Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit

Please Hold

2009-08-13T13:18:00.002-04:00

To any loyal readers who are still checking in here, bless your heart! I haven't been updating in the past few weeks because, well, I'm pretty much devoting every waking second to my baby boy and my family. Once in a while, I take a "break" to shower and brush my teeth.

Needless to say, I haven't had time to update the blog or really devote myself to getting fit. I'm just trying to get through the day. All I can ask is that you hang on, check back in a few weeks. I really want to get back to getting fit and rededicate myself to this blog ... I just need a little more time to get my baby boy bulked up (he's still awfully tiny) and maybe get a little more sleep.

Thanks for your patience and see you back here soon, I hope.

Weekly Weigh-in: The Post-Baby Numbers Are In

2009-07-22T09:22:00.006-04:00

And the moment I've been waiting for since my pregnancy began last fall ... where am I restarting this weight loss journey from? The first time, back in January 2008, it was 238 lbs with a goal weight of 150. Because I was able to keep my baby weight gain from ballooning out of control, this time I won't have to go quite as far. Check it out:

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 192 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 15 pounds (!!!!)
Total pounds lost: 46 pounds

Hooray! I love dropping 15 lbs in just a couple of weeks. That's like Biggest Loser numbers, minus the hellish 10-hour workouts (though I'm sure I burned a few calories in my 18-hour labor).

So now I have 42 lbs to lose in order to reach my goal weight. Yes, it's a lot to lose and a bit intimidating. But I've already lost more than that, so I know I can do it again. I'm just waiting a few more days for my body to fully recover from childbirth, and I'll be getting back to the exercise. Meanwhile, breastfeeding my boy every 2 hours or so is helping me burn, burn, burn those calories!

Next step: Getting Mr. to join me in this fit journey, take 2.

We Had the Baby!

2009-07-12T21:07:00.004-04:00

After all these months (9, or maybe 90?), we have something to show for this big ol' pregnancy: a beautiful, healthy, perfect little baby boy. Please say hello to the newest member of the Get Fit family, James.

We're all doing well after a relatively easy birth (not that any birth could really be called "easy," could it?) Resting at home and adjusting to our new family life.

I will post my postnatal weigh-in soon. Just give my body time to recover a bit and maybe get rid of all the extra fluid.

Pregnancy's Easier When You're Fitter

2009-07-05T08:56:00.003-04:00

We all know there are many pluses to not being plus-sized. For me, one of the benefits of losing weight was experiencing a much easier pregnancy.

With my first child, I started out my pregnancy around the same weight I am now (at 9 months along!) I had gained approximately 40 pounds by the end, and was feeling every bit of it. From the first few months, I was already out of breath doing the littlest amount of activity (like walking up a slight incline in a parking lot).

My back killed me -- and not just the sciatica pain I'm experiencing now. It was that general, overall lower-back pain that flared up whenever I started doing chores like laundry or cleaning. Seriously limited my ability to get things done, let me tell ya.

I also swelled up like a balloon. My ankles, hands, face, everything just got so tight as the fluid collected in my body. It was so uncomfortable. My shoes didn't fit. I just felt awful being in my own skin.

Finally, the heartburn. Oh, the heartburn. It was probably in part due to the baby's positioning, but I'm guessing it was also the crap food I ate and all the extra fat in my body exacerbating it. I popped Tums like candy for most of my pregnancy. Everyone knew I was good for them if they had a twinge of their own heartburn -- I was the "Tums lady" at the office.

I realize none of these symptoms are unusual for a pregnant woman. And they're all considered "normal" -- no need to call 911 when back hurt or I got breathless. Still, during this second pregnancy I've been spared all of these things. Surely being fitter and thinner helped? I've been so much more active without getting out of breath or back pain (other than sciatica, which is a bitch, but what can you do?) No swelling, very little heartburn and less weight gain.

I appreciate how much easier this time around has been, and I attribute it to starting out at a much healthier weight. Highly recommend it to all you ladies thinking about getting knocked up!

Fat Parents and Fat Kids

2009-06-30T10:56:00.003-04:00

One of the major reasons Mr. and I wanted to get fit in the first place was to be healthy role models for our children. We didn't want to be the "fat mom" or "fat dad," and we didn't want to raise kids who became the "fat kids" either.

We've been very glad that our daughter, so far, shows no signs of becoming a "fat kid." She's only 3, but at her recent annual checkup, she placed in the 50th percentile of weight for her age group. No surprise, since she is quite active (of her own accord) and eats like a bird. We try to emphasize with her how tasty nutritious foods are and how treats like ice cream and cookies are a "sometimes thing." Also, we give her plenty of opportunities to run around and do her kid thing (though I must admit, she also watches some TV most days -- we're not perfect).

Anyhow, I found this article from Reuters Health interesting because of my vigilance about fat parents/fat kid issues. It basically says heavier moms tend to overlook their own child's overweight status, probably because of their own emotional weight hangups. I can see that.

But I wonder, when the doctor says your child is "off the charts" for weight, how do you explain that away? I guess there are always excuses handy -- but it's sad that your own weight problems as a parent can negatively affect your child's well-being too. Mr. and I don't want to let that happen, so we're going to continue working hard to keep our kids healthy -- and ourselves, too.

Weekly Weigh-in: I'm Down?

2009-06-29T21:15:00.004-04:00

We're in the home stretch of my seemingly neverending pregnancy, and I feel every bit of it. Especially all that wriggling around in my belly. It is so weird to see your child shifting and moving and squirming while inside your body. There's just nothing else like it, except in alien movies.

But guess what? The scale has been kind to me this week. And for that, I am sooo grateful.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 205.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 2 pounds
Total pounds lost: 32.5 pounds

Yeah, that's right. I LOST 2 lbs! Baby boy is steadily gaining though, according to my ultrasounds (which I have to get weekly because of my chronic hypertension). Maybe it's all the crazy nesting I've been doing. For instance, today I steam-cleaned our upstairs carpeting. That surely burned some calories. Each day, I try to knock more tasks off my "before baby arrives" to-do list.

People tell me I look good and the pregnancy weight gain is all in my belly. My doctors always say "Your weight looks good" each week when I go in for a checkup. (They also say my pee looks good -- how often do you hear that?) I take every compliment as a blessing and focus on the moment as much as I can.

Also, I am making plans in my head for after the baby arrives -- how I'll be able to get in workouts, cut out the ice cream (boo hoo) and get back on track to being Mrs. Get Fit. Maybe I can even haul Mr. along for the ride? As always, I'll keep you posted.

Weekly Weigh-in: It's Hot, I'm Not

2009-06-24T09:50:00.003-04:00

Nothing like being 9 months pregnant in late June in the Midwest. It's gettin' hot in here! I'm just trying to stay in the AC as much as possible. Would be nice if these 90s-plus highs would go away, at least for a few days, to give me some outdoor walking time. Oh well.

So the weekly weight report is blah.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 207.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1.5) pounds
Total pounds lost: 30.5 pounds

I don't have much to say about it, except 3 1/2 more weeks till baby! Let's get this party started.

In other news, I found this MSNBC article about "phantom fat" kind of interesting. It's about people who lose a bunch of weight but still feel like they're fat. Like they're so used to their bigger bodies, that can't quite adjust their mental image of themselves to a new, slimmer person.

To be honest, this hasn't been a problem for me. I absolutely loved the feeling of my body getting fitter, whether I was shopping for smaller sizes of clothes or just enjoying a little extra room in seats. But I can see how phantom fat could be an issue for some folks.

Mr., This One's for You

2009-06-19T09:44:00.004-04:00

As loyal readers already know, Mr. Get Fit has been on a hiatus from getting fit for the past few months. I don't want to speak for him, but I know he finds it nearly impossible to get motivated when his whale-like preggers wife eats a bowl of ice cream and considers her house-cleaning duties exercise. I do feel guilty for not being as "good" as I should during this pregnancy, but I also realize Mr. really needs to take responsibility for his own fitness. I can't exercise for him and choose his foods for him.

So today, I discovered a blog called 344 Pounds that I wanted to share with Mr. (and you guys). It's very motivational. In lieu of my running a 5K or offering a new salad recipe, I give you this blog capturing the last six months for Tyler, a young dad (similar to Mr.) who went from morbidly obese to 90 lbs slimmer and a WHOLE lot fitter. He's down to 253 lbs and looking really good (as in, totally unrecognizable from his starting photos). He seems to be doing all the right things -- watching his calorie intake carefully and exercising religiously. It's clearly working.

I love Tyler's reasons for starting the blog, as he explains on his "About" page:

For starters, I want to use it to keep track of my weight loss journey; one day, when she’s old enough, I’ll show it to my daughter and tell her that “this saved daddy.” Secondly, I want to help others who are trying to lose weight; I want people to learn from my successes, as well as my failures. Lastly, 344pounds.com is a way to keep myself personally accountable to my friends and family (who know about this blog), as well as complete strangers.

Rock on, Tyler! And Mr., I hope you find his blog inspirational to get your butt back on the fit wagon with me very soon. We can do it!

Weekly Weigh-in: Yay!

2009-06-16T07:54:00.003-04:00

I can't believe it. For the first time in weeks, I didn't gain. I actually lost a little.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 206 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 32 pounds

Maybe it was all the mad cleaning I did, who knows? I definitely feel like being home this past week helped me feel healthier and better in general. I was plenty active, doing a lot less sitting in front of the computer and a lot more getting out and about. I also enjoyed the freedom to take what I wanted from the fridge, when I wanted, rather than depending on what I brought in a lunch bag (or worse, the fatty leftovers from someone's morning meeting).

Meanwhile, my baby boy continues to grow healthy and strong (he's up to 5 lbs 14 oz. according to my last ultrasound). He's being plenty active, too. My belly is like his personal bouncy-jumpy house!

So here's hoping he keeps up the growing and I can minimize the fattening up of my butt.

Weekly Weigh-in: Six Weeks to Go

2009-06-08T09:46:00.002-04:00

Every time I think, maybe this week I'll just stay the same weight when I get on the scale, I am unpleasantly surprised. This week, no different. Ugh.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 206.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (2) pounds
Total pounds lost: 31.5 pounds

The good news is, today I begin my Mom Sabbatical (read all about it on my other blog, Working Moms Against Guilt). Because I will have the next six weeks off with a sitter to watch my girl, I should have plenty of time to work out and be active. I look forward to checking out the Y's water aerobics and outdoor pool schedule, so I can stop by often. I'm also going to be a cleaning fool, and we all know serious cleaning burns serious calories.

Weekly Weigh-in: This Is Getting Ridiculous

2009-06-01T06:48:00.000-04:00

How many pregnant women log their weekly weight gain for the world to see? I ask you. I feel like I am just torturing myself here, yet I refuse to give up. I still feel compelled to face the truth, preparing myself for what lies ahead once this baby is born and I get back on the fit trail to 150 lbs. So why not face the truth on the Interwebs?

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 204.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1.5) pounds
Total pounds lost: 33.5 pounds

One fitness highlight from the week: On Friday evening, I walked for 1 1/2 hours in our local Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society. You should've seen me huffing and puffing my way around this very easy paved walking trail. Thanks to my good old Dad for keeping (slow) pace with me. It made the whole experience much more tolerable!

Weekly Weigh-in: I Am a Giant

2009-05-26T07:36:00.000-04:00

Our daughter Cassie has a fascination with giants, and she often shouts out "Oh no! It's a GI-ANT!" pointing to an imagined creature, perhaps dangling from a beanstalk. More than once lately, she's directed that statement at me. And I have to admit, it's true. I am definitely resembling a giant more with each passing day.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 203 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (3) pounds
Total pounds lost: 35 pounds

My good friend Andrea saw me this weekend and told me I looked good, "not fat at all." I could always count on her for such positive support, from way back (when I wasn't fat but thought I was -- ahhh, puberty). When you wear maternity clothes, it's a little hard to tell where you're gaining -- whether it's all belly (good) or more butt (bad). Not like regular clothes, where you definitely feel it when you put on 5 lbs from too much ice cream.

I am still doing a lot to stay active and I drink gallons of no-calorie fluids to stay hydrated. Also, I can't get enough fruit! Veggies, not as thrilling. Stay with me, people, and I will make it to July 18 and beyond. Only eight looooong weeks to go.

Weekly Weigh-in: Another Bum Week

2009-05-20T22:14:00.000-04:00

I saw a few different numbers on the scale when I weighed in today. Usually, I weigh myself a couple of times, just to make sure I get the same number twice. But today it was just jumping all over the place. Maybe it's the baby shifting his weight. Or me shifting my weight. Whatever, I finally just took the median number as the one to post.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 200 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1.5) pounds
Total pounds lost: 38 pounds

Damn it all! I've been very active, but not super diety-eating. I can feel this boy getting bigger every day. At this point, I'm focusing on feeling good and getting to the big day (July 18), followed by a major post-natal fit overhaul. Maybe I'll even get the blog redesigned to celebrate. (Especially if Mr. joins me in my quest.)

Weekly Weigh-in: Not Too Shabby

2009-05-11T07:06:00.000-04:00

It's funny how I still get a little excited when I step on the scale each week, like I did when I was in full weight-loss mode and hoping like hell I went down a pound or two. What do I have to look forward to? Now that I'm into my third trimester of pregnancy, all I can hope for is no gain. Or maybe not too bad of a gain.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 198.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1) pounds
Total pounds lost: 39.5 pounds

Well, I guess 1 pound isn't too bad. I can live with that. I'm still (barely) under the 200 mark -- at home, anyway. The doctor's scale always says I'm several pounds heavier, but I refuse to believe it.

Weekly Weigh-in: I'm Way Pregnant, People

2009-05-05T07:13:00.000-04:00

I am now so pregnant, even random people are asking me about the baby -- kids at the park, guy at the oil change place, you name it. Bless the hearts of those kind friends who say "You don't look 7 months pregnant! It's all in your belly." It's nice to hear, even if you're lying (I hope you're not, though!)

The scale also agrees I'm getting bigger.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 197.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (2.5) pounds
Total pounds lost: 40.5 pounds

I haven't been perfect about my food choices, but I'm definitely eating a lot healthier than I was at this point in my last pregnancy. I still bring my lunch and snacks to work most days, which forces me into more nutritious choices. I may have indulged in a pint of UDF chocolate caramel ice cream this past weekend while stopping for gas (UDF is a local chain of gas stations that also carry delicious premium homemade ice cream). But last time around, I ate like a pint a day (no exaggeration here).

I also walked my ass off this weekend and have been working like a fiend on home improvement stuff. Unfortunately, I've got sciatica pain shooting through my lower back and butt, which reduces me to a bent-over old lady by the end of most days. Really cramps my active style! I have so much I want to do, but my body is holding me back.

Mr. has been fairly quiet about his fit habits, but he insists he will weigh in once he exercises on the stationary bike for a week. Currently, the bike is surrounded by a bunch of stuff we're donating to Salvation Army. They're coming this Friday to take all the stuff away, so hopefully that will remove one excuse.

A Sweet Discovery

2009-04-28T21:16:00.000-04:00

I have a terrible sweet tooth, one that requires me to get a dessert fix at least once a day -- preferably after dinner. Unfortunately, the whole "fit" thing doesn't always coincide too well with the "sweet" thing. All those annoying calories, fat grams and lack of nutrition in most tasty treats really work against me.

Happily, I've discovered several delicious and satisfying chocolatey desserts to keep my sweet tooth happy and not screw up my fit lifestyle. My top picks include:

Trader Joe's Very Chocolate Mini Meringue Cookies (110 calories for 13 cookies) -- new to me, thanks to a tip from my coworker Cecilly
Edy's/Dreyer's Slow-Churned Ice Cream Bars (150 calories)
Jello Sugar-Free Pudding (dark chocolate is my fave) with Cool-Whip (80 calories)
Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis (150 calories)
Skinny Cow Truffle Bars (100 calories)

Obviously, I am of the chocolate persuasion. If you have any favorite sweets that fit into a healthy lifestyle, do share in the comments! I'm always up for a taste test.

Weekly Weigh-in: A Sigh of Relief

2009-04-27T06:35:00.000-04:00

I can't say I've done anything drastically different this week, but after last week's 4-pound gain, I held back on the "goodies" and tried to eat more veggies and fruits. I also made more effort to be physically active. For instance, this weekend I walked outdoors quite a bit, which not only felt good (ahh, sunshine at last!) but also burned those extra calories.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 195 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 43 pounds

So there you have it -- I lost 0.5 pound and stayed strong. That is a relief! Also, based on some of our dear readers' comments (particularly Andrea's), I looked into water aerobics classes at my local Y. I've decided to try the Monday-Wednesday-Friday classes after work. I'll still get home in time to hang with my girl and put her to bed. But it will also be a good no-impact workout and hopefully relieve some tension, too. Weekends, I'll do more of the walking.

Here's to a fit week for all of us!

Weekly Weigh-in: Four Pounds?! Really?!

2009-04-20T22:52:00.000-04:00

This past week was a doozy. I knew I'd probably see some gain, based on post-Easter candy consumption and an anniversary weekend away with Mr. But 4 freakin' pounds?! Jesus. That is not right. Not right at all.

Jay (currently on a "break")
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 195.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (4) pounds
Total pounds lost: 42.5 pounds

I am bummed. Yet not motivated enough to hit the gym and jiggle my ever-growing belly on the treadmill. Just enough to opt for the Lean Cuisine lunch instead of chicken salad sandwich from the corner deli.

Ugh. I know being pregnant is no excuse for overeating, but damn it's hard. This baby makes me ravenous all the time, not to mention tired as hell after a long day of work and home stuff. I just want to hang on to some semblance of "fit" for the next three months as best I can, so the road to my goal isn't as long starting in August.

On and Off the Wagon

2009-04-15T22:49:00.000-04:00

I have been climbing on and falling off the weight-loss wagon since about the age of 14. Let's do the math -- that's 18 years of wagon-related experience. I'm like a wagon master!

What I've noticed along the way is how most of us who struggle with weight go through this cycle over and over again. Getting up the courage to battle the excess weight, being thrilled at our success or disappointed at slow progress, and eventually (after days, weeks or months) giving up because of [insert circumstances here]. There's Oprah, of course, the patron saint of lifetime losers-and-gainers. Most recently, I've witnessed Mr.'s decline in motivation to be fit and just this week read about my good friend Amy's recommitment to losing after a two-month gaining period.

Several members of my family also have gone up and down on the scales during my lifetime, in the range of 15 to 60+ lbs or more. During each "on" period, I'm inspired by and happy for them. When they fall off, I say nothing but quietly feel their pain and hope they'll try again soon.

Right now, I'm in a weird wagon-limbo. I have definitely not given up on my goal to be fit and fabulous. But it's like I'm riding in a little sidecar to the wagon, where it's considered "OK" to indulge a little more, work out a little less. So what if the scale creeps up? It's supposed to do that when you're pregnant. (Not too much though, as the establishment will constantly remind you.)

As I ride along during these nine months, I'm looking up in admiration at the strong, courageous folks who remain on the wagon, day after day, week after week. I'm also waving encouragingly at those who have fallen behind and haven't yet brushed off the dust.

What's my point here? I guess just to say, weight loss/maintenance is hard stuff. To those who stick with it for the long-term, hats off to you. To those who have lost their way and feel like you'll be fat forever, don't give up on yourself. There's always hope for change. You are worth the effort to try again, and keep trying, as many times and as long as it takes.

Weekly Weigh-in: This Baby Is Growing!

2009-04-12T20:16:00.000-04:00

If you've seen me lately, you can tell that I am clearly pregnant. (Note Easter Bunny photo at right, taken on Saturday.) No hiding it under baggy clothes or even aprons anymore. Even my 6-year-old nephew noticed at Easter dinner! And apparently, the scale noticed, too.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 191.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (2) pounds
Total pounds lost: 46.5 pounds

I may have overindulged a bit in the Easter candy ("one for the basket, one for me, one for the basket ...") but I also read in my BabyCenter weekly email that at this stage, baby's putting on "baby fat." Could that account for 2 whole pounds? Probably not.

I will continue to be as active as I can and seize on every "healthy" craving I have (fruit and veggies). As for Mr., he's under the weather with a cold and not in the mood to discuss fitness.

Weekly Weigh-in: No Gain Is a Good Week

2009-04-05T11:15:00.000-04:00

When a woman gets on the scale during her 24th week of pregnancy, all she can hope for is not to have gained. Fortunately, I had something to smile about this time. No gain, stayed the same.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ??? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pounds
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 189.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 48.5 pounds

You may be wondering about the question marks on Mr.'s weigh-in numbers. Well, that's due to Mr.'s refusal to face the scale this week. He says he's not going to weigh in again until he starts exercising, and he's not sure when that will be. I will continue gently encouraging him to get fit -- I'm not giving up!

My favorite cravings recently have been for fruit. Can't get enough of the fresh, juicy stuff. Strawberries, blueberries, grapes, oranges, pomegranates, you name it! Glad my body actually pushes me toward healthy choices instead of ice cream all the time (though there's been some of that, too).

Semi-Weekly Weigh-in: Suckitude

2009-03-27T06:53:00.001-04:00

Mr. Get Fit often calls me "Boss Lady" because, well, I'm bossy, I guess. This morning, I bossed us both on the scale. I knew the numbers wouldn't be pleasing to see, but that's exactly why we needed to check. We haven't done an "official" weigh-in for a whole month. If the weight starts creeping back up and you don't check, it can get out of control while you tell yourself you're not doing "that bad." Then you find yourself back where you started -- or worse.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 271 pounds
Pounds lost this month: (6) pounds
Total pounds lost: 30 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 189.5 pounds
Pounds lost this month: (8) pounds
Total pounds lost: 48.5 pounds

As our loyal readers will recall, I am on pregnancy "hiatus" from weight loss, but I am trying to minimize my weight gain as much as I can. At 23 weeks pregnant, I have gained a total of 12 lbs (8 in the last month!). I really need to be more careful about what I'm eating (fewer cookies, more carrots) and amp up the walking as the weather gets nicer. Otherwise, I could put on way more weight than I need to and have that much farther to go to reach my goal of 150 post-baby.

Meanwhile, I'm very worried about Mr. He seems to have given up on his weight loss and is letting old habits take over again. He knows what he needs to do, but he seems to lack the motivation to do it. I hope he will turn things around soon, because he needs to be a fit dad for his daughter and his son-to-be.

When Working Out Is Child's Play

2009-03-25T07:06:00.000-04:00

Lately, my daughter is about the only thing that gets me to exercise on a daily basis. My own personal motivation ain't cuttin' it. But something about an almost 3-year-old and her adorable, energetic insistence ("Come ON, Mommy, dontcha wanna jump rope with me?") get my pregnant butt moving like nothing else.

(Pictured here: Cassie running around the swingset with Mommy jogging close behind. A common sight in our backyard.)

I was wondering exactly how many calories I'm burning doing some of our usual playtime activities. So I looked it up on a calculator.

In 10 minutes of doing each of the following activities with Cassie, here's how many calories I burned:

Dancing (the Hokey-Pokey, Ring Around the Rosie, etc.) = 85 calories

Jumping Around (usually because something is very exciting or there's a jumprope involved) = 64 calories

Jogging (in the "Run, Mommy, Run!" game or "Tag, You're It!" and I'm always It) = 100 calories

Housework (which is also playtime for Cassie, when she "helps") = 41 calories

OK, so not too shabby. I may not be hitting the gym as frequently as I used to (as in, not at all). But I'm still getting some exercise each day as I spend quality time with my cutie pie. All she needs is a whistle and a clipboard!

Noodles & Co. Restaurant Review

2009-03-16T21:28:00.000-04:00

After seeing Noodles & Co. on Health magazine's top 10 healthiest fast food restaurants list last week -- and hearing my mom rave about it so much -- I decided to try it out last weekend. I had a Sunday lunch date with my good friend and fellow weight-loss seeker Amy. Our first pick, a decidedly less healthy local pizza joint, wasn't open for lunch (d'oh!) So to Noodles we went.

Their basic menu plan is to combine tasty noodles (Asian, Mediterranean or American) with your favorite meat, sauce and other toppings. You can go for their pre-determined menu items, or have them customize your noodly meal. A good number of the menu items range in calories from 150 (small Chinese Chop Salad) to 480 (regular Thai Curry Soup). I opted for a regular Pad Thai (700 calories -- would've been 350 if I went for the small instead). Mmmm, it was mighty tasty. Amy had a Trio, which gave her a small side salad and small noodle entree. She seemed quite pleased with her selection as well.

I admit, I also indulged in a cookie (I did share some with Amy!), but I didn't really need it. My regular Pad Thai was plenty of food to fill me up for lunch. I love how you order at the counter and they bring the food to your table when it's ready -- no tips expected. Very leisurely (and affordable) way to enjoy a healthy, quick lunch with a friend.

Gaining Momentum

2009-03-12T18:20:00.000-04:00

You can probably tell by this post's headline that Mr. and Mrs. have not had a good losing streak lately.

I am now up to 184.5 (checked yesterday), but can't say I'm too surprised. At my ultrasound the other day, Baby was more like 21 weeks along than the 18 weeks I had initially thought. That means I've gained 8 lbs so far during this pregnancy, and I'm at the halfway point. If I stick to my doctor's recommendation, I only can gain another 7 lbs. Let's get real. I'll probably gain a bit more than that. Most of the weight comes on in the second half, right? But if I can stay under 200 by the end, I'll be OK with that.

Mr. has had some troubles. He gained over the past few weeks, and has been getting back into the workout swing to make some headway. I hope he hangs in there and doesn't let my pregnancy lethargy at home bring him down. We've come too far to get fat again!

Healthiest Fast Food Joints

2009-03-04T19:16:00.000-05:00

When Mr. and I first started our fit journey more than a year ago, we shunned fast-food restaurants like they were the devil. We really forced ourselves to focus on home-cooked and home-prepared meals and snacks, because we needed that discipline.

Things have slid a bit since then. Nutritional mores have been ... relaxed. Sometimes, when our lives get really busy and there's nothing "good" in the fridge or pantry, we hit the drive-through. (Sorry, but I refuse to spell it "thru" no matter what the signs say. They're wrong.)

We may not always make the healthiest selections on the drive-through menu, but with some tips from this recent Health Magazine list, we could improve our choices. The magazine ranked the top 10 healthiest fast food restaurants in America, with Panera Bread topping the list (yay!) Even McDonald's scored a spot -- thank God, since it's our daughter's fave. The article also points out what's healthiest on each menu, and what to stay away from.

So if you need the convenience of fast food for one reason or another, check this Health Magazine list before you head out.

Weekly Weigh-in #58: Sympathetic Weight is Just Pathetic

2009-02-26T05:52:00.003-05:00

Well, this week was a wake-up call for me and a reminder that Susan's pregnancy is no excuse for me to eat whatever I want. Just how loud was this week's wake-up call? Well, here are the stats from our weigh-in:

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 265 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (3) pounds
Total pounds lost: 36 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 181.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1) pound
Total pounds lost: 56.5 pounds

Susan has nothing to worry about. She's still doing great and we know the baby is getting bigger because it started kicking this week. That said, I don't get to take a pass this week. Whether it's sympathetic weight gain or just plain overeating, I can't let Susan's pregnancy be an excuse for me to gain weight. Part of the gain is because we both used to motivate each other to work out and eat healthy, part is due to outside stress, but honestly I can't use her pregnancy as an excuse not to stay on top of my exercise and eating.

I have to take responsibility ... and not just brush off the weight gain as some weak version of Couvade syndrome (sympathetic pregnancy). Susan's dietary and exercise requirements are going to become increasingly dissimilar from mine over the next six months. If I don't make an effort to constantly eat healthy and exercise then by the time our new baby arrives I'll be dangerously close to my weight before we started getting fit.

This morning I woke up early and did 30 minutes of cardio on the bike. Hopefully that's just the start of a renewed commitment to losing weight.

Do You Get Enough Veggies?

2009-02-13T07:21:00.000-05:00

As part of my employer's ongoing corporate health and wellness initiative, I attended a lunch-n-learn seminar earlier this week about getting enough vegetables. Actually, I requested the topic because it's an issue I struggle with, and I wondered if our nutritionist lady could help me out.

Indeed, she did! Well, first, she kind of freaked me out with the suggestion that people should consume 5-7 servings of vegetables a day. What?! I'm lucky if I get three. 5-7 seems a bit insane. But that's nutritionists for you, telling you the truth whether you like it or not.

She explained a lot about why veggies are good for us (vitamins, fiber, health benefits, etc.) But she also provided some handy tips about how to boost your veggie intake. Here are some of my favorites:

Toss chopped peppers, onions or broccoli into an omelet. This is good, because breakfast and veggies just don't "go" together for me. But I could eat 'em in eggs!

Enjoy a grilled tomato and cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread.

Pair hummus with grape tomatoes, cucumber slices or baby carrots.

Add cooked peas to mac 'n' cheese, tuna casserole or other dish (we do this all the time).

Mix and match greens, veggies, fruits, protein, nuts/seeds, cheese and dressing for salad variety and lots of vegetables in one meal.

Do you have any clever or tasty tricks for getting more veggies? I'd love to hear 'em. I have a long way to go ...

Weekly Weigh-in #57: Part I, Mrs.

2009-02-11T09:00:00.005-05:00

Our little girl has been sick for the past couple of days, and she was all kinds of fever this morning. So I forgot to remind us to weigh in. Since I stayed home with her, I remembered and weighed in by myself. Might as well get it over with. Mr. will have to catch up tonight or tomorrow a.m.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: ? pounds
Pounds lost this week: ? pound
Total pounds lost: ? pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 180.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1.5) pound
Total pounds lost: 57.5 pounds

I can't say I'm surprised. My pregnant hibernation continued this past week, despite my best intentions to get moving more. I swear, every day by the time I get home and get my kiddo taken care of for the evening, I am wiped out. It seems like a distant memory that I used to have all the energy to head to the Y for a kick-butt workout at 8:30 p.m. and come home to watch my shows at 10. Now I just feel like crawling onto the couch and sleeping for 12 hours.

At least I'm eating healthy. Unlike my last pregnancy, when I ate virtually whatever I wanted in mass quantities, this time I'm sticking to our guidelines for everyday healthy nutrition. I still pile the fruit on my cereal (or at least eat the fiber-enhanced Pop Tarts!). I still eat my healthy snacks of yogurt or trail mix or fiber snack bars. And most nights, we're having a balanced dinner with veggies, whole grains and low-fat protein. Sweets like donuts or ice cream are occasional treats, not daily habits.

Still, I know damn well that exercise is good for me and the baby, and I need to figure out a way to make it happen. Maybe I can walk at lunchtime? Or -- gasp -- wake up early and do some cardio on the bike? I seriously need to do something, because this hibernation thing isn't going to help me stick to my 15-pound weight gain goal during this pregnancy.

Weekly Weigh-in #56: Blame It on Baby

2009-02-04T18:30:00.001-05:00

I hope this isn't a trend: We both gained this week. One pound each. Not a huge amount, but still. It's a pound. As Mr. said this morning, at least I can blame it on the baby. (Though I only "get" to gain 15 for all of my pregnancy, according to my OB. And I have 26 weeks to go!)

What about him? He can blame it on being a hibernating bear. It's been snowing a lot and lousy weather -- not exactly inspiring either of us to be active lately.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 262 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1) pound
Total pounds lost: 39 pounds

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

There went our 100 pounds lost. Back to 98 again. Someone needs to get us bears out of our caves to exercise more!

Mr. and Mrs. Got Knocked Up!

2009-02-02T19:42:00.000-05:00

Perhaps you've been wondering why Mrs. hasn't been terribly upset at herself for not losing more weight in recent months. Well, I had a really good excuse: I'm pregnant!

Mr. and I made the decision earlier this fall that we would try for a second child, even if I had not yet achieved my goal weight. Why? Well, I'm not getting any younger (32 and counting). Our kiddo is finally getting more independent, so it seemed like the perfect time to add to our brood. And frankly, I know I'm going to have to lose weight after the baby arrives, so why not just use that opportunity to do the whole shebang?

The baby is due in early August, so I have about six more months to be Mrs. Get Fit While Pregnant. I'm proud of the fact that I haven't gained weight in the first trimester (though my belly already feels bigger).

But I'm more than a little nervous about sticking to our fit lifestyle for the remainder of my pregnancy. It was during my first pregnancy that Mr. and I both gained way too much weight and let our eating and exercise habits become absolutely horrible. We used my pregnancy as an excuse to indulge in any and every craving and to avoid physical activity altogether. I ended up gaining about 40 pounds, and after the baby was born, I gained back whatever I lost with the birth.

To make sure we don't backslide into old, bad habits, Mr. and I have continued eating pretty much as we did before I got pregnant. I say "pretty much" because, well, I have given in to a craving or two. And when I do, Mr. often joins in. I'm trying hard to keep those indulgences to a minimum -- for both of our sakes.

I continue to exercise, though not with the intensity or regularity of my pre-pregnant life. Every time I get on that treadmill or elliptical, I just think, "Hey, at least I'm being active," even if it's not hard-core like before. Mr. no longer goes to a personal trainer due to some issues with his hip and leg. But he is trying to stay active by working out at home.

Now, instead of watching the scale for lower numbers, I'll be weighing in weekly to monitor my gains. My OB said I should shoot for about 15 extra pounds during this pregnancy, given my current weight and goals. At that rate, I can gain a pound or two every couple of weeks (it changes as the baby grows) and be perfectly fit and healthy. Any more than that, and I'll know it's time to cut back on the indulging and ramp up the cardio.

I also hope Mr. will continue to work toward his goals. It would be nice to have a fit husband, full of energy and enthusiasm, to help out when Baby #2 arrives! Lord knows, we'll need it.

Weekly Weigh-in #55: Iced In

2009-01-28T07:11:00.003-05:00

It may be raining ice outside -- preventing us from going to work or anywhere else -- but we weighed in, dammit! After skipping last week due to Mr. being out of town (again) and Mrs. lacking the courage to do it alone, we are back on the scale and ready to face the music.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 261 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pound
Total pounds lost: 40 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 178 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 60 pounds

I like this weigh-in, not only because I lost a pound (yay!), but also because we're at that nice, even 100-pound loss mark. Maybe it's the Adrian Monk in me, but I like a perfect number. And I also love being able to tell people, "My husband and I have lost 100 pounds!" and not just be rounding up.

Mr. is not pleased with his continued plateau (he's been hovering around this weight for a while now) but I'm at least happy that he isn't gaining. He wants to concentrate more on nutrition, avoiding large quantities of foods that are more fun than fuel. And even though there's no way we're going anywhere today, we can always exercise at home. A sure way to get more pounds off and not go too stir-crazy!

P.S. The picture here is of our daughter swinging in the snow yesterday. Today, I think it'll be an "inside day." Thank God for Noggin!

We're Not MIA

2009-01-25T07:42:00.003-05:00

I know it's been a while since we updated you on our progress. It's not that we've been MIA, exactly. More like RRB (Really Really Busy), including Mr.'s second out of town business trip in a month and my two-day intense training seminar at work. I promise, we'll be back this Tuesday with our regularly scheduled weigh-in and hopefully back on track with regular posting.

Weekly Weigh-in #54: Back To Basics

2009-01-13T11:26:00.003-05:00

I was out of town most of last week attending the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for work. I didn't have an opportunity to weigh-in last week, but walking all over Las Vegas for three days in a row certainly helps in terms of exercise. Now that I'm back home Mrs. and I can focus on getting back to basics and paying closer attention to what we eat. Last week's numbers were okay for both Susan and I, and we're looking forward to keeping up this trend as we start the new year.

Without further delay, here are this week's numbers:

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 261 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 40 pounds

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

We're both glad to see losses on the scale this week, but we also know that we need to get back into full swing with our exercise and avoid excess calories during the day. December wasn't easy for either of us since both our offices were loaded with plenty of tasty treats for the holidays.

Now that I've recovered from the flu I feel like I have a little more energy for exercise. I'm heading to my personal trainer this afternoon to jump back into my regular workouts, and Susan and I both want to get back to using our exercise equipment at home on a regular basis.

Comparing Physical and Fiscal Fitness

2009-01-12T07:32:00.000-05:00

I wrote about this on my other blog, but I wanted to share with our Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit readers as well: Mr. and I made a 2009 New Year's resolution. We want to get financially fit, like we did in 2008 with our physical health.

It's really interesting how similar the two goals are, if you think about it. Both losing weight and gaining wealth require serious, permanent lifestyle changes that you can live with. They both take enormous commitment and patience, which will be tested in lots of ways throughout the journey. For us, the end goals are quite formidable and may even seem impossible. Yet, getting physically and finacially fit are so incredibly worth all the effort, we are willing to take on a new challenge.

Mind you, we haven't stopped trying to get fit. Our goal weights still hang out there like big shiny trophies to seize. But we think we've got the hang of this fit thing, and we're ready to add something new to our regimen of change.

If you really want to keep up with how we're doing at eliminating debt and saving for a rainy day, stop by Working Moms Against Guilt periodically. That's where I'll be sharing progress. (I just didn't have it in me to start yet another blog, no matter how much I love it.) In fact, I've already written about the fruits of our first week's labor here.

Weekly Weigh-in #53: 50% Participation

2009-01-06T19:34:00.003-05:00

Only one of us weighed in this week, so our results are incomplete. Suffice it to say, two out of three members of our household were sick this week. We did not make weight loss a big priority. Making it through each day pretty much took it out of us.

Because I was the healthy one (and taking care of Mr. and Little Miss), I guess it's fair enough to share my numbers:

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (.5) pound
Total pounds lost: 58 pounds

Obviously, I'm not psyched about the scale this week. But what can I say? After keeping a no-flu-shot-getting husband with the flu and a horrible cough-and-cold-suffering daughter alive this week, it's no surprise I had little energy to exercise. I did my best to make my own food choices healthy. My daughter eats practically nothing (she's 2), so that trend continued.

I know Mr. nursed his flu with some extra calories and zero exercise. Now he's in Vegas for the Consumer Electronics Show (for his job--cool, huh?) and has no scale access. I packed a goodie bag of healthy snacks for him and I know he'll be doing a lot of walking this week. I just hope he gets enough rest, drinks plenty of water and eats as nutritiously as possible in the land of all-you-can-eat buffets and alcohol excess.

Now that I have no sick people to care for, I plan to do at least 30 minutes of cardio each day this week--even if it's just on the stationary bike. Back to basics, people.

Motivators for a New Year of Fitness

2008-12-31T18:54:00.000-05:00

So maybe you're starting (or restarting) a fit lifestyle for the new year. Or maybe you just want to use the changing of the date as a way to push yourself to reach fitness goals with renewed energy.

Either way, January is always chock full of new TV shows, books, websites, blogs and more that could motivate you to live healthier. Here are a few that Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit are excited about:

TV to watch on the stationary bike

The new Biggest Loser: Couples Edition: We weren't so hot on the fall '08 season, mainly because of the participants. We just couldn't get into them. But after watching this sneak preview of the '09 season, I am hopeful this season will be inspiring and good for us to watch. Premieres on NBC, Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 8pm/7c.

DietTribe, a new Lifetime show about a group of friends who lose together: I like the non-competitive, relationship orientation of this show, at least what I saw on the previews. This women have all enabled each other's weight gain and now are using that same influence to get fit--just like Mr. and I did! I hope they all can shed some pounds and learn how to be fit friends together instead of fat ones. Premieres on Lifetime, Monday, Jan. 5, at 10pm/9c.

Oprah's Best Life Series: We all know Oprah fell off the fit wagon. Who hasn't? Well, she's getting back on and inviting her loyal viewers to join her, starting the new year with a weeklong "Best Life" series of shows. The Monday, Jan. 5 show focuses on weight, followed by health, spirituality, money and relationships. Yep, that pretty much covers the biggies. In January, she's also doing more Best Life content on her Oprah & Friends satellite radio show and on Oprah.com. Premieres on your Oprah channel (channels and times vary by city), Monday, Jan. 5.

Books to check out
Every new year, tons of new "this is the one diet that will change your life!!!" books come out. We're not fans. We all know deep-down that diets don't last, so why start something you can't finish? Instead, we like books that inspire or motivate us to work on our fitness.

Earlier in 2008, I talked about Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World, which is a great guide to eating tasty but also healthy foods when you're trying to be fit.
I also loved Half-Assed: A Weight Loss Memoir, a very motivating and brutally honest book about one of my favorite blogger's 200-lb weight loss. Read it on the treadmill and I swear you'll go faster!
One book I haven't talked about, but have been wanting to mention, is fellow blogger Janice Taylor's All Is Forgiven, Move On: Our Lady of Weight Loss's 101 Fat-Burning Steps on Your Journey to Sveltesville. I met Janice at BlogHer '08 in San Francisco, and she's just a delightful lady. Her book is just as delightful, full of fun little stories and advice that don't shame you or pound you in the head or tell you to eat more carrots and fewer brownies. I think you'll like it.
Here are some books I haven't read but would like to: Moose: A Memoir of Fat Camp by Stephanie Klein; The Amazing Adventures of Dietgirl by Shauna Reid; and Thin Is the New Happy by Valerie Frankel.

Websites/Blogs to Bookmark

I hope you have checked "Our Favorite Fit Blogs" listed in the lower right column. These are blogs we read nearly every day, for inspiration, ideas, empathy and laughter. As we discover new blogs in '09, we'll add them to the list.

Other sites you might like:

My Fitness Pal: Helps you keep track of what you eat and your exercise--the basics of calorie intake/burning that can lead to sustainable weight loss.
Gaiam Life: This is a great online guide to better living, from the folks who make cool yoga and fitness products.
Fitness Magazine: Even if you don't subscribe to the magazine, you can get lots of good tips and tools from the website. Free of charge.
MSN Health & Fitness: News, tips and tools that are frequently updated for fitness fans.

We hope these resources get you pumped up about fitness in 2009. Do you have one you'd like to share? Please post a comment--we can all use extra motivation for the months ahead!

A Healthy Milestone

2008-12-30T20:57:00.003-05:00

Some of you who have followed our blog since we started know that in 2007 I was diagnosed with Fatty Liver Syndrome.

In the simplest terms, Fatty Liver Syndrome (like the name suggests) is a condition where the body’s liver starts accumulating dangerous amounts of fat. According to the most recent information, the number of Americans living with Fatty Liver Syndrome are between 10 and 20 percent. While it might sound normal to have a large build-up of fat on your liver if you're overweight, it isn't. In the liver of a patient with Fatty Liver Syndrome, the liver cells accumulate large droplets of fat that consist of mostly triglycerides. These large fat accumulations result in an increase in liver enzymes and inflammation. This inflammation causes scarring and hardening of the liver (cirrhosis) and results in decreased liver function or even complete liver failure.

This was one of the main reasons Mrs. and I decided to get fit in 2008, and I received some surprising news today from my doctor. I had some blood work done just before Christmas and my doctor wanted to speak with me over the phone to discuss my test results. After months of eating better and exercising regularly, my liver enzymes are ... NORMAL.

If someone looked at my liver enzyme test results today, there's absolutely no reason to believe that I have Fatty Liver Syndrome. This is fantastic news because many doctors and nutritionists say it's possible to completely reverse the effects of Fatty Liver Syndrome with diet and exercise ... and I'm living proof that it's possible!

As you can imagine, Susan and I are extremely happy about the news and we feel a renewed sense of commitment to getting even more fit in 2009.

Weekly Weigh-in #52: A Whole Year of Gettin' Fit

2008-12-30T06:56:00.000-05:00

Wow, that's weigh-in #52. We weighed in every week for an entire year. Some weeks were better than others (and some were a bit late), but the general trend was down, down, down. And we're still at it. I'd say that's a pretty successful year of gettin' fit!

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 262 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 39 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 179.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (.5) pound
Total pounds lost: 58.5 pounds

I'm happy Jay was able to take off a bit of what he gained during the holidays. And I don't feel terrible about a .5 pound gain. It could've been worse! In previous years, I'm sure I gained 5 or more pounds over the holidays--and that was on top of a whole bunch more excess weight.

But the best news is to come. I will let Mr. share in his own post and reap his own glory. You will be inspired! Amazed! Proud! That's all I can tell you for now.

Weekly Weigh-in #51: Yep, It's the Holidays

2008-12-23T12:30:00.003-05:00

There's something about the holidays that gives people license to eat way too much. It's like, "Hey, 'tis the season for cookies and baked goods and egg nog and excessive calories! Weeeee!" Couple that with a general desire to cuddle, be cozy and snuggle in for a long winter's night (i.e., less exercise), and you've got a recipe for weight gain.

You can see where I'm going with this.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 263 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (3) pounds
Total pounds lost: 38 pounds

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

As you can see, Mr. had a significant gain this week, despite going religiously to his personal training sessions. And I, by some miracle, lost a pound. I don't know how. Last week at work, I gave in more than once to tasty homemade treats brought in by coworkers, even when I wasn't hungry--perhaps the worst eating sin of all. I only exercised twice.

Nonetheless, we still have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day before us, and we're being realistic about the remainder of 2008. We are going to try not to let the season of caloric overload erase months of effort. But we're also looking to the New Year as a fresh inspiration to keep us motivated, remind us of how far we've come and how far we still need to go.

We hope all of our dear readers and supporters have a lovely holiday and hold the line against temptation. Let's all look forward to 2009!

Crazy 'bout Clementines

2008-12-18T07:13:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post to share a healthy food Mr. and I are addicted to right now: Clementines.

They must be in season, because the shipments coming into Trader Joe's are absolutely perfect. These juicy little oranges are so easy to peel, have very little of the white junk and taste divine! I think Mr. ate about four of them after I got home from the store last night.

The nutritional breakdown: 35-50 calories per clementine, 1g each of fiber and protein and 60% of your daily vitamin C. I guess that means we're on vitamin C overload right now! (And loving every minute of it.)

Weekly Weigh-in #50: Back on Schedule

2008-12-16T07:20:00.000-05:00

Nothing has changed since our last weigh-in a few days ago. Not that we're surprised -- it's only been a couple of days. But we wanted to get back on track with our Tuesday morning weigh-ins. No more delaying the inevitable when we fear the numbers.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 260 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 41 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 58 pounds

Also, we wanted to share a quick meal idea that we thought was pretty good on Saturday night. Mr. grilled some fresh tilapia coated in Andy's fish breading (very low calorie, very tasty seasoning), along with steamed broccoli and carrots and Zatarain's reduced sodium red beans and rice. Not only was this meal hot, delicious and nutritious, it was lovely (lots of different colors) and very filling.

It's too cold to be outdoors for more than 2 seconds these days, so we'll be exercising indoors this week. I plan to get reacquainted with the Y after a couple of weeks away. Jay continues to be whipped into shape by his personal trainer. You can really see (and feel, if you're me!) the difference.

Belated Weekly Weigh-in #49: Setbacks

2008-12-14T10:35:00.002-05:00

The past couple of weeks haven't been the best, fitness-wise, for Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit. That's why our weigh-in post is late. I'm posting it today mostly to get my mom off my back. She has bugged me every single day since Tuesday, urging me not to give up and get fat again. (I'm not, Mom!)

First, the numbers:

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 260 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (4) pounds
Total pounds lost: 41 pounds

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

We're not thrilled to see gains on the scale. But at least Mr. continues to build muscle mass and lose fat--according to the fancy body analyzer at his personal training facility. Still, he wants to lose even as he gains muscle, so he's going to do more cardio at home between his pump-you-up sessions. And watch his diet a little more closely.

I am actually glad I didn't gain more. I haven't been exercising due to a heavy workload and holiday-related activities taking up nearly all of my free time. I know, there's always time for exercise and I just have to prioritize it. My excuse: I've been so darned tired lately, that by the time I finish all the other stuff, I have nothing left to get my butt up for a workout.

So with the holidays fast-approaching, I realize temptations are only going to be more frequent and time even more limited. I simply have to find time to work out, and be as prepared as possible so I make the best nutritious choices. If I make it through the season without any more gains, I'll be happy.

Holiday Party Pics: 2007 vs. 2008

2008-12-07T08:44:00.005-05:00

One year sure made a difference! Check out the photo of Mr. and Mrs. from last year's company holiday party (prior to getting fit) vs. last night's holiday party pic, courtesy of our babysitter Jesy.

And for you readers who love fancy hair-do's, check out the back view of last night's 'do. A true work of art by my hairdresser Vivianne (Mary's Hair Off the Square in Hyde Park/Norwood)!

Why Do Holidays Make Exercise So Hard?

2008-12-06T09:17:00.002-05:00

I don't know about you, but ever since Thanksgiving, I've found it really hard to get exercise in. This week, in fact, I didn't exercise at all.

Last Sunday I went and lifted weights and was sore all week long. I must have pushed it a little too much! But between the death of my best friend's mom (which I wrote about on my other blog, if you want to read about it), a whole lot of work/extracurricular stuff, and getting ready for Christmas, I haven't been able to drag my butt into gear.

Mr.'s hip has pretty much recovered, so he went to his personal trainer Thursday afternoon, again on Friday, and he's even there right now (amidst heaps of fresh snow!) Go, Mr.! Perhaps I could use the extra motivation and discipline of a trainer right now. It's so easy to tell myself, "I'm too busy, tired, etc." and not go.

Tonight is my company's holiday party, so I'm going to get my hair done all fancy-like at noon. Before that, I hope to make it to the Y for a good old-fashioned sweat-a-thon, followed by a shower. At least I'll feel like the week wasn't a complete wash. Sunday and Saturday workouts -- better than none!

How do you motivate yourself to stay fit during the holidays? Any magic solutions?

Weekly Weigh-in #48: Some Pain, No Gain

2008-12-02T06:57:00.000-05:00

When we weighed in today, I don't think either of us expected a Thanksgiving miracle. I mean, who loses weight during the week of Thanksgiving? Vegans, maybe?

But we were both glad we didn't gain.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 256 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 45 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 179 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 59 pounds

I'm proud of us for not going crazy with the goodies, pies and many leftovers that come with Thanksgiving. We managed to be pretty conservative. And both of us worked out several times last week.

I've had the pleasure of using a free 10-day pass to a fancier workout place than the Y (TriHealth Fitness and Health Pavilion). Thanks, Mom! We went to a couple of water aerobics classes together, Mom and I. Water aerobics is an effective cardio and strength combo workout, plus very relaxing. I'm like a puddle of goo afterward, similar to after a nice massage. I also lifted weights a couple of times and I'm quite sore (in a good way).

Mr. unfortunately hurt himself during a personal training session -- this time, his hip. He's been limping around the house since Saturday, poor guy. We hope his hip will be good enough to go for another session this week, but he's been advised by Dr. Mrs. to take it easy!

Weekly Weigh-in #47: We Suck

2008-11-26T15:33:00.002-05:00

OK, this post is late for a reason. Neither one of us wanted to write it. I'm sucking it up now to share our weigh-in results, which were suck-tastic.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 256 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 45 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 179 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (4) pounds
Total pounds lost: 59 pounds

See those parentheses? (4) pounds means I GAINED 4 pounds. And Mr. continues to be stuck at 256.

I honestly can't believe I ate an extra 14,000 calories in one week to gain 4 pounds of fat, but it's quite possible I ate an extra 4,000 and the rest is water weight. Whatever it is, I don't like it and I want it gone.

Mr. got a little "talking to" from his personal trainer, who evaluated his food diary and told him he's eating "too much crap." That means not enough veggies and fruits and too much processed carby stuff.

Damn it all, we're not giving up. Thanksgiving will have to involve more calorie-burning, less turkey and pie-eating, and we both know it. Next week's weigh-in simply MUST go better.

Oh yeah, and happy Thanksgiving. If you want some tips for cutting back on calories at your turkey-fabulous dinner, check out the latest post on Mr.'s other blog, Mission Nutrition.

Let's Compare, Shall We?

2008-11-22T14:44:00.007-05:00

OK, OK! The people have spoken. They want MORE PICTURES.

So after having my "hurr did" this morning and wearing my new Sephora makeup and Macy's duds, Mr. took some pictures. And I bring them to you.

But I feel it is important to put them in context. When I look at today's pics, I think "Who IS that lady? She's too good looking to be me!" I simply have to compare them to the Mrs. from a year ago. The fat one. Take a look for yourself.

Mrs. back in January VS. Mrs. today

Mrs. opening her Gilmore Girls DVD at Christmas last year VS. Mrs. today

I'd also like to brag that I was selected the "biggest loser" (highest percentage of weight loss) in my company's Health and Wellness Challenge yesterday. Guess what the prize is? $50 Macy's gift card. More shopping to do!

P.S. I want to show you some pics of Mr. too. Unfortunately, he's the photographer in our house, so it's harder to get him in front of the camera. I'll work on it, I promise! You should see his new hunky muscles.

My Mini-Makeover

2008-11-19T06:57:00.000-05:00

A couple of months back, I was bummed that I didn't win a makeover contest, for which I was one of 20 finalists. After losing so much weight, I really felt like I needed--or dare I say deserved--a little visual upgrade of my makeup, hair and clothes.

Of course, I didn't have to win a contest to do those things. It just would have made it a lot more fun (and cheaper).

Well, my good friend Kelly--bless her heart--decided I should have at least some kind of makeover, which she suggested as a belated birthday outing for us. Last weekend, we hit the mall in search of a new look for me.

First, we headed to the department store makeup counters in hopes of getting a little free mini-makeover. No luck. They were all too busy or said they required a minimum purchase of $50. What?! Too much of a commitment for me.

We split for Sephora instead, where we walked right into a very hopping store and got seated for a quick (free) makeover. My lady did a number on my eyes, making me look much more dramatic and glamorous than I'm used to--but I liked it! I even bought the products (more than $50 worth, thank you very much, department store snobs!)

Then, it was time for new clothes. In new sizes. I have almost no nice clothes that fit me well. They're all too big and baggy. So Kelly and I hit up Macy's for clearance and sale items that would be work-worthy and show off my slimmer figure.

It was helpful to have her second opinion and open mind, which got me considering clothes I might otherwise have passed up. As I tried a few items on, she made the brilliant suggestion of trying petite when all the size 14 slacks were ridiculously long on me. Petite? Me? Well, I'm 5' 8" so I figured I was too tall. Apparently I have short legs? 14Ps fit like a glove.

Kelly also kindly pointed out that perhaps I needed an upgrade on the frumpy sports bras, my undergarment of choice as a fat, frumpy person. She said when you wear fitted, lovely blouses, you need some uplifting support underneath. Duh, right? So our next stop was Lingerie, where I tried on more bras than I have since I was 13, and found a brand I loved: Walcoal, maker of $50+ bras. Worth every dollar (though I have since learned there are better deals on this brand at Stein-Mart and TJ Maxx).

Walking out of Macy's, I carried four new work outfits that actually flattered my figure, plus a new look to highlight my eyes (when I actually have time to do makeup) and comfortable, supportive undergarments.

More importantly, I felt a renewed sense of commitment to the fit lifestyle we've been living these past 11 months. I absolutely love the feeling of shopping for "regular" size clothes--and liking what I see in the dressing room mirror. No amount of chocolate or pizza or lazy couch time could possibly compare with the joy of being fit!

(Now, I just need to go make a hair appointment. I'm thinking blonder, longer, more fabulous.)

P.S. Many thanks to Kelly for the fun afternoon and being such a supportive makeover companion. It meant more to me than you know!

Weekly Weigh-in #46: Marking Time

2008-11-18T07:12:00.000-05:00

I admit it: I used to be a marching band geek. (I only tell you this to explain this post's title, blog friends--don't hold it against me.) You know when marching band people march without actually going anywhere (like when a parade line gets held up or led into an alley as in Animal House)? It's called "marking time."

That's kind of what Mr. and I did this week. We didn't go anywhere, really, but we didn't stop either.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 256 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 45 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 175 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pound
Total pounds lost: 63 pounds

We now know that Mr. has been replacing pounds of fat with muscle, which is awesome. (Read his post from yesterday for more details.) Despite going out of town last week, and his trainer getting the flu, Mr. was able to make it to two personal training sessions. Go, Mr.!

I, on the other hand, don't feel like I "deserve" to have lost .5 lb this weigh-in. I didn't exercise last week. Not once.

It was surprisingly easy for me to blame circumstances, like our daughter being sick, being busy catching up on work, finishing the many piles of laundry, hosting a family get-together, blah blah blah. I realized how excuses not to work out are always there. I have a veritable cornucopia of them at my disposal. So I pulled one out each day and avoided yet another sweat session at the gym or in our basement.

Scary how in one week, my fitness habits can slide back to the bad old days. I definitely don't want to go back there. Last night, I forced myself to ride our stationary bike for a measly half-hour while catching up on my stories. Though my effort was somewhat pathetic, I'm glad I did something.

Tonight, I hope to actually go to the Y and lift weights and do serious cardio. I refuse to give up just because I had a lousy exercise week. It's not the end of the world. Just a little "wakeup call" that fitness requires a daily recommitment--I can't coast my way to my goal (or after I reach it).

Staying the same weight and losing fat

2008-11-17T21:36:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted in a while since I've been focusing my efforts on my workouts with my personal trainer. I decided I needed to increase the intensity of my workouts since I wasn't dropping the pounds like I used to be.

I've been working out with a personal trainer three days a week for a solid month now, and I can tell you I've been pushing myself harder than I ever would have if I was still working out by myself.

As it turns out, I discovered that it's possible to stay the same weight and drop the fat at the same time. After the first solid month of intense weight lifting and aerobic exercise my total weight remained exactly the same, but my body fat percentage dropped 3% from 75 pounds of fat down to 68 and my lean body mass (muscle mass) increased from 181 pounds to 188.

My long term goal still remains, I want to lose weight rather than maintain my current weight, but I feel like I've managed to accomplish something by losing seven pounds of body fat. Sure, I gained seven pounds of muscle, but there are long term benefits from that (namely increased metabolism) that will help me lose weight going forward.

Mrs. and I will continue to post our weekly weigh-in numbers, but we thought it would be a good idea to post about my changing body fat percentage ... since those numbers don't always show themselves on the scale.

Weekly Weigh-in #45: Part 1 (with Photos!)

2008-11-11T17:06:00.005-05:00

Mr. is traveling for business with no scale access, so it's just Mrs. weighing in today.

I've been flying solo with a sick kid at home for the past couple of days. No easy feat, especially in the exercise and sleep departments. (It's hard to get much of either when Miss Croupie Pants needs 24-7 attention. Poor kiddo.)

Nonetheless, I had a decent week (weight-wise, at least)! Check it out:

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 175.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 62.5 pounds

I'm now finding my size 16 pants are all getting too big, and size 14 is fitting a lot better. When I think back to how I looked and felt a year ago from now, it seems somewhat unreal. See a photo comparison here: Mrs. with the little fairy princess last Halloween, Mrs. with the beautiful ballerina girl this Halloween.

How did I let myself get so bad? And why didn't I do something about it sooner?

With each pound I lose, I'm more committed than ever to staying fit for life. I simply can't imagine willingly giving up all the energy, confidence and possibilities I've gained this year! Just to eat like Miss Piggy. I'll pass on the seconds to feel this good.

Stay tuned for Mr.'s belated weigh-in on Thursday.

Weekly Weigh-in #44: Election Day

2008-11-04T07:50:00.000-05:00

We won't know how the elections will turn out until tomorrow morning, but Mr. and I have the results from our Tuesday weigh-in--and they're mixed.

I had a stellar week on the scale. I have now passed the 60-pound loss mark. Wow! I didn't expect it. In fact, I truly thought I'd see the same number as last week or higher. Not that I went crazy with the Halloween candy or anything, but I was by no means "perfect." Still, not going to complain. Just going to keep plowing ahead!

Mr. had a lousy week. We're both frustrated, because he's been going to the personal training place for several weeks now. We thought he'd be losing like crazy by now. Nope, he gained! So he's going to talk to them and figure out how he can drop more pounds in the coming weeks.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 256 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (2) pounds
Total pounds lost: 45 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 176.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 2.5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 61.5 pounds

Have good thoughts for Mr. and send some encouraging vibes his way. He needs them!

The Growing Tower of Fat Clothes

2008-11-01T08:21:00.003-04:00

Since Mr. and I started this fit journey 10 months ago, we've not only lost pounds--our bodies have shrunk. And as we shrank, our pile of fat clothes--the ones that once fit or were even tight--has grown.

Back in January, Mr. was wearing 2XL or 3XL shirts and 44-inch waist pants (or 42-inch in some cases). I was wearing 1X or even 2X shirts and size 22 pants. Yikes!!! Neither of us could believe we had gotten that big, but there we were.

Over the course of this year, we've culled down our wardrobe as clothes became baggier and fell off of us. With no small amount of satisfaction, we'd take the item off the hanger and say "Another one for the fat-clothes tower!"

The tower grew a lot last week, as we made the summer to winter clothes switcheroo. Where did all of last year's winter clothes go? Most of them ended up in the fat clothes tower.

Now a big donation to Goodwill or Salvation Army is in order, followed by a trip to Old Navy and TJ Maxx. Mr. will shop for XL shirts and 38-inch waist pants. I'll be looking for size L shirts and size 14 pants. Woo hoo! Here's to new skinnier clothes!

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

2008-10-28T06:59:00.000-04:00

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

2008-10-21T08:05:00.002-04:00

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?

2008-10-16T06:10:00.000-04:00

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

2008-10-15T22:41:00.004-04:00

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

2008-10-11T16:45:00.005-04:00

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

2008-10-09T11:27:00.002-04:00

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

2008-10-08T18:23:00.000-04:00

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

2008-10-07T07:05:00.000-04:00

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

2008-10-06T07:09:00.003-04:00

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

2008-10-03T07:39:00.000-04:00

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!

Weekly Weigh-in #39: Headed in the Right Direction

2008-09-30T07:18:00.000-04:00

Mr. and I both did well this week. I did well because I lost (yay) and he did well because he didn't gain (phew).

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 254 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 47 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 181.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 2 pounds
Total pounds lost: 56.5 pounds

Honestly, I feel like I somehow cheated the scale this week. There were a couple of instances where I ate too much of bad things (all out at restaurants, of course--they'll get ya every time), plus I didn't exercise as much (only three days).

But I'm taking my loss as a big motivator to stay strong this week, avoiding crappy choices at restaurants and pushing myself to exercise at night. I'm also pleased that I finally fit into a pair of size 14 pants my mom gave me a while ago (she's too skinny for them now). When I first tried them on two months ago, they wouldn't even button. Now, they're snug but they look pretty good!

Another good thing: I am now using my new digital blood pressure monitor to check my BP daily (it's perfect, by the way). As someone with chronic hypertension, I really should have been doing this for years--but I didn't. The manual monitors are such a pain, and I just didn't make it a priority. Now I can just slap on the cuff, push a button and watch TV while I wait to see what my BP is. My doctor will be glad.

As for Mr., I still think he needs the kick in the butt of a good personal trainer, but we haven't connected with one yet. I'm working on it though. Too bad Bob Harper from the Biggest Loser isn't available--he'd be perfect!

Biggest Loser Winner Update

2008-09-29T07:40:00.000-04:00

If you're a Biggest Loser fan like Mr. and I, you might be wondering how last season's winner, Ali, is doing. Check out Fat Fighter TV's new interview with her. Ali Vincent describes her life before, during and after the show, with tips for staying fit and fighting emotional eating. I'm glad to see she's going strong!

Guest Post on Cincinnati Losers

2008-09-29T07:29:00.000-04:00

I am a big fan of the Cincinnati Losers blog, which is written by seven local ladies who want to get fit (including some very good friends of mine). So I was more than happy to oblige when they asked me to write a guest post for this new blogging venture. I decided to talk about how support and encouragement are essential to successful weight loss. After all, that's what the CL girls are doing for each other, and what Mr. and I have made a cornerstone of our own fitness journey. Read my Cincinnati Losers guest post here.

Getting Fit in NYC

2008-09-28T20:21:00.004-04:00

A few days ago I traveled to New York City for work and a little fun. I have to say that if there's a single city in the United States that lends itself to a fit lifestyle, it has to be New York. Sure, you can ride the subway or take a taxi just about anywhere, but only if you have an unlimited supply of cash. For those of us who aren't made of money and won't drive in New York traffic the only remaining choice is to walk ... and walk ... and keep on walking.

In fact, while I haven't pulled out a street map to calculate the total distance I walked over my two days in New York, I feel confident that an estimate of six miles would be less than the actual distance covered on my two feet. Surprisingly, after returning home I hardly considered the amount of walking I did. If I had walked six miles a year ago when I tipped the scales at more than 300 pounds then I probably would have complained about my sore feet, sore legs, and sore back for at least two weeks.

As it turns out, my fit lifestyle helped me endure the brisk walking (and occasional running to avoid traffic) in New York with absolutely no pain and plenty of energy to spare. While I certainly felt like I was getting some exercise with all that walking, I never felt pain or discomfort from what I now consider to be "normal" physical activity.

I still want to lose more weight, as does Mrs., but this week I was reminded that there's more to "getting fit" than just weight loss. The ability to walk and run for miles in an urban jungle without feeling like I want to fall down and die is something that's probably more important than my waistline.

Thinking about Joining Weight Watchers?

2008-09-26T07:51:00.000-04:00

Mr. and I have our own little weight-loss "program" going, but if you are looking to join (or re-join) Weight Watchers, check out Amy in Ohio's rockin' giveaway. She's got two three-month WW memberships to hand out. On the giveaway post, leave a comment decribing what part of YOUR life is affected by your weight and why you want to "lose for good." You could win and make some serious progress on your weight loss efforts!

WooHoo! Check Us Out on Fat Fighter TV

2008-09-24T07:21:00.000-04:00

I discovered the fabulous Fat Fighter TV website when I met Sahar at BlogHer this summer. She's a gorgeous, fit former TV health reporter who started the site as her way of fighting back against America's obesity epidemic. Fat Fighter TV offers healthy tips and the latest news on diet, fitness and the obesity epidemic, but in a fun, fresh way.

One cool feature on the site is the new Weight Loss WooHoos!, which highlights people who have successfully lost weight and feel great. Guess who's this week's WooHoo? Yeah, that's right, Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit! How cool is that?

I hope you'll check out the in-depth Q&A with Mr. and me about how we got fat, why we decided to lose and how we've done so far. I'm impressed with how accurate the quotes are, too (the former newspaper journalist in me might have been a wee bit worried about that ...) You may even enjoy a little more insight into Mr., who was quite candid in the interview (he tends to be a little bit reticent in his posts, I think).

Thanks to Fat Fighter TV and Sahar for featuring us! It's awfully nice to get a WooHoo for getting fit.

Weekly Weigh-in #38: Now That's More Like It

2008-09-23T06:53:00.001-04:00

For the first time in a few weeks, Mr. and I both lost pounds at our weigh-in! Yay for us.

I can attribute my loss to two changes: working out daily (only skipped Tuesday) and cutting out wine. Mr. said he just ate pretty good and worked out--though not as intensely as he'd like.

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: 183.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 2 pounds
Total pounds lost: 54.5 pounds

Together, we passed the halfway mark to our goal of losing 199 pounds. There's no going back. We refuse to gain this week, but rather will remain steadfast in our fit lifestyle.

I'm already visualizing how I'll look at our company's fancy holiday gala in December (I want to be SMOKIN'!) and how awesome Jay's liver enzyme numbers will be (he still needs to take this test and check his liver health).

Early Morning Workouts? Not for Me

2008-09-20T12:46:00.003-04:00

On Thursday, I tried a new experiment: going to the Y for a pre-work workout.

I've only done this a couple of times since we started our fit life, and haven't been crazy about it. I'm just not a morning person. But I wanted to give it another shot. Lately, I've been slacking in the evening workout routine. I often run out of steam after a long day at work and an evening chasing my kid around and doing the usual household stuff. Then I don't work out, and don't lose weight.

Well, I had no problem getting up early (I purposely went to bed at a decent time so I'd get enough sleep). I should have packed my bag the night before, since I needed all my "products" to shower and get ready in the locker room. I also felt the need to clean up our kitchen before I left (can't stand coming home to a messy kitchen), which left me fewer minutes to work out.

Still, I made it to the Y a few minutes before 7. I was able to warm up and get in an entire weight-lifting routine. I forgot a few of my essentials (hello--water bottle?) but I managed. Showering in the locker room was a little gross, but not terrible. I walked out feeling good about having my workout over with for the day, and headed to Starbucks for coffee and oatmeal.

After I got to the office, I heard from Mr. Our daughter apparently missed me very much, asking "Where's Mommy?" every other minute. Even when she got to her sitter's house, she was quite clingy and sad. I must admit, I missed her, too. We get so few hours together as it is, with me working full-time, that giving up those precious morning moments seemed like too much--even for one day.

That's when I decided morning workouts aren't for me. I'll simply have to find a way to motivate myself to exercise in the evenings after Cassie goes to bed. Sure, it's going to be tough some days. But it's definitely worth it. I can spend as much quality time with her as possible and continue getting fit.

Weekly Weigh-in #37: Back and Forth

2008-09-17T20:08:00.002-04:00

It seems like for the last few weeks Mrs. and I have been playing a game of teeter-totter: one goes up, the other goes down. Needless to say, since our mutual goal is to lose weight it gets a little frustrating when we seem to be stuck in a temporary cycle of yo-yo weight loss and weight gain.

This week, in a reversal of fortune from last week, I lost and Susan gained. We both had a difficult end to our week with the heavy winds in Cincinnati causing significant damage to the area and blocking us in at home for two days when a tree fell into our street and pulled down a power line ... cutting off the only road out of our neighborhood. We could have used the time stuck at home to focus on working out, but trying to occupy a little daughter who was going stir crazy inside left us with little energy for exercise.

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: 185.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (.5) pound
Total pounds lost: 52.5 pounds

On the bright side, we're both still confident in our ability to lose weight. Susan is starting a morning workout routine this week and I'm going to be watching the new season of The Biggest Loser over and over again while working out. That show always makes me work even harder when I see how bad obesity can be and how it's possible to get fit with some hard work and determination.

A Quick, Easy and Healthy Brunch

2008-09-12T06:38:00.000-04:00

A good friend who's visiting from out of town is coming to our house tomorrow for brunch. We're really looking forward to seeing her and want to serve up some tasty morning treats. But of course, we don't want to serve gooey coffee cake and fatty breakfast meats (mmm ... fatty breakfast meats ...) because we need to lose this week! No more of that gaining business.

Another consideration: Time. We don't have much. Still have to clean the house, shop for groceries and make the brunch.

So here's what I think we'll make:

FiberOne Apple Cinnamon Muffins. These are so easy to bake and they taste unbelievably good. But you get 20% of your daily fiber needs with just one muffin! Hard to believe, based on their delicious, moist apple-cinnamony flavor.

Hungry Girl's Ginormous Oven-Baked Omelette. I haven't tried this recipe yet, but I trust Hungry Girl. There's eggs, fat-free milk and cheese, lots of veggies and some seasoning, all baked in a casserole dish. Sounds yummy!

Fresh Fruit. I'm going to see what looks good in the Kroger produce section tonight and cut up a mix of seasonal (or not) fruits. Probably will get some pineapple, strawberries, melon and apples.

That's it! A simple-to-prepare, totally nutritious brunch for our guest.

Weekly Weigh-in #36: Stalling Out

2008-09-09T06:27:00.000-04:00

You know that awful feeling in the pit of your stomach when your car's engine suddenly stalls in the middle of an intersection? That's sort of how Mr. and I felt this morning.

We both gained. We both knew last week sucked in terms of our eating and exercise. Yet we both are not about to give up--being fit feels too good to let it slip away.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 256 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1) pound
Total pounds lost: 45 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 185 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1.5) pound
Total pounds lost: 53 pounds

There you have it. This week, we are determined to mitigate the damage and perhaps even lose beyond that. Jay needs to get the personal training going. I need to actually exercise daily. And we need to be extra disciplined with the food (and booze) we put in our mouths.

Snacktrition Review and Giveaway

2008-09-08T21:22:00.004-04:00

It's no secret that Mr. and I love us some tasty, healthy snacks. When we heard about these new nutrient-enriched fruit and nut snacks from Snacktrition, we immediately asked the company if they would send us samples to try. They kindly shipped us several packages of their product and, oh, did we sample!

There are two sides to Snacktrition snacks, both of which we like: healthy and delicious.

On the healthy side, their nuts are baked in ovens rather than roasted with oils--which means less fat and more crunch. Snacktrition also seasons with kosher sea salt, and throws in a little extra calcium for good measure. Mr. can't get enough sea salt, so of course he was sold on that. And check out the nutritional results for a 1-oz. serving of Snacktrition almonds:

15% Daily Value of calcium per serving – Based on a 2,000 calorie diet
3 grams of fiber per serving
135 mg of calcium per serving
6 mg of vitamin E per serving
80 mg of magnesium per serving
5 grams of protein per serving

Impressive.

Now, for the tasty side. Salt and pepper go great on just about anything, but nuts? Yes, nuts. The Fiber Salt & Pepper Cashews have a deliciously different taste than any cashews we've tried (and we've tried a lot). And my personal favorite was the Calcium and Fiber Fruit & Nut Mix, combining sweet dried cranberries and blueberries with salty almonds and cashews for a power-packed snack combo. (Oh yeah, and they snuck a few little white chocolate chips in there, too. Nice!)

So what's the down side of Snacktrition? Portion control (or lack thereof, in our case). These nuts are so freakin' good, you might have a hard time stopping yourself at that serving size. As Mr. put it, if they are meant to be a "snack," then they should come packaged in individual portion sizes rather than little plastic boxes that contain multiple servings.

To be fair, they actually come in 3-oz. bags and 9-oz. tubs, but it would be awesome if Snacktrition did those sweet little single-serving deals like so many other brands have nowadays. Then we'd only eat what we're supposed to, getting all the benefits without packing too many calories in our afternoon snack.

Snacktrition Giveaway
Want to try Snacktrition for yourself? We're giving away packages of our favorite Snacktrition product, the Calcium and Fiber Fruit & Nut Mix, to five lucky Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit readers. Enter for a chance to win by emailing us at actionjackson03@gmail.com with the subject line "Snacktrition" before midnight on Friday, Sept. 12.

Update: Congrats to our five lucky Snacktrition Giveaway winners, Tammy H., Karen E., Rhonda M., Georgene H. and Amy C. Hope you like your fruit and nut mix!

Little Slips Are to Be Expected

2008-09-05T06:18:00.001-04:00

Over the past few days, I haven't been on my fit game as much as usual. I know it's because I've been particularly stressed and busy, which usually leads to overeating and underexercising. How do you think having a baby led to me being 88 pounds overweight?

So I didn't work out on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night. Instead, I went to bed early. Also, I've snuck a few hundred more calories than I should have--usually in the evening, when the stress of the day has built up to a breaking point.

Well, crap. Perhaps I reversed my 1-pound loss from last week. That's not so great. But here's the good part: I can slip up and it doesn't have to mean I'm instantly fat again and back to square one. Skipping a few workouts and eating too many goodies don't equal total failure.

Every day is a new day and a new chance to make healthier choices. I fully intend to head for the Y tonight after Cassie goes to bed. And I also plan to choose salad a lot more this weekend than heavier meals. It's still possible that I could lose at the next weigh-in--and even if I don't, I know I will the week after and the week after that.

Guest Post: Another Couple's Fit Story

2008-09-03T06:26:00.001-04:00

For the first guest post on Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit, please welcome Megan Moore. She's my former coworker with an inspiring success story about her and her hubby's journey to fitness. Enjoy!

Tonight it hit me. I’m one of those people. Those people who have pants they can put on and pull the waistband out to reveal a space big enough for another person. Like on the Jenny Craig commercials. I have those size 14 pants. They are 4 sizes too big for me now, and 6 months ago I just BARELY fit into them.

In February of this year I weighed an all-time high of 185 pounds (or maybe more!) and wore a size 14 pants (just barely). Now I’m 140, into a size 8, and I feel fantastic. I even (gasp) bought and wore my first bikini EVER this summer. And my husband Chris has really jumped on the healthy eating bandwagon too – he’s definitely shed some pounds and improved his health as well.

Chris and Megan, Before

Chris and Megan, After

What are the keys to our success?

Portion control/calorie awareness

Eating breakfast
Eating filling/nutritious foods

Portion control
I never really paid attention to serving size before. Or really anything about the nutrition labels on food. Now I scrutinize each label before purchasing food or eating it. I make sure that if I do eat it, I eat only one serving size (or if I eat two, I count them both!). My husband, Chris, was even less aware of how many calories he could put into his mouth with an open bag of tortilla chips.

I’m really proud to say that we both are so much more conscious of the calories and fat we’re putting in. During the weight-loss period, I tried to limit my calories to 1200 – 1400 per day. Even now, if we choose to splurge and have a treat, we know how many calories and fat there are, and we choose carefully. A treat actually became a treat – not an everyday occurrence. I’ve been surprised at what I’m able to turn down – chocolate cake, ice cream, pasta – and found out what I really crave….Mexican food. Mmm….

Breakfast
Yeah yeah…it’s the most important meal of the day. I know. I know. But I never used to eat it. In fact, the thought of putting something in my mouth before 10 a.m. still makes me nauseous sometimes. But I knew that if I would be successful with weight loss then I needed to keep myself from ever being too hungry. And that means sucking it up and starting my metabolism up early in the morning – not waiting until 1 or 2 to eat my first bites of the day.

I now eat a breakfast of 130-200 calories each morning – usually a Kashi breakfast bar once I get to work (and after the first cup of coffee). Eating a breakfast that’s high in fiber really helps me keep full until lunch-time, AND gets me the protein and fiber I need to keep my energy up. On the other end of the day – I try not to eat after 9 p.m. – my husband and I used to have a pension for late night snacks. Now if we’re hungry after dinner, we at least reach for the veggies.

Fiber and protein
Nothing like empty calories. Cutting back my calories has really made me conscious of how I spend them each day. I ask myself a few key questions before choosing something to eat. “Will this fill me up and provide me with the energy I need to keep going?” If not, then I ask myself if it’s worth it. Sometimes the answer is yes – like if I’m out to eat for a special occasion. Adding in food high in fiber really helps with the full feeling - not to mention its great for lowering your cholesterol!

And it worked. The pounds just shed right off in the first few months. And I find myself eating much much less, and eating much more healthy of foods. My habits have changed.

I’m not sure what made me do it right this time. For the last three years, my husband and I have done South Beach or a form of low-carb dieting each winter. We each will drop 10 pounds or so, but it always went back on. Also, we would get REALLY REALLY tired of eating the same stuff all the time. Plus the bread cravings would set in.

Now I’m gradually increasing the amount I’m eating, aiming for maintenance and not more weight loss. I did decide to add in some more regular exercise. Throughout my weight-loss, I played sports about 3 times a week, but I wouldn’t count it as a regular exercise routine (especially not the beer-league softball!) I joined Urban Active, a local gym that seems to cater to the young professional – and I’ve done a decent job of going three times a week. The TVs in front of the cardio machines help me keep from getting bored.

And….so far so good, I haven’t gained any weight back and I’m looking forward to maintaining this healthy lifestyle and body for a long, long time!

Congratulations, Megan and Chris! Thanks for sharing your story with Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit readers.

Weekly Weigh-in #35: Making Progress

2008-09-02T07:06:00.000-04:00

We did good this week.

Our diligence and workouts paid off, though Jay hasn't met with his new personal trainer yet. Once he does, we expect his weekly losses to pick up. I'm going to keep doing my thing at the Y and at home. Plus, we'll be hitting the veggies and fruits hard. 'Tis the season!

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 255 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pound
Total pounds lost: 46 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 183.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 54.5 pounds

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

2008-09-01T15:57:00.008-04:00

Nothing like seeing some old, fat photos of yourself to bring on the motivation to lose weight.

A couple of days ago, I was searching through our online photo album and came across our vacation photos from last year's Labor Day weekend. I couldn't believe how fat I was.

Count the chins: 1, 2, 3!

Lazy Susan, indeed.

We were wearing mufflers of fat around our necks!

I don't mean to sound self-hateful. But I do hate that we let ourselves get that overweight, out of shape and unfit. At the time, I remember us thinking we looked bad in our vacation photos. But did we really believe we had what it took to shed those mufflers of fat and bad habits, in order to become fit, happy people? Not so much.

Which brings me to today.

Damn, I'm proud of us. A year later, we're almost 100 pounds thinner as a couple. The fat mufflers are nearly gone. We have tons more energy than we did on that Labor Day vacation. We feel so much better in and about our bodies. Hooray!

Now, I'm looking ahead. What will we look and feel like next Labor Day? I hope and believe we will be at (or very near) our goal weights. We will not only be eating, moving and thinking like fit people--we'll look like fit people, too! We'll be the healthiest we've been in our adult lives. Maybe I won't have to take medication for hypertension. Maybe Jay's liver will be completely normal and healthy, and his cholesterol under control.

It's exciting to think about all the possibilities!

Weekly Weigh-in #34: One Up, One Down

2008-08-27T07:18:00.003-04:00

Last week Mrs. and I canceled each other out on the scale, and this week we've done the same. Last time Susan gained and I lost. This week I gained and she lost. While both of us are taking it in stride, I must confess that getting below the 250s is starting to become a frustrating hurdle for me. Yes, we know healthy weight loss takes time, but I've been in the 250s for quite a while now.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 255.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (1) pounds
Total pounds lost: 45.5 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 184.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1.5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 53.5 pounds

As with our previous weigh-ins, Mrs. and I took time to review last week's habits and create a plan of attack for the coming week. Susan's plan to reduce her drinking clearly helped her this last week, but I obviously need some help stepping up with my exercise. Maybe one of the two personal trainers I contacted will bother to call or email me back. Beyond that, we're simply staying focused on our original goals and trying to eat right and exercise every day.

New Photo of Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit

2008-08-24T14:35:00.005-04:00

One of our dear readers recently requested an updated photo of the two of us. We agreed that it was time, since our original profile photo doesn't exactly look like us anymore. (It was taken in December 2007, just before we launched into our fit lifestyle.)

So last night, before we went out on a rare date, we asked our nice babysitter to take a new photo of us. Here it is:

I think it's quite an improvement! Now we'll have both photos in our sidebar, so our visitors can see us in December 2007 and August 2008. In just eight months, we've come a long way toward our fit selves.

Update: The nice people at the Wine C.A.R.T. (where we did the wine tasting) sent us a photo they took of us that night. It's pretty good, too!

Mrs. Get Fit Wants to Be Mrs. Get Gorgeous

2008-08-23T08:55:00.001-04:00

I am one of 20 finalists in a contest at SmartNow.com to win a professional makeover and trip to New York City! After losing 52 pounds (so far) this year, I feel like a makeover, new wardrobe and fun trip would be a pretty nice reward. (Mr. Get Fit would also benefit by getting to tag along, although no makeover for him.)

Can you help me win the contest? All you have to do is click the "Vote" button here.

Or if you want to see my cheesy entry (and everyone else's) first, go here.

You can vote as often as you want between now and Sept. 4. Extra karma points to you if you spread the word to your friends (and your blog readers, if you have a blog!)

In conclusion, vote early, vote often and vote for me! Thank you.

So Proud of My Fellow Losers

2008-08-22T07:19:00.000-04:00

As anyone who's struggled with weight knows, it takes a lot of momentum and courage to tell the world you need to lose--and then actually start doing the work to lose it.

That's why I'm so proud of these fine ladies of the Nati for drawing their lines on the scale. Each woman has her own reasons for losing and her own goals to shoot for. Each plans to share the ups and downs of her weight-loss journey on the blog, which I will read faithfully! It's nice to know other bloggers in my town are working on their fitness, too.

Good luck to Julie, Amy, Shannan, Laura, Kate and Michelle. I can't wait to see how good you start feeling and looking as you shed pounds and gain muscle!

Weekly Weigh-in #33: Even Steven

2008-08-19T06:29:00.000-04:00

Mr. and I canceled each other out on the scale this week. I gained a little, he lost a little. Neither of us was thrilled or devastated. More like ho-hum. Sure, we'd like to lose heaps of fat every week. But it doesn't work that way.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 254.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: .5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 46.5 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 186 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (.5) pounds
Total pounds lost: 52 pounds

As we usually do on weigh-in days, Mr. and I evaluated last week's habits and looked for trouble spots or ways to improve in the coming week. I'm laying off the sauce (I probably had 6-7 glasses of wine last week--there's my 1/2 pound!) and Jay says he will exercise more. Otherwise, we'll just keep sticking to the plan of eating to live and working on our fitness, day in and day out.

Just think, if we lose a combined total of 1.5 pounds or more this week, we'll hit the 100-pound loss mark! That's a pretty cool number to aim for.

Why I Like Clothes-Shopping Again

2008-08-17T17:45:00.005-04:00

Today while our daughter was napping, I went out for a little "Mrs. time." I had a mani/pedi at the quickie mall place where all the workers speak in Vietnamese (kind of soothing, actually). Then I thought I'd cruise through Macy's, just to see if anything caught my eye.

Fat Mrs. wouldn't have done that. Too depressing. I'd have had to go directly to the plus-size section and pass by all the cute stuff in the regular-size areas. Then I'd try on a bunch of tent-y things that didn't look good on me, and in between outfits, see my fat body in the full-length fitting-room mirror. No thanks.

But for the first time in years, I felt confident enough to walk right up to Macy's Style & Co. section clearance racks and see what I might like. There was a lot to choose from! I eyeballed the sizes and thought, "Boy, those XLs look kinda big. Maybe I'll try L instead." Even the 16's, which I just recently started wearing, seemed too big. Even seeing my body in the mirror didn't depress me. Can't say I was thrilled with what I saw, but I could see a big improvement over previous shopping excursions. I ended up taking home a 14 skirt, a 14 dress (the one shown in the picture above), and two L shirts.

I couldn't help beaming as I purchased my new clothes. And not because of the deals (though they were terrific). I just wanted to tell everyone, "Hey! I can shop in regular sections of the department store now! I can almost qualify as not plus-sized anymore! Look how hot I am!"

OK, I didn't exactly do that. But I blabbed to the nice Macy's sales lady, who said she was proud of me and hoped to see me again soon. You will, lady! I like shopping again, and I'll need to do more as I drop a few more sizes in the months to come.

Are You SURE You Want to Eat That?

2008-08-13T06:37:00.000-04:00

Here's a brief cautionary tale for you. Yesterday at the office, someone brought in leftover desserts from a photo shoot. One of them was a French silk pie. Ever tried one? Though I've eaten many a pie in my day, French silk was not one of them. Creamy dark chocolatey mousse on a pie crust, covered with whipped cream and chocolate shavings? Uh, yeah, I'll have to try that.

Having weighed in yesterday to victory (3.5 pounds lost), I guess I felt a little cocky. I can have a piece of pie. How bad can it be? I enjoyed every last creamy bite.

Then, I checked the label. Uh oh.

My one slice of French silk pie turned out to contain 610 calories and 42 grams of fat. That's right. 42 GRAMS. I'm pretty sure that's more than the piece of pie WEIGHED. No wonder it tasted so damn good.

Even though I exercised yesterday and did pretty well otherwise, I still was mad at myself for eating that pie. Not because I should never splurge or indulge--I am a believer in the occasional treat. But because I didn't know what I was getting into. If I had known about all those calories and fat (42 grams! I still can't get over it), I would have avoided that pie and stuck to my 150-calorie granola bar.

Lesson learned. Always get the facts first, and then ask yourself, "Will it be worth it?" before taking a bite.

Weekly Weigh-in #32: Losing and Staying Level

2008-08-12T16:11:00.003-04:00

I'm extremely proud of Susan this week. She passed a major hurdle on the road to getting fit and has now lost more than 50 pounds! Mrs. has been working extra hard to pass the big five-O for several weeks now and she has surpassed that mark. I, on the other hand, remain stuck at the same weight from last week.

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: 185.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 3.5 pounds
Total pounds lost: 52.5 pounds

This week, I plan is to follow Susan's excellent example by returning to our Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit roots. I ramped up my workouts over the last week, but when we first started our healthy lifestyle, I did a much better job controlling my diet. Even if you work out for an hour every day you won't lose the pounds if you keep increasing the number of calories you eat.

Half-Assed Review and Giveaway

2008-08-08T18:28:00.008-04:00

Even though I'm pretty into the whole fitness/weight loss thing, I don't read a lot of books on the subject. Sure, I like seeing the inspirational "before and after" photos and interviews in Shape magazine, and I do admit to watching The Biggest Loser on TV (even though it's totally unrealistic and an extreme model of weight loss--the changes in the people are just too amazing).

Between my extremely busy lifestyle (no time to read long-form stuff) and my lifelong exposure to way too many diet books and programs, I just don't read many books about people losing weight.

But when I heard about Jennette Fulda's blog and new book, Half-Assed: A Weight-Loss Memoir, I was intrigued enough to contact her and get a copy to review. I'm so glad I did.

After reading her blog Half of Me (start with her "best of" posts here), I had a feeling I would dig her book. First of all, she was successful. Ridiculously so. Jennette started out at 372 pounds and lost nearly 200 of them in a couple of years. That astounded me. Plus, she seemed to take a sensible approach to her weight loss--no fad diet or extreme measures, just good ol' nutrition and exercise. Her style was totally not smug or uber-chipper, just honest, self-deprecating, and real.

Appropriately, I started reading Half-Assed (a galley copy furnished and mailed by the author herself) on the treadmill. In fact, I read most of the book during my workouts at the Y or at home on the stationary bike. It's quite readable in small chunks like that. Each chapter is like an essay about a specific topic or period, like her fat childhood, her health crisis that eventually prompted her to get fit, and how her life (and outlook on the world) changed dramatically as she shed hundreds of pounds.

I related more to Jennette's weight loss experience than I did to her "before" life. We just came from different starting points. But I was still quite fascinated with her mentality back then and what life was like as a 372-lb person. Her extra weight held her back physically (not fitting into seats for a college class and having to drop it) and emotionally (often avoiding relationships and social interaction). She didn't regale with horrifying "fat girl" stories, just described some of the everyday cons to being morbidly obese.

The pros, I could relate to. There's really just one "pro" to being fat: eating whatever, whenever, and as much as you want. That's kind of what I did after our daughter was born, because I thought I had earned it. (Boy, did I earn it.) Here's how Jennette describes her previous eating patterns: "I ate like most people would dare to only if an asteroid were scheduled to demolish the planet tomorrow afternoon." She goes on to describe her daily indulgences. Mmmm, fatty food in abundance...

Once she went through a life-threatening health crisis, Jennette had her wakeup call and knew she absolutely needed to lose weight. Really. Seriously this time. And after thinking on it, doing some research, and making up her mind (which can take a while--Mr. and I took six months before fully committing to our Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit lifestyle), she dove into the world of shopping for veggies and putting in daily treadmill time.

I loved reading about her discovery of things like chopping up healthy ingredients to cook for dinner (something she hadn't really done before) and how it actually feels good to push your body to new limits of athletic performance. She describes the changes she made in the early days, then stepping up her game after months of weight loss, and eventually tackling half-marathons.

Throughout, she observes a new self emerging--one who goes out, tries new things, speaks up, and soaks up every ounce of life. It's not that she becomes a different person. More like her true inner self is able to fully manifest once she takes control of her own health and body.

If you can't tell, I totally loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who's ever struggled with weight. No matter where you are in your journey--still fat, getting fit, formerly fat, whatever--you will find hope, humor, insight, and joy in Half-Assed. Read it on the treadmill or sprawled out on the couch. Just read it.

Now, the Giveaway: Want to win your own copy signed by the author? I was lucky enough to meet Jennette at BlogHer, where I bought her book and had her sign it--for you, dear readers! Send us an email to actionjackson03@gmail.com with the subject line "Half-Assed Giveaway" before midnight on Aug. 16. We'll randomly select one winner next Sunday.

UPDATE: Jeannine of North Carolina won the signed copy of Half-Assed. Congrats, Jeannine! And to the other readers who entered (especially those who wrote such nice notes to us), thank you. Now go buy a copy. You're supporting an awesome blogger and writer.

Weekly Weigh-in #31: Wakeup Call at the Scale

2008-08-05T06:05:00.000-04:00

I'm going to be brief: We gained. We know why--too many "comfort foods" (Goettafest? Sundae bar at Michelle's? PB&Js as snacks? They add up.) Sure, we still worked out--but not enough to burn those extra calories.

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: 189 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (.5) pound
Total pounds lost: 49 pounds

This week, our plan is to return to our Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit roots. When we first started this lifestyle, we were extra careful about each bite we took and extra hard-core about each workout. And the pounds melted off. We've got to get back to that mentality to break out of this slump and start losing again.

Just Keep Going

2008-08-02T12:57:00.003-04:00

One thing that sets apart the fit and the fat is tenacity.

When the going gets tough, the fat give up and let their old bad habits take over. (Which Mr. and I have done many times in the past.)

But the fit (or getting-fit) get going. They eat veggies and fruits at every meal, even though pizza and ice cream would be so much more comforting right now. They go to the gym and push through a workout, even though those endorphins might be no match for stress hormones (cortisol). They see numbers on the scale that they don't like, but maintain a positive attitude toward fitness anyway. It will happen eventually.

I'm writing this because Mr. and I both have had a fairly stressful week, and we both need to remain tenacious--especially now. Stressful times in our lives are when fit lifestyles are in the most jeopardy. For the most part, we've been Tenacious D. But it's not easy and we might be tempted to slack. This post is to remind ourselves (and you) to be persistent, don't give up, and live fit even when it's easier to be fat.

(Nonetheless, we are going to Goettafest today. But we'll just have a few tastes of our favorite Cincinnati-German treat. No pigging out.)

Weekly Weigh-in #30: Staying Strong

2008-07-29T06:29:00.002-04:00

Last week was a tough one for Mr. He gained a half-pound and contemplated quitting. But he (thankfully) decided to stick with the plan and continue getting fit. I sure was glad, because I don't want to do this alone. Even if I could do it, I wouldn't want to.

This week, he faced the scale and saw another disappointment. I saw a little more success (I'm just a half-pound shy of hitting the 50-pound weight loss mark!) and found that much more motivation to go on.

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: 188.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 49.5 pounds

Mr. remains committed to his goals and said he needs someone to kick his butt into gear. Now, I can do my part as the encouraging (naggy?) wife.

But I think a personal trainer might be in order, too. Someone to come over and help Mr. create an at-home fitness plan that can get him past this plateau. And come back to check on his progress and kick his butt along the way.

Know any good personal trainers in the Cincinnati area who make "house calls"? No Hans and Franz, but maybe a dude who's won the battle against weight--or at least understands the struggle to lose major poundage? Leave a comment on this post or send us an email. We'd love your recommendations.

Still Committed to Getting Fit

2008-07-26T09:06:00.005-04:00

If you read Susan's previous post then you know that this week's weigh-in hit me a litter harder than usual. I've been having some stressful times at work (including working MANY hours at home when I'd rather spend time with my family or working out) and the last two weeks were particularly stressful since I also had to take care of our daughter alone while Susan attended BlogHer.

On that note, I have nothing but absolute respect and admiration for all of the single parents who manage to take care of work, house chores, and raise one or more children on their own. It was hard enough for me to handle things on my own for several days. I can't imagine being a single parent full time.

But I digress ... the bottom line is when I stepped on the scale this week and saw that I gained weight it was just another frustration added to a long list of frustrations that were getting to be too much for me. I seriously considered giving up on the whole idea of focusing on weight loss and healthy living. That might sound like a silly (if not ridiculous) response to gaining a half pound, but human beings can only handle so much pressure before we just can't take any more.

In only a matter of hours I realized how foolish it would be to give up on our goal of getting fit but it has helped to see all of the encouraging comments from ours friends visitors to the blog. I wanted to say, "thank you" for all of those kind words over the last few days.

Long story short, I'm not going anywhere. This is still "Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit" and together Susan and I will continue to live a healthy lifestyle and lose weight. We have too many reasons (including our precious little daughter) to keep up the good work, so we're in this for the long haul.

Weekly Weigh-in #29: We're at a Crossroads

2008-07-22T12:31:00.003-04:00

I fully expected a gain today when I got on the scale, but I saw a loss. Actually, I dropped into the 180s, which I haven't seen for ages. Right now though, I don't feel much like celebrating.

Mr. saw a slightly higher number than last week. And after several disappointing weigh-ins, he proclaimed that he's "done." After losing nearly 50 pounds in six months, he doesn't see the point in trying anymore.

I wish I could be the queen of motivation and the Rocky coach who pushes him through this plateau. But it takes a lot just to get me to the Y for a workout and say no to fatty foods at every turn. I'm not sure I have enough energy left to pull him out of his frustration hole. The only person who can do that is Mr., with as much encouragement as I can offer.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 253 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (.5) pound
Total pounds lost: 48 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 189.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 48.5 pounds

Trying to Live Fit at BlogHer '08

2008-07-18T14:12:00.006-04:00

I'm surrounded by fabulous bloggers from all over North America here at BlogHer '08 in San Francisco. I'm also surrounded by potential landmines in the shape of delicious pastries, cookies, candies, and booze. Oh, and did I mention it's all FREE?

Soon after arriving yesterday afternoon, I realized I have to stay on my toes here. I splurged on an Italian lunch--salad, duck ravioli, bread (d'oh), and wine. Soooo good, sooo too many calories. Later in the day, I hit up a few too many appetizers at the parties I attended, along with yet more wine. Double d'oh!

This morning, I kicked back into fit gear. Woke up at 6 a.m. (that's 9 a.m. eastern time, so don't be too impressed) and headed straight for the hotel gym. I did a nice cardio workout and some strength training, while rehydrating with plenty of water. Breakfast, I passed on those oh-so-flaky croissants and stuck to fresh fruit (which was actually quite tasty).

In one of the sponsor suites (Sesame Street--so cool!), I snagged a can of delicious dried-fruit-and-nut mix. Thank you, Sesame Street! I needed that to keep on track until lunch.

Now, I'm sitting in a very lively session about Mommy Blogging (is it still a radical act? Hell yes, say the mommy bloggers here). Later, I'll hopefully get a few copies of Half-Assed signed by Half of Me blogger Jennette Fulda. I hope to chat more with Carmen from The ELFF Diet and meet more health and fitness bloggers at a "Birds of a Feather" session tomorrow. Can't wait!

Time to Update Your Bookmarks and Links

2008-07-16T06:50:00.000-04:00

The Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit blog now officially has its own domain name. Buh-bye, Blogspot address. Hello, MrAndMrsGetFit.com! Bookmark it. Update your blogroll, all three of you who list this blog. Tell your friends, fat or fit. We are movin' on up to the east side of the blogosphere.

This change comes just in time for BlogHer, too. Good thing, because my new business cards--beautifully designed by my pal Dave--reflect the new URL.

A big shout-out to Marty, blogger at Famine City and hubby to MommyBits, for helping me make this happen. It all started out looking so easy, but the process was beyond my limited technical abilities. Marty heeded my call of desperation and helped me out of my jam. He's like that.

Funny side story about Marty and MommyBits: Marty and I used to work together, and when I first started blogging on Working Moms Against Guilt, we got a comment from a blogger called NKYGal. I checked out her blog, and figured out it was written by Marty's wife.

So next time I saw him in the office, I said, "Hey, Marty! Love your wife's blog." And he was like, "Whuuuuuh?" Guy had no clue she had a blog. I had unknowingly outed her! I think she was cool with it. He started reading it and paying a lot more attention to her posts after that. Still makes me smile.

Weekly Weigh-in #28: Back on Track

2008-07-15T06:59:00.001-04:00

Mr. and I are not giving up on being Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit. We are in it for the long haul, people. After a lousy weigh-in last week, we grumbled a bit and felt a little discouraged. But then we picked ourselves back up and kept on eating healthy and working out (though not as much as we should have ... still need to pick up the pace there).

The scale showed some improvement, which is always a nice affirmation:

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 252.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 48.5 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 190.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 1 pound
Total pounds lost: 47.5 pounds

A few highlights from our week of recommitment to fitness:

I cleaned out our refrigerator and freezer. Boy, did it need it! Not only were there grody remains of foods gone by, but there were plenty of freezer-burned meats and condiments way past their "best by" dates. Now we have plenty of room to restock with delicious, healthy foods we actually want to eat (and hopefully won't give us salmonella).

We are loving berry season! Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries ... they're all quite plentiful and affordable this time of year, so we're liberally applying them to cereal, angel food cake, or just by themselves for a snack.

Yardwork and housecleaning burn calories, too. Sometimes, we don't go to the Y. Instead, Jay mows the lawn and I pull weeds. Or vacuum, dust, haul loads of laundry up and down two flights of stairs.

We're excited to try one of those dinner-prep places, where they put together all the ingredients for a fairly healthy good meal, and all you have to do is throw it in the oven. Maybe this will get us out of our "what's for dinner?" nightly rut. Check out Mr.'s post about it on his Mission Nutrition blog.

Mr. and I got new jeans that actually fit us. Mr.'s been cinching his fat pants with a belt for the last 48 pounds or so, and they started looking downright ridiculous. I told him so. Then we went to Target and bought him four pairs of pants that make him look soooo much trimmer. Plus, they don't fall down. Bonus! My new jeans were consignment Chicos, and I'm in a size I haven't seen for years: 16! Woo-hoo! I think they look pretty hot.

I am no longer technically "obese"! With my weight currently hovering just above the 180s (next week, perhaps?), I recalculated the ol' BMI. It's 29.8, which moves me from the "obese" BMI range to just "overweight." I know, BMI is somewhat arbitrary number and has its limitations. But it is "a reliable indicator of total body fat, which is related to the risk of disease and death," according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. In other words, it helps reassure me that I'm getting fitter.

Weird. I Actually MISS Working Out.

2008-07-10T06:40:00.000-04:00

I never thought I would get to the point in my fitness where I not only worked out regularly, but I also actually needed the stress relief and physical activity to feel my best. I just didn't think I had "that person" in me.

Turns out, I do!

The last few days, I've been extra busy with work and social stuff. I simply haven't been able to work in a workout since last weekend. And I'm feeling it! I'm jonesin' to get back to the Y tonight and pump! me up! with weights, sweat to the oldies on a treadmill, and feel the rush of those sweet, sweet endorphins.

Who AM I? Hopefully, a person who can get her butt to the Y a few more times before next week's weigh-in. Otherwise, the plateau will continue.

(Also, three cheers for Mr., who woke up at 4 this morning and rode the stationary bike!)

Weekly Weigh-in #27: Hello, Plateau

2008-07-08T06:27:00.000-04:00

If you were hanging out at our house this morning, you wouldn't have seen a lot of smiling faces. Except for our daughter, who has only pounds to gain as she grows big and strong. She was happy as a clam.

Mr. and I were bummed. We didn't make any progress this week.

Jay
Starting weight: 301 pounds
Current weight: 253.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: 0 pounds
Total pounds lost: 47.5 pounds

Susan
Starting weight: 238 pounds
Current weight: 191.5 pounds
Pounds lost this week: (.5) pounds
Total pounds lost: 46.5 pounds

Boo. This doesn't seem right. I busted my butt at the Y several times this week, as well as a few at-home workouts. I ate fruit. I got the child-sized cup of ice cream when I went out with my friends. I passed on wine--more than once.

Well, we're just gonna keep at this thing. No plateau is going to hold us back!

I Think I Can, I Think I Can

2008-07-07T06:40:00.001-04:00

When Mr. and I started this fit journey six months ago, I really wanted to believe we could do it. With 199 pounds between us to lose, I knew we'd need to think positive, reach for the stars, believe it to achieve it--insert your favorite Successories or self-help book cliche here.

But not too far beneath the surface, I had nagging doubts I'd actually achieve my goal. (I wasn't too sure about Mr., either.) After all, we'd tried losing weight and getting fit before--together and separately. It had worked sometimes, for a while, and never lasted. Why would this time be any different? Oh yeah, because we had a blog.

We kept at it, though, despite any lingering questions about whether it was possible. Doubt, schmoubt. We just kept living fit, day after day, and hoping it would all work out.

Now, we're nearly halfway to our goal. We've shed 94 pounds of our fat, and have 105 more to go. I realized I now feel confident we can actually do this.

Not to say I'm doubt-free. But negative thoughts that maybe we'll backslide and scrap the whole thing have been reduced to a small fraction of what they were. Most days, I wake up and think, "Another day of living fit? Sure. Let's do it."

I can visualize what we'll look like in another few months, as I step on the treadmill and get my heartrate up. I can imagine myself going on vacation and eating like a normal, healthy person, and enjoying it--not pigging out on every local "delicacy" and junk food along the way, avoiding physical activity wherever possible.

Confidence may help me power through the next 40 pounds of weight loss. I hope I accumulate enough to motivate me to stay fit for life.