Wednesday, March 31, 2010

It Feels Great!

Last night was another weightloss challenge class.  The wellness class was hosted by my chiropractor, Dr. Davis.  I have been unable to attend his wellness classes in the past, always too busy.  Because of the weightloss challenge I decided to make it a priority.  I walked to the class, 3 miles.  Then ordered a Greek Salad to eat during the class.  As I was ordering, Dr. Davis commented on seeing me walking to the class.  But more importantly than that, he noticed the weight I'd already loss since the beginning of the challenge.  It feels so good to be back on a downward slope.

I know I would have moved beyond my 198 at some point, but it seemed to have been hanging on for so long that I almost wanted to give up.  But Fitness Ridge kept me going and the weightloss challenge has now motivated me even more.  And the plateau no longer exists.  And I know we all hit plateaus and that we just have to keep going and that eventually you will lose again. 

I was looking at my data since I began this adventure 15 weeks ago.  here's what I will never see again:

17.6 pounds
4.25 inches on my chest
5 inches on my waist
4 inches on my waist
2.25 inches on my legs


so 17.6 pounds and 15.5 inches gone forever!  Not bad for 15 weeks of work.  And for those fights the plateau blues.  Measure with a measuring tape and not a scale.  Even when the scale refused to budge, the measuring tape got smaller and smaller.  So that's a pound and an inch a week lost.  I have to feel good about that.

My plan today is to walk while my girls are at piano. I have orentation at Anytime Fitness tonight and will do strength training then.

Tomorrow starts the Girl Gang April challenge.  Then challenge is to walk 100 miles in April.  I don't think it will be a problem.  3-4 miles each day should cover it.

Oh, and after class last night I walked another mile to Target to get my Easter shopping done.  Al picked me up at Target, it was too dark to walk home at that point.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

I did it!

The scale read 193.2 pounds this morning.  All the baby weight is gone!  And it took only 3 years to get rid of it.  Now comes the hard part, loosing the fat that is 8 years old!  and then loosing the fat that is 15 years old after that!  Taking it one day at a time.  Now I have popped my own happiness bubble.   I have to remind myself that it took me years to gain this weight, I can't expect it to be gone over night. Back to feeling great about making it to this weight a year ahead of schedule.  I start to lose baby weight when my babies enter preschool.  Erica doesn't even enter preschool until this fall.

My plan for today is 100-140 g of protein, 75 g or carbs and 20-40 g of fat.  I will walk 3 miles to my wellness class that is part of Get Healthy for Habitat weightloss challenge.  It feels so good to be able to walk to these classes.  Hubby wanted to know why I wasn't riding my bike.  I said it was too hard.  He laughed.  He thought riding a bike was easier.  I said faster not easier!  I don't want to arrive at my class unable to breathe.

Just taking it one day at a time.  Good luck to all of you, too! 

Monday, March 29, 2010

Well, I did manage to walk to the Y, do Mercedes' class, and walk home.  I am so very sore!  But it feels great.  On the walk home I felt so good that I decided to take the long way home adding a mere .3 of a mile.  But that was nearly my down fall.  I had to pee so bad I thought I was going to have to use my neighbors trees, lol! 

But I did make it home.  And I was very hungry.  I can't remember the last time I was so hungry.  But with over 2 hours of non-stop exercising (burning over 1,000 calorie), I was hungry.  But I didn't eat the whole house when I got home.  I reheated a hamburger, ate a hardboiled egg (white only) and had an 8 oz bowl of yogurt.  Lots of protein. 

I'm still not reaching my protein goal.  and today I didn't hit 150 g or carbs.  But yesterday I manged to eat only 51g when Sunday was my 50 g day.  Tomorrow is 75 g of carbs.  Should be interesting.  I'm not sure how I like this way of eating.  And I know it's not realistic for the rest of my life.  But I'm willing to try and improve my eating habits.  I want to eat healthier and if this is one way to get me to make healthier choices then I'll give it all I got.  Besides, I really want to win this weight loss challenge.

Tomorrow is scale day.  I'm hoping that it has continued in its downward climb.  1 more pound and all of the baby weight will be gone.  Is tomorrow the day?  I sure hope so.  Wish me luck.
Today, instead of going to step class, I am going to walk to the Y and do Body Sculpting and then walk back home!  This should get my cardio and stregth training in.  Hopefully, Mercedes doesn't work me too hard in class so that I have legs to walk home!  It's a 3 mile trip each way.  Very excited to try this.  My older girls are on spring break this week so they can watch Erica while I attempt this feat.  I figure if I leave at 11:00 I should make it to class by 12:15. 

My new "diet" is hard to follow.  I find it very difficult to eat 100+ grams of protein in a day.  And limited my Carbs to 50 g yesterday was impossible.  One potatoe was 51g of carbs.  But I did only do 58 g of carbs and hit 98 g of protein.  My fat grams were under 40, yeah.  That has actually been the easy one to limit.  But limited fat, limits what kind of protein I can eat.  I'm learning.  I am determined to make this the year that I change the way I eat for the rest of my life!

Speaking of eating, it is time for a snack.  I struggle with snacks because I want to eat fatty foods or sugary foods.  Perhaps some nuts and a green veggie freebie.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

I'm still working at it!

Friday, I went to Mercedes' Body Sculpting class.  45 minutes of lifting weights, and leg squats.  I walked for 15 minutes before and biked for 15 minutes after.  My body is still feeling it this morning.

Yesterday, I took my daughter for a bikeride.  She's 3 and loves bike rides.  I was so excited!  I was able to bike my way out of my neigborhood.  I live at the bottom of a series of hills.  We have lived here for 3 years and I have never made it out of the neighborhood.  In fact, last year I couldn't make it up to the stop sign at the end of my own road!  I'd turn around just short and ride back home (.3 of a mile to stop sign).  I'd turn around instead of getting off my bike and pushing  it up the hill.  Didn't want people to think I was too fat to ride my bike. 

So, not only have I lost weight but my health has improved.  And my own self image.  Because on my way back into the neighborhood, I did have to get off my bike and push my daughter up one hill and I didn't care!  I was too happy to be able to make it out in the first place!  I only biked 1.5 miles yesterday.  I hope in the future to do far more than that.  My heart was pounding and it took less than 15 minutes to do.  But it felt great.

After my bikeride, my friend, Kathy, and I went for a walk.  Don't know how far we walked but we walked for an hour.  And it started to rain (yes rain not snow) on us on the way back.  Didn't care.  We had fun.

Down to 29 days to go until Fitness Ridge.  I am so excited.  But I feel that I have made such tremendous advancements already that my week at fitness camp should be fun.  It has served its purpose already as my motivator.  Now I get to go and have fun.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Get Healthy for Habitat

I attended a nutrition session last night for my Get Healthy for Habitat weight loss challenge.  It was presented by Luke, the owner of the local Anytime Fitness.  I was so motivated by him and his employees.  Hope I win, I mean lose :).   Here's what was presented:  Be concerned with only Protein, Carbohydrates, and fat.  Don't count calories. 
Protein:  Take your goal weight and eat that many grams of protein everyday.  I want to weigh 140,so I need to eat 140 grams of protein each day.
Carbohydrates:  No more than 150 grams each day.  Fluctuate the amount eaten base on what you are doing.  Eat more on weight lifting days and less on rest days.
Fat:  eat at least 20 g of fat but no more than 40 g each day.

He gave several examples of protein to eat.  Oh and all green vegetables are freebies. :) 

Being Catholic, today was a difficult day to start this program.  First of all eating that much protein in a day is very difficult.  He suggested starting with 100 g.  But eating 100 g of protein without eating meat is very difficult.  Nuts can only be used for some of the protein because of the fat content.

I am finding it difficult not to count calories.   But it is somewhat liberating to not know how many calories I have consumed.  And I am thinking about what food I eat more because of the P, C, F content.  When counting calories I would eat anything and stop when I hit my "goal."  This method has me eating healthier foods.  I'll keep you posted on how it is working for me.  Oh, and the best part.  You get a cheat meal each week.  Eat whatever I want and I don't have to write it down, just acknowledge it's my cheat meal.

Today I walked for 15 minutes before body sculpting the did 45 minutes of body sculpting, then rode the exercise bike for 15 minutes.  I am feeling great.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

One month to go!

I can't believe I am down to one month before heading to Fitness Ridge.  I am so excited.  How much can I do in the next month? 

My neck is hurting so bad today and yesterday.  Not sure I can exercise today.  Gonna try.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Health 4 Habitat Weightloss Challenge

Okay, so day was official weigh in for Health 4 Challenge that will end June 17th.  I weighed in at 201 pounds.  Disappointing in being ove 200, but I was wearing jeans and a sweater :).  Since my final weigh in in June will probably by in shorts and tank top, I am hoping to edge out the competition with the jean/sweater weight.

I am making better choices for my meals.  While I had a hamburger for lunch, I didn't put any cheese on it.  It was on a super thin whole grain bun (delicious by the way!).  And instead of fries or chips and dip, I cut up celery, carrots and cucumbers.  For breakfast I had a whole wheat English muffin and a banana.  I'll bring the rest of the veggies to work with my this afternoon.  Haven't decided on dinner yet, but it will consist of veggies and a fruit.

I have set a goal of losing 30 pounds in this challenge.  That's twice what I have lost in the last 3 months.  But Fitness Ridge is on the agenda.  And the challenge includes classes on nutrition and well being.  Should be helpful to meet with others who have the same goals as me.

Looking forward to spring, summer and my new healthy me!

Oh, by the way, I walked over 6 miles yesterday!  My boby sculpting instructor asked why I wasn't in class.  when I told her I walking outside for a total 5.3 miles with the plan to walk more that night, she smiled and said I was excused.  Mercedes is a very tough instructor.  I didn't thin walking 5.3 miles would have been enough of an excuse :) 

I will need to walk on the treadmill tonight when I get home from work as I have done nothing at all today!  But as I alwys say, I am not done yet!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Life is good!

40 days until I am at Biggest Loser @ Fitness Ridge! I am getting very excited and nervous. Will I be able to make all of my classes? Will I learn stuff that I can impletment for the rest of my life? Will I implement what I learn? I know it will be a valuable experience and am so looking forward to that experience. Life is good.

Speaking of a good life...

I received an email from my chiropractor yesterday. Habitat for Humanity is having a fundraiser starting tomorrow. It's a 3 month weight loss challenge. $100.00 donation gets me a 3 month membership at anytime fitness (not that I need a gym membership) and a chance to win prizes. I am looking at it as a way to stay motivated before, during and after my stay at Fitness Ridge. I am excited. The weigh in is tomorrow at my chiropractors. Should be fun. There will also be classes on nutrition and weight loss and stuff.

I was getting worried about staying motivated after Fitness Ridge. This weight loss challenge will keep me motivated until June. Then I'll be shopping for another motivation. I know it's out there, I just have to find it!

Life is good!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Did make it to Cardiokick today. Did 30 minutes then walked for 5 minutes to cool down. I am so very sore right now. But it sure feels good!

Tomorrow is "Get your Green on" day. The Girl Gang is doing a walk of your choice event. If it is nice out, I am going to skip step and walk around the lake which is 3 miles. I was going to just do a 3k and try to improve my time from Valentines day. But if it's nice I want to walk outside. If it's cold and rainy I'll walk on the treadmill and try to improve my 3k time. Either way, no step tomorrow. But I will do Body Sculpting at 4:15. And Cardiokick on Thursday for 1/2 hour.

Friday I am heading to the cities for my daughters' state gymnastics meet! Yeah girls! So I will be quite busy Friday and Saturday. Friday afternoon I am going to go shopping for more Fitness Ridge paraphernalia (didn't know there was an 'r' in this word) :). And Saturday I get to sit on my ass for 7 1/2 hours watching my girls. So Sunday morning I am going to need to go for a lengthy walk to make up for my lazy days!

Monday, March 15, 2010

It feels so good to be back! Back to myself that is. I did the whole step/yoga class today, for the first time since I got sick. Plan on doing Body Sculpting tonight. I told myself I wasn't going to do two classes a day anymore. But I love both of these classes and they are on the same day. Tuesdays and Thursdays I will do Cardiokick, but I will only do 1/2 hour. That's my plan. I always feel better when I have a plan. Whether I stick with it or not is yet to be seen.

I bought my tickets for my fitness week in Utah. I am flying into Las Vegas and then driving to Ivins. So now the big decision is do I spend the night in Vegas or St. George, Utah? What to do, what to do?

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Sunday, Sunday

Had a lazy morning on the couch looking at hotel prices for my adventure in Utah. Did finally book a flight and rented a car for the week, even though I will only use it to drive back and forth to Las Vegas airport. Gives me more freedom and if Kathy and I and others want to adventure somewhere Saturday we can do that. I just feel better having the flexibility and not having to book the shuttle to and from the airport.

Walked 3 miles today burning 482 calories. It was 50 degrees and sunny. Al and I had a wonderful walk Erica. She got cold about half way around the lake, but we managed. It was nice to spend time together as a family. So little of that these days. Hannah and Mia stayed home, but oh well.

After lunch we went to Y to play in the pool with Erica and Mia. Hannah stayed home. She doesn't like to swim in pools, too much chlorine turns her hair green. Al is now asleep on the couch next to me. Erica is on her 3rd bowl of ice cream. Mia is skateboarding on the sidewalk. And Hannah is upstairs in her room probably reading.

All in all it has been a great Sunday. Yesterday, I was successful in Duluth. I didn't get to walk on the Lakewalk because it was raining :(. But I did walk around the mall for over an hour and tried on a lot of clothes and bras. Should have worn my monitor to know how many calories I burned, but I know it was a work out! I found everything I need except the socks. I am going to the cities next weekend for Hannah and Mia's state gymnastics meet. I'll go to REI and buy some anti-blister socks and maybe a second pair of shoes. Oh and I do want one more swimsuit. Good news: I am down a pants size and bra size. :) Any guys reading this blog I apologize for the bra talk.

As always, I'm not done yet!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Lazy Saturday

Okay, I lied. It's not a lazy Saturday. It's only 10 am and I have cleaned the kitchen, done the laundry, showered and preparing for my day. I do need to vacuum my bedroom, yet. Then my chores will be done.

I think I will drive to Duluth and walk along canal park. Hopefully it won't be too cold by the lake. I also will go shopping for anti-blister socks, new bras (I am down to a 36C from a 40C), and work out close for Fitness Ridge next month. I can't believe I am going in just 44 days. I did make my original goal of being under 200 by then. Not sure I'll make under 190. I've been holding steady between 195.5 and 197.5. Couldn't stay off the scale like I wanted to do. But oh well.

I am having a hard time booking my flight. I just hate paying $400.00 for an airline ticket. I was thinking of driving out, but that would cost $500.00 in gas plus lodging. So then I decide it's cheaper to buy a ticket, but just can't bring myself to hit purchase. Ugh! I have a hard time making some decisions and this is one of the hard ones. If it weren't for money, I'd just buy the ticket and be done with it. Maybe I'll wait a week or two and see if they come down. They haven't come down at all since December.

Well, I better get my vacuuming done so that I can get one with my day.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Finally!

I finally made it back to exercise class today. 2 1/2 weeks and still not fully recovered. I made it 30 minutes in step class then stretched for almost 10 minutes. It felt so good to at least do something. I plan to try kickboxing tomorrow. I will only do 30 minutes again. I am going to take it slow.

I have stopped writing down everything I eat. I am getting lazy with my diet journal. I haven't made the best choices this week regarding food, but I will from here on out. I am going to focus on eating fruits and veggies. Goal: 3 fruits and 3 veggies a day for the rest of this week.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Feeling better

Still have a cough, but am no longer dizzy. I have yet to get on the treadmill. Maybe tonight while Mia is at Karate, I'll walk at the Y. I did walk around Walmart for over an hour today and didn't get exhausted or dizzy. Definitely on the mend. i was going to go back to step class on Monday, but my daughter has an eye doctor appointment that conflicts. But I will definitely go to my body sculpting class Monday night. No excuses. Gotta get back on the exercise train before it leaves the station without me.