Day 85

Picked up at school, picked up flowers, ice cream
Calories expended: 2920

Day 85

Calories expended: 2794

Day 84

Day at the zoo
Calories expended: 3069

Day 83

Butcher, cake pick up, groceries, made big dinner for Jim
Calories expended: 2920

Day 82

Calories expended: 3042

Day 81

Early pre-school pick up, mailed box, took the boys out for lunch (McDonald's), drinks at Danielle's out until 11:30

Calories expended:

3791

Day 80

Pre-school pick up, white Gate Farm, took photos,

Calories expended:

3446

Day 79

Meeting with Sara. Pre-school pick-up, playing outside.

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens
baby carrots

Chobani with apricot preserve (200 cal.)
Banana (100 cal.)

2 shells, seasoning and sauce (225 cal.)
4 oz of ground beef (200 cal.)
Sour cream (100 cal)
Lettuce and Tomato
Cheddar cheese (100 cal.)

4 oz. wine (100 cal.)
chocolate bunnies (300 cal.)

TOTAL: 2055

Total calories expended: 3349
Deficit: 1294

Day 78

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens

M&Ms (250 cal.)

1.5 cup of Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken (300 cal.)
Rice (150 cal)
Cheddar cheese (100 cal.)
Sour Cream (100 cal.)

chocolate bunnies (300 cal.)

TOTAL: 2030

Calories expended: 3198
Deficit: 1168

Day 77

Easter Sunday. 3 hours in the car. Meal at the in-laws. Pecked around the house for dinner.

Calories expended:

2851

Day 76

Photo shoot at Sara's. Food shopped. Colored eggs. Chicken mole burritos for dinner.

Calories expended:
3538

Day 75

Jim home from work. Playground and take out sandwiches for lunch. Skipper's for dinner.

Calories expended:
2864

Day 74

Calories expended:

3101

Day 73

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens
1 non-fat Jello chocolate pudding (100 cal.)

Chobani with fresh strawberries and honey (250 cal.)

2 Vitatop cookies (200 cal.)

100g roast chicken (150 cal.)
175 g. Fingerling potatoes (150 cal.)
1 cup. roast carrots (50 cal.)
Olive oil (100 cal.)

4 oz wine (100 cal.)

TOTAL: 1835

Body media calories expended: 2796
Deficit: 961

Day 72

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

2 small McD's cheeseburgers (600 cal.)
1 small fruit parfait (160 cal.)

1.5 cup of Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken (300 cal.)
Rice (150 cal)
Sour Cream (100 cal.)
Small DQ twist with choc. sprinkles (estimated 300 cal.)

TOTAL: 1985

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)

Body media calories expended: 3034
Deficit: 1049

Day 71

Day off, didn't food log, didn't work out. Mental holiday.
Rather stationary day.

Body media calories expended: 2355

Day 70

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens
1 non-fat Jello chocolate pudding (100 cal.)

Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Pasta (210 cal)
3 Meatballs (350 cal.)
4 oz. wine (100 cal.)

Late night snack (bad)
graham crackers with peanut butter, milk, 1 chocolate munchin (estimated 400 cal.)

TOTAL: 2165

Workout: 40 minute run

Body Media calorie expended: 3031
Deficit: 866

Day 69

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
3 eggs with cheddar cheese (300 cal.)

Smart Ones Thai noodles (260 cal.)
1 Jello chocolate pudding (120 cal.)

Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

2 slices of cheese pizza (650 cal.)

Sorbet with frozen yogert (150 cal.)

TOTAL: 1855

Body Media calorie expended: 3636
Deficit: 1781

Workout: 40 minute run

Day 68

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Med. non-fat caramel macchiato (190 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens

Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

8 potato and cheese pierogies (500 calories)
Small twist with choc. sprinkles (estimated 300 cal.)

TOTAL: 1995

Workout:
45 minute outdoor bike ride (11.75 miles)

Body Media calorie expended: 3066
Deficit: 1071

Day 67

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Non-fat mocha latte (220 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens

Chobani with peach preserve (200 cal.)

Serving of pasta (210 cal.)
3 meatballs (300 cal.)
sauce (75 cal.)
Wine 4oz (100 cal.)

TOTAL: 1835

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (45 minutes)

Body Media calorie expended: 3407
Deficit: 1572

Day 66

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens

Chobani with peach preserves (200 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz. Monterrey cheese (100 cal.)
yellow rice 1/2 cup (100 cal.)
Sour Cream (100 cal.)
1.5 oz flank steak (90 cal.)
black beans (100 cal.)
fresh salsa

2 glasses of red wine - restaurant (250 cal.)
Nibbles over drinks (estimated 400 cal.)

TOTAL: 2200


Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)

Day 65

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Lean Cuisine Asiago Tortolloni (290 cal.)

Chobani with peach preserves (200 cal.)

crust (450 cal.)
cheese (280 cal.)
chicken (90 cal.)
diced tomatoes (75 cal.)

4 oz. white wine (100 cal.)

TOTAL: 1860


Workout:
Biggest Loser Cardio Max Level 2 twice (30 minutes)

Day 64

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Chobani (130 cal.)
honey (100 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens

Udon noodles (250 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Peanut sauce (250 cal.)
Veggies

4 oz. of white wine (100 cal.)
Nutrigrain (120 cal.)
Milk (110 cal.)

TOTAL: 1880

Day 63

Coffee - 1% milk and sugar (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

Chobani (130 cal.)
honey (100 cal.)

Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
1 oz of blue cheese (100 cal.)
1 tbsp of light dressing (35 cal.)
1/2 c of chicken (90 cal.)
Greens

Med. Caramel Machiato (260 cal.)

Sandwich size english muffin (190 cal.)
1 oz. American cheese (100 cal.)
5 oz. Turkey burger with sauteed onions (300 cal.)
Ketchup (40 cal.)

TOTAL: 1850


45 minute outdoor bike ride (11.75 miles)

Day 62

Workout:
45 minute walk pushing single throne

Day 59

Party in my tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Smart Ones Thai noodles (260 cal.)
Chobani (140 cal.)
honey (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)


Whole wheat tortilla (130 cal.)
black beans (100 cal.)
monterey jack (100 cal.)
sour cream (60 cal.)
chicken - 3 oz. (95 cal.)

wine 4 oz - 100 cal.

TOTAL: 1735

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (45 minutes)

Day 58

Going to right the ship tomorrow. For reals. I had another bad day with my diet and actually felt awful going to bed.

Tomorrow's party in my tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Apple (100 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)

Chicken (200 cal.)
Red curry sauce (135 cal.)
4 oz. wine (100 cal.)


TOTAL: 1735

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)
Biggest Loser Cardio Max Level 2 twice (30 minutes)

Day 55, 56, 57

Day 55 - I took off. Bad diet, bad workout.

Day 56 and 57 - didn't count calories but I did get in a 45 minute bike ride outside each day. Here's hoping I can get back on track.

Day 54

Today's wasn't perfect, and I hate to say it I know exactly where I lost control. We were out mid-day and didn't get home until 1:30, which meant I ate lunch really late. I had my chicken wrap for lunch but was still snacky afterward and so I grazed through the kitchen. If I had anticipated that a little better I would have had my apple before leaving the house. I would have been much more even keeled coming home. Awh well, live and learn.

I also feel like I'm getting ahead of myself with the weather. I had wanted to get out for walk with the boys, but low forties and drizzly put a nix on that plan. Instead getting outside I did my 30 day shred, which wasn't as much as I had hoped for.

I suppose I jinxed myself with saying yesterday that I was worried I was going to mess it up. Bah.

Day 53

Another good day on point. I'm starting to worry when I'm going to mess this up.
The only modification I had is that I did 30 minutes of Cardio Max, instead of run/walking because Jim got home late.

Tomorrow's workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (45 minutes)


Tomorrow's party in my tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Apple (100 cal.)

Skinny Taste Chicken Parm with sauce (300 cal.)
Pasta (210 cal.)
4 oz. wine (100 cal.)

Smart Ones Key Lime Pie (190 cal.)

TOTAL: 1825

Day 52

Still not messing up! Woot.

Tomorrow's workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 3 (30 minutes with 5 lb weights)
I maintain my thinking that level 2 is more balanced with strength and harder cardio, but I'll do level 3 again just to change it up. Level 3 is definitely harder, but level 2 is a better all around workout. End of story.
plus!
30 minutes of walk/run

Tomorrow's party in my tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Lean Cuisine Chicken Potstickers (270 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Apple (100 cal.)

Rice (150 cal.)
Sweet and Sour Meatballs (350 cal.)
Spinach
4 oz. wine (100 cal.)

Smart Ones Key Lime Pie (190 cal.)

TOTAL: 1810

Day 51

Day 2 on point. I'm running with it. I even got my bonus work out in. Ow! Ow!

Busy day tomorrow so I'm thinking 30 minutes is all I have.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 3 (30 minutes with 5 lb weights)
I'm going to give level 3 a try again. I've done it before but didn't think it was as balanced with cardio and strength as level 2. We'll see what I think now that its been a while.

Tomorrow's party in my tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)

2 servings of Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole (735 cal.)
4 oz of wine (100 cal.)

TOTAL: 1760

Day 50

I'm not going to get all ahead of myself. But the food forecasting worked! (at least it did today.) It was exactly like I thought, no decision making about food turns out is a good thing for me! Here's hoping I have continued success.

The only thing that didn't go as planned is the route I planned for my run/walk I completed in 30 minutes, not 40. Probably because I'm so freaking fast.

Oh the hilarity.

Anyways, tomorrow's forecast:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Thai noodles - Smart Ones (260 cal.)
Apple (100 calories)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Apple (100 cal.)

2 meatballs at 150 cal each (300 cal.)
1 serving of pasta (210 calories)
red sauce (75 cal.)
4 oz wine (100 cal.)

TOTAL: 1795

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)

Bonus workout (if I can squeeze it in):
Jillian Michaels Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism (50 minutes)


40 days to go! Eeeeek!

Day 49

I went back to a Jillian Michael's workout that I bought and did once because I couldn't remember why I didn't like the first time. I still can't remember why. Its a decent cardio workout, definitely good for days when I don't feel like throwing the free weights around.

I had a thought while working out. So I've said time and time again that eating is really my weakness. I have no trouble with working out, as long as I find/make time for it in my day, but eating is such a breaking point for me.

So the epiphany was - what if I removed the thinking? Instead of food journaling, I'll food forecast. Each night instead of writing what I ate that day, I'll write what I'm going to eat the NEXT day. If I find myself craving something I'll put myself off by saying that I'll forecast it into the next day's diet. If I really, really, really want it when I sit down to blog that night, I'll find a way to fit it in. But each day when I wake up, there is no thinking, there is no decision making, no wavering, no battling of demons. If this works, I'm going to feel freaking brilliant.

Today's Workout:
Jillian Michaels Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism (50 minutes)

Tomorrow's party in my tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Apple (100 cal.)

1.5 cup of Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken (300 cal.)
Rice (150 cal)
Cheddar cheese (100 cal.)
Sour Cream (100 cal.)
4 oz. Wine (100 cal.)

TOTAL 1775
Tomorrow's projected workout: 40 minute run/walk outside

Day 47

I'm back. Eating today was not terrible, but not perfect. I'm determined to hoist myself back on the wagon in regards to what I'm shoving in my mouth (my forever weakness.) I do feel decent about the exercise I was able to squeeze in while away. I can't really say I've ever been committed to working out while on vacation. Could I have done more? Sure. But I don't feel like I threw all my hard work from the previous few weeks away.

Eating, on the other hand, went WAY off the rails. Two nights away from the kids in Key West and I did DAMAGE.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (45 minutes)

Day 45 and 46

Both travel days - driving back from key west and flying home.

Day 44

Workout:
Walking around Key West for hours and open water swimming 15-20 minutes (snorkel trip)

Day 43

Workout:
45 minute walk/run (in Florida)
walking around key west for hours

Day 41

Workout:
Jillian Michael No More Trouble Zones

Day 39

Workout:
50 minute walk/run outside (in Florida)

Day 38

Workout:
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones

Day 37

Travel day. Not going to find time for a workout unless schlepping two kids through an airport counts.

Day 36

40 minute bike ride (10 miles) OUTSIDE!!! Very windy, very cold, but outside!!! First ride of the spring!

Day 35

I'm off my game. My parents are in town, my son booted all over me several times today. Its been a rough go.

What I might end up doing is "floating" until day 47. I'm going to work out but I'm also going to be out of state and I just don't know if I can do the day to day updates. If I can check in between now and then (even if with just a quick log of my workout) I will, but I might need a hall pass.

Day 33

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)

Day 32 - different

I had two cookies today. My previous self would have had those cookies and then figured the day was shot and just thrown it all to heck and eaten whatever I wanted. To be honest, I almost did that today too, but something told me to stop and see if I could save the day. Turns out I could, so I put the brakes on and did exactly that. I'm still amazed that I pulled it off.

My previous self also wouldn't have worked out while having a head cold. Granted I did cut myself some slack and gave myself a couple days off but my previous self would have taken at least a week off.

Here's the real kick in the pants, I'm planning workouts for my vacation next week. Can't say I've EVER done that.


Workout:
Biggest Loser Cardio Max Level 2 twice (30 minutes)
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (50 minutes)

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
2 cookies (500 cal.)
1 cup of Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken (200 cal.)
Rice (150 cal)
Cheddar cheese (100 cal.)
Sour Cream (100 cal.)

TOTAL: 1700

Day 31

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (45 minutes)

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
1 cup of Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken (200 cal.)
Rice (150 cal)
Cheddar cheese (100 cal.)
Sour Cream (100 cal.)
warm milk with honey (250 cal.)

TOTAL: 1725 cal.

Day 30 - correct

I had a bad spell. I wasn't feeling all that great this weekend and just kind of fell off the wagon which is frustrating since last week I was doing so well. The good news is I'm back, had a good day and trying to correct it already. Onward and upward.

Workout:
Bootcamp (60 minutes)

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
McDonald's Oatmeal (290 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Apple (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
3 blueberry pancakes Pancakes (est. 300 cal.)
butter (est. 100 cal.)
syrup (est. 150 cal.)
milk (175 cal.)


TOTAL: 1765 cal.

Day 28 - scouts

The girl scouts were camped out at my supermarket and I think I should be formally recognized for intentionally using the OTHER door to exit, thereby intentionally bypassing them. Hardest thing I did all day.

Workout:
Bagged out. I'm terrible. Wasn't feeling all that great - excuses, excuses.

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
3 chocolate glazed munchins (210 cal.)
Small wonton soup (200 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
French bread sandwich with fresh moz., olive oil, prosciutto, turkey, tomato and spinach (est. 700 cal.)
Chocolate mousse dessert - a little larger than a golf ball (est. 300 cal.)

Total: 2060 cal.
Water intake: 0 oz

Day 27 - belly up

Now I know why I couldn't get my diet together yesterday, or today for that matter. I'm exhausted, I'm moody, I'm feeling bloated. It happens from time to time - or maybe every 27-28 days. Do I need to say more?

Let's just say there will be no food journaling today. There might have been a hazardous trip to a local bakery and Chinese take-out. It went off the rails. Tomorrow will be better, I'll see to it.

Working out was a symbol of mental fortitude. There was no joy.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)

Day 26 - ordinary

Nothing really to report. Just another day at the office. Diet was off today for sure.

Workout:
Biggest Loser Cardio Max Level 2 twice (30 minutes)
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (50 minutes)
(which is affectionately being called as of late the "No More Muffintop" workout.)


There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
apple (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
beef stew with cous cous, a roll with butter (est. 800 - 1000 cal.)
4 oz of wine (100 cal.)
a couple (okay several) handfuls of peanut butter M&Ms (damn you, chocolate)

Day 25 - groove

I'm in a groove and its a good thing. My husband was just comically poking fun at me for eating essentially the same thing every single day, but I LIKE my foods just the way they are. Whatever it says about my personality I like having my structured routine and I like sticking with what works. Just put the path in front of me. Right now I'm on course.

Workout:
Biggest Loser Cardio Max Level 2 twice (30 minutes)
Doing the same level twice might seem like an odd thing to do. Its possible I'm becoming a little too obsessed with Jillian Michaels but this workout is broken into three levels, each led by a different trainer (including Bob Harper and that blond girl who was on the show for a season.) Having done this workout quite a few times, the second level led by Jillian is by far the most challenging cardiovascularly which is what I was looking for today.

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Chobani - (140 cal.)
Garlic Naan (380 cal.)
6 oz. chicken (190 cal.)
Tikka Sauce (330 cal.)
2 glasses of wine (200 cal.)
Carmello bar (220 cal.)

Total: 2010 cal.
Water intake: 28 oz

Day 24 - back

I'm back. Still have an occasional cough but I feel good today and had a kickass day workout wise. Yee haw.


Workout:
Turbo Jam - Punch, Kick and Jam (40 minutes)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (30 minutes)
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (50 minutes)

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
8 "midgee" tootsie rolls (85 cal.)
Apple with peanut butter (estimated 200 calories)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Burrito (est. 650 cal.)

Total: 1860
Water intake: 56 oz.

Day 23 - winded

Despite waking up and feeling like someone shoved cotton into my sinuses I got a workout in. It wasn't pretty, I was gasping for breath but a few hours later I do feel like I'm kicking this cold's ass. I'm optimistic I'll feel better tomorrow. This, of course got me thinking and wondering if a fitter person is better equipped to handle infection. Stands to logic, right?


Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Venti non-fat vanilla latte (250 cal.)
Blue cheese and chicken wrap (275 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
3 eggs (210 cal.)
1/4 c. cheddar cheese (110 cal.)
veggies (75 cal.)
glass of wine (100 cal.)
chocolate and raisins (200 cal.)


Total: 1870
Water intake: 56 oz.

Day 22 - sick

Full on ill today. Aches, coughs and stuffy head. Good times. Blah.

Workout:
Workout: P90X - stretching (58 minutes.)

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 cal.)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (275 cal.)
Blue cheese and turkey wrap (275 cal.)
Small piece of french bread with 1 tbsp of Nutella (est. 200 cal.)
Homemade meatball sub (700 cal.)
sorbet (240 cal.)


Total: 1790
Water intake: 55 oz.

Day 21 - low

Spirits are a little low here. My eldest isn't feeling great, threw up on the floor and if I'm honest I'm not feeling all that great either. Working out was a slog-fest, but I did it.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with 5 lb weights.)

There is a party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 calories)
3 eggs (210 calories)
3 slices of bacon (180 calories)
.75 oz of parmesan (75 calories)
1 tbsp butter (100 calories)
1 plain bagel (400 calories)
pomegrante spritzer (75 calories)
Sleepytime tea with honey and milk (150 calories)
whole wheat tortilla with 1 tbsp of peanut butter (200 calories)
Mushroom Croque-Monsieur (bon appetit) (estimated 800 calories)
12 oz. apple juice (150 calories)
Apple with peanut butter (estimated 200 calories)

Total: 2640 (must get this down)
Water intake: 56 oz

Day 20 - log

Last night at 11:30pm I was crawling into bed and said to my husband, "I have a full day tomorrow so I might wake up at 5:30 to try and get a workout in." He looked at me, gave me a funny look and said, "Why don't you take a rest day."

So unless, walking around the CT flower show for 2 hours counts as a workout, that's what I did. I think I'm a pushover.

I did log all my food, however, and I have to say knowing that I would be putting it out there stopped me from reaching into my son's chocolate munchins.

Workout:
Meh.

There's a Party in my Tummy:
Coffee (100 calories)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (273 calories)
Coffee (100 calories)
Balance bar (200 calories)
Oatmeal with milk and brown sugar (273 calories)
Pizza - 2 1/2 slices plus a Coke Zero (total estimated 875 calories - 350 a slice)
Wine - 4 oz (100 calories)
Lemonade - 6 oz (75 calories)
Dessert - Chocolate Trifle (estimated 400 calories)

Total: 2396 (high)
Water intake: 44 oz (not enough)

Day 19 - mule

I got to the gym today with both boys in tow and remembered why I blew it off the day before. Getting both of my kids, dressed, fed, and packed up with diapers and snacks is WAY too much work for just a normal day at the gym. Let's not forget all of MY stuff that needs to come too - change of clothes, water, headphones, wallet, phone, keys. I keep thinking it will be easier when my eldest is back at pre-school (it's vacation week) and I just have the babe but I might test this membership out for an additional week before signing my name on the dotted line for a year long commitment. I felt like a freaking pack mule walking in there today.

I mentioned in a previous post that I was thinking about doing a photo journal of my food intake. Yah, no way. I did a dry run and even with an app on my phone that allows me to upload photos instantly it was way too much of a pain the arse. I think what I might do is a simplistic record of my meals. So simple in fact that I'm not going to stress about totaling my calories. If I know the value for a meal, I'll write it down, if I don't, no stress. I've food journaled in the past and gotten so anal about it that when the odd day came that I couldn't record EVERY SINGLE CALORIE, I got frustrated and abandoned. I think the important thing will be just to keep a general log of the meals and snacks. That alone might curb the random handfuls of raisins here and there. We'll see. I'm going to start tomorrow in celebration of 70 days to go! Eeek!

Workout:
20 minutes on the elliptical
22 minutes on the treadmill on an incline (alternating between walking and running pathetically slow.)
5 minute arm circuit with free weights

Day 18 - regret

I regret not going to the gym today. I had my bags packed but somehow our morning just got away from us. The kids were cranky and I just didn't feel like schlepping them both (in the future when my eldest isn't on February vacation it will be MUCH easier to get there.)

My contingency plan was to put the baby to bed for his nap and attempt a 50 minute workout. It was ambitious but I was optimistic. Half way through, however, I was filled with regret and wishing for the babysitting they have at the gym. Every few minutes my eldest had a request. I would get him situated and then my youngest would start to crank from his crib. It was agonizing. I got through it but my 50 minute workout took much longer since I had to keep pausing. Awh well. Lesson learned.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (50 minutes)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (30 minutes)

Day 17 - sweat

I feel like I might be going on and on about spinning but in some ways I feel like I'm reuniting with an old friend. I went back today ... and it was good. Better than yesterday actually. A lot of spinning is in the instructor and for me - the music. My husband asked me what makes music good for spinning and when he asked I couldn't answer. Today in class, however, I realized that for me its really loud, pounding, club/house music. If an instructor goes that way with his/her playlist, I'm gone. I go on auto-pilot and I sweat. I'm not normally a profusely sweaty person, but spinning for me is like an Native Indian sweat lodge. I'm not going to confess to having visions but its crazy.

Workout:
Spinning (60 minutes)

Day 16 - up a notch

Spinning is no joke people. I'm pleased to report, however, I didn't die. I actually felt pretty darn good. I might even go back tomorrow.

The only difficulty I had was once I was done with class I was STARVING and it was hard to stop myself from eating the entire contents of my kitchen. I of course did give myself some extra calories but it felt like it could snowball very easily. Thankfully it didn't but that will be something to keep in check. I think if I make it tomorrow I'll throw an energy bar in my bag to keep myself at bay.

Workout:
Spinning (60 sweaty minutes)

Day 15 - preparation

After a pretty good workout day yesterday I decided today I would bustle around my house and attempt a decent cleaning instead of doing the P90X stretch workout. In all honesty I probably burned more calories.

I'm also mentally preparing for my first spin class tomorrow morning and physically giving myself a rest. It will be the first spin class I've taken since becoming a mom. Yikes.

Day 14 - optimism

2 weeks down, 11 to go. It's funny you might think that I would be agonizing over the fact that I have 11 weeks to go and what an eternity that is, but I'm actually really happy about it. I feel like I'm hitting my stride and I'm happy to have a good chunk of time left to really hit it. I'm feeling ambitious about what I can achieve here.

I will go on to say, I attribute ALL of this optimism to my increased energy, and perceived increase in strength/cardio. NOT a number on the scale. I'm willing to bet that if I stepped on a scale I wouldn't be saying any of this. I'd be beating myself up like I used to and then sabotaging myself with food.

This is not to say I have been eating perfectly. I haven't. But my jaunts off the path are smaller steps and with less frequency than they used to be. My exercise has been consistent and I feel great accomplishment in that.

But while we're talking about food, an idea presented itself to me. Eating has been, and always will be, the hard part for me. A fellow health blogger, attempted to photo document everything she ate every day for a couple of months. At first I thought, what an odd idea, but it occurred to me its not much different than what I'm doing here. Its just another form of accountability, perhaps a tool to keep me focused. So I might try it and see how it goes. I'm sure many of you will find my images of my diet boring as all heck, and honestly I don't expect you to care what I'm shoving in my mouth - but if I put it out there, I have to own it and that's a huge part of this.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes with BADASS EIGHT POUND WEIGHTS)
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (50 minutes)

Day 13 - expected

I probably should have expected this since it happened last Friday as well, but our little music class totally effs me up. I love my morning workout. I put my littlest down for his nap and it's on and its over. Music class ruins that and my window is lost. Now I'm struggling again to strap on my shoes and get my workout done. Blah.

However, I very recently learned that the Tough Mudder is actually 10 miles, not 8. Good God, what have I done?

Workout:
Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones (50 minutes)

Day 12 - unrelated thoughts

Thought #1) I must drink more water. No really, its a little out of control. Every night I feel like I wake up and was gargling Elmer's glue/paste in my sleep. So gross.

Thought #2) I'm considering joining a gym because there is one somewhat nearby that offers spin classes at a time that could work for me. I'm excited and dreading it all at the same time. I used to love spinning but its a killer workout and I really need to psych myself up for it. I'm considering taking the Monday morning class, bringing both boys with me which should earn me some sort of military, special ops award for the logistics it will require. (Yes, they have babysitting so I guess its not THAT big a deal.)

Workout:
Turbo Jam - Punch, Kick and Jam (40 minutes)
Neighborhood walk with Buddha boy #1 and #2, pushing their enormous throne (30 minutes)

Day 11 - nothing new

Not much to post today. Going out for drinks with friends tonight so I'm going to allow 1 or 2 glasses of wine, but I'm going to block myself from the bread.

Day 2 of second lunch in the afternoon and its going well. It must be going well since its 4:30 right now and I'm not fiendishly scrambling through my kitchen, contemplating dried black beans as a possible snack.

Really longing to exercise outside. Wondering how long until I can take the stroller out again.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes.)

Day 10 - freak out

I'm probably going to freak out every time an increment of 10 goes by, but seriously people, day 10?! I'm 80 days away? I'm not going to lie I spent a good chunk of time today looking up 5ks I could run in my area in the next few weeks, emailing race coordinators if they could be run with jogging strollers. Good GOD people 80 days.

Okay freak out over.

Eating today was improved. I think I'm going to stick with the afternoon meal. I was right, the psychological factor of having another meal around 3pm certainly lessened the desire to gnaw on my hand. I can live with that.

Workout:
Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes.)
Biggest Loser Cardio Max Level 2 and 3 (30 minutes)

Day 8 and 9 - unintentional

Yesterday somehow got away from me and I feel badly that I didn't at least log onto blog. After the day's errands, we had dinner guests, and suddenly I looked at the clock and it was 11pm. To be honest, a day off from working out wasn't the end of the world. Several people have told me to incorporate a rest day so yesterday unintentionally became that. I should have blogged though.

Today I got back on my workouts and I feel good about that. Exercise is the easy bit for me. The one area I've been struggling with is my diet. I haven't been blowing it out, but I know I could reign it in. I've been thinking about it a lot and really trying to isolate what the problem is and I think it comes down to my "trouble time." From lunch to dinner is a LONG stretch for me. I get hungry so I start to snack and I don't typically reach for the best option.

So tomorrow I'm going to plant a meal in the middle of my afternoon, something with a lot of fiber to keep me at bay. As silly as it sounds the psychological impact of having another lunch might also help me not feel limited. Wouldn't it be nice if it was as simple as that? A quick fix an never have a problem keeping my calories in check ever again. A girl can dream.

Workout: Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes.)
Bootcamp (60 grueling minutes)

Day 7 - hanging on

Valentine's Day has made me hit the skids a little. We went out last night for a nice dinner and while I didn't necessarily indulge, I might not have been as strict as I had hoped. Then today, there is just all this candy around. Its torturous. Again, I haven't been horrible but a handful of M&Ms here and there is doing me no good.

Tomorrow, clean slate back on point.

Workout: Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 2 (30 minutes.)
I'm now of the mind that level 2 is a better workout than level 3. Level three could be called more advanced, sure, in that the moves are more difficult to execute. But my back has felt stiff after doing level three and I just don't get the same heart rate elevate/cardio sweat that seems to be the norm for level 2.

Day 6 - fatigue

I need to power through this. My body actually feels really strong right now but my head is tired. I haven't been getting the best sleep lately so I think its all catching up with me. I will resist the temptation to nap today and will workout instead.

I think Fridays are going to be tough because our routine is a little wacked. We have started a little music class and while its adorable its right smack dab in the middle of my morning workout time and I have to say afternoon workouts are for the birds. I have that after lunch sleepiness going on right now. I am literally forcing myself to put my sneakers on.

Workout: Turbo Jam - Punch, Kick and Jam (40 minutes)

Day 5 - arches

Last night maybe didn't go as well as I had hoped but hand to God I wasn't THAT bad. "1 or 2 ounces" was a little ambitious, don't you think? I mean it was CHOCOLATE. Having said that I had maybe the equivalent of a regular sized Hershey's bar. Not great, but I did have a decent work out yesterday and kept my eating in check all day up to that point. I remember going to bed last night and feeling no guilt and not thinking I blew it all and lost control. It wasn't ideal, but it could have been a lot worse.

Anyways, enough talking about the past.

One thing I'm finding in my workouts is that my arches are ACHING. A lot of my workouts have been oriented around plyometrics and I keep hoping my feet just need to strengthen, but its PAINFUL. I bought new shoes, new sweet Asiacs, with better arch support and just better construction but its worse. Its actually way more comfortable to workout barefoot. I honestly don't know if I have high arches or flat feet but I need to figure this out. I'm wishing I lived close to a fancy running store so I could go have my foot analyzed but in the meantime if anyone out there reading this has any suggestions I would love to hear. Maybe a cross trainer would be a better idea?

Workout:
Biggest Loser Cardio Max Level 2 and 3 (30 minutes)
Bootcamp (60 grueling minutes)

Day 4 - Temptation

I feel like Allison Sweeney of the Biggest Loser is going to pop out of one of my closets to announce, "And today is your first temptation challenge....." Tonight I have to make little chocolate gifts with my moms club. I know, I know it all sounds so incredibly suburban but it is what it is. I got roped in and now I'll be face to face with the enemy for a few hours.

My strategy is to be really careful with my eating today and then allow myself a small serving (maybe an ounce for around 150 -200 calories? And ONE glass of wine.)

Send me strength.


Workout: Jillian Michaels Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism (50 minutes)

Day 3 - measurement

I meant to mention this at the very start but I figure its only day three so its not all that far along, but yes, I did weigh in on day one and no, I'm not blogging that number. I will surely scream from the rooftops if at the end of all this I find I've dropped a number of pounds, but for right now you all just have to play along. I also took measurements because hey, that's fun.

As for photos, I thought about taking the standard "before" photos but the idea of staging that and actually executing it was a little too depressing for me. I just didn't exactly latch onto the idea of placing myself in front of my camera to show how out of shape I am. I do, however, have some photos from our Christmas tree trimming which I thought were particularly horrific, and no, I'll never be wearing *those* jeans again. Good grief.

Workout: Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 3 (30 minutes.)

Day 2 - Prevention

My husband is sick, so I'm typing this sipping my Airborne and hoping I don't come down with it and if I do, I hope it doesn't undermine my efforts. Stupid cold season.

A word about last night's workout: I have to say the P90X stretching workout is quite nice. For me momentum is really important but I was feeling really tight and sore. Of course I don't want to hurt myself but I also didn't want to lose a good thing. Enter that stretching workout. Its long at 58 minutes but I felt fantastic after it - like after a good massage terrific. Two thumbs up.

Tonight I made this for dinner. It was meh. Good enough, I guess, but I found it because it was one of the "top 20 meals of 2010" for that particular blog. I wouldn't go that far, but perfectly functional for a Monday night.

Workout: Jillian Michaels 30 day Shred - Level 3 (30 minutes.)

Day 1 - And we're off

People always say that the first day is the hardest and I completely disagree. Today is easy. I'm full of motivation, ready to take this on and in my mind I'm seeing it through. It will be day 38, and 52 and 78 that will be hard, when I've been at it for a long time and still have a long time to go.

A word about lifestyle change. I do know that the most successful people are the one who make small modifications to their lifestyle and stick to them. I've done that. Its actually how I lost 30lbs last April through July. After having our second son I took stock and got back on my bike, reigned in my eating and just took better care in general. It worked but for some reason I can't get back that focus so I'm hoping this experiment gets me there. I'm a great weight maintainer, but losing requires an effort that it hard to cage.

Today I'm really focusing on my eating, which for me is the hardest part. Exercise is easy. In fact, the last few weeks I've be working out nearly every day, stepping it up and really pushing. I'm sore and rickety so I'm going to go a bit easy today.

Workout: P90X - stretching (58 minutes.)

Who, What and Why

Who: Oh geez, how I do not love to talk about myself directly like this. Let's keep it short and sweet. I'm a woman in her mid-thirties who is a mom to two little men. I'm on a constant quest to better myself, and this is just my most recent attempt at that.

What: This will be a 90 day commitment to myself to find a fitter, leaner version of myself. That is not to say after the 90 days are up I'm going to fall back to my old, more slothful habits but in these 90 days I would like to think I can set some reasonable expectations for myself and NOT allow myself any excuses or exits outs. It is 90 days, all in.

Why: I recently came across a rather inspiring video where a brave man told the story of his 120 pound weight loss (I even approve his usage of the typically way overplayed Coldplay.) By sheer numbers my task might not be as daunting as his but at the end of his montage he wrote, "If you want to do it, all you have to do is do it."

I liked that.

I've been stagnating for the last 6 months and kidding myself that I've been making a serious effort to drop these last few pounds and tone up. In actuality I've been phoning it in and simultaneously having an abusive relationship with my scale. The scale goes down, and I let up on myself and allow myself to "live a little." The scale goes up and I get frustrated and question why I'm even trying. Its a no win situation, so I've decided to remove that element all together which I'll outline in the Ground Rules.

Another big reason why I'm doing this now is of course there is no time like the present, but additionally on Sunday, February 6th we'll be exactly 90 days away from the New England Tough Mudder. My partner in crime, my husband, will be running it with me and I'm determined not to throw up all over Mount Snow.

The Ground Rules

Blog everyday.
Even if its just a one liner to say I'm doing it, I'm good. Starting Sunday, February 6th I will post something every. single. day.

30-90 minutes of exercise a day.
I can already hear my husband warning me about injury and burning out, but if I need a rest then that day will be a 30 minute walk or 30 minute kitchen dance session with my boys. The point is some sort of activity every day. Sloth be gone.

Stay within my calorie range.
I've done a lot of research considering my height, age, gender, general activity level and come up with a number that will be my target. There will be instances when I work out longer, say I go for a long bike ride, that I will need more but I will pre-meditate these instances and plan accordingly.

No cheat days/meals.
In previous efforts to get back in shape I've always allowed myself cheat days/meals that are more for my mental health. While wonderful, I've found they start to take the edge off. I'll laugh as I'm getting into something I shouldn't and say, "Oh, its a cheat day." Umm, no its not. Case in point as to why I'm stagnating.

I will, however, allow myself to eat anything I want so long as I maintain my target. In general my meals will be healthy but if I need to work in a couple pieces of pizza, I'll allow myself to do this - again, so long as I maintain my target calorie intake.

Lose the weekly weigh ins.
Deciding this was kind of my ah-ha moment. Like I already wrote I have somewhat of an abusive relationship with my scale in that if things are looking good I sabotage myself and allow myself to indulge a bit. If things are not looking good I get frustrated with it all and allow myself to indulge a bit. This way, you see, I'm never getting to where I want.

So the thought is to take away the scale's persuasive power over me. On more than a few occasions I had *thought* I was having a good week, eating and exercising and just feeling really good in general, only to undo it with what I felt was an unsatisfactory number on the scale. It could have been anything - lactic acid, water retention, the wrong time of day to step on the scale but seeing that number totally permeated my mood and negatively affected my choices.

What I would really like to do is go all Office Space destruction on our scale, but I don't want to scare the kids.

Be okay with whatever it will be.
I do recognize that the scale aka "the thing that measures us" is in fact just that, a measure. Not an evil instrument of psychological warfare. I also appreciate its place determining health, to a degree. So I will start this experiment weighing in and also recording my measurements. I will, however, before even starting on this journey try to look ahead to the end of this experiment and be okay with whatever results result, so long as I gave it my all. No regrets.

And that's it. Them's the rules. The tricky part will be sticking to them, but I'm excited to see what's possible to accomplish and how much I can change.

If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't be worth it.