Weigh In...

So I am down from last week. That's a good thing. I ws surprised to see 208.8 this morning actually. While I did so much better this week than the previous three, I did not do nearly as well as I expect from myself. I think it may take me a bit to get back in the groove of things but I feel like I am fianlly heading down the right path again.

My first day on the new job was yesterday. I spent most of the day settling in at my new cubicle with a staff meeting and a little training thrown in. I think I will really like my new job. I like my boss and my immediate co-worker (who is going out on maternity leave and is an e-published romance author!) Once she goes out on maternity leave I think I will be pretty busy because I really will have to learn her job, not just think I know how to do it.

My baby turns 15 tomorrow. Saying that makes me feel old, which is weird because I'm only 35! She's a beautiful young woman and I am so glad I have had the privelage of raising her. She has made my life meanignful in ways I never expected when I was a young 19 year finding out I was going to be a Mom. I hinelty didn't think I would be doing it alone and I didn't think at all about how my actions would form her and mold her into what she has become today. I still regret that I have given her my food phobias! If I'd known that would happen I would have never said on a weekly basis that I do not eat meast attached to the bone or food that comes from the sea. I severly limited her culinary experiences. lol

Anyway, that's my life as I currently know it. Have a wonderful weekend! I can't believe it's already August!

It's Wednesday already?

So here's a quick update of what's going on. I finally went grocery shopping on Tuesday, so there is food in my house and it is 99% healthy! I made breakfast before work today and I actually ate it! lol I've gotten two days of exercise in, and have plans to go again today. Wednesday laziness has gotten to me the last 3 weeks and I am determined not to let that happen to me today! I did have soda Monday night, even though my plan was not not have any this week, considering I'd been having a fully leaded soda a day the last couple of weeks, one in 4 days is pretty good.

I'm in the middle of training this week and start my new job officially on Friday. Looking forward to it, and hoping I will have more time to blog soon after.

Weigh In

Well not concentrating on my weight loss has a price. In this case it's 3 lbs. As in I am up 3 lbs! Oh hell no! Do you know how long it takes me to lose 3 lbs? Like almost a month and yet I've gained that in 2 weeks! So I vow to go grocery shopping, bring my breakfast and lunch to work every day this week. Drink only water or Ice tea and exercise more than 3 days a week. I'm shooting for 5 days. I may not be able to post my daily goings on at this blog week, but I'm going to try to blog more than once a week this week as well. I've noticed how easy I've slipped in my habits since I stopped posting on a daily basis. So here is to a kick ass week! I hope you all have had better results than I.

I'm buried!

I'm buried in real life drama. My life seems to be crazy with training new girl in old job and training me in new job, family drama, my sister's sick cat that must be fed every 2-3 hours through a feeding tube, teenager on summer break needing to be entertained, house renovations that seem to be never ending. Why in the world I started that I have no idea. I'm a little nuts! I'm still finding time to exercise, I managed to get a Total Body workout class done tonight (no Step!) And I did it with a tender back. I slept wrong Thursday night and have been in pain ever since! My food has not been the best, but I haven't slipped back into my old ways either. I'm a little bit overwhelmed and my internet time has been shortened dramatically. I'm bummed that I can't read and respond to others blogs or even post on my own blog. I think once I get my nephew back to CA, my sister's cat back to her, and my kid back to school my life will regulate again. Until then my blog posts aren't going to be consistent. *Sigh* I think what I really need is a vacation. I hope I can come up with one soon!

Oh, and my cold is finally starting to go away. I sound really nasally but my throat is not nearly as sore as it has been!

The cold that won't go away

I'm incredibly frustrated right now. I am now at one week of being sick. That's twice so far this year that I've been sick and it just won't go away. I can count one 1 hand the number of times I've been sick in the last 10 years and now that I'm getting healthy, eating right and exercising and I get sick twice in a year. That's just wrong.


Food and exercise are on plan this week. My house is still a mess. The b-i-l is taking sweet time getting my floors done, but I can't really complain as it's free labor, it's just a pain not having my house to myself. I'm a bit anti-social so I'm having a hard time with peeps in my house all the time. In fact I had to leave my home and not return until 9:30 last night just so I could get a little peace and quiet.

Anyway, that's what's going on. Hope everyone else is having a better week than me!

Weekly Weigh In...

I went to my WW meeting today. I was expecting to stay the same or gain because I did not exercise as much as normal nor did I track my food. I actually showed a small loss of 3/4 lb. So I'm happy about that and encouraged to start tracking and getting back to my regular exercise program so I can see bigger losses.

I actually spent the whole day exercising. Doing this:

Painting!

My brother-in-law is doing this for me in this room and my hallway:

wood floors... well bamboo wood anyway





I'm currently getting ready to go and see this lady at the Fox Theatre tonight:









Have a great night all!

I'm around

Last night for the first time in weeks, I took the night off from exercising. I was pretty darn sick, so I had a good excuse. I was all achey and feverish and could barely move my legs. They felt like lead! My house is in an uproar as I'm getting wood floors put in... just in the office and hallway. But hello! I walk the hallway several times a day. So it's been a little frustrating. When it's done it will be well worth it.

I'm feeling better today, but not perfect. I even went to work. Probably not a smart move for my co-workers, but oh well. It's not like I would have been able to get rest at home with all the banging going on. I've not been very good with food again. I've been saying that a lot. I don't know what's going on with me... and it's not like I'm going to fast food or eating three dinners, it's just that I've stopped tracking which has made it easier to say yes to foods I was saying no to before. My daughter and house guest will be heading out to a float trip for the weekend so I won't have to worry about feeding anyone else but myself this weekend. So I think I'll be able to find some order again... and time to get to a grocery store for my fresh fruit and vegetables. Next week, I will see a marked difference in my eating, because I have to lose this fat! There is some kick ass muscle underneath it and I want to be able to show it off! I am going to WW on Sat. I'm sure I won't enjoy the results, but I need to start over and this will be the perfect time to do just that!

I got the Job!!!

I'm so happy, I was offered the position this afternoon and I accepted. It's more money, more visibility, an I actually get to use my degree. So excited. I don't have a start date yet becasue my current manager has to release me first, but it's sometime in the next 30 days. Woo-hoo! AND I don't have to work tomorrow.

I'm here!

It's been a crazy horrible week so far. My food not nearly as good as it needs to be, my exercise has been awesome, major workouts every night this week... but that's about the only thing that has been awesome.
My sister's cats have been living with me for the last 10 months and on Tuesday morning Sarah, who was amost 16 years old died, in my house on my watch. So horrible. I cried, the kids, who found her, cried. My sister was damn near inconsolable.
Work has been crazy busy and it is driving me crazy. I also interviewed for a new position today, I think I did well but won't hear anything until sometime next week. I really hope this one works out because the job sounds like a lot of work but interesting and challenging which is what I want. So think good thoughts, okay?

I just have to get through tomorrow, and then I have a 3-day weekend, which I desperately need.

Back from Gym...

I did the Total Body Workout. I almost walked out because the regular instructor was not working and the sub was doing step. Fortunately, I my Sister-In-Law saw me so I couldn't walk out. turns out it wasn't a bad class. It kicked my ass, I was exhausted after, and I burned 899 calories by the time class was over. So I'm pretty damn happy and I'm going to take a nap now. lol because at heart I am a lazy ass. Have a fantastic weekend all!

Weight Watchers Meeting and weigh in

I actually made it to my meeting today. I was going to go in whether I showed a weight loss or not. You all know how incredibly frustrated I've been that I've been showing gains when I've been working so hard at the gym. In hindsight, I can see that while I was working really hard at the gym, I was slacking a bit with my food. An example would be, Well, I worked really hard at the gym, so it's okay if I have another serving of this rice/pasta/cookie/... well you get the idea. It really was an unconscious thing on my part and this week I started paying attention to what I was doing and am trying to curb this new habit. Now that I'm aware of what I'm doing, I think I'll start seeing better results.


I also spent 3 hours on Thursday dancing. I had so much fun and even consumed alcohol. The very first time that I've drank more than 1 alcoholic drink in a sitting since I started WW. It was well worth the points and I'm pretty sure I burned whatever calories I consumed that evening just from all the hip action I was doing anyway. The salsa and cha-cha are awesome that way.

On to my results... I'm down .8 lbs. So yay, finally. Here's hoping July will have more awesome results. When I look back at teh last 2 months, I've only shown a 4.4 lb loss, I should have lost twice that amount and did the first 4 months of the year.

Oh, I also joined Amy's 15 week challenge I did really well during the BLB2 so I'm really looking forward to this challenge.

I'm heading to a Total Body Workout class at the Y that starts at 9:30. I'm actually excited to go to this class. No step but lots of exercises that work ALL my problems areas!

Wednesday Recap.

I was too tired to post last night. I did the Total Body Workout again. It’s a 75 minute class and the step was involved again. I almost fell twice! I was exhausted even before the workout began, so I think that may have been why I was extra clumsy last night. After the second time of almost going down, I almost walked out… but then the instructor almost fell of her step too. So I felt much better, because if the instructor can almost fall then it pretty much can happen to anyone not just the overweight folks like me! It was a total ass-kicking workout. There was new equipment in the studio and the instructor decided that all must be used. I liked doing something different and this morning different parts of my body are sore! I am shocked that I’ve stuck to this step class for 4 weeks now. Remember when I hated it in the beginning and swore I’d never do it again? I have changed my tune. While I still dislike the step, I really love the results. I feel stronger and I burn a ton of calories.

I am not going to the gym tonight. I am however going to get a workout. I’m going to a Salsa night at a local bar. My Zumba instructor is going to be giving dance lessons at 7 and then we’ll be salsa-ing for the rest of the night. It’s exercise with alcohol. How awesome is that?! I won’t be staying until it closes, I do have to work tomorrow, but I will show up and have some fun, in a cute “little black dress” that hasn’t fit me in years and is now actually a loose… so I need to wear it quick before it’s too big to wear. As soon as it falls off of me it’s getting sent to good will, because I will not be that size again!!!

Yes, I’m feeling good about my workouts and food and results again. I’ve been really aware of what types of foods I’m eating and how much sodium is involved in it. I’ve pretty much doubled my fruits and vegetables intake and subtracted the amount of carbs I’m eating. I’ll never be a low carb kind of girl, but I have figured out eating a large amount of carbs after a workout really does waste the workout. Last night I ate a chicken enchilada and Mexican rice and refried beans for dinner… but my portion was so darn reasonable that when I got on the scale this morning I show that all my gained weight of the last 3 weeks is gone! And I’m currently sporting a loss. Yay me! I’m also really excited because I have definition in my arms. Finally! They aren’t where I want them yet, but I’m heading in the right direction.

I’m also preparing for another interview. I really want this job, if I don’t do well in the interview and I end up not getting this job, I think I’ll be crushed. The job I interviewed for would have been ok to get, so when I didn’t get it I wasn’t as disappointed as I thought I would be, but this one… I’d be working for someone I really respect. I should hear something by next week. Think good thoughts for me. I need all the help I can get.

Have a great day everybody, I’ll be back tomorrow… hopefully with pictures from dancing.

Another great day...

I have managed to pull two on program days in a row. I feel so much better knowing that I'm right on the money with food, with no deviations. I even managed to get all my fruits and veggies today. I had salad for dinner and then had strawberries and bananas for dessert!

I got a great workout too. It was Zumba! Tonight we got to do The Tango. It was fun. I totally sucked at it, but I liked learning something new.

I'm exhausted tonight. I can barely concentrate right now. I need a good night's sleep. It's been really hard sleeping at night because I can't sleep on my right side anymore. My shoulder hasn't gotten any better either. I don't want to go back to the Dr. because the next step is a shot in my shoulder and that is so not on mu list of things to do this summer!

Monday much better...

Food today was sooooo much better. I actually started my day with oatmeal and then I also had a scrambled egg. Lunch was also dinner. I had a buffalo chicken wrap. I asked for grilled chicken instead the breaded. It was so good and I had the other half for dinner.

I also did Total Body Workout today with a new instructor who does no "do" step, so in other words, the workout was so awesome and I'm exhausted from it. The instructor's regular day is Saturday, so I have a new day for exercise, because I really like Tiffany.

My A/C, which has not been working for the last 3 days is now working! So I'm in a much better mood now.

Everything has gone out the window

My food and exercise has been pretty horrible this weekend. I totally suck. For some reason my body keeps holding water. I've been watching my sodium intake, I only drink water and tea, and I exercise like a fiend and yet for two weeks running I have gained weight. I did not go to my weight watcher meeting again! Starting Saturday morning I started eating and basically did not stop until about 20 minutes ago. I'm frustrated was frustrated because I'm gaining and then I make matters worse by eating like I used to. I'm turning it around this week. I'm so done feeling sorry for myself and not doing the things that I need to do.

News from the Dr.

So I have a diagnosis. I have torn my miniscus on my right knee and I have rotator cuff tendonitis in my right shoulder. The Dr. said the good news is I am young so I can heal my injuries with strength exercises and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Oh and I have to change the way I sleep, which btw, how the hell am I going to do that. I am a side sleeper, I don't know how sleep any other way!

I did make it to total body workout after the Dr. Between Zumba in the morning and total Body Workout in the evening I burned almost 1400 calories! I ate a little bit more for dinner than I usually would but still well within my points. Today has been a wonderfully producitve day. I wish every day could be as good as today has been. Alas, I return to work tomorrow, so my great day has to come to an end.

I did not work today!

I have had a pretty great day and the only thing I have done is Zumba! Well, I slept until 8 AM. I'm usually up by 4:30 on the week days in order to make it to work by 6 AM. So that felt great! Then I dropped the kid off at my brother's so she could swimm for the day. Then I went to the Y and took the Wendnesday morning Zumba class. I feel fantastic. I'm now home. I made a turkey sandwich and had fresh strawberries and now I'm about to take a shower and then I'm finally heading to the Orthopedic Dr. to get not only my knee checked out but my shoulder too. So hopefully I'll get an anti-inflammatory and all this pain will go away! So that's my day so far. I have plans to go back to the why later tonight to take the total body workout class. I'm trying really had to lose the weight I gained last week. I'm hoping the extra workouts help.

Monday Recap

I made my lunch to day. Turkey sandwich, fat free chocolate pudding and a banana. Lunch time rolls around and I open my lunch bag, and my sandwich is missing! I store my lunch in a fridge that everyone on the floor uses, so assumed that somone stole my sandwich. I was so mad. I ended up buying a half a turkey sndwich from the cafeteria. When I get back to my desk. I have a text from my kid. "Did you forget a sandwich on the counter this?" Oops. I felt bad for assuming I worked with food thieves, but it was pretty funny when I admitted my mistake. The kid ate my sandwich for me so it didn't go to waste.

I did Total Body Workout tonight. Burned almost 800 calories. I think I missed the 800 mark because there were so many people in class that the instructor decdied against the walking lunges... for which my sorry knee thanked her. The knee is getting better, which has casued me to procrastinate making a Dr. appointment. I know I have to go, but I'll feel stupid going to the Dr and having them tell me nothing is wrong. I always feellike a hypochonriac when that happens. And yes, it's happened more than once.

Anyway, food and exercise were good today. I'm tired and looking forward to getting a good night's sleep!

Meeting goals

So, I set goals for myself this week hoping that they would help me stay on track and succeed this week. Let's just say, I don't think I am meant to havew specific goals because I pretty much failed at every one this week. Including on the scale where I am up over a pound!

I wanted to exercise at least 6 days this week, and I failed that one pretty much on day 1 when I did not exercise Saturday or Sunday. The best I could hope for was 5 days, which I did accomplish, knee injury and all. The knee, btw, is better but not healed. I've been debating whether or not I should go to a Dr. because it is better but not perfect. The icing has helped it greatly.

Another goal I had was no BLT's... okay so this one wasn't so bad. I didn't actually do any BLT's. If I wanted it I ate a whole portion! Which might not have been such a good idea in hind sight!

Cooking every night? Yeah, so did not happen. I cooked one night and then ate leftovers. Twice this week I ate at Panera Bread. I had salad and half a sandwich so not like I made horrible choice, but I did not cook, so this one was a fail!

Eat 4 servings of fruits and veggies? I think I nailed this one. I love fruits and veggies so this one was an easy goal to reach.

The no soda goal? I failed on that one too. I only had 1 coke zero over the week. And I don't even like Coke Zero! I'm a fully loaded Coca Cola drinker.

Last night I ended up having a bit of a melt down. I've been retaining major water the last two days and I ended up gettin gon the scale about 8 PM last night and saw a HUGE! gain like 10 lbs. THe scale actually said 220. I threw in the towel was like I m so not going to weigh in. This water weight is a joke. You need pie right now. Remember that pie I made earlier in the week? I ate another piece and then after that I had Ben and Jerry's Peanut Butter Cup w/ hot fudge and bananas. And I ate a frozen meal for dinner last night. (The teen stayed the night at my brother's house so I didn't need to cook for her and I was lazy) The only thing I can say that is positive is that I only ate one serving of the icecream instead of the whole container... which is what I would have done this time last year. So my binge eating isn't really binge eating so much anymore. It's more like I'm making a consciuos decision to eat all this but let's not make it too horrible, mmmkay?

So this week? No goals. I'm going with the flow, trying to heal my knee, make better eating choices, and getting out of the house more to do it. Which might sound like goals but not because it's not really specific or rigid where I'll feel like I have failed. Ya know?

How has everyone else's week gone? Any success?

Knee Status

The knee is actually feeling a bit better today. It might be because I just got done icing it though, so we'll have to wait and see how it is about Noon. I'm retaining water like crazy. To the tune of 4 lbs right now. I'm attributing this to my knee as well, since my right leg seems to be about twice the size of my left leg right now.

Also, my food and exercise have pretty much been all all week. Except for a small piece of Peanut Butter pie. Recipe from this woman. I made it two days ago and had to at least try it, especially after my daughter and niece said over and over AND over again just how awesome the pie was. And it was. Incredibly awesome. And so rich a small piece really satisfied and I never felt the need to go back and shove my face in it again. lol

I did exercise yesterday. Elliptical 35 minutes. It took about 3-4 minutes on it before my knee stopped bothering me, but once it did I was okay. The hardest part was actually stepping off once I was done becasue that required bending the knee. I'm calling the Orthopedic Dr today to see if he can squeeze me in. I need an anti-inflammatory. Pain meds would be nice, but not required as long as my knee gets fixed.

Oh, and last night was SYTYCD! Awesome show. I love the dancers. They were all excellent. It's going to be hard to see anyone from this group go home! Anyway, that's all that's going on here.

Zumba and the knee

I did Zumba and Abs last night. There were a few moves in Abs I had to not do because my knee just can't bend without pain. Oblique work wasn't nearly as beneficial as it has been on past days. I can't do a child's pose either. It' puts to much pressure on the knee and also the whole bending thing. Zumba wasn't too bad. I couldn't do any lunges and I was a little hesitant on some of the more twisty moves, but I still got a great workout in. My instructor was very insistent about me icing my knee (as a few other people were here and other places) so I went home and iced my knee and it felt a lot better. I iced it again this morning, but it's still bothering me today. I'm not going to do Total Body Workout tonight. I am going to the gym though. I'm going to do the elliptical but probably only for 30 minutes or so.

Food so far today has been good. Oatmeal and eggs this morning (not together, that would be gross). I made my lunch so I'm having a turkey sandwich, Sugar Free chocolate pudding, and WW string cheese. I think I'm making spaghetti for dinner, but using ground turkey instead of ground beef (not a fan of italian sausauge so no making fun of my spaghetti choices)

Exercise, injury, and more!

You know how I've been bitchin' about my knee on and off for like the entire time I've been writing this blog? Well, I've gone and screwed it up even more. I took a total body workout class last Wednesday and did walking lunges. They burned in a good way, the next two days I noticed my knee was causing me some issues but still exercised on it anyway (Hello! Yes I am a dumbass) I took Saturday and Sunday off. No exercise but my knee got worse, so what did I do today? I went to total body workout again, and did more walking lunges and step. The step part hurt more than the lunges and I can no longer go up steps without pain in my right knee, but I could do the lunges relatively easy. GO figure. I burned 803 calories in the class. So awesome! I can only imagine how much more I would burn if my knee wasn't in pain.

Food, I did really well with today. I had oatmeal and 2 eggs for breakfast. For lunch I had vegetable soup and crackers. Snack consisted of a banana and a granola bar, and dinner ate up the rest of my points with chicken fettucini. So yummy and worth every single point it took. With as much exercise as I got in tonight, I'm waaay ahead. Woot!

I'm exhausted tonight, and looking forward to a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is Zumba and I'm so not missing it. I should be okay because Zumba has no steps. Steps are at work and I think I'll give myself a break by taking the elevator instead of the steps. I looked pretty funny today going down and holding on to the rail for dear life. It took me at least twice as long to go down as it normaly does.

June Contest over at John is fit

Check out this contest. John over at John is Fit is running an awesome contest where 7 people will be randomly chosen to win a prize. 1st prize is $250 cash. Contest runs through June. So head over over and check it out!

The results are in...

-1.4

I think those results are quie good, especialy because I was a little lazy with my food this week. I made a few poor choices, but exercised 5 days this week that counter acted those food choices. So this week, I'm going to have goals that I'd like to accomplish.

1) No BLT's this week... especially no spoonfuls of hot fudge
2) Exercise at least 6 days this week
3) Cook dinner every night to avoid sodium from frozen meals
4) Eat at least 4 servings of fruits and veggies every day
5) No soda of any kind. Drink of choice is either water or tea

It looks like I'm going to be heading to CA for a vacation in August. When I went last year, I had just quit smoking and hadn't started Weight Watchers or the gym yet. So I was huge, eating badly, and couln't breathe. I visited with lifelong friends. I actually let them see me at my largest! I can't wait to go back there as a completely different person... even if I'm not quite where I want to be weight wise. I have about 10 more weeks and I would love to lose 10 more lbs. Well I'd really love to lose 20! but I'd be happy with 10. So I have a goal in sight. I'm shooting for 10 lbs and for every lb after that 10 that I lose I get to but a new outfit for my Cali vacation! I could end up with a lot of kick ass clothes.

Thursday Repeat, Uh Recap

I am happy that I actually made it to the gym last night, but a little disappointed that I could only muster a measley 35 minutes of exercise in on the elliptical. I was feeling pretty lazy yesterday and sore. Did I mention sore? I'm actually more sore this morning than yesterday. Those walking lunges and squats shredded my legs. I mean it's two days later and I'm still bitching about them. I'm beginning to think I might have to swallow my hate for step and suck it up just for this walking lunges. *sigh* I'll have to think hard about this...

Food wise, things are okay. Most days I actually have been feeling very piggy, but the scale keeps showing losses (even if at this moment it's a very small but respectable loss) so I guess I'm doing better than I think but definitely not as good as I could be. I didn't feel like cooking last night, so I went over to my Parents house and had them feed us. It was chicken enchiladas, So very yummy! I only had one and didn't add anything crazy like sour cream or guacamole, so that while the food tasted sinful it was actually pretty low point value at 6 points. And the best thing? I did not take a fully loaded soda from their fridge! Okay it might have been becasue they didn't have anymore coke, but I refused the Dr. Pepper and the Root Beer. Soda is a weakness of mine so I'm pretty happy.

Exercise is on the menu again for tonight because weigh in is tomorrow and I want to scale to to continue its downward direction.

Wednesday's exercise

I took a total body workout class last night. The verdict? I hated it more than any other exercise class I've taken before. The Total Body Workout has a large section working on a step. As in Step Aerobics, as in something the uncoordinated should NEVER be involved in. I am one of the uncoordinated. I tripped twice and could not follow the instructor at all. I ended up spending most of the time doing lunges off of the step while everyone else was doing around the world crap. Now there were other parts to the class that were okay. Walking lunges and squats, arm curls witha body bar, and some inner and outer thigh work. I was cool with all that, but that step just frustrated the hell out of me. My S-I-L was like you look so angry! And I'm all, well yeah. I hate this class, why would I look happy during it?

Afterward, I ruined my workout because I ate vanilla icecream with hot fudge. All those AP's I earned went for that yummy dessert. Tonight, I'll be on my best behavior.

Honestly it was a solid workout. I burned some serious calories, but I'm quite happy to be heading back to my elliptical tonight. Yay, I get to watch Oprah... even if it's a repeat (I actually have no idea if it's a repeat or night, I'm just assuming!)

This morning I was late getting into work because I had to get two new tires put on my car. I had major thread showing on the front tires and I was too scared to drive 30 freeway miles on them knowing I was at a huge risk for those babies to blow on me. So now I have new safe tires and the car drives so much better. And I got the tires put on really fast so I was at work by 8AM.

Tuesday Recap

No different than every other Tuesday I've had for the last 9 months! Abs and Zumba. I love class as usual. My sister in law did go to class with me so that was kind of cool. I wore my HRM and was surprised when after an hour and half it said I'd on;y burned 487 calories. I was actually pretty upset until on the way way I remembered that I'd actually taken a beta blocker because I was having palpitations and the beta blocker fixes that, but also keeps my heart rate down, so even though I worked really hard and could barely speak afer some of the dances my calorie burn was crappy. Today should be better. My s-i-l convicned me to take a total body workout class with her. Me+TBW= not happy. I'd rather do my elliptical but quid pro quo and all that. I have to go and do what she wants as she did what I wanted last night. I'm kind of glad she only has a two week trial membership at my gym because I can't wait to be able to go back to MY schedule.

Best Laid Plans and all that BS...

I had a plan yesterday, and it completely went to sh*t! I was going to get to the gym at 4 and put in 2 hours of hard work, so the teen could swim at the pool for 2hours. Turns out, I forgot it was MOnday, and therefore my day to visit my Aunt at the nursing home. I left work at 2:30 and then went the wrong way, so wasted 10 minutes getting myself turned around and headed towards the nursing home instead of heading home. Put me in a horrible mood!

After I left my Aunt, my daughter calls and asks me to go to JC Penney's to pick up a second bathing suit for her. She just got a brand new one, but she wanted to other one she tried on the other day. So I cave (yes, sometimes it is just easier to do that than argue of a trivial thing like a bathing suit) head to JC Penney only to find out they are all out of size small, so another bit of time wasted! My level of frustration just went up another level. I can't even explain why I was so upset over how my afternoon went. I had a total emotional breakdown. Tears, anger, sadness the whole thing was absolutely ridiculus.

I ended up not getting home until 4:30. I was really upset about this and almost decided to not go to the gym at all. I decdided that would be a huge mistake, so I quickly got dressed, dropped the kid off at my brother's so she could go swimming and finally! get to the gym at 5 PM. I did 62 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes of strength training (arms only) and felt fantastic afterward. My mood completely changed. Gone were the tears and the negative self talk. I have a few things that I need to change in my life and I'm trying, but the bottom line is my life may be a little boring but it's still a pretty darn good life to have. I learning how to be happy. I will get there someday soon.

In NSV news, I bought a size 14 pair of pants this weekend. They totally fit and don't look horrible or anything. That encouraged me to pull out my 14 from the closet and about half of them are wearable. I can totally button all of my size 14 pants but some of them give me a major muffin top! But that's so not the point. The point is I am basically a 14 now! Super excited. Must do more crunches. Need tighter abs and I need this abdominal fat to go away!

Tonight is my favorite exercise day of the week. I get 30 minutes of Abs and then Zumba!

OMG! You mean hard work does pay off?

It's been an excellent week. I worked really hard at the gym, did not go out to a restaurant for food this week, limited soda intake, drank a large amount of water (I'm a big fan of the stuff) and it all paid off people! I am down! A lot!



-3.8

How awesome is that? My goal for next week is 2 lbs. 2 lbs will take me into the last 10 lbs of the 200's. I have about 5 lbs to go before I finally start losing "new weight". That will be all kinds of awesome! Here's to another week of hard work and fantastic successes!

The Weight Watchers meeting this week was all about motivation. I'm so glad I still have mine and even if I didn't I'm in that mindset where I do just have to do it. Thank you A cake for a wife for your post on motivation this week as well.

Thursday Exercise Recap

I did go to the gym again and I did do the elliptical but about 30 minutes in I felt awful. A little dizzy and a whole lot tired. It was a little weird, so I got off the elliptical and finished my water and then got on the treadmill so I could keep watching Oprah (it was The Biggest Loser repeat) For the first 10 minutes I could not walk faster than 2.1. I felt better after that so I was able to speed up a bit and before I knew it Oprah was over and I could go home. BTW, I liked the show Susie was funny. I hope she lost her baby weight!

I think I got that way because I have exercised everyday since Sunday and I don't usually do that. I usually take Thursdays off and my body as all WTF? I'm supposed to be napping right now! Hello? What are you doing to me? So I'm going to have to re-evaluate how much work I'm doing during the week so I don't feel like that again.

To Weigh or Not to Weigh

I am a daily weigher. It’s the first thing I do in the morning and usually the last thing I do at night. I don’t always like what I see on the scale, but I do try to keep myself from overreacting to what number I am shown each day. I know that possible overreaction is the reason why many people disagree with this habit, but for me it works.

When I weighed in the 150’s I weighed myself everyday and then one day I hit the 160's and I decided I didn’t want to see what the number on the scale said, so I stopped weighing and 6 months later when I braved the scales I was almost 200 lbs, which kept me from the scale for quite sometime and well. Lather, rinse, repeat until I found myself weighing in at over 250 lbs! I wonder if I’d kept up the habit of weighing everyday, if I’d have let myself get so heavy. I can’t change the past, but I can do something about today and about tomorrow. So, I weigh daily to keep myself in check and I always know if I’m on the right track or if I need to do something different to get the scale moving in the downward direction.

With all that being said, I saw a number on the scale today that I am liking very much. I might actually get a loss this week. Woo-Hoo!

What kind of weigher are you and why?

Wednesday's Exercise

I am on a roll. I did 60 mintes on the elliptical yesterday and burned a little over 600 calories according to my HRM. My daughter for the first time in the 9 months I've been going to the Y decided she wanted to go with me so she could swim. Honestly, I think she just wanted to show off her bathing suit more than anything else, it's very cute and perfect for a teenager. I took her and my niece and my niece's neighbor there and of course, there was nothing but thunder, lightening and pouring rain, so the pool was closed! So the kids played basketball while they waited for me to be done with my workout. They are cool kids, to be so patient. Of course the b-ball helped, I'm sure.

I went to dinner at my parents house again. It is so nice not to have to cook! It was spaghetti though. One of my favs! I limited myself to a small plate of it... probably a serving and half. Which, believe me, for me? That is awesome, because I could tear spaghetti up!

The plan for tonight, includes the elliptical again while watching Oprah. They are running the Biggest Loser episode again. I missed 90% of it last time, so I'm looking forward to it. And then I am cooking dinner. I'm making BLT's. I have some bacon that needs to be used. I'll probably do a salad too, because I love my veggies!

Oh, I have a lunch date on Saturday. Yikes, it's been so long since I've been on a date, I hope I don't make an ass out of myself. ;)

Tuesday's Recap!

Yesterday was crazy busy. I had to go and visit my Aunt Mary at the nursing home. I usually go on Mondays but didn’t have to because it was Memorial Day so she spent much of the weekend at home with the family. Anyway, back to visiting her on Tuesday, my sister usually takes Tuesdays but started a class last night and knew she had to do school stuff so she ask me to cover her shift. I said no problem… really what was I going to say, I love my Aunt Mary. I was at work when I realized that my daughter had an ortho appointment at the same time I was supposed to be at my Aunt’s. She could not miss the appointment because I had already rescheduled it once before because I had Aunt Mary duty and forgot about the ortho appointment. Thank goodness, my lil bro is a good guy who has not left for Virginia yet for his summer job, because he picked her up and took her to the appointment and then took her to Jack in The Box for a milk shake, truly the best milkshakes evah! I’m sure I would have caved if I’d gone there, so I am so glad I did not have to deal with that temptation!

After spending some time with my Aunt, I drove home, cooked dinner. Awesome turkey kielbasa with peppers and tomatoes. Honestly, I don’t even need the kielbasa, I love the veggies over rice… I usually only eat a few pieces of the kielbasa so it’s a pretty low point meal, I think it’s 6 points per serving (not at home to verify).

After I finished cooking dinner, I turned it all off and ran off to my Abs and Zumba class. After doing Zumba on Monday, Tuesday’s class kicked my butt! My abs are sore, especially my oblique’s (is that how it’s spelled??? Too lazy to look it up!) and my arms. Tracy, our instructor was telling before class started that we’d be doing some new moves that Janine the other instructor uses because they worked muscles that Tracy does not normally work during her routines. She warned me I’d be saying ouch before the night was over… and I was, but in a good way. Oh and I burned 591 calories in Zumba. I think we had a few more breaks in between songs than usual.

Today, my shoulders are so very tired. Tonight, when I head to the gym, I will not be working my arms. Two days in a row of working the arms is one day too many! And we didn’t even use weights! Just keeping them up and out and above the heart… well and Monday we used a body bar. Both of the Zumba instructors have incredible arms. Well defined and toned arms. I want that, so whatever they tell me to do, I’m doing. I’ve already lost almost 2 inches on my upper arms, so I’m heading in the right direction.

Oh and one more thing, one of the ladies who takes the class with me hasn’t been in for about 6 weeks and when she came in last night, she looked at me and was like WOW, you look awesome! You’re getting all kinds of skinny (which was hysterically funny because she’s like 70 so it was funny hearing her talk like a teenager). And here is the NSV… I said Thank you, I’ve lost almost 40 lbs. And that was it. I didn’t add anything about having a long way to go or anything that would diminish my accomplishment. I’m learning!

I did not get home from Zumba until almost 8 PM. I ate a small bowl of my dinner… which is also an accomplishment because when I make this dinner I always want to eat like 3 bowls of this stuff! I talked to my kid for a little while and then I went to bed. It was a long day. Hopefully today will be much calmer.

Monday Workout

Ahhh, it's been wonderful not having to work today. I was thrilled when my gym was actually open for half a day and that a Zumba class on the schedule. So Awesome! It was a Zumba class that had interval training incorporated into it, so we did two arm routines and one routine for the thighs. Can I get an ouch. I can barely lift my arms, I'm pretty sure it's going to be worse tomorrow. I wore my HRM and it said that I burned 661 calories!

Fo food today, I started out with a slim fast shake with a banana blended in. So yummy (I know that's crazy to say! but it totally was) I was full until about 1 PM when I made a ham and cheese sandwich (I toasted it and added no condiments) and had 3 reduced fat chips ahoy (it was the last 3 cookies, so not buying htem ever again, they are way too tempting) and a glass of 1% milk. For dinner, I'm eating over at my Mom's house. There will probably be salad and some kind of BBQ. My Mom knows that I'm doing WW so there should be chicken. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm feeeling really good about being back on track. I really want to get this weight off. I have 15 lbs until I reach my next mini goal and I want to reach it before I hit my one year lose-aversary in mid-July.

Reckoning

I did go to weigh in yesterday. The results were up and I have no one to blame but myself. I have let tracking slip, my fruits and vegetable intake has been low and my exercise has been okay. And yesterday, I had fast food for the first time in 6 months! I did not eat a cheesburger though. I had a turkey blt, which was horrible and greasy and I'm pretty sure I won't have a desire to hit fast food for a long while. I'm up +1.4 lbs, so this week I have to do something different. I'm thinking all the BLT's need to go away this week.

I'm about to head to the grocery store to pick up tons of fresh fruit and veggies. I'm planning on making smoothies today and tomorrow for sure (yay for no work!) I'll try for the rest of the week as well, but no gaurantees because I'm pretty busy during the week, with my workouts... because I am totally upping htem this week. I'm realy happy that I'm goign to get Zumba twice this week. My Y will be open tomorrow and will be offereing a Zumba class at 10:45 and then I get my regular Tuesday night class.

This week will be different. I am not going to backslide. I have worked too damn hard to get this weight off of me. I can't stop now, when I am finally starting to see a difference in my body from last year. I want a new wardrobe, I want to be fit, I want to be able to go to an amusement park and not be out of breath from walking around, or be bright red and sweaty when it's only 70 degrees while there! And I really want to be able to go back home and have my friends say wow you look good... and not what the hell happened to you? as happened last year when I visited (I was at my all time high and look and felt horrible!) So yeah, this week will be different.

I hope everyone enjoys the Memorial Day. We are expecting rain, so I'm not sure if my plans are going to happene or not, but I'm sure I'll spend the day with family.

Tuesday Zumba!

I had an abs class and Zumba tonight. Once again I used my HRM. I had a goal to burn an extra 1000 calories a day, but only got in 850 calories today. I'm going to take that and be happy about it. I'll try to make up that 250 calories tomorrow. I really like my HRM it keeps me motivated at the gym.

As for food, I've been much better this week than the previous two weeks. Making my lunch is really helpful, and keeps me from overeating in the cafeteria because it's not about the choices of food I'm making but rather the amounts that I'm consuming. When I bring my food I have much more control about the amounts of food. I'm really hoping for a good number on the scale this week. Some of you may have noticed that I failed to report a weigh in on Saturday... mainly because I did not go to my Weight Watchers meeting to weigh in because I had too much sodium and too many cookies throughout the week. This week, is totally different.

True Blood

Look what is being released today!!! I'm so stopping on my way home from work today to pick this up. So Awesome! I have weatched most of this season, but ended up missing the last few because I do not pay for HBO and my free subscription ended. But what I watched was awesome and stuck as true to book 1 as anyone fan could have expected. It will be a vampire weekend for me for sure.

Shred + Gym =

lots of calories burned! I used my new handy dandy HRM today. I did Shred first and burned over 250 calories during the 20 minute Level 1 workout. I felt pretty good about that. I did make a goal for myself to burned at least 1000 calories a day doing exercise, so I still had a lot of work to do. I got myself to the Y and did 65 minutes on the elliptical and worked hard. I was sweaty and tired by the time that 65 minutes was over and when I looked at my calories burned count total I had burned 1005 calories. And the best thing... I didn't then ruin all that hard work by over-eating anything. I hada salad and a lean cuisine (I know! but I was too lazy to actually cook dinner tonight) and then for dessert I had 3 reduced fast Chips Ahoy with 1% milk. So yummy. So how has everyone elses day gone?

New Toy!

Polar F4 HRM

I can't wait to try this out. I feel like I've been flaking on everything... even though that is probably an exaggeration. I've been really curious lately as to how many calories I burn when I exercise. So I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow when I try it out.

Before and After

A while ago... like in March I took some picture to show to go with a before and after pic. I'm just now getting around to it after I've lost at least another 5 lbs, but I'm too lazy to go put something cute on to take another picture... besides I'm feeling fat today and that's never good for picture taking. The exception being my workout picture below. The goal of that picture was to show me in all my glistening glory. lol So here is the picture from July 08 and then another of the me from March 09.

July 08

March 2009

Shred Again

It really becomes easy to not do exercise. I didn't do Shred on Friday and had to really work to convince myself to do Shred today. I'm don't know what is wrong with me! Anyway, I did accomplish Level 1 today and even took a picture of what I look like right after completing Shred. It does not matter what level I do, I always feel totally worn out... and really good because Shred is an accomplishment. I'm sticking to Level 1 for a while, it seems to be the easiest on my knees.

So here I am in all my Shredded glory.

The Return of The Shred

I went back to Shred today. I did however, drop back down to Level 1 as I did not think I would survive Level 3. I barely survived Level 1! I foloowed natalie for the most part though. The only thing I could not was push ups. I did 3 regular push ups before I had to drop to my knees. When I first started Shred I could not even do 1 regular push up so I call that progress. lol

I went to dinner with my family tonight and had pasta. I ate a little less than 1/2 which was probably 1/4 too much, but since I do not do it that often I felt it was well worth it. I even gave the leftovers to my brother to take home so I would not be tempted to snack. I'm currently hungry, so I'd say it's a good thing I didn't let the leftovers come into my home!

Tuesday Zumba!

My regular instructor was not there tonight, which was a bummer, but meant that I got to see the other Zumba instructor that I really like. I hadn't seen her sonce December and she was amazed at how much my body had changed. So, I was feeling really good about that. I even said Thank You very much... it's hard to accept compliments but I'm trying to acknowledge how far I've come and appreciate that others notice.

Back to Zumba class. OMG, I hope I'll be abl to walk tomorrow. Tonight's instructor is more fitnessy than the regular girl (who is very dancey and awesome). Anyway, she kicked my ass, in the Jillian way. squats, lunges, plyometrics (Oh my!) I'm toast.

When I got home from Zumba, I watched The Biggest Loser. I was really surprised at who won. I never would have expected that person, EVAH!

Tomorrow... I'm going back to Shred.

Well, I'm here...

I have not done Shred since Thursday. Well that’s not exactly true I started Shred on Saturday but stopped at the 3rd circuit (Who does that? Me apparently) and I have not gone back to it since. My only excuse is that I am lazy. Except, not really because I still go to the gym, I just lost my motivation. I have Zumba tonight and then I’m going to attempt to get back into the Shred habit again.

There is nothing interesting going on in my life so I have not had the urge to blog. I’m still eating pretty well, so even though I have not been doing that extra 20 minutes of hard core exercise I’m sure I’ll continue to lose weight. If I go by history, this week will be a small loss because last week’s was a really good loss for me.

Anyway, I’m alive and kicking… not doing much except reading this:



And getting ready to read my Mother’s Day Gift:


My kid knows me well. And because I have been reading, I wonder if that might have anything to do with my inability to turn the DVD on at home? Hmmm, I started reading Turn Coat about the time I stopped doing Shred. I better hurry and read faster!

One of my favorite things

My favorite place to go after my Weight Watchers meetings. I go every Saturday after I weigh in. I love and adore their breakfast foods. For those who do not live in St. Louis, you might know this place as Panera. Today, I ordered my usual and they screwed the order up and gave me a sausage breakfast rather than the bacon. I am not a fan of sausage so I was pretty bummed. I look forward to my weekly indulgance... so I ate my daughter's chocolate pastry instead. Shhh, she won't know she's still asleep.

Does anyone else have a special place they go to after they weigh in?

Weekly Weigh In...

-1.8

I'm feeling really good about my results. I think I might actually have a comfortable summer in St. Louis this year. Last year was miserable and this year I'm well on my way to being almost 50 lbs lighter (which is where I want to be by the 4th of July) I'm pretty sure I'll get there or get pretty close to it at any rate. So Yay me! Have a great weekend and Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's out there!

Lazy days

I'm a lazy, lazy girl! I'll get back on track tomorrow. I've done really well this week with food (other than the chili dog incident) and I've kicked butt on exercise this week. Today has been the only day since last Friday that I haven't done some form of exercise. I think that's pretty darn successful. I'm hoping for a good loss on the scale tomorrow... or well any loss actually. I feel like I've earned a loss. I want to so badly to get under 200. I should get there by summer *fingers crossed* I haven't been under 200 in a very long time. I haven't been at a normal weight since Christmas of '99 and I just want to be normal like that again.

Anyway, I'll let you know how weigh in goes tomorrow!

Day 15 - 30 Day Shred

I did Level 3 today! I just could not bring myself to do level 2 again. Level 3 is hard, but totally awesome. I started out following Natalie, but did end up having to follow Anita a bit and then modify a few moves (all the jumping stuff) because of my knees. But Wow! Level 3 has left me feeling good, so much better than level 2. So I think I'm sticking with Level 3 for the rest of the way.

... I'm halfway done!


I also went to the gym today, I'm working hard people! Of course, I do have to make up for the chili cheese hot dog and french fries I ate today. Breakfast and dinner were totally normal healthy food, but lunch was... well a chili cheese dog on french fries. At least I didn't add a coke to it.

Day 14 - 30 Day Shred

I completed Level 2 today. Does it ever get easier? I really do not like Level 2. I followed Natalie for everything but the rock star jumps and the plank jacks (I think that's what they are called) because my knee can not handle them. I sweat a lot during Level 2 but because I feel so lost during it, I have yet to fell like I have accomplished anything. Level 1 was far more satisfying for me. There is really not much more to say about Level 2... except that I only have to do it 5 more times and I can move on to Level 3.

Dinner anyone???

I’ve been having a hard time lately thinking of new things to cook for dinner that are healthy and low calorie. My daughter and I are not big meat eaters, which is weird considering just how much the rest of my family loves all things meat, but we just aren’t. We eat chicken… but chicken does get boring after a while. I think we eat red meat about twice a month, at the most. I need help! Are there any suggestions out there for cheap, easy and healthy dinners for someone like me and the teen?

Oh... and we do not eat seafood. Ever! You see why dinner can be difficult around my house?

Does this post really need a title???

I’ve been feeling very down lately. I’ve thought a lot about why. Some of it is because I am going through so many changes. In the last year I graduated college, quit smoking, started exercising, rejoined weight watchers, watched my “baby” start high school, turned 35, lost over 30 lbs, restarted this blog, put myself on a budget that meant rethinking how I spend money, and truly started looking for a new job. I’ve accomplished a lot since last June, but I am alone. Which means I find myself lonely.

The ex has been gone and out of my life since I was 24 and since then I have gone on dates but have never dated anyone. (Totally my fault, I let quite a few really great men go, I wasn’t ready then) I’ve been ready for someone in my life for a while now, but I have no idea how to meet people. I work for a big company, but my immediate co-workers are older women, and I look around at work and see really old men or babies just out of college. All the men my age seem to have rings on their fingers.

I recently tried an internet website and have had 2 men contact me, both of which are not for me. I’ve looked at the profiles of some of these men on this site and over and over again, I see the “women I’m looking for is fit/thin/small/tiny/athletic” etc. In other words not me, even if I lose the last 40 lbs I will never be their ideal. The best I can hope for is healthy. Please don’t get me wrong healthy is what I want for me… but seriously I wonder if there will ever be someone out there that wants me. And if there is… where the hell is he?

I’m not exactly sure where I’m going with this… I’m just trying to document how I feel because this blog is supposed to be more than just my weight loss journey because I am more than just my weight loss. Sometimes it hard to remember that.

In other news, there is no Day 13 of 30 Day Shred. It is Tuesday and that means Zumba! It’s my favorite day of the work week. It usually helps me get out of these funks that I go through periodically.

Day12 - 30 Day Shred

Can I just take a moment to tell you how much I do not love Level 2 of Shred? I feel completely out of my element with many of the moves, and it has been leaving my exhausted. All of which I know is a good thing, but I really really hate feeling incompetent, and that's where I am right now with level 2. About the only thing I can say right now about Shred is that I know I'm building muscle and burning fat because I feel lightger on my feet and my arms are sore and tired. I think I should be sleeping well tonight.

Currently watching Nathan Fillion in Castle. He is hot and funny. Yum!

Day 11 - 30 Day Shred

Just a quick note to say I did Level 2 today and it kicked my ass big time. Level 2 really is a lot harder than level 1. I am going to be sticking to level 2 though, no going back to level 1 now. I want to see what Level 2 does to my measurements after 10 days.

Shred is about the only thing I accomplished today. I have been lazy ever since. I get so much more done during the week...

Fellow Blogger Giveaway!

Ginny over at
Mom of 2 Dancer Reviews is haveing a giveaway. You can win a Flip Video. Check it out for your chance to win

Contest Winner!!!!!

And the winner of is: Just Me!

Congratulations! Please check your email.

Day 10 - 30 Day Shred

I may not have done Day 9, but I did not forget to do Day 10. My very last day for Level 1. I've decided tomorrow I'm going to brave Level 2 and keep working on it until I figure out how to do it wihtout knee pain. And since it is Day 10, I thought I would post my measurements from Day 1 and Day 10, so there is a written record of the changes that Shred has done for my body.

Day 1
Chest: 43 1/2 inch
Waist: 37 inch
Hips: 47 1/2 inch
Calf: 17 inch
Thigh: 26 inch

Day 10
Chest: 42 1/4 inch
Waist: 35 1/2 inch
Hips: 46 inch
Calf: 17 inch
Thigh: 24 inch

Loss:
Chest: 1 1/4 inch
Waist: 1 1/2 inch
Hips: 1 1/2 inch
Calf: No Change
Thigh: 2 inch


So that's pretty damn good. Only 20 more days to go. I wonder where I will end up when it's all over. I think these are pretty awesome results and speaks to just what 30 Day Shred does to your body.

Weigh in Results - 5/2/09 BLBE2 Last Weigh In

So this is my last weigh in for the Biggest Loser Blog Edition. I can't believe it's over. I am not the BLBE2's biggest loser but I feel like a winner because I stuck to the competition, posted my weight every week, even when there was a gain, and accomplished the goals I had set out at the beginning of the challenge. I wanted to lose at least 16 lbs and I wanted to reach my 10% WW goal. I even lost more than the 16 lbs, so yay me! So this week's results are:



.4

Not a huge loss, but a well earned loss. I figure because my muscles have been sore all week long thank to Jillian. I've been building lots of new muscle while eating within my points. I think next week I'll see a good loss.

I'm really sad that the BLBE2 challenge is over. I want to thank both Angie and Lynn for hosting this competition. I do not believe my results would have been as good as they are if I had not had this healthy competition in my life. If you ever do another of these challenges, I'm so in!

I started this challenge out at 234.4 and am ending this challenge at 215.8. That is a huge accomplishment and I am really looking forward to the next 16 lbs coming off so I can say good bye to the 200's forever. I hope I can get to my goal weight by my birthday, if I don't I think I'll be pretty close to it.

Day 9 - 30 Day Shred

Did not happen. But it may hapen later tonight. I'm being lazy. That is all.

P.S. Remember today is the last day to enter my contest for your chance to win your very own copy of 30 Day Shred. Winner will be announced tomorrow.

Day 8 - 30 Day Shred

I almost didn't get to Shred today. This morning I actually talked myself out of waking up to do Shred because I had done Zumba and Shred yesterday, so why did I really need to get up to do it again this morning. So I slept in and told mhyself I could take the day off.

I felt pretty guilty about though, so when I got home I told the kid that I was turning Shred on and she could stay and do it with me or she could go to her room and chill there while I got it done. She of course went to her room, no way was she going to work out unless it affected her PE grade at school. I decided to go back to Level 1 because my knee is really bothering me and I knew I would not be able to do the mountain climbers or the walking plank move, so I didn't think I'd really get the benefit of level 2. I'm going to stay at level 1 for a couple more days before attempting level 2 again.

I decided to take the day off from the gym though, so all I have to do tonight is cook dinner, do at least 2 loads of wash, vacuum, and watch Grey's Anatomy. Currently watching Kirstie Alley on Oprah.


If you have not entered my contest for a chance to win a copy of 30 Day Shred for your very own, please enter by midnight on May 1st, 2009.

Wednesday To do list

So, I'm off of work today. I have to get my car registered today, which means I have to get a safety inspection and an emissions check before I go spend a couple of hours waiting in a line to get my tags. I remember the days when I could just send a check in the mail and my tags would be mailed to me... MO is not CA.

So my to do list included:

Shred - Totally completed that one!
Oil Change
Safety/Emissions Check
ZUMBA! at the Y. - So excited about this one, I get Zumba twice this week.
DMV to get new plates for 2 years!
Laundry - apparatnly we have used every towel in the house, so I'm going to be a cleaning girl
Make chicken pot pie recipe from the Hungry-Girl Cookbook.



Don't forget to enter my contest for a chance to win your very own copy of 30 Day Shred!

Day 7 - 30 Day Shred

Day 7 = success! Sort of. I decided to go ahead and try Level 2. It's a lot harder than Level 1. About 5 seconds into the first strength move I was wondering what I'd gotten myself into and then I heard my cat moan and proceed to hack a hairball up on my carpet. *sigh* So gross! So Shred had to wait a minute and then I got started up really wondered if I should go back down to 1. I didn't and I got through it, a lot clumsy and with pain. I had to follow Anita because of knee issues in my right knee so many of the moves were a bad idea for me. I pretty much thought this on Day 1 of Shred at Level 1 so I will get over it and build my strength. It's always hard when you do something new.

I actually can't believe I've done Shred for a week now. I'm pretty proud of myself.

Day 6 - 30 Day Shred

= Fail. I was slept in this morning rather than getting up to do Shred. I think I was able to justify not doing Shred today because I have an Abs class and Zumba tonight, so I’m going to be getting a lot of exercise in tonight. And I was tired and I wanted to stay warm this morning. One thing I have noticed is that I have had a difficult time waking up today. I keep yawning and I’m just feeling tired. First time I’ve felt like this since starting Shred, so maybe there is something to this exercise in the morning thing.

Oh, and instead of having my veggie omelet today I had oatmeal... I wonder if that pklayed a part in my lethargy today???

The rest of Monday...

I ate horribly at lunch, because I'm a dumb ass, so I went to the gym after visiting my Great Aunt at the nursing home. I only did 35 minutes on the on the elliptical and then I left the gym to come home to make another equally horrible dinner (hello! pizza!) and watch the season finales of Chuck and Heroes. So that is what I'm currently doing... sitting on my ass and watching one of the best shows on TV (Chuck) that may never be on again. *shakes fist* You better renew Chuck NBC!

Day 5 – 30 Day Shred

I started my day off just as early as my previous work days while Shredding… 4:30 AM. Yes, only crazy people get up that early in the morning. I turned Shred on, still at level 1 and… I felt stronger and more able to follow Natalie instead of Anita in everything except the butt kicks. But now that I have better stamina, I’ve figured out I can’t actually kick my own butt because my thighs are still too large (and I have a bad knee that hampers my ability too). So I follow Anita for those. After 5 days of doing level 1 I do feel like I’m getting bored, I’m one step ahead of the next exercise that’s going to start, so I think I’m going to try level 2 tomorrow instead of level 1. Will report back tomorrow on how that went.

If you want to try Shred check out my contest for a chance to win a copy of 30 Day Shred for your very own.

Day 4 30 Day Shred

I was up bright and early this morning and not nearly as sore as I have been. I could walk and everything! I turned Shred on almost right away so I could get it over with, hop in the shower, and then head to church. I used the 5 lb weights today for eveything but the side lunges/arm raises, my arms are just not strong enough to complete the move the entire time with 5 lb weights. I continue to sweat profusely during this 20 minute workout.

The most interesting thing I noticed this morning (besides feeling stronger already!) was that my waist looked smaller. Seriously, it looked smaller to me so I brought out the measuring tape and I was right! I've lost an 1 1/2 inches in 4 freaking days. Now, I'm going to admit just how bad my waistline has been. When I started this journey last July my waist was 42 inches. 4 days ago my waist measurement was 37 inches. This morning my waist measurement read 35 1/2 inches. I'm really exicted about this result and am totally staying with the Shred for the whole time, just to see how good my results can be. I think the bicycle crunches are the reason why my waist has transformed the way it has so far.

Anyway, I think I've had some really good results so far. If you have not tried the 30 Day Shred yet and want to, enter my contest for a chance to win a copy of it.

My first Giveaway!

I'm so pleased with my adventures with 30 Day Shred that I'm feeling like I need to share it with others. I'm going to giveaway a copy to one lucky reader. Here is all you need to do to for a chance to win. You can do one or all:

1) Comment on this blog

2) Tweet about the contest on Twitter come back and let me know you tweeted it and you'll get another entry.

3) Follow this blog. Be sure to let me know you are following or are a follower of the blog for another entry

I will accept entries until Friday May 1, 2009 at Midnight PST and announce the winner on Saturday, May 2. Contest is open to US and Canadian residents only. (I don't want to forget about our friends to the North)


***Update*** If you do not have a twitter you can also blog about it on your blog for another chance to win.

Day 3 - 30 Day Shred

It is now Noon on Saturday and I've just completed Day 3 of Shred. i decided to use 5 lb weights today and about 1/2 way through I had to stop and switch to the 3 lb weights. I'll try again tomorrow and hopefully I will continue to get stronger and can move up to heavier weights before the end of the first 30 days.

I'm still sore but the moves do appear to get easier, maybe because I'm expecting the changes now so I know I need to push a little harder and mvoe a little quicker to keep up with Jillian... well Anita anyway, I'm not quite ready to follow Natalie but I think I will be before the end. The butt kicks are still beyond me, but I moved a little more during that 30 seconds of time, so yay me. I can not believe how much sweat pours off of me during this workout. Obviously I have not been working myself as hard as I can be at the gym. The only night I sweat this much is Zumba and that isbecause I have someone there telling me I can do it and I believe her. So maybe I need to rethink this personal trainer thing. I always said I couldn't afford it and why would I pay someone to tell me what to do? Now I'm beginning to think it might just do me some good to do it for a short while. I did get some back from taxes, so maybe I need to use a little of it to help me get healthier and stronger.

Anyway, Day 3 is done. Only 27 more to go.

Weekly Weigh In 04/25/09

I'm just going to get right to it. My results are much better than last week.



3.6

I've done a lot of right things, and there are a few things I still need to work on, but I'm getting more consistent with my exercise and what I'm puttin gin my mouth.

I have not completed Day 3 of the Shred yet. I chose to sleep in today (and it was wonderful!) I'm pretty sore but not like I was last night. Last night I could not do more than a shuffle around my house. I had some muscle relaxers left over from my, now gone, jaw trouble so I popped one of thise babies last night and oday my muscles are not nearly as tight.

I bought a new vacuum last night. It's a bagless one with a hepa filter. I learned two things... 1) my carpets were disgusting and 2) the hepa filter does work becasue I can breath easier in my house.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Day 2 – 30 Day Shred

I only hit the snooze button once this morning. The 2nd time it went off instead of hitting snooze I turned the alarm off (which could have been a huge disaster!). I debated with myself for about 30 seconds about leaving the comfort of my warm bed to do Shred. I actually talked my self out of the extra sleep because it was only 30 extra minutes. Seriously people, only 30 extra minutes. 30 minutes is like another 8 hours when you are the type who really enjoys sleeping. *sigh*

I got my ass out of bed and about cried because my calved and thighs were so sore (I could barely walk). At this point, I really tried to convince myself to get back in bed and hide. I’m sure I would have if I hadn’t already turned the alarm off! My subconscious totally knows me! I turned on Jillian to Level 1 and started to 20 minutes of hell. I didn’t half-ass it either. The only move I can not do, and I’m not sure why, is the kicking my feet up to my butt. Actually, I could barely pick me feet off of the floor because of soreness, but even yesterday I had difficulty doing it. I’m pretty heavy in the legs so maybe that’s why? Otherwise I did pretty well. I only used 3 lb weights, I think tomorrow I will bring out the 5 lb weights and if those still feel too light then I’m about to make a purchase for heavier hand weights (okay, so I should probably have had 10 lb weights already but I have always been pretty lazy and whiny about things being too heavy. I’m working on that)

Day 2 is accomplished and I feeling pretty good about myself. I’m sore as all get out, but I just keep saying it’s only for 30 days. Tonight I am heading over to the gym to put in 60 minutes on the elliptical. I’ve done really well with exercise and food this week. I’ve also not had soda this week, which is a total miracle because I do love Coca Cola, the real stuff, not a diet soda fan. I’m a little worried about the weigh in because I’m a scale junkie and get on every morning and the numbers are not reflecting my effort. I know it will reflect it eventually but I was really hoping to lose all the weight I’d gain last week and then some. It’s still in the realm of possibility, I stated before how my body has a habit of holding excess water. I am consistently diagnosed with Edema and take a water pill daily (HCTZ 25 mg) So, I’m totally going to see a loss, I just don’t know how much of one I’m going to get this week. Have a happy Friday all! Yay, it’s Friday!

Day 1 – 30 Day Shred

I was supposed to start Day 1 yesterday, but sleeping through the alarm clock for 40 minutes threw that right out the window. So my plan was to start this morning on Day 1.
• Alarm clock going off at 4:20 am? Check
• Hit snooze twice? Check
• After hitting snooze 2nd time, actually look at time and notice it is 4:38 and just enough time allotted to do 20 minute Shred workout and still be able to take shower, make lunches and get to work on time. Check
• Roll out of bed… even though don’t want to? Check!
• Turn DVD on and think smugly… I can totally rock this out and not feel it because I’ve been working out for 10 months? Check
• After 3 minutes of doing what Jillian tells me to… start thinking how much I hate her and maybe want to cry just a little? Definitely Check.
• Finish 30 Day Shred and vow never to do it again? Check (I’m kidding I’m going to get up again tomorrow!)

Wow, for just 20 minutes Shred really kicks your ass. I can’t believe how tired I was and how my calves and thighs feel sore already. I could not kick my heels up to my ass, not because I can’t do it, but because I didn’t want my daughter running out of her room swearing we’d just had an earthquake! Anyway, I’m glad I got through Day 1… only 29 more to go.

Another On Program Day

Another day finished and another day back in control. It helps so much to have groceries in the house. It has made a huge difference in my fod choices and my desire to eat healthy. I feel strong and healthy this week!

I am now on day 3 of gym going. Tonight, of course, was Abs and Zumba! Still so excited to go to class every week. It's how I know it's where I still belong.


I watched tongiht's Biggest Loser and was very sad to see Kristin go. I really hoped she would win it. She will do awesome in real life though so ultimately that's all that matters. Currently watching the Blues in OT. Please let the playoof dream continue. The boys need to win at least one. Go Blues!

One last thing, I broke down and bought 30 Day Shred. Day 1 starts tomorrow!

Back in step

I started off my Sunday morning by heading to church. I love my church, our pastor is awesome, his message always powerful, and the music there is incredible. Today's musicians were from the youth. So imagine totally awesome and talented teenage boys singing and playing instruments with a passion most of us wish for. Awesome way to start the day.

After church, we went to Mimi's cafe for breakfast. I was not good. I had a monterey omelete that had monterey jack cheese, bacon, and avocado. It was delicous, but not a great way to start my caloric intake for the day. I felt a little guilty for enjoying its awesome deliciousness that when I got home, I put my workout clothes on and headed to the gym. I did 35 minutes on the eliptical and then 20 minutes of strength training. Probably not as much as I should have done, but I think it's actually pretty darn good considering I do not usually hit the gym on the weekends.

After the gym, I went and got my toes done. They are quite pretty now and completely ready for sandal season.

Dinner at Mom's house is all that's left on the agenda for they day. The menu is steak and since I'm not a red meat eater, I'm bringing my own food. lol I'm back on track and looking forward to staying that way.

Weekly Weigh-In

So, I'm just gonna get this out there. I gained 2 lbs this week. I didn't throw everything out the window this week, but I I just never truly got around to doing what needs to be done to lose weight. I only exercised on Monday and Tuesday. The rest of the week, I just used my stress surrounding my upcoming interview to not go to the gym. It wasn't even a valid excuse, I was just being lazy. I didn't track one ounce of food this week, not even in my head. It's not like I hit fast food restaraunts or anything, I just ate whatever the hell was in my house and that included Easter candy... and a dark choclate Milky Way.

Even today, I haven't really been on... although I usually am lax on Saturdays. I did however make myself go to the grocery store (and Costco) to stock my shelves with wholesome goodness. I have enough food for the next two weeks, and it's all good stuff like chicken and turkey and veggies and fruit and yummy yogurt, which I have finally grown to love. And... well you get the picture. This gain has done more to kick my ass than anything else I could have done. So, I'm trying and I feel good about starting afresh this week. I'm also going to try to post more this week, to keep myself on track and honest.

As for my interview, well, I didn't bomb. But the more I think about it, the more nervous I am about my performance in there. I wasn't prepared for two of the questions asked so I totally winged my answers and I'm not sure how well those two went down. Even the questions I had prepared for I'm worried about. I really would love to have this job. It would be a lot of really hard work, but would be such an advancement to my career it'd be worth the loss of downtime. Plus, I'd get to travel a little bit. I won't hear anything for at least a week. I think they were interviewing 5 people and I was like interview 3 (which does not bode well, the rumours are the last guy usually gets the job. Actually not sure how true that is, that's just what peeps at work think).

Anyway, that's what's going on. The teen has her BFF over tonight, so I've got giggling teenagers in the house and The Red Wings on the telly. (My Blues are off tonight)

Nervous

So, I have my job interview tomorrow and I've been a little stressed about it the last couple of days. I haven't exercised since Tuesday or eaten very well the last couple of days. I'm disappointed with myself. I know this is just a temporary set back and everything will go back to normal after I get myself through this darn interview. (I really want the job, I will learn so much in it). I'm pretty sure I've gained weight this week, but hopefully next week will see me back on track. Anyway, just stopping by to let everyone know I am here just not being very health minded the last two or three days.

Weekly Weigh In...4/11/09

-1.6

I'm feeling pretty good about the results. I had to deal with a birthday party and missed gym time. I'm hoping to get back to my regularly scheduled program now. I do have a job interview to prepare for this week. I'm nervous about it but really hopeful that I interview well and get the job. I'd finally be able to put my degree to good use!

I'm still here!

I've just been incredibly busy and haven't been able to get on the interwebz. I'm afraid to visit my Google Reader because it's been like 3 days! I'm feeling better than I was the last time I posted anything, so that's good. I'm eating well and exercising, and doing everything I can possibly do to prepare myself for my job interview... that I don't even know if I'm going to get yet! But hey, even if it doesn't come to fruition, at least I've learned a bunch of new stuff about the company I work for and about the interview process in general. So that's about it. Just looking forward to Lost and bed tonight! How is everyone else these days?

I just can't seem to break this funk I'm in. I know it all has to do with hormonal issues, but I keep crying over totally stupid stuff, currently it is the movie Parent Trap. I'm not even sure why I'm posting this other than I'm trying to keep a record of this journey and my emotional health is just as important as my physical health. I keep feeling overwhelmed with all that's going on, and I don't have any clothes that fit, and I'm trying to get a new job but I'm also feeling guilt over leaving the old one because it's comfortable and safe and my boss is the type of boss that takes people leaving personally. And sometimes, I just want to quit everything because being fat is comfortable and I can hide and not live my life to the fullest. And I'm not even sure why I've just said that because it's the first time since August I've even thought that. Please let me get over this soon, because I am sick of feeling like this!

Tonight was also my very last night of Financial Peace University. I really do feel like I've learned a lot and am looking forward finding my own financial peace. I'll miss going to class every Sunday.

Weekly Weigh In...4/4/09

I've posted a couple of times this week about how I've been struggling this week with cravings and water retention. I almost didn't even go to WW this morning because I was sure there would be a huge gain. Since Thursday, I've been sticking to water and watching my sodium intake. I also got to the gym 4 days this week. I took last night off with the exercise because my muscles were sore. So I did start seeing the hand and ankle swelling slowly disappearing over the course of Friday and when I did finally manage to get over to my meeting (I was late! Procrastinate much!?) there was:

NO CHANGE! 0 lbs loss

Never have I been so happy to same the same exact number on the scale before! So now that TOM is on it's way out and my chocolate cravings are finally gone and water retention is a thing of the past, it's time to find my love for fruits and vegetables again and practice eating them instead of cookies.

Oh and I tried these this week.




They are both 5 points each, and I actually added 1 cup of broccoli to the penne and it made for a huge dinner! I was really surprised with how much food there actually was only 5 points, especially once the broccoli was added. Fantastic! There is still quite a of sodium in it, about 600 mg in each meal.

So that's it.

I know what's wrong with me (said in a sing-song voice ;p). One would think I would more in tune with my body than I am, but I'm not and it took gaining 9 lbs! in 5 days. Yeah you heard right. I can only hope that tht I can get rid of this water in about 36 hours. My legs are completely swollen, full of water and my stomach is full of cookies. I think even if I get rid of most of this water, I'm going to have a gain. I've resigned myself to it and I'm going to focus on drinking lots of water and stick to veggies and fruit tomorrow. Take care all!

AAAAcccckkkkk!

I seem to be eating my way through the day. I freaking ate 2 donuts today and honestly I not even a big fan of donuts. *sigh* I'm not sure what the hell is wrong with me, but I better figure it out quick because another few days like today and my lovely loss of last week will be history!

On a positive note, I did make it to the gym today and did strength training in my arms and got 70 minutes on the elliptical and I didn't get dizzy or anything. So I'm also on the mend! Woot! So that's actually 2 positives.

I'm still sick!

This has got to stop! I am now on Day 10 of this virus. I finally have my voice back, but I still kind of sound like I've been smoking 3 packs a day for the last 20 years... a nice deep voice but at least all my words are coming out rather than every 3rd of 4th one, which was totally happening last week. And this sickness caused me to not be able to finish my Zumba! class last night! I got about 15 minutes into the class and was too dizzy to keep going. I was pretty bummed because I love my class and I love results I get from the class.

Apparantly though this virus has affected my memory because I stepped on the scale this morning and saw a 4 lb gain! And I'm thinking, there is no way I gained tht much since Saturday. Then I started thinking, when was the last time I took my Blood Pressure Medication? It's a water pill, and once I started thinking I realized that I hadn't taken it in a few days (like maybe once in the last 5 days!) So mystery solved. I've got to get better at taking my meds. When I was on double BP meds I never forgot to take the pills, but ever since the Dr dropped me down to just the one, I've had a really hard time remembering to take it. I've even had a hard time remembering if I actually took it as well. Like halfway through the day, I start thinking about whether or not I actually took the darn thing, even when I actually had. I think once I've gotten through this challenge, I'm going to speak to the Dr about going off the water pill too. I don't want to be on any medication anymore. I'm pretty sick of taking pills. *sigh* Anyway, that's all I got today.