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Thursday, November 29, 2012

How to Plan

First I'll start out with how my week was, which will lead us into the topic this week... I did OK this week / weekend.  It was of course a very tough week for me with all the plans/things going on...
  1. Thursday:  Thanksgiving
  2. Friday:  Bought a new bed and didn't have time to make a dinner so we went out (Starving) and I ordered a burger and fries
  3. Saturday:  Got home late after meeting up with my mom and didn't feel like making dinner, so we ordered pizza
  4. Sunday:  Lunch and Dinner Plans
I knew about Thanksgiving of course and Sunday's plans, so I was able to prepare myself fairly well for those events.   I made a plan of what I was going to do to be able to enjoy myself AND stay somewhat on track.

Thursday's Plan:  As I mentioned in last week's post, I had my mom put out a 1/2 cup measuring cup for me so that for each side I wouldn't have more than that.  My mom also had fresh veggies cut up so I would have something healthy to snack on for appetizers while we finished prepping for dinner.  Also, Two days before Thanksgiving, I sent an email out to my family and asked them to bring their tennis shoes (for those of them that would want to go for a walk before or after dinner).  One person brought their tennis shoes, but 5 of us went for a walk.  It was GREAT.  After we got back, I had pie (planned).  After that - I was extremely miserable and full.  Not what I wanted to happen, but I stuck to my plan. At the time I had no clue what my points were for the day, but that's the only meal I had, later I figured out points.  Granted I was over, but oh man I would have done much worse had I not been on WW for months and thought about what I was going to do.  So I feel like Thanksgiving was a total win for me.

Friday's Plan:  I had NOTHING planned for Friday.  I was going to work out and just hang out at home and work on my class (I'm sooo far behind, I'm going to do what I always do - procrastinate... eek my deadlines are coming up).  I did work out - at least did my Jillian Michaels video (as of today I'm on day 24 --- HUGE WIN).  I did great during the day but after spending HOURS looking for a mattress, it was late when we actually made a purchase.  So I was STARVING and we decided to go to one of our favorite Monticello Restaurants (Chatters) and I ordered a delicious burger and got the fries.  I ate it all.  ALL.  So in the end, I kinda blew up my Friday.

Saturday:  Not really a plan, but my mother brought me some soup and salad fixing for lunch so that was great... but later when I got home  I felt lazy and didn't want to cook.  We ordered pizza and I blew up that night too.  Even though I've gone over now during these three days - I still have SOME extra points left over.

Sunday:  We went to Chipotle for lunch - I did GREAT.  I ordered a salad with chicken and black beans... no cheese, sour cream or guac.  I skipped the dressing too - just had them add extra salsa.  So that was great and exactly what I had planned when going there.  Very proud of myself because I love their tortillas, cheese (duh) and sour cream (oh and the guac).  Sunday night we met some friends for dinner.  Talked a lot about my exercising and food planning.  But when it came down to ordering I chose the mac & cheese over the fish tacos.  I knew that I wanted the mac & cheese, but didn't know if I wanted to order it.  I ordered it AND ate it all.  Again over points, but still within my extras (BARELY).  I would say this day still went down as a WIN for me.

It was very important for me to at least choose 1 good meal (really two because breakfasts were all reasonable) if I knew I was going to have something bad at another.  And honestly it paid off!  I lost 1.6 lbs this week.  I made my goal (which was to stay the same... but secretly hoped to get into the next 10's).

I also lost another point, so I'm a little nervous because lately it's been tough to stay within points (as you can read) and with the holiday's coming up, that's only going to make it that much harder.  If you know nothing about the points system, losing one point is kinda a big deal.  At least it is to me.

The lesson to learn here is that we need to learn how to scope out our days/weeks somehow so that we can make some good decisions with the bad (if there has to even be bad decisions).  Now's the time to really focus on that because these holidays are HARD.  Plan on eating some low-zero point snacks before going to these events - fill up on that stuff so you don't fill up on the bad stuff at the party. BUT I am a firm believer of allowing yourself what you want to eat too.  If you keep passing on some of those things, it may come back to BITE you bad.  So don't be a stickler, just be aware of what you're doing, what you've got going on in the moment and what you've got coming up.  Plan, Plan and Plan some more.

My goal for next week is to get in some healthy oils (2) each day.  Even if I just have to add a tsp of oil to a meal.  I think that will help me a lot because I've been having some issues (I'm sure you can guess) and I've never had that problem before (EVER really, at least not consistently).  I don't really have a weight goal - other than obviously I want to lose weight.  My goal for the month of December (and really every month from December to next October) is to lose 8 lbs each month.  So if I can get some of that off next week - that's GREAT.

By the time I write next week I'll be done with my 30 day shred and can give you some updates on that.  I will also post a picture of me sometime in the near future as I've lost that next 10#'s (as of last week)... so I need to get that up.  Laziness I think that's what they call it.

Anyway - take care this week... let me know some of your challenges and how you've overcome them, how you've been planning or what you plan to do with the challenges...  We've got some readers out there so let's help each other by sharing.  I think we all need the help right now - especially during the holiday seasons.

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

I'm Thankful For...

I'm thankful for many things in my life...

  1. My husband - man I love him.  He's not perfect, but neither am I right?!  I'm not just thankful for the support he's been giving me through this journey (although it's been amazing), but to have him in my life to make me smile and hold me when I need to be held.
  2. My Mom - well if anyone knows me at all... I have my mom on a pedestal.  She is amazing and I hope I can be 1/10th the person she is when I grow up.
  3. I'm thankful for Facebook - if it wasn't for that, I don't think I'd be on Day 17 of Jillian Michael's.  the support system I've gotten from there is unbelievable.  I have people personal messaging me, posting on my pictures, writing on my wall, tagging me in their posts and texting me... all to tell me how proud, inspired, and amazed with what I'm doing.  It's INSANE how much that helps me.
  4. I'm thankful for writing this blog... again, kinda the same above.  I know there are a few of you out there that read this religiously... and I appreciate it.
  5. I'm thankful for Weight Watchers (WW)... the only program that works for me (and most).  My honeymoon period is over... so all of these mini goals are what keeps me going.
  6. I'm thankful for Polly Z. - my WW leader.  She's just awesome.
  7. I'm thankful for a great boss - who allows me to work from home so that I can attend my WW meetings... and really she's just great too.
  8. I'm thankful for my co-workers... I love everyone I work with, but there are a few out there that I'm more thankful for than others :)  You know who you are.

I did very well this week.  I lost 2.6 lbs and am now down 61.4... yay I met 1 of my goals.  If I would have lost just 0.2 more I would be in the next 10's... so I'm excited for that.  My goal this week is to stay the same... I fully plan on eating for Thanksgiving (but will be eating reasonably) but my ugly lady friend will be paying me a visit this week - so all I can hope for is to stay the same and not beat myself up.

So what's my plan today???

I asked my mom to put out 1/2 cup measuring cup.  Anything I put in my mouth will be no bigger than 1/2 cup... other than my piece of pie.  Which I will have.  So that's my plan.  We also have plans to go out to dinner/lunch two times this coming week - so I've got challenges galore!!!

Anyway - if you read this before Thanksgiving Dinner... please remember it is just a meal, but don't deprive yourself of this meal.  Just eat within reason - it's no fun to eat until you are uncomfortable.

Take care and as always... I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Monday, November 19, 2012

How to get motivated??

I've been working out like a mad woman lately, most days I'm doing more than one work out... sometimes 3.  But today, today I've hit a wall.  A big wall.  I'm on day 14 of my Jillian Michael work out.. DAY 14!!!  I'm almost half way done.  OMG almost half way done!!!  BUT  I have no motivation to continue.  I half-assed my workout tonight.  I'm hoping it's super temporary and just for today.  I skipped my water aerobics for the night too... I haven't missed that in months (on purpose).

Tonight... I'll be digging down.  Digging down deep so that I can get that motivation back.  I'm hoping it's only because I didn't sleep well last night (the hubs was a snoring machine, so I had to switch rooms).

I'll be weighing in this week Wednesday morning in Minnetonka (before work).  At this point I don't want to skip a week of weighing in because of a holiday (being on my weigh in day).  So hopefully I can meet my goal I set last week.  It would make all this hard work worth it.

So... here's to digging deep.  It will be worth it, it will be I just know it!!!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Goal Setting Announcement!

Well as I expected, it would be hard to lose weight this week following a week of a 4.8 lb weight loss.  I was able to stay focused for the most part due to being on a total high from the weight loss.  I really hate how that controls the happiness of my life :)

Let's just jump in with updates on my progress:
  • Jillian Michaels 30 day shred:  I started this last Tuesday - it totally sucks, super hard, but feels good.  I hate her.  I'm on day 10 - YAY 1/3 of the way done!!!!  Last night I had to stop at an athletic shoe store to buy new shoes because when I do the cardio part, my feet (left arch) burns super bad and sometimes I have to quit the move because it's too painful.  I don't like quitters, so trying another solution first.
  • Walking:  I've walked more lately than probably my entire life combined - this week alone I've walked 6.5 miles. Funny story though:  On Sunday it was freakin cold, I'm talking icicles on my sweat (in areas we won't mention).  I attempted to take Olivia, which is my 8.5 lb dachshund - we made it out onto the main road (which isn't far from my house) when she stopped dead in her tracks.  I looked at her and it looked like she was telepathically communicated with me saying "oh hell no, you have got to be out of your mind if you think i'm going any further."  So, I turned around and took her home, added a hat and scarf to what I already had on (it was COLD) and went back out.  I got so into my music I started somewhat dancing (well... not somewhat - sometimes I was full blown dancing) down School Boulevard.  If you don't know, It's probably the second/third busiest street in Monticello.  I had people laughing at me, waiving at me, smiling at me and I know they were wishing they were me!  On the way back to my house - Brittney Spears came on (well she was on several times before that) and I actually started "running".  Now I'm not gonna say it was real running, it looked like I probably had to pee or poop - but for me that was running.  Then I got all smiley and happy and people started waiving at me - was kinda fun.
  • Weight update:  I stayed the same this week.  Like I said, it's hard coming off of an almost 5 lb weight loss and still lose again the next week.  But I feel like I'm back in August / September where I'm losing a few weeks and gaining the other weeks.  I didn't like it then and I don't like it now.  Hopefully once my body gets used to the exercise I'll just start dropping weight again.
So that was kind of a good seguay into my next topic.  Goal setting... it's about time I announce my goal.  Usually I hang onto that information because I don't want to be judged or held to it if I decide to change my mind... but really the goal weight hasn't changed.  My goal weight is 155.  The time frame is what I have set... I'm turning 40 next October.  I'd like to be at my goal weight by my 40th birthday.  My husband and I did the math Sunday night and it's about 8.8 lbs a month for me to reach that goal.  That's a little scary to me, but I'm gonna try my hardest.

I think it's good to have goals and mostly my goals are mini goals... like to get to the next 5# or in the next 10's... like from 190 to 180, etc.  So I leave you with this today - make sure to set goals for yourself.  Even if it's not the END goal, because without goals you can get yourself off track.  Your goal doesn't even necessarily have to do with a weight loss - maybe get through the next weekend without over indulging.  Get through the "party" without snacking on the crap foods or drinking only 3 beers instead of 6.  Little things.  They do count and you'll be happy you did it.  I know I usually am (except my scrapbooking incident - unfortunately still beating myself up about it).

My goal for next week is to get that 60 lbs AND into that next set of 10's - which means I need to lose 2.8 lbs.  I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, I can do it.  You can too, you can too, you can too... we just need to visualize it and make it happen!

Have a great week!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.


Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Jillian Michaels, oh how I hate you!

Well, I made it to day 7.  I dislike her, wait no, I hate her :)  and I love her at the same time.  I've been doing great, I can see an increase in my ability to do more and more of the moves each day - but I'm worried.  It seems like every other day that I do it, my left foot hurts.  Hurts bad.  Like I have to stop doing a few moves because it's pulling on my arch.  I do have plantar fasciitis - I hope I'm not irritating it and going to be having more problems... because I've worked very hard to make it better.

AND... yesterday I think I re-injured my leg.  I'm not sure if it's my groin, my hip flexor or what the hell it is... but I hurt it two years ago and it's never been the same since... but it's been manageable.  On my way home from work yesterday moving my leg from the gas pedal to the break - it started hurting real bad.  Last night, HORRIBLE - every time I tried to turn over it was like piercing pain and woke me up.

UGH.  Well, we'll see how it feels when I get home tonight.  If it still hurts, I'm still going to try to do the video.  If it doesn't hurt MORE after that, and I'm able to do the video, then I will continue.  If not, I think I need a visit to the doctor :*( BOOOOOO!!!

Wish me luck, because I need it.  I need to be able to continue this video and meet my goal.  I also need some recommendations of some other goal-oriented video's for when I am done with this one... so if you have any suggestions - let me hear 'em!

I cannot wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Motivation

I have several things to write about today, but will start off with this... I was a ROCK STAR this week.  I really buckled down (even though I wasn't perfect).  I kicked up my exercise - well I've really been doing that the last few weeks.  I started a Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred on Tuesday.  I have had this DVD since April and told myself that I would start it this weekend.  Well... that didn't quite happen, but I did take the plastic off the package so I get points for touching the video right?

Anyway - I did start.  I'm in pain... and I want to puke every time I need stand up, sit, walk, etc.  It's a good feeling to have as I haven't had this in a LONG time.  But it does hurt and I remember every second of the last time I went through this... except it was with a live trainer back in 2002.  I'm on day 3 right now and I'm not sure how I'm gonna pull it off, being that I can't walk right now.  It hurts my knees, my flapping belly and my feet.  So hopefully I can push through all of that and maybe it will get better... so wish me luck.  I feel like I should take today off but I know I really should push through.  If JM was in my house she'd be screaming at me right now... oh and then wanna talk about why I let myself get so fat.  (I don't know the answer to that, other than I really like food... oh and I was a bit depressed for a while too, but that just made me get even fatter).

Soooo... whew.  We got that out now.

My topic today is MOTIVATION.  Apparently I'm a motivator, I mean I kinda knew I was for a few ladies out there (hi, I know you read now) but I've been told more and more by others and even by my WW Leader (((shout out to Polly... she's AWESOME.)))

Side Note:  I didn't think I'd find one that I liked better than Judy (for those of you who know who she was you understand that this is HUGE).  If you're in Monticello MN - she's the leader there on Thursdays (AM - PM) and I know she's a leader elsewhere - maybe Buffalo MN too??  FIND HER.  She's funny, she's smart and she's a great leader!

I also have a group of ladies at work that tell me I am motivating them.  What they don't know is that they motivate me too (yes you do ladies).  I love our lunch room chats, skype conversations and watching them succeed.  I can tell when they are on track, off track and need some help.  I know that they can tell that about me too.

In addition to that I have my WW group.  Back in September (I think) I talked about the stupid Nelson's Ice Cream incident I had... and how much ice cream I ate.  Oh, and that I actually wrote it down and tracked it. Well, one day I did a weigh and go and on my way to my car this lady stopped me.  She said that I was a total inspiration to her and that she thought to herself this week (back then) that if I could track 23 points in ice cream that she would do the same.  Even if it put her over her points for the day (believe me... I was over too).  That was truly inspiring and actually I left that day from WW early because I was feeling down (I think I gained that week... and not because of ice cream).

Anyway - what I want you to know is that even though someone else inspires you... YOU are inspiring others.  Don't give up.  EVER.  You know you can do it.  Keep that eye on the prize - whatever that prize may be to you.  Set your  mini-goals and achieve them.  It feels good, trust me - I've now met more of my mini's than I ever thought I would... and it's because of the support system I have.  Work, family, friends and yes, even strangers.

Please leave comments and tell me what motivates you?  Is there something that I'm doing to motivate you?  Is there something that I could do to help motivate you?  Oh, and follow my blog.  I need followers.  Some day I hope to have sponsors and I can't get that if I don't have followers :)  You can sign up for email notices of when I post too... that way you'll never miss a post (if you care).

So I bet you're wondering how I did this week?  I lost 4.8 lbs this week, my total is now 58.8 (1.2 away from posting another picture of my progress).  What is my goal next week?  Well TRULY it's 2.8, but really I'd be ecstatic over the 1.2 so I can hit that 60 lbs.

What are my challenges this week?

  1. I'm alone again this weekend (EEK)... I usually don't do as well when I'm alone.
  2.  I have my nephew coming over on Saturday for a sleep over... he's super picky but loves pizza (just like his aunty)
  3. I have a lunch next week, where we have a groupon for the sushi buffet.  BUFFET.  I'll be mentally preparing myself to have some self control that day... it's 2 days before weigh in.  I can do this!
I really hope that by reading this blog that I'm able to inspire you... I mean look at my pictures - I was huge.  I still am in my mind but I'm almost 60 lbs less huge!  

Take care and please... leave me comments, sign up for email notifications as well as become a member of my blog.

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Monday, November 5, 2012

Be Prepared

I had a decent weekend --  food and exercise wise.  I didn't do the exercise I told myself I would do, but I still got some in.

I'm writing to today to tell you that this week, although challenging, has been MUCH better than my previous week.  I showed more self control (granted not enough) than the weekend prior and can feel myself getting back into the grove of things.

What I wanted to post about though is being prepared.  I have a lunch today that I forgot about and being that I wasn't perfect over the weekend, I definitely want to show myself that I can still be in control.  So I looked up salads from this place we're going to (that actually had the nutritional values posted on their website - PERFECT).  I signed up for online ordering and ordered my lunch.  So not only did I force myself to make a good decision, I also can't change my mind when I get there to something less healthy.

This worked out perfectly for me... and I suggest that you try doing the same to a restaurant that you will be visiting soon.  If you can't pre-order online, at least look it up before you go.  Then write down what you will order - and MAKE yourself order what is on that piece of paper of yours.

We are not perfect, but we can be prepared!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Show Must Go On!!!

I have to apologize for the negative post from earlier this week... let me tell you though, it didn't get easier or better this week.  I would do really well during the day at work and then at night I was SOOOO hungry.  In my defense though (I really hate making excuses but...) I think I hit the trifecta this week - Scrapbooking (crappy food), Home (there is Nutella in my house why?) and I got the lady friend (or enemy depending on how you feel about it - oh and I guess you are all getting to know my cycle pretty well - HOW EMBARRASSING).  NOTHING could get me full this week - until it was too late!

However on the flip side I did do some really positive things this week and that was exercise my arse off... while on VACATION!!!

  • I started Wednesday morning last week with going to water aerobics (with the lady that works you really hard... we have conflicting personalities and I dislike her personality as much as I like her for her works outs)!  I did this before I met my mom for coffee and left for scrapbooking... had to get up at 6:15 AM on my DAY OFF!!!
  • Thursday :  I left the retreat (which was only in Buffalo) to head into Monticello for weight watchers.  I lost 3.6 lbs (as you know) last week.  That was some great motivation for me to leave again later that night to go to water aerobics (with the lady that works you really hard... we have conflicting personalities and I dislike her personality as much as I like her for her works outs)!
  • Friday:  I left the retreat AGAIN (had to get up at 6:15 AM on my DAY OFF) to go to the gym for water aerobics (with the lady that works you really hard... we have conflicting personalities and I dislike her personality as much as I like her for her works outs)!
  • Saturday:  A hand full of us at the retreat wend for a 2 mile walk (well two of us are the only ones that made it the full two miles)... and the lady I walked with walks as fast as my freakin husband (which is walking slow for him) so I had to keep up - I shaved off almost 1 minute from my mile time.
  • Sunday: I went for a 3.57 mile walk all by myself... I intentionally walked a slower mile (plus almost two minutes onto my normal time).
  • Monday:  I went to water aerobics... the normal lady was back from vacation.  I did NOT work out very hard on Monday :(

I'll have you know that I have never ONCE worked out while at a scrapbooking retreat - let alone even go for a walk.  So that was a HUGE win for me.

So even though my portion sizes of my meals were large, my snacking was WAY OUT OF CONTROL... I still kept in the back of my head that I had to do something to combat the bad with the good of exercising - The Show Must Go On! 

Now lets get to the good stuff... what you care about - did I gain or lose this week?  I GAINED 2.2 LBS.  However even though I gained this week, I know that it would have been MUCH worse if I hadn't worked out at all.  Here's to hoping for a better upcoming week - my eye is still on the prize so don't be surprised to hear about a big come-back next week!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After!