Scales and Exercise and Discouragement.. Oh MY!

Hello My Few Faithful (Lovely) Readers.  I have been a little bit slow at posting an update but here goes…
As far as weight loss:  Well, I have fallen off the wagon in the past few weeks, not only fallen off but have been run over and trampled on by the horses that pull the wagon.  Lets just say between migraines, MASSIVE blisters, cramps, discouragement… I could go on and on – my momentum has suffered.  I actually even weighted myself one week and had gained (not a great week).  But, I feel like I have finally managed to pick myself off the ground, dust myself off and really just get on with it.  I am quickly realizing that this is a “lifestyle”, not something I will be able to stop once I reach a goal weight or “get the hang of it”. That commitment has always been there but now I am finally getting it.
I was watching a show on TV called “My Big Fat Cycle Challenge” where there were 3 women who were going to be trained by the coach that helped win Britain their gold medal in cycling.  It was very interesting and the coach said something that shocked me.  All my adult life while I’ve been dieting or eating healthy, everything and everyone has told me that: if I eat the right things at the right times I wont be hungry.  But, that is where one of my biggest frustrations come in – I can eat all the right things and I am STILL HUNGRY!  So, I think, I must be doing something wrong!  This coach, this man who has degrees and gold medals told these overweight women who were working on getting healthy, “YOU WILL BE HUNGRY.  You are changing you life and you will be hungry it is part of it – get used to it.”  Thank goodness for that sentence.  It has finally given me “permission” to be hungry and not beat myself up if I am. 
So the healthy lifestyle moves on – slower than at first, but at least I am moving forward – that in itself is an accomplishment to me.

Sweat it Out

Alright, so I am around week 5 of my “healthy living” lifestyle and can I just let you know that while I am seeing results (good ones) on the scale, I HATE it.
I am alright with eating better food. I think my key to that is that I give myself a “cheat” day when I can eat what I want (of course not to excess). That is the day I can eat out or get take away. That is the day I can eat cheese and chocolate (not together of course). My cheat day is saving me.
The thing I find the hardest is the exercise. While I will gladly profess my love of all things Richard Simmons – I have yet to find something I really enjoy. I thought maybe since the weather has turned so cool that would spur me on to walking more – nah, still hate it. Exercise videos? Yuck. Exercise ball – nope, but quite entertaining just to play with and occasionally kick at hubby – but that isn't MUCH exercise is it?
So…. what do I do? Any ideas????

Weight Loss Goals – A Public Record

When my friend, Kim emailed to give me tips for her weight loss success, she advised me to make some goals – so because she is so wise, I think I will….
Short Term:
To be able to wear my wedding ring again.
To have people NOTICE that I have lost weight.
To go to a “regular” store and pick something out.
To shop at charity stores and find more that HUGE, floral dresses in my size.
To get back to my marriage weight (eventually falling below it).
Long Term:
To be healthy enough to have a healthy baby.
To jog.
To get to a “normal” BMI for my height.
Go on a bike ride with my dad – and keep up.
I have also taken Kim’s advice in rewarding myself and, the next reward planned (and the first) is going to see a show down in London. I decided I would do that when I lost 20 lbs. and as of today… I think I should start looking up ticket prices - because I am nearly there!

I Love Richard Simmons!

I hate to fill my blog with weight loss stories and news but, to be honest, I don't have much else to write about (not that I am complaining).
It has been 2 1/2 weeks since I SERIOUSLY started to eat healthier and try to incorporate exercise into my life.  I use the word “try” because there is little I like less than exercising. 
In my mind I have lots of goals associated with becoming healthier, and not just every 20 lbs. a ticket for myself to a musical, some of which are:  loose enough to safely have a child, go on a bike ride with my incredibly fit dad (and now friend, Kim), go jogging – for fun, shop at “regular” stores/thrift stores, etc….
Years ago when I first came to England for a friends wedding I lost 20+ lbs in preparation for it.  It was a good time, I felt GREAT and I was very proud of myself.
Since I have moved to England I have gained a lot of weight.  I know the thing I SHOULD say is that the motivation to start working on this was the drive to have a baby, but it wasn't… the real motivation was an email that a sweet friend sent me.  The day I got that email I started exercising.  Today, when I was feeling like I didn't care about it any more – I read that email and it made me want to work.
I don't think I will ever share how much I’ve lost on a public site like this (I cant handle the pressure) but suffice to say I was so pleased with the number on the scale last week – I actually started thinking that this whole, being healthy and fit thing, might be attainable.
But I still struggle with exercise – I hate it.  Well, most of it.  I love, LOVE my Richard Simmons DVD’s.  I know there are a lot of people that cant stand him but he makes me happy to exercise.   He says things like, “I am so proud of you!”, “You are doing so well!” and my all time favourite “You shined today!!”.  Today as I was exercising I found myself smiling and really enjoying myself.  I am pleased that I have found something that I can cope with.
I continue to use Sparkpeople.com and although at first it was quite overwhelming – it has been amazing for me and I find new recipes and motivation every day.  It does take time – tracking calories, all the food I eat, and all the exercise I do – but I have found it is worth it. 
I still cant see any results – but as long as the scale numbers keep going down… I’ll trust that it’s working!