When I got on the scale this morning, I was absolutely dreading it. Although I knew I had been more careful with my eating over the past few days, I was still haunted by the fact that I ate out every singe day for the past two weeks. Surely that's going to show up on the scale. The only thing that I had going for me was that the TOM was practically over so I should have dropped some of the extra water weight that probably added to last week's gain in the first place.
Here's where I stand:
1. Weight loss goal: To lose 10 lbs by May 8 (loss since the challenge began 2.84 lbs)
I could not believe my eyes when I saw that I had lost 5 lbs this week. I knew that some of the extra water weight would drop, but I didn't think it would be that much. I was really happy to see that. With this loss it puts me just over 2 lbs away from my goal. If I'm really, really careful, I should be able to do it. If not, I know I'm close.
2. Non-scale goal: Finish reading through the remainder of my thesis & try to get more sleep.
I finished reading my thesis but that came at the expense of getting sleep. I am insanely critical of my writing. I can't tell you how many times I've just wanted to hit the delete button (actually, there have been a few times just before a big assignment was due that I did in fact hit the delete button!). So the fact that I've read my thesis and I actually like it and don't want to just burn it makes me feel better. I hope that I'm not being foolishly confident. I know that any piece of writing can be improved, but I've made peace with what I've written. Now I just need to defend it well!
I just wanted to add something else to my NSV for this week - I measured myself this morning. If the weight loss wasn't enough, this was definitely the non-fat icing on my cake.
Although I didn't lose inches everywhere, I didn't gain any ... and more than that, the most significant losses were 1/2 inch on my arms, 1/2 inch around my bust, and 3 inches around my waist! I'm definitely very, very happy with those numbers!
3. Exercise: Start NROL4W Stage 7; Get in at least 6 hours of cardio incl. 10 km; Do 1,500 reps of abs/thighs/butt exercises
I started Stage 7 -- am totally loving it! I love seeing how strong I've gotten, though I have to say, the workouts have been much more challenging than I expected! I got in my 6 hours of cardio (just barely) but didn't manage the 10 km stretch. The most I did at one go was 8 km. As for the abs ... um, I didn't get to more than 500. Doing that many crunches etc. during that time of the month was a bit ambitious!
4. Nutrition goal - streamline foods; increase protein; cut down dairy
I just had to try and be as smart as possible when it came to eating this past week. I watched my portions and tried to make healthy choices ... I did alright with my protein but could have had more. My dairy intake was about the same this week. I don't really know why I put that as a nutritional goal as I don't feel like it affects me negatively. I'll have to to rethink that goal.
Oh, and ironically, for the week that I didn't mention eating a daily serving of fruit I managed to eat 1-2 servings of fruit every single day! I used it to help counterbalance all the other meals that I was eating out. I've found a fruit salad at a restaurant here that I absolutely love. I had it 3 times as my main meal (twice for lunch and once for dinner)!
So, overall, it's been a good week given the circumstances. Although I didn't hit my targets in exactly the way I wanted to (i.e. more exercise/more clean eating) it did make me feel better in that I was still able to have some control when 'life' got in the way! I hope I can keep it up.
Goals for Week 7:
This week will be tricky as I'll be traveling for almost the whole time. So I'll keep my goals simple.
1. Weight loss - Try to lose the last 2 lbs. and maintain during the week while I'm away
2. Non-scale goal - Pass my PhD defense! It's on the 11th, so wish me luck!
3. Exercise - Walk as much as possible; do at least 2 hotel workouts (more details on that in a later post)
4. Nutrition goal - Try to make healthy choices; keep your water intake at a good level
My overall challenge for the week will just be to cope with traveling, the stress of finishing off my PhD, and being out of my daily comfort zone. I came across this quote and thought it was quite appropriate.
I just have to say, I'm loving this challenge. You guys are amazing cheerleaders! I feel like I have such an amazing supportive network now. It truly makes a difference to my day. Thank you for all your encouragement and positive thoughts! Good luck with Week 7!
Here's where I stand:
1. Weight loss goal: To lose 10 lbs by May 8 (loss since the challenge began 2.84 lbs)
I could not believe my eyes when I saw that I had lost 5 lbs this week. I knew that some of the extra water weight would drop, but I didn't think it would be that much. I was really happy to see that. With this loss it puts me just over 2 lbs away from my goal. If I'm really, really careful, I should be able to do it. If not, I know I'm close.
2. Non-scale goal: Finish reading through the remainder of my thesis & try to get more sleep.
I finished reading my thesis but that came at the expense of getting sleep. I am insanely critical of my writing. I can't tell you how many times I've just wanted to hit the delete button (actually, there have been a few times just before a big assignment was due that I did in fact hit the delete button!). So the fact that I've read my thesis and I actually like it and don't want to just burn it makes me feel better. I hope that I'm not being foolishly confident. I know that any piece of writing can be improved, but I've made peace with what I've written. Now I just need to defend it well!
I just wanted to add something else to my NSV for this week - I measured myself this morning. If the weight loss wasn't enough, this was definitely the non-fat icing on my cake.
Although I didn't lose inches everywhere, I didn't gain any ... and more than that, the most significant losses were 1/2 inch on my arms, 1/2 inch around my bust, and 3 inches around my waist! I'm definitely very, very happy with those numbers!
3. Exercise: Start NROL4W Stage 7; Get in at least 6 hours of cardio incl. 10 km; Do 1,500 reps of abs/thighs/butt exercises
I started Stage 7 -- am totally loving it! I love seeing how strong I've gotten, though I have to say, the workouts have been much more challenging than I expected! I got in my 6 hours of cardio (just barely) but didn't manage the 10 km stretch. The most I did at one go was 8 km. As for the abs ... um, I didn't get to more than 500. Doing that many crunches etc. during that time of the month was a bit ambitious!
4. Nutrition goal - streamline foods; increase protein; cut down dairy
I just had to try and be as smart as possible when it came to eating this past week. I watched my portions and tried to make healthy choices ... I did alright with my protein but could have had more. My dairy intake was about the same this week. I don't really know why I put that as a nutritional goal as I don't feel like it affects me negatively. I'll have to to rethink that goal.
Oh, and ironically, for the week that I didn't mention eating a daily serving of fruit I managed to eat 1-2 servings of fruit every single day! I used it to help counterbalance all the other meals that I was eating out. I've found a fruit salad at a restaurant here that I absolutely love. I had it 3 times as my main meal (twice for lunch and once for dinner)!
So, overall, it's been a good week given the circumstances. Although I didn't hit my targets in exactly the way I wanted to (i.e. more exercise/more clean eating) it did make me feel better in that I was still able to have some control when 'life' got in the way! I hope I can keep it up.
Goals for Week 7:
This week will be tricky as I'll be traveling for almost the whole time. So I'll keep my goals simple.
1. Weight loss - Try to lose the last 2 lbs. and maintain during the week while I'm away
2. Non-scale goal - Pass my PhD defense! It's on the 11th, so wish me luck!
3. Exercise - Walk as much as possible; do at least 2 hotel workouts (more details on that in a later post)
4. Nutrition goal - Try to make healthy choices; keep your water intake at a good level
My overall challenge for the week will just be to cope with traveling, the stress of finishing off my PhD, and being out of my daily comfort zone. I came across this quote and thought it was quite appropriate.
I just have to say, I'm loving this challenge. You guys are amazing cheerleaders! I feel like I have such an amazing supportive network now. It truly makes a difference to my day. Thank you for all your encouragement and positive thoughts! Good luck with Week 7!
Best of luck for 11th, and your week summary just shows that hard work pays off (5 lbs, yeah!). Love the simplicity of Week 7 that ensures you don't just take a "holiday" from your routine.
ReplyDeleteAgain, best of luck for PhD defense!
Nice loss this week! Well done. Hope that your thesis wows the people it's supposed to I'm sure you'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing so good! Good luck with the thesis.
ReplyDeleteI love this post in so many ways!
ReplyDelete1) "I know that any piece of writing can be improved, but I've made peace with what I've written."
--I have to do this! Such good advice. I never expect another person's writing to be perfect, so I should not expect it of mine.
2) "I'm loving the challenge."
--I like that one too. If we can get on the horse and ride it instead of getting run over, it's a lot more fun. :D
Regarding your defense, you've done your mental marathon, so I expect a great outcome. Yay you!--says cheerleader Marion.
:-) Marion
You are going to rock your defense this week!! :D
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm not sure I could eat out every day for even a week and maintain my weight much less lose pounds. That is great. I hope you make all your goals this coming week. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on not hating the thesis... I get that feeling with my music sometimes. Like I need to step away and try again, when in reality, It just needs the adrenaline of performance.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the fewer crunches during TOM... ugh... I'm there and having a hard time wanting to do anything like squats, crunches, plank, pilates... I feel like i'm gonna birth a tampon.. ugh. Your loss numbers are great. Get through this thesis defense. You're going to ROCK IT.
Love the quote you found!! It rings true for me too!! Good luck on your PhD defense!!! You will do great! I am so critical of my writing too so I understand. Traveling is so hard when you are trying to stay healthy. You can do this. If you feel yourself slipping come back and let us know. We will cheer you on!! :)
ReplyDeleteWOW! Great loss :D It looks like you are doing a great job, just goes to show that really, the scale is so inaccurate. TOM plays havoc with everyone.
ReplyDeleteYou can ROCK this week girl! Good luck :D
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ReplyDelete5 lbs!! Girl, you rock. That is fantastic. Those measurements aren't shabby either. Even though you ate out for two weeks straight, your choices must have been good ones. Congrats on getting in all your fruit, and not hating your thesis. You are such a wonderful friend and offer me so much support. I don't know how I could ever repay that. Just know that I truly appreciate it, and that I am thankful that I found this challenge and am becoming friends with people like you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck this week!!
Great loss! and congrats with the other accomplishments for week 6!
ReplyDeleteWow, you are doing incredibly well. You should be SO proud of yourself!
ReplyDeleteGOOD LUCK!!!
You had a terrific week! Five pounds loss is fantastic!
ReplyDeleteKnock 'em dead on the 11th (figuratively not literally!!).
You are such a motivation for me! I love that you are steadily losing and surprising yourself on the scale. I love that you can travel and feel that you can lose those last two pounds. Wow! You're doing GREAT!
ReplyDelete