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.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
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
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
Friday, February 25, 2011
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)
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)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
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)
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)
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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)
Workout:
Spinning (60 minutes)
Monday, February 21, 2011
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)
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)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
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)
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)
Friday, February 18, 2011
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)
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)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
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)
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)
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
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 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.)
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
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)
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)
Monday, February 14, 2011
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)
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)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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.
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.
Friday, February 11, 2011
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)
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)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
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)
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)
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
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)
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)
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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.)
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.)
Monday, February 7, 2011
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.)
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.)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
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.)
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.)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)