I keep repeating to myself the same thing:
Several weeks I embarked on a journey, I confessed, I ate strange food. A couple weeks I was stuck in the mud. I’ve been trying to lose 15 pounds.
This past week, however, I had a small taste of success, only because I decided to change some things. Now, there hasn’t been one week since I began this when I’ve been perfect (perfect food journalling, perfect calorie intake, perfect workout schedule). If so, I might be losing faster.
But this whole thing is an effort to build better habits, to learn more about myself, and to gain control of an area of my life that is at times out of control.
(sorry I talk so fast right in the beginning; I was trying to get everyone out the door for church).
I lost! from Sarah Markley on Vimeo.
- I stopped drinking carbonated beverages. Because I gave up diet coke, I also have accidentally been steering away from caffiene. I still drink some coffee and tea.
- I started interval workouts a couple times a week. Sunday, I jogged up to the park by my house. I ran five laps of 1/3 mile each: half of the lap at a fast run and half at a jog. I stopped between laps and did crunches, pushups, tricep dips, lunges and some step exercises at a picnic bench. My whole workout took an hour and I kept my heart rate varied. Today I’ll run sprints on the treadmill and take a weight training class.
- I have been avoiding carbohydrates. I am staying away from all refined sugars and breads. No crackers, no tortillas, no sugary frozen yogurt (my favorite). I’ve been eating lean protein and dairy and the carbohydrates I have been getting are from yogurt and cottage cheese, as well as vegetables. I’ve discovered greek yogurt.
I think this will be another week of the same regimen. I am trying to keep my food written down – it just helps me. Hopefully next week I’ll be able to report I’ve lost again!
4.4 pounds lost…10.6 more to go. I had no idea it was going to take this long. But, if its worth having, it is bound to be difficult.
No diet coke, huh?
That’s a relief. I drink Diet Dr. Pepper.
No, seriously, I have considered dropping my diet drinks, too.
Thanks for the encouragement.
UGH!!! Stupid internet is too dang slow… sigh.
So, I was thinking, there was a moment in my life this summer where I needed to drastically change my diet – I actually got all excited about the “new” foods I would be eating.
Yeah – they were more healthy and balanced and blah blah blah – but the “newness” gave me enough motivation to go with it!
Maybe there’s enough newness in lychees and greek yogurt (ick!?) to keep you going!
Congrats on the loss! I’ll be praying for you that the changes you’ve made are going to keep working. I’m stalled right now because I’ve not been sticking with anything. Last week was completely shot…my Granny passed away and the week was spent helping my aunt take care of funeral stuff and stuff at Granny’s house. I ate what was there and at any time of the day. BUT…this is a new week, and it’s the week we get the diabetic training for hubby. I’m excited! Yea!!
Congratulations! Losing weight is so hard. I need to lose a few pounds too – especially around my tummy. I haven’t drank pop regularly in years. But now have to focus on other things like chips and what not that are hard for me to give up! But like you, I’m trying to make lifestyle changes not just changes for a “season.”
And that last comment is actually by me – not my husband.
Congratulations on your progress. I’ll be praying for you. I have been making some changes too. A lot of it has to do with food choices, finding verses to encourage me, and focusing more on prayer. Blessings.
That’s great Sarah! Since going vegetarian and then vegan 3.5 years ago, I’ve lost about 25 pounds…that’s what did it, along with increasing my daily exercise time (including intervals), strength training, and now ONLY eating whole, organic food. Weight loss wasn’t the reason we went vegan but was an extra benefit. Our health has been incredible ever since!
YES, please don’t eat refined flours and sugars – they’re pointless to your body! Or drink soda – terrible stuff in that. A diet high in phosphorous (like dairy and soda) really inhibits your calcium absorption, as does excessive protein (which most meat eaters/dairy drinkers have). Maybe try to cut out dairy and meat and see what happens! You’ll feel tons more energy if you do it correctly!
Have you tried doing green fruit smoothies (w/ spinach and whatnot added in) for breakfasts along with some cooked quinoa (maybe with a tad bit of agave or maple syrup on top?) and some fresh fruit?? It’s super yummy and nutritious and will do wonders for any non-healthy sweet desires!
Email me if you ever want more info on the vegan diet or any recipes! CONGRATS!!!
cindy – yeah, i love me my diet coke!!
Mandy – i’m not eating lychees for the record.
kim – yeah! for new weeks. i’m sorry about your difficult week.
dionna – i agree, changes are about lifestyle alterations.
amy – i’ve been praying a lot too!!
green nest – thank you for the ideas! and the information =)
You are cute!! Thank you for all of you honesty about your weight loss and your genuiness in your videos. This can help us all identify and relate. Since I had my babies (prior I was about a size 4-6) now I am about an 8-10, I do need to lose about 25 pounds. I don’t feel I have the power to do it-because I am not willing or don’t feel in control. But i think once I decide, I CAN. I’ll keep reading……:)
Congrats on your loss!!!!! So happy for you. Coming off slow means it will stay off for good you know!
Sure do love your updates. I like what you said about things worth having are hard. So true. So true.
Thanks for bing real!
yay! good for you. and, i ran into a stranger at the park who reads your blog, too. very strange, but fun! reducind carbs is a good way to go, i think. i did the south beach a couple of years ago and dropped a much needed 10 pounds. hang in there!
I am proud of you princess! I know how much you love bread.
We all support you.
Love,
Me
you’re doing great. cutting the carbs really does help! i saw some Greek yogurt the other day and almost bought it, but didn’t…how do you like it?
Congrats Sarah!!! I am so glad you had a great week! I agree with you, it DOES matter what KIND of calories you’re taking in. On one of my diet journey’s, my calories were mostly junk. Coke and Chocolate. There were days that I ONLY ate Coke and Chocolate. I still lost weight, but I didn’t feel very good doing it. This time around I’m much more focused on what’s truly good for my body. On most days. Keep up the great work!
congrats! slow loss is good. i think youre doing great. and you look beautiful as usual!
whenever i wanta lose a little bit i reduce my carbs and also cut them out all together after 4. works every time.
Great encouragement here!
Congratulations on your success this week! WOOHOO!
My sister swears by greek yogurt – I haven’t tried it, not a huge fan of yogurt (unless it is the frozen kind).
The carbs and the carbonation – yikes! I love me some carbs and fountain soda. I may have to make those “drastic” steps in the next few weeks if these last five to eight pounds don’t decide to move out of my backside.
Aren’t husband wonderful. When I told Craig that I had to lose 2 pounds to make my 40 lb goal he texted me back “We can do it”. Chad’s comment reminded me of that.
You look great. I agree about the calories and different types doing different things. yeah I am not alone in my thinking!
I am praying….I am motivating you from afar!!
That is awesome, Sarah! I lost a pound this week. I’ve been hearing a lot about upping protein and cutting out carbonated beverages from different sources, so I decided to dig my heels in this week and give both of those a try. No soda for 3 days. That’s big for me!! We’ll see how it goes…