The Spark I Needed?
Posted By Kristabella on June 22, 2010
Remember this post?
Well not much came of it. I went on vacation and then I hurt my back and then well, come on, I’m President of the Lazy Club! Are we even really all that shocked?
But I am really tired of being fat. And I’m tired of feeling like this so I wanted to do something about it.
I thought about joining Weight Watchers. AGAIN. I’ve been on again and off again on WW since 2004. I pretty much know the program inside and out. What I have learned with this knowledge that it is a lot easier to fudge and make excuses and guesstimate. And do you know what that means? That means that I eat way more than I should, and I don’t actually count it so I figure I’m eating within my points and somehow I can’t lose weight! And I wonder WHY? And then I get depressed, give up and drown my sorrows in burritos and cheese.
So I knew I needed something different. But I also know that WW works. I lost like 60 pounds on it back in 2004. I KNOW it works if you do it right.
But then again, I’m also 6 years older than I was then. And my metabolism has slowed down significantly in my 30s. I can no longer eat my weight in pizza and burritos on the weekends and hope to have my pants fit come Monday.
I needed something that would give me that motivation that I had when I first started WW. The motivation that led me to drop so much weight. I would like to lose that weight again, since I have found it all again in the last 5 years.
I was talking to Nic and she mentioned SparkPeople. It was free, so I signed up. It’s basically calorie tracking. But it also tracks carbs, protein and fat and lets you know what you’re doing well and things you need to work on. It gives you a nice picture of what you eat each day. And you could search common foods, restaurant foods and get calories for your own recipes. And it is all free! (I know this sounds like they paid me to write this, but I swear, they didn’t!)
And this was the push I needed. It made me get back to that stage where I was tracking every single thing I ate and drank each day, no matter the calories, etc. And I am. I have only done it for 2 days, but so far, so good. I realize I eat too many carbs (WHO DOESN’T?) and that I really need to be better about making sure I’m eating enough protein to keep me full.
So we shall see how this goes. I am trying to do better, limit my drinking since we all know that is the whole reason I have put on weight. Because let’s be honest, booze = late night consumption of pizza and burritos. And I’m even planning to sign up at the gym tomorrow after work. I have my bag all set so I have NO EXCUSES.
Wish me luck! And hopefully in a few months there will be less of me to love! But I’ll still be completely full of snark.
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I might need to check this out. I’m tired of being fat.
just tell it to me straight. what are the stats in vodka and lo-carb monster? i’ll then do the heavy duty math on the quanity later.
i’m serious.
I use something similar – The Daily Plate. It lets me track everything and also has a calorie breakdown for pretty much every form of physical activity imaginable. The last time I was actively trying to lose weight I used 5-Factor Fitness. I know it sounds stupid and a little hokey but it really worked for me. I’m not someone who could just eat one cookie so the portion control with Weight Watchers didn’t really work for me, but just being told that I couldn’t have any cookies was somehow easier. The best part about 5-Factor was that all of the workouts were completely laid out and if you were crunched for time it was only 30 minutes. 30 minutes of hell for sure, but I was able to motivate myself because the time was so short. Now I’ve been running for about 8 months and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it, but am probably going to be going back to 5-Factor soon so I can really tone up before having to wear a wedding dress.
LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXOXOXO
I’m right there with you, my friend. I eat carbs like there is no tomorrow. And even when I’m being healthy, I still eat too many carbs. WHY CAN’T CARBS BE LIKE VEGETABLES?
Aly´s last blog post ..Vlogging – Round Two
1-2-3!
it’s going to be a lifesaver, i can already tell.
I LOVE Sparkpeople!!!! I’ve lost 27 lbs since December with it! My ultimate goal is to lose 90 lbs to be the skinny b!%(# I was in college, and I actually think I can do it now. Good luck to you!!!!
Yay! I’m checking out the site…looks cool.
Scarlet´s last blog post ..House Of Cards
I think that is what my husband is currently using to track his caloric intake. Let me know if it works, I have a few lbs to lose!
Christina´s last blog post ..Spotless
Are you still doing the C25K program? I’ve taken a few extra weeks (It took me, um, awhile to be able to run 5 minutes at a time) but now I’m about half-way through and have seen some serious results, mostly just from running. I ran for 20 minutes straight last week, which, seriously, there is NO way I could have done that back in March. I’m also now running on the treadmill at my gym, which doesn’t hurt my body as much as running on pavement. Thanks to that, I’m halfway through my weight-loss goal for my friend’s wedding in October.
Keep pushing through! You can do it! And it will be awesome and all your pants won’t fit, but in the GOOD way!!
C25K is awesome. I did it last summer, and got up to Week 6 (I think) where I ran for 20 minutes straight…and then I hurt my ankle and never got up to doing it again.
I started it up again now…I’m in the middle of Week 2, but it’s much easier this time around. I’m also obsessed with using the RunKeeper iPhone app to track my runs (there’s a Couch to 5K app as well, but I like RunKeeper way better). With the Pro version I can input all of the training days, so the app will tell me when to walk and run, etc, etc.
C25K FTW!
Matt Stratton´s last blog post ..Photoshoot Meetup
Make sure you check out the SparkPeople iPhone app. It’s essential for success with the program (since you can then look up and record stuff “on the go”.
Matt Stratton´s last blog post ..Configuring SharePoint 2010 Search in a one-way trust scenario
Getting started is always the hardest part – good luck!
Have you read the book “French Women Don’t Get Fat”? It’s my go-to book every time I need a little push to eat better/less.
Jen on the Edge´s last blog post ..Great literature
I have to second Matt’s suggestion of the Sparkpeople iphone app and doing the C25k program – I love both!
I’ve actually used SparkPeople before, not to lose weight, but to clean up my diet. Its very easy to use.
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I tried WW a couple of times, and like you, I know it works . . . it’s just a matter of DOING it. After awhile I got so tired of counting points, etc., that I would slip by the wayside. But I still try to drink lots of water daily, eat plenty of fruits and veggies, and last January I rejoined my old Gym (which has made a WORLD of difference for me!).
I know you can do this! Good luck!
Liz J in Central Illinois´s last blog post ..Grace In Small Things: 25/2010
I tried Spark People once upon a time and it wasn’t for me, but I’m so glad it’s given you that extra spark (ha!) that you’ve been looking for. I’ve read about it being amazing for so many people. I’ve actually been using DailyMile.com to log my workouts and it’s been helpful as I have a few bloggy friends already there being super inspiring.
GOOD LUCK. You are going to kick serious ass; I can FEEL it.
Kerri Anne´s last blog post ..Est. 1982
That eating better and cutting back on the booze will help. A lot. Not only with the scale but your wallet as well! (Seriously, I wondered where the extra cash I had came from – did I forget to pay something?)
Good luck!
Hooray for finding something that works for you! Happy for you, friend. 🙂
Angella´s last blog post ..How It All Ended
I cannot stand the WW meetings and the fact that they try to sell me more crap, but if it got you down 60 lbs I guess I shouldn’t knock it. Let me know if you find a Cookie and Mojitos Watchers. I would KICK ASS at that!
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