Weekly Update - Breakthrough!

Well looky here!  This morning I showed a great number on the scale and I couldn't be more excited.  I am officially below 150!!!  I had a feeling I'd get some good news this morning because I've been doing some serious running and when I went thrift shopping with my ladies over the weekend (and purchased what the girls were calling a "trophy wife shirt) I was fitting into size 6 pretty consistently.  Remember, I'm only 5'6" so no, I'm not too skinny - I still have a badonk-a-donk booty, thankyouverymuch.  Not to toot my own horn here, but (toot! toot!) I look and feel great. 

People ask me if I'm doing this for my upcoming wedding... sure - I need to fit into my dress, of course, but this is about more than looking good in pictures for one day of my life.  When I hit 30, I will be in the best shape of my life.  That is a goal worth celebrating.

Weekly Update

Oh hi there!  All of those numbers are shocking to me.  My diet was not on par over the weekend, though I did get quite a bit of exercise in, dance party of three (and sometimes one) not excluded.

I would also like to take this opportunity to say.... "BOO YOW!"  Only one more measly little pound and I'll be under 150 for the first time in over ten years.  Since my heaviest, this marks 33 pounds lost.  Feels awesome. 

One little nod to my trainer today for keeping me on track: I was jonesin' for sushi today and was on the hunt for a lunch buddy to go to Cherry Blossom with when Trainer Wade intercepted; he reminded me I should really be going for a run since the weather today is amazing and the lunch I brought is perfectly delicious and much lighter in calories than a sushi feast. Too true.  Those four miles did much more for me at lunch than a bunch of tekka maki would have.  Also provided during my workout were holistic living tips, such as the benefits of sunscreen.  Wade, you are so wise, and yes, I am so sunburned.  Thanks, T-W, for showing me the way. 

Weekly Update - Silver Lining

Ok so I was about to be all, "waa waaaa" about having gained a pound and a half since last week (and I'll be honest, I did eat a lot), but then I started taking my measurements in order to report my body fat, and I actually lost inches and went down in fat.  For reals.  I don't usually report the measurements I have to take in order to get my number, because they're boring: neck, arm, chest, thigh... who cares?

Well, today I do care.  waist and hips are still the same, but I am down to 33 inches at my chest, and have lost an inch and a half off my thigh since last week.  So even though my BMI has gone up slightly, I think the more important numbers here are body fat and inches.  Looks like I'm smack in the middle of the fitness range:

I do feel like I need to step it up a little bit, though, because this next 15 lbs isn't going to lose itself.  Last night I left my car at the office and ran the 4 miles home.  Then I had no choice this morning but to suit up and run into the office.  It was cold, but at least it wasn't raining.  The sun came out at lunch today, so a co-worker and I grabbed the opportunity to run at lunch.  That was another 4 miles.  So I've done 8 miles total today.  Awesome.  Toot toot!  That would be the sound of me tooting my own horn; but hey - I think I'm allowed today.

Weekly Update

This is a really great post for me to write.  I'm glowing about having made it past the halfway point and am further on my way toward my goal.  I'm also giddy at the possibility of getting under 150 lbs, something I haven't seen since I did weight loss the wrong way in high school.

Also awesome:  I went shopping with some ladyfriends over the weekend and just for fun tried on some pants at Ann Taylor Loft.  Heyo!  I was wearing a size six!  I think this was an isolated event, but it does mean that I am on the lower end of a size eight.  I also haven't seen this in over ten years.

What can I say?  I feel fantastic.

Weekly Update

So, I gained 0.4 pounds this week, which is a minor miracle, considering this was probably my unhealthiest week since the first of the year.  I partook in another chili cook-off where I ate too much and had about 5 beers, skipped 2 days of workouts, went out to a very rich happy hour, and went out to dinner last night where I had far more pasta saltimboca than I needed.

Luckily, nothing else on my body changed, except I really haven't been feeling up to par recently, but that's no surprise.  I'm back on track with minor damage done.  Still, it's not great.

I was talking to Trainer Wade about my projected progress today and he said he thinks I'm probably at the point now where if I want to see significant change in my weight I'm going to have to start making more significant lifestyle changes - decisions about bread and cocktails.  I haven't had a plateau problem just yet, so I'm going to stick a pin in that idea and come back to it later if I am hovering for too long at 153.

I ran six miles yesterday and another four today so I feel good about getting ten miles in the first half of the week.  Let's hope I can keep this momentum going.

More Milestones

image source

As I was on the treadmill yesterday, I pumped the speed up until I hit my stride, and noticed I was easily running a 9-minute mile.  This isn't a race-winning speed, by any terms, but what it means is I have shaved an entire minute off my average mile pace in just three months. I was thinking about how far I've come in just about three months, and it really humbles me.  I've rediscovered running, given my diet an overhaul, and gotten my weight down to what it was when I was 19.

Yesterday I was excited to report that I was at my weight-loss halfway point from the goal I set at the first of the year, but what I didn't remember until later is, I have actually lost thirty pounds from my very heaviest in 2006. It was not a great time for me; I hated my job, drinking cocktails like it was my last night on earth, not making exercise a priority, and I was busting the seams of my size 14 clothes.

Today my life seems to be a complete 180, and though I abandoned a career path that seemed like a fast track to success, I have made peace with it knowing that allowing myself to step back and let my career flounder in my 20s was ultimately the right decision for my own happiness, sense of self-worth, and personal empowerment.  I knew that the field I was in was actually a toxic element in my life and choosing me over my job was what I had to do.

Saying that out loud feels like a deep breath of fresh air.  Thanks for letting me share with you.

Weekly Update - Halfway There!

Goodbye to two more pounds and an inch off my waist!  I am officially at the halfway mark to my ultimate goal of 30 pounds lost.  This feels great.  Even though my clothes are getting baggy bordering on frumpy, I'm working wonders with belts and safety pins so I don't have to go buy interim clothing.  Thank goodness jackets with asymmetrical button details are in right now.

Yesterday I wasn't able to get any cardio in, but I did have a great weight-lifting workout at lunch.  Today I'll do a 5-mile run on the treadmill.  Running has made all the difference

I'll admit, I haven't really wanted to work out for the past couple days and grudgingly made myself do it anyway, but seeing these numbers in my weight and size has reignited the spark in my workouts.  I can't wait to get to the gym today.  It's amazing what a little victory does to boost my excitement for working out.

Week Two: Sticking With It

I reported last week that I had indeed stuck to my ambitious work-out schedule.  I didn't see any change from last week to the next, weight-wise, but I felt great about staying on it, and making the early morning workouts consistent.

This past week, I was able to pull it off again!

Dance practice was more of a day off than an actual workout, but we were dancing around for three hours, so I can't just leave it off - that's some serious time I put in!

Here's the kicker - I stepped on the scale yesterday and it told me I actually gained a pound!  Booooooo!  I'm confused about this because I don't think I build muscle quite that fast, but I have been feeling leaner.  I'm going to take this in stride, and if I don't see positive results by next week, I'm going to have to take a good hard look at everything else in my life and see what's what.

still at it

 Wow.  I didn't realize it had been ten days since I last checked in.  I have no idea if anyone is even reading this and would notice.  Just in case, here I am confessing my fitness ups and downs to the cyberspace void.

Please enjoy the Strange Days album cover while I tell you a little bit about the past week and a half...

Since we last chatted, I went away for the weekend, ate really rich foods, drank a lot of delicious wine, beer, and cocktails, and probably gained a few.  I had a great time doing it.

Monday I felt bloated and sluggish, so I went for a run at lunch and then an hour long walk in the evening.  It was a great way to kick off my slowly escalating fitness obsession.  Tuesday I showed up to the step n sculpt class feeling tired, but I powered through.  I took the easy road on some of the drills, and by the end of the class my guilt had gotten to me, so I spend 20 minutes on the treadmill to compensate for not giving it my all when I had the opportunity.

Yesterday I had a breakthrough.  A running breakthrough.  I dragged myself to the gym at 5:15 to power it out on the treadmill.  I decided I wouldn't set a goal - I'd just go until I needed to stop.  I plugged in my ipod, pushed the quick start button, and let my endurance guide me.  I felt so good I did four and a half miles before I started to feel done.  I decided to round up to the nearest mile, and push through five whole miles.  It was phenomenal.  I feel like I've really overcome my knee issues.

Today I went to my morning step class, which focused a lot on strength training and general toning.  I know my butt is going to hurt tomorrow, and it's going to be great.  At lunch I decided to use my free time to return to the gym and pound out three more miles on the treadmill.  I've burned a thousand calories today.  That's right.  Starting to feel like the old me again.

Here's the kicker:  I gained weight and I'm not losing anything.  It's really frustrating.  I'll check back in after this weekend and hopefully I'll have a good number to throw at you.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 2009

Net Calories: 1223 (246 under)

H2O Intake: 64 oz

Total Exercise: 60 min

Cardio: 60 min

The Elephant in the Room

I know I am super late posting my update.  I have a million excuses, but this blog is about not hiding behind excuses, and so I dug a picture out of my recent adventures to tack onto my stats.  Here's the ugly truth:  I fluctuated in weight a lot this month.  I had many glasses of wine and late dinners.  I was putting off weighing in as long as possible.

This morning I stepped on the scale and got the exact weight I brought to you last month.  I did, however, lose an inch of my chest, waist, and hips.  This caused my body fat percentage to read higher than last time.  Curious.  I'm beginning to question the accuracy of those calculators.

May will be a better month.

Jump Start with a Detox

[source]

I decided to buy some supplements to help me get back into the groove.  I feel gross from everything I've put in my body over the last week, so I went online and bought Jillian's detox and cleanse system.  It's a no-fasting detox program, which I feel is more realistic than those programs that don't let you eat and then suggest a beverage of maple syrup, lemon water, and paprika.  I'm not quite sure if this is legit, but even if it is a placebo it'll help me get my own results, right?  It's set to arrive next week.  I'm excited and a little nervous.

Have any of you ever done a detox?  What about supplements?  This is totally new to me, so I'd love to hear your wisdom and/or opinions on such boosts.

Regrets and Regressions

The past week has been one long over-indulgence and disregard for what I know is good for me.  in addition to enjoying the culinary side of life in excess, I ignored my promise to my body to stop eating wheat products.  When I stepped on the scale a few days ago I confirmed what I already knew: much of my hard work was undone.  I was even chided by my wii fit, not that I didn't deserve it.  You can see how puffy I am in the picture; most of it is due to wheat consumption.  I regret my absence of will-power and lack of determination to stay on track, and the way my body felt as a result, but we're here to admit our mistakes and move on to focus on positive progress, so let's look ahead.

Sunday evening I paid for what I've done with a long walk in my neighborhood, and then vowed to do better the next day.  I did.  I got some brisk, low-impact exercise in at lunch, skipped snacks and sweets, drank no empty calories, and had a lovely (gluten-free, thankfully) sushi dinner.  I feel a whole lot better today.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1627

Net Calories: 1424 (45 under)

H2O Intake: 40 oz

Total Exercise: 45 min

Cardio: 0 min

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!

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

bloated

 I woke up this morning at about 6:20 feeling completely groggy.  The stew I made last night was delicious but salty, and no amount of water could combat the bloat that was sure to happen.  When I shuffled into the bathroom and saw my puffy eyelids in the mirror, I wasn't surprised.

I dreaded today's weigh-in because I knew I was going to show a weight increase for the 3rd day in a row.  Argh.  Unsurprisingly, I'd gained a pound since yesterday.  Double argh.  I know it's likely just fluid retention, but it still bums me out.

Yesterday:

Net Calories: 1501 (252 over)

H2O Intake: 64 oz

Total Exercise: 30 min

Cardio: 20 min

This goes to show that another 20 min of cardio would have balanced out my food intake.  Gotta step it up.

first monthly check-in

So I'm off to a positive start.  I've lost 4 lbs, 3.5 inches from my waist, 2.5 inches from my hips, 11% body fat (holy moly!), and am down 0.6 points on my BMI.  I want to continue to work toward my goal at a faster rate, but I want to make sure it's sustainable and realistic for my lifestyle.

I'm also feeling the need to keep myself accountable with more hard numbers, so each post I'm going to report what I did the day before to work toward my goal, diet-, exercise-, and hydration-wise.

Yesterday:

Net Calories: 1,778 (529 over)

H2O Intake: 40 oz

Total Exercise: 40 min

Cardio: 20 min

guess what

I weighed in this morning after eating breakfast, and have struck 167.  Yay and double-yay!  I then did 20 minutes of wii-fit yoga before jumping in the shower.

Anyone else watch Biggest Loser and cry last night?  I sure did.  I love that show.