The awful truth, and what I’m gonna do about it
I have a confession to make: I’ve been slowing but steadily gaining weight over the past six months or so, and I’m turning into a big fat blob. No, seriously. As in, my clothes don’t fit, I feel gross and huge all the time, I’m uncomfortable, and – did I mention – my clothes don’t fit??? I absolutely refuse to spend money on new clothes when the reason they don’t fit is my own damn fault. Actually, here’s what I think has been going on:
- I don’t get a lot of exercise in the winter.
- I spent several months in my apartment being depressed after “the incident.”
- I’ve slowly been relaxing my standards on my normally healthy-food-only diet.
- And finally, as I approach the big 3-0, I think my metabolism is slowing down, or rather, grinding to a dismal halt.
I have been noticing my body change ever-so-slowly over the past few months, and I gotta say, I freaking hate it. Hate it with a fiery passion that shakes my inner core. I hate how I look, I hate how I feel, and I hate that my freaking nice clothes don’t fit!!! So what am I gonna do about it?
This:
Today I joined Weight Watchers. Now, let me preface this discussion by saying that I normally hate this kind of thing and have never tried anything like this before. BUT, I recently watched a friend lose over 30 pounds on WW, and she looks absolutely FANTASTIC. She’s continuing the program, and I’ll be doing it with her and another friend of ours. I am really excited about this – REALLY excited. I mean, if my friend can do it, so can I! I have nothing to lose but fat (and a few bucks, but it’ll be worth it if the fat disappears).Â
Here’s where I started:
And my goal is to lose about 10-15 pounds, which will make me happy, get my body back into the shape I vaguely remember from a year or so ago, and – the best part – will make my clothes fit again. And so it begins…
For those of you not familiar with WW, they basically tell you how many points you can eat per day, and every food has an assigned points value. You can eat whatever you want as long as you don’t exceed your points for the day. Sounds flexible and easy enough, no?
Well… I started calculating what my normal daily diet consists of… and I was shocked – SHOCKED – to learn that my breakfast accounted for half of my daily points! BREAKFAST, people! And I’m not eating ham and cheese omelettes, here. My breakfast consists of cereal and milk with a glass of juice. And this is HALF of what I’m supposed to be eating ALL DAY? Dude, I guess I need to seriously re-think what I’ve been eating. Apparently veggies are zero points so you can eat plenty of healthier things and still be full. Today, because I didn’t know about the points until it was pretty much too late, I went way over my limit and am still hungry, which totally means that I need to cut out the cheese and olive oil and then I can eat more, less-fattening stuff. Geez.
I took some “before” mug-shot-esque photos of myself after work today so that I can document my progress visually as well as numerically. I was thinking about posting one, but, to be perfectly honest, I’m too embarrassed! Not to mention the fact that I didn’t shave or anything, haha. So you’ll just have to imagine what a 5’8″ body looks like at 146.6 pounds. As for me, sadly, I don’t have to imagine and have to drag this blubber around with me everywhere I go. But hopefully I can stick to this program and be in bikini-shape by summer.
Wish me luck!
Oh, and if you ever feel the urge to mention whole milk or cheese on this blog, prepare to face the wrath of a cranky, hungry woman. Just sayin’. : )
I have a friend who is doing WW too. She swears by it. Outside of the accountability of WW I can’t see the point. I figured out what my BMR (Not BMI)was then I subtract 500 calories daily to lose 1lb a week!
But luckily we all have different options that work for us! Great luck to you!:)
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April 29th, 2009 at 11:39 pmWow, DD, good for you! You are an inspiration, truly.
Like you, I’ve been watching myself slowly gain weight over the last four months or so, and am hating myself for it. And my breakfast sounds a lot like yours! Maybe it’s time to rethink the cereal and milk routine…
Please keep us posted on how the WW works out, and best of luck!
April 29th, 2009 at 11:42 pmTry following a raw food diet for 2-4 weeks. You can eat fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds. Eat as much as you want…as long as nothing is cooked above 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The goal is to eat food as close to how it grows in nature. Fresh, ripe, and raw.
Two weeks of raw food, and the weight will be falling off!
April 30th, 2009 at 2:25 amI’m in the same boat, DD, but a lot worse. I have gained about 40 pounds since last Spring!!!! And when I lost all that weight, I threw out most of my clothes so I have hardly anything that I can fit into now.
Keep us all posted on your progress. I need to find something that works.
My doctor gave me a verbal tongue lashing yesterday!
April 30th, 2009 at 10:34 amStart eating a breakfast high in protein. I recommend a ready to drink protein shake or something made of egg whites. A wall street journal article I read a few weeks ago talks about how eating certain foods make you eat more throughout the day while others make you eat less. Check it out here: http://snipr.com/fvryh
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April 30th, 2009 at 10:46 amI weigh about what you do and am 5 inches shorter. I tried WW once and HATED it…I was STARVING all the time, and all “points” did was make me obsess about food…I’d stare at everything and try to estimate what the points are. Plus you basically can’t cook anything that isn’t their recipe or packaged otherwise you can’t tell what the point value is. And you always underestimate!
But I would love to hear how you do on it. If it works (I was pre-veggies are “free” points) then maybe I’ll give it another go…
April 30th, 2009 at 12:09 pmGood luck!
April 30th, 2009 at 6:25 pmThanks for all the support!
SomethingFair – Thanks! I think that’s the key – different things work for different people, and there are lots of options. I’m giving WW a try, and we’ll see how it goes. I won’t be convinced until my pants fit again!
SheComesFirst – Thank you! I’m still not sure what was “wrong” with my old breakfast, but I’ve figured out some “better” options – low-fat yogurt, fresh fruit, eggs, or a combination of 2 out of 3. I’m still learning…
Michelle – Actually, this is almost exactly what the WW guy told us – try to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible, although WW does allow cooked lean meat, cooked veggies, etc. Then again, I could never give up sushi, so I’ll certainly be eating raw fish. : )
Rachelle – Oh no! It’s amazing how easy it is to gain weight, but I’m convinced that it will be relatively easy to lose it, too. I just have to exercise my will-power and plan ahead. If you decide to try losing, let me know and we can support each other!
Hammer – Yeah, that’s another thing the WW guy mentioned – try to fill your diet with filling foods so that you don’t get as hungry as often. Never tried a protein shake… will have to look into it! Have you had them? Are they yummy???
Honey – Well, I have to agree with you about the starving part (this morning anyway) and the obsessing about food/points. But hopefully as I learn how to plan ahead it won’t be such a big deal and I won’t be so freaking hungry! As for cooking, you can actually cook whatever you want, as long as you keep track of the ingredients. Just calculate the points for each ingredient, add them all up, and divide by the # of servings. Calculator required. : )
Mr NYC – Thanks! 24 hours in, I’m optimistic… we’ll see how I feel in a week or so!
April 30th, 2009 at 7:53 pmgood luck, hon!…i’ve found it best over the years to just make better choices at the grocery store and take my lunch with me to work with plenty of fruits and vegetables for snacking if i get hungry…it works and i dont have to worry about what i’d do if i get in snack mode at home since i plan for those times with yummy healthy snacks…
cg
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April 30th, 2009 at 10:51 pmWow at 5’9″ I wish that I was anywhere CLOSE to being in the 140s. Good luck with WW!
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April 30th, 2009 at 10:55 pmThere are some really yummy protein shakes. Get the ready to drink though, mixing the powder always comes out a little clumpy. You should be able to find a muscle milk RTD in your grocery store.
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May 1st, 2009 at 3:14 amDid someone named Hammer seriously just say yummy?
On a serious note, I think there is nothing more satisfying than achieving a goal. Actually, there is one thing more satisfying: the inevitable downward spiral post achieved goal, where you get to have fun. Life seems to be all about that, doesn’t it?
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May 1st, 2009 at 6:35 amMy mother does Weight Watchers, but it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference for her. But that’s because it seems “on and off,” and maaaaaybe because she doesn’t exercise at all? Goes without saying that no matter what plan you follow, there is no substitute for physical exercise! But fortunately for you, it’s tennis season.
Good luck!
May 2nd, 2009 at 4:39 amcg – Yes yes, I have to do all of those things! Part of my problem is that I only know the basics of nutrition… learning more will help me make better choices as I go along.
KT – Thanks! Different people feel comfortable at different weights, and all I know is that I’m NOT comfortable at this weight. I’ve always been tall and lean, and the extra chub is not acceptable!
Hammer – Will have to check that out, although the idea of a clumpy drink is not very appealing, lol.
Simon – Oh, Hammer is just a big softie. : ) And yes, I can’t wait to put on a killer tight dress and have a fantastic sexathon once I drop my 10 lbs. or so. Oooooh, I’m getting excited just thinking about it!
Virgin – Thanks! Yeah, there is no substitute for exercise. Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, it’s important for general health, etc. As for WW, I think if you apply it consistently, you’re supposed to lose weight even without exercise…. my friend lost 30 lbs. that way!
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:23 pmBe careful with loosing weight though – it can affect your mental state.
Oddly what panicked me was not the gaining weight when I had glandular fever, but loosing muscle definition. Felt like reverting to a weaker physical state; yuck.
~ Tony
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May 3rd, 2009 at 8:56 amTony – Well, the WW guy says that the program is designed to burn fat, not muscle. Hopefully it will work out the way it’s supposed to! I won’t be convinced of anything until I see the results, though… waiting for Wed. for my 1-week weigh-in. Yikes!
May 3rd, 2009 at 5:21 pmHey DD,
You don’t have to cut out olive oil all together. I would use it sparingly though.
Hammer, the Virgin, and Michelle have great points!
What kind of cereal do you eat? Milk is a great source of calcium and protein, but the high sugar to protein ratio is the killer. Orange juice is good for vitamin C, but again you have to think of the sugar content.
Protein has a thermogenic (fat burning) effect on the body, the exercise will help burn fat quicker, and you can’t go wrong with raw fruits and veggies.
Most protein powders mix well now a days. I’d stick with the powders. RTD’s can get expensive. A powerful blender is a must have in these fast paced times. Plus you can doctor up your protein drinks with fruit, yogurt, natural peanut butter, etc. I even put uncooked oats in my own, but I’m a little more fanatical than most.
Stick to slow burning carbs like oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potatoes,whole grain pasta, and whole grain breads. I would minimize the bread though, and try to get the pasta in before 5pm.
Anyway, they will keep you feeling full much longer. They are more nutrient dense and won’t spike your insulin levels (which promotes fat storage) like white bread, sugar, white pasta, etc.
Nuts are a great snack and can help curb your appetite. They have both healthy fats and protein. Just don’t eat too many, because healthy fats are 9 calories per gram.
Same with Natural Peanut butter. Just a tablespoon can hold you over between meals.
Another good one between main meals is cottage cheese and fruit/veggies.
When I diet to cut up, I get the bulk of my carbs from breakfast to lunch, which is when my activity is at it’s peak. I taper them off into the evening, which is when your metabolism tends to wind down.
Theoretecally, it doesn’t matter when you eat carbs, if you don’t take in excess calories during the day, but I don’t take chances.
5-6pm is my last meal with complex carbs. For my dinner, around 8:30pm, I eat a protein with veggies. That will hold me over until the morning, and will control cravings for late night cereal binges.
Getting the 5-6 small meals will rev up the metabolism. I count shakes as meals, by the way.
You don’t have to starve yourself to lose weight-just make better choices 80% of the time. Don’t get stuck eating the same things either, because your body adapts to that, just like it does your workouts. On the weekends, have a cheat meal. Reward yourself.
Sorry for the book. Hope this helps!!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:35 pmReemy – Wow, thanks! Very informative. There is definitely a lot I need to learn about this stuff. For now, I’m just following blindly. Not sure what I’m going to do after I lose the weight!
May 5th, 2009 at 9:00 pm