Heather

Last week I had such a great loss! And to be honest, it motivated me to work even harder.

But then, life happened. Like it ALWAYS does.

So, here are my confessions:

1) I didn’t do the Active over the weekend. Saturday was a rest day, and I did go for a morning run, then rocked out for three hours at the Def Leppard/Poison concert. So I think that’s okay and will hopefully counteract the malt beverages and hamburger I ate prior. Yesterday, we had major family drama, so I didn’t.do.anything. Except clean my house.

2) I have only tracked my food for 2 of the last 5 days.  I am rededicating myself to tracking my food until weigh in on Wednesday. I KNOW IT WORKS. I’ve just been pulled in fifty different directions the last few days, so now I need to try to focus on me.

3) I had McDonald’s soft serve on Thursday. And Mexican food. Glorious. Hopefully I’ve worked hard enough exercise wise this week to counteract it. I’m telling you, this was the textbook definition of comfort eating. I’d just sat through a really tough doctor’s appointment with my mother-in-law.   The thing is, I know that the next 4-6 months are going to be really REALLY rough (I’ll post more on that later). So I need to figure out how I am going to make sure I stay healthy and take care of my body and that I keep MYSELF a priority when I’m taking care of a very ill person.

So, there you have it. I need to focus.

Hopefully, Wednesday will yield some good results!

This week has made me a believer. In several things.

1) Weight Watchers can be magical is you just TRACK YOUR POINTS. Which I did this week, every day except one.

2) The EA Active is a great workout. A sweaty, grunting out loud, ‘are you okay in there?’ workout. (On a side note, my husband says my Active avatar lady looks like a bitch. Which I take as a compliment. I’m not messing around here, people).

3) The c25K plan is AMAZING. That is all. I ran 28 straight minutes three times this week. Miracles do happen.

4) Drive through food is evil and must be destroyed. I’m proof. And if you need more proof, go watch Supersize Me.

5) Fiber intake is crucial. I nixed all processed/white bread type products this week in favor of whole grain, high fiber alternatives. Some of my favorites are the FlatOut Wraps, Oroweat Double Fiber English Muffins , Oroweat Sandwich Thins (these work great as an alternative to hamburger buns) and Ezekiel Bread .

I had to make a very concentrated effort to do all these things this week. I made seperate meals for myself – if my husband had a hamburger, I grilled a Boca burger. If he had tacos, I had a taco salad. If he had scrambled eggs, I had egg whites with spinach.

You know what? It was kind of awesome. Why? Because I didn’t feel deprived. And most importantly, I felt in total control.

Which is like heaven for a type A like myself.

Even better? I had a substantial loss this week. I was 175.9 at last weeks weigh in. Today, I’m 172.2.

That’s a loss of 3.7 pounds. Holy schnikes! Plus, I just earned my 10 pound Sisterhood badge.  FINALLY.

So now that I’ve had a taste of this control and success – can I keep it up! I certainly hope so.

Everybody talks about the 0 point soup – you know, the one with cabbage?

I hate it. Let me rephrase that. I HATE cooking it. Cabbage-y smelling kitchen = gross.  I’ll cook this huge pot with good intentions, then be too repulsed by the smell in my kitchen to touch it.

But, luckily, I have an alternative.

Many moons ago, the first time I did Weight Watchers, I went to meetings.  I had a great leader who turned me on to probably the easiest, most satisfying low point soup I’ve come across. Yes, it’s 1 point per serving (you can eat the entire pot for 8).  But 1 point and VERY FILLING.

Ready?

Salsa Soup (4 – 1 point servings)

1 can fat free refried beans (you can sub refried black beans)

1 can fat free or low sodium chicken broth

1 cup salsa (whatever kind you like – I don’t recommend mango for this – blurgh)

Dump all your ingredients into a saucepan. Heat. Eat.

Yes, that’s it. If you want to fancy it up a bit, shred a little sharp cheddar over the top, or some low fat sour cream. Really fancy? How about some chopped cilantro and scallion?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this on those days where I have hardly any points left. And even my super-picky-I-don’t-need-to-eat-healthy-cause-I’m-skinny husband likes it. He gets tortilla chips with his, though.

And speaking of healthy – if you haven’t already entered the Erin Baker’s Wholesome Baked Goods Giveaway, do it now!

I’m trying something new this week. In addition to all the BAD things I do, I’m going to fess up to some GOOD things too. Positive thinking does not come naturally to me, so this is an exercise in self help.

Alright.

Naughty things first:

1) I ate cheesecake on Saturday at a wedding reception. I didn’t even really taste it – it was me trying to comfort myself while my child was acting like Damien from ‘The Omen’. I did, however, share with him.  And he proceeded to eject the chocolate goo from his mouth and smear it all over his brand new shirt.  Why can’t I be like him and not like chocolate? WHY?

2) I MIGHT  have baked cornbread yesterday and I MIGHT have slathered it with honey and butter. It MIGHT have been delicious. And it was raining out and I made chili. It was necessary (okay, maybe not).

3) This is not food related, but I called up the City where I live and left a nasty message for the Public Works department because their construction crew dumped a bunch of razor sharp gravel at the start of our road that punctured our tire.  Which is not helpful as our road has already become the Indy 500 main detour for all the traffic during the FIVE MONTH PROJECT, which is only mildly annoying. Strangely enough, they actually called me back and were very nice, which I didn’t deserve.  And they sent me a nice little affidavit to fill in for reimbursement.

4) Not sure if this is good or bad…probably just weird. I talk to myself when I’m running. It’s better when I have the stroller and kid, because I can pass it off as talking to him. When I’m by myself, I just look crazy. But I need to tell myself, out loud for some reason, things like ‘you can do it!’ and ‘only 10 more minutes’ and ‘you need to get your ass in shape if you’re going to run a 5K in three weeks’!

Now, for the nice:

1) I did not pass through one single drive through all week.  Not even for coffee. I was very close once, but then thought of all the lovely healthy food at home and came home to make lunch.

2) When I was getting dressed for the wedding on Saturday, I couldn’t find one thing in my closet that fit…all my dresses are too big (there are a bunch of dresses in storage, but they are too small. But I won’t focus on that today!).

3) I went to Costco on Saturday, and didn’t eat one sample. And I didn’t have a coronary over the people blocking the aisles so they could eat EVERY SINGLE SAMPLE.

There you have it!  How did you do this week?

I just finished my third workout for the EA Sports Active 30 Day Challenge.

So  far, so good. I haven’t thrown the controller or nunchuck (how much do you love saying nunchuck? NUNCHUCK) at the television yet. Even during the in line skating. Which I finally figured out today – jump when you hit the green part of the ramp. I did almost all of the tricks! Woot!

And how about that dancing? Let me just say I felt like I was channeling Carlton Banks. If only the background music was Tom Jones on that portion. It’s not unusual… I KNOW YOU’RE SWAYING SIDE TO SIDE AND SNAPPING YOUR FINGERS!

I have kept with the high intensity workout, and I am definitely feeling it in my legs. I do think I need to switch to a little higher resistance on the bands.  Cause I’m so freaking strong. I kid, I kid. But I’m not feeling it in my upper body as much as I’d like. So tomorrow, I’m trying it with the tougher bands. If I don’t post for a few days, it’ll be because I can’t move my arms or type.

One final thing, am I the only one who gets frustrated with the Wii not sensing my movement correctly? I know it’s probably total user error, but sometimes if I don’t hold the controller and nunchuck ‘just so’, the trainer stops, and tells me to stand still.

And then I tell him to screw off. Or something like that.

I’m sure after a few more workouts I’ll get the hang of it.

Overall, still really loving this workout. It’s keeping me interested, which is saying a lot.  I tend to lose…interest…quickly…

I’m sorry, what were we talking about?

I am up .9 in three days.

Boo!

I have been great with exercise, so I know it’s all food. Namely, yesterday, I gave in and went through a drive through. I was exhausted, needed to feed my son, and didn’t have time to drag him kicking and screaming through the line at Subway. I went to that place that has that redheaded girl as a mascot, and  I picked a grilled chicken sandwich, but, come on, there isn’t really anything that is truly healthy that you can order in a drive through. For reals. Just thinking about all that sodium makes me bloat.

So, between that, entirely too much caffeine and lack of sleep, I’m holding onto water like a mutha.

The good thing is, I know what has to change. I need to get back to my good habits, like avoiding drive through food like the plague. The end.

So, Sunday, I started this challenge at 175.

This morning, I was 175.9.

There are so many things that are out of my control right now. BUT THIS ISN’T ONE OF THEM. Being fit and healthy is what is going to save my sanity.

So, screw you, metabolism. I will beat you. YES I WILL.

Today sucked. Hard.

Emotionally draining.

I arrived home around 6:00 pm after being gone since noon. I played with my son, read him a story, nursed him and put him to bed. I ducked my head into the office to give my husband a quick kiss – he was in the middle of his Fantasy Football draft (mine is tomorrow).

I put on my workout clothes and proceeded to get all set up with the Wii. I literally had the leg strap on, and was about to start, and I got a phone call that I had to take.

It was AN HOUR. Even more emotional drainage. By the time I got off the phone, I was in tears, and my husband had emerged from Fantasy Football-dom and was starting a movie. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Cause that’s not depressing.

At this point, I kind of threw up my hands. No workout for me today. And for once I was actually really looking forward to it.

Fast forward two-ish hours. I hop on the Internet after the movie to check all my emails/catch up on a few blogs/hit Twitter/play Bejeweled.

And then I came to the Sisterhood. And I read. And I was inspired.

At this point, it’s 11:00 pm.

‘Honey, I am going to do my workout.’

He looked at me kind of funny, shrugged, and kissed me goodnight.

And I worked out.

And I am so glad I did. I am still a bit down, but dang it all if I didn’t sweat some of that stress out. And I am proud that I did not let myself down. I said I was going to do this challenge, and by God, I will!

So, what did I think of Day 1? I enjoyed it. It sped by. I used the male trainer and I kind of like him. He says ‘YOU’RE ON FIRE.’ That makes me giggle EVERY SINGLE TIME. Plus, for an electronic guy, he’s got pretty hot abs.

So, tonight I kind of proved to myself that no matter what is happening in my life, exercise WILL make me feel better. Is it cliche to say I had an ‘AHA’ moment? Probably. Oh well. Cause I pretty much did.

How cool is our new challenge? Forget that Melissa got to chill with JENNY MCCARTHY. I KNOW. That in itself is pure awesomeness.

But how often do we have a chance to do something GOOD for ourselves whilst doing something good for others? It’s win – win! If you haven’t read about Shrink for Good – go here, like right now. Seriously.

My starting weight for this challenge will be 175 (crept up a little after last weigh in – too much wine and pasta and bread and cookies last night. Oopsies).

My goal is to lose 10 pounds over the next seven weeks. I’m hoping I can keep up with the success I had over our 21 day challange – which was a 4.4 pound loss.

I think I have the tools in place this time – some new healthy habits (no fast food, running three times per week and not eating after 9 pm), I am signed up and ready to go with Weight Watchers Online, and I’m starting our 30 day EA Sports Active Challenge tomorrow.

Whew! A lot going on, but I think I can do it. I KNOW I CAN DO IT!

So, are you with me? Who’s with me? If you’re up to the challenge, go sign up…I DARE YOU!

Now that my son is eating solid food, I’ve run into a big challenge.

Not eating what he is eating. And not FINISHING what he leaves on his plate. I’d heard of the mommy garbage disposal phenomenon, but wasn’t sure it was for real.

Believe me, it is.

Chicken nuggets. Sweet potato fries. Teddy Grahams.

It’s very subconscious…I hardly realize I’m doing it. A bite here, a bite there. It adds up.

Thankfully, he’s a pretty healthy eater. But still, finishing off his tofu and green beans, then eating my own dinner later…not a good thing.

I could solve the problem fairly easily if we all ate dinner at the same time. But my husband doesn’t usually get home from work till 7 pm, which is just too late for the little guy.  Do I eat earlier, without my husband? That’s a thought. Though sharing a meal after a long day can be so comforting.

Lately, if I catch myself before it’s too late, I throw all the leftovers into the dog bowl. Because my dogs don’t care if they have extra chins.

How do you avoid the mommy garbage disposal effect?

The weirdest thing has happened. I told myself that for this challenge, I wouldn’t focus so much on the scale, but how I felt.

I managed to stick to three out of five of my new ‘habits’.  I didn’t eat after 9 pm, I ran three times a week, and I haven’t touched fast food for THREE WHOLE WEEKS.

And you know what?

It worked this time!

I am down 2.2 pounds from last week, and exceeded my goal of 4 pounds for the challenge…I’m down a grand total of 4.4 pounds – today the scale said 174.6.

Victory is MINE! And it is sweet.

To be honest, I was pretty surprised at the amount lost this week. But, I do have some pretty stressful things going on my life right now and I feel like my body is in a constant adrenaline surge. Not the best way to lose weight – I wouldn’t recommend it. But I do feel good that I didn’t go face first into a tub of ice cream or give in and hit the drive through.

Can I just say I am so excited that I finally met a goal that I set? And that I get to order this sweet skirt as my reward?

Happy dance!