the biggest loser

featuring ME  :)

A few friends & I have decided that it is time to lose some weight, and we are doing it together, biggest loser style!  We've decided to pay in $5 on a weekly weigh-in for 8 weeks.  The winner will take home the accumulated $$ which should be $200!!  I have not been very active in trying to lose my baby weight, and I am hoping that the money will be a good motivator :) 

We are allowed to lose the weight however we chose, and that is where I am having some trouble.  We started today, and so far I am just trying to count calories and stay within a reasonable limit.  The problem I for see is that I drink ALOT of my calories each day.  Sweet tea, lemonade, fruit punch, and the occasional coke.  If you notice, I am missing something very key to losing weight...WATER!  I am not a big water drinker, so that is something else I am going to try to do more of. 

In the past I have had weight to lose, but only gave it an honest try a few times.  I was able to take off 10 lbs through doing a low carb diet (similar to Adkins) once, and I also tried a diet pill and exercising, which both worked as well.  I am having trouble now because I am still nursing, so I have not dieted yet, but truth be told, there is no exercising going on here either *sigh*

So, considering the nursing, I am thinking that lowering my calories is the way to go.  One side effect can be that my milk supply may go down.  As I was thinking about these next 8 weeks, I realized at the end of them is Ava's first birthday (!!!!!!!) & that was when I *planned* to wean.  If my supply does go down, I may start the process now (as I had thought about already too) and see how it goes.  I would be happy now if I could go down to night & morning nursing, so we'll see what happens in the next week or so.

I know this post is a bunch of mumbled jumbled thoughts, but I wanted to post here about the challenge.  It makes me feel more accountable when I blog about doing something.  So, there it is...I am officially dieting, and you all know ti now :)  Cheer me on, pray for me, do whatever it is you do, but know that I am in for a tough 8 weeks.  I really want to win this!

If you have some great tips/recipes, let me know.  I am NOT the dieting type, so I am going to need all the help I can get :)

Comments

[margie]

Good luck, Angi! You probably don't need as many calories as you think when you're nursing. I think it's an extra 300 or so. Praying for you! (and I know I owe you an email) :)

Margie

[margie]

btw, you actually look very tiny in that new picture to the left. so don't lose too much. :)

[meghann]

I need to get in on that. Hubby will be home in about 3 months and I had planned on knocking his socks off. Where I am at now, no socks are being knocked off. I don't drink water either. (unless the ice cubes in Pepsi count) I bought a Pilates DVD. But it's not working. I've tried holding the DVD up to my head and everything.

Hmm, maybe I should actually watch it. There's an idea. . .

[FishyGirl]

Weight Watchers has a program for breastfeeding moms - I'm not sure if the online version does the breastfeeding diets, though. Really you only need about 200 extra calories/day, and if you stay well hydrated your supply shouldn't suffer much. Good luck!!

P.S. check out my friend Carmen's website http://momtothescreamingmasses.typepad.com/the_elf_diet/

She has 6 kids (!) and lost over 75 pounds making life changes instead of counting calories and such. She's an amazing inspiration.

[Judi]

Angi,

I'll be rooting for you... although you know you are beautiful just the way you are:) I could use to get on that to lose these last 10-15 pounds of residency/baby weight. Love ya.

[Heather]

Good luck Angi!

My friend has lost almost 60 lbs doing weight watchers online...here's something she posted about her tips (when she'd lost about 35 lbs):
http://sandyandkurt.blogspot.com/2007/07/tips-from-your-friendly-dieter.html

I wish I could get my butt in gear to lose too. I'd lost almost 20 and have gained 10 back now. Argh.