2 1/2 Weeks

Well, I am getting good at this blogging thing but I am not so good at writing down everything I eat and counting every calorie. I have been doing good at eating a healthy , balanced diet and I do like having a general knowledge of how many calories I am eating but lets be real, I am not doing an exact write up everyday. My weight loss/gain and body composition will be the detector if I need help, So, unless I gain weight, I am not going to write down everything I eat.

This past week was great! I worked out hard, running 5 miles one day! I ate an overall healthy diet, drinking TONS of water. I am feeling good, with lots of energy.

This week I want to step it up a little bit more:

Workouts:

5 days, 1 hour & fifteen minutes each workout with 45 minutes (minimum) cardio & 40 minutes weights. {Monday: Biceps/Triceps Tuesday: Shoulders/Back Wednesday: Lower Body Thursday: Biceps/Triceps Friday: Shoulders/Back Saturday: Insanity Plyometrics Cardio}

Diet:

No Soda

No Treats

5 liters of water a day

No eating after 6:30pm

No carbs after 3:00pm

Stay in between 1200-1500 calories

It has been 2 1/2 weeks into this crazy adventure and regardless of my weight, I am feeling great. I have more energy, my hair and nails feel healthier and I have never been so motivated!

Ready to get my body back!

Healthy Wishes,

Alex

Moderation

The good:

Yesterday I did Insanity's Cardio Plyometrics and today I am so sore I can't move.
I did not have chocolate or Diet Coke for one week.
I have been drinking tons of water all week.

The bad:
I had pizza for dinner (with a side salad).
I drank 1 can of Diet Coke with that pizza.
I had brownies & ice cream for dessert.

The Ugly:
I weigh in tomorrow morning.

Observations:
My moderation is on point! During NFL season, Sundays are all about football. So, today I have been at my parent's home, watching games with my dad. My mom picked up pizza for dinner. I decided I would allow myself one piece. No seconds. After eating my pizza and salad, I was full. My mom than told me she was making brownies. Since I have been so good, I decided to allow myself one piece (with a small scoop of ice cream). No seconds. I was satisfied. In the past, I would have gone for more pizza & brownies. Because I drank that Diet Coke (and a little bit of coffee with my brownies), I am chugging water for the rest of the night. When I get home, I am going to do a 30-45 minute workout and revamping for the new week.

I am not dieting. I am not trying to lose weight fast. I am making a lifestyle change.

Healthy Wishes,
Alex

Motivation

{Thoughts going through my head after I get my daughter down for a nap}

It is Saturday... my day off.
It is raining... I just want to snuggle up and read a book.
My daughter is sleeping... I could get so much done.
One day off won't make or break me... I'll just work out tomorrow.
Yes, I will just Pinterst and relax

{I notice this cute little outfit...}

{It dawns on me..}

I have this exact outfit in my 'skinny bin'. A tank that is identical (except green stripes), cropped jeans, silver Toms, a brown belt, white watch, necklace....

I can do this! I am determined to be able to fit into that size small tank, size 6 jeans!

I rummage through my workout dvds, pop in Insanity Cardio Plyometric and 45 minutes and lots of huffing & puffing later, I am done.

Feeling so good.

It might take 6 months to do it but it will be worth it!

Healthy Wishes,
Alex

I think I can... I think I can... I did it!

5.12 miles, 52 minutes, 720 calories. I did it.

As I started my run today, I was ready to push it. I had already set the bar last week; I ran 4 miles in 40 minutes. {I can't get worse, right?} So, I pushed myself to run those 4 miles. Once I got there, I realized I could go further. So, 5 miles was the goal. I ran my little heart out. It hurt... alot. But I DID IT! I was so proud of myself. I have not ran 5 miles in, ever? I finished my workout with a 20 minute ab workout.

Is this really it? Am I finally going to lose the weight I have been wanting to lose for 5 years?

I have been eating so healthy. Temptations are not that bad and I am feeling great. I have a long way to go but treating my body right feels oh, so good.

So why now? Why is this go-around different?

I think it is because I am truly happy. I am not trying to lose weight for anyone or anything. I am wanting to create a healthy lifestyle & feel more comfortable in my skin. I am doing this for me.

I heard a quote the other day that has been running through my mind:

"Change your thoughts and change your world."

This statement couldn't be more true. Having positive and happy thoughts about myself and life has been a motivation to creating a healthier me!

Healthy Wishes,
Alex

h20

Recap Yesterday:
Here are 10 guidelines to reach my goal in 6 days:

1: 5 liters of water a day! CHECK
2: 45 minutes of cardio a day! CHECK
3: 15 minutes of weights a day! no check :(
4: NO SODA! CHECK
5: No eating after 6:30pm! NO EXCEPTIONS! CHECK
6: Eat every three hours. CHECK
7: Record all food intake!CHECK
8: Stay under 1200 calories! Not really sure but I was in the ball park!
9: No chocolate. CHECK
10: Blog every night. Im doing it now.

Yesterday was great. Drinking this much water has me running to the lady's room all day. So grateful I work literally 10 steps from a ladies locker room. I am feeling good; wishing results were faster but being patient. I know this will take time. I want to lose weight and feel sexy but I also want to make a lifestyle change.

To track my food, I am using fitnesspal.com. Somethings are hard to record (ie. salads), but I do my best.

I didn't do my 15 minutes of weights yesterday so if I have the time, between work and picking up my daughter from daycare, I am going to try to do 30 minutes today to make up for it.

I am only into my 3rd week of this challenge and I feel good. Even though I have only lost 4 pounds and have only made small changes, I can feel the difference.

Is this really it? Is this the time that I am actually going to stick with it and lose the weight? I think so!

Healthy Wishes,
Alex

You lose a little, you gain a little.

I have been a SLACKER! I have not blogged in a few days but I still have been healthy... okay, healthier. So, let me bring you up to speed.

Let's talk weight. I did my weekly weigh in this week {Monday} and to my dismay, I GAINED 1.1 pounds. What? How could this happen? I might not be perfect but I have made a hell of a change. Hmmmm...

Here our my thoughts:

The Negatives:

I had a little bit of a cheat weekend. I went to the Jazz game and I am a true believer that a sporting event goes hand-in-hand with a Hot Dog and Diet Coke. It is what it is. It was my boyfriends birthday, so of course we went out to eat & I had a "I am going to just enjoy my man and this meal," meal.

I did not work out on Friday.

I ate late a few nights (past 6:30pm).

I didn't count calories as well as I should & did not keep record of my food intake.

The Positives:

I worked out 6 days!

I ran 4 miles, in 40 minutes, burning 500 calories on Saturday!

I drank tons of water & only drank two diet cokes.

I made healthy dinners & even though I did not record my food intake, I did eat overall way healthier! Lots of fruits & veggies!

Overall thoughts:

I NEED TO WORK HARDER!!!

Even though I gained 1 pound this week, I have still lost an overall of 3.6 pounds, thus far. So, I am going to stick with my original timeline and give myself the goal of losing 2.4 pounds (174.7bs) by Monday.

Here are 10 guidelines to reach my goal in 6 days:

1: 5 liters of water a day!
2: 45 minutes of cardio a day!
3: 15 minutes of weights a day!
4: NO SODA!
5: No eating after 6:30pm! NO EXCEPTIONS!
6: Eat every three hours.
7: Record all food intake!
8: Stay under 1200 calories!
9: No chocolate.
10: Blog every night.

It is time to put the petal to the metal.

Healthy Wishes,
Alex

Slowly but Surely

I have had a busy last couple of days so I have not blogged but I am still a-go-go!

After work today, I went to the gym to do my 35 minutes of cardio. I was feeling sluggish so I started my run off with a jog at 5.5, mixed with a walk at 4.0. As I got closer to 35, I started to think about how I ran 3 miles in 35 minutes just the other day. I felt like I had already set the bar. So, as I approached 30 minutes, just passing the 2 mile mark, I decided to beat that 35 minutes. I started running at 6.5-7.0. I had 5 minutes to finish that mile! At 34.30, I made it. I finished my cool down and the above picture was my total. It felt good that I pushed myself.

Dinner was delicious tonight. Hamburger patty, tomato, avocado and a black bean corn relish. However, I had a sweet tooth so after my meal, I had a very chocolaty glass of milk (the only chocolate I have in the house). And I did have a bowl of cereal at 9:00pm. (not good). One step & day at a time.

Healthy Wishes,
Alex

Run Run Run

Run: 35 minutes 3.0 miles
Total (with cool down): 40 minutes 3.30miles


Feels good.

Healthy Wishes,
Alex

Week 1 Weigh In

It is the moment of truth. My goal is 2 lbs a week. Starting weight was 180.7. After week one, I weigh.............

I LOST 4.6 LBS! I am so proud of myself. I did not start some crazy diet or start exercising like a mad woman. I simply made a few, very attainable, goals for the week & I lost more than my goal! I ate Cafe Rio & had brownies and ice cream one day. It was all about moderation & balance. I feel because I did not go 'cold turkey' on anything (besides Diet Coke), I was satisfied eating smaller amounts. I also listened to my body. When my body was full, I stopped. Easy Schmeezy!

So, onto week 2. New week, new goals. I think I did pretty good last week so I will add on to those goals:

Drink 4.5 liters of H20 Daily (I added a half a liter to last weeks goal).

No eating after 6:30pm. (I did great with this & I feel a difference!)

Allowed 2 Diet Cokes this week! (I didn't drink any last week & feel the craving)

Do 35 minutes of cardio excercise, minimum, each day but Sunday (I added 5 minutes to last weeks goal).

Do 15 minutes of weight (non cardio) 3x this week.

Eat breakfast daily but not just oatmeal (I did good last week but need to switch it up so I don't get bored).

Eat under 1500 calories daily.

Write down EVERYTHING you eat (I didn't do so well at this last week but it does help).

Only eat sweets 2x this week (I did good on portion sizes last week but need to kick this sugar addiction).

Taking it week by week is so much better than setting goals for the year. I am able to switch it up, give in to a few cravings, learn how to listen to my body & make a lifestyle change. So, wish me luck! I feel motivated and amped for the week so here we go!

Healthy Wishes,

Alex

It's not you. It's me.

Sunday morning... I just at my 180 calories of Oatmeal & had a coffee in which I decided to 'treat' myself by adding cream & sugar (I normally drink it black), watching the Food Network Channel thinking about....food. What will I make for lunch & dinner? Should I go marinate something right now? Should I go to the grocery store? Food this, food that.

No wonder our country is in an obesity epidemic; our busy lives our controlled by food. Think about it: On a daily basis, our schedules our all about food. Eating or planning breakfast, lunch breaks at work, snacks through out the day, planning, making & cleaning up dinner. Do you eat out? Do you stay in & cook?

Special events in your life? Graduations, birthdays, weddings, funerals... food, food, food.

Comfort? Ever turn to a big bowl of ice cream when you had a bad day?

Rewards: You had a good day & ate healthy so you reward yourself with a big ol' brownie or Diet Coke?

Diets: Everyone has tried at least one diet out there, right? I bet most have tried a detox. Diet pills, diet shots, diet drinks.

Holidays: Valentines Day=Sugar Cookies. Easter=Cadbury Eggs. 4th of July= BBQs. Halloween=Candy. Thanksgiving= Duh. The ENTIRE month of December, no matter what you celebrate=Family Dinners, huge buckets of flavored popcorn, red & green M&Ms, Peppermint Bark, ect, ect, ect, ect....

Food is everywhere!!!! Could you imagine if we lived in the days where you had to hunt for all you food or gather all your greens? Could you imagine eating so damn much?

As I make create a healthier lifestyle, I think it is imperative I analyze my relationship with food. It is important to listen to your body. Our bodies are so amazing! They tell us what we need & want, when to go & when to stop. We just need to listen.

I have created bad habits so I need to re-train myself to listen to my instinctive ques.

Here is to a new relationship with nutrition & me controlling my world.

Old eating habits: It's not you, it's me.

Healthy Wishes,

Alex

Here is a recap on day 2 & 3

Day 2
I am going to drink 4 Liters of H20 a day. CHECK!
I am not going to drink any soda! Zip. Nada. CHECK!
I will not eat after 6:30PM. (Late night eating is REALLY hard for me to avoid) CHECK!
I will write down everything I eat & do my best to count the calories. (under 1500) CHECK!
I will eat breakfast everyday. CHECK!
I will do 30 minutes (minimum) of exercise a day. CHECK!

Recap on Day 3. {Didn't go so well}
I am going to drink 4 Liters of H20 a day. CHECK!
I am not going to drink any soda! Zip. Nada. CHECK!
I will not eat after 6:30PM. Kinda CHECK! Ok, it was 7:30PM tonight.
I will write down everything I eat & do my best to count the calories. (under 1500) ummmm...
I will eat breakfast everyday. CHECK!
I will do 30 minutes (minimum) of exercise a day. no check. :(

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. I had a hard time getting up & going, thus being late to work & not packing food or gym clothes. My diet was not the best. Oatmeal for breakfast. I went out to lunch with co-workers & got a BBQ Chicken Pizza. Veggie burger, peas & a small side of pasta for dinner. But here is the kicker... I made sugar cookies with my daughter tonight & did eat a cookie (or two) and a little bit of the batter. I am not gonna lie, if I wasn't being so conscious about my food intake, I would have ate way more cookies. So, I still feel I have improved but I have so far to go. I was super proud of myself for not getting a Diet Coke at lunch & I have been drinking so much water! Because I was late to work, I had to stay late, which meant I did not have time to stop at the gym before I got my daughter. I definitely felt way more accomplished the past 2 days that I put in a little workoutn so I want to remember this feeling so I can avoid it. Just 30 minutes of cardio a day sure does make a difference. So, cheers to a new day tomorrow. 2 more days till I set new goals & (eek) weigh in. -Night

Day One

Recap on Day 1:

I am going to drink 4 Liters of H20 a day. CHECK!

I am not going to drink any soda! Zip. Nada. CHECK!

I will not eat after 6:30PM. (Late night eating is REALLY hard for me to avoid) CHECK!

I will write down everything I eat & do my best to count the calories. (under 1500) CHECK!

I will eat breakfast everyday. CHECK!

I will do 30 minutes (minimum) of exercise a day. CHECK!

I ate:

Oatmeal, yogurt & peaches, taco meat w/ corn & black beans, tuna fish, V8 juice and a Brazilian dinner consisting of chicken, rice, black beans, fruit and a half a roll. And last but not least, a half a piece of chocolate cake. I ate every 3 hours & nothing after 6:30pm! Today was a huge success!

Observations:

#1:I like not restricting myself. It makes it SO much easier. I added sugar to my coffee this morning but I measured out 2 teaspoons exactly (30 calories). I had a half a piece of chocolate cake after dinner and didn't feel guilty. I still ate a half a roll & I measured out 1 tablespoon of mayo with my tuna. I never felt hungry or too full. Being aware of what I am eating & making conscious decisions is making me feel better & helping me to stick to my plan. I will continue to make even better choices & will learn more about nutrition and my body but I am taking baby steps into a healthy lifestyle.

#2: I thought not eating late would be so much harder! But what I have learned about myself today is that my late night cravings are not because I am hungry but simply, they are comfort foods that I use when I relax. Who doesn't like to eat frozen Junior Mints in the tub? ;) Being aware of what I was consuming & why has really opened up my eyes to how much 'useless' food I have been eating.

#3: I love running in the Cinema room at Gold's Gym! I ran 2.71 miles in 34.17 minutes. I tried to keep a steady pass, as I want to take it slow. I didn't even think I would go that far.

Day 1 was great! I am going to have challenges & this is going to take awhile but it took more than one day to put the weight on... it will take more than one day to take it off.

Healthy Wishes,

Alex

Less Words, More Actions

I came across this and loved the last two lines: LESS WORDS, MORE ACTIONS. On the post below, I wrote what I wanted-what my goals are. That is the easy part. Anyone could say what they want. The hard part is planning how to achieve these goals and sticking to the plan.

It is day 3 into 2012 & I have yet to make a plan on how I will achieve these goals. Here is where my problem is: I think planning for 365 days overwhelms me. I am going to try something different. I am going to do a week at a time. Planning 7 days is alot easier than planning 365.

I have 5 days left in my first week & here is my plan to losing my first 2 lbs:

I am going to drink 4 Liters of H20 a day.
I am not going to drink any soda! Zip. Nada.
I will not eat after 6:30PM. (Late night eating is REALLY hard for me to avoid)
I will write down everything I eat & do my best to count the calories. (under 1500)
I will eat breakfast everyday.
I will do 30 minutes (minimum) of exercise a day.

I want to make a life style change. I do not want a quick fix, as I know it will bite me in my ass. We will see how these next 5 days go & we will go from there. 2 pounds a week to get to my goal in 6 months?? I got this!

Healthy Wishes,

Alex

Bring it on 2012

Happy New Years!! Last night, I rung in the new year with good friends, a few drinks & salty, high calorie snacks! Today I celebrated New Year's Day by drinking Diet Coke all day, eating enough chips & salsa to last all year & ended the evening with my fav, frozen Junior Mints. Ahhhh... the life. (mind you I spent the day in leggings with a stretchy waistband & over sized hoodie sweater) Today was relaxing...non stressful.

But at the end of the day, I know I am not comfortable in my skin. I think beauty comes in all shapes & sizes. I do not have a 'skinny' body. I will never be a size 0, 1 or 2 & I don't want to be. I want to be MY healthy. I want to be confident & comfortable. I am not going to set crazy goals that will only lead failure, which will only lead to more pounds & more mirrors to avoid.

So, after years of setting unattainable goals, I am ready to take the 'Turtle' route. Slowly but surely, I will get there.

So, 2012, be patient. Kick my ass yet let me learn as I go. Get me out of bed early & help me sleep at night. Help me to be confident now but push me to reach my goals. 2012... I'm bringing sexy back.

Here are my 2012 'Bringing Sexy Back' Goals:
Starting Weight: (eeeeeek) 180.7
Goal Weight: 135 (I want 130, I think 140 is a definite goal so I will meet in the middle)
*Lbs to lose per week: 2 lbs.
*Goal Weight Date: June 1, 2012 (6 months)
Starting Pant Size: 12 (okay...I am pushing 14)
Goal pant size: 6
*size 10 by: February 20, 2012
*size 8 by: April 16, 2012
*size 6 by: June 1, 2012
Starting shirt size: Large-X Large
Goal shirt size: Small
*size L by: February 20, 2012
*size M by: April 16, 2012
*size S by: June 1, 2o12

How am I going to do this you may ask? Not a crazy diet. I am not giving up Diet Coke 100%. I am still going to have an occasional late night treat. But I am going to WATCH MY CALORIE INTAKE (1200-1500 calories per day), I am going to EXERCISE DAILY (yes, I said daily). I am going to do yoga, pilates, run, jog, weight lifts. Mix it up. On the the days that I don't have time or maybe just don't feel like it, I might walk for 20 minutes. I just want to MOVE! :) I am going to eat a BALANCED diet. Protein, fruits, veggies, an occasional grain & starch, a treat here or there & even a good ol' drink! I am going to drink TONS OF WATER! Less Diet Coke and Coffee and water water water!!! And this blog will be my adventure & my accountability.

So follow me, criticize me, give me pointers. Eat with me, exercise with me, laugh with me & cry with me. WITNESS MY FITNESS!

Healthy Wishes,

Alex

PS. I would like to be able to do at least ONE pull up. Yes, just one. That would make me happy.