My personal 2011 goals

My goals for the year 2011:
(updates will be in red)

Well my eating finally caught up with me this week and I gained 3.4 lbs and to be honest I don't feel that bad about it.  I feel like I've been running from a gain for the last 2 weeks and I'm happy to finally get it over with.  Now I can forgive myself and move forward.  I honestly believe my problem is eating to many carbs, thats where the weight is coming from.  I'm going to try to avoid carbs as much as I can this next week and see what happens.  Do I feel like I have my mojo back yet?....NO....Am I ready to give up yet?.....NO....Even though I may have had a gain this week the things I'm doing for my body are making me healthier, maybe not weight wise but physically it is.  Something will kick in one of these days and I will have my momentum back, until then I just keep on keeping on. 

1. Walking Goal:  I figure there are 52 weeks in a year and if I walk 2 miles a day 5 times a week then thats 520 miles a year but just to add in alittle challenge I'm going to say 600 miles. So my new goal for this upcoming year is to walk 600 miles in 2011.  (Only walked 5 miles this last week)



2. Biking Goal:  I haven't really been riding my bike that much but it is something that I want to start doing. I'm not going to set this goal very high since its something new to me and I can always add to it later. I figure 52 weeks in a year and if I ride my bike 3 times a week for at least 2 miles then thats 312 miles but I'm just going to round it off to 300 miles. So my new goal for this upcoming year is to ride my bike 300 miles in 2011.  (Only rode 1 mile this last week)




3. YMCA Goal:  I plan on hitting the gym at least 3 times a week to do strength training.  (Haven't made it to the Y yet)

4. Swimming Goal:  I know the Y has a pool and I would love to add this to my workout. I'm thinking I will try to swim at least 2 times a week.  (Haven't made it to the Y yet)

5. Crunches Goal:  My stomach is a real problem area for me so I'm planning on doing crunches every other day. Right now I'm at a 100 crunches but as I get stronger I will increase that.  (Only did 200 crunches this last week)


I know this seems like alot of working out but this is what I need to do to get my body in shape. We all know that when you lose alot of weight things don't spring back like they should and I can always alter these goals later if they don't seem to be working for me.

6. Weight Loss Goal: I'm still aiming for 2 lbs a week so here are my goals:

January 25, 2011- 203 lbs (Current weight 215.2lbs, gain of 3.4 lbs)
February 22, 2011- 195 lbs (under 200 for valentines how sweet that would be)
March 22, 2011- 187 lbs
April 19, 2011- 179 lbs
May 17, 2011- 171 lbs
June 14, 2011- 163 lbs
July 12, 2011- 155 lbs ( 2 days before my birthday what a wonderful birthday present to myself)
August 9, 2011- 147 lbs
September 6, 2011- 140 lbs ( this would be the smallest I've ever been)

At the rate of 2 lbs a week I should be at my goal weight in 9 months. That may seem like a long time to some but as you get older time flies and 9 months is nothing.

7. Water Goal: I had a goal in 2010 of drinking at least 128 oz of water a day but of course I never hit that goal so for 2011 I'm just going to work on drinking as much water as possible without setting a goal.  (Still not drinking as much water as I should)

8. Eating Goals: The following are my goals for my food intake daily:

Sugar- I have greatly reduced my sugar intake already but its still something I need to continue to work on.  (Still eating to much sugar)

Fruits- I love fruits especially sweet fruits like bananas, apples and grapes but I have learned that fruits have alot of natural sugar in them so you do need to watch how much you eat so my goal is to continue to keep my fruit intake to a maximum of 1-2 servings per day.  (Getting in alittle more fruits daily)

Vegetables- I have always been a vegetable eater but I have had to learn to replace some of my carbs like macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with vegetables instead. I am learning to try new vegetables that I've never had before to add some variety into my eating and vegetables really are good for you and help to fill you up. So I plan on continuing to try at least one new vegetable and make sure I get my daily servings of veggies in. (Something I really need to start focusing on is getting in my vegetables, I truly think that is what was helping me lose weight)


Carbohydrates- This is probably one of my favorite types of foods, I mean who doesn't love macaroni and cheese and pasta dishes and breads but if you aren't careful these types of food can put alot of weight on you. So I plan on continuing to really watch my intake of carbs.  (I am eating way to many carbs which is causing me to gain weight so I need to lay off the carbs)

Soda- I have mainly been drinking water but I have been sneaking in a couple diet sodas a week and I want to completely give up sodas again.  (Doing ok at this goal)
Fast Food- I try to pick the healthiest thing when I get fast food but like a friend pointed out to me no fast food is healthy. I'm only picking out the least unhealthy thing on the menu so this is definitely something I need to give up. So my last goal is to completely avoid fast food.  (Need to stay away from restaurants completely but not doing to good at this goal)

Recommended Daily Allowances:
(not really a challenge but something I need to keep an eye on)
Calories: 1760 to lose 2 lbs a week
Fat: 64 grams
Fiber: 25 grams
Carbohydrates: 300 grams
Sugar: 40 grams
Protein: 50 grams
Sodium: 2400 milligrams

I know it seems like alot but it all goes hand in hand with each other and I can always change up my goals later, I love a good challenge though.

2011 Goals

Its going to be a New Year soon so I thought I would start working on my goals for this upcoming year.  Here is what I've come up with so far:

1.  Walking Goal- I figure there 52 weeks in a year and if I walk 2 miles a day 5 times a week then thats 520 miles a year but just to add in alittle challenge I'm going to say 600 miles.  So my new goal for this upcoming year is to walk 600 miles in 2011.

2.  Biking Goal- I haven't really been riding my bike that much but it is something that I want to start doing.  I'm not going to set this goal very high since its something new to me and I can always add to it later.  I figure 52 weeks in a year and if I ride my bike 3 times a week for at least 2 miles then thats 312 miles but I'm just going to round it off to 300 miles.  So my new goal for this upcoming year is to ride my bike 300 miles in 2011.

3.  YMCA Goal- I plan on hitting the gym at least 3 times a week to do strength training.

4.  Swimming Goal- I know the Y has a pool and I would love to add this to my workout.  I'm thinking I will try to swim at least 2 times a week.

5.  Crunches Goal- My stomach is a real problem area for me so I'm planning on doing crunches every other day.  Right now I'm at a 100 crunches but as I get stronger I will increase that.

I know this seems like alot of working out but this is what I need to do to get my body in shape.  We all know that when you lose alot of weight things don't spring back like they should and I can always alter these goals later if they don't seem to be working for me.

6.  Weight Loss Goal:  I'm still aiming for 2 lbs a week so here are my goals:

January 1, 2011- 211 lbs
January 25, 2011- 203 lbs
February 22, 2011- 195 lbs (under 200 for valentines how sweet that would be)
March 22, 2011- 187 lbs
April 19, 2011- 179 lbs
May 17, 2011- 171 lbs
June 14, 2011- 163 lbs
July 12, 2011- 155 lbs ( 2 days before my birthday what a wonderful birthday present to myself)
August 9, 2011- 147 lbs
September 6, 2011- 140 lbs ( this would be the smallest I've ever been)

At the rate of 2 lbs a week I should be at my goal weight in 9 months.  That may seem like a long time to some but as you get older time flies and 9 months is nothing. 

7.  Water Goal-  I had a goal in 2010 of drinking at least 128 oz of water a day but of course I never hit that goal so for 2011 I'm just going to work on drinking as much water as possible without setting a goal. 

8.  Eating Goals-  The following are my goals for my food intake daily:

Sugar- I have greatly reduced my sugar intake already but its still something I need to continue to work on.

Fruits- I love fruits especially sweet fruits like bananas, apples and grapes but I have learned that fruits have alot of natural sugar in them so you do need to watch how much you eat so my goal is to continue to keep my fruit intake to a maximum of 1-2 servings per day.

Vegetables- I have always been a vegetable eater but I have had to learn to replace some of my carbs like macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with vegetables instead. I am learning to try new vegetables that I've never had before to add some variety into my eating and vegetables really are good for you and help to fill you up. So I plan on continuing to try at least one new vegetable and make sure I get my daily servings of veggies in.

Carbohydrates- This is probably one of my favorite types of foods, I mean who doesn't love macaroni and cheese and pasta dishes and breads but if you aren't careful these types of food can put alot of weight on you. So I plan on continuing to really watch my intake of carbs.

Soda- I have mainly been drinking water but I have been sneaking in a couple diet sodas a week and I want to completely give up sodas again.

Fast Food- I try to pick the healthiest thing when I get fast food but like a friend pointed out to me no fast food is healthy. I'm only picking out the least unhealthy thing on the menu so this is definitely something I need to give up. So my last goal is to completely avoid fast food.

Recommended Daily Allowances:
(not really a challenge but something I need to keep an eye on)
Calories: 1760 to lose 2 lbs a week
Fat: 64 grams
Fiber: 25 grams
Carbohydrates: 300 grams
Sugar: 40 grams
Protein: 50 grams
Sodium: 2400 milligrams

I know it seems like alot but it all goes hand in hand with each other and I can always change up my goals later, I love a good challenge though.

Goals, Challenges and Weigh In Updates

I decided to keep all my challenges and goals together in one post to make it easier to track everything. I know it seems like I have taken on alot but its keeps me motivated and keeps me busy so I don't think about food so much. Updates are in red.


Weight loss goals (2 lbs a week):

December 28, 2010- 205 lbs (I weigh 211.8 lbs so I gained 1 lb this week)

January 25, 2011- 197 lbs

February 22, 2011- 189 lbs (under 200 for valentines how sweet that would be)

March 22, 2011- 181 lbs

April 19, 2011- 173 lbs
May 17, 2011- 165 lbs
June 14, 2011- 157 lbs
July 12, 2011- 149 lbs ( 2 days before my birthday what a wonderful birthday present to myself)
August 9, 2011- 141 lbs (this would be the smallest I have ever been)

Recommended Daily Allowances:
(not really a challenge but something I need to keep an eye on)
Calories: 1760 to lose 2 lbs a week
Fat: 64 grams
Fiber: 25 grams
Carbohydrates: 300 grams
Sugar: 40 grams
Protein: 50 grams
Sodium: 2400 milligrams

Exercise:
I have challenged myself to walk a 160 miles by New Years. I am using the ticker on the right side of my blog to keep track of how far I have walked.
(I have walked 146 miles so far in this challenge, only 14 miles to go)

Hot 100 Challenge:
Steve from http://logmyloss.com/ is hosting the Hot 100 Challenge. The Hot 100 is a challenge focused on the last 100 days of 2010 beginning September 23, 2010. Here are my goals:

#1....This was my own personal challenge anyway so I'm adding it as my first goal here.....walk 160 miles by New Years.
(I have walked 146 miles so far, only 14 miles to go)
#2....Continue to eat healthy and exercise so I can lose 20 lbs by New Years. Beginning weight 235.4 lbs.
(I have lost 23.6 lbs so far, I hit my goal)
#3....Make it through the holiday season without falling back into old eating patterns.
(I made it through my sons birthday party without overeating so I'm doing pretty good so far.)

Monthly Goals (12/1/10-12/31/10):
(my own personal goals)
1. Water- My goal has been to drink 128 oz of water a day but I still have not managed to accomplish this so that is my first goal I'm going to work on this month. (I have still yet to hit this goal)
2. Sugar- I have greatly reduced my sugar intake already but its still something I need to continue to work on. (The last week I ate way to much sugar, definitely got to work on this goal)
3. Fruits- I love fruits especially sweet fruits like bananas, apples and grapes but I have learned that fruits have alot of natural sugar in them so you do need to watch how much you eat so my goal this month is to continue to keep my fruit intake to a maximum of 1-2 servings per day. (I haven't been doing to good on this goal)
4. Vegetables- I have always been a vegetable eater but I have had to learn to replace some of my carbs like macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes with vegetables instead. I am learning to try new vegetables that I've never had before to add some variety into my eating and vegetables really are good for you and help to fill you up. So I plan on continuing to try at least one new vegetable and make sure I get my daily servings of veggies in. (Lately I haven't been eating as many veggies so I need to work on this)
5. Carbohydrates- This is probably one of my favorite types of foods, I mean who doesn't love macaroni and cheese and pasta dishes and breads but if you aren't careful these types of food can put alot of weight on you. So I plan on continuing to really watch my intake of carbs. (This last week I ate way to many carbs, time to get back on track)
6. Exercise- I have been doing really good at exercise but I am adding that as one of my goals so that I make sure I continue to get all of my exercise in. I am challenging myself to walk/jog 5-6 days a week and at least 15 miles a week. (This last week I only got in 4 miles)
7. Soda- I have mainly been drinking water but I have been sneaking in a couple diet sodas a week and I want to completely give up sodas this month. (I drank a couple diet sodas this last week)
8. Fast Food- I try to pick the healthiest thing when I get fast food but like a friend pointed out to me no fast food is healthy. I'm only picking out the least unhealthy thing on the menu so this is definitely something I need to give up. So my last goal is to completely avoid fast food this next month. (I have eaten to much fast food this last week)

I Refuse to Blow it Over the Holidays Challenge:
This challenge is being hosted by Erika at http://wwwfatlikeme.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html . Its just a personal challenge not to overeat during the holidays. You just keep track of how much weight you have lost from the first day of fall until after New Years. My beginning weight was 235.4 lbs.
(I have lost 23.6 lbs so far in this challenge)

Sarah at http://lowstressweightloss.com/blog/ is hosting No Gain Holidays challenge and I have decided to take part. The challenge runs from November 22 until January 3 and you can join anytime. My beginning weight was 218.2 lbs.
(I gained 1 lb this week, only 1 week to go)

I know this seems like alot of goals and challenges but they all kind of fit together I just want to be able to update all of them on the same day to make it easier for me to remember.

It's Time

As most of you know last weekend my husband and myself decided it was best to seperate and life has been up in the air alittle bit since then.  I'm trying to continue with my exercise and eating right but I have noticed that I've eaten out alot this last week and thats just not going to do.  Now I do have to give myself credit for making the best choices I could under the circumstances but its time get back to normal around here.

Earlier my oldest son who I don't get much time to spend just one on one time with wanted to go eat chinese food which also happens to be an all you can eat buffet.  I absolutely love this particular restaurant and have avoided it like the plague because I just didn't think I had enough control to not overeat.  I tried to talk my son into picking somewheres else but thats really what he wanted so I went with a plan in my head.  I was going to stick to as many veggies as I could, avoid anything fried and skip the dessert.  Overall I did pretty good considering what choices I had but I did leave the restaurant feeling regret for going there.  For the first time in along time the thought of purging entered my head but I pushed it away.  I tried to tell myself the same old rationalization I use to use that it would only be this one time and then I would do better after this but I know better.  One time leads to a million and if I had done it then thats outright giving myself permission to overeat anytime I want because I have that as a backup plan and I refuse to fall back on old bad habits. 

I have spent this last week getting my house in order, schools going great, the kids well they are as mean as ever but that will take time and now its time to put my focus back on me and make sure I'm doing all I can to maximize my weight loss.  This morning I decided to issue myself a new challenge.  I want to be under 200 lbs by New Years.  That means I have 7 weeks to lose 19.1 lbs.  I know that goal seems alittle daunting but hey I like to push myself and if I fall short then I know I have done all I could to try to hit that goal. 

My other goal I am working on is to walk 160 miles between September 10, 2010 and January 1, 2011.  So far I've walked 100 miles so I only have 60 to go which should be no problem at all and I may even raise the closer I get to New Years.  Its such an amazing feeling to set goals and accomplish them even if its just small ones.  The confidence it builds in you really does help with your weight loss.

Now all I have to do is make it through the holidays without overeating.  I'm very confident I can do this.  I'm just going to take it one holiday at a time.  Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and then my oldest sons birthday is right before Christmas and then Christmas.  I don't plan on cooking any meals this year because we will be celebrating at my moms so that means no leftovers to worry about.  I just have to have the willpower to make it through those family meals without overdoing it. 

When I started on this journey I thought it would take forever to lose weight and it was coming off so slowly that I didn't really see any differences.  I'm noticing differences now, I have dropped from a size 20 to a size 16 and I actually got into a pair of bluejeans today that I haven't worn since over a year ago.  Just to see and feel my clothes getting looser is motivation in itself to keep going.  In only 3 months I have lost 28 lbs, thats amazing.  I'm sure I could have lost more if I was doing some extreme diet but I'm trying to learn a way of eating I can maintain for the rest of my life, one where I don't feel like I'm having to sacrifice everything.  No I don't eat perfect but what I'm doing is working.  Perfection has always been my downfall and I refuse to follow that path again. 

I still have things I need to work on such as my water intake.  I have been struggling with this for the last 3 months but today while I was eating I was drinking water out of a straw and it really did help.  I think I'm going to start using a straw and just drinking as much as I can at a time.  I can tell a difference in how my body functions and how I feel when I drink more water and I know it helps with weight loss so I really need to focus on this.  Second thing I need to work on is avoiding fast food again.  I was doing so good with this and then our seperation happened and I started slipping again.  I promised myself that I wasn't going to let anyone or anything stand in my way and I plan on keeping that promise.  Third thing is staying away from soda, even diet soda.  The other day I had a really bad eating day and I ate alot of sugar and drank quite a few glasses of diet soda with caffeine in it and the whole day my heart was doing flip flops in my chest.  This is a condition that I got from my mom and its nothing to worry about but just seeing what effect sugar and caffeine had on me was an eye opener.

I just need to stay focused, keep on plan and take it one day at a time.  Tomorrow things are returning to normal around here.  I will be cooking my meals so that I can eat as healthy as possible and I think I will challenge myself to walk as far as I can just to start this week off on a good note.  I think I need one really good day just to get back on track.  Who else is with me, lets make this the best week so far.

It's Official

It's official "I want to kill my husband".....nah but not far from it.  He knows that I'm trying to lose weight and after he got off work he stopped by Wendy's and brought home 10 double stackers and 5 fries.  He walked in with two giant bags of food and the first words out of my mouth were "I know you didn't get me anything".  That may have sounded harsh but damn can he shove temptation in my face anymore than that.  So now my house smells like greasy burgers and fries and I have no idea what I'm going to eat for dinner.  Just venting alittle, sorry. 

Fast Food

I decided since I get so busy sometimes and it helps to just grab something on the go that I would make a list of my favorite places to eat and what I can have at each place. 


Burger King

BK veggie burger (no mayo, no cheese)   340 cal   8g fat   47g carbs   9g sugar
23g protein   1030mg sodium

Tendergrill chicken sandwich (no mayo, no cheese)   360 cal   7g fat   41g carbs   8g sugar   55g protein   1010mg sodium

Tendergrill Garden Salad (1 pack fat free ranch dressing)   350 cal   10g fat
33g carbs   9g sugar   36g protein   1790mg sodium

Wendy's

Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich   370 cal   7g fat   2g fiber   42g carbs   9g sugar   34g protein   1150mg sodium

Grilled Chicken go wrap   260 cal   10g fat   1g fiber   25g carbs   3g sugar
20g protein   750mg sodium

Chili (small)   220 cal   7g fat   6g fiber   22g carbs   6g sugar   18g protein
870mg sodium

Garden Side Salad  w/ croutons and 1 pack light ranch dressing  205 cal
12g fat   2g fiber   21g carbs   5g sugar   5g protein   640mg sodium

Plain baked potato w/ 1 pack of sour cream and 1 pack of buttery spread
370 cal   8.5g fat   7g fiber   63g carbs   4g sugar   8g protein   145mg sodium

McDonalds

Premium Grilled Chicken Classic Sandwich   420 cal   10g fat   3g fiber
51g carbs   11g sugar   32g protein   1190mg sodium

Grilled Ranch Snack wrap   270 cal   10g fat   1g fiber   26g carbs   2g sugar
18g protein   830mg sodium

Grilled Honey Mustard Snack wrap   260 cal   9g fat   1g fiber   27g carbs
4g sugar   18g protein   800mg sodium

Snack size fruit and walnut salad   210 cal   8g fat   2g fiber   31g carbs   25g sugar   4g protein   60mg sodium

Fruit and yogurt parfait w/ granola   160 cal   2g fat   1g fiber   31g carbs
21g sugar   4g protein   85mg sodium

Taco Bell

Fresco Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco   170 cal   4g fat   2g fiber   22g carbs
3g sugar   12g protein   740mg sodium

Fresco Grilled Steak Taco   160 cal   4.5g fat   2g fiber   21 carbs
3g sugar   9g protein   600mg sodium

Fresco Crunchy Taco   150 cal   7g fat   3g fiber   13g carbs   1g sugar   7g protein  
350mg sodium

Fresco Soft Taco   180 cal   7g fat   3g fiber   22g carbs   2g sugar   8g protein  
640mg sodium

Mexican Rice   130 cal   3.5g fat   1g fiber   21g carbs   1g sugar   2g protein  
410mg sodium

Pintos n Cheese   170 cal   6g fat   9g fiber   19g carbs   1g sugar   10g protein  
750mg sodium

KFC

Grilled Chicken Breast   210 cal   8g fat   0g fiber   0g carbs   0g sugar
34g protein   460mg sodium

Grilled Chicken Drumstick   80 cal   4g fat   0g fiber   0g carbs   0g sugar
11g protein   230mg sodium

Grilled Chicken Thigh   160 cal   11g fat   0g fiber   0g carbs   0g sugar
16g protein   420mg sodium

Grilled Filet Sandwich w/o sauce   290 cal   4.5g fat   2g fiber   32g carbs
6g sugar   32g protein   720mg sodium

Green Beans(individual)   20 cal   0g fat   1g fiber   3g carbs   1g sugar  1g protein   290mg sodium

Mashed Potatoes(individual)   120 cal   4g fat   1g fiber   19g carbs   0g sugar
2g protein   530mg sodium

Little Caesars

Pepperoni Pizza(1 slice)  280 cal  11g fat  1g fiber   30 carbs  3g sugar  14g protein 
520mg sodium


As you can see everything I have listed is pretty high in carbs and sodium so I don't plan to eat out that often but it helps to know what I can have if I need to.  If you would like to know some of the healthiest things at other restaurants either you can go to their site and find out the nutritional info for yourself or just leave me a comment and let me know what restaurant and I will be happy to add it to the ones listed above.