I've returned

Ok, so I was MIA for a bit. I had an insane schedule with the end of school and then had a few health issues that set me back. Needless to say, the past 2 to 3 weeks were not my strongest of the contest. But, I do have to say, I did lose some weight each week, if only a little. Not gaining was a big plus ;)

So here I am at the final 2 weeks. I am writing down what I eat each day and basically going to an all fruit and veggie meal plan with a little added extras. NO dairy, NO red meat, NO sugar. I am also meeting with Steve 3 times as usual and walking every day for a minimum of an hour total. More if I can squeeze it in. The good thing is my requirements for grad school are complete (or may need only a few corrections), so that stressor is over.

So, here is my food log for

Mon: 6am: strawberry/banana/protein smoothie. 10am: apple and cutie tangarine. 12pm: carrots and 1/4 c humus. 3pm: 2 hard boiled eggs, apple, protein-water drink. 1/4 c unsalted almonds. 6pm: 4 oz cod, 1 cup cooked broccoli with raspberry/almond dressing.

Tue: 6am: strawberry/banana/protein smoothie. 10am: carrots and 1/4 c humus. 12pm: 2 cutie tangarines, 1/4 c unsalted almonds. 3pm: apple, 2 egg omelet with spinach, onion and black beans. 6pm: (will be) 4 oz cod, 1 cup cooked broccoli with raspberry/almond dressing. After workout protein-water drink.

You can probably see the pattern here. This is basically what I will be eating my final 2 weeks. Upon weighing this morning, I am down 27 lbs. Not quite what I had for a goal, but in 2 more weeks I may be close. My goal was 40 lbs. I am going to see how close I can get!!!!

We got a note yesterday (the members of the contest). They are having a party for us on May 26th. It is going to be a fundraiser. I'm not sure of the location yet. But they are trying to get at least one Bears player to attend as well as a local "Biggest Loser" contestant. As soon as I have more details I will let you know. Would love it if there was anyone that could join us!!

Thanks so much for helping me get through this! It has been quite an experience! I am looking forward to continuing my efforts after the contest. Maybe not as strict as the past 3 months, but definitely carrying over a lot of what I have learned.

Five weeks to go

So, we have 5 weeks left of the contest and I have mixed feelings. I have loved this experience so much and feel I have done well. But it has been very difficult with scheduling etc. The busy-ness of my life will be a relief to see end.

Last week I began seeing a chiropractor/acupuncturist as part of the contest. It has been the most amazing experience of my life. I have never done something like this before. I have seen him twice and loved both experiences. I quit counting after 64 while he was inserting the needles. It is a strange feeling...but it never hurt. The electric current through the needles is the best feeling ever. I have such a relaxed and healthy feeling when the sessions are over. I'm afraid I may be addicted to this. :) (it worries Joe too...haha)

My weight loss has not been as speedy as I would have liked. But it has been steady and healthy. Steve and I have decided to add a detox to the regimen for 2 or 3 days each week for the rest of the contest. A person's body builds up toxins and the fat in your body stores that, making weight loss more difficult. We are hoping this, and the chiropractor, and the increased workout schedule will aide in increasing the totals. I really want to be in first place at the end of the contest. But truthfully, whereever I am, I do consider myself a "winner" as I have learned so much about myself, about healthier eating, and about being more active and positive. All of this will make me a better person overall for myself and my family.

What are my hopes?? I hope to continue this lifestyle once the contest is over. I will not be as strict as I have been since Feb. But I definitely see the importance of healthy eating and healthy food choices. However, I believe that one must add the little indulgences now and then. Having an indulgence meal (NOT DAY) will be added to my schedule upon completion. I don't want to feel I am constantly giving up my favorites, and I don't think I should.

Will I go back to Diet Coke and other forms of artificial sweeteners?? I really don't think so. I feel such a difference in my body since I have removed these things. It is really healthier to just have a soda now and then and add a tsp of sugar to my coffee. My body knows how to use these things, but does not know what to do with the artificial stuff. If I didn't feel such a difference I think it would easier to fall back to my old habits.

Thanks for joining me in the is ride. It has been fun and I look forward to my final weeks and hope to tell you my place is #1 very soon!

More to follow soon....

Crazy amounts of energy today

With spring break being this week we changed the workout schedule. I spent the beginning of my day at the library being a grad student. Then, I went to workout with Steve and knocked it out of the park. I started with a warm up that turned into a self-challenge. I jogged/speed walked 1 mile in 13 1/2 minutes. Not super impressive for "real runners" but VERY good for me! And to think, that was my WARM UP! My real workout was, shall I just say, WOW. Had I known AFTER then workout what I was going to be doing I would have never attempted my mile challenge. haha Today was the first time I did a complete 1 hour workout. It consisted of push ups, punching bags, sit ups.....and 9 flights of stairs. I looked pretty beaten up at the end. But again, I DID IT! :)

Because of Easter I am only doing 2 training sessions this week with Steve. So I will be weighing in on Thursday, 4 days early. Hoping to see results!! Keeping my fingers crossed and my determination strong.

To top off the workout, tonight the kids and I went in the backyard and did some yard work. I am planning to put down tar paper and white rock around the garage. In preparation for tomorrow Joey and I pulled up the old wood chips and put the border stones in place. Tomorrow I hope/plan to fill in some soil and set the border stones. Hopefully Saturday we can do the rest. Joe's big concern: how much white rock will this take??? I just want to see it D.O.N.E.!!! Then we have 2 boxes to build so we can plant a blueberry and raspberry bush. I'd like to put white rock over there too but not sure Joe will agree that it fits into the "yard budget".

In the meantime, the contest continues and more to follow soon...

AMAZING DAY and NEW LIFE GOAL

Went to my workout this morning and weighed in. Lost another 4 lbs!!!! I am just so thrilled with that!! And...I have OFFICIALLY lost my first 20 lbs in the contest. Not only that, but I have gained muscle (which weighs more than fat) and have lost inches everywhere. Won't know those exact numbers, though, until the end of the contest. I can't even tell you how incredible this feels for me.

After my workout I met with a lady from the Herald News. She talked with me about different personality types and effective ways for each personality type to work out. Ironically, she and I are identical types. She shared with me something that has made an impact on me. Last week she celebrated 5 YEARS of working out every single day. I was so inspired by this. The past week or so I have been wondering what "post contest" life would look for me. I now have a goal to reach my 5 years of working out daily as well. Eileen shared with me that she looks at her weekly schedule every Sunday night and schedules in her workouts. She treats it as any other important thing she has on her schedule for the week. I plan to do the same thing. Anyone wanna join me in this goal?? It would be amazing to have my 50th birthday bash knowing I had spent 5+ years working out daily!!!

We have made a few changes this week to my meal plan and to my cardio workouts. Hoping for continued success during the last 1/2 of the contest period!!! I am so proud of myself and the effort it has taken to stay focused and energized during the past 1 1/2 months.

I am on spring break the next 7 days and I have made myself a schedule so that I don't waste away the days. Tomorrow I am digging out around the garage to prep it for tar paper and white rocks that will be put in place next weekend. I also have Friday carved out to spend with my kids and friends. The rest of the week will be working on my action research study and training modules for my Developmental Therapist credentials. I know, don't knock yourselves over with excitement over such plans....haha.

I also have a short workout week and will be doing my next weigh in on Thursday instead of Sunday. Wish me well!!!! More to follow....

Happy Sunday!

So, I went to workout today and weighed in. Lost another 1 1/2 lbs! Now really as much as I wanted, but I am glad to see the loss! Then the workout started. We went through my cardio schedule for days I don't work out with Steve. And guess what....I JOGGED FOR 7 MINUTES! Again, may not sound like much, but for me it was HUGE. I also ran on speed 7 for the first time and jogged a total of another 10-15 minutes with breaks. I sweat like I have never sweat before and felt so proud of myself afterwards!!!

We have decided to up my calories to 1600 daily from the 1400 and he gave me this new cardio workout. We're hoping to see more progress next Sunday. I'm going to really work hard this week and see what results we can get. I will try to type up my cardio workout tomorrow.

I have made some changes to my meal plan and am adding "grilled" veggies to my agenda. LOVED it and plan to do that again for tomorrow. Put on a bed of lettuce and 4 oz of chicken and it is amazing!!! That with my tuna or veggie chili for lunch and I will be one happy camper!! My snacks have been cottage cheese and oranges or strawberries with almonds in the morning and an apple with peanut butter in the afternoon. I think this will be a good week!!

Again, thanks for reading! More Tuesday :)

Very tough week

I think I am having one of the hardest times so far with my meals. I have tried to keep my mind focused on the things I can have instead of the things I cannot. But for some reason, I am obsessed with all of the "can'ts" today. It's been frustrating and I can't seem to get past it. Decided to make myself some homemade soup for dinner tonight. I threw in all my faves....chicken, mushrooms, tomato, onion, carrots, spinach. Then I added barley to hopefully make it a bit more filling. I'm hoping that this is going to help me get through this. Of course, a vegetarian taco from Zacatacos would taste far better....or any number of other faves of mine. But I really want to make it through this tough stretch.

Tomorrow is another weigh in and I hope to have shed a few extra lbs for my efforts. If not, I am not going to get down. I have worked harder in the past 5 weeks than I ever have. And I feel the effects. The changes are there, no matter what the scale may say. Steve is hoping for a 7 lb loss. I would be thrilled with that....but will take anything in the "-" numbers. :)

More soon...just needed to get these feelings in writing so that I can put them to rest. As always, thanks for reading!

Feeling GOOOOOD!

Tonight's workout felt so good. I worked very hard and did so many push ups and weights. And man did I ever sweat tonight. I was a bit worried that being sick again over the weekend would affect my workout. But I really came back around 90%, or maybe even a bit more. :) I couldn't believe how good it all felt. There are muscles showing up now that I didn't even know I had. Think maybe next week I will put in a "1/3 done" picture in for everyone!! I'll have to hire my mini trainer to take it for me. I will do it Sunday after my next weigh in.

I am working this week so hard on my positive attitude. Positive vibes bring on results. I have also buried my scale. I tried not to, but I still found myself weighing myself last week. That's negative energy that just doesn't bring the good stuff that I want to see. So, NO MORE weighing myself except on Sundays at Push Fitness with Steve. NO MORE!

This week my home workouts continue in full force. I backed off last week due to my illness but am refusing to let it take me down again this week. It is NOT going to happen!!!

More to follow after Thursdays workout...