Cheater, Cheater, Junk Food Eater

February 2nd, 2009

This week I gained a pound. My goal was to lose 2 lbs. If you didn’t notice, this means that I am going in the opposite direction that I want to be going in. This did not happen on accident. I was a bit of a cheater at the tail end of this week (bad food and some good bourbon).  I also have major pms so I am retaining water like a sponge (TMI, I know).

I am not making up excuses. I earned that pound that I lost and regaining it is a bitter pill to swallow. Especially since the pounds are slowly coming off. I know that I could just as easily fib about it all … seeing that I am here and you are where ever you are reading this, but then I would just be lying to myself too. So, it is what it is. Life is full of opportunities to turn it around. Like right now.

All in all, the weight has been coming off pretty slowly in comparison to other attempts. I try to keep in mind that in the past I have always done sort of zany things to lose weight – drink a shake, eat only meat, have a meal replacement bar, starvation. This time, I am trying to lose weight slow and thoughtfully. I have stopped weighing myself everyday and have settled in to weighing myself every Sunday (instead of Mondays) because it’s an easier day for me to take pictures and prepare a post for Mondays. I’ve tried really hard not to wrap myself up in “the number” but it definitely is challenging to ignore when you are putting this effort in to change your life (and the whole world is watching). If bacon is my enemy, then the scale is my full on nemesis.

This week I am kind of nervous about how I am going to manage it all because I have accepted an awesome interim position at a nonprofit. The upside is that the economy is going ape-shit and this will give me some continuity in income that I need to keep a roof over my head. The downside is that it now means I have to say adios to all those slow mornings drinking tea and reading the news online. But, like most of my fellow Americans, I am a bit worried about the future and some stability during an unstable time is comforting. A good friend just got laid off on Friday and is completely at a loss as to what to do next. I definitely never want to be in the position of acting out of desperation and choosing something that might suck the soul out of me because I need to have a roof over my head. I’d rather do things on my own terms like I am right now.

Sadly though, I just had another friend chide me about ditching the focus on being happy. But I reassured him that I probably wouldn’t be happy if I didn’t have a place to live or if I had to constantly worry about whether or not I can afford to buy a new clothes dryer because the one I have now is speaking in tongues while drying my unmentionables. Somehow, working seems to translate that I have given up on the dream. But I take it as a challenge to see how bad I want this writing thing to work. I don’t think that I’ve loved doing anything more and that is something worth fighting for. I believe I can have my cake and eat it too.

Figuratively, that is.

weighin_020209

This week my weight loss companions discuss “the scale” and what it means to them. Here’s what they have to say:

Sunny:

“I must say… I love the scale!  Is that weird?”  more at www.ThatExtra20Pounds.blogspot.com

Joie de vivre:

“This topic actually causes me a lot of anxiety and I am tempted to just say, “My relationship with the scale is tenuous at best.  The End.”, but I think discussing WHY it is tenuous, will help me in my further weight loss journey, and that is where I will begin…” to read more click Joie de vivre:  An amateur gourmet’s guide

1 family. friendly. food answers:

“Truth is I don’t have any special relationships with the scale. I don’t love it or hate it. I just don’t use it very often and I pretty much ignore it. I did take it out of the closet and moved it next to my side of the bed, but I rarely use it. Why is that?” Click 1family. friendly. food. to find out.

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This entry was posted on Monday, February 2nd, 2009 at 5:36 am and is filed under Weight Updates. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

37 Responses to “Cheater, Cheater, Junk Food Eater”

  1. Kat Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 am

    Gains and losses are all part of finding and correcting our eating patterns. I have managed to lose 8.5lbs since 4 January – ONLY because I am working my A** off at the gym AND keeping my eating at a minimal. At least 60 minutes 5 or 6 days a week. I lost 3lbs two weeks in a row…and 2.5 thid past week. I had two peanut butter cups last week too..makes me wonder about that other .5lb :-)

    You are doing great – no looking back – there is only forward!

  2. Nurit -1 Family. Friendly. Food. Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 8:32 am

    Giyes, muscles weigh more than fat. That is exactly what I posted about today… forget the scale.

    Nurit -1 Family. Friendly. Food.´s last blog post..Home-Made Cinnamon Ice Cream

  3. MamaB Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 am

    Are you averaging over the week? What I mean is a women’s weight fluctuates (duh!) so in order to get a more accurate picture of how we are really doing I saw something once about weighing yourself same time, same situation (ie nekkid) every day then figuring the average for the week. Because I for one know that toward that particular portion of the month I’m retaining enough h20 to add at least a pound or two.

    MamaB´s last blog post..Grace in Small Things 24

  4. Joie de vivre Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 am

    Giyen,
    From an outsiders perspective, I look at your weight loss and say, Okay, she’s lost 4 lbs. But when I look at what those 4 lbs. translate to in your measurements, I am just amazed. An inch off your waist must mean that your pants are looser and that in itself must feel motivating to you. I can talk though, as an insider looking at myself, I feel the same disappointment you feel when I step on the scale.

  5. Sunny Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am

    There must have been something in the air because I was a cheater, junk food eater this week. I gained a pound also. Oh well, sometimes you have to cut yourself a little slack.

    Sunny´s last blog post..Weight Loss Weekly

  6. Jenn Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 am

    Nice blog. I was led here from The Token Fat Girl’s blog list. The scale is just one source of feedback in the journey of weight loss. Sometimes it’s an important one to tell you that something isn’t going right, and sometimes it’s not very meaningful at all. I tend to ignore the number on the scale far too often. And ya – all those machines overestimate calorie burn. Pretty disappointing really. I use a HR monitor to figure out mine and I hate doing an hour of exercise and finding that I only burned 300 calories :(

    Jenn´s last blog post..As Per Usual

  7. Asianmommy Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm

    It’s true that sometimes you do need to compromise. Taking on a job on your terms to provide for your family doesn’t mean that you’ll have to give up writing. You can do it!

    Asianmommy´s last blog post..Revolutionary Road

  8. Catherine Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    Great post. You haven’t given up on your dream, and if you do, there are commenters here to remind you. You’re lucky! You found a job, and it’s one you like. I see no down side. Just don’t start slacking with your posting :)

    Catherine´s last blog post..What do carbon monoxide, sandra bullock and halibut have in common?

  9. Theantijared Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    Ehhh… a week is not a lifetime. i am sure you will make it up next week!

    Theantijared´s last blog post..Tony meets the Red-Headed Hurricane!

  10. Berni Says:

    February 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    Hey Giyen, I totally understand how you feel about the scale and sometimes I think, ahh this healthy lifestyle crap is killin, me I need a no carb, meal replacement shake-up ASAP. But then I remember how that goes down, get back on the elliptical and get back to work. Thanks for being real, and keep on keeping on you CAN do this!

    Berni´s last blog post..February’s Challenge-Facing the Fear

  11. Berni Says:

    February 3rd, 2009 at 4:51 am

    I just read my comment… of course I meant for ME to get back on the elliptical and get back to work… not you!

    Berni´s last blog post..February’s Challenge-Facing the Fear

  12. Meredith Says:

    February 3rd, 2009 at 5:33 am

    On the bright side of things, that stubborn quarter of an inch around your hips finally came off.

    Taking a day job to make sure your and your daughter have a place to live isn’t giving up on the dream — it’s being realistic. Sure, money doesn’t buy happiness, but poverty doesn’t buy anything (a friend of a friend’s dad gave this sage advice).

  13. Token Fat Girl Says:

    February 3rd, 2009 at 6:44 am

    Hey Giyen! I gave you a blog award today :)

    Token Fat Girl´s last blog post..Blog Awards + Lower Price

  14. Foxy Says:

    February 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 am

    You know, sometimes I weigh one thing one day, and a pound will be gone the next day. It fluctuates quite a bit.

    But look how many inches you’ve lost! I actually bought a new size of jeans this weekend, even though I’ve only lost seven pounds. I’ve been exercising though, so the inches are coming off. Just have faith.
    And a cheat here and there is good, it keeps me from burning out. I actually have a cheat meal once a week, and I’ve still lost around 2 pounds a week.
    Thanks for sharing your journey, it is very motivating!

    Foxy´s last blog post..Jane 2.0

  15. Rhea @ Experiencing Motherhood Says:

    February 3rd, 2009 at 11:16 am

    Ha! I hear you! No matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to get motivated. I only have ten pounds I want to lose (okay 15) but can’t seem to get myself going. so hang in there – you’re not alone. :)

    Rhea @ Experiencing Motherhood´s last blog post..Motherhood is Messy

  16. Grant Says:

    February 5th, 2009 at 8:47 am

    Keep up the good work, keep going to the gym, continue to eat healthy, keep your goals in front of you and you will do it. Not CAN do it WILL do it! You will!

  17. AustinJim Says:

    February 5th, 2009 at 8:48 am

    Giyen-I have lost over 60 pounds in the last year, and you can’t obsess over short term variations. Sustainable weight loss has to be done at a reasonable pace (1-2 pounds per week) or you will yo-yo…if it feels like a sacrifice instead of a lifestyle, it will be hard to stay on the wagon. So hang in there! Weight loss is a simple proposition on paper – 3500 calories is a pound, so you have to have a net loss of 500 calories a day to lose a pound a week; but if you feel like it’s punishment and sacrifice, even that 500 calories will feel like a ball and chain…so you have to get yourself to a place where you don’t feel guilty and you also have to reward yourself for doing good things. (just don’t heat the half gallon of ice cream for emotional comfort – there are better emotional outlets!) Keep up the healthy lifestyle!!

  18. Jim Brophy Says:

    February 5th, 2009 at 9:02 am

    Kim, I applaude your efforts and consistency with your new program. You have started down the right path. If you really want to make lasting changes, you have to do resistance exercise at least 3 days a week. This builds muscle (not big huge muscle – that takes a major commitment to look big and bulky). When you do resistance training, you essentially damage your muscles and the repair process is what burns calories – big time. I would limit your cardio to 4 times per week for no more the 30 minutes – too much cardio and your body begins to break down muscle for fuel – and the less muscle you have the slower your metabolism. Also, with all this repairing going on in your body you need to eat more – yes! – eat more. Not crap foods, but whole foods, lean proteins, complex carbs. Your body needs that fuel to repair itself. If you deprive it, it will horde fat because all the body want to do is survive – it does not care how you look naked. That’s why people who go on these deprivation diets fail because once they stop and go back to eating more, they get fatter. The body remembers that you were not giving it enough, so when it realizes that it is getting more, it starts to store it up – because it only wants to survive and it knows what happened the last time. Also, stop the scale madness, weigh yourself once a month. Your body goes through hormonal stuff each week – 1 week you might be retaining more water, the next week not. Lastly, once you start doing resistance training you might find that you actually weigh more, but your clothes are looser – muscle weighs more than fat – don’t get discouraged – go by how your clothes fit. Hope this helps. I get frustrated when I hear that people are only doing cardio and cutting calories, it’s not the best solution – you need to strength train and eat more to support this new fat burning machine you are creating.

  19. Joy Says:

    February 5th, 2009 at 9:36 am

    Hi,

    Do not listen to anyone that gives you negative feedback. I am a senior dietetic student and I think you are making the right choices. By right choices I mean, losing 1-2 lbs a week is very good and realistic, if you lose any more than that you are probably losing muscle mass, and you will probably gain the weight back if you stop your routine. Do not consider what you are doing is dieting, consider it a change of lifestyle. So your lifestyle is now working out and eating healthy. You should set goals month by month, and make them realistic, or else you may get discouraged. If you lose a lb a week, in a year you will have lost 52lbs. There are not many people that can claim they lost 52lbs in a year, so that would be an amazing feat! I personally lost 50lbs in 8 months. So it is do able. Just keep at it!

  20. Fernando Says:

    February 5th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

    You should start doing strength training. Muscle burns 3 times more calories. You might save time and lose weight faster… just an idea :)

  21. Allison S. Says:

    February 5th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

    Hi there :) I was just surfing around CNN and found your story. I think you’re doing great, and it’s inspiring. I’m in about the same boat as you and get really impatient when it doesn’t come off fast. I did learn that you just cannot hit the scale so often. It will be frustrating. Go by how your clothes fit, how you feel. Doesn’t it feel great after a workout? It’s a really satisfying tired feeling, right? I would like to recommend http://www.sparkpeople.com to you. Logging what you eat and even following their recommended meal plans (and you can swap out things too) has been an absolute LIFESAVER for me. You can not only track your meals, but also your fitness goals and measurements. They have a fabulous support network, helpful articles and coaches, and some really descriptive exercises and videos.

    I also highly recommend turkey bacon. So yummy, and a fraction of the fat! Keep up the good work :)

  22. Betty Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 1:10 am

    You look great, keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see the after pics!

  23. Laney Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 8:29 am

    I read your story on cnn.com. I learned that you were interested in taking step classes and doing weight and resistance training. I personally have lost 6 pounds in 1 month by watching portions and working out to Turbo Jam. Their latest package has six workouts and comes with some informational help and weighted gloves. I have really enjoyed the workouts and I am really seeing a difference from where I was when I started on Dec. 29th. I have never been this committed to exercising. I hope you look into it. Chalene Johnson is energetic and not annoying like some instructors in workout videos. Also, it is a one time amount of $60 versus paying whatever amount you would to go to a gym and take classes. The package includes Turbo Sculpt (uses 3 to 5lb weights) and then there is Ab Jam (focuses on your abdominals). The rest really get your sweat dripping. I hope this helps. One other thing, visit http://www.sparkpeople.com. It is an absolutely free website (kind of like facebook but better) and you get the emotional support you need to meet your goals. Good Luck!

  24. Danny the Dreidel Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 8:56 am

    Although I’m older (42) and male, I can definitely relate, as it becomes so much more difficult to lose weight as we get older. If you’re like me, you can remember the days when we could eat whatever we wanted, and we’d burn it off without really trying. I applaud and admire your efforts, and I must tell you that weight is just a number. As some other folks have indicated, you should go more by the clothing “feel” than by sheer # of lbs. I know a woman in her mid-30’s who is 5′3″ and 155 lbs and engages in resistance training on a routine basis. She’s an amateur bodybuilder, but doesn’t use any hormones/steroids. First off, you’d never guess she was 155 lbs (she’s a size 4-6). If she went strictly by the standard medical charts, she’d be considered obese, because those charts only consider height, weight, and age. We laugh because no sane person on the planet would call her obese, and yet the American Medical Association would do just that. In looking at your pictures above, I surmise that you probably have a good genetic foundation for building muscle (genetics are quite important, actually, when it comes to the capacity for muscle growth), as you really do not appear to weigh as much as you do.

  25. Marcia Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Hey, I just found this blog from CNN. I wanted to tell you to keep up the good work. It’s so difficult to lose weight as an adult. About 7 years ago I was where you are right now (5′2″, 182 lbs). It was a struggle to lose the weight (still is, to maintain…I had a baby in between). But it’s so worth it to feel healthier.

    Now I must go get my butt to the gym tomorrow. Been eating and sitting on my butt all week due to a cold and a husband who was out of town.

    Marcia´s last blog post..Menu Plan

  26. Angie Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 9:47 am

    I also stumbled on the CNN page. I would like to just share where I have been on the weight struggle. I am currently 25. When I was 15, I weighed 230 lbs. and was a size 24 Needless to say, my parent’s weren’t thinking about my health much as a kid. I was a downright spoiled brat, and I got whatever I wanted, which landed me at 230 as an early teen. I decided I was going to die of a heart attack at 30 if I didn’t stop myself (please note: NO doctor ever told me to watch what I was eating). I lost 60 lbs (and went to a size 12) by dieting, and having moderate portion control. In retrospect, it didn’t seem hard, I just focused on other things. Now I am back up to 200, as my time in undergrad and graduate school didn’t keep my mind as busy as it should, and my obsessive sweet tooth came back. My fiance LOVES the way I look now, but I am nothing but unhappy. My friend from grad school who used to be a model, and still looks like one, just got liposuction to get rid of her “big ass”… my fiance almost died. I will stop rambling, but I just wanted to drop a line and let you know you are doing great, take it one step at a time, as I am now, trying to get back down to 170… or even 160! :)

  27. SteveC Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 12:47 pm

    I think you are doing very well. Keep going!

  28. KevD Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    I saw this link from CNN, I’ve done the whole trainer thing and a meal plan to go along with that but it’s hard to stay on track and motivated.

    I even signed up for the trainer’s recommended calorie counting site but it was so hard to use as I would have to manually keep track of what I ate and then later login and record it on the site, what a pain.

    Anyways, this isn’t an ad for them but I have an iPhone and I have found the holy grail of apps to help me — http://www.loseit.com, it’s totally Free.

    Losing is all about your diet, 100%.

  29. Patricia Levasseur Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    So good to hear from others that are working on the same thing. I have lost about 2 pounds a week with some weeks staying exactly the same. Lately I have been counting up my calories at the end of the day and was surprised at how low my calorie intake has been around 1300. I started water aeroibics classes and learning to swim at age 60 cause I have very bad knees. Feeling low this week cause my instructor was away but back next week. The 52 pounds in 1 year is inspiring. I have lost 40 so far and am 5 3 1/2 and 218. I was getting cranky about how slow it’s going but feel better now after reading the blog.

  30. Jennifer Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    GREAT JOB!!! I know it’s hard because I have done it before. I lost 30 pounds by working out, and eating right. Now I have to get some off again due to baby weight, but I know the right way now. I think it’s awesome you are sharing your journey with others, and I hope they are inspired by you

    Jennifer´s last blog post..Friday

  31. Susan Says:

    February 6th, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    Thanks for sharing your experience with us! You are doing great and you are an inspiration for the rest of us.

  32. Bill in NY Says:

    February 7th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Giyen — I resolved last March to drop from 195 to 170, and succeeded in 4 months. How? It wasn’t easy, and it involved some tools, some honesty, and lots of discipline.

    1. I got the tools I needed: a measuring tape; a scale; measuring spoons and cups (to measure the quantities of foods and beverages I planned to consume); and found a good weight and calorie tracking website that I began using every day with diligence.

    2. I committed to consuming 2,000 calories per day, and before dinner, I calculated how much I HAD ALREADY consumed, and then gauged my menu according to how many more calories I could have and stay under the calorie budget.

    3. I measured my progress with tape measure and scale. It was easy to lose 10 pounds in two weeks, but it was losing the first couple of inches around my belly and hips that was most encouraging. It will be for you, too!

    4. I found that my initial crankiness at a calorie restricted diet gave way to a euphoria about my health and improving body. And the next step was to just keep it up.

    Counting calories is really hard where fast food and bagels and soft drinks would throw any of us over a 2,000 calorie a day budget. But as soon as you have been honestly tracking what has calories and what doesn’t, you will shift to vegetables and no fat sauces, and begin skipping sweets. And at some point the sacrifice doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.

    Good Luck!

  33. Italymom Says:

    February 20th, 2009 at 10:47 am

    Good work! I also read your story in cnn, I started also 4 weeks ago, and I also lost 4 pounds, so I guess one pound per week will be my goal…. I’m doing cardio 5-6 days per week, and 4 days weight lifting, I am 144 pounds and need to lose 23 pounds so 6 months more to go! I’m eating really good and healthy and I am so happy with my results…considering I am 44 years old it’s not that easy….
    Good luck and work hard!

  34. Dee Hudson Says:

    February 20th, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Congratulations on your continuing weight loss, along with everyone else who has posted here. But I am really interested in which D-SLR camera you wish to purchase. I went from the Nikon D-70 to the Nikon D-300, and I would highly recommend it.
    Check out http://www.wrpsphoto.org and also http://www.dpreview.com.

  35. Tina Says:

    February 20th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    I also read your story in cnn, and you have inspired me to lose some weight. I guess I get discourage because I go to the gym and feel that if I see no result the first week then it’s not going to happend and I give up. I am going to start this week and I will do it slowly and by eating healthy. Good Luck

  36. Warren Says:

    February 20th, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    Hey Guys:

    Gotta tell you a little about what I have done lately.

    I’m 5 foot 7 inch male, kind of short but I have met shorter people than myself.

    weight was 222, Now thats really heavy for my height. Had a heart attack and really didn’t change my life stlye until the Doctor said not to come back if I wasn’t serious about losing weight. Big pot belly.

    I started the “No S diet” along with tracking my calories with “Lose it”on my Iphone. Purchased a treadmill and have been very disciplined regarding the “No S Diet”. I started everything right after the holidays. Presently I weight 208.7. Now, I’m limiting myself to around 1480 calories and don’t recommend this for everyone.

    You can see the No S diet on line. It works but take a lot of discipline at first.

  37. how to love love handles Says:

    December 11th, 2009 at 6:29 pm

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