I Think I've Figured it Out...

I think I've figured out why my weight has stalled completely the past couple of months...and I can't believe it has taken me so bloody long to figure it out. 

But it seems I have.

First off, I would like to thank everyone that has given me their advice and support this last while.  I have been VERY discouraged and even - as you know - been so discouraged that I wanted to give up totally.  I've listened to everyone's ideas of what I could do do kick start my weight loss again and I've even tried some of them.  But what I never really considered doing was the most obvious.

MAYBE YOU AREN'T EATING ENOUGH.

I know.  What a concept.  But you see, I thought I was watching everything that I was eating.  And I have been.  I was eating between 1100 - 1400 calories a day, which is what the lap band dietitians have advised that I eat.  What I haven't been watching closely is the amount of calories that I burn and intensity of my exercise program vs my calorie intake  I thought that after Ben left, and not having a personal trainer anymore, that I would slack off and my workouts wouldn't be as intense.  On the contrary - I've kicked it up a notch and added WAY more cardio.  My strength training isn't near as good as I want it to be, but it will come.  And I will be able to bench over 100lbs again in no time.  I've been doing lots of spin classes and have recently taken up Tae-Bo...both of which burn a serious amount of calories. 

I have discovered that I am not eating enough for the amount of exercise that I do.  Yes I know...  I've had a few people tell me that I might want to check into that - that I might be starving my body and not giving it the fuel that it needs in order to up my metabolism - hence lose the weight.  I just thought that I wasn't working out hard enough.

Make sense?  It does to me now...finally.  I stepped on the scale this morning.  Since Friday I have lost two pounds. 

I can't really say this plateau has been a really bad thing tho.  My body has taught me its limits.  While the scale hasn't shown change, my clothes have definitely changed.  With all the spinning I've been  doing, my quads have developed some definite muscular definition - something I'm totally not used to. AND - my cardio endurance is the best it has ever been!

I am happy and so relieved. 

I am on track again.  YES!!

INVINCIBLE

Took a long hard look at my life
Lost my way while I was fighting the time
A big black cloud, stormy sky
Followed me, oh I was living a lie
So heartless, so selfish, so in darkness
When all your nights are starless
You're running outta hope
But I found the strength inside to see
Found the better part of me
And I'll never let it go
I've come a long, long way
Made a lot of mistakes
But I'm breathin’, breathin’
That's right and I mean it, mean it
This time I'm a little run down
I've been living out loud
I could beat it, beat it
That's right, cause I'm feelin’, feelin’
Invincible


When you're gone for a day
On your own
Tear your heart out just to find your way home
I've been so high
I've sunk so low
I've come so far, with nothing to show for it
Mistaken, I got so good at taking
But now I'm tired of faking
This story's getting old
So I found the strength inside to see
From the better part of me
And I'll never let it go


I've come a long, long way
Made a lot of mistakes
But I'm breathin’, breathin’
That's right and I mean it, mean it
This time I'm a little run down
I've been living out loud
I could beat it, beat it
That's right, 'cause I'm feelin’, feelin’
Invincible


I'm not the only one
That crashed into the sun
And lived to fight another day
Like a super nova
That old life is over
I'm here to stay
Now I'm gonna be
Invincible


I've come a long, long way
Made a lot of mistakes
But I'm breathin’, breathin’
That's right and I mean it, mean it
This time I'm a little run down
I've been living out loud
I could beat it, beat it


That's right 'cause I'm feelin’, feelin’


Invincible


The lyrics to the song by Hedley, a really great Canadian Band BTW, ring true for me.  Just a mere 2.5 years ago, I found myself in probably one of the lowest times of my life.  I was 360 lbs, and hated myself.  I am now 273 lbs and even though there are days where I struggle incredibly to stay on track, and focused, I know that I am getting closer and closer to my goal.  My goal of being happy AND slimmer.  Check out the video of this song if you get a moment...it's so inspiring!


Instead of saying I CAN do this...I'm saying I WILL do this!


Hugs to all...

Time for a Change Up??

The last couple of weeks have been a little trying emotionally for me.  Last weekend, I actually felt like quitting...I felt like throwing in the towel and saying "screw it."  My weight has stayed the same (give or take two pounds) for almost two months now. 

I'm tired...

I'm frustrated...

So I thought I would take this past week and just try and relax about my weight loss (or lack of it) and try not to even think about it.  I think I made it to Tuesday...lol  I talked with a few people from work and the gym and got some insight. 

First off...quitting is NOT an option for me.  I have come way to far to quit.  I have to change my mindset and keep focused. 

Secondly...I need to start tracking EVERYTHING.  I track what I eat and for the most part, how much.  What I have not been tracking is the amount of carbs that I've been ingesting.  I need to start counting those and keeping better track. 

Thirdly...Water...or lack of it.  Starting tomorrow - I am going to track my water intake and TRY and drink more (notice I said try).  I will make sure I am not using being too busy at work as an excuse as to why I'm not getting my water intake.

Again - I must get more sleep.  5-6 hrs a night is just not cutting it.  I know that proper sleep hygiene is VITAL to weight loss.  I've had quite a bit of stress to deal with lately - maybe it's time I make another trip to talk to Veronica my therapist.  I am considering taking up meditation...I've been going to as many yoga classes as I can and that seems to be helping.  I need to learn to BREATHE...and relax!

I am also seriously considering trying to cut gluten out of my diet.  Although I LOVE my grains (i.e. cereal and oatmeal) this is something that I would like to try.  I have a couple of friends that have celiac disease, and although they have told me that in the beginning, it was hard for them to cut out the gluten or wheat in their diet, they have definitely felt better and have had more energy.  This might be one of the things I need to do in order to kick start my weight loss again.

I am also going to change up my exericse routine.  I am going to add more cardio and cut out my cross fit classes. 

Whatever changes I need to make, I need to just do it.  After all, they say change is good right? 

Cheers to a better week ahead!

K