Getting Started.... Again

Many of you know my history, and you know that I have struggled with my weight for quite a few years now. I'm just going to sum up for those of you who are new friends or for anyone who wants a refresher:





In 2001, I was officially diagnosed with diabetes. At that time I was about 60 lbs overweight. I had gained most of that in the previous 8 months.





I controlled the diabetes with diet and exercise except during my pregnancies, UNTIL Jordan was born. At that time, I had post partum depression (which had been going on since Stephen was a baby, but I didn't realize it) and I didn't care to do any of the things I was supposed to do. I didn't want any meds because I wanted to breast feed. Actually, I didn't want to, but it was the easiest and fastest way to feed a voracious eater.





2006-2008 - I got counseling for the depression, and focused on my emotional and mental health rather than physical.





Since 2009, I have been working to get rid of the weight. As with anything worthwhile, it takes commitment and work and follow through. I have gone through the cycle of starting and drifting into inactivity many times over the past two years. I know I have said it before, but I truly feel that I am in the right place now - spiritually and emotionally - I have the right support and the right mindset to get this done.





I am blogging about this journey for myself mostly. It's a form of accountability for me and I hope someone can find that for themselves as well. I don't plan to share every single thing I eat or do, but I do plan to weigh in at least once a week. In reality, I weigh in every morning, but I will more than likely NOT post that every day. I will also be posting some blood sugars, if I feel it important enough to reflect on... like how I thought I could eat some P.F. Chang's frozen chinese food the other day and actually eat some rice with it and keep my sugars in a decent range. NOT! White rice is just about NEVER a diabetic's friend.





So, last Tuesday, January 10, 2012, I had a diabetic follow up with my primary care doctor (who is phenomenal if you happen to live in the Roswell/Alpharetta area). We discussed my goals, my current state of health and where I need to be in order to get off of the shots I take for diabetes. I need to drop 40 lbs.





On January 10th, I weighed in at 214 lbs. My goal is 165. Now, I know that a lot of BMI and weight charts say that I should weigh between 155 and 160, but I weighed that as a senior in high school... and I have more muscle mass on me than I did then (some of you have seen my legs, so you know what I am talking about). And I don't want to look anorexic. I want to be fit. I want to look my best and be able to do all things physical with my crazy fearless sons. I want to rock climb. I want to WANT to run. (I guess it COULD happen).





Anyway, after that appointment, I committed to myself to workout 4 to 5 days a week. I know that some weeks will be harder than others, and some workouts will be a 20 minute workout video instead of the hour-long kick-@ss spin class that I love. I had already committed to eating better. I've been on and off doing the South Beach diet since around Thanksgiving, and it works. However, I don't want to feel hungry or deprived (which I do on South Beach because I love fruit), so I am pretty much doing this the old fashioned way. Healthy diet and excercise. I try only to have carbs like bread at lunch (rarely but occasionally dinner), vegetable and fruit carbs are available to me any time.





I am making fish for dinner 1-3 times a week, and trying to replace most of our ground beef meals with turkey instead. (I'm weaning my kids off of the beef... doing half and half mixes). I fill half my dinner plate with salad or whatever greens I made for dinner that night.





For breakfasts I generally have an omelet (usually with onion, pepper, brocolli/spinach/or kale) OR if I am going to my hour long spin class - I eat oatmeal. On the ocassion when I am in too much of a hurry for making anything, I will make a quick protein shake.





I am finding that I CAN eat a few slices of lunch meat rolled with a slice of 2% chedder or colbyjack AND enjoy it, instead of having an actual sandwich with bread and mayo. And apples are my friend... as is a big spoonful of Skippy Natural peanut butter. :)





My exercise recap for the last 9 days:





During the week of 1/9-15: I went to the gym three days (two days cardio-treadmill/rowing machine, and 1 day at Spin Class) and I counted vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping the entire first floor as exercise because at the end of that 2 hours my back is sore and I'm sweating profusely. I don't know if you can really count that as exercise, but I am a work in progress so I am counting it.





This week:


Monday 1/16 - school holiday, tried to do a workout video - only got 10 minutes of cardio yoga.


Tuesday 1/17 - spin class


Wednesday 1/18 - gym/cardio: 20 min elliptical, 10 minutes rowing machine, 10 minutes treadmill/walking.


Today 1/19 - spin class





If you have any questions, feel free to reply to the post or email me. I will answer the questions here unless you tell me you want the reply privately.





Thanks for reading. It really does help me with my goal.





-Susan