"Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality."
-Ralph Marston
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Fruits of my labour
If you read my post yesterday you will know that I was trying new recipes yesterday and today. I took some photos of the recipes that I made and I thought I would let you know how they turned out.
So the only thing left for me to tell you about are the Maple Syrup Crockpot Beans. There is not too much to say other than they didn't even make it to the crockpot. I soaked them overnight like the recipe said and then I had to change the water and boil them for 1 hour or until tender. I checked to see how they were doing 40 minutes into simmering them and they were like mush. So I tossed them in the compost. I will try again next weekend. I think I will also try the Vegetarian Chili.
Zesty Spinach Soup
I really like this soup. I would not say that it is really zesty, but it is really tasty.
Calories per serving - 169
I will definately be making it again. In the soup is the following:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Red Onion
Carrots
Celery
Garlic
Sea Salt
Black Pepper
Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Chicken Boullion Cube
Tomatoes
Quinoa
White Kidney Beans
Curry Powder
Nutmeg
Baby Spinach Leaves
Morning Berry Strata
This was delicious also! After I took the photo I ended up putting it back in the oven for about 10 more minutes so when it was done it was a little more golden brown. I found it hard to get the center of it cooked so next time I will make it in 2 smaller dishes and see how it turns out.
Joey liked this but he put syrup on it. He said it was too healthy. LOL Funny Guy. He said it tastes like French Toast with berries.
When I ate it I put a dallop of Citrus Spread on top.
Calories per serving - 237
Here are the ingredients:
Egg Whites
Eggs
Skim Milk
Maple Syrup
White Pepper
Yogurt Cheese
Fig Jam (I didn't have any)
Sourdough Bread
Cinnamon
Lemon Juice
Almonds
Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries
Citrus Spread
I made this yesterday and LOVED IT! I can see me using it in many different ways. It can be used as a spread on toast, dip for fruit, and on the Morning Berry Strata. The sky is the limit with this one.
Calories per serving - 35
Here are the ingredients:
Yogurt Cheese
Agave Nectar (I used agave syrup)
Vanilla
Strawberries
Orange
Grated Orange Peel
Brown Rice Meatloaf and Lemon & Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
Both of these recipes were really good also. Both were full of flavour.
The Brown Rice Meatloaf has Low Sodium Soya Sauce in it and I don't think it really needed it so next time I will make it without the Soya Sauce.
Calories per serving 149
Here are the ingredients:
Lean Ground Turkey
Cooked Brown Rice
Egg
Yogurt Cheese
Red Onion
Red Pepper
Celery
Low-Sodium Soya Sauce
Sea Salt, Black Pepper
Oregano
Basil
Lemon & Cinnamon Sweet Potatoe
These smell absolutely wonderful while cooking and they taste great too. I probably would not make these all the time but they would be a nice treat every now and then when I am looking for something different.
Calories per serving - 148
Here are the ingredients:
Sweet Potatoes
Apple Juice
Agave Nectar (I used agave syrup)
Nutmeg
Cinnamon
Lemon Zest
Sea Salt
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of 1/2 Lemon
So the only thing left for me to tell you about are the Maple Syrup Crockpot Beans. There is not too much to say other than they didn't even make it to the crockpot. I soaked them overnight like the recipe said and then I had to change the water and boil them for 1 hour or until tender. I checked to see how they were doing 40 minutes into simmering them and they were like mush. So I tossed them in the compost. I will try again next weekend. I think I will also try the Vegetarian Chili.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Fun with New Recipes
I have been getting bored with eating the same things over and over and over again so today is a day of trying new recipes. I have a few Eat Clean cookbooks and that is were I am looking for my new recipes. There are so many recipes that sound wonderful and I am excited to try each and every one of them. Here are the ones that I am going to make today and tomorrow:
Morning Berry Strata
Maple Syrup Crockpot Beans
Citrus Spread
Zesty Spinach Soup
Morning Berry Strata
Maple Syrup Crockpot Beans
Citrus Spread
Zesty Spinach Soup
Brown Rice Meatloaf
Lemon & Cinnamon Sweet Potatoes
I will let you know how each of these recipes turns out and if I like them or not.
I already made the Citrus Spread and it is wonderful. Here is how to make it.
The day before you want to make Citrus Spread you need to make yogurt cheese. To make yogurt cheese all you need to do is place four layers of damp cheese cloth in a fine mesh sieve or colander. Place the colander over a bowl. Add low-fat plain yogurt and let it drain overnight in the refrigerator. Discard the water. You will be left with a soft, creamy cheese-like product. It can be used like cream cheese but it has way less calories, sodium, and lactose and more protein than cream cheese. Hint- Make sure your yogurt contains no gelatin or binding agents. There many things you can do with yogurt cheese. I plan to keep it in my fridge at all times.
Citrus Spread
1 cup yogurt cheese
2 TBSP agave nectar (I used agave syrup, I don't know if there is a difference)
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup fresh strawberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup orange segments
1 1/2 tsp finely grated orange peel
Add all ingredients to your food processor and process until smooth...or leave it a little chunky if you prefer.
Nutritional value for 2 TBSP serving
Calories 35, Calories from fat 4, Protein 2g, Carbs 6g, Total fat 0.5g, Fiber 0.5g, Sodium, 21 mg, Cholesterol 2 mg, Sugar 6g
You can put this on toast, use it as dip for fruit or any other way you can imagine using it. Have fun with it. It is so delicious, it tastes like a party in your mouth!
I can't wait to try the next recipe...stay tuned to see how it goes!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Yes I Can!
"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs,
the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'Can't'.
But you don't listen. You push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper 'Can'.
And you discover the person that you thought you were is no match for the one you really are."
-Author Unknown
This quote makes me really think about my limitations and how they are set. My limitations really are set by my doubts and fears. From now on, everytime I think I can't...I am going to show myself that I can. And I will watch myself get stronger physically and mentally because I did it.
My weight today
I weighed myself a week ago and I was 218.4 lbs. I weighed myself this morning and I was 219.0 lbs. So that is a gain of 0.6 lbs. I am a bit discouraged with this because I want to see the scale go down. I guess I am just going to have to step it up to get the scale going in the right direction. I know that I can do it!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Jillian Michaels had a Facebook status that I really want to comment on. Her status was:
"Many are so preoccupied with what others think it defines there existance. It's fear based to be told & to accept that you are this or can only accomplish that. When we fixate externally it keeps us from truly knowing of ourselves & our destiny. Most fear looking inward for worry they won't find greatness, but when we stop allowing others to define our worth you'll see greatness exists in us all, waiting to be expressed."
I used to be the person that worried about what others thought of me. I always tried hard to do / be what I thought they thought that I should be / do. If I wanted to do something I would first think about what others would think if I did it and I usually would not do the thing that I wanted to do because I was afraid of what others would think. It really held myself back from doing many things that I really wanted to do in life. I was like that when I was young and it is not an easy thing to change about yourself. But I am finally in the process of making those changes. I have come along way with it but I know I still have a way to go.
It is so true when she says "When we fixate externally it keeps us from truly knowing of ourselves & our destiny". When you are thinking about what others think and focusing on that, you really don't think about what you want and you do not look deep enough into yourself to really get to know yourself and see the positive things about yourself. You put your feelings aside and do what you think others think you should do. That is why the song I've Never Been To Me, touches me. I was there. I had travelled accross Canada with Handball and been to Holland and France, but I had never known who I was...I had never been to me, until lately.
Now, I am not so concerned with what other think I should do. I try to really think about what it is that I want. What do I want out of my life? I want to be happy. I want to be healthy. I want to help people. I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy, healthy and to help people!
When was the last time you look inward and discovered something great about yourself? I challenge you to do that on this stormy day!
"Many are so preoccupied with what others think it defines there existance. It's fear based to be told & to accept that you are this or can only accomplish that. When we fixate externally it keeps us from truly knowing of ourselves & our destiny. Most fear looking inward for worry they won't find greatness, but when we stop allowing others to define our worth you'll see greatness exists in us all, waiting to be expressed."
I used to be the person that worried about what others thought of me. I always tried hard to do / be what I thought they thought that I should be / do. If I wanted to do something I would first think about what others would think if I did it and I usually would not do the thing that I wanted to do because I was afraid of what others would think. It really held myself back from doing many things that I really wanted to do in life. I was like that when I was young and it is not an easy thing to change about yourself. But I am finally in the process of making those changes. I have come along way with it but I know I still have a way to go.
It is so true when she says "When we fixate externally it keeps us from truly knowing of ourselves & our destiny". When you are thinking about what others think and focusing on that, you really don't think about what you want and you do not look deep enough into yourself to really get to know yourself and see the positive things about yourself. You put your feelings aside and do what you think others think you should do. That is why the song I've Never Been To Me, touches me. I was there. I had travelled accross Canada with Handball and been to Holland and France, but I had never known who I was...I had never been to me, until lately.
Now, I am not so concerned with what other think I should do. I try to really think about what it is that I want. What do I want out of my life? I want to be happy. I want to be healthy. I want to help people. I am going to do whatever it takes to make me happy, healthy and to help people!
When was the last time you look inward and discovered something great about yourself? I challenge you to do that on this stormy day!
I am on the second of my 5 days off. It has been a while since I posted how I was getting along with my nutrition and exercise. So here is a little update.
Friday, I treated myself to pizza. It was really yummy and I really enjoyed it. I worked day shifts on Saturday and Sunday so I was not able to go to the gym for 2 days. Goodlife Fitness is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 8pm and I worked from 7:30am to 7:30pm.
I did go to the gym on Monday. I had a pt session with my trainer. It was a really good workout. We did some things to get me sweating and then we trained my back and triceps. My back muscles are still a little sore from it! But that is a good thing because it means I worked them really hard. I also did my abs on Monday. I usually forget about my abs but I am trying hard to get them in 3 times a week.
I worked Monday and Tuesday night so I did not go to the gym on Tuesday...I was sleeping all day. Yesterday, I slept in until about 3:30 (I worked the night before) which was late for me on my last night. I usually try to sleep until 12 or 1 and then get the house cleaned but I was really tired all day yesterday. I went to the gym at about 4:30 and worked my abs then I went to the 5:30 Body Flow class. It had been awhile since I went to Body Flow and I was really looking forward to it. I had only been to 1 class before so I still am not to familiar with what I am doing. Some of the moves were hard for me to do with my sore knees but I did the best I could and I really enjoyed it. I was planning to do some cardio after Body Flow but I was so relaxed that I did some stretching and then relaxed in the sauna and then showered and headed for home.
Today is a stormy day, but it is not too stormy for me to go to the gym! What are you doing for exercise today?
Friday, I treated myself to pizza. It was really yummy and I really enjoyed it. I worked day shifts on Saturday and Sunday so I was not able to go to the gym for 2 days. Goodlife Fitness is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 8pm and I worked from 7:30am to 7:30pm.
I did go to the gym on Monday. I had a pt session with my trainer. It was a really good workout. We did some things to get me sweating and then we trained my back and triceps. My back muscles are still a little sore from it! But that is a good thing because it means I worked them really hard. I also did my abs on Monday. I usually forget about my abs but I am trying hard to get them in 3 times a week.
I worked Monday and Tuesday night so I did not go to the gym on Tuesday...I was sleeping all day. Yesterday, I slept in until about 3:30 (I worked the night before) which was late for me on my last night. I usually try to sleep until 12 or 1 and then get the house cleaned but I was really tired all day yesterday. I went to the gym at about 4:30 and worked my abs then I went to the 5:30 Body Flow class. It had been awhile since I went to Body Flow and I was really looking forward to it. I had only been to 1 class before so I still am not to familiar with what I am doing. Some of the moves were hard for me to do with my sore knees but I did the best I could and I really enjoyed it. I was planning to do some cardio after Body Flow but I was so relaxed that I did some stretching and then relaxed in the sauna and then showered and headed for home.
Today is a stormy day, but it is not too stormy for me to go to the gym! What are you doing for exercise today?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Stepping It Up
A while ago, I think it was in November, I talked about stepping it up. For those of you who did not read that post, stepping it up is taking whatever you are doing now to get healthier and working harder at it for 1 week.
I am wondering if anyone has been stepping it up lately. The last few weeks I have been stepping up my cardio. I told you that I am doing intervals and running on the treadmill. I used to walk at a speed of 4.0 on the treadmill and now I am running for 30-60 seconds at a speed of 7 or 8 and then I walk at a speed of 3.5 for 30-60 seconds. Over time I will increase my running time and decrease my walking time until I can run the whole 20 minutes. That is how I am stepping up my exercise.
I have been stepping up my nutrition by looking for healthier options and making sure I am eating every 3 - 4 hours. I changed my bread from Dempsters (I think it has 120 calories per slice) to Ezekiel Bread (80 calories per slice). That is quite a difference especially when considering you use 2 slices of bread to make a sandwich. I cut my tuna sandwich down by 80 calories! I am also trying to eat more vegetables. I had been eating a lot of fruit and there is a lot of sugar in fruit so switching a few of my fruit for vegetables makes quite a difference at the end of the day.
So that is what I am doing to Step Up my nutrition and exercise. What have you done this weekd to Step It Up?
I am wondering if anyone has been stepping it up lately. The last few weeks I have been stepping up my cardio. I told you that I am doing intervals and running on the treadmill. I used to walk at a speed of 4.0 on the treadmill and now I am running for 30-60 seconds at a speed of 7 or 8 and then I walk at a speed of 3.5 for 30-60 seconds. Over time I will increase my running time and decrease my walking time until I can run the whole 20 minutes. That is how I am stepping up my exercise.
I have been stepping up my nutrition by looking for healthier options and making sure I am eating every 3 - 4 hours. I changed my bread from Dempsters (I think it has 120 calories per slice) to Ezekiel Bread (80 calories per slice). That is quite a difference especially when considering you use 2 slices of bread to make a sandwich. I cut my tuna sandwich down by 80 calories! I am also trying to eat more vegetables. I had been eating a lot of fruit and there is a lot of sugar in fruit so switching a few of my fruit for vegetables makes quite a difference at the end of the day.
So that is what I am doing to Step Up my nutrition and exercise. What have you done this weekd to Step It Up?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Today was another good day. I hit my targets for my nutrition and I had a really good pt session. In the pt session I realized that I need to work my abs more. I usually forget about them because it is not on my workout card and I don't really enjoy working my abs. I should be working my abs 3 times a week so I am going to start planning to do them.
I have been weighing myself almost daily and I was told that I should, at most, weigh myself once a week. So that is what I am going to try to do. It is going to be hard for me but I will do my best at it.
My knee felt a bit better today than it did yesterday. I was able to do some hard cardio today so that was good and I know that tomorrow I will be able to do more.
I have been weighing myself almost daily and I was told that I should, at most, weigh myself once a week. So that is what I am going to try to do. It is going to be hard for me but I will do my best at it.
My knee felt a bit better today than it did yesterday. I was able to do some hard cardio today so that was good and I know that tomorrow I will be able to do more.
Yesterday
I just realized that I did not post on how my nutrition and exercise went yesterday. I did very well with my nutrition. I ate every 3-4 hours and had healthy food. I had my usual breakfast of eggs and cherries and I had banana for a snack. I had a tuna sandwich for lunch with some cucumber. I had greek yogurt in the afternoon with blueberries and my protein shake after the gym. For supper, I had baked salmon with a spinach salad. I did not enter my diet into Livestrong.com so I do not have the total calories for you.
My knee was really sore yesterday (and it is today also) so I was not able to do a lot of hard cardio. I was supposed to work my legs yesterday but opted to work my back and triceps and leave my legs for today or tomorrow. My knee is still sore today but I am going to go to the gym and do what I can.
My weight this morning is 218.4 lbs. It is moving slowly but at least it is moving in the right direction.
I am heading to town in a couple of minutes and I will be there for most of the day. So to prepare for that I packed myself a lunch. I have greek yogurt with blueberries, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, a tuna sandwich, and an orange. I also have my protein shake for after the gym and lots of water.
What have you done today to ensure you eat healthy?
My knee was really sore yesterday (and it is today also) so I was not able to do a lot of hard cardio. I was supposed to work my legs yesterday but opted to work my back and triceps and leave my legs for today or tomorrow. My knee is still sore today but I am going to go to the gym and do what I can.
My weight this morning is 218.4 lbs. It is moving slowly but at least it is moving in the right direction.
I am heading to town in a couple of minutes and I will be there for most of the day. So to prepare for that I packed myself a lunch. I have greek yogurt with blueberries, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, a tuna sandwich, and an orange. I also have my protein shake for after the gym and lots of water.
What have you done today to ensure you eat healthy?
Believe That You Can and You Will...
When you come to believe in all that you are and all that you can become,
there will be no cause for doubt.
Believe in your heart, for it offers hope.
Believe in your mind, for it offers direction.
Believe in your soul, for it offers strength.
But above all else...believe in yourself.
-Leslie Neilson
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Getting Started
Getting started and making a commitment to lead a healthier lifestyle was the hardest part for me. I had tried many times before and obviously did not succeed. There were many reasons why I had not succeeded before. One reason was that I was not ready. I was not ready mentally to make the commitment to lead a healthier lifestyle. I had a lot of thoughts about myself that were very negative. I had to learn to let those negative thoughts go and focus on the positive things in my life. There were many positive things in my life to focus on but I really did not see them. I let the negative get in the way.
It is important to remember that there is something positive in every situation. We may not see it right away but it is there so remember to look for it. Learning from our mistakes is a positive thing and overcoming adversity is a positive thing. Hard times lead us to learn more about ourselves and grow as a person. I must say that that is one thing that I have REALLY changed about myself. I try to focus on the positive and see my glass as half full.
Another reason that I did not succeed before is because I was not going into it with the right intentions. I was not doing it for ME. I was doing it for some other reason. I let go of 25 lbs for my wedding and then I put it right back on plus more after the wedding. I would walk and eat better because my family wanted me to, not because I wanted to and of course I did not stick to it. If you can't do it for yourself, who can you do it for? You are the most important person in your life. If you don't take care of yourself there will come a time when you can't take care of those that mean the world to you.
Many people say they don't have the time. WHAT...you don't have the time to make sure you are healthy and happy! One of the best gifts that you can give your family is to be healthy and happy so you can live a long life together. So, make the time for yourself and ask the family to help out in any way that they can. I am sure that your family will agree that you deserve to be healthy and they will be very supportive.
So if you are wanting to make the changes in your life to let go of weight or lead a healthier lifestyle but have not started, ask yourself who are you doing this for? Hopefully, the answer is yourself...but it truly has to be for yourself. Don't kid yourself by just telling yourself you are doing it for you. You need to BELIEVE that you are doing it for you. You are capable of doing it and your are worth it.
You also need to let go of the things that are holding you back. Let go of the fear of failure. If you are afraid of not succeeding, then you have failed before you even started. Tell yourself that you are going to succed. That is what I did. I told everyone too. Two months into my journey, I told my mother that Goodlife Fitness (Nubody's then) should use me in a commercial because I was doing to do it! She believed me because I believed in myself.
Make sure you have a support system for those days that you are struggling. A support system can be anyone that is there for you on good days and bad days. My support system is HUGE. My support system consists of my husband, son, parents, sister, nephews, grandparents, aunts & uncles, friends, co-workers and everyone that reads my blog. When I am tempted to eat something like carrot cake (see earlier post, INDULGE), I think about you reading my blog and how you would feel if I ate it. I don't want to let any of you down and that helps me make the right decision. So you reading my blog is helping me in a huge way and if I can return the favor, please ask. I would love to be part of your support system.
So start thinking about what is holding you back from starting and work on letting go of everything that is in the way so that you can get on the road to leading a healthy and happy life!
It is important to remember that there is something positive in every situation. We may not see it right away but it is there so remember to look for it. Learning from our mistakes is a positive thing and overcoming adversity is a positive thing. Hard times lead us to learn more about ourselves and grow as a person. I must say that that is one thing that I have REALLY changed about myself. I try to focus on the positive and see my glass as half full.
Another reason that I did not succeed before is because I was not going into it with the right intentions. I was not doing it for ME. I was doing it for some other reason. I let go of 25 lbs for my wedding and then I put it right back on plus more after the wedding. I would walk and eat better because my family wanted me to, not because I wanted to and of course I did not stick to it. If you can't do it for yourself, who can you do it for? You are the most important person in your life. If you don't take care of yourself there will come a time when you can't take care of those that mean the world to you.
Many people say they don't have the time. WHAT...you don't have the time to make sure you are healthy and happy! One of the best gifts that you can give your family is to be healthy and happy so you can live a long life together. So, make the time for yourself and ask the family to help out in any way that they can. I am sure that your family will agree that you deserve to be healthy and they will be very supportive.
So if you are wanting to make the changes in your life to let go of weight or lead a healthier lifestyle but have not started, ask yourself who are you doing this for? Hopefully, the answer is yourself...but it truly has to be for yourself. Don't kid yourself by just telling yourself you are doing it for you. You need to BELIEVE that you are doing it for you. You are capable of doing it and your are worth it.
You also need to let go of the things that are holding you back. Let go of the fear of failure. If you are afraid of not succeeding, then you have failed before you even started. Tell yourself that you are going to succed. That is what I did. I told everyone too. Two months into my journey, I told my mother that Goodlife Fitness (Nubody's then) should use me in a commercial because I was doing to do it! She believed me because I believed in myself.
Make sure you have a support system for those days that you are struggling. A support system can be anyone that is there for you on good days and bad days. My support system is HUGE. My support system consists of my husband, son, parents, sister, nephews, grandparents, aunts & uncles, friends, co-workers and everyone that reads my blog. When I am tempted to eat something like carrot cake (see earlier post, INDULGE), I think about you reading my blog and how you would feel if I ate it. I don't want to let any of you down and that helps me make the right decision. So you reading my blog is helping me in a huge way and if I can return the favor, please ask. I would love to be part of your support system.
So start thinking about what is holding you back from starting and work on letting go of everything that is in the way so that you can get on the road to leading a healthy and happy life!
INDULGE!
Think of the word for a minute...what does mean to you?
Dictionary.com lists the meaning as to yield to an inclination or desire; allow oneself to follow one's will. Dessert came but I didn't indulge. They indulged in an unbelievable shopping spree.
When I think of the word INDULGE, I think of it in the terms of food. I have always thought of it as treating yourself, in excess...almost sinful.
I am bringing this up because on Saturday I was going to the Dragon Fly Cafe with a friend for brunch. I knew a few days in advance that we were going to be going there and I also know that they have the BEST carrot cake in the world. Ok, well I don't really know if it is the best in the world because I have never had it anywhere other than in Antigonish. But I can't imagine anyone else making a better carrot cake.
I knew that I was going to be faced with the decision to have the carrot cake or not have the carrot cake. I started thinking about it DAYS in advance. One minute I was going to have the carrot cake and the next I was going to be strong and pass up the carrot cake. I struggled with this on and off. Some of my thoughts were; "The carrot cake is so good and I don't know when I will be back there to have the opportunity to have the carrot cake, so I better get it this time." "Do I really want all those empty calories. I wonder how many calories are in one piece of their carrot cake." "I deserve a treat. Carrot cake can be my treat for this week." "Think of all the sugar in the carrot cake. There is probably more sugar in one piece than I eat in a whole week. Way to much sugar for me." "This decision would be really easy if they didn't have any carrot cake." "Maybe I could have a half a piece?" "That's it! I am doing it! I have having the carrot cake on Saturday!" That was my last thought about it on Friday. I had made up my mind that I deserved the carrot cake and that I was going to have it.
Saturday came and I went to the gym with Adam and had a short workout and then I went to pick up Tammi and begaon thinking about the carrot cake, AGAIN. When I walked in, I make the mistake of looking in the dessert display. YES, THEY HAD CARROT CAKE! I thought, "Oh no, now what am I going to do". I decided that if I had something really nutritous for lunch then I can have the carrot cake. Everything on the menu looked so good. I ended up having the fish cakes and a greek salad and water. While I was eating lunch, I was still struggling with the thought of having carrot cake. I knew that I could not eat just half of a piece. If the whole piece was put infront of me, I was eating it all and I would probably lick the plate! I am not kidding, I really would have licked the plate.
When I finished my lunch I was satisfied but I still wanted the carrot cake. Our waitress came to the table and asked if we wanted dessert. Tammi knew the struggle I was having over the carrot cake and we told the waitress that we did not know yet if we wanted dessert and told her to come back. I began to think about it and thought I really deserved a treat, but I knew that one piece of carrot cake was more than a treat, it was sinful. If I had the carrot cake I would be treating myself in excess. I would be indulging. I used to indulge all the time and I don't want to be that person again. I thought, "Do I really need the carrot cake?" My answer was "No, I do not need the carrot cake. I just WANT the carrot cake." There is a big difference between needing something and wanting something.
I also thought about everone reading my blog. If I have the carrot cake, what does it say to everyone reading my blog. I want to set a good example for others out there who are struggling just like me to let go of weight and make healthy decisions for themselves. I felt like if I had the carrot cake, I would be letting everyone down...including myself. So guess what...I did NOT have the carrot cake and I am happy with my decision. When we were paying our bills, Tammi looked in the dessert display and beside the carrot cake was the word INDULGE!
Next time you are faced with a decision that includes a healthy choice and an unhealthy choice ask yourself if it is something that you want or something that you need and hopefully you will make the right decision like I did!
Dictionary.com lists the meaning as to yield to an inclination or desire; allow oneself to follow one's will. Dessert came but I didn't indulge. They indulged in an unbelievable shopping spree.
When I think of the word INDULGE, I think of it in the terms of food. I have always thought of it as treating yourself, in excess...almost sinful.
I am bringing this up because on Saturday I was going to the Dragon Fly Cafe with a friend for brunch. I knew a few days in advance that we were going to be going there and I also know that they have the BEST carrot cake in the world. Ok, well I don't really know if it is the best in the world because I have never had it anywhere other than in Antigonish. But I can't imagine anyone else making a better carrot cake.
I knew that I was going to be faced with the decision to have the carrot cake or not have the carrot cake. I started thinking about it DAYS in advance. One minute I was going to have the carrot cake and the next I was going to be strong and pass up the carrot cake. I struggled with this on and off. Some of my thoughts were; "The carrot cake is so good and I don't know when I will be back there to have the opportunity to have the carrot cake, so I better get it this time." "Do I really want all those empty calories. I wonder how many calories are in one piece of their carrot cake." "I deserve a treat. Carrot cake can be my treat for this week." "Think of all the sugar in the carrot cake. There is probably more sugar in one piece than I eat in a whole week. Way to much sugar for me." "This decision would be really easy if they didn't have any carrot cake." "Maybe I could have a half a piece?" "That's it! I am doing it! I have having the carrot cake on Saturday!" That was my last thought about it on Friday. I had made up my mind that I deserved the carrot cake and that I was going to have it.
Saturday came and I went to the gym with Adam and had a short workout and then I went to pick up Tammi and begaon thinking about the carrot cake, AGAIN. When I walked in, I make the mistake of looking in the dessert display. YES, THEY HAD CARROT CAKE! I thought, "Oh no, now what am I going to do". I decided that if I had something really nutritous for lunch then I can have the carrot cake. Everything on the menu looked so good. I ended up having the fish cakes and a greek salad and water. While I was eating lunch, I was still struggling with the thought of having carrot cake. I knew that I could not eat just half of a piece. If the whole piece was put infront of me, I was eating it all and I would probably lick the plate! I am not kidding, I really would have licked the plate.
When I finished my lunch I was satisfied but I still wanted the carrot cake. Our waitress came to the table and asked if we wanted dessert. Tammi knew the struggle I was having over the carrot cake and we told the waitress that we did not know yet if we wanted dessert and told her to come back. I began to think about it and thought I really deserved a treat, but I knew that one piece of carrot cake was more than a treat, it was sinful. If I had the carrot cake I would be treating myself in excess. I would be indulging. I used to indulge all the time and I don't want to be that person again. I thought, "Do I really need the carrot cake?" My answer was "No, I do not need the carrot cake. I just WANT the carrot cake." There is a big difference between needing something and wanting something.
I also thought about everone reading my blog. If I have the carrot cake, what does it say to everyone reading my blog. I want to set a good example for others out there who are struggling just like me to let go of weight and make healthy decisions for themselves. I felt like if I had the carrot cake, I would be letting everyone down...including myself. So guess what...I did NOT have the carrot cake and I am happy with my decision. When we were paying our bills, Tammi looked in the dessert display and beside the carrot cake was the word INDULGE!
Next time you are faced with a decision that includes a healthy choice and an unhealthy choice ask yourself if it is something that you want or something that you need and hopefully you will make the right decision like I did!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Allow Your Inner Light To Guide You
There comes a time when you must stand alone.
You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.
You must be willing to make sacrifices.
You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.
Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.
There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.
Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.
Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.
Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.
Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.
My Day
Today was a good day. I did really well with my nutrition and I worked really hard at the gym.
I had a personal training session and I worked my chest and biceps. After my pt session I worked my abs. I know there is a six pack in there somewhere. I can feel them but I just can't see them...YET!
I did some really hard cardio today. I did intervals on the treadmill for 26 minutes. Then I went on the eliptical for 20 minutes. I did intervals for 10 of those minutes. Intervals were really hard on the eliptical today because my biceps were tired from my pt session. Next was the bike, I did 10 minutes on the bike (with intervals). Then it was time again for the 3 S's, Stretch, Sauna and Shower. I love the 3 S's!
I was at the gym for a really long time today. I got there at 12:00 and finished up around 4:00. Yeah, I know, it was a little long. But it felt good and I will have a really good sleep tonight.
I had a personal training session and I worked my chest and biceps. After my pt session I worked my abs. I know there is a six pack in there somewhere. I can feel them but I just can't see them...YET!
I did some really hard cardio today. I did intervals on the treadmill for 26 minutes. Then I went on the eliptical for 20 minutes. I did intervals for 10 of those minutes. Intervals were really hard on the eliptical today because my biceps were tired from my pt session. Next was the bike, I did 10 minutes on the bike (with intervals). Then it was time again for the 3 S's, Stretch, Sauna and Shower. I love the 3 S's!
I was at the gym for a really long time today. I got there at 12:00 and finished up around 4:00. Yeah, I know, it was a little long. But it felt good and I will have a really good sleep tonight.
What A Difference A Year Makes!
At this time last year, I was wearing shirts that were size 3xl & 4xl and pants that were sizes 26 or 28. Now, I am wearing shirts that are large or xlarge and pants that are size 14 or 16. That is quite a difference in less than a year! I am so happy that I made the changes in my life that lead me to where I am today.
There are many things that I can do now that I was unable do do last year. I can run 5 kms without stopping. A year ago, I would have had a hard time just walking 5 kms an now I am working running a 5k faster and hoping to someday run a 10k.
I can cross my legs now. Before I would be uncomfortable sitting in a chair with arms...especially narrow ones. They would cut into my outer thigh and I would end up with red marks on them and now I can sit in them and cross my legs if I want.
When I was 333.4 lbs, going to a restaurant with only booths was not fun. I would always try to find a table rather than a booth. I would arrive at the restaurant and scope out a comfortable place to sit. If I sat in a booth, my belly would always be against the table with no extra room and sometimes my belly would sit on top of the table, how embarassing! It was always very uncomfortable...especially if the table was a fixed table. The ones that moved were not so bad. I would just move the table a few inches closer to Joey and Brandon to give me some moving room.
The physical changes are the ones that most people see, but I have also gone through major mental changes. I now see my glass as half full when before it was always half empty. I always try to focus on the postitve in any situation which can be really hard when things are not going as you want them too...just be sure when the hard time is over, to really look at the situation and see the postive.
The smile on my face a year ago was not a true smile. I was hurting inside and did not want
anyone to know about it. I felt I was not a good person and I did not deserve to be happy. Now I know that I am a good person and I am so happy. I love my life!
For those of you who don't know me I will post a few pictures of myself...old and new.
The first picture was taken of me about 1 & 1/2 years ago.
The second one was taken in May 2010. I had about 45 lbs off at at that time.
The last photo was taken on New Years Eve.
What a difference a year makes!
Monday, January 17, 2011
I am finished my nights at work and enjoying the first of my 5 days off. My weight today, when I woke up, was 219.4. So I went up a little (0.6 lbs). I am hoping that it is just my body adjusting to the night shifts. I did pretty good with my eating during the night shifts but I could have done a little better on my second night. I worked hard to try to and eat every 4 hours but one time it was about 5 hours and I had a little treat. My rotation has an agreement that when we work Saturday night we will order out. None of us ordered out this Saturday, so we all did pretty good overall.
Here is how my day went today...
I woke up around 1:30 in the afternoon (I worked night shift last night) and I had my usual breakfast then. I had eggs, kiwi, strawberries, phytoberry drink, and 2 slices of toast. Then I headed for town and had a few errands to run and went to the gym. I warmed up on the eliptical and then I worked my shoulders. I did lateral raises, upright rows, shoulder presses and shoulder rotations (not sure what to call them). I worked pretty hard and I did some "fast feet" in between sets.
Then it was time for cardio. Man, the cardio machines were really busy today. There were alot of people at the gym. I started on the bike because that is what was free. I did 20 minutes total and I did intervals. I started at level 15 and then I would turn it up to 18 for 1 minute and back down to 15 for one minute. I kept alternating like that for a total of 20 minutes. Then I went to the rowing machine because the treadmills and elipticals were all used. I did 10 minutes of 30 second intervals. It had been awhile since I was on the rowing machine and it felt good to get back on it. When I was 10 minutes into the rowing machine, I saw an eliptical machine free up so I quickly went to it. I did intervals on the eliptical also. I kept the incline at 10 and changed the resistance from 6 to 14 or 16. I did it for a few minutes and then talked to Todd for a few minutes and lost the time that I had on the machine...so I started it again. So I ended up doing more than 20 minutes. Then I did the 3 S's...stretch, sauna, and shower. I have been really enjoying the sauna at the gym. The only thing missing with the sauna is someone massaging my back while I relax! LOL
After the gym I had my protein drink and some fruit and went grocery shopping. When I got home I had supper. Left overs are great. I had sweet potatoe, mixed veggies and pork loin...Yummy!
How was your day today?
Here is how my day went today...
I woke up around 1:30 in the afternoon (I worked night shift last night) and I had my usual breakfast then. I had eggs, kiwi, strawberries, phytoberry drink, and 2 slices of toast. Then I headed for town and had a few errands to run and went to the gym. I warmed up on the eliptical and then I worked my shoulders. I did lateral raises, upright rows, shoulder presses and shoulder rotations (not sure what to call them). I worked pretty hard and I did some "fast feet" in between sets.
Then it was time for cardio. Man, the cardio machines were really busy today. There were alot of people at the gym. I started on the bike because that is what was free. I did 20 minutes total and I did intervals. I started at level 15 and then I would turn it up to 18 for 1 minute and back down to 15 for one minute. I kept alternating like that for a total of 20 minutes. Then I went to the rowing machine because the treadmills and elipticals were all used. I did 10 minutes of 30 second intervals. It had been awhile since I was on the rowing machine and it felt good to get back on it. When I was 10 minutes into the rowing machine, I saw an eliptical machine free up so I quickly went to it. I did intervals on the eliptical also. I kept the incline at 10 and changed the resistance from 6 to 14 or 16. I did it for a few minutes and then talked to Todd for a few minutes and lost the time that I had on the machine...so I started it again. So I ended up doing more than 20 minutes. Then I did the 3 S's...stretch, sauna, and shower. I have been really enjoying the sauna at the gym. The only thing missing with the sauna is someone massaging my back while I relax! LOL
After the gym I had my protein drink and some fruit and went grocery shopping. When I got home I had supper. Left overs are great. I had sweet potatoe, mixed veggies and pork loin...Yummy!
How was your day today?
Saturday, January 15, 2011
I am going to make this post short and sweet tonight as I am getting ready to work night shift. I may be quiet on here the next few days as I work 2 night shifts and I find that they really mess with my sleep and my body gets really tired so if you don't hear from me until Monday, that is why.
My weight today this morning was exactly the same as yesterday morning, 218.8 lbs. I started my day with my usual breakfast and picked up a friend (Adam) and went to the gym. I worked my back and my triceps and did a few minutes of cardio.
After the gym, I dropped Adam off and picked up his wife and we went out for brunch to the Dragonfly Cafe. I had the fish cakes and a greek salad. It was so delicious. For the past few days I had known that I was going to go to the Dragonfly Cafe with Tammi and I have been thinking about the carrot cake that they have there. I was trying to decide if I would have it today or not. I do allow myself a treat every now and then but this is a BIG treat to have as the pieces are huge and I am sure there are many, many calories in it. I also knew that I would not be able to have just a few bits if I did order it. In a later post I will tell you if I had the carrot cake or not.
My weight today this morning was exactly the same as yesterday morning, 218.8 lbs. I started my day with my usual breakfast and picked up a friend (Adam) and went to the gym. I worked my back and my triceps and did a few minutes of cardio.
After the gym, I dropped Adam off and picked up his wife and we went out for brunch to the Dragonfly Cafe. I had the fish cakes and a greek salad. It was so delicious. For the past few days I had known that I was going to go to the Dragonfly Cafe with Tammi and I have been thinking about the carrot cake that they have there. I was trying to decide if I would have it today or not. I do allow myself a treat every now and then but this is a BIG treat to have as the pieces are huge and I am sure there are many, many calories in it. I also knew that I would not be able to have just a few bits if I did order it. In a later post I will tell you if I had the carrot cake or not.
Friday, January 14, 2011
My weight this morning was 218.8 lbs so that mean that I am back to my weight prior to jumping off the wagon at Christmas time. It feels good to be back at this weight. I am hoping to keep on a roll so that I will reach my goal weight of 185 lbs sooner rather than later.
I am feeling very tired tonight, but that is most likely because I worked a 12 hour shift and then went to the gym. I just did cardio at the gym and here is what I did...
Treadmill - Intervals for 20 mins
Spin Bike - Intervals for 15 mins, I really pushed myself on the bike
Eliptical EFX - Intervals for 10 minutes
After that, it was definately time to stretch and shower.
I did not have my supper before going to the gym and I could tell. My energy level was way down at the gym and I felt tired while I was there. I still worked really hard, I just know that if I had eaten, I would have been able to work harder. I am going back to the gym for 9:00am tomorrow so I will make up for it then.
There were more chocolates at work today and there was gumdrop cake. It was much easier to resist the temptation today than it was yesterday. I am going to the Dragon Fly Cafe tomorrow for brunch with a friend and I am thinking hard about the carrot cake. I still don't know what I will do if they have it. They make the best carrot cake and I may make that my treat for the week...maybe. I just don't know yet. It will be an easy decision if they don't have it!
Here is what I ate today...pretty much the same as yesterday.
0600- egg and eggwhite, strawberries, ezekiel bread, and phytoberry drink
0930- protein shake and an apple
1200- chicken breast and cabbage soup
1630- greek yogurt and strawberries
0930- salmon, raw baby carrots, and green pepper
Total calories - 1283
Nutrition Breakdown - 43.83 % protein (142), 13.89 % fat (20), 42.28 % carbs (137)
I had a good day over all and I just feel really tired so I am going to head to bed. Good Night!
I am feeling very tired tonight, but that is most likely because I worked a 12 hour shift and then went to the gym. I just did cardio at the gym and here is what I did...
Treadmill - Intervals for 20 mins
Spin Bike - Intervals for 15 mins, I really pushed myself on the bike
Eliptical EFX - Intervals for 10 minutes
After that, it was definately time to stretch and shower.
I did not have my supper before going to the gym and I could tell. My energy level was way down at the gym and I felt tired while I was there. I still worked really hard, I just know that if I had eaten, I would have been able to work harder. I am going back to the gym for 9:00am tomorrow so I will make up for it then.
There were more chocolates at work today and there was gumdrop cake. It was much easier to resist the temptation today than it was yesterday. I am going to the Dragon Fly Cafe tomorrow for brunch with a friend and I am thinking hard about the carrot cake. I still don't know what I will do if they have it. They make the best carrot cake and I may make that my treat for the week...maybe. I just don't know yet. It will be an easy decision if they don't have it!
Here is what I ate today...pretty much the same as yesterday.
0600- egg and eggwhite, strawberries, ezekiel bread, and phytoberry drink
0930- protein shake and an apple
1200- chicken breast and cabbage soup
1630- greek yogurt and strawberries
0930- salmon, raw baby carrots, and green pepper
Total calories - 1283
Nutrition Breakdown - 43.83 % protein (142), 13.89 % fat (20), 42.28 % carbs (137)
I had a good day over all and I just feel really tired so I am going to head to bed. Good Night!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
My weight this morning was 219.8 lbs.
I had a good day. I was tempted at work today but I did not give in to the temptation...even though it was one of my favorites! A family member brought in Milk Chocolate Pecan Caramel Clusters. Oh, how I love them! I saw the box arrive and the lady that brought them in said to my co-worker "She's not allowed to have any". She was talking about me because she knows that I have been trying to let go of some weight. I thought to myself "I can do it if I don't see them".
Guess what...at lunch time the box was open and sitting on our staff room table and it had just been opened so they were there starring me in the face through my whole lunch. Every 2 minutes I had a conversation with myself that went something like this..."I can have just one. No you can't have just one, you will eat the whole box if you have just one. Thinking you can have just one is what led you to put on 10.8 lbs over Christmas. You can't have just one! Do you really want to do this to yourself?". I swear I had this coversation with myself over and over and over again. I was strong and did not have one chocolate. When I saw there were 3 left I took the box around to the girls and told them to eat them so I wouldn't. I got rid of one and told a co-worker to hide the rest of them. You gotta do what works, right?
Today was my first day back to work so I don't go to the gym on this day. I plan to go tomorrow after work for some cardio and I am planning to do some running on the treadmill. I can't wait!
Here is what I ate all day...
0600 - egg and egg white, strawberries, 2 slices of ezekiel bread, and my phytoberry drink
0700 - protein shake
1000 - protein shake and apple
1300 - cabbage soup and chicken
1700 - greek yogurt and strawberries
2030 - carrot sticks, green pepper, and salmon
My total calories for the day was 1486, so I was a bit over.
I was also quite a bit over with my protein. I forgot that I was having salmon tonight (salmon has a lot of protein) and I had 2 protein shakes in the am. I will know better for tomorrow.
Nutrition Breakdown
46.02 % protein (175g), 12.43 % fat (21 g), and 41.55 % carbs (158 g)
So that was my day. I feel good that I was able to deny the temptation and I know that it will be easier next time.
My muscles are still a bit sore from blasting my legs the other day. Overall, I feel really good.
Now it is time for me to get some sleep. Have a good night.
I had a good day. I was tempted at work today but I did not give in to the temptation...even though it was one of my favorites! A family member brought in Milk Chocolate Pecan Caramel Clusters. Oh, how I love them! I saw the box arrive and the lady that brought them in said to my co-worker "She's not allowed to have any". She was talking about me because she knows that I have been trying to let go of some weight. I thought to myself "I can do it if I don't see them".
Guess what...at lunch time the box was open and sitting on our staff room table and it had just been opened so they were there starring me in the face through my whole lunch. Every 2 minutes I had a conversation with myself that went something like this..."I can have just one. No you can't have just one, you will eat the whole box if you have just one. Thinking you can have just one is what led you to put on 10.8 lbs over Christmas. You can't have just one! Do you really want to do this to yourself?". I swear I had this coversation with myself over and over and over again. I was strong and did not have one chocolate. When I saw there were 3 left I took the box around to the girls and told them to eat them so I wouldn't. I got rid of one and told a co-worker to hide the rest of them. You gotta do what works, right?
Today was my first day back to work so I don't go to the gym on this day. I plan to go tomorrow after work for some cardio and I am planning to do some running on the treadmill. I can't wait!
Here is what I ate all day...
0600 - egg and egg white, strawberries, 2 slices of ezekiel bread, and my phytoberry drink
0700 - protein shake
1000 - protein shake and apple
1300 - cabbage soup and chicken
1700 - greek yogurt and strawberries
2030 - carrot sticks, green pepper, and salmon
My total calories for the day was 1486, so I was a bit over.
I was also quite a bit over with my protein. I forgot that I was having salmon tonight (salmon has a lot of protein) and I had 2 protein shakes in the am. I will know better for tomorrow.
Nutrition Breakdown
46.02 % protein (175g), 12.43 % fat (21 g), and 41.55 % carbs (158 g)
So that was my day. I feel good that I was able to deny the temptation and I know that it will be easier next time.
My muscles are still a bit sore from blasting my legs the other day. Overall, I feel really good.
Now it is time for me to get some sleep. Have a good night.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Comments
I realize that there are a lot of new people reading my blog and I want to encourage you to post a comment and tell me your story.
I have been told that it is difficult to comment but if you choose annonymous it is a little easier. Oh, and just because you choose annonymous dosen't mean you can't type your name at the bottom of your comment...that is if you want to let me know who you are.
I have been told that it is difficult to comment but if you choose annonymous it is a little easier. Oh, and just because you choose annonymous dosen't mean you can't type your name at the bottom of your comment...that is if you want to let me know who you are.
Nutrition and Weight for Today
I already told you about my exercise for the day, but I didn't tell you how my nutrition went or what my weight is today. So here it is.
My weight today is 220.8 lbs.
0930- 1 egg and 1?4 cup of egg whites with 1 cup of cherries and my phytoberry drink.
1145- 3/4 cup of strawberry greek yogurt and 1/4 cup of strawberries
1600- Promasil protein shake in 1 cup of milk and an apple
1800- 2 cups of my homemade cabbage soup with 5 oz of chicken and 1/2 cup of cucumbers
2000- 2 slices of Ezekiel bread (first time I had it and it was wonderful) with 2 TBSP of natural peanut butter and another protein shake.
Total calories 1385
Nutrition Breakdown: 39.58 % Protein (143 g), 18.06 % Fat (29 g), and 42.35 % Carbs (153 g).
Usually I will not eat at 8:00 at night, but I knew I was way too low on my calories so I had a snack.
I must say that the pain is starting to set in from blasting my legs yesterday. I stretched a little extra today but they are getting pretty stiff.
My weight today is 220.8 lbs.
0930- 1 egg and 1?4 cup of egg whites with 1 cup of cherries and my phytoberry drink.
1145- 3/4 cup of strawberry greek yogurt and 1/4 cup of strawberries
1600- Promasil protein shake in 1 cup of milk and an apple
1800- 2 cups of my homemade cabbage soup with 5 oz of chicken and 1/2 cup of cucumbers
2000- 2 slices of Ezekiel bread (first time I had it and it was wonderful) with 2 TBSP of natural peanut butter and another protein shake.
Total calories 1385
Nutrition Breakdown: 39.58 % Protein (143 g), 18.06 % Fat (29 g), and 42.35 % Carbs (153 g).
Usually I will not eat at 8:00 at night, but I knew I was way too low on my calories so I had a snack.
I must say that the pain is starting to set in from blasting my legs yesterday. I stretched a little extra today but they are getting pretty stiff.
SHORT TERM PAIN, FOR LONG TERM GAIN!!
Success
"In order to succeed, your desire for success must be greater than your fear of failure."
-Bill Cosby
What a Feeling!
WOW, what a day I had! I am so excited after my training session at the gym.
My day started out as any other normal day. I had my breakfast, did some cleaning, and headed to the gym. I did my normal warm-up to get ready for my training session with Todd. We did the whole weigh and measure thing and I was down 12 lbs from the last time I was weighed at the gym. I had some small decreases in my measurement but I didn't write them down and I can't remember them to be able to tell you. My lean body mass is still going down but I think that is due to the fact that I have not been tracking my food lately and I am likely not getting enough protein so it is time for me to get back to doing that. My body fat percentage is down and I am very close to being in the normal range.
Since we were looking at all my numbers, it was time to set my new goal. Like I said in a previous post, my original goal was to get to 200 lbs because I knew that it was a goal that I could reach knowing that I would be able to go lower. But I have been getting anxious to set my new goal so we did that today. Todd said that I should be somewhere between 180 and 190 lbs so I picked right in the middle. So my new goal is 185. I can't wait for the day when I reach that goal! I am still going to celebrate (a small celebration) when I hit the 200 mark and then I am going to focus and get to my final goal. So that means that I have 35.8 lbs to get to my goal and that will put me at 27 or 28 percent body fat. I know that I can do it!
You may be wondering what has got me so excited today...so Iwill tell you. After our weigh in today Todd basically told me that he was going to show me what I was capable of. He said that our bodies are capable of doing amazing things and that it is our minds that limit us and hold us back from doing things. So, when we went to the treadmill, I have to admit that I was a bit scared. I have, well now I can say that I had a fear of running on the treadmill. I don't know why. I guess I just pictured the really heavy me, running and pounding on the treadmill. I pictured my knees hurting and felt it was just something that I just couldn't do. But Todd showed me that it was all in my head and that I was holding myself back. He is so smart...and ALWAYS right!
I bet you can guess what he had me do. Yes, I did it! I ran on the treadmill!!!! We did some intervals so that means that I would run for 30 seconds and walk for 30 seconds. I started running at level 5 and did a few intervals there, then I went to 6, then 6.5, then 7, and 7.5, then 8, then 8.5, and then 9. Yes, I ran on the treadmill at level 9 for 30 seconds. It was hard and I really had to relax and remember to breathe, focus and take long strides...but I did it! Then we took a little breather and when I got my breath back, Todd said "I'd really like to see you run at 10". I said "I would like to see the same thing". So guess what I did next. I ran on the treadmill at level 10 for about 15 seconds. And that is what I am so excited about! I got over my mental block and ran on the treadmill. I have been secretly wanting to try it and actually thought about it last week, but I told myself that I would wait to try when I was the only one upstairs on the machines so that I didn't have to worry about making a fool of myself. I did it today and I did NOT make a fool of myself. Running on the treadmill was a really big step for me and I am really proud of myself. Thank you Todd, for showing me that I can do it!
We spent about 25 minutes on the treadmill and then we went to the stepper. The stepper is something that I tried a long time ago when I first started at the gym and I did not know how to work it properly and I really did not have the physical ability to do it at the time and I never went back to try it again. We were on the stepper for about 10 minutes and we did some intervals there and then we went to the elipitcal (EFX) for another 10 minutes. I have been using the elipical machine for a while but Todd showed me how to do intervals and really challenge myself on it. That was the end of our session and then I did my abs on my own and then I went back to the treadmill. I did intervals for 17 minutes and I tried different levels and different amounts of time.
After running on the treadmill today, I feel so empowered. I feel that I can do anything that I set my mind to and that there are no limits to what I am capable of. After I finished my work out at the gym I was in the shower thinking about what I accomplished today. I ran on the treadmill and jumped over the mental blocks that were holding me back from doing it all this time and I had tears in my eyes thinking about it. They were the good kind of tears. Tears of joy, pride and accomplishment. I feel so lucky to be able to challenge myself in this kind of way. I feel so happy that I am physically and mentally capable of running on the treadmill. I have come a long way since last year and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me.
A year ago today, I was wearing shirts that were size 3 or 4xl and pants that were size 26 or 28. I am proud to say that I am now wearing shirts that are large or xlarge and pants that are size 14 or 16. What a difference a year makes!
My day started out as any other normal day. I had my breakfast, did some cleaning, and headed to the gym. I did my normal warm-up to get ready for my training session with Todd. We did the whole weigh and measure thing and I was down 12 lbs from the last time I was weighed at the gym. I had some small decreases in my measurement but I didn't write them down and I can't remember them to be able to tell you. My lean body mass is still going down but I think that is due to the fact that I have not been tracking my food lately and I am likely not getting enough protein so it is time for me to get back to doing that. My body fat percentage is down and I am very close to being in the normal range.
Since we were looking at all my numbers, it was time to set my new goal. Like I said in a previous post, my original goal was to get to 200 lbs because I knew that it was a goal that I could reach knowing that I would be able to go lower. But I have been getting anxious to set my new goal so we did that today. Todd said that I should be somewhere between 180 and 190 lbs so I picked right in the middle. So my new goal is 185. I can't wait for the day when I reach that goal! I am still going to celebrate (a small celebration) when I hit the 200 mark and then I am going to focus and get to my final goal. So that means that I have 35.8 lbs to get to my goal and that will put me at 27 or 28 percent body fat. I know that I can do it!
You may be wondering what has got me so excited today...so Iwill tell you. After our weigh in today Todd basically told me that he was going to show me what I was capable of. He said that our bodies are capable of doing amazing things and that it is our minds that limit us and hold us back from doing things. So, when we went to the treadmill, I have to admit that I was a bit scared. I have, well now I can say that I had a fear of running on the treadmill. I don't know why. I guess I just pictured the really heavy me, running and pounding on the treadmill. I pictured my knees hurting and felt it was just something that I just couldn't do. But Todd showed me that it was all in my head and that I was holding myself back. He is so smart...and ALWAYS right!
I bet you can guess what he had me do. Yes, I did it! I ran on the treadmill!!!! We did some intervals so that means that I would run for 30 seconds and walk for 30 seconds. I started running at level 5 and did a few intervals there, then I went to 6, then 6.5, then 7, and 7.5, then 8, then 8.5, and then 9. Yes, I ran on the treadmill at level 9 for 30 seconds. It was hard and I really had to relax and remember to breathe, focus and take long strides...but I did it! Then we took a little breather and when I got my breath back, Todd said "I'd really like to see you run at 10". I said "I would like to see the same thing". So guess what I did next. I ran on the treadmill at level 10 for about 15 seconds. And that is what I am so excited about! I got over my mental block and ran on the treadmill. I have been secretly wanting to try it and actually thought about it last week, but I told myself that I would wait to try when I was the only one upstairs on the machines so that I didn't have to worry about making a fool of myself. I did it today and I did NOT make a fool of myself. Running on the treadmill was a really big step for me and I am really proud of myself. Thank you Todd, for showing me that I can do it!
We spent about 25 minutes on the treadmill and then we went to the stepper. The stepper is something that I tried a long time ago when I first started at the gym and I did not know how to work it properly and I really did not have the physical ability to do it at the time and I never went back to try it again. We were on the stepper for about 10 minutes and we did some intervals there and then we went to the elipitcal (EFX) for another 10 minutes. I have been using the elipical machine for a while but Todd showed me how to do intervals and really challenge myself on it. That was the end of our session and then I did my abs on my own and then I went back to the treadmill. I did intervals for 17 minutes and I tried different levels and different amounts of time.
After running on the treadmill today, I feel so empowered. I feel that I can do anything that I set my mind to and that there are no limits to what I am capable of. After I finished my work out at the gym I was in the shower thinking about what I accomplished today. I ran on the treadmill and jumped over the mental blocks that were holding me back from doing it all this time and I had tears in my eyes thinking about it. They were the good kind of tears. Tears of joy, pride and accomplishment. I feel so lucky to be able to challenge myself in this kind of way. I feel so happy that I am physically and mentally capable of running on the treadmill. I have come a long way since last year and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me.
A year ago today, I was wearing shirts that were size 3 or 4xl and pants that were size 26 or 28. I am proud to say that I am now wearing shirts that are large or xlarge and pants that are size 14 or 16. What a difference a year makes!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
My Day
How did I do today? I think I did really well.
My weight this morning was 222.2 lbs. I have 3.4 lbs to go to get me back to where I was before the holidays.
I did very well where my nutrition is concerned. Here is how my day went.
Breakfast 0930- my normal egg and egg white with 1 cup of cherries and my phytoberry drink.
Snack 1130- banana on the way to the gym
Post workout 1500- Protein shake (I got a new one, Promasil) and an apple
Lunch (it was a little late) 1530- strawberry and spinach salad with almonds and chicken
Supper 1800- Homemade Cabbage Soup with chicken
I didn't get my diet entered into Livestrong.com yet so I don't have the calories or percentage of fat, carbs and protein.
I drank lots of water today. I didn't really keep track of how much but I have been drinking and peeing ALL day.
I felt really good all day. I was not tired and I felt really strong in mind and body. My knees are a little sore so I am icing them and my achilles tendon is a little tender, but not as tender as it was yesterday.
I was tempted to eat a Werther's Origional candy this evening. I actually picked it up and opened it, then I thought to myself "What am I doing?". So, I put it in the garbage. I must remember to tell Joey to take them to work with him so they are not in the house. He bought a HUGE box of them just before Christmas so he has them for work. He needs to remove them from the house! Joey, when you read this, please remove them...Thanks.
Workout
I blasted my legs today. That is probably why my knees are a bit sore.
I supersetted these 3 exercises:
-Weighted Sumo Squats - 70 lbs x 15, 70 lbs x 15, 75 lbs x 15
-Weighted Walking Lunges - 30lbs x 20, 30 lbs x 20, 30 lbs x 20
-Modified Burpees - 10, 10, 10
Superset means that I did 1 set of each exercise before doing the second set with no rests inbetween.
Calves on the leg press - 180 lbs x 15, 270 lbs x 15, 360 lbs x 15
I supersetted the next two exercises:
Hip Adduction - 215 bs x 15, 220 lbs x 15, 225 lbs x 15
Hip Abduction - 205 lbs x 15, 210 lbs x 15, 215 lbs x 15
I supersetted the next two exercises:
Leg Extension - 65 lbs x 15, 60 lbs x 15, 60 lbs x 13
Leg Curl - 110 lbs x 15, 110 lbs x 13, 110 lbs x 12
Cardio
Treadmill - 6.5 incline, 3.8 speed, with arms pumping, 10 minutes
Bike - Level 14-15 with 1 minute at level 18, distance 6.2 (km or miles I am not sure), 20 minutes, 240 calories burned
EFX Elliptical - 14, intensity 6, for 10 minutes and 16, intensity 7 for 10 minutes, 290 calories burned
Something that I haven't posted on here yet was that the other day my trainer, Todd, got me to carry 2 x 60 lbs (total of 120 lbs) up the stairs 10 times.
Also, between Christmas and New Years he got me to bench press for the first time and I benched 100 lbs 8 times...I am not sure if that is good or not, but I was pleased and it gives me a starting point.
That was my day...in a nutshell.
My weight this morning was 222.2 lbs. I have 3.4 lbs to go to get me back to where I was before the holidays.
I did very well where my nutrition is concerned. Here is how my day went.
Breakfast 0930- my normal egg and egg white with 1 cup of cherries and my phytoberry drink.
Snack 1130- banana on the way to the gym
Post workout 1500- Protein shake (I got a new one, Promasil) and an apple
Lunch (it was a little late) 1530- strawberry and spinach salad with almonds and chicken
Supper 1800- Homemade Cabbage Soup with chicken
I didn't get my diet entered into Livestrong.com yet so I don't have the calories or percentage of fat, carbs and protein.
I drank lots of water today. I didn't really keep track of how much but I have been drinking and peeing ALL day.
I felt really good all day. I was not tired and I felt really strong in mind and body. My knees are a little sore so I am icing them and my achilles tendon is a little tender, but not as tender as it was yesterday.
I was tempted to eat a Werther's Origional candy this evening. I actually picked it up and opened it, then I thought to myself "What am I doing?". So, I put it in the garbage. I must remember to tell Joey to take them to work with him so they are not in the house. He bought a HUGE box of them just before Christmas so he has them for work. He needs to remove them from the house! Joey, when you read this, please remove them...Thanks.
Workout
I blasted my legs today. That is probably why my knees are a bit sore.
I supersetted these 3 exercises:
-Weighted Sumo Squats - 70 lbs x 15, 70 lbs x 15, 75 lbs x 15
-Weighted Walking Lunges - 30lbs x 20, 30 lbs x 20, 30 lbs x 20
-Modified Burpees - 10, 10, 10
Superset means that I did 1 set of each exercise before doing the second set with no rests inbetween.
Calves on the leg press - 180 lbs x 15, 270 lbs x 15, 360 lbs x 15
I supersetted the next two exercises:
Hip Adduction - 215 bs x 15, 220 lbs x 15, 225 lbs x 15
Hip Abduction - 205 lbs x 15, 210 lbs x 15, 215 lbs x 15
I supersetted the next two exercises:
Leg Extension - 65 lbs x 15, 60 lbs x 15, 60 lbs x 13
Leg Curl - 110 lbs x 15, 110 lbs x 13, 110 lbs x 12
Cardio
Treadmill - 6.5 incline, 3.8 speed, with arms pumping, 10 minutes
Bike - Level 14-15 with 1 minute at level 18, distance 6.2 (km or miles I am not sure), 20 minutes, 240 calories burned
EFX Elliptical - 14, intensity 6, for 10 minutes and 16, intensity 7 for 10 minutes, 290 calories burned
Something that I haven't posted on here yet was that the other day my trainer, Todd, got me to carry 2 x 60 lbs (total of 120 lbs) up the stairs 10 times.
Also, between Christmas and New Years he got me to bench press for the first time and I benched 100 lbs 8 times...I am not sure if that is good or not, but I was pleased and it gives me a starting point.
That was my day...in a nutshell.
Quote
"The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."
-Vince Lombardi
My Plan For Success
As you know, I did not do so well over the holidays with my nutrition and I ended up gaining some weight. I have reflected on the past few weeks and I realize that I was not in the right frame of mind and I failed to plan and prepare ahead of time. In a way, I felt like I just needed a break (which is just an excuse, I think). I have been pretty strick with my diet and I felt like I just didn't want to have to think about it and I was getting bored with eating the same things over and over and over again. But that is done with now. Now I realize that I need to think about what I am putting into my body. My body needs the proper fuel in order for it to survive what I put it through and have the energy for the day.
Now that I am in the right frame of mind (I don't know how I got there...I just did, I guess) I can begin my planning. Planning for me means that I will plan and prepare my meals ahead of time. I will always have healthy options ready to go. I am going to find some new healthy, clean recipes. I will plan my workouts for the week at the beginning of the week to ensure that I get all my cardio and my weights in.
I need to plan my meals ahead of time and make sure they are prepared and ready to go for when I need to eat them. When I don't plan and prepare my meals I end up coming home with no healthy food ready to eat and when you come home hungry you want something that is quick and easy to make. The quick and easy to make food is usually not very healthy. It is loaded with salt, fat and sugar. Also, when I don't eat every 4 hours, my body is really hungry and usually wants simple sugars for quick energy which when eaten start a bad cycle of raising your blood sugar only to have it drop rapidly and you crave more simple sugar which repeats over and over again. It is not a good cycle to get into. Also, in the reading that I have been doing I learned that when you have a food that is loaded in fat, salt or sugar, your body craves more of that type of food for 3 days after you eat it. So that is why it is hard to stop eating that type of food when you start. Now when I think of eating a food that I should not be eating, I am going to ask myself "Do you want to put up with the cravings for the next 3 days?". Hopefully, my answer will be "No way, Jose!".
The key for me is to have healthy options ready to go in the fridge for when I need them.
When I started blogging, I had intended, on a daily basis, to write about the struggles and triumphs I had that day and how I felt about them. The hard part is I need to write about them when they happen and unfortunately they don't happen when I am home with my computer. When I would get home I would forget about the struggles and triumphs or they would not feel as important as they did at the time so I would not write about them. So in order to blog about them I am going to start journalling in addition to blogging. I will have my journal with me everywhere I go and I can write about things when they happen. Then when I get home I can blog about them.
I really want to have a detailed record of my days to make sure that I stay on track and journalling and blogging about them will make me more accountable and I will be able to look back and see the things I did that affected my weight in a good or bad way. The things that I will be journalling/blogging about are:
-My weight for the day (I don't weigh myself every day, but I do most days).
-My nutrition, so I can see if I am eating every 3 - 4 hours and eating healthy food also I can see how what I eat one day affects my weight the next day.
-My feelings/emotions. It is important because in the past I have been an emotional eater and I would also eat when I was stressed. This will show me if I am still doing it.
-My struggles. I will be able to read about my past struggles which will help me handle new struggles better.
-My triumphs. It would be nice to know the day that I reached a certain weight or did something at the gym that I was not able to do before.
-My workouts. I already track these at the gym but some people are asking exactly what I am doing that the gym and this way they will be able to read about it every day if they want to.
I plan to blog almost every day. The only thing is, is that there are a few days that I work and go to the gym and I am extremely tired when I get home. On those days, I may keep my posts a little shorter and not as detailed. I hope you don't mind.
One thing that I mentioned to Todd, and we will be working on in the next few weeks, is setting my final goal. I have a goal to reach 200 lbs. When I set that goal I was looking to set a goal that I knew I could reach. I also knew that I should be able to go lower than that, but I really did not want to set a goal that was not realistic. So we will be setting a new goal in the next few weeks. Stay tuned to see what it will be. I am so excited for the new goal even though I know it will be farther away than 200 lbs. I am ready for it! BRING IT ON!
That is my plan for the new year. What's your plan for success?
Now that I am in the right frame of mind (I don't know how I got there...I just did, I guess) I can begin my planning. Planning for me means that I will plan and prepare my meals ahead of time. I will always have healthy options ready to go. I am going to find some new healthy, clean recipes. I will plan my workouts for the week at the beginning of the week to ensure that I get all my cardio and my weights in.
I need to plan my meals ahead of time and make sure they are prepared and ready to go for when I need to eat them. When I don't plan and prepare my meals I end up coming home with no healthy food ready to eat and when you come home hungry you want something that is quick and easy to make. The quick and easy to make food is usually not very healthy. It is loaded with salt, fat and sugar. Also, when I don't eat every 4 hours, my body is really hungry and usually wants simple sugars for quick energy which when eaten start a bad cycle of raising your blood sugar only to have it drop rapidly and you crave more simple sugar which repeats over and over again. It is not a good cycle to get into. Also, in the reading that I have been doing I learned that when you have a food that is loaded in fat, salt or sugar, your body craves more of that type of food for 3 days after you eat it. So that is why it is hard to stop eating that type of food when you start. Now when I think of eating a food that I should not be eating, I am going to ask myself "Do you want to put up with the cravings for the next 3 days?". Hopefully, my answer will be "No way, Jose!".
The key for me is to have healthy options ready to go in the fridge for when I need them.
When I started blogging, I had intended, on a daily basis, to write about the struggles and triumphs I had that day and how I felt about them. The hard part is I need to write about them when they happen and unfortunately they don't happen when I am home with my computer. When I would get home I would forget about the struggles and triumphs or they would not feel as important as they did at the time so I would not write about them. So in order to blog about them I am going to start journalling in addition to blogging. I will have my journal with me everywhere I go and I can write about things when they happen. Then when I get home I can blog about them.
I really want to have a detailed record of my days to make sure that I stay on track and journalling and blogging about them will make me more accountable and I will be able to look back and see the things I did that affected my weight in a good or bad way. The things that I will be journalling/blogging about are:
-My weight for the day (I don't weigh myself every day, but I do most days).
-My nutrition, so I can see if I am eating every 3 - 4 hours and eating healthy food also I can see how what I eat one day affects my weight the next day.
-My feelings/emotions. It is important because in the past I have been an emotional eater and I would also eat when I was stressed. This will show me if I am still doing it.
-My struggles. I will be able to read about my past struggles which will help me handle new struggles better.
-My triumphs. It would be nice to know the day that I reached a certain weight or did something at the gym that I was not able to do before.
-My workouts. I already track these at the gym but some people are asking exactly what I am doing that the gym and this way they will be able to read about it every day if they want to.
I plan to blog almost every day. The only thing is, is that there are a few days that I work and go to the gym and I am extremely tired when I get home. On those days, I may keep my posts a little shorter and not as detailed. I hope you don't mind.
One thing that I mentioned to Todd, and we will be working on in the next few weeks, is setting my final goal. I have a goal to reach 200 lbs. When I set that goal I was looking to set a goal that I knew I could reach. I also knew that I should be able to go lower than that, but I really did not want to set a goal that was not realistic. So we will be setting a new goal in the next few weeks. Stay tuned to see what it will be. I am so excited for the new goal even though I know it will be farther away than 200 lbs. I am ready for it! BRING IT ON!
That is my plan for the new year. What's your plan for success?
New Years Eve
I was really excited for New Years this year. If you have been reading you will know that I wanted to get dressed up and dance for New Years. We were lucky to get tickets to the Holiday Inn Express New Years Eve Gala in New Glasgow. Our tickets included a bottle of wine, a buffet dinner, a dance and our room. It was great because we went with 3 other couples and no one had to drive home afterwards so we could all really enjoy ourselves.
If you read my post about dress shopping for New Years you will know that my experience in Halifax did not go so well. However, I did find a great dress at Sears.ca. I really liked the dress and was happy when it arrived and it fit.
The thing that I didn't buy ahead of time was shoes. I wanted strappy silver shoes and did not find anything online that I could order as I have wide feet. We went to New Glasgow early on New Years Eve and I found a pair of shoes at Payless Shoes...I found another pair of shoes too. Lucky me! We went to lunch with Susan & Matthew, and Nancy & Joe at Cafe Italia. It was busy but the food was declicious. Then we went to the Hotel and got ready for the Gala.
The food was delicious...even if they did run out of potatoes (Sorry Matthew...I guess I took too many of them). The dance was lots of fun. I wanted to dance all night and I am happy to say that I did...not everyone did. Joey and I were dancing and went back to the table for a little break around 12:30 and all our friends were gone! But that didn't matter to me and Joey...we stayed until the end and danced all night (except for pee breaks).
I had lots of fun...and a little to drink. I was feeling Ok the next day, only a small hangover. I have always said that the cure for a hangover is a dip in the ocean. So guess what I did. I swam in the ocean. I will try to write a post tomorrow about my Polar Bear Dip. I would do it tonight but I want to include the 2 videos and my internet is WAY too slow to even think about uploading a video. I am going to try and go to my mothers tomorrow and upload the video. So stay tuned for the rest of the story...
Christmas
Ok, I know that I am a little late blogging about my Christmas, but it's better late than never...Right?
Our Christmas Eve Tradition is to go to my In-Laws. We get together with them so Brandon can open his presents from them in front of them. They always open all their gifts so it is nice that we get to experience their Christmas with them. I missed it this year because I was scheduled to work Christmas Eve night so that meant that I went to work for 7:30 pm (Christmas Eve) and got off work at 7:30 Christmas morning. I was a pretty quiet night and I was tired when I got home and went straight to bed. Brandon said that he was going to get up at 6:00am on Christmas morning and I knew that he wouldn't because he is at the age where he sleeps in until noon. I got up around 11:00 and we opened our presents. It was really nice, quiet and relaxing.
Joey and Brandon wanted to make Christmas dinner but when Mom called, to invite us there for dinner, they decided that they would cook New Years dinner instead. I really liked that idea because it meant that I didn't have to cook either one. Yeah Me!
Dinner at Mom and Dad's was really nice and yummy and we spent a few hours chatting with them. From Mom and Dad's we went to my In-Laws (Anna and Wayne's) house for a Christmas Evening Party. It was nice to see everyone and Ralph suprised everyone by being there...he is from away and didn't tell anyone that he was coming.
I went to the gym on Boxing Day and enjoyed the rest of the day at home.
Overall it was a pretty quiet Christmas...which is the way I like it.
Our Christmas Eve Tradition is to go to my In-Laws. We get together with them so Brandon can open his presents from them in front of them. They always open all their gifts so it is nice that we get to experience their Christmas with them. I missed it this year because I was scheduled to work Christmas Eve night so that meant that I went to work for 7:30 pm (Christmas Eve) and got off work at 7:30 Christmas morning. I was a pretty quiet night and I was tired when I got home and went straight to bed. Brandon said that he was going to get up at 6:00am on Christmas morning and I knew that he wouldn't because he is at the age where he sleeps in until noon. I got up around 11:00 and we opened our presents. It was really nice, quiet and relaxing.
Joey and Brandon wanted to make Christmas dinner but when Mom called, to invite us there for dinner, they decided that they would cook New Years dinner instead. I really liked that idea because it meant that I didn't have to cook either one. Yeah Me!
Dinner at Mom and Dad's was really nice and yummy and we spent a few hours chatting with them. From Mom and Dad's we went to my In-Laws (Anna and Wayne's) house for a Christmas Evening Party. It was nice to see everyone and Ralph suprised everyone by being there...he is from away and didn't tell anyone that he was coming.
I went to the gym on Boxing Day and enjoyed the rest of the day at home.
Overall it was a pretty quiet Christmas...which is the way I like it.
Monday, January 10, 2011
It's Time To Get Real
OK, it is time to get real...and 100% back on track.
I have not written a post in quite a while and I appoligize for that. The reason I have not been posting much is that I have not been doing so great with my nutrition and I am kind of embarassed about it. I thought that the OLD ME and her way of eating was gone, but apparently she wanted to remind me that she is not completely gone.
There have been many temptations during the holidays. Not so much at home but mostly at work. I have given in to way too many of them and I am not really happy with myself for doing that. We had families bringing in sweets like boxes and boxes and boxes of chocolate, cakes, cookies and pie. I have eaten pizza, chinese food and things that are quick to make at home. Now usually things that are quick to make are not that nutritious and are full of salt. sugar and fat. My body was used to getting lots of nutritious food which it used as fuel. Eating the unhealthy food during Christmas left my body really tired as it did not have the fuel it was used to getting.
I still went to the gym every day that I was not working and that it was open. But I shortened up my workouts a bit. I went to the gym with some other people and I did not want them to have to wait for me to finish so I shortened up my workouts. (I know...it really is just an excuse). I have been concentrating on my weights because I absolutely LOVE lifting weights, so I always do them first. I would run out of time and end up only doing about 20 minutes of cardio. I know that I need an even mix of cardio and weights and I guess I didn't plan my workouts as well as I should.
Speaking of planning...that is where I went really wrong over the holidays. I really did not plan my workouts the way I had been and I certainly did not plan my diet the way that I know I should be doing. For me, in order to succeed...I NEED TO PLAN! I know that I need to plan and I know how to plan. I just didn't do it! That is going to stop right here, right now! I will tell you about my plan to succeed in another post to come later tonight or tomorrow.
Now for the part that I am most embarassed about. My weight...Oh Dear!
Ok, so my weight yesterday was 222.6 lbs and if you remember what my weight was before Christmas you will know that I did not do so well. Before Christmas I was 218.8 lbs. Now for the real truth. I have already let go of 6 lbs that I have put on over the holidays. So that means that I put on a total of 10.8 lbs over the holidays. It is not something that I am proud of, I was actually really disappointed in myself which is one of the reasons that I continued to eat whatever was in front of me. But you know what, I have since let go of those feelings of disappointment and discouragement with myself and I have moved on. Now I am focusing on where I am going with my health in the future and letting go of the past.
Now, here is a little something about myself that some of you may know and some of you may not...depending on how well you know me. I have this desire or need to do everything that I do, perfectly. When I feel that I did not do my best at something, I get really down on myself and I find it hard to get over my imperfection. I don't like making mistakes or doing something wrong. I really just want to do everything perfectly and no one is perfect. It is hard to live up to the standards that I have set for myself. I need to learn to accept and deal with my imperfections in a healthy way. Does anyone know how I can do that?? One thing that I do do well, is learn from my mistakes. I usually analyse my mistakes to see what I did not do correctly and I make sure to learn how I can prefent it from happening again.
So, what did I learn from all this...I have learned that I really need to plan for success!
My next few posts will be about my holidays, how I spent Christmas and New Years and about my Plan for Success...so stay tuned!
Dawn
I have not written a post in quite a while and I appoligize for that. The reason I have not been posting much is that I have not been doing so great with my nutrition and I am kind of embarassed about it. I thought that the OLD ME and her way of eating was gone, but apparently she wanted to remind me that she is not completely gone.
There have been many temptations during the holidays. Not so much at home but mostly at work. I have given in to way too many of them and I am not really happy with myself for doing that. We had families bringing in sweets like boxes and boxes and boxes of chocolate, cakes, cookies and pie. I have eaten pizza, chinese food and things that are quick to make at home. Now usually things that are quick to make are not that nutritious and are full of salt. sugar and fat. My body was used to getting lots of nutritious food which it used as fuel. Eating the unhealthy food during Christmas left my body really tired as it did not have the fuel it was used to getting.
I still went to the gym every day that I was not working and that it was open. But I shortened up my workouts a bit. I went to the gym with some other people and I did not want them to have to wait for me to finish so I shortened up my workouts. (I know...it really is just an excuse). I have been concentrating on my weights because I absolutely LOVE lifting weights, so I always do them first. I would run out of time and end up only doing about 20 minutes of cardio. I know that I need an even mix of cardio and weights and I guess I didn't plan my workouts as well as I should.
Speaking of planning...that is where I went really wrong over the holidays. I really did not plan my workouts the way I had been and I certainly did not plan my diet the way that I know I should be doing. For me, in order to succeed...I NEED TO PLAN! I know that I need to plan and I know how to plan. I just didn't do it! That is going to stop right here, right now! I will tell you about my plan to succeed in another post to come later tonight or tomorrow.
Now for the part that I am most embarassed about. My weight...Oh Dear!
Ok, so my weight yesterday was 222.6 lbs and if you remember what my weight was before Christmas you will know that I did not do so well. Before Christmas I was 218.8 lbs. Now for the real truth. I have already let go of 6 lbs that I have put on over the holidays. So that means that I put on a total of 10.8 lbs over the holidays. It is not something that I am proud of, I was actually really disappointed in myself which is one of the reasons that I continued to eat whatever was in front of me. But you know what, I have since let go of those feelings of disappointment and discouragement with myself and I have moved on. Now I am focusing on where I am going with my health in the future and letting go of the past.
Now, here is a little something about myself that some of you may know and some of you may not...depending on how well you know me. I have this desire or need to do everything that I do, perfectly. When I feel that I did not do my best at something, I get really down on myself and I find it hard to get over my imperfection. I don't like making mistakes or doing something wrong. I really just want to do everything perfectly and no one is perfect. It is hard to live up to the standards that I have set for myself. I need to learn to accept and deal with my imperfections in a healthy way. Does anyone know how I can do that?? One thing that I do do well, is learn from my mistakes. I usually analyse my mistakes to see what I did not do correctly and I make sure to learn how I can prefent it from happening again.
So, what did I learn from all this...I have learned that I really need to plan for success!
My next few posts will be about my holidays, how I spent Christmas and New Years and about my Plan for Success...so stay tuned!
Dawn
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