Again, I really didn't think it had been this long since I last posted! I have actually waited a couple of days to post because I thought I had just done it!
Anyway... I officially lost 20 pounds!!!! Yippee for me! AND...I was able to fit into my "skinny" pants (they're not really skinny but for me they are). They weren't very comfortable yet but I got them on!
I got a nasty cold last Sunday and that has hampered my ability to exercise but at least I have maintained and not gained. I seem to be doing tons better today so hopefully I can get back to my full workout. Two weeks before the final weigh in was really a BAD time to not be able to push!! I actually tried working out while I was sick but I couldn't even breath, almost puked, and almost passed out. I couldn't even get up for about an hour after my workout. That was when I decided it might be better to rest and let my body recover from my cold (it was ALL in my chest).
My great diet tip for this post is v-8 (or any vegetable drink). I am NOT a vegetable eater. I know I need to and should be but I just am horrible at it! I have tried. I buy stuff... and it either sits on the shelf (in cans), in the freezer, or rots (fresh stuff). So, I decided that drinks are better than nothing because I can open a can or pour a cup, plug my nose, and down it in 5 seconds flat! I know, I'm horrible, but at least I am trying. I have to do what works!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Week 10, Day 2
Whoa! I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted! I have been working out with Jillian for the last couple of weeks and her workout kicks my butt! I like the workout TONS better than Bob's but that is only because it is more suited to me personally. That is not to say that it would be better for someone else. Bob seems to focus more on endurance. He will do the same move a couple of minutes. That is something I SUCK at! Jillian switches around a lot which I like better but probably wouldn't be for someone who isn't very coordinated (like my hubby!). I figured I would give MY pros and cons to the videos.
Bob
Pro - 1) real people working out, you can see them get tired. 2) very effective cool down. 3) Bob is very upbeat and positive and explains the moves BEFORE you do them. 4) Four different workouts so you do a different one each day.
Con - 1) requires endurance and I have none. 2) the warm up and cool down add 15 minutes to the workout.
Jillian
Pro - 1) moves around a lot which is good for me. 2) explains the hows of the moves VERY well but not until you're almost done, but this helps as you do the workout more.
Con - 1) skinny bimbo models showing the workout. 2) not much variety, you do the same workout until you "move on" to the next one. 3) the cool down really didn't even help me, Bob's is much better even though it is way long.
Okay, now I wanted to post about something else. My hubby and I went to a nice restaurant for our anniversary last weekend. I was a little nervous about how I would do. I didn't do great but I did a LOT better than I would have in the past.
I had 1 and 1/2 rolls and two pieces of cornbread. I should have had one of one or the other but pre diet, I would have probably had three of each!
For my appetizer, I ordered salad instead of soup and just lightly sprinkled Ranch over the top (I even asked for light Ranch but they didn't have any). Before, I would have doused the salad with ranch (that is if I even got a salad).
For dinner, I ordered a baked potato instead of mashed or fries. When dinner came, I scooped the butter out of the potato (I didn't realize I needed to order it on the side). Normally, I would have used all the butter AND the sour cream. Then I ate my veggies FIRST instead of the meat. I only ate about 1/3 of my steak instead of forcing myself to finish it.
I did order a strawberry lemonade instead of water but it was my anniversary after all!
So, while I didn't do as well as I could have, I did much better than I would have. Things to change in the future - stick with water and eat only one bread. Not too bad!
Bob
Pro - 1) real people working out, you can see them get tired. 2) very effective cool down. 3) Bob is very upbeat and positive and explains the moves BEFORE you do them. 4) Four different workouts so you do a different one each day.
Con - 1) requires endurance and I have none. 2) the warm up and cool down add 15 minutes to the workout.
Jillian
Pro - 1) moves around a lot which is good for me. 2) explains the hows of the moves VERY well but not until you're almost done, but this helps as you do the workout more.
Con - 1) skinny bimbo models showing the workout. 2) not much variety, you do the same workout until you "move on" to the next one. 3) the cool down really didn't even help me, Bob's is much better even though it is way long.
Okay, now I wanted to post about something else. My hubby and I went to a nice restaurant for our anniversary last weekend. I was a little nervous about how I would do. I didn't do great but I did a LOT better than I would have in the past.
I had 1 and 1/2 rolls and two pieces of cornbread. I should have had one of one or the other but pre diet, I would have probably had three of each!
For my appetizer, I ordered salad instead of soup and just lightly sprinkled Ranch over the top (I even asked for light Ranch but they didn't have any). Before, I would have doused the salad with ranch (that is if I even got a salad).
For dinner, I ordered a baked potato instead of mashed or fries. When dinner came, I scooped the butter out of the potato (I didn't realize I needed to order it on the side). Normally, I would have used all the butter AND the sour cream. Then I ate my veggies FIRST instead of the meat. I only ate about 1/3 of my steak instead of forcing myself to finish it.
I did order a strawberry lemonade instead of water but it was my anniversary after all!
So, while I didn't do as well as I could have, I did much better than I would have. Things to change in the future - stick with water and eat only one bread. Not too bad!
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Week 8, Day 3
This has been a bad couple of days. I have NOT WANTED to work out AT ALL! And haven't worked out at all. I think it is finally getting to me that the other girl is kicking my butt and now I won't get the $300 that I have been working so hard for. I so have no internal motivation! I need to do this for me not for the money. But knowing I don't have a shot at the money doesn't help...
We have been doing a Biggest Loser workout with Bob Harper. I actually really liked it. It was challenging and it gave four different workouts to change things up. BUT exercising in my living room to the same video (even if the workouts are different) had taken it's toll. I am very much an outdoor exerciser! If the weather was perfect Spring weather all year round, I would not be in this situation to begin with! It's kinda hard to exercise in 3 feet of snow and sub zero temps or in 100+ temps! I know, waaaaaaaaaaaaa...
Anyway, we got a new video on Thursday. This time, I decided to go with Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I WATCHED it on Thursday. I had every intention of doing it, but it didn't happen. Nor did it happen Friday or today. Friday night, I bought a mini trampoline so I did do that workout today but it didn't really seem to work me like the video did. Anyway, come Monday, I really need to get back on track!
My great diet food for today is butter spray! I LOVE that stuff! I can still get the yummy flavor of butter on my pancakes, toast, muffins, bread, veggies, etc. (yes I am a butter freak) without the fat and calories. AND I have found that you can cook with it too. So when I want to grill a sandwich, I just spray the bread with butter spray and wala! It works great on garlic bread too!
We have been doing a Biggest Loser workout with Bob Harper. I actually really liked it. It was challenging and it gave four different workouts to change things up. BUT exercising in my living room to the same video (even if the workouts are different) had taken it's toll. I am very much an outdoor exerciser! If the weather was perfect Spring weather all year round, I would not be in this situation to begin with! It's kinda hard to exercise in 3 feet of snow and sub zero temps or in 100+ temps! I know, waaaaaaaaaaaaa...
Anyway, we got a new video on Thursday. This time, I decided to go with Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I WATCHED it on Thursday. I had every intention of doing it, but it didn't happen. Nor did it happen Friday or today. Friday night, I bought a mini trampoline so I did do that workout today but it didn't really seem to work me like the video did. Anyway, come Monday, I really need to get back on track!
My great diet food for today is butter spray! I LOVE that stuff! I can still get the yummy flavor of butter on my pancakes, toast, muffins, bread, veggies, etc. (yes I am a butter freak) without the fat and calories. AND I have found that you can cook with it too. So when I want to grill a sandwich, I just spray the bread with butter spray and wala! It works great on garlic bread too!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Week 7, Day 5
I didn't realize it had been so long since I last posted! Life just got a little crazy and....blah, blah, blah.
Anyway, I made an interesting discovery this week. I have been slowly scaling back my daily points so I can lose weight faster. When I started, I had 22 points plus my 35 weekly flex points. I knew that 22 points wasn't going to cut it so I split the flex points up and gave myself 27 points a day. That was working well so I decided to gradually cut out the flex points until I was at 22 points per day. The guidelines say not to go below 20 points a day so I figured 22 was okay and I would lose weight even faster.
Not so much. I actually STOPPED losing weight. So then I wasn't sure what to do. I already felt like I was starving but I felt like my only option was to go down to 20 points.
Then I got talking with my sister. She said that she had seen an episode on The Biggest Loser where one of the contestants wasn't losing weight so the trainer had him increase his food consumption. He said he wasn't eating enough so his body was trying to conserve what little he was getting. It seemed counter intuitive but he tried it and lost 12 pounds that week. I figured, why not? At this point, I wasn't losing anyway. So I upped my points back to 27 and have lost 3 pounds in 4 days! Funny thing is (and I think I may have even posted about this in an earlier post) I have been harping on hubby telling him that he isn't eating enough and his body is going to go into starvation mode. For some reason, I didn't think the same applied to me!
We got a new scale yesterday. It is actually the same brand as the one used at hubby's work but it only measures weight, fat and water. I think it will be nice. If it is accurate, I have lost another 3 percent body fat! Yippee! Hubby will take it to work tomorrow for his weigh in and see how it compares to the scale at work.
Can I just say, I love all these little 100 calorie snack packs that are out there. I can still have a little treat but not worry about going crazy by not knowing the limits. I eat a package, and I am done. They are great!
Anyway, I made an interesting discovery this week. I have been slowly scaling back my daily points so I can lose weight faster. When I started, I had 22 points plus my 35 weekly flex points. I knew that 22 points wasn't going to cut it so I split the flex points up and gave myself 27 points a day. That was working well so I decided to gradually cut out the flex points until I was at 22 points per day. The guidelines say not to go below 20 points a day so I figured 22 was okay and I would lose weight even faster.
Not so much. I actually STOPPED losing weight. So then I wasn't sure what to do. I already felt like I was starving but I felt like my only option was to go down to 20 points.
Then I got talking with my sister. She said that she had seen an episode on The Biggest Loser where one of the contestants wasn't losing weight so the trainer had him increase his food consumption. He said he wasn't eating enough so his body was trying to conserve what little he was getting. It seemed counter intuitive but he tried it and lost 12 pounds that week. I figured, why not? At this point, I wasn't losing anyway. So I upped my points back to 27 and have lost 3 pounds in 4 days! Funny thing is (and I think I may have even posted about this in an earlier post) I have been harping on hubby telling him that he isn't eating enough and his body is going to go into starvation mode. For some reason, I didn't think the same applied to me!
We got a new scale yesterday. It is actually the same brand as the one used at hubby's work but it only measures weight, fat and water. I think it will be nice. If it is accurate, I have lost another 3 percent body fat! Yippee! Hubby will take it to work tomorrow for his weigh in and see how it compares to the scale at work.
Can I just say, I love all these little 100 calorie snack packs that are out there. I can still have a little treat but not worry about going crazy by not knowing the limits. I eat a package, and I am done. They are great!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Week 6, Day 1
Well, almost half way through the competition and I finally hit the 10 pound mark! Not as well as I had hoped, but not bad. My goal was 25 pounds for the 12 weeks...it could still happen. I am now exercising twice a day. I do the video workout in the morning/early afternoon (depending on the babies) and the go running (or power walking, depending on my mood) as soon as hubby gets home. I'm not sure he's real into me leaving as soon as he walks in the door, but it works for me!
I found another great diet (I mean, healthy lifestyle) food. Sarah Lee makes a "Delightful" bread that is 45 calories per slice. Translated into weight watchers, that is one point for two slices (when you take the fiber into account). Love it!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I cracked on Sunday. And I mean totally cracked, caved, gave in, yeah, it was bad. I have been doing good with the eating thing when I know exactly how many points I am eating. So eating at home and even at restaurants (because I can look up the nutrition info online before I go) has been working out fine. Sunday, I went to an Eagle Scout presentation. I knew they were serving dinner so I only left myself 2 points for the day. I figured that way, I wouldn't be tempted to eat because I was already out of points and I could have a little snack when I got home. BAD IDEA!!
My first real test and I failed, and I mean I FAILED!! I ate lasagna, garlic bread, salad (with dressing), and dessert. But I didn't just have dessert. I had the biggest most fattening dessert that was there AND I had TWO of them! I figured I had already blown it so why not enjoy myself? I cut back on my points the rest of this week to compensate but that could explain why I only lost one pound when I have doubled my exercising!! Okay, next step, work on eating at gatherings! Or should I say, not eating...
I found another great diet (I mean, healthy lifestyle) food. Sarah Lee makes a "Delightful" bread that is 45 calories per slice. Translated into weight watchers, that is one point for two slices (when you take the fiber into account). Love it!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I cracked on Sunday. And I mean totally cracked, caved, gave in, yeah, it was bad. I have been doing good with the eating thing when I know exactly how many points I am eating. So eating at home and even at restaurants (because I can look up the nutrition info online before I go) has been working out fine. Sunday, I went to an Eagle Scout presentation. I knew they were serving dinner so I only left myself 2 points for the day. I figured that way, I wouldn't be tempted to eat because I was already out of points and I could have a little snack when I got home. BAD IDEA!!
My first real test and I failed, and I mean I FAILED!! I ate lasagna, garlic bread, salad (with dressing), and dessert. But I didn't just have dessert. I had the biggest most fattening dessert that was there AND I had TWO of them! I figured I had already blown it so why not enjoy myself? I cut back on my points the rest of this week to compensate but that could explain why I only lost one pound when I have doubled my exercising!! Okay, next step, work on eating at gatherings! Or should I say, not eating...
Friday, February 6, 2009
Week 5, Day 2
Yesterday was my big weigh in. I lost 9 pounds! Yeah me! My weigh loss percentage added to my fat loss percentage was 6.4% which currently puts me in 2nd place. My husband is currently in 3rd place at 4.5%. The lady in the lead is at 7.8%.
On another note, I mentioned in an earlier post how eating right is so much more expensive. I think I have decided that it really isn't that much more expensive. The food costs more, but I eat a whole lot less. Instead of eating an entire box of $1.50 crackers just because they're there, I eat a .50 apple because it is a better choice. So in reality, I think eating more expensive food but eating less of it actually balances out.
Anyway, gotta run! Happy dieting...uh, I mean healthy eating!
On another note, I mentioned in an earlier post how eating right is so much more expensive. I think I have decided that it really isn't that much more expensive. The food costs more, but I eat a whole lot less. Instead of eating an entire box of $1.50 crackers just because they're there, I eat a .50 apple because it is a better choice. So in reality, I think eating more expensive food but eating less of it actually balances out.
Anyway, gotta run! Happy dieting...uh, I mean healthy eating!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Week 4, Day 5
Three more days until I get to do an official weigh in!! My husband is kicking my butt though. He decided that since I am actually losing weight, he is going to double his workouts and eat even less than he already was! I do worry a little that when this competition is over, he is going to gain it all back because he can't keep up this pace forever...
I have decided to just stick with my slow and steady. It is working and then I will be more likely to keep the weight off. The money would be nice but I guess my health is what is really important (that sounded convincing I know).
The workout video that we have has two stages. The first three weeks are low-intensity, and the second three weeks are high-intensity. I have decided that they need to add a medium-intensity! I commented before about no sore muscles. I started the high intensity on Friday and haven't been able to move my arms since! My legs are doing better though...
I have found a great snack. Orville Redenba...(don't know how to spell it) has a smart pop mini bag that is 100 calories and 5 grams of fiber. I usually pop a bag of popcorn but can't stop at one serving! I eat the whole bag! So these mini bags are great plus they are the smart pop so they are lower in fat and calories than regular microwave popcorn anyway!
I have decided to just stick with my slow and steady. It is working and then I will be more likely to keep the weight off. The money would be nice but I guess my health is what is really important (that sounded convincing I know).
The workout video that we have has two stages. The first three weeks are low-intensity, and the second three weeks are high-intensity. I have decided that they need to add a medium-intensity! I commented before about no sore muscles. I started the high intensity on Friday and haven't been able to move my arms since! My legs are doing better though...
I have found a great snack. Orville Redenba...(don't know how to spell it) has a smart pop mini bag that is 100 calories and 5 grams of fiber. I usually pop a bag of popcorn but can't stop at one serving! I eat the whole bag! So these mini bags are great plus they are the smart pop so they are lower in fat and calories than regular microwave popcorn anyway!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Week 4, Day 1
Okay, so I'm a huge slacker. I just have had no motivation to work out, eat right, blah blah blah so I really didn't feel like I had much to write about. I weighed in yesterday and only lost 0.4 pounds so then I was really depressed! Today, I realized that I weighed in on the wrong day so I figured what the heck and weighed in again so it would be more accurate. I actually lost 2 pounds!! I must have weighed in yesterday after drinking lots of water or something. I'm not going to complain though!
I wanted to share some tips and tricks that I have found but I have fighting children so I guess it is going to have to wait! One quick on though - Hostess 100 calorie snack packs (the chocolate ones anyway) are only 1 point for a package! Score! BUT, be careful. If you eat two of them at once, the points go all the way up to 4 (because of the fat doubling and the fiber not counting again). So enjoy them in moderation.
Next week is the for real weigh in - exciting and scary!
I wanted to share some tips and tricks that I have found but I have fighting children so I guess it is going to have to wait! One quick on though - Hostess 100 calorie snack packs (the chocolate ones anyway) are only 1 point for a package! Score! BUT, be careful. If you eat two of them at once, the points go all the way up to 4 (because of the fat doubling and the fiber not counting again). So enjoy them in moderation.
Next week is the for real weigh in - exciting and scary!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Week 3, Day 1
So far, I am doing okay on the food thing. I decided to gradually lower my points per day down to where they should be to help me lose more weight. I am losing (actually a bit more than I thought) but I really should be sticking to the points that I should be at so I can win this thing. My strategy is still the same, slow and steady. I figure if I knock of 2 points this week, and then a point per week till the end, I'll be right where I should be and hopefully do good! For me, that is better than trying to do it all at once and feeling like I am starving.
Exercise is another story. I have been doing it but I know I am am not putting my all into it. I am just going through the motions to get it done. I dread my workout every day. I think that is another plus of doing it in the morning, then I can get on with my day. It is so funny though because after I do it, I feel such a sense of accomplishment but I just have a really hard time motivating myself to do it in the first place. I wish it was warmer. I would LOVE to go for walks but I can't take a baby out in frigid temps!
I guess I should share my weight loss. The first week, I lost 3.4 pounds. Not a great first week but at least it was a loss. I was worried about week 2. I didn't really think I would lose much. But I lost 2.2 pounds! Everything I have read says after the first week, 1-2 pounds is the best amount to lose for sustained weight loss. I just wish I had done a little bit better the first week. But I figured it out, if I lose 2 pounds per week for the entire 12 weeks, that is 24 pounds! Not bad! I really wish I knew what my fat percent loss was. Two more weeks and I'll get to go find out.
Exercise is another story. I have been doing it but I know I am am not putting my all into it. I am just going through the motions to get it done. I dread my workout every day. I think that is another plus of doing it in the morning, then I can get on with my day. It is so funny though because after I do it, I feel such a sense of accomplishment but I just have a really hard time motivating myself to do it in the first place. I wish it was warmer. I would LOVE to go for walks but I can't take a baby out in frigid temps!
I guess I should share my weight loss. The first week, I lost 3.4 pounds. Not a great first week but at least it was a loss. I was worried about week 2. I didn't really think I would lose much. But I lost 2.2 pounds! Everything I have read says after the first week, 1-2 pounds is the best amount to lose for sustained weight loss. I just wish I had done a little bit better the first week. But I figured it out, if I lose 2 pounds per week for the entire 12 weeks, that is 24 pounds! Not bad! I really wish I knew what my fat percent loss was. Two more weeks and I'll get to go find out.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Week 2, Day 6
Now that hubby is back to work, I might be able to get back on track with this bloggy thing!
Sunday was an interesting day. We go to my Aunt's house every Sunday evening and we get to have treats. I saved my points so I could still have treats at her house. So I hadn't had anything to eat since early afternoon and went to her house and had a 100 grand candy bar, an IBC rootbeer, and a fudgescicle (can't figure out how to spell that one) AND STAYED WITHIN MY POINTS. However, that night, I CRASHED! I couldn't even believe it. It was the weirdest thing. I got to really see the effects of junk food on my body because I didn't have points to eat anything else so it was the fully effect. It was yucky! Maybe that will help me stay away from that crap (or maybe not).
I hope this post is even coherent. I am trying to hurry and catch up before the baby wakes up.
Yesterday, we went to Wendy's for lunch for my Aunt's birthday. I was going to just not eat and then eat at home but I got online and checked out the nutrition info on their menu. I decided to have a Ceasar salad with no croutons or dressing which was only 3 points! I can do that! Then I had a light Minute Maid. I didn't even snitch one fry or one bite of Frosty from my kids. GO ME! And one of my boys even GAVE ME his frosty ... I threw it in the garbage. I was so proud of myself!
I got my workout in late but I did it. I have decided that it definitely works better to exercise in the morning though!
So, here's to a great day today!!
Sunday was an interesting day. We go to my Aunt's house every Sunday evening and we get to have treats. I saved my points so I could still have treats at her house. So I hadn't had anything to eat since early afternoon and went to her house and had a 100 grand candy bar, an IBC rootbeer, and a fudgescicle (can't figure out how to spell that one) AND STAYED WITHIN MY POINTS. However, that night, I CRASHED! I couldn't even believe it. It was the weirdest thing. I got to really see the effects of junk food on my body because I didn't have points to eat anything else so it was the fully effect. It was yucky! Maybe that will help me stay away from that crap (or maybe not).
I hope this post is even coherent. I am trying to hurry and catch up before the baby wakes up.
Yesterday, we went to Wendy's for lunch for my Aunt's birthday. I was going to just not eat and then eat at home but I got online and checked out the nutrition info on their menu. I decided to have a Ceasar salad with no croutons or dressing which was only 3 points! I can do that! Then I had a light Minute Maid. I didn't even snitch one fry or one bite of Frosty from my kids. GO ME! And one of my boys even GAVE ME his frosty ... I threw it in the garbage. I was so proud of myself!
I got my workout in late but I did it. I have decided that it definitely works better to exercise in the morning though!
So, here's to a great day today!!
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