Week Nineteen: The Dear-God-I-Need-To-Recalculate New Eating Lifestyle

It's been a weird but wonderful week.

In my last post I told you I went to the nutritionist's office to get 'unofficially' weighed in. What I didn't mention was I used a different scale. My last two weigh-ins were unofficial (one was on her scale and one wasn't), but I wrote them down anyway.

My official appointment was Thursday. The readout was 292.5 It looked like I gained a pound.

That was impossible. I know this because I had two days that were almost zero calories days this week (because I exercised most of them off), and I didn't go more than 100 calories over my 1500 limit. Something was off.

I went to the 'unofficial' scale, and it said 290.5. This scale said I lost another pound!

In my eagerness to find out my weight, I screwed up and used a different scale. Bad idea.

She checked my chart and my last 'official' weigh-in (about 4-5 weeks ago) was 300.5. I am now officially 292.5. That's an eight pound loss! So I didn't really break my plateau last week, but that's okay- I still lost a decent amount of weight, and stayed within the 1.5-2 pound loss a week ratio.

That. Is. Awesome.

The next time I want to check in before my appointment, I better make sure I use her scale next time- or add two pounds to the other scale. At least until I can get my own and calibrate hers and mine so the scales will be in sync with each other.

The next mini goal is to be under 292, then get into the 280's by next month. We set some new exercise goals now that my exercise bike is busted beyond repair (it was discontinued five years ago, unfortunately, and I worked the snot out of it and broke the pedal!), including talking my husband into taking walks with me. He needs to walk as well, just to clean out his lungs after working in a mill all day.

Even though the numbers got messed up and I'm heavier than I thought I was, it's still a triumph- eight pounds is a good thing! I can't wait to see the scale next month- I wonder what numbers I'll see next time?


Lessons learned:

Use the same scale, in the same spot for accurate numbers.

Using a real bike will be different than using an exercise bike- I have to adjust the effort vs. the time I spent on the exercise bike to lose the same amount of calories.

Walking is always good, but better if someone walks with you. Especially if he's your Schmoopsiepoo.

Swimming can be added to the exercise list when the park pool opens- and the mile walk round-trip won't hurt either.

Don't dread sweat- or pulling weeds in the garden.


This weekend was a holiday, and I ate stuff that wasn't the best for me, but still maintained most of my caloric goals. This week? Experimenting with salads!

Week Eighteen: The Dear-God-Every-Half-Pound-Counts! New Eating Lifestyle

I had to postpone my Nutritionist appointment, but they still let me weigh myself before the weekend.

I'm now 291.5- I lost another 5.5 pounds!

This is not only a weight loss celebration, it's a benchmark- all thanks to that little half pound. This is the lightest I've been since I was pregnant with my daughter fourteen years ago. 

I had done the diet thing and the exercise thing, but the lowest I'd ever gotten was 292 pounds. I couldn't break that plateau. I'd remain there for weeks, then give up and gain all the weight back- and more. My weight was a yo-yo going in the wrong direction.

To be honest I really thought I'd lost more- 5.5 pounds is a little less than 1.5 pounds a week, and despite the fact I didn't exercise as much, I was still staying within my calorie counts. I was hoping to have lost more.

But when I saw that number 291.5, I had to smile. I'd broken a major plateau! How awesome is that?

My next goal is still 275, but I forgot all about this mini-goal until I looked at the scale.

It feels really, really, good. 

This weekend I was running a community event, and burned the exact amount of calories I consumed. Don't ask me how that happened. I couldn't calculate that if I tried! Calorie-wise, Saturday was a wash- 0 calories are hanging on the hips...WOOHOO!

I'll be working at the polls this Tuesday, so as long as I eat a good breakfast and take something for lunch I should be okay and not overindulge. Unless there's pizza. I might have that if they order it. Total yummo.

It's amazing what a little half-pound will do. It really does matter! That tiny weight loss turned a frustrating situation into a triumph. I'm encouraged to do more than I ever have, because that nasty plateau is shattered!

I go to the Nutritionist this week for my official weigh-in. I'm so excited to tell her about my breakthrough!

Lessons learned:

Every half-pound counts.

Stop grousing about how much you should have lost- the point is you lost.

Mini goals can be more encouraging than bigger goals.

Step up the exercise- even on hot/cold/wet/windy days- and days you ache from overdoing it at events.

Recognize that 0 calorie days are rare, and should remain so. Major calorie burns are good here and there, but not on a regular basis. 

Learn that sweating isn't a bad thing. 


That last lesson is a tough one- I hate to sweat. Unfortunately I'm really good at it, especially when it's humid. (That's more fortunate than unfortunate body-wise, but you get the idea.) It's already in the high eighties and sometimes nineties, and I look like I'd just been swimming after doing yard work- not to mention the sweat in my eyes and droplets dripping off of my hair. It's times like these I know someone important is going to knock on the door, when I'm a hot, sweaty mess. Bleah!

Water weighs a lot more than fat does, so maybe this can be a good thing- especially if I take a shower before seeing my nutritionist! Every half pound matters...right? Including sweat!

Week Seventeen: The Dear-God-Where-Did-My-Chin-Go New Eating Lifestyle

In the beginning, I had two chins.

I should have had more, but instead of a bunch of teeny-tiny ones, I have my regular chin and one really, really big chin that goes down the entire length of my neck. Sexy, I know.

One day I passed by my mirror and noticed that "Big Chin" wasn't so big anymore. In fact, I could even glimpse my jawline and part of my 'real' neck. Sometimes you don't need a scale to tell if you're still losing weight!

For the first time in a very long time, I smiled at my reflection. 

Last week was a calorie disaster. This week I was diligent in what I ate, and recorded everything, finding new ways to lose calories since I broke my exercise bike. Did you know two hours of moderate housework can burn over 600 calories? I didn't. And now that I do, cleaning the house doesn't seem so bad after all.

A skinnier chin and a cleaner house- life is gettin' good here at the Brubaker's!

Oh I was one big ache the next day, but I expected that. Stretching new muscles for two hours straight isn't easy, but I had the weekend to recover. I'm still not sure whether to be grateful that I have such a messy family or not. I have a great reason for burning calories, but I still wish the house would stay clean!

As for the yard, all the plants are planted, and all that's left is yard work. get the irony? All that's left...as if I only have to do one or two things back in that jungle of twigs, debris and leaves. Nature is almost as bad as my kids when it comes to keeping things neat.

My husband is also noticing the change in my body's shape when he hugs me or snuggle on the couch. Let's just say he's a happy camper- he is no matter what shape I'm in, but I think he likes the changes as much as I do.

This week is going to be an active one. I'm running a community yard sale fundraiser for my local recreation center, and I usually run the concession stand. This year I'm learning to make cotton candy, and I'll have an hour or two to practice before the big day. I've been looking up videos on making flower shaped ones, and the best part is my kids can eat my mistakes. No worries with calories here- I hate the fluffy stuff! 
I'll be there at the crack of dawn marking spots and doing both the set-up and break-down. It's a long day, and that doesn't include the running around I have to do during the week. And this is on top of housework, editing and writing. I think I have an appointment with my nutritionist too, so at least I'll know if I lost anything before the event- except for my wits. They left ages ago.

Lessons learned:

Finding alternatives to exercise equipment can be a challenge, but can benefit me and my family more when I'm creative in my solutions.

Just do it. Nike had the right idea. Stop dreading the workout and get it done. 

Having a regular breakfast and a lighter lunch helps keep the calories under control during dinner. 

If I know dinner is on the light side, I have a fruity snack after lunch so I don't get overly hungry.

I really need to plan dinner menus better!

When in doubt about weight loss, look in the mirror and see the positive changes.

Now that I'm under 300 pounds, Get. A. Scale.


Food-wise, this was a good week. Body-wise, this was a great week. Now all I have to do is be consistent with my exercise and behave myself concerning calories, and I'll be down to 275 lbs. (my next goal) in no time!

Week Sixteen: The Dear-God-I'm-Having-A-Lousy-Cal-Week New Eating Lifestyle

Calorie-wise, it's been a rough week.

I was over my 1500 goal more often than I was under it. My exercise bike pedal broke. And i felt myself slipping back into old habits because we had company over the weekend.

But I promised myself I'd be honest in my calorie logging, and I didn't like what I saw this week.

I was over 2000 calories at least twice.
I was over 1700 calories at least twice.
I didn't exercise each day. When the bike broke, and I should have found other ways to spend those calories (at least 500 of them), but I decided to 'take a break' instead.

Two events over the weekend destroyed my calorie counts. One was a face-painting event with a pizza shop next door, and I bought a cheese steak. I ate half for lunch and half for dinner, then took the family out for ice cream afterwards. Let's just say there's a lot of calories in a two scoop cone with jimmies- especially when the ice cream is locally made and are called Raspberry cheesecake and chocolate raspberry swirl chocolate chip. In a waffle cone. A very rare treat i enjoyed immensely.

And then came Sunday.

There's something about cookouts that just make you want to eat more. We had friends over and I not only had a fantastic chicken sausage (on a roll no less) but a cheeseburger as well. I was only going to eat half, but I ate the whole thing. Then my husband brought out sliced bananas and strawberries- nice, redeeming fruit- and a homemade chocolate whipped cream topping. 
Had I behaved myself earlier, the topping would've been okay. It didn't matter, because I took some anyway. This is the first week where I completely lost control.

I'm concerned that I'll fall back into my old habits again. I don't think during this entire plan have I eaten so much in a two day period! Even now, early in the morning, my stomach is growling, and it hasn't done that much since the first two weeks. I'm also concerned that this is going to derail my weight loss. Clothing is still getting loose, so I think I have a good chance at redemption.

Walking is going to have to take precedence until the bike is repaired or replaced. I've no idea what to do on rainy days- maybe put on some tunes and dance? I'd become accustomed to my forty-five minute biking sessions- I hate making abrupt changes, but something has to be done to burn some serious calories, otherwise I'll be gaining again.

If this continues, my nutritionist might cut the calorie count. Honestly, I don't know if I can even do that at this point! When I stop panicking, I'll use this setback to spring forward, but for now, my confidence is waning just a bit.

Lessons learned:

Stop blaming events for falterings. 

Plan ahead and drink a lot of water at social events instead of eating food.

If you want to eat two foods, half the servings and savor them.

Find alternative exercises to not only use as a safety net when something breaks, but allow some variety in the workout. Target different muscle groups!

Get the veggies cut for snacks soon after you buy them and stop waiting until you're hungry.

Menu plan, menu plan, menu plan! 

When you lose control, plan more exercise and/or intake less calories in the next few days after the setback(s).


It's been a rough week, but I'll get through it. The best part about blogging all of this is I can look back and see my progress, and that helps me move forward! This week I'll be planning a lighter menu- clear broth soups, salads for lunch, more veggies on the plate at dinner- anything filling that will get those counts back under the 1500 mark. 
As for exercise, it's a beautiful warm day, so I'll be taking a nice long walk!

Week Fifteen: The Dear-God-I-Bought-New-Undies New Eating Lifestyle

New undies. I never knew undergarments could make a big woman so happy.

At least until I realized they were two sizes smaller!

I was a 22-24, and now I'm an 18-20. Is that awesome or what? I'm still not buying a bikini-unless that sucker looks like a bodysuit with a Spanx sewn inside.

I'm not breathing heavy when I go up the steps anymore. I'm willing to walk farther in the parking lot, and don't mind walking a few blocks to meet up with my husband a little sooner when he's coming to get me in the van. In fact, it's becoming fun!

It's starting to get warm here, and the garden is getting planted bit by bit. There's a ton of yard work and when the rain stops I'll go out and rake, pull weeds, sweep, and cut up more fodder for our fire pit. I put a healthy dent into the brush pile last week, but there's still a lot to do.

Sometimes I find myself just sitting outside and enjoying the sun on my face when I take a break from the house. I think part of me is solar powered- I feel great afterward! Maybe I just needed to get out of the house for a little while. The quiet is nice too, along with the chirping birds and scampering wildlife. Exercise is good, but sometimes you need to stop to recharge the spiritual batteries.

Food-wise the calorie counts are good, but I want to do better. I want to stay under 1500 calories a day consistently. I go over at least twice a week. Not a lot over mind you, but I'd really like to have those counts at 1500 or less on a regular basis. And no, doing exercise doesn't count- I'm still consuming more than I should, even though MyFitnessPal adds the extra calories "earned" by exercising. Just prepping myself for the day I might have to cut back.

There's a limit to my time allowed for exercise, because I like doing the indoor stuff by myself, and have yet to get family and friends involved in daily walks/biking/whatever. My husband should exercise, but his time is even more limited than mine, and getting the kids outside is like trying to get a sloth to run a marathon- unless it's to go get water ice or ice cream. Sigh. Hopefully this summer will get their rumps moving through jobs and volunteer work.

In the meantime, I have a house to run, crafts to create, and books to read and write. My interests lead a sedentary life- one I still want to keep while starting an active one!

It's a beautiful sunny morning. I think I'll take a walk today in my new undies!

Lessons learned:

Buying just one or two new (and smaller) clothing items can really make you feel awesome!

I need to find ways to make walks/biking interesting- otherwise I won't do it!

All this experience might make a good book.

Clear broth soups for lunch allows me to have more calorie expensive dinners, making the menu more diverse.

Diversity is good! It prevents food boredom.

Week Fourteen- The Dear-God-I'm-Feelin'-Skinny New Eating Lifestyle

Well looky there- I have feet!

I looked down the other day and noticed something. Something I haven't seen in the upright position in a long time. My feet. I still had a little trouble seeing them because God gifted me with upper-body blessings, but I could still see toes poking out past the valley twixt the mountains.

My belly no longer hits the exercise bike bars- or the steering wheel of the van. And now that spring is here and coats are stored away, I had to adjust the seat up a little further! Okay maybe a half inch further, but it still counts.

For those who are "of size" we usually have a wardrobe that flexes with us. Lycra and spandex are our friends. But after a thirty-eight pound loss, the Lycra doesn't need to stretch as far (or at all in some places- WOOHOO!) and things are starting to succumb to gravity's pull. I might have to get new clothing soon!

Luckily for me most of my clothes were getting tight, so now they're loose. Not loose enough to fall off (yet), but just getting to where they fit just right. I had no idea I was treating myself like a sausage for so long! Now I know what "it fits" means; it means you can lift your arms all the way up and the bottom of the shirt lifts a little- not rolls itself all the way up to your eyebrows.

I am no longer a sausage! Yay me!

Shorts that didn't fit last year now feel perfect and some of them feel a little loose. I'm not going out to buy a bikini anytime soon (so put away those cameras, beach guys), but I do have some used-to-be-tight swimwear I might fit into this year.

I'm feeling skinny!

I did have two backsliding moments this week. We had a birthday party for my daughter with homemade pizza and a home baked cake, and after checking out the calories of the pizza, I could have three slices! Did I need three slices? No. Did I eat three slices? Yep. Should I have eaten three slices? Heck no! After I overindulged I felt like a bloated walrus. it didn't help that we ran late doing family activities yesterday and we got take-out pizza, fries and cheesesteaks. I ate all that too, and take-out pizza has a lot more calories than my home baked version.

So I blew off this weekend and will hop back on the bike today. Some people hate Mondays, but I love them. I get to start over, fresh and new!

Lessons learned:

Just because I can have more, doesn't mean I should. Especially since I blew my calorie count out of the water the next day.

Small bites to savor the flavor not only stretches out the meal, but gives you time to feel full. Had I eaten slower this weekend, I might not have had that third slice of homemade pizza, or the second slice of take-out pizza the next day.

Picking a day to "start over" is always a good thing.

Forgiving yourself for an off day (or weekend) is key to sticking with your plan.

When in doubt of yourself, look down and see your toes. Wiggle them and smile.

I get weighed again in a few weeks- sooner if I can find a good home scale. I'm still on the fence about that though, because the scale isn't the only reason I'm doing this. The numbers only show that I truly am losing, and that my body is becoming more fit- but numbers aren't the only thing that tell me that.

I want to walk a mile without getting winded. I'm almost there. I want to start light jogging soon. I want to enter walkathons, marathons (where I can still walk) and join/organize walking clubs. I want to get to the point where I can go up the Appalachian trail again with my husband- and this time, get to the top. I'm setting fitness goals as well as weight loss numbers. 

After all, I'm already healthy- I'm just not fit. Yet.

Week Thirteen: The Dear-God-It's-Time-To-Reevaluate New Eating Lifestyle

Since my weight loss is leveling off at about a pound a week, my nutritionist and I are stepping things up. Since I didn't want a cut in the calories, we're going the way of extra exercises instead. And if this doesn't work, she will cut my calories. So I better get good, quick.

I also think I underestimated my intake, because I've been guesstimating cups and half cup servings. So I started using actual measuring cups to dole out my portions.

What I found was interesting.

I thought meat was heavier, so when I took out my little food scale, I could have more meat than I thought! I wasn't off by much, but it made me happy that I underestimated my meat intake. I love meat!

I was overestimating the side dishes by a tablespoon or two, but that's okay concerning veggies. However, carby stuff like pasta, potatoes and rice is not good to overestimate- you'd be surprised how many calories that adds up to at the end of the month!

After reevaluating my portions, I wasn't too far off the mark, but still off. That accounts for a little drag on the weight loss. That means I have to step up the exercise. Darn!

In addition to my 40 minute exercise bike workout, I need to do at least 30-60 minutes of other activity too- the more vigorous, the better. On nice days I can walk, bike (a real one this time), or do yard work. But what about the rainy days? For me, housework is never fun, but then it's never done either, so there's always something to do. Maybe not vigorous, but active, and that's what I'm shooting for- I just have to work longer. Yay.

Right now, mopping the floor tops the list. Then there's closets to organize, carpets to vacuum, and counters to be scrubbed. In a house with two teens and three cats, I'll never run out of things to do!

And when I need to rest? That's where the writing and crafting comes in. I figure if I can do thirty minutes at a time exercising, work a little at my desk or crafting table for a bit, then repeat, I can get a lot more done than trying to do housework for two hours then collapse on the couch. I do better staggering the work- at least at this point.

Planning menus for the week is also helpful, so I don't slap together something at the last minute- usually something carby and not veggie-dense. So one one of those "sit-down" times, I can search through my cookbooks and find good meals to make.

Right now, soup is my best friend. Low calorie, full of good veggies and meat, and filling. Some of my recipes allow me to have a whole quart of the stuff if I wanted! Not many, but if I'm feeling hungry, these fill me up- even if the bulk of it is broth. Yes, the lower calorie ones have a lot of clear, tasty broth. Totally yummy!

I was weighed in on Friday and for the first time in ages I'm under three hundred pounds! I'm now a svelte 297- Yay me! The exercise and reevaluation really did the trick- and I don't have to cut calories! 

That's a total weight loss of 38 pounds- how awesome is that? I can now wear a shirt I've been saving that was very snug- so cool!

This weekend I didn't exercise and I went about 200 over on my intake, so that needs work- but I'm back on the bike and working in the garden today!

Lessons learned:

Exercise every day, not just during the week.

Planning menus works.

Try to schedule some family activities on the weekends and in the evenings in late spring to early autumn.

Every once in a while recheck those food measurements!

Find more active things to do in the house for rainy days.

Play music when housecleaning- it makes the work more fun!