Let Go of "Perfect"

So you have decided you want to lose weight. The next question is how much do you want to lose? For some this isn't an easy answer. Some may pick the weight they were when they got married.  Or maybe the weight listed on your drivers license (because we all lie :o). Or do you go a more techinical route and use your BMI (body mass index) as a guideline? Whatever method you use, just be sure you are setting a goal for yoursel that is realistic. We would all love to look like we did when we were 18, but is that realistic? Probably not. So before you pinpoint the exact place you want to be, consider at what weight would allow you to look and feel healthier, as well as a number that you can live with emotionally.

The best way to start is to choose small goals so you aren't feeling overwhelmed or discouraged. Aim to lose 5-10% of your weight for your first goal. Or you may even want to go smaller and set goals for every five pounds. By choosing a number that isn't too far out of reach your less likely to get discouraged and to stick with it. Losing just 10% of your weight will reap alot of health benefits including decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Another way to determine what your goal should be is also to consider the lowest weight you've been able to maintain for a substaintial period of time.However, the further you are in years from that pivotal age, the less realistic that goal could be.

People typically lose lean muscle mass as they age and that loss causes a decrease in metabolic rate. You may  need to reevaluate your target number because what was realistic when you were 25 may not be so at age 35.

Here are a few things you will need to evaluate when determining the best weight for you.

*Your age- as you get older the metabolism slows down making it harder to lose weight
* Your height- Use these figures to calculate your BMI.
* Your lifestyle- Before setting a goal determine at what extent you can increase your physical activity.  As     well as the dietary changes you can stick with.
* If you have a weight related health problem ask your doctor how much you should try to lose to improve your health.

Of course comfort is the key. Set a goal that is somewhat flexible, because you may not realize what a comfortable weight is until you reach it. Once you reach your target, you can always adjust your goal of where you want to be.

Weight In Wednesday

Its that time of the week again, time to hop on the scale and see what kind of progress I've made in the past week. Something was different today, than the past several weeks  months.. I  wasn't dreading the results I would see! I've been struggling on an emotional level with this whole weight loss thing, but decided that I am in control and I'm not going to let it control me anymore! Since changing my way of thinking, the other needed changes will soon follow.

Previous Weight 210.5
Current Weight 208.0

Loss this week 2.5
Total Loss 4

Weight Loss Prescription---

After being in a rut for several months, I have delved into reading weight loss and fitness magazines to aid in keeping me from crawling back into said rut.  I will be posting what I am reading/learning, in hopes someone else can also get something from it.

The prescription for weight loss has been said to be: eat less, exercise more and get enough sleep.. Making a habit of not getting all the zzz's you need at night could cause you to end up toting around extra pounds. Sleep levels are associated with other unhealthy habits, such as lack of physical activity. Lack of sleep can also decrease hormone levels that hepl regulate your feeling of satiety or fullness, and can increase the hormome that stimulates appetite. Some studies have also found that people who lacked in sleep, also had lower levels of glucose tolerance and higher levels of stress hormones. If you are sleeping less than six hours a night you are at risk for obesity.

While the amount of sleep one needs varies from person to person, the average adult requires 7 to 9 hours of slumber per night.

After reading this article, I think I have found a huge factor in this game of losing weight.  Making sleep a higher priority is a must.  If you are struggling to lose weight  try hitting the sack a little bit earlier, it just may be the missing link in your equation.

May Your Way- Check In #2

This past week I have been in a total funk. Not exactly sure how to snap out of it completely. I seem to teeter back and forth. In an effort to get myself back on track, I have decided to journal everything I eat and all my exercise.

I am now kicking myself in the butt, because I allowed myself to give in to this "funk" and prevent me from doing what I need to do for me. Exercise and eating healthy. As a result, the scale shows it. It sucks I have to report such shitty stats.

Time for me to get out of this funk and get back to what I know I need to do. Hoping next week will I will report a kick ass week!


Previous Weight: 203
Current Weight: 203.5
------------------------------------
Up this week .5
Total for the challenge +1.5

Total loss since 12/21/10 -8.5

May Your Way- Check In #3



Its that time again... time to go step on the scale and see how I did this week. I have to say, although I haven't mastered the goals I have set for myself this challenge, I have surely improved. Eating healthier and getting in much more water than normal is a plus. Especially since the normal water consumption most days were zero!

This week I need to be more consistent with the water intake and push myself to get in as much exercise as possible. I have decided to sign up for my first 5k that takes place June 11th. This should help give me an extra push to get on that treadmill!

Previous weight: 203.5

Current weight: 201.5

-------------------------------

Loss this week  2 lbs this week

Loss for this challenge -2

Total loss since 12/21/10 -10.5

May Your Way - Check In #1

May Your Way check in #1 didn't go exactly "my way".  TOM decided to give me a visit this week, and leave and brought an extra pound with him. So, I am not very happy about what the scale was showing this morning.

However, today is the first day in a very long time I have gotten in much of any water, and today I have guzzled 64 oz. I am sticking with my goals, and as long as I continue to do that eventually the weight will fall off. Just have to be patient, stay motivated and focused on the big picture.


Previous Weight: 202
Current Weight: 203
----------------------------
change this week +1

loss this challenge +1

weight loss since 12/21/10 -9

May your Way Challenge

A new month, a new challenge! This time there are no teams, not even a partner. This time its all about me (and each of you) and the challenge I want to set up for myself for the month of May.

This challenge could've have happened at a better time! After being home from the cruise my taste buds (and stomach) are still in "vacation mode". The scales are showing it too! This has to stop and it has to stop now!!!

My goals for this challenge are:

Getting my eating under control. Eat what I know I should eat. Instead of wanting to grab the quickest or easiest thing. To remember most of the time it doesn't taste as good as I think it does. A moment on the lips, forever on the hips.

Water, water, water...I have been doing horrible in this area for a long time. I need to limit or totally do away with the soda and sweet tea.

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, every day for the month of May. Even if its only turning on music and shaking my boo-tay! ;)

I want to be down at least 10 lbs by the end of this challenge. Would love to hit a loss of  15lbs but not sure how doable or realistic that is.

Spring In 2 Action Week 4

 

Can you believe week #4 is upon us in this challenge!!?? Only a few short weeks left to cause some major shrinkage! This week I did what I keep saying I am not going to allow myself to do. Let the hurdles in life cause me extra hurdles along my weight loss path. I realize there are always going to be issues of some sort in life to deal with, thats a given. I just need to find a way to deal with them that doesn't involve food, or me sitting infront of the couch or laptop instead of exercising. I started the 100 push up challenge, and I somehow totally forgot about that too. I  am going to try to play catch up, but I'm so far behind I don't know that I will ever get caught up. I need to either one, find a way to cope with the issues I'm having or two, eliminate the issue. The second I dont know if its even doable. I wish it were...but I'm afraid to take that leap.

This weeks weigh in is coming from what I weighed a few days ago. The rush to get out the door this morning cause me to totally forget what day it was, weigh in day.  Hoping I can keep the number (or less) that I had a few days ago for next week. Esp since TOM will be here :/

Previous weight: 199

Current weight: 197.5

---------------------------

                    -1.5

total loss for the challenge 4

total loss since 12/21/10  14.5

Spring In 2 Action - Check In Week #3

Wow, time sure has been flying by! Its hard to believe its week three already of the Spring In 2 Action challenge. This week, has been super crazy... dealing with the stress of getting married (this Friday, the 25th) and FINALLY clearing up issues with the mortgage company 2 1/2 years after my divorce has had me not sleeping and my head ready to explode. But now that the wedding is almost here, and I have dealt with the ex hubby for the last time (God, I hope!) things should resume back to normal.

Last week I was up FOUR pounds... stemming from the six pounds I lost the previous week thanks to a 3 day flu bug. I REALLY wanted to shed those pounds again this week.. but it didn't happen. Didn't even come close :/  Good news is, the scale did go down this week, and I have several more weeks to go before the challenge ends to show my "stuff:.

So here goes the stats:

Previous Weight: 199.5

Current Weight 199

--------------------------

This week -.5

Total loss for the challenge 2.5                                          

Total loss since 12/21/10 13

Spring In 2 Action- Check in Week 2

This week has not been a good week for me when it comes to weight loss. Not that I am really suprised though. Last week I was down a whopping 6 pounds, I knew that most of this loss was from the stomach bug from hell I had acquired for several days. I was hoping I could keep the six pounds gone...but didn't happen. At least not all six.

Good news is although I am up from last week, I am still down from where I was the week before I was sick. So that's good new, right?!

I'm keeping my little 15# button over there -----> because I am going to do my best this week to work off those pounds that found me and be back at 15 pounds total loss by the next check in.

How did you do this week?

Previous weight 195.5

This weeks weight 199.5

----------------------------------

             +4

Total loss for the challenge: -2

Total loss since 12/21/10 : -12.5

True Confessions

Its confession time again. And boy oh boy do I need to confess! Last week I spent three or four days unable to eat anything due to a nasty stomach bug. This helped trmendously with my weigh in. Bad news is, once I was able to eat again... I wanted to eat EVERYTHING! It was crazy, and I didn't realize how bad I was eating (I wasn't keeping track) until it was too late. Once I finally realized how bad my food choice were continously being... it was too late. Or least too late for this week anyway.

I had allowed my self to splurge some because I had been so sick, I felt like I deserved it. Problem is that I didn't stop at one splurge. I was like an acoholic with liquor.  It.was.horrible.

Now that I have came to my senses I am SO angry at myself. I had been finally rockin this weight loss thing.. and I let myself blow it this horribly in one week! Ugghh!

I suppose I need to look at it from the point of few that this is only one week. There are many more to stay on track and shed those ugly pounds that found me again.   No getting frustrated and negative self talk, because that just leads to more bad food choices. I need to own up to my mistakes and move on.
So that is exactly what I'm going to do. Here is to a better week next week.

100 Pushups Challenge

Although I have been hit with the worst stomach bug EVER, and have gotten absolutely nothing done, I did make myself keep up with the 100 pushup challenge. Didn't want to get behind! Today I finished Week 1 level 2 of the challenge. Of course I am only able to do the wimpy girlie pushups. Once this challenge is over, I am challenging myself to do it all again doing military style pushups!

Spring in 2 Action

Its time again for a new challenge with the guys and gals @shrinkingjeans. The last challenge, Power of One was an each man for himself type of challenge. This time with Spring in 2 Action, I've teamed up with Trish B for the challenge. We are the Vicious Vixens!

Along with the weight loss part of the Spring in 2 Action, we are also participating in the 100 push up challenge. By the end of the six weeks, if the plan is followed one should be able to do 100 push ups. Me, I have to start out with girlie push ups, I suppose I am wimpier than I thought, couldnt even squeeze out one regular push up. But thats ok. I will get there.

I am also challenging myself, to exercise every.single.day. in March. I will be keeping track on here how I am doing.

I am starting this challenge up a few pounds than where I was when the Power of One ended. But I'm not gonna let that get me down. Those few pounds are gonna be GONE next week!

We are ready rock! Lets get the party/challenge started!!! Woot!

This weeks weigh in stats:

Previous Weight:198
Current Weight 201.5
-------------------------------
plus 3.5

total weight loss since 12/21/10 10.5

Power of One-Final Weigh In

I can't believe today was the last weigh in of the Power of One Challenge! I have participated in many challenges hosted by shrinking jeans, but this one, is the one that has really counted. Thanks to a post on shrinkingjeans.net toward the beginning of the challenge, I realized that I haven't totally 100% been in to this losing weight thing. I had been doing what I had to, so I could say I was doing it.

This challenge has changed me, not only did I lose weight, it helped me to get in a good place again within myself. I wanted to be down 15 pounds by the end of the challenge, and I almost did it! The weight loss is awesome (and I still have a long way to go) but I also feel rejuvenated, and mentally alive again. I'm starting to feel like a totally different person, or maybe that person I used to be when I was happy with myself. I know eventually I will get to where I want to be on the scale.

There surely is a Power of One... when you set your mind to it, you can achieve anything. I truly believe that now.


Previous Weight 199
Current Weight 198
-------------------------------------------
Loss this week -1
Total loss for this challenge -8.5
Total loss since 12/21/10 -14

The Power of One Week 6

A little late is better than never, right? I totally missed reporting my weight this week to shrinkingjeans, but that doesn't mean I've opted out or giving up. Just means I've had a crazy week, and totally lost track of what day it is. Seems to happen quite alot here lately. Sign of getting old? Nah, I refuse to be getting old. lol

Anway this week I lost what I gain last week, which is awesome! Now just need to made that scale move in the right direction for next weeks weight in! Hope everyone has a great week!


Previous weight: 200.5
Current weight: 199
_________________________
Loss this week -1.5
Total loss for this challenge 7.5
Total loss since 12/21/10  13

Power of One Week 5

This week has not been a good one weight, food or exercise wise. I had considered not weighing and not writing this post. But here I am, I weighed.. and I am writing. My life has been a little chaotic with the new puppy (read about it here), and I have let all of that get the best of me and not paying attention to me... ie exercise, healthy eating etc.

So my weigh in results this week were no suprise. Although I am kicking myself in the butt for it! I wasn't gonna weigh and I wasn't going to write a post. But I need to own up to my mistakes and get back on track for this week.


Previous weight: 199
Current weight: 200.5
-------------------------------
Up this week 1.5
Total loss for the challenge 6
Total loss since 12/21/10 11.5

Power of One- Week 4





This week was a much better week for me than last week. I actually skipped weigh in and blogging for week #3. I'm back and rearing to go! I believe I have finally hit that groove I've been trying to get back to for the LONGEST time! The groove where you have to exercise, its like a drug. I never thought I'd find it again, but here it is! I'm thrilled to back to that point.

That groove is what is going to make "this time" different with weight loss. I not only want to lose the weight but I am where I need to be mentally to make it happen. Instead of saying I'm doing it, but only doing enough to say I'm trying. This time I'm in full force!  My goal for this upcoming week is to be able to replace my 10# button with a 15# one! :) 

This week I am back to Onederland!!! Its been a year since I've been there, and I am not going back!! Ever!

Previous Weight:201.5

Current Weight: 199.0

____________________

Down this week 2.5

Total loss for the challenge 7.5

Total loss since 12/21/10  13!!

Dear Me 2012

The Power of One Challenge at the shrinking jeans, isnt only a challenge to get you moving and focusing on eating healthier. Its also a challenge to get your brain moving too. To focus on the mental issues that are causing us to be unhealthy.

The week one project (yes, I'm a little late) was to write a letter to yourself as if 2011 was over and it was January 1, 2012. I was hesitant about this project, and was even going to skip it. But I have decided that I need to go out of my comfort zone and jump in this with full force so here it goes...

Dear Misty,

Can you believe its 2012 already? 2011 was an exciting and great year for you! The biggest feat that you accomplished is that you are happy again. Not just happy, going through the motions happy, but REALLY happy. There is alot for you to be happy about...

In March you were married, they say the 2nd marriage is always better, truer words were never spoken.

You lived it up on your honeymoon, a cruise to Bermuda. Although there were people who tried to ruin that for you, you were able to take it all in stride and not let anyone or anything ruin your plans.

You finally were able to reach your weight loss goals. Not as quickly as you were hoping, but you are now where you want to be. Doesn't it feel great??!!

You raised money and walked the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Did you ever think you could walk so many miles??

2011 was an awesome year! Whatever is in store for your 2012 I'm sure will be awesome as well.

Power Of One Week 2

It's Wednesday and we all know what that means.... weigh in day for the Power of One Challenge. How did everyone do? I have to say I am loving the new Weight Watchers Points Plus program! Some days I struggle to use all my points, since there is no longer counting for fruits and most veggies. 

I have heard that the best time to work out, is when you don't feel like working out. I found that to be true this week.  I really struggled a few days to make myself get up and get some activity in. Once I did I felt awesome after! So when you don't feel like it, just make yourself do it!

I am seeing positive change on the scale, and mentally I am feeling better about myself for making the changes. However, I am not seeing any change when it comes to how my clothes feel or fit. So how much does one need to lose to start having the droopy drawers syndrome? lol

Last weeks weight 206.5

This weeks weight 201.5

------------------------------

 Down this week 5!!!

Total loss for the challenge 5

Total loss since 12/21/10 10.5  Yay! I've earned by 10# button!

Weekly Check In- Power of One 1/5/

This week there is good and bad news. The good news is I finally have wrapped my mind around the new Weight Watchers Points Plus program. I struggled for the past week and a half. Mostly because not wanting to deal with the "change". Usually change isn't really a big deal for me, but for some reason I was really stressed out about new points vs old points. Once I REALLY got focused and set my mind to it, it really hasn't been that difficult. 

The bad news.... I'm up 1 pound this week. Not surprised though, considering while I was trying to get into Weight Watcher mode, I didn't make very good choices while dining at Olive Garden for a relatives birthday dinner. 

I'm on the right track now, and I just *know* that pound will be gone next week!


Previous Weight 205.5
Current Weight 206.5
--------------------------
+/- for challenge     +1

Pounds gone since 12/21/10 5.5