Last week was pretty blah and uneventful. This week I am back to tracking and steady exercise. It is definitely more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the holidays. There is so much going on!
We did receive some exciting news last week... Michael has been promoted to Branch Manager! He will start with his new branch in January. This is very exciting for us, especially since we were not expecting it for another 5-6 months! He is still in the BLA (Branch Leadership Academy) program and will continue with that until it ends in May. He is one of eight people in Louisiana that was chosen for that program, and the only one who was asked to apply for a Branch Manager position early! I am so very proud of him!!
With that being said, we are now definitely on the path to getting pregnant again this summer. What does that mean for me right now? A HUGE fire under my ass. I have roughly 6-7 months to lose 30lbs. That's 4-5 pounds per month, or about a pound a week. That is completely doable! Let's go!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Day 5
I'm glad I've been powering through the aches and pains from the gym this week. Today is the first time this week that I haven't felt like I was run over by a Mack truck.
I've been to the gym four days in a row this week. That is WAY more than I've done in...well, I can't remember. Let's see how it panned out:
Monday - 15 min stair climber, 30 min Butt Bible routine, 15 min stair climber
Tuesday - 45 min Spinning, 30 min arms
Wednesday - 45 min Zumba
Thursday - 45 min Spinning (would have done weights after, but had a birthday dinner to attend)
Today, I am hoping to leave work with enough time to do the same routine as Monday before Girls' Night Out! Happy Friday!
I've been to the gym four days in a row this week. That is WAY more than I've done in...well, I can't remember. Let's see how it panned out:
Monday - 15 min stair climber, 30 min Butt Bible routine, 15 min stair climber
Tuesday - 45 min Spinning, 30 min arms
Wednesday - 45 min Zumba
Thursday - 45 min Spinning (would have done weights after, but had a birthday dinner to attend)
Today, I am hoping to leave work with enough time to do the same routine as Monday before Girls' Night Out! Happy Friday!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Tracking
Day four of "being serious"... And, I am worn the eff out. I am sleepy; I am sore; I am grouchy. What's not to love?!
I will say that making myself be vigilant in tracking my calories again has proved to be a great tool in deterring some of my bad habits. For example... I got home from the gym last night and Michael had picked up Gatti's. My not-working-out-self would have rejoiced, my normal-working-out-self would have been pissed, but last night I felt indifferent. I knew it wasn't the best option, but I knew that I had "saved" enough calories that I could eat some and not blow all of my good work. I had three small slices and some spaghetti - I was starving! Honestly, I even thought about going back for another slice - wouldn't hurt, right? But, the smarter side of me that had been tracking all day said, "Give it 20 minutes. If you're still hungry, then you can have it." And, guess what? 20 minutes later, I had forgotten about it. I am having to learn about hungry vs. taste all over again. Something similar happened this morning. I overslept and did not have time to make my smoothie before running out the door. I could have checked in with work and then ran to Starbucks or Subway to grab a bite, but then I remembered that I had Perfect 10 bagels and light cream cheese at work. Perfect 10 bagels are not the greatest tasting (especially when you want a good bagel), but I made the taste sacrifice for the greater good of my waistline and pocketbook.
As I've said before, tracking has really worked for me in the past. While I hate feeling like I'm a baby learning to walk again when I think I already know how, that's exactly where I am. Yes, I have a lot of knowledge because I've been there before, but I've regressed on how to execute it in my life. I am back at the beginning and I need to go back through the steps of what worked for me when I was starting out in 2008.
My goal is to be back at my fittest when we try to conceive again next year. I have roughly 7-8 months to get there. :)
I will say that making myself be vigilant in tracking my calories again has proved to be a great tool in deterring some of my bad habits. For example... I got home from the gym last night and Michael had picked up Gatti's. My not-working-out-self would have rejoiced, my normal-working-out-self would have been pissed, but last night I felt indifferent. I knew it wasn't the best option, but I knew that I had "saved" enough calories that I could eat some and not blow all of my good work. I had three small slices and some spaghetti - I was starving! Honestly, I even thought about going back for another slice - wouldn't hurt, right? But, the smarter side of me that had been tracking all day said, "Give it 20 minutes. If you're still hungry, then you can have it." And, guess what? 20 minutes later, I had forgotten about it. I am having to learn about hungry vs. taste all over again. Something similar happened this morning. I overslept and did not have time to make my smoothie before running out the door. I could have checked in with work and then ran to Starbucks or Subway to grab a bite, but then I remembered that I had Perfect 10 bagels and light cream cheese at work. Perfect 10 bagels are not the greatest tasting (especially when you want a good bagel), but I made the taste sacrifice for the greater good of my waistline and pocketbook.
As I've said before, tracking has really worked for me in the past. While I hate feeling like I'm a baby learning to walk again when I think I already know how, that's exactly where I am. Yes, I have a lot of knowledge because I've been there before, but I've regressed on how to execute it in my life. I am back at the beginning and I need to go back through the steps of what worked for me when I was starting out in 2008.
My goal is to be back at my fittest when we try to conceive again next year. I have roughly 7-8 months to get there. :)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
My eyes hurt.
And, that's for real. One downside of working out is that I am way more exhausted the next morning. Michael and I always try to spend some time together after Ethan goes down, but when I workout all I want to do is go to bed right behind Ethan!
Moving on...I have been shying away from supplements, but I have to rave about one I used last night. I went to Smoothie King looking for Isopure (a no carb protein drink that I have used post-work in the past). They didn't carry it, but recommended Redline as a pre-workout booster. I picked up the "Princess" one and decided to give it a whirl. WOW! It was awesome! My legs were dying in Spin because of my leg workout the previous day, and I had great bursts of energy to push through it. After Spin, I decided to do an arm workout (bis-tris-shoulders). I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and it felt amazing. I will definitely be using this product more, especially on my slower days.
I'm also on day 3 of tracking on Livestrong. This has worked really well for me in the past. I know it's just a matter of making myself do it. It's a pain, but it's also a great way for me to decide if I really need whatever I'm about to put into my mouth because I'll have to track it.
Tonight, I'm thinking that I will try out Zumba. I don't want a rest day, but I also don't want to overwork anything. Plus, I've never done it before, so what the hey! :)
Moving on...I have been shying away from supplements, but I have to rave about one I used last night. I went to Smoothie King looking for Isopure (a no carb protein drink that I have used post-work in the past). They didn't carry it, but recommended Redline as a pre-workout booster. I picked up the "Princess" one and decided to give it a whirl. WOW! It was awesome! My legs were dying in Spin because of my leg workout the previous day, and I had great bursts of energy to push through it. After Spin, I decided to do an arm workout (bis-tris-shoulders). I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and it felt amazing. I will definitely be using this product more, especially on my slower days.
I'm also on day 3 of tracking on Livestrong. This has worked really well for me in the past. I know it's just a matter of making myself do it. It's a pain, but it's also a great way for me to decide if I really need whatever I'm about to put into my mouth because I'll have to track it.
Tonight, I'm thinking that I will try out Zumba. I don't want a rest day, but I also don't want to overwork anything. Plus, I've never done it before, so what the hey! :)
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Getting excited
That's what I need - to be getting excited. I used to be anxious and excited to hit the gym. I'm ready for that point in this journey, and I feel like I am thisclose.
I am still completely disgusted when I look in the mirror, and especially when I see pictures of myself.
Last night, I had a great workout. Towards the end, I was hitting that point where I had the desire to push myself. Up to now, I have been hating the very thought of going to the gym. Part of that is because of the way I look - a vicious cycle. Last night, I finally started to push those thoughts to the back of my mind. Instead of focusing on what others might think of my flabby ass, I focused on my mission. I was there to work that flab off, and while I may not be there right now, continuing this process will get me there again.
Tonight, I am going to Spin, and possibly Body Pump. Baby steps...one day at a time.
I am still completely disgusted when I look in the mirror, and especially when I see pictures of myself.
Last night, I had a great workout. Towards the end, I was hitting that point where I had the desire to push myself. Up to now, I have been hating the very thought of going to the gym. Part of that is because of the way I look - a vicious cycle. Last night, I finally started to push those thoughts to the back of my mind. Instead of focusing on what others might think of my flabby ass, I focused on my mission. I was there to work that flab off, and while I may not be there right now, continuing this process will get me there again.
Tonight, I am going to Spin, and possibly Body Pump. Baby steps...one day at a time.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Aggravations
I hate how I can go all day being great, and then one fun night at Bunco can set me back unbelievably far. I ate well all day, went to Spin and then I get to Bunco. Now, I don't have control over the meal that is prepared, but I could do a better job of watching myself. No, I can't measure out like I can at home, but I know how to eyeball fairly well. I feel like I did that last night and still failed once I got back to track it. Ugh. Guess I'll just have a once a month "know I'm going to screw it up" night.
And, another thing that annoys me... Sometimes you just can't track accurately. For example... I had my light turkey sausage quesadilla for breakfast today. However, I removed one side of the tortilla so that I lost a chunk of carbs, but not the protein. Can't track it like that, though. Annoying.
I guess I'm just in a mood today. I feel like I am so far from my goals, and I'm just ready to be there.
And, another thing that annoys me... Sometimes you just can't track accurately. For example... I had my light turkey sausage quesadilla for breakfast today. However, I removed one side of the tortilla so that I lost a chunk of carbs, but not the protein. Can't track it like that, though. Annoying.
I guess I'm just in a mood today. I feel like I am so far from my goals, and I'm just ready to be there.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
post-Halloween "diet"
Hello November 1st! You are a welcome sight right now.
Now that Halloween is over, I feel like so many temptations will be gone - food and money-wise. October is always a "big-spender" month for us. Between buying Halloween candy for the kiddies and then investing in costume supplies, I always walk away feeling empty. I get so wrapped up in the spirit of Halloween and forget that it is very fleeting. This year was a little different because Ethan was old enough to start getting into Halloween. We took him trick-or-treating and he did great! He loved seeing all the other kiddos and running up to people handing treats out to him. It was freaking adorable. Seriously.
Moving on (because I have a whole other blog dedicated the adorableness of my son)...
Michael and I had a talk Monday night. He asked me what I thought would work for me, diet-wise. He noticed that I did lose some weight with Ideal Protein, but I have also lost weight using good habits. I feel like I would be better off using good habits. Yes, I lost weight using Ideal Protein. It definitely works. But, once the accountability is gone, it's not as effective for me. Plus, Michael wants this whole healthy lifestyle thing to be a family affair. Honestly, I could do a program and still cook a healthy dinner for us at night. The only issue would be on the weekends. It could work.
But, the more I thought about it, I don't want my son and future children (especially a daughter) to see their mom constantly on a "diet". I want them to grow up seeing healthy habits. When I was growing up, my mom went to aerobics classes and practiced healthy eating habits for the most part. Later in my childhood, she started trying different programs like Sugar Busters. It was weird to me at the time to see her eating things that were different from us. She had "special bread". I feel like Ethan should be able to eat the same things that Michael and I eat. We should all be able to sit down to any given meal as a family and eat together without someone having "special bread".
So, Tuesday, I went grocery shopping with a semi-list. I decided to start out like I did before - go simple and use the "light" versions. My health knowledge from before Ethan is still there, but in trying to get back to those good habits, I need to start small. I used to cook elaborate healthy meals, and maybe I will work back to that one day. Right now, I need simple. Simple is a light Jimmy Dean breakfast quesadilla and coffee with sugar-free creamer & splenda for breakfast. Simple is a sliced turkey or chicken sandwich on light bread with a 40 calorie slice of cheese and pre-measured/weighed Zapps chips and a light salad. Simple is a crock pot dinner recipe from Hungry-Girl or Skinny Ms. Simple.
That is where I am at right now. And, I'm okay with it.
Now that Halloween is over, I feel like so many temptations will be gone - food and money-wise. October is always a "big-spender" month for us. Between buying Halloween candy for the kiddies and then investing in costume supplies, I always walk away feeling empty. I get so wrapped up in the spirit of Halloween and forget that it is very fleeting. This year was a little different because Ethan was old enough to start getting into Halloween. We took him trick-or-treating and he did great! He loved seeing all the other kiddos and running up to people handing treats out to him. It was freaking adorable. Seriously.
Moving on (because I have a whole other blog dedicated the adorableness of my son)...
Michael and I had a talk Monday night. He asked me what I thought would work for me, diet-wise. He noticed that I did lose some weight with Ideal Protein, but I have also lost weight using good habits. I feel like I would be better off using good habits. Yes, I lost weight using Ideal Protein. It definitely works. But, once the accountability is gone, it's not as effective for me. Plus, Michael wants this whole healthy lifestyle thing to be a family affair. Honestly, I could do a program and still cook a healthy dinner for us at night. The only issue would be on the weekends. It could work.
But, the more I thought about it, I don't want my son and future children (especially a daughter) to see their mom constantly on a "diet". I want them to grow up seeing healthy habits. When I was growing up, my mom went to aerobics classes and practiced healthy eating habits for the most part. Later in my childhood, she started trying different programs like Sugar Busters. It was weird to me at the time to see her eating things that were different from us. She had "special bread". I feel like Ethan should be able to eat the same things that Michael and I eat. We should all be able to sit down to any given meal as a family and eat together without someone having "special bread".
So, Tuesday, I went grocery shopping with a semi-list. I decided to start out like I did before - go simple and use the "light" versions. My health knowledge from before Ethan is still there, but in trying to get back to those good habits, I need to start small. I used to cook elaborate healthy meals, and maybe I will work back to that one day. Right now, I need simple. Simple is a light Jimmy Dean breakfast quesadilla and coffee with sugar-free creamer & splenda for breakfast. Simple is a sliced turkey or chicken sandwich on light bread with a 40 calorie slice of cheese and pre-measured/weighed Zapps chips and a light salad. Simple is a crock pot dinner recipe from Hungry-Girl or Skinny Ms. Simple.
That is where I am at right now. And, I'm okay with it.
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