How I went from 288 lbs to 213... still Under Construction!

I joined my fitness pal to track what I ate and how I moved or rather didn't move. I started walking; park further away, climb stairs vs elevator... That sort. Major baby steps. I learned to eat better. Not less, initially, just better choices. Like subway instead of McDonald's. and I'm losing slowly. About a pound a week on average. Been doing MFP for 240+ days now. Before c25k I was using my wii fit and Bought a Zumba game, and just dance. These get me moving in my living room. No audience so I can look silly without embarrassment. I also got the Nicklodian Fit game (Dora, Backyardigans, etc) for my daughter so we could do these together too. She's very thin but what kid doesn't benefit from moving?

oh, and I started wearing a pedometer. Tracks your steps, and encouraged me to get more steps in each day. on average, 2000 steps = 1 mile.

I never said "I want to lose x no of pounds" I took the approach, I want to lose. So That's what I do. I'm all about taking baby steps. I'd never get to this point if I was ALL IN right at the start. I am doing all of this so I can keep up with the kids and be the mom they need me to be. It took me years to gain it, and I accept it's going to take years to lose it too.

I was 288 lbs when I had my son. Today I'm 213. I still don't know what my "goal" weight is. I just want to keep going. I guess right now, my goal is to get below 200. I haven't seen the 100's in years!!

There really isn't a quick fix or easy solution. Even those that get that surgery still have to work at it. For them it's faster, then the way I'm doing it, but there is still work involved.

And I am here to hold your hand every step of the way if you want.

Can you get a pedometer? When I started using my pedometer I was amazed by what I learned from it. And it was very simple to use and get in the habit of using.

Are you on MyFitnessPal? If not, you should sign up. It's FREE. MFP is intuitive too, it really remembers your foods, so daily entry get's easier and easier. I'm bwarsh73 there.

Don't need to make any diet changes until you can see what it is you're eating. Sometimes you discover you have to actually eat more.

I eat out all the time. I'm thrilled to say there are healthy options on most menus... even at McDonald's!

and for what it's worth... I'm able to eat ice cream every night and I'm still losing. You don't have to give up the foods you like. it's all about moderation. if I want that mcflurry, I just have to do more exercise that day.

I've been able to eat the donuts, the ice cream, the chocolate easter bunny......... and when I eat "bad" foods, I still log it. Be truthful to yourself. and If I have a "bad" day, it's okay. On average I'm still doing well. Be open to try new foods, new recipes. I'm surprised how good some of that "health" food has been.

Like my breakfast... 386 calories, 17g of protein. 2 egg Eggwhite scramble with sauteed onions, mushrooms, grape tomatoes, avocado, black beans, shredded cheddar cheese and light salt/pepper/canola oil. On the side, some fresh cantaloupe, and toasted Italian Bread with some margarine. To drink, 6 cups of coffee with milk and sugar!

I don't substitute fake sugar, I eat the real stuff. 1 teaspoon of real sugar is only 15 calories. For me I do better going the less fat route. Low fat/fat free is better (again, for me).

I feel better when I eat better, and I get more energy the more I work out. I went from barely able to walk to the bus stop to craving a run. It's all about taking your time, going slow and working to the next step.

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Yes, I'm on the treadmill. I can run (super slow) the longer times now (28 minutes yesterday), but since I'm super slow I'm no where near 5K yet. I'm lucky to get the mile counter to nudge just past 1 mile. But I'm okay with that. I'm not really training for a marathon, I'm training to be moving. It's a pre-set workout and it's easy to do. Doesn't cost anything. So I do it. I'm moving. That's all that really matters.

Eventually I'll get there. That's kind of why I'm doing the C25K again (starting on 5/20). But this time I'm going outside! With my jogging stroller and hopefully Zach too. (although I may train with the stroller and no baby some days...) It's a new level of difficulty, and with taking my baby steps approach, jumping in to running outside with the stroller, I need that.

I tried before, and lasted a whole 4 minutes. So I was served a big slice of humble pie. Fine. I know my limits. Now I'm going to work through and get better. Get healthy too.

As for the accountability group? I'm soooooo not in the same shape most of them are. I may be the fattest one there. BUT I'm there and figure what the hell? I like posting the sweaty pics. Makes me accountable to myself. The worse I look the better I feel, so why not??? And they're nice to me, so I love that. Sometimes they kick my butt, and I guess in a way I like that too.


UPDATE: 5/29/2013 Today I am down to 206. I see the dietitian tomorrow. Getting ready to go buy smaller clothes again. Feeling Amazing!

Follow me on my Facebook page: fb.com/UnderConstructionWithBwarsh 
Join my Ladies MFP Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFitnessPalLadies.

Padalily

Trying out my new Padalily. Here's a video showing me and Zach using it. :)

Click here to visit their website: http://www.padalily.com/ 

Padalily has offered to host a giveaway. The one requirement for the giveaway be that you like Padalily on Facebook as part of the chance to win. Padalily will ship directly to the winner.

Click here to visit their FB page and to like Padalily on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Padalily

Be sure to leave a comment confirming that you liked Padalily's FB page below and include your email address. I will select a winner for the giveaway from the comments below. If I pick you, I will get in touch to get your contact info so Padalily can send you your prize.

Good luck!

Happy New Year 2013

Do you make resolutions? If so what's your plan for 2013? 

Mine is to continue working on me; inside and out. 

Wishing all my family and friends a joyous and happy New Year!!!

Happy 6th Birthday Natalya!

It's my daughter's birthday today. She is now 6! I'm super proud of her and all that she's become in just these past six years. I can't wait to see her continue to grow and thrive and become even more awesome.

Just wanted to put a Happy Birthday shout out to my wonderful kid.

For Fun, check out my peanut through the years:
http://bwarsh.blogspot.com/2011/10/last-day-as-4-year-old.html


My little pumpkin, born October 25, 2006

My Little Pumpkin, born October 25, 2006

My big girl today, October 25, 2012

My big girl today, October 25, 2012

Up at 5am, asleep before 10pm!

Today was a better start, as I was actually up at 5:15am. Okay, honestly I woke at 4am to a stirring baby, but since he didn't wake up, I didn't get up. Dozed until 5am, and pulled myself out of bed by 5:15am. Goodness that is just so early.

I did MY stuff including a shower, prepping bottles, getting ice packs into the lunch boxes, and making my lunch. Even got a cup of coffee in.

THEN I woke up Natalya who got mad at me as it looked dark and rainy out. As if I had any control over the weather, and besides, it was dark out because the sun wasn't up yet. BUT it was an hour before she needed to leave so I thought a good time to get her going.

Get her fed, and situated, and then off to get Craig up.

And the baby is STILL asleep, so to the pump I go. I get out 10 oz. And then get dressed. Craig is still not dressed, so I gave him a bottle of the milk I just pumped and got to walk Natalya to the bus stop.

Going to admit, I really enjoyed that.

So this morning I got to take care of Natalya while Craig tended to the baby. I still got to pump and got in a shower. Yay me.

I missed not getting to nurse Zach, but it's only one morning. They're not all going to be like this, right?

Tonight will be chaos too. In fact, I'm leaving work early for a dr. apt, and then running errands before getting the kids. It's Yom Kippur and I want to take Natalya to synagogue tonight for Kol Niedre. Time to start acting Jewish.

Which means Craig and Zach get a boys night home tonight. Great for them, not so great on my breasts; and I'll miss nursing time again with Zach.

Thankfully tomorrow being Yom Kippur and having Zach home all day, I'll get my nursing fix in, so I'm truly happy for that.

And as crazy as today is going to be, I still hope to be asleep before 10pm. If I can get to bed early, 5am doesn't hurt as much.

Guess we'll see...

A cluster this morning!

So we were a cluster this morning. Zach woke up at 2am hungry. Fed him until 4am when he finally went back to sleep. Unfortunately come later in the morning, I did not hear my 2 alarms go off. I woke up at 7:22am. My daughter is supposed to be at the bus stop by 7:38am. So you can see my issue here.

I jump out of bed, get Craig up. Run out to my daughters room to find her awake (thank goodness) but not dressed or ready in the least. The clock is ticking. I have to get her dressed, fed, and to the bus stop and I'm running out of time fast. Oh and I'm leaking milk, rather, gushing milk. I'm a soggy mess. I get Taly going, and I shove her and Craig out the door to the bus stop with minutes to spare. Sure she only got to eat half a baloney and cheese sandwich, and a sip of milk, but snack times not that far off?? Rolling Eyes

Then Zach wakes up and needs to be tended too. Never mind I haven't gotten dressed yet, nor had I changed, fed, or dressed him, and we needed to leave right then and there.

At least I got my daughter to school on time and in clothes. But sending her to the school bus with a baloney and cheese isn't exactly a "healthy" breakfast... so kind of a mommy fail.

I made Craig feed Zach a bottle. Nursing would have just taken too long this morning. I pumped quickly at home to catch the spillage, and put that 5 oz bottle in the fridge. When I finally got to work and was settled, I pumped another 10 oz out. I have no idea how my breasts did not explode.

Exactly when is this new morning routine suppose to get easier??? I'm on week 3 here, and we're still a bad family comedy on the FOX network!

Long Time No See!

Wow, it's been a long time since I've been over here to update my Blog! Sorry for anyone that reads this. ;)

So what's new?

I've returned to work and Zachary is now in full time day care. That's been really hard on me, but Zachary seems to be taking it all in just fine.

Natalya is doing great in Kindergarten and is really enjoying her new class and teacher. However she does also miss her pre-k friends. We're trying to keep up with the playdates for her so she can continue to be in their lives as well.

We continue to all stay pretty busy busy busy. Life as a family of four now keeps us running.

Craig and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. We went to see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. We got to bring Zach with us, so he's now officially been to his first rock concert too!

Natalya also started Hebrew School and is going to Ohavi Zedek. IT was VERY difficult for me to swallow my pride and take her there, but I am convinced it's what's best for her and these are some of the sacrafices one makes for their children.

And my little Kindergartner officially now has her very own Library card. She's VERY excited about this. The school and library did a big to do giving all the 5 year old's their own cards.

And as you can see, Natalya is growing up quite nicely. She's a beautiful girl full of energy and spunk:

 

AND she now loves Sushi too!!

 and she loves being a big sister.

Zach is mostly a very happy baby boy

and we're all in love with him!

So that's a quick update on us. Hopefully I'll be back in to add more family fun before another 10 weeks pass by. :)