I was eating about 1,200 calories a day prior to last week, but decided I'd try a zig-zag approach to my calories.
I did this for a few reasons:
1. I feel a plateau coming on
2. To prevent said plateau
3. Because I am working out a lot
4. Because I'm just hungry dammit
So I've gotten a lot of questions on calories and if you're supposed to "eat back" your exercise calories.
And I've responded to you with this:
I have done a lot of research on this, and most people say you ARE supposed to eat back your exercise calories.....
But I don't.
Why?
Well, that's exactly what I'm trying to get away from- rewarding myself with food.
So I've been exercising a lot, and keeping my calories the same.
So I thought I'd try a little bit of zig-zagging.
What is zig-zagging your calories?
It is consuming the same amount of calories WEEKLY, but changing them DAILY.
You can read more about zig-zagging your calories {HERE}.
All that to say, I don't feel like it's affected my weight at all.
But I haven't wanted to discourage myself, so I've stayed away from the scale.
Therefore, I don't have a weekly weigh in for you.
I CAN tell you this...
My 8's fit again!
Same outfit seen here at 145 lbs. (March 2011)
So while they FIT, they are not everyday wear-ers yet. They are still quite snug.
*****SIDE NOTE******
Those pictures are from a little segment I did a year ago called 30 for 30.
It's where I took 30 pieces of clothing and mixed them up and made them into 30 different outfits for 30 days. But the thing is, I never made it to 30 outfits because I ended up getting pregnant half way through.
You can see the 30 for 30 outfits here:
Outfit 1
Outfit 2
Outfit 3
Outfits 4, 5, 6
Outfits 7 & 8
Outfit 9
Outfits 10 & 11
Outfit 12
Outfits 13, 14, 15, 16
And that's where I stopped. I was sperminated at that point.
************
The Shred Updates
I am still Shredding.
I started Level 2 last week and I hate it.
There is nothing nice to say about it, I personally think it's the hardest level.
I was almost reduced to tears last night while doing the workout.
Have you ever worked out that hard? Where you are so physically tired and pissed off that you just want to cry?
I used to get like that all the time when I played sports.
You see it on The Biggest Loser all the time. The contestants push their bodies so hard that they emotionally break down.
Doing Level 2 last night, I was mad.
Mad because it's not FAIR that I have to workout this hard just to look SEMI-decent.
Mad that I have to put this much work in when other girls I know don't have to do jack shit and look 1 million times better than me.
Mad because I have to watch what I eat like crazy to see results.
Mad because I hadn't done that at all yesterday and stuffed my face with chocolate.
Mad because it's hard.
Mad because I could feel my fat jiggling with each plank jack.
Mad because I was angry with my body for being so tired.
Mad because it's just NOT FAIR.
Not fair.
That's the best way I can put it.
It's just not.
It sucks. And it's hard as shit. And sometimes I want to quit.
But I don't. Because I know it sucks even worse BEING a quitter.
So I fought through that hard ass 30 minutes, because, it's ONLY 30 MINUTES.
And because I know I'm stronger for it.
It is THEN that you begin to build yourself back up again. That you become stronger.
Physically AND emotionally.
I like a good challenge, but I want you to know that this doesn't come easy for me.
It's not like I just say "okay, I'm going to lose 50 lbs." and POOF it's gone in 6 months.
There is a lot of work I put into dropping this weight.
Seeing people "pin" me on Pinterest is a good feeling.
But I laugh out loud every time I read a caption under one of my before/after pics that says "this girl lost 60 lbs. in 4 months!"
... NO I DID NOT!
It took me nearly a year to lose 60 lbs, and it wasn't just as simple as that.
There was more sweat and tears in that 60 lbs. than I think I've ever expended in my entire life.
So just know this:
I work hard for every pound I lose. It does not come easy for me.
But if I can do it, ANYONE CAN!
I'm still a WIP (Work in Progress):
45 comments:
I am attempting upping my calories. I lost my first 6 pounds after getting back on the diet train(took me almost 2.5 months!) but now have stalled out...and I think 1200 calories was too low for me considering all my exercise. I am going to try to stay at 1500ish cals and hopefully the scale will start moving again!
Congrats on hitting those 8s. I am mad at this point also. But I'm mad because I'm falling apart. I need to get tougher and finish this thing!
I feel the SAME way a LOT! I get so so so so (can't emphasize this enough) TIRED! I felt good this weekend, I got in 20 minute runs... was so proud because I never IMAGINED I would be able to do that. Then, I screwed up and had one mexican meal and the scale went from 165 Saturday morning to 168 today! REALLY? 3 lbs over one good meal! UGH! I won't give up though and you won't either! It motivates me to keep going! Keep going, you got this girl! :)
I wanted to know how you can run 5 and 6 miles but the 2nd level of The Shred is hard for you? Arent they both cardio activities and isnt running harder? I'm not putting you down at all i was just curious.
I agree that level 2 is the hardest level on 30 Day Shred! I hate it! The first time I did the 30DS, I couldn't believe that level 3 seemed easier than level 2.
Just found your blog last week and I can relate on so many levels. Having two kids, trying to lose weight, and more. Thanks for your great moviation, stories, and for telling the truth about how hard it is!
I love your determination, and I am finally feeling the same way about my journey too! Mad, stressed, tired, determined....yet happy all at the same time! When people say nothing tastes as good as skinny feels... I never agree with that statement. B/c I've tasted a lot of damn good food in my life and I know what skinny feels like too!!! 10 years ago, my prom dress was a size 4!!! BUT, I can say that skinny feels SOOOOOO much flipping better than fat, jiggles, plus size clothes, tiredness just from being fat, etc!!! Getting into those jeans is an AWESOME non-scale victory no matter how tight they are! You got them buttoned didn't you!?!? Great job!!!!
Thanks for being real. That is more important than blogging about anything else - it's good to know that I'm not the only one doing it through the HATING of working out :)
Your'e doing great!
You look wonderful!
And this is why I love your blog. You are REAL person who goes through all the same crap everyone else does. Keep up the hard work! And congrats on those 8s!
I'm with you girl...I'm on level 2 two and every time I hear Jillian say "I want you to feel like...your...gonna...die" I'm thinking...beeotch I'm taking you with me!!! :) That said...I'm ready for level 3 (crossing myself right now) I've lost 40lbs so far...have 15 more to go and these last 15 may just kill me but I'm gonna do it!!! When I get to my goal weight I'm doing something monumental...don't know what but it will be EPIC :) Keep it up!!! Love your blog.
Seriously, my favorite post so far. THANK YOU for being so real.. I hate the days and even worse the weigh-in days when you feel like you put in way more than what is showing up. It's SO hard.. Congrats to you for being in 8's. My dream! I've been in a 12-14 for a couple of years now (I'm 5'11 so I can hide it well).. And I'm DYING for single digits! You inspire me, and us all to KEEP GOING! So thank you!
I've been running 7 days a week, and I am on Level 1 of the Shred. If it doesn't kill you at any level, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG! It is SO much harder than running to me. If you go balls out, it literally kicks your ass. If you watch the girl doing the advance version on Level 1 (Natalie) even SHE takes a break! Jillian is killer! Thanks for your incredible inspiration :)
You're looking great (as usual) and you stay real, which makes everything you write worth so much more! Congrats!
Okay, so I'm one of those people who pinned your before & after 30-day shred pics. And I started following you because you keep it real. And now I'm commenting because I want to say thank you. Thank you for not sugar-coating (uh, stevia-coating?) the process. Knowing you did it once already and are doing it again makes me want to try.
So, thanks.
I lost 50 in 6 months but it has not been easy keeping it off.
Zig zagging my calories is my most trusted tool to get me through the week!
Looking good, mama. Looking good!
I am so glad I just read your post. I just finished my first level 2 workout of Shred. I hated it and was nearly in tears the entire time. I love level 1 so I wasn't sure if it were me or not.
I think you look great, but understand about the not fair thing. I tend to feel like that and want things to be fair.
Hope you have a great week.
We are at the same height and weight (as of last MILF), but lucky for you to be squeezing into a sz 8!!! I am squeezing into sz 14 jeans. :P I've just got wide hips, even when I have less fat on them! Anyway, it's motivating for me to read about your own struggles because I've got the same ones! I'm trying to stick to my plan like you are to yours. It IS hard! And I keep saying that awesome quote you posted about "if it's important to you..." Thanks for blogging! :)
I'm so jealous that you are already squeezing into size 8's! That's awesome.
I never eat my workout calories, either... I just count them towards that end goal. I'll get to my goal quicker kind of mentatlity. However, I don't run 6 miles a day like you-- so I bet you're starving come 7pm.
And don't worry about not weighing in today. I didn't weight ymself either. I'm hoping to see the 140's next week. My confidence needs it.
Last note: BLUE IS YOUR COLOR! I love the top on you. And no, we don't have skin cancer. Just a mole that sometimes grows if we nick ourselves shaving.
Looking good! I love pinterest, but most people don't "read" what they pin. I always check the links to see where they go.
It is hard and if effing sucks. I did my first Zumba class today and had a blast....but after felt like crying thinking about how I let myself get so big, how I used to dance my ass off. How I have to work so effing hard & I love food. I get this post more than you know.
Thank you for today's post -- I am doing Jillian's Shred too, and today was my day 6 and it sucked today. I wish I could have insant gratification and after about a week of getting my butt kicked by Jillian I don't feel any lighter or less jiggly. I am mad too, and reading that someone else is mad is a huge encouragement to me and I really, really appreciate you being so honest. Thanks again for today's post (and every other day, I love reading them!)!
You look beautiful....
Thank you for this. I have been doing the shred and had a really shitty eating weekend and have jacked up my knee.
Double awesome!
Yes LEVEL 2 SUCKS!!! I'm thinking of trying 3 just to see how it is against level 2 now....
Just a thought, but with all your followers doing the shred as well, you should host a contest of some sort, we could all submit before and after pictures to be accountable?? I love your blog as well, keep up the good work!!
You are inspiring me everyday. I started my "journey" in January 2012 and I have lost a total of 20.2 pounds so far. 30 more to go! I love the fact that you are honest and I love a good "That's what she said" and your perfectly placed curse words. Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for putting yourself out there to inspire other people like me. Sometimes while I am sweating like a shit eating pig on the damned Arc Trainer I think about you and get motivated knowing that you too have to work hard to look good too! Anyway, you are amaze balls and I love reading your blog everyday! :)
You look fantastic!
I don't eat my calories I burn either. It seems pointless. I work my ass off for those i'm not giving them back! :)
I HATE plank jacks and squat thrusts! The devil! But you are motivating me to work through them.
I think you are awesome!!! You are such a motivation! I too bumped up to level 2 on the shred this week and also was almost in tears!! I realized that I may have been a bit to quick to move up and so this morning I went back to level 1 for a couple more days. Thanks for your blog!
I just want to say thank you for being so real. I cried reading your post today. I understand how you feel and am totally inspired by you. I feel overwhelmed with what I have to lose and reading what you wrote made me feel more inspired than I have ever been. Thank you so much for that!
This post is exactly what I needed. I LITERALLY was just thinking about this while running my 6.5 miles today (YAY)....It's just not FAIR. JUST like you, I have to watch every single freaking thing that goes in my mouth and I have to bust my butt at the gym......... but you know what? That makes us, us and that means we are strong women. Keep your head up and be proud that you have the ambition to work so hard. Proud of you & you're a motivation to me!
I love that your blog is so REAL and to the point. No BS! I admire you so so much!
Can't wait to see Shred results; you are doing so great!
You are looking SO good! The blue is great on you! Funny you mentioned the calorie thing. I was just thinking the other day about blogging about the sliding scale calorie thing. It works great! No plateaus for you missy-- Straight to the goal!
You look awesome. I agree level 2 was the worst, killed my hands. I ran 8.5 miles (and I call it running even though it took me 1.5 hours) and it felt great.
You look so good! Level 2 is definitely the hardest and I flat out hate it. It is too dancerish (for lack of a better word) and I like the controlled moves from level 1. I'm 22 and my son just turned 2. You're SUCH an inspiration to get my butt in gear and not accept being a chubby, blah mom.
Yay on 8's!! I wish I could fit in my 8's! And thanks for the motivation, I always love coming to your blog and getting that when I am in a rut:)
Well you look AMAZING. I just started a new healthy "lifestyle" last week & it is kicking my bootay. But you are such an inspiration. I'll be giddy if I can just loose 5 lbs. ;) Keep on, you are doing great!
Well, you look super hot in the 8's so whatever you are doing, keep it up :)
Thank you for this post. I can relate right now.
You look fantastic!
Started level 2 today, and it was NOT easy! Thanks for the motivation.
We are soul sisters today. I have been having the same "mad" conversation with my husband for a few days and just decided to up my cals from 1200. I will definitely look into zig-zagging - sounds like a great boost!
You look amazing as usual! Thanks for your honesty!!
Awesome post, seriously. Probably my favorite of yours that I've read so far. It's so great to hear that someone else feels the same frustration and struggles, you know? Thanks for being vulnerable!
All I can say is that if those pictures above are what 20 pounds look like, I'm going to work my ass off to drop the first 20.
Keep up the hard work! You're so inspiring!
You have made great progress in such a short amount of time! You look beautiful:) I too have been losing the baby weight after my second pregnancy. Please visit sometime! I'm at 149 now and weighed 202 on delivery day. Trying to get to 135.
Thank you for your awesome and uplifting blog! I just ordered Jillian Michaels shred. I have so many excuses in the book and you have inspired me to loose weight! I love how you keep things REAL and don't sugar coat them! You rock you look awesome!
I start level 2 tomorrow, I'm not looking forward to it at all! And congrats on fitting in the 8s, you look great!
I think you are freakin awesome. I have 2 kids too. Similiar age, 5'7, same sort of deal. You are an inspiration to me. I do the shred everyday too. I also suggest the Brazillian butt lift dvds. The guy on there is totally gay and annoying but the exercises are fantastic. Totally awesome stuff. Keep it up!!!
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