dieting

And now I’m dieting..

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

After doing a month of no alcohol, I was inspired to keep going on my healthy living path.

I knew, however, I’d need some guidance, beyond my healthy, fit husband who helps me stay motivated simply by being himself.

But before I could even ponder my options, the Universe responded to my energy! A research group I’m part of asked me to be in a pilot project for a major weight loss program.

Um, yes please! I wholeheartedly accepted and began this week.

Now, I can’t speak on the actual program, signed a NDA, but I will say it involves a lot of healthy eating, exercising and high moderation of wine and salty snacks – two of my loves.

It’s going… okay. Rough start, I won’t lie but I’m getting the swing of things. Two thoughts have strongly stuck out to me –

  1. I thought I struggled moderating wine… uh, nope. Moderating carbs is not only WAY HARDER but I found a truth about me – I have a true addiction to soft pretzels, kettle chips and sharp cheddar cheese. Well, that and I’m a MAJOR snacker and that stuff adds up QUICKLY.
  2. I drink 64 ounces of water by the afternoon, out of habit and desire, so that part was really easy for me. But what isn’t easy is eating leafy veggies multiple times a day. Damn… that’s where I’m going to struggle….

If you have any helpful hints when it comes to dieting and redesigning your eating/living habits, I’d love to hear yours!

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Losing 20 pounds – post 15

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

hey all! I am due for a scale check but I’ve decided to forgo it at this point for several reasons…

The main one being I don’t want to lose focus on the progress I’ve made by paying attention to a number.

Right now, my life is moving fast. My insanely amazing readers are handing in their notes on my book – these are people who care so much about me they’ve taken time out of their life (we’re talking parents, full time jobs) to read my book and offer constructive criticism before I submit to agents – so I am really busy working a day job as I prep for my book published, all the while trying to get my body back in shape.

Point being – I need to stay focused.

Here’s the thing. I eat sandwiches a lot (LOVE THEM in fact) and I’m Italian so pasta and bread are just part of my weekly routine and I am not going to budge on that. I love wine (though i’ve cut back, yay!) and I will pretty much need chocolate when it’s my time of the month if you don’t want me to bite your arm off.

See, I want to be able to eat these things and while I understand I need to do so in moderation, I will never be the person who has a slice of pizza once a month. No. That’s just not acceptable to me.

So… I’ve learned I need to work hard (I go to the gym 5-6 times a week, no shit, ask Don!) to be able to incorporate carbs into my diet on the regular, with moderation of course.

Now, you may be wondering… why no scale?

I am finally feeling the effects of working hard to get my body in shape that I don’t want to disturb my momentum.

My husband telling me the soft is gone and the tone is back means more than a number. The strength I feel when lifting a heavy box means more than a number. Pants fitting looser means more than a number.

And the way I feel about myself…

Yeah. That means a hell of a lot more than a number.

See, I was one of those people who weighed a solid 104 pounds till I was 33 and I ate whatever I wanted, with no concern for freshness, processed-ness and/or chemicals.

I was thin but unhealthy.

Then, I became overweight and unhealthy.

I’ve now realized neither are ideal.

So, what is?

Feeling good in my skin, happy with what I see in the mirror (not anyone else) and a healthy body.

The number on the scale doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t at the end of the day.

I will let you know if I’m back in the 130s next time I write but for now, I’m going to take pride in the fact that I shed unnecessary fat by working hard on my body and when I look in the mirror, I smile.

That’s the important part.

I smile.

As always, thanks for joining me!

 

 

 

Losing 20 pounds – post 14

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

Hi All!

I appreciate everyone who has kept me going by asking me about my health journey and keeping me accountable! I will now start to blog more as I seek an agent for my book  :)

But here’s where I’m at.

I’m averaging weight-loss of about one pound of week. Sigh.

It’s beyond frustrating BUT what Don, my ex-fitness trainer husband has told me – my body is transforming the fat it’s stored into muscles as I work out and exercise. So, I’ve been staying off the scale for now so I don’t get overly discouraged. I could boost things up by dropping all carbs, alcohol, etc… but no, I’m not at that point right now. I just need a little patience, moderation and healthier choices when it comes to my diet and not expect anything overnight. I am shedding weight and I have never felt stronger in my life. My thighs are tightening every day and when I sit, they no longer want to spread out!

But for now, I’ve been staying off the scale, but I am due for a weigh in next week and will keep you posted – good or bad!

Something I’ve noticed, however, that I want to write about today is the extra time it takes to prep my food. Drive thrus are a thing of my past (except for El Pollo Loco) and that leaves me little options when I leave work at 11pm.

But, it’s all about planning.

I have learned to make a bunch of chicken wings at the start of the week to bring with me to work to snack on before, during and after. Also, I keep them on hand for a quick protein boost. I’ve learned to cut up veggies so I can grab and go, leaving me no excuse not to have them rather than having a bag a of chips or even a high calorie protein bar. I’ve learned limiting wine is not only smart for losing weight but also for boosting my energy. I’ve learned my skin likes less carbs and my tummy appreciates green things that come from the earth. I’ve rediscovered my love for artichokes, Chinese broccoli, mushrooms and shredded lettuce. And I forgot how much I love steak salads and dill greek yogurt dressing. Also, I’ve fully embraced my love for chickpea flour and have substituted it whenever a recipe calls for flour of any kind. Sour cream has been replaced by greek yogurt and nuts are a better snack than processed crap, so I keep those on hand for when I feel snacky…

Do you have any healthy eating tips to share? I’d love to know!! Meal prep is half my battle of being healthy and losing weight.

 

Losing 20 pounds – post 13

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

Phew! Okay… I need to get real.

First, I am back down to 140 after my crazy holiday weight period of 147.

But I need to tell you, my dear readers, that I have a new reason for my decrease in weight.

A couple weeks back, I had my yearly physical and my doctor informed me my blood-work showed I was a bit high in cholesterol and rather high in my glucose. She instructed me to make changes so as not to become diabetic in future years.

My doctor advised losing weight.

While I am on the low side of these numbers, it was still quite an eye-opening experience.

With age comes wisdom (hopefully) but also comes body decay (hopefully as little as possible.) We are mortal. Period.

However…

We continually grow in knowledge and power to guide our bodies and minds into living much longer than any generation before us.

It takes work though, if you want those years to be healthy ones.

Now, before I detail what I’ve done over the past two weeks to lose seven pounds safely, I want to address those who think talk of weight-loss is somehow body shaming, as though losing weight is a bad thing, as I’ve seen this idea take shape on social media lately…

I get that there are very real weight disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia, but with those aside, I fail to understand how losing weight equals shaming other’s bodies?

Yes, the media likes to show an unhealthy version of beauty, but go after them, not your proud friend who just lost twenty pounds and showed off their pride on a social media page.

Look, if you’re overweight and as healthy as can be, more power to you, but one’s body weight typically has to do with one’s health and becoming healthier is something to celebrate. And then on the more superficial side, if you’re happy with how your body looks, more power to you – but this goes for both weight loss and weight gain. It’s not a one-way street for those who cry #bodyshaming. If one wants to lose weight to feel and look better, according to their own standards, how is that any different than those proud of their extra weight and beautiful look?

Can’t we all agree it’s about health and being comfortable in our skin, whatever that means to us?

Okay…

So, yes. I took what my doctor said very seriously and I also want to look in the mirror and be happy with what I see. I want to be happy.

I do. For me.

I don’t care about what other’s think, as I believe my extremely personal and revealing blog posts demonstrate…

So, back to my weight-loss journey…

I’ve shed seven pounds in two weeks not by doing some insane boot camp or waking at four in the morning to put in hours in at the gym. No. Instead, I stopped going through drive-thru’s. I no longer drink wine on weekdays. I go to the gym for a minimum of thirty minutes four to five times a week. And I no longer keep chips, cookies or carb-loaded bread items in my house.

Those are my changes.

And I feel good about them.

Thank you for coming along for the ride with me. I believe weight loss is very personal and I enjoy sharing it with you.

Stay tuned… I will get down to 117 again :)

 

Losing 20 pounds – post 11

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

My weight loss journey is moving forward smoothly!

I’ve decided to continue not checking the scale right now. A friend of mine told me it’s best to not look initially because my body is changing, as it builds muscle and reduces fat. And since muscle weighs more than fat because of its greater density, the number on that stupid scale can be deceiving and greatly reduce one’s confidence when they need it most so scale, back off!

She also mentioned it’s best to just see how I feel with the changes rather than focus on the number and you know what? She couldn’t be more right!

I truly feel my body become stronger. Bike rides with my husband have never been easier as we navigate the hills along the beach route we take. And at work, I can carry much heavier boxes than I have ever been able too. Also, I feel better after a workout. It takes me through my day in a way little else has before. It provides a boost and right now, as I finish my novel while still working all my other jobs, I need it!

My birthday is on the 14th of this month and right after it, I’m taking two weeks off of all booze and most sugars. I may be grumpy but my body needs the purge to reset and start new and better habits. Stay tuned for that one….

And as always, thank you, dear readers, for your support and encouragement. It means the world to me and helps me move forward in a more positive way.

 

Losing 20 pounds – post 10

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

I haven’t written in a while because I’m sad to report… I haven’t lost weight yet. I’m maintaining, which is nice because this past year my body weight has liked to go up on a weekly basis, but it’s beyond frustrating that I’m not losing.

I’ve drank less wine, I’ve gone to the gym, I’ve eaten more protein and less carbs! What does a girl have to do to shed some weight?!

But no fear, dear supportive readers. Nothing is going to stop me. I am determined, more than ever, to shed these damn 20 pounds from my body.

It’s on, body, it’s on.

Stay tuned….

Losing 20 pounds – post 9

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

It’s been two weeks since I became a real gym-goer (meaning i’m using the membership I bought, hehe!)

My goal is 3-4 times a week and I think it’s doable. I have been trying not to look at the scale because I don’t want to become obsessed with that part right out of the gate. First, along with my amazing trainer, I want to learn the ropes and remain encouraged as I do so.

Though I don’t want to know my weight just yet so I can’t share it, I would, however, love to share a few of my observations from the first two weeks of going to the gym:

My posture is the best it’s ever been. Not sure how it happened exactly, but I find myself sitting up much straighter!

Yes, people grunt there, but it’s for a good reason. I was always a bit scared and skeptical of those muscle men/women who grunted as they picked up so much weight that I could feel pain just looking at them. But now that I’ve started weight training, I get it. It’s about breathing. And it’s necessary. And by my third set of ten on most machines, I’m breathing loudly right along with them. (Though I have yet to grunt!)

A lock, water bottle and towel will be your three best friends at the gym. Self explanatory. I use all three every time I go and if I didn’t have one, it would suck.

Soreness does not last. As my husband/trainer told me, “We have to tear the muscle to rebuild it.” Once you do, the soreness goes away and the strength takes over. And that is a pretty damn good feeling.

Mirrors help with form. I admit. I always thought the mirror-lined walls of gyms were for vanity purposes but I now realize, that while some may use them for that, their main purpose is for you to see your form and make sure it’s correct.

Have any gym observations you’d like to share? Please do! And as always, thank you for joining me on this weight loss/fitness journey of mine!

Losing 20 pounds – post 8

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

Okay. It was a slow start getting there but I finally made it to the gym.

I’ve been twice now (Sunday and today, Tuesday) and I AM SORE.

SORE. SORE. SORE.

I worked muscles I didn’t know I had. I learned what a tricep was (totally thought it was somewhere else on my body, haha!) and I breathed deeply, going for it.

Now, I’m a lucky girl. My trainer is my husband (he did it professionally many years ago) and he is very good to me. He keeps me on my toes but knows when to back off. Gentle with his gym-virgin wife yet firm. And even though he tries to be serious, his loving nature shines through as he teaches me.

Everything you want in a trainer, right? ;)

But it comes down to me. And I’m determined. Four times a week is the goal, even though I now fully understand what is meant by “no pain, no gain.”

The gym and weight training is no joke. It’s definitely NOT the easy way, which I realize I had been trying to take since I started this journey, eight posts ago. But no, life took that idea and had a good laugh with it.

I haven’t weighed myself on purpose this week. I don’t want to do it daily, but rather weekly, and track it over time to see if I am losing weight.

So, please stay tuned and see along with me if I make it below 141 after my very first week EVER at the gym…

 

 

Losing 20 pounds – post 7

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

I did it.

I joined a gym.

This is a first for me and I’m not going to lie. I feel… nervous and apprehensive. I always pictured gyms as large sweaty rooms full of people trying to show each other up. I’m hoping I’m wrong but I guess I won’t know till I’m there.

Fortunately, my husband is a trainer-quality gym-goer so I am in very good hands for my first session, which will likely be tomorrow. If it wasn’t for him,  I’d be struggling far greater. I truly have only been inside a gym maybe three times my whole forty-year life.

I want to slap the 28 year-old me who took for granted a super fast metabolism. I should have been nurturing it and appreciating it.

But yes, hindsight is twenty/twenty.

Now, pictures of myself are becoming harder to look at. Quite simply, I am not happy with the way I look.

I should mention this is extremely personal. It is NOT a statement on how others should feel about themselves at any given weight. It’s about feeling good about oneself and if there is something you want to change to make that greater, then you should, as long as it’s done in a positive way.

For me, this means losing twenty pounds. That’s my truth and what I’ve determined will make me feel better about my body and my health. If I want to be around for a lot longer, I have to take steps to help ensure that, no?

And I’ve tried the past several months and appreciate all of you who have come along with me, but now, still weighing in at 141, I’m pulling out the big guns.

I’m a certified first-time gym member.

Stay tuned…

 

Losing 20 pounds – post 6

/ christinaparisi / Leave a comment

Hello again. It’s me, the same 141-pound woman who is trying to lose weight but keeps failing at it.

I’m still at that above weight mark. Fortunately, I haven’t gained more but I am not losing either and am getting beyond frustrated.

But then, leave it to my loving husband, to bring me to reality and tell me the real reason my weight loss plan is not going as well as I’d hope –

I drink too much wine.

There’s nothing like a glass of wine or two after a long restaurant shift but that’s 300+ empty calories I’m taking in. There’s nothing like a glass of wine as I write my latest article but wouldn’t some green tea be a much healthier pairing? There’s nothing like a fun happy hour on the weekends but really, is three glasses necessary followed by more at dinner?

When I think about how much I involve wine in my life, I realize it’s likely the reason I am struggling with losing weight. As my husband pointed out to me, my eating habits have gotten healthier and are not bad. It’s the extra calories and carbs that come along with this beloved beverage of mine (yet another unhealthy one…)

So, here it is. I need to be honest with myself. I am going to drink much less. I will likely be grumpy about it but I know it will help with my weight loss goals, not to mention it’s just plain healthier living.

Wish me luck. I’m gonna need it.

And thank you all for following along on this journey of mine. Your support means a lot to me.

XO