DRADDIE's SparkPeople Blog

It's been a year!

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:27:11 EST

It's been just over a year since I got back on Spark and joined up with the BLC competition out of the suggestion of a long time friend (PINKHOPE).

Sometimes I get a bit defeated because I think "It took me a YEAR to get to where I am now, and I'm still not yet where I want to be." And then I have to just thwap myself upside the head. Because I have done a whole heckuva lot health, fitness and weight wise over the last year.

Although I recommitted to losing weight with...

BLC BREAK and I do not agree

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:59:29 EST

So the first week of BLC break I managed to go up 4.4 pounds. This was not due to excessive eating or lack of exercise. I had one dinner that included pizza and I even only had two pieces at that. I also had some other sodium excess foods. Apparently that really affected me. And frankly, I didn't worry too much about it, knowing it was water weight and I'd get it off immediately.

But that hasn't happened. I did drop 2.4 pounds of that gain the next week but don't see me gettin...

I bought a Hula Hoop

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 21:08:58 EST

You ever have one of those weeks where it seems all of sudden you keep hearing about the same thing again and again out of the blue?

For me, this week it was the hula hoop.

Another Sparker from a different team posted a blog about her hula hooping success. She even hula hoops in high heels! (I can't even walk in heels!) She's been hula'ing her weight away and the thing I was most amazed by was how much it completely slimmed her waist and core area.

After hav...

BLC 21 Reflections

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:56:00 EST

I am happy to report a 10.2 pound loss for this last 12 weeks in BLC 21!

After a huge, huge drop last round, I had set a goal for 15 pounds for this round. I changed it to 12 pounds, one pound a week, midway. But still happy with ten. The main reason why, is this round helped me change from a diet mentality to a lifestyle mentality.

I didn't eat perfect every day. There were days I opted to do minimum exercise and some days I said, nope, not today. But this last r...

Break ups are tough

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:27:36 EST

And that's why this time I actually have concern over my "break" between BLC rounds.

The first break I had, I gained 4.4 pounds

The second break was over the Christmas holidays, and I gained a pound..and frankly consider that in a maintainence range. But still - I did not achieve the 5 pound loss I had figured would be guaranteed during that break.

And so as BLC 21 finishes up these last 3 weeks of the 12 week challenge, I have to admit that the break gives m...

When things slow down

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:41:37 EST

I'm in week 8 of my BLC 21 challenge.

For BLC 20, I dropped weight super easily it seemed, came in #3 overall and placed top in my team. But BLC 21 is kickin' my butt. I'm doing the same things with variation and yet not having the same kind of success I had last round.

And frankly, it's frustrating. It makes me want to give up and comfort myself with lots of tasty foods that I have been forgoing. Oddly enough, it doesn't make me want to stop exercising. I've enjoye...

Maybe I'm becoming a runner?

Sun, 3 Mar 2013 17:00:50 EST

This morning I attempted my first 15K race - the Seattle Hot Chocolate 5K/15K.

I have done two virtual 5K's with my BLC teams in 2012.
I ran my first official 5K, a lighthearted Jingle Bell run in Dec 2012.
I ran my 2nd 5K in January 2012 to make it not a one time deal.

Enthused by how the last run went, I started to realize I like the push of the races. I hate to run outside in any other condition...and stick to the treadmill due to its ease of exercising w...

50 pounds down!

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 11:01:31 EST

This weekend I finally dropped to FIFTY pounds down! And I maintained it, plus lost some while on a weekend away visiting a friend which included a lot of eating out! YAY ME!

My 50 pound reward was to be able to buy Photoshop- because that is nothing but a total splurge for a hobby photographer! (Of my kids...) I hadn't rewarded myself along the way, setting the big prize instead.

Now I have 10 to 20 pounds left to go - so I will set up some mini rewards along the way...

When I was six...

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:01:21 EST

When I was six, I didn't count my calories or keep track of my fitness minutes. I ate whatever I wanted (with the exception of whatever my Mom may have forced me to eat) and as much as I wanted (I have always had my chocolate obsession!). I ran, played, hopped, skipped, jumped rope.

And I could care less what the scale said. I didn't even have one to step on!

Now I am 38. I could give you a rough estimate of calories consumed for most food items, and a less accurate...

Welcome back Sapphires- new and old!!!!

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:30:17 EST

It's only been a little while, but the break between BLC seems so long when compared with the excitement of BLC starting up again!!

I'm beyond excited to welcome all my returning Sapphire friends back as well as get to know and befriend the new Sapphire Soldiers!!

Being a Sapphire was the KEY to my weight loss in 2012....the best weight loss I have ever achived anytime I have ever been on a weight loss journey. I expect 2013 to be the time I reach my final goal (for I ...

2013 - What next?

Tue, 1 Jan 2013 16:49:17 EST

2012 was a very successful weight loss year for me. I came short of my 50 pound goal, but frankly I didn't get seriously about losing weight consistantly until I found the BLC teams, specifically the Sapphires. Since I'm already signed up for BLC21, I have no doubt that 2013 should be the year I finally reach my end weight loss goals.

So weight goal plan? To lose 15-25 pounds depending on how I feel and what clothes fit!
To do this: Continue with BLC thru the weight loss an...

I'm a bit bored at work!

Thu, 27 Dec 2012 17:33:51 EST

And so I decided it was time for a little blog, even though I don't really have anything much to say. I've already stalked the teams I do and am lamenting some of my holiday eating. However, I definitely have been doing better this 'break'..being more aware of my eating and definitely exercising fairly consistantly. But after two days of eating without thinking and two days of no exercise, it's amazing how out of the loop I feel. Okay, the two days of eating whatever were yesterday and Ch...

Haven't I learned anything?

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:42:16 EST

So BLC ended last Wednesday and I knew I was going to allow for a pizza, chips and dip night on the Friday following. I did and immediately went up 3 pounds.

No worries, I had planned for this. And I've still continued to exercise.

But today I just pigged out on all the cookies and fudge at the office...about 1200 calories worth! What the heck, moron!?!? Now how to climb out of that calorie cascade and sugar crash!?

So dinner I start over with a veggies on...

Before and After Life in BLC20 Pictures!

Sun, 9 Dec 2012 23:22:45 EST

What a difference 12 weeks make, eh?
Initial Measurements: (Other than the upper arm and waist measure at the fullest point.)Upper arm (tape should be just under the armpit):
BLC 19 start - Upper Arm 14.5 R 14LBust: 42Waist:37Hips: 44.5Thigh: 24Calf: 15.5
BLC 20 start - Upperarm 13.25L 13.25RBust 40Waist 35Hips 42.75Thigh 23...

Last time, I said No Break!

Sat, 1 Dec 2012 18:59:02 EST

At the end of my last 12 week challenge, I posted a blog entitled There is No Break.
And yet I proceeded to put weight back on during that challenge.

And this time, the break goes over the Christmas holiday - when all the goodies and yummies are near and dear.

I have a different plan this break. In fact, a big difference is - I actually HAVE a plan! And it's almost the same as what I have been doing the last 12 weeks, but just a bit more!

The Sapphire F...

Sapphire Stepgeek!

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 10:07:42 EST

Amazing what you can achieve when it is actually measured.

We know our weight goes up and down as we can see the number on the scale.
We know our food calories play into that but have no clue until we count them.

Lately, to take a term from my fitbit, I have become a stepgeek!

On Sunday, I gave myself a goal to hit another 30K step day. I put a few plans into action to make this happen. 10K by 10 am. I wanted another 10 by dinner and then 10K by bed. ...

Dum dum da dum!

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 18:41:47 EST

*Please hum the traditional wedding tune from Midsommer's Night Dream as you read*

Or perhaps use an instrumental version of Elvis' "Can't Help Falling in Love with You".
(As that is what I actually use for my wedding march)

Whatever the music choice, today I hit my wedding weight again - which I pretty much haven't seen, well, my wedding over six years ago.

If you are not married, get an exercise plan going already so once you get married, you can stay o...

Coffee Stand Sermons

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 11:43:20 EST

One of my little splurges and luxuries in life is my coffee through the coffee stand on my way to work.

The gals there know my order and make a wonderful drink. For the curious: I get a 16 ounce White Coffee Americano with just a splash of non-fat milk and sugar free white chocolate. It's abouthe lowest calorie coffee I can get without losing all the flavor I love. (I admit, I'm a foo foo coffee person).

Now anyone who frequents a coffee stand that opens on both sides...

30 Thousand Steps

Tue, 6 Nov 2012 16:54:14 EST

I will admit, I only did 30K because I knew I'd get a new badge on my Fitbit.

But I saw at 8PM I was at 24,000 plus some change. Hm, I thought. If I exercise while watching this next hour of television- I should be able to hit that 30K mark.

Add to that my BLC20 challenge was in LCW mode- so I knew the extra minutes would count as well. So I pushed forward and easily did it.

It helps that it was a day I wasn't working. So running around my kiddos on top...

Scale victory

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 16:20:03 EST

So today I dropped into the 150's after hovering in the 160's toooo long.

I am now only 4 pounds away from my wedding weight and 10 pounds away from the day I met my husband. Of course, now two kids later -- How fun to keep going past that!

Being in the 150's is satisifying from that regard...I am now 20 pounds away from the lowest weight I have been (several times over and gotten stuck at) in many, many years. I am almost to my last stretch of my weight loss run (but ...

Bittersweet - not chocolate

Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:59:55 EST

This week started off with my 38th birthday and then promptly with the loss of my wee little pug, who has been with me since I was a student and single. Almost 14 years later, I am well out of graduate school and married with two kids. I don't mind getting older, birthdays are wonderful to me. So it was an extremely bittersweet start to my week.

But I've dealt with those things with in my BLC team, wonderful that they are for full support.

So instead, I will focus on ...

Six weeks anew!

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 17:58:34 EST

I started BLC 20 off with a bang, then had a total shut down in the weight loss.
Last week I finally dropped 1 pound again after a two week stall.

And now you tell me we're half way done? NOoooooooooo!!!

I need to revamp, re-up, re-commit to my game here!

This weekend is my birthday, well Sunday. I am allowing myself some birthday splurging, but stil making some wise choices in an amongst those. I am moving forward and I'm going to try my best to not m...

Now two weeks, and nothing?

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:17:08 EST

I had two weeks of great success in a row.

So I totally predicted the lack of loss the 3rd week....and was pleased with maintaining, especially given that time of month.

I was completely shredded apart by the fact I didn't lose anything the 4th week.

And so something has go to be off....my best guess? My food.

So this weekend starts tomorrow for me and I need have a plan in action.

Food:
Shoot low. My range is 1200-1500. I'm guessi...

Half my goal in just two weeks??

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:53:26 EST

BLC20 Week 2 weigh in today...and I was down another 4.2 pounds!

This is unheard of for me. 4 pounds last week, followed by 4.2 pounds this week. I never lose that much in a week, let alone two weeks in a row. I have obviously dialed in my routine well these last couple of weeks!

My goal for BLC20 is 15 to 20 pounds. I achieved 13.2 in BLC19...and struggled with vacation right at the end of it...so I wanted to up my game this time.

But at 8.2 pounds down...

No reason, just a check in

Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:10:23 EST

This is just a check in blog.
I don't have any specific reason or noteworthy piece of information to provide, but just wanted to jot down a few notes for my 2nd weekend of BLC20.

I was down 4 pounds for the first week weigh in and I was thriled by that. My best weigh ins for BLC19 were both 3.8 pounds, so I feel I have started this off right! I am already down from last Wednesday and hope that motion continues by weigh in next morning.

I am daily weigher and am use...

By December.....

Sat, 15 Sep 2012 16:11:40 EST

I am halfway through my first week of BLC 20- a 12 week challenge for weight loss and fitness.

In order to have the best success, I need to have a plan.

Some things are simple to say:
1) Eat within my calorie range of 1200-1500
2) Exercise 30-60 minutes six days a week
3) Participate in all challenges, even if not 100% perfect, as they are given
4) Post and be active in my Sapphire chat thread
5) Weigh in and promptly post my points for challenge...

12 weeks from now...

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:33:57 EST

BLC starts up again today...this is my 2nd round.

Last time I lost 13.2 pounds and during the 8 week break I gained 4.4.

You may say the break was a waste, but I did learn something.
I learned I need constant accountability.
I learned I need to exercise regularly.
I learned that if I don't track food, I start to stray.
I learned the basics are something I need to teach myself everyday, no matter how routine they become.

So 12 weeks from no...

There is no break

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:05:01 EST

My plan for summer break between BLC 19 and 20? There is no break.

I will be weighing in every Wednesday still.
I will still treat every Tuesday as a last chance work out.
I recently purchased the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution (on day 3 today) and will continue that 90 day program into and beyond the "break", adding 30 minutes of cardio on either the treadmill or bike along with it daily.
I will track my food and eat within my calorie range.
I will still sh...

The final week of BLC

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:40:40 EST

This morning started the final week of my first BLC (oh yes, this was just the first.)
11 weeks in and I'm about 13 pounds down.
Week 11 was a vacation week, however, with a 0.4 gain - my first ever gain in my weeks of BLC.
The other weeks were all losses with one maintain.
I think that's pretty dang good.

I had set some high aspirations. I had hoped to be 20 pounds down and in all likely (provided my push this last week is as expected) will be more around the ...

100% white whole wheat Sourdough bread from scratch!

Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:05:57 EST

I feel like Superwoman about now.
I made this from scratch. Starter from scratch. Bread from scratch.
Just flour, water, salt - no additional additives, chemicals, enhancer.
I've done the occasional homemade bread before, but never tried to do the chaos tha...

100 Days of Real Food

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 22:27:20 EST

Have you ever seen this website? 100daysofrealfood.com

I'll admit, I have always seen eating organic or 'clean' as kind of a 'granola' thing to do. Only for people who are on the extreme liberal left, drive Subarus littered with bumper stickers (no offense, I love subarus and have many friends who drive 'em!) and look at veganism as a religion rather than a food option.

I never thought it actually made sense.

But my husband and I have been talking lately abo...

One month of BLC

Fri, 25 May 2012 18:39:25 EST

And I'm finding this BLC to be a great source of accountability and encouragement for me.

I think I calculated that I have a 1.9 lb/week average loss. I'm great with that. I do seem to be every other week of higher loss, lower loss. I have to tell myself on those lower loss weeks that I am doing what it takes. I am eating right, I am exercising, I am moving and I am committed. I can't let the number dictate my happiness.

But it's amazing how easily it does, doesn't ...

I think this challenge is ineffective

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:01:08 EST

I am a new one at BLC.
I have gone forth with each challenge with a 100% gusto to get all my points.
And I'm have some great weight loss, with an average of just over 2 pounds a week.

This is the first time I want to complain...and I have actually decided to ( I usually try not to given how much work people do to get these all together) as I think this challenge strongly needs to be reorganized before it is ever implement again.

Let me say this - the theory beh...

BLC Checkin' in

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:31:30 EST

BLC Week 1 - loved it..had a good loss for my effort.
BLC Week 2 - liked it, worked even harder, but only showed 0.4 loss on the scale. I got frustrated by this because my exercise levels increased a lot and I was within my calorie range.
BLC Week 3- almost over and I'm back to loving it. I've dropped another two pounds since Wednesday and I hope to keep that loss, or possibly lose more by this coming Wednesday weigh in. Things I have changed since last week? Nothing.

Tri part plan for success for BLC 19

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:50:12 EST

My BLC19 Plan for Success:

As I start on yet another weight loss journey, I am encouraged by the fact that this time I am more in a place of thinking of it as a lifestyle change towards healthiness. I have been going through a place where I understand what I want down the road in life does not match up with how I have been taking care of myself, and if I continue down this same road, I will not end up where I want to be. I want to grow old and enjoy it – not let medications keep ...

BLC 19 starts? Nah, life starts today!

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:02:26 EST

Everything has been pushing away to this moment today. From a Bible Study that led me to realize how much I use food for emotional control (even though I would have denied that vehemently in the past) to realization that in three months our annual family weekend at the lake is there, to catching up with a friend who embarks on 12 week challenges....it has all led up to the fact that BLC 19 starts today, and I am a part of it. But this isn't just a 12 week challenge. Nope, it's just a 12 w...

I'm still here, just on hold kind of.

Sun, 6 Sep 2009 13:38:45 EST

My in laws have been in town for a week and still another week more. This means too much is focused on food, eating in, eating out..not exercising, etc.
I seem to be somewhat maintaining okay, but I need to get a bit more in touch with portion control since I can't know the calories . . . .

And all those tasty desserts...tough having southerners for in laws! heh

STILL not exercising?

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:55:45 EST

Okay, so I'm putting this entry in to make myself go exercise after I finish typing it. The kiddo is down for a morning nap. This is normally my time to shower, relax, start chores, etc. But since it was a low key morning, I've already had breakfast and coffee and been able to kick back. While the household chores (and unpacking from the move) still persist, I figure I should go get myself up on that treadmill, for maybe a half hour. I haven't been exercising at all. The weight loss is ...

Definitely eating better . . .

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:59:00 EST

So tomorrow will end week two ... I 'cheated' today and weighed in and found I was six pounds down! Yay! And basically did this with little to no exercise. This next week I need to find ways to be able to get exercise in . . because I have been totally slacking on that level. The e-mails say I have entered Stage 2 of the spark plan, so I really need to step up! I know for me that if I don't get exercise into the program, I'll really stop such good progress!!!

Anticlimatic sparkpeople

Sun, 9 Aug 2009 10:02:11 EST

So my first big weigh in . .. and yay 4.4 pounds down!

HOWEVER- You even have to do the math yourself? Spark people gives you nothing but a graph to show your weight loss? Am I missing something here? I can't believe there is no congratulations you have lost 4.4 pounds. They don't even calculate how much weight you lose. I guess for that matter they have no hoopla if you gain either. But I would have thought more than a graph for weekly comparison.

So this is the ...

Weigh in for the first week tomorrow morn!

Sun, 9 Aug 2009 01:06:05 EST

And the only day I actually "exercised" on was Monday. And that was just walking while pushing the son and stroller to the post office and back. Only a mile. Oh yeah, I did the strength training the site reccomended that day too.

Dangit. I really meant to be more forward thinking in exercising. But my last excuse (the tv wasn't hooked up to cable to watch while I did the treadmill or bike) is now over as I picked up a coaxial cable to simply plug it in. So I better do SOME...

Day 4 in progress...but I haven't exercised on Day 2 or 3!

Thu, 6 Aug 2009 11:49:01 EST

I have every good excuse in the book.
I worked late on Tuesday. Wednesday I had to deal with the little kiddo too much.
The TV isn't plugged into cable yet (we just moved) so running on the treadmill or the stationary bike would be too boring to continue.
The baby was asleep so I couldn't take him for a walk outside.
I was way too hungry when I got home, so dinner had to come first.
And the list could go on and on.

But even good excuses are just that...exc...

Water at work . . a bit harder

Tue, 4 Aug 2009 13:50:36 EST

So if I continue the rate I did yesterday, I"ll be in the bathroom all day today! Let alone this huge nasty cough I have which adds to bladder pressure!!!

Oh well- day 2 has begun. I "cheated" and stepped on the scale this morning, 1 pound down! Woohoo! I really should ttake the scale out of the bathroom or I'm sure I'll likely step on it everyday before showering.

I realize avoiding temptations at work will also be a big thing in this weight loss battle. I'm killin...

Exercising during nap time- plans change!

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 14:15:52 EST

So normally I get a good two hour nap out of my little boy in the morning..but not today. I suppose it's just as well since because of the move, we have no coaxial cables to hook up the tv, so I would have gotten pretty bored on the treadmill or bike.

Since Callahan was now awake, we decided to take a stroller walk to the beach and back. My goodness....it has been a long time since I really worked out obviously because climbing the hill back up to my house on the way back was a ...

In the beginning. . .

Mon, 3 Aug 2009 11:17:45 EST

Okay, so day 1. I had my son 7.5 months ago, and was okay'd for exercise six weeks after the c-section. Of course, I had every intention of getting on track, losing the baby weight and then the weight I had put on since I got married. But while I lost most of the pregnancy weight without any effort, I never did anything to get into shape. We're ready to consider having kid #2, however, I do not want to get pregnant at this weight. I'd like to get relatively fit again before getting pregna...