Why Not?

Exercise even on your rest day?

Is what I asked myself tonight. For some reason after I ate dinner tonight I was just feeling so bloated and fat. (That could also be due to TOM ) I just felt the need to exercise so I did. Don't worry I didn't over do it. I just did 15 min of cardio 5 min on the treadmill, then 5 min on the elliptical and then 5 min on the treadmill again! It felt good getting that workout in but I still feel fat! Lol However I did burn 155 cals!

Anyhow this week has been pretty good. I have stayed within my cals so far so that's a plus and I havent felt the need to just eat all the wrong foods. I must admit I have been slacking on my veggies and fruit. I really need to start enforcing whats necessary. I also been on point with my exercising, still waking up at 5 and 6 am in the morning. It's hard but it is worth it in the end!

Earlier on Monday I had the opportunity to get a second workout in! I had already done my 5K Training earlier that morning. However the opportunity presented itself  for me and DH to go bike riding again. Hey anytime I can burn extra calories and enjoy what I'm doing I'm up for the challenge! So I was game. Not even a mile in my DH ended up hurting himself! If men would listen they would be/get so much further in life!  I was ahead of him on one of the trails and a deep decline came up so I got off my bike and walked the decline and warned my DH of what was coming ahead.  Next thing i know I see him like 2 min later! Come to find out he had fallen! I had no idea because I kept going and I didn't hear him fall. When he returned he had leaves all over him! It was so funny. (I'm laughing to myself) It's okay to laugh now because he is fine now. However he did walk awya with a miny injury. SO that ended our journey wiil short. I have to admit I was a little pissed! It's not too often you have an opportunity to burn massive calories and enjoy doing so. Oh well maybe next time.

This week has been a busy week. I'm on the track  of going back to work and going back to school. I'm going for my Bachelor's in Nursing.  Although RN's on an entry level( whether your have an ASN(2 yr) or BSN(4 yr)) make the same pay however most can't advance as far. I have dreams of being a Nurse Anesthetist or Nurse Practioner Specializing in Cardiovascular. Hopefully I will make up my mind soon or maybe I'll just stick to just being a good ole nurse. We shall see.

Anywho back to weight loss. I plan on sticking to my routine for the rest of the week and weekend. I'm curious to see how this new plan is working out. Then again I have also been thinking about not getting on the scale until a few weeks from now. I know me, I don't think I could hold out that long. Anyhow I want to try and get in the bed early tonight! I hope everyone is doing okay and staying on plan!

Have a good one, Until next time much love!

Week In Review

First let me say I am so glad that this week is over! This week was very hard and intense. I'm not sure if I stated before but me and DH was taking up a real estate class, it was from Monday- Sunday from 9 am to 6pm! 100 % torture! 

Anyhow we managed to make it through the tough week! It was so much info to learn in that class in such a short time! I have learned so much! Now I understand that majority of the people who own homes are getting robbed by banks! It's ashame! Don't worry  I will spare the details. Now for the good news Me and DH passed! I have became very interested in Real Estate over the week that I want to take more classes. ( Eventually) I'm interested in Becoming a REal Estate Broker ( who get's all the money, lol 100% commission) and interested in becoming a Mortgage Broker. All those licenses are like having a license to print money! I had no idea that it was so easy to get into the real estate business and make a decent amount of money without having a degree! Although I still love my current job( well not yet but soon) . I will have something to fall back on!

Okay enough of that on to weight issues. I think I prefer to count calories instead. I did very well all week up untill Sat and Sun. DO to having class all week and all day packing the same lunch got kind of boring and due to the fact that we don't eat me it was hard to find food so a lot of junk food was consumed during yesterday and today. 

Bad News First I didn't weigh myself last Monday because I was afraid too and I don't want to weigh myself tomorrow because I am still afraid. I just have a feeling that I have gone back over into the 200's and don't want to face reality. Anyhow I wsn't able to eat before 7 due to the fact that we got out of class around 6 pm everyday. Then had to go and pick up the kids from two DIFFERENT locations dealing with heavy rush hour traffic! (SO not fun!) SO it was damn near impossible some days we had to eat after 8 and 9pm! I know that wasn't good but it was hard. I did terrible on my eating yesterday and today.Yesterday was suppose to be my free day but I got out of hand. So I decided that free days are not for me because they will only get me into trouble.  I kind of think it was due to the stress of my class! I know I'm making an excuse.

ANyhow now for the good news.

I did exercercise on my 5 scheduled days! I got up at 5 am on all of those days! Now that I look back I don't know how, due to the fact that I was so busy but I'm glad that Ididn't make any excuses not to exercise when I could have. I stayed within calorie range 5 out of 7 days. I think that is good considering!

Anyhow I look forward to this week. I want to make this week a good week as all of the other upcoming weeks. I know I can do this I just have to be disciplined and remeber to pick myself back up if I fall. This week my training( for running) is suppose to go up a notch and I'm a little scared. As of now I run(3min) and walk(2min) and this week it's suppose to increase to running 4 min and walking 2 min. I know you are all thinking it's only one minute! But for a beginner like me that is a huge difference! I think if I slow my pace back down I will be okay! WE shall see.

With couting calories I was referred to Calorie King by B-Kay and I think I'm going to check them out. They have a 7day free trial going on for the computer and Palm( Pocket PC). I have both so I think I will try both to see which one I like best. I think the Palm might be more convient due to the fact that I can take it with me at ALL times! I think it is a good investment since I am making a LIFESTYLE CHANGE! ANyhow as of now I'm using The Daily Plate I have no complaints they have done right by me so far. It just seems that the Calorie King has a lot more to offer and they are a bit more advanced. I will let you know how I like it!

Well I guess I will get at you guys and gals later and I hope you all had a good weekend and I wish you all awonderful week! Until next time much love!

Edited to Update @ 0745 am on 3/31/08

I did wake up at 6 am to exercise. It just felt good waking up knowing that I didn't have to go to class! Today's run walk was difficult. According to my training schedule I was suppose to increase my run time by 1 min which makes my run time for 4 min now and walk time for 2 min.  I did that 5 times (30 min) and a 5 min warm up and 5 min cool down( Totaling 40 min). I also did my 200 crunches and 20 pushups! I burned a total of 510 cals and my mileage was 2.764 ( almost 3 miles).  I had a very good workout!

I did get on that dreaded scale and I was up to 200.5. It was expected. I don't plan to be  back on this side of town for too long, I'm just visiting! lol Anyhow I was able to download the free trials from the Calorie King and I'm anxious to use them.  I hope everyone has a good day! Until next time much love!

Quickie!

Just Checkin In

All is well. This is going to be a week from hell. And it's only day two!

Okay let me stop complaining. I thought my EKG class was rough but Real Estate is even harder especially when you have no background on that subject. 2 days down, 5 more days too go!

On Exercise

I've been pretty good with exercising so far. Yesterday and this morning I woke up around 5am  ( So not fun!) But it felt good afterwards to know that I got my exercise out of the way. Yesterday was my walk/run training for 40 min I finally got my speed back up to 5.0 which is great so I was able to cover more mileage( not much of a difference but it did sound good, lol). Today I did Turbo Jam Turbo Sculpt 40 min. On both days I included my 200 crunches and 20 pushups! Tomorrow I plan to wake up at 5am as well to do some more run/walking for 40 min.

On Eating

Yesterday which was my first day counting calories was not so bad. I think I did pretty good. I wasn't sure if I should eat back the calories that I burned so I didn't. Today on the other hand was a different story. Due to poor planning and lack of groceries, lol. My food choices weren't healthy at all! However the good news is, that I remained under my daily calorie allowance with a few calories to spare but I did eat back the calories I burned.

I'm still getting mixed feedback on whether you should eat the burned calories back or not. I guess time will tell! Anyhow just a mini update. I had an opportunity to blog so I took it. Now I need to take my butt to sleep. Have a good week everyone! Until next time much love!

Oh yeah I updated a few photos! ( Not pertaining to weight loss)

Edited to Update 3/26/08 @

Today I woke up at 5am to get my exercise on!

 I ran 3 min @ 5.0 and walked 2 min @ 3.5 for a total of 40 min including a 10 min warm-up and cool down. It was a little tough but I got through it. I also did 200 crunches and 20 pushups, burning a total of 500 cals!

Me and DH recently reorganized the garage and our workout area. There is so much more space and still have room to park a car. He also finally added cable to the tv on the treadmill which makes working out even more entertaining! I so look forward to tomorrow its my rest day and I don't have to get up as early! LOL! Have a good day!

On My Own

On the weight loss aspect I'm on my own!

I decided to give weight watchers up! Although I did like going to the meetings. I think I was waisiting my money and then waisting my time because I wasn't sticking to their program. It's is a scary feeling  of being on my own now but I got to do it!  I CAN DO IT! I JUST HAVE TO FAITH IN MYSELF! In the end this journey is just between me!

So now I need to reassess my situation.

ASSESSMENT

Lately I've been trying to lose weight, with eating healthy and exercising. I've been succeeding slowly but surely but not at the rate I would like too! I know part of it's my fault because I would start the week off good and then end it bad! I always seem to do bad when my DH is home. I do not put the blame on him, but it is so hard to stay focused when he is here! My weaknesses are sweets! I don't know when to stop! I can't just each one.  However my exercise isn't that bad but then again I probably could take it up a notch!

DIAGNOSIS

I'm addicted to food especially sweets! CAN't stop won't stop. No better yet I will stop! I HAVE to stop!

PLAN  / IMPLEMENTATION

As for my new plan I really don't have one set in stone as of yet which is not good but I do have something. I decided to try to utilize The Daily Plate. According to them in order to lose at least 2.5 pounds a week I need to eat 1652 Cals per day. I think that is manageable. So even though I'm not using weight watchers anymore. I still have to jot down what I eat. Which I am learning is necessary for me! Although I get tired of it at times I just have to make that sacrifice. 

(HEY QUICK QUESTION: Does anyone know that if you exercise and burn about 500 cals, are you suppose to eat those cals back?)

So in a nutshell my plan is to stick to a low cal diet, exercise 5 times or more a week. Drink 12 cups of water per day. Eat 5 or more servings of fruit per day. No EATING after 7pm! Write down everything I eat because I know I won't be able to log everything on the daily plate. I also decided to have one cheat day in my diet. I haven't decided what day yet. I'll probably put it in the middle of my week. I don't want it too close to weigh in day. I still will weigh in on Mondays! So wish me luck for tomorrow! (I'm not sure if you all knew about my previous scale addiction but it is still under control and I only plan to weigh myself once a week! I have decided the next time I go grocery shopping to NOT buy any more snacks! Not even the 100 cals snacks! They are no good, for me that is. I have no self control. I figure I can't do any damage if the snacks arent in the house.

OUTCOME/EVALUATION

It is to early to tell, but my planned outcome is to lose this weight!  We shall see.

Anyhow I'm starting to get excited about doing this on my own. I have no one in my way and no one to blame but myself! I CAN DO THIS! I WILL DO THIS! I HAVE TO DO THIS! I have a lot more weight to lose! I found an old picture of me after I loss 45 pounds on my first weight loss journey back in 2004. I was so happy in that picture. I decided to post that picture up on my desk where I can see it often to remind me that I can be happy again. It just takes hard work. I want to be the BIGGEST LOSER(again)!

Brief review of last week. My eating was terrible! My exericise was pretty good. Although I planned to do my regular exercise on Friday. Me and DH took the kids to the zoo. We walked around the whole ZOO! ( so not fun). The whole walk is said to be 3 miles long. I didn't think to take my Garmin so I'm not sure how accurate it was. But it sure did feel like 3 miles. I wanted to walk on purpose although they did have golf cart type things which actually had pedals like you where riding a bicycle. I didn't think it was worth the money to rent. ( Maybe next time). Yesterday I waited to the last minute to exercise. I'm just glad I got it done. My running speed is just about back to normal. I usual distance that I complete has even increased so that is a good thing. I went to the movies twice last week. I saw Vantage Point( very good movie) at the actual theatre( I haven't been there in so long) I refuse to go to the movies with kids! Maybe when they are older and can understand when to be quiet. The other movie I saw was Meet The Browns( I have to be honest I was a little disappointed in the movie, I guess I was expecting too much) Tyler's other mocies where better. Besides in this movie they where so not focusing on the Brown's

This upcoming week is going to be challenging. As I stated before I'm taking a Realtor's Course and it is a 7 day course from 9-6pm! I already know that I MUST pack my lunch, snacks and probably dinner. I proabably won't have time to blog and read blogs but I will try. So here is to a new and challengin week! I hope everyone here on EP and my EP friends have a good week! Jsut stay focused and don't let anybody( including yourself ) or any obstacle get in your way from reaching your goal. Good Luck! Until next time much love!

PS. Sorry for the long post I had so much to say!

Riding Dirty

Well not really. I couldn't think of a cool title for my post. But I was ridin'

Today I finally got to achieve one of my past goals. Which was to try a new exercise or activity every month. Me and DH finally got a chance to go ride our bikes.  We went to a state park that was specific for trail riding. I'm not gonna lie I under estimated those trails. I thought they were going to be easy. Boy was I wrong! We rode our  bike for an hour I we traveled 5.77 miles. (I wish I could do that while running, lol!) Anyhow I burned a total of 876 cals! Do you hear me? 876 CALS! That is a lot of cals to burn in that time frame. I was amazed. I think I need to add this to my exrecise routine. It couldn't hurt to burn a few more calories especialy since I'm trying to lose some weight!  I really enjoyed myself today. Being that this was our first time the trails where challenging but it was fun at the same time.

Today was my rest day but since me and DH didin't have the kids we took advantage of the opportunity. Plus since all the binge eating I done yesterday it would'nt have hurt to exercise today.

Well now where off to the movies gotta go! Until next time much love!

Happy Monday

Hey All!

Just checking in I have been so very busy. I miss bloging as much as I used to but hey I guess I'm getting a real taste of life.

Anyhow I want to announce that I passed my EKG/ Telemetry class and test. That was a very intense course and I am so happy that it is over. There was a written test, and the other part of the test was being able to read EKG strips( about 20) and being able to treat and how ,if necessary. I got a 100% on that part and about a 94 on the written I was really amazed at myself.

Anyhow unfortunately I have another class to take next week which is to become a Realtor. I so don't look forward to it.  I mean I just don't like the fact on how busy I will be. Oh well I guess I will just have to deal with and realize that it is only temporary.

On to weight issues. I didn't make it to my WW's meeting last week but I did make it today. I lost another .6 from last week so I'm assuming my personal weigh in from last week was accurate so now I'm 198.4. Slowly but surely right?  I will take it because it is better than nothing as long as I'm not going up that is all that matters.

My exercising and eating kind of fell off point this weekend but I didn't do too bad. I've been making up for my exercise in other ways!  Today me and DH where able to get out and go running. (During my regular routine I ususally run outside at the park after my weight watchers meeting ) It was so not fun for him that is, it's been a while since he ran period and it 's been a while since I ran outside. So it was an eye opener but I actaully enjoyed my run/walk today.The scenery was beautiful and peaceful. It was still at a lower pace but at least I was able to enjoy it and complete it.

Anyhow my so called strict diet has been put on the back burner for now. I can't deal with that right now my attention span is so not ready for it so now I'm going to try to stick to the Weight Watchers plan, hell I am paying for it! Anyhow so I'll give them another try and see how it goes.

My goals are still the same. I just plan to take it one day at a time. And try not to look too far into the future and stress myself out. Anyhow I hope all is well it's getting late so I will hopefully get a chance to catch up on blogs tomorrow! Have a great week everyone! Until next time much love!

One of my favorite qoutes

"OUR GREATEST GLORY IS NOT IN NEVER FALLING, BUT IN RISING EVERY TIME WE FALL"             Author Unknown

Edited 3/18/08 @ 6:15  To Update

Hey just wanted to add that I woke up at 5 am this morning to exercise.    ( So not fun) Anyhow I am determined to stay on track one day at a time. So I had to make the sacrafice of  getting up early this morning to get my exercise in. Although I am not a morning person I really prefer getting up in the am to exercise becasue then I don't have to worry about it later. ANyhow I dusted off my old Taebo Tape  I did the FAt BLaster! The tape was 55 min long but Ionly did 35 min of it because I am pressed for time, but somehow I managed to find time to blog! Lol I do plan on finishing up those 20 min later on this evening. I ended my workout with 200 crunches and 20 pushups. I honestly feel like I got a good workout. I've been hearing so much about Taebo lately that I decided to give it a try! ANyhow I will catchup with you all later. I promise! Until next time much love

Almost Over

Class that is! I can't wait! I so look forward to resting tomorrow and Saturday!

The EKG class was pretty intense. It is a lot to learn in such a short amount of time! I am doing pretty good but I could use a lil more practice. This will be a short post because I need to go and study!

Anyhow my eating wasn't all that great today. I didn't pack my breakfast and we ended up skipping lunch today so we can get out early. So that means I went a half a day without eating. Not Good!

So I basically ended up eating a banana muffin and a pack of cashews for breakfast/lunch! When I got home I had a shake and  protein bar. I don't plan on eating dinner unless its veggies only! I had only about one cup of water! So basically today was shot but I'm back on track as of now! Today was my rest day from exercise, I kind of enjoyed it( only because I didn't have to wake up as early) but to be honest it didn't feel any different from any other day. I guess I'm not working out as hard as I thought I was.

Anyhow my plan is to have two kick ass workouts this weekend. Well actaully tomorrow and Saturday. I'm not sure what I will do yet for tomorrow but I know it will involve weights, and Saturday I plan on dusting off my old Taebo Fat Blaster Tape  along with my running which I plan to increase my time by about by no more than 20 min!  Wish me luck that tape is 55 mins long!  Anyhow I hope everyone is having a good week!  Okay this was suppose to be short and it wasn't. Until next time much love

Exhausted!

Is how I 've been feeling lately and it's only been two days!

WTF? Is this what it feels like to be a working single mother ? Lol. I am so not feeling this! I have been out of work too long. This getting up early and getting home late is for the birds!  Naw I think I can handle it is just I have to get used to it again. I give props to you single mothers out there. I'm not single but when DH is not here I sure do feel single. It aint easy!

Annyhow Today I woke up early again at 5 am trying to keep my word! It was hard though. I pressed the snooze button like 40 times, lol okay maybe just 4 or 5. But it's like what 's the use of having an alarm clock if you are not going to use it! Anyhow Today was a weight training day. So I did my Turbo Jam Turbo Sculpt DVD( 40 min). That was an eye opener! I usually use 5 pound free weights but today I used my new 8lb weights. What a difference, I'll get used to it though. I did my 200 crunches and 20 push- ups. I didn't get to do my 15 or 20 min  of cardio, due to the fact that I had a fight with my alarm cllock.

Anyhow my plan for tomorrow is to run 3 min/walk 2 min for 40 min with a 10 min warmup and cool down. Along wiht my 200 crunches and 20 pushups. I so look forward to Thursday, it's my rest day not from my busy schedule but from exercise. get to sleep a whole extra hour, Lol!

Personally I can't wait until this whole week is over! So I can finally catch up on sleep. Class is going pretty good. Its getting more difficult as the week goes by, but I'm sure I will do fine! Anyhow I was planning on taking another class this weeking which is a little more challenging, I seriously don't think I will make it. I'm going to wait until next month! Anyhow I just wanted to let you all know that all is well. Until next time much love!

Edited to add update for today March 12, 2008 07:30 AM

Today I almost didn't make it. As far as getting up early to exercise, but then I realized that I didn't have to drop my daughter off becasue she was already at the babysitter's. So that gave me about an extra hour to sleep. Thank God because I needed it. So I woke up at 6:30 did my run/walk routiune for 40 min, and my crunches and push-ups. I burned a total of 430 cals. My pace is still slower than usual but I did take it up a notch from Monday. Overall I feel pretty good and I'm starting to feel lighter! I hopeyou all have a good day.

Happy Hump Day! Until Next Time Much Love

Finally?

I am under 200!   My weigh in this morning was 199.0!

It seems klike it took forever to get here!

Whats's up with these 1lbs a week? I need more give me more! Lol

I'm kinda happy about  i tand then again I'm in disbelief. Due to the fact that I had to use my scale at home. I try not to weigh myself at home but I had no choice and plus my scale is pretty close to WW's scale  well it always says I weigh more than WW's so I might just be under 199 but I'll tkae it! The time change messed me up! I was planning to go to an early weigh in this week but I missed it because I woke up late. I will see if I can find one during the week but I know it will be hard because I have and will be so busy.

There is not enough time in the day!

Anyhow me and Gamma_ Raye kind of pledge to start over this morning. Boy was it hard for me to get up( got up at 5 am)! Then I realized that this weight insn't going to come off by itself so I pushed myself. I wanted to hold up my end of the deal and plus I didn't want to let myself down! (Gamma i hope you got up girl, we can do this!

I am so glad I exercised this morning! I feel great. I think thois workout helped me to fall back in love with working out in the early mornings! It's a must and will be necessary for when I do return back to work! I did my 200 crunches and 20 pushups. As far cardio I ran3 min/ walk 2 min with a 10 min warm up and cool down. Due to the fact that I havent ran in a while I tool it slow. I am to ashamed to tell you all the speed but at least Igot it done! I know I should really focus on numbers so ealry, but when you are an aspiring runner you can't help it. I hope to get back my spped and distance over the week.

I have so much to say but not enought time. Maybe I'll write later on this evening if time is permited! I hope everyone is starting their week off right! Okay I really wish everyone would comeback already! Until next time much love!

Ghost Town!

Where are all my blogger buddies? I miss you all and your support. I know there is a such thing called life, then blogging. I just hope everyone is well and that you all haven't given up!

This week has been pretty much a bust! On the eating tip. I've been doing great except for my mishap on Tuesday!  On Wednesday I started my new strict diet which will remain confidential unless I have some results. I 've been doing pretty good. It's amazing that when I'm on a strict diet I do good and don't have the urge to cheat. When I'm not on a diet and could eat whatever I want (just in portion control). I always fall off the wagon and overeat/binge eat. Does anyone understand why that might be?

As far as exercise. I have seemed to lose my motivation. I only exercised one day so far and that was on Monday. I honestly don't feel like working out today or the rest of the week for that matter. I have gotten lazy and I really don't have an explanation.

I have to weigh in a day early(Sunday) this week due to the fact that I have class all next week from nine to five. I really don't know how I'm going to fit exercise in my schedule unless I wake my ass up ealry in the morning or exercise when I come home. Neither of them sound good, lol!  I really need to get my ish together. Well at least I got my eating under control.... I think. Anyhow I hope everyone has  a great weekend and be safe. I know there is crime everywhere but thank God you don't live in Miami. Crazy shi% has been going on down here everyday. Any yall wonder why I carry Betty Sue, I actually think she may need a firend! It's that bad!  I got to pray harder! Anyhow until next time much love!