That's right everyone! I hit 15 pounds!!!
Yet that isn't the only big thing that's changing around here. We have a problem...
I'M PREGNANT!
Oops. No, this was planned (sort of), but does put a bit of a damper on things. After all, you're really not supposed to starve yourself or run 3 miles during pregnancy.
So instead, I'm going to switch things up a little. Obviously, once this baby is out I'm going to be back to the grindstone. For my second pregnancy, I'd like to do things very differently. I would like to continue my healthy eating and exercise throughout the pregnancy. So why not write about it? After all, we moms are going to have pregnancies happen and we can't afford to keep gaining from one to the next.
I'd also like to keep writing about our journey towards becoming personal trainers and helping others with their weight loss struggle. See previous post for our crazy new dreams.
So tune in! I may be pregnant but we are still going to keep things realistic, healthy, and strong around here. Here's to a nine month bunny trail!
Showing posts with label realistic diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label realistic diet. Show all posts
Monday, November 28, 2011
Is the Biggest Loser Just a Stupid Reality Show?
I really despise reality shows. I think that's why it's taken me 12 seasons to pick up the Biggest Loser. I watched it one night on a whim and was hooked! As much as I hate to say it, the Biggest Loser changed our lives (with a "little" help from God, of course).
At first, the changes were small. We all of a sudden become interested in exercise. We found new and interesting ways to do it. We started trying to lose weight. We started making a lifestyle out of losing weight. We actually starting LOSING weight!
Then the big change. A few weeks ago it hit me that my husband would make a fantastic personal trainer. My dear husband has been floundering for a while. He knows that he wants to do some sort of ministry, preferably a para-church organization or church planting. Yet, we couldn't think of one particular place to start. He knew he enjoyed marketing, so he's been working towards his degree in marketing and accounting to hopefully help us create our organization someday. Yet, being poor+having a baby+being married+working 47 hours per week=very slow progress. It's at the point where we feel like we're never going to be able to finish this degree that he's not even sure he wants.
And then we started watching the Biggest Loser. It's kind of like God got a hold of each of us on so many levels, including this personal training idea. I carefully broached the idea with my hubby only to hear him say he was considering it already.
So we looked up the information. We could have his business up and running in less than 6 months and he would receive a generous pay increase with very little investment up front. Hmm... How can you say no to that? Honestly, we were already pretty decided before we learned those charming facts.
So this spring we hope to get my husband certified to be a personal trainer. I mean, what is there to lose? One class worth of time and money with rewards now? Training that will help him in his personal goals? Having to stay fit? Having to keep learning how to stay fit? I'm not seeing any negatives here.
I know it won't be all rainbows and cotton candy, but this answers so many of our prayers. For the first time, my husband has a career in mind that completely fits him!
So where do we hope this leads? Right now, just income. Eventually we'd both like to create a ministry within the church to help each other with weight loss.
Here's the craziest thing of all! I'm seriously considering getting my certification as well. Yikes! That's right, the girl that is super geeky, non-athletic, hates running, lazy, last to be picked on the playground, terrible at any and all sports is seriously considering becoming a professional athlete. Here's the thing...I CAN DO IT! I know I can. AND I WANT TO! Thank you Biggest Loser for giving me to confidence!
We'll see where this goes, but for now I think it's pretty darn exciting.
Did I ever consider this happening? Not in a million years!
At first, the changes were small. We all of a sudden become interested in exercise. We found new and interesting ways to do it. We started trying to lose weight. We started making a lifestyle out of losing weight. We actually starting LOSING weight!
Then the big change. A few weeks ago it hit me that my husband would make a fantastic personal trainer. My dear husband has been floundering for a while. He knows that he wants to do some sort of ministry, preferably a para-church organization or church planting. Yet, we couldn't think of one particular place to start. He knew he enjoyed marketing, so he's been working towards his degree in marketing and accounting to hopefully help us create our organization someday. Yet, being poor+having a baby+being married+working 47 hours per week=very slow progress. It's at the point where we feel like we're never going to be able to finish this degree that he's not even sure he wants.
And then we started watching the Biggest Loser. It's kind of like God got a hold of each of us on so many levels, including this personal training idea. I carefully broached the idea with my hubby only to hear him say he was considering it already.
So we looked up the information. We could have his business up and running in less than 6 months and he would receive a generous pay increase with very little investment up front. Hmm... How can you say no to that? Honestly, we were already pretty decided before we learned those charming facts.
So this spring we hope to get my husband certified to be a personal trainer. I mean, what is there to lose? One class worth of time and money with rewards now? Training that will help him in his personal goals? Having to stay fit? Having to keep learning how to stay fit? I'm not seeing any negatives here.
I know it won't be all rainbows and cotton candy, but this answers so many of our prayers. For the first time, my husband has a career in mind that completely fits him!
So where do we hope this leads? Right now, just income. Eventually we'd both like to create a ministry within the church to help each other with weight loss.
Here's the craziest thing of all! I'm seriously considering getting my certification as well. Yikes! That's right, the girl that is super geeky, non-athletic, hates running, lazy, last to be picked on the playground, terrible at any and all sports is seriously considering becoming a professional athlete. Here's the thing...I CAN DO IT! I know I can. AND I WANT TO! Thank you Biggest Loser for giving me to confidence!
We'll see where this goes, but for now I think it's pretty darn exciting.
Did I ever consider this happening? Not in a million years!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Success is Sweet! And motivating...
Still losing! 13 pounds and counting! For several weeks now, I have been averaging a 1-2 pound weight loss per week! Pretty amazing I think! I've decided there are several things that are definitely making me successful.
1. Success! Nothing like success to motivate further work.
2. Working out in front of the TV at night is really working for us. Through Pilates, my legs are slimming down and for the first time in my life I'm flexible! I feel like crunches and situps are the biggest thing helping me to lose the weight. Maybe because most of my weight is in my tummy? The only bad thing about this is we are having to get creative to come up with new exercises to keep us challenged and to keep the weight coming.
3. Watching calories is key. We're not being perfect, but we are looking at everything we eat. I am trying to keep my caloric intake to 1200-1500 a day. Somedays it is more and those are the days we try to work out extra hard.
4. Watching The Biggest Loser is helping keep us motivated and giving us ideas for new ways to push ourselves.
5. Weighing every morning and night. It helps keep me focused, accountable and prepared to do what I need that day to keep working towards my goals. For instance, if my weight loss seems low or adds back up one morning, I know I need to try a little harder that day to keep my trend going.
6. THE BIGGEST THING OF ALL IS... Have you noticed that I keep saying "we"? That's right, my husband. I honestly could not be a success without him. He has been my best coach and motivator. He works so hard and gently pulls me along with him. He gives me compliments and constantly encourages me. Somehow he encourages or challenges me without being cruel or making me feel fat. I don't know how he does it, but I want to be just like him! He is very obsessed and excited with being healthy lately and it's hard not to get on the bandwagon. I think he would make an amazing trainer someday. Hmm....
I am still not perfect, but I am trying. I am still not skinny, but I am losing and toning. I still eat what I need to or want, but with moderation. I still am not very self-motivated or confident, but it is growing and in the meantime I have a husband who is helping me. I still forget to be reading the Bible, but I actually want to now and have a plan. I am still failing, but I am now succeeding more than I fail! So there you go. Success! Now just praying it keeps going...
1. Success! Nothing like success to motivate further work.
2. Working out in front of the TV at night is really working for us. Through Pilates, my legs are slimming down and for the first time in my life I'm flexible! I feel like crunches and situps are the biggest thing helping me to lose the weight. Maybe because most of my weight is in my tummy? The only bad thing about this is we are having to get creative to come up with new exercises to keep us challenged and to keep the weight coming.
3. Watching calories is key. We're not being perfect, but we are looking at everything we eat. I am trying to keep my caloric intake to 1200-1500 a day. Somedays it is more and those are the days we try to work out extra hard.
4. Watching The Biggest Loser is helping keep us motivated and giving us ideas for new ways to push ourselves.
5. Weighing every morning and night. It helps keep me focused, accountable and prepared to do what I need that day to keep working towards my goals. For instance, if my weight loss seems low or adds back up one morning, I know I need to try a little harder that day to keep my trend going.
6. THE BIGGEST THING OF ALL IS... Have you noticed that I keep saying "we"? That's right, my husband. I honestly could not be a success without him. He has been my best coach and motivator. He works so hard and gently pulls me along with him. He gives me compliments and constantly encourages me. Somehow he encourages or challenges me without being cruel or making me feel fat. I don't know how he does it, but I want to be just like him! He is very obsessed and excited with being healthy lately and it's hard not to get on the bandwagon. I think he would make an amazing trainer someday. Hmm....
I am still not perfect, but I am trying. I am still not skinny, but I am losing and toning. I still eat what I need to or want, but with moderation. I still am not very self-motivated or confident, but it is growing and in the meantime I have a husband who is helping me. I still forget to be reading the Bible, but I actually want to now and have a plan. I am still failing, but I am now succeeding more than I fail! So there you go. Success! Now just praying it keeps going...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wahoo!!!
There is no better feeling then those weeks where the pounds just pour off! That's right everyone!!!! The 10 pound mark has occurred and passed before I could even get a chance to write! I am now at 11 lbs although the way things have been going, I fully expect to hit 12 lbs by tomorrow. Working out while watching TV (right now we're still on a Biggest Loser kick) has been really working. I have been losing a pound every 2-4 days. My husband is also losing fast! It's so fun to see the changes in our faces and bodies. Strength training just adds to that as not only do you see yourself getting skinnier, but you see big muscles developing. The more you lose, the more motivated you are. Now that I'm out of the 30s and now only 28 lbs left, it makes my goal feel within reach.
Another thing I've noticed about working out at night is that it beats the late night cravings. I always feel a deep need to snack come 8:00-9:00. For some reason, working out seems to curb those cravings. Now when I get hungry, I just promise myself to wait until after I do one routine of everything (weights for arms, pilates for legs, and crunches for back and tummy) before I give in. Everytime, I'm no longer hungry after the workout (or too tired to get up and get something). It helps me give my body the time to let the hunger pass.
Another thing we are doing is just a little watching of our diet. We have been limiting our soda intake to one a day. We have been being mindful of the calories we eat. Instead of forcing ourselves to eat carrot sticks, we are choosing to take a few calories off of every meal (hold the mayo!) or eat smaller portions. If we can do both, fantastic! Really, we are still eating such things as pizza and Taco Bell, we are just continually eating less or better than we did before. For now it's working. When we start to plateau, we'll have to take everything a step farther.
One amazing benefit to all of these changes has been my desire to up the ante in my spiritual life. It just came naturally. I was given a free One Year Chronological Bible and found that it really intrigued me to read everything in chronological order. So I started reading it. I found that all of a sudden not only am I doing my daily devotions, but I strongly look forward to that time of the day when I can sit with coffee and read it! One choice that has been helping me is that I do not demand that I get it done every day. Instead, I leave it as a treat. When it stops being a treat, I'll have to get more hardcore, but right now I'm enjoying delighting in it.
So for now, we are eating a realistic diet, adding a realistic amount of exercise into our life, making realistic changes to our spiritual life, and winning more and more! Guess what? We are also losing unrealistic pounds! It's working!!!
Another thing I've noticed about working out at night is that it beats the late night cravings. I always feel a deep need to snack come 8:00-9:00. For some reason, working out seems to curb those cravings. Now when I get hungry, I just promise myself to wait until after I do one routine of everything (weights for arms, pilates for legs, and crunches for back and tummy) before I give in. Everytime, I'm no longer hungry after the workout (or too tired to get up and get something). It helps me give my body the time to let the hunger pass.
Another thing we are doing is just a little watching of our diet. We have been limiting our soda intake to one a day. We have been being mindful of the calories we eat. Instead of forcing ourselves to eat carrot sticks, we are choosing to take a few calories off of every meal (hold the mayo!) or eat smaller portions. If we can do both, fantastic! Really, we are still eating such things as pizza and Taco Bell, we are just continually eating less or better than we did before. For now it's working. When we start to plateau, we'll have to take everything a step farther.
One amazing benefit to all of these changes has been my desire to up the ante in my spiritual life. It just came naturally. I was given a free One Year Chronological Bible and found that it really intrigued me to read everything in chronological order. So I started reading it. I found that all of a sudden not only am I doing my daily devotions, but I strongly look forward to that time of the day when I can sit with coffee and read it! One choice that has been helping me is that I do not demand that I get it done every day. Instead, I leave it as a treat. When it stops being a treat, I'll have to get more hardcore, but right now I'm enjoying delighting in it.
So for now, we are eating a realistic diet, adding a realistic amount of exercise into our life, making realistic changes to our spiritual life, and winning more and more! Guess what? We are also losing unrealistic pounds! It's working!!!
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