Sarah's got her groove back!

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Of course Sarah! We may be cyber friends, but friends nonetheless!


I'm struggling with my motivation as always. It's so hard for me to motivate myself to exercise. Of course, it doesn't help that it's freezing outside, so running is hit or miss depending on the temperature outside. As far as weighttraining, I've been slacking. Planning to get back on track tonight.


Here's to another week! :):beerchug:
 
Yes Munch..I like the sound of cyber friends! Just imagine you are on your way to your honeymoon in 2 week and you really want to rock that bikini...and other things! that might get you motivated at least for a day!


Today, got up and di the normal routine of 60 minutes on the elliptical for 878 cal. I cranked it up to 16 on the resistence this month and it's really tougher than 15...at least at the beginning of the month!


Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, sauteed chicken, stirfried eggplant

Lunch: sauteed ground beef, fried rice and chinese veggies

Dinner: hot green tea


Today in the fitness center I spoke with a friend of mine who's also overweight. She came to me and wanted to know what I'm doing to lose weight. She told me her husband said "just do whatever Sarah is doing" . So I told her my simple rules and exercise program...I don't know if it will work for her or if she is really interested...but I've done my part...if she wants help I'll help her, but as we all know...weightloss is an "inside job"!


Have a great Tuesday ya'll!
 
its great that you can give advice to others and people notice you hard work! You are right weightloss is an inside job. you need to be in the right head space, have the positivity that we can achieve it, and a sense of worth about ourselves that we deserve it! for me Im working on these things and it helps a lot. You have lost an amazing amount of weight so far, really amazing!
 
Thanks Tink for stopping by. Sometimes I feel OK about being asked "how much I've lost and how are your doing it" etc...other times I just want to crawl in a hole...depends on my mood I guess and the context. I'm not sure I would like it if my husband told me to do what another woman is doing...as well meaning as that is, it would not make me feel good.


Today, got up and did the 60 on the elliptical for 904 cal...that 16 resistance is a killer!

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, sauteed green beans, cubed chicken, sweet n sour pork, leafy green vegetable and walnut, cranberreis and cheese

Lunch" boiled chicken, chinese veggeis, fried rice and 1 banana

Dinner: hot green tea.


This is a day when my body feels slimmer (or hungry, not sure which) but when I look in the mirror, all I see is the fat that is left...strange how my mind can play tricks on me! When I took off my work slacks today (some of the new bunch from the tailor that fit great), and put them on the hanger and didn't seem like my pants..too small..but I just took them off and they fit great! Another case of my eyes not adjusting to the new me yet! I'll get there...but some real mind games going on in my brain today! Oh well...tomorrow's another day!

Sarah
 
It's so true about the mind's ability to play tricks on us. Keep noticing the areas that haven't shed as much weight as the others when I look in the mirror and there are days when my mind is convinced that I've done nothing other than eat and still find myself feeling hungry.


Those are usually a good day to try on some of the clothes that were previously too tight that now won't stay on without being taped/stapled/glued.


Have been wondering if you've ever tried any HIIT (High intensity interval training) with the elliptical to throw a couple new curve balls into your workout. Might be something to try out on a Saturday workout or some day if you happen to be running late.
 
I too still "think like a fat boy" Even though I am 65lbs lighter than I was at my heaviest. I catch myself dreading flying because I would be so cramped when in reality it wouldnt be near as bad at my current weight. I still avoid clothes that are not loose
 
Hey feelinggooder, no I've never even heard of an HIIT, much less try it! Tell me more! I'll try it on the weekend...sight unseen! Brawny, I know exactly what you mean about flying. I have to do a fair amout of it and in my job right now I qualify for business class...this time last year I had to...I was very uncomfortable in coach (for lots of reasons!) and flying such a long distance (China to anywhere takes a long time!), but I dreaded taking the flights internal to China (no business class allowed for a flight from Shenyang to Shanghai it's a 2.5 hr flight...crammed in like sardines...can get quite uncomfortable and I would always have to ask for a seatbelt extender. Now, the seatbelt fits and I can stay on myside of the armrest. I still prefer business class...don't get me wrong...but for my personal travel (going to Hawaii for example), we went coach and I was just fine (7 hours on a flight is long...coach or business!)


Today, I was late getting up so I only did 45 min on the elliptical and can't remember now how many calories...I had to force myself today..just didn't have much energy. but I did it!

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs, sauteed chicken & chillies (it was a light your fire kind of breakfast!), chinese veggetables and walnut, cheese and dried cranberries

Lunch: boiled chicken, chinese veggies, fried rice, 1 banana

Dinner: another visitor entertaining dinner...a little bit of everything with orange juice to toast with...glad tomorrow's Friday!


Have a great international woman's day ya'll!

Sarah
 
Hey Sarah,

HIIT is all about intensity and recovery where you up the intensity for a short duration and then follow it with a longer period of lower intensity where you recover. I tried it on the exercise bike the other night with 30 seconds of maximum speed pedalling followed by 60 seconds relaxed to recover and repeat a bunch of times.


From a few of the articles I've read it sounds like it helps get more out of shorter workouts. Would be interested to know how it goes if you do give it a shot.
 
Hey Feelinggooder, Thanks for the tip on the HIIT..I'll check it and and give it a try this weekend..probably not tomorrow, more like Sunday.


Today, I did the 60 min on the elliptical (hard to give that thing up since I've seen results with it..almost makes me superstitious now to do something different!)

Breakfast: sauteed eggplant, 2 fried eggs, sauteed chicken & chillis, walnuts, cheese and cranberries mix

Lunch: boiled chicken, chinese veggies, fried rice 1 banana

Dinner: lettuce with balsamic vinager and some sauteed salmon and brocholi with feta cheese salad. (after 6, but I just wanted something special on a Friday night..not heavy, just something different than my normal green tea!)

Have a great weekend ya'll!
 
Hey Sarah,


One of the things I like about HIIT is that you don't have to switch exercises to learning a totally new machine as you can use it to mix up the training on something you really love. Surprising how much harder it feels when you start going at max speed for a short time and then trying to recover and do it all over again.


Your meals and workout look yummy as always. Good luck with the weekend workouts.
 
Feelinggooder is right Sarah, you don't have to switch to a different machine if you don't want to. I think doing HIIT on the eliptical would definitely give you a good boost. I've read many fitness articles that state HIIT workout (sometimes called interval training) are more beneficial than steady state cardio. So if you work it really hard on the intervals for 30 minutes, you'll continue to burn mad amounts of calories even after your done working out. That would mean more sleep time for you in the mornings!


I'd say give it a try, it might be just what your looking for. :)
 
AHeya Sarah :)

I can't believe it has been nearly 2 weeks since i've written on your diary :eek: I am so so sorry for neglecting you :( When i came back from my long weekend break i saw that you had like 17 posts to read and i just didn't seem to get the time to go thru them. Then i had a really bad week this week and struggled to keep up with anyones diary as i was wallowing in self pity. Again, i am so sorry.

Anyway, i have made a cuppa tea and i am going to make my way thru and like before, comment as i go along.......this might take some time!!

:hurray: :hurray: Well done on this months weight loss. 76lb is an amazing amount of weight!!!! So so proud of you sweetie :) I too, keep thinking about what i still have to lose rather than how much i have already lost. I think if we think more about how well we HAVE done already then we wouldn't be so hard on ourselves.

I didn't realise that you didn't weigh for the first 3 months!!!!! WOW!!! I don't know how you manage to only weigh once a month let alone not weigh for three months!! That is so awesome and really shows your dedication. I weigh on my bathroom scales, and have a little conversation with them, every morning. My offical weigh in is on my Wii on a sunday (unless i have had an ultra shit week like this week, then i dont weigh)
Reading what you do on your 'diet' has made me realise that i have really slipped recently, I am definately not as strict with myself as i was for the first few months. Oooooh, this has really given me a kick up the bum to get my lazy arse back at working hard rather than just plodding alone. Thank you sweetie, You always manage to give my motivation a good kick :)

That's awesome that your friends husband has noticed how awesome you are doing and has advised her to just do what you do :) Like you though i think i would be gutted if Mark said that to me lol.

I always look in the mirror and see what fat i still have left too. Why are we like that???? It doesn't make sence does it. look at how much weight we have lost and we stand there and pick on what we are now. I really have to look at myself sternly in the mirror and tell myself that i am being to picky (well, that's what Mark tells me to do as he can't understand how i am still not happy with how i am).
I still expect clothes to not fit for some stupid reason every bloody day!!! Especially my new sized jeans. It's like my brain is convinced that one day i will wake up and......pow....i'm back to the size i was. We will get there mentally one day sweetie, one day.
Brawny said that he still 'thinks like a fat boy' and i am totally the same. On my weekend away i went to a theme park with my bro and his family and the kids dragged me on all the rides. I seriously went into panic mode to start with thinking 'oh god, i'm not gonna get my fat arse in that seat' or 'the safety bar wont lock cos i'm too fat' which is why i would never do these things before but it was very liberating to see that none of it happened :) And i had such a blast being a total child for the day!!!

I've heard that interval training is really good for burning manic amounts of calories :) I might give it a go too.

Wow!! I have finally got to the end :) I promise i wont leave it so long again. I really think the reason i have been slack with my food and exercise has alot to do with being slack on keeping up with diaries.
I am gonna be a good girl from now on and keep up.

Sending you lots of love and hugs sweetie Xxx :grouphug:
 
Thanks Feelinggooder, Munch and Katehunibun! I love this forum for just the reasons I read above...lots of good people, doing the same thing I'm doing, none of us perfect, and all of us supporting each other! Thank you all so much! Feelinggooder & Munch, I'll definately try one of the HIIT...my legs are burning just thinking about it! I hadn't thought about using it to up the anti on days I get down there late...duhhh...I should have thought of that! Thanks so much! Kate, what are you talking about girl..you are the one who motivates me!


Today, I got up, feeling kind of sluggish (that time of them month...seems like a go from menapause to not menopause...I wish my body and hormones would make up their mind!) I cranked out my normal 60 min on the elliptical for 878 cal then cranked out 60 situps on the incline board, then some free weights and 5 min on the rowing machine). Not my normal crank it up weekend workout, but enough for today!

Breakfast, I had sweet & sour chicken, sauteed kale and 2 fried eggs and walnuts, cheese and cranberries mix.

Going out for a combo lunch dinner today at a Chinese bbq...my husband has eaten there and tells me it's good...we'll see!


Today I thought I would take a look back at the 31 questions I first posted and see if I would have any different answers...here is my update after 4 months in blue:


1. What is your current height and weight?[/b]
5'7", 211lbs as of 1 Nov 2011, 5'7 193 lbs as of 1 Mar 2012
2. If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be?[/b]
150 lbs; 143 lbs
3. At what weight would you like to be at four months from now?
180 (looks like I didn't make that goal from Nov to March!; 4 months from now, so at the rate now, I'm going for 175lbs by July 2012
4. Why do you want to lose weight?[/b]
To look good, avoid diabetes which runs in my family and get back in shape I was before entering basic training. same
5. Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event?[/b]
Not really, but I do have a family reunion in May 2012 that would be a good surprise for my family! same
6. What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals?[/b]
Business trips. same
7. Why do you think that you now have a weight problem?[/b]
Clothes are too big and the mirror doesn't lie! I don't look good and not in as good of physical shape as I used to. BMI scale says I'm obsese and it's right. BMI and the way I look naked in the mirror.
8. What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight?[/b]
Keeping the workout schedule, no deserts, no softdrinks...and keeping the routine during business trips.same
9. Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight?[/b]
I've lost alot of weight over my lifetime...when I was in the Active Army Reserve, I had a weigh in each month (always seemed to be on the weight control program :-(). Typically exercised and had to always be on a "diet" (no sweets etc...but always "rewarded myself" after the weighin). same, now on this journey, I've lost more weight than I ever have in my life. My 5 rules are tried and true...and I must be true to them.
10. Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back?[/b]
To easy to eat the "feel good" food. Food has always been a comfort for me. same, so now my rewards are not food based!
11. What, if anything, has not worked for you in the past in helping you to lose weight? Why do you think it did not work?[/b]
Counting calories...too complicated and my husband does all the cooking, and he's not willing to do this.same
12. Would you try writing down all food and drink consumed for a given period of time?[/b]
Yes, but I don't like this. Yes, still don't like counting calories, but now don't mind recording food consumed...not embarrased by it now!
13. Do you cook at home often? If so, what do you cook?[/b]
No, my husband cooks...we eat here in a hotel (home) for breakfast, then he fixes me lunch (left overs from weekend restaurant food), then no dinner.same
14. How often do you go out to eat? Where do you go?
Typically once per weekend.same
15. What are your three favorite foods?
Steak, potatoes, but also like Chinese food same
16. What are your three favorite restaurants?[/b]
Local Chinese restaurant, any good US steak house, same
17. What are three things you can do differently when it comes to food?[/b]
Not overeat. Drink lots of water during the day. same
18. If you woke up tomorrow and your body was exactly the way you want it, what would be different?[/b]
I would weigh 60lb's ( less hips, less belly). I would have less butt and less belly and bigger boobs!
19. Do you eat when you are not hungry?
Sometimes. same
20. Do you binge eat (large amounts at a time)?
not typically, but when I do, it's a "reward" for sacrifices in the past! same
21. Do you hide your food or eat in secret?
No.same
22. Do you eat when you are sad, nervous, or depressed?
Yes.same
23. Do you eat as a reward?
Yes...same
24. Do you eat while watching TV or using the computer?
No, except in the office at work.same
25. What do you normally eat for a meal?
chinese veggies, rice, meat.same
26. What type of snacks do you eat?
walnuts, almonds, dried fruits.same
27. In terms of exercise, what, if anything, are you currently doing?[/b]
1 hr elipitcal same
28. Where do you go for exercise? A local public gym? School/work gym? Home?[/b]
fitness center in hotel same
29. What, if anything, are your three favorite types of exercise?[/b]
walking on treadmill, rowing (to stretch my back after walking on treadmill), eliptical same and now have added some running
30. What is your daily/weekly/monthly/yearly motivation to move towards your goals?[/b]
The number on the scale. Clothes feeling looser than they did last week. Taking clothes to be taken up! same

31. Do you have rewards for certain goals?[/b]

Buying new clothes! same
 
"I love this forum for just the reasons I read above...lots of good people, doing the same thing I'm doing, none of us perfect, and all of us supporting each other!"

Hear, hear Sarah! I agree whole-heartedly! I don't know where I'd be without it. It's like we have our own personal cheer squad. We are one another's cheer squad.

You're keeping up the good work Sarah & it's interesting to re-visit your reasons for losing weight. It's time I re-read some of my earlier posts too I think. Thanks for visiting my diary today. I needed a bit of a boost after my visit today with my Mum & our YS. Mum seemed to have really slipped mentally & my YS was really down. I feel like having a good cry but will get in my gardening gear I think & go attack a wayward plant or 2!

Cheers, Cate
 
I have read that the HIIT thing is good too, interval training to push your fitness levels up, i have read its much better to do that then go at the same intensity for a long time. Harder to do thought I think!!


as for thinking your bigger than you are, I have read that your mind takes a while to catch up with your body! so even though you have lost, you may still see yourself as the same size and it may even be hard to let go of your old size and accept the new you! I think when we gain or loose weight, we take time adjusting to it., before it feels normal.


I like the forum for those reasons too, and I like that it promotes healthy weightloss and exercise lifestyle, rather than a fad diet quick fix!
 
Thanks Cate and Tink for stopping by as usual! Cate, I will say a prayer for your sister and your Mum...and perhaps your instincts are right...a good cry may be in order! Tink you are so right...my mind is definitly not with my body sometimes...seems like here lately...not often!

Caution Rant follows: :rant: I've really had a strange weekend...and it's not over yet! Yesterday, everything started out just fine..did my exercise, had my breakfast, rested in the recliner and even though I really didn't want to go out, my husband had made "reservations" to eat at a Chinese buffet, so we went...what a fiasco! LH (lovely husband...thanks Cate!) really wanted to take me out, so I went...well, we got to the place, thinking we had reservations at 2:00, and only to find out that just meant we were to show up and two and get in line...and what a line there was. We can't read mandarin well enough to know exactly what the printout said, and had trusted someone to tell us in their best english that we just needed to be there at 2:00 and be seated to eat...so we were there with these expectations! I can speak and understand a little...but not enough to hold up my side of an argument well! :argue: We just assumed that we would show up at 2:00pm and walk in...wrong!! To make a long story short, we didn't stay, both of us lost our tempers (rare for me I might add...not so rare for my husband) and we didn't eat...we came back to the hotel, I changed clothes back into my "slouchers" and tried to relax. I wanted to "eat at it"...and make myself feel better...but thankfully, I fought off that urge (progress for me!) :ack2:

I felt bad about losing my temper...it's not normal for me and the young guy at the restaurant didn't deserve to be yelled at..:reddevil:.it's not his fault we don't quite understand how this system works, nor can we express ourselves...so "Evil Sarah" left to come home. After an afternoon of feeling strange and guilty, we went up stairs here in the hotel to have some salad and I came back downstairs to try to relax in the comfort of our apartment. :confused: I went to bed and felt a cold coming on...and sure enough this morning, I have the scratchy throat, the runny nose the whole bit. Karma's a bitch! :drooling: I didn't exercise yet today...just in a pissy mood! I'm sure it will pass and I'll do my exercise later on this afternoon...and feel better I'm sure! I think we might be hitting a 2 year wall...:banghead: 2 years living here in China...most of the time we're just fine with it...but sometimes we hit our limit (example yesterday)...Maybe a little retail therapy is in order today, or maybe the business trip to Europe next weekend will be just the break I need (not sure what LH will do though!) Today, the sun is shining, it's cold out and life will hit me full blast tomorrow at work...so I'm trying to get back into the blessings of a full day off...and enjoy myself...minute by minute, hour by hour!


Thanks for listening to my rant and letting me vent...feels much better to get it out in the open to people I' m sure will understand that I'm not perfect...not a role model every day and just trying to stay sane some days and staying true to myself to lose the weight and get through menopause...damn...when I read what I've just written,...maybe better to become a hermit for a few days...not sure anywhere is safe with me right now!! Argh....!

:willy_nilly:

Sarah
 
Sarah, That's what we are- normal! Normal people are not perfect people. There is no such thing. Seems like it's the week-end for it. I haven't had a cry, but am feeling much better after doing some voluntary bar work at my LH's golf club. I also walked around the golf course with him for a while. I knew I would be better with company.

Tomorrow is another day! Let's put it behind us & move forward. Life is mostly good. Cheers, xo Cate
 
AHeya Sarah :)

I totally understand your rant! Totally. I hope this is of help, i have found some days i have been totally irrational and screamed at people for the stupidest things and couldn't understand why...and then a few days later i have developed a cold or come down with some kind of illness and i always think 'aahh that explains it' and i'm quite relieved that i haven't turned into psycho woman :). So.....This is probably what happened with you too. We all do just have days, weeks like that and Cate is right (as always) tomorrow is another day. I know it is hard dealing with things at the time but you're an amazingly strong awesome woman. You'll be all good again before you know it.

I'm glad you had a good rant, i know that for me letting it all out makes me feel so much better and then getting comments of support and understanding is such a comfort :)

Sending you big squishy hugs :grouphug:
 
Thank you Cate and Kate...just what the doctor ordered! :grouphug: Squishy hugs right back! Some comforting words and assurance that I have not gone totally berzerk! (or however you spell it...you get the picture!). I got out and did some walking and retail therapy (got a new iphone...been wanting one for a long time..and finally decided today was the day). That kept my occupied for the rest of the afternoon, then I went downstairs and did my exercise...cold is still here in full force, but I just kept drinking water trying to sweat it out! Wasn't up for any HIIT today...I had enough High Intensity something yesterday! Maybe one day this week when I'm running late.


I also got a big dose of reality today...a friend and colleague of mine slipped and fell on the ice here and broke his leg in 2 places...he's in the hospital and waiting on the swelling to go down..the Chinese doc's will operate to get it pinned back together...i'm grateful today that is not me...and made me think of my cyber friend on here "oldschool" on here who also had a bout with the ice. So, Sarah (speaking to myself!)...better get and stay grateful...life is good...you find what you're looking for...so better look for the good! Afterall, tomorrow's Monday and as Scarlet O'hara said "Tomorrow's another day"!


Thanks everyone...back on track now!

:driving:

Sarah
 
Well just have to say, the cold I caught over the weekend kicked my butt today...so much that i didn't go to work or exercise (and just so that you know..I've been working at my company for almost 25 years, and 24 of those years have been perfect attendance...so you know I didn't feel good at all...didn't sleep well, couldn't breath, sore neck, sore shoulder, achy...). I've got that achy feeling all over, low grade fever etc...so needless to say I didn't complicate matters by trying to exercise. I didn't even get out of the apartment today.

Have been drinking alot of water and hot tea...hopefully be back at it tomorrow. Good thing is, I didn't spread it around and as far as I know, you can't catch this over the internet!


Sarah
 
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