical is the best workout invented. ANMC has a free workout facility, and I do use it.
Walk with the girls in the evening, or better yet, walk with the Hub in the evening.
Finally, don't let some emaciated models influence your feelings about your body. They never had kids; they don't juggle work, housecleaning, laundry, and school projects in a 24 hour day. You are a beautiful woman, a great wife, a wonderful mom, a loving daughter, and the best sister anyone could wish for.
That's the only thing that matters.
(but do give up Chik-fil-a)!
I have also not eaten nine cupcakes several times. Good thing we didn't.
I've been on this journey since August. I like Weight Watchers. In fact, I like it so much, I've done it twice! Sigh.
I'm 3 pounds away from goal weight and it just sucks. Losing weight and getting healthy is one of the hardest things I've ever done. That's coming from someone who went through 60 hours of labor and an emergency c-section with my first kid.
yes - always - and i eat from salad plates. that's my new thing.
but now that i am pms-ing i have stacked copious amounts of cinnamon sugary cereal on the plates. over and over and over again.
my hormones make me fat
You know I am totally on this journey. So, happy you have joined in on the fun. Weight Watchers has been amazing for me - I avoided it like the plague for years, but really it is easy and works great. Even if you aren't doing WW, get one of their cookbooks - I use mine multiple times a week and they have the nutritional info for each recipe, so you can count those calories.
If you have high bp, you may want to start counting your sodium. You really shouldn't have more than 2000mgs (or whatever the unit is) and really you can do fine on 1500mgs a day. It is amazing how much sodium is in restaurant foods and pre-packaged foods. Good luck!
run to my house. literally.
ugh. Just turned 30 and had my 3rd baby. I am so on this journey. I've been doing the whole drinking 8 glasses of water a day (and lugging that 2.2 liter jug o'water around is great for my biceps!) deal and am hitting up the gym for tae bo and zumba. It seems to be working so far, but I'm willing to bet that if I'd somehow convince myself to NOT eat 15 cookies later on it'd work a heck of alot better! Good luck to ya!
I kicked started about IDK, 2 months ago? I began with doing just fruits and veges for a few days, fasted for 3 and ate raw for 3 weeks after. I came to the conclusion that I like having something warm at night. So I eat dinner with the family but eat mainly raw during the day. I also did something funny. I started "training" for a race. So now I walk 3/wk but I love walking!! I have beeen adding a mile a week due to the fact the race is 7.46 miles! I have dropped a size during the interum. I also do yoga everyday. I think what has helped the most during this process is not to focus on loosing wait but to focus on feeling good about myself. I don't have a scale either. They are evil. It really is a individual thing. Find what works for you and feel good about that. Everyone is so different. Some people do well on low carb, high protein, etc. Listen to "your" body! Love you Kearsie.
Well, I of course know you can do it! I mean, I did it, took names, and took it to the bank and am now a personal trainer so boo-yow! Anyone can do it! Chick fil a isn't all that bad as long as you go with the grilled and fruit so just make the smartest choices! And working out is especially important! Be consistent! And know you can do it! And know you are worth it! Cause well, you are! :)
I am trying to watch what I eat and exercise every day. It seems that once you know how quickly your allotted calories add up, that you start using them wisely!
I loooooooooooooooooooove my Wii. I found the Personal Fitness Trainer game for $20 and I love it! You can use exercise equipment that you already have (mine was collecting dust bunnies under the bed) and customize the workouts and music. To reward myself for being good with my workouts, I like to Hula Hoop on the WiiFit. It's fun and makes me feel young again - while burning a bazillion calories. Like you, 10 years ago I never thought I would be where I am now. It sucks getting old, but totally beats the alternative.
Yup, I'm trying to lose 10 pounds. I'm looking forward to hear what works for everyone.
Welcome to the wagon!! Whole foods (real foods) is a great way to drop the pounds. Which obviously means 'no HFCS'. Just read another article on that this morning: http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/91/22K07/index.xml?section=topstories
And spring/summer is a great time to go whole foods with all the veggies that will soon be at the farmer's markets.
We cut out most fast foods, but with kids, we had to have something for road trips, etc. Chick-fil-A is still our choice, though I regret to inform everyone that even their grilled chicken contains MSG. *weeping*
And I agree with Sara on dropping all sodas, though if you can not live without caffeine (like my DH), then look for Jones Colas. They use real cane sugar.
Rock on, girl!! You can do it!
I am on this road as well! Here is what works for me:
*purchase a scale that tells you the calories of the food you are weighing! It was $57.00 at Target, at least at the Target in Alaska, but it was so worth it!
*Precook and freeze most of your meals. I just started doing this, and it seems to be working. It has kept me from eating out.
*I tend to eat every two hours and limit my calories to about 200. Now when I don't think my meal is big enough, I can tell myself that it only has to last me two hours - which it always does.
Good luck! we can do this...
Okay, so my husband has to eat a low salt, low cholesterol, low fat diet cuz his cholesterol and b/p are super high.
He's 32. He's tall and thin.
I'm fat. I'm short. I'm also 32 and all my numbers are good. Knock on wood.
Anyway, he doesn't know what to eat. He gets asparagus the other day and I tell him to like braise it or bake it. Not very long. Has to keep the nutrients. What does he do? He boils it until it's dead. He couldn't even chew it.
hmm...
i respect your honesty.
my offer still stands.
don't forget...
do what you have to do to make it happen...
if you wanna do it the quick way...
i would say get a stomach virus of some sort, you know something that'll give you the runs and make your appetite go bye-bye...or kim's mailing out tapeworms in tater tots...tempting. i know.
Good luck! You can do this. I am maniac about having a daily walk and it helps keep the pounds off!
Loved the "Petri Dish/Playground" commentary!
Oi.....I am on the band wagon as well and have been for two weeks now. I am drinking a few protein drinks throughout the day and having a small dinner. Lots of sauteed veggies and some salads thrown in. Sugar and carbs seem to be the enemy for me. If i even have a taste at this point there is no stopping me. I have lost 5 pounds so far tho! wooohoooo!
I'm trying to stay on the weight loss journey as well but it feels like I haven't even started. We just bought a house which I'm currently trying to put into order and I'm also working long hours at work. The excuses just roll in for not exercising. Not sure what to do.
I'm on the journey. And by on the journey, I mean I think about starting it. every once in a while I will stick my toe over the starting line, maybe take a few steps. But then I get distracted by something tasty chilling over in the bushes.
Did I ever tell you that when I was 19 my cholesterol was over 200? And you know what worked for me. Breastfeeding. I'm sorry you don't have that opportunity. Also, I did start eating less and working out more. And going to bed earlier. Turns out it's a whole lifestyle changing thing.
I have been on the wagon for about 2 months or so. I'm doing the NutriSystem & it's going really good. I had to get off of it for about a week while I had the flu. All I could keep down was Sierra Mist & oyster crackers. Unless I'm sick like that, I no longer drink sodas. They stretch out your stomach. I wish everyone on here the best of luck with their weight loss.
My name is DeAnna and I've been on the wagon for 8 weeks now.
I think losing weight has been my favorite hobby since I was 24 years old (the age I had my son). I like losing weight so much that I just gain it back so I can do it all again! Anyway, I've been going to Dr. Vitkin. He recommends a low carb diet and prescribes medication. For the first time I actually fell like I might achieve my goal weight! I know many are scared of medication but I decided there are risks in everything, including remaining overweight. After eight weeks, I have lost 24 lbs. My goal is to lose 60. Getting close to halfway! You and I are going to be hot child support girls!!!
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