Tag Archives: surprises

May 24 2012
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Size 18

Bewbs and Diet

Bewbs:

Sooooo, today I went to the lady doctor because I’d been having boob itchage, like serious.  I would wake up in the middle of the night and would need to scratch the crap out of them.  Of course, when you Google “itchy breasts,” WebMD alarms you with concerns over breast cancer and so to the gyny I went.

After a thorough exam to confirm I in fact do NOT have cancer, she said it could either be my new detergent (which I had ruled out because I figured it would affect my whole body), or it could just be all my activity.  Sweat and new detergent are pressed up against me where as a t-shirt is not so much.  And lots of sweat finds its way to cleavage for girls.

When I told her I used to make my detergent (I still can, just haven’t found time), and told her the ingredients (Fels Naptha soap, Borax, and Arm and Hammer Washing Suds), she said I had been using a very hypoallergenic detergent, and my new one (Seventh Generation) is likely a drastic change for my skin (especially the parts of me that never see the sunshine).

Who knew?

Diet:

So I talked to her about my diet.  She commended me for the 20lbs lost since I last saw her.  I told her about My Fit Foods and she liked that they follow the Glycemic Index (focusing on low GI items, that is).   I told her I’m frustrated because I’ve been SO active with Tennis, boot camp, the gym, etc., and it just feels like I should have lost more weight by now.  She explained that for some people, it’s more about the diet than the activity, and I (and apparently her husband) am one of those people.

So, I’m going to keep on trucking on My Fit Foods for as long as I can afford it.  The meals are $6-8 each for “smalls” and so $14 a day average adds up FAST.  Granted, there was a time when I ate probably one meal out a day, and threw away a lot of spoiled food.  I may still be in the red, compared to then, but I’m losing weight (or least expect to this week).  Yay for portion control!  I have lost 2.8 lbs since Monday, but that can be scale fluke.

 

 

 

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Mar 31 2012
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Size 20

Vacation Part 2

This vacation is very different from my general idea of vacation.  With a “normal” vacation for me, I’d love to be in a big, preferably foreign, city and peruse the streets taking pictures.  Visiting Chicago feels a little like the early days of college when I would visit my home town of Corpus Christi – so many people you want to see, with little interest in sight seeing.  And before you know it, you trip is half over and you feel like there were so many people you didn’t connect with.

Also, I thought I would be ALL ABOUT the eating out at my favorite restaurants, and that I would have to fight the urge to order too much when I undoubtedly went to them.  Instead, I’m not feeling the urge to visit them all.  The only one I *really* wanted to visit has been visited, and anything else, I can take it or leave it.

Last night, I had dinner (at 4:30 PM) with my 92ish Great Auntie Jean, her daughter and son-in-law.  I guess when you’re over sixty, your idea of “a good restaurant” is vastly different.  It’s about decent tasting food, LOTS of options (but no real specialty), and value.  It just so happened that what I ordered came with a salad AND a side AND a drink AND a dessert.  Oh my.  I nibbled on everything, though left 90% of my fettuccine Alfredo in my Aunt’s fridge.

This morning, when she pressed me to tell her what I wanted for breakfast, I told her I’d cook some eggs.  By the time I walked in the kitchen, she had pulled out everything I would need – two eggs, pan, spatula AND… a pat of butter, already in the pan. Guess the concept of olive oil spray has not made it to the pre-boomer generation yet.  And so, I had buttery eggs so as not to offend or confuse my little aunt (though I can honestly say I’d have preferred not to).

This evening, I had a great time.  I met my friend Linda and her family at a local Chicago pizzeria before heading to a Bulls game (my first!).  Again, I did really well (all things considered) with eating, having just one (one!) slice of pizza, salad, and one slice of fried zucchini and one fried cheese ball.  I spent the rest of the evening curled up on the sofa dishing with my pal Linda.  Perfect day :)

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Mar 20 2012
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Size 20

Undies

I love Gillian O’Malley underwear from Target.  They come in a two-pack, generally for $12, which breaks my own personal $5 max for panties.  But, they are snug, produce a minimal panty line, and don’t budge once on.

About 7 months ago, I decided it was time for some new undies.  You know what I’m talking about?  You open your top dresser drawer and just think, I don’t want to wear any of these.  And so, instead of running to Target and dropping $60 on 10 pairs of bikinis, I would buy a pair each time I happened to be at Target, each time in a different color.

Well, I’d been noticing, with TWENTY THREE pounds lost, that there was some extra slack in the buttocks area (attractive-sounding, I know).  The other thing about these panties (unlike VS or Soma, for instance), you cannot try these on.  And so today, facing the Gillian O’Malley end cap, and seeing a brand new pair of colors (HEATHER grey!), I had to make a call: the size I usually get or one size smaller with the risk/disappointment/reality they won’t fit.  But one size down I did go, and they fit!

You are reading the blog of a girl sitting on her sofa in heather grey bikinis with a big grin on her face.  Please don’t be a weird stalker.  And, I will save you a photo. :-P

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Feb 04 2012
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Size 20

Encouragement

Yesterday at boot camp, we did this partner activity I rather like.  We ran a lap and were given a number 1 through 16 (there were 16 of us).  Then, person 1 pairs with 16, 2 with 15, 3 with 14, etc.  The idea is that all 8 pairs have roughly the same average ability level.  I was number 16.  I could have made 15, but I did want this one woman, new to boot camp this month, to be the last so I held back (honestly!).  Meaning, I’m now paired with the fastest dude in the class.

So what you do in pairs for this type of approach can vary greatly.  On this particular Friday, one partner would run across a parking lot to a cone, do the exercise assigned to that cone, in the quantity specified, then run back to the mats.  You tag your partner and do mat exercises while they do the cone exercises you just completed.  Once both people in a pair have done the first cone, then the second cone starts.  The process continues for 10 cones, each increasing in both quantity and difficulty.  For instance cone 1 was something like 2 squat jumps; cone 10 was a burpee with a push-up with a sexy spider with a star jump.  Oh, and while you’re running between cones and the mats, you run with dumb bells straight up in the air.  Love it.  The idea is to get all 10 cones done as fast as possible (and beat the other teams).

So yeah, I was paired with Fastest Dude.  A little intimidating and yet motivating.  I know he must be competitive because in the lap where he earned a ‘1’ (and I earned a ‘16’), he was in an all-out sprint to beat this other girl who ultimately got a ‘2.’  Yikes.  But.  But but BUT. Fastest dude PUSHED me to do my best.  He didn’t assume that because I was the slowest runner that I was slow at everything.  He assumed we had it in us to WIN (which we did!). I was determined not to let him down.

When I would come out of an exercise, I would generally be very loopy.  Like, blood doesn’t know where to rush because I was up and then down and then up and then down in the exercise (something called a scissor push-up, for example).  I’d  be walking back to the mats and I’d hear Fastest Dude yell, ‘Come on Katie, pick up the pace, I know you can do it!”  And, he was RIGHT.  I could.  I’d throw those stupid dumb bells in the air and find my inner jog.  At one point, he informed me we were in first place and that only spurred me on.  We ultimately won, and “earned” a victory lap, though I had some shin splintage going on so I stretched and drank water.

See, the lesson from this, or at least one lesson, is competitive spirit with a partner really works for me.  I think this is why I like Tennis so much.  I play a lot of doubles tennis, and I need to channel so much of what happened that day at boot camp.  For one, I need to encourage my partners more (note: I don’t have one consistent partner yet).  Two, I need to help them (perhaps?) recognize why they missed the shot.  Three, I need to encourage them to encourage me – especially when they’ve seen better from me in the past.  I also think I need to get to know my partner more.  For an upcoming match I’m partnered with Lawyer Chick, who is maybe 40+ with a couple of kids.  She’s fun, athletic, good at tennis – I just don’t have camaraderie with her yet.  In our last match, however, she and I won the only match for my team, which we were pretty proud of :)

Boot camp is on almost-hiatus now.  We have one Super Bowl themed two-hour event today, which I understand will be lots of flag football and tailgating games.  I’ve invited several girls from the office to join, and I think two plan to come, plus their friends/significant others.

One week break from boot camp, then it starts up again mid-February.

Scale update: though Friday’s are my designated day, I do step on the scale daily (despite much scrutiny from others).  The scale reflected a couple-pound gain from yesterday, which I GUESS is to be expected, since I had a couple of beers last night, and a heavy dinner.  It’s one day, and I don’t fret about it.  I just like the reminder of my progress yesterday and use it as a guide to do well today.  Also, I noticed that my jeans (which typically last a few washes), were big on me after one day of wearing them.  Size 18 soon??  I hope so!

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Jan 08 2012
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Size 20

Lessons Learned from a Super Model

This weekend, I picked up a copy of Shape Magazine – the one with Molly Sims on the cover.  All I really know about the girl is she’s all legs and a super model – oh, and that Rachel Zoe is her stylist.  What I now LIKE about her is that she doesn’t laugh and say she’s naturally thin and doesn’t have to try that hard to look good (this is also a reason I like Amber Heard); she admits that she works at it constantly.

One specific thing she said that’s stuck with me is that recently she tried working out every day for a month, for a full hour each day.  Every. Day.  The result?  She felt great!  For anyone who works out, this is probably no surprise, and for those that don’t, it may seem counter-intuitive.

There was a week, back in October or November, where I worked out every day for a week – a minimum of 30 minutes each time.  It was so difficult because that week exploded at work, but all the exercise actually gave me MORE energy to conquer it all.  I had no life outside of work and workouts that week, but some weeks are just like that.

So, I’m going to give this a shot – 1 month of 30+ minute workouts, daily, starting today.  Boot camp will be a big part of this, but I KNOW there will be days where it’s too cold to get out of bed.  That’s fine – I just have to make up for it in the evenings.  Tennis is a big part of this, too – as Spring leagues get into gear, I will be playing 1-3 times per week, hopefully!

The point  (I’m making to myself) is this: give it a month and see what can happen!

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Dec 23 2011
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Meal Plans, Size 20

Alton Brown’s Food Plan

My friend Tracy drew my attention to an article on Dr. Oz’s website: Alton Brown’s Food Lists for Weight Loss.  What it comes down to, Alton Brown lost 50lbs and did so using some guidelines he created – 4 food lists.  Check them out:

Foods to eat DAILY:

  • Dark leafy greens
  • Nuts
  • Carrots
  • Green tea
  • Whole grains
  • Fruits

Foods to eat THREE TIMES A WEEK:

  • Yogurt
  • Cauliflower
  • Broccoli
  • Sweet potato
  • Avocado
  • Oily fish
  • Tofu

Foods to eat ONCE A WEEK:

  • Red meat
  • White starch
  • Desserts
  • Alcohol

Foods to NEVER EAT/AVOID AT ALL TIMES

  • Soda
  • Processed meals
  • Canned soups
  • “Diet” anything

This last is one I could stand to improve on.  Also, did it strike anyone else that consuming protein was not a priority on these lists?

Anyway, there they are.  If you read the article, you’ll get a lot more information as to why these items are on the list (I didn’t want to steal the whole article!).  Hope you enjoy!

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Dec 08 2011
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Goals, Size 20

Feeling better and BIG goals

My gosh, it’s amazing what 7 hours of decent sleep can do for the body!  I feel so much better just for having more sleep.  I’m still incredibly busy and stressed and all that, but the week is coming to an end, the stuff I’m working it is kinda, sorta coming to a close, and the office holiday party is tomorrow!  Oh, and I went to the doctor today and have a little virus, which explains so much!

But, the big news today… the big big news… I hit 17 lbs lost this morning!  I even told the nurse he had to weigh me today (you know, for their records).  Not sure he wrote it down – he probably thought I was doing it for my own information.  Still!  It’s big.

Also, I have a big goal.  Big.  Big big big.  A goal to get small.  Small small small.  50lbs by June 1st.  It’s going to be tough.  I will be tempted to procrastinate.  I was just so motivated today – for all the things I listed above – but also because a coworker told me she could see the changes in my face.  And, of my three pairs of jeans, the ones that fit “medium” (not my tightest pair, not my largest pair) were sliding down my hips.  And so, I vocalized my new (and 1st) 6-month goal: 50 lbs by June 1st. Eeeek!

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Nov 30 2011
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Size 20

Lessons Learned from a Month of Eating In

November has (finally) come to an end!  Tomorrow, I can once again partake in the convenience and enjoyment of restaurants, and I. Am. Ready.

Despite my eagerness to enjoy some sushi, or a burrito, this month has been incredibly rewarding and a great shove in the right direction.  It vaguely reminds me of the time I gave up cheese for Lent, however this time I did not seek out artificial cheese.

As I reflect on the past month, some great strides have been made in my habits and health – the whole point of the exercise.  Here are some lessons learned, habits formed and general notes.

1.) My meal planning got better.  I don’t mean.  Specifically, my groceries did not spoil before I got to them.  When your only option is what’s in your kitchen, you find yourself going for the things you don’t want to go to waste.  Before, if I knew all I had in the fridge was some broccoli, OF COURSE anything else that I can pick up on the way home sounds far better, and allows me to convince myself it’s more convenient.

2.) My grocery bill went up.  Way up.  I found that I went to the store every 2-3 days.  I like this more.  It meant that I finished the broccoli before I purchased the cauliflower.  It meant that I never had to eat out, because at the very minimum, there was a lean cuisine in the fridge.  See – take away your options and you will find another way….

3.) It takes a tremendous amount of willpower.  ‘Nuff said.

4.) It can get a little awkward on a date.  Thankfully (or depressingly), I only had one date all month.  We had beers instead, which kept the date casual.

5.) It’s empowering.  Taking on this challenge felt like removing training wheels, cutting the umbilical cord, or moving out of your parent’s house.  To say I don’t NEED that food was so different than I can’t HAVE that food.  To want something, but recognize that it’s impractical for whatever reason, and not get it, makes me feel like a grown up.

6.) It’s totally doable.  I challenge you to do it for just one week.

7.) It can make you ill – like if you’re locked in a conference room full of fragrant sandwiches.  Yes, this happened.  We had a company meeting over lunch.  Deli sandwiches and chips were brought in and the doors were shut.  All I remember is how strong the smell of the sandwiches was, and how odd it is to be slightly hungry (it wasn’t yet my lunch time), be exposed to food both visually and through scent, and to not eat.  It made me feel like one of Pavlov’s dogs.  I had to excuse myself, throw up in the rest room, and then I felt fine. This never happens to me.

8.) There were definitely some loopholes to look out for, such as drinking out (beers, milkshakes, starbucks), grocery store prepared items (roasted chicken, prepared chicken/tuna salads), and there was plenty of grey areas (chips & salsa, cookies, cupcakes).

9.) This one is the most important.  It really encourages healthy habits, such as cooking your own food, knowing where your food comes from, and planning your meals.  There were more than a few times, particularly when I left work really late, where I wished I could pick up some food on the way home – nights when I left work 2-3 hours before I was supposed to go to bed.  But, it was a lesson in preparedness.  Even as I write this, I can recall reading this sort of tip in any slew of weight loss articles – “have healthy snacks all around you,” “keep the following in your pantry at all times….”  Only now does it really resonate with me.  WHY on why did it take so long?

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Nov 20 2011
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Size 20

Skinny Day

OMGOMGOMG!  It has happened, and is ahead of schedule!  Today, I finally made it to the store to *see* if I’m a size smaller in denim AND I AM!

Skinny Day!

It’s funny, because I kept thinking my current jeans were fitting just fine; but truth be told they fit for about 2 hours before they stretched out and started to look saggy.  And slacks were definitely looking baggy. And since I can’t take my measurements to save my life, those were no real indication.

So what does this mean!?  Three things:

1.) I got some NEW jeans today

2.) Almost all my other pants are now obsolete

3.) The slacks that have been sitting in my car waiting to go to the tailor for months won’t ever make it

4.) I can now shop at gap.com again

Size 18: here I come!

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Nov 17 2011
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Confession, Goals, Size 22

And what a great feeling it is!

A year ago, I would not recognize the person I was today.  I would THINK I had it in me, but when push came to shove, I didn’t stick to my guns the way I did today.

Let me enlighten you a bit.  Today, something major happened.  Again, I have this lofty November goal/challenge to not eat any meals out.  I may not have spelled out every single little instance of this out clearly, but in my mind, this means no eating out, no ordering in, no picking up – no foods prepared by someone other than ME.  It’s a goal to get me closer to a smaller size, but ultimately it’s about building healthier habits.

Today was a thanksgiving (lower case t) lunch for all employees.  It was catered Mexican food (my fav) and it was free.  In the past, I had always said free food trumps healthy food.  I was also very poor back when I thought that, but you can see how my priorities were misaligned.  In those days, it didn’t matter if I was on day one of a diet – if someone else was paying, the diet could wait.

Quick confession regarding my decision today: I REALLY had to think about eating that (free) food.  I discussed with my coworkers the possible loopholes in my challenge that would allow me to eat this offering of thanks from our CEO.  They suggested I only eat the healthy stuff, skip the tortillas and cheese, etc. etc.  I even started thinking through a trade-off where IF I ate from the make-your-own-fajita train today, then I could not have diet soda OR processed foods for the rest of the month.  In the end, I decided PoK-e-Joe’s just was. not. worth. it.

Before I could talk myself into eating the yummy food, I made my Top Chef inspired Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers Chicken Fresca and ate it before I headed to the conference room.  As everyone lined up to assemble their meal, I stood back and just chatted with coworkers who were waiting for the line to die down.  Eventually someone asked me why I wasn’t eating, and I explained my deal.

And get this!  They said that I inspire them! Me!

I’ve never thought much about inspiring others, especially where healthy choices were concerned.  I did however read this blog post once, by one of my favorite bloggers at one twenty five, where she talked about inspiring herself.  My choices today, and as of late for that matter, have inspired ME.  What a great feeling it is!

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