keeping hydrated

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Ok I know I just posted, but I didn't want today to just be a one-woman pity party for Monica, so I thought I'd tell you about something good I've been doing for myself lately.  As of yesterday, I have decided to keep a pitcher of ice water at my desk.  Even this small step to make drinking lots of water more convenient makes a really big difference.  This has been a really positive change and I encourage you all to do the same if you can.  You won't regret it.

shame

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I must shamefully admit, I haven't been that nice to my body this week.  In addition to skipping my workouts all week, my dinner last night was a collection of passed appetizers from Seastar (so delicious!!), and I had an undocumented number of glasses of white wine, followed by two double-shots of espresso in Bailey's.  I feel awful, both in spirit and physically.

In about an hour I'm going to run across the street to the gym in an attempt to try to redeem myself in some way.

snacked.

 

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So I come back from lunch today, and someone is walking toward the front desk with a giant basket full of little chip bags.  I'm like, "no thanks, I just ate."  Wait, no; I didn't say that.  What I really said was, "Snacks!  AWESOME!"  Then I visualized the bikini bod.  Then I grabbed a bag and read the nutritional info: 100 calories per bag?? Well done, team!  Now I am all for finding a healthier, lower-cal alternative, like an apple for 50 calories, but sometimes nothing will do but salty, crunchy chips covered in a delicious powder, in which case this is the healthier alternative.  A typical (smaller) bag of Tim's Cascade tater chips will get you at about 140 calories and has a lot more fat.  I was intrigued, so I did some field research right then and there.

Anyone ever had popchips? They're new to me!  I was a little wary when I read the package: "never fried, never baked."  Then what the hell are they??  More of an explanation on the back reveals they are hit with heat and pressure (I'm imagining the espresso process, minus water) and "pop!"  Whatever the case, these little suckers are delicious.  I am currently enjoying the salt and pepper flavor.  Secretly stashed in my desk drawer are cheddar and bbq flavors. Ok, sea salt and vinegar too.

So I'm munchin' away, and my FedEx Ground guy comes in to make a delivery and gets all excited about popchips. "they're THE best chips EVER!" he says to me.  Too true.  I want to eat another flavor, but  I am visualizing the bikini bod and have decided I can wait until tomorrow.

monthly weigh-in!

Weekends.  Weekends are my challenge.  I love checking in each weekday about sticking to my plan... or not.  However, weekends are sticky.  I like to go with the flow, have drinks with dinner, and generally eat whatever.  It's been two months now and I'm not exactly losing weight at a break-neck pace, but the numbers are still going down and that's a good thing.  I still have about 10 lbs to go.  I don't think I can do it in a month, but maybe two?  I do feel less doughy, and my waist is a lot smaller than it used to be.

I decided to take this week off running for knee sensitivity issues, and I'm going to rely on my own determination at the gym.  My circuit training cardio plan has been good for keeping the boredom at bay (limit only 10 min per machine) and my buddy Jeff has been singing the praises of interval training on the elliptical machine so I'll give that a whirl as well.

And as always, it's all about portion control.  I love eating and when I taste something delicious, it's hard for me to stop.  I read something in Shape yesterday that might help: visualize the bikini bod.  I'm going to try that.

See y'all tomorrow with some stats to report!

grab a parnter!

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A workout partner is the best way to keep me honest.  When I schedule a workout with someone, I am much less likely to skip it.  Lately I've been much more diligent about getting a run in each day because I have someone who is counting on me to show up.  What a novel concept.  Whether it's lunchtime or after work (or both!), I really love having a friend along side me to keep me entertained and motivated.

High five, friends!

The weather has been beautiful this week so running outside is my current favorite activity.  As it gets nicer, I'm counting on Abby to meet me for kayaking after work on a regular basis.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1399

Net Calories: 600 (648 under)

H2O Intake: 56 oz

Total Exercise: 90 min

Cardio: 60

Day Before:

Total Calories: 1975

Net Calories: 1285 (36 over)

H2O Intake: 32 oz

Total Exercise: 40 min

Cardio: 40

good day, sunshine!

 

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Today is gorgeous.  It's chilly, sunny, and fresh outside.  My lunch plans to run down Westlake yesterday were botched when I realized I had left my shoes at home in my haste to get out the door on time (I went from pjs to fully showered and dressed in 15 minutes - a minor miracle!).  Today I was determined to make up for lost time with the pavement and, even though my running partner canceled on me 15 min to go-time, I stuck to my guns.  It was a great run, and I even enjoyed squinting into the sun.  Pictured above was my turn-around point, and it pretty much looked like that.  Amazing what a little sunshine will do for the soul!  I find I am much more functional day-to-day if I take my midday break to work out.  It doesn't have to be a big effort - just something that keeps me moving for 30 minutes or more.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1500

Net Calories: 1240 (9 under)

H2O Intake: 32 oz

Total Exercise: 40 min

Cardio: 10

I'm not even going to tell you what my diet was like over the long weekend.  Cocktails are to blame for all my bad decisions.

gallery wandering

 

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Hey!  Did you know an hour of wandering leisurely around an art gallery burns about 150 calories?  That's equivalent to that beer/soda/quarter of a doughnut you just consumed.

Last night I went to the Frye to see what they had going on.  It was nice to be in a museum - something I haven't really made time for lately.  As for the shows, I was more a fan of the intent behind the projects rather than the actual pieces.

I then went home and made a delicious Thai chicken soup.  I want to eat this every day.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1601

Net Calories: 1114 (135 under)

H2O Intake: 48 oz

Total Exercise: 40 min

Cardio: 0

You missed me, didn't you?

Hi y'all!
I'm the worst blogger ever, sorry Monica. Here's my check-in.
I seem to be down a few pounds - haven't really noticed it in my clothes yet but both scales at my house agree I'm lighter than before. The bathroom scale, a $20 Fred Meyer purchase, is about 5 lbs meaner than the Wii scale, so that's what I'm going by, especially since the Wii is on carpet.
I've been too busy (ok, lazy) to work out much, but I have been making much better food choices. They're little tweaks, but it's just something I have to be conscious of and I can do it. I've cut out all fast food (you would be so proud of me if you knew how many times I've driven by Dick's with CASH on me recently, and didn't even consider stopping), most junk food (a bag of doritos has been languishing in my desk drawer, and they're nacho cheese, so it's not like I hate them), and haven't had any sodas except for my beloved diet coke. I have been keeping it to one or two drinks in an evening, if any, and choosing foods with more fiber and protein. I'm also just trying to eat more fruit and veg - I love them but I'm usually just too lazy to cook them. Really, I'm super effing lazy.
Next step is to build some muscle so I can burn fat better - and tone up the arms and abs.

will power: work for me, please!

 

This is what I saw sitting by the coffee pot when I walked into the office this morning.  Just so you're all aware, it's directly behind me on the other side of the partial wall.  I can smell the sweet fried goodness and fresh-brewed coffee right now.  I'm trying to tell myself it's not worth it on multiple levels: it will go straight to my ass, my fingers will swell, and my tummy will do somersaults.  That being said, they look so good and the maple iced old fashioned especially is taunting me.  Oh yeah, and wii told me I gained a pound since yesterday morning.  I'm positive it had something to do with the super-salty fries I had for dinner last night.  Sad face.

I have been working out regularly, which is an improvement.  My lunch-break gym trips are my saving grace.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1556

Net Calories: 1157 (91 under - not sure I believe this)

H2O Intake: 48 oz

Total Exercise: 30 min

Cardio: 30

Day before:

Total Calories: 1802

Net Calories: 893 (355 under)

H2O Intake: 80 oz

Total Exercise: 90 min

Cardio: 50

check in, check out

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1376

Net Calories: 1228 (20 over)

H2O Intake: 48 oz

Total Exercise: 20 min

Cardio: 20

Yesterday was kind of a lack-luster day as far as progress goes, but in my defense, I was pretty awesome at monitoring my calories.  The total count includes a half a piece of delicious cake (and swollen fingers).  I also stepped on the scale and I'm a little bit down in weight, but I won't say how much until the official monthly check-in.

birthday weekend survived

 

Over the weekend we celebrated a birthday (not mine), and this inevitably means meals out and lots of drinks.  Saturday night was spent at the Attic, where I did not drink.  Super proud of myself.  Yesterday was a little tough to keep the calorie count down, but I went for a 40 minute run in the morning, so at least I was able to off-set a little of the damage.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1965

Net Calories: 1471 (220 over)

H2O Intake: 56 oz

Total Exercise: 60 min

Cardio: 40 min

1 hr dancing: 375 calories

 

I'm going dancing with my friends tonight.  Dancing is a great workout, and I plan to get at least two hours in of active booty shakin'. I'm still trying to decide what to wear.  It will be some sort of black something.  And heels.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1279

Net Calories: 702 (546 under)

H2O Intake: 56 oz

Total Exercise: 60 min

Cardio: 40 min

relieved

On my way home last night I stopped at the store and bought myself some tulips to bring a little cheer into my heart (this is what they looked like this morning).  I was feeling a little bummed about my weekend weight gain because I'd worked so hard to kick the first four pounds in the first place.  I didn't want to, but I got on the scale last night and discovered I was down another three pounds.  I'm not exactly sure how, because I take full responsibility for the ginormous amount of calories I took in Fri-Sun, but I'll take it!  Wahoo!

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1305

Net Calories: 934 (315 under)

H2O Intake: 56 oz

Total Exercise: 30 min

Cardio: 20 min (light)

 

Ok whew.  The very next day I lost 3 lbs.  Gaining 2 is still unacceptable, but for now I'm going to blame it on my period.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1075

Net Calories: 438 (811 under)

H2O Intake: 80 oz

Total Exercise: 50 min

Cardio: 50 min

Giant Effffffff

 

I gained 5 over the weekend.  How's that even POSSIBLE??  Granted, I am bloated.  Please tell me it's all water.  That being said, I did really well yesterday

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1335

Net Calories: 1134 (115 under)

H2O Intake: 72 oz

Total Exercise: 20 min

Cardio: 20 min

quick and dirty

I'm embarrassed about how bad I was to my body over the weekend.  I ate fast food twice, drank A LOT, and sat around snacking.  I don't regret it, but I'm well aware of how my body is affected.  I felt ill.

Just out of curiosity I estimated what I ate on Friday night, and it ended up being more than double my calorie allowance.  Ugh. When I think about how often I did something like that over the past couple years, I cringe.  No wonder I gained back 15 lbs.  Sheesh.

I don't have the stats for yesterday, but I did jog for 40 minutes, so at least I'm redeemed a little in that way.