Picture Time

It's time for a photo check up!  

January 30, 2013 

February 28, 2013 

It has been over a month since I started my journey for a healthier life.  I have lost five pounds and about three inches.  I am starting to feel healthier and I am making better choices in my eating.  I am not perfect, but neither is life.  I am learning so much throughout my journey.  Instead of going to the gym one to two times a week.  I am going five to six times and lifting four days out of the week.  I am able to go out to eat and stay within my calories.  I am eating small portions, fruits and vegetables.  This life style change isn't easy, but I am motivated to make a change (for good).  My motivation comes from my loving fiance, supportive family and friends, and my blog.  Knowing I have someone reading my blog has been a huge motivation.  Thanks for everyone's support!  It is much appreciated.  

Stay tuned for monthly photo updates :) 

This is my health you're screwing with >:(

Hello Trainer #9...I hope Trainer # 8 comes back...No offense 

I was so upset to find out that my trainer (#8) was switched to another gym due to a situation that was stupid and poorly handled by my gym.  I won't go into details but the gym is totally in the wrong.  Now I have to get another trainer...who is probably incompetent :( 

THIS IS MY HEALTH YOU'RE SCREWING WITH!!!  

I have finally started to make good strides towards my weight loss and now I have to start over again ... for the NINTH time! My health is on the line here.  I am at an unhealthy weight and need to make a change before things get out of hand.  Nevermind, it's already out of hand.  In the last two years I gained almost 40 lbs.  That's a lot of weight.  I have fought against a wrist injury and thyroid issues.  It has been an uphill battle!!!  I was finally making progress only to have to start all over again.  

Trainer #8 was the first trainer that ever wrote down my training program.  None of the other trainers could be bothered.  If I was at the gym and had a question, Trainer #8 would find the time to talk to me.  He gave me great advice.  He was just as determined to seeing me succeed as I was!  He was motivating, encouraging, and understanding.  He had high 
expectations of me and of himself! I felt happy and excited to go to the gym!  He gave me my confidence and drive back! 

Sit down and listen up Trainer #9!  Guess what? I'm paying for a service so I have high expectations. I have had too many crappy trainers to sit back and say nothing.  Especially because I paid an arm and a leg for you.

Here are my expectations of you... 

• First, I expect that you be professional.  I don't want you to ask me if I would consider "juicing up" or if I enjoy multiple boyfriends.  The answer is no! (Sadly, another trainer did this ... he didn't last long.)
• Second, I expect you to write down my program.  I require a four day rotating cycle.  I expect that you hold me accountable.  (Cause I intend on holding you accountable)
• Third, I expect you to take measurements every month and change my fitness plan accordingly. 
• Fourth, I expect that if you are not training and I have a question you will answer me even though it's not our session.  I'm still a paying client. 

If you can't live up to my expectations then I'm pulling a Donald Trump. "You're Fired!" I want trainer #8 back.  So trainer # 9, I hope you're ready to prove yourself.  You are starting with a deficit so you better be prepared to kick butt ... cause if not I'm going to ask for someone else!  Nothing personal, but I don't have time to waste on bad trainers.

Burn...Baby...Burn

Feel the Burn!!! 1019 calories burned today! (which means I can eat double...insert Dr. Evil face here!)

Exercise is a huge component of weight loss for me.  I can eat healthy and maintain my weight but I can't lose weight that way.  I need to burn calories through cardio and lifting weights.  Notice I said both cardio and weight lifting!!! Cardio helps burn calories but lifting weights helps you tone and sculpt your body.  I highly recommend having a weight lifting routine.  

My weekly workout routine includes:

Monday - 5 to 10 minutes cardio, lifting back/shoulder, 10 min core, 30-50 minutes cardio 
Tuesday - 5 to 10 minutes cardio, lifting chest, 10 minutes core, 30-50 minutes cardio 
Wednesday - 45 to 60 minutes of cardio 
Thursday - 5 to 10 minutes cardio, Trainer #8 kicks my butt in boot camp, 20 min cardio 
Friday - 5 to 10 minutes cardio, lifting legs, 10 minutes core, 30-50 minutes cardio 
Saturday - 5 to 10 minutes cardio, lifting arms, 10 minutes core, 30-50 minutes cardio 
Sunday - The Day of Rest :) 

Cardio tends to be a challenge for me because it gets boring doing an hour on one machine.  So I switch it up.  I break it up in various ways.  Sometimes I do 3 sets of 15 minutes, or 2 sets of 20 minutes, or 30 minutes on one machine and 15 on another.  I change it daily/weekly.  I try new machines to keep up the challenge.  This week is the stair machine.  It's brutal...stay tuned for ranting about my love/hate relationship with the stair master. 

Fun Fact courtesy of Trainer #8:

It is actually better to do your main cardio workout after you lift weights.  

Below is Jillian Michael's video discussing the reason you should lift weights first and then do cardio.

Weigh In and Measurements

So do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Let's start with the good news ... I lost one more pound!!! Woohoo!  Go me, go me, go me :) I was very happy that I was able to lose another pound this week.  It is school vacation week and I wasn't on my regular routine.  So I'm impressed I stuck to my calorie counting plan.  

It is always good to start your day in a positive way ... so to find out I lost a pound was awesome!

Now for the bad news ... I gained an inch around my waist...GRRRRRR... Seriously ... WTF!!! I don't understand how I could lose weight but gain an inch in my waist.  (I'm not telling the whole truth...I lost a total of 3 inches in my thigh, calf and arm.  But gaining that inch in the waist was heartbreaking.)  My trainer and I were so upset.  He couldn't believe it.  I felt like someone knocked the wind out of me.  I wanted to cry, scream, and throw a tantrum in the middle of the gym.  (Don't worry I didn't.) My trainer and I made a new plan! 

1) Protein shake for breakfast, no carbs 
2) Four day lifting routine instead of three day
3) Lifting routine would include super sets 
4) Abs/Jumping Jacks in between lifting sets 
5) Do cardio after lifting instead of before 
6) Only eating for 12 hours of the day.  If I start at 7 am...I have until 7pm to eat dinner 
7) ...and NO SODA! 

I'm okay with most of this new plan...except for the soda.  I love my diet Coke.  I don't know what I'm going to do without it.  So I made a deal ... I can drink the mini cans of diet Coke Monday through Friday.  I will try this first before going cold turkey on soda.  Baby steps.

Car Ride Munchies

I have a tradition when I drive down to see my mother.  I'm not proud of this, but it's definitely a ritual.  I normally drive about 30 minutes to the first rest stop.  (Somehow I also have to pee by that point...Ray also makes fun of me.) So I have learned to fill up on gas there since it is a little cheaper than near my house.  However, as a treat I get Ike and Mike's and a diet Coke.  Now if my hunger had an off button this wouldn't be an issue.  However, when it comes to Ike and Mike's I could eat the whole bag without thinking.  

I know it's gross, but it happens.  This is why I need to change.  On Tuesday morning I made my first trip to see my mother since my life style change.  Knowing my Ike and Mike issue I decided to think smart and be prepared.  I had two options...

1) Work out an extra hour and eat the bag of Ike and Mike's (probably not the best option)

or 

2) Pack healthy snacks for the trip 

I picked ... *drumroll* ... option 2!  I packed a granola bar and almonds.  They were a great snack.  I stopped and got only my diet Coke (I figured I couldn't go completely cold turkey :) )

On top of my healthy car ride, I stayed on track at my mother's house.  I normally eat a ton of yummy/unhealthy food.  However, she and I both kept to our new life style choices!! Go us!

Weekend Slump

I had an amazing weekend, but I blew my calories out of the water.  Yikes!  I did horribly with staying on track.  I drank, ate delicious food, and had yummy desserts!  It was so BAD, but tasted so GOOD! 

Shoulda, woulda, coulda list 
1) I should have gone to the gym like I planned.  Instead I went drinking with coworkers. 
2) I should not have eaten two appetizers and dessert on Saturday night! 
3) I should not have gone to the grocery store hungry (and bought snack food...ahhh).  
4) I should not have emotionally eaten everything in sight on Sunday (snack mix, pizza, beer).

Although I made a lot of choices I'm not proud of this weekend, they were my choices.  I know I'm in this for the long haul.  Surprisingly, I could have been a lot worse.   

I made better choices by: 
1) I went out to dinner on Friday and instead of continuing to drink, I had diet coke.  
2) Even though it was snowing on Saturday morning I got up and went to the gym.  (8:15 on Saturday morning...now that's dedication)
3) I had the guiltless grilled chicken salad at Chili's on Saturday, instead of a burger (which I would have loved) 
4) I still counted every calorie and tracked on my fitness pal, even though I knew I went over. 

I am learning to recognize the choices that I make each day and how they affect my weight loss.  Woohoo!

Chocolate Temptation

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

For the first time in my teaching career my students brought me Valentine's Day candy!  Seriously!  I couldn't even believe it.  Of course when I'm on a diet they bring me CHOCOLATE!!! However, I was really proud of myself and only ate one piece.  (Now that's self control)

I was so proud of my week that I wasn't worried about the scale this morning.  I was ready to find out what the scale thought of my week.  I lost one pound.  Woohoo!!! I will take it.  It's going down!  I feel accomplished.  

To top off my week Ray sent flowers! 

Calories for Lent

Each year good Catholics repent their sins and give back to God.  Each year I think of something to give up or donate to a charity.  Last year I gave up Diet Coke...bad mistake.  I was moody and cranky.  Finally, (twelve days in) a good friend handed me a Diet Coke.  I decided to give up Lent instead.  (It was for the better!) 

This year I think I will give up calories...lol!  However, as a good Catholic girl that really isn't what God would want from me.  So...I came up with a better idea.  I am going to give up calories and for each pound I lose I am going to give a five dollars to a charity.  I haven't decided what charity.  Giving up calories only helps myself, but I want to make sure I'm helping others as well.

Bye Bye Calories...see you 40 days!  

Mardi Gras

aka FAT TUESDAY

Mardi Gras was a great day.  I planned out my food choices.  I knew I was going to dance class to earn some extra calories.  Everything was on track until... 

1) I realized it was Mardi Gras
2) We were late for dance class
3) Ray kept slipping on the ice
4) I decided to cheer up Ray
5) We went out to dinner
6) I ordered a Chicken Burger, with extra chipotle mayo, curly fries

7) I ate EVERYTHING and had a beer 

I went over by 500 calories...yikes!  But it was so delicious!  I will definitely pay on the scale this week and I can't complain or get mad at the stupid sexy scale.  

It was my choice.  It was not the best choice I have made, but this is a life style change not a diet.  There are going to be tough days, bad choice days, and great days.  I intend on having them all and still coming out on top! :) 

Tool - MFP

My Fitness Pal (MFP) is a free calorie counter online and a mobile phone application.  This has been one of the best weight loss tools I am using.  It's free to sign up and super easy to use.  You create a profile and answer a simple questionnaire about your eating and activity habits.  Once you have answered those questions you are assigned a daily calorie amount.  This applications lets you track your food and exercise easily.  They have a huge database with tons of food options.  If you don't see the food your looking for you can scan the item's barcode for accurate calorie counts.  In addition, if you are making a special meal you can create a recipe to find out the calories of your favorite foods.  

More importantly this website allows you to add friends!  It's like the facebook for weight loss.  You can add friends you know or random people throughout the world!  There is a place where you can update your status.  It let's friends know if you have been logging in or not.  (This is a great tool...I love having friends congratulate me on tracking for a certain amount of days...day 16 today :)  It also tracks your weight and let's people know if you have lost weight.  On top of that there are message boards where you can ask questions, find recipes, or get advice. 

I have found MFP so helpful.  The friends I have met on there are super supportive and motivating.  We all have the same goals.  Our journey may be different but we share the same path.  I have enjoyed meeting new people.  I have supportive friends both in my day to day life as well as on MFP.  It's nice to have a cheerleading squad boosting your confidence, celebrating your victories, and commiserating about weight loss issues.  

 If you're interested in losing weight but don't want to pay join MFP.  It's simple, easy, and FREE.  

www.myfitnesspal.com

No School AGAIN

Blizzard Nemo has shut down school for the second day.  We were off on Friday for the start of the storm.  The clean up is still going on.  The main roads have been plowed, but the side streets are still a mess.  There is barely any place to park your car and only one car can get down on some two way streets.  Sidewalks are a mess due to the freezing temperatures.  I just got a call from our town that they expect clean up to last for two more days!!! This storm has really taken its toll.  

I am starting to get bored watching T.V. and old movies.  Ray is working from home today due the road conditions in the town he works in.  Cabin Fever has finally hit :( Good thing I found out the gym has finally re-opened!!! 

My gym buddy and I decided to enjoy our snow day by going to the gym!  Due to the craziness of our schedule we didn't get to go to the gym together all last week!  I really missed her.  We normally get to catch up and chat while we work out.  So I was super excited to see her this morning!!!  

It was a great workout.  Scott (trainer #8) was proud to see us in today and gave me a great pep talk!  I hadn't seen him to tell him my unfortunate news.  He was shocked when I told him I hadn't lost any weight.  We discussed my eating habits and realized that I was starving my body.  He told me not to worry, but to keep with it and to make sure I'm eating all my calories.  He knew I was doing a great job coming to the gym and working out.  It was awesome to have him be so supportive.  I really like having him as my trainer.  I hope he sticks around.  



   

Sweet Potato Lentil Curry Soup

Sweet Potato Lentil Curry Soup

Ray and I made the most amazing Soup/Stew.  We were snowed in and had to shovel 28 inches of snow!  So we decided to break out the crock pot and try a new recipe.  I love my crock pot.  It is cooking made easy.  This recipe is fabulous and only 177 calories for 2 cups! You all have to try it!

Ingredients: Serves 8

4 large carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 onion, diced 
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups brown/green lentils 
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15oz can diced tomatoes 
64oz vegetable broth 
1/2 tbsp Cardamon 
2 tbsp Curry Powder (we used curry and hot curry powder)
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper 

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker.  Turn heat on high for 6 hours or low for 10 hours.


This recipe was adapted from 77 Healthy Crock- Pot Recipes: http://www.eatliverun.com/crock-pot-lentil-sweet-potato-soup/

Snowy Day(s)

New England got slammed with a top 5 Blizzard! We got 28 inches of snow!  It was one of the craziest storms I ever remember.   The wind was whipping most of the night and snow just kept falling.  I couldn't believe my eyes when I woke up the next morning.  I could barely see most of the cars on my street.  Our driveway was covered and Ray's (my loving fiance) car was buried on one side due to snow drifts.  

It took us two hours to dig out Ray's car.  Thank goodness that our upstairs neighbors' son came over with his snow-blower   It would have taken us multiple days to dig out the whole driveway and sidewalk.  

Here is our sidewalk after it was cleared.  The snow piles are up to Ray's waist.  We have so much snow.  However, shoveling was a great workout.  Being stuck at home with no option to  go to the gym was made easy with shoveling.  I burned 1200 calories with my two hours of shoveling!!!  I was able to indulge in hot chocolate with out guilt.  I even had two beers!!! Woohoo!!! Snowed in with yummy food, delicious beer, and especially Ray made for an awesome weekend!!! 

My car before we shoveled!

Freedom...my car after we uncovered it! 

Stupid Sexy Scale

I told you all, when I started, that I would be writing about the highs and lows of reducing my calories.  Well today is definitely a "low" day.  I got on the scale this morning in good spirits.  After last week I was so excited to see the results.  But then I saw the results...

I did not lose a single pound...nada...zilch...NOTHING!!! WTF??? How did this happen?  What did I do wrong?  Why does the scale hate me?  Why did my body fail me?  All these questions...with very little answers.  My best guess is that having two high calorie days could have affected my weight loss.  Another reason could be that I didn't eat enough yesterday.  Who knows?!?!?!? 

I sulked back to bed and pouted.  I worked so hard.  I went to the gym five days this week.  I went without my gym buddy, before I went to a hockey game, over the weekend, and in between meetings.  Grr...Stupid Sexy Scale!!!  The weight goes on so easily.  I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I thought I could lose slowly.  One pound a week isn't much to ask for. 

But, complaining only goes so far. The scale and I are fighting at the moment.  It won this week. But I was at the gym before it closed due to the impending Blizzard.  I'm still counting calories.  I'm NOT giving up!!!

On the plus side, I had a snow day!  

 Fun Fact: You can burn 300 calories by shoveling for 30 minutes!  Bring on the snow!!! 

5k in my future

I had a wonderful dinner last night with friends.  I found some new inspiration.  One of my goals is suppose to run a 5k.  However, I always end up hurting myself.  My friend gave me some great advice.  Below is the program that she sent to help me achieve my goal.  

Advice

• Allow at least a day between runs when you begin.
• If in doubt, slow down. You should be able to hold a conversation while you run. Respecting your body is the best route to progression.
• Walk purposefully, and be strict with your run/walk timings.
• Take heart! You will get there!

Couch to 5k Modified... 

Week 1 Run one min, walk 90 seconds. Repeat eight times. Do three times a week.

Week 2 Run one min, walk 90 seconds. Repeat ten times. Do three times a week.

Week 3 Run two mins, walk one min. Repeat seven times. Do three times a

week.

Week 4 Run two mins, walk one min. Repeat nine times. Do three times a

week.

Week 5 Run three mins walk one mins. Repeat six times. Do three times a

week.

Week 6 Run five mins, walk two mins. Repeat four times. Do three times a

week.

Week 7 and 8 Run eight mins, walk two mins. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.

Week 9 and 10 Run 12 mins, walk one min. Repeat three times. Do three times a week.

Week 11 and 12 Run 15 mins, walk one min, Run fifteen mins. Do three times a week

Week 13 Run 30 mins continuously.

Seeing as there is a storm on the way.  This is one of those things I will definitely have to start on Monday!

BEER Dinner

BEER! 

There are so many calories in beer.  But we (my fiance and I) love trying new and fun beer.  We often attend a beer dinner once a month.  Tonight will be the first time that we are going since my life style change.  I'm feeling a little bit nervous about the amount of beer that will be tempting my calorie limits.  

The beer dinner offers a four course meal and five beers.  (It's a lot of beer.)  Normally I don't drink that much.  I taste each beer, but I only drink the ones that I find really over the top amazing.  That normally amounts to two beers.  (We all have to get up and go to work tomorrow - and be functional).  However, a beer dinner also includes tempting and tasty food.  

It's a life style changing girls worst nightmare!!! Delicious beer and tasty food - what is a girl to do? 

Choices...life is full of them! 



 

Stuffed Pepper Recipe

Stuffed Pepper

  

Ingredients:
9 medium sized sweet peppers
2 cups of couscous of your choice (if you don't like couscous I'm sure you could substitute rice)
1 large can diced tomatoes
3 Sausages of your choice without casing (I used lean Blue Menu)
1/2 cup Red Onion
Garlic (to your taste, I crushed one clove)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Remove casings from sausages and cut up, put in stove top pan.  Add onion and garlic and cook stove top until sausage is cooked through. While this is cooking, prepare your couscous, hollow your peppers and preheat the oven to 350*F.  Chop up the tops of 4-5 peppers to include in the stuffing mix.  Once sausage is cooked, add the couscous, chopped pepper, and can of tomatoes.  Heat stove top on low for a few minutes, constantly mixing. Stuff the peppers and put them in a pan with about a centimeter or two of water on the bottom. Cover with foil and put in the oven for 30 minutes.  At the 30 minute mark remove foil, sprinkle the tops with mozzarella and put back in the oven for 10 more minutes.

This recipe came from an inspiring blog -  http://thefirst43.blogspot.com/2013/01/kate-marks-stuffed-peppers.html

The Excuse Game

Excuses why I shouldn't go to the gym:

1) I'm tired
2) I had a long day
3) I had two meetings and a hair appointment after work
4) My gym buddy can't go with me :( 
5) I'm feeling lazy 
6) But I went yesterday
7) I'm hungry 

Reason why I should go:

1) I can't go tomorrow...missing two days in row won't help my cause
2) Trainer # 8 would be very unhappy with me...and work me 10 times harder 
3) It will make me feel better
4) My fiance was already planning on making dinner

The gym won in the excuse game.  I went!  I had a great time.  It made me feel so much better!  

 

 

Super Bowl

Super Bowl!!! 

Normally Super Bowl is a day that I eat all day long.  My family used to make stuffed bread, appetizers, and a big meal.  And of course, I would eat everything.  I love my family's cooking, but it can be very high in calories.  

I knew Super Bowl would be a challenge to stay within my allotted calories, but I was prepared.  I realized that in life you're going to have high calorie days.  Sometimes you are going to have to let yourself be able to eat or else you will resent yourself and your diet.  This is a life style change not a diet.  I don't want to resent my new life style. 

Here was my plan:
1) I decided to make better food choices.  I didn't let myself run wild.  I ate healthy filling food first.  I had chicken chili with a small piece of cornbread.  It was amazing.  
2) Eat the appetizers within reason.  I had chips and dip.  However, I tried to exert portion control. I only had a handful 
3) Eat what was homemade.  This was a tip I got from Weight Watchers.  I only ate things people made themselves.  You can always go to the story and buy junk food and desserts.  I might never get the opportunity to re-try homemade snacks.

gym buddy

As I drove home on Friday afternoon, I found myself slipping back into old patterns.  I really didn't want to go to the gym.  I pulled up in front of my gym buddy's house expecting her to grumble at the thought of going to the gym on a FRIDAY!  I was in no mood to fight going to the gym.  All my coworkers had gone out for First Friday Fun...(aka drinking and appetizers).  I really wanted to go but, I wouldn't have made it to the gym.  I had to make the hard choice between socializing or going to the gym.  The gym won...begrudgingly. To my surprise my gym buddy was ready and willing to join me at the gym.  She practically bounced into my car.  It was a nice surprise, especially cause I need the boost!!!

It seems I'm a little bit close to my weekly goal...motivate gym buddy...check!!!

 

3lbs closer to my goal!

When the alarm went off this morning I was dreading going to weigh myself.  I started this blog knowing I would have ups and downs...but gaining on the first week would have been the worst.  

As I stood in the bathroom staring at the scale, I crossed my fingers and said a little prayer that I had lost at least a pound.  After staring at it for two minutes, I got on the scale with one eye open.  To my surprise, I lost 3lbs...(that's right I said it...three pounds... not one, not two, but three POUNDS!!!)  Woohoo!!!! I started to dance in excitement and let out a loud YAHOO!!! 

The best part was sharing my happy dance with my fiance!!! He has been amazing through this journey.  He is the voice of reason and encouragement!  

Looking forward to next weeks weigh in!!! 

Goal for 2/2- 2/7

1) Track over the weekends (huge challenge)
2) Add more cardio
3) Continue listening to my trainer  (or getting my gym buddy to listen...don't know which is harder)
4) Continue dragging my gym buddy (kicking and screaming if I have too) to the gym 4x a week
5) Try a new recipe