Ava's Ducks

A

AvaTea

New member
Hello, everyone!


I am so excited to start on this journey. My name is Ava and I am a 22-year old college student. Getting in shape and conquering my health is a part of my whole lifestyle overhaul. I am in my last year of school, have my first serious job, am in a stable and supportive relationship, and it is all great. But lately I cannot shake the notion that I am not really taking care of myself. It was a source of great anxiety though eventually I became sort of numb to the whole thing, ignoring the fact that I was getting more out of shape and had less control over myself.


So, on Friday I confronted myself. I went and joined my local YMCA and have worked out three of the last four days. And I finally feel better. Even after a few days I find that I have more energy, I sleep better and night, and most of all I feel better about myself. I used to be an avid exerciser, especially with running. This time around I am still doing a lot of running, but incorporating more weight training and really trying to increase my flexibility.


When all is said and done, I'd like to lose around 40 pounds. On Friday I weighed in at 161.4 and would like to be somewhere in the ballpark of 120. I am about 5'2" and quite muscular. "Bulking up" has always been a fear of mine, but I'd rather have more muscle than fat. Anyways, I plan on doing "progress checks" or weekly weigh-ins. It isn't so much the number. It is more about keeping myself in check. Also, I don't have a "goal date" really. I have instead goals: I want to be comfortable in a bathing suit during the summer, I want to be able to bear the thought of buying jeans, I want shopping to be fun for me again, I want that bulge on my stomach to decrease. Things like that.


So, sorry I have rambled on! Thank you for reading and I hope to meet many of you soon.


Thanks,


Ava
 
I cheated this morning. :blush5:


I weighed myself knowing that doing so would be sort of silly and pointless. So I got on the scale...what I gained six pounds?! Oh no, I will not accept that. So I got off, and an error message pops up. Phew. I got back on and after weighing a few times in a row to be sure, I came in at 159.8. :) So I am almost to that 2 pound mark for the week. I have until Friday morning to get there. I know I can do it. It just feels good to be out of the 160 range. My first "big" milestone" however will be 145 lbs. I know at that weight I at least feel okay about myself. So I have about 15 lbs to go to get there.


For me, a huge lifestyle overhaul all at once is not the answer. I know that I can't make everything about my diet and exercise perfect at this very moment. I am trying to ease into my exercise routine and trying to ease into a healthy diet. First, I am taking care of some of my biggest diet issues:


Replacing diet soda with water

Upping my water intake

Doing away with fast food

Rediscovering (and discovering!) healthy options that I really like.



I am a big baker. It helps me when I am stressed. So maybe I can look for healthier things to make.


I am feeling very positive today! The only bad part is that I will not be able to work out. I have classes and work all day. The gym will be closing by the time I could get there. Still, I will try to do some stretching at home. Get back to the gym tomorrow.


Thanks all :)
 
Ok...week 1 weigh-in. I am down to 158.5! That's almost 3 pounds. Woohoo! I am happy too because I sort of dropped off the last part of this week. That is one thing that I really have to get under control, staying healthy even when I am super busy. It is so easy just to pull up to McDonalds and get something really unhealthy. :blush5:


I also have not worked out since Monday! I get so tired during the week...it's pathetic. I could have at least gone once or twice but oh well I can't beat myself up over the "past." I just have to move forward.


But, I lost! Woohoo! So now I can only improve this week and hope to lose more.


Oh wait...Thanksgiving is coming up! That's a scary thought for someone trying to lose weight...I will make it work. I really will. Plus I can work it all off on Friday by going shopping!
 
Hey Ava! Thanks for the comments on my journal! And Congrats on Kissing the 160's a sweet farewell! You are right our Goals are really similar ( ages too :) and I know you will do awesome too!

Super pumped to keep an eye on your journal, It always helps when you know that you are not the only one in this position. And don't beat yourself up about missing workouts.. life happens just regroup and keep truckin'. Easier said than done I know... I am also my own worst critic/ enemy. This time around I'm trying to make a " lifestyle" change so eventually it won't be an effort.

I also LOOvvvee cooking and baking... If you like pumpkin and Dark chocolate ( 2 of my addictions) I have a wicked muffin/ bread recipe that doesn't use any oil/ butter. I just haven't figured out how to lose the sugar yet... I've been using sucanat which isn't as bad as refined sugar.


Hope you had fun shopping!


J.
 
Way to go AvaTea!

Congratulations on the weight loss! I admire your determination to get healthy now...trust me, it is never easy...but it is easier when you are young! I'm 51 now and I've always had to watch my weight...trouble is that in the past 10 years, I've watched it go up and didn't take the right steps to make it come down! All that changed about 5 months ago (1 June 2011) when my husband confronted me (good thing I love him and I know he loves me!) and I knew I had to change. At first I was mad, hurt, feeling sorry for myself ect...but I also had to get true to myself to know he was right...it would be better for my health and my overall well being. After 57 pounds (as of 1 November, since I only weigh once a month...I don't know how much more yet) and about 50 more pounds to go, it has been totally worth it...

So stay with it girl and several of us will be right here with you!
 
AWow, thank you both for such great replies!

House-it is SO inspiring to hear from someone who has made such a great change in their lives. It gives me hope that I can do the same good for myself. My age is kind of my motivation right now, I want to get things under control before it becomes a serious problem to my health. I only wish that my boyfriend was more like your husband. He tells me I'm perfect and don't need to lose a pound. It's sweet but frustrating. Good luck on the rest of your journey, can't wait to see you through to the finish!

Jumpy-first of all...I would LOVE that recipe!!! Those are two of my favorite things! And it sounds so delicious! My weekend was okay but very busy (why I failed to post!) I actually went to work out on Friday but as I was running I got really bad menstrual like cramps :( It happens sometimes and it was so bad that I left the gym. Ugh and then you know one of the worst parts of weight loss is "that time" each month. Lately my cravings have been crazy. So this weekend was a bit of a backslide.

But that made me think that I probably am not going to weigh during those weeks. Maybe I will do like House does and weigh in only once a month. Anyways, this is a new week and I am just going to jump right back on the horse. It's so nice to have someone in such a similar place. It's very motivating.

I honestly never want to see 160 again. My start has been a little bumpy but I've kept up with working out so far. I am so motivated. Another difficulty is dating a guy who can eat anything he wants and not gain an ounce grr so unfair haha. We spend a lot of time together so I admit his food choices definitely influence me...

Blah sorry if this was rambling! I'm posting from my phone!

Have great days you guys :)
 
Yikes, well Thanksgiving proved a challenge for me! Plus, I've been sick. I won't lie, I sort of stopped "caring." But now I am really regretting it. Last year I was told that I was "pre-diabetic" and since then I've gained 10-15 pounds. Thus, I feel as though I might actually be diabetic now which has me panicking. Ugh, but I think that really I just have to change my viewpoint. I just have to get done what needs to get done.


I am still not to the point of wanting to count all of my calories but perhaps it would be helpful to keep track of what I am eating, just so I can see.


Today I had sort of a big breakfast, 2 eggs with mushrooms, one very small pancake :)blush5:), later on as a snack I had a glass of OJ with 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed, and a cup of green tea. I love the addition of flaxseed in my diet, I used to include it religiously. However, for whatever reason I stopped but today I started it again. It makes me feel so full, tastes delicious (if you enjoy nutty things) and has so many health benefits (one of which is possibly helping to regulate blood sugar).


Once I am well enough again I plan to get to the gym. I feel a little better today, so hopefully tomorrow.


Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!


P.S. I don't think I plan on weighing myself for a few weeks. I think it will be good for my morale if I see a decent "drop."


:) Take care!
 
Still feeling under the weather today. However, yesterday I ended off decently having some soup and hot tea for dinner and a glass of orange juice with flaxseed before bed. I didn't even give into my boyfriend when he was eating fast food! It felt good to find some willpower :)


I also noticed this morning that I don't seem quite as "bloated" as I have before. My stomach seems to not stick out as much so that is exciting.


Anyways, I'll try and post more later on today. :) Take care guys
 
Sorry I had to come back sooner rather than later :)


I am very happy because I feel myself reaching a good place mentally about all of this. I now can recognize the difference between foods that make me feel good and foods that make me feel bad. This sounds so silly, right? I've been thinking a lot about this the last few days, when I "slipped." I started trying to pay attention to how bad foods made me feel as opposed to good foods. It was eye-opening to realize that I've really become "numb" to the physiological effects of bad food to the extent that I've become used to feeling bad, lethargic, unhealthy, bloated etc...


I've really been trying to meditate on this when I eat and it's really sticking with me right now. Anyways, just thought I'd share. :)


I have come to realize that my weight loss is not going to be a quick fix. It will probably be slow and gradual, but I am actually okay with that. I think that this will help me continue my lifestyle in the long run. In the past, the most I lost was probably about 20 pounds, and it all eventually came back because I didn't make a lifestyle change. So here is to REALLY changing myself!
 
Yikes well yesterday I did overall pretty good. I got back to the gym. Actually I felt myself really itching to get back there and my workout went pretty well. I did 2 miles on the treadmill going in intervals of sprinting and walking. The only bad part is today my throat hurts a lot more. :( But my mood yesterday was fantastic after working out so, meh. I actually felt extremely extremely happy.


Let's hope today goes good. too. i am feeling a lot better about myself as a whole and I can't wait to get this first 10lbs out of the way. :)
 
Hi congrats on the weight loss and determination :) i too am around your age (20) and weight (155) and have the same goal as to look good in a bikini cause lets all face it our mens eyes tend to wander a little and we well no i want to be that glance that guys steal, make sense? but i totally feel your pain when "that time" comes around because its just SO uncomfortable to just move so i become a slug and thats a big time when i fall off my weight loss wagon. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the worse cause thats when everyone makes THE most delicious foods and sometimes you cant help but to take more than one plate :( BUT i wish you the best in achieving your goals :D keep it up!
 
Ava, you're doing so great! I love your motivation! Hopefully it's addicting!


I've been battling a sore throat every morning for the past three days. It actually kept me from getting up and going to the gym this morning. I was afraid feeling yucky would make my workout not be as good. It's just never fun to workout when you feel bad. I'm hoping tomorrow will be better. Haven't been to the gym in two days so tomorrow is a must go. I also go to the YMCA!
 
Ugh, so sorry I haven't kept up this week. School has been kicking my butt! I had two huge papers due this week but thankfully both are DONE! And I don't know what has been up with me but I've been feeling really ill the past few days still. I think I am finally on the upswing, though. Thank you all for the replies! I promise to be more consistent here. It helps coming here because then I have to be more accountable.


I have not weighed myself and don't plan to for awhile. I know that it can't be good. It's the weirdest thing to me, people always tell me they think I'm so tiny and cant weigh much over 100lbs. I'm like wait what? I weigh about 60 pounds over that! I think it's because most of my weight is stored in my stomach area an I've become good at covering that up. It's just frustrating because I don't think my boyfriend takes me seriously when I say I need to lose weight. Blrr.


Today is going to be tough. We are going out with our friends to a bar this afternoon to watch football and basketball games. Of course that means beer, bar food, etc. I'm also desperately trying o save money so this doesn't help. I am not going to drink though, and stick to water, maybe an iced tea. Food is going to be tough....blah.


So I think I am going to go get a quick workout in right now and go again tomorrow. My stamina is slowly increasing, thank God! Hope you are all doing well!!!
 
AUgh. Okay, I have hit a new point. So I am still down those 2 lbs, but I have to face the fact that I am not trying my hardest. So starting right now I am tracking my calories. I need to start being accountable and stop making excuses. I plan to stay right around 1400 calories, definitely no more than 1500 and no less than 1200. My first experience with this has been shocking. I got a piece of pumpkin bread this morning...I looked it up and it is 390 calories...!? Wow I didn't even realize...blah. So here's to tracking...

Pumpkin bread and unsweetened green tea = 390 calories

[COLOR=FF00AA]Running Total: 390 Calories[/COLOR]

I'll update throughout the day

Edit: It is 2:30 pm now...I find that with this "counting" I am almost afraid to eat! I haven't had anything since I looked up the calories in that slice of pumpkin bread this morning. Eep.
 
Hey Ava,


One thing I like to do since I count calories is plan out what I'm going to eat for the day. It really helps me. That way I know what to look forward to. Also, don't think that just because your counting calories means you can't go out to eat. I tend to eat out a lot. Before I go, I make sure to check the nutritional info for the place I'm going. Burger King is probably the most frequented. I know terribly unhealthy! But I try to stick to chicken (the spicy one) and then I get it completely plain. I think it's about 300 cals when it's plain. Then I'll get either a small or value fry no salt. Rememeber to eat slowly, this will help you feel fuller, especially when eating smaller meals or snacks.


Also, have a go to snack you like, that when your between meals and you want something, you can have it. It won't ruin your day, but it won't make you starve either. I LOVE bread, so I buy this 35 cal per slice whole wheat bread. For a snack I'll toast it and add a little butter. It's 140 cals for two slices and butter. Not too bad. I also just picked up some nutrigrain fruit bars. Only 140 cals. Just some ideas.


I know calorie counting can be a bit intimidating, but once you get the hang of it it's not bad. I actually feel really free doing it. I can eat what I want, even if it means a brownie sundae from Burger King. As long as I have room in my calories for the day, it's ok! That's what I love most about it.


I hope the rest of your day went well, can't wait to here how you did! :)
 
Thanks Munch, that is really encouraging to hear! I love those ideas too. I guess it is one of those things where I automatically associate eating out with bad, terrible foods that are going to make me gain! I am having difficulty with food in my house, I live with my mother and my brother for the time being (I know, blah). And my mother doesn't really good food shopping, so I buy small amounts here and there when I can afford it. And then my brother eats it all :( Reason #876 why I can't wait to be able to afford a place on my own.


So I don't know what my exact count was yesterday but I didn't go over 1500, I know that. I had meat and veggies for lunch, and some soup for dinner. I could live off of soup I swear. I need to collect more recipes!


Today is a new day, and I promise myself to be more exact in my counting today. Tuesdays are always hard for me because lunch seems to be impossible to fit in...but I swear I will try today! Hope everyone else has a great day!
 
Hey Ava,

Sorry I havn't been around much lately...I've been traveling alot and didn't take alot of time to post. From the looks of it, you are doing great! Congratulations on getting back into the working out...it is so worth it isn't it?! When I was traveling on business for 2 weeks, I stayed in hotels that didn't have fitness centers and I really missed not doing the eliptical for 1 hr each day. Even though I walked on the streets for 45 min - 1 hr, it just wasn't the same. Amazing how much a routine we get used to!

I admire you and the other people on here for calorie counting..I havn't been able to do that yet, who knows one day I might get enough mo-jo to do that ..so far, I know what my stay away from foods are (high carbs and processed sugars) and I've been able to manage.


Stay at it girl and keep your eye on the prize...it is so worth it!
 
AHey Ava! Sounds like you have had a lot of " light bulbs " going off and are really becoming aware of how food/ exercise is affecting you ! That's awesome! As for counting calories.... I know it works but it has never worked for me for the sole reason that I become crazy obsessed with it and eat to little and the eat too much cause I'm starving. I have never been a numbers or math person though.... Maybe that's why... Or I could just be a bit of a head case lol! But on the otherhand it is good to familiarize yourself with the caloric energy in different foods ( I.e pumpkin bread which I am a sucker for too) so you know what your putting into your body. I think a bit of common sense, research and being aware of what your eating ( self awareness) works well too rather than calculating a bunch of numbers. Def a fan of food journals too but I've been known to censor mine when I mess up ( yes... Totally lying to myself.. I only had one cupcake not 2 right ?? Lol.) or just totally skip recording the write off days.... Thus killing and maiming the purpose if the journal!
Anyway ! Love reading your post your so posItive and enthusiastic I know you will do awesome!
 
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