SO at the beginning of the year, I was all like “eek, I’ve gained 20 pounds since being married, I need to lose weight pronto!” and I was all determined and stuff like that.
And then reality hit. I love food. No, like really. I love food. I would sleep with food in my bed if people wouldn’t think it was weird.
I think there’s a big reason I’ve never been overweight, and that’s because–even greater than my love for food, is my love of vanity: I’m vain.
Anyway, at the beginning of this year, I started out at +18 pounds from my wedding weight. (I have no problem sharing my actual weight, but I’m afraid that some people who are either heavier or lighter will get all sorts of in a funk comparing weights and such. this is much easier). Then within the first few months of this year, I lost 8 pounds. I think my last weigh-in was here and I was down -8, bringing me to +10 from my original weight. Then I started this whole fad thing because Eric was doing CrossFit to get in shape for the academy and he was all like “I’m going to lose weight!” and so I was all like “yeah baby I support you! I’ll do it with you” and here we are $480 in CrossFit fees and $500 in grocery bills later and ask me how much weight Eric has lost? 0, nada, zilch, nothing. But no I’m not bitter. Of course not. Pshaw.
As for me (who didn’t do CrossFit, but did do Paleo), I definitely lost weight on Paleo during the 3 weeks I was actually on it. But let’s be honest. It’s impossible to eat like that all the time. And less we forget lesson #1 in Erika’s diet: I love food.
So then I signed up for Myfitnesspal.com which is essentially Weight Watchers, but free (and if you’re on there, add me as your friend! @newlywedsbudget or newlywedsonabudget at gmail). And it is super easy because I just search for all the food I eat, and they have all the nutritional information on there for you.
Anyway, so I’ve been doing that for the past two months, and I lost another -3 pounds, bringing me down to +7 from my original weight. But then…you know…like vacation happened, and Labor Day weekend and some personal stuff was going on too that I’ll post about later…so I’m now back at -9 pounds total, +9 from my original weight.
I don’t know why it’s so hard for me. This losing weight thing. I will say, that it’s just kind of an everyday thing. Some days you make good choices, and some days you make bad decisions. But every day I’m trying. I’m currently doing Bikram (hot) yoga (I got 10 classes for $25 thanks to a Groupon) and each 90-minute class burns about 600-800 calories. The only problem is the room is so freakin’ hot that a lot of times I need to sit down for fear of passing out.
I’m also doing Jillian Michaels’ Ripped in 30 DVD. Eric actually did it with me last week, and he was SWEATING! He even said “CrossFit has nothing on this!” So there you go.
Basically, my “plan” right now is simply to keep doing what I’m doing. Eat less, workout more. Who knew it could be so easy right? Eventually those pesky pounds will come off. But I’m not going to make myself feel bad or anything like that. If I want a cookie, I’m going to eat the cookie. It’s just not saying yes to every cookie that catches my eye.
look away, cookie. look away.
So if you’re keeping score, I’m currently down 9 pounds from my starting weight, and 9 more pounds to go to be at my goal. I’m at the halfway point.
10 comments
Oh my goodness. I think you are living my life, but on the other side of the world!!! I’m also a newlywed, definitely on a budget, struggling to lose that stupid weight that I’ve put on since the wedding!
I tried myfitnesspal and I L-O-V-E-D it while I was in America, but in Australia we don’t have the same brands and ways of measuring, so that makes it a lot harder.
I love your blog – definitely going to keep reading!
Hey, good for you!! 9lbs is 9lbs!!
I’m down almost 15… and it’s not been easy either. In fact, it’s been really slow… and as big as I am, it shouldn’t be nearly this slow. But, it’s a learning process.
Great plan! I believe in eating/doing whatever you want as long as its in moderation! If I decide to eat 3 pieces of cake, fine! I’ll just go for a longer walk/jog in the evening, and skip dessert the next day !
Losing weight is hard, but you seem really motivated! I was thinking of trying Paleo but I’m a vegetarian so I think that would really limit me haha!
Good luck. I love myfitnesspal!
Ok people told me I would gain weight when I got married. I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS TRUE. Its been almost a year and We just joined the gym!
♥ theMRS.
I used to Bikram 4 times a week when I was all on my lonesome and had more time. Now I’m down to only once a week. I don’t think I would surive without it. Also, I don’t think I could do the paleo thing either. I would poop a lot.:)
You’re halfway there! Keep on going girl! I am down 10 pounds, but I have 15 more to go ;( Why is it so easy to gain the weight and so hard to loose it and keep it off? *sigh*
Hey, you are doing great despite some ups and downs. you are REALISTIC and you know what works, and what compromises you are willing to make for losing a few lbs (not that you need to, I stand by that!) while still being happy. Healthy trade-offs. I think your latest approach is good. I use fitday but really like myfitnesspal and Daily Plate better. They are great tools to calculate calories and such!
I too love cookies & have been eating Oreos at an alarming rate lately. I’ve been using myfitnesspal for a few months but haven’t seen the results I was hoping for. I’m pretty sure I can attribute that to the Oreos =)
Good plan! I’ve been using the minuscule amount of exercise I’ve been doing lately as an excuse to eat MORE cookies. I’m not trying to lose weight, but I still should probably work on that.