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