Sunday/Monday Report

Well, I wish I could say I did okay over the weekend, but I caved after 8:00 and ate some coconut macaroons and chocolate covered blueberries! I felt guilty and sick and bloated all night. I wish I could say it wasn't worth it, but it tasted so dang good. The bloated feeling made me feel like I'd gained back everything I've lost. So, first thing at the gym this morning, I weighed myself just to make sure and it was just a bit lower than Friday, so maybe I'm okay.

Monday Dieting & Exercise:
I did okay today. If I guessed at my dinner calories (mushroom risotto), I'd say I was around 1600 calories. I ran 1.5 miles, did a 20 minute abs class and Urban Iron weights class. I felt pretty good after.

My mother-in-law is in town and she has recently lost weight with LA Weight Loss. I really like their philosophy and I'm going to come up with an eating plan based on what she did. I think it will help me to accomplish my goal of following the food guide pyramid, since that is basically what the diet does. I will keep you updated and maybe provide some meal ideas here on my blog.

I am wanting to allow a sugar treat every once in awhile while I diet, so my body doesn't completely freak out and not know how to handle sugar in my system... I am scared of what my body is going to do once I reach my goal weight and after I allow sugar again. I'd like to say that this "no-sugar" thing is a permanent change in my lifestyle, but let's be realistic! I am going to enjoy a good treat now and then. Going without teaches me how much better I feel and reminds me to PERMANENTLY restrict it from my daily diet... but I really want to conquer my weakness of feeling like I can't stop eating junk once I start. I don't want to be forced to live an all or nothing lifestyle with sugar; I think it is impractical. So, I am trying to think of ways to build will power so I can enjoy a little treat every once in awhile. For the next couple weeks, I am going to allow one treat a week. If I find that it is too hard to keep the sugar craving out of my system, than I'm going to take it all away again. Also, I am not going to be so strict with "no sugar." If there is a healthy, whole grain cereal with more than 6 grams of sugar, I'm going to eat it (as long as it is not one of the first 3 ingredients!), also yogurt with sugar fructose... I am going to allow that. Maple syrup and natural sugars are now allowed as well. We'll see how it goes!

Until next time...

A little shift in eating goals

I have been worried lately about gaining weight back after I hit my goal weight. My lifestyle has been so drastically changed, that I don't want to start the up and down roller coaster that so many people experience when they diet. I want to maintain a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy a few good things along the way. On Friday, Natalie said something that really made me start to think... she said, "I think I've been eating too few calories." She thought maybe that was why she didn't lose weight. I understand that if the body doesn't feel like it's getting enough, it will store away fat and it becomes harder to lose that fat.

So, I have done some research online and figured exactly what my body needs, calorie-wise (I don't know why I didn't figure this from the start..?)

For my age, weight and height, if I work out 60 minutes a day, I need 2,435 calories a day to maintain my current weight. It says I will reach my goal weight by eating 2,381 a day, but I'm not sure that is a significant enough of a difference. My current calorie intake goal has been 1400 and, as you know, I complain about feeling hungry often. I also don't feel like I'm getting all my nutritional needs from the food guide pyramid when I'm so restricted. So, I have decided to UP my calorie intake for the next week and see how I do...

My NEW CALORIE INTAKE GOAL: 1,700 calories/day. If I can lose weight at that amount, I may try to up it to 1,800. That way when I reach my goal weight, I can continue to add a bit more until I find a number that will be my maintenance intake.

So, here's to MORE calories!...

Hunger, Sushi and Jeans...

I cannot get rid of constantly feeling HUNGRY! Seriously, I feel it about an hour after I eat and live with it all day long. I guess I should be getting used to it by now. (Natalie, I seriously don't know how you went on such few calories this week!) I weighed in with Nat and I too only lost a pound. It is a lesson to me that I cannot have TWO bad days like I did this last week. It makes me recommitted to make my weekend a good one (especially since I usually don't get a work out in on weekends... Maybe I'll do P90X with Kolby, except that I can't stand the smell of his sweat when we work out together! Gross, I know!)

Today was a good day. I did an hour-long Triple Fit class, but didn't have the energy or will power to run or do abs or anything more. To be honest, I'm pretty sore from Thursday's class.

Eating was okay. By 6:00, I was at 800 calories which allowed me a little wiggle room for dinner. Kolby and I went out for sushi and I have no idea how many calories I ate, but I have to RAVE about an arugula salad I had with hazelnuts, berries and fetta cheese. It was SO good! The sushi was good too. I always feel good after eating it.

Oh, good news! I DID fit into some hand-me-down jeans that my mother-in-law gave me! I know she probably gave them to ME because they were too big for HER, but hey, I feel pretty good that they fit my butt now!

I also did measurements and lost 1/2 inch off my waist. My BMI was down .2 and my % body fat was UP 1% point!? Crap! Maybe it was affected by the fact that I'd already started working out..? I guess that can affect it sometimes.

Well, until next time...

Thursday

Today was WONDERFUL! The Office was awesome! More awkward moments than ever! Ha! I just want to run out the room and hide, but as I always say, Michael Scott is like watching a train wreck, you can't look away! Oh! Wait a second, I'm suppose to be reporting in on my HEALTH goals!? Oops!

Today was a good day. I can't say that any of this is easy for me! Every day I want MORE FOOD! And I have an entire package of Smarties sitting in my cupboard right now; if you know me, you know that I have a particular weakness for straight sugar candy... pixie sticks, fun dip, bottle caps, chewy sweat tarts, smarties! I got them as little reward treats for Emma with reading and writing. Overall though, I guess it is getting easier to not STARE at the bag (I should not let TEMPTATION into my house!)

Here's THE REPORT:
Exercise:
Woke up at 5:30 for an Urban Iron weights class.
Ran 1 mile

Eating:
Ended with roughly 1400 calories
Drank lots of water (I'm going to start counting to make sure I get 8 cups, at least)
Took my vitamins
didn't eat after 8:00
I did have sugar in the marinara sauce I used for our spaghetti dinner tonight. I have a recipe for a great sugar free sauce from Suzanne Sommers (in her wonderful "Sommersizing diet"). I should have taken the time to make it, but ended up pressed for time after school, park, homework, etc, etc. It was 7 grams.

(Sara, I would LOVE that website that helps me figure calories on home cooked meals)

Wednesdays Report

Today was a pretty good day. I DID struggle with wanting to SNACK ALL DAY. But I had a good workout doing cardio kickboxing, an abs class, and running a mile. I think I ended up with around 1500 calories. I don't list all the foods I eat because I just track it mentally throughout the day. I think I want to get into swimming again. My girlfriend and I did it quite a bit in college and it is a great workout. I think I will start next week while the kids are in their swimming lessons (rather than sit idly on the side). Overall, a pretty good day. I am nervous about weigh-in this week and hope that I just at least maintained the weight loss from last week.

I'm struggling with my "report"

Okay, I am kind of struggling to sit down at the end of the day and report how I did. If I didn't get emails and support from "my girls" I think I would just slack. So, thank you Sara, Natalie and Carrie for keeping me accountable to you!

Yesterday was a good day. I ended up with around 1450 calories and had a great work out: a step class, an abs class and I ran two miles (one on the treadmill and one off)

Today has been a little harder. I slept through my alarm at 5:30 this morning and didn't wake up until 7:30. Oops, too late for a work out at that point. I felt like I was dragging all day because I didn't work out. My Calories were okay. It is hard to know how many calories are in my dinners. Tonight we had Pecan crusted Trout and veges and I'm not sure how many calories were in that. So I am just guessing that I ended around 1500 calories.

Oh, I forgot to report that yesterday I measured my BMI and % of body fat and both have dropped so that's good! In fact, I've lost 2% of body fat (so I am officially under my goal of getting it below 19%... I think I will try to lose more). And my BMI went down my .5.

Well, I want to give a shout out for "my girls" who are all doing so great! Keep up the good work girls and THANK YOU for motivating me!

Until tomorrow...

Weekends are HARD!

Well, I need to come up with a solution for weekends! This weekend, Kolby and I ran off of necessity eating (which never includes anything healthy and often includes eating out). We worked from sun up to sun down (literally) on Saturday on home improvement/yard/garage projects. All of that while tending Jaxson's little friend whose parents are out of town for the weekend.

Through my exhaustion last night, I justified that I DESERVED chocolate. And not the sugar free kind! I splurged and ate two oreos, one dark chocolate coconut almond ball and a handfull of dark chocolate covered blueberries! Aaahhhh! My mistake last night made it easy for me to repeat it today. More Oreos and a handfull of potato chips.

SO, needless to say, I am STARTING OVER TOMORROW! I am kind of mad, because our goal was to go 2 weeks with NO sugar, and I was one day away from that goal! So, now, I am starting all over with that goal to prove to myself that I can do it! Also starting tomorrow is calorie counting (which I have neglected for the last two days).

And so... HERE'S TO TOMORROW!

SUCCESS

Well, I will report on today and yesterday...

YESTERDAY:
Calorie Total: 1450
Exercise: Urban Iron Weights class
Ran one mile

TODAY:
I had my weekly weigh in with Natalie and I LOST 3 POUNDS!!! I don't think I have ever lost 3 pounds in one week... EVER! It goes to show that counting calories works! Is it hard? Yes! Do I feel hungry? Yes! But it helps me be more conscious of what I'm putting in my mouth, AND to make whatever I eat COUNT both substance-wise (staying full) and nutrition-wise. My other success is that I have lost another inch off my waist (total of two inches since the beginning of summer).
Total weight loss for me so far: 8 pounds
(also since the beginning of summer)

Kolby also realized great success today. We measured him and found that since the beginning of summer, he has lost:
4 inches off his chest
5.5 inches off his waist
4 inches off his hips
Total weight loss for Kolby: 18 pounds!
(next week, he may officially be below 200!)

* Can I just add a side-note saying that it stinks how easy guys can lose weight? Kolby allows himself one treat every day (and sometimes more). He is enjoying some of my favorite treats on a daily basis, including: trader joes - chocolate raisins, blueberries, grahams, almonds and coconut!

Okay, off my rant (I really am proud of you honey). For exercise today, I did an hour "triple-fit" class and en went back to turbo kickboxing (SO FUN!  Carrie, I see why you like Turbo Jam so much!) 

I am SURE I went over my calories today.  I was at 1000 calories by 9:00 p.m., but hadn't eaten dinner yet and was STARVING!  My evening was kind of thrown off by the evening kickboxing class I went to.  So, we did PF Chang's take-out and I am sure I ate 1000 calories.  I am so full right now (a feeling I haven't felt in a long while).  But, I am justifying somewhat the fact that I worked out for two hours (is that justifiable?)  Anyway, hopefully I'll control the diet better tomorrow!

CrApPy DaY

Okay, my day started off bad when I went to bible study and indulged in a spinach cheese dip my girlfriend made. I think we almost licked the dish clean when we couldn't get anymore with our tortilla chips. She has been wanting to make this for me for MONTHS! So, I had to compliment her cooking by inhaling it, right? Okay, I am trying to justify. I kept thinking the whole time, "there is no way I can track how many calories are in this!" My guess is that I consumed over 500-600 calories (if not MORE!) After that, I had a half a peanut butter and honey sandwich and for dinner, leftover burritos (which are hard to figure the calories on). And with that, I ate four sugar-free cookies (my first sugar free treat in 4 days). I am positive I went WAY over the 1400 calories! All of this is piled on top of the fact that I DID NOT wake up this morning to work out! Whew! I feel the guilt! I've got to work my butt off tomorrow if I want to show any weight loss at Friday's weigh-in! I don't know, I may have blown the chance of any weight loss by my choices today :(

Until tomorrow...

High Fructose Corn Syrup and MSG

I may have mentioned before that Kolby and I are trying to eliminate as much, if not all, high fructose corn syrup and msg out of our diets. Well, I found out that the bread that we eat has high fructose corn syrup in it. In fact MOST breads do, 100% whole wheat or not! I am really bugged, because I thought I had eliminated it completely from our diets. Not like I eat a lot of bread, but still. So, I went out and bought Brownberry bread today (one of the few that does not have it).

It is a good reminder to me that I need to continually check the labels! This can be hard to do seeing as how msg can hide under 25 different names including "spices" and "natural flavoring." I will post a list of all the names msg can hide under soon.

On that note, I have copied a great article about msg over to yet ANOTHER blog. This one will be a place that I post interesting facts, articles, or just MY opinions about certain things. Check out this article which relates how a scientist used msg to create a new strain of mice/rats... an OBESE strain (since no strain of mice or rats is naturally obese). His research is going toward a book he is writing called, "The Slow Poisoning of America."
http://alissoapbox.blogspot.com/2008/09/truth-about-msg.html

Shout out for my husband

You know, I just have to give a shout out for my husband, who has been working on his own fitness and health program. In the last couple months, he has lost over 15 pounds! Probably more than that now, actually. He is going to weigh in this Friday, so I'll report his progress as well.

As for me, today was a good day:
EXERCISE:
- 30 minutes on the Cybex machine (like an elliptical)
- ran 1 mile on the track
- 15 minutes weights
- 20 minute "absolutely abs" class

** to report in from last night. I said I was going to try to do something after the kids went to bed. It didn't do weights, but I did a 17 minute P90X Ab Ripper... that made my ribs feel bruised today!

DIETING:
- I feel really good about having the sugar craving officially out of my system.
Here are my calories for the day
- protein shake - 350
- toast - 100
- protein bar - 250
- chicken burritos with avacado, rice beans, and a mojo sauce - ???! (I'm going to guess that is was 600 calories!)
a cup of milk - 110
TOTAL: 1410

Daily Report

CALORIE COUNT FOR THE DAY:
Protein Shake (bananas, berries, milk, protein powder) - 380
apples and peanut butter - 300
pretzels - 100
wheat chex - 200
blue tortilla chips - 100
parmesan crusted flounder - 300
asparagus - 80
TOTAL: 1460

Okay I went a little over on the calories again. It is so hard to stay full! Do I need to just adjust to the permanent feeling of hunger? My friend Carrie says my body will adjust. It has been years since I've tracked calories like this. One time years ago, I dieted at 1000 calories a day! I don't know HOW I did that! I will feel better if I lose more than a pound this week (after tracking calories).

EXERCISE:
I ran for 2 miles this morning, sprinting the last quarter mile again. I'm feeling pretty good about the race in two weeks. I need to get out on the road though! It is much different than running on the treadmill. I am going to try to do some weights and abs after the kids go to bed. I will report tomorrow.

PS - My good friend Carrie has decided to join Natalie and Sara and I in our no sugar challenge! Yeah! Welcome aboard girl! The bigger the support group, the better! She has also started a fitness blog I've posted to the left (furna girl).

Calories

Okay, after tracking my calories today, I realize I need to do it every day. Today I ended with 1540 calories. I was so hungry when I woke up that I consumed 820 calories for breakfast alone! And egg burrito with 2 eggs, cheese and a tortilla, a banana and 2 cups of milk! Woa! Slow down Charlie! I will be more wise tomorrow. My daily calorie goal is 1200-1400/day. I may stay a little on the higher end because I feel quite drained and hungry on days when I get a good work out.

Today, no workout. Tomorrow will be tricky because I am babysitting my friends kids all morning... so wish me luck on getting a good work out in!

No BIG Cravings; New Rule

Today went pretty well.  Why is it that I find myself surrounded by temptation EVERY day this week?  I went to a stake women's conference that had tables FULL of yummy-looking desserts!  But I resisted!  I find myself feeling hungry quite a bit, but I'm choosing NOT to satisfy it with empty calorie sugar-free snacks (that I keep on hand when I have a BAD sugar craving).  I need to think wisely about what I consume so it can stick with me and satiate my hunger.  Anyway, so other than the hunger feeling, I feel better.  I think the craving is pretty much out of my system (it didn't take as long as it has in the past).  My girlfriends Sara and Natalie have a rule that they don't eat after 8:00.  I have implemented the same rule and have done it the past two days.  Right now, it is harder than eating no sugar!  I am BAD at snacking in the evening just because that is when I sit down to relax.  Overall, a good day. 

No exercise today (weekends are hard for me!)

Time to Re-Evaluate

I had my weigh-in today with Natalie and it was good... I lost a pound. I am so proud of her for loosing 2.5 pounds (good job Natalie)... In fact her success is totally motivating me!

Exercise:
- 30 minutes on the treadmill, running 1.5 miles of it (I sprinted the last quarter mile).
- I easily accomplished my jump roping goal (of 100 reps) on the first try :) ha ha! I didn't realize how much easier it would be starting from a non-cardio heartbeat (not the case when I tried it in class!). I have obviously never jump roped before, but I like it. And, after 100 jumps, my heart rate was definitely up there. So, I am increasing my goal now to 120 jumps (with no mess-ups!).
- weights and abs for 30 minutes.

Other Fitness Reports for the Day:
- I checked my body fat percentage and made an adjustment to my goals on the side bar with that as well. I'd like to get below 19% body fat.
- I also realized today that I need to be measuring inches as much as I'm measuring pounds, so added that to the goals on the side as well.

Diet:
- So far so good. I had my protein shake later in the morning, which means lunch might have to be combined with dinner (maybe that will help me cut back on some calories... I should really be tracking my calories. Maybe I'll start that soon).

Thursday's Report

I'm going to make this one a quick one...
Exercise:
- Urban Iron (an hour-long weights class)
- Ran a mile on the treadmill

Eating:
- I did okay. I had to cheat with a little sip of vitamin water because I was SO parched! My water filter in the fridge was empty and I didn't want to drink tap water. I also turned down a fondu chocolate fountain and cake at a baby shower; but it was okay because both Natalie and Sara were there, so we supported each other!

Good Day

Today was a lot better on no sugar. I didn't feel as drained. I've had some people ask how strict I go with the "no sugar" rule. I personally go pretty strict because the only way to get the craving out of my system is to eliminate it all together. That means I don't eat anything with more than 3 grams of sugar. This includes cane sugar (organic or not), sucralose, fructose, honey, you name it. I even avoid eating carrots as much, which have more sugar in them any other vegetable. I DO eat fruit and have to say it all tastes SO much sweeter after going without the sugar!

The things I miss the most: vitamin water, protein bar, and dark chocolate covered blueberries (I pop them like little miracle energy pills!... so good!)

Today was just okay with exercise. I don't know why I thought my WORLD would change having my kids in school. By the time I drop one off and then the other, I swear it's time to pick them both up again. So, I did not work out as LONG as I would have liked, but that was my fault for sleeping past my alarm. My Bible Study group went about an hour over so that kind of took away from more work-out time I wanted. SO (I'm going to stop listing my excuses each post, I promise!)... I ran a mile on the treadmill and walked for another mile. I hope to get up to running two miles by the end of next week.

Oh! And I found a 5K that Kolby and I are going to try to run together. For any of you Clevelanders who are interested... it is in Chagrin Falls on Saturday, Sept. 27. Here is the link for more information:

Karen Scheer Memorial Run
Saturday, September 27, 2008—8:30 am
Distance: 4 Mile/ 1.5 Mile
Location: Chagrin Falls, OH
Contact: HMA Promotions 216-752-5151

www.hmapromotions.net

Withdrawal Headaches, Good Work Out

Today was a good day. I got up at 5:30 to make it to the 6:00 class at the gym. I really worked hard and won't be surprised if I'm a bit sore tomorrow. I also walked Jaxson to and from school which is a good little bit of exercise.

Eating went well, except that rather than find something to appease my appetite, I chose to neglect it, which did not help the sugar withdrawal headache that hit me around 3:00p.m. I stocked up on fresh veges today - a quick snack throughout the day when I have sugar cravings. And, I decided that diet coke is allowed during this time of sugar famine.

TIP: nuts and cheese are great little appetite suppressors (for me anyway... it may or may not be FACT)

NO SUGAR!... (for two weeks)

My friend Natalie asked if I wanted to do a "NO SUGAR" challenge with her and another girl from our ward, Sarah. I am all for a challenge! I have done the no sugar thing before and it was really hard, but I think it will be easier this time because, Kolby and I have already tried to eliminate all "high fructose corn syrup" out of our diets. Since it is in most ALL snack foods and many drinks, we have really adjusted our family's diets (and grown to LOVE Trader Joes!) So, here is how I did today...

I did pretty good for this first day except that I mistook a jar of "low sugar" jam for what I thought was "sugar free." It was only 5 grams, but still. Also, I realized that a certain protein bar that I love has 15 grams of sugar :( bummer. Anyway, it takes me a day or so to realize which foods I need to eliminate (like BBQ sauce!), but it will all come back to me quick, I'm sure.

No work out today - I had an eye doctor appointment in the morning that kind of threw me off! I've got to hit it hard tomorrow!

The Consequences of Eating Out!

Last night we went to Benihanas for our friend Garrett's 30th birthday. (click here for the story) It was REALLY good. But I wondered how I would feel afterward as I watched the chef load the garlic and herb butter into the food. It didn't help that I am a complete sucker for the pink sauce (I pretty much poured it onto my rice). Kolby and I shared a sushi appetizer with our friend Ben. It was my first time ordering sushi in 3 years and I was surprised at how much I REALLY liked it. Before, I think I would order a California role and PRETEND to like it. But after eating a lot more fish over the last few years and developing a LOVE for tuna, I really enjoyed it this time. After getting home and feeling overstuffed and yucky, I wished that would have just stuck with the sushi (I feel so good after eating it). Today, my body is angry with me for eating so poorly and I have had an upset stomach most of the day. On top of that, I have not worked out! Since I don't work out on Sunday's, I am going to have to hit it hard on Monday!

until then...

My First Official Weigh-In

My girlfriend Natalie and I are going to weigh in once a week with each other to track our success. I am not going to post what I weigh in at, I will just say that I did it. I also went to a Triple Fit class today. I didn't do so well with eating and need to start some crack down on the diet. I intend to spend some time over the weekend to write out my goals and get them up on the blog.

New Class at the Gym

I have been excited to get into a routine with the kids starting school so that I can get my work-out schedule set and so I could hit more classes at the gym. Today I went to Urban Iron, a weights class. I like the class, but often feel like I need to do extra to get some cardio in. So, I stayed for the next class which is new and SO fun! It is called Jump O' Lean. In fact this was the first time they taught it. I guess they are having several news stations/papers come and do a story on it next week. It is with rebound jumpers (little trampolines) and jump ropes. I will be honest, it nearly killed me and I wanted to quit 3 or 4 times. But it was fun and different and motivated me to build up my cardio to be able to jump 100 times on the jump rope without messing up. Today I think I did just over 30, so I have a ways to go, because that alone nearly killed me!

So, a new goal after today... JUMP 100 times with jump rope with messing up!

Here we go...

Well, I have decided to start my own personal blog that I can use as a daily journal. It will mostly be used as a place I can account to for my success/failure in meeting my health goals. So, if you dare... check in as often as you want!