Just engaged!

Well I just love the hormone changes that occur once a month. Now my sugar cravings are crazy . I didn't do too bad, although I did go over my sugar intake. I usually don't eat sugar, but I did for the last three days eat something with sugar . A minor setback that I will change. I should have known by my sugar cravings what was going to happen. I had just wondered about it the other day and low and behold it pops up.

I achieved my 5 day workout, plus an extra night of dancing for hours.

I just got engaged and am looking forward to a nice honeymoon with a healthier looking body so I can take some nice pictures. We don't plan to be hitched until early next year. I have been trying to get pictures of swimsuits and wedding dresses I want to see myself in as an added goal for weight loss motivation. Well more updates on the journey to Bora Bora and the wedding day. Just take it day by day.

Back from oblivion

Well it has been a long time since I last posted anything. I have been busy though. I have found myself mainly focusing on sticking to a routine. I finally got my exercise routine down for the most part. I workout for at least 4 days with a max of 6. I usually average 5 days a week. Since I have had trouble with hot water in my apartment I still have not used that as an excuse not to exercise. Some days I sitll struggle to get in the gym. My main goal is just to get to the gym. Once I am there I do a good workout. I just have to step in the door. Luckily I have enough time to devote to my exercise since I have not kids or extra work hours. I find I do better in the morning since I get it out of the way and I ccan just chill the rest of the day. In the morning I am less likely to talk myself out ot by since I just go on auto-pilot. Although I am famous for hitting the snooze button like at least 7 times. I have to set my alarm one hour before I want to get up or I will snooze right through my workout. I got my body on the routine if early bed and early rise. So now it's not that hard to get up.

I had some help with weight training from another person in my gym that saw my effort and wanted to help. I am very grateful for his assistance. I got free personal training and some much appreciated motivation. YEAH!! 

I have FINALLY gotten a better grip on my diet. That is the hardest of all. Much to my surprise I think eating more smaller meals actually works. I am not hungry and I think I noticed some weight loss. Who knew thinking I didn't know everything and giving some much heard weight loss advice would work. But it helped me get over a plateau. I am still fine tuning my diet. But it is so much better than before. I am actually focusing on the old calorie ratio of burning more than I take in. So know I count calories and workout to achieve certain calories burned. I never eat more than I take in now. I am just fine tuning my snacks between lunch and dinner now.

Well since muscle weighs more than fat I am hoping my current slow in weight loss is due to more muscle gain. I plan on doing a body fat analysis. There was a new study that came out this week that supports the caloric intake as the best weight loss tool and that more muscle did not show a higher metabolism increase. So the study suggested that muscle does not burn more fat as once believed. I just know for me weight training is key due to my body make up of more muscle mass due to my body type.

I also have the 6 week body make-over kit. I use it as a guide and have not been as consistent with it as I should have been. I have begun to use it for my diet guide and it is helping.

Well so far others have noticed my weight loss and have given my nice compliments. I can finally wear my old cute clothes now. It's like I have a new wardrobe. I can feel the different fit in my clothes which also suggests that my muscle weight  is apparent.

Good luck to you all. DON'T STOP!!

Back on the beam

Well, I figured it would happen sooner or later. But I tried to be positive anyway. I realize that with my body metabolism type, I must exercise at least 4-5 times a week to see the fastest results. Luckily, I don't mind exercise. At least I have that going for me. I have plenty of time and opportunity. My best bet is to exercise after work. I tried to get back into my morning routine, but I overslept 90% of the time. I think that is rather obvious that plan will not work. I can do it after work, which I have begun again. The air is still working at my apt's gym.

I just got an eye-opener about the correlation between food and drug addiction. Now I know about addiction, but to see the same chemicals in the brain activated as those of herion users is scary. Here is some info on the brain chemistry of compulsive eating if anyone is interested. The source is Veronica Juarez of Kelsey-Seybold Clinic.

-Cocaine and food cravings occur in the same area of the brain  : Right orbitofrontal cortex controls pleasure and motivation

-Drug addiction, food cravings & hunger have a common brain pathway: the release of opioids in the brain = euphoric feelings

-Dopamine (natural pain killer) and Opiate levels rise in response to the sight and smell of food

-Opiates (herion is an opiate) increase the euphoric feelings: opiate release preceeds the intake of high fat/sugary foods

-Obese people have fewer dopamine receptors in the brain: they have to eat more to achieve the same rise in dopamine

-Dopamine helps suppress appetitie

No wonder food cravings sabotage so many of us. I can see withdrawal symptoms taking place in the brain that mimic withdrawal from some drugs. YIKES!!!   Hope this helped educate those who were not aware. Until next time, take it day by day with the cravings and they will soon subside.

Yeah Friday

Well, I have done well at sticking with my diet this week. The heat in the gym is still 90 degrees. I don't think waiting for the air to be fixed is reasonable anymore.  Goal one 45 min workout before Monday.

Better start

Well today is off to a fine start. I don't feel as bloated, so my clothes fit better. The plan is for 45 min of exercise tonight.

delay

Well I have been hit with a temp. set back. I added chocolate to my daily food intake, which was not o.k. Attempting to plan to deal with my cycle and chocolate cravings. Today wasn't a total lost, just not as flawless as I would have liked. Just a bump. Hopefully the air is working in the gym today. I don't want to keel over.

86 degree workout

Man, the heat in the gym at my apartment was crazy. The air was broken so the temp inside was 86. They don't know when it will be fixed. A great day for me to begin my workout. It's not that bad to stick with this. I actually fixed all my food for the week. Glad to get a lot accomplished.

The First Step in the Journey

Well, here goes. They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. So my first step is setting this site up. I have one completed day of following a new eating plan. So far so good, just for today.