One pound at a time.

I had a loss for the week- 1.0 pounds. I've decided that I'll take the losses pound by pound if I have to. I've been writing down everything I eat, on a day to day basis. Some days are crazy, and other days are very low cal- those are the days I like to see.

My thigh muscle is FINALLY better, I can't believe how bad it was hurting. It literally continued to hurt the entire week. So this week will be different, as I have tons of work to do, and I'll be studying for midterms, and working out- i hope. The busier I stay doesn't allow for the mindless eating I tend to do when I am not busy and bored. I'm kind of hoping to lose 2 pounds this week. I normally don't like to set goals like that for myself, but I have to do something. My body is all out of wack. My legs are swelling so bad, and that generally happens when I put weight on- which I have done and beyond. My socks dig into my ankles and leave indentations. I hate when that happens. I have problems with my legs anyway since the car accident I was in almost 8 years ago. Both of my legs were once broken. So, that is the issue I have, but I need to continue with the same old goals- eating better, exercising, and drinking water. I just have lack of ambition and motivation. It's my depression, I know- the medication helps yes, but it doesn't make it completely go away.

Hope you all are doing well and staying on track!

Not so good.

One day doing well, the next day in question! I started off Tuesday. I did really well with eating and exercise. My leg is still bothering me- it's eased up a lot, so tomorrow I will be going back to working out. Eating however hasn't been the best either. Yesterday was my father's Birthday. Lots of CAKE, and left over cake today!! Thank goodness it is almost gone! I weigh myself Monday, I'm hoping for any kind of loss. I'm definitely more conscious of what I'm eating, and I'm seeing more and more I have some of the worst habits. I eat a lot of take-out. A lot of things are always on the go, never planned, and always up in the air when it comes to eating. I'm trying new things. I always like squash, but today I cooked my own. Thats my plan is to try to cook new things instead of the same old stuff.

Here is the link to the Pop Quiz I took. Hopefully it works this time for those interested. http://www.drpeeke.com/popquiz.htm

Tomorrow will be better!

Drop _ _ pounds by Thanksgiving!!

I ran to the store this evening to pick up a few things that I needed to finish the rest of this week out. I was waiting in line to cash out and of course there's all those magazine's with their weight loss headlines. One caught my attention: Drop 47 Pounds by Thanksgiving! I purchased the magazine- not because I believe I can lose that much weight in such a short amount of time, but I wanted to sit down and read the article- and I did. It directed me to a link Pop Quiz! I took the quiz to discover what I had already thought, but I'm a little interested in finding out if there's ways to cope with legitimate food addiction. I don't know what my deal has been lately, but for the last few months I think about nothing but food, and I stress about what I'm eating, when I'm eating, how long its going to be until my next meal, what I can't eat, what I'm not supposed to eat. Food is all I think about. One meal isn't even finished and over, and my mind is focused on what I'm eating next! I am 100% addicted to food. I've known this for a while, I just wasn't real sure if it was a serious obstacle or if it's something that was all in my head. The more I look into it, it's no joking matter in our society, and far from being all in my head. I need to find a way of dealing with this along with everything else on my day to day schedule.

I also stumbled across another article about thyroid issues, and though I was sent for a TSH test and it came back normal- I sometimes wonder what's really going on because I very often read and hear about thyroid issues, and I feel like I have all these described symptoms. The struggle- maybe I'm looking for an excuse, but even when I try and put my all into a weightloss routine, it seems like I never get the results that others get.

Somehow, during my 2 mile walk I must have did something to my right thigh- maybe I pushed too hard in my first real workout when there's been such a lack thereof. I'm not suffering some kind of strain to the outer thigh. It causes me to limp when I walk. Other than that, I am feeling great- and it's about time for me to head to bed.

Hope you all have a wonderful healthy night!

Thanksgiving in Canada!

So, I just returned from Thanksgiving in Canada. It was a nice, much needed get away, but of course that came with a very UNWANTED weight gain. Yes, unfortunately I gained 5 pounds- ugh! the story of my life. But I know it was because of the big dinner, and the firsts, seconds, and thirds I went back for. My Aunt in Canada is such an amazing cook it's hard not to go for more! I was definitely stuffed, but I just couldn't help it!

So today I'm here once again, with my lack of effort as well of lack of loss, and I have to put my foot down- I keep gaining, and trust me- I know, and feel the extra weight. I can feel it when I go to put on my clothes and they don't zip or button, or their so tight they dig in, and I am so uncomfortable! I know because my body almost aches from carrying around extra weight. My legs definitely hurt- they always hurt from my accident in 2004, but the extra weight they carry around- they know! and it's uncomfortable, and they crack and ache, and get stiff. Time to change that.

I'm taking a stand against getting fatter! Soooo... things are going to change immediately! I got back yesterday, so I weighed in this morning. I had a goal to lose 4 pounds this month, but I want to lose the extra weight I've gained. Same things- more water, lower calories, and exercise! Wish me luck, I am going to need it!!

**EDIT**
Went for a 2 mile walk this morning around my neighborhood. Got my exercise in. Yay!

Also drank 16.9 oz of water... more to go! Another 16.9 oz (not anywhere near enough!!)

I Can do this!!

So, I'm making progress in eating somewhat better. Not so much on the exercise as I didn't get any in yesterday because I sat in the emergency room with my mom until she was moved to a room to stay the night. I then came home did a little homework and went to sleep. I was pretty exhausted. However it's not so bad. I only commited to 15 days of exercise for the month which equals out to be about 3 days a week, so I do have plenty of time to get those 15 days in. I just need to stick to it.

I'm keeping track of the foods I eat, even if their not the healthiest or most filling, and I'm just cutting back calories day by day instead of restricting myself to 1200 calories a day when I'm not exactly used to eating that way. I think this will be helpful, and not throw my body into a shock of starvation and craving everything I shouldn't be consuming in large amounts.

Food Journal:

Breakfast:
(on the go)
1 McDonald's Sausage Egg & Cheese Bagel (560 Calories per livestrong.com)
1 Medium 10oz Coffee with light cream & 2 splenda ( 80 calories per livestrong.com)
*20 oz water

Surprisingly, I am still feeling full and not so starved. My goal is to eat a lighter more balanced lunch which will be later in the day seeing as how I don't get out of class until 4:20 today and I forgot to pack a lunch- the choices here at school consisted of tacos, pizza, and chicken fingers- I steered clear of the cafeteria just for that reason- to AVOID THE TEMPTATION, and then a light dinner with healthier choices as well.

Providing my mother comes home and is feeling better, I will probably hit the gym and utilize my overpaid gym membership that I've probably only used a hand full of times since purchasing! It's rainy out, so that's why I'm thinking the gym, but I do so enjoy the walks/jogs through the neighborhood and along the waterfront. It's peaceful and refreshing.

I will of course edit and post this evenings progress when all done. Hope you all have a healthy Tuesday!

OCTOBER 1st!! Monthly Goals

It's a new month, and a new outlook for me. September was not successful at all. I started out good, and ended with a 2 pound gain. Not at all what I was going for.

I weighed in today, and it was a gain, 4 oz I believe, maybe 6. I don't remember what my weight was exactly last weigh in so I will have to look back and see.

I'm babysitting my niece today. She finally took a nap, so I was able to sit down and do a few things. I know I got at least 24 more minutes to get things done...lol she's a 30 minute napper but she's a good girl. Just a little crabby when she gets tired.

It's a new month, and this month I am looking for RESULTS. That means OVERALL.-- and when I say overall, I mean continuing with good grades in school, continuing to get my life organized, and EXERCISE. I need to get moving. I read in a book, that diet/weight loss is 80% diet, 20% exercise- I don't know. I've read so many different things, that I don't know anymore. I have to find what works best for me. I know it's definitely a combination of what I eat and drink, and moving my butt!!

October Goals:

1. Commit to working out 15 days this month.

2. Drink eight- 8oz glasses of water a day.

3. Monitor Portion sizes. 

4. Cut back on splenda, and diet drinks.

5. Lose 5 pounds (1 pound a week)

To me, these are major goals that I need to work on. I am going to keep a notebook with me, and write down everything I eat. Even if it's just a bite. I'm going to see what I'm doing and see where I'm going wrong. I can't sit back, and do nothing. I have to make changes, and go about this properly. No more starving myself- I have to eat, just make better choices. 

Hope everyone has a good October!!