35 years old mom, focusing on getting fitter and losing weight. Follow my progress -
More than two weeks later, I am trying to get back on track again. Shortly after posting last time, I hurt my back carrying my six yo son. Took me a week to be able to walk again, and two weeks to start exercising properly. The lack of exercise, or maybe the cold weather, or just my weakened will, I don’t even know exactly why, but I could not manage to stick to my diet. One day I actually found myself standing by the kitchen cabinets binging on chocolate, like in bad old days 
I decided to test my various theories and see if I can still pull it off. So, started yesterday and managed to stick to the IR diet regime for the entire day! I also went to the gym, first time after 2 weeks, walked 4 km and ran 2km! Today is going well so far as well, so I’m happy. We’re throwing a small party for my son’s birthday tomorrow. Lots of candy and snacks around,as well as a big cake (with the power rangers on it!). A challenge for me, but I’ll try real hard to make it through. I bought a lot of vegetables and I’m going to prepare a huge tray of carrot sticks, cukes and green and yellow pepper strips. Also bought some low-far, whole flour pastries of which I can safely have up to two pieces tomorrow. Oh, and soda water too, because I won’t be having diet drinks anymore.
Weighed myself today - 90.2 kgs or 198.8 lbs. Wish me luck - hoping to lose a couple of pounds by the same time next week!
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February 8th, 2008
Yes, I am back on my weight loss program too! It’s been five weeks since my last post. I took some time off the main weight loss effort during most of that time. I didn’t binge on anything, but I didn’t stick to my IR diet as religiously as before.
Some things did stick and I guess they’ve become life habits by now, which is a good thing. For one thing, I still try to stay away from carbs that have a high glycemic load. White rice, white breads and potatoes are pretty much off the menu for me, and have been through out the month. Also, I kept my running efforts up, which is a good thing.
I did commit quite a few sins though… I ate more, and more carbs, often more than 30 grams per 3 hours window. I had sugar, more than once, in the form of carb loaded cakes (insert embarrassed smilie here). Again, not binging, having a slice here and a bite there, but still, more than I should. In my defense, we’ve had some super cold weather here lately, and I kept running outdoors. The combination made me feel absolutely famished some days. I just went around the house with food on my mind. I tried making lots of vegetable soup and steamed and broiled veggie dishes, but it just wasn’t enough.
So, what made me come back? About a week ago I was hit with a migraine… Sitting in the bathroom in the middle of the night, my head pounding, waiting for the welcome relief in the form of vomiting (that’s how my migraines work), it occurred to me that I haven’t had a migraine in quite a few months. I realized that while on the low-carb diet I had fewer migraines, if at all (I do need to keep better track of those!). Well, avoiding migraines is motivation enough for me, so here I am! Five days ago, I started my diet anew!
The results? Well, I want to keep Friday as my official weigh-in day, but I did sneak up on the scales today and I can tell you that I’m in the wonderful Onederland! That’s right - under 200 lbs finally! Since my ticker here is currently showing 203 lbs, I guess that means I did lose some weight during the past few weeks, this week included… So looking forward to providing an update here in two days!
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January 23rd, 2008
It’s official weigh-in day today, so I am logging in the results. Only half a pound down from last week and I am now at 91.9kg or 202.5 lbs. I shouldn’t complain really, considering I didn’t exercise this week. With my bad knee, I didn’t run or walk, and that meant no gym sessions either, because I didn’t want to do them without a proper warm-up. Also, my aunt Flo is about to visit anyday now, so I expected some gain even - grateful for that small loss. I have been good diet-wise this week, after a sinful week or so last week.
I think the knee is better, but still some pain. I so miss running, I really really hope to be able to run again next week! Until then, it’s back to the swimming pool today - woohoo! I finally got myself a pair of customized ear plugs, all my own, made to fit my weird ears 
Taking them out for a test swim today, and I don’t expect to be swimming too much, after such a long break. If I make it to 10 laps, I’ll be happy with that particular achievement.
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December 14th, 2007
Title has a nice ring to it. Well, not really. Feeling down today, fourth day in a row without running. Combined with hitting a plateau with the weight loss last week, I am not very pleased with the way things are going. Sigh.
My knee really hurts. On top of everything else, I took a bad step a couple of days ago (note to self - do not enter the kids room when it’s dark - too hazardous for your health), and sort of twisted my bad knee a bit. Today I’m limping all over the place and using a broom as a cane
Seeing as I may need to take a break from running for a bit (can’t believe I’m even typing this!), I have to try and get back into the water… So, I’m going to a specialist today, to have specially fitted ear plugs made for my ears. They cost about $70 a pair (after the insurance covers some of it), but hopefully I’ll be able to start swimming with them again.
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December 6th, 2007
Know what really made my day today?
I went out running. I was doing my 3km, according to my own plan and today I ran outdoors, instead of on the treadmill. It’s always harder for me to run outdoors, but I truly do enjoy that. It’s amazing just how much easier running is getting to be. First 2km are a breeze and I know I’m running them much faster than before (although not remotely as fast as seasoned runners).
So, did my first 2km and the last bit had a rather steep incline. Out of breath, but I managed to pull through. After I reached the top, it was time to head back, so I walked for a bit then started running again. Well, the third kilometer and following a climb too, was really hard… I was breathing hard and I guess the effort showed lol. In front of me comes a young man running, much faster than me, he sees me struggling, smiles and gives me a thumbs up. Well, that just really made my day! I gave him a big smile back and kept on running and running. The boost he gave me was enough to carry me on till my target point. Thanks, mystery man!
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October 30th, 2007
I didn’t report anything last week, never got around to this blog, but thankfully I have the my posts in my online support group over at Soul Cysters It’s a great group of ladies, all trying to lose weight, with a goal of 35 pounds by Christmas (having started in late August).
I’ll start with the headlines - 2.5lbs last week and another pound this week. I’m happy with both figures 
As long as it’s going in the right direction. I do expect some slowing down of the weight loss at some point, as my body gets lighter and requires fewer calories.
Won’t be a long post here today… Been a long day indeed. Started it with a 15km long hike which took 3.5 hours, with about a 20 minutes break in the middle. It was awesome though, real hard and fun. I went with my DH (Dear Husband) who is much more fit than I am. It was nice to see just how much my fitness improved. We could actually take it at pretty much the same pace, with him dragging behind an old car tire for extra weight. I actually ran for at least 2km of the way, and then some more running intervals later on. Got close to dehydration, as it was a hot sunny day here, but I made myself drink more water all the time, and ended up just fine.
After a nice afternoon with the family, I’m beat tonight. So heading for bed…
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October 26th, 2007
Or in local terms, a nice round kilogram
I know, I know, I should be thrilled about it. Still losing weight, after three months in this, and at a steady pace still. Not sure why, but I’m a bit restless about it, impatient if you like, wanting to be another 30lbs down and NOW lol
I need to remind myself it took over a decade to gain all that weight, if it only takes a year to lose it, that’s good. I know it’s unhealthy to lose weight too fast, so actually, my pace is probably near perfect, if not even a bit too fast.
I do enjoy being in such a better shape though. I find myself doing things I couldn’t do before. They just happen too. It’s little things, really, nothing to brag about probably. Just finding myself squatting comfortably to talk to a child at eye level. Not even an issue, neither with balance nor with thigh muscles. Or picking up the groceries and lifting double the weight I used to, without even noticing. Oh, and yesterday, I went out cycling! Something I haven’t done in years! My last attempt was a few months ago and I failed miserably back then. Just wasn’t feeling secure enough about my balance. I may be imagining things, but I feel like running may be improving my balance somehow. Plus, less weight, is probably easier all around, for cycling too.
It was a nice workout too. My DH was running, with my cycling alongside him. We did that for about half an hour, then I decided my crotch had enough for one day lol I really wanted to run too, so we switched. Well, I was running, and he was mostly walking alongside me with the bicycle He is much faster than me and is just naturally much more fit. We tried running together this week as well. It was good, actually, but it made me run faster than I probably should have, and it made him run in circles around me every now and again…
We’re also getting new shoes! Bought ourselves a new pair each on ebay. I got me Nike Pegasus 2007 and he got him Asics Nimbus. Looking forward to getting them and trying them on! First time for us to try and buy online, without trying the shoes on, so hoping for the best here. They won’t be here for another month though, as we’re having them sent over to a friend for lower shipping costs and he’ll bring them over when he gets here next month. I’ll report once I have them!
That’s it for this week. Not a bad week, I guess, sticking to my diet like super glue and working out still. Just need to snap out of this impatient mood and think about it more in terms of a forever change. Will try to, promise!
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October 14th, 2007
Technically speaking, I lost about a pound and a half by my Friday weigh-in results. I guess that doesn’t really count as a plateau per se, but for some reason it feels like it. Maybe because I got lucky on that day, the weight was low, but days before that, and days after, it was higher. Today, I am about a pound higher than Friday. Not sure why. It’s not an official weigh-in day, but still…. sigh.
I was real good the whole week, working out almost everyday and watching what I eat real well. No sins recorded, not even diet sodas!
On the bright side, my running is going very well. Up to 2.6km and I could go higher, easily. Today is gym day and I’m going to do 2.8km, tempted to go for 3, but I should have done only 2.5km last week, so 3 would be pushing it.
Seeing my Endo tomorrow, to discuss the cortisol issues, we’ll see how that goes. That’s it for this week really.
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October 7th, 2007
This is not getting easier though, sigh. I am having some cravings today, going around the house with chocolate on my mind. I haven’t touched any in 3 months, I think. We had this gourmet chocolate bar at home, and everyone had some except me. We went to a birthday party on the weekend, I didn’t touch the chala bread or the birthday cake. Felt proud of myself, but I confess, I also feel a bit deprived. I think maybe I need some good quality ice cream in the ice cream parlour. The glycemic load of ice cream isn’t that bad, it’s not much different than fruit, in that respect. And I have a cause for celebration - I am finally under the 100kg mark! 220 pounds in other words.
The running isn’t getting easier either but that’s not a complaint. Despite my cortisol tests, I decided to stick to my training regime. I am giving myself 2-3 rest days a week, so I don’t see how that can be considered overtraining, by any criteria. I am up to 2.5km of straight running, as of today. Did it at the gym and survived! I also noticed that I am running faster, both outdoors and at the gym. I am not pushing it for speed, it just sort of happens.
So, that’s it for this week, pretty much. My DH commends me on my will power, which frankly, I didn’t know I actually have so much of. Bracing myself for the rest of this journey - wish me luck!
tags: General, Gym Exercise, Nutrition author: FitnessNotesMom comments: No Comments
September 30th, 2007
Great news this week - my last Cortisol test came back just fine. Not very low, but well within the normal range, so that’s good. I took it as a sign to get back to working out, although I am still being a tad more careful, making sure I don’t run or do weight training on consecutive days.
I am also sticking to a running plan, building up the distance gradually. This week it was 2 kms and next week I’ll be doing 2.2’s. That said, my speed is improving and I am also adding more uphill patches along the run. I ran on the treadmill only this week, so that part is easy to control and monitor. The bad news is that I have some pain in my left knee. Strangely enough, it hurts more when I walk, but once I get into running, it’s fine. I have an appointment with a sports physician in a couple of weeks, so hopefully he will have some advice about the knees.
I started swimming again as well. Finally over all the ear infections, I hope. I tried using ear plugs, but they were very uncomfortable and eventually, I could feel the water sipping in anyway, so not much point. I had one swim this week without them, and so far so good, vis-a-vis the ears. The swimming itself was not easy! I got out of practice there and need to build it up again, I think.
The good news this week - is that I’m down another 2lbs! Actually a bit more today, but I’ll leave it to next week’s weigh-in 2lbs a week is just fine and just the rate I want anyway. Now all I have to hope for is that my knee behaves and I can continue the exercise routine.
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September 22nd, 2007
