A Wavy Standstill

So I have been noticing a trend in my weight loss. I will lose a couple of pounds, say like 4, and get really excited, but then a day or two later I have gained back 3 pounds. I stay at or about that weight for the next week or two (or three) and then suddenly, I've lost four pounds, bringing me one pound lower than before, only I'll gain back an additional three right away. I guess in the end, I am still pursuing that downward movement, so it shouldn't concern me too much, but it is really weird to watch my weight fluctuate.

However, I have a new low: 184...awesome!!! I am less than 20 pounds away from my temporary goal weight, however, I am really only 10 pounds away from my lowest weight since getting pregnant...actually, it's less than that. The lowest I've ever been since getting pregnant is about 180. So, only a few more pounds to go and I will actually be lower than I've been in (almost) five years. Wow. That might just be the motivation I need to add some motion to my day.

I've been doing well with my water intake. I have a polycarbonate bottle that holds over 36 ounces of water and I fill it with a tray of ice cubes and then to the top with water or Crystal Light (thank goodness for the standard American diet or that would be a BIG no-no), repeat three times. Oh yeah, I have a wonderful curly straw to sip through. Fun.

As for the actual diet...eh, fair to middling. I'm starting to consider adding components of the Perfect Weight America diet plan, but I am not going to stress about it. In the end, I can do what I want when I am on my own. No sense rocking the boat when you've got waves enough.

The bottom line is: ugh, I need to exercise, double ugh.

A New Report

Along with many other changing conditions in my life right now, my weight is also changing! My sister's wedding has come and gone and now I look to my other goal of getting into a safe range from which to get pregnant. I am becoming a big fan of this "standard American" diet because it's easy, even though I know it's not healthy. I don't have to read much past the fancy labels claiming that it is "healthy" or "low-fat" or "high-fiber" and I don't ever have to worry about the manufacturing process or the ingredient list. How pathetic! To know what's right and not do it because it is different and difficult is wrong. However, with my current financial situation (that is, rely on my mother for 100% of the grocery bill) really does preclude me from adopting a different lifestyle.

Plus, it's working...I am now at 188.5!!! It's hard to believe because I really haven't been diligent about my exercise routine. I have, however, cut out 99% of my fast food intake and I have severely limited the snacks (mostly because they are not in the house). Having my mother constantly around really is trying at best but I am learning to appreciate the accountability, but don't tell her that... :) I know that I would not have come this far without my mom's help.

So my goal? I am still aiming at 165 to "remove the goalie" so to speak because I think that it is a pretty safe weight. I want to begin taking pre-natal vitamins because of that all-important folic acid. My vitamin really is a good one to take and I like it! Outside of that, I want to start feeling good again. Lately, I have been really low on energy and I think that it is a lack of water, so that is also a goal, I think that 84 ounces of water should be easy to consume and with practice, I'll get there! We have been teaching the kids about nutrition and why they should eat their vegetables and proteins and so on, so that has been entertaining.

Yeah, all in all, I think we are doing well and though I am not losing weight fast enough to set any records, nor am I even losing at a "healthy" rate, I am satisfied when I see progress and lack only the motivation to kick it up a notch (or two).

So how are you doing???

Cheerful Outlook

I went ahead and changed the blog background from the "heart motif" into something a little springy. Along with this outlook is a new weigh-in result, 191.5, and I am desperate to get out of the 190's...soon!!!

Along with some other news, I have ordered the bridesmaid dress in a size 16 and it fits!!! Though it doesn't fit well, I know that every pound I lose will only make the dress look better. I really do need to lose weight along my thighs and my preggo-belly flab but the most important is my bust. I will probably be wearing some form of "support" for the other two, but the bust is hard to conceal and since I fill out the bust portion of the dress, it looks slightly different. Oh well...I will keep trying to lose the weight and I get what I get. I still have about 6 weeks left to lose weight; that should be about 12 pounds which would put me right at 180 or so...a good start!

My goal is ultimately to get down to a healthy weight so that I can get pregnant, and I plan on halting all forms of (hormonal) birth control around mid-July, which would allow for another 10-12 pound loss and puts me in a much healthier category for pregnancy. I would hope to wait a month or two before getting pregnant, which allows for even MORE weight loss and there you have it! The other thing that this waiting period does is allow my husband and I to figure out the finances and work out some of the lingering issues.

All in all, when I am thinking clearly, I have a positive outlook for this year, despite the myriad challenges we face, and I would love to glorify God in my life regardless of my circumstances.

That's gotta help!

I had a tooth removed today.

The process was less unpleasant than I expected and though I was completely against the gauze being in my mouth, the actual procedure was okay. Now, however, not so much. It's not the pain though, because I have very little of that. There is swelling (and oozing...gross!) but that is just plain uncomfortable. What is really difficult right now is EATING. 

Of course that's a dieter's dream!!! I anticipate sticking to a relatively liquid diet for the next few days and have purchased a few cans of SlimFast to help get nutrients. Otherwise it's going to be soups, yogurt and crackers. I am actually looking forward to this. I made some good chicken broth the other day and it's sitting in my fridge just waiting to be used. I will add some chicken and veggies to it and call it lunch (probably dinner too)!!!

I am really interested in my thought process right now. A week ago, I was stubbornly refusing any and all "diet" food because I didn't believe in the low-fat diet craze. Well, I still don't feel like eating "franken-food" is healthy for long-term eating...I don't plan on eating it long-term! My goal right now is to find ways to cut out the junk from some of my regular meals. I am contemplating BocaBurgers as an easy to prepare lunch for myself and am intrigued with their Chik'n Patties, though they are actually more calories than the burgers. These are things that I would NOT be purchasing before, but now, I find myself willing to try them. The other thing I am considering (and searching out recipes for) is a grilled vegetable spaghetti sauce. I have heard good things about this type of recipe and think I'm almost ready to try it! Pair that with a large salad and a small serving of pasta and I've converted a "not-so-good" meal into a keeper!

The bottom line is that I can feel the change- I want to change right now. Still having to figure out what to do with working out, but just changing my food habits is a good start.

Weight's been jumping around on me; yesterday I was up to 211 and today I'm down to 209. I like weighing in daily, but I guess I don't take it too seriously. It's the feeling that counts...its just the numbers that can be measured.

Weigh-In

This morning I weighed myself first thing in the morning, something I plan on doing every morning from now on. Today I was 210.6. I will probably keep a list on the sidebar of my daily weigh-in so I won't be creating a new post everytime, we'll see. I will still post a weekly or monthly weigh-in post, with measurements.

In other news, I have been playing on researching SparkPeople's website. I really encourage you to go take a look. The site is overwhelming at first (and at second) but there is a lot of good information and a lot of hand-holding. I am really liking it...and it's FREE!!! Need I say more?

Look for another post within a day or two with my "body profile"- a written description of my body, it's condition, and it's needs.