Week 10, Day 7 and WI

1.8 exactly gone tonight - you know what that means right???  20 lbs lost!  YAY!  I'm obviously thrilled, so proud that I went directly to the mall (across the street from JC) and purchased a few things on sale at Ann Taylor!  Yippee!!!  And, my 15 lbs loss reward sneakers came in the mail today!!!

I have to correct my weight tracker though...my consultant wrote down 182.2 but I'm pretty sure it was 183.2....don't want to cheat myself!

Anyway, I'll be at a conference tomorrow all day so won't get to post.  Oh, for those who saw my last post, the promotion looks like a reality the only thing left is salary negotiations...wish me luck and lots of $$$$!!!  (I'll spill the cool new title once it is official!!)

Week 10, Day 6

Checking in on a Sunday afternoon...Did my 3rd spin class of the week this am - what a fantastic workout.  Its so much fun and it totally kicks your ass.  The Sunday instructor constantly screams "where is your goal?", "can you see your goal", "this is your workout", etc. For me its pretty motivating.  I always think of getting on the scale at JC and that seems to motivate me!

We had our enormous taco salads for lunch today - basically a large green salad on a dinner plate, with taco sauce as dressing and topped with the JC chili con carne.  YUM!  This is a huge amount of food and really takes a while to eat!  Fajitas for dinner - I have been using some picante sauce and FF sour cream on those, delish!

So, last night was one of my best friend's 35th birthday.  Since her husband was away, he sent us (with our other best friend) to a very fancy (and expensive) french restaurant.  I think I did pretty well - judged mostly by the fact that I did NOT leave with the stuffed to the gills feeling I usually have when leaving restaurants.

For an appetizer I split this:
FROM THE GARDEN
Spring Onion and Mushroom Broth, Organic Soba Noodles, Chef Selection of Seasonal Vegetables.   15.

And for my meal this:
BRANZINO
Plancha Seared Mediterranean Sea Bass, Cauliflower Puree, Smoked Florets, Sage Fragranced Pearl Barley, Acorn Squash, Cinnamon Caps, Black Olive Oil, Almond Milk Foam.  32.

For dessert we shared:
PINEAPPLE
Coconut and Macadamia Nut Cake, Pineapple Carpaccio, Coconut Tapioca, Molasses Gelato, Vanilla Rum Anglaise 14.

GOOD THING I WASN'T PAYING, HUH?  I love food, but it doesn't have to be quite so foo foo as this was.  It was all delish though.  Would I be absolutely crazy to say that while it was good and all, I think I would have been equally satisfied with my JC Rising Crust Pizza?  Being a control freak, sticking on plan is just so much easier!

Hope everyone had a good weekend!

Week 10, Day 3

So, had my lunch with coworkers today...its so funny, but even though I enjoyed it, I was annoyed to have to NOT eat JC food!  We went to a very small totally homemade comfort food type of place...delish.  I had a cup of veggie soup, and a big bed of spring mix with a nice portion of curried chicken salad on it...a bit of brocolli salad and fruit salad on the side.  yumm!  It was very tasty and happily I did not leave with a stuffed full feeling - victory for me!

It was nice not to have my huge salad today - its delish, but I do sometimes get sick of it.  I make such a big salad that on some days it actually feels like a chore to finish it all!

No exercise today, had a headache, and since I already did 1 spin class (and will do 2 more on the weekend) I really enjoy nights where I can just stay home and veg.

On a personal note, it looks like I am going to be getting a nice promotion at work!  More details when it happens (don't want to jinx myself).  What a great feeling when things in life seem to point in your direction.....Lord knows I certaintly deserve it.  Its sort of like 'good begets good' - I am taking care of myself and getting healthy, so now other good things are following!

Hope everyone is having a good week - yay for tomorrow being Friday!

Week 10?, Day 2

Wow, 10 weeks already? 

Thanks for your responses and for the ipod recs.  So far, I'm leaning towards a sony - they have an fm tuner which I can use to turn into the tv's at the gym and seem just as small as an ipod.  Can't wait!

Tried the breakfast scramble yesterday, I thought it was ok.  I should note that I am not a real egg lover so that could be part of it.  It wasn't as cheesy as i had hoped for.  The potatoes were good, but I didn't taste much flavor from the ham.  I probably wouldn't order this again, especially since I like the breakfast stuffed sandwich.

After WI on Monday night we took the dog for a nice walk and then last night I went to a spinning class - go me!  On a roll so far this week!  Feeling good about exercising and being active.  Also, trying so hard for the 20 lb mark next WI!

Week 9, Day 7 and WI

Ahem, down 3 lbs this week!  Well, damn!  I'm obviously thrilled.  You know, why is it that the weeks where you feel like you just did OK, didn't really work out too too much and overall just feel blah, turn out to be your biggest losses?

Seriously, last week i worked out like a fiend and would have expected the 3 lb loss then, but was only down 1.something. This week I would have been happy with 1lb loss, and I have my biggest loss, CRAZY!  I'll take it though!

I am getting close to my 20 lb goal - then I get to buy myself an ipod, or most likely a sony mp3 player.  If anyone has recommendations, I'm all ears...I'm a tech geek but not up on the whole ipod thing yet.  I really was hoping to meet this goal before I go away so I can take it with me on my trip!!!

Oh, for Steph and others who like food talk, I tried the Beefsteak Portabello last week - couldn't even eat a bite of it.  Yuck, not for me!  I also tried the swedish meatballs which had nice texture but little taste for me.  This week I ordered the new breakfast scramble..not a huge egg fan, but the cheese and potatoes may be enough to convince me!

Alright, so I am feeling good, ready to go another week.  After next week we also start with 20% discount!

I said something wonderful to my consultant tonight - I was saying how it was such a crazy trick and almost demotivating when you work out so hard and lose more when you do less - then I told her that  it did'nt really matter because I was really enjoying spinning anyway!  Hah, me enjoying a workout!!  Woo Hoo.  Loving Jenny!

Week 9, Day 6

Had a 'decent' week of activity, not great, but not bad.  1.5 spinning classes (one started late), 2 nice walks with the dog.  Down a bit from the last 2 weeks, but still good.

Haven't felt quite as focused this last week, but I figure that TOM has something to do with it.  I sometimes get kind of down and just disinterested - luckily I realize this is due to TOM and try not to let it get to me too much.  I had a hard time limiting myself to 3 sugar free hard candies/day this week.  I have one after lunch and when I get home, and its really a good little sweet fix for me.  Well, they make SF tootsie rolls, and lets just say - I won't be buying them again, way too tempting.

I did order myself new sneakers for losing 15 lbs and am pretty excited for that.  For 20lbs I'm going to buy an ipod or some other mp3 player.  I love rewards!

I'm looking forward to having a good week and just generally feeling more positive this week.  I hope WI goes ok!

Week 9, Day 4

Thanks for all the responses to my previous post about my business trip.  I'll be thinking about it alot in the next few weeks.  For one thing, I'm going to have to buy some new outfits and I'm trying to wait as long as possible as I would like to avoid having to buy size 14s.

Details: I think I'll start writing out some of my thoughts to help me organize and prepare.  I'll be staying in Epcot from April 1-7th.  Conference is 1st-5th then my Dad and Grandmother are joining me for a few days.  Conference has preplanned bfast and lunches, dinners are mostly on my own, I think there are about 14 restaurants at my hotel!!  Oh, I'll also be making a presentation at the conference too!

For bfasts I can bring JC cereals - love these and they are so filling, especially Complete Start.  Maybe even bring a muffin or 2 also.  I'll bring my antyime bars as well.

Lunches will be more difficult - the conference has a pretty tight time schedule and lunches are built in.  There are 2 sit down lunches and a box lunch.  The sit downs I think will be harder to manage for me.  I can bring JC cheese curls for the box lunch and maybe just eat the sandwich they provide - rather do that then bring tuna salad which is stinky.

I'm sure they'll have a variety of fresh fruits for snacks, along with fresh cookies and CAKE too.  I'll bring a good supply of Jc snacks, desserts.

Dinners will be mostly on my own.  I think I'll just plan to eat sensibly - fish, grilled chicken, lotsa steamed veggies, etc. 

This is going to be a challenge for sure.  I know that I cannot be trusted on my own.  Today, I met a friend at Cosi for a salad - had a great veggie salad with light dressing (comparable to JC) but I promised myself I'd only eat 1/2 the piece of heavenly bread......failed that one.  Now, I am bloated, feeling stuffed and annoyed at myself, over a piece of bread no less!

The hotel does have a nice gym (and SPA) and there are some nice jogging trails from what I hear as well.  I will bring my sneaks and work out clothes.  One good thing is that I'll be travelling with a work friend who goes to spinning classes with me as well, so i'll have someone to work out with.

Still some more planning to do, but I think its helpful to start mapping it out.

Now, I just need some help shopping!!

Week 9, Day 3

Have been very busy with a big project at work and haven't been able to take a spin class this week yet....Usually I do Tues, Sat and Sun.  I'll try to make it tonight.

Tried swedish meatballs for lunch yesterday, it was ok.  Didn't have enough flavor for me, but I did like the wide noodles.

Its so nice to see a few of you back to JC and to posting.  This really is such a unique community, I constantly feel drawn to check out everyone's blogs and love when I get an email that someone has responded to mine.  Great support!

I'm going on a  business trip to Orlando the first week of April and I've started to really think about it and eating.  I'm kinda annoyed that I really won't be able to do JC while there.  There's just such a rushed schedule, prearranged meals, no mic in the room, etc.  I just feel like its going to be such an inconvenience - let alone a temptation!!!  I know that they'll have healthy choices and all...just not quite ready for this much of a challenge!

So, for those of you who travel for business while on JC, I'd love to hear some tips or tricks or advice!

Week 8 WI

Down 1.2 Woo Hoo - 15.2 total.  Time for new sneakers.

I'm thrilled that I kept my positive attitude through the week.  My consultant asked if I had overcome any obstacles - like passing up a food that I really wanted.  I told her that food doesn't really tempt me in the way it used to - I won't lie, I do miss going out to dinners, but I really don't have daily food challenges.  I am able to pass up the food at work without much thought, which is a huge change from the last 2 years.  I used to eat WHATEVER was there, no matter if I liked it or even wanted it.

The obstacle that I did overcome was not letting a great workout week with only a .8 lb loss eat at my brain.  I just kept going and "did my thing" and beat those mental games!

So, for all of those struggling, I hope I can be of some inspiration and motivation - I'm sure there will be times in the future I'll need it in return.  I'm on a long journey and have to keep going strong as long as I can.

Foodwise, I am again trying a few new things this week.  they didn't have the bfast scramble yet, but I am trying swedish meatballs and beefsteak portobello.  I know that variety is important and will be one of the keys to my success!

Week 8, Day 7

Well, I sure hope I break the 15 lb milestone tonight!  I expected to last week, but only had a .8 loss and ended up at 14 lbs gone.

I did 3 spinning classes and 50 mins on the treadmill this week, so I feel pretty good about my activity.   I also stayed OP all week.  Really the only 'extras' I have are sugar free hard candies and an occassional sprinkling of parmesan cheese on some dinners. 

I was reading on Jen's blog about goal setting and taking it one step at a time.  You know, when I think about it and realize that I have been going to the gym 4 times per week the last few weeks, I am astounded.  I have been setting my goals very modest and attainable - and the end result is usually that I blow them away! :-)  I have kept my goal at 3 dog walks and 1 gym visit .  For me, I love the rush that comes with meeting and BEATING your goals.  And before I know it, I'm suddenly going to the gym 4 times/week - WOW.

Wearing a blouse today that I bought a few months ago that I could not button - today it is buttoned and even the sleeves aren't as tight.  Nice victory.  My pants are feeling looser too.  Have I mentioned that I love JC???