Low carb, high protein, low sugar, low cal...Healthy eating frustrations

Bear with me as I just spill my thoughts in this post. I am frustrated and annoyed.

Why you ask? 

I've stopped losing weight. My first 55 pounds I lost was a combination of exercise and calorie counting. That was it. I didn't have to count my protein. I did keep my sugar in a normal range but I didn't have to agonize of why I lost weight. It just came off.

Enter in about six months ago. I just stopped losing weight. I am still building a little muscle but the scale isn't moving and it is frustrating. I've done high protein, low carb. That kept me full and I enjoy the high protein however, I didn't lose weight. I went back to what I did post-college and did calorie counting. It didn't work. I weigh and measure my food. Still, nothing. 

I refuse to take supplements, aka fat burners, since I want to keep it off. Plus I want to lose it healthy and not gain it all back after going off it. 

I really don't know what to do next. I am doing some more research and reaching out to some fitness gurus/friends who do this every day. Something has got to give. 

Sigh...one day I will start losing again. I just want to be healthy. I am eating well and hoping something will click again soon.

For now, I will keep doing what I am doing.

I don't want to be thin. I just want to be healthy.

Weight issues & a plan

It's no secret that I've been dealing with weight issues my whole life. I mean, I started counting calories and have lost weight. However, I plateaued for quite some time. So now I am on a modified low-carb diet but I refuse to call it "low carb" or "diet." Something about those two words make me turn off. I just don't like those words. 

So, I stick to healthy eating plan. To me, eating healthy isn't that horrific compared to dieting or low carb. 

I still count my calories on my fitness pal and workout. But I just wasn't seeing the results I wanted. So I am trying a new healthy eating regime. 

I will admit, it was tough at first. But, I am also trying to speed up my metabolism so I am eating six times a day. This is how to, apparently, per my guy I workout with. That was an adjustment to say the least. But I feel so much better on this healthy eating regime. I still eat low sugar, low carb yogurt in the morning and lots of protein throughout the day. I couldn't get rid of my raspberries so I am allowed to have my 3/4 cup raspberries with lunch. 

This is, hopefully, allowing me to be a better person and not lose weight just to gain it back. That's my biggest fear. I have struggled with ups and downs in weight and don't want to just gain it all back. 

A friend of mine said something that stuck and I thought I would share. "Weight loss is something that you lose. Some deal with their weight and its issues for life." I don't want to feel like I have to lose weight all the time. I like the way I look. I just want to perfect it and lose a little more weight. I've never had this much muscle or tone. 

So, I am just making some adjustments to my weighted issues. 

Size doesn't matter

Everywhere you turn, sizes are all around. From the size of a watermelon to a shirt size, they're around every corner. I've learned something though.

Even if you're a size 2 or size 22, charted sizes don't matter. It's how you feel and look to you. Who cares if you're not a size 2? I'll tell you right now, I've never been a size 2 and probably won't ever be. Does that mean I'm unhappy or look horrible? Of course not. There's more to me than the size of my clothes. I hope to come off as a caring person. You can't tell that from a generic size.
You can't tell from a size label how successful someone is. Granted, I work out and am building muscle but that just means I'm trying to live a healthy life. My supposed sized number doesn't give you that.
In all honesty, who cares what size someone is? Let's look at what they are capable of and their personality. Let's see how they work with others too.
A person has more than just a size to define them.

Posted using BlogPress

Happy being me

Life doesn't have a road map. It's not always black and white nor does it always make sense. But, there are lessons in each hurdle.

When I was first diagnosed with food allergies, I asked myself what will I eat? How can I survive without xyz? Then I discovered it wasn't the end of the world. Sure, I was not able to eat most, brand name foods but what did that really matter? I thought it was the end of the world but I was wrong. I ate different food. Who cares? Sure I get upset, some, when I can't have what everyone else is having but it's not the end of the world and I still have things I can eat.

 When I was 11, I went through some really rough patches and difficult times. I don't speak about it a bunch because it was one of my roughest times. But I got through and the people that helped me through that I am forever grateful for.

 To this day, I have lost 53 pounds and gained muscle that I've never seen before. Was I happy with those 53 pounds previously? Not necessarily with the weight but I was still me. I was still that person who smiled and was perky. Being THAT big was a reality and I can't believe I was that big. But was it the end of the world? No, I just took control.

Life throws curve balls but it's how you handle it is what proves most important. I've suffered but I am trying not to let it get me down.

Currently, I am happy being me with food allergies, sinus issues, more muscle, anxiety, asthma, and less weight. 

Life isn't a cakewalk but I'll take mine.

Then vs. Now: In my own skin {weight loss}

I shocked myself last night when I was looking through old pictures. I couldn't believe how "big" I looked from a lens perspective. I knew I was over weight but thought I hid it well. I was totally wrong. I could dress up and make myself look "good" but the camera sees a different side of things.

THEN

NOW

Between poor eating habits and not taking care of myself, it all started adding up. I would exercise every once in a while. But who was I fooling? I need to exercise most days or it will start creeping back without a doubt. I have been counting my calories with My Fitness Pal for over 15 months and log everything I put in my mouth. I am drinking more water and working on eating more protein. Still, to this day, I carry my weight in my face and midsection. It's a pain but a good reminder.

Right now, I've lost 50 pounds and still have more to go. It's been a S-L-O-W process but it is working. There are days/weeks that there is no weight loss but there is muscle growth. I can tell. I can bend my arm without "flexing" and see muscle. Slowly but surely my bat wings, under arms, are getting trimmed. I don't have the constant double chin that I position just right to avoid it captured on film. I am toning up my legs and feeling good in smaller shirts.

To this date, I am down three shirt sizes and still working on it. I still don't/won't do things that stick to me but love the way I look in the picture above. My hips have always been "big-boned" and I am not afraid to admit it. I've been told by my workout trainer that "I'm built" for heavier weight lifting and he usually gives me heavy weights to lift. ;) It hasn't been easy but I've learned to like working out with my workout trainer and enjoy staying under my calorie limit. There are splurge days, of course, but not as many.

I am finally happy to show that I can wear more than a sweater, smile, and feel good inside and out!

Happy Dance with My Fitness Pal

Just after the first of the year, I started with My Fitness Pal. I was hesitant if it would help at all. I mean, I have struggled with weight since I was a teen. BUT I can honestly say, it is helping. I track my food, drinks, water, exercise, and weight on it. It even has, in its database, a full listing of specialty items and other options. It is a web-based (and FREE) program that syncs to my phone. There is a free Droid and iPhone app. I believe there is a blackberry one too. Don't quote me on that.

Based on my goals, it calculates my calories and breaks it down on how much fat, carbs, ect I can intake daily. My goal is 1-2 pounds of weight loss each week. Right now, I am allotted 1640 calories per day. Every time you lose 10 pounds, it recalculates my calories allotted based on my goals and weight.

I cannot say enough about My Fitness Pal. It is working for me. I've even added the cool tracker to track my progress too. I still have a way to go but am very happy to see results. As of right now, I've lost 40 pounds. :) Since I am 6 feet tall, I thought I carried my weight well. Um, not so much.

Now, I am seeing a huge difference in my mood and energy level plus I am finally starting to look thinner too. It makes my week when my pants fit better and are loose.

I highly recommend My Fitness Pal!

Open & honest about weight

This post has been written and deleted several times as weight struggles have been up and down for some time now. I have always been a tall girl, truth be told, but my weight seems to always haunt me where ever I go. I am not obese but do not wear shirts that show the bulges and rolls and truth. I tend to wear a size bigger to not show my weight since I don't like things sticking to me. I can hide my weight the best I can and just melt inside. I have (and am currently) tried a diet and exercise but it ain't cuttin' it right now.

I don't know if it is the fact that I am out of balance with what I eat or am not balancing at all. But I would love to be able to loose weight and finally keep it off. I have done the Shred completely three times now and even though some parts are toned; my midsection is not. I have contemplated ordering another workout program to try but then I am wondering what the use is?!

I want to look good. I want to feel good. I want to be able to loose weight and keep it off. I admit that I will never be a size zero and I am perfectly dandy with that. But I would like to wear something and actually look good in it.

Weight has always been a constant battle for me and I am fully aware of that. But I am just ready to see some progress and actually feel good beneath the clothes I wear.

Round 2: The Shred...day 2

Ummm...I will admit that I HURT this morning in my quads from doing the complex squats with the weights yesterday. Plus...I did it again today too! But you know something...it really does feel good and overall I still am seeing results that make me smile. For instance, my legs are more muscley and have toned out...which is AWESOME! My arms have muscle all over, especially in my biceps, triceps, and the lower part too.

Plus...when I look in the mirror, I am proud. When you have struggled so much over the years to "look good" and finally see results...it is just amazing. I HAVE STRUGGLED{& still do} and this feeling of accomplishment just warms my heart! If you are working out too, GREAT JOB!!! It truly does make me/you feel better!!!

Have a lovely evening!!!

The Shred...day 18

Doin' my little dance right now :o Day 18 is DONE baby done! Can I just say I am ready for level three?! Level two is great and all, but it is TOUGH! I have gained MUSCLE all around and I believe{as does my dr} that once my core builds up, then I will start loosing more weight. Can ya tell I am happy?!

Next post will be 500! Just thought you should know!

TGIF sweet peeps!!!

Weighty issue

Weight is something that will always be talked about in my family. I am not blessed with skinny genes & I have to work out to look good, but it's okay with me. My family works out a bunch and we all have our own style. Personally, I love weight lifting, swimming, walking, rock climbing, and aerobics! No running here due to Asthma and I am okay with that.

In high school, I did not really care about my weight and gained a bunch. My freshman year of college I lost a bunch of weight, forty pounds to be exact, and it felt great! So I was a little irked when I gained a few pounds back this spring, but have come to realize and remember the saying I made myself back in the fall of 2007. HE made me for who I am, I choose what I eat, HE gives me strength, & HE has a plan for me!

So I gained a few pounds this spring...it is OKAY!!! I am working on losing some more weight this summer and gaining muscle. I love being able to flex my arm muscles and am working on it... I actually like the way I look right now...granted, I want to loose a bit in the middle, but it's a work in progress!

Life is a work in progress & I truly believe my weight is too. There are days when when you eat whatever the heck you want (not every day) and then there are days where you follow a strict plan. No one is perfect...everyone has their flaws!!! Remember that!

Please know if any comments are harsh or rude, they will be deleted!!!!

An update...finally

So sorry that it has been over a month since I have updated! First I got pneumonia in both lungs, then I had the flu, along with my asthma acting up, so February was a complete wash. I missed 3 weeks of college and continue to feel tired. But I am hoping to get all my energy back soon. Being sick is no fun either. I had zero energy and spent most of my time at home, feeling sick. My parents took me home on 2/1 and I returned to classes on 2/25. The result of missing 3 weeks of classes was not that bad. I had to drop my science class and I will just take it in the fall. Other than that, I have some computer assignments to complete, but I am actually all caught up-finally!!! What a relief!!!

Now as far as right now, I am really happy! Today I slept in (which I have not done in one month), then went to breakfast and got a complement from some football players that I "look good and have lost weight." I did not initially know what to say, but I am now really happy they noticed! Then I went shopping. I really loathe doing this, but when I am by myself, I am actually OK. So I went to Old Navy (got a bathing suit in a smaller size than I thought I could fit into), went to Lifeway, and Target. I found some really cool books for my Preschool class and also surprised myself! Then I went to HEB and got this week's groceries. Then I went to Subway and have been back in the dorms since 6:30.

So this typical (not) college student is now doing homework and about to get ready for bed. I feel so relaxed. Now only if my back would stop hurting. Why does it hurt? I slid off my bed while I was asleep this week and it messed it up.

To this day, I have lost 35 pounds! Woo Hoo!!! How and when? I have lost the weight over six months. How-I have been eating LOTS of fruits and veggies. Have been eating lean cuts of meat and have cut out all breads. I am also eating fat free yogurts and oatmeal. Yes I still eat gluten free pretzels and rice cakes, but in moderation. I also cut out all pasta and soft drinks!
I believe that eating smaller portions have also helped. Now I am not saying that I have the occasional bowl of ice cream, but not every day.

Now as for exercise-I am walking and currently go up about 5 flights of stairs on a daily basis. I sometimes do not even realize that I do this, but I do not mind it much anymore. I actually like doing it sometimes.

So this concludes my update! I hope all of you have a great weekend and a wonderful week!!!