Food consumption:
8:30am : Toasted cereal with berries, and almond milk.
10:30am: A few "thin" ritz crackers (100 calorie bag, and I've eaten maybe a 5th!)
12:00pm: Lentil chili and blue corn organic nachos
3:30pm: small piece of leftover baked chicken
7:30pm: soup and toast
32 oz of water throughout the day
Exercise
Resistance training with my PT - 1 hour
20 minute walking on treadmill at 3.5 miles/hr and 5 incline
5 minutes on rowing machine (THEY HAVE A GAME!! It's so neat...but stops a 5 minutes)
Stretching
Today was a really fabulous day. It's been a long time where I had a day that I felt absolutely happy. I feel motivated and satisfied with my work thus far! I want to continue keeping on track with my weight loss goals.
I think this feeling of happiness and contentment comes from having a fabulous 1hr session with my PT. I told her about my disappointment with my assessment on wed. I mentioned to her that I'm getting hung up on the number of pounds loss (or not losing!) rather than on focusing on how my body feels. And she gave me some great advice. She told me that healthy weight loss is a slow process, and that I'm doing great. She also mentioned that I'm in the first phase of the program which is building me a foundation, so that I can complete the exercises correctly, and to train my body on what to do. This phase isn't about seeing drastic weight loss, but on toning, and developing the routine...which is good to know! She also mentioned that it's very important for me to include cardio into my routine outside of our appointments. I mentioned to her that I would like to build on my running, and she gave me some great pointers.
She mentioned that I can start off doing intervals, but that I should also try to incorporate stamina building, where I set a time, level, and complete it.
I also mentioned to her that sometimes I don't know if the discomfort I have in my lower back is due to my surgeries and endometriosis, or just natural weakness...I was really impressed that she made an effort today to get me to do back stretches during my workout. I know it's simple stuff, but it makes me feel good that she's looking out for me, and wants to make sure that I have as few barriers in my way to complete my goals. It's also good for me to know that she knows weight loss is a crucial thing for me, and while she was always there to help me lose weight, she'll be even more focused on pushing me to meet my goals!
I have to say that I love the gym I go to. I've always been the type of person to avoid gyms because I thought people would laugh, or make comments about a chubby person being in a shrine to fitness...but this gym is different! It's a women only gym, and women of every age, ethnicity, shape and size go there! Every time I go in, someone says hello to me, asks me how I'm doing, and they know my name! I'll be working out and they'll come over and tell me I'm doing a great job! it's fantastic!
(If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a super smushy fuzzy kind of gal! I love niceness, happiness, and being told positive things! I also like to tell people they're doing well, and motivate them (you may have noticed by the over enthusiastic posts I've been leaving! But it works both ways! I find that it's a lot easier for me to suggest tips for people than to do them! I also find it's easier to motivate people, see the good things in their lives, and to tell them how awesome they are - than for me to tell myself that. But by doing all that for other people, it impacts me and how I feel about myself! I'm slowly learning to tell myself how great I am, and to appreciate myself for the awesomeness that I am!
I also was able to go out to a local farm and purchase organic local veggies and free range meats. I was surprised that they were equal to the amount I would spend normally at the store for meat and produce! I'm excited to see how they impact how I feel! I have heard the switching to truly organic produce can make you feel wonderful - although it does take time for the toxins/chemicals to leave your body!
This farm is a fantastic place! You can order weekly produce boxes from them, and they deliver it! I have signed up, and have added 7 grain organic bread, and a selection of protein (which changes weekly) to my box! When I add it all up- it's cheaper than my regular grocery bill!! I'm very pleased! Plus it's doing something great for our ecosystem by lowering my carbon foot print, and it's supporting local businesses!
So all in all today has been a great day! I have a long weekend filled with work...and while i should feel icky about that, I'm happy that I'm prepared to sit down, knock a few things off my list, and be productive!
I was walking home today when I thought of something that I wanted to post on here, and ask other people...
Have you noticed there are things you're doing now, (now that you've started your weight loss plan, and/or lost weight), that you would never do before?
I made a list of things I'm happy to say that I now do
- Change in front of people at the gym. Today was the first day I walked into the locker room and just said, "eh! I rock!" and got changed! Normally I would squirrel up my clothes and head to a private room to change...I feel I am slowly become more confident with my body!
- I look in the mirrors more while I work out. I remember when I first started, I would avoid looking at myself at all costs...but I'm slowly looking at myself while I work out. I know this is important, as it helps you maintain form- but I use to (and still am) so ashamed of my body
- I smile at cute boys- and they smile back!!
- I actively seek out social events! And I attend the ones I'm invited too!!! (And I look forward to them!)
- I try on clothes and I tell myself "damn girl, work it!"
Being able to do these things has made me feel so good!!
Although, I am still quite disheartened and embarrassed about how I look..but it will come. It's a journey! It's slowly fading as I realize that I should be proud to want to make these changes, and to work towards a goal!
I have a picture that I very much want to post, but I must say, I think I'm still too shy. I'm not sure if anyone else can relate, but I feel like people won't "like" me, or will treat me differently when they seem my body shape...I have to get over it.
*breath*
I will post my before picture...ONLY because it will be great to see how much progress I've made towards being happy, and targeting those things that I don't like about myself (MY ARMS!!!)..... I know I don't HAVE to say this...but no judging or laughing >.<
...this is the FIRST time I've posted a body picture on the internet!! *scary*
I hold a lot of my weight in my chest and arms...I dunno why, but it seems that fat is pulled to my arms...it must be gravity!! hehe
So, I'm posting this picture- as this is a huge step for me in accepting and being proud of my body!!!
YAY!!!!
, don't go for that crappy counting calories to the point of madness type diet, steady weight loss is better than crash dieting! Hope I've helped a little 
