Back to Fit Part 2

Back in July I wrote about wanting to lose weight and get healthy. Now that it's after the new year, I figured it was a good time to revisit the topic.

I spent the fall attempting to eat better and get exercise. I think I did a pretty good job at it. Food-wise, I made better choices during meals and watched my portion sizes. I think the best thing I did was eating a smaller dinner and not snacking before bed.

Exercise-wise, I was able to go out running a couple times a week. They weren't long runs but I did surprise myself with my first mile and half run. I wasn't fast but I could make it!

I also joined an adult soccer league on Friday nights. In the fall it was an outdoor league with games starting at 6:30. Chris joined in and the kids came along and played along the sidelines. The hardest part was that Hannah often needed held but the other ladies on the team were always happy to help. Between being out of shape and not playing soccer for maybe twenty years, it took some getting used to.

I mentioned joining Biggest Loser through Chris's work and I did do it. I actually did so well that I came in second place with 12.5 pounds lost for 7.33% weight lost. I was so close to winning! Okay, not really, the first place guy really had us all beat.

I did gain a couple pounds back, but I didn't stress about it. Then, over the holidays, I managed to lose more weight. About five more pounds! Over the holidays!

Now I'm kind of stuck. I would like to lose a little more but what I really want is to tone. So I talked with Chris and set up a I'm a Big Loser program. I made up that name myself because I'm just cool like that. I have ten weeks and would like to lose ten pounds and four inches off of my waist. I get a special prize if I can do that (it involves shopping for new clothes, because I will really need them if I make this goal).

This is a pretty ambitious goal for me. It would put me back into my pre-pregnancy clothes and I am talking before Xander. However, with it being winter, thus dark and cold, and with Chris working more I am not getting out to run. I am still playing soccer. It's indoor and I am loving it. I will have to post about it sometime. So I'm trying to motivate myself to do workout videos and lift weights in the basement. It's not my favorite but it's what I have available right now.

I've let the food slip a little but not horribly. I just need to remember to drink water and fill up on fruits and vegetables. When I do that I don't crave snacks and sweets as much. Chris and I being more organized about meal planning which is also a help to me.

I think the hardest part will be when Chris has to travel because he keeps me honest. When he is gone I tend to let things slide and to become more of a stress eater. Because, really, chocolate does make everything better.

Back to Fit

I mentioned before that, while in California, I really enjoyed going to the gym. It was nice for someone else to take care of Xander and Josie for an hour or two. I really enjoyed going to the BodyPump class and then relaxing in the hot tub. I didn't lose weight but definitely lost fat and gained muscle.

Then I had the double whammy of getting pregnant and moving back to Ohio. I actually did okay with the first trimester of pregnancy because I was still in California and still went to the gym. But as soon as we moved back the weight started piling on and the muscle slowly disappeared. By the end of the pregnancy I was definitely heavier than in either of the pregnancies before.

Hannah was born in February and I spent a few months in survival mode. I just wanted to get sleep and make sure all three kids were healthy.

But then summer hit. I was out of school and home with the kids all day. And I realized that almost none of my summer clothes fit. I could get away with it in the spring because I just wore exercise pants. I don't have a lot of exercise shorts and don't want to buy a lot of clothes that won't fit after I lose the extra weight.

So slowly I am making changes to get back into shape.

Eating has always been a big part of the problem. Pizza, Mountain Dew (although caffeine free) and ice cream are my favorites. And it wasn't uncommon to have casseroles covered in cheese with a side of garlic bread. So I've slowly worked on healthier meals, more water and smaller portions. Chris has been a big help with getting me to eat more salads. I almost enjoy them now! In fact, on my last cheat day I didn't enjoy the delivery pizza or fast food burger at all.

Exercise is harder because we have our little home gym of free weights but not cardio machines. Chris suggested going to a park and taking turns running while the kids play on the playground. It worked surprisingly well. Then we bought a smaller barbel for me to use with the weights so I could make my own BodyPump style routines. I miss having the instructor, other people (I feel driven to keep up with the people around me) and mirrors but doing it myself it better than nothing.

A few weeks ago Chris told me that people at his job were doing a Biggest Loser competition so I joined that. The idea of winning money for losing weight is definitely motivating. After two weigh-ins, I have been middle of the road, I'm losing weight consistently but not at a high rate. That just makes me want to try harder (Chris was worried I would just give up).

And finally, the biggest change is that I joined an adult soccer league. This was another suggestion by Chris (he is being super supportive). It's been 20+ years since I've played and I gave birth five months ago, so I expected to embarrass myself spectacularly. We've had two practices and I did trip and fall over nothing the first day. But I'm learning my strengths (defense!) and weaknesses (sprinting!) and I didn't even hurt much after the second practice (I limped and moaned for days after the first practice).

The first game is this Friday. I have the shin guards but still need cleats and a red shirt. I'll update here how the soccer season goes as well as the Biggest Loser.