Confession: I am having the biggest peanut butter and chocolate craving!!
The upside to this craving, my gym has really good smoothies that I like to get with extra peanut butter...makes the craving go down. However, I'm hooked and kinda want one everyday!!! Which could be a good thing because, it gives me an excuse to go to the gym and provides a little reward for my hard workout.
So I joined sparkpeople.com its pretty neat. I've got a workout set up and I can input my food intake. So I can count my calories and stay on top of my nutrition. I kinda like it. The original workout they gave me was all machines! Luckily I can change the exercises to something that isn't on the machine or more challenging...to which I found myself editing the majority of the workout. Thankfully, my husband was with me so he was able to give some advise and help me find the best ones that worked for me. We shall see how this works out.
I've decided to extend my challenge sign up by a day....incase people are just now getting around to reading my blogs. Plus I've had a few people ask me some questions about it.
If you have the money to put in GREAT! If not no worries! The point of having people put money in is to keep them accountable and have some sort of loss for not losing weight. Pretty much its a motivator, just like having to post your weight on a weekly basis. Something to keep in the back of your mind when you're faced with bad food, laziness, or any decision that could stop you from losing weight. Think about it, if the contestants on Biggest Loser and get on the scale and let all of America know what they weigh I know you can post it on my blog. I only have 15 followers and usually only get 100 views a week....115people versus 2.5million.....I think the 115 isn't looking too shabby.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Start of a New Year
Confession: I weighed myself last week and I was at 227lbs.
Before I get started with the challenge I wanted to share the dinner I made last night. I used the "Abs Diet Cookbook" and found a recipe for burgers!! It was super easy and my husband LOVED IT!!! Which is a plus because he likes a big juicy burger. So the fact that I could make a burger that was low in calories and not feel guilty about eating really made my night!!! Who has a great recipe that like that has helped them with their weight loss?
Ok everyone it's time to see if you are serious about losing weight? I know I am!!!! As promised I have weighed myself and have my starting weight!! drum roll pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaazzzzzeeeee........................221lbs!!!! As you can see I've already lost 6lbs but don't worry for the challenge I'll keep my weight at 221lbs just to be fair. If I can keep this momentum up I might just lose 50lbs which would be amazing....but I'm going to be realistic and hope for 30-40lbs. So I went ahead and took some before photos so you can see where I am starting. To those who decide to take on my challenge you do not have to post your before photos now, but you do have to have a before and after pic at the end of the challenge.
A front View
Side View
Ok so after taking these pics I've realized that I don't look at my profile as much as I should. The weight really shows and you can see my over hang and muffin top.....I can't believe I'm making this public. However, all the more reason to start working out and be able to post better pics to prove that I can do this.
So who is in? You have until tomorrow 2pm to post your weight and join the challenge. Think of it as an accountability to keep on target. Like next week, how amazing it will be to say you lost 5lbs, or when you are surrounded by bad food you can say "NO!! I have to post my weight in two days and I do NOT want to gain" Don't worry I will not ridicule or make fun and anyone that does on my blog will be blocked or kicked off. It's the monday you keep saying that will start your weight loss journey.
Who is in?
Before I get started with the challenge I wanted to share the dinner I made last night. I used the "Abs Diet Cookbook" and found a recipe for burgers!! It was super easy and my husband LOVED IT!!! Which is a plus because he likes a big juicy burger. So the fact that I could make a burger that was low in calories and not feel guilty about eating really made my night!!! Who has a great recipe that like that has helped them with their weight loss?
Ok everyone it's time to see if you are serious about losing weight? I know I am!!!! As promised I have weighed myself and have my starting weight!! drum roll pleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaazzzzzeeeee........................221lbs!!!! As you can see I've already lost 6lbs but don't worry for the challenge I'll keep my weight at 221lbs just to be fair. If I can keep this momentum up I might just lose 50lbs which would be amazing....but I'm going to be realistic and hope for 30-40lbs. So I went ahead and took some before photos so you can see where I am starting. To those who decide to take on my challenge you do not have to post your before photos now, but you do have to have a before and after pic at the end of the challenge.
A front View
Side View
Ok so after taking these pics I've realized that I don't look at my profile as much as I should. The weight really shows and you can see my over hang and muffin top.....I can't believe I'm making this public. However, all the more reason to start working out and be able to post better pics to prove that I can do this.
So who is in? You have until tomorrow 2pm to post your weight and join the challenge. Think of it as an accountability to keep on target. Like next week, how amazing it will be to say you lost 5lbs, or when you are surrounded by bad food you can say "NO!! I have to post my weight in two days and I do NOT want to gain" Don't worry I will not ridicule or make fun and anyone that does on my blog will be blocked or kicked off. It's the monday you keep saying that will start your weight loss journey.
Who is in?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Finding new tools for weight loss
Confession: I managed to not go out after work all week and not indulged in fatty foods.
I know that my official weigh in is tomorrow, but I figured I should start my weight loss journey now....instead of using all of last week as an excuse to eat crappy food and give excuse "ohhh my diet starts on monday" which I know everyone does at some point in life. I've come to the reality of I can't wait and I can't push off what I needed to do yesterday.
Ok so remember how I signed up with my gym for their Zero Gain Campaign? ( I'm sure you don't, it was an incentive to maintain or lose weight throughout the holiday season. In short I paid $5 weighed in on Nov. 23rd and was suppose to weigh in again on Jan 3rd and would win a prize for either maintaining or losing weight.) Needless to say I knew for a fact that I had gained and couldn't face walking into the gym and stepping on that scale. However, the embarrassment of not being able to maintain for this campaign was a big reality check. I need to get back on track and saw that when I was updating my blog I did lose weight...so therefore the comeback of my blog and my New Years challenge.
On Wednesday or Thursday I received an e-mail from one of the trainers at my gym saying that they missed me at the weigh in but offered a free training session. Which of course I was like that would be grand...I also expressed to her that I wanted create a workout I could do for a month something I can start out doing and after a week or so be able to change it up on my own and stayed challenged. After a month I could meet with her again and design a new work out. She was so excited to meet and help me create a work-out and a plan for success. So I'm meeting with her on Friday. I'm really excited....I'm actually putting together a plan for success.
In the mean time I found an app on my phone by Jillian Michael's...It's free which is good. Right now everything I'm doing to find tools for weight loss need to be free or very low cost. I've already invested a lot of money so I need to use the tools I already have and not waste more money. The app is pretty neat, it has daily tips, workouts (circuit and exercises that focus on certain body parts legs, arms, abs etc...) So for now I'm trying out her workouts and reading up on the abs diet and creating a menu for each week.
So dear readers, what has worked for you? Anyone found a really good app or website that has helped you track calories, give great recipes, create work outs that have helped you lose weight?
I know that my official weigh in is tomorrow, but I figured I should start my weight loss journey now....instead of using all of last week as an excuse to eat crappy food and give excuse "ohhh my diet starts on monday" which I know everyone does at some point in life. I've come to the reality of I can't wait and I can't push off what I needed to do yesterday.
Ok so remember how I signed up with my gym for their Zero Gain Campaign? ( I'm sure you don't, it was an incentive to maintain or lose weight throughout the holiday season. In short I paid $5 weighed in on Nov. 23rd and was suppose to weigh in again on Jan 3rd and would win a prize for either maintaining or losing weight.) Needless to say I knew for a fact that I had gained and couldn't face walking into the gym and stepping on that scale. However, the embarrassment of not being able to maintain for this campaign was a big reality check. I need to get back on track and saw that when I was updating my blog I did lose weight...so therefore the comeback of my blog and my New Years challenge.
On Wednesday or Thursday I received an e-mail from one of the trainers at my gym saying that they missed me at the weigh in but offered a free training session. Which of course I was like that would be grand...I also expressed to her that I wanted create a workout I could do for a month something I can start out doing and after a week or so be able to change it up on my own and stayed challenged. After a month I could meet with her again and design a new work out. She was so excited to meet and help me create a work-out and a plan for success. So I'm meeting with her on Friday. I'm really excited....I'm actually putting together a plan for success.
In the mean time I found an app on my phone by Jillian Michael's...It's free which is good. Right now everything I'm doing to find tools for weight loss need to be free or very low cost. I've already invested a lot of money so I need to use the tools I already have and not waste more money. The app is pretty neat, it has daily tips, workouts (circuit and exercises that focus on certain body parts legs, arms, abs etc...) So for now I'm trying out her workouts and reading up on the abs diet and creating a menu for each week.
So dear readers, what has worked for you? Anyone found a really good app or website that has helped you track calories, give great recipes, create work outs that have helped you lose weight?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Getting Ready for My New Year's Challenge
Confession: I have eaten out way more than I should have in the past week.
One would think that since I work in the restaurant biz I would rather stay in and eat as oppose to going out. The reality is when I finally have time home to spend with my husband I would rather go out instead of cooking and cleaning etc... so that I can truly enjoy every moment with him. Same thing with friends, I would rather go out than have to clean my house and prepare some sort of meal just to have people over. With the connivence of restaurants people wonder why america is so fat....well it's simple....America has made it so easy to be lazy you don't even realize how lazy you've become. I could probably write an entire blog about how drive-thru's, delivery, microwaves, tv, and internet has slowly made us lazy without even realizing it. Then we just wake up one day 200 plus pounds and wonder what happened. Not only did I this past weekend eat out way too much but I also spent way too much money so now I'm bigger and broke. All because I would rather go out than stay in just so I don't have to cook or clean. It's has to STOP. I have got to get out of the cycle of eating out and wondering why the next week why I haven't lost any weight and why my wallet is empty. So I am going to focus on my weight loss challenge and have to say "NO" to so many things; fast food, restaurants, going out after work, ordering in, Starbucks, TV, facebook (I know i'll be on it, but I'll have to limit my time cause the truth is I spend more time on FB than in the gym) and the list goes on.
So to focus on getting the weight off my first step....Education. I was considering getting the Jillian Michaels book, dvds, etc.. because one of my friends followed her book and did great!!! She really encouraged me on my blogs made great suggestions and talked about how the book really helped her. So of course I creep on her FB page a few days ago and saw some recent pics of her and she looked AMAZING!!! yes Vanessa I'm talking about you!! You did great and still going!!! I am so proud of you and hope that I will be in the same boat as you one day. So I considered getting Jillian's stuff, then I had another friend do really well with the HCG diet...so I considered that. Here's the deal, my wonderful husband probably about 2 years ago bought me the ABS Diet for women and all of the ABS Diet books. ABS diet is by the same guy who wrote "Eat This, Not That" which also means I have about 5 of the "Eat This, Not That" books. So lets be honest I really should not go out and buy a new book or dvd's or try a new diet. I should first READ the books I have now and at least give them a real try before I go out and blow a bunch of money on a new fad. I did find the Abs Diet cookbook, I think it came out for the new year so I bought that instead....kinda keep with the books I already have and move forward.
So dear readers I have one other person willing to take on my New Year's challenge. Anybody else with us? A little healthy competition may be the motivation you need to get moving....I know it is for me.
One would think that since I work in the restaurant biz I would rather stay in and eat as oppose to going out. The reality is when I finally have time home to spend with my husband I would rather go out instead of cooking and cleaning etc... so that I can truly enjoy every moment with him. Same thing with friends, I would rather go out than have to clean my house and prepare some sort of meal just to have people over. With the connivence of restaurants people wonder why america is so fat....well it's simple....America has made it so easy to be lazy you don't even realize how lazy you've become. I could probably write an entire blog about how drive-thru's, delivery, microwaves, tv, and internet has slowly made us lazy without even realizing it. Then we just wake up one day 200 plus pounds and wonder what happened. Not only did I this past weekend eat out way too much but I also spent way too much money so now I'm bigger and broke. All because I would rather go out than stay in just so I don't have to cook or clean. It's has to STOP. I have got to get out of the cycle of eating out and wondering why the next week why I haven't lost any weight and why my wallet is empty. So I am going to focus on my weight loss challenge and have to say "NO" to so many things; fast food, restaurants, going out after work, ordering in, Starbucks, TV, facebook (I know i'll be on it, but I'll have to limit my time cause the truth is I spend more time on FB than in the gym) and the list goes on.
So to focus on getting the weight off my first step....Education. I was considering getting the Jillian Michaels book, dvds, etc.. because one of my friends followed her book and did great!!! She really encouraged me on my blogs made great suggestions and talked about how the book really helped her. So of course I creep on her FB page a few days ago and saw some recent pics of her and she looked AMAZING!!! yes Vanessa I'm talking about you!! You did great and still going!!! I am so proud of you and hope that I will be in the same boat as you one day. So I considered getting Jillian's stuff, then I had another friend do really well with the HCG diet...so I considered that. Here's the deal, my wonderful husband probably about 2 years ago bought me the ABS Diet for women and all of the ABS Diet books. ABS diet is by the same guy who wrote "Eat This, Not That" which also means I have about 5 of the "Eat This, Not That" books. So lets be honest I really should not go out and buy a new book or dvd's or try a new diet. I should first READ the books I have now and at least give them a real try before I go out and blow a bunch of money on a new fad. I did find the Abs Diet cookbook, I think it came out for the new year so I bought that instead....kinda keep with the books I already have and move forward.
So dear readers I have one other person willing to take on my New Year's challenge. Anybody else with us? A little healthy competition may be the motivation you need to get moving....I know it is for me.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
My New Year's Challenge
Confession: I defiantly waited to start my new year weight loss journey.
If you didn't notice my title is New Year Challenge not Resolution. Here's the deal I made the resolution months ago to lose the wight and I have moved at a snails pace in doing so. What I need is a challenge and some accountability to keep me focused and press forward. So dear readers I am turning to you. I am going to challenge you to go on this journey with me. I know I am not the only one out there who is fighting the same battle I'm fighting and is waiting for their new year, monday, beginning of the month to start their weight loss journey. So lets start together.
My Challenge.
For everyone who wants to lose weight, everyone puts in $10 (including myself) and we weigh in every week for the next three months. The person with the highest percentage of weight loss will win the money.
Rules:
On monday Jan 10th those wanting to participate will comment on my Blog with their starting weight.
Every Monday for the entire three months all participants MUST post their weight on my blog. If you do not post your weight within 24 hours of my blog you will be eliminated from the challange.
The person with the lowest percentage of weight loss each week will have to put in $5 towards the overall prize.
The person with the highest percentage of weight loss each week will receive a prize of some sort I'll announce it at the beginning of each week.
I will have a final weigh in on April 11th in which all those participating must post their final weight and a before and after picture.
You can start now and get a head start or wait until the weigh in on the 10th.
So who is in?
If you didn't notice my title is New Year Challenge not Resolution. Here's the deal I made the resolution months ago to lose the wight and I have moved at a snails pace in doing so. What I need is a challenge and some accountability to keep me focused and press forward. So dear readers I am turning to you. I am going to challenge you to go on this journey with me. I know I am not the only one out there who is fighting the same battle I'm fighting and is waiting for their new year, monday, beginning of the month to start their weight loss journey. So lets start together.
My Challenge.
For everyone who wants to lose weight, everyone puts in $10 (including myself) and we weigh in every week for the next three months. The person with the highest percentage of weight loss will win the money.
Rules:
On monday Jan 10th those wanting to participate will comment on my Blog with their starting weight.
Every Monday for the entire three months all participants MUST post their weight on my blog. If you do not post your weight within 24 hours of my blog you will be eliminated from the challange.
The person with the lowest percentage of weight loss each week will have to put in $5 towards the overall prize.
The person with the highest percentage of weight loss each week will receive a prize of some sort I'll announce it at the beginning of each week.
I will have a final weigh in on April 11th in which all those participating must post their final weight and a before and after picture.
You can start now and get a head start or wait until the weigh in on the 10th.
So who is in?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
A New Year is Approaching.
Confession: The attempt to not indulge during the holidays has failed miserably.
So I had set this goal to lose 23 pounds by January 3rd....that is looking like it's not going to happen. Getting through the holidays and either maintaining weight or losing weight is ten times harder than I thought. Not to mention my original goal to be 50 pounds lighter by my birthday which is in 3 weeks is not going to happen!! BUT!!!! I am not going to quite or give up. Instead I'll look at the new year as a second chance and attempt to do this all over again. So this week I'll will be in the gym and working on a new plan and setting new goals for the new year.
One thing I do know for sure is that I'm going to blog more often. It was the one thing that kept me on track. When I went to eat something I always had the thought of "I have my readers to report to". So dear readers I have a request to ask of you. If you do follow me and feel like I have not blogged in a while please keep me accountable. Leave a comment let me know you miss my blogs, that you want to know how I'm doing. Help keep me on track.
To my friends...I'm sorry so say but one thing I do know for sure is that I'm going to have to cut my hanging out with you down by half or more. I'm going to have to stop eating out after work, and going to parties, and anything that involves eating crappy food, staying up until the the wee hours of the night and all other things that will keep me from losing weight. However, I will hang out with you if it involves some sort of healthy activity, walking, running, playing ultimate frisbee, or other outdoor sports that are active and fun.
So I promise you by New Years Day I will have a goal and a plan put together. To those of you out there going through the same struggles I am going through I challenge you to take advantage of the new year and start a new goal. Let me know so we can keep each other accountable and make it to our goals together.
So I had set this goal to lose 23 pounds by January 3rd....that is looking like it's not going to happen. Getting through the holidays and either maintaining weight or losing weight is ten times harder than I thought. Not to mention my original goal to be 50 pounds lighter by my birthday which is in 3 weeks is not going to happen!! BUT!!!! I am not going to quite or give up. Instead I'll look at the new year as a second chance and attempt to do this all over again. So this week I'll will be in the gym and working on a new plan and setting new goals for the new year.
One thing I do know for sure is that I'm going to blog more often. It was the one thing that kept me on track. When I went to eat something I always had the thought of "I have my readers to report to". So dear readers I have a request to ask of you. If you do follow me and feel like I have not blogged in a while please keep me accountable. Leave a comment let me know you miss my blogs, that you want to know how I'm doing. Help keep me on track.
To my friends...I'm sorry so say but one thing I do know for sure is that I'm going to have to cut my hanging out with you down by half or more. I'm going to have to stop eating out after work, and going to parties, and anything that involves eating crappy food, staying up until the the wee hours of the night and all other things that will keep me from losing weight. However, I will hang out with you if it involves some sort of healthy activity, walking, running, playing ultimate frisbee, or other outdoor sports that are active and fun.
So I promise you by New Years Day I will have a goal and a plan put together. To those of you out there going through the same struggles I am going through I challenge you to take advantage of the new year and start a new goal. Let me know so we can keep each other accountable and make it to our goals together.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Getting back on track
Confession: I have completely have fallen off the wagon.
Ever since the tragedy in my life things have not been the same. I thought I could just pull through. I had a rough week after everything was said and done and figured I would just bounce back. Apparently not! I have been on a crazy emotional roller coaster of ups and downs, happy, sad, angry, etc. This has been way harder than I thought. Aside from fighting my own emotions and putting on the front that everything is ok, I had stopped working out and eating has gotten out of control. I think I spent an entire week playing on facebook, watching mindless television, and working (if necessary).
Finally, last week I dragged myself out of the apartment and ventured out to the gym. Squeezed in a short workout and actually felt a little better. Not enough to return for another week, but I did return this week...twice!! While I was at the gym I noticed something they are doing for the holiday season. Basically they had all the gym members wanting to participate come in on Nov. 23 donate $5 to the angel tree and weigh in a starting weight. Then, have everyone come back on Jan. 3rd and weigh in again. They are going to give out prizes to people who maintain or lose weight. Obviously, the prizes will be better for more percentage of weight loss. So I did it. I weighed in!!! ACK!!!! It was the first time I weighed myself since the pregnancy. I was so scared. Not because someone else was going to know my weight, but because I was afraid of the weight I had gained. It wasn't as bad as I thought, so that makes me feel a little better. So whats my goal? Between, now and Jan 3 how much should I lose? I'm thinking get myself under 200. Approximately 23 pounds.
So today is Thanksgiving. I should be carefully and plan out some healthy meal....My game plan....don't eat till I hurt and don't get seconds. Just one serving and a small dessert.
My game plan for the rest of the holidays.....Don't over eat.
This is what I have planned so far to make it through the holidays:
Step One: Make it to the gym 3 times a week.
Step Two: cut out fast food
Step Three: don't eat late at night
Step Four: Find the motivation and drive to want to eat and cook healthy.
Ok I will try to keep you posted. Let's see if I can make my goal!!
Ever since the tragedy in my life things have not been the same. I thought I could just pull through. I had a rough week after everything was said and done and figured I would just bounce back. Apparently not! I have been on a crazy emotional roller coaster of ups and downs, happy, sad, angry, etc. This has been way harder than I thought. Aside from fighting my own emotions and putting on the front that everything is ok, I had stopped working out and eating has gotten out of control. I think I spent an entire week playing on facebook, watching mindless television, and working (if necessary).
Finally, last week I dragged myself out of the apartment and ventured out to the gym. Squeezed in a short workout and actually felt a little better. Not enough to return for another week, but I did return this week...twice!! While I was at the gym I noticed something they are doing for the holiday season. Basically they had all the gym members wanting to participate come in on Nov. 23 donate $5 to the angel tree and weigh in a starting weight. Then, have everyone come back on Jan. 3rd and weigh in again. They are going to give out prizes to people who maintain or lose weight. Obviously, the prizes will be better for more percentage of weight loss. So I did it. I weighed in!!! ACK!!!! It was the first time I weighed myself since the pregnancy. I was so scared. Not because someone else was going to know my weight, but because I was afraid of the weight I had gained. It wasn't as bad as I thought, so that makes me feel a little better. So whats my goal? Between, now and Jan 3 how much should I lose? I'm thinking get myself under 200. Approximately 23 pounds.
So today is Thanksgiving. I should be carefully and plan out some healthy meal....My game plan....don't eat till I hurt and don't get seconds. Just one serving and a small dessert.
My game plan for the rest of the holidays.....Don't over eat.
This is what I have planned so far to make it through the holidays:
Step One: Make it to the gym 3 times a week.
Step Two: cut out fast food
Step Three: don't eat late at night
Step Four: Find the motivation and drive to want to eat and cook healthy.
Ok I will try to keep you posted. Let's see if I can make my goal!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)