Weight Loss

  I will do my best to sum up a long story into a nice and neat package.  2 years ago I graduated and in this two years I gained 35 lbs.  Blaaaghh!  I can't fit into a lot of my Lolita dresses so they hang waiting for me in my closet. I got fed up with it and in the past month I have lost 10 lbs.  Not bad, 10 lbs in one month. 

  How did I do it?  The old fashioned way.  Diet and exercise.  I know that I am not an expert on the subject just because I had a good month but I just wanted to share my achievement and give my advice to anyone who might also want to lose weight.  

First off.  It really sicks losing weight, at least it does for me.  I used to eat out a lot and eat things that were not good for me.  Friday night used to be our Chinese take out night and how I loved it.  I would get Egg Foo Young with gravy, an egg roll, and fried rice.  I can't even imagine how many calories were in that.  Also, my in laws love to host large dinners and take everyone out to eat every week.  It takes oodles of willpower to order a grilled chicken salad when all the people around you are eating pizza, Chicken Fingers and French Fries, coconut cream pie, and Chocolate Cake.   MMmmmmmm. 

As far as diet goes I keep a food dairy.  I carry around a tiny day planner that I write down the calories that I eat when I eat them.  I just do it when I am eating so I don't forget.  But, this does include whipping out my tiny blue book out at restaurants and getting made fun of a little by my husband and his family.  (They tease me in a nice way, not mean.)  I allow myself up to 1,000 calories everyday.  I have found this to be the best amount for me.  I am not tired, I stay pretty full all day, and it allows me to lose weight at a nice pace.  

Most day I have soup, nuts, dried fruit, a granola bar, a fruit snack, salad, lots of water, a low calories pudding cup, and yogurt.  I go low on carbs. but not obsessively so, and just make sure I don't eat anything horrible.

When it comes to exercise I don't have a job where I am very active so I have to make up for it after.  I have a gym membership at a gym that is only 5 minutes away from my home and place of employment.  Right after work I drive right on over, get changed, and work out.  I love the elliptical so that is what I use most.  In about an hour and 45 minutes I burn 1,200 calories.  I use the weight machines for about 15 minutes and am done for the day.  I am going to be doing some Boot camp classes in the coming month to change it up.  Since almost two hours on the elliptical is a lot I use my Zune and listen to music and watch episodes of True Blood.  (So good!  I just love Eric.  He is such a hottie!)  

I realize this is not a great workout for everyone, it might be too much or not enough.  It is just what I am doing now and what works for me right now.  When I am done and have reached my goal I will have lost 60 lbs.  This will give me a weight that is ideal for my height and will allow me to not only fit into all of My Lolita clothing but might even make me purchase some new and smaller dresses.  

Coming down to my ideal weight will allow me to regain my confidence, feel better about myself, look good at my class reunion, and more.  Even losing 10lbs. I feel better, dresses are fitting better, and I am excited for more weight loss.

I hope perhaps me talking about my weight loss will inspire someone else to start.  I know I needed a boot in the butt to get me going.  So if you need to and want to lose wight, go for it!  Sign up for a gym membership, buy some fitness DVD's. play DDR, dance around your room, go running, do whatever you want and can do.  In another month what I check in again with my weight loss it would be great to hear from someone who also kicked it into gear and lost some weight.  Will it be you that I hear from?  I hope so.