Weekly Weigh-in #21: Mixed Results

I'm thrilled to tell you I have achieved a major milestone this week -- I broke into the 190s! It's about time. I was wondering if it would ever happen. As a reward to myself, I bought a cute new workout outfit at TJ Maxx this morning. Maybe I'll model it for you in my next progress photo.

But I'm more than a little bummed that Mr. encountered a disappointing setback this week. He gained, and not just a pound or two. He knows why -- very little exercise and portion sizes creeping up. He also knows that this is a new week and he can get back on track. We can do it, Mr.! Look how far we've come.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 261 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (+)5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 40 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 198.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 3 pounds
Total pounds lost: 39.5 pounds

Who Knew? Coffee Is Good for You

Mr. and I are serious coffee drinkers. As in, we can't really function in the morning until one of us has started the coffeemaker--with the knowledge that hot, freshly brewed coffee will be here soon.

How happy was I, then, to read Mr.'s latest post on his Mission Nutrition blog? Very happy. Here's a hint: It's all about how our coffee "vice" is actually good for us. Much rejoicing! I think I'll toast with another cup of coffee.

Weekly Weigh-in #20: We Did Better

Mrs. and I continued on our weight loss trends over the last week and both of us earned some negative numbers on the scale.

Susan increased the intensity of her workouts, working out for roughly 30 minutes every day at the gym at her office and an additional 30 minutes at home. I focused on reducing my calorie intake and getting more physical labor done around the house (yard work, demolishing an old porch and building a new porch). Mrs. and I also purchased a Nintendo Wii to give us a fun way to get additional exercise (I'll have more news about that later this week).

Bottom line, this week's numbers weren't bad:

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 256 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 2.5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 45 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 201.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1.5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 36.5 pounds

I'm particularly proud of Mrs. since she made a commitment to seriously increase the intensity of her workouts. We both feel pretty positive about her chances of dropping below the 200-pound mark next week.

We're getting closer and closer to our goal weights. We'll get there before we know it.

Playing Like a Kid Again

Before Mr. and I started getting fit, just watching our very active daughter wore me out.

She never stops moving except to sleep. Like most 2-year-olds, she's constantly climbing, running, twirling, performing spontaneous yoga poses ... you get the picture. With 35 additional pounds on me, I had a hard time keeping up. Plus, I never exercised, so I was very out of shape. I felt sad that I couldn't keep up with her--which is partly why I decided getting fit should be my immediate priority.

As I shed the pounds and gain endurance and strength through exercise, I find myself increasingly able to go toe to toe with my little whirlwind girl. She wants to run circles around the backyard? I will run with her. I get home after a long day at work, and she wants me to be the "horsey" who gallops about with her playing cowgirl? Giddy up.

Now, we go to the park on a beautiful spring evening and chase each other down the path for an hour. Then, we get home and she's wiped out (time for night-night). I stay up, clean, do laundry, and fit in a 45-minute Pilates session. That never would have happened before getting fit.

I realize now that having a young child, full of intense curiosity and seemingly infinite energy, is a wonderful way to get and stay fit. Playing burns calories, but more importantly, it's a fun way to bond with our daughter. I'm so glad we're doing this.

A New Way to Test Fitness

I used to dread those Presidential Fitness Tests in elementary and junior high school gym class. Even though I was fairly average as a kid--not an athlete, but not a complete slob--I just hated "performing" physically in front of my classmates. I didn't want them to laugh at me if I couldn't do pull-ups or something.

Well, the President's people have come up with a new fitness test for adults. Fortunately, you can do it in the privacy of your own home or gym. According to the website, it's easier to do the test with a partner (Mr., that means you!) but you can do it alone, too. The Adult Fitness Test assesses your level of:

• aerobic fitness
• muscular strength and endurance
• flexibility
• body composition

Based on your results, you can track your progress in each area as you become more physically active.

I think I'll give it a try. I'm always interested in finding different ways to see how fit I'm getting (other than the scale). Stay tuned for the first round of results. I hope I pass!

Weekly Weigh-in #19: We Can Do Better

Mr. and I are officially ending our weight-loss plateau, starting today. It's done.

We've been letting too many seemingly "little things" slide--a donut at work here, a missed workout there. All those 25- and 50-calorie bites add up, and cutting back on workouts means fewer calories burned.

Hence, this week's pathetic numbers:

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 258.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pound
Total pounds lost: 42.5 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 203 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pound
Total pounds lost: 35 pounds

I'm particularly disappointed in myself, because I really wanted to break into the 190s this week. It didn't happen. But I vow that I will stick our guiding principles this week--no more extra bites and snacks I don't need! More exercise! I can and will be in the 190s come next weigh-in.

Mr. is going to stop overindulging in the lower-calorie cupcakes and other treats (because it obviously negates the lower-calorie benefits if you eat more of them). He's also going to work out more consistently, with his trusty partner Mrs. there to inspire him with her own workouts.

Designated Veggie Tray Bringer

Just as you should have a designated driver if you're planning to drink alcohol at a party, fit people need a designated veggie tray bringer if you're going to stick to your fit lifestyle.

I figured this one out after attending numerous social occasions since Mr. and I started getting fit four and a half months ago. When we bring the veggie tray (or at least, know that someone is), we tend to eat better at the party--and not leave feeling like big old cheating pigs. Just filling up on veggies helps reduce (though not eliminate) the temptation to snack on higher-calorie, fatty snacks.

After blowing too much money on those overpriced prepackaged veggie trays from the grocery store, I finally had a "DUH" moment and bought a clear acrylic Appetizers on Ice serving tray from Linens 'n' Things. It has a bottom tray to hold ice under your veggies (or other appetizers), so they stay chilled throughout the party.

Now, I can just buy my favorite veggies, slice them up, get a container or two of hummus, and I'm set for any party! Plus, the tray looks classier than the crappy plastic ones from the grocery store.

Friends and family, if you're planning to invite me to a social gathering, you can always count on me to be the designated veggie tray bringer!