monday

Starting day 7 of south beach, as of today my weight loss is 7.5 lbs, so a little over 1 lb per day, if I continue to follow this path, by the end of the 2 week phase 1 I will have a weight loss of 18 lbs in 2 weeks....that fricking rocks!!!

I was surprised by how easy this plan is to follow, as long as you plan ahead...you definatley need to plan for your meals and snacks.... the cravings were virtually non existant as well.....yes the 1st 3-4 days I did think about bread A LOT!!! even drempt about it one night....LOL....but those cravings subsided. The key is to not let yourself get to the point where you have to eat right now!! And thats why the snacks are built into the program I think so that you dont get to point of ravenous hunger where you eat, scratch that, inhale anything in sight....

8 more days, I got this in the bag!!

south beach day 6

Ok I went on South Beach thinking it was gonna be very very hard......and was pleasantly surprised with the ease of it. Yes, you can eat only certain things, and no carbs the first 2 weeks.....not even fruit, but still, what you CAN eat is good......lean red meat, chicken breast, fish, eggs, veggies, canadian bacon, turkey breast......I can make a variety of meals that my family actually enjoy.

After 6 days, I have already lost 6.5 lbs.....YAY!!!!!!

I am hoping to have a total loss of 15 lbs at the end of the first 2 weeks.

Then moving forward into phase 2 to take off the rest of the weight, I can do it, just not overnight!!!

Pleasantly surprised

Saturday and Sunday were not my finest dining days.....

Saturday hubby and I went for lunch at Panera and even though its 1/2 a sandwich, boy are there calories packed in it....plus the brocoli soup; ate pretty good for dinner, had roasted chicken and veggies; but had caramel apple pie with ice cream for desert.....NO!!!!!

Sunday was my bday and I knew it would be a splurge day.....had steak, parsley potatoes, corn on cob, tuscan bread and red velvet cake .......WOWIE

plus I didnt have time to work out Fri, Sat, Sun

so I was pleasantly surprised to step on the scale Monday morning and see a loss of 2.5 lbs!!!

My saving grace was drinking a TON of water

Listened to my body

Yesterday I listened to my body. It screamed "I am TIRED!!" Not a little tired, not medium sized tired, but sleep all day to recharge my batteries tired.

See, I wear many hats, so to speak, I am a mother, a wife, and work f/t as a nurse. I work from 3-11:30PM. I can not come home and immediately fall asleep, much as I would LOVE to be able to do so. My body just can't do that. I have to unwind first. So I really don't fall asleep until about 1am.

My kids but comes at 7:40am, in order to ensure that 2 middle schoolers get on the bus in time, my alarm goes off at 6:15 am, ensuring that both kids get showered, dressed, breakfast, and any papers that need to get signed.

Then, I have my 6 yr old who has to be at school at 8:30. She doesn't get a bus, mommy is her limo driver. I have to make sure she is bathed, although luckily she usually does so at night, clothed, hair done and breakfast and drive her to school.

Of course, chores need to be done around the house, laundry, cooking dinner for the crew, grocery shopping, the list goes on and on and on.

And then, this week, I decided to throw working out into the mix. Worked out well for me Monday, Tues and Wed, but yday I crashed....I just didnt have the extra energy. I slept. I took much needed me time to rejuvinate my body and mind.

In the past I would beat myself up. "Quit being lazy" "Are you a quitter?" And then because I had already defeated myself, I would feel no need to continue on a healthy lifestyle quest.

But I had an aha moment yesterday as I was ready to beat myself up. I realized I did what my body needed. Rome wasn't built in a day. I needed that day off to renew myself, and guess what? It worked.

I think everything is FINALLY clicking with me!!! Its all about attitude

positive attitude + consistency = results

I have to have a positive attitude if I am going to succeed at weight loss. In the beginning, its easy, those lbs want to come off. Its when you hit that first plateau that things start to look bleak and staying positive is whats truly important.

I started on SparkPeople once again on Monday. I tried unsuccessfully to follow the plan in the past, but I wasn't giving it my all; thus I was cheating myself.

Monday I stumbled across the 28 day bootcamp challenge and thought that I would give it a whirl. It makes me accountable and builds consistency. Its no picnic, lemme tell you, but already I feel a sense of accomplishment. I have done the strength videos consistently ( I know its only 3 days, but to someone who hasn't faithfully worked out, thats a big deal!) and done my 30 + minutes of cardio daily.

I am a scale person. Its how I gauge my successes ( I know thats not the only measure, but I have to work on that issue as well!!). I know I shouldn't step on it daily but it beckons me to do so. Monday~~~171 (my highest weight yet....so not good!) ; Tuesday~~169.5 (ok this bootcamp thing is working) and today, Wednesday~~167.5.

I am not crazy enough to think that the weight will fall off like this all the time, but let me tell you it sure does feel good!!

Also, I am sure, a large part of my success is that I have switched to drinking water. In the past I would think nothing of drinking a 20 ounce Dr Pepper while at work, plus however many glasses I drank during the day....I easily was drinking ( YES DRINKING!!!) 500 calories a day!!!

I am also in love with the calorie tracker....I put in what I will eat for the day and I see where I need to make adjustments!!

Sorry for rambling, just so many thoughts flooding me right now

feeling good

Day 2 of bootcamp went well, I did my lower body strength training and went on a 40 minute walk with the hubby. Of course when I went to work and started pushing the med cart I was sore and *almost* wished I hadn't worked out, but hey, sore muscles are to be expected and that will dissipate as I get stronger.

Ate good yesterday, found healthy snacks to keep me satisfied and full. Drank my water also.

Now even though I know its not a great idea I couldn't resist stepping on the scale every day this week. Lemme give you the breakdown....Monday 171 (an all time high for me.....so not good), Tues 169.5 (not bad, not bad!!) and today Wednesday 167.5....so results are being seen. I know its from my switching exclusively to drinking water and I won't continue to drop a lb or so a day, but still I get that happy happy joy joy feeling, the little boost I need to keep on keeping on

september 6, take 2

I know, I'm a blogging fool today, but I just feel so darn good!

Watched my calories, worked out, did some cleaning and relaxing today. Back to the grind tomorrow. My fear is that with the hectic work life that I have all my good intentions will fall by the wayside.

I need to make sure that I have healthy foods for lunches and snacks and that I have plenty of H2O at work. I am on my feel walking up and down that darn hallway every night and never know whats gonna happen ( I run a lot!!! I'm a nurse!!!) but I can't depend on that as exercise.

I have to just set aside time every day for working out, I just have to do it. Like when I was in school I made the time to study, how much more so it working out important to my overall health and happiness, and in turn the health and happiness of my family.

starting anew.....with a vengeance!!!

I am starting back up with the healthy lifestyle I am trying to create with a vengeance!!! I bought a bunch of fresh fruit and veggies for snacks, lean meats and chicken, less processed foods. I filled a pitcher with water and cut up some lemons in the pitcher to flavor the water.

I will work out after dinner with my walk away the pounds dvd, but already I did crunches, squats and pushups, here in a bit will do some toning for my arms as well.

I have tracked my calories for the day on sparkpeople, trying to stay around 1200 per day.

My biggest obstacle I have to overcome is the scale, and the overwhelming urge to give up if it doesnt move (or heaven forbid, it moves in the wrong direction!!) I have to remind myself that I didnt gain it overnight, I wont lose it overnight either.

I will try to update daily!!

more and more a habit

I've noticed its becoming more and mote a habit for me to start thinking healthily. This morning I just got up and went to the gym, didnt even really think about it. At the grocery store I am starting to naturally gravitate towards more healthy choices, I find myself craving fruits and greasy burgers just arent all that appealling to me. Slowly but surely I am finding that dieting is turning into a lifestyle!!!!

little successes

I need to focus on the small successes. I get way too caught up in the long view, and I fail to appreciate the little successes I attained.

For example I could have beat myself up over the fact that I didnt work out yday, but I took the attitude of a new day today. I worked out good and hard Monday and today.

Also I got home from the gym and realized we were out of lunchmeat. The old me would have used this as an excuse to run get fast food......not the me of today. I got out some chicken from freezer, thawed it in microwave and then grilled it....and paired it with brown rice.....much tastier and more satisfying than a greasy burger, or even a chicken sandwich with all the condiments.

I need to look at today and be proud of what I did today.....not worry abot yday because lets face it, yesterday is gone. I can t focus too much on tomorrow because tomorrow will take care of itself. I have to stop beating myself up for past failures and focus instead on todays sucesses!!!!

after 3 weeks

of not hitting the gym I hit the gym with a vengeance this week......

Monday I did 30 minutes on elliptical

Tuesday I did 30 on the elliptical and 2 circuits of weights

Today I did 4 miles on elliptical....32 minutes....

I also am watching what I eat....right now I so want more cavatelli but its not worth it, i will eat an apple instead

Monday I weighed in at 165.5......UGH thats UP

Monday I need to be at 162.5

why oh why

Why oh why is consistancy such a problem for me? I do well for a while then fall off the wagon, its not jut weight loss, but every thing in my life. I need to be conscientious and be more consistant in my life. More disciplined.

I did well today at the gym, did 45 minutes on the elliptical, hoping my mid April I can be up to 1 hour on that darned thing!!!

good news bad news

The good news, I didnt gain any weight this past week. The bad news, I didnt lose any weight either. I ate good, but that was just 1/2 of the puzzle, as I am starting to see...I failed to put in any real time at the gym this week. I blamed the fact that I worked 8 days in a row as an excuse to not hit the gym. Yes I was tired those days, but that week of lack of gym time cost me weight loss. Obviously I would have lost had I put in the effort to go to the gym. If eating correctly allowed me to NOT GAIN, think what I could have done if only I had hit the gym as well. No time to sit back and kick myself, its a new week and I will achieve this week.

On another bright note, hubby and me have a weekend getaway planned. It will be nice to get away by ourselves, NO KIDS!!!! Kid free zone this weekend.....wonder how many times we will discuss the kids while we are away....lol

over and beyond

I did my 30 minutes on elliptical, then did my strength training. I decided to push myself and I did another 15 minute segment on the elliptical. I am stronger than I give myself credit for. I need to believe in myself and KNOW I can do it!!!

Wed weigh in 3-3

Last Wed I weighed in at 162.0. I worked hard this week, put my time in at the gym and at home on days I couldnt go to the gym. I counted calories in and out and I did it!!! Met my goal of 2.5 lbs this week. I am at 160.0!!! Next week goal is 157.5!!! 1/4 of the way to my 1st mini goal and a new CD!!!! I cant wait to accomplish all my goals!!

getting stronger

Last week my big accomplishment was doing 2 15 segments on the elliptical, today I did 30 minutes in a row!!! After the initial 15 minutes which I knew I could do, I kept telling myself to go for 5 more minutes!! 5 minutes is doable. 3 5 minute increments later I achieved 30 minutes. I will continue to do 30 minutes this week and next week I want to add 5 minute increments again. My goal is to eventually be able to do 1 hr!!!!

more and more natural

exercise is becoming more and more natural for me to do on a daily basis. I almost feel like something is missing if I miss a workout. I love this feeling and hope it doesnt pass!!!

my break thru

1 month ago when I joined the gym the trainer wanted me to warm up in the elliptical for 5 minutes. I got on the elliptical that day and at the end of the 5 minutes I was a sweaty, panting hot mess. I could not go any longer. I even vowed to not get back on again because it was TOO HARD. So for a week I avoided the elliptical and only did cardio on the treadmill. But I saw others who were able to do the elliptical and I said if they can do it so can I.
So I worked my way up to 15 minutes on the elliptical and 30 on the treadmill. Today was my breakthru.....I did 2 15 minute segments on the elliptical.....dont know if I could yet do 30 in a row, but c'mon its a lot better than where I was 1 month ago!!!

joined a gym

decided I couldnt do this on my own and joined a ladies only gym. Its close, convienant and motivating. I had a personal training session with the owner and boy did she kick my butt, but I needed it.

Goals 5 x a week, cardio, 45 minutes per session

strength training 3x a week

want to drop 40 lbs ny June so I can look decent for Fla this summer

ugh ugh ugh

why do I let myself get talked into things??!!!

Last night when I come home from work Rex states he is hungry and wants taco bell. I tried to resist and tell him no, but hungry got the best of me and I made a run for the border. I had 2 chicken taquitos, nachos and cheese and an empanada......UGH

I stepped on the scale this morning UP 1 lb since yday weigh in......UGH

I did my 30 minute walk away the pounds. Feel good. Will make better food choices today

so good

to step on the scale and see it go in the right direction!!! I stepped on to day to see my progress and my hard work is paying off...I am down 2.5 lbs since Monday

Even though I have a 12 hr day I fit in 20 minutes to work out.

Tracked my calories and I am low for the day by 400, have to find something healthy to fill it in.

Heres to meeting goals

ugh

Giving in to temptations SUCKS. BIG TIME.

So today because I did not work until 2:30, I thought I worked at 11, I ran some errands with Rex. We bought him a new winter coat and then he talked me into going to lunch at Pizza Hut. Wasn't too bad, because I only had salad and a slice of pizza and bread stick, BUT by the time we got home I didn't have time to work out....I planned on 40 minutes today. SO to make up I HAVE to work out on Sunday, which I wasn't planning on doing, that way I will work out 5 days this week.

Calories are on track....approx 1300 today!! Go me

Getting serious

No more excuses. I hate when I complain about the jiggle in my legs or my weight yet do nothing about it. No more. No more excuses. There will never be enough time, I will always have issues. So I need to get over it. NOW

Monday I was lazy and did nothing, I justified with working 12 hours.

Tuesday I did 40 minutes to walk away the pounds.

Wed I did 30 minutes of walk away the pounds and will do my strength training shortly!

Monday I weighed in at 164.5, UNACCEPTABLE!!!

Next Monday I hope for 162....I will do it

I am calculating my calories on Sparkpeople and though its hard am staying around 1200 per day. I am avoiding the vending machine and bringing my own lunch. Cooking better meals, buying fruits and veggies, lots of chicken and fish and lean meats. Taking Rex shopping with me helps, he is my conscious!!!

Will update weekly at minimum, hopefully every day