But I'm one of those who have ZERO willpower and think exercise is a dirty word so a good dose of public humiliation is exactly what I need to kick myself up the bum.
The last month has seen me put on a weird amount of weight which is out of the normal for me. Usually if I gain weight, it's at a snail pace so that I never knew it was happening until a belt wouldn't click into the normal notch one fine morning, so to just get SPLATTED with an extra 2 kilos is quite frightening.
Because I am not a person to just cut out my beloved carbohydrates and kill myself at the local Gym, I have decided to go about losing weight by replacing breakfast and lunch with fruit and vegetables in the way of smoothies and having a light dinner. So, a smoothie maker is on the way, I searched high and low and found my Weight Watchers point counting books and I dragged the eliptical trainer out of the garage! I am resolved to lose enough weight to regain my waist!!
OK, fat photo number 1.
And number 2.
If anyone has any tips they can send my way it would be most appreciated. Especially on tips to keep motivated.......must stay motivated.
Any smoothie recipes you guys use?
ive found that nothing really works for me except counting callories.. that way if i really want that bag of chips i can have it! weight watchers is the same but with points and blah blah all the numbers are just to confusing so i just count callories eat my chips and ice cream and when i run out of callories im "allowed" i dont eat haha.. if it was that important to eat all the junk then i figure im not really starving! i have a tredmill in the house and it litterally stares me down if im not on it. so that helps too :)
ReplyDeletethanks hun. i have done WW in the past but dont want to buy new books by joining all over again! Ive never tried couting calories, it souds too confusing!
DeleteMy friend has started a weight loss group/challenge. Each week she is awarding the person with the most success in weight loss a bottle of nail polish. That's all the motivation I need. Here is a link to the related blog post. I hope you don't mind. http://polishednotputtogether.blogspot.com/2012/01/weight-loss-and-nail-polish.html#more
ReplyDeleteCool, thanks heaps Jenna for that link, will def check it out. xx
DeleteYou still look adorable. It's so tough to lose weight and keep it off. I've lost 116lbs in 3 1/2 yrs. I'm on Weight Watchers. It's a very good program. The most important thing is that I've cut my eating in half. WW helps and teaches you to eat everything in moderation. I'm not strict at all. I still have weight to lose. I should have been at my goal weight. This time my weight loss is different because I've kept it off without gaining weight back.
ReplyDeletethanks Lucy, you are an inspiration! I have done WW in the pasr, after both babies, but they changed the point system around again. I dont want to buy new books, so will keep to the old system.
DeleteI think you look great! The print on that first dress is to die for. At any rate, I've been having a lot of luck with smoothies, lettuce wraps instead of sandwiches and making sure to eat all of my meals. There are some incredibly delicious recipes on skinnytaste.com I have tried at least 30 of her recipes and they are all very good, easy, affordable and satisfying. So good my meat and potatoes husband loves them too!! They are all based on the weight watchers program. I highly recommend the cauliflower fritters, the barbacoa pork and the cuban sandwich quesadillas. Good luck! x
ReplyDeletethanks Brittany. Im very glad to hear that ur having success with soothies and no bread, as thats what i have planned for me. It also wont hurt to eat fruit as i dont like it much. I will be bookmarking skinnytaste, thanks!
DeleteFirst of all, I think you look lovely. Photos tend to add weight to people and while those dresses are cute, they are probably not the easiest to photograph in - one with a large print and the other with a lighter solid color. That being said, good for you for taking a step towards making yourself feel better. About 6 months ago, I hit a weight I was just uncomfortable with so I started by counting calories. I recommend using My Fitness Pal - which is free and has multiple platforms. In the past 4-5 months I have dropped about 15lbs. I know this isn't incredible weight loss, but I have been able to maintain my weight for the past month without exercising or counting calories. I found that besides counting calories, the first thing I did was join exercise classes. If I was putting out money for them, I knew I would go. I went twice a week and found I felt better. Now that the holidays are over and my schedule has calmed down, I have signed up for more classes and have made myself an exercise calendar. I also weigh myself everyday in the morning so I know if I am on track, etc.
ReplyDeleteThank you, the dresses arent the most flattering i own but they do show what needs to go! thanks for the link, Ill be adding it to my list of homework sites to visit tnite.
DeleteStart the day with grapefruit juice , drink warm water after meals, and drink green tea instead of black tea, replace sugar with honing in your coffee etc. drink at least 1.5 liter of low water not cold. take muesli bread at breakfast also or just muesli between your fruit has fivers and help with digestion
ReplyDeleteThey all sound like metabolism boosting drinks? I do plan on drinking more water but am not a fan of grapefruits. Muesli sounds good tho!
DeleteI think you look totally lovely as you are. :) I got this little calorie counter app called my fitness pal on my iphone (but you can also sign up to it online) where you log all your food and your exercise and work to a goal each day. I found it really helpful... that was before Christmas when I succumbed to the lure of chocolate and cold meats.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aimee! Unfortunately Im not lovely naked! My Fitness pal sounds good, Ill check it out.
DeleteI used green tea and ate veggies with tuna for dinner. For breakfast I always just had oatmeal. But to be honest I think you look fine. Drink lots of water to fill you up and no sugary liquids. You could also take a relaxing stroll every day so you don't get bored on the elliptical?
ReplyDeleteHi Samantha, I luv porridge but i do have to cut out diet drinks. Poor me :-)
DeletePersonally I think you look fantastic! But I understand how it feels when you don't think you look your best. I have been cutting my sugar intake by not putting sugar in my tea and not eating a bowl of honey nut Cheerios at night before bed. I have also been making sure I have either vegetables or fruit at every meal and so far I have lost 2 pounds. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
Well, I think u look fab too and dont need to lose weight, but you prob feel uncomfy like me. Ill see how long I can survive on smoothies twice a day!
DeleteI'm also in the nail polish & weight loss group with Jenna Froggy, and I'm totally in agreement with everyone on the calorie counting. I'm also using MyFitnessPal to track what I eat (which can be quite scary!)
ReplyDeleteI like Vietnamese summer rolls as a salad/veggie sub, and if you leave out the noodles inside they're super low calorie.
In general, I find eating slower also helps me eat less... oh, and wearing a nice snug belt! That way I remember I'm full before I go grab seconds.
Good luck! Your style is always fabulous, and some extra waist will only make it better ;)
Ok, Ill be checking out that group for sure. I luv Vietemese rolls, it would be nice to live on those for awhile!
DeleteI also employ the belt trick.....only problem is, my belts are all now too tight!
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ReplyDeletei think you still look cute even you think you are fat. i love the first picture. Losing weight is hardest thing to do for a woman. So just take it easy. it may take longgg time. you are beautiful the way you are! i seen the pictures and i just love your look. the first pic with the dress sooo adorable! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Yoannita, ur sweet! I am giving myself five months.
Deleteand i want to say also you got the style! that the most important thing :D
ReplyDeleteI lost about 15kgs using Lite and Easy dinners. The biggest thing being is keeping my calorie count steady. Because I am sedate due to my disability as long as I keep to about 1200 calories I am lose weight without exercise. I found I craved the bad stuff less, like I would take a bite and be all meh on my favorite Mars bars. There are a lot of free calorie counters for iphone or just on the net. Also using smaller plates when I eat bad. I like nachos so instead of a dinner plate size I go down to the next size. Looks just as big and has me just as full due to perception, but reducing a great many calories. Good luck, I'm in the same corner as well!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of lite n easy Kira, but just cant afford it for longer than a couple of weeks. It does work and i wasnt hungry. Im also using the small plate trick!
DeleteYou look good! (:
ReplyDeleteHave you ever heard of Slimming world? I'm not sure if it's available where you're from, but it's a great way to lose weight. So many people I know have lost about 2 pounds or more a week by doing it. (I lost 5 my first week) You should look it up! I'm sure you'll find some information from forums anyway if it's unavailable in your area. But it's much better than weight watchers etc. I myself lost 21 lbs/pounds from it :D I need to start again though, Christmas messed up my eating habits haha!
The one thing I found best to avoid is bread. It makes you feel bloated which makes you feel like you have more weight then what is actually there.
Thanks Ciara, we dont have that option is Oz unfortunately. I agree with the bread idea, it totally hates me but its so nice! I must remain strong!
DeleteGood for you for trying to do something about it! :) I know it doesn't matter if everyone around you thinks you look great if you don't agree with them. I am quite small but I gained 7 kg and it was only from sugar and bad food so I didn't like it. Now I'm exercising and trying to only eat snacks and candy on the weekends. My best tip is to stop eating candy, chips, soda and all things sugary. My roommate hasnt't eaten anything sugar in about 9-10 months and in that time she has gone from 78 kg to 62. Pretty crazy! Too bad I can't give up the stuff :P
ReplyDeletegreat tips, thanks Helga!
DeleteAwww - I think you look as beautiful as always.
ReplyDeleteI'm back on the Weight Watcher train too so if you ever need someone to chat too drop me a line :)
Thanks hun! Good luck to you too! Maybe we should start our own polish weight loss group!
DeleteHere goes-- I love your blog and your style. You are gorgeous. And though I am new to nails, I am very familiar with weight loss and have worked with a few of the leading docs on the best way to lose weight. (I'm a health writer.) So here's the deal. Protein, healthy fats, no-carb vegetables. More important than calories is the glycemic index of foods. Protein at every meal, snacks if needed. Solid breakfast and lunch. Light dinner. No soda, no juice, no artificial sweeteners-- they trick the brain and contribute to weight gain. Go light on the fruit.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a really strong blender, you can make blended soups-- first, cukes to a nice liquid, then a nice dollop of almond butter (protein and fat-- your friends-- they make you feel full.), then some greens (spinach, parsley, swiss chard), a pineapple chunk or two for sweetness) and then an avocado. Make it in the morning. Have it when hungry. Protein at lunch-- grilled chicken breast, turkey slices, burger, canned salmon, cottage cheese. Snacks-- celery with nut butter, apple with cheese slices, walnuts and red pepper. Whey protein drinks are also good. It's important to feel satiated rather than starved. I also agree with the belt trick.
As to exercise, simple walking is good. I collect rocks because I love the beautiful colors, and I carry them when I walk. I believe that they tell your body you weigh more than you do, and it helps to reset the metabolic setpoint.
Hope this helps.
Thanks so much Alison for all your researched tips. Food def is the best way to go for me. Do you have a website?
DeleteHere are some of my tips that I hope will be helpful. :)
ReplyDelete1. Ohhh, I love smoothies! My favorite: peaches, bananas, a dash of vanilla, and soy protein. It's important to add a bit of protein to the smoothies so they keep you satisfied longer. Strawberry banana is also an easy favorite!
2. Instead of buying large sacks of snacks get the packs with the individually wrapped portions/snack packs. If you can't buy certain items this way, buy the big bag and then divide it up into small single size portions as soon as you get home. You can use little snack baggies or those cute tiny Tupperware containers. That way when you reach for a quick snack your portion is already chosen. Also have your favorite fresh fruits and veggies washed and ready to eat.
3. Replace coffee with hot tea. Replace flavored drinks with water. Tons of calories = banished!
4. Motivation. This is probably the most important part. The best thing is to get support from friends and family! It helps so much. Getting friends and family involved is a huge motivator too! Maybe The Sexiest Man on Earth, Miss 9, and Miss 3, could join you in taking family walks or other active outings. Plan things on a calendar and try to stick to the plans as best as possible.
5. More motivation. Get yourself a little book just for keeping track of workouts, active outings, meals, recipes, etc. Also use this little book to vent frustrations, note what makes you feel motivated (or unmotivated), and for anything else you want to write in it. A little reward program always helps too: set goals and rewards for those goals. A dress, shoes, polish, lipstick, pretty accessories... ;D
6. If you don't meet your goals don't beat yourself up! No one is perfect and what you are doing is a real challenge. Just keep moving forward. Write it down in your book and then write down what you think can help you overcome it. Sounds cheesy, but it can totally help.
7. Starting to work out is tough. Continuing to work out after the first week or so is even tougher. Try to make your workout something you really like or that makes you feel good. Maybe The Sexiest Man on Earth would like to take a dance class with you. Practicing your steps once a day = workout!
8. Don't worry if you lose weight during the first two weeks and then stop losing weight almost altogether in the next two weeks. This is the body adjusting. It's not understanding what is going on so it's holding onto every calorie. This is called plateauing. Keep doing what you're doing and work through it. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel as the body will adjust.
Hope some of this was helpful! (((sending you hugs/good wishes/motivation/good vibes))) <3
Im very touched that u took time out to leave me so many great tips.....you rock! Exercise is togh, I csn barely move three days later! Ill be checking back to yr list often, thanks so much!
DeleteThe biggest thing l have learnt about dieting is that you should never go on a diet! Diets are temporary and if you want long term you have to do something that is sustainable. Weight loss may be slower but it's easier to stick with it. Having said that if you want to kick start your metabolism a good 3 day cleanse with vegetable soup and green tea always works for me and walking...
ReplyDeletebest of luck
Leah x
seriously, nothing but soup for three days? Couldnt do it.......at all. I think i can do smoothies tho for a cleanse, then i csn start eating properly.
DeleteI just did my first taped manicure-- not sure it counts. Base color is Opi Stranger Tides. Tips are glitter gal lizard belly. I needed a break from the glitters and reds, but ST on its own looked pallid.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything I Drink Nail Polish (awesome blog IDNP-- you are so go-to for Lynnderella swatches) except items one and two. Packaged snacks are out. No chips, no crackers, no popcorn. And don't go overboard with the fruit in the smoothies. Bananas are high glycemic = fattening. Also soy can be problematic for many people. Hemp, rich protein, NZ whey-- all better smoothie proteins. The metabolism changes throughout life and what worked when I was 20 and skinny works no more. Just saying. An extremely common experience.
And yes as Leah says, an ongoing thing-- so you must find the foods you love as well. :)
Thanks Alison for your tips. Already too much fruit is disagreeung with me.....and Im only two shakes in! I need food so will switch to vegies and lean meat soon.
DeleteYou look fantastic, really! :) That dress in the 1st pic, love! I know how it feels, I'm a total carb junkie myself at heart. I found myself bitchslapped with an extra 10-15 lbs a year ago and have gotten it off without $$$, diets, pills, or feeling like I'm fighting an uphill battle, which is amazing. What has worked for me consistently since I began this way is subtraction by addition! Instead of trying to cut out all kinds of stuff and limit all these things and abide by a list of rules, which I am terrible at, I set daily goals- veggie goal: 6 servings, fruit goal: 3 servings. Not only does my body love it, my skin has been just glowing! I thought 6 servings of veggies a day would be difficult, but sometimes I eat even more vegetables than that. What happens for me is that when I work toward stuffing my eating full of delicious produce, I naturally eat less of other food and also have started to crave veggies & fruits, instead of fries & cheese and the like :D weird!
ReplyDeleteOther tips from kind folx that were helpful for me: Save my carbs for later in the day and eat a high-protein breakfast. When I start the day with carbs, especially sugary/sweet ones, I find that in a few hours I want more carbs and don't have as much energy until I eat them. (Omelettes with broccoli & multicolored bell peppers are like crack to me. It's so strange, haha!)
Lots of lean fish has been great too :)
I'm lazy, so I often balk at exercise. The biggest thing for me is just to keep moving, and do something even if it's just walking! You go girl, for pulling that elliptical out of your garage! Pigs will fly before I willingly put an exercise machine in my house :D
Thanks heaps for your tips! We sound similar, exercise is the devil for me. I cant like it no matter what and will get out if doing any anyway I can.
ReplyDeleteCarli,
ReplyDeleteI also recommend "MyFitnessPal" and you can switch back and forth between English and Metric in the settings. It tracks calories, exercise, and physical measurements.
Eat smaller portions and chew slowly ... these diet adages have really helped me out.
Don't beat yourself up for falling off the wagon. Apparently this is where women are our own worst enemy (guys don't beat themselves up when they grab that bag of chips).
Also, find an exercise that you enjoy. Our bodies really are built for exercise, so find one that is not drudgery and you are more likely to stick with it.
Start lifting weights. You will not get bulky. Muscle burns more calories than fat and takes up less room. Lower body and compound exercises are the best since they activate more and larger muscles. (Yoga is a good weightlifting workout ... the weight is your body.)
You can search for travel exercise lists, these require little to no additional equipment.
For general "spot work" you can choose a different muscle every couple of months to concentrate on. Once that exercise becomes a normal, daily habit, add another muscle group. Example, I started with my pecs, and push-ups ... on my knees; second group was quadriceps.
Once you find something you enjoy, the physical transformation is major positive reinforcement,
Kira
I think you are incredibly gorgeous and beautiful just the way you are! In fact, I am always SO jealous reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteLast year I faced the same situation, so I started,going to Weight Watchers meetings, here in São Paulo, Brasil. So far, I've lost 14 kg ( I guess it's about 28lb). I just loved the system and the meetings always provide a real boost on my motivation.
Good luck!