I had to go shopping for pants yesterday. I was down to two pairs for work and one ragged pair of jeans, and not having any pants that fit was making me unbearably cranky. I’m not thrilled about buying in the larger size, but it’s better than the other two unacceptable alternatives of pants that don’t fit and maternity pants five weeks beyond being unpregnant.
Much to my dismay, when I lost the pregnancy last month, I didn’t lose a single pound of accumulated pregnancy weight. Thankfully, I hadn’t gained much in four months, but with the extra two pounds I’ve added by self-medicating with Doritos and shortbread cookies in the month-long recovery phase, I’m a solid 10 lbs heavier than I was this summer – which was already a solid 10 lbs heavier than I really wanted to be.
So while losing 10 lbs seemed achievable enough in an “oh, it will come off eventually” sort of way, losing 20 lbs seems rather daunting. I bought some new pants because being naked in an Ottawa winter will be pleasant for neither me nor any onlookers, but I’m hoping that I don’t have to rely on them for too long.
I know myself well enough not to bother dieting, nor to make sweeping declarations that I will never eat a potato chip or drink a coke again. And the weight watchers thing did nothing for me. Rather, I’m trying a ‘moderation in all things’ approach where I pick and choose my indulgences, rather than giving over to every whim and craving, and to try to be conscious about what I’m eating and why. That’s the plan, anyhow.
Mostly, I’m planning on increasing my physical activity. I’m hoping to add two days a week to my existing once-a-week gym habit. I currently do 25 minutes on a cardio machine and a weight circuit every Saturday morning, and my gym membership covers access to both a club in my neighbourhood and one downtown where I work. I’m hoping to add a morning workout one day a week before work, and there’s a class called ‘on the ball’ that I’m thinking of taking one day a week at lunchtime.
So why am I iterating all of this in what may be the most boring blog post ever? Well, pretty much because I tend to blog what’s in my head, and this is definitely taking up a lot of space in my head right now. Mostly, though, I want to hold myself accountable, and being open about all this will be help me with that – knowing it’s not only me but all of you who want me to lose 20 lbs in the next couple of months.
I can totally relate Dani, this past year and a bit did a number on my waist line and boy did I work to get it off. It didn’t come down as much as I wanted but working on it is half the battle. Just adding one more day to your workout will help a lot, two more will find you slimmer in no time flat.
I can totally relate Dani, this past year and a bit did a number on my waist line and boy did I work to get it off. It didn’t come down as much as I wanted but working on it is half the battle. Just adding one more day to your workout will help a lot, two more will find you slimmer in no time flat.
Go, Dani, go! You can do it! It sounds like a most sensible approach.
Go, Dani, go! You can do it! It sounds like a most sensible approach.
Can I use you as my inspiration? *grin*
Gots me more than 20 to lose, after the baby and the thyroid thing I’m quite the heffer these days… but it’s so loseable! I’m the queen of the yo-yo waisteline and believe me – if I can do it, so can you!!
Can I use you as my inspiration? *grin*
Gots me more than 20 to lose, after the baby and the thyroid thing I’m quite the heffer these days… but it’s so loseable! I’m the queen of the yo-yo waisteline and believe me – if I can do it, so can you!!
You can do it Dani!! I’ve lost 45lbs this year (since the end of may) by making sure I get a workout 3-4x a week (or more on the weeks when I have the time…) and taking a sensible approach to eating (treats only once or twice a week as opposed to every day…). And it’s at the point now where if I don’t work out, I notice it and have to get to a gym. The exercise is great for more than just the physical too. I’m happier than I think I’ve ever been. And now I’m an exercise pusher (go, go to the gym. it’ll feel soooo goooood. come on, just do it, just this one time… 😉 )
Best of luck, and if you need encouragement, just drop me a line 🙂
You can do it Dani!! I’ve lost 45lbs this year (since the end of may) by making sure I get a workout 3-4x a week (or more on the weeks when I have the time…) and taking a sensible approach to eating (treats only once or twice a week as opposed to every day…). And it’s at the point now where if I don’t work out, I notice it and have to get to a gym. The exercise is great for more than just the physical too. I’m happier than I think I’ve ever been. And now I’m an exercise pusher (go, go to the gym. it’ll feel soooo goooood. come on, just do it, just this one time… 😉 )
Best of luck, and if you need encouragement, just drop me a line 🙂
Your goals and approach sound much like mine… but quadruple it. Yes – I need to unload about 80 lbs. My martial arts twice a week helps. I wore a new pair of pants in “my size” to Christmas Eve dinner and had to keep pulling them up. I think it’s working!
You can do it, Dani!
Your goals and approach sound much like mine… but quadruple it. Yes – I need to unload about 80 lbs. My martial arts twice a week helps. I wore a new pair of pants in “my size” to Christmas Eve dinner and had to keep pulling them up. I think it’s working!
You can do it, Dani!
count me in!
count me in!
Me too! With the same goal! I’m tired of having pants that are too tight and making excuses for not exercising. I started running again in December and it’s been a painfully slow start back. But I just remember that everytime I restart, I am able to get back to where I left off (usually due to injury or pregnancy) but it IS a lot of hard work.
It’s not so much the numbers that count, but how you feel.
Me too! With the same goal! I’m tired of having pants that are too tight and making excuses for not exercising. I started running again in December and it’s been a painfully slow start back. But I just remember that everytime I restart, I am able to get back to where I left off (usually due to injury or pregnancy) but it IS a lot of hard work.
It’s not so much the numbers that count, but how you feel.
Hey, want a chatty workout buddy for those downtown gym trips? I’m planning a morning visit and a lunch class, too. We can whimper piteously together or congratulate one another as the situation calls for it. And you can start the whole thing feeling bloody wonderful about the mere 20 pounds you want to lose–I’ve gained more than twice that since taking this treacherous desk job. And have I mentioned that in April I’M GONNA BE 40!? Bring on the machines and the hellish purple ball of stomach muscle strain! CORE STRENGTH! SHAPELY CALVES! ENDURANCE! FLEXIBILITY! LONG LIFE!
See what a good cheerleader I can be?
Let me know if you’re up for Trixie company..
Hey, want a chatty workout buddy for those downtown gym trips? I’m planning a morning visit and a lunch class, too. We can whimper piteously together or congratulate one another as the situation calls for it. And you can start the whole thing feeling bloody wonderful about the mere 20 pounds you want to lose–I’ve gained more than twice that since taking this treacherous desk job. And have I mentioned that in April I’M GONNA BE 40!? Bring on the machines and the hellish purple ball of stomach muscle strain! CORE STRENGTH! SHAPELY CALVES! ENDURANCE! FLEXIBILITY! LONG LIFE!
See what a good cheerleader I can be?
Let me know if you’re up for Trixie company..
Are you sure you wrote this post? Yes and yes. Need new pants so I don’t drown in my tears EVERY morning. And yes, I didn’t lose a damn pound either. Even after losing the baby. Not sure how that can be possible, it took me 3 weeks to even eat normally again (still felt naseous). Then again, when *normal* eating came back, so did the chocolate snacks and a whole lot of Blueberry Bread Loafs caked in butter.
Hang in there girl! I know the 20 lbs will be gone by summer. 🙂 At least that is my plan…..
Are you sure you wrote this post? Yes and yes. Need new pants so I don’t drown in my tears EVERY morning. And yes, I didn’t lose a damn pound either. Even after losing the baby. Not sure how that can be possible, it took me 3 weeks to even eat normally again (still felt naseous). Then again, when *normal* eating came back, so did the chocolate snacks and a whole lot of Blueberry Bread Loafs caked in butter.
Hang in there girl! I know the 20 lbs will be gone by summer. 🙂 At least that is my plan…..
I’m right there with you and ready to cheer you on!
I’m right there with you and ready to cheer you on!