Remember last week when I said I was going to update everyone weekly on my weight loss journey and progress? Well, this is that post. It hasn’t been easy, but I have been very encouraged by the support that my friends and family have shown me, so that does make it easier.
I have decided to start using Spark People to track my food, fitness and weight. I used the site in 2009 and successfully lost 15 pounds in about three months using their plan, so I know that it works for me. I just have to stick with it. If you are on Spark People and want to connect, I can be found here (username lchung1983 in case that link is broken). My food and fitness trackers are public, so you can always see what I’ve eaten, where I’m cheating and how I’m doing.
I’ll be honest, I faltered a lot this week. I did manage to stay within my calorie goal (1,200 – 1,550) two days this week, while the other days I was only over by less than 50 calories (Easter and one other day are the exceptions). I still caught myself snacking a lot, but I’ve been able to curb that a bit by packing myself a healthy lunch of salad, cottage cheese and yogurt each day, along with my own healthy snacks – cottage cheese cups, yogurt, fruit, etc. That way, if I do snack, it’s not something I’ll want to cry over later. I have had a few sodas, but nowhere near what I had been drinking. They’re mostly to get the massive headaches to go away and then I got right back to my 74+ ounces of water I keep in a jug on my desk each day.
I have been walking each and every day for about a mile and a half with my boss. It takes us about 20-25 minutes. I know that I need to beef up the exercise routine and get myself moving at least 30 minutes every day. I’m going to try to add in another walk during my lunch hour or morning break to bring that total workout time up to about 45 minutes each weekday. I should also start walking the dog more often and going at a more vigorous pace and that would help a lot.
In the end, I managed to lose 2 pounds this week. It could have been a lot more had I been working out more and eating better, but I’m still happy to see a loss. I really want to see this weight fall off. I need to get healthier.
My Stats
Starting Weight: 180 lbs.
Current Weight: 178 lbs.
Change: -2 lbs.
Goal Weight: 130 lbs.
Now, where do we go from here? Well, I want to continue being held accountable and I think that there are enough bloggers out there trying to lose weight that we can totally do this together and work to support one another. So, I’m going to place a link-up at the bottom of this post. If you have written about your own journey to weight loss this week, I want you to link up so we can all support each other through comments. I realize that this first week may have zero links, but I’m going to keep posting it every week to give anyone that wants to join me a chance to do just that.
Please pardon the button. It’s the best I could do with my current resources. That path you see on the button is the one I walk every single day. I keep the picture as the background on my phone as a reminder that I’m on a journey and not just a quick trip. This is a lifestyle change and it’s going to take work, but the journey is going to be worth it in the end.
Good for you! I am such a snacker-it is so easy to do. If I start the day with a good breakfast that really does help.
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Lindsay Reply:
April 28th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
I’m finding the key to breakfast is to eat things that really fill you up rather than things with a lot of calories (shocker, right?). I was eating Toaster Strudels every morning (380 cal for 2 I think) and then I was hungry again an hour later. Now I’m eating oatmeal and yogurt or cottage cheese (total of about 250 cal) and I’m feeling much more satisified usually through until lunch.
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I can tell you, from having gone to a Weight Watchers meeting today, that Easter did a number on a lot of us! Just gotta pick back up and start moving in the right direction again!
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When I’m unable to hit the gym, I do butt crunches in the car, calve raises as I brush teeth or do dishes and leg lifts as I sit at my desk and type (like now!). You can also add some quick squats during commercials if you watch TV. Every little bit of exercise helps!
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I’d suggest adding some protein, too. Hardboiled eggs are great and really not much calories. Protein keeps me feeling fuller longer.
Aleks recently posted..WordlessWednesday – Flowers in My Garden
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GOOD job Lindsay!! you know if you ever need encourgment or food ideas i’m here for you! i have more tips & tricks for ya
and I’ve used Spark People on my blackberry and it is a really good tracker! I’ve not used it in a long time but i know it does work!
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two pounds is exactly what you should lose the first week so you’re doing great. seeing that you’ve lost weight, really isn’t the goal, it’s the reward! the goal is to change the way we eat. i want to link up and try this with you. i had a sparks people account before too, but i found lose it! on the iphone to work better for me, but i no longer have an iphone. i’ll look into sparks people for my android and if i find it, i’ll link up.
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ok i’m linked up and my sparkspeople user name is vsafterbedtime. what next?
vanita recently posted..Blogiversary
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Lindsay Reply:
April 30th, 2011 at 10:45 am
Vanita, I can’t find that username on sparkpeople.com but I’m so glad to have you linked up! As for what’s next – Who knows!? I’m not doing any kind of a structured link-up yet where we’re required to write about our weight loss, but if you do happen to write a post about your own weight loss, I’ll have a link up for you every Thursday!
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Congrats!! I am working hard at my weight loss journey too (and have a linky LOL) I will link to you in my next post. I post every Thursday. I have another friend that started her own weight loss linky too.
Success in weight loss happens more frequently when you have friends cheering you on and giving you that boost! I know because when I don’t see much happening on the scale I get discouraged and give up. But this time I am going to lose my weight! My goal is 125 but I will be happy with 130. Congrats on your 2 lbs!! That is 2 lbs closer to 130!
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Oh boy! I have gained 8 pounds since I quit jogging after asthma problems. I am on new meds and begin allergy shots today. But it’s the crap I eat that gets me in trouble. I’m doing a combo of Adkins and Mediterranean diets. We will see. Ug! I’ve never tried spark people.
Looking forward to our SITS class together. I have entered your giveaways before.
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