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! :)

14... 14.... 14...

Anyone who reads my regular blog today will know that today I learned that I am a size 14 (I was a size 20 when I started this whole weightloss thing).  I'm not sure how it happened, since my measurements didn't change from the prior month... but I am.  I wasn't even sucking in. :)  I actually bought a few new things about 3 weeks ago, so it was a real surprise!

Anyway, what happy news that is!

It just reminds me how working hard really does pay off.  I'm trying to be honest with people and let them know that this has been a HUGE amount of work.  I feel awkward when someone tells me how skinny I'm looking, but I really need to just say, "thanks so much I've really been working at it."  What do you say when someone tells you, you look great.  Maybe I need something else....

Workout Du Jour: Core & Yumi

Sorry peeps, I had a lot of people wonder what Yumi yogurt is.  It's my little obsession.  They have carbolite and wow cow yogurts that are only 9 calories/ounce... which, when you're in WW you can have quite a few ounces for just one point.  I adore them.  They're so tasty and delicious.  They're like the crystal light of yogurt.  BUT, I guess there's something in their artificial sweetener that is killing the weight loss.  Has anyone else had similar experiences?  Once again, I didn't eat any yesterday, stuck to my points and I lost 2 pounds (I did gain 3 pounds over the weekend thanks to the FOUR DOZEN Cinnamon rolls I made....).

In other news, I did Lindsay Brinn's Core fitness workout yesterday.  I did the 45 minutes of it (true to my goal).  I kep thinking that surely there'd be some cardio in there, and while my heart rate did go up (I think I only hit about 100 bpm) it is seriously all core.  She does work a few other body parts at the same time but my abs are feelin' it today!  I wish they weren't so unhappy... but maybe they'll get upset and leave.  I could sure use a little less flesh in that area. :)  Great ab workout though, if anyone's looking for a new one.

I did it, I did it, I DID IT!!!!

This months goals:  Lose 5 pounds, down to 175... and GUESS what the scale said on Saturday morning: 175.0 -- can you BELIEVE IT?  Well, neither can I.  Honestly, it hasn't read that low since I had Conner... I am guessing {happy dance}

 

 Get your own graph at skinnyr 

So, there's my current weight loss graph.  Yay!

My other goal was to lose 3 inches through the month  Sadly, I only lost 2, and it seems like I just lost it all over, not in one specific place.  I'm happy though, each loss is a loss and I'm really happy to have reached my goal this month.

Goals for this month:  

• Another 5 pounds.  I'd love to lose more, and hopefully I will with my other goals...
• No Yumi after dinner.  Sorry lady, but whatever sweetener they use is somehow affecting me.  I'm planning on a small piece of fruit and a few almonds for my bedtime snack from now on.  On nights that I eat yumi, I have absolutely no weight loss in the AM.  On the nights I don't eat it it's 1-3 pounds each night.  Weird eh?  Thoughts?
• Keep on weight watchers.  Count points.  Really do it {and it's slowly second nature to do it, since my goal was to do it all year}.
• 45 minutes, or longer, workouts 3 times/week.

Anyway, super happy with the results and I do sometimes look at my legs while they're over my head while I'm working out and think how much slimmer they look.  Still overweight, but on the right path. :)

Thoughts on the Biggest Loser #1

O.M.G.  These people are losing INSANE amounts of weight!  It's exciting.  I know, you've all seen this show -- a million times, but I'm a newbie.  I'm impressed.

My main question is -- how do my workouts compare to the ones they're doing.  I did a pretty hard one this morning -- Postnatal Boot Camp.  I did 3 of the 10 minute cardio sessions, 2-3 minute core sections and the warm up/cool down and I was considering vomiting towards the end of it.  Do you think it's that they're super overweight, do you think it's the length of the workout, do you think it's the intensity, and Jillian sitting on some of them during the workout?  I want to make my workouts harder.  Now that I've been extending my workouts, I see a serious shift-down at about 35 minutes.  I find it harder to go on, and keep going.  I hope what I'm doing is building stamina.

So, what do you think -- do you think the workouts are THAT hard?  What can I do to make my workouts a little more like theirs?  Keeping in mind that I usually enjoy working out and I think if you get to the point that you are vomiting and absolutely hating it, maybe that's just not a way I can spend my life.