Got to Do Better Weekly Weigh In

Aside

Well I probably shouldn’t do this but I am going to weigh in and re-take my measurements. I posted yesterday that I think the salt in the water softening system is keeping me bloated. It has been two solid weeks since I have had a drink of non bottled water.  I feel better at least. Here are the numbers, weight 146, bust 38, waist 35.5, hips 44, thighs 24. So far that’s two pounds lost and half an inch from bust, waist, and thighs.

Like I said in my last post ‘ Is the Salt in the Water Softener Keeping Me Fat?’, I have not been in the exercise room all week. I did keep my challenge promise to walk the dog every morning, and I have even walked her every night as well.  I have not been as strict about my eating, but have really increased my water intake, and ya know what?, a 16 oz bottle is easier to track how much I am getting every day. I lose track of how many glasses I filled and then the ice displaces some of the water, so it is not a true 8 oz glass of water.

In another older post ‘ Everything After 6 Sticks to Your Hips’, reminded me that eating at night is not the way to help your body burn fat. With the water thing, I am reminded that I was a city girl, and the water is highly chlorinated in some places. I always used bottled water as tap water made my stomach ache from the chemicals they use to clean it. Bottled water just works for me. I hate the bottles and will have to be ‘recycle’ conscious again, but its worth it.  Softened water is great for washing clothes and hair, but if you are salt sensitive like me, it can leave you feeling fat and frustrated.

So, I am feeling better and as always trying to fine tune the diet and exercise thing to my own body and needs. I have been eating better and earlier than before, doing smaller portions.  I will be in my workout room, checking out my Big Book of Exercises for Women that I bought last year.  Yeah, we all have those moments when we buy something and don’t use it, but at least I have read thru it and even marked some of the exercises that I want to try.

I think most of all you have to stay motivated thru the trials and errors. When I first lost my weight, I went to a gym, learned to use weights, and believe it or not the sales people were very upbeat and helped me keep motivated. When I said I was thinking of quitting one of the girls took me to the mirror and showed me where my shoulders were becoming more defined, my hips were smaller, and she simply said,” Don’t quit, your work is just beginning to show.” That little kindness sent me on my way from 208 lbs to 122 lbs. I was in the gym three mornings a week, and on my roller blades the other two.  I had a serious six-pack at 38 years old.

Now at 54 I am not saying I can be that small, or even want to.  Just happy, healthy, and pleased to be in my own skin. Just like then, it took time to learn the routines and put in some effort. It will be no less challenging now than it was when I started, but ya know what, I am starting with a much stronger core body than back then. That’s encouragement all by itself.  See ya next Sunday.

Is It the Salt in the Water Purifier?

Aside

This week has been strange, as I have not really kept to my diet or done any regular exercise. I have come to the conclusion that our water softener is keeping me fat. Well, bloated at least. After all, we put 40 lbs of salt tablets in it about every 15 days. I have magically lost a pound, my clothes are loose and really I have not done anything consistent this week, except drink some bottled water we purchased last week while we were away.

In my last post, I said that I had missed a regular post as I was away, without internet, helping out family. Much of the water in Florida is hard, has a sulfur smell, and I just can’t drink it. Knowing this is the case at this family members home, I bought a case of water, because I laid off soda and coffee for my diet.
No big deal, I went thru the case and got 2 more, since they were on sale. We get home and I put a bunch of them in the fridge, since I spent money on them, I have been drinking only the bottled water instead of softened tap water, using it only to cook with and for coffee.

I first noticed it on Wednesday, I had an interview,slipped on some pantyhose and didn’t feel like a stuffed sausage. I tried on a dress and what a babe! My curves are really showing without looking like a prostitute! This dress had been a bit too tight and is a size 12, I just bought a 14 in the same style to replace it with. I know that I wowed them at the interview, the manager actually stuttered his own name when we met!

I had bought a new swimsuit, size 14, the week before we went away. Even though we were only steps from a secluded beach, I only got to wear it once on Saturday after I had finished with the family stuff.  It is a swim dress style, fit very well, and hid my thighs and butt, so I was not too self-conscious on the beach.  This week, yesterday in fact, we went to New Smyrna Beach and I wore the suit. I spent the entire day pulling it up, re-tying the straps, it is too big all  of a sudden. This morning I put on some shorts, size 12, and they are loose too.

So, I jumped on the scale. Only a pound? But I feel so…svelte. I think that is French for thin. Then I get to thinking about the water thing. Could it be? I have been struggling for two years thinking I am going crazy about this 20 pounds. All the while my jean size has gone up and up.The worst part is, I know I am salt sensitive. I always pass up the very salted stuff, never use it at the table, because the least bit makes my fingers swell. My rings! I just thought about them, I have not been able to wear them, they are too tight.Here I think I am getting fat, killing myself to eat just right, taking vitamins, supplements, always active…my rings fit, size 4…maybe my watch will fit again too….yes it does.

Well I admit that I have not stuck to my diet, nor been in the exercise room all week, but sometimes just knowing your own body is the best way to start and keep to a healthy lifestyle. I guess it is time to do a little research about water that goes thru a salt softening system. I am no scientist, but I know how I feel and I like what I see in the mirror. I will let you know what I find.

Jinny’s story

Jinny’s story.

A Challenge to Myself

Aside

Ok, I really have to get this diet and exercise thing on a roll. I missed posting last week as I was away helping out a family member. It seemed like I was always on the go, never getting more than two quick meals per day, and I did get a case of water into me. But still I managed to gain two pounds. It was over 90 degrees everyday, I had to keep the dog on the leash and walk her several times a day. I mean where did two pounds come from?

Stress. As I understand it, one of the hormones that is produced when you are stressed out causes you to retain weight.My husband is handicapped, so when we go off on an excursion I have to do it all. All the packing, loading luggage, driving, unpacking, walking the dog, make his meals, plus the work I did for the family while I was there. I missed a class while away, the hotel promised internet and then I could not connect all week. Cant check the bank account, talk with other family, or write my post. Still it’s that two pounds that really bugs me.

My post was supposed to be about what my plan was to get going on my diet/exercise program. I was going to post my stats and lay out my plan to loose 20 lousy pounds…now its 22! This is where the challenge part comes in. Since I have been doing a lot of extra walking I am going to keep it up, hope the dog enjoys it!  Here are my numbers weight 148, height 5ft2in, bust 38.5, waist 36, hips 44, thighs 24.5. I am putting this ‘out there’ to help me be accountable, but I also see it a a motivating opportunity.  I will work on a before picture to post next week. That ought to scare you, the very thought scares me!

My diet plan is not extreme at all, increase lean protein while cutting or eliminating salt, sugar, and fat. Decreasing all portions by 25%, increasing activity by 25%  to start. I has been awhile since I really worked out with weights so I want to be careful not to get hurt. I have an eliptical/ bike, weight bench, hand weights, and a weighted bar. I love to rollerblade, so once I get stretched out, I hope to get back to that also. That is where the walking will really come in handy, it helps you with your breathing, which for me is so important, as I have exercise induced asthma.

Going back to the stress thing, I didnt know I was stressed, because I help my husband everyday, I just feel busy all the time. But the body registers it differently I guess, and at this age it is showing up on my body. I feel that this is an important thing I am doing for myself in so many ways. We all know that exercise is a great way to reduce stress, but putting that plan into action is difficult when life moves so fast sometimes. I would love to hear how you cope with stress, and any diet or exercise tips that have worked for you. Maybe a couple of recipes too!

Not a Diet, A Lifestyle

Yes, all overweight people have heard that one.  Eating healthy has come a long way. No longer restricted to carrot sticks and celery, dieters have a many more choices from online menu’s to packaged meals that are delivered to you by mail. Heck, you can even have real Chef prepare meals and deliver them in some places. But, most of us are fighting the battle of the budget, as well as the bulge.

In Florida, something is always ‘in season’. Road side stands with fresh strawberry’s, peaches,tomatoes, corn and beans are not hard to find, and with the competition among local farmers, nicely priced. Every place has its ‘season’, and if you have a local farmers market it is the best way to begin your quest for fresh produce. Generally the markets run from late spring into fall, that covers 4-6 months of fresh food. Check your Sunday paper in the local section for days, location, and times for your market.

Out of season requires a little more planning, and for me, coupons. Yes I use them, and yes, sometimes its  a pain, making sure you get what the coupon specifies, etc. Extra time at the register, the glaring looks of the customer behind you.  But when I sit down with the family at mealtime and I average out the cost per portion, that’s where I can see the real advantage of coupons. If we eat it or use it, I try to find a coupon for it. Especially soap, toothpaste, and other items that we don’t eat, but do use everyday. Saving on these items means more money for real food, and better food.( When I went to purchase a car, I had a $500 coupon, and they honored it!)

Eating healthy is not the chore it used to be. The variety of fresh food available at the local level, frozen section in the stores, and other delivery methods make it a lot easier to eat right.  Shopping sales and using coupons will help keep you on budget. It does take an effort in planning , but well worth it to keep you on track to ‘not another diet, but a lifestyle’ of healthy eating.