Weekly Weigh-in #43: Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta

And by "feels good to be a gangsta," I mean that Mr. and I are strutting proud today. We both lost a pound each, and I'm now in the 170s for the first time in a LONG time! And if I keep this up, next week I could hit the 60 lbs. lost mark. That would feel extremely good, not unlike a gangsta.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 254 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 47 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 179 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 59 pounds

I would like to add that Mr. did well despite some injuries he suffered early last week. He really hurt his hamstrings during a particularly tough personal training session, following by a plane trip to New York. He can tell you all about that experience in his own post. Good news is, he's back on his feet and doing the personal training (just not so hard on his hams).

Weekly Weigh-in #42: We're 1 and 0

I guess those muscles that Mr. is building must weigh a lot, because he went another week without losing on the scale. It's hard to believe, because he's really been working hard for the personal trainer (and even in between at home). He also seems to be eating pretty well, too. Hmm.

I'm pleased but also a little surprised at my loss this week. Sure, I stuck to the plan last week--but over the weekend, I went to Nashville and indulged a bit. Also, I missed several workouts in a row. Well, I'm not going to complain. A pound is a pound! I do intend to be more disciplined this week, especially since I have no travel plans or anything that can significantly throw me off course (that I know of!)

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 255 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 46 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 58 pounds

Next week, look for Mr. to drop some pounds. I'm sure it's going to happen!

Stop the Pop?

Did you know drinking pop is Bad Idea Jeans for people trying to lose weight? I sure didn't.

I mean, I know pop (known by some as "soda" or "sodie pop") is "bad for you" and all that, but so is practically everything. When Mr. met with his new nutritionist last week, she explained why carbonated beverages (even diet!) can hinder your weight-loss efforts. Check out his post about it on his Mission Nutrition blog.

Incidentally, my pop consumption has suddenly gone from 1-2 Coke Zeros a day to nil. I'm all water (and coffee) now!

Weekly Weigh-in #41: Well, We Didn't Gain

The good news is, we're no fatter than we were last week. But we're not exactly skinnier, either.

Maybe it's all those muscles we're building? Jay, for sure. He's getting his butt whooped by his new personal trainer--could barely walk for a few days last week. I bet his new muscles weigh at least 5 lbs already!

Me, I have been working out as usual, but it was my birthday. (The picture here is of me and Mr. at my family bday gathering. My Aunt Bonnie is a pretty good photographer, eh?) I think I might've done a bit too much celebratory eating and drinking.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 255 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 46 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 181 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pound
Total pounds lost: 57 pounds

As always, we're going to keep on moving this week. No more birthday excuses.

Walking for a Good Cause

Today, joined by my mom and daughter, I was proud to walk in support of Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

On an absolutely picture-perfect fall morning, we headed out to Coney Island (the Cincinnati one, not the famous New York one) for Cincinnati Walks. This annual community walk raises funds for one of the nation's best hospitals for kids. Could there be a better cause?

We had a wonderful time, three generations together, being active in the great outdoors while helping a very worthy organization. It was one of those times when I really appreciated being fit, with plenty of energy and stamina to walk and then play for several hours. My mom (age 61) did, too. We were being excellent role models for my lively, lovely little girl.

As an aside, Children's gave out free flu shots right there at the event, so Mom was able to partake. (I missed the boat because I waited too long and they ran out.) What a cool benefit for those attending the walk. We also got to hang out in the VIP tent (i.e., no big lines for the pizza) because I raised so much money--big thanks to my generous donor friends and family!

Last but not least, I was proud that my employer, dunnhumby, was an event sponsor. providing funds and organizing a sizeable team of employees to participate. It's nice when my company helps out the community and I can be a part of it.

Mr. Get Fit Gets Some Help

Well, after a lengthy plateau in my weight loss efforts I finally admitted that I need some help and decided to get serious with a personal trainer. I just finished my initial consultation and fitness test this morning. All I can say is, WOW.

I found out some big things that will definitely change everything from my weight loss goal to my workout concentration. First, the biggest shocker is that 190 is not a realistic goal weight for me ... unless I want to be emaciated and malnourished. After a range of tests the doctor at BEAT Personal Training determined that I have 75 pounds of body fat and 181 pounds of muscle and bone. Even if I do absolutely no strength training (which they don't recommend) and just do 100 percent cardiovascular workouts I will probably gain another 5-10 pounds of muscle.

That means in order for me to weigh 190 pounds I would have to do only cardio workouts and have virtually no body fat. That simply isn't healthy ... or realistic. It's too early to determine a concrete goal weight for me (they use percentage of body fat to determine healthy weight) but 215 is "probably" a more realistic minimum goal weight for my 6'1" frame after adding muscle with strength training and dropping fat with cardio.

They think it will take nine months or less for me to get my fat under control and get to a reasonable healthy target fat percentage (about 15-18 percent or less) if I want to lose the weight in a healthy manner (1-2 pounds per week). I'm at almost 30 percent fat right now ... obese.

I will be meeting with a personal trainer three times a week and I'll be working out in between those sessions that will completely kick my ass. Hell, just completing the "fitness test" this morning worked me out to the point that I almost passed out.

However, I got my endorphins going and I feel really, REALLY good. I lack the words to express how excited I am about working out with a personal trainer.

My first "real" personal training appointment is scheduled for this afternoon at 3:00. That should be interesting since my legs still feel like rubber after the fitness test this morning.

When You Need to Lose, Big Time

I don't know about you, but I get really sick of reading the same old advice in weight loss article after weight loss article. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, drink eight glasses of water a day, eat carrots as a snack. Yeah, duh. Thanks.

But I actually thought this article from WebMD, 10 Tips for Losing 100 Pounds, was pretty helpful. Mr. and I each started out with around 100 to lose, and in the beginning, I think we both felt like it was an impossible dream to actually do it. This article makes a 100-pound loss seem attainable, with advice from weight-loss experts and real losers who took off 100+ pounds.

One statement in particular resonated with me: "Your readiness to lose weight, once and for all, is crucial." That's why Mr. and I waited till we had both worked up the motivation and commitment to lose weight before we began our life-changing fit journey. I'm so glad we did. Stopping and starting not only leads to yo-yo losses and gains--it also erodes your confidence and makes it harder to start next time.

Here's another good article I came across today about losing big time: an interview with Carnie Wilson, the singer and daughter of Brian Wilson. She lost 150+ pounds after undergoing bariatric surgery, then gained 70 during pregnancy. In the interview, she discusses how her pregnancy and birth went, and how she managed to take off those regained pounds. I always liked her, and I'm glad to see she's back to maintaining and not gaining.

Weekly Weigh-in #40: Treading Water

After another week of sticking with the program (mostly), Mr. and Mrs. didn't make much progress. Weeks like this remind me of treading water. You're not really going anywhere, but you're not sinking either. Could be worse!

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 255 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1) pound
Total pounds lost: 46 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 181.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 56.5 pounds

I am so happy Jay has his first appointment with a personal trainer this week! He's going to BEAT Personal Training, which has a convenient location on the way to Jay's office. We both feel like this is just what he needs to bust through his plateau.

As for me, I'm pretty sure next week will show better results. I've been doing well and will continue to use MyFitnessPal to keep tabs on my calories. Also, this is the first "official" week of my company's Health and Wellness Challenge, so I'm sure my competitive nature will push me to be extra good!

Speaking of corporate health and wellness programs, you might find this Philadelphia Inquirer article interesting. Apparently, Biggest Loser winner Bill Germanakos now serves as the "wellness ambassador" for his employer, Quest Diagnostics. He talks about what his job entails and how important it is for companies to help their employees live fit.

Yummie Tummie Review and Giveaway

My tummy has never been flat.

Even in my skinny days (all five of them), my abdominal area had a bit of an outward "curve." Once I went through pregnancy (and gained more weight after the birth), my poor stomach looked like the Stay-Puft marshmallow man, all squishy and poofy and in layers of flab.

Now that I've lost 56.5 lbs of fat and do regular core-strengthening exercises, my tummy is considerably less. Still, it's not even close to flat. I'm not sure it ever will be.

While I like to wear new clothes that show off my weight loss, some of them reveal a bit too much of the mystery that is my flabby stomach. So when I heard about the stomach-flattening shaping tanks and tees known as Yummie Tummie at BareNecessities.com, I had to try one out!

There are several sizes, colors and styles to choose from. And in November, BareNecessities.com will exclusively roll out the Yummie Tummie tank for plus-size women, 1X-3X. I went with a classic white Hip Length Shapewear Tank, which I figured would go nicely under those semi-see-through white blouses and tops.

In the photo shown here, I'm wearing it both to flatten my tummy in a fairly clingy top and to keep the top from being see-through. Double bonus! Each time I wear this tank with anything, I get more compliments on my weight loss and looks in general.

Could it be the Yummie Tummie does indeed make my tummy look ... well, maybe not yummy, but at least not Stay-Puft? I believe it does. Thank you, BareNecessities.com!

Want to win your own Yummie Tummie? Send us an email at mrandmrsgetfit@gmail.com with the subject line "Yummie Tummie" no later than midnight on Oct. 12. We'll pick one entry at random to win your choice of a Yummie Tummie item on BareNecessities.com!

Winner Update: Congrats to Becky M., winner of her very own Yummie Tummie.

Tracking My Daily Food and Exercise

For the first nine months of my fit journey, I haven't kept a journal or tracker of the food I eat or the exercise I do. I know, I know, lots of experts say you should. I've done it before (first on Weight Watchers, later on South Beach).

But I resisted tracking because it felt like such a pain. And the last thing I needed was any more hassles standing in my way of being healthy.

Here I am in my 10th month of fit living, with 31 more pounds to lose, and I'm re-examining the tracker thing.

Reason #1: My employer is kicking off a new health and wellness challenge, which involves earning points for healthy behaviors and being rewarded with prizes for participants with the most points. I will get extra points if I keep a food journal, because doing so has been proven to help people eat better.

Reason #2: I know weight loss tends to slow as you get closer to your goal weight. I want any advantage I can get, and maybe paying closer attention to calories consumed and burned will help me achieve my goal sooner.

OK, so I'm doing it. After checking out a few different (free) online food tracking sites, I joined MyFitnessPal and have found it refreshingly easy and helpful so far. Most of the foods I eat are already in their database, so a quick search and add puts my foods right into my daily food diary. By plugging in my current height, weight and activity level, as well as my weight-loss goals, the site tells me how many calories I should have. And when I enter in the exercise I've done, it calculates what I've burned and adds those to my daily allowance.

After just a couple of days, I can already see why tracking works. You can so easily lie to yourself when the numbers are floating around in your head. But when it's all in the system, there's no denying how many calories you wolfed down at last night's Bunco party or at this morning's company Belgian waffle breakfast.

I look forward to seeing better results soon as I confront the truth on a daily basis!