a quick post about weight loss...

I first wrote about my desire to lose about 50 pounds here and here. Yes, you heard me right - Fifty! And so I started walking to work and then walking for about 45 minutes 3 days a week during my lunch break. And guess what... 3 months later and I hadn't lost a single pound!! Embarrassing!! So I quickly realized that I could walk and walk and walk until my legs fell off, but if I didn't change my eating habits... it wasn't going to really matter. I guess the term ''lifestyle change'' wasn't as bogus as I thought afterall...

I found a link online several weeks ago, and it's been so inspiring that I just had to share it with you! I mean, losing weight is the hardest thing in the world to do [especially for foodies like myself!] and if you're anything like I am, a step by step guide can be the extra nudge you need...so here's what I've been doing:

Breakfast: 1 packet of oatmeal, made with water + vitamin

Lunch: 1 can of vegetable soup, sometimes a half sandwich + vitamin

(Friday's I treat myself to a 12-inch veggie sub at Subway!)

Dinner: Some sort of pasta and grilled chicken

*Sometimes I eat a 100 calorie bag of popcorn around 2pm if I'm hungry.

Basically, I haven't been drinking soda or juices and I haven't been eating chips around the clock - I haven't even really been craving these foods either, which I find amazing. Actually, I just realized over the weekend that I haven't had chips with my lunch for almost 2 weeks now - I didn't even notice! Another thing that I've been doing is paying attention to portion sizes, and this has really helped me out. I no longer eat until I feel like I'm going to throw up... which is gross to admit, but that's what I was used to doing up until a few weeks ago. I've been listening to my body, and it has payed off in a big way! Another thing I have been doing, I wait until my stomach growls before I eat -- this may not be helpful for everyone, but it's been a really great way for me to learn when I am hungry and when I am eating out of boredom.

So... workout schedule. I'm not gonna lie, I've been busting my ass in the gym and the more I work out the better I feel! Seriously!!! Monday, Wednesday and Friday I have been working out in the gym for 30 minutes before work. This workout basically consists of 20 minutes on the treadmill (walking 5 minutes at 3.5 speed; running 5 minutes at 5.6 speed; ect) and then 10 minutes of free weights, which focus on my inner and outer thighs, arms and abs. Then, on my lunch break I get on the treadmill for another 25 minutes walking/running in the same intervals as I did that morning. Tuesday and Thursday I take a "break" and only work out during my lunch break, so the same as the other days, except I get to sleep in an extra hour. I will admit, I am extremely lucky that my job has it's own gym - and the gym is on the same hall as I am.

As crazy as it may sound, the more I bust my ass in the gym the less I want to ruin my hard work by eating crappy foods from the vending machine. Before, I would reward myself for a good workout by eating ice cream or chips or both... but I don't really want that anymore because I don't want my hard work to be wasted on a 5 minute indulgence.

I will be honest with you, I stepped on the scale yesterday and I almost cried. When I looked again today and saw that it was even lower... I almost ran from office to office in excitement! So far, I have lost 6 pounds!!! And that's only since last Monday... I'm pretty proud & it feels good that I've worked for every pound I've lost!

As I mentioned on facebook several months ago, once I lose the first 20lbs I'm going to reward myself with a tattoo [sorry, mom!].... I want this guy on the back of my right upper arm :)

Anyway, sorry to ramble on and on... but maybe there's some one out there who needed a little inspiration and this post did just the trick. Maybe there isn't, and this was just a nice little ''virtual pat on the back'' to myself. Either way, it feels good to feel good about yourself!