2017 Summer Challenge

The blog has sat silent for quite a while now. The last time was 100 days before vacation to Jamaica, which was December. So...

I've decided to try my hand again at the blog and see if it can help get me moving again. I didn't do anything towards that last "I'm going to lose weight before vacation," in case you're wondering. I haven't really gained any more since then, but I haven't lost any either.

I thought I would aim for 5 pounds a month after I got home from vacation, which would have been January 2017, but that didn't happen either. I had motivation, but my sweet little Elizabeth kitten (she was 12) became deathly ill and passed away a week after we returned from vacation. Not how I wanted to return home.

I was to train for the Shamrock Dolphin Challenge in Virginia Beach this past March, but I was struggling to run. I chalk it up to the blood clots and pulmonary embolisms making my lungs much weaker than I thought they would be. I will not ignore the fact that I was/am out of shape and weigh more than I ever have, but the lungs were what bothered me most. So, I deferred the challenge until 2018.

Now, it is Memorial Day weekend and I am no closer to my goals than I was 100 days before vacation. I started thinking about this and decided to set a challenge to myself - lose a pant size between June 1 and August 31. I know that's three months, but for some reason it takes me forever to go down a pants size. I will lose shirt sizes quickly, but pant sizes just don't budge!

I thought about what have I been successful at in terms of losing weight. I have finally come back to Weight Watchers. I am not spending the money to officially join, but I've been a member so many times, I know how it works. I've always lost weight while on WW, so I'm going back to that on Wednesday.

While this challenge doesn't officially start until summer, I spent a good part of my day going through my work and workout clothes and doing three things - clothes that fit me go on hangers. Clothes that do not fit right now - do I like them? Yes - goes in the bin. No - donation. I've also thrown some clothes out because they are missing buttons, stained, etc. I'm hoping that by always having clothes that fit me easily accessible, I will be more inclined to feel better about myself. I'm going to restrain from buying any clothing, unless necessary - which might be pants, but I should be fine with shirts.

There you have it. My goal for the summer. I start Wednesday with the diet and workout routine. I will document everything here and hopefully by the end of summer, I will be down a pants size. Wish me luck!

Do you have any summer goals - weight loss, workout routine, read more books, eat in-season fruit, spend more time outdoors? Let me know!

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100 Days

In 100 days, hubby and I are going on vacation! Oh thank heavens! It's been over a year since we got away and I cannot wait!

But, I'm not happy with what I look like. I had a doctor appointment Tuesday night to update the primary with all the ankle stuff from the summer. And of course, the dreaded weigh-in. Apparently the ankle caused a 9 pound weight gain.

I suppose that's not too bad, but I am not happy in general with my weight and I really don't want to go on vacation looking like this.

So, I want to spend the next 100 days working hard on my food and my exercise. At this point I need to get my butt back to the gym and work out, even though I know it will be less than it was before the ankle break. I need to start eating better, stop buying dinners out and making food at home that's healthy.

So, here's to a healthy 100 days!





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Maybe the Mediterranean Diet?

Thank you https://bloguvib.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/mediterranean-diet/

I know I need to find a way of eating that works for me. I've tried so many various things - Weight Watchers, eDiets, 21 Day Fix, calorie counting. I did the best on Weight Watchers, but I just can't seem to get back into it. I don't know why, but I have tried off and on over the last couple of years and cannot stick with it.

I have been reading a bit on the Mediterranean Diet and wondering if this might be an option. I know I can't give up pizza, fries, or dessert, but I like the idea of more vegetables, fruits, fish, and whole grains. They are all foods I eat and may be a better way for me to get a healthier diet and lose weight.

I still have research to do, but it sounds promising. Do you have any experience with it? Any advice? I'm open to more information!



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21-Day Fix

Hello All! How are you? How's your week been? Mine's been good - still fighting the cold I had since last week. Hoping it completely goes away soon!

Today hubby and I started the 21-Day Fix plan. We have both been a little too casual about our diets lately and I am not happy with how I look. In the last three years I've gained about 50 pounds. Yea...

June 2012 - Baltimore Women's Classic

March 2015 - Shamrock Half Marathon

Odd how both photos have me in orange... Anyway! That's not the point. The point is I weigh way more than I should and I'm trying something to change that.

I have a couple friends who have done it and had good results. Nothing I've tried lately has worked, so why not try something that talks about portion control and more real food than processed. I'm not a packaged food diet or shake kinda person {yes, I know the 21-Day Fix has Shakeology, I chose not to use it}. Give me a diet that talks about eating real food in real portions and I'm all for trying it.

So, today we started and for the next 21 days we will be eating real food in smaller portions. Breakfast was eggs with peppers and onions, 1 slice of toast with peanut butter, and half a banana. Not bad. All real and all good. I have my meals planned out through Easter currently. Over the next few days I will plan out next week as well. The planning is rough, but it does make things easier....knowing what I'm going to eat for each meal.

Let me say here and now that we will not be 100%. Our plan is to eat healthy 6-6.5/7 days. I know we may not see the same results as others with a day off, but in order to make this work as more of a life change than a diet, we have to be true to ourselves. We will want a beer. We will want a burger. We will want a doughnut. It may not be exactly the way it is planned out, but we need it to work for us.

We also start the workout portion tonight. The goal is to do the workouts, plus our training plan for the Wild Half Half Marathon in May. They are only 30 minutes each, which isn't much. We should be able to swing that. ;-) After work, first thing we work out.

Have you done the 21-Day Fix? What do you think? Tips? Suggestions?
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Friday Weigh and Check In - January 9, 2015

Hello! How are you? How was the first week of 2015 for you? Mine did not go as planned. Then again, when does life go as planned, right?

Last Saturday hubby and I spent several hours working on cleaning out our weight room/gym. It had become a catch all for a year and wow was it messy! My goal was to clean it out so I can drop my gym membership. We have a weight bench, treadmill, elliptical, and Nordik Track, plus a few smaller things in there. It is a good home gym. Unfortunately, I spent too much time and it bothered my back. I have back issues and it has been hurting me all week.

With my back bothering me and knowing what it means, I have been very hesitant to follow my workout plan. I am afraid of making it worse. So, workouts this week have not happened as scheduled:

1. Monday - Kettlebell Workout {no}
2. Tuesday - 2 mile run {no}
3. Wednesday - Bootcamp Workout {no}; 40 minute stationary bike/upper body weights
4. Thursday - 2 mile run {no}
5. Friday - Stretches

And with all this back pain and nervousness I ate my feelings. I had planned out the week's dinners in advance, which was awesome!

1. Veggie chili - Out to dinner at Arooga's {Potato soup/Half Caesar salad}
2. Cheese quesadilla with salsa
3. Turkey Meatloaf
4. Veggie chili
5. Veggie lasagna

I realized Monday I forgot to get the base mix for the chili, then hubby wanted to go out for new running sneakers. It was easier to eat out at 8:00 p.m. than to come home and eat dinner at 9:30 p.m.

But, in between meals I ate whatever I could find - candy, cookies, chips, crackers, etc. If it was here, I ate it. I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't stop myself. Really disappointed I did that. But, there is nothing I can do about it now. I did it, I own it, I'm putting it behind me.

So, how did the week work out? Believe it or not, I lost 2.6 pounds this week. I'm a bit shocked by this. I'm not sure if it's accurate or not, but I'm gonna take it because it makes me feel good about myself. LOL!

I had a couple other goals this week - laundry, clean off the photos/documents from my old laptop and put on the external hard drive, download my Eastern State Penitentiary photos, start editing the ESP photos. Haven't done a single one. Blaming it on my back. I have been so low about it that I haven't done anything but putz around.

I need to get over this. I may be in a bit of pain, but there are things I can do. I've got to do them. I can still do something today and I have until next Wednesday before I'm back at work. I can get some of this done before then.

Goal: 50 pounds

Weight Loss/Gain: -2.6 pounds

Total: -2.6 pounds

To Go: 47.4 pounds

 How did the first week of January 2015 go for you? Did you meet your goals? Are you happy with it? Are you taking steps to correct any missteps? 

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Motivational Monday

This past weekend, hubby and I went to Philly to see the Philadelphia Phillies play the last two games of their season. I have all sorts of Phillies gear to chose from to wear. I tried on multiple items and was upset when nothing looked good because I have gained too much weight.

I decided then and there that this would be the last time this would happen. I'm tired of doing this...finding a way to make clothes look ok on me. I need to change. I need to make myself a priority. I need to say what I've been doing hasn't worked. I need to make changes if I want to be happy with myself...which I am not currently.

Oh sure, I'm happy with the way I've gotten back to my workouts - due in no small part to the running coach I hired. But, while I thought my eating habits would fall into line because I was working out, they haven't. So, I am making a concentrated effort to focus on my food intake and what it should be rather than what it is.

This is my Motivational Monday. I felt so bad about how I looked over the weekend that it has motivated me to get my shit together. I have done it before, so I know it's possible.

What are you needing to focus on? Is it time to start making and implementing plans to make changes in your life?


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I need your help

I am addicted to ModCloth. Seriously addicted. I love their stuff with a passion, but sadly most of it is out of my price range...except when things are on sale. And I was suckered into buying a dress because it was 70% off...

Is this not gorgeous???????? It was so reasonable and I've been following it for a long time. It was normally $104.99, I picked it up for $31.99 + s/h. I'm ok with that.

The issue? It was a size 14UK. What does that mean? A U.S. size 10. I am no where near a U.S. size 10. I was close in the summer of 2012, then I gained weight and now....yea...no...

So, I need your help. I need to lose enough weight that his dress fits. I need as much encouragement as you can give. I am going to start this weekend to get myself back on track with food and working out. The working out I'm getting better at, I've actually been running! It's the food I've been struggling with.

If you wouldn't mind, help me stay on track. Question me. Needle me. Bug me. However you want to phrase it so that I keep myself accountable. I really want this dress to fit by next summer. Which means a weight loss of about 45 pounds.

Thank you for listening and thank you to those who will get on my case about eating right and getting those workouts in. I will need the accountability and I know you are just the ones to dole it out!

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Week 1 Weigh-In

Hello! Happy Weekend! Yesterday was my very first weigh-in with Weight Watchers since I joined on Sunday. I like the Friday weigh-in. I've always been successful, no matter what the program, with weighing in on Fridays.

Today's weigh-in went better than I anticipated! I was hoping for 3 pounds. Yea, I know for week one that's not much, but I wasn't getting my hopes up. I have been having such a struggle with food lately, that I couldn't imagine I'd do better than that.

Well....I'm down 5 pounds! I am thrilled! Seriously. I have a goal of 12-15 pounds by July 2nd and this puts me within 7-10 pounds of that. Woo!

Have you recently joined Weight Watchers or any other weight loss program? How's it going? Got any tips?


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I thought I was smart...

I'll be honest, I don't think I'm a genius but I do think I am fairly intelligent. I like to read, I like to learn new things, I like meeting new people (alright, in limited numbers at a time. I still am slightly introverted!). I want to know as much as I can on a subject that interests me.

I saw this quote yesterday and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I cannot remember a time when I was not claiming I was "trying to lose weight," "working on a healthy lifestyle," or "starting over." It's been a very long time and it may have started when the year started with a 19.

Yet, I believe I am a smart person. So, where does this leave me? It makes me think of the quote...

I know what I need to do. I know how I need to eat. I know I need to exercise. I know I need to put myself and my needs first. And yet, I am 38 years old and am still trying to lose weight. Still trying to hit a goal that has shifted over time.

How can a person who believes themselves intelligent continue to do the same thing and anticipate it not ending the way it ended for the past 26 years? I really do think every time I try, I think it's going to end differently, but I always fall back into old habits.

And that's the issue. I fall back into old habits, but still think that I will be successful. How can I be successful when I know my bad habits are not going to get me to my goal? How can I be successful when I know not exercising is not going to help me burn calories to cut the fat?

So, thank you From Fat to Fit Chick Tanee for posting this and making me think. It was a fantastic quote that really hit home.

How smart are you? Feel free to share with me your smart behavior because I apparently have a lot to learn!


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Again

See all those photos? They have one thing in common. I like how I look in them. They are from all different events:

1st row-L: Tim McGraw concert in Philly 2012 (I think!)
1st row-R: Day after the AC Half Marathon 2012
2nd row-R: Betty Page dress in Las Vegas 2012
2nd row-L: Baltimore Women's Classic 2012
3rd row-R: Sasquatch 5k trail run 2012
3rd row-L: Jamaica 2011
4th row-R: Harrah's pool Las Vegas 2012
4th row-L: York Fair 2012
Right: Phillies game 2012

See a pattern? All photos from 2012, except the 2011 Jamaica photo, but close enough. ;-) I was about 30 pounds less and actually surprised when I saw myself in photos. I couldn't see I looked good in person, but I could see it in a photo.

Since then I've gained a ton of weight and I'm not happy. I've got my sights set on loosing it and looking as good as I did then or better. I want to be happy with myself and I know how I look will go a long way to getting me there. Seeing these photos helps me "see" what I'll look like when I reach my goal. Very helpful.

How about you? Do you have a goal for losing weight? Do you feel happy with how you look?


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Motivational Monday

Sometimes it is not enough to do our best,

we must do what is required.

~ Winston Churchill ~

Yesterday, I read this on Twitter and it hit home. I say all the time I am trying my best to eat healthy and workout, but my best is easy to stray from. It's also easy to say my best may not be enough. I may not have it in me to to reach my goal with my best.

But, if I think about what is required to succeed, well that's a whole 'nother story. I know what's required for me to lose weight, to run strong, to tone up. That's easy

• eat less crap, eat more healthy foods
• work on core, work on speed work, stretches
• lift

If I focus on what's required to reach my goals rather than looking at my goals as something I can finagle to fit my definition of best, I can finagle to fit into what I want to do, then I may have a better chance of success. 

Because yea...that's been successful so far. What I consider my best hasn't been...then again, I can acknowledge I haven't been giving my best lately. I'm caught in a downward spiral cycle where I'm frustrated over my weight gain/hip pain, so I eat to feel better about myself. But, what happens? I gain weight and feel even worse.

But, I can recognize what is required to lose weight, run strong, tone up. If I focus on it being a requirement - like wearing my seat belt when driving, turning off the lights when leaving a room, and wearing deodorant daily, then I can do it. I'm good at following the rules. And at this point, my best isn't cutting it, but following the rules? Yup. That I can do.

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Friday update

What a week it was! I weighed in for the first time in ages last Friday and saw I gained about 6 pounds in a month. Yea. Ugh. So, I realized it was time to take some action, accountability, and stop making excuses. I wasn't 100%, but I made some progress this week.

I laced up the ole sneakers for the first time in about 2 months and hit the roads!

I went out for a short 2 miler just to do something since I have a 5k Sunday night and I didn't want that to be my first run. I ran at 3:00 p.m. in 85* weather. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination. Seriously, don't do it. My time was 27:36. Not great by most peoples standards, but about average for me, so I didn't lose too much in my 2 months off from running and my month off from the gym.

Speaking of the gym, I went back Wednesday night. Did a simple walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes (1.5 miles, yes that equals to a 3.0 mph pace), then hit the stationary bike for 35 minutes and got 6.49 miles (which is a tad bit above average). While biking my TRX instructor came over and asked if I didn't love him anymore since I missed 4 out of 6 weeks of classes. So, I had to explain my lovely 5 week illness, to which he completely understood. I was a tad bit surprised, but apparently he had something similar last year. Phew! Told him I was easing back into things and he said that was a good idea. He also told me my job on Thursday and Friday is a workout and it's ok to skip the gym on those days. Heehee! Sweet!

I didn't log in my food the way I should have this week and I didn't eat 100% on track, but it was much better than it's been. Honest. This week I want to get back at tracking. Baby steps...baby steps.

What does this mean? It means about a 2.5 pound loss from last week. Yea! I don't remember exactly my weight, but I know the whole number, just not the oz. I'm happy with this. It's a step in the right direction and with a few more tweaks to the diet and exercise, I should be back on track.

How did you do this week? What were your goals? Did you meet them? Do you have a plan for next week?


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A future I don't want

Today's post is going to sound like I'm a jerk or worse. But, I'm writing this out because I need to put my thoughts to "paper" and I know it won't sound nice. Bear with me...

Last night, my husband and I went to a local baseball game. There are two groups of people who go - families with kids (who really get into the game, the kids not so much the parents) and grandparent aged people (some with their grandkids, most just by themselves or friends). Oddly enough, we don't fit into either category!

This second group of people is who I focused. So many of the older people at the game were overweight and I don't mean by 10 pounds. They were probably 50-60 pounds overweight. One older woman had to use a cane. I know that her use of a cane may not have been strictly due to her weight, she may have had other conditions that necessitated it, but...

What I realized as I saw these older people is that I don't want to be that way when I'm their age. I don't want to need a cane to walk. I don't want to be 50-60 pounds overweight. I don't want to not fit in my seat at a sporting event/concert/airplane.

I know this sounds like I'm a jerk. I shouldn't look at these older people who are able to get around and get out on their own as something I don't want to be, but I don't. I don't want to be that big when I'm in my 60s, 70s, 80s, and hopefully 90s. I want to be at a healthy weight so I can avoid some of the health problems that tend to come up as you get older.

These people are a reminder to myself that I need to get my ass in gear. I need to clean up my diet (those two ice cream helmets of Goldfish crackers last night aren't helpful) and I need to get back to the gym. I also see I need a trainer. I need to stop my "I don't know what I'm doing in searching for a running coach" and just do it. I have a couple people in mind I want to contact, I just haven't done it.

I ask you, my friends (because that's who you are) help me. I'll will need all the encouragement I can get and if you have any advice, I could sure use it! And if you know a good running coach, please let me know!


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Here we go again

I had a really good start to my 40 pound challenge. In 3 weeks, I was down 7 pounds. I was happy, a little behind schedule but happy. Then I had a bunch of things happen one right after another that threw me emotionally and I got off track. I knew what I was doing to myself, but I couldn't stop.

Friday, I got on the scale anticipating a really bad number. It wasn't a good one, about a 6 pound gain. I knew it was coming and honestly felt it would be worse. I was surprised at how low the weight was on the scale.

What does this mean? Does it mean I've given up? Does it mean I'm just going to stay where I am? Does it mean I'm going to continue on the way I have been? No. I'm going back to the habits that I had started using that brought about weight loss.

I will not reach my 40 pound goal by Nov. 11th. I am saddened by this, but because of that challenge I'm not going to give up. I am going to go back to my healthy habits and do my best to lose what I can by then. I may not be able to reach 40 pounds by Nov. 11th, but I can lose something.

I don't want to give in. I want to succeed and that's what I plan on doing!

Have you ever been thrown off track with your diet or exercise? What steps did you take to right the train?

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40 Pound Challenge Week 4

Do you know your habits? Do you know what you revert to over time? Sometimes that 21 days to instill a habit cannot compete against YEARS of habit. And that is how week 4 went with me. I reverted back to old habits. I didn't stick to the great habits I was developing in week 2 and 3. And it showed this week on the scale. :-(

Here are my overall weekly goals:

increase my protein levels (approximately 79 g per day) 

eat approximately 1500 cals per day 

work out 3-4 days a week

 

Day 21/July 2, 2013

* Under in calories (-145)

* Over in protein (+10)

* 60 minutes on stationary bike

Day 22/July 3, 2013

* Did not count, surely over

* Did not count, surely under

* Missed workout because I forgot to pack pants for the gym

Day 23/July 4, 2013

* I did fine at the picnic I went too, it was the drive to and from that I did poorly (drive was 5 hours total)

* No workout

Day 24/July 5, 2013

* Planned cheat day

* No workout

Day 25/July 6, 2013

* Did not count, not perfect, but closer

* No workout

Day 26/July 7, 2013

* Under by about 100 calories

* At protein requirements (79)

* 30 minutes TRX

* 35 minutes treadmill, inclines

And last week's goals?

1.  KEEP FOOD/EXERCISE JOURNAL EVERY DAY Nope. Not even close. Two days total.

2. Be at 1500 calories 6 out of 7 days. Two days. The days I tracked.

3. Reach 70 g of protein 3 days out of 7 days I got 2 out of 3 days. Not bad considering the two days were actually over that.

4. Workout 4 out of 7 days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Monday) I managed Tuesday and Monday. I would have gotten Wednesday if I hadn't forgotten my workout pants...

5. Lose weight. Nope. Sad.

Rather than losing this week, I gained. I knew it was coming. This week I am up 2 pounds from last week. I'm happy it's not more, which I honestly anticipated it would be. I can come back from this. I will not allow week 4 to drag into week 5, week 6, week 7, etc. One bad week does not define my challenge! Onward and downward!

 

Goals for this coming week:

 

1.  KEEP FOOD/EXERCISE JOURNAL EVERY DAY

2. Be at 1500 calories 6 out of 7 days.

3. Reach 70 g of protein 3 days out of 7 days

4. Workout 4 our of 7 days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Monday)

5. Lose weight.

 

Might as well go for the same ones from last week since I didn't reach them. This week I will reach them!

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40 Pound Challenge Week 3

Here we are at week 3 of my 40 pound challenge! Wow. In general, I had a good week. I was did my best to stick to my weekly goals, I know I wasn't 100% successful, but I sure did better than I had been. Apparently, just having those goals written down helped. Learn something new. :-) Here are the weekly goals overall:

increase my protein levels (approximately 79 g per day) 

eat approximately 1500 cals per day 

work out 3-4 days a week

 Day 14/ June 25, 2013

* Just under in calories (-175)

* Just under in protein (-8)

* Upper body workout

* 35 minute stationary bike (7.5 miles): 477 calories

Day 15/June 26, 2013

* Just under in calories (-158)

* Under in protein (-21)

* 30 minute TRX: 250 calories

* 30 minute stationary bike (6.3 miles): 450 calories

Day 16/June 27, 2013

* Over in calories (+330)

* Under in protein (-20)

* No workout

Day 17/June 28, 2013

* Over in calories (+761)

* Unsure of protein 

* No workout

Day 18/June 29, 2013

* Official splurge day

* 30 minute upper body workout

* 60 minute stationary bike

Day 19/June 30, 2013

* Unsure of calories, but believe approximately within calories (went out to eat last minute)

* Unsure of protein

* 2.5 mile run

Day 20/July 1, 2013

* Just under in calories (-17)

* Under in protein (-22)

* 30 minute TRX: 250

* 35 minute stationary bike (7.6  miles): 477

This morning got on the scale and somehow I was down...by quite a bit. This week, down by 3, for a total of 7.2. That's more than I anticipated. I suppose keeping track of what I ate, even if I didn't stay completely on track was helpful. Amazing. So, did I follow-through on my weekly goals?

1.  KEEP FOOD/EXERCISE JOURNAL EVERY DAY - Yes, even if I didn't know the calories I still wrote everything down. I could at least do that.

2. Be at 1500 calories 6 out of 7 days. - No. There were two days I was over. Though I was under a few days, so maybe that's what evened things out overall?

3. Reach 79 g of protein 2 out of 7 days. (In two weeks, I've done this once) - Only close once. Seriously. This is frustrating. Do I need to eat a can of tuna every day???

4. Workout 4 out of 7 days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Monday) - Success! I actually worked out 5 days rather than 4. Go me! Pretty happy about that.

5. Reach the next 10 pound weight range. - Woot! Made it! Very excited about this! Now to get to the next 10 pound range! (Don't worry, I know it won't be next week. But, positive thinking, right?)

Since those weekly goals worked so well, let's do them again! :-)

1.  KEEP FOOD/EXERCISE JOURNAL EVERY DAY

2. Be at 1500 calories 6 out of 7 days.

3. Reach 70 g of protein 3 days out of 7 days

4. Workout 4 our of 7 days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Monday)

5. Lose weight.

Alright. I had a great week in Week 3. Hoping Week 4 is just as great!!

 

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40 Pound Challenge: Week 2

Week 2 of the challenge down! There was a bit of improvement this week, but the weekend was not as good as I hoped (well, in terms of yummy food, it was great! In terms of being on track, it wasn't the best). There is room for improvement there.

As a reminder, here are my daily goals:

increase my protein levels (approximately 79 g per day) 

eat approximately 1500 cals per day 

work out 3-4 days a week

 

Day 8/June 18, 2013

* Under calories (-117)
* Under protein (-8)
* No workout - just bailed, should have been lifting & 30 minute cardio


Day 9/June 19, 2013
* Under calories (-165)
* Under protein (-38)
* 30 minute TRX (250 cals/approximate)
* 30 minute stationary bike (6.3 miles/300 cals approximate)

Day 10/June 20, 2013
* Ate well for breakfast and lunch. Went out to dinner and the healthy option wasn't available. Ate worse than I wanted to.
* Met out-of-town friends for dinner, no workout

Day 11/June 21, 2013
* Ate well until dinner, then rather than eating in went out
* No exercise

Day 11/June 22, 2013
* Breakfast was ok, but dinner was awful (The Cheesecake Factory)
* No workout (intentional, 5k Sunday morning)

Day 12/June 23, 2013
* Ate a large brunch, then dinner was on track
* Ran the Baltimore Women's Classic 5k

Day 13/June 24, 2013
* Under calories (-228)
* Under protein (-51 - ate a very vegetarian dinner, very little protein)
* 30 minutes of TRX (250 cals/approximate)
* 35 minutes stationary bike (8 miles/477 cals approximately)

For the week that means (somehow) I am down 1.4 pounds this week. Not sure how that happened, but I'll take it. I would like to say I'm disappointed I didn't reach my goal of the next 10 pound range, but while I kinda am, I know I didn't do what I needed to so to get there. It's my own fault. I ate a few too many nights out, skipped a few too many workouts.

This week I'm going to set goals. I didn't do that last week. Maybe this will help keep me on track.

1.  KEEP FOOD/EXERCISE JOURNAL EVERY DAY
2. Be at 1500 calories 6 out of 7 days.
3. Reach 79 g of protein 2 out of 7 days. (In two weeks, I've done this once)
4. Workout 4 out of 7 days (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, Monday)
5. Reach the next 10 pound weight range.

There you have it. I'm down a total of 4.2 pounds in 2 weeks. Had hoped for just a tiny bit more, but I'm still down. I'll be happy with that. I'm a tad bit behind schedule (I wanted to be 6 pounds down by now), but the being down rather than up should be more important. Maybe I won't completely hit 40 pounds by Nov. 11th, but I will be down and that's what matters.

Here's to a successful Week 3!
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40 Pound Challenge: Week 1

Week 1 of the 40 Pound Challenge is done. It was not pretty. It did not go the way I had hoped. I had more off days than on. I got frustrated and ate. Week 1 did not kick off my 40 pound challenge the way I had hoped.

But, week 1 is in the books. My goals are:

increase my protein levels (approximately 79 g per day) 

eat approximately 1500 cals per day 

work out 3-4 days a week

Day 1/June 11:
* Calories were just a tad over (+18 cals)
* Proteins were just a tad under (-16 g)
* No workout
* Grocery store for healthy food

Day 2/June 12:
* Calories just a tad bit under (-85)
* Proteins just a tad bit under (-19)
* 30 minutes TRX/30 minutes stationary bike

Day 3/June 13:
* Started out well, ate on plan for breakfast and lunch
* Ate awful when I arrived home - animal crackers, nuts, pretzels, pizza
* No workout

Day 4/June 14:
* Ate healthy at breakfast and lunch
* Out to eat for dinner and splurged (on plan)
* Dessert (ate the whole thing though meant to only eat half)
* No workout

Day 5/June 15:
* Ate two meals as usual
* Went to the Farmer's Market and picked up cherries, pumpkin butter, real maple syrup, & strawberries
* Ate dinner at the ball park where overall not bad, just one too many beers
* No workout (which was not on plan. Had planned to workout)

Day 6/June 16:
* Overate completely
* No workout
* Stress ate

Day 7/June 17
* Calories just a tad bit over (+134)
* Proteins (finally!) over (+12)
* 30 min TRX/30 min stationary bike

What does all that mean? It means a 2.8 pound loss this week. The goal was 4 pounds, but almost 3 pounds is pretty good. The next "big" goal is to reach the next 10 pound range. Just 1.8 pounds away from that. I could reach that next week. Especially if I do a better job of staying on track.

So, here's to Week 2 of the 40 Pound Challenge! Let's hope I can stay on plan a few more days than week 1 and reach the next 10 pound range!

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And I'm logging food and exercise again...

Last year I ran the Sole of the City 10k with hubby. We had a fun time running through Baltimore and we had a fun post-race party time with friends. We even took a pic pre-race:

This year we did our self-portrait in the parking garage. Yea...yea...We were cold and tired.

You can't tell too much from this photo, but I am much bigger than I was last year. I noticed it in the race photos. Ugh. Awful. So awful that I have finally figured out what I need to get my ass in gear. Yes. I do not want photographs of me looking like that anymore. It's awful. Did I say that already?

Last August, while in Las Vegas I looked like this:

And now?

How about a closer comparison?

Shamrock 2013

 

Shamrock 2012

 

I want to get back to what I was in August of 2012. Then I want to lose 12 more pounds. Because yes, I was 12 pounds away from my goal before gaining about 20 pounds in 8 months. I'm annoyed with myself. It's frustrating and sad. But, today's Sole of the City 10k photos made me see myself for what I really look like right now. It's not pretty...

 

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Aerobics or Resistence?

I have found it interesting the debate between aerobic exercise versus resistance as the best method of losing weight. I've read that aerobics burns calories while you are engaged in an activity, but resistance training, while not burning as many calories during the activity will have you burning more calories for hours afterwards.

A study published in the December 15th issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology states that aerobic exercise is better than resistance training for losing weight. You can find the general article here, you can find the actual article here but you will need an account to access it. Basically, the study followed 119 sedentary, obese adults and broke them into three groups - aerobics only, resistance training only, and a combination of both. The group who lost the most weight over the 8 month period was the aerobic only members. The resistance training group only gained the most lean muscle, but did not lose as much weight. The researchers admit there is a time commitment that is necessary to achieve the results found.

This makes sense to me. I've always found that when I do resistance work only, I do not lose much weight. Sure, my arms look better, but the scale doesn't move. It really is aerobic activity - running, biking, walking, elliptical - that causes the pounds to come off. I'm not arguing that weight training does not have it's place. It truly does. In my opinion, and I'm not a doctor, trainer, or any sort of professional, but strengthening your muscles allows you to push harder in your aerobic workouts, which in turn allows you burn more calories causing a calorie deficit leading to weight loss.

What do you think? Do you find losing weight happens more when you focus on aerobics or resistance or does a combination help you?