All posts in category Weigh in

You’ve Got to Start Somewhere

Sweat it out:
Treadmill walk 3.5 mph for 45 minutes
2 planks
2 sets of push-ups

Oh my.  This morning I was humbled at how far out of shape I have gotten since pretty much a year ago.  I walked slower today than when I was 6 months pregnant.  But I guess you’ve got to start somewhere, right?  I’m seriously thinking about doing The New Rules of Lifting for Women program again to get my muscles moving.  The hard part is that I need to carve out some time to actually go to the gym, whereas the treadmill is hanging out in my garage ready to go.

One thing did keep me going this morning:  My weigh in!

Last week I didn’t post a weigh in, but I had gained weight and the scale said 266.1.  That is when I decided that Sunday May 12 was the day I started a plant-based cleanse that will go for 21 days.  My objective is to regain some of those old healthy habits I had going for me before baby #2.

So how did it pay off this week?

Starting Weight: 282.2

Last Week’s Weight: 266.1

This Week’s Weight: 258.2

Total Week’s Loss: 7.9 pounds!

Total Overall Loss: 24 pounds

Pretty amazing, right?!  I know that these results will slow way down and I will be happy from here on out if I lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.  A lot of the weight I lost was water and waste (my colon is working like a champ right now).  I do have to say that it feels great to be getting back on track.  The hub’s has been super supportive and I really feel like I’m getting into a groove.

Til next week friends!

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by Shrinking Carrie on May 21, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 21, 2013

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2013/05/21/youve-got-to-start-somewhere/

Somethings Working…

Nothing starts my weekend off the right way better than a good weigh in:

Starting Weight: 282.8 Pounds

Last Week’s Weight: 256.8 (which I just realized looking back at last week’s post I recorded 264.8 which was a few pounds off, and thank goodness that wasn’t true!)

This Week’s Weight: 252.2

Total Week’s Loss: -4.6 Pounds!

Total Loss: 30. 4 Pounds

What worked this week:

  • Continued with my 90 day no caffeine rule (I have since turned it into a no carbonation at all rule).  I don’t think I realized how badly an effect caffeine and soda (even diet soda) were having on my body.  I’m not going to lie, I truly believe I have been seeing such great losses these last couple of weeks because I have 100% cut it out.
  • I continued to eat a 90% Plant based diet.  And I have a secret arsenal that I will blog about later that has helped me kick chicken stock (something I’ve been having a hard time letting go of).
  • I have been doing some form of exercise everyday even if it is cleaning (which I did for 5 hours on Monday, and that burned some major calories).
  • My hub’s was eating healthy as well.  It is so much easier to eat healthy when your significant other is on the bandwagon with you!  I cannot stress this enough and besides the whole caffeine thing having my hub’s really trying at being healthy helped me out enormously!
  • I tried some new recipes.  Healthy eating is always more fun when you are trying different things.  I even measured out a vegetable dip that I made today and I will share the recipe with you all next week.  Getting creative in the kitchen is so much fun, and cathartic if you ask me.

What a great way to start off a weekend!  The hub’s and I are going to the big city to do food shopping tonight and I mentioned going out to dinner.  He told me he does not want to sabotage his weigh in on Monday, and I could not have been more pleased with that response.

Have a great weekend everyone!

8 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on July 20, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Caffeine, Diet, Dustin, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on July 20, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/07/20/somethings-working/

I am Perfectly Imperfect

Sweat it Out:
50 Minute Hilly walk
Stretch!  My muscles are still sore from MONDAY’S workout!

I hate stepping on the scale after being on vacation.  So I didn’t.  I actually waited until Wednesday to weigh myself and it was after I saw the number 259.4 that I was glad I waited.  If I saw myself in the 260′s I would have crawled into my bed for the day and let Hanna fend for herself.

So it is with much thanks today that my weight has lowered to 264.8 because I have shed most of that pesky water weight that vacationing brings.  I have worked pretty hard this week.  I’ve gone on my walks everyday, drank plenty of water, cut out ALL forms of caffeine, and followed a 90% Vegan diet (when I say 90% that means that I ate less than 150 calories in animal products a day, since I usually take in about 1500 calories).  Thu hub’s even lost 2 pounds!  I’m so proud.

I do have to say that I am in a MUCH better frame of mind today than I have been for the past few days.  I knew that I had put on some weight, and I knew that the next couple of weeks were just going to be catch up week’s, which is pretty deflating.  Then when I was reading some blogs for motivation I came across this great quote from Clean Eating Chelsea’s Blog:

This basically sums up how you should feel about all aspects of your life, and I love the line that says I am perfectly imperfect, because that is just what I am.

Everyday I strive to be better and although this weight loss journey has been hard, and has definitely had ups and downs, I need to pick myself back up and get back on track.  Because I love myself that much.  Life is a gift and I have to remember that.

Today will be a bit of a test since we are going to the Air Show this afternoon, and there will be festival food.  I will be indulging a little and sharing with Dustin rather than get anything of my own.  Even Dustin is on board with that (which is a change).

I hope you all have a great weekend!

2 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on July 13, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Self Love, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on July 13, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/07/13/i-am-perfectly-imperfect/

Like Sands Through the Hour Glass….

Woke up this morning super anxious for my weigh-in.  Jumped on the scale and I couldn’t believe the number I saw!!!!!  I got off waited for it to zero out, and then stepped on it again just to make sure I wasn’t going crazy.  Different number.  Higher number.  Stand still number.  Then just to make sure it wasn’t a fluke I waited for it to zero out again and then tried one last time.  Another different number.  Womp, womp.  Batteries are going and I obviously can’t trust any 3 of those numbers it gave me (or I’m choosing not to, because in all honesty I would pick the first one which had me 4 pounds down, but I won’t).

To be fair to myself I will get new batteries this weekend and try again next Friday.

What HAS been working this past week

I tracked.  I tracked like it was my job, and I think the pay off will be good (if I could ever get my sale to work!).  You know that you’re doing a good job weighing and measuring your food when the top rack of your dishwasher is filled with measuring cups.

I decreased my exercise.  I’m really trying to focus on my eating right now, so I’ve been doing a lot more walks, and a lot less time heavy cardio.  Not to mention my knee is still hurting a bit and I don’t want to injure myself by doing my running program right now.  I’ve been burning about 400 calories with exercise and trying to keep my calories 1200-1400.  I’ve been doing this for the past few days, and I’m not getting those crazy hunger pangs like I’m going to die of starvation.

What I need to work on in June

More water.

Being more consistent with staying in my calorie range.  This past week I have stayed on track for a whole 7 days.  I tracked, I stayed within a reasonable goal of my calories, and I didn’t have a cheat-a-thon like I usually do after I weigh in.  It is like a vicious cycle that starts after weigh in day.  Friday-Sunday I just eat what I want.  In order to lose weight I have to be consistent and eat healthy 7 days a week.  Adhere to the 90/10 rule.  The cupcakes this week for my birthday  were definitely in the 10% and the rest of the week I was very in control of all my meals.  If I am consistent, I will lose.

More vegetables.  Since I started eating meat again my greens have gone down quite a bit.  I gotta get those back!

Take my Thyroid pill everyday.  Yes, I did go two whole weeks without my medication and after only taking it the last couple of days I feel like a new person.  Without my pill I feel tired and rundown, not to mention my metabolism is slower than tar when I haven’t taken it.

I’m really trying to simplify my healthy lifestyle.  Move more, stay within my calories, track, and then do it all over again the next day.

I will also be doing Photo a Day for June on Instagram.  If you want to be friends my user name is carrieseals96.  here is my photo for June 1st:

Morning

This is the view I look at in the morning when I’m eating breakfast.

What is a goal that you have for June?

Are you on Instagram?  Have you participated in Photo a Day yet?  Are you doing it in June?

1 Comment
by Shrinking Carrie on June 1, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Cheat Day, Photo A Day June, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on June 1, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/06/01/like-sands-through-the-hour-glass/

I Was Expecting This, but That Doesn’t Mean It’s Not Frustrating

Starting Weight: 282.8

Get to Fifty in Sixty Starting Challenge Weight (April 30, 2012): 257.2

Last weigh in: 254.2

This Week’s Weigh in: 254.2

Total Loss: 0

Total Overall Loss: 28.6

I am trying to get out of my head this week.  I immediately want to change something up, or tweak a few things.  I do know that I do need to watch my eating more carefully.  ALWAYS WITH THE EATING!

I will say that this would be one of those times where I know that there are other things contributing to me not losing anything and it seems I could go on, and on with excuse after excuse, but I’m just going to keep on chugging away.

I’m going to continue on with my exercise regimen because I am liking the way I feel and my muscles are STILL VERY SORE from Tuesday’s workout (some of the not losing is due to water retention from repairing muscles), and I can see a difference in my body, which is another reason why you can’t always trust the scale.

But I can’t help be a little frustrated considering I am sick of being in the 250′s.  I am dying to see a new number, and I am tired of bouncing around the same 5 pounds.

So this next week will be a focus on eating the right foods, tracking everything, and getting my weekend eating under control. I may will be doing stat post’s at night to keep myself honest.

Have a Happy Thursday everyone!

2 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on May 24, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Frustration, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 24, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/05/24/i-was-expecting-this-but-that-doesnt-mean-its-not-frustrating/

Running Day 2, Plus a Weigh in!

Oh man you guys.  I have had a great week.  One of those weeks where you gain some momentum and try new things.  I couldn’t have asked for more motivation this week, and I’m not going to lie, I needed good things to happen.

Let me start on the running front.  I’m trying not to get too excited and go nuts, but yesterday’s run was fabulous!  I walked at a higher mph (3.7, whereas before it was at 3.5), and I ran a little faster (on Monday I ran at a 4, and yesterday I bumped it up to a 4.5).  On Monday I had some knee pain and I am happy to report that yesterday’s run was completely pain-free!  Just like a said a few days ago, with weight loss my running should improve and I did have a great weight loss this week!

Now for the Weight loss:

Starting Weight: 282.8

Get to Fifty in Sixty Starting Challenge Weight (April 30, 2012): 257.2

Last weigh in: 258.4

This Week’s Weigh in: 254.2

Total Loss: -4.2

Total Overall Loss: 28.6

This week I really tried to stay focused, but in all actuality, it was the hour and a half of exercise I’ve been doing daily, and journaling my food.  I have tracked every piece of food that has entered my mouth, and it has paid off.  If you want to see exactly what I’m eating my food journal is public on Myfitnesspal and my user name is carrieseals.

As for the exercise.  I am not the kind of person who can walk for 30 minutes a day and see a loss.  I think I’ve screwed up my body’s metabolism so badly that I have to put more time and effort into the gym.

This week I have been trying to get out of the house in the morning and go for a 40 minute walk with my little girl.  I do this for a few reason’s:

  • Exercise, of course
  • so my child doesn’t go stir crazy
  • so I don’t spend more money on gas driving all over the place, and to save more money in general
  • It makes me feel like I’ve gone somewhere, even though I haven’t
I have been burning about 385 calories a day doing this, and then about 600 calories when I go to the gym in the afternoon to either strength train, do the elliptical, or use the treadmill for my running schedule. Let me just say that if I keep this up I’m going to have to invest in some more workout clothes and sports bra’s!  When I went to put on my workout clothes for the second workout they are still wet with sweat!  Ew!
I haven’t gone to work out with the girls from my church in a while because I have been spending a TON of money on gas lately.  I went to filling up once a month, to filling up almost 5 times a month!  That is a lot of money in gas!  Plus, Hanna has gotten pretty needy lately, and I don’t get a good workout when she wants me to constantly cuddle with her (not that I mind the cuddling!).
Anyway, I’m now rambling.  Have a great Thursday!

 

3 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on May 17, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Running, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 17, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/05/17/running-day-2-plus-a-weigh-in/

The 1%…

This would be the days where the 1% of blogging I hate comes to show its ugly face.  The weigh in days where I gain.  And it wouldn’t be so bad if it was a little, but it was not a little.  Here is the ugly truth:

Starting Weight: 282.8

Get to Fifty in Sixty Starting Challenge Weight (April 30, 2012): 257.2

Last weigh in (May 3, 2012): 255.4

This Week’s Weigh in: 258.4

Total Loss: +3 GAIN

Total Overall Loss: 24.4

I didn’t expect big things from this past week.  I went on vacation, and although I stuck pretty good to my off limit foods, I still ate a lot.  A lot of things that I have not been use to eating lately, like meat.  My digestive track has not been the same since I came home and it seems that it is one more shining example of how my body truly wants to eat.  Also, proportions.  Although avocados are good for you and a “healthy fat”, I have been eating my weight in them lately.  I’m sure a little measuring wouldn’t hurt me!

I have been tracking my food with Myfitnesspal, but I haven’t been calculating up the calories in a recipe until AFTER I’ve already eaten it.  Kind of defeats the purpose.  I just need to do a little planning ahead and calculate the calories previously in the day so I know how much I can eat.

I also did not get one workout in in the last 7 days.  I think this has been one of the longest stretches I have had without working out.  Since this is an important part of weight loss I have made it a priority to get in some exercise everyday.  First, I need to take the weight class they make you take at our gym so that you can have access to their weight rooms.  I really have been missing lifting, and a routine is one of the key elements to me working out consistently.  I found this out when I completed NROLFW last year.

I have a small running program from Women’s Health that I am going to start doing next Monday (which I will write a post on in more detail), and until I figure out a good weights routine I will be combining some of the lifting schedule from The New Rules of Lifting for Women.  

Gaining weight is frustrating, but I’m not letting it get me down.  There are a lot of people out there who have worse circumstances than me, and have overcome their battles to shine in the end.

I’m sure that you have seen this video all over the internet, but it hits me hard.  I have watched it like 3 times and I cry every time. It is hard to not feel completely inspired by what this man has accomplished.   It makes my life seem so easy.

Back on track, and I WILL see a loss next week!  Happy Thursday everyone!

3 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on May 10, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Inspiration, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 10, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/05/10/the-1/

Just a Quick Weigh in!

So I promised myself that I would do CONSISTENT weigh in’s every Thursday, and since we are heading out to Utah today for the weekend I will make it quick.  I’m going to earn some cleaning calories this morning because I hate returning to a dirty home (can I get an amen?).

I know it has only been since Monday since I had my starting weight for the Get to Fifty in Sixty challenge I started for myself, but I am pleased to report an actual LOSS in just 4 days (and of course, this will not be normal, but I’m taking it anyway).

Starting Weight: 282.8

Challenge Starting Weight: 257.2

Today’s Weight: 255.4

Total Weekly Loss: -1.8

Total Overall Loss: -27.4

Not bad for only 4 days (although I’m sure a lot of it is water and salt weight, again, I will take it!).  The real challenge is this weekend.  Here are a few guidelines I will be following:

  • No gas station food.  It is one of the things that really kills you on a road trip.  It takes about 4 1/2 hours, and two gas station stops (we have to go through mountains and my  hub’s is a little paranoid about running out of gas in the middle of no where) to get to my family, and we usually get treats of a sweet and salty nature when we gas up.  This time I will be taking some snacks with us and some Kombucha (since I’m trying to get rid of this cold, which is almost gone.  Thank you Kombucha!).  It will also help us to eat some of the produce in our fridge before it goes bad!
  • No Soda
  • No desserts, Ice Cream, Cookies, or  baked goods.
  • No fried food (i.e. french fries from In & Out Burger, or Five Guys for that matter)
  • No creamy salad dressings

We are celebrating my SIL’s amazing accomplishment of finishing her Master’s Degree so there will be celebratory food for sure.  I’m bringing gum, a water bottle, and an attitude of being there to enjoy time with my family who I haven’t seen in over 6 months.

I’m lucky enough that my hub’s in on a bit of a health kick right now (and has even lost a couple of pounds, yay Dustin!) and I’m hoping that both of our mindsets stay in the same realm this weekend!

Make it happen!  And I’m off!

 

5 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on May 3, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Get to Fifty in Sixty, vacation, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 3, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/05/03/just-a-quick-weigh-in/

A Well Oiled Machine (Weigh in)

I am beginning to be a well oiled machine, on the weekdays.  It’s the weekend that is killing my timing belt.

Starting Weight: 282.8

Last Week’s Weight: 254.2

This Week’s Weight: 254.2

This Week’s Loss: Nada

Total Loss To Date: 28.6

Can I tell you a secret?  Shhhh, come closer.  I don’t track my food.  Not even a little.  And I haven’t been since the beginning of my kickstart on April 2.  Not tracking actually works for me, even though the scale isn’t showing it.  I started working out this week again and if my muscles weren’t so sore and retaining water I would have seen a loss.  Oh, and if I wouldn’t have eaten like a crazy person over the weekend.

Like I said before, I am great on the weekdays.  Monday through Friday afternoon I eat well and I see a consistent loss on the scale daily (this is why I don’t track), and then the weekend comes and we run errands, schedules get thrown off and everything goes down the poop shoot.

This last weekend was no exception and I ate a plant-based diet, but it was more of the crap of the plant that I ate (white pasta and a whole lot of bread).  I did not focus on eating nutrient dense foods and come Monday I was up 3 pounds from the salt.  it took me the rest of this week to get back down to what I was last week and then add in exercise and sore muscles?  I knew a loss wasn’t in the books.

I’ve been told several times from Dr’s and Health professionals that losing weight with some of my conditions will be difficult and frustrating (like losing weight aren’t those things already!).  I’ve mentioned before that I have Hypothyroidism, and POS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), both conditions are a never-ending cycle of fat.  Even when I see a perfect week of eating and exercise I will only see a 1 pound loss and I will admit that it does get frustrating.

The Silver Lining

I will admit that my new way of eating has been a huge point of positivity in my life.  Not only does it improve my mind and body, but if I do it correctly I don’t EVER have to track my food (something I was getting use to having to do for the rest of my life).  This is enough for me to say NO to the junk foods that frequently call my name.  Isn’t tracking food one of the most daunting, annoying things about converting to a healthy lifestyle?

It has also helped me to eat more intuitively, and with the kind of foods I am eating I feel satisfied, lighter, and it gives me more energy throughout the day.

I feel like I’ve got off on a tangent so let me bring it back around to my point.  I am not disappointed that I didn’t have a loss this week.  I know that I had a bad weekend, but I didn’t let it get me down and ruin the rest of my week.

This weekend I have a goal to continue good eating throughout Saturday & Sunday.  That includes when we go out on Friday night.  It is all about making the body work together like a well oiled machine, sustaining the good feeling that I have had all week-long through the weekend.

Happy Thursday All!!!

7 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on April 19, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on April 19, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/04/19/a-well-oiled-machine-weigh-in/

Back on Track, The Numbers Game

Now that all of the stress has subsided (you can tell that the stress is over since my face is breaking out for the first time since I had Hanna, and I have a cold sore on my nose.  Yup, it’s time to get professional photo’s done!) it seems that I am getting back into a groove.  At least when it comes to eating.  I still haven’t figured out a good routine for working out, but as long as the scale is going down I’m not going to beat myself up over it.

It’s time to get back to the weekly weigh-in, and back to normalcy.  It seems I haven’t posted an official weigh-in since February!  So here we go!

Starting Weight: 282.8

Last Official Weigh-in on 2/9/12: 248.4

This week’s weight: 254.2

Total Loss: +4.2

Total Loss Overall: 28.6

After almost a 2 month-long hiatus I have finally gotten back on track.  The week that I posted the 248.4 in February, I had just gotten over a 4 day sickness where I couldn’t keep anything in me.  It was probably not a very fair weigh-in, but I was so excited to report a good loss that I jaded myself.  It made it even tougher when I tried to keep up with that loss the next week.

Moving, and everything that goes into moving and buying a new home, brought on a good 12 pounds (not saying that it was just moving, I  totally let the stress get to me and just stopped trying while everything was going on).  When I weighed in on 4/2/12 (before I started the second round of the Vegan Kick-start) I weighed in at 260 so although the scale today showed a gain of 4.2 pounds, the loss that I have had since my re-commitment is 5.8 pounds.  This was also over Easter holiday, and I couldn’t be happier with the results!  It is such good motivation to finally see a loss and finally feel like I am getting to where I need to be.

Does TOM Affect Weight loss? 

I’m talking about periods here, so once again, if you don’t want to read about it come back tomorrow!

I don’t know if any of you have experienced inconsistent periods, but I have.  So much in fact, that I once went a year without one (when I was around 18).  I didn’t even have a period for 4 months before I found out I was pregnant, and I was only 6 weeks along.  A very big part of this problem was weight, but it seems that having a baby flipped a switch and now you could set your watch by my menstrual cycle.  This is exciting for me because A) I have NEVER been regular my entire life, and B) This could mean that it won’t take us 5 years to have a baby, when we decide we want another, like it did last time.

It also seems, at least for me, that PMS is not something that affects my weight loss.  I have lost considerable amounts of weight on 3 weigh-in’s while it has been TOM.  I guess I can’t use that excuse!

Other things that I can set my watch to are irritability, and binge eating.  Apparently, those are sure signs that mother nature is on her way.  The day before yesterday I yelled at my hub’s because he made fun of the way I gargle my mouth wash (did I mention that I got some in my eye?).  It was then that I immediately went and counted the days on the calendar.  Also, I can’t get any satisfaction in my eating.  Luckily, I have been eating mostly plant-based (damn you Peanut Butter Cheerio’s that contain some milk!) and so I couldn’t eat anything too horrible for me.

I know that period talk is definitely NOT exciting for most, but when you have had so many issues with it in the past and it seems those issues are magically resolving, it can be pretty exciting and you just want to shout it from the roof tops “I GOT MY PERIOD AGAIN, AND THIS MAKES IT 11 MONTHS IN A ROW!!!”  It’s going to be alright, and there is one less worry in the world.

 

 

2 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on April 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in 21-Day Vegan Kickstart, Period, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on April 12, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/04/12/back-on-track-the-numbers-game/

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