Bringing in the Pros: Working with a Dietitian

Today, I met with a dietitian.

Not my old dietitian, but the one that took her place.


Sooooo...

I wanted to work with my old dietitian but since having her baby and launching her own business she has been hard to reach.

I researched a few other dieititans...reached out to 2 (wasn't overly impressed with our interactions)...but, finally called the new dietitian replacing my old favorite and we chatted for a bit and I decided that I would give working with her a try.

Well, today was our first meeting. We had a GREAT meeting. I never felt rushed and I felt like she really wanted to succeed. She was sooo understanding. Had even gone through a ("significant") weight gain and loss experience too.

She is customizing a program just for me!

There is no way I would have lost the 30 pounds the way I did - nutrionally balanced, "well" fed, and healthy - w/o working with my old dietitian.

It's clear that I am in different phase of weight maintenance and I need to make some tweaks. I have also set up an appointment for my old trainer to work up a workout plan that I can follow on my own...I need to make some changes to my workout routine as well.

I'd Be A Better Blogger If....

I could blog at work.

Sounds horrible...but it's true. :)

By the time I get home from my workouts or other activities, I am distracted or tired....

Or if iphone had a blogger app....

Anywhoo...I am gonna give blogging at least once a week on a set day a try again....

Guilt And Compliments

Well...

Things have been busy...

Teaching 4 zumba classes a week, Business Travel, Catching a Cold While on Business Travel, Then Getting a Sinus Infection, and a Kitchen Remodel.

Realized that I needed to simplify things a bit and dropped a zumba class :(

Anyways...I had to go to to the DR. to deal with the Sinus Infection. We updated my file. >>>>>Let the guilt begin>>>>>> I am up 1 lb from the last time I was there....(BUT up about 8lbs from my happy maintenance weight). Still exercising 6 days a week? NO...3 to 5. (BUT, actually last year I was working out 6 days a week - 2 to 4 times a week 2x a day). >>>>>More Guilt>>>>>>

Then, a few days later....one of my Zumba participants mentioned how skinny I was...So kind of her...BUT not true.

Anywhoo...keeping up the workouts but wanting to take a few up a level...Thinking about meeting with my dietitian again for a follow-up visit.

#$@I$*%*&^!!!!!!

I stepped on the scale this morning and this is certainly how I felt! I really wanted this to be the week that I broke through the 140s and back in 130s. I was briefly in the high 30s in January and haven't been back since. I don't know if that's gonna happen anymore....

AND that makes me so !@#%^Y%#$#%$%$ frustrated. What the heck is going on?

I just don't get it. I'm not losing ('enough' - 'quick enough')! And I'm not...gaining muscle OR losing inches....(My cardio endurance has improved though).

I've been working out 4 to 6 days a week since January. Watching what I've been eating since January. Added strength training about 3 weeks ago. Started calorie counting again last week.

So...anyways, here we go again...working hard to get to and stay in those 130s.

Getting Into The Greek

Greek Yogurt......I tried to add this to my diet about a year ago...My dietitian recommended trying it. It has about twice the protein of regular yogurt, less lactose, and less sugar.

I love yogurt! BUT, greek yogurt left me desiring for more.

But, lately, I have been wanting to give it a try again....Maybe, it's because I've been trying to refine my yogurt eating....I've been trying to skip yogurts with no artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, modified starch, or added sugars, etc...So, I tried a few types of greek yogurt last week....Nothing to write home about.



AND then, yesterday, I gave Chobani Yogurt a whirl. I LOVE it! It has a little bit of fruit on the bottom and has nothing but authentic ingredients....(a little embrassed to admit this) But, I have tried the blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, and black cherry and liked them all....Raspberry was my favorite. They have several other selections too.

Do you like greek yogurt? Why or Why not? Do you have a favorite brand?

Counting Calories

My dietitian had me (among other things) count calories. After the initial adjustment period, I felt empowered by counting calories...I was taking concrete steps to lose weight. Although my calories were limited, my choices to eat were not...I selected what/when/how to eat. I counted calories all throughout my losing weight and for the first several months of maintenance. Then I moved to focusing on eating food groups as recommended by my dietitian and paying attention to portion sizes(and the food pyramid) instead of counting calories over the past year. That worked pretty well. (Although I did count calories the weeks approaching my birthday.)

But now...counting calories seems so restrictive. This week I was going to start eating 1500 calorie a day until I hit goal weight of 135. Sigh....That really didn't happen this week. So, I'll try again Sunday.

Nipping It In the Bud

So...I've written this post about 5 times in my head...each time it has most of the same message but with a different focus....

I've been tolerating being over my acceptable weight range for almost 3 months now. First, a pound, then two, now 7. And, enough is enough. It's time to nip it in the bud.

A few weeks ago a coworker approached me and said Cute outfit...You are doing a good job at keeping the weight off...I thanked her and yes, it' true that I have kept at least 20 pounds off for a year and half. That was a good reminder to keep the course...We actually were in the cafeteria so I definitely ate especially well that day :) But, it also reminded me to shake off the rest of the weight.

Honestly, the last few weeks, I've been a mix of feeling....I've been frutrated that the weight has come off as fast as I wanted. Mad at myself for letting my weight creep up. Sad that I had forgotten about the girl who worked sooo hard to get this weight off.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO What Am I Gonna Do To Nip It The Bud???? Honestly, I am still trying to figure it out. Living Social had a deal for 8 personal training sessions for $40 dollars. I snapped that up and started working with with them a week and a half ago...I brought Thin for Life and Fit to Live up from the basement and hope to read them in my "free" time. Thin for Life is one of the very few books that deals with weight maintenance.

I also pulled out a plan that my dietitian gave me to use when I would plateau for a week or two. It works but I don't necessarily love it doing it. For the most part, I haven't been counting calories in over a year...but focusing on eating all the food groups with balance....So, I guess, I am back to counting calories.

But, when I mentioned to my friends today that I too want to shake off some weight...They said...you've gained weight? You wear it well...We can't tell...

I guess that agrees with something I've been thinking alot about...I am smaller than I used to be...Looking good in many areas....I think that is do in part to some of my exercise habits. But, I am bigger than I was and technically not in at a healthy bmi...

I think that can be the difficult part of maintaining...keeping vigilant about staying within that healthy weight range/exercise levels even though you may be in better shape then what you've been before.

So here we go, the journey to shake off these extra pounds. Today my weight was 144.4...135 here we go!