I have been hesitant to post this because I am sure some people will not agree, but I have decided that I don't care.
On our anniversary, Seth and I were talking about what we weighed when we got married. I am up 15 pounds since then (11 were gained in the first year, before kids even) and Seth is up 50. What? Yep, he really is...BUT he lost weight on his mission and was SO skinny when we got married. He is really only up 30 from his ideal weight.
While we were talking he claimed that he could lose his 30, before I could lose 15. I hate being told that I can't do something, so I accepted his challenge. We decided to start on January 3rd, after Christmas Break.
That first week I watched my food intake very closely, but didn't exercise. Seth ate a little less but he was still eating ice cream and cookies at night. Then he got vertigo and puked up a bunch of weight. At the end of week one, he had lost 11 pounds and I had lost 3. Luckily, the next week he went to Utah and ate on the company's dime and came back up 1 pound. I stayed home, watched my food and exercised 3 times, and lost 2. That puts him at 10 total, and me at 5. We are all even.
My gut tells me that he will probably win, but it has still been a fun way to finally focus on what we eat and how often we get off our butts. I know there are probably some of you who are annoyed and have an opinion about whether or not I need to lose 15 pounds, but I will tell you my motivation. I have never gained weight before, no matter what I ate, other than those 11 Newlywed pounds, and the 20 I gained when I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism (18 years ago). But lately there are 4 pounds that come and go depending on how I ate that week. 4 pounds, big deal, I know...BUT, I have watched too many people accept 4 pounds, and then 10 and then 20, and then where does it stop? I have watched too many people really struggle with weight. People who were not always big, but slowly accepted the extra pounds their body offered as their metabolisms slowed down. I would rather create healthier habits now, than wait until the task seems insurmountable.
Truth be told, I feel healthier and skinnier when I eat better. Even if my weight stays the same, I feel thinner and more in control. I feel more in tune spiritually and more plugged in to my life when I try to exercise a little self mastery. On Saturday night we ate a big bowl of nachos (we have to, because the Packers have won all their games when we have eaten nachos) and a huge cookie pizza. On Sunday night I got sick. It is funny that my body has been okay with it for 35 years, but now that I finally fed it bananas instead of banana cream pie for breakfast, it is hooked. My taste buds aren't quite converted, but we are working on that.
Some days I am starving and I really want to give up, but I am forcing myself to stick with it. Don't worry, I am eating enough, about 1800 calories a day. That is actually the non-diet amount recommended for my height and weight, but since I have always eaten more than that, I figured it was a good place to start. I have learned, for the millionth time, that I hate exercise. I don't get people who like to exercise. If anyone ever needed to torture me for information, I think throwing me on the treadmill would do the trick. I have yet to exercise this week, but maybe tonight, if I don't make up 50 other things to do to get out of it.
I'll keep you posted on our progress, and feel free to make a wager on who will win. Bet against me. The more people who don't believe in me, the more likely I am to really go for it.
Second Week of School
3 years ago
23 comments:
good for you Julie. Being healthy and strong is a good reason to work out. For me I had to find something that didn't seem like working out. I go hiking and "wear" one of my kids. We like to ride bikes with the baby trailer.
You would also be shocked at the sweat you work up hitting the arcade for a little dance dance revolution. :D
Good luck
When I was telling Kristen about the competition she was commenting on how crazy skinny Seth was at your wedding. 30 pounds seems like more than enough for him. You guys both always look good to me, but there is a lot to be said for healthy eating and exercise.
As you know I usually hate working out too, but now that I renewed my gym pass I actually like it. It's nice to get out of the house and once I get there I want to make the most of it. Also helps to distract myself with the Kindle or twenty TVs they have there...
Good luck! I can't tell you how shocked I was the first time I tried to loose "just 15 pounds." When I was in my 20's and younger it only took minimal effort and was fairly easy to watch what I ate. I thought it would still be like that. Needless to say it wasn't. I like to blame it on the kids that I've had. I gained 10 that I couldn't take off with each child. It is hard work, and a lot of the time, I really like to eat. I like the healthy stuff, but the not so healthy stuff is really, really good! When I watch what I eat, I can't buy any of the junk. My kids don't like it and I feel like there isn't anything to "munch" on, but, then I don't munch as much.
I think sledding was good exercise, as is snow shoveling and keeping up with kids at the mall. See, you have lots of exercise choices!
I will love hearing about your progress! Keep up the good work. I don't like working out, but I have learned to somewhat enjoy running (music and friends help). Ever since last year, I have learned to eat less. Not always the healthiest but less food at least. I had to "restart" on January 3rd too just to shed off my few extra holiday pounds. Good thing it only took about a week. I now run Sun-Thurs. Not super fun, but it feels good to see the scale drop. It does get old though now that I have been counting calories for over a year! : - /
My bets on you! Good luck!
Oh where are my words for this one. Since I am a fanatic about both food and exercise you might be telling me to bug off after I give my words. Just remember to try and find a way to eat that can be long term. Those people who totally deny themselves of food they loved end up binging and giving up. Remember to treat yourself on ocassion so it doesn't happen to you. I love circuit training because you get both cardio and weights at the same time. If you go to Jillianmicheals.com and check out her site she has great workout ideas that work awesome. You could always train for a marathon....he he just kidding.
Being skinny isnt the same as being healthy, so I think its great that you are making an effort to watch what you eat. I hate exercise as well, and especailly when I have been at it for over a year and still have yet to drop even 10 lbs. I dont think I will ever like the exercise and the only thing that makes me do it is having someone else to do it with me so I feel obligated to show up and do my best so I dont look like a lazy, out of shape fool.
For your sake I will put my money on Seth...mainly because stupid men seem to drop the weight a lot easier than women. So there's some more motivation for ya! Good luck!
Julie,
My money's on you.
Dad
Seriously, about 20 minutes after I posted this my doorbell rang and there stood my friend Andra with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. My favorite thing in the world! I ate two, but only two (usually I would have eaten two dozen) and they weren't too big. I make my cookies about the size of flying saucers. They were yummy but I think I will freeze the rest for another day. Thanks Andra for the cookies and for testing my willpower.
Brittney, I am so glad you commented because it reminds me that I got an e-mail from you and never e-mailed you back. So sorry, I will get on that.
Val, I am going back and forth about joining the gym. I did that for one year and paid my $80 a month and went about twice all year. I don't like to exercise in front of people and I don't know what I would do there. I have a treadmill here and a billion videos and an exercise bar, but I wonder if getting out and making it part of the day would help me stop making excuses? And you and Jeff are making me so curious about the Kindle, even though I swore I would always stay and old school paper pages book lover. I am so torn.
Sarah, I am definitely trying to keep my favorite snacks out of the house, and no baking. Baked goods are my weakness.
Katie, you don't like exercise but you like running? That is the most torturously awful kind of exercise there is. Good for you for keeping it up for a year though. You look great, I didn't notice any holiday weight.
Kory, I am happy to have advice since this is new to me. I have done the starve and then give up and binge thing before so I am trying to eat like normal, only less. I eat dessert every day, but only once a day, and not too much of it. I actually just started Jillian Michaels 30 day shred tonight because it is a quick workout. I will make less excuses if I know it will be over quick. It is circuit training. This is my third time starting it and I usually only make it 2-3 days but I really want to do 30 days straight (with Sundays off though).
Heather, good for you for working out for over a year, and hurray for an exercise buddy to keep you motivated. I agree that it is not fair how quickly weight will come off for men, so I think Seth has an advantage too. I also think he has more to lose so it will come off faster, but you are right, healthy habits are the main objective.
Oh hi dad, I didn't see your comment. I must have been typing. Thanks for the vote of confidence, or the reverse psychology. I appreciate either.
I understand you wondering whether or not to post about this. It is frustrating to hear 'skinny' girls say they need to lose weight when you are someone that struggles with it - but like Heather said there is a difference between skinny and healthy. I think that each individual is the only person that knows what they need and where they should be.
I think it is commendable that you understand your body and what it needs and are putting forth the effort to get it there.
I think most of us are just envious. I just wish I had your metabolism. If I ate 1800 calories a day I would gain weight even if I was working out every day.... I can only go that high if I'm on vacation or at a party or something.
I have always worked out and I will always have to. I just started running again last fall and I hate running so I understand you. I also alternate the 30 day shred. That's a good workout. I eat pretty normal although lower calories- I can't completely diet because for some reason the second I do I go crazy and end up starving myself... it's bad.
But I've still only lost ten pounds since Sept. It is so frustrating to put that much work and thought into something and then not have much to show for it. But.. like you said you feel different.
So, I am behind you! I think Seth may win because like you said, boys always seem to lose so fast but I hope you win!
This is very motivational for me. I've been totally obsessed with getting rid of all the holiday sweets in our house completely by myself. They're still not gone and I'm still eating them (did I really buy too much of everything?) and the weight is still going back up, and I don't want it to. I am completely the one who was okay with the four pounds - not really. I am the one who dieted and dropped my metabolism and dieted some more and slowed it down more and am now the one who cannot eat an extra calorie without putting on a pound. I know the only way to fight that and achieve my goal is to get on the exercise thing, and you'd think emotionally I'd go for that right now in the depths of winter, but all I really want to do is hunker down with a good book, a warm blanket, and the fire in the fireplace on high.
Thanks for making me think about what this behavior has done to me. Be cautious not to deprive yourself too much, however. One thing you do not want to do is get rid of that great metabolism you've been blessed with. Trust me on that! Good luck to Seth, too!
Cheryl, I totally understand that peoples bodies are just different, but it is about doing what is best for us personally. I hate that anyone gets judged by their weight/size because we have no idea what someone eats, if they exercise, or what kind of body issues nature handed them. While I am shooting for a number right now (because that is where my body looked the best) it is more about getting to where I am happy with the way I look and feel. I will say though that "skinny girls" have just as much insecurity about their weight as anyone else. I have always felt so much pressure to stay thin. I was so afraid of what my body would look like after kids and I had friends who even told me they were excited to see me have to struggle with weight. Luckily I lost all my weight with the first two the day they were born and went home with a flat stomach. With Chloe I had 5 pounds left to lose when she was born and just a little tummy pooch and I was afraid to go anywhere. I don't even pay attention to other peoples size, but I am so self conscious about my own. I feel like I am not allowed to gain weight and people expect me to be thin. Part of this journey for me is about learning to take care of my body and then embracing it for what it is, and not thinking about what anyone else sees when they look at me.
Julie, The holidays are tough, and I agree that in the winter the last thing I want to do is put on workout clothes. I want a big sweatshirt and a warm blanket. You actually hit on one of the main reasons I have avoided changing my eating/exercising patterns. I am so afraid that I will mess up my body. Maybe my body needs 3000 calories a day. Maybe that is how much it uses. I am afraid to screw up my metabolism and I am afraid that if I start to exercise regularly that my body will adjust and I will always have to in order to maintain my weight. I guess that is why I am being careful not to go too low with my calories. I am also really trying to listen to my body and eat when I am physically hungry, no matter how many calories I have collected for the day. But I am trying to first make sure that my hunger is physical and not psychological. Good luck getting rid of the Christmas goodies and moving forward.
Way to go on only eating 2 of the cookies. I wish I had that much will power. I wont even say how many I ate! Thank goodness I had my kids to come home and help me finish them off!
Glenn and I started dieting in Sept. I wanted to lose 60-70 lbs and he wanted to lose 120. We are almost there and I have no doubt that he will actually beat me and lose 120 lbs in the time it took me to lose 70. He loses 8 lbs in a week and I lose two. We both have about 20 lbs to go to get to our wedding weight. Glenn looks like a different person with over 100 lbs off. Men just lose faster than women but you both look great.
Mom, did Glenn officially hit the 100 mark? Last time we talked he was almost there. So awesome! Please help him keep it off, because we were all very worried about him. 70 pounds is nothing to be ashamed of either. You need to send a picture of the two of you.
LOL I said I've learned to somewhat enjoy running-mainly because I get to hang out with other Moms. I don't think I'm quite at the "like" stage yet.
Congrats Susie! I'd love to see pictures too!
julie
I just wrote a long comment and lost it.
I'm impressed with your determination and love that Seth is challenging you to a contest.
I think you can do anything.
Good luck.
Good for you to making and sticking to such a difficult goal. Obviously, just from these comments, we ALL struggle with weight, eating, exercise issues even if everyone has different specific issues.
I really want to lose those last few pounds that are hanging on for dear life. I don't think I can say I want to get to my wedding weight though because that would put me into the double digits. I'm pretty sure if I got down into the double digits, then people would be calling Dr. Phil to give me an intervention.
I can attest to your will power as I saw you stick to just eating your sandwich and drinking water yesterday while I wolfed down my sandwich, cookie, and guzzled down dc. I did go to the grocery store afterward and stocked up on smoothie ingredients for the whole weekend. With Mike gone, I've decided to really crack down and just drink smoothies and eat soup for the weekend. Last night was a success, and so far so good today.
Like everyone said though, these last 10 pounds are the hardest. It's amazing how after having kids and being your in 30's really does change the chemistry of your body. Ugh, it's so unfair.
Good luck to you and Seth though. I won't pick who I think will win because I know how easily men lose weight but I also watched you have the will power of a work horse.
GO! GO! GO! I like that you're all about being healthy. Losing weight is a struggle but I think if you have a physical reminder it makes it a little easier. You have no outward visual to keep you on the plan.
I love that it's about your health. Keep truckin. I hope you win the contest because I'm all about cheering on the ladies.
PS: I may have missed this in your post but is there something for the winner?
Jen, I did pretty well yesterday until I was cooking dinner. Since I was in the kitchen I ate lots of wheat thins, and then felt bad about it and followed it with some Cheezits, and then I wanted something sweet. The kids were eating fruit by the foot, so I ate two of those. So my willpower doesn't always hold up. Oh well, I have had worse days and I am doing pretty good today. Hopefully I can resist the food that calls to me while I am cooking tonight.
LeShel, We never did nail down what the winner gets. At one point I said he would get a snowblower and I would get a new kitchen table, but we never came up with anything official. I think we are mostly playing for bragging rights.
I really don't love working out either and I HATE running! So, instead of torturing myself with 30 minutes of jogging, I turn on the tv and walk at a slight incline for an hour. Half the time I don't even remember I'm excercising because I'm so into what I'm watching. Good luck to both of you!
Wow u have been busy, er, piano recital, playing a single mom and now the biggest loser! Way to go an all accounts.
Mike was like Seth when we got married and has probable gained 50 pounds also although I don't think he has the will to lose it. I on the other hand am down 20 pounds since getting married although 5 have sneaked back in the last year since quitting nursing (my baby just didn't want to anymore go figure). Since Jan I to have been eating better but also excercising. I feel great and agree with you that one feels so much better eating healthier.
Keep it up, I bet on you! 30 is a lot more then11.
Ps there are only like 3 or 4 posts that need pics you can do it!
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