Just Heather
5
My Goals Are Mine
Jan 21, 2013 | Filed Under: 40x40, Living Large

Wow — what a week in the Omron Fitness Challenge!

I’ve been working out. I’ve been running. And, I’ve been trying to increase my step count with the daily use of a pedometer.

That has been a real struggle for me. The goal set for us by Mamavation is 10,000 steps per day. I’ve heard about the 10K step goal many times before, but I’ve never been one to use a pedometer regularly so I had no idea how difficult it would be.

I setup my pedometer, I wore it all day long, and then I proceeded to get frustrated by my less than 5,000 daily steps each day. I set a new, personal goal to increase my steps each day, even if only by a little bit. I gained extra steps each day.

On Tuesday, I decided it was time to make a real effort at 10,000 steps. I spent the entire day on my feet, running errands, doing chores, neglecting my desk work to keep moving. I went for a 2-mile run — and ended the day just shy of 9,000 steps.

So discouraging. As hard as I tried all week, I just couldn’t work a desk job and fit in 10,000 steps every day.

That’s when I set out to learn more about my fancy space pedometer. Turns out, it doesn’t track steps the way you would think. It counts strides — forward motion only, basically. So any baby steps I take doing laundry or on a break at my desk aren’t measured. It also doesn’t start calculating until you’ve walked for 4 seconds — putting away dishes or a quick walk from room to room won’t trigger the pedometer.

And the last problem was that my daily stride isn’t the same as my purposeful stride. So, taking 10 steps to measure my stride length for the pedometer resulted in a much higher number than most people. I took a few different measurements and finally landed on a number that I think is counting more accurately.

And, yet I’m still not hitting 10K every day, but that’s okay! My goals are mine. My progress is for me to measure. Sure, I’m taking part in a fitness challenge with 24 other people and being watched by entire community. But, at the end of the day, it really only matters if I’m happy.

No one can make me lose this weight except me. And, getting frustrated is the first step to giving up. I can’t let that happen. I have to remember that everyone is at a different level. Everyone has a different lifestyle. There’s no one size fits all weight loss plan.

But I can make my own.

That’s why I’ve updated my personal goals in the Omron Fitness Dashboard, focusing on a weekly step count instead of a daily stresser. It’s also why I’m content with just making progress, even if I’m not all the way there yet. And, it’s working!

I’ve lost 2.5 pounds this week and 6 inches so far in the challenge. More importantly, I feel good. My clothes are getting looser already, and I’m more motivated than ever to reach my goals. My goals.

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
This Week’s Weigh-In: 193.2 pounds
BMI: 27.7
This Week’s Weight Loss: 2.6 pounds
Total Omron Fitness Weight Loss: 2 pounds


Updated Measurements:
Bust: 38″ (-3″)
Waist: 31″ (-1.5″)
Hips: 41″ (no change)
Thighs: 27.5″/27″ (-.5″ total)
Arms: 12″ (-1″ total)
Total Inches Lost: 6″

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration withBookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation — a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.

Read the comments.
4
Baby Steps to Better Health
Jan 14, 2013 | Filed Under: 40x40, Living Large

I’ve spent the last week getting prepped for the real meat of the challenge. Stepping on a scale for the first time since before the holidays was the first goal, and now that I have my fancy space scale from Omron Fitness, I’ll be doing it a lot more frequently.

This scale measures not just weight but bmi, body fat percentage, muscle something or other — I guess I have a little more reading to do. I’d tell you what my numbers were, but since I don’t even know what it all means yet, it’s basically meaningless for now.

I do know that it means I have some changes to make. I’m starting small — baby steps, really — in both fitness and nutrition. When I try to make too many changes at once, I get overwhelmed and give up. I’ve started wearing a fancy space pedometer, and though I haven’t made it to 10K steps yet, I’ve improved every day. I think if I can get to the point of actually wearing it all day, I’ll be a lot closer!

I’m learning to take short breaks to walk around. It’s a good chance to step away from work and de-stress, in addition to adding to my step count. The hubby and I are planning to start taking a daily walk as well.

I also began the fitness challenges from Mamavation’s personal trainer. They officially start today, and last week I did a few less reps and lighter weights to ease into it. I’m really looking forward to tackling the full workouts this week. I just need to figure out how to work in running still.

I hate the cold. I hate the snow. I pretty much hate running. But running outside in the cold with snow on the ground? It’s pretty much awesome! I’ve also learned that I just have to make myself run. I don’t like it, and I don’t want to do it, but I feel so good when it’s done.

I’ve never — not even once — finished a run and thought, “Wow. I wish I hadn’t done that!”

And, I feel the same about eating healthier. I’ve never regretted a salad — not ever — but for some reason it’s rarely my first choice.

So, Saturday’s lunch was a grilled chicken salad. Last night, we had salads with our dinner. And today’s brunch was filled with fabulous greens and included a side of fruit. Okay, and a fabulous hot chocolate.

Baby steps, people. I’m getting there! I have to allow myself the occasional treat if I want the changes to stick. It just means I’ll have to skip my bubble bath chocolate tonight. And, it gives me a little more motivation to work it all off before dinner.

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
This Week’s Weigh-In: 195.8 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: -.8 pounds
Total Omron Fitness Weight Loss: -.8 pounds
BMI: 28

This post is sponsored Omron Fitness as a collaboration withBookieboo Blogging Network and Mamavation — a community dedicated to weight loss for women and obesity prevention for families.  I was provided with product and compensation for my time and honest opinions.

Read the comments.
3
Mamavation Monday: Constant Snacking Edition
Jul 25, 2011 | Filed Under: Living Large

I can’t believe we have less than two weeks left in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge—what a journey it has been! I feel like I’ve hit a plateau lately, with just half a pound lost this week, but I’ve got some ideas to change things up. For starters, I need to be better about my meal plan. I prepare healthy meals all day long and use my George Foreman grill every evening, but my snacking has gotten a little off track.

I’ve snacked on chips a bit this week, and I finished off the candy I bought last week. In my defense, those kind of cravigns only come up once a month. Still, if I plan my snacks out a little more, it will go a little better. Now that we have the whole family on an exchange meal plan, this should get easier.

If I’m already helping the girls plot out healthy snacks, it should be pretty simple to fill in my own. We’re working with Stacia’s doctor to up her calorie intake, in an effort to put some meat on those bones! When she came home with meal charts similar to mine, the little girls wanted one too.

I put some time & research into the right calorie balance for their ages and learned that Stacia’s introductory meal plan was perfect for both Brenia & Lorelai. My hope was a specific plan would curb the nonstop eating & constant “when is dinner?” that we deal with every day.

They were quick to catch on, and I think I’m even learning a thing or two from the three of them. Stacia is focusing on the vegetables she does like (so, uh, salads. And V8 juice.), rather than not eating everything else. Brenia is really excited about swapping things for treats now & then—being able to have lemonade or apple juice, in place of a carb or fruit has been her favorite.

Lorelai mostly likes that she gets to eat all day long—which she’s pretty much know for. The meals were too much for them to get through so we’ve worked in several snacks to get the appropriate foods in throughout the day. The frequent snacking is good for them—and for me—but, I tend to focus just on the meals. This week I’m going to put more emphasis on planning my snacks, too.

It will not only curb the insane hunger my workouts cause, but it should also cut down on the unhealthy snacking. Not that I’ll ever give up my nightly chocolate, but maybe I could give up the morning chocolate. And, the afternoon chips. This 30 Day Shred is just making me so hungry! I’ve kept up on it, finally hitting level 3 (yowzers!) on Friday.

I have about a week left in the series, and I’ll be posting updated measurements when I finish. The Couch to 5K is also going pretty well. I started week 4 the other night and will be running it again tonight, after spending 2 weeks on week 3. This is definitely going to take me longer than 9 weeks, but I’m hoping to run a full 5K on October 1st.

I did sign up for the BlogHer 5K in a couple weeks, but I’ll be WALK-running that one. I don’t know if I can keep up with the Mamavation crew (Leah, Lori and Shelley are also registered!), but I’m going to give it a shot. And, at the very least, it will keep me moving in the middle of a crazy, chaotic conference. But, that is next week!

For this week, my focus is continuing the exercise programs I’ve been doing all month, better snacking and more healthy cooking the indoor grill (check out my George Foreman grill review below). Because who wants to go outside in this weather?

Starting Weigh-In: 195 pounds
Today’s Weigh-In: 176 pounds
This Week’s Weight Loss: .5 pounds
Total Mamavation Weight Loss: 19 pounds
Total Knockout The Fat Weight Loss: 12 pounds
BMI: 25.22

Sistahood Question: What nutrition lessons have you learned from your kids?

This post is sponsored by Organ Wise & Fiber Choice, and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation.

Disclosure: The George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge is a compensated program. As an ambassador for George Foreman, I received a George Foreman grill and will be paid for my time at the end of the 90 day challenge. All opinions are, as always, 100% mine!

Read the comments.