Off to a great start

Ok, so hopefully this doesn’t jinx anything, but I wanted to let you know my progress this week with the whole getting healthier/losing weight thing.

So far, we’ve eaten breakfast every day. I couldn’t stomach the scrambled egg whites I made on Monday so we stopped that pretty quick. Since we’re loosely following the eating plan for p90x, it’s a lot more protein than I’m used to eating and a lot less bread, though plenty of healthy carbs (beans, dairy). I’m getting pretty good at learning the portion sizing, which means when we didn’t really like the breakfast I had planned to have 3 days this week or if we lazed in bed a little longer for the morning, I could figure something out in a pinch.

I brought my lunch to work 3 days this week, but today I needed to get out of the office. So I had a big grilled chicken salad from Chick-fil-a. As long as I watch how much dressing I add,  and don’t eat the croutons, even with sunflower seeds the salad was a very reasonable meal, and I didn’t blow my calories.

I’ve tracked my calories and weight every day on Livestrong.com, and as of this morning am down 3 pounds. I know it is probably mostly water weight, but it’s nice to see something is starting to happen.

I haven’t gone walking/jogging since Monday, but I did play the Kinect for about 15 minutes after dinner last night (I got home a little late) and I did a whole workout routine tonight before dinner. This weekend I plan to get to the fitness center at least once, if not twice.

I’ve been limiting my diet beverage intake, only taking a sip or two of Taylor’s drink today. I’m mostly drinking water, but I will have some tea if I want something else. I’ll use a little bit of Splenda since I have a hard time drinking unsweet tea. I’m really trying to cut back on my artificial sweetener intake too.  I’m drinking more than 8 cups of water each day, which is pretty normal for me since I bring two 28-32 ounce containers to work every day. And I’ve not had any alcohol at all since Sunday.

The weekend is coming up, which poses somewhat of a challenge, since I haven’t portioned out foods yet and my meal plan ends on tomorrow. With the progress I’m making I want to continue to be good this weekend. But honestly, I am looking forward to enjoying one tasty meal that doesn’t conform to the meal plan. And probably a glass of wine too. I know the key is moderation (and not completely depriving myself).

Thanks for listening!

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New Year, New Me

Haha, what a cheezy post title! Really though it should be more like, “better version of me”. Also, realistically, I’m very embarassed about the shape I’ve let myself get into (or out of, if you will). I don’t typically like to be all “wah, I’m so out of shape” or “I’m fat”. I’m also realistic enough to know that I can’t beat myself up too badly if I haven’t been doing anything to take better care of my body.

Now bear with me as I go back to where I was a year ago. You can feel free to click back to that old post or not. Allow me to share a a couple exerpts from that post.

“I sometimes wished a little before putting on my work clothes in the morning…”dear clothes, please don’t be too tight.””
Ok, so I’m beyond wishing. This year I officially I think I have 1 pair of work pants that still (sorta) fit. Right now its casual day every day, because my jeans fit, and my work pants don’t.  

“when I stepped on the scale, it was a wake up call.”
It was, again. This time I was about 5 pounds heavier than I expected. Which, added to the 10 pounds I was surprised about last year, is 15 pounds heavier than I probably should be. 

Last year I got off to a pretty good start, but slipped after April, when I recorded at 10 pounds lighter than January. I tracked my food and exercise religiously. I ran a 5k in May. And after that, things just went downhill.  I bought a NikeSport band to track my runs, but I’ve only managed to track 12 runs and 28.5 miles since July. I even signed for the Warrior Dash in November with completely good intentions of getting back into running. I completed the Warrior Dash, running a fair amount of it, but also walking a lot and I also barfed at the end because I overexerted myself.

But instead of feeling sorry for myself, I’m picking myself up.  I’ve dusted off my running shoes and charged up my NikeSport band since it was dead because I hadn’t used it in so long! Last night I went to the gym and walked/jogged on the treadmill for 2 miles.

And Taylor’s on board too. He’s thinking of doing P90x, so we’ve started following the eating plan (somewhat loosely I admit, come on, egg white omelets just aren’t that easy to swallow). And he came to the gym with me. I’ve portioned out all our meals and snacks for the week, so we don’t have to worry about what to eat, and it’s easier to be less tempted to just go out, when I’ve put (a lot) of effort into planning our meals (and we spent a lot on groceries).

To motivate me with my running, I’ve also already signed up for another Warrior Dash that will be in March and I’m also going to sign up for another 5k (also in March). This time Jacque says she wants to run the whole Warrior Dash, so I’ve got to be able to keep up with her.

I got Taylor a Kinect for Christmas and it’s so fun to play. With a gift card, we also got the EA Sports Active 2 game. It’s got tons of workouts we can do and is sort of like having a personal trainer, only not as expensive.

I’m also back on track with recording my food and exercise on Livestrong.com. It really helps me to have the visual chart of my weight changes. I like the site because it has almost any food imaginable in there. And I can add my own recipes for things we eat frequently.

So, here’s to another try at getting myself in better shape. I think I’m off to a good start. And I’ll try to keep posted on my progress more this time.

Also, please feel free to share any motivational hints or favorite workout songs.

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Updates

As I mentioned in my last post, I got a hair cut. I really like it. Here’s a pic of the back.

And since the pics of the front from that particular “photo shoot” looked flat and ugly, here’s a pic of me, and the front of my hair, at work.

The same day I got my hair cut, I went for a jog/walk on the 3.5 mile hike/bike trail (aka paved walkway around the local retention ponds). I don’t think I’ve never sweated that much.

I also used my Nike SportBand, and so far in about 2 weeks, I’ve walked and jogged almost 14 miles, which isn’t a lot, but it is way better than nothing. I’m not back up to being able to running more than 1 mile at one time, but I’m working up to it. I can’t believe I ran a 5K in May, and can’t even do a mile now. But I’ve got my eye on some 5Ks in the fall and think I’ll be able to keep this up.

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Random thoughts of the week

As the week wraps up, I’m sitting here sipping on a glass of Merlot. Although it is a “Bella Sera”, please be warned about buying wine from the convenience store. You might be a little disappointed with the taste and quality in comparison to the usual grocery store bottle of wine.

Anyhow, I thought I’d fill you in on what’s been going on.

• Still waiting to find out if I have a job in a couple of weeks. Please send good vibes my way.
• I’ve been reading the Twilight books (I somewhat shamefully admit). I’ve read all the Sookie Stackhouse books except for the last one, and completely love the show True Blood, but have resisted Twilight for a while. I’m on book 3 (Eclipse) and like the story so far, except as a psychology major, I find the Edward/Bella relationship a little too controlling/obsessive and a touch unhealthy.
• Books read this year total 12 (Sookie and Twilight). I’m also halfway through Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell and A Taste of True Blood. That’s more books than I’ve read in a couple of years combined.
• I started tracking my food intake again. I’m trying to be more healthy, and I’ve found the best way I can do that is by tracking what I eat. I use the Livestrong.com MyPlate which has tons of different foods already listed, which makes it easy for me. I like that if we eat lunch at Jason’s Deli, Schlotsky’s, or Chick-fil-a, I don’t have to hunt down the nutrition counts.
• I also am getting back on track with exercising. After I did the 5K in May, I kinda haven’t gotten back in the groove. I’ve gone walking /jogging three times this week, and plan to go at least once more this weekend. You gotta start somewhere.
• And I bought a Nike SportBand. It comes with a sensor (my regular tennis shoes aren’t Nike+ so I also bought a little pouch that holds the sensor) and the watch, which you use on your walks/runs to track your speed, pace and calories burned. Then you can upload to your Nike+ account online, to track your miles and set goals if you want.
• I’m also getting a hair cut. Don’t know exactly what style I’m going for, but I know I’m going a few inches shorter. Still, I want something fairly low maintenance. I’ll post pictures soon.

What have you been up to? Any recommendations on reading material once I’m done with my current books?

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I’ve been a bad bad girl

I haven’t worked out as much in the past week as I was doing before my trip. To pat myself on the back a little bit, I did go to the hotel gym twice while in LA. But that was nearly a week ago.

On the night before I left to come back home, I ate Mexican food. On our way home from the airport, I specially requested Chuy’s…so Mexican again. I was doing ok with my eating this week, but was not meticulous. And I haven’t tracked my food or my weight very well. I had a big (delicious) greasy cheeseburger and fries for lunch yesterday, and mexican food again for lunch today. Mexican food generally has been off the menu since I started tracking my food because it’s so hard to keep up with how many chips I eat.

I am not beating myself up too bad, but I do need to get back on track.

Or the treadmill will work. 🙂

So tonight, I’m going. No excuses.

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A celebration and a confession

Celebration:
I’m officially kicking ass at this working out and eating better thing. I have lost about 5 pounds this past month. 5 more and I’ll be around my wedding weight. 5 more after that, is what I’m aiming for.

And it’s FREEZING cold and raining out and I still went to put in my time at the gym. I could have wimped out but I didn’t. And I’m proud of myself.

A Confession:
I sort of can talk myself into working out so I can eat more at dinner.  🙂

Anyone else out there do the same?

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