2stepsforward

OK…so I finally found a way to get over the fact that I have not lost A SINGLE POUND for almost 2 months!  I went shopping last night for some jeans and grabbed my usual size 12’s to try on and they were all too big!!  So, just to confirm that I am officially a size 10…I tried on eight different brands of jeans  and (other than the Lucky Brand)–they all fit!!  If you can’t tell…I’m beyond excited!  I have not been a size 10 since 6th grade–20 years ago!!  Just remember…just because the scale isn’t moving, doesn’t mean you are still moving toward you goals!!  Stay motivated!!

Anyone who has ever tried to start a new diet and/or exercise routine knows how hard it is to actually make it “routine”.  It took me months to get used to coming home to a step tape or yoga or my treadmill and actually wanting to do it everyday….when something happens to change that routine, it’s hard to stay on track.  Last Friday seemed like any other day…next thing I know it turns into an emergency trip to the vet and coming home without my cat (Spud).  If you live alone and have a pet, you may be able to relate to the fact that I feel like my world has been completely turned upside down…I never realized how much my daily routine revolved around him.  Besides missing him…so much…I’m finding it almost impossible to try to stick to the old routine—every step of it reminds me of him.  You may think I’m crazy…but not if you’ve ever loved and lost a pet.  I’m 31 and this is the first time in my life living without something else that breathes there with me…any words of wisdom for moving past this and staying with my routine without crying for an hour on the treadmill?   

Well, yesterday was a wake up call…weigh in day at Curves.  I had been doing really well and then…two weeks of almost no exercise and “treating myself”. (I have to defend myself by saying my routine was thrown off b/c I was taking care of my mom while she recovered from knee surgery—good excuses count, right??  I wish.) Anyway, what did this get me? I lost 3/4 of a lb—I think it would have been easier to swallow (no pun intended) if it had been 0, instead—but, 3/4 of a lb?!  Anyway…I’m back on track.  Here’s hoping next month is better!!  Don’t let the disappointments keep you down.  Have a great day, everyone!

I’ve been thinking about getting one lately and have no idea what I should be looking for.  The prices range from $300-$7000!  If you’re happy/unhappy with yours…could you let me know what brand it is?? Thanks

That’s all I heard all morning @ work today.  I started @ my present job about a year ago and have lost a small amount of weight since then, but prior to starting I had lost about 85lbs.  Today I brought some of my “fat pictures” into work and seeing everyone’s reactions to the “old me” was great!  Sometimes (lately, actually) I get so frustrated with my slow progress as I get closer and closer to that 100lb mark (4 more lbs to go)–but looking @ those pictures and getting that kind of response reminded me of just how far I’ve come.  Don’t get discouraged by a slow moving scale–a pound or two @ a time does add up.  It’s taken me two years to get to this point and I’ll have to work my whole life to maintain it–it’s all worth it!! Besides looking and feeling better,  it’s a feeling of accomplishment few things can compare to–stay motivated–and when you feel that fading–pull out those old pictures and remind yourself of how much closer to that goal you’ve come!!  Have a great day, everybody!! 

Sometimes it’s just about looking at the positive.  After almost a month of dieting and working out regularly, I’ve lost a mere 3lbs and 1% body fat.  So…what is there to be happy about??  A shopping trip this weekend for a new pair of jeans.  Eddie Bauer size 12!!  I got as high as a size 24 in 11th grade and have literally not worn a 12 in 20 years!!  Somehow it takes the sting out of the number on the scale.  Keep focusing on the positive…the scale will catch up with all the other changes, eventually.

Well, heading into my first weekend I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed…not one pound, yet!! My whole body is aching from working out, I miss my Twix bars and I’m dreading a weekend without a million holiday things to keep me busy (and distracted from snacking!!)…I realize that patience is not my strongest virtue, but is ONE pound too much to ask?? (Dawnie…Congrats on yours!)  OK, enough whining…hope everyone has a great weekend! Stay strong!

Well, it wasn’t the treadmill (right now it’s still doubling as a drying rack), but I did spend almost an hour w/Gin Miller and my stepper!  Amazingly, I’m not too sore today but it was a huge wake up call–not only about the fact that I am extremely out of shape, but that I really need to quit smoking (the secret’s out!)  Within the first 10 minutes I think I was getting about as much oxygen to my brain as people in the death zone on Everest do!!  Anyway, I must have been hallucinating because last night I thought that changing that bad habit at the same time I was trying to lose weight would make it easier…today…terrifying!!  I think it’s going to take a while to get my head around giving up something else I use for comfort, relaxation, boredom, etc…Anyone have any experience w/that one?   I’m all ears!!

Dawnie, Laura and Scott–thanks lots for the warm welcome–it’s day two and I’m so far I’m still feeling excited about my new start!! (Talk to me in a week !!)  The trick tonight is just going to be to stay motivated between leaving work and getting home—that’s when the real battle begins…treadmill vs. couch !  I’ll let you know which one wins!!

January 1, 2005 I started this trip (@ 253 lbs)–now after months of doing little, but maintaining @ 176 lbs I’m ready for the final stretch!!  Some how these last 35 (or so) lbs seem the most daunting—thanks for all the great stories—stay motivated!!