Tag: weight loss

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 2

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Well it’s week 2 of my weight loss journey and I’m back, which means I haven’t given up.  I have to admit I was much more aware this week of what I was eating and how much I was moving around.  It was a hard week for me.  I was out of town this past weekend, I’m studying for a big exam coming up in a few weeks (whenever I’m stressed, all I want is chocolate!), and clients are bringing cookies to the office as a thank you.  Why cookies?!?! Why?!?!
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This past weekend was my sister’s bachelorette party.  It was a blast.  I had so much fun walking around old St. Charles, staying in a B&B, drinking, and dancing.  I was very conscientious of the decisions I was making and tried hard to stick to a good path.  We went to dinner at Trailhead Brewery off Main in St. Charles – if you’re ever in the area, I would recommend checking this place out.  The food is good and the beer is even better.  I ordered a sandwich with a salad in place of the fries.  I have to admit that was kind of hard – you see, I love fries. L-O-V-E them!  I can never get enough of them and I usually order them on the side of everything I get.  So I was pretty proud of myself for asking for no fries.  Then… I got my order… there were fries on the plate and no salad.  Damn!  I asked the waiter for my salad and then avoided the fries.  I did good!  At the very end I had not touched one single fry then I got caught up in conversation reached down, grabbed one and took a bite.  I had half the fry gone before I realized what I did.  I sat the rest of it down and covered them with my napkin.  They weren’t even the good kind of fries – you know, the skinny ones that are a little crispy.  Sooo good! I didn’t even feel bad for not eating them.

I also didn’t drink a lot and when I did I tried to go to lower calorie drinks instead of Budweiser, which is usually my go-to.  I also switched to water pretty early on.  I don’t think anyone even noticed I had water in my cup!  Between the walking and all of the dancing we did, I felt pretty good about it.

I really need to get back into the habit of meal planning.  When I don’t plan ahead and know what we’re having for dinner then I’m more likely to want to go out to eat or pick up something on my way home.  At least when I’ve picked up something it’s been a big salad for me and then something else for J.  I like cooking at home.  I feel accomplished once dinner is done and we’re sitting back, enjoying a nice meal.

My first goal for this next week is to plan at least 4 meals.  With Thanksgiving tomorrow and us being out of town until Sunday afternoon, it’s going to be tough to do more than that.  My second goal is to not over eat over the holiday weekend.  I want to track what I eat using myfitnesspal and be aware of how much I am consuming.

Two goals – that’s it.  Let’s see how I do next Wednesday.  What are your goals for the Thanksgiving holiday besides watching the Christmas Day parade, which is a must?

Weight Loss Struggle: An Update

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

weight loss struggle
 

This picture really does not have anything to do with this post, but some days it’s exactly how I feel when it comes to my weight loss struggles.

I struggle with my weight and with weight loss. Like most people do, rather they will admit it or not. I had written all what I had gone through here. I made a commitment that I would make this blog my accountability partner with my weight loss and so, I want to make sure I stick to my word.

Here’s what I’ve been doing to work on my weight loss since my last post:

Crossfit 3-4x a week, I saw a wellness doctor about a healthy diet plan, and have J who is my biggest supporter. I’ve lost about 5 pounds so far, but I want to be honest. It’s not really about the number of pounds; I’m not going to lie getting on that scale and seeing a lower number puts a smile on my face. But it’s the way I feel when I look in a mirror and the way I feel in my clothes.

I put a pair of jeans that I haven’t been able to wear for months and they fit. Such a great feeling! My wardrobe has consisted mainly of dresses and maxi skirts lately, luckily there are some cute maxi skirts out there, but I cannot wait to pull out my shorts and jeans.

I appreciate having someone in my life that puts my needs first and basically forces me on the days I want to be lazy. All it takes is the commitment to change your life. I know that I have a way to go, but I know that I can do it. I learned a lot from Weight Watchers as a member and as a leader, but it’s time to get back to the basics.  

Here’s to getting healthy!

Cheers!

A tough subject: My Weight Loss

Posted on by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

beforeandafter

As I sit here with my fingers on the keyboard the only thing I can is let out a heavy sigh, my weight loss is a tough subject for me.

  The subject of my weight is really, really difficult for me.  I’m sure it is for a lot of people and I hope that someone out there can relate.  Truthfully, I am scared to write this post, I need to set aside this fear that I have building in me with every keystroke and get down to it.  Enough stalling already.

My weight loss and weight gain is a sore subject.  I have never been this super fit girl, I was not athletic in school, and I love sweets.  Actually, I have an unhealthy relationship with sweets.  People laugh at me, but if I see sweets or know they are nearby it’s ALL I can think about.  The thought of a cookie in the kitchen will consume my mind.

Let me preface this with – I was never heavy in high school.  I maintained a good balance between running around with friends and having a Mom prepare dinner for me.  Then when I moved to college and started living in a place where I had a choice that is when the weight gain started.  I could choose between dorm food, the Taco Bell that was in walking distance or ordering a $5 large pizza; let’s face it, those are not good choices.  So, the weight gain started.  On May 4, 2010 I was the heaviest I had ever been and I had enough.  It was time to focus on my weight loss.  I stopped complaining and I stopped feeding my sadness with more bad food.  I joined Weight Watchers.  It just clicked and I loved the Weight Watchers program from the start!

In the next year I lost over 50 pounds.  50 pounds!  That’s crazy people!  Then the best thing happened I got offered a job to be a leader for Weight Watchers.  I was ecstatic about this opportunity to share my story with others and help them along their weight loss journey.  All was going great for a year and then I started slipping and the weight started creeping back on.  I finally quit my job at Weight Watchers convincing everyone that it was because of a new full-time job and I could not simply take off for 2 hours every Tuesday to lead my meeting.  In reality though it was because I had gained weight and was no longer at my goal.  I was/am ashamed about that fact, but I just could not stop the landslide.  I could not find the drive or motivation to track, get in my healthy guidelines or be active on a regular basis.  I do not know why my motivation was gone.

It just was.

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Now fast forward a few months and I am further away from my goal weight and my wedding is just 4 months away.  I’m sickened by my actions and my ability to let myself lose what I had worked so hard to gain.  Or is it gain what I had worked so hard to lose.

It’s time I do something about it… again.  I figured posting on here with pictures would really help my motivation.  I can do this again.   I know I can.  I know I can.

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So, here we go.  I will commit to tracking my food – all of it, every day.  I will attend Crossfit 3x a week because I really do love it and feel so good after I am done, I will stop saying the words “I’m fat” because that is doing absolutely nothing for my self-esteem.  I will replace those words with “I’m learning” and “I will be healthy.”  Finally, I will commit to a weekly roundup on le blog of what was successful and was not successful.

If you want to join me then please do.  I would love the company and we can support one another.  I know that I will not reach my goal within 4 months, but I will look damn good in my wedding dress.

I will not let tomorrow’s holiday or a weekend at the lake break my confidence or give me an excuse to slide a bit.  It’s going to be a good week and I will be proud of my accomplishments.

Cheers!

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