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Back on SparkPeople.com

Warning: TMI post ahead!

I was dismayed to find I’d gained 7 pounds since January, which I know doesn’t sound like a lot, but for someone my height (5’2”) it translates into one pants size up, and so I only barely fit into ONE of my pants and ONE of my pair of shorts! Aargh!

I have been wearing sweatpants and occasionally a stretchy corduroy pair of pants ever since my Oklahoma/Texas trip because I was working on multiple deadlines and I got sick twice, so I was pretty much not going outside much. I didn’t notice my weight gain until I tried to squeeze into a pair of jeans for a lunch out with MaryLu Tyndall and I couldn’t button them.

So I got back onto SparkPeople.com (friend me!), which I hadn’t logged into because I had been on deadline and SP tends to be distracting for me (so many neat articles and forums). MaryLu also inspired me to start watching my eating more than I used to.

When I was training for the Honolulu Marathon, I didn’t put as much effort into my food choices because I trusted in my running to help me lose weight. So I never trained myself to know what a proper portion size was or to choose foods that would ensure I was within my ranges for fat, carbs, and protein intake per day.

I’m very slowly breaking into my Vibram FiveFinger running shoes, but that means I can only start out at 30 minutes each run and increase by only 10% each week, so my exercise minutes are not as long as they used to be (I used to run for about an hour 3-4 times a week). So I can’t rely on my exercise to help me lose weight. Instead I have to train myself to eat better.

I’m sticking to the calorie range calculated by SparkPeople.com for my age, weight, height, and amount of calories burned per week in exercise. I was really happy to lose 4 pounds the first 2 days, which was probably all water weight.

But now comes the harder part of changing my eating habits and, even harder, sticking to them in order to lose a pound or two a week. Self control is so hard for me because I realize I’ve become used to eating all day without thinking about calories or food choices.

So here’s hoping I can train myself in my food choices and stick to my calorie range!

Comments

Anonymous said…
I've just joined SparkPeople.com (and I friended you!) I'm looking to lose about 107 pounds! I'm not a runner but I'm walking (less since the car got fixed) but I'm really trying to make lasting lifestyle changes. I'll never be petite since I'm 5'7 but I'd like to be able to buy clothes at any store and not the "women's section."
Lynn said…
Weight is just so hard to deal with! Been battling this so long and still have ups and downs. Am trying to get back on track again...literally...I know if I track my food I do a lot better but just get so tired of doing it! It's just so important to be healthy, though! You can do this, Camy!
Camy Tang said…
Heather, I'd LOVE to be 5'7"!!!! :) How great you joined SparkPeople!!! I've really liked it a lot. The community is so encouraging and the articles have been great.

Lynn, tell me about it! I'm the same, I do better when I track my food but it gets to be a pain. :(
Camy Tang said…
Heather, what's your SP profile page? I can't find your friend request.
Anonymous said…
http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage.asp?id=NCCOWGIRL
Camy Tang said…
Yay! I just friended you.
Lynn said…
Tell me to start tracking my food again! HAVE to get back on track!
As I'm writing this Nightline is on and the first story is about Bods for God...interesting!
Camy Tang said…
Start tracking your food again!!!!!

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