Scale vs. tape

Friday, March 15, 2013

I have been a bit discouraged that the scale isn't moving much
But this morning I got out the tape measure and my waist and hips have both lost an inch in the last two weeks!

This should be enough motivation to keep me on track. But today is my DH's birthday, so I'm baking a carrot cake with maple cream cheese icing- not exactly a low- calorie treat. We are going out to dinner and a concert (Irish music, of course) with friends and then back here for coffee and dessert. No way I'll be within my calorie goals today, but I'm going to get in some cardio and yoga later to try to offset the damage.
Have to just keep sparking

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PDSLIM 3/15/2013 3:08PM

have a great day Report Inappropriate Comment

MINI-ME-2B 3/15/2013 9:48AM

When I lost weight before, one of my regrets was not measuring myself. I plan on doing that this time. Love that you're allowing yourself a treat, and adding extra exercise, without adding the guilt! Keep up the good work. Report Inappropriate Comment

MIDWESTLORRAINE 3/15/2013 9:26AM

Yes. We have to look as the big picture. The scale that tells all is the best. Your real age, your BMI, calories, omentum, weight, fat percentage, the works. Its worth the investment.. I love mine. Report Inappropriate Comment

SCRAPBECCA 3/15/2013 9:24AM

Thanks for reminding me that I have been meaning to buy a tape measure. Have fun with your DH's birthday activities! Report Inappropriate Comment

SP, I really need you!

Monday, June 04, 2012

I have come to the realization that I cannot do this alone. I really need the information, discipline & support of SP to lose weight. I have a degree in nutrition, so you'd think I could do it on my own, but I am too careless if I don't have to keep track of everything I eat and how much I exercise. SP makes it so easy to do that and the support of the SP community makes it fun!

My last blog was over a year ago. Since then I have moved with my husband to our retirement home on Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. That's the good news. The bad news is that the whole stressful process of building our new house, selling our old one and the move itself led to me gaining back 15 of the 25 pounds I had lost

But I am now determined to get that weight off once and for all starting yesterday! I have put my DH on notice that I'm on the SP wagon again and he is not to entice me with cocktails on the dock or another dinner out! We are expecting lots of company this summer, so it's going to be hard to keep on track, but I am going to give it my best shot.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BELIEVING-N-ME 6/5/2012 12:42PM

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BOBINVA 6/4/2012 4:03PM

Use the tools here. Keep posting. Learn to say no to temptations or find alternatives (lemon water instead of cocktails?). Find some great / fun / ways to keep moving in your new paradise. Keep sparking. Report Inappropriate Comment

CHRIMSONFYRE 6/4/2012 11:20AM

You can do it! Even with company around, prepare healthier foods for your family and company and just learn portion control. I have no doubt you can succeed! Report Inappropriate Comment

I hate to exercise!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

I should qualify that statement- I don't hate all exercise- I love a nice brisk walk when the weather cooperates or a fun game of tennis. What I hate is the stuff like -get down on the mat- do crunches, lift weights, sit on the stationary bike for a half hour or the stair-climber. I never look forward to it and I usually have to talk myself into it.
A few years ago- (pre-recession and before my husband's retirement when money was more plentiful) I had a great personal trainer. I got in the best shape of my life by working out 3 times a week- strength training two days and Pilates on the reformer one day. It was great- but I still hated it! I never missed a session, however, because being a no-show meant I still had to pay the $65. It was fun having a very upbeat trainer who pushed me and led me through the workouts- no thinking involved on my part- just follow directions. Oh, those were the days!
But working out on my own is more challenging- I have to talk myself into it, then I have to figure out which exercises I should do, etc. Thank goodness for SP- the routines and demos are really helpful.
Since I am getting closer to my final goal weight and I know the last 7 pounds will be the hardest to lose, I have been pushing myself to work out more often and do more challenging exercises. Guess what? It's working! Those lunges (I REALLY HATE LUNGES!) and the crunches (I don't like them much either!) are easier than they were a few weeks ago. The bat wings on my upper arms are firming up.

I know I will never be one of those people who just can't wait to get out the door for a morning run (my feet can't take running anyway) but I will also never be a total couch potato. I've worked with seniors long enough to appreciate that the people who have the most trouble as they age are the ones who are overweight and don't exercise.
So, even though I still hate to exercise I'm going to keep at it! I may not love exercise, but I love what it does for me!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ONEGREATCAT 4/14/2011 8:06PM

Ohhhh...PULEEZE tell me how to get rid of those armflaps! Michael is getting tired of me knocking him over due to "wind current" when I walk by swinging my arms. FLAP, FLAP, FLAP! I'm like you: I love to walk. I love, love yoga. I don't mind 15 minutes on treadmill, but after that I have to really get myself into a different mindset. I'm also glad for SP's videos so I can follow along. I'm NOT like you in that I just haven't budged in weight loss in WEEKS. But now that warmer weather is here and I can enjoy walking more, and start gardening, mowing the lawn (thankfully more than I had to shovel snow), etc., I think I'll see more results. HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING. Keep Sparking! Gwen Report Inappropriate Comment

FITGRL124 4/14/2011 3:19PM

Definitely keep it up and congrats to being so close to your goal! Report Inappropriate Comment

JJRUTT 4/14/2011 9:18AM

I agree, I'm not much for exercise either, but I love how it makes me feel, and what it can do for me. Report Inappropriate Comment

The downside to weight loss...

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

my boobs have shrunk! So I've lost about 23 pounds so far & I really wish I could have selected where that weight would come off. First choice- hips, not chest! The only positive I could see about being overweight was having the largest chest I'd ever had- except for when I was pregnant or breast-feeding! So now that's gone :-(

It has been almost exactly one year since I had surgery to remove a bad parathyroid gland and part of my thyroid. When I recovered from that surgery I vowed to lose the weight I had put on over the previous 2 years. Undoubtedly my medical condition had contributed to that gain, as did several injuries which kept me from exercising as I would have liked. But I was the one who kept putting the food in my mouth- and not making good choices about what food that was!
But now that a year has passed I am really feeling good about how I've done. Perhaps I could have lost the weight more quickly or could have lost more pounds/inches, but so far I've lost almost 15% of my body weight- not too bad. I also now know that, thanks to SP, I can lose the next 7-10 pounds which will bring me down to where I was a few years ago- a healthy weight for my height & frame.
So- even though I'm not happy about losing the chest, I'm really happy about losing that roll around my middle. I can feel my ribs & hip-bones again
Thanks, SP & my SP friends

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ONEGREATCAT 4/6/2011 2:23PM

I totally understand...that's always the first place I lose weight also. But I'll take it anywhere I can get it!!! You've done a fantastic job and it's great that you're within sight of your goal. Of course...those last pounds are the hardest to lose. I have been on a plateau for soooo long, but not giving up! Rejoice!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GREENMAMA10 4/5/2011 11:10AM

I understand, and I'm not sure if you're also experiencing another downfall to weight loss... loose skin. I am, and it's not pretty :o( but every pound has been worth it!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUPERTHINHIJITA 4/5/2011 10:00AM

lol. It's funny how everyone is different. I personally rejoiced when my boobs shrank. Regardless of how we want and where we want to lose the weight, congratulations, you've lost a tone! Great job! Report Inappropriate Comment

Life is all about change, right?

Sunday, December 05, 2010

I cannot believe I haven't blogged since Sept! Life got complicated. Because of problems my daughter & son-in-law were having with their Nanny I quit my job in NJ and have moved in with them temporarily to help with my 4 year old grandson, AJ. It has been 28 years since I dealt with a 4 year old on a full-time basis, so this has been some adjustment, needless to say!! But it is a blessing to be able to spend time with him- he is amazingly smart & sweet (most of the time!) I see his Mom in him everyday and it takes me back to the days when my own kids were little. However, as a grandparent I know how fleeting this time is, so I'm drinking it all in and not sweating the small stuff. I'm making memories, as my own mother used to say.
Unfortunately, my DH has stayed behind in NJ so I'm missing him terribly. He is coming for a visit next week I hope. He decided to stay at our house, since we have it on the market and we didn't want to leave it unoccupied for any extended length of time. Hopefully it will sell in the spring and we can move in to our new house which is under construction in VA.
So, weight loss concerns have taken a back seat to everything else. Fortunately I don't seem to have gained back too much- according to the Wii I am up a couple of pounds from my low in Sept. Now that AJ & I have settled into a bit of a routine I will try to work some more exercise into the day. There is an exercise bike here and Wii, so perhaps I'll be able to use them more regularly.
So to those of you who have sent me goodies or mail in the last couple of weeks which went unanswered- thank you for your thoughts. I appreciate your friendship more than you can know and I will try to be better about keeping connected with all my spark buddies.
C'est la vie- life is all about change & learning to make adjustments, or as they say "going with the flow."
Deb

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ONEGREATCAT 12/14/2010 3:48PM

Hi Deb, I'm so glad to finally see your blog. I was getting worried. It's wonderful you can spend time with your grandson. Perhaps you both could take walks...that would be good exercise for both and time to be alone! Yes...drink it all in! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHIRL20 12/5/2010 4:32PM

Hi Deb -- Sounds like a grand pause in life. Enjoy that extended family. Take care, Shirl Report Inappropriate Comment