Friday, December 31, 2010

So I'm not gonna reach the 100 workouts but...

I'm not gonna make it to 100.  It's okay, I have made my peace about this.  BUT, I am so proud of how far I've come in a year.  
Here's a picture from last Christmas-time:                                                           

And here's a picture from this Christmas:



I look awesome!  And I'm so proud of myself.  Let the workout journey continue in 2011.  I again am setting a goal of 100 workouts in 2011.  This time, I'm gonna do it!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Workout 80

Did it last night...  That 100 workout thing might not happen :(.  If I do some 2-a-days it might....  We'll see.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Workout 79

Level 2 of 30DS. It was great! Off to shower!


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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Workout 78

I decided to mix it up and did Dance Off the Inches: Tummy Tone Party Zone on my Roku netflix instant play. It was fun though I'm definitely not coordinated enough for it. I also did 5 minutes of Jillian moves to break even on calories (it was Chick-fil-A night at our house).


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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Workout 77

I was supposed to workout last night but due to a urinary tract infection, I had a fever and chills.  So I made up for it tonight by doing 20 minutes of some of my favorite Jillian exercises.  I also did a 5 min warmup and cool down.

Only 23 workouts to go!  I will do this!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Workout 76

Did some of my favorite Jillian exercises for 20 minutes. Staying on track to meet my goal!


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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Workout 75

I just completed workout 75.  I did Level 1 of the 30 Day Shred and I forgot how hard it was.  From doing No More Trouble Zones, I'm used to less obvious cardio and shorter reps (usually you do 3 different exercises for 30 seconds each and then repeat).  In the 30DS, you do 1 strength move for 30 seconds and a compound move for 60 seconds, then repeat.  It was a bit tough but manageable.

25 workouts to go!  I can do this!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Workout 74!

26 to reach my goal for 2010... I'm gonna be busy for the next month...


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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Workout 73

It happened though later than I originally planned. Yea for not being lazy!


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Workout 72

I worked out Thursday night after taking another few week break.  I actually was not sore after working out (I did a few circuits of No More Trouble Zones) and I figured out the trick.  I was not warming up enough before my workouts the last couple of months!  This is why I would workout and then be sore for a week and would not be able to workout again for awhile.  I now know what I need to do!

It's crunch time now.  I have less than 2 months to complete 28 workouts to meet my goal of 100 workouts in 2010.  I gotta do this.  I will be unbelievably proud of myself if I can accomplish this goal.  Then I will double that goal for 2011.

I want some new videos though!  Jillian is about to release a new one that I have already put on my Christmas list: Six week Six Pack.  She also will be releasing a sequel to the 30 Day Shred next year sometime.  I'm excited for that one. 

I think I may go workout now and will post if I complete workout 73 today!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Workout 71

Just did circuits 1-3 of No More Trouble Zones. Hopefully Kailee's nap will last long enough for me to shower and grab some lunch!


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Friday, October 15, 2010

It's been awhile...

I kinda took a break from the working out--it has been a tough transition since going back to work.  I have not had enough energy to workout after work.  I really think it's been a mental block that I may finally have overcome.

I worked out on Tuesday night and have been super-sore ever since.  I did the first 3 circuits of No More Trouble Zones.  I plan to workout tonight (I need to after the cheesecake I had today).

I have no idea how much I weigh--okay, probably somewhere in the 140s based on the fact that my clothes fit the same--but I may weigh next Friday.  We'll see.

Emotionally I'm not in the greatest place.  Due to various events, I seem to have lost my self-confidence and feel kinda down on myself.  I realize this is ridiculous but when you are treated a certain way by people you trust, it can make you doubt yourself if you let it.  Apparently I let it.  The silver lining is that I learned once again to be wary of people and to not let my guard down too quickly.  Not every person has genuine good intentions.  Not every friend is a true friend.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Been awhile but...

I now weigh 143.5!  And that's right after lunch, wearing jeans, woohoo!  So proud of myself--even though I have only worked out 4 times since school started.  Definitely gotta fit a workout in today!  I definitely think my goal of 135 will happen by christmas!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Thursday-Sunday

Did 15 minutes of random cardio videos on demand on Thursday, hung posters (up and down and up and down) for hours on Friday, and just did 4 circuits of No More Trouble Zones and some elliptical work.  I don't think I'll count the hanging posters but the other two workouts I shall count!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Wednesday's Workout

4 Circuits of No More Trouble Zones and some elliptical.  I'm freezing cold in my house so it's off to curl up in bed and watch some TV!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Sunday's workout

Just worked out!  Did 4 circuits of No More Trouble Zones and some elliptical.  I then went low and had to stop, otherwise I would have done another circuit for sure.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Friday Weigh-in, Kailee's first birthday!

I weighed-in this morning and I weigh... 147.1!!!!  That means I should definitely be 145 (or less) on my birthday!!!!  I should definitely fit in my favorite jeans by then!  Woohoo!!!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

2 more workouts down

I did 2 circuits last night before giving up (thanks to numerous interruptions from the kiddoes).  Tonight I did 5 circuits of No More Trouble Zones and a minute of elliptical after each circuit.  It was a good workout.  The kids even let me take a nice relaxing shower afterwards so I'm about to fall asleep typing....

Sunday, July 25, 2010

July 25, 2010

Just did my workout!  I had to tweak some of the exercises for my toe but that's okay.  I weighed today and I weigh 149 flat!  After the vacation I had, that's pretty good.  Hoping for 148 on Friday!  If I lose a pound a week, I will be 145 on my birthday.  Fingers crossed!

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Workout July 23rd

So I went on vacation Sunday-Wednesday and guess what, I injured my big toe on Monday!  After coming home, I gave myself a couple of days of rest but managed to workout yesterday.  It went VERY well though I'm officially sick of my elliptical.  I had to do all of my cardio on the elliptical and adjust some of the lower body moves to accommodate for my big toe but I DID IT!  I was going to workout today to make up for lost time but decided that if I keep working out on off days, I will never stay on my schedule (which is supposed to have Tuesdays and Saturdays off--making it perfect that weekly swim lessons are going to be on Tuesday nights after school starts).

When I realized my knees/ankles would not allow me to do all the cardio in the 30DS I FREAKED OUT and about gave up.  Once I realized the value of the elliptical, I learned that all hope was not lost.  My first thought with my toe was, "Oh no!  Now I'm not going to reach my goal for my birthday!"  But then I realized, "So you are going to have to adjust and you may not be able to everything but that's okay.  You will not give up because of a minor setback!"  So I'm proud of myself for not freaking out totally.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

Saturday

Today was supposed to be an off day but instead I did Monday's workout.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Friday's workout

Just did yesterday's Jillian workout.  Feeling good!

Thursday's workout did not happen :(

So we had to take my car into the shop around lunch time, came home and the AC was on the fritz.  It did not allow the house to be cool until the middle of the night, thus the workout did not happen.  Because of this, I plan to do yesterday's workout today (which is scheduled to be a cardio day--which I did Monday) and Monday's workout tomorrow (which should be an off day).

I went shopping last night and I'm definitely an Old Navy size 10!  Woohoo!  And today I am wearing jeans that I couldn't before.  I tried on some work clothes that did not fit last year and I have some pants and skirt options that should work by the time schools starts.  I can fit into them now but they would look better with a little more wiggle room (which I should have more wiggle room by the time school starts).

Now off to workout!

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Monday's and Today's workouts

We took the kids to the zoo on Monday so I'm counting my 2 hours of walking around in the 100 degree heat and humidity as my cardio.  Usually Fridays are scheduled for Cardio in Jillian's program so I'll do Monday's workout on Friday.

Today I did her level 2 workout and it was great!  I enjoyed all of the circuits.  Goal: workout tomorrow.  Usually what has been happening is that I workout Wednesday and then am too sore on Thursday.  I hopefully will push through especially since I am going on vacation on Monday and won't likely workout Monday-Wednesday.  I may even leave Sunday so that's 4 days of eating badly and not working out! :(

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Just worked out

I did the level 2 workout for today!  I am feeling really good about my body.  I wore some jeans on Friday night that haven't fit in a looooong time.  Still waiting on my faves to fit.  I've decided not to try them on again until Kailee's birthday.  If they don't fit, then the goal gets pushed back to my birthday.  I should be able to lose the remaining 9 pounds by then.  If not, at least 5 and my jeans should fit.

Friday, July 9, 2010

2 more workouts

I did level 2 workouts on Jilian's website on Wednesday and today.

And yesterday, I broke the 150 mark!  149.7!!!!  WOOHOO!!!!

Monday, July 5, 2010

I did 3 workouts on Jillian's website

I started out at level 3 and did 2 workouts.  THEY WERE AWFUL.  I could not get through the second and was so worn out I had ZERO motivation to continue the program.  I dreaded working out again since Friday.  Today, I came to my senses and tried level 2.  Level 2 left me pumped and ready for more.  I do not dread working out tomorrow (which is supposed to be an off day but I need to make up for taking extra off-days).

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

I Joined Jillianmichaels.com!

Yesterday I finally broke down and joined www.jillianmichaels.com.  I am so excited to try it, if nothing else, for more circuit training activities!  When I filled out my info, it determined that I'm an advanced exerciser.  I was shocked but I do workout a lot.  I'll update later after I do my personalized workout!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Workout 7 No More Trouble Zones

I did ALL 7 circuits without skipping anything!  I figured out my circuit 4 problem, start with circuit 4 to get it out of the way and the rest is not so bad.  It totally worked.  I did get interrupted SEVERAL times by Gavin and Kailee but I stuck it out and finished!  Now off to the shower because I am a sweaty, smelly, mess.

Workout 6 of No More Trouble Zones

I FINALLY did the entire workout (well, I only did half of circuit #4--which I HATE--but I did all of the other 6 circuits completely).  It was hard to do the entire thing but I am soooooo proud that I pushed through.  I think my favorite circuits are the last 2.  In my opinion they are easier, probably because they are at the end of the workout.  I wish circuit 4 were at the beginning to get it over with.  Of course, I can always do it first (you can pick chapters on the DVD).  Maybe I'll try that when I do it again, either today or tomorrow.  I may do one of the shred workouts today to give my body a slight break.  However, I want my weightloss to pick up again (I am stuck at 151.something).  When I go to the doctor on July 8th, I am DYING to weigh 149 or less to finally have broken the 150 mark.  It seemed to take forever to break 160 and it's taking forever to break 150.  Hopefully once I do it, I won't go back over 150 EVER AGAIN!!!!

Friday, June 25, 2010

No more trouble zones workout 5

I worked out for the first time since last Saturday just now.  It was HARD after a week of eating horribly and not drinking enough water.  I barely made it through the first 3 circuits.  Now off to shower and to hydrate like CRAZY so that tomorrow I can make it through at least 4 circuits, hopefully 5!

No More Trouble Zones DVD

Thursday, June 17, 2010

I guess I never updated

I did finish the 30 day shred 2 Sundays ago.  My final weight after was 152.7 I think.  So after 30 workouts, I lost at least 5 pounds and 3 inches.  I then took over a week off from working out (figured I kinda deserved a break).

I weighed the other day and weighed 151.4 after taking a week off from working out.
Since then, I've begun doing No more Trouble Zones (another Jillian Michaels DVD).  This workout has 7 circuits combining abs and strength and some cardio.  On Tuesday, I made it through 3 circuits; today I made it through 4!  So that's progress.  I 100% believe I would not be able to do even that much if not for my dedication to the 30 day shred.

Oh and on a side note, I am squeezing in to a size 10 now and size 12 is definitely too big!  My favorite size 10 jeans still do not fit but they are a small 10 (closer to a size 8).

Off to the shower!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Day 28 , Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 3

Woohoo!  Did level 3 again and it does not seem nearly as hard as level 2 in my opinion!  2 more days until I post official 30 day shred results!  Of course this week has been a bad eating week so the results may not be accurate... We'll see :)

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Day 27 (level 3 day 1)

Just did level 3! It actually was not as hard as I expected. I really think level 2 is harder because of the plank moves. However, I stuck with Anita doing the easier moves...


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Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Day 25/26, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 2 (day 8/9)

Technically I did day 25 on Sunday with really high bloodsugar.  I had to stop after circuit 2 but I still think it counts!

Today I just did day 26 (level 2).  It felt good.  Still can't make it through the abs in circuit 3 but I switch to bicycle crunches at that point.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Day 24, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 2 (day 7)

I already worked out today to get it over with.  Way to go me!

Quote of the day: Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person's physical, emotional, and mental states.  ~Carol Welch  

Friday, May 28, 2010

Day 23, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 2 (day 6)

I took 2 days off (at Chuy's on one of those nights) and got back on the wagon tonight.  I was terrified that it would be impossible (I had issues when I skipped days at level 1) but I was able to do it more easily than ever.  I still cannot complete the last ab circuit (it's a plank move after 3 other plank activities so my arms and wrists can't hold up at the end) but I do 30 seconds of the twisty-plank thing and then switch to bicycle crunches.

Either way, I'm excited at my strength and endurance.  I feel so powerful doing my workout.  I always am apprehensive but I feel sooooo good while I do it.  Today I even thought, "Someday I really will make it to level 3."  I don't know when that day will be but it's not that far off I don't think :).

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Day 22, 30 day shred (day 5 level 2)

I am up late but I worked out so I'm satisfied!  I almost didnt do the workout but I'm soooooo glad I stuck it out.  Go me! :)

Weekly weigh in a day early

I decided to weigh today so that Gavin and I can get Chick-fil-a tonight (Brady's headed out of town for a couple of days) and I weigh 152.7!  That's 2 pounds in a week, which is crazy!  I think that really shows how much harder level 2 works you than level 1!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Motivational Quotes


"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse."
     --Um, yes, this is VERY important to me!
"Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret!" - Unknown
     --I hate regret!!!!  And I totally beat myself up over things!
"It's a lifestyle - train like there's no finish line."
     --That's true.  I fully intend to keep working out after I reach my goal.
"There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don't allow yourself to become one of them." - Ralph Marston, Author and Publisher of The Daily Motivator
"Pain is only weakness leaving the body" - Unknown
     --Jillian says something like that in the 30 day shred
"It's about mind over matter. If you don't mind, it don't matter" -Unknown

"Tough times don't last. Tough people do." - Unknown

day 21, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 2 (day 4)

Woohoo!  I pushed through even though I wasn't motivated and was lethargic.  I had REALLY high bloodsugar (410--not sure why, not normal for this time of day) but I worked out nevertheless.  It was TOUGH!  But I pushed through and only had to stop once to down some agua.

I'm so proud of me!

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Day 20, 30 day shred, level 2 day 3

Salad is not enough for a workout and I learned that the hard way today! I cheated and weighed yesterday morning after eating and while wearing jeans and I weighed 154! So hopefully I'll be 153.something on Wednesday!

Here's the cute girl who made Mommy gain all the weight :)



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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Day 19, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 2 (day 2)

Did it last night!  It really kicked my butt because I did it before eating dinner.  I can't wait for summer because I should be able to do it while Kailee naps in the afternoon.  Until then, I think my best bet is to eat dinner and then workout about an hour later.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Day 18, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 2

That's no mistake!  I did level 2 and I was able to do MOST of it!  WOOHOO!  I could do more of the cardio in this level than level 1 because more of it was not so hard on the knees.  The only non-cardio move I did not do was the last ab circuit.  I didn't think my arms could hold up for the twisty plank things.

I am soooooooooooo proud of myself!  I was a little bummed that I only lost .5 pound this week and no inches, BUT by doing level 2, I was able to really feel the gains I've made in 17 workouts.  My upper body strength is SIGNIFICANTLY greater as is my endurance.  I physically was not able to really do level 2 on day 6 (when I first attempted it) but today I could.  I've never worked this hard to build strength and I'm so impressed with myself!

OH and my arms are looking thinner this week.  That must be where the half-pound came off. :)

Weekly Weigh in

I lost .5 pound so I'm now 154.7.  I figured it would only be a small loss this week since last week was such a big loss.

I didn't lose any inches this week, still at 37 around largest part of belly.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Day 17, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

Did day 17.... Weighing and measuring tomorrow!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Day 16

Just did day 16 at level 1. I had to make myself do it... By the way, I am so tired of dieting!


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Saturday, May 15, 2010

Day 14 and 15, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

I didn't update but I did day 14 last night and day 15 just now.  I am VERY proud of myself for sticking with this!  I'm still on level 1 but may move up to level 2 on day 31.  I still have to use 1lb weights for a lot of the exercises so I'm not sure how good I'll be at level 2 even on day 31.

Halfway through my 30 days!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Day 13

Just did day 13! Still at level 1... I'm drinking a ton of water thanks to my new cup (see below)


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Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Stats Wednesday, May 12th

Weight: 155.1 (that's 2.2 pound loss in a week--though I weighed at night last week so I probably didn't quite lose 2.2)

Inches around widest point: 37 (started out at 40 around Christmas so that's a definite improvement!)

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Day 12, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

It was a fight to do day 12 but I did it!  I feel so out of shape just from taking those 3 days off.  I pushed through though!  Tomorrow I plan to weigh and measure.... Hopefully with some good results!

Monday, May 10, 2010

day 11, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

I took Friday-Sunday off for various reasons and got back on the wagon today.  I can tell a difference in my body which is motivating to stick it out!

Side note: Gavin is 4 today!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Day 9, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

Just did day 9! I cheated and weighed before dinner and I weighed 157.3! That's a loss since Saturday and I didn't even weigh 1st thing this morning, woohoo!!!! I can't wait to be 156 because I haven't seen that number since I was pregnant with Kailee and on the upward climb! I am trying to celebrate the small victories to keep me motivated!

I also found out Brady weighs 165 so he outweighs me, bonus!!!! (at Christmas, I weighed a pound more than he dd).


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Tuesday, May 4, 2010

day 8, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

I love a workout that can be done in my flip-flops.... Yes, I totally did the shred with my hot pink old navy flip-flops on.  Since I don't do any of Jillian's cardio besides the punches (I do mine on the elliptical), I don't really need much support from tennis shoes.  I do, apparently, need tennis shoes for balance.  I cannot do lunges very well in flip-flops but no worries, I did not fall and I did not injure myself! :)

I almost did not do the workout today after low bloodsugar at 6pm (I had to wait for it to go up substantially and I'm normally already in bed right now--9:12pm) but I have an online group of women motivating each other so I did not want to "phone it in" to quote Jillian.  By the way, what does that even mean?  I guess I'm just not that cool....

Monday, May 3, 2010

30 day shred level 1, day 7

My knees weren't feeling it so I took yesterday off...

Tonight I picked back up with the program (back on level 1) and tried to do the cardio.  Now both knees don't like the cardio so I decided to hop on the elliptical during each 2 minutes of cardio.  It worked great!  The only cardio I did with the video were the punches.  I am still able to do the strength training and abs for level 1.  I am not sure when I will go back up to level 2 as I think my arm strength is no where near the level necessary.

You would think  carrying around a baby would give you awesome upper-body strength but it really doesn't.  Of course, Kailee is quite petite so that might be why I'm not stronger ;).

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Level2

I did level 2 after my pity party and it was too hard! I definitely do not have the upper-body strength necessary for level 2 yet!


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Gonna switch workouts to AM to see if it helps!

Time to switch the workouts to the AM and then keep eating how I'm eating.  We'll see if that helps!

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Susan, 43, has been dieting since her early thirties. Every six to eight months, she goes on a strict diet combined with vigorous exercise. She loses between 10 and 15 kilograms (22 - 33 pounds). She then quits her diet and regains all her weight within the next few months.
Susan, like a lot of yoyo dieters, has three sets of clothes: fat clothes, skinny clothes and a few in between. Her fat clothes are baggy and tasteless; her skinny clothes are elegant and glamorous. Susan lives for the magic moment when she will be slim once and for all.
But she finds it more and more difficult to lose weight and no matter how hard she tries, the figure on the scale won't budge. She now weighs 82 kilograms (180 pounds), and it's the fattest she's ever been. She eats little during the day, and has a late evening meal. She avoids carbohydrates as she thinks they're fattening.
Susan has lost all hope to lose weight. Her metabolism is too slow and her body won't burn fat. She still wants to lose weight, but she doesn't believe she can do it without a magic wand.
Metabolism includes all the processes that occur within the body and that are designed to keep us alive. Our basal metabolism is the energy we require to function while at rest, and we use up a lot more energy when we are active. Weight loss is difficult because we have to spend more energy than we take in, and while we aim at losing fat, we want to preserve and develop our muscles. When there's not enough muscle tissue, we burn less energy, which is a good reason to exercise moderately and to tone our bodies.
When our metabolism is too slow, the body refuses to burn fat. As time goes by, the problem only seems to get worse. The older we get, the less food we need to survive, which is unfortunate, as we often develop a keen interest in food when we get older!
Our need for dietary fat diminishes with age, and children require a higher percentage of fat in their diet than adults do. Because they grow, they need more concentrated supplies of energy in the form of fatty acids. Fat is also important for the development of the nervous system (brain and nerves), especially in babies and toddlers, and human breast milk is surprisingly high in fat.
Our metabolism slows for other reasons besides old age, and some of them are:
- lack of exercise;
- fasting (while eating increases our metabolism, fasting decreases it);
- menopause (the change of life);
- chronic stress (stress can either increase or decrease our metabolic rate);
- alcohol consumption;
- giving up smoking (it's not a good reason to keep lighting up!)
- certain pharmaceutical drugs;
- certain organic diseases, like disorders of the thyroid gland.
A medical check-up is a good way to eliminate physical causes when all your weight loss efforts seem to be in vain.
Excessive dieting has a harmful effect on our metabolism, because we are programmed to conserve fat, not to eliminate it. The body rings the "alarm bells" as soon as our caloric intake becomes too low. The less we eat, the less energy we burn, especially when we reduce our carbohydrate intake.
Because of strong peer pressure and the ideal of a model-like figure promoted by the media, teenage girls often diet even though they're already slim. When I was a teenager I was convinced I had to be as thin as a model or a movie star in order to be attractive. Not only do a lot of models suffer from malnutrition or anorexia, which is not something we should strive for, but dieting when not overweight drastically reduces our metabolism. We end up fat, even though we were slim in the first place.
Frequent changes in weight (the yoyo effect) are also detrimental, and crash diets have a rebound effect. Towards the end of a diet we experience intolerable hunger, as well as a slow metabolic rate. The ideal combination to have a big feast and gain back all the hard-lost kilograms! Dieting makes us fat.
Moderate exercise will stimulate a sluggish metabolism, but over-exercising has the opposite effect. If you exercise too much, your body will only burn a minimum amount of calories, in order to conserve energy. There is a rebound effect after discontinuing strenuous exercise. Your metabolism will slow down if you revert to your couch potato lifestyle, after exerting yourself regularly for a period of time. The combination of strenuous exercise and strict dieting has the worst effect on your fat-burning mechanism, as it conditions your body to hang on to its fat stores.
Certain foods don't enhance weight loss. Eating hard-boiled eggs and salad doesn't work, because the lack of carbohydrates will make you feel hungry and deplete your brain of serotonin, leaving you anxious, nervous and irritable. Carbohydrates are the body's favourite fuel. Of course fat and protein can provide caloric energy, but complex carbohydrates help increase your metabolism, as they stimulate all active processes, especially fat burning.
Take a wholemeal lettuce and tomato sandwich to the family picnic, rather than nibbling solely on hard-boiled eggs. While nothing stops you from eating carrot and celery sticks as well, the carbohydrate-rich bread will stimulate your metabolism, and you can use a low-fat filling or spread. For the same reason, eating only steak and salad doesn't work, as the lack of complex carbohydrates only worsens your hunger feelings, and you end up a nervous wreck.
To prevent hunger attacks and help your body burn fat, have several small meals, rather than three big ones. Small meals ensure you have a constant supply of energy your body can burn. To spread your calories throughout the day is a more balanced way to eat, and it speeds up weight loss.
Our metabolism is not the same throughout the day, and most diets don't take into consideration that we burn more calories in the morning than in the evening. If we know how to take advantage of this important fact, we will be able to eat more and lose weight at the same time! It is not so much what we eat that counts, but when we eat it, and we would lose weight more easily if we ate our meals earlier.
A lot of overweight people are night-time eaters. They eat most of their calories late in the evening, when the fat-burning factory has closed down. They usually skip breakfast, missing out on a time of the day when most calories are burnt instead of being stored as fat. Because they eat too late and have big meals at night, overweight people are not in harmony with their body clock and sabotage their own weight loss efforts. This eating pattern creates an imbalance and their metabolism slows down.
Your biological clock has a tremendous influence on your health and how your body burns calories and fat. Different hormones are released into your bloodstream at different times of the day and night, affecting your mood, your wellbeing and your metabolism. When you're not in tune with your biological clock, your metabolism becomes sluggish.
Eating a piece of chocolate at 10 a.m. is not the same as eating it at 10 p.m. Your body is programmed to burn energy in the morning, but at night, the system shuts down to prepare you for sleep. Everything slows down and calorie-burning stops, which is why all the calories you eat at night are stored as fat, especially those from fat. In the morning, the process is reversed: your body is programmed to burn energy, and everything you eat before mid-morning will be used up as fuel.
We have to take advantage of the body's natural ability to burn energy in the morning. If we starve all day, a big splurge is almost inevitable in the evening. Some people eat non-stop from the time they come home to the time they go to bed!
A lot of us complain we can't lose weight, even though we don't eat much, which is probably true, if we only look at the number of calories. But we eat at the wrong time of the day and our metabolism slows down. Of all meals, dinner is the most fattening, especially if it is a late dinner, with lots of animal protein, fat and sugar. If possible, dinner should be eaten earlier in the evening, and it should be a light meal.
A few suggestions for light evening meals:
- Low-fat cottage cheese, raw vegetables and wholemeal bread;
- Prawns, lightly cooked vegetables and brown rice;
- Chick pea salad and wholemeal bread;
- Home made tomato soup with noodles;
- Grilled cheese sandwich and lettuce;
- Broiled fish, baked potato and cooked carrots;
- Fruit salad, yoghurt and low-fat crackers;
- Chicken with oriental vegetables and brown rice;
- Roast breast of turkey, green peas and broiled tomatoes;
- Lean beef, brussel sprouts and sweet potato;
- Tofu burger and salad;
- Lentils (cooked with onion, garlic and tomato) and rice;
- Home made pumpkin soup.
- Minestrone.
We believe that starving all day is a good way to lose weight. We feel so hungry at night because we haven't eaten all day. After a hard day at work on an empty stomach, we are ravenous and eat a heavy, fat-loaded meal. Then we wonder why the kilograms won't come off, even though we're trying so hard.
The kilograms would come off more easily if we ate most of our calories before the sun goes down.
Strategies:
Avoid strict diets and too much exercise.
Don't be a yoyo dieter.
Have carbohydrate-rich meals.
Spread your calories throughout the day.
Eat a light dinner.
If possible, eat all your calories before the sun goes down.
by Isabell Kratz.
Please check out my profile...
I wish you all the best and a lot of success!
Isabell Kratz - EzineArticles Expert Author

Big FAT disappointment

So after a month of dieting and working out.  I weigh 158.2.  Which means, I haven't lost at all.  I tried on the jeans that were tight on April 1st... guess what, I still can't wear them.  By the way, those are size 12 jeans so that means I'm still on the tight end of size 12.  Which means what's the point of all of this hard work when it's not working????

I don't know what to do.  I've been trying since December to lose weight.  First I started exercising, then dieting, and drinking water.... And to what end?  To not lose anything??????

I am soooooooooooooooooo upset.  How can I stay motivated if there's no improvement?  Why is my body refusing to lose weight?  After Gavin, I ate what I wanted, didn't exercise hardly at all and by this point I was in ALL of my old clothes.  I also gained a lot more with his pregnancy.  I have been stuck from 158-165 since DECEMBER.  Why hasn't ANY MORE weight come off????  This does not make sense.  I'm only 27, my metabolism should not be at a standstill yet.

I am going to spend another summer fat.  The WORST summer of my life was the summer before I turned 21.  I remember being sooooooooooo miserable because I hated my body.  I'm there again and I weigh 8 pounds more than I did that summer.  I can't wear shorts (partially because I'm not going to spend money on big shorts) and I refuse to go out in a swimsuit like this.  God, this sucks!

All I want is to be back in my clothes before Kailee turns 1.  Most people don't take that long to lose the weight without even trying.  I am trying so unbelievably hard and it's not happening.  Since having Kailee the least I've weighed is 157.  I really thought I'd weigh at the most 155 today--that was me trying to set a realistic goal so that if I did better, it would be a nice surprise.  What a HUGE disappointment.

I could not wait for May 1st.  I kept pushing for today all month.  Every time I thought about stopping, I kept thinking, it will be worth it on May 1st.  And I was wrong.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Day 5, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

Half-way done with level 1!  I plan to move up to level 2 on day 11 and level 3 on day 21.  If I don't feel ready on day 11, I'll change it to a 45 day shred and wait until day 15.

The pushups and weights were not as hard today, BUT the cardio was a bit harder.  I tried to land differently in the jumping jacks, butt-kicks, and jumprope but it took more endurance.  Thus, I feel like I worked out harder.

Tomorrow is the big weigh in, jean try-on and measure.  I'm TERRIFIED!  What if the scale does not reflect my hard work?  What if the jeans that fit very tight on April 1st are still tight on May 1st?  Will I EVER be back in my old clothes?

I'm scared that all of my hard work will have very little result...  I had to force myself not to weigh and try on the jeans for a whole month.  That's a looooong time for an impatient instant-gratification-guru like me.  If I have not accomplished much in a month, I fear I will throw in the towel and give up completely.  But on the flip side, I'm dying to know and almost cheated every day this week to see my stats.  Ayayaya....

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Day 4, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

Today my knee was not as sore as yesterday so I was hopeful with the workout.  It hurt a little but not nearly as bad as it did last night, so yea!  I was able to complete the workout but I felt a little sluggish.  The good news is that my muscles were not as sore today as they had been every other day.  I think it's like Jillian says, my body is adapting.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

30 day shred level 1, day 3

Well my left knee is KILLING ME!!!!!  It was bothering me all day and then got in the way of my workout.  After going out and buying a knee brace and athletic tape--and discovering that neither help my issue--I pushed through the workout and am now icing my knee.  PRAYING this helps and that I can keep up with my program.  If it doesn't help, well I'll just have to suck it up.  It's only the cardio that's hurting my knee (only 6 minutes total of the workout) so I should be able to push through it.

At first, I tried to compensate with my right leg and for that reason, my right thigh is feeling the extra burn, LOL.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Day 2, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

Thanks to a tip from a wonderful work colleague, I smartened up and used cans of beans as weights instead of the 3lb weights.  My 1lb ones should arrive tomorrow, if not, beans again!

I'm not gonna lie, it still kicked my butt but I am still motivated to keep it up.  She mentions that people on day 5-7 are probably finding it easier to keep up.... When I get there, I'll let you know if I agree.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Day 1, Jillian Michaels' 30 day shred level 1

OMG!  I am hurting!  The cardio was not so bad--I have after all been taking nightly walks with the fam and working out on the elliptical so cardio is not my weak point.  The abs were a little hard but not too bad seeing as how I also have been doing my fair share of crunches.... Now about the strength training.... Um, yeah, my arms are weaklings!  Apparently the only muscles worked when picking up children are the same muscles worked in a curl-up.  Guess what, we only did curl-ups for like 30 seconds or a minute total.  The rest was just plain sad to watch--and yes, I had an audience.  I had a very fussy Kailee hanging over the edge of her swing yelling at me because she wanted out.  I also had a slightly pissed off Gavin standing in front of the TV telling me he wasn't going to be my bestfriend if I didn't give him my "blue-things."  If he told me one more time, "I never used those before, Mommy," I might have thrown one at him.

That workout kicked my butt but we shall see if it works!  I got the lightest weights at Walmart (3 pounds--which are APPARENTLY WAAAAAY too heavy for my arms) and just now went on amazon to buy 1lb and 2lb weights.  They have 2 day shipping so I'll suffer for a few days before getting to be more comfortable!

I weigh on Saturday and do measurements.  After that, I may do once a week weigh in and once a month measuring or I may just wait another month for it all....

Sunday, April 25, 2010

April 25th

So more and more people are noticing the weight loss but I'm resisting the temptation to go ahead and weigh, measure my waist, and to try on the jeans I hope to fit into on Saturday, May 1st.  I've been very good about eating intuitively and being active.  We've been taking a lot of walks as a family, meaning I haven't had to use the elliptical as much (thankfully, as I get bored).

I really hope that I'm not disappointed next week.  I was already working hard and I upped my game.  I don't know if I will be able to stay motivated if I haven't made progress....

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Long time no see...

So I keep up with the C25K program on the elliptical for awhile but then I got bored.  I figured out that my limit on a machine is about 15 minutes before I'm too bored to continue (even with the TV).  So I've changed up my plan.  I am working out 15 minutes daily instead of 30 minutes 3 times weekly.

I still weigh 158 (this is after gaining and losing 2 pounds) but I've committed myself to eating intuitively (only eating when I'm truly hungry and stopping when I'm satisfied, not full) and am drinking a ton of water (whereas I was not drinking any water most days--I don't like water).

I can already tell a difference in the way I feel now that I'm drinking more water.  It's amazing the difference in how much energy I have just by drinking water.  I cannot even explain the difference in words.  It's like I can feel my body absorb the water.  I guess only people who go from drinking no water to drinking a lot of water can truly understand.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Just weighed

And I weigh 158.4 which means I've officially lost 8.2 pounds!!!!  That's awesome.  My clothes are only slightly looser but that's headed in the right direction.  I'm so excited!

Today I will be finishing week 4 and I'm even more motivated to stick with the program!!!!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Week 4 Day 1 on elliptical

Just completed week 4 day 1 and then did my crunches and 15 girl pushups (those feel like they are getting harder, not easier!)

Friday, February 12, 2010

C25K week 3 day 3 on the elliptical

It was hard to do today--Kailee was watching yo gabba gabba so I used my ipod and music does not hold me like the TV.

I'm 1/3 of the way through the program!  Not weighing this week or measuring.  Gonna wait at least another week if not longer.  I don't want to weigh again until I'm in the 150s.  That would be a nice surprise! :)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Week 3 Day 1

I have been very sick with a sinus infection so I took the week off from exercising.  Today I felt compelled to measure the inches around my belly and I've already lost 1 whole inch!!!!  That's soooooo exciting!!!!

So here are my stats:
Weight: 162.9 (that's 3.7 pounds in 2 weeks woohoo!)
Inches: 39 (that's 1 inch in two weeks!)

Now I feel inspired to go workout so I'm gonna (especially since I'm well now).

Edit: I just worked out on the elliptical so I'm editing my stats:

I have been very sick with a sinus infection so I took the week off from exercising.  Today I felt compelled to measure the inches around my belly and I've already lost 1 whole inch!!!!  That's soooooo exciting!!!!

Weight: 162.9 (that's 3.7 pounds in 2 weeks woohoo!)
Inches: 39 (that's 1 inch in two weeks!)
Exercise: 30 minutes on elliptical
Crunches in various positions
15 girl pushups
New goal: be under 160 by March 1st!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

C25K week 2 day 3 on the elliptical

Just completed week 2 day 3 and will finally be moving on to a workout I have never done on Monday!  I also did some crunches and 15 girl pushups--go me! :)  It was really hard to get moving today.  I slept horribly thanks to the fun sinus infection and horrid cough I have.  If I could figure out how to sleep completely upright (without sliding down), I'd be great!  The workout was very hard for me but I'm glad I did it.


I also weighed this morning and I was 164.7 so I'm hopeful to lose more weight this week!


Off to shower and get ready for Gavin's friend's birthday party.

Friday, January 29, 2010

C25K week 2 day 2

On Wednesday I was finally able to pace myself well!  I was not overexerted after working out so that's really good.  I did my crunches and I also started doing pushups.  I started with 15 girl pushups and hope to build up to 100 by the end of this C25K program.  We'll see...


Today is Friday so it's weigh-in day.  I weigh 165.2 so that's a loss of 1.4 pounds (though last week I weighed in the evening instead of first thing in the morning so it might be a bit off).  I'm celebrating it anyway.  Tonight I'll be doing C25K week 2 day 3 and will post after.


Today's Stats:
Weight: 165.2
Calories: none yet but it's early, LOL

Friday, January 22, 2010

C25K week 1 workout 2 on the elliptical

Did my second workout today and it was hard--I swear there's something about the 2nd workout.  I finally weighed today and I weigh 166.6.  While that sucks, it certainly could be worse.




Todays stats:
Calories burned: 285
Calories consumed: 1417


Coworker turned me onto a great iPhone app: "Lose it."  It's the easiest one I've seen for tracking exercise, calories, and weight loss.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

c25K Week 1 Workout 1 on the elliptical!!!!

That's right!  I may not be able to run but I'm still doing the workout, just on the elliptical!  I got on my new machine this morning and after 3 minutes was like, "How am I supposed to make it through 27 more minutes on this machine."  That's when the light bulb went off.... Why not try doing the C25K program on the elliptical to build up strength and then trying to run after that...  So I did the first workout of the c25K and it was sooooooooo easy to keep myself going on the elliptical.  So yea!


Today's Stats:
Weight--no clue, may weigh at work and post later
Inches around the belly--40 inches around the largest part (lower belly so kinda around hips too)
Calories burned: according to the elliptical machine, I burned 212 calories (but I'm guessing that thing isn't too accurate).
Calories consumed: none yet... 

Monday, January 18, 2010

Had to stop running.... :(

Well the weather was bad for a couple of weeks and while I ignored the pains in my ankles, knees, and heels--and stupidly did not put 2 and 2 together--when I tried to start up again when the weather got better, I was physically unable to do it.

My wonderful husband bought me an elliptical so I can build up strength and perhaps try running again in a month or so.  So I'm going to change this to my weight loss/exercise blog and hopefully it will again someday be my C25K blog...

Sunday, January 3, 2010

C25K Week 1 Workout 3

I forgot to post but I completed week 1 workout 3 yesterday.  It was hard--I did not pace myself well and I was wearing uncomfortable shoes.  Tomorrow will be Week 2 Workout 1 and I'm nervous as you have to run more!


I'll post again tomorrow!