Heart Rate Monitor

So I purchased a heart rate monitor to help with determining accurate calories burned.  I finally sat down yesterday morning to set it up.  It was so easy!!! I decided to try it out during my workout. 

I went to the gym and did the following workout:

15 minutes arc trainer

45 minutes lifting arms 

        - I used dumbbells, cables, and bicep/tricep machines 

15 minutes running intervals 

15 stair stepper

It was a long and intense workout.  However, it felt amazing!  I loved having the heart rate monitor.  The watch portion told me my heart rate during different parts of my workouts.  In addition, it told me the calories I was burning.  It was awesome!!! I found the chest band a little annoying, but I got used to it.  Regardless of the little annoyance I would totally recommend getting this device.  It was super helpful!

Hello Trainer #10, Goodbye Trainer #10

It has been an interesting week for exercise.  I have started to feel better and feel skinnier. :)  I worked out twice Monday and Tuesday!  I danced Wednesday.  And I kicked butt Friday.  I really want to get on the scale and check out my progress.  But I had a case of the guilties and decided that I shouldn't.  April 12 will come soon enough!!! 

Last weekend, the manager of the fitness company... aka "my person" told me he had a new trainer for me.  He introduced me to him and made an appointment.  He looked decent, but I still had high expectations.  The appointment was on Thursday.  On Tuesday, I got word from "my person" that Trainer # 10 wouldn't be able to see me this week.  He had a family emergency.  (Which of course I'm sympathetic to, so I wasn't worried.) However, he was supposed to call, let me know, and set up another appointment.  Well ... that didn't happen. 

When I went to the gym yesterday I worked out hard!  My person stopped me and asked to chat.  We discussed that Trainer #10 would not be returning to the gym.  SERIOUSLY?! I only just got him.  I haven't had a training appointment in three weeks!  WTF!!! I have 17 sessions left.  I just want to use them and get the hell out.  My goodness!! This company can't keep a trainer to save their life.  

So welcome Trainer # 11...SHE is a nutritionist and a trainer.  I emphasized the fact that this trainer is a female.  I am not keen on having a female yelling at me to push hard.  I would probably want to slap her.  However, because she is going to work on my diet and workouts I decided to give it a chance.  

Verbal Smackdown

So last week I was really proud of myself for going twice to the gym at 6am.  I am not a morning person at all.  Having to drag myself out of bed, where it was warm and cozy, and Ray was still sleeping, was so TOUGH!!! I wanted to climb back into bed and sleep for another hour.  But I went...two out of five days.  

I found this to be a great accomplishment.  However, "my person" at the gym thought I was making excuses!!! Seriously, I was there twice, where were you???  Oh that's right, sleeping!!! Grr... 

Dear "My Person,"

You suck!  I hate getting up in the morning, especially on a Monday.  The sun is not up and it's cold!  I'm tired and cranky.  But since you told me I was a slacker I went these last two days.  Challenge accepted!!!

Begrudgingly,
Kristen

P.S.  The sunrise is pretty to see!  

New Plan - Not Giving Up

It's been a full week since my gain and I am feeling a lot better.  On Saturday, I sat down with "my person" at the gym.  He is the manager of the trainers at the gym.  He understood my frustration with the gain but tried to calm me down.  First he had me take my body fat percentage and it showed it went down... by .01.  He seemed to think that I gained muscle.  However, I still wasn't convinced.  So we made a new plan...

- No getting on the Scale until April 15th
- No pasta 
- No bread
- Morning cardio workouts Monday - Friday 
- Lift 4 to 5 days 

This week was the first week of the new plan.  I didn't have any pasta.  I had one slice of bread.  I went twice to the gym... at 6AM!!! I hate getting up early so I'm proud of that improvement.  I stopped lifting for most of this week due to changing trainers, so I only lifted legs once.  However, I went and did cardio and core Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday in the afternoon.

I'm looking forward to my weigh-in!  I hope this jump starts my body.  

 

Gains

It has taken me a few days to be able to discuss my weigh-in this past Friday.  Sadly, I gained weight!  TWO POUND GAIN!  I was mortified and deeply upset... 

I feel like I should be honest with my myself and my readers.  The weight loss battle isn't easy physically or emotionally.  I have tried to stay upbeat on this blog, but I was really disappointed.  I got on the scale and I felt my heart sink.  I started crying.  Poor Ray didn't know what to do with me.  He just keep saying that it was okay.  But in reality it wasn't.  That two pounds took me three weeks to lose.  I worked damn hard for those two pounds and I was pissed.  So I continued to cry... and cry some more.  I cried until I realized I was late for work and that it would be a stupid reason to take a day off.  

I picked myself back up and went to work.  I was sad most of the day and tried not to think of the scale.  However, when I got home I couldn't go to the gym because I was furious.  I was mad at the scale and pissed with my trainer for ditching me the day before.  It was definitely not my day.  

So what did I do... ATE and DRANK!  Not a great plan for losing weight.  

Delicious Dinner

On Thursday, I went over to Ray's brother's house to have dinner with my soon to be sister- in-law.  She made honey mustard chicken with snap peas and carrots.  It was delicious!!!  It was so nice to go over and have a nice meal out, which is still healthy!  It was only 250!!! And it was super awesome!

I like being able to still have a girls night out and not kill my diet.  I went to the gym before so that I wouldn't feel guilty about having a drink.  On top of that I brought a yummy "somewhat" healthy dessert ...  angel food cake with berries and whip cream!  

The whole night was amazing.  Great food, awesome conversation, and delightful company! :)

Momentary Lapse in Bloggin

I'm BACK!!! 

I have been a little side tracked lately with social engagements, longer workouts, and weekend plans!  However, the good new is I still was able to lose another pound!  Woohoo! Six pounds down! 

In other great news ...  I put on a cute sweater dress from at least two years ago and it fit beautifully.  I received the dress two years ago for my birthday.  My co-worker gave me the dress so I could wear it to Ray's and my birthday party.   I had just lost 35lbs the year before that and was a size 12!  I haven't worn that dress in at least a year.  On Saturday, I needed something dressy/casual and I decided to try it on.  The dress fit and it looked awesome. I felt amazing to put on something that I thought would be too small and have it fit! It was a great victory!

Last week I met my new trainer... #9.  My gym buddy calls him the "young whipper snapper. "I wasn't sure if I would appreciate having a new trainer, but he was nice.  I like the new plan that he gave me.  He seems enthusiastic!  I am keeping my high expectations, which he seems to understand.  I just hope to see better results.  



 

New Recipe to Try

Southwest Meatloaf 

Ingredients 
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 small zucchini diced
1 small roast red bell pepper diced
1/3 cup corn kernals 
4 cloves of garlic 
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (more if you want spicer)
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup egg subsitute 
1 tsp dried oregano 
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 
1lb ground chicken
1/2 cup bread crumbs 
1/3 cup salsa 

Ingredients for glaze
3 tbsp ketchup
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1.5 tbsp chipotle in adobo, minced 

Directions 
Preheat oven to 425 
Heat oil in large saute pan over medium high heat.  Add zucchini and season with salt/pepper if desired.  Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. 

Add garlic and saute an additional 30 seconds to a minute. 

Remove from head and add roasted red pepper, corn, cayenne, and chili powder.  Set aside to cool.

Mix egg, oregano, and cilantro together in a large bowl.  Add chicken, panko bread crumbs, salsa, and vegetable mixture   Mixed until combined.

Put into a loaf pan (9x5), non-stick pan 

For glaze: whisk together ketchup, red wine vinegar, and chiptoles.  Pour on top of meatloaf.  

Bake for 45 minutes!

1/4 Meatloaf is only 250 calories 

Recipe found on My Fitness Pal Message Board 

Bridemaidzilla

I thought it would never happen but apparently I have turned into a BRIDESMAIDZILLA!!! 

It appears that I have moved on from just being a BEAST.  I am now a Bridesmaidzilla, because I drag my awesome gym buddy to the gym daily and make her work out.  

My gym buddy and I are both getting married.  She is getting married in the summer and I will follow in the fall.  We are both in each others' weddings.  Our weddings have been a huge motivation for us to get healthy.  We first signed up at the gym a little over a year ago! It was then our journey started.  However, our line for most of the past year has been, "We will be better next week. Let's promise to go at least three days!"  :) But when each week is like that our progress was slim.  We have finally cracked down since the new year.  We have gone three days a week to the gym. 

We share training sessions and attempt to motivate each other.  When we signed up for the trainer a year ago we were asked what was our motivation.  We wrote, "Expected Proposals!" The manager of the fitness company almost fell out of his chair!  He was shocked we would write that.  But it seemed like a silly question at the time to answer, and I was in a funny mood that day. But seriously we were at the gym, signing up with a trainer and you want to know why.  (You can just look at me and know I have to lose weight!) Within five months of signing up both of us were proposed to.  We soon changed our motivation to the wedding.  It was too bad that manager left soon after signing me up, I would have loved to tell him! 

My goal is to lose two dress sizes before the wedding.  It may not be possible, but I want to try.  Regardless, I love my wedding dress.  I just want to be healthier and feel great.  And if I look even hotter I won't complain :)  

Back to my original statement.  I'm a bridesmaidzilla! 

Reasons why I'm a bridesmaidzilla:

1) I forced my gym buddy to go to the gym.  (Even though she told me not to accept an excuse today) 

2) I changed our routine from doing cardio first, to doing cardio last.  

3) We had to lift weights!

4) I made her do three reps while lifting! 

5) I stayed at the gym past 5pm, which apparently is a bad thing!  (I told her she could always walk home ... I love you gym buddy :) 

6) When she complained I said, "TOO BAD!" 

Even with my gym buddy's complaints I had a great workout and so did she!  I am so happy that she stuck it out with me.  She is a huge part of why I stay motivated at the gym. I love having time to chat and catch up about our daily life.  I would rather her call me a beast, bridesmaidzilla, or a pain in the butt then her not be at the gym.  So guess what gym buddy, I'm here to stay.  You don't scare me :) I love you regardless of your words! 

P.S. Gym Buddy - I will see you tomorrow!

New Stupid Sexy Scale

So ...  my scale was on the fritz, therefore I had to buy a new one.  The thought of a new scale had me intrigued.  To be honest, I was secretly hoping the new scale would tell me I was five pounds lighter and that my old scale was just busted.  WRONG! This new stupid sexy scale made me two pounds heavier :(  I was super disappointed, but I decided to turn my gain into a positive.  My goal last week was to work extra hard to lose those two pounds, which I achieved.  Therefore, I am starting fresh this week!!! Woohoo!

The scale always seems to be a hot topic.  Some people get on the scale each day, while others get on it once a week.  Then there are people who don't get on the scale and instead use their clothes as an indicator.  My feeling is that it is a preference and a personal choice.  I normally check weekly.  However, lately I have been obsessed with my new scale and I have checked every morning.  I think that it is healthier for me to only get on the scale once a week.  I don't want to be obsessed with a number.  

It's only a number, It's only a number, IT'S ONLY A NUMBER!  

My weight isn't the only thing that is important with this life style change.  I want to feel healthier in all aspects of my life.  Now that I have been working out, I sleep better, feel more awake, and have more energy.  On top of that I love trying on an outfit that was tight and it feels loose. 

Back on track

Life has been a little bit crazy lately!  Last week was a tough week.  I lost my trainer, was told I need to (physically) move my classroom across the hall, and I was in a desperate search for a wedding florist.  Those three issues took over my life.  So here I am ... back on track.  

This week I have been to the gym three times.  I have tracked my food and stayed under my calories.  Despite all the craziness last week, I actually tracked my calories.  However, I was definitely over some days.  I'm proud to say that I didn't gain weight last week.  However, I didn't lose any either.  I'm hoping this week I will be able to lose a pound ... but we will see! 

My weekly goals:
1) Continue tracking
2) Go to the gym five times
3) Test out the new trainer ... (insert unhappy face) 
4) Stay on track this weekend when I'm away