So, I've been very diligent about working out lately. The past couple of weeks, I've worked out every day but one. I've even hiked up one of the mountains the past two weekends. It's really fun and it gives me a different change of scenery than the gym. And yet, when I got on the scale this morning, it says I have gained two pounds. I'm assuming that this is water weight, since I've also been tracking all my food as well and staying at least 100 calories below my level for the day. I allow a 100 calorie buffer in case I calculate something wrong during the day. I also bought a food scale yesterday to help better determine how much of stuff I am eating.
I also just heard from one of my friends back in Memphis and they are planning a trip to Florida the first week of May. That's going to be my motivation for the next two months to stay on track! I already went to body pump at 0530 this morning but I may try to go to spin after work depending on how tired I am! I'm also finishing up my master's by doing my final project, so that is cutting into some of my time as well. But I'm dedicated to this and to my health!
Well I've been in Virginia for two and half months. Sometimes it seems a lot longer and sometimes I feel like I just got here! It's definitely more of an adjustment that I thought it would be. I'm working out pretty consistently at the gym and trying to get my eating habits under control. I had joined Weight Watchers but I think it's more of a detriment to my eating habits than helping me. There have been several times that I've been below my points for the day and I am not hungry, but I eat the points anyway since they are there.
For the last two weeks of February I'm going to continue WW but also track my eating on Calorie Count Plus, which really helped me last summer lose weight. I also love the feature on Calorie Count that grades your eating for the day. I always want to try to get an A or a B and that really drives my eating habits. Unlike WW, where I often fill up my points with "empty" calories. So, I'll track on both for the next two weeks and make my decision. Plus the fact WW costs me $40 and CC is free!
Well, I'm nine pounds heavier and I now live in Southwest Virginia! In October I applied for a job that sounded perfect for me, never thinking I would get it. Well lo and behold, two phone interviews and one face-to-face interview and I was offered the position! I'm still doing training design, but now I have a management position and I do not have to travel anymore. I really like it so far, but Virginia has been an adjustment. I allowed myself to eat whatever I wanted, since I was "stressed" from the move and everything.
So, here I am, nine pounds heavier. I'm kind of frustrated, but I know I did it to myself. But its a new year and a new start! I can't wait to get caught up with all of you again! I've joined a local gym and I've been doing classes again. They are fun and its a good opportunity for me to meet new people as well. TTYL!
Sorry I've been MIA, grad school has been kicking my butt and I had two work trips in September. Well, I accomplished one of my goals this weekend... I won in my age bracket in the 24 Hour Tour D'Espirit! I did 40 miles officially, though I really did 41. The chips that counted our laps were malfunctioning, but I still beat my previous mileage in 2005 by 15 miles! Woo hoo! I only ran 4 of the miles, since I was going for distance, rather than time. I ended up being sore, but my knee didn't give me any problems and I had no blisters, which was fantastic. I hope you all are doing well! I'm hoping to be back here regularly now.
Sorry I've been MIA the last few days. With grad school starting back Wednesday and Thursday nights, and work being crazy busy, I haven't had time to post. But I did eat Body for Life all week and I lost 2.5 pounds!! Which puts me at half-way so I'm super psyched. It's a great way of eating, I'm never hungry since I'm eating six times a day and I'm eating so healthy every time. My free day was Friday, but actually I ate on plan until Friday night. It was my friend's birthday and we got free buffet tickets at one of the casinos and it was so yummy! And I didn't feel guilty about indulging, since it was my free day. So, I'm definitely sticking with this. I got to half way in April with Jenny Craig, but it didn't stick. I'm hoping to be at 140 by October. I don't know if I'll continue to lose at this rate, but hey, it's worth a shot!
I also did decide to quit boot camp. I looked at my calendar for September and with my work travel schedule and I would only be able to go 5 times this month, so the money is just not worth it. I have been working out on my own, doing weights and cardio at the gym at my apartment. It's also more convenient since its only a couple of minutes away and I don't even have to drive.
I'm off to West Virginia at 6 am tomorrow morning for a couple of days, but I'm hoping I can catch up with the rest of you all while in the hotel tomorrow night (after working out of course!)
I am reconsidering signing up for boot camp again in September. I've gotten into the habit now of working out 5-6 times a week. I go to boot camp 2x on Monday, 1x on Wed and Fri, plus I run Tues/Thurs/Sat. But the past two weeks of boot camp have been so boring. He's done basically the same stuff every session. I'm thinking about not going anymore, since I am trying to cut down my expenses. It's $75 a month versus $40 at the Y, where I could go to work out any day of the week. Boot Camp is only M-F. Now that I'm in the habit of going, I can hold myself accountable for my work outs. Plus, the Y is a lot closer and would save me gas $$!
I also start back to grad school tonight. I have class tonight and tomorrow night, these are my last two classes before doing my master's project next semester, then I'll be done! Yippee!
I have decided not to get on the scale again until Saturday- the first. My goal was to get below 150 by then and I really hope I do it! Yesterday, I went to boot camp twice. My eating went really well, but I didn't know if I would be able to eat everything I was supposed to. But I ended up doing it! This morning I woke up late but I still went out to run for 30 minutes. I was a few minutes late for work, but to me it was worth it to get my run in! I'll just stay a bit later tonight.
Tonight I also have tickets to my company's suite at our minor league baseball team's stadium. I'm going to eat one meal before I go and take an apple and string cheese with me so I am not tempted by all the greasy yummy baseball food!
I just found out I do not like it! I have never tried it before and for my mid-morning meal, the eating for life plan suggested combining cottage cheese with yoplait low-fat yogurt (which I love). Yucky!! Tomorrow I'll just eat the yogurt by itself and maybe some raisins!
I decided to seriously look at what I was eating and not just counting calories. I've been on this weight loss thing seriously for a little over a year. Started with Jenny Craig, but that was just hard to do with my work travel schedule. Lately, I've been trying to just count calories and having success (for the most part) at staying under or around 1,200 calories a day. But despite vigorous exercise for the past two months, I've only lost a pound. I started doing some research into eating correctly and in the most healthful way. First, I came across clean eating. Which is a great idea, but I did not think would work long term for me. Then I stumbled upon Body for Life. I've known about Body for Life for a while, an old boss of mine did it and had great results. I've already got a solid exercise program, so I focused more on the eating plan. Turns out my parents had both the Body for Life book, as well as the accompanying eating plan and cook book, Eating for Life.
This book was exactly what I was looking for. It lays out for you exactly what you need to eat each day to achieve maximum results. I spent all weekend reading it and went to the grocery store last night and filled up my cart with healthy proteins, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables. I don't think I've ever gone to the grocery store and not bought any junk food! (Or even those 100 calorie snacks)
So this morning, I went to boot camp on an empty stomach and prepared my first meal an hour later. The book suggests working out an empty stomach will burn more calories and stored fat, and by waiting an hour to eat will achieve maximum results. My first meal was three egg whites and one whole egg scrambled with a smidge of low-fat cheese on a whole wheat tortilla with salsa. Yummy! I am stuffed. This plan calls for eating 6 mini-meals a day. I have to eat my next in about an hour and half. I think the hardest thing is going to be getting used to eating little meals on such a frequent, regular basis. But obviously what I was doing before was NOT working. Anyone have any experience with Body for Life or Eating for Life?
The good thing about mornings is that its a new day and we start off with a fresh, clean slate! Yesterday afternoon at work ended up being very stressful and I was pms'ing so I ate a lot of candy! I haven't done that in a while. Then I went to my parents and ate potato wedges and three buffalo wings. I don't know why I did it, while I was eating I was thinking- what am I doing?? I've got to learn to control my stress eating and learn to do something else instead.
But, today I woke up with a fresh start and waddled to boot camp! I've eaten on track so far today and I plan on taking a fruit tray to a friend's party tonight. I really wanted to take cheese dip, but I know I'll overindulge. I'm hoping Kroger has a nice fruit tray I can buy already, but if not I'll buy the fruit separately and prepare it.
