Week 6 wrap up... After returning from Florida I went back to my usual nutrition and exercise routine. I did pretty well throughout the week. Still, on Saturday the scale showed 198.8, a 0.6 lb gain. I was not too disappointed though, not bad for one week of bad eating and lack of exercise. I have also measured myself - I lost some inches! (0.5 off the waist, 0.5 off the hips, 0.2 off the bust) So it was not a bad week after all.

I went to the mall over the weekend and was proud of how I did. In the past, I would often get some type of unhealthy snack: Auntie Amy pretzel and lemonade or a pastry from Panera, Coldstone Creamery milkshake, etc... This time a had a 150 cal smoothie from Jamba Juice.

Week 5 wrap up... So, week five was different. I was out of town for 8 days - went to a work conference in Florida, then stayed for 2 extra days. I had very good intentions, but ended up not following my nutrition plan. I tried exercising, but also did not do as well as I could have. It was hot! I dreaded stepping on the scale when I returned but did it anyway. The scale showed 203+, I knew it was not possible to gain so much so fast, so I assumed at least part of it would be water weight (I was right, thank goodness). It went to 200.6 in just a couple of days, but that was still an upsetting number...

I stocked up on some favorite foods after I returned.

Week 4 wrap up... So I never posted week 4 update before I left town for business trip. At the end of week 4 I lost 1.8 more pounds. I also started seeing my weight loss for the first time - I noticed my bracelets fit looser on my wrists and same for the rings on my fingers. I got a compliment from a friend who said she could see I lost some weight, especially in my face and around my stomach. Yay!

I am continuing (and loving!) to use my HRM, it has been really helpful. 

I measured myself again and this time I lost some inches! It is definitely exciting to see the changes. (1 inch off the waist, 1/2 inch off the hips and 1.8 inches off the bust)

SW: 206 lbs

LW: 200 lbs

CW: 198.2 lbs (1.8 lbs lost since last week, 7.8 lbs total)

Friday's breakfast... Nowadays I just have plain oatmeal and coffee with a bit of milk and sugar for breakfast. I left my lunch bag at work yesterday with my thermos for oatmeal and coffee mug :( I thought this would be a good opportunity to treat myself to something different for breakfast - it is Friday after all. So I stopped at McDonald's on the way to work and got their "Fruit & Walnut Snack with Lowfat Yogurt". I wanted to try it so I know whether it is a good option if I ever have a craving to eat out, need a snack on the go when I am traveling, etc... I have read several articles on-line with suggestions on how to eat healthy at fast-food restaurants. I just thought I would give some of them a try. It is really nice to prep your meals at home, but once in a while you find yourself in a situation where it is more convenient to purchase something or just want something a little different.

My verdict: I would probably give it 6 out of 10. The apples slices and grapes are just that. The yogurt was creamy, but a bit too sweet.  And the walnuts were candied. I would've liked it better (and I am not only talking about taste but also nutrition) if the walnuts were not covered in sugar and the yogurt was not so sweet... I would have it again unless I find something better.

I'd like to try Chicken Fajita Pita from Jack in the Box  next.

Wiped out... I went to the weekly Zumba class tonight - what a workout, I am completely wiped out. I wore my HRM, too - it showed a little over 500 calories burnt! I am glad my personal trainer session was canceled, it would've been too hard to do both in one evening. I tried my new Nike Zumba shoes (bought at Kohl's with a really good discount). I liked them better than regular training shoes, it was much easier to move around. 

I also noticed my wrists are smaller now!!! I put on a bracelet today that I have not worn in a little while and I can see the difference! I tried a couple of my rings on - same story :) Do hope this continues.

Week 3 wrap up... Saturday is my weigh in day. Here's what I have to report:

SW: 206 lbs
LW: 201.6 lbs

CW: 200 lbs (1.6 lbs lost since last week; 6 lbs total so far)

Even though I know it is awesome I lost 6 lbs, I just don't feel it all in any way, I am a little disappointed... The other day I thought my skirt was feeling looser at the waist, so I took my measurements - no changes. 6.0 lbs seems like a lot of weight (a medium-sized bag of dog food, for example - just looked at Boomer's), so I am really surprised I do not feel it in any way... It's no big deal, it just bothers me a little bit :)

I met with A. to see a movie in the morning, then went to the gym in the afternoon. I had my exercise card and was able to find all the strength training machines (I was worried about that as I have no experience in using gym equipment), I tried to remember what the trainer told me about keeping my back straight, 90 degree angles, etc... Exercised for 30 min on Elliptical for the 2nd part of my workout. It was pretty empty in the gym today, I guess the busiest times are weeknights after work. It would've been even more perfect if they had better air conditioning; it was +25C today (77 F). 

 

Polar FT4... My new heart rate monitor was delivered yesterday. I was too excited - I set it up right away and used it for my evening workout at the gym - lap swimming for 26 min. Burnt 250 calories. The HRM did really well in water, and I liked being able to check my heart rate at the end of each lap (~150, which was perfectly "in zone"). 

The "real" workout... So yesterday I had my 2nd personal trainer session. And what a session it was! First, it was around +35C (95F) and the gym does not have a very good ac system... Second, I took Zumba class - I knew better what I was doing this time, so I was able to put more energy into the steps, but also got tired much faster (plus the hot weather). Third, I had a personal session immediately after class. The trainer sent me to warm up on a bike for 5 minutes. Then he not only showed me various strength training exercises, he made me do each one correctly (=harder), 2 sets of 10 repetitions each. And after all that I was sent to exercise for 30 min on elliptical. Not the "easy" way I have been doing it before either, but with proper incline and resistance. I slept like a baby last night :)

Progress photo... well, not big progress yet, after 4.4 lbs down. Would like to use this for reference later.

201.6 lbs (91.5 kg)

Week 2 wrap up... Today was a weigh-in day for me:

SW: 206 lbs
LW: 204 lbs

CW: 201.6 lbs (2.4 lbs lost since last week; 4.4 total so far)

Today I also had a personal trainer session at the gym. She took my measurements, measured my BMI, tested my cardio level... My instructions for the next week - cardio on elliptical 3 times 20 min each (HR 131-150). As long as I do these 3 cardio sessions, I am free to choose any other activities I want. I will most likely do swimming and zumba again.

Exercise I did during week 2: treadmill(x1), swimming(x3), zumba(x1), elliptical(x1)

Zuuuumba... I tried it today for the first time - so much fun! I really enjoyed the class. Who knows how many steps I did right, but I had fun trying. I am definitely going back next week.

On another note, here's a photo of what I usually take with me to work (water bottle makes it easier to make sure I am drinking  a min of 8 cups, most days it is 12-15; the thermos has oatmeal for breakfast; a turkey sandwich for lunch; I try to eat yogurt every day; just recently discovered Kashi chewy granola bars - love them).

New shoes... Shopping for sportswear yesterday took forever. It was hard to find well-fitting clothes. I am looking forward to the day when I lose enough weight where everything fits better! Oh, and I bought these neon yellow training shoes, they are super-comfortable, so I went for them, never mind the color :) At least they are the colors of my county's flag (they are blue inside), that's what I am going to tell myself anyway when everybody stares.

Joining the gym... I was thinking about joining the gym again (I used to be a member about 2 years ago) and finally went for it today! I had my "orientation" first, then went swimming for 20 minutes.

I have an appointment to meet with a trainer on Wednesday (everyone gets one personal 30 min session a week). They tell everybody to come in 3-4 times a week for 30 min of cardio and 30 min of strength training.

Tomorrow I am going shopping for some sportswear.

Recap of week one...

SW: 206 lbs
CW: 204 lbs (2 lbs lost!)

Exercise: walking and treadmill

Cheats: salmon burger & fries (business lunch)
          cuban chicken sandwich (friend's birthday)
            starbucks (iced hazelnut latte + chonga bagel w/ cream cheese)

Photo: from one of my walks this week

Starting out... I am not sure really where to start. I have never blogged before. I am hoping this will be my diary while I am working on becoming healthy and fit. The weight gradually crept up on me over the last 12-13 years. I have been a healthy child and teenager, eating right and being active. But over time, my life has become more stressful, my eating habits worsened, my physical activity diminished.
I find myself today overweight by about 50 lbs (23 kg), in danger of high blood pressure, hormonal imbalance (this is the stuff I am aware of anyway). My doctor has offered to put me on medication in order to lose weight. I refused, I want to try and do this on my own. She said I have to see her in 3 months, and if I have lost 10 lbs (4.5 kg) by then, she will not insist on medication.
Since my appointment with her, I have read a lot of useful information on-line and also decided to join myfitnesspal.com to help me do this. After you input your weight, height, age, etc, the program spits out your weight loss guidelines. I am set for losing 1 lbs/week. In order to do this, I need to eat no more than 1,600 calories each day and burn 900/week in exercise.
So far so good. After my first week, I actually lost 2 lbs (0.9 kg)! I am ecstatic. I hope I can keep this up. I know I will not lose as much weight every week, so I really need to keep up with this long term.
During my first week I have done my best to stay within the daily calories and eat healthier food. I have started walking for exercise and also using the treadmill.
I am considering joining a gym so I can start swimming and taking advantage of classes they offer.
Once I reach my target weight, I am going to publish this blog as a book (on blurb.com; so I can keep it as my diary).