Sunday 27 June 2010

149.6

By Belinda

Yes! I broke through to the 140's today.
It was April 11th when I renewed my determination to get in shape. I weighed 158.2 that day, although the week before on one day I weighed in at 159.4. It has taken 11 loooong weeks to lose just under 9 pounds. I have 7 to go.

I've been on a vacation to England during that time, and away for two conferences and still maintained a steady, although slow weight loss.
What's working for me?
  • Walking Molson my daughter's dog and my personal trainer, almost daily. He is an encouraging  companion and Brenda says she can always tell when he's been out for a walk when she comes home because he smiles! Yes, he has a happy expression on his Golden Retriever face. :) Walking daily helps keep my metabolism running efficiently and my hips and thighs more toned (only "more" because they sure don't qualify as "toned" alone.) If I can't manage a long walk I still head out for a quick walk. It is a rare day that I can't manage a minimum 20 minute walk. The main point is to keep moving.
  • Majoring on vegetables. At the conference, where there was ample opportunity to overindulge, I stacked my plate with vegetables and salad, filling up with those and with meat. I focused on protein, fruit and vegetables and the desserts I thought were really worth it.
  • Packing loads of food to take with me on work days. I make sure I am never hungry and I feel like I eat a lot some days but it is all good stuff. I know that if I added up the calories of the handfuls of almonds I eat when I get hungry, I would think I shouldn't lose weight, but they fill me up when I need something substantial to get me through to the next meal and I am still slowly losing.
  • I've started using a teaspoon of olive oil dribbled over a piece of toast instead of margarine.
  • I chopped some almonds up with my little hand chopper and have a small container of them in the cupboard ready to sprinkle on yogurt or salad.  A current favourite lunch is a tossed salad with a tablespoon of Vidalia sweet onion dressing, 1/2 a cup of cottage cheese, sprinkled with chopped almonds. It is filling and delicious.
I have more to write but will save it for another day this week. Stay encouraged. Don't give up! Stop the slide and bust the fat!

Sunday 20 June 2010

150.4

By Belinda

I celebrate 150.4 because I have just returned from a three day conference where the food is abundant and opportunities abound for enjoying it all a little too much.

I took along an emergency survival kit of almonds, granola bars and oranges, so that I knew if I got hungry, I had a healthy choice, but there was lots of healthy food--lots of fruit and vegetables to choose from. I also enjoyed a delicious dessert or two, savouring them to the fullest!

Next week I hope to report some weight loss as it's getting very boring to be stuck here. On the other hand, I don't really mind it too much, because I know that eventually I will go down another pound! And then I'll start on the next one.

P.S. I just noticed that "on the blog" this is a loss this week. I forgot that although I have been this weight during the week, I haven't been this low on a Sunday weigh in yet. Yeay!

Sunday 13 June 2010

151.2

By Belinda

A quick check in for the sake of accountability.

I finished the book I was reading, Press Pause Before You Eat. I am now rereading the chapters that were most helpful, just to absorb the principles that have helped so much. I recommend the book as a great reference tool and help.

I'm still exercising faithfully with my equally faithful friend Molson.

Susan is working out at the gym.

Irene is down 46 pounds. Yay Irene!

Susan asked for a repeat of Irene's recipe for tilapia (a fish.) Here it is:
She coats it in a small amount of breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan cheese and quick fries it. I have also dipped it in milk and then a little seasoned flour and quick fried it. It is delicious!

Hey, I know that my progress is slow, but I'm feeling slimmer and I know that slowly but surely I am getting there. I have 9 pounds to go.

Sunday 6 June 2010

153 lb

This week I was up a bit on my weigh in day. If I'm honest with myself, I earned it. I didn't pay as much attention to actually counting what I was eating and I had a few meals that I am sure were over the proper portion size. It was a birthday week after all! :)

On the exercise front though, I have not missed a single day of walking and that feels good!

This is a lifestyle change and not about a pound here or there, but I don't want to creep back up either! I'll be ramping up the vegetables in my lunches this week and cooking up some delicious Tilapia tomorrow night.