The Couch Potato's Weight Loss Journey (2025)

11/02/2020

As I sit waiting for my turn to get my hair cut I'm thinking of this past month and all the struggles my family has been through.
Mental health is so important! I fell into a very deep hole and lost all feeling of who I am. Steph couldn't work for awhile due a misunderstanding about his license. This put us in an unforeseen financial situation. Employment insurance didn't understand the situation therefore wouldn't payout. We were about to lose everything. I was done. I still lose myself in the thoughts of this.
Then there were other happenings in my home with mental health that aren't my story to share. This all plays a toll on how you work and how you want to function. This meant that I did not want to write, work or even get dressed.
Although I was lost, I'm trying hard to find myself again, bare with me.
Keep yourself healthy!

28/01/2020

I've a lot of time to think lately, actually it's more like catastrophy. My depression has been in over drive and I'm feeling helpless and hopeless.
As you know I've been doing a 30 day challenge workout. Well, I feel like I can't do it any more. Not because I don't want to, but because after 2 days my guts swell and I start having stomach issues. I can't eat anything and I'm in extreme pain. I don't know if this is because I'm obese and this is normal or if it's just me and the health issues I already have.
I'm going to see a doctor tomorrow and that has me worried because I know exactly what she is going to say...eat healthier and get exercise. Cause I've never thought of that before!
I never feel full, it's always been like this. Portion control is hard for me. I'll eat a full meal and an hour later be wanting more food.
I'm tired of looking in the mirror and hating the person looking back at me.
I'm tired of trying so hard and not getting any where.
I'm embarrassed that I let things get this far.
I'm embarrassed that I can't walk down the street without struggle.
I'm so afraid of failing and reaching my goals that it has made feel like quitting. I'm in a bad place right now and just want to shut myself away and say screw it, I am who I am, but I know deep down that I have to keep going. For me, my kids and my life.

When was the last time you wanted to quit something but kept going? What made you keep going?

My name is Erin and I'm a couch potato trying to figure out how to keep moving forward.

27/01/2020

Second workout today....gotta find me a good sports bra. It's hard enough trying to do these workout moves without my b***s getting the way!!

My name is Erin and I'm a couch potato with my b***s in my face!!

26/01/2020

Man oh man today's short workout kicked my butt!! I missed it yesterday because of the wedding show,but I did it today and will do todays later.
I'm so glad I had my HPT insoles to help me get through it.

My name is Erin and I'm a couch potato struggling to keep up with my workout!

22/01/2020

Just finished day 2 of my work out challenge. I have decided that I will do a 30 day butt workout challenge and a 30 plank challenge! Man is it hard right now and my butt muscles are screaming at my thigh muscles!
Hopefully it gets easier.

My name is and Erin and I'm a couch potato getting my butt off the couch.

Tip:
Download workout challenge apps. They can be easy and fun. The beginner challenges start out slow and you can always move up if you feel it's too easy

21/01/2020

Just finished a 10 minute workout!! It feels good!

20/01/2020

Needed a late night snack

18/01/2020

CHANGING HABITS SUCKS!!!
Especially when there are 5 other people in the house who are not changing their eating habits. All the foods I'm trying to stay away from are some of the only foods my youngest will eat because of food texture issues. There will always be sugary cereals, cookies and other processed foods.
Processed foods are also a lot cheaper to buy making it more bank account friendly. When the sole money maker in the household isn't working, this makes it easier to buy too. Why is it so expensive to be healthy?!
All of this then makes me feel down and depressed and I eat my feelings with sugar, fried foods and said processed garbage. A salad just doesn't make you feel as good as ice cream, I've tried!

My name is Erin and I'm a couch potato eating my feelings

16/01/2020

This sweaty mess is from dancing around my kitchen doing dishes. Anything that makes you sweat that much has to be good for you!! 💃🎶🎵

13/01/2020

Cake!!

When you're newly engaged wedding events and planning become the only thing you can think about. This brings so many temptations. For instance, Saturday I went to an open house at a possible venue. It was set up to show you how it would look all set up for your big day. It was beautiful. There were vendors around to show you what they had to offer, including bakers, dress shops, photographers, and even the venue chef preparing food that could be served. The bar was even giving samples of drinks and wine. I did try a tiny cupcake, an hors d'oeurve, and a small sample of french fries, all in the name of research of course!
This weekend, today actually, is also my first borns birthday and my fiance's birthday, so guess what, more cake! Yes I had a piece lat night after dinner, then another before bed, and yet another tonight after dinner. I did give up, or rather, cut back on my sugar intake. It was going well until cake!! Cake is my down fall, I love it.
I will say, up until this weekend I was doing very well. I was proud with myself and pleased with the sacrifices I had made, then cake.

My name is Erin and I'm a couch potato tempted by cake.

Tips to resist temptation
1. Remember your goals and commitment
2. Don't have it around
3. Stock up on yummy healthy foods
4. Eat small frequent meals
5. Don't think of food as a reward
6. Let people know you're trying to be healthy
7. Make choices a head of time
8. Give in, have a small amount of the temptation

11/01/2020

Sleep!

Raise your hand, how many of you carry around a full grown adult with you all day long? Unless you are a fat person or were a fat person you probably have no idea what I'm talking about. Well let me tell, this person I carry around with me all day is not very nice. She stops me from doing things I enjoy. She tires me out even when I'm not doing anything. She's always there.
Carrying all this extra weight is tiring. I'm always out of breath. It's embarrassing. I can't even walk to the front door without feeling like my lungs are going to burst! I break a sweat climbing the stairs to go to bed.
Speaking of bed, with all this extra padding it makes it very easy to want to sleep my day away. I could litterally stay in bed all day and still sleep at night sometimes. It's tiring carrying the weight of another human being with you all the time!
Sleep is also an important factor in weight loss. Not too much, not too little, just the right amount. For a healthy adult that's between 7-9 hours a night. 7 HOURS!! That would be amazing! That many hours of straight sleep would be even better.
This is my schedule;
After spending some time with Steph, (my future husband), and having some much needed down time I usually head tk bed around 12am. Then I toss and turn trying to get comfortable maybe falling asleep around 1:30-2am. I'm up at 4-5 for p*e and more tossing and turning. I fall back to sleep just in time for my alarm to go off at 6:50 to get the boys up for school.
Then this momma and her side kick, extra weight the size of a human), makes sure everyone is out the door on time after running around making sure they're getting ready. After everyone is gone I have breakfast and try my hardest to keep my eyes open. Failing at this I climb back up the stairs, and get back into bed tk get 2 more hours of sleep.
This is such a horrible sleep schedule and something I have to work on. So not only should have I have a food journal, but a sleep journal as well. I may need a file system too!

My name is Erin and I'm working towards better sleeo habits.

P.S. I cut Pepsi out of my diet a week ago. I still have cravings and I stare at the bottle in my fridge, but I have not opened it! Yay me!

Sleep Tips:

1. Sleep and wake at the same times every day, even weekends
2. Avoid bright lights and screens before bed
3. Expose yourself to lots of light when you wake up
4. Leave the bed for sleeping and s*x, nothing else
5. Practice mindfulness
6. No caffine after noon
7. Keep a cool temperature in the bedroom
8. Don't eat late at night
9. Keep a sleep journal
10. Create a night time hygiene routine

10/01/2020

TOOLS

I bought a book and then I bought another. The books I bought are tools to help me in my weight loss. I think humor is a good way to through something hard, so I got a funny book. The book is about someone elses journey through weight loss called, "Climbing off the Couch", by Kristann Monaghan. It inspired me to write this blog and it's inspired me to get up and get myself moving.
The second book I bought is "Lazy Bi***es Weight Loss Journal". Yes, I'm a lazy bitch, hense the title of this blog page. This book gives fun and super easy tips on how to get moving and swap bad for good..
Tools are ok to use, so are non conventional ways to lose weight.
Someday I will be able to run on treadmill, but that day is not today and that's ok. So today I'll use simple tools and walk up and down the stairs a few more times. Maybe I'll try some lazy bitch tips and keep a food journal. Maybe I'll have a small bowl of popcorn tonight instead of a whole bag large bag of chips.

My name is Erin and I use tools and read inspirational books to help me lose weight!

09/01/2020

Get up and get moving!

Today I took down Christmas decorations and did dishes. Both of which are a work out for me. I have been sick with an infection for the last few days, unable to do much of anything so it felt good! Some people might not think these things are a work out but as long as you are moving, it's good. I actually worked up a sweat! I also played with my dog. Lifting him with legs while sitting in my lazy boy recliner, all 80lbs of him! Gave my thighs quite the workout.
Moving is important. Climb some stairs, vacuum, move your furniture around. All of this counts!!

My name is Erin, and I'm moving!!

Things to get you moving:

Do lunges while walking through the house
Have a dance party in your pj's
Squats while doing dishes or cooking
Skip a step ( take 2 a time) when going upstairs

07/01/2020

My Why
All my life I've struggled with weight. The first memory I have of feeling self conscious was when I was 10 years old. I remember having to wear a larger size than everyone else and not feeling comfortable in a bathing suit. AT 10! A time when I should be just worrying about playing and kid stuff. When I was 12 my friends were starting to mature and develop so the bikini was super popular. I begged my mom to buy me one so I could be like my friends. I went swimming and realized I didn't look like all the other girls and wore a t-shirt in the water all summer long. After that it was a tummy covering one piece. Eventually swimming was out all together, no more beach and swimming pools for me.
Anyway, back to my why. I have 3 children, my youngest 2 are only 10 months apart. I was pregnant for almost 16 months straight. A perfect time to gain weight and not care about my diet. I was preggers and eating for 2, who cared what I ate. Well, my youngest is now 7, no more excuses right? WRONG! I found other reasons why my weight gain was happening, my thyroid, low metabolism, that kind of stuff. I wasn't lazy, I had health issues. I didn't sit around on the couch all day , I had joint pain making it difficult to move.
New Years Eve day I found myself at the doctors office to refill a prescription. Th nurse asked me the dreaded, "Do you know how much you weigh?" question. I didn't know, I don't even own a scale. So I got up on the scale and guess what, I'm fat. Obese actually. In that minute I realized I had to make some changes, no more excuses.
Let me tell you, that very large number flashed in my mind for days. Then I ended up in the ER with sharp pain my left pelvic area. I have been diagnosed with endomitriosis so I figured that was the issue. Turns out that was not the issue. I was diagnosed with a disease called diverticulosis. This is where little pouches form on your lower intestine and can cause infection and other complications. Turns out my infection was so bad that it was noticeable on an ultrasound. I guess this rarely happens. It's usually diagnosed by CT scan.
Do you know the number cause of Diverticulosis? Obesity!
Do you know how one controls Diverticulosis, diet and weight loss.
So there is my why. My fear of having a disease caused by obesity.
Throughout this blog I'm going to share my journey, my exercise, my diet, tips I've learned, my progress and my thoughts no matter how hard it is. This is my first step to making better choices.

My name is Erin, and I'm a couch potato looking to change my unhealthy habits.

Tip #1
Just changing little things can go a long way. Start small, stick to it and a new habit will form. It can take up to 21 days for a new habit to stick, so be patient and don't worry if you struggle.

The Couch Potato's Weight Loss Journey