As you may or may not know, I recently lost thirty pounds. Yay me! The fact remains, however, that I still have quite a bit to lose before I reach a healthy weight. And I'm certainly not going to accomplish this sitting on my butt playing on the computer. Fear not, my lovely fans, I will not abandon you or this blog. I may have to cut back on Facebook time, but hey, don't we all need to cut back on our Facebook time?
Since the scale hasn't dipped past the original thirty pounds lost marker in about forty five days I know it's time to go back to the basics: easting less, and healthier, and moving more.
Because the scale also hasn't gone up (again, yay me!) I took a vacation from the low-carb diet I'd been on and allowed myself to indulge, occasionally, in some not so low carb choices. The indulgence was infrequent, and I tried to balance it with workouts, but this only allowed me to maintain the new weight I'd achieved. Now I must get back on the losing plan.
I'm using the start of the new month as a launching pad; new month, new plan for weight loss. I'm especially motivated to lose twenty pounds over the next four weeks, as I will be leaving for my highly anticipated New York spring fling in just twenty eight days, and I hope to put a slimmer me on that plane the day of departure.
Twenty pounds is a lot for this timeframe, I know. But with some dedication to daily exercise, a new commitment to omitting starchy carbs from my meals, and a ton of determination, I know I can do it. After all, I've already proven that it can be done once.
This time, I also have the added bonus of having a friend join me on this crazy adventure. I consider this a bonus because having someone to partner with makes me accountable to someone other than myself, and that helps keep me on track. Hopefully, it will do the same for her.
The trick is to remind myself of why I'm doing this, especially during times of weakness. I must not focus on those things I shouldn't eat, but rather should relish those things that will help me achieve my weight loss and fitness goals. And most importantly, I must not tell myself I can't eat something, but rather that I don't want to eat it. After all, "nothing tastes as good as thin!" (and by thin, I actually mean fit and healthy!!)
Here's to tackling twenty pounds!
Share
Showing posts with label Plus-sized. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Plus-sized. Show all posts
Tackling Twenty Pounds
Posted in Atkins, Bike riding, Change, Cycling, Diet, Dieting, Exercise, Food addiction, Goals, Jogging, Low Carb, Overweight, Plus-sized, Resolutions, Running, salad, Shape Ups, Strength, Weight loss on by
Rules of Dieting
Posted in Cooking, Cycling, Diet, Dieting, Exercise, Food addiction, Goals, Growth, inner-beauty, inner-strength, Jogging, Low Carb, Overweight, Plus-sized, Resolutions, Running, Sports, Weight loss, Women on by
I should make clear, right up front, that I am not a nutritionist. Nor a doctor. Nor an expert of any kind. So when I tell you today's post is about the rules of dieting, please note they are my rules.
My blog, my rules.
I'm not great with rules. I'm the first to admit that. So I guess you could say these are more things I've learned on my ongoing weight loss journey and less rules. Besides, rules tend to make us not want to follow them. It's the rebel in us all. I get that. So fine. We won't call these "rules". We can call them "guidelines." Whatever works, right?
Anyway, whatever you decide to call them, here are Dyana's Rules of Dieting, in no particular order:
Rule #1 - Never let yourself get to that point where you're telling yourself, and everyone around you, that you're starving. This inevitably results in over-eating.
Rule #2 - If you break rule #1, eat a small portion of whatever you're consuming and drink at least two glasses of water with this meal. If you think you're still hungry, wait at least one hour before eating again. I have this rule because usually, if I wait that long, I'll find I'm really not hungry anymore. It's when I don't wait that I end up over-eating and then wind up feeling guilty and gross over the whole mess.
Rule #3 - If you break rule #2, go work out. Go for a walk or run or for a bike ride. Head to the gym for some cardio. Dance around your living room. Doesn't matter what you do, just do something. The best thing you can do when you actually do over eat is exercise.
Rule #4 - Don't break rules 1 and 2!
I broke rules 1 and 2 tonight, but invoked rule #3 and am glad I did. One of the best lessons I've learned in all this is that determination, or coraje as we say is Spanish, goes a long way!
Here's to the strong-willed!
Share
My blog, my rules.
I'm not great with rules. I'm the first to admit that. So I guess you could say these are more things I've learned on my ongoing weight loss journey and less rules. Besides, rules tend to make us not want to follow them. It's the rebel in us all. I get that. So fine. We won't call these "rules". We can call them "guidelines." Whatever works, right?
Anyway, whatever you decide to call them, here are Dyana's Rules of Dieting, in no particular order:
Rule #1 - Never let yourself get to that point where you're telling yourself, and everyone around you, that you're starving. This inevitably results in over-eating.
Rule #2 - If you break rule #1, eat a small portion of whatever you're consuming and drink at least two glasses of water with this meal. If you think you're still hungry, wait at least one hour before eating again. I have this rule because usually, if I wait that long, I'll find I'm really not hungry anymore. It's when I don't wait that I end up over-eating and then wind up feeling guilty and gross over the whole mess.
Rule #3 - If you break rule #2, go work out. Go for a walk or run or for a bike ride. Head to the gym for some cardio. Dance around your living room. Doesn't matter what you do, just do something. The best thing you can do when you actually do over eat is exercise.
Rule #4 - Don't break rules 1 and 2!
I broke rules 1 and 2 tonight, but invoked rule #3 and am glad I did. One of the best lessons I've learned in all this is that determination, or coraje as we say is Spanish, goes a long way!
Here's to the strong-willed!
Share
Weighing In
Posted in Atkins, Beauty, Dieting, Exercise, Food addiction, girlfriends, Guilt, inner-beauty, Low Carb, Overweight, Plus-sized, Resolutions, Weight loss, Women on by
To loosely quote my friend April, “The scale is not my friend today.”
Woke up this morning, went about my normal routine and then hopped on that most dreaded device, the scale. I was discouraged, to say the least, by what I saw there. Considering I’d had pizza for dinner yesterday, and some ice cream (about a quarter cup which, I have to tell you, while tasty, did bad things to me that we won’t even discuss here, thereby rendering it so not worth it), I definitely wasn’t surprised.
I know I’m only supposed to weigh myself once a week but I’ve spent so much of my life in denial about my weight that weighing in is now a part of my daily routine. Most days I don’t mind it, as I usually see some form of progress, and if not, at least I’m maintaining.
And, on those rare days when I do see a slight increase, whether it’s water weight or the result of a late night pizza and ice cream binge, I refuse to let that deter me in my efforts. In fact, I find this actually has the opposite effect on me, in that I double my efforts to eat smaller, healthy portions, and my resolve to lose the weight is strengthened.
Yep. The scale may not be my friend today, but sometimes it takes our non-friends telling us a truth we’re unable to tell ourselves to get us off our “assets” (again, quoting April!) and moving again.
Here’s to reality checks!
Share
Woke up this morning, went about my normal routine and then hopped on that most dreaded device, the scale. I was discouraged, to say the least, by what I saw there. Considering I’d had pizza for dinner yesterday, and some ice cream (about a quarter cup which, I have to tell you, while tasty, did bad things to me that we won’t even discuss here, thereby rendering it so not worth it), I definitely wasn’t surprised.
I know I’m only supposed to weigh myself once a week but I’ve spent so much of my life in denial about my weight that weighing in is now a part of my daily routine. Most days I don’t mind it, as I usually see some form of progress, and if not, at least I’m maintaining.
And, on those rare days when I do see a slight increase, whether it’s water weight or the result of a late night pizza and ice cream binge, I refuse to let that deter me in my efforts. In fact, I find this actually has the opposite effect on me, in that I double my efforts to eat smaller, healthy portions, and my resolve to lose the weight is strengthened.
Yep. The scale may not be my friend today, but sometimes it takes our non-friends telling us a truth we’re unable to tell ourselves to get us off our “assets” (again, quoting April!) and moving again.
Here’s to reality checks!
Share
Skinny Jeans: A Rant
Posted in Beauty, Diet, Dieting, everything, Exercise, Food addiction, Jogging, Low Carb, Overweight, Plus-sized, Skinny jeans, Weight loss on by
A disclaimer: If you are a person of a physically bigger nature, and you wear, or are contemplating wearing, skinny jeans, you should turn away from this post immediately. As in, now. Seriously. I make no apologies for what I'm about to say. None.
Consider yourself warned.
I've recently lost thirty pounds. Now, while this was no small feat, it is merely a fraction of the total weight I want, neigh, need, to lose. Thirty percent, to be precise. Yes, that's right, I want to lose one hundred pounds. But, I digress; more on this later, or elsewhere on this blog.
Having lost this weight, I found myself in need of a few new things. Specifically, jeans, as mine were getting absurdly baggy, and subsequently, too long for even my tallest heels. No "pants on the ground" for me!
As I embarked upon my shopping adventure, I wondered what kind of jeans did I want? I contemplated the many choices available: relaxed fit, straight leg, boot cut, wide leg, skinny jeans. Wait, what? Skinny jeans?!
Now, I will reveal something about myself, something I am not particularly proud of, but alas, it is what it is and I am working to change it:
This contemplating of mine was going on in the Women's department of Macy's, as I eyed a pair of straight leg Levi's that were two sizes smaller than the last pair of jeans I bought. Levi's that were folded neatly alongside a variety of other jean styles, the dreaded skinny jeans among them.
Yes, Women's department (read: Plus sized department).
Yes, two sizes smaller. I was, am, a big girl. I have curves. Lots of them. More than my fair share, and not in a good way.
There, I've said it. And though I've lost thirty pounds, and am quite proud of this accomplishment, I am no longer in denial and know I have a lot of work ahead of me yet.
I tell you this, my face burning with embarrassment, because it sets the backdrop for what I'm going to say next.
Skinny jeans have no business in the Women's department! None. Zero.
Ladies, if you are shopping in the Plus size department, also known as the more politically correct 'Women's" department, you have absolutely NO business wearing something called a "skinny jean!" I mean, come on... skinny jeans in the Women's department is the epitome of an oxymoron! Completely contradictory terms here!
Who's the merchandising genius that decided on PLUS sized SKINNY jeans?! If I find you, you're in trouble. Big trouble. (Pun intended.)
If you are truly compelled to wear something more form fitting, might I suggest a lovely straight leg jean? A legging perhaps, with a long tunic? Ok. Maybe not leggings. But that's another topic for another day.
I walked away from buying new jeans because I refuse to buy even one more piece of "Women's" sized clothing. I'm done.
And I'll hold off on getting a "skinny" jean until I'm out of double digit sizes. Skinny, in my world, is not a double digit number, unless it's "00", and come on, that's just WAY too thin, nor will I ever be that small!
I am not angry about the "plus sized skinny jeans" madness. If anything, it simply bolsters my determination to one day get into a truly skinny jean.
Oh, and one last thing. Without apology. If you are a Plus size woman, and you have skinny jeans and love how you look in them, I tip my hat to you. There are few things more attractive than a woman with the hard core self confidence needed to pull off a look like that!
After all, it's not about what's on the outside, right?
Here's to a healthy self-image!
P.S. Two weeks after I walked away from the Macy's Women's department, I walked into a regular old Gap. And I tried on a pair of non-Plus sized, straight legged, Gap jeans. And they fit! Not quite a skinny jean, but it's progress, and progress is good!
Share
Consider yourself warned.
I've recently lost thirty pounds. Now, while this was no small feat, it is merely a fraction of the total weight I want, neigh, need, to lose. Thirty percent, to be precise. Yes, that's right, I want to lose one hundred pounds. But, I digress; more on this later, or elsewhere on this blog.
Having lost this weight, I found myself in need of a few new things. Specifically, jeans, as mine were getting absurdly baggy, and subsequently, too long for even my tallest heels. No "pants on the ground" for me!
As I embarked upon my shopping adventure, I wondered what kind of jeans did I want? I contemplated the many choices available: relaxed fit, straight leg, boot cut, wide leg, skinny jeans. Wait, what? Skinny jeans?!
Now, I will reveal something about myself, something I am not particularly proud of, but alas, it is what it is and I am working to change it:
This contemplating of mine was going on in the Women's department of Macy's, as I eyed a pair of straight leg Levi's that were two sizes smaller than the last pair of jeans I bought. Levi's that were folded neatly alongside a variety of other jean styles, the dreaded skinny jeans among them.
Yes, Women's department (read: Plus sized department).
Yes, two sizes smaller. I was, am, a big girl. I have curves. Lots of them. More than my fair share, and not in a good way.
There, I've said it. And though I've lost thirty pounds, and am quite proud of this accomplishment, I am no longer in denial and know I have a lot of work ahead of me yet.
I tell you this, my face burning with embarrassment, because it sets the backdrop for what I'm going to say next.
Skinny jeans have no business in the Women's department! None. Zero.
Ladies, if you are shopping in the Plus size department, also known as the more politically correct 'Women's" department, you have absolutely NO business wearing something called a "skinny jean!" I mean, come on... skinny jeans in the Women's department is the epitome of an oxymoron! Completely contradictory terms here!
Who's the merchandising genius that decided on PLUS sized SKINNY jeans?! If I find you, you're in trouble. Big trouble. (Pun intended.)
If you are truly compelled to wear something more form fitting, might I suggest a lovely straight leg jean? A legging perhaps, with a long tunic? Ok. Maybe not leggings. But that's another topic for another day.
I walked away from buying new jeans because I refuse to buy even one more piece of "Women's" sized clothing. I'm done.
And I'll hold off on getting a "skinny" jean until I'm out of double digit sizes. Skinny, in my world, is not a double digit number, unless it's "00", and come on, that's just WAY too thin, nor will I ever be that small!
I am not angry about the "plus sized skinny jeans" madness. If anything, it simply bolsters my determination to one day get into a truly skinny jean.
Oh, and one last thing. Without apology. If you are a Plus size woman, and you have skinny jeans and love how you look in them, I tip my hat to you. There are few things more attractive than a woman with the hard core self confidence needed to pull off a look like that!
After all, it's not about what's on the outside, right?
Here's to a healthy self-image!
P.S. Two weeks after I walked away from the Macy's Women's department, I walked into a regular old Gap. And I tried on a pair of non-Plus sized, straight legged, Gap jeans. And they fit! Not quite a skinny jean, but it's progress, and progress is good!
Share
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
