So, it's been a while since I've done one of these. The good news? I fit in my wedding dress. The bad news? I, um, don't anymore. Let's just say that I really, REALLY enjoyed my honeymoon. I think that at the wedding I was between 130-135 pounds (I'm guessing. I stopped weighing myself and just focused on the zipper going up on it's own) and this morning I was 140.4 pounds with a body fat percentage of 31.2%. To compare, the last time I weighed myself (on June 22nd) I was 140.4 pounds with a body fat percentage of 30.2%. So, I need to get my ass back into the gym and back into making better food choices.
Image Courtesy of: Miranda Laine Photography
The good news? So far this week I've been adhering to the "making better food choices" thing. I've logged everything into My Fitness Pal and stayed within my alloted calories + I've tried to only eat "good" food and not binge on junk. I've done alright. I only made it to the gym once but… whattya gonna do? What I need to do is remember what worked for me in the first place. What things helped motivate me and move me forward? If I can get back to those things then I can get back to my weight loss journey.
Here's What Works For Me
Moving Comfort Fiona Bra
There's no polite way to say it. I'm a Big Booby Girl. When I started this whole "losing weight thing", I could not physically do many of the cardio and strength training exercises recommended to me because my boobs were just too damn big. They either got in my way or they bounced around so hard it hurt to workout. Enter the Moving Comfort Fiona Bra. And the heavens opened and the angels sang! This sports bra is comfortable, comes in a HUGE variety of sizes, is fastened with standard bra-like hook-and-eye rows, and has adjustable Velcro on the straps for a perfect fit. Dear Moving Comfort Fiona Bra… I think I love you.
My Workout Playlist
I only listen to my iPod when I'm doing strength training (stops me from having to listen to the stupid that is teenage boys and/or over-the-hill Meatheads) so my playlist is pretty short. I like my music equal parts silly, motivating, and badass. Here's what I'm listening to right now (not in a any particular order):
- LMFAO - Sexy And I Know It
- Kelly Clarkson - Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)
- Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life
- Shooter Jennings – 4th of July
- LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem
- P!nk - F**kin' Perfect (Explicit Version)
- Christina Aguilera - Fighter
- Katy Perry – Firework
- P!nk - Raise Your Glass (Explicit Version)
- Zac Brown Band – Keep Me in Mind
Green iPod Nano
It's old. It's green. It works.
ASICS GEL-Ipera Cross-training Shoe
I got these only a month or so ago and FREAKING DORE them. Since the bulk of what I do at the gym is strength training (and walking on the treadmill), I really do need a training shoe rather than a walking or running shoe. These help me maintain proper form and keep my balance while strength training but also allow me to walk at a steep incline on the treadmill without pain.
My Fitness Pal
I've talked about it before and I'll talk about it again. I just CANNOT stress enough how much this calorie counting (FREE) program has helped me understand how losing weight works. Be my friend on My Fitness Pal (I’m akbuilt – invite me to be your friend and I’ll add you to my group!) and we'll continue to support each other and count those friggin' calories!
Spiral Notebook
It's just a plain, cheapy spirla notebook but man, does this puppy help me out! In it, I tape different cardio workouts for when I'm on the road or get bored with the same old/same old. I also record every work out I do – the exercise, the number of sets, the number of reps, the weight I use. I also make suggestions to myself on whether I need to try going up (or down) a weight or reps. I think I've burned through about 3 of these in the last couple of years.
Oxygen Magazine
I still think Oxygen Magazine is pretty preachy and a bit elitest, but y'all – it's got the goods. This is THE fitness magazine if you are interested in really pushing yourself or if you are like me and needed to see the science behind losing weight (a not just an article on cute jeans).
SkullCandy INK'd Earbuds
These are the most comfortable earbuds that I could find that also stayed in my ears while I was doing barbell squats and such.
The Big Bang Theory
Reruns of this show are pretty much the only thing getting me through the boringness that is walking on a treadmill (Remember how Hot Patrick didn't want me jogging or running because of my bum knees? Yeah… still walking…)
Remember, I do this better when I have support! So! Bug me on Twitter, Facebook, and check out my Fitness board on Pinterest. I'm going to continue sharing my weight loss and fitness journey with y'all on a regular basis but I am going to downshift from posting Fitness Fridays twice a month to once a month. See you in a few weeks!
*Disclaimer: Kiss My Tulle is a part of several affiliate programs with companies that we enjoy and shop from on a regular basis. Kiss My Tulle never promotes a product or brand that we would not use ourselves or that we believes does not appeal to our readers.
Lauren says
Cris, I’m having the same problem! Had way too much fun on the Honeymoon eating-wise, and now I’ve gained 10 pounds back. It’s not just the honeymoon though – it’s the husband. For one thing, it’s fun to cook for two (and I’m a great cook, so it tastes really good and it’s really hard to stop eating); we always have a nice dinner because that’s when I see him; and his food choices affect mine (ie. he wants to snack, have wine, drink beer, order pizza, and it’s hard to say know since I want to do those things too). For the wedding I could force the issue, but now, my self control just isn’t that good! Frustrated. Going back on My Fitness Pal. Stupid husband is still super trim.
KissMyTulle says
Yeah, Stupidhead…
I didn’t know what else to add to what you said because, well, you said it all.
Liz says
I tried to tell my husband that just living with him, for all those reasons, has made it extremely difficult to eat right, but he doesn’t believe me. It’s been a shock to my system (and pants) to go from living with a roommate who also tries to eat healthy to living with a boy for whom ‘eating healthy’ is ‘only eating half the pizza’.
KissMyTulle says
I hear ya. Healthy for The Boy means fried veggies. Oy.
RoRoLessThan3 says
I just ordered my very own Fiona bra, super cheap for the black one (even though I wanted to splurge for the hot pink)!
Since our house purchase and move I quit working out and logging my food but have maintained at 152. This morning I made myself do a 10 minute work out and 5 minutes of yoga I’m hoping to continue to be able to integrate it into the new routine which I am still trying to figure out. My original goal in January was 145 (I started at nearly 170) and I still think I can do it, just maybe not before the wedding (in two weeks). I’m a little worried about gaining on the Honeymoon, but I’m just going to have to try and be mindful while enjoying everything. It IS so difficult to stick to good eating while living with someone who subsists on late night pizza and beer, I definitely relate to all that has been said above.
As for quick and easy workouts, I’m wicked into gainfitness.com – you tell it how much time you have and what you want to do and it gives you a workout within the parameters. If you have a Smartphone, it has an app so you can take it anywhere. Between that, my Fitbit (which I just put back on this morning after a little hiatus) and MyFitnessPal, I’m DOING THIS!
chandra ~ oh lovely day says
Love your fitness friday posts. I’m still struggling with my baby weight (my kid is going on 2 and it is getting ridiculous) and even though I know that much of the reason is beyond my control (hypothyroidism & other health issues that have made losing weight impossible at times) I do know that I haven’t worked out once in the last 2 weeks and I could eat better. It is nice to read your posts to get motivated. And I love MyFitnessPal. Keeping track of my calories is a good way I can hold myself accountable.
If you have any ideas for cardio that I can do at home, while the babe naps, share! I cannot work out at the end of the day – I’m exhausted. So something at home is key (and I don’t have a treadmill…)
KissMyTulle says
RoRoLessThan3 – less than two weeks is tough. If you can, try the 7 Day Diet. It was a pain but helped me lose a few pounds near the end of my wedding planning.
http://www.kissmytulle.com/2012/05/fitness-friday-the-7-day-diet-and-my-new-weight.html
KissMyTulle says
Chandra,
Aw, thank you! Have you seen a doctor and gotten a prescription for your hyperthyroidism? My mom has it and once she was on meds – the weight gain issues lessen considerably.
Also, these are the cardio DVD’s that I used when I was working out at home: http://www.amazon.com/The-Firm-Ultimate-Fat-Burning-Collection/dp/B002GRMVUC/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1345253710&sr=8-7&keywords=the+firm+workout+dvd I liked the variety and that I could get a good workout in with or without weights.
Also, my best friend lost 40 pounds doing PX90 and absolutely swears by it (I know many couples that do it together): http://www.amazon.com/P90X-Hortons-Extreme-Fitness-Workout/dp/B000TG8D6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345253869&sr=8-1&keywords=px90
Let me know if you need anything more specific!
Christie O. {Mountainside Bride} says
Honey you need to Visit Mammoth! The only thing that gets me through my workouts is the amazing scenery.
And yes, a fantastic playlist is key!
My motivation song for long runs is Walking on a Dream by Empire of the Sun.
It’s upbeat enough to keep me motivated but mellow enough to keep me on pace to long 9 and 10 mile runs.
But I LOVE the lyric “We are always running for the thrill of it; always pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of it.”
I totally embodies that mountain lifestyle for me and reminds me of how wonderful it is to live in a fit body.
I too recently lost 10 lbs 🙂 YAY us!
I’ll be thinking of you on my next run!
KissMyTulle says
Christie, I’m not allowed ot run (bad, bad knees) but I love hiking and HATE that I live in hot as hell Texas and can’t do it. I agree, a killer playlist is key to motivation.
P.S. YAY for losing weight!