Different Day, Same Place

The weight hasn't moved much at all in any direction. I've been hanging around 605 pounds for months now. I wish I knew what it would take for me to really get with the program. I need to journal my food and exercise daily. When I do those two things, the weight comes off. I need to be consistent and it's not happening.

There is always an excuse. For example, right now I'm sick and can't exercise. I could still journal my food, but my food isn't great because my will power is weak right now because I don't feel well. So, I don't want to see the calories. And it goes on.

I'm pondering a system I saw someone use to get started on losing a lot of weight. It's "one day on, one day off." I could do that. I can do just about anything for one day. It would also keep me from going on days long binges. I'm trying to make today an "on day" even without the exercise. My food is okay, not great. We'll see how it goes.

Under 600 Pounds!

I'm under 600 pounds for the first time in years and I'm thrilled.

Actually I was under 600 for a very short time last year when I was sick and not eating at all. But this is the first time I did it "on purpose."

I have to say that weighing in daily has really turned the corner for me on weight loss. I no longer have the excuse of "well, I don't have to weigh in for a couple days" that gave me the reason to procrastinate about eating better. Now there is an immediate consequence. Therefore, I am able to keep my focus.

The website, SparkPeople, has also been a huge help. Mostly because I journal my food daily. I'm averaging about 2,600 calories a day. But also, the Team 300 lbs. Plus has been inspirational with various challenges and support.

As time goes on and weight loss slows, I'll need to reduce calories and start exercising. I'm trying to keep to small steps at this time though and it's really working. If I try to change too much, I can't keep it up.

My two "secrets" to success so far - daily weigh-ins and daily food journaling.

Daily Weigh In

I've started weighing in on a daily basis and it is helping so much. Instead of putting off eating healthy since I "have a couple days" until a weigh in, I keep my focus. Since I know what I eat will have an immediate affect on what is on the scale the next day, I am staying within my calorie range. Also, I'm being very firm with myself on counting calories every day. I've got SparkPeople set up well enough that it takes me only about 5 minutes to journal my food for the day.

I've also been as active as I am able to be. Yesterday I did three loads of dishes, five minutes of chair dancing, one minute of walking in place and two sets of arm exercises with a three pound dumbbell.

To save money, I don't have a daily Lean Pocket anymore. Instead I have half a sandwich with my mid-morning orange juice + Metamucil.

I've been getting Meals on Wheels twice a week now and it's working out pretty well. It's a well balanced and portioned meal. Yesterday was mystery meat (turkey, I think) with gravy over mashed potatoes with mixed vegetables, a tiny biscuit (circumference of a silver dollar), a pat of Promise spread and peaches for dessert. Filling, and while not delicious, it was rather tasty.

Independence Day 2010

I declare my independence from unhealthy eating and a sedentary life. I will journal my food today, with a calorie range goal of 2500 - 2600 calories. I will do 5 minutes of chair dancing, 1 minute of walking in place and a set of arm exercises with dumbbells. I will drink at least 8 glasses of water.

My very aggressive goal is to weigh 578 by September 1st. If I don't do this, I will have to look into weight loss surgery as my very last hope. I really don't want to go there. I think it causes more problems than it solves, but I don't think I'll have much choice unless I lose a serious amount of weight - and soon.

Reason #6 Skin Infections

As in, I don't want anymore of them. About seven years ago, I had a skin infection. There were two sebaceous gland cysts under my left belly that got seriously infected. I ended up in the hospital and had to have surgery. They made an incision six inches long and three inches deep between the two cysts. They did not sew it up. Instead, for the next several months my husband had to pack it with gauze. I was in the hospital a week.

Last September, I woke in the middle of the night with severe chills. In the morning I had a 103 degree fever. I thought I had a urinary tract infection, but no, I had cellulitis again. This time there was no cysts, but after a couple days the skin began to weep and ooze. For a month, my skin peeled and my husband had to care for the skin. This time it was with honey-infused gauze. I was in the hospital for a week and went home with a picc line for IV antibiotics. I was on them for a month and it took me near three months to recover my strength and endurance.

I thought I was "safe" for another seven years, but no. Just last month I woke up with chills . Not as bad as the previous time, but still I had a 101.5 degree fever and went to Urgent Care. Sure enough, they sent me to the hospital again. This time the infection wasn't as bad. There was no skin breakdown, I was in the hospital for less than a week and on IV antibiotics for less than two weeks. The picc line was in a bad place that time though - right above my right elbow - which made many activities difficult as well as being more painful.

I don't want to go through another skin infection. I really don't. There isn't anyway to prevent them other than losing weight. I was told many times that I have really good skin, no breakdown and I'm very clean. I guess this surprises the nurses with someone of my weight. So, it's not like I'm not doing something to take care of myself that I'm supposed to. I wish I knew something that would keep infections at bay. But meanwhile, I'm working as hard as I can to lose weight this time.

No more skin infections!

Weigh In: Down 4 pounds

Ahhhh. That's better. I will never understand the scale. Yesterday, still had no weight loss, today, down four. I'll take it! Also, hubby told me that from now on, I get on the scale ONCE during the week even if I don't show a loss. I guess I was getting too emotional there and he only wants to deal with it once a week. Not that I can blame him.

Today I start chair dancing again. I think I'll splurge for Bad Romance by Lady Gaga from iTunes. We are broke, but I think I deserve a little reward, yes?

June 13 Update

I've been stuck at 608 for the last two weeks and I'm feeling hopeless. If I'm plateauing this early, it doesn't bode well for the rest of my weight loss. I'm already reducing my caloric intake by 1,000 to 1,500 calories a day which should provide a solid two to three pound weight loss per week. It's not working out that way though and if I'm hungry all the time NOW what will happen when I need to drop my calories even more?

I'll be increasing my activity. My endurance is about 80% back after yet another hospital visit and IV antibiotics due to a skin infection across my belly. I'll start my chair dancing again this week and then will add my walking in place back the following week.

It is depressing that I feel little enthusiasm and hope for this weight loss journey. Yet I know that I have to keep plugging along no matter how I feel.