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Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Monday, November 19
Friday, April 20
{v.16}
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 3 pounds!!
Total Weight Lost: 27 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 1.5 inches
Total Inches Lost: 37 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 65
Points Balance: 437!!
(Only 63 Points Away from $250!)
I haven't exercised since my last check-in. And I've had dessert…lots of it. And other miscellaneous treats. I am still losing weight (as you can see). I've decided that for now until I reach my goal weight and/or ideal weight I'm going to remain active, but not follow any specific workout regimen.
I've been super busy and feel so much better not exercising on this plan. I think that my calorie deficit was just too great. I am now feeling very energized again and have been getting tons of things done!
I have something exciting I just have to share with you today. I LOVE RUNNING. No, really, I do. My husband has asked me before what exercise I love best, and it has always been running…and not just a couple miles here and there. I love distance running. Since having Zion, I haven't been able to really figure out how to work it back into my life.
It has always been a dream of mine to run a marathon and this year I even mentioned I'd like to run a half-marathon (trying to be realistic on what is doable this year!). The only solution to my dilemma has been to get a jogging stroller. I've had my eyes set on a B.O.B. for a while, but in all honestly, it has been very near the bottom on the list of other financial priorities for us.
A few months ago, I just sort of came to the conclusion that running was out for now. I remember I said this little half-serious prayer, "God, I know it isn't a necessity…but…if there is a way you can give me one of these strollers…" So tonight, I was finally catching up on emails and got a message from a friend who just happened to be thinking of me, and asked if I would like to have this:
Not only is it a B.O.B. Jogging Stroller, it is in the Yellow color that I wanted!! How awesome is God!? She had no idea I'd even been wanting one. I get to pick it up on Tuesday and I'm ridiculously excited!
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I've been really focused on making sure I eat all the meals I am supposed to eat.
I've been sticking to my every 2-2.5 hour eating schedule.
I'd like to work more on:
Drinking half my body weight in ounces of water.
Eating all 6-7 of my daily mini meals.
Okay so I don't NEED to eat dessert every night. LOL.
I totally cheated when:
I'd be lying if I said I didn't have cake, pie, ice cream…lol. So bad.
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Thursday, April 12
The Meltdown {v.15}
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 2 pounds
Total Weight Lost: 24 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 0
Total Inches Lost: 35.5 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 30
Points Balance: 372
I started this past week thinking that I would press through. Then, Passover dinner came along, and I wanted to enjoy mashed potatoes and stuffing with béarnaise sauce with my family. So I gave myself a cheat night. Ate mostly back on plan on Saturday and then Sunday went to Easter brunch, where I gave myself more cheating…I actually had a piece of buttered bread. It was the best bread I've ever tasted. LOL.
Then we hosted a friend over for dinner that I hadn't seen in over a year, she just happened to bring in my nemesis…cold stone creamery ice cream cake. I was like, ok, a little more cheating. I didn't really feel guilty, as I had come to the conclusion that my body was in conservation mode. I have been back "on-plan" with my eating since Monday morning. I'm a bit suspicious that my 2 lb. loss is more water weight than anything else, but still, it puts me into the 130's for the first time in almost 3 years. Yep, 139.
As for exercise, I haven't seen Jillian in 5 days. I am hoping to break my little exercise fast today, but again worried that exercise at this point could put me right back in conservation mode. I just have 8 days of the shred left to complete to say I did it. So now I am at the "to finish or not to finish" question.
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I am actually proud of myself for allowing the cheating. I know it helped me get back on track.
I'd like to work more on:
Keeping my food journal again.
Drinking half my body weight in ounces of water.
Eating all 6-7 of my daily mini meals.
I totally cheated when:
I ate: mashed potatoes, stuffing, bearnaise sauce, brownies, bread with butter, fruit tart, strawberries, and ice cream cake. And it was all delicious.
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Thursday, April 5
The Meltdown {v.14} Battling Through
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 1 pound
Total Weight Lost: 22 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 1.5
Total Inches Lost: 35.5 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 55
Points Balance: 342
I've reached the dreaded "crawl" in my weight loss and inches. I blame: Jillian Michael's. It doesn't feel like I should be entering conservation mode because I am only working out 20 minutes a day, however; the scale and measuring tape are starting to say otherwise. I was actually surprised to have lost any weight this week because I just feel, well, crappy for lack of a better word.
I've been feeling less energized, super moody (and its not even close to that time yet) as well as just blah over all. Everything is pointing towards the body quite misleadingly thinking its starving. I have to switch things up and get back to a place where my body and spirit can co-exist in harmony while walking hand in hand towards my end goal. So how in the world am I to convince this body of mine that everything is ok?
For one, I refuse to cut back on exercise…that is just not going to happen. I need exercise and I've got to the point where it is habit, and don't want to lose that drive.
So, what other options do I have? Diet modification. I thought cheating by adding a little more condiments, a little more calories here and there would be enough, but I was wrong. Right now I'm eating on the Medifast 5&1 plan (5 Medifast meals + 1 Lean & Green meal). The next step would be to switch to the 4&2 plan (4 Medifast meals + 2 Lean & Green meals).
I'm sort of torn on whether I want to just finish out the 30 Day Shred without changing things up because even though I only lost 1 pound and less than 2 inches, it was still a loss. Can I use mind over matter here or am I just delaying what will actually work? I haven't decided what it will be yet, whether I will do one more week, finishing out the Shred, or start taking in a few more calories. Guess you'll have to visit next week to see!!
Have you reached a plateau in your weight-loss? How did you break out of it? What helped you battle through!?
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I'm rocking the 30 Day Shred, only 8 days left until I can say I did it!
I'd like to work more on:
Getting to bed by 10pm, most nights.
Keeping my food journal again.
Drinking half my body weight in ounces of water.
I totally cheated when:
I've been eating these delicious sugar free Jell-o mousse cups with sugar free Cool Whip, does this count as cheating??
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Friday, March 30
The Meltdown {V.13}
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 1 pound
Total Weight Lost: 21 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 3!! (+gain .5)
Total Inches Lost: 34 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 65
Points Balance: 287
I'm in a diet funk. I'm totally happy to be wearing my Express jeans again. I'm happy about the shrinking mid-section and thighs too. BUT…ugh! I miss bread. And pasta. And bread. Did I already say that? I've reached the halfway there FUNK it seems. Even my exercise program is going stale. I'm bored and tired and losing motivation.
Remember when I said that it was going to be a battle from here on out? It totally is. I need to regroup, refocus and get myself back in line with the program. I had a loss this week but it feels, well, unexciting. Am I being totally ungrateful right now? Probably a little bit. I just want to be done and to my goal already!! I want to be in transition so I can be moving on out of pre-packaged meals and into whole foods.
See…don't let me fool you into thinking that I've got this whole thing in the bag. I don't. I'm still struggling here and there…and especially this week. I feel like I need to confess to hold myself accountable:
Confession #1: I've completely stopped tracking/logging in my food journal. I'm fumbling through the day barely eating all the meals I'm supposed to. And struggling to eat every 2-3 hours. At the time of writing this I haven't eaten for six hours. (Don't worry, I'm setting this laptop down and going to grab something now!)
Confession #2: One of the most important things on this diet is drinking tons of water….I'm not even tracking this lately…and therefore my points and everything have gone way down. What am I doing!? Someone slap me!
Confession #3: I've had a few meals out…and although I've still chosen healthy options…I'm kidding myself to think that its not having a negative effect on my plan. I need to get my mind back in the game here friends.
I feel like I've reached "the Wall" in my weight-loss marathon! I need someone to cue up some motivational music…and convince me that I need to press through this. Oh and don't even get me started on Jillian. Thank God I have a break on Monday. (Only 3 days left of the Shred level 2!)
How are you doing with your goals? Have any advice on how to get my mojo back!?
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I'm staying with the 30 Day Shred.
I'd like to work more on:
Everything mentioned above!!!
I totally cheated when:
Not sure how, but because I've not been monitoring well…I know I'm cheating a bit!
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Thursday, March 22
Muffintop Meltdown {v.12} Victory!!
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 2 pounds!!
Total Weight Lost: 20 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 3.5!!
Total Inches Lost: 31.5 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 85
Points Balance: 222
(almost halfway to my next $250!)
My muffin top is GONE! I was sitting here trying to think of whether I need a new name for my little weekly update: The Butt Blasting, Thigh Thinning Trimdown? The Thunder Thigh Thin-Down? The Lean Mean Body Machine? The Underarm Usurp? Cellulitis NoMoritis? Finally, I just settled that going forward I will call it, "The Meltdown". I still have many areas that need toning and shrinking…and my weight, well, I'm still not in my "healthy" weight range. I still have a lot of work to do here!
When I originally started this journey toward getting back in shape and being more active, I set what I thought were some challenging goals for my measurements. Today, 12 weeks later, I have met all but one of the measurement goals. So it is time to set even more challenging "ideal measurement" goals. It is hard to say what are realistic ideal measurements, because body shapes are so different. I have a medium frame but have always seemed more of a pear than hourglass. My new measurement goals will be based on what I believe is the smallest size my body will go (without looking emaciated).
Now that I've lost 20 pounds, I'm only 13 pounds away from my original goal weight of 130. But as I mentioned in a previous post, I know that number may have to be re-evaluated based on my loss of almost and inch during my pregnancy. According to the Medifast calculations, my goal weight should be 118. That seems like a fantasy to me at this point. The last time I weighed 118 I was in 8th grade. Now, I think I would probably be satisfied reaching a weight of 120 at the end of my "weight-loss" phase before I transition to eating on my own, which will probably put my maintenance weight between 125-130. For now, I'm going to leave my "ideal weight" goal at 118 and re-evaluate where I want to go when I've reached 130 and again at 125.
 |
| Calculated via Losertown |
As happy I am with the progress I've made so far, I know that the real challenge begins now. The weight that is usually the hardest to lose is the last 10-20lbs. I have been trying to be as realistic and honest with myself throughout this whole process, because I want to succeed. I'm done with failing. I've declared no excuses this year and that is an all-encompassing vow…not just for my physical well being. So, as the rest of this journey unfolds I'm going to be working harder than ever before. I'm going to be digging deep and fighting through intense workouts. I'm going to be saying no now, so that I can say yes later! I'll be sharing more of my battle plan as we move forward.
How are you doing with your goals? Is it time to re-evaluate or re-strategize your goals?
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I completed the first 10 days of Jillian's Michael's 30 Day Shred Level 1 and today started Level 2! I'm so impressed with the intensity of these 20 minute workouts. And I'm in pain all over again with Level 2.
I feel like my energy levels are soaring these days…I'm getting outside (blue sky and sunshine helps) and staying much more active overall. In fact, it's hard to get me to sit down for any length of time.
I'd like to work more on:
Getting to bed by 10pm, most nights. Maybe this makes me seem like an old lady, but I really feel that sleep is critical if you want to lose weight .
Drinking my minimum of 72 ounces of water every day!!
Cutting back on the use of condiments…those sneaky calories can add up quick!
I totally cheated when:
I haven't been cheating, unless you count taking a one day break from working out yesterday!
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Thursday, March 15
Muffintop Meltdown {v.11} Ouch!
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 0!! Finally hit that plateau!
Total Weight Lost: 18 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 3.5!!
Total Inches Lost: 28 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 60
Points Balance: 137
I am so sore. And tired. I always know that I've had a great workout when it hurts to sit on the toilet seat. Oh the pain of daily workouts with Jillian Michaels. This lady knows what she is doing! It isn't helping that Zion has been waking up in the middle of the night lately and I'm getting fragmented sleep which cannot be great for muscle recovery. Today is day five of the 30 day program and tomorrow I'll be adding a little more intensity by using weights. (I started by just using body weight to get the hang of things).
Today I thought I'd share with you a couple of the things I want when I get to my ideal weight, and feel confident enough:
The first thing I want and will need is an updated wardrobe. Yesterday I bought a new pair of jeans a size smaller than I've been wearing. I realize it will soon be time to get smaller shirts too. Most of all though, I really want to buy clothes that I love, that really represent my style. I think when I've reached my goal, I'm going to be honest about my closet…you will see that I've been stuck in wearing things that have either been given to me or are just simple and plain because I didn't want to buy anything until I reached my goal. I can't wait for my big shopping date…I'm believing it will be right before my 4 year wedding anniversary! :)
I've been wanting to do a few crazy and fun things to my hair, but have always worked in a corporate environment…that is until becoming a stay-at-home mom. I am by all means a wild colored hair, nose piercing type of girl, but because of forced conservatism I've not had the opportunity to break out of the doldrums. This is going to change. I feel like I can only pull off the look I want at my ideal weight. So, unless I get there, the extreme makeover - mama gone wild edition will have to wait!
What rewards are motivating you to stay on track with your goals?
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I've been getting up every morning and doing the 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels (and my hubby!)
Not really by choice, but I've been drinking way less coffee since I started working out.
I'd like to work more on:
I NEED SLEEP, I REPEAT I NEED SLEEP!
Eating at the scheduled times: I've been slacking on eating in the first hour upon waking, plus not consistently eating every 2-3 hours!
I totally cheated when:
I've been cheating a bit, but wait, it isn't what you think. I have had more calories than I would if I was just sticking to the plan, but they have been good calories: extra veggies, a bit more lean protein.
Okay, I confess I did have a few bites of coconut ice cream at lunch on Sunday…but I promise…it was less than 1/4 cup!
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Thursday, March 8
Muffintop Meltdown {V.10} Here Comes the Shred
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 4 pounds!!
Total Weight Lost: 18 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 3 inches!!
Total Inches Lost: 23.5 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 70
Points Balance: 77
(I cashed in my first 500 points last week for $250 cash!)
Now that I'm losing weight consistently and my clothes are starting to look pretty silly…it's time to focus on getting toned up a bit. I mean, I'm thrilled that I'm losing weight and almost halfway to my goal, but I don't want to get to goal and be skinny-flabby.
That is why this Sunday I am going to start Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred! I'm going to be totally honest with you, I am kind of intimidated. I am worried about the intensity of the workouts and how it is going to effect my body. I guess the only way to find out is to give it a go!
Either way, more exercise and activity is in order. Not to speed up my weight loss, because quite frankly if I was losing any more weight, I'd be quite concerned. I can't even tell you the shock I experienced seeing 4 pounds gone on the scale this week, while it made me happy, it also concerned me. My weight loss has yet to slow down to 2 lbs or less, which I was sure it would have by now.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, I just don't want my weight to yo-yo and I know that slow weight loss (1-3 pounds/per week) is the best indicator that I won't just put a bunch of weight back on when I transition out of Medifast! Enough with the worries and concerns….did I mention that I can:
Fit back into my 7 jeans!!! Remember, that was Jeans goal #1!!! Now, my muffin top looks like it is back with a vengeance in this picture, but that is because the jeans are pretty tight still. I do believe I'll be able to wear them comfortably by the end of next week though!! Either way, I'm super happy. And…my muffin top in my regular clothes is almost completely gone friends!!
What little tips have you learned that have made a difference in meeting your weight loss goals?
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I'm staying on plan with Medifast!
Our whole family is eating better now (even Zion has been wanting more green veggies)!
I'd like to work more on:
Exercise, period.
Refocusing on getting full nights of sleep!
I totally cheated when:
I didn't really cheat at all this week, however; I've taken in a few more calories than what the plan would have me take in, and it really hasn't upset things at all. I'm still in shock that I lost 4 lbs!
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Thursday, February 23
Muffintop Meltdown {v.8}
Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 4 pounds!!
Total Weight Lost: 11 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 5.5 inches!!
Total Inches Lost: 19 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 85
Points Balance: 422!!!
I'm back in NYC! Woot! I can't believe how quickly three weeks flew by! It was sad saying good-bye, but it feels great to be back at home and getting back in my own routine. I'm now 10 days into Medifast, and I am THRILLED with the results I have had so far. I know I went off track early in my trip to Texas, so I am sure I gained a bit of weight before starting Medifast, so the fact that I am down 4 pounds despite that fact, is AWESOME! And motivating!
I never had an actual work out during my trip. I had hopes to get on the treadmill, but the treadmill was moved to the garage so a playroom could be created, making it inconvenient and unnecessary. I will say that for probably 85% of every day, I was on my feet! I barely sat down friends. Now I know the secret to losing baby weight…have more kids! LOL. As I sit here typing this I am thirsty to exercise and will be doing Pilates just as soon as I finish sharing with you.
I am convinced that Medifast can and will get me to my goal weight and expediently as well! When I did my weight loss projections based on the minimum weight loss expected, I will be in my most ideal shape by my 4 year anniversary in June! I will blow past my goal weight before Zion's 2nd birthday! Can you tell how excited I am?
Before I know it, I will be looking like this:
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
I'm staying disciplined and not cheating on Medifast!
I'm drinking tons of water again.
I made it through my stressful travel day without breaking my Medifast.
I'd like to work more on:
Continuing to cut back on coffee, perhaps switching to only one 8oz cup of coffee + adding one 8oz cup of Green Tea instead of my 2nd cup of coffee.
I'm adding exercise back this week, and I am really hoping to not overdue it and since I have only been "functionally active" for the last three weeks.
I totally cheated when:
I got home and this morning I had no Splenda or sugar substitutes, so I added a teeny bit of spicy cocoa and Agave nectar to my coffee eek!!
How did you do this week?
Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?
Thursday, January 26
Muffintop Meltdown {v.4}
Weight Lost This Week: 3 pounds
Total Weight Lost: 8 pounds
Inches Lost This Week: 4 inches
Total Inches Lost: 10.5 inches
Points Earned:
This Week: 97
Points Balance: 283!
Today, I thought I'd share a bit of how I'm burning extra calories each day, and how you can take advantage of some excellent free workout programs.
1. Pilates: Pilates is my ninja workout strategy. In order to have better form and strength in all of your other exercises, you need to have good core muscles. Your core pulls everything else in tighter. I recently had a chance to participate in a small group Pilates class with an awesome instructor, who taught me a few tricks that have improved my pilates workouts immensely. Of course I'm going to share one with you: while you are lying on your back doing a pilates workout, imagine you have a large bowl filled with water resting between your hips/on your pelvis. If your pelvis is tilted back or forward too much, that water is going to go everywhere, your goal is to prevent that from happening. This helps you to keep your hips and pelvis in the right position to utilize your abdominal muscles fully…I was absolutely amazed at the difference this makes. I use this free Pilates video by Denise Austin on Hulu. It will work every inch of your body, targeting muscles you didn't even know you had!
2. Strength Training/Toning: A lot of women I know are afraid to do lifting, thinking that it will cause their muscles to be bulky. This just isn't true! You don't have to lift heavy weights, but adding toning/strength building workouts to your routine will give you more muscle which burns more calories at rest than fat. Did you catch that? More muscle=more calories burned with less effort. I have one set of 3 lb. hand-weights, that is it. You don't even have to have that to get started, in fact, for the first couple of weeks that I started working out, I used only my body's natural resistance, and was still sore! I try to do at least 2 sessions a week, but plan on increasing it as I get stronger. I will eventually add heavier weights when the current ones get too easy. My favorite free toning workouts are about 20 minutes each and focus on different body workouts, not to mention these ladies are in fantastic (motivating) shape: Envy Girls: Arms, Buns, Legs, Body.
3. Cardio: Cardio is the biggest challenge during the winter…mostly because my number one choice for cardio is distance running. I have to huge setbacks right now with running, first: I don't own a jogging stroller, and second: I don't run in the dark. If you are blessed with an in-home elliptical machine or treadmill…you have no excuse! Ha! Because I don't have the best opportunity for cardio, yet I have vowed no excuses this year, I had to find a solution. So, there are a couple things I do: first, the Body workout listed above by the Envy Girls is a great choice…it is a superset workout, so your heart does get pumping. I own Shawn T's Hip Hop Abs DVD
so that is one way I can get a 45 minute cardio workout done. I also count brisk walking, especially pushing my daughter in her stroller for a mile or two. A couple of other good cardio workouts I like: Self: Dance Your Way Slim, Bikini Ready, Fast! and Slim & Sleek Fast.
so that is one way I can get a 45 minute cardio workout done. I also count brisk walking, especially pushing my daughter in her stroller for a mile or two. A couple of other good cardio workouts I like: Self: Dance Your Way Slim, Bikini Ready, Fast! and Slim & Sleek Fast.
Another thing you can try is a basic calisthenics workout (think P.E. exercises from your school days), like this one:
{source}
One last note…I believe that exercise is very important, but I've learned that eating is even more important! So even if you can only get in 1-2 exercise sessions a week, as long as you stick to eating well, you will continue to see a loss!
**I am not a certified expert on nutrition or exercise, so please, do your homework/research, and as always consult your physician before making major lifestyle changes that include diet/exercise!**
This Week:
I'm proud of these choices:
Birthday Brownie Bites: I made chocolate fudge brownies for Jerry's birthday with applesauce and egg whites, eliminating virtually all of the fat…best part, they were DELICIOUS and still fudgy/chewy! {Okay, I admit they weren't entirely innocent, cause I added a few Reese's pieces to them! :)}
Consistent workouts: I've been really staying focused and on target with my almost daily exercise routines. I look forward to getting sweaty, and I'm starting to see my form and strength improve!
I'd like to work more on:
Water consumption: I slacked a bit this week.
Eating breakfast within the first hour of waking up, preferably before my first cup of coffee.
Doing my physical therapy exercises a minimum of once per day.
Cutting down to 1 cup of coffee a day {am I kidding myself here?}.
I totally cheated when:
I have been a little more tired so I've been chugging coffee like its beer at a frat party. I'm pretty sure chugging either is not a very healthy habit.
My One-For-One this week is: Water instead of my 2nd and 3rd cups of coffee!!
How did you do this week? I'd love to follow your success! Feel free to link up below!
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