Hey You, You Who Wants to Lose Weight

Pst.  Are you unhappy with where your weight is right now?  Is losing weight on your new years resolution?

Then, come write on this blog.  I'm happy to include you on our list of contributors to the right... and this is a really helpful loving community of friends.

We'd love to help you get skinny.

Ok, I'd love to help you.  I promise I'll comment every time. :)

A Year In Review

I'm not sure how much time I'll have to wrap up this year's blog before the end of the week.

But, wow.

I'm not sure I really thought I could do it.  I did lose some good weight a little while before getting pregnant with P but I'm not sure I thought I could REALLY do it. 

For those of you who don't know I've been working out for YEARS in vain (I'm talking like 7 years here people).  Trying to do small diet modifications, but also working out daily in hopes it would do something, and it did nada.  So, what worked this year.  Let me narrow it down.

1.  Weight watchers.  This was huge.  I'm a a busy mom with 3 kids, and a part time job.  I really take both of those areas quite seriously which takes up a TON of time.  Weight watchers was something I could rely on to help me know what I could/couldn't eat.  The first month of this year I gained like 5 pounds just trying to do it on my own.  I, honestly, was too busy to listen to my system.  I'd get caught up in feeding them or feeling so down trodden I'd just eat a whole horse.  Ok, maybe not.  But weight watchers helped me realize proper portioning.  Wasn't a big fan of the meetings, but the point system helped a lot.

2.  Eat healthy.  During the middle of the year (as you can see on my delightful graph to the right) I got caught-up eating nutrasweet fiber filled foods that aren't good for you, but have very low point values.  This isn't a way to lose weight, and it sounds like weight watchers figured that out too.  I read Dr. Oz's book and I am now really focusing on foods that are good for me.  Whole grains, avocados, fruits and veggies.  Yum.  It's a good life full of delicious food.  Different foods then maybe I was eating before (but I don't rule those all out I still have some mac n' cheese every now and then, and that's important to both me and my family).  I have truly found how to eat DELICIOUSLY without all the things I used to think were delicious before (aka, frying and cheese).

3.  You've gotta have friieeends....  and I do.  It's been so nice to have Drew, and my good friends to rely on as I walk down this path.  I've really liked reading other weight loss blogs and reveling in other people's successes.  If you want to lose weight, tell your close friends, and tell them you want their help.  If they're really friends they'll help you out.  Also, this blog has been a big motivator.  It's SO nice to get helpful feedback, or props from friends.  I loved posting when I had good losses, it made me feel good.

4.  Continue working out.  It's not really a weight loss tool, but I think that I have some quality muscle underneath those ugly layers of fat.  I think I may also be slowly building my metabolism, and of course working out has so many other benefits.  Also, changing my workouts to three 45 minute or more sessions/week I think was also helpful, instead of four 30 minute sessions. 

My goal at the beginning of the year was to lose a pound a week.  I didn't do that, but I did lose 32 pounds this year.  I also had that amazing realization in the middle of the year about eating healthy and that was worth not shedding those other 20 pounds. 

I also realize that there's no timeline for this.  I am so happy that I have lost the weight that I have.  I'm going to continue this next year.  I hope to maybe attend a weight watchers meeting, learn about the new system and implement that.  I'm mulling over really counting points the first week of each month.  I think it's just a good reminder of portions, and what eating should be.  I tend to sort of count points in my head all the time anyway, but the motions of really writing it down is helpful.  I've also mulled over doing P90X, but I don't think that will be in the works until my BMI is a regular weight.  I need to be healthy before I do that.  I'm not quite there yet (I Think it's only like 10 more pounds though....)

And lastly... you can do it.  If losing weight is a goal you want you can do it.  But don't fool yourself into thinking that it won't take over your life.  Like most good things you get out of it what you put into it.  But it's SO great to shop at regular stores and actually find clothes that are too BIG for you.  It's worth it. 

Oh, and I am under 170, at last check I was 168 which is good considering our family has been passing around this cold for oh, like 3 weeks now.  I'm hoping to head out on a walk with Drew this morning and get some fresh air into these lungs.

Happy New Year everyone, you can do it!

Not My Best....

Up 4.
Last week was ugly.
I was sick, I was chugging hot chocolate as though my life depended on it, Drew gets pounds and pounds of holiday treats from the kids at school.
Dang those kids.  How thoughtless of them.
P was up a lot last week (thank you molars) so working out didn't happen... but I did work out this morning, and I also did a walk with Mr. D.  I burned over 500 calories at the start of my day.
I have hopes that I can keep it under 170 through the holidays.
That's my only hope. :)
Do you have a hope?

Interesting Biggest Loser Article

I'm pretty excited for the biggest loser season finale.  I've enjoyed the season.

I just read this article on MSNBC -- interesting stuff.  I'd LOVE to see more about how they eat.  I really want to know if it's veggies, brown rice and chicken 24/7. :)

Working Out When You're Sick

What do you do about worknig out when you're sick?

For me, I guess it's how sick.  I've heard if you have a fever you shouldn't be working out (and I don't count it as a fever unless it's over 100, fyi).

With a cold I try to just do something lighter.  I don't think it's a great idea to REALLY tax your body when it's already playing catch-up.  But, I also think I feel better thoughout the day if I do get a little something in.

Of course, I could also just sleep that extra hour, and let's not pretend that doesn't happen sometimes too. :)

It's a Christmas Miracle!

I'm down 3 pounds this month (graph updated on the right)

Honestly, I think that is ALL due to the whole working out a little longer thing, and trying to do something "fun" on my "off" days.  Wow, that's a lot of (")'s. :)

This also means I've kind of passed my "hump". 

From when I was at my high of the beginning of the year I had 64'ish pounds to lose in order to be at a great BMI.  Honestly, I'm not sure that I'm going to get QUITE to that... but that was my hope.  I really am just hoping to get to a point where my body feels like it's good.  I'm usually eating healthy with a splurge every now and then and my body just hovers around a nice good, regular BMI weight.  Anyway, I've now lost 33 pounds and that puts me over the "hump" -- I'm sure the last 31 will totally be easier, right? :)

The other exciting news is that I'm down 2.25 inches from last month, giving me a grand total of being down 26 inches this year!  Happy news indeed.  It seems like most places on my body have lost about 4-5 inches. 
Also, while I really thought the body fat scale measurement on my scale was a piece of crap at the beginning of the year, I'm really proud to say mine has come down a lot.  Here's my fancy little graph:

I can't remember what's good for women, and I'm sure I'm still WAY above that... but I'm glad that my body fat is decreasing, beacuse that means that health IS increasing. :)

Just a reminder that you CAN do it and it WILL happen, but you have to put a LOT of effort into it.  Merry Christmas everyone, get drunk on cheer, not on fat. :)

What I am Learning from the Biggest Loser

I have so many feelings when I watch the Biggest Loser.

I'm SO proud of those people, and yet I worry a lot about them...

I just try and focus on the positive.

The fact that these people have lost almost the same amount of weight as people who have sugery, in the same period of time... and yet they look healthy and vibrant.

I don't want to offend anyone who's had the surgery but there are always a few weeks in there that I worry they're going to die (my first 2 codes were on patients who'd had gastric bypass -- this was back in about 1999).  Anyway, I'm just so proud of them and I wish them the best.

I'm actually voting for Ada, I didn't know she lives very close to me.  I want to be her best friend.  Do you think she'll want to be my best friend?

I'm sure she will.

Do you watch it?  Do you have mixed feelings?

New favorite quick workout

Those who have Just Dance 2 -- did you know you can choose "medley" and it'll do like 30 second snippets of different songs.  AND, it's different every time.  I tend to get a little bored of each song, so I really like how that mixes it up.  I just wish you could make it longer.  Apparently, according to cardio tracker, I can burn 100 calories in 12 minutes doing Just Dance... and that was 3 medleys (and probably a little more, maybe I only burned 90 calories, oh well).

Workout Du Jour

Today I did Total Body Workout from BYU TV.  I DVR'd it. 

Once again, at the beginning I thought maybe it was too easy but as we progressed into it (it was about 50-55 minutes long) I really worked up a sweat.  She did some great stuff with weights.

I do this show often, but I mention it because you can pull up their workouts any time from BYU TV, you don't have to DVR it (on that page that I linked the episodes are right there... how easy is that?).

• They have 3 levels all the time, so depending on your level of fitness or energy you're always going to be OK.
• Deni is really positive (and my BFF's mom, imagine that) and gets you through it.  She's totally the opposite of Jillian, but I think each one has their place.
• There are pregnant women doing the routines (not all the time, but often) and this is a great idea to do to understand what you can/can't do while pregnant.
• The clothes are really modest.  To some this might be a downside.  While I do admire some people's 6 pack, sometimes it just creeps me out.

Anyway, I loved it today.  It was just what I needed.  I also love that my cardio trainer app now says that I've burned 1000 calories this week.  Go me.  :D  Wait, that doesn't even include my Yoga from Monday.  Hmm...

I'm trying to do Yoga one day, a dance-type workout (probably followed by a bit of weights) one day and an aerobics/weights workout another day... and on the off days (except Sundays) do something fun.  I went walking with a friend on Tuesday.  My favorite kind of workout.

I forgot to mention that working out is my main hope during the holiday season.  It's something I can do and I find that I enjoy it (most of the time).  I hope the build so much muscle I can eat whatever I want. (yeah, right).

Apps for Weight Loss

I'm trying to put some good apps on my new phone for weight loss.  There's SO many good ones that will check how fast you're walking or how far you walked and will calculate how many calories you're burning.  I love that kind of thing.

So far I have Libra, which does a really pretty weight loss graph.  I'm not sure I love this, but whatev. :)

I have Cardio Trainer.  I guess this one's supposed to be a great one to take on walks.  It also has  little thing that shows that calories you've burned that day in the notification bar.  That's always a happy thing.  It will track your walks on GPS and tell you how fast you're going.  I'm excited about this one.  It's also going to remind me on the days that I don't automatically have an early workout to work out.  Go me.

I have Record Beater.  I'm not sure about this, I haven't used it at all but I think it changes your music to one that will promote you to walk/run quicker.  I'm excited, I put a few tunes on my phone and I LOVE when I can walk to the pace of the music.  Call it the little marching band girl in me. :)

Anyway, do you have apps that you love?

Not so great...

Sunday was supposed to be our monthly weigh in, but Drew was at the San Jose holiday parade so we didn't do it.  I'm hoping I can lose a pound or two before then... that would be a happy thing. :)  I don't have high hopes though.

As I look at this month we just seem to have event after event that involves food.  A lot of our holiday traditions have food and really GOOD food.  I just need to figure out how to work around that.  My 3 goals are:

1. Split when we go out to eat.  I've been pretty good about getting my kids to do this with me, or Drew.  We find we just feel happier and the bill is better when we do this.  Also, Conner really likes splitting with me because he has more options than just their regular kids meals.
2. Eat really well on the nights we're not going out to eat.  There are still a lot of really good things to eat that are healthy... and I need to cram all of those recipes into this month. :)
3. When I'm at a party, JUST eat food I really like.  Honestly, I don't need to take a nibble of everything.  Just enjoy small amounts of the food that really is calling to me, so that i don't feel deprived.  I also don't need to feel like I need to finish my plate on food that I don't really love. :)

Anyway, those are my plans for this holiday season.  I'd still like to get to 165 or so by the new year.  So far I'm holding steady at 169... but I figure if I focus on walking with friends, eating right and enjoying myself time will help this weight come off. :)

Do you guys have holiday strategies?

Workout Du Jour: Yoga for Weight Loss

This was the video I got from netflix this week.  I am proud to say that I even worked out.  Last night I literally just had to take some ibuprofen and crawled to bed, I was so sore.  This was a good one to do the next day.  It's nice, relaxing and I felt invigorated afterwards.  That's what I want from yoga.  I'd recommend it, it has a lot of different levels for people who are new/advanced.  She also wasn't so super touchy feely that it made me want to vomit.

I have to admit I haven't been doing point counting at all this week.  It's a bad habit for me.  I need to jump onto the points next week.  I just felt like I was playing catch up this week and while I counted points in the AM I Wasn't so great at dinner, etc.  Plus, I took Conner on a date tonight and the 5 guys fries were more than I could tolerate.  I did, however, turn down a dinner option this week that I knew I'd overeat.  That's not something I want to do often, but I need to do it every now and then.

Just trying to get through the holidays with my waistline intact. :)

Do you guys have strategies?

Ow, ow, ow, ow: Workout Du Jour. Ow.

So, back into the swing of working out with real intent, instead of real togetherness and fun (which was last week).

I did Jillian's kettleball workout.  Honestly, I went through the first two circuits thinking life was pretty great, and it wasn't too bad.

And then hello last circuit.  My legs were literally jello by the end.

You think the workout isn't really doing much.

But apparently 1200 squats later it was.

And I'm feelin' it.

I actually just used a 5 pound weight, I don't have a kettleball. But it worked fine, and the way you hold it reall tries your core also.

Workout is just over 30 minutes.  She says it's a 25 minute workout, but I think that doesn't include warm-up cool/down.  I really like the Jillian workouts.  I think she is at a great price point and gives you good bang for your buck.

Also, I found this one on my comcast on demand, and it looks like she has a lot of her workouts on there.

Frankly, I think she wants people skinny and she's willing to not make a million dollars in order to get us that way.

Here's a youtube clip (I only did level 1, and I think I'm going to add the DVD to my queue on Netflix):

She is willing to make almost a million though. :D

Up One

What kind of a crazy woman resolves to lose weight the week of thanksgiving, especially with her parents here?

Me, that's who.

And it didn't happen.

Shockingly.

It's not like I followed weight watchers AT. ALL.  I mean, only being up a pound is a great achievement in its own.

There's 3 more weeks til' Christmas break and I'm resolving to stick to WW for that time.

Has anyone started the new system?  I'm thinking about going a few times at the beginning of the year.

In other news, I did a Bollywood routine this AM.  I only worked out doing "fun" things last week.  Aka, just dance or going on walks with my hubby.  So, today it was back to teh grind.  I did about 25 minutes of this (I DVR'd it from Exercise TV, I don't think this is the same one, but it looks similar) and then I did about 10 minutes of arms while I watched the news. 

So, let's all be on the wagon together, at least for 3 weeks. :D

A Thanksgiving Miracle

So there's good news and not-as-good news.  But no actual bad news this week, which is a relief after a major eating holiday like Thanksgiving.

The good news is that last week I lost 1.8 pounds (forgot to post).

The not-as-good news is that when I weighed today, I hadn't lost or gained ANYTHING.   I was exactly the same, right down to the .2 in the number.

So, this week, I am back on a better eating schedule and very thankful that Thanksgiving didn't do me completely in!

Just Trying to Get Through the Week

I'm just trying to get through the week.  I'd be pretty enamored if I could get to Saturday and still be below 170.  That's probably all I can hope for.

But some weeks are like that, especially Thanksgiving Weeks.

I hope you're having a week with lots to be thankful for.

BIG NEWS

Guess who weighed less than Drew on the scale today.
{check me out}
{shh... but that was kind of my goal this month... don't tell Drew}

Take THAT Jillian

Just have to say that I didn't work out yesterday but i still lost 4 pounds.
Which, makes me think that Jillian may be a little much for me.  I'm talking about doing her every day.
Which makes me nervous to do P90X since they say they're similar.
Either way, I'm still mulling it over... and loving that I hit my goal weight for the week today.  Now, to stay there. 
Hopefully with my new tip for getting pomegranate seeds I can just enjoy those. :)

Jillian and I Part Ways

I was up at 5:30, DRUG myself out of bed... only to weigh in with an increase.

And that was it.

I just couldn't do it.  I just could NOT face a full hour of Jillian just to be super tired, sore and not lose weight.

So I didn't.

I also sealed her up in her red envelope and sent her back to Netflix.  I think I may put her on my my queue... again...  But for now...

Anyway, just putting it out there, keepin' it real.  Sometimes you have to slack.  Sometimes that bed is far too warm.  You just can't have it that way most of the time.

Weigh in Monday and I'm Back on the WagonYes, AGAIN

When Hilary started this blog back in January we were both so gung-ho.  I have managed to do three different diet/exercise pushes and lose circa 10 pounds each time.  Only to gain them back when life got in the way.

It has been SO inspiring for me to watch Hilary be so incredibly successful, but I haven't been emotionally ready to try it myself.  Again.  One thing that Hilary said that really struck me was that losing weight is basically like having a part-time job because it takes that much time out of your life to be successful.

I wholeheartedly agree, and I realize that that is one of the reasons why I give up too easily.

But here I am again, because I really need to find it within myself to lose the weight.  I am not healthy and that is that.  So, last week, I said I would lose ten pounds by Thanksgiving Day (only to gain it back again that day probably!) and I started a new diet regimen.

This one is a bit different, and should work well for my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants personality and my busier-than-I'd-like life.  The meal plans are all given to you, and you are to make everything for the week in one sitting.  Store it in your fridge in tupperware containers and take it out when you need it.

So far, I love it.  I am less tempted to snack because I know that I have a full meal sitting there waiting for me.  You eat six times a day, so I feel like I'm eating constantly anyway.  The food is pretty filling.  I was hungry for the first couple days, but now I feel very stuffed after eating a little piece of string cheese.

And in the first week I lost (drum roll please)


4.1 pounds and 2 3/4 inches.

Go me.

Go us.

A Few Bad Meals

My parents have been here.  We ate out a few times...

And sheesh, I'm up a couple of pounds on Saturday.

It's just SO hard for me to make good choices when I'm eating out!  Honestly, because eating out happens SO rarely for me... it's true that when I actually get to a goal weight I will easily be able to go back to my target weight range after eating out... but when you're trying to lose, a few bad meals can really set you back.

What do you order at restaurants when you're trying to be good?  I've noticed that I really like blackened fish... and when that's on the menu I'm a good girl (anyone been to Yankee Peir, I Got their blackened catfish with a small side of mac n' cheese... it was like the best of all worlds).

In other news, I did Jillian again today... it is a hard workout!  I'm going to do it one more time before sending it back.  I do like how I feel when I'm done though... it's definitely raised the bar for workouts for me.  I'd totally recommend it!  Here's a little clip:

P 90X

I've been toying with the idea of doing P90X at the new year.  My goal for this year has been to do weight watchers the whole year, and simply follow the workout schedule I'd planned previously.

Currently, I work out 3 times a week for about an hour each time.  I'm getting used to doing harder and harder workouts and I do try to vary them....

So, my question, is it doable?  I don't want to workout on Sundays but I could commit to every other day for the 3 months it takes....

Other question, would it be just as good to just workout 6 days a week and continue to follow weight watchers.

BTW< I'm up 2.  You can thank my trip to Maggiano's for that.  But, a gal's gotta live, right?  Onward and upward.

Thanks for the advice on P90X.

Uh, Jillian!

Darling Jillian, first I read it's a 50 minute workout on the back.  Then, I click and it says "start 40 minute workout" and you totally get my hopes up and then FIFTY FIVE MINUTES INTO IT, we end.

A) You are fired.

B)  Truth in advertising baby... that makes me want to eat a giant bowl of chocolate ice cream.  {sigh}

Anyway, this is a 55 minute workout.  On the top it's 55 minutes of crazy intense cardio... but then you realize you're also doing a lot of muscle building weight work within all that cardio.

This is, the hardest workout I've done.  It's like doing all 3 of the shred levels at once.  She does give a few modifications, which I cheerfully took.  I am not sure I'm going to be sore tomorrow, but I am really tired right now.  That could've been from the 5 million sirens that woke me up last night, the night that P sleeps through - i-yi-yi!

Anyway, I got this from netflix, I plan to do it 2 more times.  I have heard this is a lot like the P90X workouts.  It does make me feel good that I got through it.  It's not a workout for newbies though.  The exercises are hard and it is LONG.  I think you can pick through the circuts.  I will say that the circut at about 19 minutes and again at 39'ish minutes are the worst.  The other ones are a little easier.

Either way, if you're looking for a solid workout this is a good one. The circuts are pretty short and even burpees (which I HATE) were short enough I could get through them before giving up.

12... 12... 12...

Thanks to Kohls and them mailing me a 30% off coupon I couldn't resist checking out the pants to see what size I am now.

That's right, peeps a 12. 

It's weird that the whole first the of the year I was stuck at a 16... but now the sizes are dropping like flies.

I doubt I'm going to get TOO much smaller than this though, a I vaguely remember even wearing a size 12 in jeans before I got married... but maybe, heavens knows I work out a lot more now.

I did a GIANT closet clean-out this morning as I SERIOUSLY needed to do.  I went through dresses, coats, sweaters.  Everything.  A lot of it is stuff I was jsut holding on to, but now there's absolutely no reason to do that since it doesn't fit anyway.  Now I'm excited with the new clothes I bought and I hope that I can feel good in them.  I'm still on the hunt for a good looking Sunday outfit that I feel snazzy in.  I think that may be a hopeless search though.

Workout Du Jour: Postnatal Bootcamp

 Today I did Lindsay brin's Postnatal Boot Camp 2 workout.  This is the one that comes with her prenatal series.  I'm such an idiot.  I was doing the first set (I chose to do 3 sets cardio/toning, 2 sets of abs and the warm-up, cool down giving me a 50 minute workout)... and I was just thinking maybe it was too easy.

WHY DO I DO THAT?

Either way... it was a heck of a workout.  By the end I was dying.  SO tired of planks, which I am totally awful at.  I notice that my arms are something that kind of holds me back in other things in a workout -- I just can't hold this giant flabby body up.

Anyway, it's a good workout.  I like these that have several smaller sections so you can really fit it into the time you have.  It's a smart way to go!

{happy weight loss dance}

I did it!  Another 5 pounds down this month! 

I was kind of looking at the 31 pounds I've lost this year and not feeling so snazzy about it... feeling like those biggest losers sure do lose a lot... but then I thought about ALL the other things I've done this year, and how I wouldn't give any of those up.  Raising P daily, helping out at school, making halloween costumes, having a job... all of those things are in my life too along with the weight loss.  I felt very blessed when I thought of it that way.  Biggest losers just have each other and Jillian... and who wants that? :D

Anyway, here's my weight loss graph (which you can also see in my sidebar).  It's 31 pounds from the beginning of the year.  My goal is another 5 a month, leaving me at a 40 pound loss for the year. 

My BMI will still be overweight at that point, but not by much.  Of course, I'd love to lose more... and while I do think 2 pounds a week is doable... it might also not be. :)

I also do all my measurements on the first Sunday of the month.  I lost 2.25 inches overall for the month. Here's some graphs, just because i like them. :D

I have lost 3.5 inches on my waist since January and 6 inches off my hips (!).  It looks like you want your waist to be less than 35 inches for best health... and I still have another inch to go on that one. 

Our scale measures body fat and while I Always thought it was a bunch of bunk... it is decreasing.  I'm still not sure how accurate it is, and I am pretty sure a fair amount of it has to do with how hydrated you are.

Here's the rest of my stats:

• Arms: 1.5 inch loss
• Thigh:  4 inch loss
• Bust:  5 inch loss
• Calves:  1.5 inch loss
• Neck:  1.25 inch loss

Very happy with this month's results.  I also noticed that weight watchers is changing their program... it sounds like it has a lot to do with how I've been griping about it lately.  That foods that are better for you should show some benefit instead of the processed stuff (aka, crap) they sell.  It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

I think while looking at these charts I'm bugged by that lull in the middle, my weight even went UP... but I think that's part of life.  Summer around here is a lot of flux, not a lot of schedule and I think I also got caught up in the processed food trap that weight watchers set up for me.  I'm just glad I'm back on track again.  I hope you're on track too!

Workout Du Jour

Yesterday I thought I'd see what was on Fit TV, so I taped a few.  This morning I did a dance one.  And a Yoga one.

Dance and Be Fit (I think that's the name).  Total loser.  Very little calorie loss, she's so darn peppy I wanted kick her... I won't be doing it again.

The Kudalli yoga one was really good.  I might try it again.  Lots of good yoga and stretching.

It just reminds you that there are workouts all over.  I'm sure there's a ton I could get on my computer too!  I know Lindsay Brinn's been doing monthly workouts available for download.

Food I really Like (and is good for you)

While I've been just trying to encoporate more healthy foods into our diet, I've found a few things that I REALLY like, and it's a good substitue for other things, most often pasta.

Polenta -- I had this once at a restaurant and I just adored the creamy texture.  Mmmm... but then no one else seemed to like it, but I'm making it more and more lately (probably because it's in Cooking Light a fair amount) and it's delicious.  I made it tonight with a little cream cheese and 1T of butter and yum-o.  Do you like Polenta?  I mostly like it where I cook it, instead of cutting it and grilling it as it's pictured, but either way...

Quinoa -- I had never heard of this until recently when someone said it is a good source of protein along with the feeling of pasta.  I LOVE the stuff, especially in salad.  I'm not sure I'd smother it with marinara sauce, but I make a shrimp with Quinoa that I LOVE.  FYI, it's pronounced keen-wah. 

Avocados.  I always knew I loved them, but now I mush them and spread them on toast, or have them with my eggs.  Someone online said to mix it in with your polenta.  Sounds good to me!

Beans.  What a great way to cut costs and be a little more healthy, also my kids really like them -- especially P and the doctor said they're a good source of iron, protein and fiber.  Horray!  I also have a pressure cooker (I hope to write a review of that upcoming on my real blog) that I really like cooking them in.  So easy.

Anyway, for me it's just been inching a bit out of my comfort zone, perusing the bulk isle at Sprouts (bulk isle is great, because you don't have to make a giant investment in something you're not sure you're going to love).  BTW, Sprouts has 25% off all their bulk bins through tomorrow.  What a great way to feel good about trying new things.

What do you love that is healthy?

So true...

Just read this article on MSNBC about how regular working out prevents colds.  I agree. :)

Workout Dur Jour: Double Whammy

Ok, this morning I did Yoga Meltdown, the 2nd workout.  I won't be doing this again for a while as I felt like I was going to fall about 50% of the time, and it's hard to hold poses or really get anything out of it when that's the issue.  So, I will try and do 1 the next time -- and hopefully it's better.  It is a great workout though.  I really enjoy it and how it stretches your body as well as building muscle.  I find that I really enjoy large range of motion workouts.  I feel rejuvenated after.  Except when I feel like I'm falling.  Not so much then.  Honestly, I do think the 2nd workout is above me at this point though.  She has some really difficult moves in there.  This isn't my first time doing yoga either.

Last week I got The Biggest Loser Power Sculpt Workout.  I have to say, I am usually pretty positive with these workout reviews but... wait for it.... I really thought this one was too easy.  I mean, I had a RAGING headache the morning I decided to do it, but I sojourned on and I was doing JUST fine.  I mean, Jillian does an OK workout and hten that blonde girl (who must have been kicked off the show because i don't have a clue who she is) came  on and re-did Jillians workout with a few minor modifications.  Copycat.

But, then the guy came on (blanking on the name) and he did do a GREAT 10 minutes.  I guess the idea is that you add on another workout every few weeks.  Jillian's is really for a beginner.  I think if you're new to using weights or trying toning this is a great workout for you.  If this isn't your first few months with weights, you might just want to try the last 10 minute routine as a quickie after a shorter workout.  That guy works you hard.  Jillian also does a nice cooldown at the end, and does stretch your muscles pretty well..

Anyway, it only got done once, usually I try to do my netflicks ones more than once, but this one just didn't hold my attention at all.

FAIL.

Up two pounds people.  There are several causes:

1.  I whacked my head on my car while getting the groceries out.  Luckily it didn't bruise, but my forehead is a good 1/2 inch larger than normal.  I mean, as if my head wasn't big enough already...

2.  Maybe it's my "lady time" -- lots of ugly water weight on these fingers as of late.

3.  I didn't really count points last week.  I mean, I'd try but I was SO busy with stuff at school and just trying to keep my head up.  I didn't like write them down.  I also went out to breakfast on Friday.  And while I love both my friend and breakfast, I think it may have been a culprit.  However, it was my only day eating out all week.  Darn you pesky restaurants and your clarified butter.

It wasn't candy.  I had one butterfinger, one snickers and I almost went into sugar overload when I had a starburst.  Honestly, the only one I gave an eye roll of delight towards was the Butterfinger.  I do love those.  The rest seemed far too sugary to be truly delightful.

Anyway, my goal is to be 170 by the weekend or below, I think I might just die if I found the scale at 169 at any point.  Man, what a treat THAT will be.  So, I have banned myself from popcorn, I have some delightful salad ideas for lunches, I am going to write down my stuff EVERY. SINGLE. DAY and I'm going to make my workouts count. 

170, here I come. :D

What I don't like About Weight Watchers

I guess it's calorie counting in general -- and that's the fact that complete trash often has very little calories.

I hate how they're always promoting those muffin top things that have like 100 calories and 59 grams of fiber and no carbs.  I mean, seriously -- can that be good for you?

I heard that WW is changing the program around a bit in the next month or so.  I think I saw it in my WW magazine, I wonder what the change will be -- and if it will have anything to do with this.

I mean, I may be in the minority, but I don't mind a little corn syrup if it's listed instead of some insane man-made sugar that doesn't have calories and will make you float on air.

I think it was a big part of my stall over the summer.  I was eating this super low in calorie yogurt, but it was hurting my body somehow.  How annoying.

Anyway, it's my one beef with WW.  After reading Dr. Oz's book I think I'm just eating all around better and really thinking about how I fuel my body.  That isn't to say that I don't have a few times where I just throw caution to the wind and enjoy myself.

Because as long as it's not my norm, I feel like that's OK.

So, what about you?  Is it all health food all the time?  Do you down diet soda?  How do you find your happy place?

Newsflash

Yes, yesterday as I did my booty ballet, I ended at 33 minutes of working out.  I thought to my big goal of wanting to do at LEAST 40 minutes and felt a little sad I wasn't going to reach it.  So I tried to bring up one of my Netflicks 10 minute solution videos, but it was being slow....

And then, a lightbulb came on.

I said to myself, "self -- you know quite a lot of exercsies, especially for target toning -- why don't you just do some of those and save yourself some time."  So I did.  I figure when I need to fill some time I can just go down my body -- arms (which I did the whole 10 minutes on yesterday), tummy, legs... rinse and repeat.

I mean, on what planet do I need to have someone telling me how to work out my arms?  I did it, and I am actually a little sore today.  I'm not saying that I would do a full workout just on my own, because honestly I don't think I could fill it and also I have a hard time really thinking at 5:45.  Anyway -- just something for you to consider.  When you only have 10 minutes -- at least you can do SOMETHING, instead of sitting on the couch eating Bone bons.  I mean -- you all know that's why I bought the new couch right -- it is completely full of bon bons.  :D

Oh, and I just did some Just Dance 2.  OUCH.  That is a serious workout.  I plan to have a girls night where we burn some calories and laugh like maniacal beasts at each other trying to do these insane routines.  I mean, they are crazy.  They even have some Ballywood.  AND, after it I wanted a little stretching so I did my own yoga.  I'm pretty sure I'll be teaching workout classes any day now.  I mean, people would lose a lot of weight from all the vomiting from looking at me in my workout gear....

Keep up the good work!

Down TWO!!!!

Down two pounds.  Lose another 2 and I'll be giving away another weight watchers point.  Maybe I should just stay at this weight....

Super happy about it, not so happy about my wardrobe -- there was a good 10 minutes of wardrobe search yesterday to go to church, but I did find some boots at Ross this morning.  Nothing else though.  I swear that store is so insane.  I asked the manager if they could open another line and she said, "well, we have two lines open..." and said, "I see that, and I can count".  Then she left.  I felt bittersweet. :)

In other news, I'm sleeping more and I did the Yoga Booty Ballet this morning.  While I notice a small amount of tension between the two teachers, it made me happy to have slept and be working out.  I'm ready to take on the day!  Come on day! 

Two Photos

On my regular blog on Friday I posted a photo of myself... but then I wante to go back and find another photo and see if there was really a difference.  So, here the two are:

There is a 30 pound difference between these photos.  But, I don't think I can really see it... of course, my jackets hide a lot... maybe if I wore that SAME jacket in a picture... or maybe if I just slept more....  Anyway, interesting to see how bodies change, or don't change. :)

An Ounce of Realism

I have been thinking about doing the post below for a LONG time and I finally got to it yesterday, but I have to admit that I was AWFUL at getting up this week.  Mostly because of the baby getting up for who-knows-why and my personal brain turning into mush because of it.  There are times in your life that you have to adjust.  This week is one of them, but I'll be up at 5:45 workin' it out next week.  I did get 3 workouts in this week, just not as long as I would've liked... and that, my friends, is how the cookie crumbles (and then you throw it away, because skinny girls don't eat cookies).

Sucking it Up

First off, I dd the rest of  the Jackie Warner 1 on 1 DVD yesterday.  Ouch.  I am feeling the lower body today.  A. LOT.  It's like 20 minutes of lunges, and for her cardio she does the lunges fast.  Oh joy.  I bet it's a great workout for your body though. 

I know, you're thinking... only 20 minutes, what a failure you are Hilary.  And, you'd be right... but i had forgotten that I worked Tuesday night -- went to bed after midnight and I knew I couldn't do a 5:45 wake-up, so I did 6:30... and I'm still alive, and I still lost some weight.  I am disappointed that I won't meet my 45 minutes three times a week goal, but hey now... things happen.

Most people go wide-eyed when I say that I workout at 5:45... and honestly, me a few years ago would've though I was insane too... but here's my tips to how I get it to happen.

1.  I do it at my house.  If i had to drive anywhere I'd be screwed.  I'm not really fully awake until a good 10 minutes into the video.

2.  I just can't do videos that require too much concentration.  I've had a few close calls falling off my step bench.  I've just had to adjust.  Step can be hard when you're fully "there"

3.  I wear my workout clothes to bed.  Or, I workout in my pajamas.  I just recently got some workout clothes but they look an awful lot like pajamas... and either way it works well.  Thankfully, my chest is small enough that I don't HAVE to wear a bra for working out.  If only they had a bra for my belly...

4.  I have these shoes.  They're called AnyWears... and they are truly the secret to my success.  It's the tiny things that will prevent me from working out and actually having to put shoes on and socks... man, I'd just die.  BUT, I also really have to wear shoes because of my plantar facitis... these solved the problem.  They're pretty form fitting, and yes my feet stink like heck once I'm done but they give good support, I don't need socks and they work for the purpose intended.

5.  Constantly changing it up.  I have to give Netflix huge props for this one.  If I hate a video I don't feel vim and verv to go do it.  When I'm excited to do it in the morning I know I am doing something right.  I tend to alternate around to stuff I've DVR'd, Netflicks and then my extensive collection of DVD's and VHS fitness videos.

So, there you have it.  5:45 is very early, and I think about how much I hate working out almost every day that alarm goes off, but I always stop at the scale before I get onto my routine.  It helps me either way.  If it's up I want to workout even harder, and if it's down I'm happy about the work I've been doing.

Down Another Pound!

Down another pound!!  I'm pretty jazzed.

I am actually noticing a difference for myself.  I feel like ALL. THE. WORKING. OUT that I've done in the past 6 years is really making a difference now.  I feel like the fat is starting to burn off and you're seeing a nice tone.  Still a fair amount of flab on top of it all though.  All in good time, my pretty. :)
In other news I got the Jackie WArner One on One Training video today from Netflicks.  I tried it out right after I got it in the mail.  OUCH.  Today I did the upper body workout, and the core workout.  Ouch. 

The upper body workout is realy great.  Most of the routines that I do combine upper body with lower body and while that's great to burn calories, I'm not sure I'm really working on form or really reaping the benefits by combining.  Jackie does all arms though.  Sure, you might be in a squat while you do it but you're really concentrating on specific msucles.  She gives good tips and is surprisingly encouraging.  I have always put her and Jillian in the same bucket, but I think that Jackie really gets that its is hard and really wants you to get there.  I just think Jillian's mean.  She seems to go in segments of 3 minutes of weights, and 1 minute of cardio... or something like that.  It's nice because it would be a full workout if you did just this, but it's only 20 minutes.

The core section is INSANE!  There's a lot of great different core exercises.  I swear I've done every core exercise there is and then they pull something new out!  I know it's good for me.  Right?  Anyway, just like the upper body section they call it "cardio" but it's more like "really fast bicyles" so you are getting your heart rate up but only at the expense of your already fatigued core muscles.  Then it's back to crunches, etc.  I do think this gives a really good core workout.  They also have someone who's doing modifications on most of the exercises.  And believe me, I needed that.  It wasn't pretty.  I feel like I'm someone who really works my abs.  But, apparently not.

All of the workouts can be done independently, they have a warm-up and a stretching segment included with each one. 

On further evaluation, I think I've seen this workout on my On Demand section of my Comcast -- in case you don't have Netflicks, but you do have that.  It's a good workout.  I'm not gonna run go out and buy it, but I do plan to do the core/lower body on Wednesday, if I can still lift my torso I'll be back to report. :)

Workout Du Jour

I got this video from Netflicks week.  I did it 3 times and I give it a 3 star rating.  By the end I wasn't really in love with it.  On the first day I did pilates, and then yoga and I felt REALLY refreshed.  I guess a large part of my problem is my hamstrings, so she stretches that a LOT between the two.  Then, I wanted it keep it a bit longer so I could try out the Jazz and ballet portions.  Mistake.  If I'd just left my thoughts at how lovely I felt after the first day I think I would have really liked it, maybe even wished it was mine.  But the jazz and ballet stuff is just hard to follow, she goes fast and it's hard to watch and honestly I don't think it's that much of a workout.  BUT, if you're looking for good pilates and Yoga, I think this is a good one to try.  It's not going back into my netflicks queue though.

It's great for a yoga novice, btw -- which I still consider myself.  She really goes into detail with how moves should be done and can be effective.

AH, I'm behind

BUT, I'm ahead of the game.  I lost another pound last week.  I'm really loving this.  I mean, there is nothing that makes you want to work harder than success.

One of the doctors at work told me I was too skinny and that I need to eat.

He was performing surgery, I was worried for the patient. ;)

Anyway, it is SUCH a good feeling to see that scale dip down, and feel my "skinny pants" start to be baggy.  And each time it does it makes me want to work out a little harder or eat a little less. 

I also have a great workout du jour coming up.  I've been doing  Jennifer Kries's workout and I am really liking it.  It's making me remember why I need to do more yoga.  Anyway, I'm going to do it a couple of more times this week so I can give a more thorough review.

I've also been doing some 10 minute solution yoga.  It's on demand through netflicks so you can just watch it on your monitor.  It's just what I need.  Now that I'm doing 45-60 minute workouts three times a week I want something that feels fun or good on the other days.  This one is just short enough that I don't feel irritated by it, and long enough to give me a good stretch and get rejuvenated. :)

Anyway, I hope the weightloss is working well for you.  I hate to mention it, but I am the only one writing on this blog and I am also losing weight.  I hate to think there's a correlation anywhere, but I'm pretty sure there is... OK?  Feel free to comment or even be a contributor, it's nice to have a field of friends holding you up! :)