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Friday, May 26, 2017

Man, It's May! Weight Loss Progress

So I've been mentioning in a few posts that I am following the Hungry Girl Program and have been pretty faithful since September of last year.  I am not out to break any speed weight loss records but instead am taking it slow and steady, that way I don't feel like I am depriving myself and I am making it a sustainable habit.  So far I've lost a little over 43 pounds and have not been at this weight since 2006.

Here is a comparison photo from August 2016 to February 2017 and then one from today.



In addition to following the plan, I've begun taking a walk around our neighborhood daily and doing some plank exercises at night before bed.  I am definitely not a fan of exercise and though I had a membership to Planet Fitness a few years ago, I think I only went 10 times in a year and a half.  I don't run.  I have never been a runner.  When I walk I listen to music and use the time to look at the world around me and do some thinking.  When I first started doing planks I could only hold it for 30 seconds.  Now I am up to at least 2 minutes or more.  It requires no special equipment. 

I've been keeping a food calendar/journal since I started and write down pretty much everything I eat during the day and note the exercise I do.  I've been wearing a basic pedometer and keep track of my step count.  Since I work from home doing transcription which keeps me at a desk most of the day, I was not getting too many steps in.  I find that if I can get at least 6000 steps a day, I notice weight changes.  Each time I hit a lower number on the scale I give myself a star.  This month I have 4 stars so far!  That may only mean a loss of 4 ounces, but it is motivating me when I see the stars to keep going.  I also took my measurements so when I hit a patch where I feel like nothing is happening on the scale I re-measure and the decreasing numbers help me see that something indeed is changing. 




I am taking medication for diabetes and my most recent numbers were so good that if they continue to fall I may be able to cut it down, if not completely eliminate it.  Since diabetes is in my family and I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant, I am not surprised I have it now, but keeping control of it is important.  

Preparing four meals at a time is helpful, especially on those really busy days.


Drinking these teas has been a staple.

This is one of the "snacks" you can have - strawberries stuffed with ricotta cheese and topped with chocolate chips.  I could have had 6 stuffed strawberries but 4 was enough.

Trying new things like powdered peanut butter and tofu noodles have been pleasant surprises.  They are not half bad. 


I am about halfway to where I'd like to be but as I said, I'm not out for speed, I'm out for sustainability.  I can definitely tell the weeks and months I concentrate harder than others but overall I'm pretty pleased.  Weight is definitely one of those subjects that is kind of hard to discuss and I'm not at the point where I am comfortable putting my exact weight out there, but seeing the difference in the mirror is pretty cool.   

How about you?  Have a weight challenge/success story?  Love to hear it if you'd like to share.

6 comments:

  1. Way to go on doing so well with your goal.
    I freaking love Yogi teas. They're awesome. Granted, I have different ones (Tangerine Energy is my favorite).
    Keep up your great work!

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    1. Oooh Tangerine Energy sounds delicious! I'll have to look for that one. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. Wow Janet - congrats. Your progress is very impressive! And I love how you're doing this. Your tracking and your star system, and finding ways to keep yourself motivated - all great! While Hungry Girl isn't a good fit for me, I do want to do make some changes in my eating habits as well, and I'm very inspired by you.

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    1. Thanks Deborah! I've been heavy all my life and have been on Weight Watchers several times. It works for a while but then the weight comes back. This time I think I have found something that I can sustain. As I get older it is so much harder!

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  3. Wow Janet, you are doing terrific. That's very disciplined for sure. And I have to say, I think you look good in your August 2016 photo! I don't think I could do all the logging of the food every day. I'm impressed by that~
    Exercise is definitely the key. At least it was for me. Now that I'm older and have a lot of arthritis and pain issues (unfused ankle especially), I'm limited in walking and working out so naturally I've put some poundage back on. But I have maintained the majority of my weight loss since 1996. Although I sure could be doing much better. I used to be so disciplined in the eating department but now I'm just like Screw it, it tastes good. Lol! I will say that you are definitely inspiring me so thank you for that. Maybe I'll get back on track...
    Congrats!! Believe me, I know how hard it is. I've had an entire lifetime of weight struggle...

    Michele at Angels Bark

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    1. Thanks Michele! I finally got to that point where I said "I'm done with this!" It helped that my husband was in Oregon a lot at the time so I only had myself to be concerned with as far as fixing dinners went. Since I was doing so well and our kids are out of the house, when he came back from Oregon I told him he was going to have to fend for himself because I was on a mission! LOL sometimes he forgets but for the most part it is working.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts!