Journal for May, 2000

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May 25, 2000

This week I gained again - up one pound.  I am basically in the same place I was about 6 weeks ago!  Atleast I am maintianing! Good practice!! Better luck  to me next week!  I was hoping to be down to 140  for my  10th anniversary, but that is 11.5 pounds and only 3 weigh-ins away - not looking likely - but I am keeping at it!

This week I want to talk about water.   You know, the clear flavorless stuff that comes from your kitchen faucet? Drink it!  Really though - you should drink a minimum of 64 ounces daily.  That is 8 cups - just one cup per hour -- that is only 1 Tbsp of water every 3.something minutes.  It can be tough at first to drink that much, but please do give it a good try - you will find that as your body gets used to the water your very frequent bathroom trips will slow down.  Our bodies are approximately 70% water -- and water makes up 80% of our blood!   Aside from helping all your cells function properly (by keeping them fully hydrated) drinking water also helps to rid the body of waste and toxins, helps to maintain muscle tone, relieves constipation and assists the body in metabolizing stored fat.  Drinking an adequate amount of water will actually decrease the amount of water that you retain! Much as the body will decrease its metabolism to conserve when your calorie intake is insufficient, the body will hold on to (retain) as much water as possible if it "thinks" that you are depriving it of water.  So, by drinking water you will retain less water - you will flush waste and toxins out of your body's cells, help metabolize that stored up fat,  help to "relieve" your constipation (pardon the pun, I just couldn't resist!!) and oh ya, did I mention it will affect your appetite? Yes! Although drinking water will not actually decrease your appetite,  you will find that often times thirst is mistaken for hunger! Drinking a glass or two of water may get rid of the hungry feeling -  that wasn't hungry at all!!  If you drink a large glass before meals it may also help you to feel fuller sooner and therefore eat a little less!

So you want a few water tips then? Okay!! First of all, do try to drink a minimum of 8 glasses (64 oz or 2 quarts) of plain water daily.  Spread it out over the day so it doesn't like so much.  Although some programs like Weight Watchers allow you to count up to 3 glasses of non-caffinated beverages as water, the bottom line is that your body can not seperate the water back out of anything.  (One of the very few things I actually remember learning in highschool chemistry  soo many years ago -- thank you Mr. Beal!!)   For each 10 pounds of extra weight your body is carrying it needs an additional 8 oz or so of water - so once you have the 64 ounces down pat, maybe start adding on a little more if you are not at your goal weight!  Also remember to drink 8 - 16 ounces of water within one hour before exercising - and 4-8 ounces of water every 15 minutes during exercise to keep  hydrated.  I have heard much controversy over whether you should be drinking your water warm or cold, and I think that the bottom line is, however you can get it in you works!!  From what I have heard it seems that the ice cold water arguments win (in my book) claiming that it is absorbed faster, and burns calories by taking energy from the body to bring the water up to body temperature while maintaining the body's temperture.

Just in case you were wondering, yes it is possible to drink too much water.  It is a quite uncommon condition called Hyponatremia - or over-hydration.   This can occur when one takes in too much water and a very minimal amount of sodium.  If you eating a "normal" amount of food, and not starving yourself, it is extremely unlikely that you would become over-hyrdrated without drinking many gallons of water daily.  Symptoms include headache, nausea, cramping and seizures.

This week I have put up a message board.  I hope that it can become a great place of support, where we can all share ideas, recipes, and general talk about  health and the long road of weightloss and becoming healthy.  Please find the link on my weightloss page just below the link to the recipe page!

Have a great week!!! And happy memorial day weekend!  ~~Chel

May 18, 2000

I lost!! I was hoping to maintain, but I lost! 1.5 pounds - puts me to 150.5 - next week back into those long awaited 140's that I only allowed myself to enjoy for one week! Can't wait.  I am definately feeling some of my motivation coming back!  I have lost 81.5 pounds so far - I would like to be down to 140 for my 10th anniversary. That is 10.5 pounds away (would be a total loss of 92#!) and I have 4 weigh ins to go.  My sister is getting married in September (on the 30th) and I would like to be to goal by then - that is 20.5 pounds away  and 19 weeks. That would put me at 130# and 102# lost!  I am starting to feel like I am "close enough to smell it" and am getting excited.  I am definately finding that as I weigh less the weight is harder to lose.  Not only in that I have to eat less and move more, but also there are times when I think "Well, I am not so big like I used to be, it wouldn't hurt if I just gorge on this just this once" (It never is just once, and yes it hurts!!)

This week take some quiet time to yourself each day.  Close your eyes and play a movie in your head.  A movie in which you can see yourself at your goal weight.  Where you experience the way you feel, both physically and emotionally.  This is called creative visualization.  Visualize all the aspects of your thin life - visualize yoursef moving, and eating well.  Playing these movies in your head will not only help to keep you motivated, but actually give your subconscious a map to live by. 

Have a great week!
Chel