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The Health Fantasy
- 1/05/2009
So far so good!
I've eaten according to the Flat Belly Diet menus for pretty much 2 days now & have gotten to the gym for the first time in ages this evening. Feeling great!
For the record - I didn't pick the diet because of promises to flatten my belly (not sure I believe them anyway) or belief that it is in any way miraculous or easy. I picked it to follow because it has yummy sounding meals that are easy to make from mostly natural foods. They also include a MUFA (monounsaturated fat?) with each meal which helps keep you full - it's been working so far & I'm feeling good.
I you are making your health a priority & feeling better because of it as well. I know it's early days for me but I am feeling pretty energized. I will try to keep it up & continue to document the process.
Tomorrow - I promise, a post with a pic! Sorry, as a reader I know I hate dry, word-only posts..Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Weight View
- 12/09/2008
 I discovered this way interesting website in some magazine I was reading. Probably Self or Shape - those are the fitness/health mags I read, other than Weight Watchers.
So, the site is WeightView & you can submit a photo of yourself - within 24-48 hours they send you a link back so you can see what you would look like at your ideal weight. The photo at left is the one I submitted - admittedly one of my least flattering lately. And here is the link to my results! I have to admit the results are totally inspiring to me. I am going to try really hard to maintain my weight over the holidays. (Easier said than done I'm afraid. My dad & his girlfriend are coming to stay for a while & they always make all my favorites & I always get to try new recipes on them as well.) So, anyway, back to the plan - I will try to maintain over the holidays and then come the new year implement a three day minimum at the gym plus make healthy eating choices. Wish my luck! Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Weight Struggle
- 11/18/2008
Ugh - I just weighed myself after being totally AWOL from my diet for pretty much weeks now. I have just had no motivation to eat right. I've been gorging myself. I'm pretty sure I have a problem...
Anyway, I'm within 11 lbs of my heaviest weight. I refuse to gain it all back & then some (like I've done before). But I also am not going to (yet again) declare that I am "back on track" and "very serious" about this. Instead, I'm going to say this:
- I will try to follow the Weight Watchers points plan without putting too much pressure on myself to measure up (ha, ha - pun),
- I will calm down about my eating, realizing that food will always be there - I don't have to gobble it all down just so I get some, and
- I will be reasonable about my eating - no more entire batches of cookies. This has been a serious issue...
I just know I've been out of control & eating from stress & a tiny depression & total exhaustion. Which cycles back into - I'm not working out, therefore I'm more tired & I'm eating more. I'm too tired so I'm not working out..., etc... and I feel like crap. So, I feel better already & I'm going to work towards feeling even better in the weeks to come. Stay tuned... Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Weight Loss - On My Own
- 9/25/2008
Just a quick update. I am still losing weight, even though I'm going it alone.
After all, I did promise that if I gained, I would head back to Weight Watchers. So, that is a great incentive right there.
All I'm doing is keeping track of what I eat & how much I exercise in an Excel spreadsheet. It's pretty simple, anyone with basic skills can set one up that calculates total for the day, the week & the difference b/w your goal calorie intake* & your actual. I fill it in with when I eat, what the food was & the calorie amount. I also note my excercise - what, how long, calories burned - but I don't figure those into my overall total.
If you would like a blank copy of mine, email me (amy at amycarriere.com) and & I will send you one.
So far I've lost 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks. Not too shabby. I don't feel like I'm "on a diet". I feel like I am just controlling myself & eating a reasonable amount. I am also not punishing myself by depriving myself - that never works, it always backfires.
One other change to note - I hadn't been excercising at all till last week when I made it to the gym 3 times. This week it's only been once. I wanted it to be more but some old pains popped up & I'm trying to rest so they don't get worse. Sigh... I'm frustrated by it because I was on such a roll, but the body knows when it needs to slow down, I guess.
*Here's a tool to figure your calorie needs.Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Done with Weight Watchers?
- 9/14/2008
I might be canceling my Weight Watchers membership, at least temorarily.
I feel like I have lost touch with myself & my motivation. It's been over a year on the program & I haven't been able to get past the first 25lbs loss. I hit it one time, and gained the next week. Since then I've been within a pound of it and then gained. I am on such a yo-yo with it & I think I need to try something different for a while.
I even tried their Core plan, which worked great while I stuck to it. The first week I lost 3.8lbs - an amazing loss! But then gained the next week & the next. I'm just feeling really frustrated right now.
Yesterday I found my old weight loss spreadsheet that I used when I successfully lost 20lbs on my own. I simply counted calories - eaten & worked off. It took about 5 months - the first 10 in 2 months, the second in 3. I think if I can get focused again & get into a regular schedule of going to the gym, that I can do it on my own. Really do it for myself - not to impress the scale lady or the group.
Now, keep in mind that after that loss (3 years ago), I immediately reverted & gained it all back and then some, thus Weight Watchers. So, keeping with the WW mind set this time, I have to remember that I always have to keep an eye on myself weight-wise. Even once I get "there", that perfect, happy weight, I will still have to be diligent.
I'm also setting a rule that if I gain 5 lbs over what I weigh now, then I will go back to WW, no questions asked.
I don't want this to be an excuse to quit taking care with what I eat. I want this to be a renewal of strength and focus.Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Update on Weight Loss & Core Plan
- 8/31/2008
Just a quick note for anyone who is keeping up -
I lost 3.8 lbs my first week on the core plan with Weight Watchers.
I feel awesome & so energized in my losing efforts. I hope all of you who are on the weight loss journey can find something to help you get excited about it again too!Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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The Switch to the Core Plan on Weight Watchers
- 8/26/2008
 The honeymoon was really over with the Flex plan at Weight Watchers. I could not stick to my points allowance if you held a gun to my head. I was constantly over on points & felt pretty deprived even though I was allowed to eat whatever I wanted - just not how much I wanted.
So, to force me to be a healthier eater & to spark that shiny new feeling you get changing it up, I switched to the Core plan.
You are allowed to eat as much as you want from an approved list of food - checking for fullness cues, of course, so as to not overeat. (And it helps that the foods on the list aren't trigger foods.) You also still get the 35 points allowance per week, allowing you to still indulge a bit.
So far I like it. It is forcing me to be a more healthy eater which automatically makes me feel physically better. And it's nice to know I can still eat sweets.
It does take a lot of forthought and preperation & I can't go through the drive-through willy-nilly anymore. But I'm feeling really good. I weighed myself last night & I am back to my previous lowest weight from about 2 years ago - pre-Weight Watchers.
So, here's a photo of me yesterday. This is how I'm lookin' and I'm feelin' great!
*Those are gorgeous Italian heels with rabbit fur on the toes. Major date night shoes! Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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The Weight Wars
- 8/07/2008
 I weighed in today at Weight Watchers knowing full well that I have been horrible with my eating all week. I also have not worked out.
Inexplicably, I lost 1 lb. I have no idea how but it definitely motivates me to do better next week.
Besides picking up an excercise DVD that sports 5 20 minute workouts (c'mon, anyone can fit that in), I have also come up with a trick that may help me snack less.
I am not going to eat breakfast right when I get up. I am going to take it to work with me & eat it there. This delays my first meal of the day, so I shouldn't end up being hungry for a snack pre-lunch & I will end up eating my lunch later in the day, leading to, again, less snacking (one hopes).
I'll let you know how it goes. I am now down a total of 23 lbs after over a year of ups & downs. I've included a current photo since I've had so many non-photo posts & I know, text only blogs are boring.Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Back to Where I Was 3 Weeks Ago
- 7/31/2008
So, since last time I wrote, I have lost 3lbs & gained it all back. I think it's that my points are a lot lower now & I definitely feel deprived. Plus, the honeymoon's just over with this weight loss thing.
After I decided to get back to it, I worked pretty hard at eating right as well as peddling my stationary bike at least 3 mornings that week. I weighed in & I had lost 3.2lbs putting me closer to being 25lbs down (I had hit this before & that is where I tripped up & started slacking).
Since then, I have slacked off on the "eating right" thing & haven't been keeping track of everything. It takes a great amount of concentration to keep under control & I haven't had that much focus lately, I think. A lot has been going on.
The week after the loss I gained .2lbs. I figured I could get back on track but after a week of eating several points over every day I weighed in today & found I gained 2.4lbs. I am still a tiny bit down from 4 weeks ago but I can't help but feel frustrated and a little depressed.
All it takes though is to persevere. I am also going to adjust my lunches to be fewer points since I like to snack so much. I'm also going to be more careful about night snacking - I've been having full fat popcorn (so good, so buttery) and that's one of the things that has been affecting me most I think.
If you're going through a slump like me, figure out what you can tweak & see if it makes a difference in your weight loss. Also, remember, any plan works as long as you follow it. Weight Watchers just makes it easier for us because it provides a support system. Use it, go to those meetings, listen to other weight watcher's tips.
Just try to stay positive - we just have to keep moving forward. And go easy on yourself if you gain - it happens to everybody once in a while. None of us are perfect but we can push ourselves to be better!Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Excercise - Day 1
- 7/11/2008
I pedalled my bike & lifted weights for my arms at the same time for 20 min this morning. It felt good & I still feel good! Just that little bit can make a huge difference in how I feel.
Dante (my dog) sat with his face near the pedals & let them hit his whiskers as I pedaled. He is such a strange one!
I am also very aware of what I am eating & have come up with a reasonable menu to keep my points in check. I am very excited to be rallying against the weight gain!Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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Weight Loss Goal - Renewed
- 7/10/2008
So, I weighed in today in Weight Watchers. It is the second week I have gained. Of the 25lbs I have lost 5lbs have slipped back on.
I have not been focused on this lately at all. There has been a lot going on for me here but I need to make this a priority.
Coincidentally, the meeting was actually about this, which made me smile.
I have resolved to refresh my focus. One thing that is a major motivator is that once I reach goal & maintain for 6 weeks, I will be a lifetime member. This means that I will no longer by paying the monthy fee. That will save me a bit of cash - yay!
Another focus is health & feeling better. Lastly, is looking better in my photos. Shallow, oh well...
New plan:
Pedal my stationary bike & lift weights at the same time for 20min 4 to 6 times per week.
Work out a more point friendly menu. I've been eating a lot of fast food & not a lot of fruits & veggies.
Must add more water & milk to day's menu as well. Will work these into snacks.
Well, wish me luck. I will be doing my best & trying to better myself each week.
It's sad that the honeymoon's over though!Labels: Weight Loss and Fitness
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