The better health and weight loss wagon that is.
At the beginning of the year I wrote a list of goals. Like resolutions I guess but the word resolutions seems to have a big “fail” sign about it`s head in my eyes so yeah, let`s go with goals or intentions. I have moved forward with a few of my goals, completed some others, and have started working toward other things. My health however is not one of the things I have been focusing on but that is changing!
Originally my goal was to lose 5kg { written late 2011} and then in February I changed it to maintain my current weight. I have since gained weight so am back to wanting to lose weight BUT I also know that for this to be something I succeed at I need to watch what I eat/drink 90% of the time. I hate the idea of giving up chocolate for good or to stop cooking with cheese or cream but I know that I definitely should cut back on this. I hate the idea of giving snacks up completely. This i why I say 90% of the time. I don`t want to BINGE the other 10% of the time but if I want some chocolate or a glass of wine or lasagna for dinner on occasion then that is what I will do.
Regular exercise is also something I want to have in my life. The benefits {healthier, better moods, losing weight, improved fitness levels} outweigh the cons {I don`t really like exercising. That is the con!}. I have done this whole weight loss thing before only to end up back near where I started. I want to get fit and STAY fit.
I weigh now what I did when I gave BIRTH to Shion. I was back at my pre-pregnancy weight after I gave birth to him by the time he was 2 months old so there is really no excuse.
So for now I am trying to eat better, cut out most snacks and exercise 3-4 times a week using an exercise dvd. I know that in order to lose weight I will need to do cardio work but mostly I have been trying a couple of different dvds to see what I like and what I can stick with. So far I enjoy doing stretching and pilates. I didn`t mind the zumba dvd I did the other day as well. In the last 2 weeks I have exercised 10 or 11 of the 14 days using dvds at home. I do it as SOON as I put the boys to bed at night. If I don`t put the dvd player on then I know I will sit down and probably not get up to do it so for me at least the trick to staying on track with that is to do it then.
I think I would like to start counting calories or using the points system from weight watchers. I have the books for both. I always find it hard to diet in Japan because the foods I eat/drink are not the same as those listed in the books I usually use to work out things. Any free online resources you can recommend? My water intake has increased as well and I am trying to drink 300-500ml with breakfast as well to start the day.
I am taking some supplements as well. My skin has been a mess since i was pregnant with Noah- I thought it was hormones but it has gotten progressively worse. Doctor in Australia suggested it might be a food intolerance so I might have to look into that. Of course the top two culprits for that would be dairy [CHEESE, CHOCOLATE, AHH!} or wheat {My beloved bread!} so I am a bit scared to find out! The supplements are to help my skin {hopefully!} and general well being. I also take ACV in some water each day and have done for the last week.
There will be no before and after photos of me in nothing but a bikini. No matter how much weight I lose or how fit I get I doubt I will EVER wear a bikini again. Here is a photo of me from a bit over a year ago plus a more recent photo. Ideally I would love to look like I did in that first photo although it really wasn`t that I was fit and healthy in that photo just that I was smaller than I am now. The bottom photo is atrocious but when trying to find a recent photo of me this is all I came up with taken on my phone on our way home from Shizuoka in late April {and I am 2kg lighter now than I was then}
Last weekend, in Brisbane, was my 10 year high school reunion. A couple of my friends went and another friend had put together a slideshow of photos of us from high school and also some more recent photos. There were some pictures of me in year 11 & 12 and I know that back then I thought I was huge. It is hard to believe, when I look at those photos now, that I ever thought I was big. Of course I could`t attend the reunion but it looked like everyone had a good time. I think there were about 75 girls who got together from our graduating class {Graduating class was about 160 girls I think, maybe more}
What has worked for you in the past when you have been trying to get fit? Are you happy you made the changes in your life to get to where you are?
Popularity: 8% [?]
I am just a twenty something Aussie girl living in Chiba, Japan with my Japanese husband trying to find my way in a country that is not my own! We welcomed our first son in December 2009 (Noah) and a second son {Shion} in January 2011- yes they are just over 12 months apart so life is a little insane with two toddlers underfoot. I am working hard at raising them to be curious, confident, bilingual and happy kids.
Good luck! I hope you achieve your goals – not because I personally think you need to lose weight but because I know that is what you want.
I am now on the proud owner of 30 day Shred… I downloaded it the other day. I plan on starting… soon… lol!! I am back down and under my pre-pregnancy weight with Kai – I walked out of the hospital so.
BUT
I am 5kgs heavier than I would like to be. My goal weight is what I was up to my miscarriage before Leilah. Since then those 5kgs have stayed on and I can’t shake them. I know I’m not eating very healthy at the moment (but I’m breast feeding and it’s the only time you can eat like shit and not gain weight, LOL!). But it is also the perfect time to lose that weight but it should be easy… losing weight whilst breast feeding is easy for me.
So my goal is to start doing some exercise, cut out a lot of my unhealthy snacking and lose those 5kgs before I wean Kai. Because by then I will be trying to fall pregnant again and won’t be able to diet!
Good luck Nay. I have the 30 day shred as well somewhere. I hated it when I tried it but can see why it would be affective!! I just thought I was going to die. So trying to get a bit fitter first!
Breastfeeding agree with me too! That is why I was a good weight this time last year. It is the weaning Shion that didn`t help!!! LOL
I have a bit of a sweet-tooth that I need to satisfy at least once a day. What works for me are off-sets. So for the most part I like to eat pretty healthy and then have the splurges when I feel like it. What works best is if I don’t do too much shopping over and above the weekly shop i guess. Summer is a good one for me so hoping to shift a little of the winter weight with lighter meals in the evening and more liquids in the day. Also I’ll be walking a lot in the not too distant future to get to work so that’ll count as my ‘excercise’.
Good luck!
I have a sweet tooth as well. I think it has been 5 days since I had chocolate though. I could definitely do with some! I eat relatively healthy on average but it is my portion sizes that get me.
Will be interesting to see how we go this summer. A lot of our summer go to dinners are not so kid friendly and while I know Shion would give anything a go Noah is such a picky little bugger!
I did see you were returning to work- when? where?
You are gorgeous!!! I think the trick is not to think about cutting back and loosing weight but to try and add in lots of good food – like smoothies, juices, salads and healthy snacks…then there doesn’t seem to be room for the bad stuff any more. I start the day with a big cup of hot water with the juice of half a lemon which does wonders for your liver and kidneys. Chuck all the processed food, eat lots of greens and watch the weight fall off. My favourite snack at the moment is sliced apple with almond butter…yum!
Hi- thanks for stopping by to read and comment! I find the issue with eating better here is that fruit and things can be so expensive and it is hard to find healthier options of the foods I like to eat and we just don`t get the same variety. I do do a lot of salads in the summer! Just have to get motivated to make them when I make lunch for the boys. It is getting quite hot here but I will try the lemon in water. Problem is lemons are so expensive! Like 3 dollars for 2 I think.
You eat really well. What about your kids? Do you struggle with that? My younger son is game to try and eat anything but the older one will turn up his nose at almost anything so I try to alternate night meals with things I think he will like with new things I want him to try or something a bit different. He used to love fruit but has recently gone to only eating strawberries and kiwi fruit and now strawberries are out of season.
Apples with almond butter sound really good! I have never seen almond butter here. Did you make it? Buy it?
Any more hints definitely welcome!
It is SO easy…just whiz up some roasted almond in the food processor (around 250 g makes a good amount) until it becomes like a paste. You can add a bit of almond or macadamia oil to loosen it up but it’s not essential. It tastes great on toast, dry biscuits, celery, carrot…my kids love it!
I bought 100grams of cashews today and will try and make cashew butter using the method above. I don`t have any macadamia oil or almond oil. I only have olive oil, avocado oil, seasame oil or vegetable oil but will see how I go first- might not need any! No almonds at my supermarket today- will look out for them at the import shop next time I am there though and will try it out! Have some bean to make hummus over the weekend as well. Both boys love that and so do I!
Cashew butter will be delish!
In the year before I got pregnant with Haru, I lost a lot of weight. The most effective thing for me was keeping a VERY STRICT diary of absolutely everything I ate, right down to the amount of salad dressing, or chewing gum. It was amazing how much I learned from this. I have always been an exerciser and I don’t have trouble motivating myself to keep active – will be interesting after this next baby to see if I can slot in some exercise somewhere……
The year I got pregnant with Noah I lost a ton of weight too. I needed to though! It was also the year I was getting married. I have kept strict food diaries before and I should do it again. Will help me figure out calories.
Last year when I lost weight after Shion was born I did nothing but stress about earthquakes and breastfeed him and the kgs came off in chunks. March last year I lost 5kg in a month. It was totally stress related so not the best way!
I was an active kid and teenager- it is since I finished school that I struggle. I need to find something that suits me that is easy to fit in with the kids or do when they are sleeping. Hoping the variety of dvds works for me!
I am with you on the wagon. I have really been trying to get on and stay on. Today was day 2 of the 30 day shred. I just hope I can make it through the next 28.
Food will always be a bit of a problem but will power is like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. I just need to keep trying and pushing it. Eating nuts when I can seem to be helping.
By the way,2 lemons for 300yen, yikes. I swear they are cheaper than that. I use to buy them a lot. Have you tried my basket or 100 yen lawson??
I bought 2 lemons today for 200yen so not as expensive as last time. I will ask grandma in law if she knows anyone with a lemon tree- bound to be someone close by! Will see if they want me to take there lemons off their hands in exchange for some produce from her farm. Snap peas, red onions or something! She gave me 20 red onions the other day. I don`t think I need them ALL! lol
We have fresh herbs growing outside as well as nasu, mini tomatos and capsicums. I really want to grow zucchini too but grandma in law say it would be better to do that at her hatake where the soil is better so maybe next season.
I will have to pick out some other nuts I think. Cashews are not so healthy, hey? I love pistachio nuts as well but also they are not so great. Better than chips though I suppose! Although I don`t really eat chips. Bread is my weakness for sure! I am noticing myself making healthier choices already though. Non fat milk in coffee, fruit or rice crackers when I am hungry between meals etc.
I have the 30 day shred. I didn`t like it much though. I will have to give it another go!
I’m working on this right now! I am running and walking and then keeping track of what I eat with the LoseIt app (free!) for iPhone. I have lost some weight but I can feel my body changing as I gain more muscle and lose the fat so although the scale hasn’t changed much, I am feeling so much better. I know I couldn’t have done this when I had little kids. With all my kids in school I can exercise when I feel like it. I make breakfast and lunch just for me so I can choose totally different things than I would make if the kids were home. Even now I eat more on Saturdays and Sundays when everyone is eating together. Like mamacino said adding in healthier foods is better than cutting back and I think allowing yourself a little chocolate or something you really like is better than cutting it out alltogether. For me, since I’m turning 38 this year I’m trying to create a healther lifestyle that I can continue through my 40′s and on and the focus on being healthy instead of losing weight has made all the difference for me.
I hope you find something that works for you!
Oh I will have to have a look for that app on the ipad or my android phone. I am sure there is something similar on android maybe. Does it count the calories for you?
I am also hoping to be at a great weight and health level when I hit 30 with the hope that I will be able to maintain the healthy living lifestyle throughout my 30s and beyond!
What sort of exercise are you doing? I quite like walking while listening to music but Noah likes me to talk to him while he is in the baby car and both get antsy if we are just walking so it would be best if I did it alone. Will try and get a walk or jog or 2 in over the weekend while Shun is home as well as my dvds. So far the scales have not changed at all in the last 2 weeks….depressing BUT I will persevere!
ps: Will you start blogging again? I miss your blog! Are you on fb?
Just had to butt in and say I miss your blog too Sarah!! I would love to see you blogging again
You two are so sweet!
Lulu, the LoseIt app has a large food database built in from regular grocery store food, restaurants and brand companies. Then you can also add food (like if you buy something here and it has the kcal written on it you can create a new food) and you can also make recipes so you can get an approximate kcal value for one serving. Anything you create it saves so you can find it easily again. Then it gives you a calorie total for the day, week, etc. It also asks you how much you currently weigh and how much you want to lose each week so you have a target amount of calories you can eat each day. Now that I don’t have kids at home I spent some time wandering around my grocery store to find foods that would be easy to fix and have low calories and I found some great stuff.
I started running last October. It took me two months to get from walking 30 minutes to running 30 minutes. I feel great and I’m so happy to have some stamina back. Now I’m mixing it up so I’m walking 3k and running 4k all within 50 minutes. I have no idea if that’s fast or slow but I don’t care. My thighs have stopped meeting in the middle, my tummy is flatter but the best is that I feel really healthy and can keep up with my kids. Also, it’s something I can continue doing for the rest of my life. No crash diets for me!
Will definitely have to check it out- at the moment I am writing down what I eat and drink in a notebook and attaching weight watchers points to the foods since I have the catelogue for that from when I went to weight watchers the year I lived back in Australia. I don`t weight foods though- so if it says 120grams of chicken I just kind of estimate which I know is not the best thing to do BUT I am trying to stick to 22 points and exercise but I am not giving myself extra points if I exercise so I hope that it will even out. If in 2 weeks there is no change I guess I will reassess.
I love walking. Listening to music and going. I can run 20-30 minutes as well although haven`t done it recently. I should try again but really could only make it work on the weekends when DH is around to keep an ear out for the kids at night. Do you go almost every day?
You should blog about your weight loss/running/healthy eating journey!!!
I think this is something we all struggle with (and I don’t even have kids yet!), but a couple of things have really helped me. The first was regular exercise because it helps regulate my moods and appetite but I have to say that only cardio isn’t enough – I have to do weight training as well. I just pulled out all my old measurement card from when I first started at the gym seven years ago and while my weight hasn’t changed at all my thighs are now 5cms smaller (each!) than they were back then. I knew that muscle made a difference, but I was shocked to see just how much of a difference on myself! That being said 5cms in 7 years is less than 1cm a year so it’s definitely important to think about long term health rather than short term goals. Weight training also allows you to mix up your workouts a bit, cardio alone can get so boring after a while! The strange thing that I learned at the gym in Japan and that seems to work very well for me is weighing yourself every day and keeping track (on an app on my phone). I know that we are told in Australia that weight fluctuates and that you should only get on the scales once a week and blah blah blah but I find the every day thing helps me see those fluctuations and see what makes a difference every day and allows me to make adjustments when necessary, before things get scary!
The other thing that really helped was reading this book:
http://www.amazon.com/French-Women-Dont-Get-Fat/dp/1400042127
She writes so beautifully about the joy of food and cooking and changed how I thought about paying a little extra for fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods that can be quite expensive in Japan. It’s worth the extra few thousand yen a month to enjoy really good quality fresh foods that make you happy and healthy. She also talks about paying a little bit extra for good quality chocolate, cakes, etc. that is very very appealing! Now if I could only put her advice on wine into practice…
Glad you’re putting some time aside very night to look after yourself though, I’ll be sending exercise genki vibes your way!
I haven`t read the book but I have heard good things- from you and others! I will check out the kindle version later for the ipad maybe!
If you are sending me exercise genki vibes I am SURE to succeed since you are like the energiser bunny when it comes to gymming it up {TOTALLY A WORD!}.
I saw photo last night of the night you and I met at Rionne`s BBQ thingy years ago! I was sorting through photos to send to Cat for Mai & Junni`s slideslow. Some hilarious ones of ei-chan before you guys met as well! Will have to show you sometime! I was laughing like crazy at Ei-chan`s hair back then!
I think for me it need to be a lifestyle change for good. Better eating, less drinking {well not so much less than I am drinking now but just not going back to how much I drank before I was pregnant and a mum- a bottle of wine a week ain`t bad so will stick with that or less!} and consistent activity. At the moment I am trying to do some exercise everyday and I know that I probably won`t continue that forever but if I can get into a routine and continue with some form of exercise 3 times a week then I would be happy!
Last night I did the 30 day shred. It includes cardio and weights and is medium intensity. I can see why people rave about it as I imagine you would definitely tone up if you did do it for 30-60 days continuously! It almost killed me though! I am very unfit {and quite sore today!}
What a great question! I so need this too. I’m 2 months postpartum and I have about 9 kgs to lose. Ugh! So depressing! I am breastfeeding but that doesn’t ever work for me.
I absolutely won’t diet or calorie count (both make me either miserable or paranoid) so I just have a rule of eating as much real food as possible (lots of fruits/veg, little packaged meals). I guess it’s also a bit like French Women Don’t Get Fat for me. If it’s real, honest, full fat, delicious food then I’m happiest. But I’ve also found it helps to eat a salad before making dinner and then to cover 2/3-3/4 of my small plate with fruits/veg/grains. But I allow myself full fat entrees and dessert if desired!
With tbat being said, I’ve personally found that nutrition, for me, keeps my body working right but it doesn’t make me lose a ton of weight and actually keep it off. For me, that requires fairly vigorous exercise. Fortunately, I enjoy exercise. After I had my first child, I found it to be vital to learn how to work out with my new family. The thing that did it for me was to bring my boy along. I put him in tbe jogging stroller and jogged to the park. Then I let him out and while he played I did stretches and strength training with a Theraband. I found a jogging partner and that really helped because it became a real treat to have a friend to talk to and our boys played together. Right now I’m going after my kids are asleep but I hope to eventually go during the day again once my little girl’s neck is strong enough for my new Phil&Teds jogging stroller.
I really think success comes from finding some way to make your “diet” and exercise reasonably pleasurable within your life. For me, that meant adding a social dynamic and bringing my toddler so I wouldn’t feel I was ignoring him or fighting with him to do it. It also made his day more interesting as he was going to a play date and it meant I got to kerp my free time at night for doing what I really wanted to do, which was important to me. Now if my newborn will just grow a teeny bit!
I needed to lose nearly 20kg after Max was born and so I did this:
http://thepeakconditionproject.com/
Sensible, no gimmick, healthy. Eat right and move more. Learn about nutrition and exercise.
This was my blog:
http://thepeakconditionproject-tracey.blogspot.jp/
I did everything inside my own house with a jump rope, resistance bands and did all my own cooking.
Lots and lots of skipping.
If you want more info, just drop me an email and I can give you all the details. I have a discount voucher too.
I’m late, anyway.. the things that have been working (sort of!) for me are:
- Weighing myself every morning and writing it down.
- Having less rice with rice meals — about 1/2 or 2/3 what I used to.
- Not minding moving about around the house, climbing stairs, etc.
- Trying not to carry whole big bags of snacks to a sofa with a book!!
- Having a bit less of all kinds of food, doing that “8/10 of full” thing, etc.
- When we have special treats like maple sugar cookies, we have a rule of two cookies per day, per person.
- Three out of four in our family are a bit overweight, so all together we are trying to eat less and better, be more active, follow good rules, etc. We talk about it a lot in our daily life, to try to influence my younger son for the better (he, me, and my husband are the ones who are a bit overweight).
- Trying to think of all this as a permanent life change – being healthier as a permanent way of life, and passing good habits on to our children!