Phase "Colorado"

Well, traveling is typically the hardest time for me to make good food choices and this is no different. I think it is a combination of the social draw and the abundance of indulgent choices available when eating out. I have managed to try and make some good choices though.
I am looking forward to getting home to the safety and comfort of my "healthy routines".

Let me add that just connecting with you guys to talk about it is giving me renewed, resolve.

Nutrition: Striving for and Sustaining Healthy Habits

I found this great artice on sustaing healthy habits written by Gwen Stanley. One of the main points is to set a goal of being healthy and feeling good rather than focusing on the pounds lost. I really like that it calls out changing our mental status to achieve our goals.

Quote from article to wet your whistle.......
'A key component of the goal to feel good is that it is a very positive goal. There should be absolutely nothing negative about striving for and sustaining a state of feeling truly good and healthy. Yet the way almost everyone approaches making healthier choices is through a negative mental framework. The term, “I will cut down on my consumption of sweets and fried foods to lose some extra weight,” is far more common than the term, “I will purchase and consume more of my favorite fruits and vegetables, and walk or ride my bike every day.”'

The general concept is to mentally change the approach and consider what you will add to your healthy lifestyle rather than what you will "take away".
Make's sense doesn't it??!! Read the article in full at:
http://www.projectmana.org/node/3816

Let me know what you think!! :)

~M

Week 2 Recap

We had our week 2 weigh-in this morning (the start of our 3rd week.) Janel and I started on Fitday to get going logging our calories, and shifted to Myfooddiary.com at the end of week 1. Between the two of us we have lost about 15-16 pounds. Not too shabby!

We continue to take it slow and figure out what works best for us. There are things we like that we don't want to allow ourselves right now because we haven't really built up the habit support system we need for sustainable weight loss. It would be way too easy for me to have a few bad days in a row and then fall off the wagon. Janel is a really good role model for me and we are using each other to stay accountable.

Thanks to Mom for keeping this blog going and for leading the charge! I am sooooo proud of you Ma :) Make me catch you! I'm looking forward to a great week and I will have more updates to come shortly.

Love,
-a

Phase 3 this week for me...........

Remember I mentioned that going to phase 3 of the Curves weight management plan would increase my calories by about 500 daily. While I don't follow their food choices, I do follow the concept of their over outline which is basically divided into 3 phases. The thought is to keep your metabolism from stalling. The general outline is as follows:

Phase 1 & 2 are weight loss phases:

Phase 1: 12oo calories for 7 days

Phase 2: 1500 calories for 14 days

Phase 3 is maintenance phase NOT a loss phase:
Eat 2000-2500 calories for 2-3 weeks. During phase 3 if you gain up to 3 lbs you should drop back to 1200 calories until you lose all 3 lbs. Then go back to the 2000-2500. Don't let yourself gain more than 3 lbs. During this week you should weigh yourself daily (the other two phases recommend a weekly weigh in). It's good to allow yourself to gain up to 3 lbs at least a couple of times before going back to the phase 1 rotation. This will trigger your metabolism. The longer it takes in between gains the better your metabolism is working.

Another benefit of phase 3 is to let your body get used to the weight that it is losing and teach you the how to maintain on a regular basis so that when you get to your goal weight it will not be a new concept to maintian. Building good habits along the way are crucial to success. Because if we don't change bad habits we will only revert to those eventually.

The first time I did phase 3 I was very nervous about it but it was amazing to see my body respond well to it. We'll see how it works this time. :) I'll keep a post of my progress. I should really get some pictures up too.

Does anyone want to post before, along the way and after pics? Let me know. You all have access to create new posts. I'd love to hear about your journey.

Godspeed!
~M

And holding.......

Well, good news; I'm holding at 199. I did dip down to 198 for a minute but have not gone back up over 200. YAY!! So that means that it was a REAL loss and not just a quinkeydink. ;)

While there has been a challenge to keep a balance of the right mix for protien, fat and carbs, I have been fairly successful. My diary keeps telling me that I need more fat in my daily intake by about 1 or 2%.........I NEVER thought I'd struggle with that! LOL

Next week I go to phase 3 of my curves recommended cycle and will be increasing my daily caloric intake by about 500 calories.

How is everyone else doing so far?

Sweet!

ok, well, the day finally arrived. With great anticipation, I stepped on to the scale and low and behold.......199! I stepped off and back on 3 times just to make sure. Now I feel like the pressure if off even if I float back up a couple of pounds, which will inevitably happen. I usually ebb and flow, so to speak with my weight. #1 Milestone...........checked off the list! Now on to bigger and better.........oh, I mean smaller and better things. :)

I have to say, I am truly LOVING myfooddiary.com. I gave them a recommendation on FaceBook. I really like the smiley face encouragements and the added daily nutritional intake updates it gives you. Such a great tool for a small sum. Thanks to Adam and Janel for the referral!

Hope you're having a great day. I'd love to hear about your updates. Post a note here and share what's happening with you so we can all pray for each other and encourage one another. Pullleeeaasse!!!

Godspeed,
~M

Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin Feels

Monday, July 27th has proven so far to be a day of great satisfaction. I'm on the threshold of breaking my first milestone weight. I'm being challenged mentally because I've set out to be determined not to be TIED to the number on the scale, but as I'm so so close to breaking the 200 mark, I can't help thinking about how I can scoot under the number!!! I'm RIGHT at 200 and holding for the last few days. I know, I know, I shouldn't weight myself every day and AFTER I break this one milestone, I will resume my normal once a week weigh in. I'm excited and nervous and anxious........deep breath. It's been a long, long time since I was under 200. This is big for me.....I mean small.....hahaha. I'm cracking up, that's it folks, I'm finally cracking up. :) Then today I remembered a quote from a Weight Watcher leader from back in the 80's when Dad and I went together for awhile and it has proven to be VERY true. "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!"

How is everyone else doing on the healthier living front? I'm curious to hear the updates from everyone.

Here's to feeling thin!
~M