Slow & Steady Wins the Race!!!

WOOO!!! HOOOO!!!  I finally breached 100lbs lost at Weight Watchers!! I lost 101.8 lbs today.  It’s been a long time coming!! OMG!!  I got on the scale and said finally!!  It took 3 months to lose 15lbs, but it came off with persistence and determination.  I was not giving up!  There was no way in heck I’m giving up.

It was a good meeting too, because the topic was on plateaus, slow weight loss and giving up. I’ve had experiences with all of those things in the past and present.  I’ve come so far and have made such good and healthy changes in my life and diet, I don’t want to throw in the towel or become complacent.  Onederland!  Heads up, I coming for you! LOL!!

I got my 100lbs charm, a magnet and a standing ovation at the meeting!! Embarrassing, but it was a great feeling to get such support and encouragement from my fellow meeting members.  I love those guys!!

So, I have 48.2lbs to lose to reach my “goal” weight.  When I go to my doctor for my yearly checkup in June, I want to discuss that goal and see if it is doable.  I think it is, but I’m going to have blood work done, see what has change and if I need to stop taking meds, start taking them, etc. etc. 

So, here is a picture of me from this morning after weigh in!  146.8lbs down!!  I feel good!

I'm pooped!

Awwww.....The end of the week. Friday is always a time for me to decompress, somewhat. I got home about an hour ago and whipped something up for the family. Whipping up, as in buying a rotisserie chicken, steaming some veggies and making quinoa in the rice cooker. ;-) Yeah, its not too fancy, but it works and is pretty healthy. Instead of driving through McDonalds or Wendy's, like I used to, I rather feed the family something more healthy.

I need to think of some quick eats for the family for dinner, which means something that doesn't require too much chopping, prep or cooking time. I need to use my crockpot more. Does anyone know of any good crockpot recipes? I know Weight Watchers have that crockpot cookbook, but I don't know if the recipes are good - its kind of hit and miss with those things.

I have weigh in tomorrow and hoping to finally make some progress!!

The Ups and Downs of Hormones

One minute I want to just go to bed and cry my eyes out and the next I’m yelling at the hubby or freaking out.  Yeah, ladies…you know what I’m talking about.  ;-)  The hubby was like, “Oh no! Not again!”  I think he is giving me space right now, which is good. LOL! 

I’m itching to go to the gym and work my butt off tonight. I’ve made Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday my gym days.  I think that it will reduce  some of the stress I’m feeling right now. At least that is what I’m hoping.

Last night I had such a horrible craving for chocolate!  I gave in and had two Ghirardelli dark chocolate squares.  It was so good and hit the spot.  Cravings can be really intense sometimes and not giving in can make it worse, well in my case it does.

Anyway, the plan is to go to the gym tonight and work out once the hubby is home.  The kid and I had dinner (Low Fat Chili – good stuff), so we are chilling and watching Wow Wow Wubbzy!  We tried to do some yard work earlier when we got home, i.e. rake up the dead moss, but I think we are going to have to get some professionals.  Northwest moss is crazy scary stuff!  Our backyard is like a carpet…now a dead carpet of dead moss from the moss killer the hubby put down on Saturday.  It looks sad and pitiful. 

Weigh-in 3/20 & the Weekend

Hi everyone!  I have had a really busy weekend and have been running to stores, doing laundry, yard work, the gym, and spending time with the family.

I had weigh-in yesterday and I gained back the lovely .4lbs that I lost last week.  I wasn’t too happy about that.  I know that it will be better next week, but it is always a downer to gain or stay the same.

Yesterday’s Weight Watcher topic was about portions and portion control.  It is always good to remember and reeducate yourself about portions.  A large apple, although is 2 points in the online tracker,  may actually be 3 points.  Sucks, I know; however, I didn’t become obese by eating apples. ;-)

Sometimes we (me included) become lax in weighing and measuring food.  There are things that I can eyeball and can get the measurements right, other times not so much. :-)  So, a food scale should be one of your best friends.  I love mine, but since I use it so much it is starting to act weird.  I think I may need a new one, but I don’t know what to buy.  I want it nice and functional with a good size platform.  I don’t want to spend a lot of money for it though.   

Does anyone out there own the Weight Watchers food scale?  How do you like it?  Does anyone recommend brand?

On the work front, I got a raise and an extension of my contract. I found out on Friday.  I know at least I will be employed for another year.  Hurray!!  That felt good, especially since  I really like my job.

Okay…I’m going to they gym now!  Really, I am!  I know! Gym rat!!! LOL!  Here is another funny video for your entertainment!  I love gym culture!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

I wore my green scarf today and I love it because it is pretty cool and fuzzy!  My daughter loves it because it is so soft and she pretends she is a movie star when she puts in on!  Work was busy and I’m tired and want to go to bed. 

I had trouble falling asleep last night and I think it was because I went to the gym at 8 PM and worked out until about 9:30…came home, showered and I still was pumped!  I had to wait so late to go, because the hubby had to work late.  I’m so not a morning person, but I may have to become one to work out at a decent hour.  

Tonight, I may just walk on the treadmill and then just call it a night.  Desk jobs are  tough because I just sit most of the day.  I need to figure out how to move more.  Maybe take a walk during lunch?  The business isn’t located in the best area though, so it makes me hesitant.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great St. Patty’s Day!!

Springing Forward

Although I lost an hour of goodness (sleep), I was able to get myself to the gym and work out!  I did 45 minutes on the elliptical and then my weight training was like this:

• 4 sets (10 reps) pile squats w/ 35lb dumbbell
• 4 sets (10 reps) reverse lunges using step
• 4 sets (8 reps) push-ups (3 sets “girl” style and a set on my toes…what the heck...those suckers are tough!)
• Triceps  kick back with 15lb weights (4 sets/8 reps)
• Squat thrusts (3 sets 10)
• Walking lunges holding 15 lb weights (not sure how many sets or reps)
• Crunches (3 sets of 12)
• Reverse crunches (3 sets of 12)

I did some nautilus weight work, such as the leg press (3 sets/15 reps) with 195 –225lbs.  Afterwards, I did hamstring curls (4 sets/8 reps).  My thighs are going to be banging once I lose some more fat off of them!! I’m starting to see more muscle definition in my arms too, but again I need to lose more fat!

Now, I’m getting the family together.  We are off to the lovely Target to pick up the “funtabulous” ( a new word from the little one) Barbie & The Mermaid Tale.  Yeah….I know.  She is such a girly-girl!  We may do a walk too since the sun is shining, but it isn’t that warm. 

Weigh-in: 3/13/2010

I just want to say, I’m so not looking forward to daylight savings time.  I wish they would just leave the time alone….Okay, enough ranting!

I lost .4lbs today.  I’m just happy for a loss and I’ll take it, although it is a small amount.   My leader is still on maternity leave, but our sub, Nancy, is pretty awesome!  I am loving the meetings, although I was a bit nervous about not having Hayven for 3 months, Nancy is pretty cool and down-to-earth.

I did breakdown and purchase the new Weight Watchers Chocolate Pretzel 1 point bars.  They gave out a sample at the meeting today and since I love pretzels and chocolate, I bought a box.  They are pretty tasty (although chock full of things I cannot pronounce), sometimes I need a fix of the salty-sweet during TOM (which is coming up soon) and don’t want to spend a lot of points on a treat to satisfy those crazy cravings. My husband likes them too…a little too much!    I think I’ll have to get another box! Why does he eat my stuff?

After my meeting, I went straight to the gym to do 45 minutes of cardio on the elliptical.  Tomorrow is weigh training day/resistance day, so I plan to get up early and go when it opens.  Hopefully the person that is supposed to open the gym tomorrow sets their clock up!! 

The husband mentioned going to the Black and Decker outlet store to pick up a new weed eater!  Exciting! LOL!!  I know I will spend the day trying to get adapted to losing an hour of sleep. 

HYC Update!

• Went to the gym and did 45 minutes on the elliptical and 40 minutes of weights and body weight exercises. 
• I’ve been eating well this week and plan to keep on plan. ;-)
• Goal is to go to the gym a couple more days, probably tomorrow and Thursday…or do the treadmill tomorrow and gym Thursday?  I will decide tomorrow after work. I want 20 APs this week.
• I’m watching the end of The Biggest Loser and I really don’t care for the contestants this season.  I don’t know why?
• I need to DRINK MY WATER!!  What the heck is wrong with me?  I know I need to drink my water, but why don’t I do it? 
• I need to catch up on my weight loss and foodie blog reading!  I’m so behind!! 

Nothing new to report

I have a migraine today that pretty much knocked me on my behind.  I’ve been out of it most of the day, left work early and slept.  I really needed it and hope to be better tomorrow.  That is the plan!  Hopefully my headache cooperates.  Tomorrow is gym day and I don’t want to miss it.

Its over…

The weekend, that is.  I went to the gym early this morning, around 9 AM.  They open at 8 AM, but the little one was up and I had to make sure the hubby was prepared to handle her for 2 hours.  ;-)  She got settled and I got ready and headed to the gym.  I worked out for a good hour and 1/2. It was quite busy today!  I love the gym.  I guess I am a gym rat after all. ;-)

Afterwards, I went to BigLots and got some new bowls ($1 a bowl).  Plain and simple white bowls.  For some reason, our previous bowls – several had chips or were broken in our move and tossed, so we needed bowls bad!

My hubby’s aunt is in town, so we went to visit her at my husband’s cousin’s house.  It was nice to see her and my daughter loves the dog at the cousin’s house. 

We ran a few errands in the afternoon and now we are relaxing.  It was quite a busy day and now I’m tired.  I cannot believe the weekend is over. 

Stayed the same….

I didn’t change in my weight this week – lost nothing. I weighed at home everyday this week and I bounced around all over, so I wasn’t surprised to see no change. Tomorrow, I could be down 2 to 3 lbs because that is how my body fluctuates from day-to-day.

Tomorrow morning is gym morning, so I’m looking forward to my early morning workout. I just learned from the hubby that the Yakima Fruit Market re-opened on March 3rd! I haven’t been yet, but the goal is to either go later today or tomorrow (I think they are open???). I’ve been trying to vacuum and clean my house, wash clothes and do all that stuff that needs to be done, but can’t because I’m at work all day and totally busted tired when I come home at night.

Okay, off to finish up the last load of laundry!!

This week was successful!

I feel good this week.  I exercised 5 days and I ate really well.  At work, we (the team I work with) went out to lunch and I splurged a bit and got a Turkey Ruben, which was really, really good.  As a team, we eat out once a week for lunch.  That is my splurge meal for the week, and it works for me.   I think it is a good thing to have one meal, where you eat out and get to eat something that you don’t normally and I don’t feel guilty.  My sandwich was probably not the healthiest on the menu, but it wasn’t the worst. 

Work went quickly today and I got a lot done. I’m getting new projects and really enjoying.  It is an area of law that I’ve never worked before, but I love new challenges and putting things into practice.

I also have quinoa for the first time this week.  Love it!!  I have to get a big-ol’ bag from Costco!  The family loved it!  I used chicken broth and it was really good and I ate it with chicken breast and veggie stir fry I made.

I have weigh in tomorrow!  My leader had her baby – a little girl!  I guess we’ll get more of an update tomorrow at the meeting.  I’m so excited for her. 

Dependency and Support

I want to go to the gym – actually, need it for stress relief, but the husband isn’t home yet…so, I’m waiting.  It is sometimes frustrating to deal with depending on someone when you are trying to be a healthier person. 

I walked on the treadmill last night, which was a compromise because he didn’t get home until late because of work.  I understand, but sometimes plans get squashed because of someone else’s schedule and it’s just…ugh!

I’m happy I have my treadmill and hand weights at home, but sometimes I just get sick of the treadmill and need something different.  My husband called me a “gym rat” the other day.  I laughed!  I don’t think I’m that intense.  I think it was a compliment though.

Speaking of gyms, check out the video below (warning - there is some adult language) about “gym rats”.   I’m loving the weight room more and more and there are some interesting characters there. I also have a “screamer” at my gym.   On Saturday, I had a woman follow me around, doing every exercise I did.  I guess she liked what i was doing.    

Okay, husband is home….off I go to hang with the other gym rats!