Happy New Year! Bring on 2011!

I hope everyone has safe New Year’s celebrations.  We are going to stay in and watch the Space Needle fireworks on TV.  Right now we are watching the “breaking news” coverage on a fire at the Crown Plaza hotel downtown.  That is scary, because a lot of the hotels are having parties and celebrations tonight and are at almost full occupancy.  They said the flames were contained to one room, so that is good.

Food has been really good today, but my water intake has been so, so.  I’m still working on getting it all in (have another 24 ozs next to me that I’m working on). 

I did go to the gym this morning.  I was there for an hour and a half.  I did 60 minutes of cardio intervals on the elliptical, with a music podcast.  I did a 1/2 hour of weights.  I burned, according to my Polar HRM, 845 calories!  Yeah baby!  I’ll be feeling it tomorrow, or Sunday.  However, I plan to go back tomorrow and get some more, because I felt so good afterwards.

Fueling for the day

I’m home with the wee one today and then back to work tomorrow, then off again for the rest of the week.  I have errands to run, like a trip to Target for new ornament storage containers.  There was a mishap with a couple we purchased years ago, where the hinges are broken and they don’t close properly anymore.  One, we are now using as storage for the naked Barbie dolls (I feel like I’m living in a plastic nudist colony). 

Food and water wise this morning, I feel good. I’m not that hungry, but want to get my water in.  I’ve had 32 ounces already and several cups of joe (not sure how many….I’m a “Seattlite” and coffee is my fuel—it’s a bad habit).  I will take a bottle of water with me on my errands (love my Nalgene 32 ouncer). 

I used my kettle bell Sunday and I have the worst case of DOMS.  This happens to me all the time, no matter if I’m using dumb bells, weight machines, and now my kettle bell. Yesterday, I felt great and then 24-48 hours later, I’m so freaking sore.  WTH?  Stretching before and after exercise never works to prevent it either.  Although, exercising the sore muscles seems to help a bit, it still hurts. 

Okay, now that I’m caffeine fueled, time to get those errands out the way. 

Moving It!

I ran for 15 minutes straight tonight on the treadmill and walked  15 minutes.  I plan to exercise using my Shred It With Weights DVD, but the television is occupied with the family watching Toy Story 2. 

I did some kettle bell squats, as well as some swings in our other room.  I really am going to love this new piece of equipment.

I really like these.  I will probably feel it tomorrow. I always do.

 

Lauren Brooks–Kettlebell Swing

Holiday Frenzy!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe holiday!  It has been over a week since I updated.  With all the holiday craziness, the food, malls, shopping and crowds, I managed to lose a pound.  I have two holiday parties this past week and managed to not allow the stress of them to run me to the buffet table (I eat when stressed, if you didn’t already know). 

I drank my water (which I’m doing right now…love my new reusable Starbucks Cold Venti Tumbler).  The husband got me the Jillian Michaels’ Kettle bell.  I’ve been wanting it and he came through.  I was totally surprised!  I also got a really nice Rachel Ray Lunch Tote (very nice, black and gray).  It looks like a handbag, but it is insulated and will keep hot items hot or cold items cold.  Can’t wait to use it next week.

My goal this week, is to keep drinking my water and pack my lunches for work (only 2 days of work next week).  The weather is dreadful and we thought about going for a walk, but it is so windy and branches are falling, it may be safer to keep it in doors.   Put my kettle bell to some use. 

Lapse In Judgment

I ventured out into the hell of holiday shopping yesterday and today.  Can I say that I should have order gifts online?  I mean it was crazy...cart blocking, kids breaking down, line cutting...people are ruthless, I tell ya!

So, I'm basically done with my holiday shopping.  There are a couple of things I need to get but, they can wait.  My little one wants to see Santa tomorrow. To be honest, I'm not looking forward to the mall situation.  I'm doing it for her, but I would rather stay far away.

Weigh in situation today is that I remained the same -- zero loss.  After the holiday party situation at work where I ate things I know were high in sodium and fat (sorry spiral cut ham, although I love you, we need to take a break) and I was not sticking to closely to my water or food regime.  I ended up having the worst headache that lasted two days.  My body paid me for it right afterward (4 lb gain), but then it is back down again. 

This week, I will be sticking to the water regime per SSDDDC.  I started "chugging" this morning and have been at it most of the day. It actually makes me feel better to drink the water, but it is eye opening to see when I don't drink it, it has such a negative effect on my body.

Okay, tomorrow morning it is Santa and then the last of the holiday gifts. Hope to make it out without incident. 

Survived the 1st Holiday Party

OMG!  What a day!  I got all my water in for the day, but it was hard to figure out my calories at the holiday party.  I figured it out to be a lot, although I focused on the "healthier" options, they weren't that healthy.  At least I got my water in!  Tomorrow is a new day.

• The interview went really, really well but no decision has been made to which candidate they will pick.  I hate the waiting game. 
• I have been really tired and coming down with something.
• After the holiday party, I got a huge headache. I'm noticing that when I don't have control over what goes in my body, I have side effects with migraines being one of them.

Okay, off to bed.  

A Week -- Spawn Day 6 *** Actually 7

Doing good today with my water and my food.  Yesterday was a wash, because I was in interviews all day.  It was a bit stressful (I was totally brain dead afterward), but I didn't drink my water because I was afraid of having to go to the bathroom during the middle of one of my interviews. I also didn't eat much, because my stomach was all in knots.  So, today I'm back on the water wagon, consuming about 130 oz. and I have my appetite back, somewhat. 

So, tomorrow is our office holiday party.  I'm bringing a salad, but I know there will be lots of other goodies that I will stay away from, but to be honest I don't really want any.   I just want to enjoy the time hanging with my co-workers. It is interesting how socializing turns into a food fest. 

******
Actually it has been a week of Spawn! I lost a day yesterday.  Brain dead...Hope to be better tomorrow. ;-)
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The Pineapple Express & SSDDDC Weigh-In

I sent in my weigh in results to Allan and it was a loss of 6.8 lbs.  I am working on getting in my water, as I type this. I don't know if this week will bring me a large weight loss like this past week, but I can just keep at it and see what happens.

I am sitting here listening to the rain pound against my house. They have termed this rainstorm the "Pineapple Express" which is band of heavy rain that originated in Hawaii that is now being dropped on the pacific northwest.  Too bad it cannot be sunshine and warmer weather. 

Okay, off to do some house cleaning and all that good stuff.  :-)

Looks A Lot Like Christmas

The house is festive now, since we finally went out and got out Christmas tree. I love the smell of a real tree.  It is a real sturdy and tall (about 7 feet) noble fir.  I love noble firs.  We decorated and listened to Christmas music this afternoon. Tomorrow, we will do some more decorating and I have some cleaning that needs to be done.  I didn't drink as much water as I wanted today (about 115 oz).  It is tough to do it over the weekend, because of all the other things that I was running around doing.  However, food was good.  Finished the day with 1300 calories. 

I have in-person interviews on Monday!  Eeekkkk!!  I'm excited, but I really hate interviewing.  I have my interview suit all ready to go.  I just want to impress and do a great job.  I really want this job! Actually, I think I am the best person for the job.  Praying that everything goes well!

Day 5 -- SDDDC & Weight Watchers Meeting

I had my Weight Watcher's meeting this morning and I'm down 6.2lbs.  I am glad to see the scale moving down again.  I know that the weight loss is mostly water weight, because of all the water I've been consuming, as well the lower carbohydrate intake.  All that glycogen is being released, so of course I will see it in the scale.  I don't care where it is coming from though, at least it is off and out of me. ;-)

My meeting was good.  I love my leader.  She keeps it real!  Even if I don't feel like participating sometimes, I like hearing other people's stories.  Today, I didn't know people had such an aversion to fruit (i.e. bananas) before WW change the plan.  I love bananas.  I ate them before they changed the plan and will continue to eat them. Seriously, I didn't get obese eating bananas, apples, grapes, melons, oranges or any other fruit or vegetable for that matter.  For me, it was the processed junk (lots of processed junk) that caused my weight gain.  Today, give me an apple over a bag of chips. However, that was not always the case when I was gaining and avoiding the scale and mirrors.

Okay, I'm trying to get my family out the door to get a Christmas tree.  Come on people! ** How many times do I have to say that....***  Anyway, let me go light a fire under those two.

Day 3 - Took a Peek

I took a peek at the scale today and I'm liking what I see.  This water is really working, as well as keeping my calories low, lowering my carbs, and eating more protein.  I am logging my food in WW eTools, but I am also carrying around a small notebook, as well as The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter 2011  in my purse, just in case I need to find the calories of an item.  

Its old school, but I actually like whipping out my notebook and putting my pen to paper to write down what I've eaten or the number of ounces I've drunk.  It is helping me make better decisions, so it is a boost both emotionally and physically.

Off to finish drinking my tea, while the little one (my daughter) is snuggled right up against me.

Day 2– So Good!

I am doing really well with the SDDDC.  Yeah, I know it is only day two, but I actually feel good. I think of it as a detox.  I’ve been putting a lot of whole, healthy foods.  Though, I think the biggest thing for me is upping my water consumption.  Today, I’ve had 132 oz. of water and I’ve noticed I’m not as bloated and that my ankles aren’t as swollen.  Hopefully, I will make consuming water a habit and my “cankles” make only a rare appearance, instead of being an everyday occurrence.

Today, I stuck to my plan at the business lunch.  I had a huge house salad, no cheese, with balsamic vinaigrette on the side and a grilled chicken breast on top.  Everyone around me was getting fries, steaks, grilled sandwiches and burgers and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.  Afterwards, there was cake and ice cream in the office and I didn’t have any of it.  The reasons: (1) The SDDD challenge; (2) I want a smaller ass; and (3) I’m feeling good and sugar sends me over the edge.  I’m not pretty on a sugar high…and I end up eating more.

So, now I’m relaxing with the little one, sitting with the Christmas tree and mantel lights on….So nice and festive!  I hope everyone had a good Wednesday!  See ya later…

Okay....1st day down!

The first day of the SSDDDC went well. The water intake made me nervous...but I got it all in. I drunk 142 oz. of water today and I feel really good. I wasn't as hungry as I expected to be.  Maybe it is because of the water?  I also got in 45 minutes of exercise.

Okay, I have an early day tomorrow.  I need to hit the hay, but will blog more tomorrow. Tomorrow, is a business lunch at a restaurant and I already went online and picked out my lunch item (house salad w/grilled chicken breast ).  I'm ready for day two! Bring it!

New Phases - New Challenges

SSDDDC is my first challenge and I'm pretty excited. I am so ready to be challenged!  I need to shake things up and get the scale going in a downward progression again.  Today, I am vowing to consume more water.  It will be part of the challenge and today is as good as any day to start upping my water consumption.  I need it too!

Right now, I have some bean soup cooking away in the Crock-pot.  I plan to freeze the majority of it.  The rest will be dinner for the family.  I'm using the left over ham bone that I froze after Thanksgiving.  I did the same thing after Thanksgiving last year.  It was really awesome soup and tasted great in February and March when I wanted some soup and I could just pull it from the freezer and heat it up.  Yum!

Thank Goodness!

Okay, I was expecting TOM, but I wasn't expecting it so suddenly.  All I can say is thank goodness I was home doing my treadmill workout (60 minutes; 2:1 ratio), than at the gym.  That would have been really, really embarrassing!

Yeah, it was bad

Weigh in today.  I was up 7.8 lbs.  I knew that I was up 5 lbs at home, but I always weigh more at Weight Watchers.  It's depressing, but it's my fault.  The only thing I can do is treat it as a learning experience and get back on track. Exercise and lower my carb intake.  Those two things always works well for me.

My husband and I had a "discussion," which didn't go as well as I expected this morning.  It had to do with exercise and making better food choices at the grocery store for the family.  I never tried to push my eating on him and he can continue to buy his junk food if he chooses. I told him this is my body and my life and I will continue purchasing healthy food and make healthier meals.  I need to lose this weight for me and me alone.  I can say I want to get healthy for my family; but in all seriousness, I am doing this for me.

I really don't think he gets that, he sees it as being "selfish."  To be honest, I think he thinks by my continuing to my lose weight, I'll shed him too in the end.  Its the comments that he continues to make, which made mr come to such a conclusion. But really, I have my own insecurities and I really don't want to have to deal with his too.  I can just be understanding, but "stick to my guns" that my ass is going to get smaller and he will just have to deal.

So, today is a recommitment to myself! I've come a long way baby, there is no way in hell I'm going back. 

Yeah....whatever!

The scale showed me 5lbs up today....Why, you ask? My food intake has been really good, but I have realized that no matter how I track and watch my food intake, I have to exercise to lose weight.  I can drop my points, but in the long run, it won't do me any good and will just slow my metabolism down more. I have to exercise and I've been so unmotivated.  It sucks!

Since Monday, starting the New WW program, I was hoping to see some changes.  I guess I was putting too much hope in the plan, when I really need to focus on me.  I'll go to my meeting tomorrow, weigh in, get the support I need and then "dust my shoulders off" and head to the gym. Who said losing weight was easy?  I know it is hard.  It takes focus and dedication.  I just need to grease my wheels, get me head back in it and get my ass in the gym!

Enjoying the New Plan

I'm enjoying the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus plan, but actually I haven't really changed my eating too much.  I have always tried to eat healthy, whole and lean foods.  Of course, I have something that is "processed" but I really don't deal well physically with heavily processed and sugary foods or with food high in sodium.  I'm "The Queen of Bloat."

This week though I've been ravenous and I even dreamed of chocolate and potato chips!  I mentioned it to a co-worker and she asked if TOM was due soon and it is, in a few days.  It is totally a pattern with me.  A week before my period, I feel like crap and want to eat and eat.  Once it is over, my emotions get back in control and my appetite goes back to normal.

Good news of the job interviewing!! So, I had two phone interviews...One with HR and one with the hiring manager.  Well, I was picked to come in for an in person interview.  I am so excited!  I'll find out tomorrow what day I'll go in to interview.  I have my suit all ready.  I know most of the people on the team and I am really, really excited about the position. I am looking forward to the interview process.

Click Protein!

Kelli at Click was nice enough to send me some protein powder to try.  I have seen it advertised in Oxygen Magazine, but I had a hard time finding stores (even supplement stores, but I will go out scouting again this weekend).  I usually don't like buying something over the internet, especially if I don't know if I'll like it.  

I was given both the Mocha and Latte flavors, as well as the cute shaker cup (yes, it was free --- if you are reading FTC).  I tried the Mocha first.  I added the packet of the Mocha Flavor with 12 oz. of water, heated in the microwave (you can drink it cold, but I prefer my coffee hot).  In the end, what I got was a yummy protein and caffeine packed drink for my drive to work, instead of stopping at Starbucks for a Skinny Vanilla Latte. It mixed really well and was not clumpy or lumpy, like some protein powders.

It is 3 Weight Watchers PointsPlus Points (was previously 2 points).  The protein actually helped satisfy my morning hunger, where I had a later breakfast (this was at 5:45 AM in the morning and I later had oatmeal at 9:00 AM).

  

This morning I tried the Latte Flavor.  Although not my favorite, it still was pretty good.  All in all, I highly recommend this protein powder if you like coffee, but would like a little protein with it, give Click a try.  

Nutrition Info can be found on their site, but it has 23 vitamins and minerals, a double shot of espresso (I love me some coffee ~~ caffeine), 15 grams of protein and just 120 calories.