Week Four August 3, 2009
Posted by Babs O'Leary in dieting.20 comments
Today I am down a total of SIX POUNDS.
*doing the cabbage patch*
I have a fancy work dinner on Thursday and another function on Saturday. I hope I can resist temptation…and free booze.
Week Three July 27, 2009
Posted by Babs O'Leary in dieting.12 comments
I’ve decided to take drastic measures to jump start this weight loss thing. Also, I really can’t be trusted with cocktails, frosted flakes, french fries or tortilla chips.
On Saturday I cut off all carbs. All of them!
Today I am down 3 pounds.
I can do this.
Week Two July 20, 2009
Posted by Babs O'Leary in Exercise, dieting.3 comments
Last week I managed to lose a whole half a pound. This week that half a pound found me, and just to let me know who’s boss, added an additional pound.
That’s right, I am UP 1.5 pounds from my original starting point. Booooooo!!!!! Hiiissssssss!
I can’t say I’m surprised. I’m not. Way too much eating last week. Two work (read:FREE) functions with open bar and open snacks. My date on Friday ordered that second sushi roll, not me. And, well, let’s just say I ate my weight in taco dip on Saturday plus washed each and every plate down with a glass of cabernet followed by a bandito’s weight in tequila and that leaves me feeling quite large and in charge.
This week, another work dinner, but that’s about it. Unfortunately, my exercise options are limited lest I end up walking around dragging my leg behind me for the rest of my life.
Week One July 13, 2009
Posted by Babs O'Leary in dieting.8 comments
I know you are all waiting with baited breath on an update on my first week of weight loss.
*drum roll* (more…)
16 Pounds July 7, 2009
Posted by Babs O'Leary in Exercise, dieting.13 comments
Blogland, you would have to be blind to have not may or may not have noticed that I have put on a few pounds as of late. My weight has been gradually increasing over the last year or so, and then with my recent sedentary-ordained lifestyle it has gotten worse. To be perfectly honest, I kinda don’t care, but I truly cannot afford to buy big girl new clothes so I guess I need to get off my fat ass and do something about it. Additionally, my mom and aunt are also embarking on a weight loss journey, so as a symbol of solidarity, I am joining them.
I have determined that I need to lose about sixteen pounds to get back to a place where I’m not repulsed at the sight of my naked flesh. I can’t do too much walking, and running is absolutely out of the question, so I will have to get creative with the cardio. Last night I did about 25 minutes on the bike before my backside became numb. I’d like to add in some water aerobics and hot yoga too, but that will require some creative ways of getting out of work earlier.
As far as diet, I am not in the mood to follow one specific plan, so I will pull in a mix of different diet plans. Generally speaking, I’ll be cutting out fried foods, lots of carbs and sugar. I went to the market last night and bought a few days worth of foods. I spent nearly $50 dollars. Eating right is not cheap!
The next few weeks are going to be a challenge. My social calendar is full and my body is constantly aching. But with 35 on the horizon, I am determined to get back to a more comfortable place.
The Overeater: Part One March 12, 2009
Posted by Babs O'Leary in Food, dieting.9 comments
My love affair with food began early on. A tour through family photo albums will quickly reveal that food has always been a focal point of gatherings and celebrations. That is not uncommon, as many families are the same way.
I think my compulsive overeating began in my youth. As the quintessential latchkey kid, I often ate out of sheer boredom and loneliness. When I wasn’t performing for my dolls and stuffed animals, I was eating. I can recall quite vividly melting cheese in the microwave and eating it just like that. With a fork of course! I didn’t know any of the kids in my neighborhood because I went to school in another school district. And even if I did I was banished to our apartment because my mom worked two jobs and I was not permitted to come and go as I pleased.
I was never a fat kid, although I certainly thought I was. Apparently my mom did too because before I even hit junior high she had me dieting. To this day I loathe strawberry yogurt and melba toast. Yuck! And I absolutely abhor group fitness classes like aerobics.
Of course the deprivation of anything good to eat caused me to sneak food whenever I could. After school I would go to the store with my friends and buy green onion potato chips and chocolate éclair ice cream bars. That’s when I first discovered salty and sweet were the perfect marriage. Once, I scraped up all the nickels and dimes I could just so a friend and I could buy a box of thin mints. We ate them all in one sitting. I don’t really recall the specifics, but I remember my mom found out and I got in trouble.
Overeating wasn’t done just when I was alone. On weekends when my dad picked me up, I usually ended up spending the weekend at my grandmother’s house because of his work schedule. My grandmother is the typical big, southern woman. She made pound cakes, meat-laden green beans and potato salad that was out of this world. I would eat her potato salad by the cupfuls never being told that it was a bad idea.
All of this and I haven’t even gotten to high school yet!
I am sharing all of this today because…well, because I share almost everything with you guys! Also, I think it will help give you more insight into how and why people develop addictions to food.
Next up: Teens and Early Adult
Hey Jenny! December 17, 2008
Posted by Babs O'Leary in dieting.20 comments
Has anyone ever done Je.nn.y Cr.aig (heretofore known as J.Craig)?
The idea of prepackaged meals appeals to me. A lot of my problem is not being prepared when my stomach gets to growling. If my meals were completely planned every day, coupled with calorie and portion control, I know I could have more success.
I’ve heard of people who have been on it before and they all say the food is pretty tasty. The only thing about J.Craig is the cost. I have no idea how much it costs, but I am guessing it’s pretty pricey. In addition to paying for the actual food, I am sure there is an ass tax membership fee.
So spill it. Who has joined the ranks of Kirstie and Valarie?
The Biggest Reject September 18, 2008
Posted by Babs O'Leary in Entertainment, dieting.13 comments
There is a new show getting ready to start called ATL Bigg.est Loser. When I told my friends CaliSlim and Keyalus that I was going to submit an application to be on the show they laughed at me. Hell, I think the tall one even scoffed! They did not think that I was big enough to be on that show. Shiiiiiiiiiid, I have XX number of pounds to lose. That is a fantastic number for a 12 week reality show. And there are more women running around looking like me than the 300+ set.
Nevertheless, I was rejected. Despite my fabulous audition tape, which I would show you if I didn’t say my government name and all. I’m really bummed. How cool would that be to have the support of that show to help me lose weight. I coulda been a contender!
Would you go on a reality show? One that didn’t require you to leave your home, family, job for an extended period of time.
MK&A Diet September 9, 2008
Posted by Babs O'Leary in dieting.7 comments
Okay, looks like I need to clarify a bit. Sure I was exercising. Sure I cut out white foods. But I was by no means dieting, at least not healthily. I would eat two fried eggs and a piece a wheat toast for breakfast, a vegetarian pizza patty for lunch (no bun) with a cup of applesauce, and maybe a four strip from ChickFila with a large diet lemonade. I would then have cravings for things like cookies and brownies so I would make an ENTIRE pan of brownies of which I would eat one or two and then I would throw the entire pan away. Talk about wasteful. I did this several times a week. I also would consume about a half a pint of ice cream daily.
So you see it was by no means a healthy diet. I just ate smaller portions of the same stuff, which worked but didn’t really change my bad eating habits and that is why my weight is creeping back up.
Knowing is the first step towards change…
How’d she do that??? September 9, 2008
Posted by Babs O'Leary in dieting.17 comments
Some of you are very good at following directionshelping a girl out. Big ups to all my sweeties who popped up in my Inbox. You are, like, totally radical!
Someone asked how I managed to drop from a size 20 down to what was once a size 12 (and a size ten for about 4 weeks). The key, my good friends, is simple.
Depression.
Yes, it’s true. I wish I could tell you I followed a strict exercise and diet regimen a la Keyalus. The truth is that I followed the mantra of a couple of hollywood starlet billionaires- Mary Kate and Ashley.
I sh!t you not. MiMi, tell em the truth! I embarked upon the Mary Kate and Ashley Diet. Tagline: Eat as little as possible. No, they don’t actually have a tagline. I made it up. But it worked!
So here is what I did. I would eat as little food as possible at each meal. I wasn’t really concerned with eating healthy or getting fruits and vegetables. I ate just enough to make the hunger stop. I also COMPLETELY cut out ALL white foods- pasta, rice, and white bread. And I ran three miles a day MINIMUM. Most days I would run and do bootcamp or weight training. But I did something every day.
This, of course, was all due the separation and subsequent divorce. But I have to tell you, some people put on a lot of weight in situations like that. If my fate was to drop several dress sizes, then sobeit. In a matter of about 4 months I dropped between 30-40 pounds. Gosh I almost wish I could be depressed like that again. Almost!
Boys and girls, Babs is not encouraging you to try the MK&A diet. Unless of course you really have the willpower and are willing to get lots of exercise. But I will say cutting out white foods was key. This stopped me from eating sandwiches, french fries, pancakes and other tasty goodness that goes straight to my hips.
Now, for those of you that have lost weight the healthy way, how did you do it?
