Ohmystinkinheck

The title of this post is a bit misleading and let me tell you why. I’m NOT weighing in today. I’ve made a decision, and I hope that it doesn’t disappoint those of you who have faithfully shown up on Mondays to witness my weekly weigh-in results. I’m not going to weigh but once a month. Yep, once a month. I have a very good, very emotionally healthy reason for this change.

A week is only 7 days. Just 7 days. Although our family schedule has proven that a lot can happen in 7 days, my weigh-ins have proven that there is a lot of fluctuation in 7 days. What if I was on my period? What if I ate a pickle and am retaining water? What if I decided Sunday night to eat Mexican food? What if I haven’t pooped? (Don’t look so shocked, we ALL KNOW a good BM can tip the scale one way or the other.)

The point is that weekly weigh-ins, mentally, can be more debilitating than helpful. I react strongly to failure. If I go a week and don’t lose weight, especially a week like this one - where I worked my tail-end off, I can easily become disenchanted with the whole “get healthy” theme in my life and ditch it all. I KNOW because I’ve done it a hundred times before.

So, I’m going to weigh in on the 1st Monday of every month. Those weigh-ins I’ll post here. In between I still want to talk about what I’m doing, most specifically my mindset - that of an overweight person trying to change their view of everything food and exercise related. As I remember stories from the past, I want to share them. As I hit obstacles now and in the future, I want to share them. I want to be transparent and honest, because I am more and more encouraged that this might just be helping more than me, the gal behind this blog. And heck, if exposing my experience can help some of you walk alongside of me to a healthier life, I’m absolutely ecstatic to have that role.

Last week I told you I was meeting with a personal trainer - and I did. She walked me through a program that stretches me, but is definitely doable. I worked that program ALL of last week, including Saturday’s Yoga session. Bear with me as I share what I’m doing and REMEMBER that I haven’t worked out in years and she was being nice to me.

Here’s my current weekly work-out sessions:

Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays
I warm up for 30 minutes on the treadmill. I originally set my pace at 3.0, but today I realized that I could really step it up to 3.2 or 3.3 for a bit more of a push - and I will from here on out. After the 1/2 hour warm-up I work out on the machines. I start with lower body, move to upper body and finish with ab exercises.

• Lower Body: Leg Press, Leg Curl, Hip Abduction, Hip Adduction
• Upper Body: Chest Press, Overhead Press for shoulders, Pulldown for my back, Arm Curls for my biceps, and Arm Extensions for my triceps
• Abdominals: Ab Machine and Stability Ball Crunches

Then I stretch and go home.

Tuesdays and Thursdays
These are my cardio days. This past week I’ve walked the treadmill for an hour. At 3.0 this put me at right over a 3 mile walk.

Saturdays

I’ve done a Yoga class. I wish it were earlier, because it won’t always fit with our schedule, but for now, when it does I’ll be there. If not, I’ll go earlier and do Cardio again.

And that’s it.

I have felt better, slept better, and been more attentive to what is going into my mouth. I won’t say I haven’t eaten anything I shouldn’t, but I prefer not to have should/should not foods. I’m of a rebellious nature and if I tell myself I can’t have something, that is exactly what I’ll want. However, I also have goals I want to reach. After much thought about my first-time goals, I’m going to share them with you.

1. I want to be able to wear clothing found in the Women’s (not plus-size) area of a department store or be able to shop in regular women’s clothing stores. This means, at maximum a size 13/14. This is not a LONG TERM goal, but a short-term goal. My short-term goal is to move from a Woman’s size 18/20 - and sometimes 22, to a 13/14.
2. I want to lose enough of my gut that I don’t have waistband rollage. And no, I’m not talking about my rolls, rolling. I’m talking about the way my stomach pushes my pants, skirts and panty waists down. I’m either pulling them up all the live long day or, if it is knit, unrolling them. It is frustrating, uncomfortable, and well, embarrassing. I want it to stop - that’s why I’m workin’ my gut with those crunches.
3. I want to feel lighter on my feet. When you are overweight, the term “light on one’s feet” hardly ever applies to you. You’re hard on shoes, hard on your arches, make louder noises when you step, and overall … you pack a heavy punch when you put one foot in front of the other. I want to FEEL LIGHTER.
4. I want to weigh less than my husband. He’s going to the gym too, so this will take a while.
5. I want to swim next summer. I LOVE TO SWIM, but I haven’t been in a pool more than 5x in 10 years because of complete embarrassment for my size. I’m tired of that. Next summer I want to swim.

And next summer, when I swim I’m gonna purchase an underwater swim bag for my camera so I can get more shots like this

and this

and this

and do things like this

and I’ll get less looks like this

because I won’t be demanding asking nicely for them to come closer to the side for me to get their photos.

Most likely my fingers will look like this…

But? I won’t care. Why? BECAUSE I WILL BE IN THE WATER with my kiddos. That almost makes me want to cry from excitement.

I can’t weight! OOPS! I can’t WAIT!

34 Responses to “Weighing In: Week 6”

1. Gidget

   Rock on! I am doing the same thing with modest degree of success so far, down 17 lbs, about 25% of my goal. I am totally carb intolerant, and have finally bitten the bullet.

   My one piece of assvice - get in the pool regardless of what size you are. Life is too short to not do the things you love. I am a very jiggly size 14 (thanks to age, what used to firm fat now moves independently) and I play volleyball in a swimsuit with people who look good.

   It was traumatic, but now I am over it! Don’t wait, enjoy! Nobody is thinking as much about how you look as you are :)

2. Liz C

   Very wise move on the monthly weigh-in. Once I got brave and actually went to a prenatal appointment, and the little miniature nurse girl wrote down a totally terrifying number as my “starting weight” (which it really isn’t, because I was over 6 months along at that first appointment)… well, from here on out, I won’t be seeing the actual number, just +/- for the visit. I can cope with that. The poor little mini-nurse girl was astonished… she had started the weights at 150#. I just snorted, and moved it past the 200# mark. Yeah, 150# is Really Really Thin for me (as in, 27″ waist, toned arms, tight thighs thin… pre-babies)… and I’m not there yet!

   And, do hop in the pool. I didn’t own a suit for years and years for the exact same reason (that, and I don’t really swim well), but two summers ago, I swallowed my pride, found a Fat Girl swimsuit that was as flattering as possible (I actually like the cut of the straps, and it has some powerful titanium-reinforced mesh through the torso, and it’s all black), and surprised my DH on our family vacation. Normally, I send him and the kids down the pool, and I’ll finish unpacking in the hotel room, then waddle down with a book and sit poolside. This time, I waddled down wrapped in a robe, and then hopped in the pool. The kids were in on the secret (even helped pick a suit, which was a little scary, but they’re pretty good judges of what is the most flattering on a Fat Mom), and once DH got over the shock, we had a LOT of fun goofing around in the water.

   I’m not going to say I run around in the suit all the time, or even go swimming a lot, but I *can*… and no one looked at me funny at all.

   Fat is bouyant. Enjoy the float. :) You’re on the path to replace it all with strong, lean muscle, and muscle sinks. Might as well start conditioning the muscles you have to work hard and hold you up!

3. mamalang

   This is something I’ve struggled with for the last few years…and I’m tired of it but can’t seem to get anywhere. I’ve been trying to formulate my post about it, and can’t, but what you are saying…keep it up. It’s helping.

4. Moose

   Good for you! You are inspiring me to drag my lazy butt to a yoga class. (And to learn more about wordpress.)

5. BOSSY

   Yeah, screw the daily weigh-in. Just Say No.
   (Great pool shots, Bossy loves your plan.)

6. Meg

   I’m with ya on the infrequent weigh-ins. After my last scale stopped working (3rd one in 4 years), I did not buy one to replace it. The day before Labor Day I resolved to exercise more and eat less. We were at our neighbors’ house when a few of us decided to start walking each morning. I took a peek on their scale when I went in to use the loo… and did not have occasion to weigh myself again until this past weekend, almost 3 weeks later, and guess what, I was thrilled to see that I was down 3.5 lbs! And that was without heroic efforts or deprivation - just minor lifestyle changes. And, I was so busy that I didn’t even have time to obsess about whether I was losing half a pound here or there, like I used to when the scale was in my own bathroom.

7. KYouell

   I’m sorry, but I have to ask. What’s the little thingy called where “BM” was underlined and then when I pointed at it my cursor had a question mark and up popped the informative alt text?

   Ooh, hip abduction and adduction. I looooved those machines. Hated only spending 30 seconds on them in my circuit training class. I was genetically gifted with strong thigh muscles and calves (which we all realized we had when my cousin had the “Cook Woman” calves at age 2). I suspect that has something to do with why those machines felt soooo good.

   Liz C is smart. I really wish I had bought a suit when I was pregnant the first time as my cousin has a totally cute maternity suit that’s all black. She still wears it and I would guess that I could still wear one. I suppose that I could go look in maternity for a suit. I’m just so chicken. It’s sad because I am a fish and really wish I could be in the water.

8. Amanda Brown

   I think it’s a good call, Heather. I was talking a lot about my Weight Watchers experience a few weeks ago but I found I was just getting too obsessed with it and needed to take a step back and not tell my readers about my every ounce that’s gained or lost. The big picture is what it’s all about. Keep on keepin’ on!

9. Kami

   You have a very good outlook on it and the pictures of your kids are very inspirational!

   Keep up the excellent work :-)

10. Mrs. Wilson

    That monthly thing is genius. I’m the same way - rebellious - I’ll eat what I told myself not to. Great idea, maybe I’ll try that …

11. Laura/DaPFG

    but, if you swim more, you’ll have to DRY OFF more!! hasn’t your son taught you anything?!?!

    hehe. yeah, i can see how weighing in EVERY week would start to get to you. whenever you’d do a weigh-in, you’d type a long post about your body, and i’m sure that could get tough after awhile. i totally agree with your once-a-month dealie.

    bathing suits are on huge clearance now, and i’ll be in one next year. if i were SMART, i’d buy one now, but, if i buy one in a size that fits NOW, you’d never catch me in it. so, next year, i think you and i can both afford to splurge on a NEW! suit, since, we’ll deserve it ;)

    gosh, we’re gonna be so hot :P

12. Moira

    Oooh, that’s a great idea to check monthly instead of weekly! I’m going to give your workout a try, too, since I won’t be able to hook up with a personal trainer for another month or two. Thanks for sharing your journey…you’ve really inspired me to get back on track!

13. MammaLoves

    You are helping others by writing about it. You inspired me to begin to just write about it. I think putting it out there makes me more conscious of my decisions.

    thanks!!

14. OMSH

    Gidget - Well, seeing as how all pools close down here NEXT weekend, I won’t be getting in the pool this summer. I think it is ridiculous that pools close down even before November here b/c we don’t get cool weather until after Thanksgiving, I swear.

    And believe me, I realize I’m not the center of everyone’s attention, but seriously … my jiggle is just a bit too jiggly for me to enjoy myself.

    Liz C. - If I was 150# I’d be a stick. I’m dense - my boy is too. I will look like one hot momma once I get around 160. Seriously, I couldn’t be in the 140s again unless I absolutely positively dumped every single thing I love out of my diet and lived at the gym. And at age 35? I don’t have any desire to do that. I want to be healthy and I’m gonna get there.

    mamalang - I’m so glad it is helping. It helped me to “out” myself. And it isn’t that I’m scared for y’all to see my weight week by week, I’m truly not. I’m still going to use Mondays to discuss this life change, but just don’t want the weekly weigh in.

    Moose - I love being an inspiration. *smooch* If you don’t get your butt to yoga, I’m gonna grab a few girls and we’re going to have a “lay-in” on your lawn and spell the word out nice and “loud” *snicker*

    BOSSY - Thanks momma. Now get back to your blog - I missed you today.

    Meg - I honestly believe TRUE weight loss and long term change happens as you say … “just minor lifestyle changes”

    KYouell - Oh!? The dotted underline is an abbreviation title. I use it when I want to post an acronym and think that someone might not know what it means.

    I have very strong legs and very weak arms. I want to gain arm strength - that is a big goal of mine I’ve never before attained. I told the personal trainer and we’re gonna work to that end. But yea, the legs LERV to work out!

    Amanda Brown - For me, it isn’t that I don’t want to let YOU guys know, but I need a break from it myself. I need the conversation. I need the accountability, but I just want the weigh-in monthly. I know that’ll come around fast enough! :)

    Kami - Aw, thanks lady!

    Mrs. Wilson - My next weigh-in is coming up quickly. I’m hoping that the change can be somewhat dramatic for a while. I’ve thought of before and after pictures too. I might start that as well if Mr. OMSH will help me out.

    Laura/DaPFG - changing your username, eh? *snort* “Laura’s in DAH HAUS!”

    I still intend to post each week (each Monday) - and yes, sometimes it is grueling. Sometimes I’ve cried. Sometimes I’ve had stark realizations. Altogether the Monday posts are fabulous and I don’t want to stop those. I just want to take a break from the weigh-ins and know that I’m doing the best I can and when I don’t do the best I can, I have the next work-out and day to balance it out.

    I’m not sure I’ll be “hot” next year - I have a long way to go. I won’t, however, be THIS size. :)

    Moira and MammaLoves - It really is nice to hear I’ve inspired anyone to do anything other than unsubscribe to my feed! ha!

15. Angella

    I think once a month is a great idea for weighing your self. Also. The colours in those photos are AMAZING! I hope you print them all :)

16. ValleyGirl

    Good for you!!!! Those are excellent goals! It’s also wonderful to hear that you stuck to your exercise plan all week long — what a milestone!! It’s amazing how much better we can feel in a short time if we just live a little healthier and treat ourselves a little better. Way to go!

17. mothergoosemouse

    Totally on board with the monthly weigh in.

    And your workout schedule sounds wonderful. You’re inspiring me to get back on an actual schedule once I have this baby!

18. Mrs. G.

    Good luck…love the photos…think how much fun it will be to pick out a swimsuit that doesn’t have a skirt.

19. Liz C

    Mrs G… no skirt? But, where will I jam all my extra skin? :) I keep joking that when this next baby is born, I want a C-section, and they can just gather all the extra up into a big old smiley-face tuck, whack it off, fold over a nice hem, and stitch it down flat.

    OMSH, I’ve got a similar deal with body-build. My bones are apparently solid lead, which is nice from an osteoporosis standpoint, and it does mean that “healthy and fit” puts me in the 170# range. It’s a LONG way from where I sit now, but it’s a do-able goal. There’s no way I’m working down to 140#. I was 14 and a bit too skinny from some unhealthy “ballet dieting” last time I saw those numbers. :)

20. Steph

    I think the once a month thing is so fabulous that I’m stealing the idea.

    Also? SWIM ALREADY!! I know you’re self-conscious about your size, and boy oh boy, can I relate, but fuhgeddaboudit and swim! (Although maybe you should ignore me on this one ’cause I don’t swim. I’m too lazy to shave my legs all the way up. That’s a lot of square acreage to cover with one measly little razor!)

21. OMSH

    Angella - I haven’t printed off photos in I don’t know how long. Isn’t that HORRIBLE? Gah!

    ValleyGirl - So true, so very true. I’ve felt just fabulous with the new work-out.

    mothergoosemouse - Oh, that’s good to know. I know you’ve got a few goals up your sleeve up there in “mile high” land.

    Mrs. G. - EXACTLY! Although I sometimes feel I need to pray for resilient skin. :(

    Liz C. - I love food entirely too much to do the ballet thing!

    Steph - GOOD! Great even! I’ve always wondered how to spel fuhgeddaboudit, and NOW? I know. SHAVE YOUR LEGS WOMAN. I can shave my legs … I have to practice a few Yoga moves to do it, but I CAN. heh heh

    “square acreage” - Bwahahahahaha!

22. coolbeans

    Deciding to buy and wear a swimsuit regardless of my size was one of the best things I’ve ever done. And you know what? There is always someone bigger than me at the pool. Always. And, there is always someone wearing a suit that is less flattering.

    All of this means I am insulting those women in my head. That’s not nice. But! I get to go swimming. Hooray!

23. Steph

    All I’m saying is that it’s like using a pushmower to take care of the back 40. Someone needs to invent the razor equivalent of a riding mower.

    Better yet, I need to lose some dang weight. :grin:

24. Laura/PinkFontGirl

    well, adding the Da was a thing a friend on livejournal did…he always calls me DaPFG, and sometimes when i sign these things i forget what i typed last time and i don’t want you to forget who i am! :P especially considering i’m goofymetalchick on flickr. it’s this multiple personality thing i’m betting. from now on i shall go by The GMPFGCFKAL…the Goofy Metal Pink Font Girl Chick Formerly Known as Laura? okay. nevermind. just Laura, then. lol.

25. Not The Mama

    I think changing the weigh-in to once a month is a great idea. The last thing you want is to get discouraged because of something stupid. Those swimming photos are gorgeous and I can’t wait to see all the pictures you take next summer.

26. Cassie

    I just want to say Thanks Heather! You have inspired me so much this past month, that I’m going to start blogging about my own issues with weight loss, try harder to exercise some how each and every day and to be more aware of what goes in my mouth. Several years ago, I used to be a 12/14…but now am 18/20 on a good day :)
    I think that by blogging, it will help me to be more accountable to myself. Sorry for writing a book here in your comments, but I’m so glad I can read stuff like these posts and get so much from them!

27. Jenn

    your making the right decision. I use to weigh every week too, and its dissapointing. thinkin i just spelled that wrong, but whatever LOL. remember weigh in the morning too, and dont get frustrated when you see a fluctuation. yano even stress can tip the scales? anyway, im glad your taking us on your journey, i will walk it with ya! im trying really hard to eat right and drink more, the excercise has me down, it seems i never have any dang time! you really have inspired me as well, and uh sorry cassie and i wrote a book ::giggle::: it helps to know that we are normal though. and that everyone goes through a stage in their life when they are not happy with the way they look, or maybe just the way they feel. and I am not doing this for anyone else, but all for myself, and well my kids, cause i want them to have a mother the rest of their lives, a mother that can join in physical activity right along with them.

28. DaisyCake

    that is GREAT! I totally agree that a monthly weigh-in is better for you emotionally, and in the long run, for your health too. GO HEATHER!

29. Adria

    I think you’re doing everything right.

    I ponder the weekly weigh in concept a lot. It’s what keeps me on track, most definitely, but I don’t think it shows the real truth. If I eat something with major calories the day before weigh in, when does the scale reflect that? (I eat quite a bit during my “free time”, the time between weigh in and the end of that day, telling myself the new week doesn’t start until the next morning.)

30. Just Beachy

    Good Job OMSH. My husband lost 100 pounds a few years ago and it changed all of us, we all eat better and feel better, You are right about not weighing every week, it can be discouraging. Good luck the remainder of this month.

31. Dallas

    I like your goals you listed - mine are very similar, so I can relate. And I like the nail polish in the first picture - the turquoise color goes really well with the pool. :)

32. Angel

    I totally understand the weighing thing. I had a really bad beginning to the month–and my chronic pain is flaring up, so I haven’t been to the gym as regular as I was. So I only feel frustrated weighing myself every day. I know the key to weight loss for me is exercise.

    May I make one suggestion? As a size 28/30 woman…SWIM. SWIM NOW. Wear whatever makes you feel comfy–even if it’s a tshirt and shorts over a bathingsuit. But I feel downright graceful in the water and it’s good exercise to boot. If it’s any help, I even posted a picture of me in a swimsuit on my blog–so go, have a good giggle (I’m in snorkle gear!) and get in the water ;)

33. jac

    girl you are so rockin’! with a plan, you will win the battles and eventually the war. i like that you are taking reasonable steps to hold yourself accountable. i’m real proud of you!

34. Melissa in NZ

    I just want to tell you a few things: You are very right about the once-a-month weigh in!! I climb on the damn scale EVERY DAY! Not good.
    I love your goals - those are exactly the things I want, down to the sizes!! Exactly!
    I admire you for your openess. I wish I had your courage, to open my blog up to my weight issues! Because accountability is a fine thing.
    So, just - well done, in all areas. I admire you, and I’m encouraged by you!