THANK YOU SO MUCH.
Since my last post I’ve gained one pound. I was a Jedi that first week. The second week? Not so much. Thank you Halloween. And curse you.
Here are some of the things I’ve already tried as a result of your feedback:
- Quinoa – delicious low calorie, high protein grain. Yummy – but pretty expensive. $11 for a bag that makes about ten cups of cooked quinoa. I loved it, but at ten times the cost of brown rice it won’t be an every week thing for me.
- Laughing cow light cheese – 35 calories per wedge of creamy goodness. Oh even yesser.
- Broth based, veggie soup - Helpful tip and very yummy, but if it’s all I eat I seem to be starving again in 2 hours. I think I will have it in advance of meals so I don’t over eat other stuff.
- Eating protein in the morning – I sort of have to do that or I get all low blood sugary. But a girl can sick of eggs. So I find myself eating 98% fat free turkey for breakfast and then the Cap’n is all like – what happened to my lunchmeat?
- Sparkpeople.com – I have sort of fallen off that wagon and I have no idea how to start a team but since it seems like there are a lot of us on there, maybe someone could do that?
- Lotsa water - working on it... I don't like water that much. Does Vitamin Water count?
- Sleep – I want 8 hours of sleep like a Kim Kardashian wants wide receivers. Sadly, unlike Kim I don’t get what I want. But the littlest is starting to sleep through the night most of the time so maybe I’ll finally get there.
- Sugar – I know. I need to not eat it and normally I don’t. But Halloween came and that ruined everything. Candy gets thrown out in a few days because at my house candy goes bad after 2 weeks.
- Processed foods – I’m totally on board with this one. I’m going to try and go a couple of weeks without easting any processed foods. Let’s see how it goes. I tend to cook and eat most of the time. The Cap’n has some food allergies so I have to make pretty much everything from scratch anyway.
- Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred – Kate and I are starting this on Tuesday. BOO YA! Our last day will be the day before her birthday which means we can have queso dip and wine and celebrate as God intended.
Maybe for that reason, so many people made sure I knew all about the big old dramatic hoo haw on the internet last week. Someone posted an article called “Should Fatties Get a Room?” from Marie Claire’s website on our facebook wall and messaged us about it. Maura Kelly was asked to write an opinion piece on the TV show “Mike & Molly” – featuring two overweight people who sometimes make out. And let me make something clear - I don't really like to watch anybody make out. I mean, I totally love True Blood on HBO but I fast forward through the sexy parts*. So I was prepared to be open minded. Here’s some of what she had to say:
Honestly, I read this crap and I was like: Yawn. This is exactly why II haven’t read a fashion magazine in about fifteen years. At least now apparently, they don’t even pretend that the whole point isn’t to make you feel bad about yourself. It also reminded me why I want to lose weight so badly - I’m now all hyped up to do the 30 Day Shred. Because even though I really want to feel better and set a good example for my little terror suspects, I am also so f**king over being judged for how I look. And I’ve seen how other women treat Kate because she’s skinny and gorgeous – they are instantly put off and mistrustful of her. Snitches."So anyway, yes, I think I'd be grossed out if I had to watch two characters with rolls and rolls of fat kissing each other ... because I'd be grossed out if I had to watch them doing anything. To be brutally honest, even in real life, I find it aesthetically displeasing to watch a very, very fat person simply walk across a room — just like I'd find it distressing if I saw a very drunk person stumbling across a bar or a heroine addict slumping in a chair.
Now, don't go getting the wrong impression: I have a few friends who could be called plump. I'm not some size-ist jerk. And I also know how tough it can be for truly heavy people to psych themselves up for the long process of slimming down. (For instance, the overweight maintenance guy at my gym has talked to me a little bit about how it seems worthless for him to even try working out, because he's been heavy for as long as he can remember.) But ... I think obesity is something that most people have a ton of control over. It's something they can change, if only they put their minds to it."
And you know how she stays skinny? Be being even more preoccupied with it all than I am and I’m starting to feel like it’s taking over my life. I’m not sure you can win. And I want to square up and kick the world in the junk sometimes for making it so much harder than it needs to be – for all of us. So thanks, Marie Claire. You suck monkey balls for publishing that. You’re a women’s magazine that *hates* actual women. Good for you.
So we're turning to Jillian. For thirty days. And if at the end, nothing has really happened to our bodies, we'll eat and drink on Kate's birthday and the world can go suck it. But IF it's all awesome, we'll be like "Rock On Jillian! You understand women!" Even though we're not entirely sure she is one... Oh crap. Please don't tell her we said that.
(c)Herding Turtles, Inc. 2009 - 2010
First: Thank you!! As a Curvy girl sometimes I say "suck it world!" and other times I say "WHY is this soo hard!" One day at a time baby...
ReplyDeleteSecond: WATER - Fill a container up with water and then add 8 slices of cucumber and 2 slices of lemon to it and let it sit overnight...in the morning yumminess (keeps for about a week and then change out the veggies - but you can refill in that week with more water and it will still taste good)
Who in the hell is Maura Kelly and why do we care what she thinks?
ReplyDeleteScrew her
I read that the author actually has an eating disorder (if you could not tell that from her obnoxious article).
ReplyDeleteLydia, I just want you to get to a place where you are happy with how you look. It is not a number on a scale, it is being healthy and HAPPY. Let me know if you have any questions about fitness classes if you decide to go the gym route.
You can do it. :)
OMG. Prepare to be sore. I started on the 30day shred and couldn't make it through the first workout. It gets easier as it goes on. I think I will start back up with you all. I never finished it and halloween got the best of me too!
ReplyDeleteI am in an abusive codependent relationship with Jillian. She kicks my ass, I vow I'll never come back, and then there I am the next morning, begging for her attention again. Sigh. The good news is I can detect a slight tightening of my bye bye arms...before I could kill a small child who unwittingly walked in the way of my wobbly tricep.
ReplyDeleteI am a curvy girl too and I love to hear your progess. Good for you for all of your hard work. You are very brave to be starting all of this during the holiday season. It can be done, so keep that in mind when you are tempted to eat a few cookies.
ReplyDeleteYou might try and get a big 5lb. bag of EAS protein from Sam's Club or Costco. That's what I do for my protein. For $25 the bag will last a month or 2 and you get 23 grams of Whey Protein and only 120 calories per serving. I just put a scoop in a cup of water or if I make a smoothie. Just a suggestion. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis losing weight thing is HARD! I know it, having previously lost 60+ lbs. I was at my lowest weight (and healthiest) pre-pregnancy, and now that my daughter is a year old, am finally working on the last 10lbs of baby weight.
ReplyDeleteAs far as what has worked for me... find a form of exercise that you can enjoy. This has meant changing my workout as I get bored of it, and it has meant a lot of cardio kickboxing (in the form of classes or tae bo)and step aerobics. This way, I get to either feel bad ass or like I'm some sort of coordinated dancy girl (yes, I'm a dork).
As far as eating healthy goes, I've followed the food guide (canada's equivalent to the food pyramid) and watched my carbs. But, by far the easiest healthy eating I have ever done came after reading "Skinny Bitches". It will change the way you look at food... and by god, it is so much easier to lose weight eating vegan (so long as you don't fill up on crap carbs). I honestly was able to eat as much and as frequently as I wanted, and as long as it was whole, nutritious food, I was losing weight. so ya, there's my 2 cents, or my life story. however you want to look at it.
Two words: True Lemon. They also make True Orange, True Lime, and Raspberry Lemonade. It's the only way I can drink a ton of water and it's awesome. It's crystallized lemon in little packets.
ReplyDeleteIn the morning I make a big cup of Instant Breakfast (the powder). I hate Nestle but it's my breakfast, it's cheap, healthy, has protein, and I can't find an off-brand that tastes the same. I can put it in my travel mug and drink it in the car.
I feel the need to comment on Mike & Molly because I love the show. It's funny and inappropriate and I don't care if they weigh more. I think a kiss between them is a gazillion times sweeter than a kiss on Gossip Girl or whatever the hell show snitches are watching these days.
Ok, I'm in on the 30 day shred. I have the dvd. It glares at me every day. I did it for like 4 days and got all angry when my 4 year old could hang and I couldn't. If you all are gonna scream, I'll scream with you!
ReplyDeleteMissing from the post and the comments is how cutting out all alcoholic beverages will drastically improve one's weight loss. Take a moment and add up the calories consumed during all those boxed wine imbibations (it is the rare rant that does not refer to drinking); it will be a shocking revelation. Letting go of the boxed wine will likely have a positive effect on stress levels as well; lots of far more healthy relaxation strategies are out there and they are free.
ReplyDeleteProtein in the morning is good...but eggs do get old. Try a protein fruit shake or my favorite, toasted whole wheat english muffin with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter. It melts all over and really is enough, even if it sounds like very little. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you have problems with this but in the mornings I have the worse time eating breakfast at all, let alone a good breakfast if I do eat.
ReplyDeleteUsually I start my breakfast off now with a whole banana, a cup of apple juice, and about 6-8 frozen strawberries.
Great and fast for a snack too. GL with your journey. <3
Crystal light mix-ins (or their equally tasty, yet cheaper, WalMart equivalent). I can drink lots of water, but it does get boring. These make it much easier.
ReplyDeleteGreat post - I'm interested how the Jillian workout goes! Glad you said that about Kate being treated not so great. I did a little test the other morning - went to Target all dressed up with my 2 littlest ones looking adorable as well. No one would even make eye contact! Usually I make a friend in every aisle but no one would speak a word to me - unbelievable! Good luck - I know you'll do great! Eat oatmeal in the morning or cottage cheese. I've heard adding lemon juice to your water can help you lose a pound a week - sounds fishy but who knows!
ReplyDeleteAll natural PB (you can get 1 kg of it at Costco!) is a great protein source. Protein powder is a great option, as mentioned.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely watch the liquid calories (including "Vitamin" water). A couple of OJ is 100 calories! You can eat 2 pieces of fruit for that and get way more fibre than the liquid form. However, sometimes a Tall latte from Sbux helps tide me over better than fruit or veggies, plus you are getting calcium and protein out of the milk!
They sell quinoa at costco. It is cheap there. I make this salad with it. Fresh spinach, quinoa, feta, tomatoes, chickpeas and fresh mint and some vinaigrette. Keep in mind, I never like food that is nutritious so this is a huge step.
ReplyDeleteI also want to get a grip on my weight to be a better example for my kiddos. If you made it past Halloween with only a 1 pound gain, that is actually great. Keep it up Lydia.
I did the 30 Day Shred faithfully for exactly 19 days, and I actually "liked" it (minus having to do it at 5am before my 3 kids woke up...ugh), until my body apparently decided to reject exercise altogether and I got a cough so deep in my lungs that I had to stop...AND I've never gone back to it. Of course. I'm not sure the floor ab workouts in it are great if you have any ab separation from your pregnancies (I do- twins), but the workout overall is very do-able and goes by (fairly) quickly. And I appreciate that the workout changes after every 10 days so it doesn't get too repetitive! I should mention, I didn't lose any weight at all, but I probably was burning fat/gaining muscle. My thighs got bigger (Not a great thing, but maybe it was just muscle inflammation that would eventually go away? Not sure.) and my arms did seem to start to tightening up. Good luck - the muscle pain after the first couple days can be intense - be prepared!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not very good about drinking water either, and adding flavored powders with nutrasweet or aspartame will actually make you crave sweets more!
ReplyDeleteI like Trader Joe's sparkling water. There's enough flavor to keep it from being boring, it's not sweet, and the fizziness satisfies any soda cravings.
As much as I hate to admit it...Oprah the Omnipotent did do us a service with Dr Oz. The "You On a Diet" book is actually one of the best "diet" books I have ever read. He explains how the body works, how we gain weight, and how to lose it permanently. It also is something I have been able to maintain because it's not some crazy-ass starvation scheme or some masochisitic work out regimen.
It's about feeling good, regardless of what the scale says...I'm still working on that part!
=)
Ummm, I don't know about shredding but I did drop 80lbs in a year after having my first kid and 50 lbs in 6 months after the second. Let me suggest "French Women Don't Get Fat" by Mireille Guiliano. It is a non-diet book with a fabulous method for resetting tastebuds and appetite (and a whole chapter on wine!). Works like a charm and my three-kids-later-size-four-ass is the proof.
ReplyDeleteCostco sells a big 4 or 5 lb bag of quinoa for $9.99 or something like that...
ReplyDeleteI'm currently at my heaviest in my entire life - pretty much what I weighed 9 months in to each of my pregnancies, but I am (needless to say) not pregnant. Part of it seems to be low thyroid and possible adrenal fatigue (depending on who you ask it's a real condition or not, but I do know taking the supplements helps my energy and focus tremendously). I also have sleep apnea which makes me so. darn. tired. all. the. time. Throw in a desk job and two young children, and yeah. I don't know whether your 30-day whatsit will help, but I am rooting for you! I'm trying to pay much closer attention to my weight and eating habits and whenever I get discouraged, I think "what would Lydia do". I need to get a WWLD wrist band. ;) Usually my mind comes back with "eat a small snack and go for a walk/fold laundry(lol)/play with the kids", but I love that sometimes, what my mind comes back with is "Lydia would cut herself some slack and open a t-box" and that helps me feel even that much better. One day at a time...
ReplyDeleteOkay ladies.....I'm in! I'm gonna go pick this up tomorrow and start Tuesday with you :)
ReplyDeleteAs to drinking more water, get a Camelbak bottle, fill it up (maybe add a squirt of lemon juice) and keep it with you throughout the day. There's something I find satisfying about sucking water through a straw that makes me drink more. I did this to keep hydrated during pregnancy and it worked way better than packaged bottled water. At least for me.
ReplyDeleteAs my beautiful 21 year old daughter who has the figure of a model (and she did NOT get it from me!)and the appetite of a trucker (I know, I know -metabolism!)says..."Live for the weekend, Mom" and "Own your imperfections!" Yeah, yeah there is a little part of me that wants to snatch some hair off of her head...but she has a point. It's all about getting to a place where we are good enough just as we are and then being moderate about healthy eating, exercise...and celebrating (that's where the weekend comes in!)too. You are beautiful, Lydia and I will go out and buy the 30-day Shred today and do it with you guys starting TOMORROW..no backing down. Tomorrow, it is!
ReplyDeleteLiz
Don't purge your candy! Send it to Operation Gratitude! http://www.opgratitude.com/howtohelp.php?page=individual
ReplyDeleteThey accept Halloween Candy to send to the troops in care packages! They also LOVE letters from families, people and kids!!
Jillian is a mean one---and a know it all to boot. But, she's helping me lose the baby weight, so I do it even though I'm cursing her out THE ENTIRE TIME. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou can buy a big four pound bag of quinoa at Costco, if you're interested. It's pretty cheap there, too. Probably $9. I think everything at Costco costs $9.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Shred! I'm starting it next week, and I'm scared.
low carb is really the best way. i lost so much weight and have kept it off. i even cheat with carbs some now. and this is good news---there have been several articles that say wine actually helps lose weight. they were specific to pinot noir, but i kept drinking while i did the atkins thing and i lost 60 pounds between march and october of 2009. i am not so strict right now, but i have only put on a few pounds over the year since.(still drink wine! i think a glass of a dry red is only 2 carbs, same with dry white...) i am gonna kick it back in here at the holidays so i can get skinnier for 2011!good luck to you!
ReplyDeletePut a lime wedge in your water, plunk a twirly straw and possibly an umbrella in the cup and prepare to feel fancy. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going to Walmart today. I believe I'll pick up the 30 Day Shred is I can find it. I need to switch up my routine- I'm getting bored and not working out. So yes and even yesser, I am on board with this one!
Take "before" pictures before you start the shred. Even if it's only for you, you will be THRILLED when you finish and can compare it to your "after" appearance. Oh, and make sure you have some light hand weights to start with or you'll be dying.
ReplyDeleteOnce you're done with that, she's got Shred It With Weights and Yoga Meltdown. 30 Day Shred is still my fav and my go-to DVD for a quick workout. "Fitness Ultimatum" is coming out soon and previews show one of the bad-a$$ fitness models from a previous DVD seriously struggling. It should be awesome!
Now, if only she would record a "mommy" voice track for the DVD that would scream at my kids to quit climbing on me and that Mama is only asking for 25 minutes (25 FLIPPING MINUTES) to do something for herself so now is NOT the time to bug her.
Both of you guys...have you ever heard of Jennifer Lancaster or read any of her books? Though they relate on the mommy angle of things (Jen has no kids) her style of humor is totally up your alley (caveat, she uses real curse words though) You and Kate...and probably most of the folks who read this blog, would enjoy all of her books. Anyway, the little bit about the Marie Claire article prompted me to think of this, as Jen posted a rebuttle to it on her blog www.jennsylvania.com. The books are --- Bitter is the New Black, Such A Pretty Fat, Pretty in Plaid, and My Fair Lazy. Happy reading if you can squeeze it in to your mommy filled life, but I guarantee the books will bring a smile to your face!
ReplyDeleteA few years ago, I gained 20 pounds over the course of two winters. I have a small frame and I am short; those 20 pounds looked like 40 or 50. Anyway, I cut out a lot of processed carbs (namely bread and flour and pasta) and started cycling. I think it was the cycling that really helped (did you know you can burn 700 calories an hour!?). Losing the weight was really challenging, as was changing my diet around. Eventually however, I got used to the diet and once I lost all the weight, I found I didn't have to exercise as much anymore (from every day to 3 times/week). My weight stabilized and I now maintain a pretty moderate eating and exercise program. I just want to encourage you that you may not need to work as hard as you are now, for the rest of your life. Once you get your weight to a desirable point, you can simply maintain that through a moderate lifestyle. Good luck!
ReplyDelete