I don't know what it's like in your part of the world, but here in Nebraska-land, we have the prettiest snowfall. Yes, I said that and I'm not medicated; maybe because we don't have six feet of the stuff non-stop for three months. The moon reflecting on the snowfall has been awesome. I am hoping to capture some pictures tonight and tomorrow morning when the moon is in the west sky. I'll share them if they are blog worthy.
I am dieting again! After the holidays, I found myself about 17 pounds over my lowest weight (since the big weight loss a few years ago). It didn't just happen during the holiday – it had been building. I went into 2010 about 10 pounds over, so the holidays were just the icing on the cake. I have started to watch my eating again and as of today, have 14 more pounds to lose. Doesn't seem like much, but when you are losing them for the second (or third) time, it's not too much fun. I have got to start going to Curves again. And I will. Soon. Someone please motivate me.
Actually, my motivation does come from my horse. Every extra pound I carry, she has to carry. And that's not fair for her, especially if I want to do more distance riding. Not only that, but I ride better when I am lighter; feel less like a bag of potatoes balancing on the saddle.
I lost almost 40 pounds when I joined Weight Watchers and Curves a couple years ago and felt better than I had in a long time. The problem I have is I get bored so easily doing the same ol' thing. Going to Curves is B-O-R-I-N-G. Working out is B-O-R-I-N-G. And the food you have to eat is B-O-R-I-N-G. Maybe boredom is just an excuse for laziness – who knows? I'm not genuinely a lazy person – I just have to be excited about what I am doing. I get about as excited about working out as I do washing dishes.
So if you are like me and can stand to lose a few pounds or if you have lost weight in the past, how did you do it? And have you kept it off? Do you ever get to a place where you don't have to think or worry about what you are eating?
I have put on 20 lbs since I quit smoking 3 years ago, and I just can't seem to shake it. I tried Curves (hated it) and I am eating much better....but..... :-( I have started back on my elliptical. If you have a tip on how to loose it at a good pace, I would appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteI've been up and down the scale too. Lost about 50 pounds 10 years ago and some of it has crept back when I wasn't looking. I blame menopause. But in truth I should be blaming my mouth.
ReplyDeleteI actually do Weight Watchers now and it works, but slowly. Originally, I went to a nutritionist whose policy was to eat every three hours. Breakfast, lunch and dinner with small snacks in between. It works by keeping your metabolism cooking. Also have to do 30 minutes of some kind of exercise every day. He recommended the treadmill which I did and like because I read a book while I'm on it or a 30 minute walk outside everyday. Now I also do the recumbent bike and read. The best thing I ever used was the dreaded Nordic Trak ski machine. Now that's boring but it works great. And I do weights 3 times a week. It's still coming off slow but I find when I exercise I feel better and sleep better.
I wish us all luck and thinner futures.
Grey Horse is right about metabolism. Once you start dieting, you teach your metabolism to slow down.
ReplyDeleteEat when you are hungry. I don't eat in the morning. I don't eat till about one in the afternoon. Then I start. I eat right up till I go to bed around midnight. Right before I go to sleep, I have a big bowl of ice cream, or cereal, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. They say that makes you gain weight but I've been doing this forever and I'm not fat.
I don't believe in gyms. Though I have to say, one time I had the ski machine and Grey Horse is right about that too--it really works! I can't understand why some people will pay someone to do their lawn and then they pay to go to a gym. I do all my own chores because it not only saves me money, but it's exercise. So I go outside and look for physical labor to do. I'm killing two birds, actually three--weight, getting something done, and saving money--with one stone.
If you put in more fuel than you burn up, you'll gain weight. So go outside and do some chores.
With all that being said, I am ten pounds above my normal weight. It's menopause. That's a true thing. And I will probably gain a few more when I quit smoking again. That will slow down my metabolism. (I get so depressed when I quit, I don't even want to eat--it's not from that!)But you know what, I'm trying to love my body for what it is. I think there is too much pressure on women to be skinny nowadays. Fat is bad too. But let's appreciate a woman's body for what it is supposed to be--curvy.
Okay, this is long enough. Whatever you decide to do, you are beautiful!
I always eat too much!! Love food, and hate exercise, however, my horses notice the extra weight! So each spring I go through the same old routine! Eat less become miserable and look awful!
ReplyDeleteLast Spring I found a good diet, High Protein, eggs, meat, cheese, stuff like that. It worked for me, kinda like the Atkins, but with fruit? I lost 20 pounds, felt great, and didnt look like a skeleton! I too get very bored, and have now found an answer!!! It is called a bycicle!
Well I made it a whopping 10 days this time on my diet.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking of donating a kidney. Those have to weigh a pound or two and surely I'd lose some weight during the recovery, right?
I know that it's all about changing your routine/lifestyle so that you habitually eat just the healthy foods and habitually exercise. But I too get sick of tasteless foods and eventually return to my old habits. Life takes over and the first thing to go out the window is my regular exercise. So, I've never been able to keep it off. Intellectually, I understand what I need to do, though.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you decide, stick with it after the first initial weeks! Because....your body starts to look forward to the exercise, and when you don't exercise, you feel like you're missing something. I've been exercising since about mid-Nov, and I feel great. I'm weight training at home, and just this week, I feel like I have my old strength back (from pre-shoulder injury about 10 years ago). I only took 2 months.... but it was worth it. I'm going to try to get a group going at my house once a week, if you want to join, or come after work once a week and I'll exercise then! Brenda
ReplyDeleteI just got back on track after Christmas, too. I started eating primal (no grains, no processed sugar, just some carbs from potatoes and fruit) last May or so, and I'd lost 40 lbs by Christmas. Then I ate a lot of cake and eggnog and crap, but now I"m back on track - down about 42.
ReplyDeleteTry real weightlifting. You get a lot more bang for your buck. Squats, deadlifts, and bench presses. Squats and deads are wonderful for your core, which translates directly to better riding. I promise, you won't bulk up unless you eat 200 grams of protein a day!
YUP...add my name to the list. I eat for various reasons... and the truth of the matter is..i need to wait for HUNGER!!
ReplyDeleteSo yea, my mare has complained too of late...so I am trying, don;t have a huge plan, but to try!
I have recently discovered Daily Burn, a website that helps you track your calories and exercise. I find it has helped me tremendously to actually see a chart that can compare how much I eat vs. how much I weigh vs. how much I exercise.
ReplyDeleteI've also started using heavy weights in the last year or two and find the beauty of these is that I can work out effectively in ten minutes. Even if I'm tired and busy, I know it's just a lazy lie to try to tell myself I don't have time or energy for a workout so brief and simple. I use a 35 pound kettlebell (I started with a 15 pounder), and there is something fabulously satisfying and empowering about hefting it around.