Picking up the Pieces

Hello Everyone!  Its so good to be back.  Everyone is doing SOOO good!  I'm so proud .

It has definitely been a long minute since I've been on here.  After I met my goal for my hubby's 30th birthday things went downhill.  Alot of stress and frustration throughout the summer and I'm back with a whole lot of weight.  Woe is me.  So I am here to pick up the pieces.  I made some decisions career wise that have brought me to a very happy mental place.  My husband is finishing up school.  We're ready to move forward with life and family.  So I've got to get this weight thing on lock and under control.  I have to come back to where success takes place...EP.

I'm taking things slow...drinking my 64oz of H2O and getting at least 90 minutes of exercise in a week.  That's all I ask of myself right now.  Then we'll re-evaluate things in another week.

Take care everyone and keep up all of your good work!

Finally Back, But With OLD Company

Hey guys!  Long, long time, but I'm back.  Back with plenty of work to do!!!  So let me fill you in... I see that I was suppose to be a good girl the night of the play.  I remember eating a salad, but had a cookie or two with my latte from Starbucks.  Then I remember the next morning going to breakfast and ordering pancakes, following up a heavy meal at my in-laws house.  What really threw a monkey in my program was the trip to Baltimore for my husband's b'day.  By the way, we had a great time.  He was really surprised and happy.  He really needed a vacation.  But that's when it all went downhill for me.  Exercising has been to a max of 1 or 2 days a week.  Eating is good one day and bad the next.  So I'm back to EP to get this train back on track.

I also have a lot on my plate right now.  Mother's Day plans, big Memorial weekend plans to go home which will include a baby shower, planned surprise visits for my Mom, mini engagement party...OOOHHHH MY!  Just talking about it makes me stressed.  This is what happens when the family is living all over the country.  Gotta load it all into one weekend.  Also I got a side gig of about 8 hrs a week at a clothing company, which I am totally in love with.  And to top it all off I'm preparing to take the CPA exam.  I can't wait til May is over...no more traveling til October.

So ok, I'm back in the game.  I need to get back to where I left off at...218.  Right now I'm back at 229, which SUCKS!  Sooo here we go again.

I'm gonna go see how you guys are doing!  I'm sure great.  Take care EP!

Expectations Exceeded!

Good Morning EP

Coming back from another LONG week.  I'm also coming back from my weigh in.  I am now 218.8, under my goal of 220!  Its really crazy because I've truly come so far.  I thought I would never get my butt in gear!  But I'm finally putting in the work and its paying off.  So the goal now is to keep going and never look back and work towards 210.

My mother is in town and I'm trying to brace myself, since she's my main eating companion ("Want some ice cream, Iman???")...or shall I say number one sabotager.  Yesterday went ok...we went to Whole Foods for some good eats.  They had this bangin' General Tso' tofu dish.  Immense flavor!  We also picked up some veggies AND....I had some hazelnut gelato!  It was sooo good.  But thankfully things stayed under control.  We also got our nails done, so that helped tame the little pigs inside. LOL

Today we're heading to the city to see The Color Purple on Broadway.  Chaka Khan is playing Ms. Sophia.  I hope its not overrated and out performs the movie because this is a classic in my collection.  I know every line!  But before the play we're eating at a vegetarian spot called Red Bamboo.  I've been to the one in Brooklyn before, so I hope the one in Manhattan will be just as good.  I'm going to try and be a good girl today, but no calorie counting.  I'm taking the day off.  I'll be good, I promise.

I hope you guys are having a wonderful weekend, had a fabulous Valentine's Day, and will have a fantastic upcoming week.  Take care EP!

Closer than Close

I just got back from my weigh in.  How about ringing in a nice 221.2 lbs!!  1.2 lbs away from my 220 goal for my hubby's 30th.  I have one more week to get there.

I haven't been mentioning numbers much before, but I think I can hang with the big girls now.  I never changed my start weight to the one at Jenny's because I wanted to show myself the hard work it took to lose all of the weight I had gained since being on here and still getting to the original goal.  I refuse to let me myself get back to 250, let alone 233.  I'm looking forward to battling the scale between 145 and 150. 

Its nice to think about the numbers, but its really the joy at looking at myself in the mirror, crossing my legs, fitting comfortably in chairs, working the heck out of a gym session, just thinking like a healthy girl that makes this all worth while to me.  I feel the power to be able to achieve ANYTHING my heart desires. 

It is really impressive stuff to lose this weight.  I really admire those who have reached their goal, because its shows the amount of dedication, commitment, and discipline they have inside.  Staying power is what I like to call it.  Amazing characteristics to have.

I hope you all are having a WONDERFUL weekend.  I wish us all a successful upcoming week.

Celebrations

I'm sorry for neglecting you guys.  But its has been a LONG and TIRING week.  Thank goodness the weekend is here.  While I was away I was on my best behavior.  

Let me tell you about all of the gold stars I earned this week.  Wednesday I passed up those darn muffins.  I stayed within my 1500 cal budget.  Getting in my exercise was huge.  I was a trooper!  Everyday this week was a late night at work.  I would finish working at about 6:30 or 7pm and still marched downstairs to the gym.  Monday and Thursday I started my strength training regime.  I'm up to 45 minutes with cardio switching between the treadmill and the elliptical.  A truly accomplished week this has been.  But the GOLD STAR of all gold stars is.....drum roll please....I have officially lost a whopping 25 pounds since my Jenny Craig weigh in from August 30, 2007 of 250 lbs.  I am now 223.4 lbs! 

I feel amazing and everyone keeps telling how slim I'm looking.  Boy, imagine all this attention and I'm not even halfway to my goal. 

Its just the best feeling in the world to be in this space of a controlled and committed healthy way of life.  Of course, there is always room for improvement.  My workouts are still difficult, avoiding the temptations is easier but still erupts.  Which is my reason for just giving in and giving myself a splurge day...Sunday after my weigh in.    I truly understand that this a way of life, the journey doesn't end at goal.  It is not realistic to eat perfect.  You know what is strange, though...now that I've made splurge day official my cravings aren't fast food and junk...its actually things like a high calorie salad that I would not normally eat or a really good sandwich from Panera Bread.  So even in allowing myself to be free for one day, I'm still in control.  Interesting how it all works out.  Must be a psychological thing.  I don't know.

But I do know that the weekend is here and I'm going to sleep in tomorrow and relax and probably go visit some family.  I also have to cook for my husband this weekend.  I've really abandoned him when it comes food since I've been trying to lose weight.  He'll survive...but I am trying to get back in the habit of cooking more.  Just have to learn how to cook good stuff and make it tasty.

Hope you guys are doing great!  Have a wonderful wonderful weekend!

Muffin Passed Up!!!!

Well I made it through Wednesday without a muffin!  Gold Star!  A lot has happened between Wednesday and today, but I'm still going strong.  I have really kept things under control.  Today we had our holiday party for work.  I passed up all of the appetizers and just had about a cup of rice with chickpea masala and about 1/4 of naan bread.  I downed about 2 diet pepsi to help me pass up the sweets.  Since I missed my gym workout due to a fender bender today...I stayed on the dance floor for about an hour.  We had  a phenomenal time!

About that fender bender...it was my fault, but thank God there was no damage.  However, the wife of the driver stated she was having neck pains.  I'm hoping that she'll be okay.  I was hit last August and the next morning I woke up with a stiff neck.  However, when I got hit I did not feel pain right away, so I was wondering if she was lying.  My sister has always told me to claim I'm in pain if I'm ever in accident, so I know people are not always truthful when making that claim.  Up until today, I've had a clean driving record, no accidents have been my fault and no speeding tickets.  The police officer was cool and did not give me a ticket.  So hopefully, its all said and done and nothing resurfaces. 

Anyway...all in all it was a great Saturday.  I'm sorry I missed my workout for today, but hopefully my night of dancing will make up for it.  I'll also get in a workout tomorrow morning just in case, although I was hoping to take off Sunday.

Monday I start my strength training routine, which I still have not figured out.  Any suggestions???  I'll do some research in cyberspace tomorrow.

Hope you guys are all doing great...have a wonderful night.

Queen of Bounce Back...where you at???

Well last week went great as far as exercise and eating.  Until Sunday rolled around.  I've had this thing lately where each week after my weigh in I indulge in my favorite DD fritter donut with a french vanilla latte.    Shocked? I know...I'm a bad girl. 

Well normally I'm able to pick things back up and finish the day off with 1500 cal, but not this week!  I had the nerve to pick up a Chipotle turkey sandwich, chips, chocolate walnut cookie, and lemonade at Panera Bread.  AND while I was in the office I made some stops at my gracious coworkers candy dishes.  Not just candy, but CHOCOLATE.  MMmmm.  Yummy .  I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it.  I was eating up every minute of it...literally.  LOL 

Well Monday came, and I dug deep in myself for some SHEER DETERMINATION and managed to pull myself together.  On top of that I put in a killer workout on the treadmill AND the elliptical.  I'm up to 40 minutes of cardio now (I was doing 30 minutes).  Next week I'm due to start my strength training, so I'm trying to get together a routine.

Well today, Tuesday, rolled around and I'm still keeping it together.  Tomorrow is Bagel/Muffin day and with TOM due to hit this week and my BOGUS Sunday I'll need to dig for some more of that sheer determination and avoid the scrumptuous muffins at all costs.  I don't want the scale to hurt my feelings.  Which I have to remember is just feedback, not a setback.

I'm trying to get to 220 before mid February for my hubby's 30th b'day.  So I really have to hold things together.  Another goal for February is to cook more.  Since starting JC, I've become dependent on frozen meals.  Tonight I had a Lean Cuisine baked chicken dinner.  I have to start practicing to cook healthy.  But back to a more short term goal to reach tomorrow...AVOID THE MUFFINS!  Wish me luck.

Hope you guys are doing great.  Have a wonderful evening.

More Alert Today

I'm definitely better rested today.

Well I did not make it to the gym this morning.  AGAIN!  So the only other option I had was to put in some work on my lunch hour.  I was able to get in a hardcore 20 minutes session and shower up to be back on time.  So in the end I guess it worked out after all.

My doctor confirmed I have carpal tunnel syndrome, but hopefully with Advil, splints day/night, and hand exercises I should be okay. 

So with my morning workout flops...I'm not sure when I'll make it to the gym tomorrow.  But I will be prepared regardless if its morning, at lunch, or in the evening.

I'm so proud of myself...I stood up and negotiated time off for coming in this weekend.  I specifically requested Fridays, too!  I know most people are automatically given comp time for working after hours, but where I am if you don't ask they won't give it to you, especially if you volunteer to come in.  Finally, I learned I have to stand up for myself, so I stated in a matter of fact way that I would like to be compensated for this additional time that I am giving.  It is impossible to do my daily work and update an outdated 5 years old procedure manual, and on top of that train the new staff. Are you kidding me???  I am not super woman, but I've tried to be for so long and finally stood up for myself.  So I say, a GOLD STAR for me!

I've really got to change my field of work.  But in the meantime, I'll take the comped Fridays.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thursday.  Talk to you later.

Sleep Deprived

I was miserable today at work.  I've been getting to bed too late lately.  I could barely keep my eyes open.  Plus they had me proofreading our updated procedure manuals which was every page in a 4 inch binder.  It felt like torture.  And it was bagel/muffin day and I had my mind made up that I was going to pass it up.  I made it until around 10am when I was going to get coffee to wake me up.  There my hand goes for a corn muffin!  I NEVER eat corn muffins unless its Thanksgiving.  But it was rather tasty, so I'll have to say it was worth it.  So to make-up I wrote out the menu for the rest of the day and successfully stuck with it.

But the challenge tonight is to get my tail in the bed before 10pm because I MUST get to the gym in the morning since I'm leaving work early for a doctor's appointment.  Wish me luck!

Hope you guys are doing great.  Talk to you manana!  Adios :)

Taming the Beast

I've been trying to be a good girl after my almond fiasco.  So yesterday I had the almonds for a snack and only ate the serving size which is 1 oz. Although I think that was just a tease, I resisted destroying the bag! 

Overall things are going pretty good.  I've been working out in the evenings lately.  My goal is to get up tomorrow morning to head to work and the gym.  I am proud to say that I have reached the maximum resistance level on our elliptical machine at work.  Gold Star!  So I've been trying to think of some ways to switch things up.  I've given myself until February to start my strength training.  So next week I think I'm going to stay on my current level but increase the time.  After I reach 45 minutes on the eilliptical, I'll start giving the treadmill a shot.  I'm thinking around March I'll shake things up even more with Taebo.  In April I'll hit La Fitness for their step aerobics class.  May will be for swimming.  Who knows...maybe in June I'll be ready for some jogging sessions.  Oh yeah! 

Its all about setting the bar.  I learned from the Biggest Loser that we really are capable of doing even the most insane workouts.  Julian Power!

Hope everyone had a wonderful day!  Have an even better evening. :)