Friday, May 31, 2013

Score!!!

So, I decided to do my weigh-in today due to big plans away from my scale this weekend.  I weighed in the late afternoon as well - very unusual for me.  But anyway, I LOST 3.8 POUNDS!!!!  WooHoooooo!!  Even with my days of not making my goals, there was a loss - plus TOM left, so that probably (definitely) helped.

Wow, I needed that loss to motivate me to keep going.  I know there are going to be weeks that I don't lose anything and even weeks that I gain (yikes!) but it really helps when it's a good loss.  Looking forward to this coming week and upping the challenge!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Diets in Review

So, let's just say today didn't go very well - ok it just plain sucked.  And now let's move on.

Imagine happier thoughts of past diets that didn't work so well.  Ok, not much happier is it?  That's ok - let's change things up a bit - I will tell you one thing I know about the program and at least one positive thing about each one (on the ones I haven't tried, I'll just tell you one positive thing that I've heard of, ok?).

Alphabetically...

Atkins - almost completely cuts out carbs and focuses mostly on proteins.  I haven't tried it but I saw it work very well for a friend.  I'm a carb addict, so this diet was never for me.

Biggest Loser - Is there anyone who hasn't seen this show?  It's amazing.  I strive to have the heart and determination of some of these people.  I don't know if there's an actual Biggest Loser weight loss program out there, but it's worth mentioning the show if for nothing other than motivation.

Body for Life - This one I know well.  I lost 30 pounds in 2003 on this one.  It definitely works.  It balances proteins and carbs in a doable program.  It also incorporates exercise in a way that makes sense.  Nicely structured.

Choose to Lose - Chris Powell is the spokesperson for this one.  I think I bought the book because he's so stinkin' adorable and he helps the "super obese" become healthy.  I saw his show "Extreme Makeover - Weight-loss Edition" and figured I'd check out his plan.  Well, let's see.  The foods to eat on this program are really really healthy.  And he does this thing called "carb cycling."

Diet Solution Program - I tried this one for about a week,  but it didn't really stick.  Basically, you find your "metabolic type," either protein, carb or mixed type based on a quiz in the book.  The one positive thing I can say about it is they really knew how to market their product!

Fit2Fat2Fit - I heard about this one accidentally in an online headline.  "Personal Trainer gains weight to feel what it's like to be overweight."  Amazing right?  It really is.  I found this just before he started the "fit" phase.  It's all online and is completely free.  He lists his and his wife's diet and exercise plus blogs about the experience.

Grapefruit Diet - I've not tried this one, but my dad did back in the 80s.  He did lose weight - about 8-10 pounds.  One good thing is that it only last for 12 days.

Juice Master Diet - Jason Vale is a fantastic motivational speaker.  I made it to day 3 of the juice fast.  Lost 5 pounds.

Weight Watchers - Like the Biggest Loser, is there anyone who hasn't heard of Weight Watchers?  I haven't tried it, but it must work because millions of folks have lost weight using their services.

That's about it for my list.  I wasn't trying to be all inclusive - just talking about programs I've done or thought about doing.  Without pointing out specifics, I have to say that I'm the type of person who needs structure.  That's why I have to plan my menus and workouts.  If I have them written down as goals, I'm more likely to do it.

I think after reviewing all of these programs, I've come to a conclusion.  I am a picky eater.  If the foods a program suggests don't taste good to me, then I already have a problem.  It has to be easy to follow and most importantly - maintainable.

So, talk to me folks, which programs have you tried (assuming you've tried one) or have thought about trying?  If they didn't work for you, why do you think that is?  Or if they worked, why did they work?




Wednesday, May 29, 2013

One out of Three?

Well, one out of three ain't bad, right?

Water goal met?  Nope
Training goal met?  Nope
Ate healthy foods? YES!!!!

I guess it was just one of those days.  Wednesday is usually a busy day for me and I typically get lots of steps, but today was extremely very busy.  On top of that, my knee was hurting all day long.  Ice and motrin were definitely in order when I got home.  So, needless to say, I didn't do the treadmill today.  I'm going to shoot for the 8K step goal tomorrow though and not feel all guilty and sulk for not meeting these goals today.

Sticking to the food plan was tough because Wednesday seems to be doughnut day at work.  And as a sugar addict, I always want one soooooo badly.  Today was no exception.  Even when they were just a desk away, tempting me with all that sugary evilness, I just kept telling myself no.  Maybe someday after I've met all my goals, or maybe as a treat down the road, but not today.  I don't want to sabotage any progress I've made.  Those 300 or so calories can be used elsewhere - like two whole other snacks!  So, yes, I stuck really well with the food side of things today.

I think it's more important at this point - only one week into this journey - to really focus on staying motivated and positive about every success.  If we're always focusing on areas where we don't succeed, then it's easy to derail.  Even in those challenges, we don't have to come down so hard on ourselves - just strive to do better next time.

Are you pushing through a challenge this week?  Do you tend to hear positive or negative thoughts  running around in your head when things don't work out the way you plan?

Next up, tomorrow, I'm going over some of the weight loss programs I've tried/heard of in the past.  Even though I may not have been successful using all of them, I learned something from each one.  There are thousands of programs out there!  Have you tried any or know anyone who has?  What was the best and worst thing about it?






Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Sleepy Menu

No, the menu isn't actually sleepy, but I am... everyday.  Why is this?  I want to take a nap everyday after work.  Work is not manual labor - it's pretty much a desk job with occasional treks around the building.  This isn't just while I'm trying to lose weight either.  It's  no matter what.  Go to bed early, stay up late, doesn't matter - I still want a nap.  So if it's not the food, and it's not the job, and it's not what time I go to bed, then what else could it be?  Barring any illness, I can only come to the conclusion that if I didn't have carry around all this extra weight, I just might have more energy.  And who knows, maybe after a few weeks of eating fairly healthy plus exercising, just maybe I might not be so sleepy.  Thoughts?

Alrighty then, on to more pleasant business... the MENU - dun da da DAAA!  (that was a trumpet sounding off if you didn't get it =D)  <<<<and that's a dbl chin LOL!!!  Ah it must be getting late.
 <sorry>

This week's menu has lots of stuff from last week in the breakfast/lunch/snack area.  I don't mind eating a small variety of foods so far.  Dinners, however, I like to change up.  Hopefully, I'll get around a month's worth and then repeat so there'll be less effort on my part - menu planning is draining work - seriously draining.  Just to keep things interesting though, I'll probably throw in a recipe here and there as I come across them.

Annnyway, the menu...

Monday
B
Lean Bacon & 2% cheese on English Muffin
Coffee/OJ
Monday
S
Fuji apple w/ sharp cheddar slices
Water
Monday
L
Subway Smokehouse BBQ Chicken w/Sunchips
Water
Monday
S
Reeses' Protein shake
Water
Monday

D
Hamburgers, Baked chips, salad
Decaf iced tea




Tuesday
B
Total Raisin Bran cereal w/ 2% milk plus fruit
Coffee
Tuesday
S
Nutrigrain bar
Water
Tuesday
L
Turkey Sandwich w/lite mayo & mustard on wheat, Sun chips
Water
Tuesday
S
Cucumber & Tomato Salad
Water
Tuesday
D
Grilled Chicken breast, Cauliflower mixed w/whl wht pasta & cheese
Decaf iced tea




Wednesday
B
FF yogurt, Bare Naked Fit granola, fruit
Coffee
Wednesday
S
Celery w/ peanut butter
Water
Wednesday
L
Turkey Sandwich w/lite mayo & mustard on wheat, Sun chips
Water
Wednesday
S
Fuji apple w/ sharp cheddar slices
Water
Wednesday
D
Beef Au Jus w/ potatoes & salad
Decaf iced tea




Thursday
B
Total Raisin Bran cereal w/ 2% milk plus strawberries
Coffee
Thursday
S
Handful almonds & berries
Water
Thursday
L
Turkey Sandwich w/lite mayo & mustard on wheat, Sun chips
Water
Thursday
S
Nutrigrain bar
Water
Thursday
D
Sweet & Spicy Pork Tenderloin (BL Recipe) w/ Cauliflower
Decaf iced tea




Friday
B
FF yogurt, Bare Naked Fit granola, strawberries
Coffee
Friday
S
Nabisco 100 calorie snack
Water
Friday
L
Leftovers from Thursday dinner
Water
Friday
S
Homemade Trail mix
Water
Friday
D
Chicken Quesadilla, light Waldorf salad
Decaf iced tea




Saturday
B
Total Raisin Bran cereal w/ 2% milk plus strawberries
Coffee
Saturday
S
Homemade Trail mix
Water
Saturday
L
Tuna salad sandwich on wheat w/ Sun chips
Water
Saturday
S
Handful almonds & berries
Water
Saturday

D
Subway (Eat Fresh!)
Decaf iced tea


Training, (aka exercising, workout, etc.) as you'll recall from last week's post, is the same as week 1.  It'll get more challenging in week 3.  But in case you don't want to hunt down last week's post, here it is again:


Weeks 1 & 2
Mondays - Pick a fun outdoor activity
 - went geocaching yesterday - about a mile round trip
Tuesdays - Do at least 8,000 steps (using FitBit to track)
 - I made it to 8133 today.
Wednesdays - Treadmill for 20 minutes @ 2.5 mph minimum
Thursdays - Do at least 8,000 steps (using FitBit to track)
Fridays - Treadmill for 20 minutes @2.5 mph minimum
Saturdays - For 30 min., work out w/ the xbox - Fitness Evolved - I like the kickboxing 

Water is the area that I need the most improvement.  I've only hit the goal once so far.  Sure wish it tasted better - not that it tastes bad, it's just really plain.  Any suggestions?  

Finally, a quick Weight Watchers update... turns out the place I was going to check out closes at 1pm on Tuesdays.  They're open later the rest of the week.  Stay tuned...


Monday, May 27, 2013

Whew! First week DONE!!

Victories abound over the weekend - on Saturday I drank 100+ ounces of water!!  Yay!!!  I stopped counting at 100, but I think it was like 106?  Anyway, now I know I can do the water - I was starting to wonder.  Food and exercise went well too, with only slight modifications here and there.

Sunday is a "free day".  I don't plan, track, do or have anything to do with exercise or meal planning.  It is a true day off.  I'm not trying to overeat though I do pick up whatever I was craving the most throughout the week.  This week it was Arby's.

Today was nice.  We went geocaching in the neighborhood.  Took the dogs out for a walk with us - I think they enjoyed themselves a lot!  It was only about a mile round trip, but fun finding the cache.

We had to walk through this...

To get to climb all over this!!
Actually, it wasn't that bad.  I didn't bring the pups through the cacti, but there's enough grass/rock/dirt to avoid them if you're a human.

Oh and I almost forgot the best news!!!  I lost a pound!  What's that?  Only a pound you ask?  Why yes, my friend, one pound.  However, I feel that had TOM not visited on Friday, it would've been a greater loss.  Now that I'm getting the whole water thing under control as well, I expect a bigger number next week. Until then, a loss is a loss and ON TO THE NEXT!!

Ok, I mentioned I was going to look into Weight Watchers.  I always thought in the past it was this huge scam on people trying to lose weight - especially if you end up buying their brand name foods.  Well, it seems I may have been mistaken.  (Shhhh!  Don't tell my DD - she loves it when I'm wrong!) Weight Watchers is at the top of the list.  They are the number one weight loss company in the U.S.  (I'll get a reference on that, b/c I want it too.)  

Anyway, there are lots of meetings around my area, but it can also be done online without ever attending a meeting.  The cost is around $5/week for the online program (there's gadgets and such for the phone and online tools as well) and approximately $10/week for the whole pkg (unlimited meetings plus all the online tools).  I'm leaning toward the whole pkg just because I want to be around positive people who are going through some of the stuff I am, you know what I mean?  I also don't want to do this alone anymore - I need accountability somewhere.  I think the coolest thing is they have meetings especially for folks needing to lose over 50 lbs.  I plan to stop by on the way home tomorrow or later this week if I forget about tomorrow ;p

Well, I'm calling it a night.  Hope everyone had a happy and safe Memorial Day!  






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