My Frenemy, TOM

I have PCOS and it is a bitch. I have been dealing with it since I was 15 years old and you think I would be used to it by now.

One of the perks of PCOS is the lack of periods. That is now, at this time in my life when I am done having children.

One of the downfalls of PCOS is the lack of periods as well.

I only have a period twice a year on average. I do admit that it is nice not having to deal with my frenemy TOM paying me a visit every 28 days.

However, when TOM does pay me a visit, he makes up for lost time in a big way.

The month of March was not a good one as far as exercise and weight loss goes. I started feeling like a big piece of poo and was so tired and cranky at the beginning of the month.

At first I blamed it on the weather, Ohio winters can be miserable.

But all of the sudden TOM called to let me know he was coming. He wouldn't tell me when but he would get here when he got here.

It took two weeks of PMS for him to arrive and he stayed for a week and a half.

TOM always overstays his welcome.

He brought his usual gifts: water weight, salty/ sweet cravings, mood swings. acne and fatigue.

Did I mention how generous he is?

That bastard finally left and, after spending the weekend recovering, I am back in the game.

So here I am.

Counting calories, 1553 per day for now.

Exercise, 45 minutes a day. at least 5 days a week.

Current weight, 238.0

Pants size, a very loose 20

I have 20 days to get my arse outta the 230's

Keep on keepin' on

I have been plugging along as usual, counting calories and working out. I have been slacking in the strength training department and my arms are suffering for it. I have lost a lot of weight in them recently but they just look like deflated balloons full of cottage cheese :(

My calorie count for now is 1600 and I have been doing 30 minutes on the elliptical about four or five days a week.

I have been a good girl and taking my meds, vitamin included, and trying to drink a good amount of water.

I am wearing size 20 jeans very comfortably and this morning I weighed in at 237 lbs which was my pre-pregnancy weight with Aidan over 5 years ago. I haven't seen that weight since my six week post-partum visit in March of 2006.

My body is definitely not the same as it used to be. Everything is so much more..."hangy" this time. I guess two kids will do that to a girl. That's why they invented plastic surgery, right?

Here are this week's pictures:

I realize that I have been looking like a hot mess in all of these photos but, in my defense, I take them before heading out to the gym.

So here is a pic of my face with a little makeup:

Oh! I almost forgot! I met my St. Paddy's Day goal of getting out of the 240's. Next mini-goal is to get out of the 230's by Easter Sunday.

8 weeks later

I just needed to pat myself on the back for a minute. I started my lifestyle overhaul 8 weeks ago and this is what happened:

1. I quit smoking, cold turkey, and have not had a cigarette for 8 weeks.

2. I have lost 27.4 pounds, which is over 10% of my starting body weight.

3. I have gone from a size 24 jean to a size 20, and a pretty snug size 18 :^:

4. I have learned an enormous amount about food and am amazed at the garbage I used to shove down my throat by the pound on a daily basis.

5. I have gone from barely being able to do 3 minutes on the elliptical to doing a full 30 to 40 minutes.

6. I am starting to recognize the face I see in the mirror.

7. I am starting to gain more self confidence.

I still have a very long road to travel but I am determined to reach my destination.

Here's to another productive eight weeks!

Picture Update for the last weekend of Feb

I am really looking forward to a day when I can look at my before and after pics and say "WOW!" I do see some progress but not a ton. I am scared I am never going to get rid of that hangy blubbery tummy also known as the "gunt." Ickkk!

The first pic in pink was taken at 268 pounds and the second is from today at 242 pounds. 26 pounds gone :) I am toying around with the idea of doing some underoo shots so that it is all out there, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Well, that's all for now, I am off to the gym as soon as I locate my missing earbuds.

First Progress Pics

Here is my first set of progress pics. Neither pic is pretty but I can see a wee bit of a difference already. Please excuse the crappy cell phone shots. I will try to use my regular camera from now on.

The Slippery Slope

The fall from staying on plan to a three day binge is short. EXTREMELY short!

I have been sick off and on for a few weeks. I tried to fight through it. I even kept up at the gym, keeping pace on the treadmill with a wad of snotty tissues in my pocket.

This past weekend, I fell apart. I haven't worked out since Friday. I haven't stayed on plan since Friday either.

I did, however, have my eyes opened toward my relationship with food. I found myself deciding that I was going to be off plan initially for entertainment value. Food is not for entertainment, food is for energy. Food sustains life. Food shouldn't equal a fun Saturday night.

I also found that once I let myself stray from my plan I found "excuses" to stay off plan i.e. "I am sick so I should eat whatever I want to make myself feel better. "

NO!!! I am sitting here today regretting every single bite I have put into my mouth over the past few days.

The birthday cake wasn't worth it.

Neither was the Indian food.

Nor the Cheetos.

So, now I declare that this very minute I am back on plan.

I will count my 1500 calories diligently.

I will drink my water.

I will take my meds.

I will hit the gym.

And, most importantly, I will stop and think before I venture into the kitchen to snack. Am I hungry or bored? I am I hungry enough to be satisfied with an apple or carrot sticks?

It's really time to quit screwing around. Thirty will be here before I know it.

Those first few pounds lost felt better than anything I have eaten.

First goal met!

I tried out something new yesterday. I drug my ass out of bed @ 5:30 am and spent almost two hours at the gym. I did C25K and the elliptical with a little strength training in between.

I felt pretty good all day. I got a little tired around noon but I managed to make it all day without a nap.

Then, I made a huge mistake. I went to step class. I felt like I was really going to die halfway through. I just felt drained. I am definitely going to have to up my caloric intake if I want to work out that hard.

I was exhausted today. I attempted to start week 2 of C25K and only made it through two of the 90 second runs :(

So, lesson learned. If I kill myself working/dieting too hard one day I won't be effective the next.

It's not worth it.

And for some happy news...

I hit my first goal yesterday! I am under 250 pounds and a week early too :)

One more pound until I am 20 pounds down.

My next goal will be to out of the 240's by St. Patrick's Day.

If I can keep up my current trend I should have no problem.

Keeping my fingers crossed!