Weighing In - Week Two

Well, something is better than nothing. Right? So, it's the end of week two in my quest to lose 68 lbs, and although I am having one hell of a time breaking below 190, I still have hope. So far I've lost 2.6 lbs. Not all that spectacular but as I said, something is better than nothing.

I think I need to change my game plan. I had been trying to eat healthier and workout two to three times a day, totaling between 40 and 50 minutes. My thinking was that little 20 minute workouts throughout the day would boost my metabolism overall helping me burn more calories in general. I don't think this is working. Maybe this week I'll try exercising 40-50 minutes at a time, once a day.

This next week is a big week for me. I go back to school, which will mean 10 hour days away from elliptical and my healthy food stocked fridge. I'll have to pack really good lunches and snacks to avoid the lure of drive-thru and prepackaged foods abundant around my school. This will also be a test to my dedication for working out. I'll have to be getting up much earlier every morning if I want to put my 50 minute workouts to the test. We'll see the results next Sunday.

I'm still researching the BodyBugg, how it works and ultimately if it's worth the investment. It's more than half the cost of my elliptical. Ouch! Of course, in my dream world, a 24-hour Fitness rep would read this and offer to send me one to review for free (Hint Hint.) In the meantime I'll just continue to read about it while saving up to buy one myself.

Until next time, thanks for all the continued support. One Less Fat Girl signing out.

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses - Part Three

I am FAT because I am allergic to exercise. Seriously! Whenever I exercise I become red and splotchy all over, I sweat profusely, my face becomes beet red and I have trouble breathing. Sometimes it is so bad, that I'm wheezing. That sounds like an allergic reaction to me! Ok, I am not truly allergic to exercise but sometimes it feels that way and for the record, being allergic to exercise is an actual diagnosis. I believe it's called Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis and for some people, it's no laughing matter, so, no offense intended to those who actually have EIA.
As for my excuse, it's not that bad. I don't wheeze as much anymore. Obviously, the quitting smoking helped tremendously. But I DO still turn alarmingly RED and look like a person having an allergic reaction when I exercise which is why I don't do it in public. No gyms for me. Nope, I thank the gods (or the goddesses) for 'in home' exercise equipment. I love that I can puff-up and look like a tomato in the privacy of my own home. I'm all for embarrassing myself into losing weight but even I have some vanity!
Note the lack of pictures of ME on my 'OneLessFatGirl' Facebook page. That's right... I only photograph my elliptical monitor and my feet on the scale. One day I'll become courageous enough to post an "in-action" shot of me exercising but until then, you'll just have to imagine how truly unattractive a picture I make.

I am overweight because I am an obsessive compulsive reader. Believe it or not, this is a problem for some people. Namely, me. Some call it a form of OCD and others an addiction. Either way, it goes way beyond "loving" the smell of a bookstore or the gentle hum of a library. This is the absolute NEED to be reading at all times.
This means when you read that final page of that 300 page book, you MUST have another book to move on to or you go a bit nuts. For example, if I finished my book on my lunch break at work and forgot to pack another book, I would be compelled to drive to the nearest store that sold books (Barnes & Noble, Borders, RiteAid, Safeway, Walgreens) to purchase something- ANYTHING to read.
A trip to the library would usually entail me lugging home 10-15 books at a time just to get me through a week to 10 days. Yes, I was sometimes reading more than a book a day. And yes, we're talking three to four hundred page books. Now all this reading MIGHT be considered "OK" if I were burning calories on a stationery bike or treadmill but of course I wasn't! I was sitting, usually on my favorite love seat on my back patio, smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee. This was me at 5AM before the children got up. This was me during my lunch breaks at work (replace favorite love seat with inside my car). This was me after work while my children were doing homework, playing with friends, watching TV. Take break to cook dinner and clean up. Put children to bed and then... This was me reading again on my favorite love seat, smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee until 10 or 11PM. Repeat... daily... for YEARS. The picture becomes clearer and more frightening now, doesn't it?
I lived on about 5 hours of sleep per night and a diet of coffee and cigarettes, for years. It's no wonder why when I gave up all three of my addicitions, I gained about 14lbs in 6 weeks. My body hadn't seen real food regularly in ages and I took away all the stimulants (caffeine and nicotine). It's actually a miracle I'm not 400lbs with the poor eating habits and lack of exercise. For the first time in a long time, I'm living a 'healthy' lifestyle. No more giving in to my addictions.
Since all three of my "vices" went hand-in-hand I knew I was going to have to give them ALL up to begin with. I weaned myself off the books first. Without the books I was able to spend more time "doing stuff" with my kids. We would take walks around the neighborhood or go places like local parks and museums. The coffee and cigarettes I gave up for my 2010 New Year Resolution. I'm thrilled to say that it's been relatively easy to give up the smokes. The coffee, is another story. At first, I couldn't have coffee in the house since it was my "gateway" drug to smoking but now that I'm over the cigarette cravings, I allow myself one cup per day. This is a HUGE improvement over the 10-12 cups per day I was used to drinking. As for the cigarettes, I hope to never go back. I really like being able to briskly walk five miles without feeling like my lungs are going to collapse and I really want to participate in next year's Breast Cancer 3-day and I know that would be impossible for me if I were a smoker.
Some people have asked me how I quit my "bad habits" and honestly I don't have a good answer. I admit, I have tried to make these changes in my lifestyle many time before and failed. I truly have no idea why this time it work and other times it didn't. The only real difference was that this time I was doing it not because people on TV or my doctor told me to, but because my children asked. My oldest child commented that he didn't like me reading all the time and that he didn't like knowing that, while he was at school learning about how bad it is to smoke, I was at home or in my car putting those very toxic chemicals into my body basically killing myself. For me, that was all the wake up call I needed to quit. If you are a smoker hoping to quit and are unable to cut "cold turkey" as I have, below are some links you may find useful or insightful.

I was going to write about three 'Excuses' in this blog but honestly, I think two is good enough for today. The last 'Excuse' is already writing itself in my head, so I promise it won't be as long a wait. Until next time...


For help with quitting smoking... http://www.becomeanex.org/
http://www.smokefree.gov/

For help with reading addictions... http://www.experienceproject.com/groups/Have-A-Reading-Addiction/203653

For info about EIA... http://allergies.about.com/od/anaphylaxis/a/eia.htm

Weighing In - Week One

Discouraging encouragement. Encouraging discouragement. I'm not sure which statement better describes how I feel at this moment. It's gratifying to see a downward shift on the scale but I have to wonder if it was just water weight, and if it was, why didn't I lose more?

In all fairness, I didn't start the heavy exercising until Wednesday, that's only four days ago. But I still feel all that sweating would have, could have, should have at least dropped me down below 190lbs. Maybe this is just some sort of 'beginners blues.' I think secretly I had hoped to have dropped an amazing 5 to 10 lbs and this is reality bonking me on the head chiding, "Silly girl, weight loss like that is only on TV." Maybe this is going to be harder than it looks. Maybe this is going to take longer than I'd hoped. Mope... mope... mope...

Wait! Hold up! This isn't so bad! Think about it. Maybe I'm lucky. I've heard the 'horror' stories of people actually gaining weight their first week of a weight loss program. I've read about people staying exactly the same weight. Man, now that would really bite! I can't imagine doing all that hard work and dieting to have the scale say, "Sorry kiddo. Nothing's changed." Maybe I should be thrilled! In four days of real exercise I was able to lose almost 2 lbs. At a rate of 2 lbs per week, I could be at my target weight by Halloween! Yes, I think I'm OK with this weigh in after all. It might just be 'slow and steady' who wins this race.

Until next time, thanks to all my friends, fans, and cheerleaders. I am greatly motivated by your support. I'm still looking for recipe posts on the OneLessFatGirl Facebook Page. You can find the recipe section on the 'Discussions' tab. Also, you can find us on the OneLessFatGirl Twitter Page. My next blog here will be the final installation of 'Excuses, Excuses, Excuses," so stay tuned. Thanks again!

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses - Part Two

I overeat because I'm the family garbage disposal. Does the following statement remind you of your childhood? "Eat your dinner! There are starving children in [insert foreign country name here]!" For some it may have been the children of China, for others it would have been Ethiopia. Either way, I'm sure this sounds familiar.

I can't remember if that line was ever actually said at my family dinner table, but I do remember hearing it on TV, in movies, and it seems to have made an impact. It absolutely kills me to scrape my kid's plates of leftovers into the trash! I've tried guilt tripping them into eating (hey, it worked on me as a child!), tried packaging up their leftovers (which they refuse to eat) and even had them serve themselves so that my eyes weren't bigger than their stomachs. It didn't work.

Now, I don't think this was too much of a problem six years ago when it was only one child eating "real" food. But now that all three of my kids are at the "real" food stage it means three plates to clean. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but it doesn't just happen in the privacy of our own home but when we eat out at restaurants as well! Heck it happens at other family members houses too!

Now please understand, I don't lick their plates clean. In fact, I almost always leave a little behind. I guess, I more or less nibble off all three of their plates until I reach a point in my mind that is an acceptable amount to throw away. I think some people refer to it as grazing. Horrible, yes! Disgusting, I know! Now admit it; you've done it too!

How do I stop this madness? I've recently started having my kids clear the table. This involves them scraping their own plates into the trash. Do you see where I'm going with this? I can avoid most of the guilt that is associated with wasting food! I've also modified both the children serving sizes as well as my own. Knowing that I tend to graze (yes, like a cow - I find using disgusting imagery helps curb the temptation) off the children plates, I've cut back considerably the amount I serve myself each meal.

This is one of those lifestyle changes that I mentioned in my previous blog. It's going to take time and a little help from my friends but eventually I WILL get over my "issues." If you're looking for a little inspiration or just a good laugh, read the following post. It opened my eyes... and helped close my mouth : )

http://www.gadling.com/2008/04/01/starving-kids-in-china-growing-tired-of-us-leftovers/






Photo borrowed from: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://blstb.msn.com/i/E3/3B96DEA2B25E1D9CAF8CD448DBB.jpg&imgrefurl=http://health.msn.com/nutrition/slideshow.aspx%3Fcp-documentid%3D100218116%26imageindex%3D5&usg=__vFV6yWjguQH_aiHKZTl1E6G5_Wo=&h=300&w=350&sz=26&hl=en&start=11&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=bDXXVojxhNy2TM:&tbnh=103&tbnw=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dplate%2Bwith%2Bfood%2Bleft%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26channel%3Ds%26tbs%3Disch:1

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses - Part One

I overeat because I'm surrounded by the color red. LOL, ROFL, LMAO and every other acronym you can think of pertaining to laughing! I'm sorry but that sounds so lame. The sad part, it might actually be true! So much for my new red table linens, sofa cover, and throw pillows.

I've come to recognize that the key to real weight loss is more than just eating foods labeled "low fat" or "low calorie." And it's more than going for walks around the reservoir. To do this right, I'm going to have to get down to the root of the problem and make some lifestyle changes.

To make better diet choices, I needed to do some research. Now, those who know me, know that if I want to learn something, I read about it. I love reading. (Part of the reason why I am so sedentary, but more on that excuse later.) So that's what I've been doing. I've been researching why, as I got older, I began making such poor diet choices. I've also been looking for ways to reprogram myself away from these bad habits. This is the first of five "excuses" I've been using sometimes consciously; sometimes not. How about you?

Color me hungry. What color is a can of Coca Cola? What color is a box of MacDonald's french fries? What is the color you see in your mind when you think of the restaurant 'Panda Express?' Red. Red. Red. It's not a coincidence, it's a conspiracy! These companies are using color against us. Red (and orange too, since it's a form of red) is known as a stimulating color. It grabs your attention, increases your heart rate, and is often associated with energy (see Coke can). When you walk into Safeway, with it's bright red logo, your subconscious is thinking "buy more". As you walk down the snack isle seeing red Cheez-it boxes and Orville Redenbacher Popcorn boxes your brain is telling your stomach, "eat more". Do you still wonder why you go into the store with a hand basket and end up leaving with a push cart? The next time you drive through your town or go to the store, take a look at how many food related businesses (that includes gas station mini-marts) utilize red in their decor or advertising. As for my red toile table cloth and garnet suede sofa cover... I'm keeping them... come on, red is still my favorite color even if it's not good for my diet.

What people can do to counter act this overabundance of red: avoid convenience stores and restaurants. Purchasing your produce at a farmers market instead of the supermarket cuts down on the temptations presented through creative packaging. Also, if possible, purchase your poultry, meats, fish, cheese, coffee and breads at shops specializing in just those items. Again, you're bypassing the excess packaging and mega-chain marketing. In your home, decorate your most used rooms (places you tend to snack) in colors that are calming and supress appetite such as blues, greens and earth tones. And of course, always eat a filling but healthy snack before going anywhere that sells food. Especially the mall where a Cinnabon will undoubtedly try to lure you in with their cinnamoney ooey gooey goodness which is pumped out into the mall to make up for the lack of red in their advertising. Actually, that last part, I made up but hey it makes sense doesn't it?

It Takes An Online Village

It's official... OneLessFatGirl is everywhere. I've got a fan page on Facebook and an account on Twitter!

Thanks to my first fans - Nicole, Sandra & Vincent on Facebook & Keri here on Blogspot! I'm already receiving emails with tips and words of encouragement! You guys are awesome! Please share the site with friends and family who would be interested in following my journey or have tips from their own personal experiences!

If you haven't already, please check out my other W3B's (World Wide Web Bites). I just posted a really great recipe on FB for Crockpot Jambalaya (Approximately less than 200 calories per serving!) And my first Tweets are up!

It's cold and drizzling outside right now, making me hope for drier weather tomorrow so I can get in a good walk. In the meantime, I anxiously await delivery of my new elliptical on Tuesday! Yippee!!! I won't have to worry about the weather anymore!

Thanks again everyone!

Fat Girl Takes a Stand

It's 1 a.m. and I can't sleep. Instead of surfing the 'net for fabulous heels which I love to buy but never wear, I've decided to start a blog.

Why do I buy shoes and never wear them? Well - I absolutely adore shoes... and I'm fat. Not just chunky or heavy or thick but all-out OBESE. As you can see from my picture taken just moments ago, I'm 193 lbs. Now this probably wouldn't be a problem if I were 6 feet tall or so. But I'm not. I'm 5 feet and one-half inch. As you can probably imagine, I am no longer able to attractively fit my sausage-like feet into strappy stilettos or peek-a-boo pumps. Twenty minutes in anything over a one inch heel and it feels like I'm walking over broken glass. I mostly live in flip-flops and sneakers these days.

Why the blog? I'm taking back my life (and my love for shoes) by committing to losing 68 lbs. You, the readers, are my witnesses. I'm going to use a combination of diet modification, regular exercise and good old fashioned embarrassment to shed these extra pounds. Really, what's more embarrassing than sharing your true weight (not the one listed on your drivers license) with complete strangers around the world? So, come on! Take this journey with me. Misery loves company, so if you're trying to lose weight too, we can do this together! I'm looking for cheerleaders to help keep me motivated and on track but if you'd rather be a jeer leader, I could probably use a few of those too.

As either Lao-Tzu or Confucius once said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Mine was off the scale and onto the world wide web.