I went to the doctor today for my yearly pap and everything. My blood pressure was elevated for the first time in my life. I am at my all time heaviest. I don't know how I could have let this happen. None of my clothes fit and I want to cry. I exercise a good bit, I'm pretty active. I am an emotional eater and I obviously have issues there I need to work on. It's like I know I'm eating for the wrong reasons but do it anyway. If it weren't for my activity level I would probably be well over 200 lbs.

Sometimes I think that I really need to revamp our eating habits as a family. I buy things at the market because I have a coupon that makes it practically free and the kids like it but then I eat it all. They like alot of healthy things and so do I so I think I'm going to try not using coupons and see what happens. It will be so weird since I haven't ever gone without them. My kids are all sticks but of course they would benefit health wise.

I feel so dumpy and frumpy. There has been so much stress here the last few months regarding finances. When I get bored, upset, angry I eat. Today I was all set to do well. I had a very healthy breakfast and did some yoga, drank water. Then I ate some brownies and a snack bag of chips. Dh was mad at me and I didn't know why and I stress about the pap tests.

I was searching some stuff online and a calculator said if I stuck to 1200 calories a day I could be at my goal weight by the end of august. I wonder how accurate that is. My goal is to go from 175 to 145, for starters. I don't know why 160 became acceptable to me but not anymore.

I've started keeping a food journal and writing how I feel with the food. Does anyone else have this problem?

By Cat on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 12:02 am:

Rayelle, I'm right there with you. I, too am at my all time heaviest (except when pregnant). I weighed in at 175 last week. I had to buy new shorts and capri's for summer because the stuff that was very comfortable last year doesn't fit this year. My cholesterol came back high at my physical a few weeks back. There's lots of stress going on here, too. I found out I'm testing for my Senior III Brown Belt next month last week and thought *there's no WAY I'll be able to do it!* So I guess you could say I hit rock bottom. I decided to do something about it! I joined a gym last week and started a metabolism makeover class. It's a six week class and I've only been to one other than the orientation, but I've learned so much (this isn't a workout class, but a "book" class). First, I learned my body has adjusted to karate and other than flexibility and endurance, it's not doing much for me. The teacher of our class (who's a personal trainer and owns the gym) said you have to change your workout up every 12 weeks. He also said in order to lose weight you have to eat! He said the 1200 calorie diets don't work--period. Your body just goes into starvation mode and stores everything because it's afraid it won't get another meal. He's got us eating every 3 hours. He said you need to eat within 60-90 minutes of waking up in the morning to refuel for the day, and that meals need to be about 500 calories each and snacks need to be between 150-250 calories. Apparently from the research he's done if you eat less than 100 calories your body just stores it instead of burning it. There's so much more, but this post would get insanely long and I'd bore you to sleep. Oh, we're not allowed to step on a scale until the end of the six week class. I gotta say, though, my clothes are getting looser already and my bra isn't tight anymore! (that's where I gain and loose first ) My goal weight is 135-140. That's 35-40lbs I need to loose. I'm giving myself 6 months to do it. D (the trainer/owner) thinks I can get to 165 in 6 weeks. That'll be 10lbs down. Make mini goals. They're more easily obtainable. Drink lots of water. You can do this!!!!! We're here for ya. Check out this site. PFWC It's new, so people are still learning how to use it, but there's good stuff there.

Post often and don't give up!!! Hugs

By Rayelle on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 12:40 pm:

Thanks Cat! A big thing for me is I have a gluten intolerance. I KNOW how much better I feel if I avoid it but it is so hard. It requires major planning and/or buying special food. Water is my favorite drink but I don't drink as much as I should to be at my best. My first goal is to lose ten pounds or so to make my clothes fit. I also need to quit being the garbage disposal in the family- I eat the kids leftovers. I care too much about the number on the scale but what bothers me the most is how squishy I am.

I'm thinking of going through my cabinets and clearing out cake mixes, brownie mixes, other things I keep on hand and start going to the store more often. We all love various fresh produce and it sure doesn't last long. I think one of my lifestyle changes is going to be how I shop.

There is so many different approaches to take it's so confusing to me. I will check out that site!

By Cat on Thursday, June 26, 2008 - 02:06 pm:

It really is hard to throw out what the kids don't eat instead of eating it, isn't it? Fortunately, I don't have to worry about the gluten. I do have to watch how much milk I drink. I'm not lactose intolerant, but if I drink more that a glass a day I get really gassy. I've started eating lots of fruits and veggies, whole grains and almonds are my new favorite snack.

You're off to a great start and you have great ideas. You can do it! I'll look for you on PFWC.