Even though I've lost my 37 pounds, I still have the perception of a bigger body. I'm used to wearing baggy clothes. I used to wear a dress size 10, size L shirts and size 10 pants, sometimes 12. But as I went through the weight loss journey, I had to tighten my belt many notches, then buy a smaller belt altogether. My clothes looked sloppy on my frame. I've had to buy clothes that fit better.
My latest challenge is my brother Eric's wedding in two weeks. With two kids in tow, I went on a quick shopping trip to the mall with the intent of trying on a few dresses and hopefully walking out with something to wear. I went to Nordstrom and Macy's, even ducked into White House/Black Market. The size that came up consistently was: 4. I shouldn't have been surprised, but I really was. I've been having some bloated days so dress shopping is not on my favorite list right now. And I have to tackle swimsuit shopping next week--- oh JOY. Today I was really surprised that the dress size that fit the best was size 4. I tried on a shiny dress in a 6 and I could tell that it was slightly loose in the waist and hips. I might have bought it anyway, thinking I could put on some spanx and call it a day, but I could tell that if I wore a dress that FIT better, it might actually look better, and I would feel more confident instead of so-so in it.
I picked up two dresses today. One is a navy, lacy, cap-sleeved dress with a cinched waist that fits pretty well. The other is a fushia sleeveless dress with a dropped waist and a pleated, swingy "skirt" bottom. It's more plain that the blue one, but it has a mod-retro feel to it. I think the navy one looks more like formalwear. And I'm not sure if I like either dress 100%, but when pressed for time I had to make some choices. I think I'll end up with the navy one, but I sent pictures to Atz so she can give me her opinion. I'd love another chance to dress shop again, even this weekend, but it may be impossible for me to go child-less.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Back to 2000
I have a headache. I'm not sure what is causing it, but if it is related to a jump start in my weight loss, I'll take that as a good sign. After putzing around with my calories and being unsteady in what routine I wanted to follow due to my strained deltoid, I decided to again keep to eating at 2000 calories a day. Any exercise I do on top of that will be my deficit. And I want to run 2x a week, do strength training 3x and/or some HIIT for a day. That's a loose plan which is my slightly altered version of the Abs Diet workout. I had to alter it because of my stupid strained deltoid that I'm getting worked on at the chiropractor's. I'm doing resistance band exercises almost every day (it was every day but I took a rest day today because it's feeling sore and maybe not healing because I'm overworking it) and that's kind of like modified strength training.
ANYWAY, I freaked myself out after reading the Abs Diet book and put myself at 1800 calories. My weight wasn't going anywhere. So, like I promised myself at the beginning of the month, I put my calories back to 2000 even and will see how the month goes. After three days of nothing, the scale moved down by tenths. And it did it again this morning. If I get enough sleep, I'm excited to see if it will go down again tomorrow. But tonight a headache creeped up on me and I don't like it. I didn't take Tylenol since I'm going to bed soon. I wonder if I'll wake up with a headache. Then it will be Tylenol for sure.
ANYWAY, I freaked myself out after reading the Abs Diet book and put myself at 1800 calories. My weight wasn't going anywhere. So, like I promised myself at the beginning of the month, I put my calories back to 2000 even and will see how the month goes. After three days of nothing, the scale moved down by tenths. And it did it again this morning. If I get enough sleep, I'm excited to see if it will go down again tomorrow. But tonight a headache creeped up on me and I don't like it. I didn't take Tylenol since I'm going to bed soon. I wonder if I'll wake up with a headache. Then it will be Tylenol for sure.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Ten more
I have a new goal.
I want to lose ten more pounds.
I want to do this because in order for me to achieve my goal of rockin' a two-piece bathing suit this summer, I need to have a ripped midsection. In order to to that, I need to lose the fat covering my abs. That means dropping my body fat percentage. I wonder if I can do this, I mean REALLY do this. I was inspired by a book I got from the library called The Abs Diet. It's got good points, and it also is a bit contradictory because it says it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change, yet they do have some calorie restrictions. Of course they do. But after reading it, the premise makes sense. It's a cleaned-up diet, and then exercise with the intent of building muscle, which in turn burns fat. My diet has significantly improved since I first started weight loss, and I'm learning more about nutrition the more I read. I think I need more food ideas in order to become successful at this, and I'm willing to follow the recipes that the book provides. Also, I am going to do the strength training that the book recommends, pending my appointment with Dr. Tom the Chiropractor. My right shoulder injury is really impeding any progress I'm going to have with weights, so it needs to get better. I hope he doesn't rule out push ups entirely, because I don't want my shoulder muscles to atrophy. I really need to improve the range of motion. I don't know if doing rotator cuff exercises alone is going to improve it or worsen the injury, so I'll see him on Tuesday and go from there.
I think my schedule could totally accommodate the strength training. I already have two days dedicated to cardio/intervals. The program calls for strength training 3x/week + ab exercises before the circuit and one workout w/leg emphasis, 2 days of cardio, and 1 day of an interval workout. Six days, and one rest day. I might play around with 1-2 rest days instead, due to scheduling. This is how I might plan all this:
Monday - Strength training
Tuesday - cardio @ track
Wednesday - Strength training
Thursday - cardio @ track
Friday - rest day
Saturday - Strength training LEGS day
Sunday - rest day OR Interval workout/HIIT
I want to lose ten more pounds.
I want to do this because in order for me to achieve my goal of rockin' a two-piece bathing suit this summer, I need to have a ripped midsection. In order to to that, I need to lose the fat covering my abs. That means dropping my body fat percentage. I wonder if I can do this, I mean REALLY do this. I was inspired by a book I got from the library called The Abs Diet. It's got good points, and it also is a bit contradictory because it says it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change, yet they do have some calorie restrictions. Of course they do. But after reading it, the premise makes sense. It's a cleaned-up diet, and then exercise with the intent of building muscle, which in turn burns fat. My diet has significantly improved since I first started weight loss, and I'm learning more about nutrition the more I read. I think I need more food ideas in order to become successful at this, and I'm willing to follow the recipes that the book provides. Also, I am going to do the strength training that the book recommends, pending my appointment with Dr. Tom the Chiropractor. My right shoulder injury is really impeding any progress I'm going to have with weights, so it needs to get better. I hope he doesn't rule out push ups entirely, because I don't want my shoulder muscles to atrophy. I really need to improve the range of motion. I don't know if doing rotator cuff exercises alone is going to improve it or worsen the injury, so I'll see him on Tuesday and go from there.
I think my schedule could totally accommodate the strength training. I already have two days dedicated to cardio/intervals. The program calls for strength training 3x/week + ab exercises before the circuit and one workout w/leg emphasis, 2 days of cardio, and 1 day of an interval workout. Six days, and one rest day. I might play around with 1-2 rest days instead, due to scheduling. This is how I might plan all this:
Monday - Strength training
Tuesday - cardio @ track
Wednesday - Strength training
Thursday - cardio @ track
Friday - rest day
Saturday - Strength training LEGS day
Sunday - rest day OR Interval workout/HIIT
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